UP FASO: BEYOND COMPARE

Nothing is more awesome than the designs made by UP FASO and no one, more graceful than their models, the models of UP Cebu.

Last night, I attended the Green Fashion Revolution sponsored by the Aboitiz Foundation held at SM Cebu Trade Hall. Even though I was already tired because it was our acquaintance party yesterday morning, I still went to the event. We were required to be there for our NSTP class. I was very happy that being there was a requirement because I was able to cheer and support UP Cebu’s representatives.

From Mandaue, where we had our acquaintance party, the bus driver dropped us at the Parklane Hotel. We then rode 04L to SM. It was still 5:30 p.m. when we got there. We found a good place to sit and waited for about half an hour for the show to start. UP students were almost in every side of the trade hall center along with their own bunch of friends.

When the show started, everyone was already excited to see their representatives on stage. We shouted from the top of our lungs when “UP Cebu” was mentioned by the host. I could feel the tension within the trade hall. Everyone was very noisy screaming the names of their universities. And finally, UP Cebu was called to present their designs.

 With the deafening sound of the crowd and the variegated lights, the models looked really extraordinary on stage. Our hearts were captivated when Joshua Luke Aquino and Kenji Watanabe came out on stage. They were simply elegant and stunning with their modern style costumes. I was also very happy that Aleisha Merryl Zamora Escobia was one of the models. She’s one of my idols ever since I was still in high school. I screamed as much as I could and stood up when I saw her on stage. All of them were really astounding with their innovative fashion.

There was also a lottery game in which I luckily won a notebook made from recycled materials sponsored by Aboitiz. It was the funniest part because my friends and I were waiting for our numbers to be chosen. When it was announced, we shouted like there was no other person in the hall and laughed at ourselves afterwards for doing so.

 After some presentations and games, the most awaited part came. Kenji Watanabe won the best male model but, the announcement of overall winners didn’t go as well as what we had expected. UP Cebu only won third place. We were like, “then, who’s the champion if it’s not UP’? It can’t be! UP’s designs were the best among other universities and their models were the finest. CNU was declared the overall winner of the said event. We just accepted the results for deep within us we know that UP FASO’s designs were beyond compare than any of the others.

UP's models

It's the Weekend

      This week has been very tough for me, a series of long exams are present everyday. I should give more effort to have good grades or at least pass. I really didn't get a good sleep because there were some deadlines in other subjects I had to meet. So, I said to myself that I should make the most out of this weekend, get some sleep and do stuff that would make me relax.

     The first thing I did when I got home was I lie on my bed and do exactly nothing. When I finally felt relaxed, I went down stairs and ate spaghetti. Since it’s our neighbor’s birthday, they gave us some food. After eating, I washed the dishes and sat on the couch to watch some television. I miss watching AnaKarenNina, a night show of GMA. I barely have any time to watch it anymore because of all the things we have to do. I am very happy because the thought of doing these things make me realize that I’m free from all the test papers for at least two days.

     I woke up late in the next morning only to find out it’s already one o’clock in the afternoon. I ate my brunch while watching the coronation day of the Sireyna of Eat Bulaga. I was very amazed with the beauty of the transgender women and their wit in answering the questions. It was already three o’clock in the afternoon when my mother and I decided to go to SM to buy things for school. We spent our time there and enjoyed the new fashion trends which were displayed in different stalls and boutiques. To end our strolling session, we ate in one of the fast food chains while talking about random things.

      I also watched 4 Sisters and a Wedding, a movie from star Cinema. The story revolves around the four sisters who would not allow their younger brother to get married. I've been planning to watch this for a long time now, but time just wouldn't allow me. I’m very glad that I was able to do these things today. I succeeded in my one task this weekend which is to enjoy it. But despite my happiness, I keep worrying about my blog. I still need to make few more topics to complete my personal blog. So, I decided to put this as one of the topics in my blog to lessen my frustration on the possible topics that I have to write.

What is L.O.V.E. ?

L.O.V.E ?

As the saying goes, love makes the world go round.Some would beg to disagree with this statement.But most would probably say it’s true. It is a four letter word that we can’t simply play with. It doesn't have its conditions or boundaries. Love is a feeling that we can’t express in words only. That’s why we’re showing it in the best way we can. We can only feel its meaning, but not the word in its own sense.

Love is a driving force to why we do things for a reason. Love is feeling the emotions of the people we love; being happy when they are happy, being sad when they are sad, being there when they are down, and being present during their good times. Love is when you know someone’s flaws, but is still there to support them. You don’t need to have a partner to feel loved. It can be expressed in different ways. It can be from your mother, father, brother, sister, relatives, and  even your friends.

Most of us don't even say the words “I love you”, we are shy or hesitant to show it because we’re afraid of rejection. But whatever the reason is, saying this phrase is not the only way to show your love for others. It can be done by doing good things to them, keeping in touch with them, or just simple things which can make them smile. Actions speak louder than words.

We don’t know what love really means, why we feel it, and where it came from. But one thing’s for sure, what we are right now is because of love and we will be completely different without it. Life would be as peaceful as we want it to be by treating each other LOVINGLY.

Summer Getaway ...

After the “bittersweet” feeling of graduation, let’s take a look at my cool summer getaway adventure together with my batch mates.

"waiting shed of UPHS"

It was still very early in the morning of April 27, 2013, but most of us we’re already in our meeting place,patiently waiting for the others to come. Everyone was bringing with them their backpacks, coupled with their clothes for our two days and one night stay. Most of us were wearing the usual summer get-up like shorts, t-shirts, and slippers.I could clearly see the happiness and excitement that each one of us had during that time. 

At around eight o’clock in the morning, our journey started. From UP High, we rode a jeep for fifteen minutes and walked for another five minutes going to the South Bus Terminal along Elizabeth Mall. Then, we waited for another five minutes for the next trip of the bus. The trip was about 2 (½) -3 hours. The fare was about 76.00 pesos because they had a discount for students. It wasn't my first time to ride in a bus, but amazingly it was the first time that I actually stayed awake for the whole duration of the travel. I usually sleep because there’s something in vehicle's aroma that makes me dizzy and vomit. Luckily, that time I was in a good condition, chilling out and feeling the breeze of the air through the window.

"going to the house where we'll be staying"

It was around eleven o’clock in the morning when we reached the Municipality of Moalboal, Cebu. But the trip wasn't finished yet, we still needed to take a “habal-habal” or a tricycle for us to get to the house of my classmate’s uncle.This was the house where we would be staying.It was a little bit far from the highway.

'we've finally reached it"

We were amazed when we saw the house because it was really huge. It felt like we were in a hotel. While resting in the rooms, we could see the vast trees on the mountains which were contrary to what we always see in the cities because of commercialization. You could really feel the relaxing aura of the place together with the cold summer air.

What's our next stop? Of course, eating was never out of the trip.

The house where we had our lunch was just a few walks away from the house where we stayed. The food was delicious and unlimited because the place was also celebrating their fiesta.

And after the food session, we went to Basdaku Beach Resort.It is one of the popular beaches there.

"Basdaku Beach Resort"

The travel going there was quite long. It was about 20-30 minutes, but it was very worth it. The place was really perfect with white sand, crystal clear water and the awesome shades of blue. The beach was also big enough that you can set-up your own volleyball net and play there. We enjoyed the sun’s heat while swimming in its marvelous beach. We also enjoyed watching the small fishes which you can immediately notice because of its clear water. We really made the best out of that experience.

"photos taken at Basdaku"

It was already late when we came home. Everybody was already tired, but still willing to have fun through the night. We took a bath and had our dinner still on the same house. After eating, we had random “chikas “about different stuffs we had that morning.

When we transferred to the other house, we played cards together with Ms. Mic-Mic (our professor in high school). I can’t remember the name of that game, but it was an exciting, so exciting that it even made us shout. While we were playing, some of our batch mates we’re already asleep. That’s why we transferred to another room, together with the nightly energetic people.

When we were already tired of playing, we decided to take a rest on the bed and we didn't notice that we had already fallen asleep.

The next morning, we watched the sunrise and even took some photos of it.  

"sunrise"

After a few minutes allotted for the sunrise, we packed our clothes and things ready to go back to the city. The travel going back seemed shorter than going there. After few hours of the bus trip, we were already back in the city.

As we traveled back to the city, memories of our escapade in the so called “Cebu’s Boracay” will always remain. The outing was our way of spending time with our classmates especially that some of them will be going to the other places for college. At the same time, the trip was a celebration for making it through the challenges of high school life. Cheers!

Oh Hooray COLLEGE!

Three weeks of college life. Adjustment stage? Maybe, that’s what they call it.

University of the Philippines Cebu College

FUN
You meet new people with different personalities and perceptions in their lives. You have the nerdy ones who always bring with them their notes and read the lessons in different courses. The cool ones; who seem to be relaxed, even though there are school works. The wall flowers that sit quietly in class and take down notes. The attentive ones who stand out in class and voice out what they really want to say. And as college students, the “sparks” were never missing, friendship is an understatement.

You would also meet new professors who have different ways of conveying their lessons. The professors in college were different from those in high school especially because you can’t distinguish whether it’s a teacher or a student because nobody wears uniforms.Others also look like students.

RESTING PLACE ("tambayans")
One time my friends and I took sometime to rest in one of those huts in the resort.There were just three of us that time. When we were about to take a nap for our next class, a group of older students sat beside us. It was really awkward because they were very noisy and we felt so out of place, so we decided to move to the other hut which was unoccupied. But unfortunately the same thing happened.

We were left without a choice, so we went to the library and took a nap there. I miss the high school’s way of having a classroom where we could do anything we want during free time and talk about random stuff.

WEARY
The students need to transfer to different classrooms for different classes. Some need to cross the street and run as fast as they can for them to make it to their classes on time. Familiarize the classrooms if you don’t want to attend a different class which is quite embarrassing. You know what’s hard? It’s deciding whether your room is located in the right or left wing of the AS Building. Thank God, I have my friends who do the pointing for me.

MORE FOOD STALLS
The carenderias are so crowded every lunch time. Maybe, it’s because the high school doesn't have a canteen this time and the students are forced to play  the hunger games together with the college people.

UNIFORM
The students of UP Cebu don't have uniforms.We need to go to school with civilian outfits. Fortunately, on Wednesday, I’ll be wearing my NSTP in the morning and PE uniform in the afternoon. Yeheey, It’s one out of five school days.  

100% ALIVE and NORMAL

Like any other things, beginnings are the hardest one which relates to what I am going through right now. Why am I here when I’m not used to blogging? This introduction of who I am pushed me to be one of the so called “bloggers” as a project in one of our courses. I’m currently figuring out my thoughts for the first step of touring into my world. I’m here 100% alive and normal.

A quote from E.E. Cummings says “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter,” I do believe that this saying reflects where I came from and who I am as a person especially because I grew up in an outgoing and joyous kind of family. My grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and down to my cousins were always known to be funny, happy people. Every time we gathered for certain celebrations there would always be different forms of entertainment like swimming, beach hopping and of course, Filipino singing (karaoke). All of us would join in together and not once did anyone ever contradict. I guess this is also the reason why I’m very close with my parents and my other relatives as well. I’m also very easy to be with because of I was raised this way. My laughter makes me approachable and very friendly as they would say.

But, oh I forgot to introduce myself. Hello! I am Gilamie Angcay, you can call me “Gie” for short. I know my name is very “unique” as some would say. But my parents, like every other didn't just get that out of thin air. My name is actually a combination of both my parents’ names. GIL is from my father’s name GILBERT and AMIE is from my mother’s name AMELITA or AMIE as her nickname. I was born on the 6^th of July 1996, so I guess that makes me sixteen. I’m from this little island called Cebu at the center of this little country named the Philippines. I also have a chubby younger brother.

Like every other normal girl I went to school and graduated. I spent my primary years in Mabolo Elementary School. After this, I was given the honor of having been enrolled in the University of the Philippines High School Cebu. High school really gave me fun-filled high school life memories that I will treasure and cherish through years. In the four walls of those rooms, I found my closest friends who have different personalities yet share the tightest bonds. They made my journey an easier and unforgettable one. They’re the friends that give and helps in problems may it be personal, studies, or just about anything. Currently, I’m in my first year of college, taking up Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in the University of the Philippines Cebu College ready to face new challenges and new experiences.

 I’m a cheerful girl who dreams of a successful life. My family is my priority in anything that I do because I've witnessed their efforts and sacrifices for us to be happy.  I love being with people who are also fun. But not as much as the clingy annoying type though. I value friendship, honesty and loyalty. I like going out with friends and spending time with them especially while watching movie marathons and just plain talking about different things. I want to travel to different places and see the world someday together with my colleagues. I especially love exploring the beaches.

The shades of color BLUE really attract my eyes. It’s very relaxing and calming. I can associate the sky and the sea by looking at it. It can also be a mirror of my personality because I’m a calm person in a way that I don’t start an argument as much as I could. But like any other human beings, sometimes it’s impossible to hold it all and I explode.

From the sea going up to the sky, let’s take a look of the creatures that are freely conquering it. I’m in love with the birds and butterflies. Their different colors and especially their power of flying that I want the most. Flying like these creatures would really be an awesome thing. It’s like taking a break from the stressful reality and going back to a childlike fantasy.

I also want to taste the different dishes of the world someday. I could do it together with my friends and family.  I like food trips because I eat a lot. But while I’m here I’ll make the most of life by trying out the different food chains here in our place. My favorite food though is spaghetti and I also eat a lot of rice.

I have different ways of relaxing. I can spend my whole day playing with crossword puzzles and word search. It can also be chilling out with music and hanging out with people. I can dance, sing, and play guitar but I’m not really the pro type as others people are (just the basics).

I’m a transparent person. You can directly see if I like or don’t like someone or something. You can tell if I’m sad or happy or nervous or pissed. I express my feelings very openly. I try to do my best however not to hurt others by my actions.

I’m also child at heart. Although I’m a college student, mature enough to face the world, I‘m still learning every day. I still want to play and have fun. I still want to watch those cartoons in the television even until now. I somehow want to pinch the cartoon characters’ faces.

I find it hard to talk in front of many people and sharing my thoughts to people I've just met. I can’t really explain my thoughts that easily because a new person has a different way of thinking. A way of thinking one doesn't know about. The new person might misjudge or misunderstand your thoughts if you don’t relay it in a way that he/she can understand. So I have to get to know people before I can really share my thoughts and talk at ease with them.

I’m easily pressured with things, but my mind says smile and take every step easily. To avoid this, I want to finish things as earlier as I could and occupy myself when I have free time .The best way to let the hard things pass is by keeping calm and doing what we all need to do to survive. It’s obvious that we all need to work hard to achieve what we want. To reach my goals and to fly towards my dream, I just need to think, I’m alive and I’m 100% normal.

Start the tour of my life, ENJOY J