2008 turns 2009

Year 2008 may not have been cause so much joy to our life, to the society or to the world, hence it caused us more inhibitions. But for me, it has been fair and square. The Rat will be transferring it's throne to the Ox.

Time flies so fast. It seems like yesterday we only celebrated and welcome Year 2008. But here we are, later, we’re going to change the calendar on our walls and will be welcoming Year 2009.

As part of our customs, people will be making once again their New Year’s Resolution(s). But don’t count me in. Anyways, does your [your] New Year’s Resolution come true? Or do you still make it (your past New Year’s Resolution) until now?

I bet some don’t and good for others that still do it.

Don’t you think that we should welcome 2009 a different way? I mean, hello? Why are you going to make a New Year’s Resolution if you can’t keep it? Right?

Why not, instead of making New Year’s Resolution, let’s set some goal to achieve! Basically, New Year’s Resolutions are just mere undertaking that were meant to be busted and the turn up is you’ll be a loser while if you set your goal at least you will always be reminded to give your very best in everything that you will do. And another idea is why not change our bad and awful attitudes for the better. Change for the better! It can never be changed in a wink of an eye. It takes time. Take it slowly.

In a matter of few minutes another chapter of our lives will be ending and will immediately followed by another one.

As I have said earlier, Year 2008 may not be as good as we are expecting it to be. Many trials had come along our way. But amidst to it, we stand firm enough to face all these challenges.

Au Revoir 2008!
Welcome 2009!

oswaldfabisablay
31dec2008

ONLY YOU CAN CHOOSE

We can associate life with sundry mere things that we can never imagine, not even in our wildest dreams can be associated to but it is possible that we can match up to our life with these mere life.

Life is like a box full of chocolate. You’ll never know what sweet treat might come next to meet in your mouth for the next big scene, connoted by one of my colleagues -Kristelle. Indeed, life is full of surprises. Expect the unexpected, so they say. We may not meet what we are expecting and we may meet the things that we don’t expect to happen but the choice of choosing what is best for us is within ourselves. We are the only ones who can tell what will be our fate in the ensuing imminent future.

We are the ones who are painting the wall that signifies our life. We are the ones who paint black in our wall, the red, the green, the blue to mention few. The more colors we paint in the wall, the more our life will be meaningful. There may have been some perquisites but we must never be abuse these perquisites, but instead be just be thankful.
Life is can be as funny as a comedy films maybe, or can be as enchanting as a fairytale movies can be or can be as dreadful as a horror and suspense movie, or can be as lovely as a love-story movie can be or can be as gloomy as a drama movie. Life is a silver screen in a making. All the “genre” that we’re mentioned above are all part of our mere life that makes it complete before ending, and that ending lies among us, we may choose have a happy-ending story or a wrecked-ending story.

Life is a paradox. It is full of contradicting things that happens everyday that we might not be aware of. Choose wisely are the words of the game. Be painstaking in making decisions. We are the ones whom we are going to benefit in the end if we follow this only rule in life. We are the ones is will be responsible for every decisions we make. Have off pat that we make decisions to make our life more colorful not to wreck our life.

oswaldfabisablay
9nov2008

YULETIDEseason

Christmas is always the happiest and the much awaited season in our family. For some reasons, Christmas became my favorite time of the year -the cold breeze that touches our skin, the break from doing and thinking school works etc.

We celebrate Christmas the way we used to -exchanging of gifts, going to the mall and buying new clothes and shoes, singing Christmas carols, eating, going to our ninongs and ninangs and a lot more.


But the question now is, "Do you know the true meaning of Christmas?"

I hope so.

"Great little One! Whose all embracing birth lifts
Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth."
-Richard Crashaw

The coming of Jesus Christ, the Saviour, the Messiah is the true and heart of Christmas. It is the most amazing event that happend in the history of mankind. Jesus became human, like us who experienced how normal people lived. God sent His only son to save us because of one reason. LOVE.

Now, to payback the greatness and goodness of God, we should love in return. Love yourself. Love your parents. Love your siblings. Love your neighbor. Love your enemies and love the whole world.

Happy Yuletide Season!

YELLOW stands above all!

"unlike the students of the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle, the UST community had been silent and modest of their Tiger blood"

"Uplift the Thomasian spirit"

"Rock and Roar"

"If you have it, then flaunt it!"

*note: all the captions were from the article
-Shirts that RAWR! of December 19, 2008 issue
The Varsitarian

oswaldfabisablay
20dec2008

Do You Believe?

IF SOMEONE HAD A GUN HELD IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE AND ASKED YOU IF YOU BELIEVED IN GOD, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

> > > > SAY NO AND FEEL ASHAMED THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?OR SAY YES, I DO, AND DIE STANDING UP FOR GOD?

> > > > If you would say no, DELETE THIS E-MAIL , NOW.IF YOU WOULD SAY YES,

> > > > AND STAND UP FOR JESUS CHRIST, PLEASE READ THIS AND PASS ON.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Note: This is a true article that was printed in a southern newspaper less then a year ago

> > > >

> > > > TAKE A DEEP BREATH BEFORE READING THIS

> > > >

> > > > There was an atheist couple who had a child. The couple never told their daughter anything about the Lord. One night when the little girl was 5 years old, the parents fought with each other and the dad shot the Mom, right in front of the child. Then, the dad shot himself. The little girl watched it all. She then was sent to a foster home. The foster mother was a Christian and took the child to church. On the first day of Sunday School, the foster mother told the teacher that the girl had never heard of Jesus, and to have patience with her. The teacher held up a picture of Jesus and said, "Does anyon e know who this is?" The little girl said, "I do, that's the man who was holding me the night my parents died."

> > > >

> > > > If you believe this little girl is telling the truth that even though she had never heard of Jesus, he still held her the night her parents died, then you will forward this to as many people as you can.

> > > >

> > > > Or you can delete it as if it never touched your heart.

> > > > Funny, isn't it?

> > > >

> > > > Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

> > > >

> > > > Funny how we believe what the newspaper

>>>>PLEASE spread this in any forms

untitled

"I was in point of fact swamped in amity and was clear-fell by it’s grandiose supremacy. I was not able to mull over of my part. I didn’t leftward a single spec of ardor for myself. Not fathoming, I am already downing myself and obliterating my imminent and so my dear existence. After lengthy stint of discerning, I turn up to a verdict that I must take up and bequeath myself one more venture to hold dear myself. And cry that life must carry on whatever complications may happen.""

oswaldfabisablay
3dec2008

Voices in Harmony

*note: the next critique your going to read is actually a message from the Chairman of Voices in Harmony published in their souvenir-book and was actually read as the opening remark in the Grand Finals Night of Voices in Harmony held at the Crossroad 77 Convenarium last November 29, 2008 at 5PM.

"It was 1999 when the first Voices in Harmony was staged at the University Theater of the Philippines’ premiere state university. Planned as one-time-big-time event of the Children’s Museum and Library, Inc. Junior Council Alumni Association (CMLI JCAA), it has grown and developed to be one of the most premiere and sought-after annual choral competitions in the country today. In its tenth year of existence, Voices in Harmony has been a living legacy of empowering the youth through music as it does not only focus on the youth’s talent development but also in gearing them towards the appreciation of Philippine airs - a mirror of our culture, our identity as Filipinos.

Allow me to say that Voices in Harmony has somehow set the standards of choral competitions in the region. It has a decade of giving our secondary school choirs a suitable competition venue, year-after-year exciting avant-garde compulsory pieces, and top caliber personalities in the field of choral music as jury members, to name a few. These serve as a challenge not only to the choral groups and glee clubs but also to the organizing committee as expectations rise and as audience grow in number.

As the doors of Crossroad 77 Convenarium open, we present our ten competitive choir-finalists armed with their musical prowess and their conductors’ choral ingenuity. Tonight we pat tribute to the future Philippine ambassadors of chorals singing, to the ethnolinguistical groups of the uplands contributing their bountiful rhythms and chants, and to young, budding Filipino composers who continue to enrich the Philippines’ musical excellence.

This is a celebration of a decade of empowering the youth through music. This is your annual awit-tagisan ng batang Pilipino! This is Voices in Harmony!"

Charlz William C. Dimal
Chairman
Voices in Harmony 2008

WHAT EACH KISS MEANS

WHAT EACH KISS MEANS
for everyone
- Kiss on the Upperchest: I'm ready.
- Kiss on the Forehead: We're cute together.
- Kiss on the Cheek: We're friends.
- Kiss on the Hand: I adore you.
- Kiss on the Neck: I want you, now.
- Kiss on the Shoulder: Your perfect.
- Kiss on the Lips: I think I like you.
_______________________________________

WHAT EACH GESTURE MEANS:

- Holding Hands: We definitely like each other.
- Touching on the Butt: Your fun.
- Holding you tight pressed against each other: I want you.
- Looking into each other's Eyes: I like you, for who you are.
- Playing with Hair: Let's fool around.
- Arms around the Waist: I like you too much to let go.
- Laughing while Kissing: I am completely comfortable with you.
_______________________________________

ADVICE:

- If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you're definitely in Love.
_______________________________________

REQUIREMENTS:

- Post this again after reading!!! Or you will have a bad year of Relationships.
_______________________________________

IF YOU (LIKE), (LOVE), OR (MISS) SOMEONE RIGHT NOW:

- and can't get them out of your head.
- then Re-post this within One Minute and Whoever you are missing will surprise you.
- Repost this as "WHAT EACH KISS MEANS"

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

High school life is like playing basketball. Through the duration of the game, opponent-players will steal the ball from you in their effort to stop you from shooting and making points. But if you win the game, it feels that it’s all worth it -all the efforts that you exert in the game.

Playing my first-ever game in High School last year is not as easy as playing jackstones. Along the road to success, I have met many opponents that tried to steal the ball in my hand during the four-quarter game. Since I have exert a lot of effort, sacrificed a lot, and my heart’s conviction made my championship-dream a reality.

Receiving certificates in every quarter made my stressed-mind relaxed. Knowing that all the hardships and effort that I have given in the game is all worth it. No regrets in making sacrifices.

The first game is off. Here comes the second one -the second year level. It is a different level, which is much more difficult compared to last year’s.

"There is always room for improvement"

Coming from last year’s sweet victory, this year is totally different. On the first quarter of my second game, I received my first-ever bitter-moment. I wasn’t able to qualify in the honor roll. It is at some point disappointing knowing that I gave my very best just to win. But I am proud to say that at least I did not receive failing marks.

Being not part of the honor roll is no big deal with me as long as I will not receive failing marks per se. But people pressuring me and keep telling me (until now) bumawi ka next quarter ha, pissed me off that other people seems not to appreciate that I didn’t receive failing marks. It may be a small matter but a simple compliment encourages me to improve more. Instead of looking to the negative side which is not being an honor student; lets just look on the brighter side that I didn’t fail.

And on my second quarter game in the my second game is another acrimonious stint in my life. The pressure that was put forward to me doubles. Now, I can really tell that I am really pressured. With all those questions thrown to, just say what happened to you? or bumawi ka uli ha! is a big turn-off me.

Encountering this matter, I come up to a decision to take this as a challenge. A challenge wherein I will let these people realize that receiving a certificate didn’t matter, what matter’s most is on how you will apply the lessons you have learned from every pages of books.

And it is not too late to improve. There is always room for improvement. There are still three quarters and two more games to look forward. I can still get the championship that I am dreaming of.

oswaldfabisablay
3oct2008 and 28nov2008

ON OUR WAY TO SUCCESS

Revival - renewal of interest
Development - event causing change
Potential - possible but as yet not actual
Breakout - forceful escape
Determination - firmness of purpose
Purpose - reason of existence
Retribution - punishment/vengeance
Pressure - constant state of worry and urgency

The road to success is very bristly. No one can pass it very easily. A lot of effort should be exerted before heading toward to our goal. It will be painful before being successful. It requires a lot of hardwork before victory. It will take frustration before triumph. Along the very rough road, we can be injured, we can be bruised, and we can be crushed.

Before we really run to the road of success, we should really know the PURPOSE of our odyssey towards success because if it remains vague to us, it will be the reason for our downfall.


There may be a point in one’s life that we can get tired of achieving our goals because of all the consequences but we should never lose hope and don’t be afraid to REVIVE the spirit of achieving your goal inside you.

Along the road, we are going to encounter different obstacles that will stop us from reaching our goals but as we encounter these obstacles surely, we have something to be learned that will lead us our DEVELOPMENT.

Aside from achieving our goals, we may [unknowingly] discover new things upon oneself that might help us in achieving and we will see that we have the POTENTIAL to survive. but it can also be the reason of our failure.

Apart from discovering new things, meeting those obstacles may help us to really know ourselves. It will help us to know our strengths as well as our weaknesses and be able to BREAK-OUT to these weaknesses that doesn’t help in reaching what we want.

Strive harder to reach the goalpost by not looking on how far more we should run but on the strength of our DETERMINATION, we can measure how near we are to our goalpost no matter how small we are and how big our dreams are.

Don’t look yourself very small because you are just starting you way to success and look up at others because they are headed because it we will just be PRESSURED and that will also lead to our failure.

We may fall down due to some circumstances but never lose hope and stand up again with pride and be proud of your bruises because it will be the marks of all your hardships and go on. If we succeed, it will serve as the RETRIBUTION to all those who wish for our failure.

But most of all the most important thing is the YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, surely you will be the most successful person.

oswaldfabisablay
30oct2008

THE CYCLE

Do you believe that people around us have different perspectives in their lives or you believe that we have one common perspective why we are living?

I say that I believe that each and everyone of us have different perspectives in our life but have a common purpose.

In this ambitious and ferocious world where we are living into, we meet different kinds of people. From the simplest person who exudes simplicity to the most sophisticated who executes glamour. From the vilest who only wants a food to fill in their crumbling stomachs to the affluent person who wants everything even eternity, from all walks of life, so they say.

From these people we choose who are we going to accept as our friends, who we are going to love, and who we are going to hate. We choose them because we have our own reason, maybe a personal one, or is required to do so, or just you want to.

We can never say when life can give the best and when it will give the worst. Irony things may occur. The people we choose to accept and to love whom give out the best in us maybe also give us the most hurting memories that we don’t want to remember forever and the persons whom we chose to hate can possibly the ones who can heal the wounds that were created by the ones we choose love although we know that time can only heal the wounds that is inside.

I think that’s the reason why we exist. To choose. To love. To hate. To be loved. To be hated. To be wounded. And to stand-up again. And we choose, love, being loved, being hated, getting wounded and standing-up again and we do it again and again and again. I think that’s the cycle. It has something to do with the relationship we build around the people around us.

oswaldfabisablay
24oct2008

at last!

At last!

After all the hardships and sacrifices I've done during this week due to the quarterly examination, it is finally over!


BTW here's my sched:

Tuesday:
Social Studies - quite easy
Filipino - easy
Speech - quite easy

Wednesday
Religion - quite easy
Biology - quite easy

Thursday
English - so-so
Math - easiest

The irony thing is this: i hate Math but it is the easiest. Swear

ok... Enough of school life...

So this means sem-break! oh yeah! Love it!

CIAO!

CHOOSING ONLY THE BEST

For a fourteen-year old guy, he is already craving for his college life. This guy’s view in High School being the best stage of life but he deems that it doesn’t end in the Secondary level but it continues until college. There are many factors why he is so excited, one is he will get his freedom meaning, he may do whatever he want to, meet whoever he want to meet, and go wherever he want to go; second, he will be living on his own (condo) as a sign independency and there are other factors. One of his priorities as of now, (as a preparation for his college) is to choose the University where he will fit best.

Celebrating it’s quadricentennial on the year wherein the guy will bid his good-bye to his first alma mater and say his hello to his new-second-home, The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines is the guy’s desire. Being the oldest University in the country (it is older than the Harvard University), it already made it’s name shine the most. And it was also tested by time, that no matter what happens they still do their best. The España-based university has come along it’s way by producing graduates who are competent in the field of their choice(s) and so they are awarded as “The Best Performing Private University”. It's history and the reputation the school brings to its graduate. And the guy doesn’t want to miss the University’s 400 years of academic excellence.

One of the only four Universities (in the Philippines) that was able to be part of the Top 500 ranking by The Times Higher Education Supplement that gives them honor and mirror their academic excellence, replicating their motto: “Honor and Excellence”, the University of the Philippines. The Diliman-based University is proclaimed as the National University due to it’s performance in academics. It is said to be that it is one of Universities which is difficult to enter because only students who is intellectually-capable and has passion in studying deserves to be called Iskolars ng Bayan. Same as with UST, the guy is also looking forward to it’s academic excellence that is why they are able to bring into being the country’s bests.

The home where blue stood up, the Ateneo de Manila University. Identical with UST and UP, the boy is also gullible that the Jesuit-led University will also give their best to hone their student in their fields, that’s why they are one the four Universities, together with UP, UST and DLSU, who were able to part the Top 500 ranking. The University has the most difficult entrance exam that a freshman will take (if I am not mistaking), an initial observation that the University chooses students who are academically competent and does not accept students who are academically poor and impotent.

Yellow, Maroon and Blue is the guy’s top three universities where he wants to take his first-three-entrance-exams, in that order. The guy doesn’t consider other universities not superior in their own but he just want the three-best universities that he thinks he will fit.

oswaldfabisablay
11oct2008

inkSTAINonMYpaper

WRITING bores me a lot. It is hard for me to do such “novel-length” reports or even a very short articles.

Way back when I was in Grade School, we have this subject -Writing (which is under the Makabayan subject),
wherein we have to compose an article to be submitted on the same day (we are lucky if she will allow us to submit
it next week). When our teacher’s foot already stepped-inside the classroom, my heart starts to palpitate. Really,
I don’t have passion in writing in those days. I think when I was about to graduate elementary I think I am the most
happiest person in the world -not just because we are about to graduate but I am bidding my good-byes to the subject
that I hate most -Writing.

I thought that this “writing-thingy” would stop haunting me when I graduate GS, but I was wrong.

It all started when I entered High School when the first issue of the VOX (official newspaper of the HS) was released.
As usual I read the columns that only gets my attention. After reading ALMOST the whole newspaper, I think my world
changed 360-degrees. I get a piece of paper and started to scribble my thoughts. And I was mesmerized on how I easily
jotted my thought inside my head. And the irony thing is that I even tried to join the VOX but unfortunately I was not
able to qualify. Well, I just thought that I am not still prepared to be part of it. Maybe next time will be my time.

My fervor and infatuation in writing strengthen when I became a sophomore (this year).
My classmates encouraged me to continue writing, scribbling and critiquing.

And would you believe that I will be once again trying my luck to enter the VOX and when I graduate, try my luck to enter
what I am craving for -the VARSITARIAN, which broad-thinkers and broad-minded persons will be by criticizing my work.


It feels weird that there is a point in my life that I really regret writing and now bessoted in writing
so here I am writing this critique.

oswaldfabisablay
11oct2008