Yey!
Better late than never! Tada! I’m here to boast the list of people of people
who made the year 2012 worthwhile and amazing. So without further ado, here are
the best of the best of all the people that I’d been
cherishing moments with for the past 12 months.
SHERYL “Birdie” PEDROSO (My ATE)
I
remember the first time I met Ate Birdie. She went to the office asking about
KuyaIsko (a Voice Alumnus). We answered her questions very formally. I thought
she’s just a classmate of KuyaIsko or just another Damean who thought the
office was the VOX’s or Sports Facilities’. When I think of that moment, until
now, I can’t help but smile. She left and returned after a second and finally
introduced herself as the former Editor-in-Chief of the Voice Publication. I
was in awe when I heard that! I think it took a lot of guts to do it. And even though it felt odd talking to her and
letting her in to the office, we somehow, immediately, shared a common thing
which gave us something to talk about for the 30-minute break that we had. She
just got back from Manila to continue her studies. She has nowhere to go since
she seems to be a new student again. From then on, Ate Birdie became part of
the publication again.
To
tell you honestly, I got conscious talking to her. She used to be a call center
agent so she has that English accent and is fluent in speaking the language.
Plus, don’t forget the fact that she is a very outspoken and intelligent person.
She speaks what she has in mind in a way that it would be delivered civilly.
But I thought her judgment would still hurt. So I was afraid that any moment,
she’ll slap her opinion into my face if I say the wrong words or spit out the
wrong grammar. Even during the time that I’m typing this post, I’m feeling
uneasy about my grammar. Haha! But whatever, I know Ate Birdie isn’t as harsh
as what I thought she is. J
Eversince
I took the EIC position of the publication, Ate Birdie was there to ask me
what’s happening. She always says YES to favors that I ask. She helps in
formulating the pub’s plans and goals and that is what I appreciate most about
her. Even though she already graduated from that student pub responsibility,
you can still see and feel her dedication as a journalist. She was even the one
who provoked us to speak our minds and not to let ourselves be constrained by
what the school would only want us to write. She injected that FREEDOM OF
SPEECH that we are privileged of as student journalists. Oh my! How I wish
she’s our moderator, life could have been easier for me, for us!
If
you can just sit for an hour with her, I tell you, you’ll learn a lot of
sensible things. She would tell you about her experiences, love story, life
story, career, favorites, dreams and outlooks in life. She’s a person with
depth. She has deeper reasons of everything.
I actually consider her as someone I look up to when it comes to sharing
her views and to her determination on achieving what she wants in life.
I’m
really blessed to have and for meeting her. If not because of her help, I won’t
survive the pressures that I faced in the pub during the last semester. I pray
to have her for many more years. I love you Ate Birds!
THE VOICE FAMILY / THE VOICE
PUBLICATION (My Sweetest Escape)
Is
it a boon or bane? If you’re going to ask me about holding the highest position
of the publication, aside from the moderator, of course, I’d definitely answer
BOON. When I accepted the position, I honestly have not slept for a week
because of the EXCITEMENT, WORRIES, PLANS that were on my mind even before,
when I was still dreaming of getting the position, and the GOALS that I want to
achieve to improve the student publication under my administration. I’ve
thought of so many projects that I want to happen to uplift the image of the
student publication and the name of the organization itself.
When
the first semester (last June) started, I admit that I adjusted 180 degrees
from my usual stressful and busy life as a former accountancy student. Due to
the very few units that I only have to take, my class schedule had been pretty
idle which gave me more time to think of the “failure” and “what-if’s” that I
experienced last summer. It wasn’t easy, trust me. It wasn’t easy seeing the
people you used to be classmates with for the past three years attending their
usual nerve-wrecking subjects. It wasn’t easy admitting that you can never go
back from the time that you could have done better if not only because of the
circumstances and discouragements. And it’s not that easy pretending that
everything’s fine after all.
But…
thanks to the Voice Publication. It made me busy. It made me forget the time
for stressing out myself about the past. I knew then that sitting as the EIC
wouldn’t be easy too for me but I thought, since it’s my passion, I would have
the chance to prove myself on something that I love doing. So there, I took the
challenge. I tried to change the environment. From the usual no-commitment-at-all
organization, I tried turning it back again to an organization with dedicated
staff. It was hard at first. I can’t blame others if they can’t do their part
very well because of their priorities.
But I wanted them badly to stay for the organization. In my vision, I
know that we can change the way students see the organization, that it’s not
just some lame club.
I
believe the new set of Voice people is all ready to lead next school year. This
semester has been great for us. Our relationship gets tighter every time we do
activities together. I hope this continues though.
FEBIEJANE ALINSUNURIN (Summer
Accomplice)
This
girl has been my partner on our quest for the company for our on-the-job
training. We went to ABS-CBN, GMA, Killerbee, Wild FM, risk our virginities at
some FM station located in Pioneer, and finally settled at Lorenzo Accounting,
Auditing, Realty and Law offices with Leonel and Jefferson.
When
I found out that miFebie (that’s what I call her) can be my companion for the
entire summer, I somehow felt that pressure of keeping up with her. We’ve been
classmates for two and a half years then but we never had the chance to talk
for hours or eat together. She’s one of the top accountancy students in our
batch and my head’s up to her because of her humble brilliance. miFebie has
this default look, stare, smirk and aura which intimidates strangers, including
me. If you only know her by name, you would say that she’s SUPLADA, MAYABANG,
and MALDITA. I know because I’d been there. But when the OJT started, I came to
realize one thing, I WAS WRONG. I was completely wrong when I thought she was
MAYABANG. She’s completely the opposite! She’s a genius but she wouldn’t make
you feel that she’s one and you’re not. She’s more PALAK than me; more diligent
than I am and she admits her weaknesses like she doesn’t care if everyone’s
gonna laugh at her for that.
The
Lorenzo days are still very fresh on my mind. I remember the night when I was
not in myself. I was computing and computing and still I cannot get the same
totals. I was just keying in to the calculator the wrong figures. I almost
cried because of the dumbness and exhaustion that I felt. But lucky and blessed
was me because miFebie was there to save the day! She recalculated all the
figures and got the balance in just few tries. That’s what I call, our TANDEM. She
compensated my weakness in accounting. And I was glad to help her in computer
stuffs. We collide, eh?
Our
summer was way dramatic and fun compared to our classmates’. Whenever I think
of the lunch breaks, time manipulations, afternoon sneak outs to grab our
snacks, hot working environment, business attires, my caught-in-the-act
sleeping, our daily notebook, our one of a kind superiors, Atty. Lorenzo’s
meaningful stories and advices, our bribes to the employees, and miFebie’s
horrible yet laugh-trip-to-the-max personal stories, I become really nostalgic.
She made my summer UNFORGETTABLE. Oh my gosh! Am I falling for her?
Bwaaahhhahaha! Kidding.
You
have no idea how much I learned to love this girl. Her simplicity, her modesty,
her natural comedienne persona, her frankness, her thoughtfulness and diligence
are just few of her characteristics that made people love her more. And just
this summer, I was the addition to the list of people who was inspired and who
loves Febyang. I know in my heart that someday, miFebie’s going to be
successful and that she would stay as the FebiejaneAlinsunurin we all have
loved and admired.
I
LALALALALAB YOOOOUUUU miFEBIE!
MEOWRKS (Kaye, Dana, Vergie, Jane
and Gladys)
No
pressure. No demands. Go with the flow.
This
is what I like about these girls. Since they let me in to the group, I never
felt that “you-don’t-belong” feeling. Each of them has different personalities
yet they still get along with each other. We seldom get completed but the
absence of one does not start any argument or tampuhan. Because of this group, I realize that if someone wants a
friendship to last, UNDERSTANDING is the KEY PART to achieve it.
Kaye’s
like Dana. She’s always not in sight. But despite her really busy schedule, she
sees to it that she could make time for us. She’d rather cancel what’s already
planned to be with us when we call her. Though sometimes we bully her when
she’s around, I love the fact that she doesn’t care. She laughs with us
instead. She might look so serious but I tell you, she also has that bubbly and
funny side that we love. And oh! She has a future as a chef! If not because of
her, we wouldn’t have something to eat on the night of my birthday. I, however, regret that we only had a few
bonding moments together. But my hope’s still up for our date. I’m soooo
looking forward to that! I LOVE YOU BIBI KAYE!
DANA VIC DY
I
never expected Dana to cause my tears… of joy! Hahah! And those tears still
come back whenever I remember that one perfect incident during our retreat! Let
me tell you, I, Vergie and Dana were at the mess hall for our dinner. “ Guys!
Angsaraplaginito?!,” Dana said referring to the fried Tilapia. I realized then
that it might be her first time to eat such viand. I and Vergie were glad for
her until one second; she’s cramming and was calling our attention for help. NATINIK SIYA SA DILA!!!!And she wants me
to get it straight from her tongue. And because I was an evil friend, instead
of helping her, I burst out from laughter. My tears and sweat were already
falling. But hey, I tried keeping myself calm. I just can’t! It’s my first time
to see someone getting so nervous about being in such situation. And knowing
Dana, she might have thought that it’s her last day on earth! Vergie’s not
innocent during that time at all. She also laughed hard! Really hard!
Hahaist…
That’s one happy memory I had with Dana. I never thought she has that side that
could make us laugh. Her innocence about some normal things makes her cute and
funny without her giving efforts. Sometimes she gets curious of why did we
laugh at something she said, and when she starts to ask, we laugh harder.
Hahaha!
LEDE
LOVES YOU BIBI DANA!
Just
because of the Eng 12 subject, I and Vergie got close. Scrupulously, I was
afraid of her when I first came in to the group. Yeah, like me, Vergie also has
this intimidating aura that drives strangers away. But I found out that
Vergie’s one of the funniest person you could ever be with! She’s the most
fashionista among the group and I admire her ability to turn simple clothes to
pretty ones. Maybe her way of carrying those clothes also adds factor to her
style.
Well
aside from the style, I discovered that she’s a very caring person, a mature
thinker. She’s not that serious but I could tell that she sees things more
maturely than I am, than Jane’s, than Gladys’s. However, I was also surprise to
find out that Vergie has a crazy side. She makes fun of us, of herself and of
others. When she’s in the mood to laugh, you’ll be infected as well. If she’s
in the mood for a bully, you’ll have to extend the length of your patience
because she’ll do whatever it takes to annoy you. Haha!
For the last
semester, Vergie was my companion and my confidant. It was a good thing that I
have her throughout the adjusting and shifting phase of my life. I didn’t miss
my everyday pals, Jane and Gladys, so much because of her. She taught me good
things without her knowing that she did. I think this is the first time that
I’m gonna tell this, her EYES are her assets. ;)
I
LOVE YOU YAYA VERGIE!!!!
I
could not forgive myself if I wouldn’t include her as a person of my year. Why?
Well… if you have read my People of my Year 2011, you will remember some of the
description I said out of sarcasm for this creature.
Well, with
regard to her DEFAULT LOOK, it’s still there. Haha! But hey, I could say that I
can only see it less often this year. To tell you, Jane’s been pulling my
conscience because of the things that I’ve said. She told me that she’s just
misunderstood. I was happy because she reacted. I appreciate that she
appreciated and noted my comments.
That
was a year ago. For another 366 days that I’ve lived with Jane in sight, I can
testify how much CHANGE Jane had injected into her system. If I’m not mistaken,
that’s been her motto since 2012 started. Sometimes I ask myself if I did the
right thing of sharing what I think of her because she might have accepted it
negatively. But I believe not. Jane’s level of opposition decreased. No wonder
why Jane’s gained more friends this year. This year, I discovered how loving of
a friend Jane is. She doesn’t care if all her allowance will be spent just to
treat us for a celebration. She’ll do
what it takes to do the favors you ask her. I love it when I see her laughing
or smiling. It refreshes my day. ;)
I apologize,
though, if I misunderstood her for what she is. But you know what? I look up to
her for her open-mindedness about other people’s criticisms about her.
Jane’s
one of the good people that I will never forget until I die! I declare that!
I
LOVE SHYOOU BIBI JANE!
I
WOULD NOT DENY THAT, SO FAR, I’D BEEN SPENDING MOST OF MY PRECIOUS TIME WITH
THIS UNPREDICTABLE, ABNORMAL CREATURE FOR THE PAST YEAR. Well, why could I not
be? We live few blocks away from each other; I benefit from their free
air-conditioned room and internet connection; they have the sweetest bitch and
pupps ever; PLUS, I get to enjoy the foods on their table. This past sem break,
I’d been staying in their house almost every day! (MAKAPAL MUKA KO EH! ) She
and her sister even call me their AMPON. And… I liked that term and the
amenities I get from the Mendoza home!
Ironically,
I was the one who laughed at Jane for being such a fan of Gladys when she makes
kwento about her before. But now,
look at me. As much I hate to admit it, I found a BEST & TRUE FRIEND and a
SISTER in her. I think I’d never shared this before. Gladys was the one who
broke in to our house and brought a lot of foods. It was the day when I found
out about my Advanced Accounting grade. Gladys knew I was sobbing the whole day
though I didn’t tell her. When I found out that she’s outside, I turned off the
lights – to shoo her away because I know that she’s afraid of the dark – and
ran to the room to hide my swelling eyes! Hahaha! She went in hugged me from my
back (ka-sweet!) and tried to uncover my face to look at my eyes (ai! Bad pala!).
She was strong enough to pull the pillow. Lucky me that I have held my tears
longer so she wouldn’t see and laugh about it…
Now
I know what Jane felt when Gladys visited to bring foods to comfort her. I
never thought Gladys would also do that for me. I don’t care if she mocked my
eyebags to make me laugh. I knew all along that she spent her money for all
those ice creams and stuff, but she didn’t mind. That’s the way she shows us
how far she would go to make her friends feel her presence and comfort. And
because of that, I promised myself that I would be there for her and for my
other beloved friends whenever and as much as I can.
Gladys is
absolutely not that emoteratype who
would cry with you when you tell her your sad story. In contrast, she’s the
type of that friend who will effortlessly make you laugh and will make you stop
crying and feeling bad. No wonder why she easily gets along with different
groups of people with different personalities from each other.
Thanks
to Gladys ‘coz I don’t have to torture myself to boredom. You know how much happiness
you give me whenever I get the chance to bully you! Haha!
I
LOVE YOUUUUU TODO-TODO YAYA/ BEATS/ BEBE GLADYS!
My
2012 journey was the craziest of all roller coaster rides. I suffered with my
really sick health, I blamed it for my lack of diligence on studying; I failed
from being a BSA student, I sobbed to death; I picked up all my shattered
courage to stand up and face everyone and everything again; I prepared myself for sympathies and
criticisms; I made one of the most important and hardest decision of my life; I
prepared myself for adjustments; I felt regrets; I felt reliefs; I apologized;
I forgave; I met new friends; I said hello to old friends; I learned from my
mistakes; I got confuse; I found love; I found peace; I earned happiness despite
everything that’s happened. I also realized how important it is to open-up your
feelings to worthy people like the people of my year. It’s a once in a lifetime
chance to share moments with such good ones and a lifetime achievement to know
them and to learn from them. They and my other friends, relatives, and
experiences are my blessings from God. I know I’m not a religious person, but I
guess, if God don’t love me for that, He wouldn’t bring this happiness. I pray
for another worth-remembering and extravagant 2013, not just for me, but for
all the people I love and care for. J
I’M EXCITED TO MEET THE PEOPLE OF
MY YEAR 2013! YEHEY!
