Oh My Life!

Life is truly full of adventures, hardships and laughter. There are moments that you pass through life with flying colors while sometimes, you feel like you wanna quit. There are instances that you think that you can’t go on anymore and tears are like blood streaming down your cheeks. You sometimes blame the Lord or other people for your sufferings and think that life is unfair or that you don’t even deserve to live. But no matter how hard the battle of life is, you must still go on because there are people loving and waiting for you. You must always be careful in every step you take because you might stumble and fall.

Never Gonna Be Forgotten

August 21, 2009 was a wonderful and knowledgeable day for me because we, the SSG Officers had a Leadership Training held at the vicinity of my dear school, Saint Charles Academy. While I was on my way to the school, I can’t explain the feeling that’s raging within. I don’t know if I’m excited, happy or nervous. When I came, I was surprised to see my co-officers practicing a cheer. I took a deep breath, smiled and said, “Good morning! What a great day ahead!” I sat together with my teammates and think of our team’s name, flag and cheer. We have decided to name our team as the “Mighty Jaguar.” We practiced our cheer and made or flag. My favorite part in our cheer is the BRABALIBINTAWAN Part and it goes like this, “Bra-Ba-Li-Bin-Ta-Wan! Bra-Ba-Li-Bin-Ta-Wan! Brabalibintawan! Walang talab ang Alaxan! Jaguar!” I love this part because Dempel and I made this cheer. Haha!

The Leadership training started at around 7:00 am. The first part was a lecture about leadership. During the talk, I was amazed on how the speakers discussed their topics, at the same time, I gained so much knowledge on how to be a good leader. My heart was filled with so much joy to learn such things that I can apply in leading my co-Charlesians to be the best that they can be.

Lunch time came and we were given a 1-hour lunch break. During the break, our group didn’t waste any second, we chatted and laughed at each others jokes to tighten our bond. After the lunch break, we went back to the venue, the SCA’s Science Lecture Room. We had a short talk and then we went to the Gymnasium to start the Environmental Challenge.

We were divided into two groups, the Blue and the Yellow team. The Boas were the Blue team and we, the Mighty Jaguars were the Yellow team. First, we had the cheering competition and I can’t believe that I made the tasks assigned to me! In my very own eyes and sight, I did see that I made a mess during the cheering competition but others say that I’m a great performer! Haha! After that horrible or maybe wonderful cheer, we played a game called, “Rescue 101.” Two of our teammates should pass behind our back while the other one would guide them so that they would not fall and could make their way to the other end although their eyes were covered with a handkerchief. Luckily, we made it to the finish line faster than the other team.

Next, we have to put the pieces of a puzzle together so that we can proceed to the next challenge. And because of our cooperation and unity, we completed the puzzle in just a matter of seconds. We have to have a good coordination because we have to carry each other one by one with both arms raised while seated at the floor. Oh my God! I almost lost my mind during this challenge! I thought that I’m gonna smash my bones! But because the wanted to finish the challenge, we did our best even though our arms were already giving up and we finally did it, but, it took so long.

The next challenge we have to face is the “Message Relay.” A message to be passed on us was given to Sushmita by Ms. Armalene. Sushmita acted the message and I imitated it right away. After a few seconds, I memorized the message and passed it to Dempel. She got it easily and passed to Richter. After the message was understood by Richter, he passed it immediately to Ronald and we waited for eternity until he recognized and imitated it correctly. He turned to Shiela to pass the message and she got it in just a strike of lightning. Passing it to Krizzle, then Krizle passing to Chelsea. Chelsea had a hard time imitating the actions but when she finally got it, she turned to Angelica to pass the message at once and Angelica instantly understood it and ran to Ms. Armalene to show her the message. And the moment that the message was revealed to Ms. Armalene, the timer stopped and we went to the next challenge.

We have to fill the pail at the other side with water using a pail with lots of holes. We planned for techniques and we agreed that Richter will have to carry the pail and fill the other fail. When he started to carry it, he became all wet. We filled the other pail, or should I say he! Haha! I pitied him because he whispered to me that he doesn’t have any extra pants that time and he’s very wet! We ran as fast as we can to reach the next challenge, the “Connect the Lines Challenge.” We have to connect all the things we have right there and we have to follow the rule- no talk. We started to connect all things that we have when suddenly, Angelica forgot the rule and she uttered a few words, so we have to start all over again. We were irritated because the finish line is still far. When our things weren’t enough to reach the endpoint, we lie down the ground and stretched our bodies just to reach the end. Another challenge was accomplished!

We went to the “Commando Crawl” and started the challenge. We crawled and crawled and crawled until we reached the end and we laughed at ourselves when we noticed that our clothes were a mess! We were wearing white collared shirts that time, did the Commando Crawl and got our shirts so dirty! The challenge was already over; one last challenge we have to make is the “Pyramid.” We, the Jaguars thought of plan to make the pyramid last for a hundred seconds. When we were about tot start, the instructor thought of a wacky style to begin it. We were told to stay still on the wall and when the signal is said, we’re gonna run to the area and build the pyramid. So, we did it and we built our pyramid and started counting 100. I was beneath and I was running after my breath, it feels like I’m having asthma!

We finished the challenge and we rested for a while. After resting, the whole group took pictures together with the coordinators namely: Mr. Adoz, Mr. Vincent Larry Cayabyab, Mr. Maurison Aquino, Mr. Elmer Mustar, Ms. Armalene Agbuya and Mrs. Vernalisa Magalong. After that tiring yet fun challenge, we went back upstairs and did another activity including the Project Planning and of course, the announcement of winners. And we, the Jaguars can’t believe that we won in all of the games!

We finished at around 7:00 pm and I can say that its worthy for all the efforts and time. My time wasn’t wasted but instead, it was used in a meaningful and wonderful way! This is one of the most unforgettable and knowledgeable days of my life! I would always bring the lessons I’ve learned in this training anywhere I go. Thanks to all the coordinators who did their bests to accomplish an activity like that!

Busy as a Bee!

This is it! I am already a senior! But, being an active senior student, I have to face lots of trials and hardships to be one of the best in each field I am affiliated to. During the first two months, there are lots of activities in the campus. I have to choose from the three different clubs, namely: Communication Arts Club, MAKABAYAN Club and Science and Math Club. After a couple of minutes, I have decided to join the MAKABAYAN club.

Then, here comes the search for the new writers of the official publication of Saint Charles Academy, the ‘Charlesian’. I tried to pass an application form and then attended an interview and wrote a feature and a news article. Luckily, I passed and became a writer.

Again, the school needed a new set of Supreme Student Government Officials (SSGO) to be the head of all the Charlesian Students. And because I wanted to help and transform not only the school but also the students to become a better one, I ran for a position. The Miting de Avance was a great experience but unfortunately, many of the performances we prepared were wasted because we ran out of time. During the election, I have lots of questions on my mind. And when the results finally came, I am very thankful that most of the Charlesians believed in my abilities and in what I can do to my dear school.

And because of the activities, I haven’t noticed that it is already the 1st Mid-Periodical exam. So, I have to rush in reviewing and take so many quizzes I’ve missed. I don’t have enough time to inject all the lessons in my mind but thank God because my Grades are still okay.

I heard the Lord calling my name saying that He needs me to continue His mission of spreading the good news. And being a true Catholic Christian, I submitted an application form and took an exam. After a few days, the list of the passers was posted and I was glad to my name on it.

Having passed the examination, I have to go through a 3-day seminar for me to know the responsibilities that I must fulfill. I also gained knowledge in making a lesson plan and in singing Christian songs.

The celebration of the Nutrition Month was celebrated in so many ways. The poster-slogan making contest, facial make-up, dish gardening, cake icing, fruit carving, table skirting and of course, the dance showdown were some of the contests. Our whole class joined the dish gardening but we were divided into 4 groups. I also give my best shot during the dance showdown.

It was a great and one-of-a-kind experience to have a seminar about Campus Journalism. One fun thing about the seminar is that we slept in the rooms in the 1st year building! It was a hectic schedule because all the activities have an allotted time. We only have a little time to rest but although the schedule is like that, it’s still fun and I learned many ideas in writing a specific article.

It was my first time to audition in a group that would be performing on stage! I don’t know what to do. I admit that I don’t have the voice but I guess I can dance and act. One reason that I have auditioned is that I wanted to conquer my fear of performing in front of a crowd. Until now, the chosen ones are not yet announced and the nervousness is still in me.

And the last organization wherein I am a member is the CAT I. being a Cadet Officer is not that easy. I have to be a good role model to all, especially to my batch mates. It was dreadfully upsetting because I haven’t attended the General Inspection thrice. I missed my platoon so much during the times that I haven’t attended the G.I. for some valid reasons.

The sports enthusiasts started to have training in different kinds of sports. I am one of the enthusiasts and I wanted to join the training in basketball but I have to give it up because I am already loaded with so much responsibilities. If I have persisted to join the training, my body might collapse.

I can’t believe that these things happened in just two months! And I can’t also believe that I am part of these activities! Because of these activities, I haven’t spent so much time with my friends. I can’t remember when was the last time that I am eating and laughing together with my friends. I guess that this will be an exciting and adventurous school year for me and I know that I can’t escape the stress as a student. But, these are just the start of the journey! These happenings in my life are nothing compared to the lives of the successful and well known personalities.