Sumorai and his random thoughts

Multi-tasking!

2010-07-30T01:11:00.000-07:00

I honestly think I'm learning more and more on how to expediently multi-task. My friend once told me that as a boy, I suffer the intrinsic disadvantage of not being able to multi-task as much as the girls. Whether or not the biological intricacies of the human body have any effect on one's ability to juggle multiple things at the same time is of course a completely different question. But as far as I'm concerned, I've developed the masterful art of multi-tasking, slowly but surely, this semester.

Take this day, for example. I have to pick up some documents in school, revise my petition for certiorari, draft a motion for reconsideration, update my case list, consolidated my OLA team's reclassification of cases, email them, annotate 15 MILF documents, make an amicus brief for Commarb, and read around 200 pages. On top of all of that, I plan to go to the gym by 8, so I can meet up with friends at 10pm to eat at Banchetto.

Looks like I'm gonna make. It's still 4:18, too early to tell. But heck, I know I'm gonna make it!

The Magis and the Law

2010-07-26T00:14:00.000-07:00

I recently read an article boasting about the students, specifically the mooters, of Ateneo Law. Read here: http://ateneolaw.ateneo.edu/?p=16&type=2&sec=2&aid=83

The article agitated me-- not simply because I'm a student of UP Law. As a matter of fact, I consider myself one of the few rare creatures that can be considered as a hybrid of the best institutions: Ateneo "College" and UP Law.

But the said article's insistence on the superiority of ALS over UP is not only baseless, but overly immature. Granted that their moot court team's success grants them the right to boast, I feel that its constant allusion and comparison to UP Law has wasted what should have been a great homage to the amazing mooters of ALS.

Yes, I agree with his argument that the public's perception of Ateneans as mayabang and elitista stems from the Atenean ideals of the "magis." However, having studied in a Jesuit institution for 9 years, I can't help but feel that the article has perverted the concept of the "magis".

I first encountered the idea of "magis" when I was around 13 years old. I was young then, and all I can fathom was that it had something to do with being the best, with being excellent, with being number one. Sure, magis truly means pursuing for excellence. However, my years of being a student, whether inside Ateneo or not, as well as my numerous experiences with Ateneans and non-Ateneans, has taught me that magis is never simply about being the best, about being number one. It's not being excellent for excellence's sake. Rather, it is a persistence grown out of love.

Yes, love-- a concept, which in the mature mind, is so profound and complicated that it might as well be a full course in law school. It's so multifaceted that I can't even begin to imagine where to start. But for me, a person who truly embodies the spirit of the magis is a person who reaches for the stars, not for fame and glory, but so that he can show everyone else its brightness. The Ateneo education teaches us how to be the best, but always with the caveat that what is even more important than being the best is being persons for others.

I have nothing but the greatest respects for my counterparts in Ateneo Law. Like me and everyone else in UP Law, they are true survivors. Everyday is a test which we tackle and overcome. And it is my earnest belief that all of us- UP Law and Ateneo Law students alike- persist because we love.

So there is no need to compare. There is no need to say who is better. At the end of the day, isn't the legal profession all about upholding justice and protecting the oppressed? Isn't it all about guaranteeing that every Juan is accorded due process? Isn't studying the law, whether in Ateneo or UP, all about truly being professionals for others?

Maybe I've been out of Ateneo too long. But I doubt that magis has changed since then.

I write like....ISAAC ASIMOV...

2010-07-20T01:51:00.000-07:00

I tried this interesting link where it analyzes a piece of your writing and compares it with another writer.

I write like
Isaac Asimov

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Ok, I have no idea who this guy is. Thankfully, there's wikipedia.

Isaac Asimov, who is apparently more famous than I initially thought, is one of the most prolific writers in the science-fiction genre. In fact, he was considered one of the "Big Three" science-fiction writers during his lifetime. Some of his works include FOUNDATION SERIES, GALACTIC EMPIRE SERIES, and the ROBOT SERIES. Geez, talk about geekiness!

More on Isaac Asimov at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Asimov

This is a surprise since I was never a fan of science fiction. Perhaps my "robotic" writing style is reflective of Asimov's mastery of sci-fi.

Boxing: First Day...

2010-07-16T03:22:00.000-07:00

I joined a few of my blockmates in enrolling for boxing lessons, and we just had our first class yesterday. Suffice to say I was excited since I never imagined in my whole life that I would ever take on boxing. All the punching and pushing-- with the occasional ear-biting-- that's just way to much sweat for me.

We enrolled at the Balboa Boxing Gym near Commonwealth. Nothing fancy though. It was very cramped in fact. But the people were very friendly. And the instructors were especially nice. We went through series of drills and exercise, with an extremely annoying buzzer signaling the end of every work out. As annoying as it was, I found it to be music to my ears nearing the end of the class, as I immediately ran out of breath halfway through the lessons.

Just a few moves I learned:
JAB- left punch
STRAIGHT- right punch
HOOK (left and right)
UPPERCUT (left and right)

Plus a number of combinations
JAB-STRAIGHT
JAB-STRAIGHT-JAB-STRAIGHT
DOUBLE JAB
JAB-STRAIGHT-HOOK-STRAIGHT
JAB-STRAIGHT-LEFT UPPERCUT-RIGHT UPPERCUT-LEFT HOOK- STRAIGHT

Then there's this thing they call cardio, where you continually punch for half a minute.... trust me it's not as easy as it sounds...

I have to admit, I enjoyed every moment of it. Fine, my form was no where close to good, but I did break buckets of sweat. Who knew boxing involves so much cardio?

For now, I have to be content at fighting a punching bag (that I swear fought back a couple of times). Don't expect me to be in a real boxing match though. This is just all part of my ABA 7 project-- ABS BY AUGUST 7!

So, as if my schedule wasn't busy enough, I have to make time for my weekly fitness regimen-- workout at Planet infinity 2-3 times a week, then boxing once a week. Damn, I better have a mean set of abs by the end of the year....

Photo dump: CALATAGAN, BATANGAS

2010-07-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

As I've blogged before, photography has become my new hobby, my way of countering the stress and monotony of my academic life. Not much is to be expected, however. With no formal lessons whatsoever, I'm a greenhorn when it comes to photography.

I bought a new Nikon D5000 out of my hard-earned election money. And yes, I had to traverse through Quiapo to get to Hidalgo just to buy my camera. It was worth it though.

Calatagan became the venue for my first official photo trip. I've gone to a lot of trips in the past, but this one was special. For the first time, a tourist-friendly beach was not the main priority. Rather, we went there for this special hard-to-find lighthouse and a supposed pristine hidden beach. Nothing grand or posh of course, but I was told that the view would be amazing for picture-perfect moments.

We decided to bring my car. I was unsure how to get there, so we had to rely on the GPRS on my iphone. Inadvertently (and I say this because we got lost), we passed by this beautiful heritage town in Taal. Something about this town spoke to me. I felt the town's history and mystery etched in every wall. One structure in particular-- a Church-- struck me.

I absolutely adore old Churches. When you look at it, you know that you're not just looking at bricks and stones. With each click of the camera, we capture a part of a long history of struggles, beliefs and passion. It's not just a place of worship. It's a witness to history.

After hours of driving, with my aircon deteriorating with every kilometer travelled, we finally arrived at Calatagan. We decided to go find the light house first. With posters and pictures of the lighthouse scattered all around the town proper, we were confident that we would be able to find it. We were wrong. We were dead wrong! We spent hours going back and forth along the same freaking street, before we realized that we had to go through this extremely narrow path covered with thorny bushes. It was so constricted you can hear the leaves and thorns squeaking through the car's window. When we finally got there however, we were greeted with closed gates! Yes, after going through all that trouble, we discovered we weren't allowed to enter. Alas, no pictures.

We did, however, managed to find the hidden beach of Calatagan. Similar to the lighthouse, the right to see this beach had to be earned. Suffice to say, we had to go through another labyrinth just to find this one. I have to say though that my expectation exceeded what I saw. But it was nonetheless an amazing opportunity to click away. Besides, something about its coverture appealed to me. Enjoy the pics...

And the blogging continues...

2010-06-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Wow, I completely forgot about this blog.

Of course, not that anyone reads it in the first place. Blogging about myself, with myself as the ONLY reader... it's something that's easily thrown out of my list of priorities.

But this year is a special year. It marks what is hopefully the last year of my academic life (not counting the bar review that is). So it's best i try as much as possible to document what I can. Hopefully, when i grow old, wrinkly and rich, I can look back at how AWESOME my last year at law school was...

Speaking of reminiscing, there are some travel pictures i wish to upload. I promise to do it soon. Wouldn't want to waste my new Nokia D5000. :)

I have to say though, it has been, and will continue to be, a CRAZY HECTIC year for me. As of now, I am...
1) OLA Intern
2) OLA Team Leader
3) Research Assistant for Atty Lavinia
4) Research Assistant for IILS

oh yeah, I'm a law student too. I've been forgetting about that aspect of my life recently...

LET THE BLOGGING CONTINUE...

As the sem draws near...

2009-10-28T06:48:00.001-07:00

this was a crazy semester... the professors were a bit more eclectic than usual. the schedule was erratic. and the subjects were a tad heavier.

we survived a national epidemic, numerous storms, record-breaking conflagrations, extended barops, and of course, we survived Leonen.

but despite everything, we remain to be the person we are proud of. We are still UP LAW...

Bye Nanay...

2009-09-03T00:32:00.000-07:00

I lost two lolas in the last year....una si Mama Perla, then just recently, si Nanay Syon.

Nakakalungkot rin. When I arrived in Pangasinan, the first thing I heard from my lolo was "Wala na si Nanay!" This coming from someone who spent close to 50 years of his life with the only woman he truly loved.

It was really sad seeing Tatay going through all the formalities and traditions associated with a funeral. I can't imagine waking up for 9 days greeted by this white casket, a bitter reminder of a great loss.

The whole family, of course, was there.

OX Brain!

2009-08-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

All the brain vitamins I've been taking seem to be ineffective, and I'm in desperate need for some brain power. So why not feast at a scrumptious plate of OX BRAIN!

I had lunch at Kaas with my blockmates. I ordered ox brain, coupled with 2 pieces of pita bread. Of course, a generous cup of lasi (a yogurt drink) had to be had to help bring it all down.

Believe me, it's way yummier than it looks.

Team APB is first runner up in the Pi Sigma Open Debate Tournament

2009-08-20T01:43:00.000-07:00

Team Alpha Phi Beta, composed of myself, Rain Mendoza, Ricky Sabornay, and Karl Mucho, reached the finals of the Pi Sigma Open Debate Championships.

We lost, unfortunately, to the team from the UP Debate Society, on the proposition that the reproductive health bill be enacted. We were on the negative side. We mostly argued that the bill itself contained questionable provisions which violate certain vested rights. As such, it is void for being overbroad. Alas, that wasn't enough to persuade the judges. I think the better team won. They were good, but I still think we gave them a tough match, considering we had minimum debating experience.

I didn't do as well in the finals as I did in the semis. It was probably the nerves. The Claro M. Recto room was jam-packed! I stuttered a couple of time, and I lacked the passion that I showed during the semis (where I must say I was able to impress the judges). My inexperience definitely showed during the final round.

Nonetheless, I am extremely proud of Team APB. We really worked hard for this, training till midnight, despite the insufficiency of food or transportation. Thank you team APB. My gratitude also goes out to the rest of my brods in the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity. Thank you for your all out support. Especially during the final round. Thank you.

At least I have something to add to my lame resume. We hardly do debate in law school (foolish is the law student who tries to argue against his professor). So I'm glad I get to do this.

Waiting for the storm to come

2009-08-06T01:07:00.000-07:00

Stuck in the library. Wala daw heavy-dence, este, evidence pala.

As much as I would like to go home, and believe me I really do, I just can't. Still have things to do. Pero honestly, coding kasi ako. So i guess I'm stuck here for the remainder of the afternoon.

May bagyo daw kasi. But of course, typical of the UP Law administration, they wait for the last possible opportunity to cancel classes. I heard that since early this afernoon, all other colleges in UP cancelled their classes. Syempre, last mag announce ang Law. In the spirit of the grand manner declarative, UP Law students should be the last to leave the campus. Hay. Kainis.

So as i wait for the storm to come, I begin the contemplate on my day.

I woke up early this morning, sporting my new beige polo barong. Syempre proud na proud ko itong sinuot habang umiinom ng coffee sa starbucks. My friend finally told me that I look like a government employee. Syempre nainis ako. Pero nawala rin agad. Bigla ko kasing naalala na at one point naging government employee nga naman talaga ako. At hindi ko ikinahihiya yun.

But still, I had to change back to my usual boring long sleeves. Nabasa kasi ako sa ulan. Tatanga-tanga kasi. Hindi nagdala ng payong. For sure magkakasakit na naman ako nito.

By 1 I was in UP Law for my PIL class (Public International Law). Professor Pangalangan asked us this question:

Why did the Philippines renounce war as an instrument of national policy when in fact, the Philippines has never waged war before?

Student 1: to reflect a norm in international law (sir's interpretation: because we're nice)

Student 2: so that other states will not attack us since we cannot wage war ever (sir's interpretation: we're nice, please don't attack us)

Student 3: so that other states will know that we have the capability to attack (sir: we're nice, but we can destroy you)

Labo talaga ng pinas

written August 6 2009. posted August 10

Results are in...

2009-07-14T07:14:00.001-07:00

This morning, I had another visit to a different doctor. A pulmonologist this time. Results are in. Nothing's wrong with me. Wohoo! Finally, I can breathe.

But having something medically serious would have been a convenient excuse to slack off. But since everything's back to normal (yes, I'm feeling better), then I better catch up with my academic duties. Ahhh so much to do, so little time.

I can do this!!!!!

Ang hirap magkasakit...

2009-07-13T07:48:00.000-07:00

I've been sick for a month now. Literally sick. Fever, cough, colds, plus that heavy feeling you feel every morning.

I always figured na malamang pagod lang. But my health has been exacerbating the past few weeks that my parents demanded medical intervention. So last friday, we went to the clinic of Dr. Benjamin Ramos, a urologist who happens to be a friend of a family friend. I went through a series of check-ups, which included a chest xray and blood sampling. I'm skipping all the medical jargon and keeping it lay man.

We were told to return Monday for the result of the examinations. For me, this of course meant enduring though a weekend's worth of my parents constant rebuking and health reminders. I can't even start to complain how annoying it is for my parents to repeatedly remind me about eating well and sleeping enough. But I guess when you're a law student, it's hard to keep track of those things. The worst advice they gave: "I know pressured ka. Ang technique lang dyan, wag mong isipin ang pressure" Right! Easier said than done.

I'm just glad BarOps is almost over. Truth be told, I blame my sickness to BarOps. Not that I'm regretting taking on the job, because I don't. But I guess I was just so overwhelmed by the work that I neglected taking care of myself. Well, I won't let that happen anymore.

Anyway, by tomorrow, I'll find out finally what's wrong with me. I'm also meeting with a pulmonologist. So far, they're suspecting something is wrong with the right part of my lungs. Hope it's nothing serious. Pray pray pray.

Another worthless coffeeshop afternoon...

2009-07-09T03:49:00.000-07:00

I'm currently hanging out in Bo's coffee while waiting for my parents to finish their meandering in this trade show in Megamall. I ordered Cafe Americano and carrot bar. Come to think of it, I never order anything else here. I'm also availing of their free internet ammenities. Hence, here I am, blogging in the middle of Megamall, watching complete strangers pass me by.

It's amazing how comfortable I am in a coffee shop. Not just Bo's. I'm mostly in Starbucks, and every now and then Seattle's Best or Coffee Bean. I could stay in a coffee shop for hours on end. One time, I actually stayed in Starbucks Silver City for 12 hours straight. Imagine how I smelled like after. Yes, like the sweet stench of roasted coffee beans.

Because of this unreasonable frequency of visits, I'm usually broke come Thursday or Friday of every week. I always tell myself, it's ok, my parents will understand. I have to study right? But after a couple of years of excessive spending, I decided to go less to coffee shops, and trained myself to study in the condo or in the school library.

There's a dilemma though. I'm so used to studying in a coffee shop that studying anywhere else is a complete struggle. But I have no choice. I can't go back to that expensive habit. I have to start being more financially responsible. Amen.

Damn, I can't wait to get out of here. Mommy, Daddy, come get me please.

My first SLR camera...

2009-07-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

Finally, after a lot of sucking up to, I convinced my mom to buy me an SLR camera. She bought me a Fuji S5800, a digital camera with SLR-like features. Well, close enough...

It just so happened that my friend also bought an SLR. He invited me to take pictures of the famous Manila Bay sunset. So we rode the bus going to MOA (photographers commute daw kasi. bawal kotse). I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. Never mind the myriad of people just hanging around the area. The bay itself was disgusting. Ugh. I guess Concerned Citizens of Manila v. Atienza is yet to be proven to be anything other than a worthless piece of jurisprudence. Anyway, enough of the ranting. Here are some of the pics I took:

Syempre di kame natapos dun. We went straight to Marikina, and got ourselves kinda drunk. We woke up early the next day to take some pictures of Marikina River. At least it was a lot cleaner than Manila Bay, but the view was not as spectacular.

Some pictures I took at home. Mga close up shots naman.

Don't be too harsh on me. No formal training at all. I'm not even sure if I'm tweeking my camera right. One of these days I have to enroll myself in a photography class. Pero as of now, I guess these will do.

Spongebob is dead...

2009-06-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

This made my day...

Finally someone was able to shut that annoying vermin up....ugh...

of booze and friends.... part 2

2009-06-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

After pigging out in Tagaytay, we went to Laguna.

We met up with the girls (Char, therese, jo, joana), and went straight to Char's house. Walang tao. Kami lng. What else to do when no one's around? Get drunk of course.

Grabe ung inuman. Suffice to say, I drank so much that I had to puke. The embarassing part was that save for Char, all the other girls were ok. Kami lng ni jerome yung nasuka. Ayun tuloy, nilabas ko lahat ng kinain ko sa house ni Ipe. At least diet rin un....in a creepy bolemic way.

It felt great to be drinking with these guys again. I can't believe we've been friends for 7 years, and if that night was any indication, then we shall be drinking for many more years ahead.

There were probably enough pictures there to black mail me. The hell I care. All i know is that I had fun.

This was me seconds before I started puking. Good thing there were bushes all around Char's house. Didn't have to clean up much.

That night, and the whole weekend, wasn't just about booze and drinking and getting drunk and puking. More importantly, it was all about friends.

It wasn't about the food nor the fact that we were away from the buzz of Manila. It was about the all the conversations we had and the reminiscing we did.

It wasn't about the alcohol nor the desire to be drunk. It was about the comfort knowing that no matter how trashed out we were, someone's there to help us make it through the night.

It was a night that proved that neither time nor distance can take away what true friendship has established.

Of booze and friends...

2009-06-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Spent my whole weekend having fun with my college friends...

First up, Tagaytay.

Taena ganda ng bahay ni Ipe. Sarap ng food. Tumaba ata ako ng mga 5 pounds sa isang gabi kong stay dun. Sarap mag jacuzzi. Haaaaaayyyyy.....

After feasting on Ipe's scrumptous lunch, we decided to play "blow the candle". The last time we playd this was in 2005. We probably weren't as fast and as agile as we were then, but it was still just as fun. Boys vs. Girls. Boys won. 1-0

Then it ws jacuzzi time. All 7 of us together. Then biogesic time. God knows we needed that.

Finally, as a way of giving the girls a chance to redeem themselves, it came time for the videoke challenge. The girls naturally won, but only by a slim margin. Nga pala, I scored 8 sa first song ko. It devastated me. Then Jerome scored 2, and Ipe scored 1. I realized I wasn't that terrible naman pala. Boys vs. Girls. Girls won. 1-1

For the final challenge, we played charades. First to ten. Obvious ba? syempre panalo kame! Boys are smarter ata. Or at least mas madaya. Basta panalo kame.

Boys v. Girls. Final Score: 2-1. The boys win.

I survived Sagada p.2

2009-06-04T03:52:00.000-07:00

spelunking |spiˈlə ng ki ng |
noun
the exploration of caves, esp. as a hobby

And spelunking we did...

Like what every single person that ever went there would tell you, your Sagada experience will never be complete unless you survived the steep, dark, rocky, dangerous, yet beautiful caves of Sagada.

Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself.

I'm such a lousy friend

2009-06-04T02:52:00.000-07:00

Today, I realized I'm such a lousy friend....

This morning I got 3 text messages. It came from my brods. Aljo is in the hospital; he's been confined there for the past few days. Damn, I didn't know.

We visited him in the hospital. I was glad to see he was ok. Havent seen him the entire summer. But somehow, visiting him there didn't make up for the fact that I was one of the last to know that he was confined in the hospital. Damn.

Then at around 5 pm, I got to chat with my old high school classmate, Norbert. He's also a close friend. It's been ages since I last heard from him. He told me he just went through an operation two weeks ago. Hernia, he said. Damn, I didn't know...again.

I'm such a lousy friend.

They say that you discover who your true friends are at your darkest moments. If that's true, then what does that say about me.

God, I pray for my two friends. I might not always be there for them, but I know that you are. May they find comfort in your presence.

Today is June 1

2009-06-01T03:31:00.000-07:00

As far as I'm concern, summer has officially ended.

The only thing left to do is to prepare for the semester ahead.

Today, June 1, I decided to start shopping for school supplies. It has always been one of my favorite things to do when I was a child. I'd go back and forth across the aisles of National Bookstore searching for the right kind of notebook for me. It's funny, now that I think about it, it was like I was waiting for a notebook to choose me. Ok, enough with the mysticism.

Oddly enough, I wasn't as excited this year as I have been in previous years. Usually I'd spent hours in National Bookstore, and in fact, I'd be going in and out of different branches across the metro. But this year, it took me no more than 20 minute (believe me, that's way below my average). It was like I didn't even care anymore what I bought, just as long as I bought something.

Then, during my commute back home, it suddenly hit me why. I was still so freaking exhausted. I haven't relaxed enough to condition my brain for the next semester of hell in law school. In fact, I've been suffering from recurring headaches during the entire summer. Plus, I've gained weight and I don't feel healthy anymore. Argh. This is so frustrating. School starts in a couple of days, and I do not feel that I'm mentally and physically ready for the gruesome and arduous semester of taxation, succession, evidence, bills, PIL and transpo. If it's any indication of what's ahead, then I'm bound to get even more headaches in the succeeding months.

Ok, got to change my game plan. Get more sleep. Plenty of sleep. Exercise dammit. Stop staring at ur Mac. Party. Drink. Hang out. Try living for the next 9 days. Relax.

scandal scanda scandal

2009-05-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

Here's part of an article I read in inquirer.net. Couldn't have said it better myself.

WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE hungry, give them a circus.

That’s just what the Senate did the other day.

It featured the video sex scandal, starring a movie starlet and a celebrity doctor, to cater to the public’s baser instincts.

The show, covered on national television and radio, fit the desire of Senator Jamby Madrigal, who orchestrated it, for more public exposure.

She is kulang sa pansin or wants attention.

Decent and intelligent people could only shake their heads in shock and disbelief.

They can’t believe the august body that was once composed of intellectual giants – the likes of Claro M. Recto, Camilo Osias, Raul Manglapus, Lorenzo Tañada, Arturo Tolentino, Jose Diokno, and oh, yes, Ferdinand Marcos – is now peopled by fishmongers and pork or meat vendors who sell meat – human flesh, that is – by the kilo.

- Tulfo, May 30, 2009

It seems that people are making too big a deal out of this entire mess, resulting into a crowded, fully televised circus. At the center ring are these attention-craved politicians who are enjoying the free ride alongside what should have been a quiet and discrete bandwagon. Because of this, they have ignored the most crucial question of them all:

SINO BA TLAGA YUNG BRAZILIAN CHICK SA VIDEO?

hehe...can't help it....boys will be boys...

my first 6k...

2009-05-20T04:57:00.000-07:00

What could be sweeter than your first income for one month's worth of work?

Spending it of course!

As said in a previous blog, I'm working as a research assistant for Atty Lavina. (argh, someone teach me how to type enye in a Mac)

The pay's nowhere near significant. A humble 6 thousand per month. But if you really look at it, it's not at all that bad. It's amazing in fact. I don't need to report to a lousy office everyday; I can just work at home for most of the time. I attend very interesting meetings with Supreme Court justices, judges, and legal practitioners. With free lunch! (So what if it's just jollibee!) hehe. Most of all, I am being trained under the auspices of a great teacher and lawyer, and an even greater person. Wow sipsip!!!

Today I got my first 6k. Was so excited to encash it. Couldn't stand the build up as I had to go to three different BPI braches. But nothing feels better in my wallet than money out of my own sweat and hardwork.

Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit. The work's not that difficult. Intellectually stimulating, yes. But this is to be expected of a law student- a UP LAW student at that. However, I am indeed grateful and blest to have been given a chance to do this. So far, my "boss" has expressed his desire to hire us for the next two years. I only hope that after seeing me work for the past month, he still maintains his desire to do so.

Now for the fun part- how to spend my 6k. Of course, 1k has to be set aside as savings. Then I promised myself that I'd start working out. That will take another 2k or so. Then perhaps buy a few gadgets for my mac. Will definitely buy a new casing. I also promised my kuya and his family that I'd treat them out to dinner. Knowing them, 1k probably won't be enough.

Haaaayyyy. 6k is starting to sound so measely.

Encounter with Justice(s)

2009-05-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure if I'm allowed to blog about this. But what the heck...

I just recently started working as a research assistant for Atty. Lavina, who was my Consti I professor. And yes, he made us memorize the entire constitution. What a headache that was.

Anyway, today I was tasked to go to this meeting in the Supreme Court. There were only 7 present in the said meeting, and only 3 actually did the talking. Among those present were a retired justice, and a current justice.

On my way to the Supreme Court, I did not really know what I was going to do there. After a quick text to Atty Lavina, he replied that I was there to assist in whatever way I can. To me, it meant that I was just there to take down notes. So for the most part, I was just silent, doing what I've been doing in previous meetings, i.e. staring at the speakers and pretending to care.

But today was different. Since it was such a small group, I decided to volunteer to read the important provisions to be discussed. It was at that point that the two justices turned their attention to me. They asked for my name, if I was a lawyer (obviously I said not yet), from what law school, and in what year. The whole dialogue lasted for about a minute. But as a law student, being asked by justices in the judiciary is like having small talks with your favorite artista. I know it seems OA and baduy, pero tumalon puso ko. Finally I mattered in the meeting. I wasn't just another warm body.

that was the highlight of my day. damn, I need to get a life.

I survived Sagada p. 2

2009-05-10T04:56:00.000-07:00

"The Big Falls"

Obviously I forgot the actual name of the place. But it was spectacular!

Like everything else in Sagada, you have to earn the right to enjoy the Big falls. May one hour trek muna bago makadating dun. Pero ok lang, kasi sobrang ganda ng view. hinto nga kame ng hinto ni resty para mag picture hehe.

And I was so excited to finally step on an actual rice terraces. Hay, the simple joys of life...

And finally, the main event...

It might not look big on pictures, but trust me, it was breath taking. Perhaps it was the roaring sound of water falling. Or the refreshing droplets on your face. Whatever it was, it was amazing.

Confession: hingal ako pabalik. Damn, I have to start exercising again.

I survived Sagada

2009-05-10T04:26:00.000-07:00

Sagada!!! wohooo!!!

Finally had the chance to go to Sagada. Dapat 5 kame... but the girls had to back out (don't ask why? something about a storm in Naga.) Was infuriated at first. Taena dodoble gastos ko nito. But then I realized the trip turned out better without them. More on this later.

Anyway, Resty insisted that we go. And so we did. We were intent on leaving Manila via bus. Apparenty, so did 1/4 of the population of Manila. Grabeng dameng tao sa mga bus stations! Suffice to say, standing in an area that stinked of urine for 2 hours was unbearable.

But it was all worth it. Sagada was worth all the hassles...

can't help but fall in love with the view...

and yet another attempt....

2009-05-10T04:18:00.000-07:00

This is definitely not the first time I attempted to start a blog... there have been some in fact...all of them utter failures.

Maybe this time it'll be different.

I just have this nagging feeling that I need to maintain a blog. Why? Haven't figured it out yet. A good topic for a blog, perhaps?