Due to technical rules of 20% of finals score coming from the eliminations round (a very silly way of making a dance competition, in all honesty), Skittlez missed out on the overall top 3 rankings, BUT did place in the top three for the Remix 09 Finals itself.
Moral of the story: Organizers need to be, um, better organized. Eliminations, in case they suddenly turn out to be ridiculously important, must be taken very seriously.
After spending 3 days and 2 nights (wow, like a hotel stay, really) at the Manila Adventist Hospital (used to be called the Manila Sanitarium, which I prefer) from last Saturday to two days ago (Monday), I've had quite a life-changing experience. Mostly due to the fact that this was my first time to be admitted in a hospital.
Last Wednesday, I experienced some severe pain on the upper-middle area of my abdomen. I dismissed it as a light acid reflux (heartburn), and hoped it would go away. It didn't, and by 1930 hours, I was at the university clinic receiving some Maalox suspension liquid (it's basically liquid magnesium and liquid calcium; tastes horrible) for the pain. Pain went away a little.
Thursday, I was fine.
On Friday, I had severe pain again, and I went to the university clinic to get some treatment. Pain was almost unbearable (9/10 on my pain tolerance scale) and it seemed like every time I would take medication, it would aggravate the pain even more. What helped was a very hot water bottle on my abdomen.
Saturday morning, about 0330 hours, I rushed myself to the Manila Sanitarium. Pain was at 10/10, and I could barely stand straight. I knew something was terribly wrong. I'm not one who would easily succumb to physical pain (university therapists, nurses, and teammates know this) but this time it was really bad. I received a direct-IV injection of Nexium, and was prescribed 40mg Nexium tablets.
Saturday afternoon, about 1630 hours, after taking the Nexium tablet, the pain came back. This time, it felt like I was shot in the abdomen. I was with Skittlez, and thank goodness Jake and Gayle could rush me to the Sanitarium. I was finally admitted.
After a blood test, a urine test, an ultrasound, hooked up to an intravenous line, various poking and probing, I was diagnosed with severe hyperacidity due to stress. Wow. Apparently, I need to chill out more often.
Will post pictures of the hospital stay after I get them. All fine now. :)
My answers on the first paper on the film Citizen Kane. I also posted this in our USAPOPC Yahoo! Groups website (the top three papers were all posted). :) A paper on the major subject American Pop Culture and Cinema, with regards to the theme and innovations of the film Citizen Kane, ranked as the "best movie of all time" by the AFI.
**SPOILER WARNING**
***
Before Citizen Kane, I would have thought that movies such as Casablanca or The Godfather would be #1 on the AFI list of the best movies of all time. However, many innovations in Citizen Kane were considered revolutionary and ground-breaking. Citizen Kane showed a typical well-meaning citizen "turning evil" in pursuit of power. It showed Charles Foster Kane's story through flashbacks of several people, perhaps indicating that a memory of one man's life must be told from several points of view, to completely (or at least, attempt to) understand why a person would strive to acquire so much more power than he really needs. It is said that 'power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely', and this quote was on my mind throughout the latter part of the movie. No other movie that I have seen captures that saying as well as Citizen Kane, as the movie literally traced back Kane's life from death to childhood to death. In terms of innovations, I noticed a stark difference between Citizen Kane and all the other classic movies I have seen: Citizen Kane utilized a lot of low and extreme low angles. The viewer is therefore appearing to look 'bottom-up', and the characters look far more imposing. Scenes of 'frame-within-a-frame' are also rampant, especially obvious in scenes such as the adoption, the first interview with Susan Alexander, and in the firing of Jedediah Leland. Artistic shots such as these are fast disappearing in a world filled with computer-generated movies. Also, I noticed that throughout the movie, most objects in any given frame are all in sharp focus; modern movies usually blur objects to highlight in-focus subjects. Citizen Kane relies much in lighting to achieve this instead. For me, the most telling aspect of Citizen Kane's position as the greatest movie of all time is the symbolism behind the movie's most famous quote ("rosebud"). It was interesting that the movie showed a man who could literally have everything, but instead never forgot his humble beginnings, i.e. childhood ("Rosebud" was Charles Foster Kane's childhood sled, which I was surprised to see he kept!), and yet, unlike movies with 'from rags to riches' theme, Kane did not have a happy ending, losing all - friends, wife, friends, property - to his insatiable megalomania.
For the past five days, my city, Metro Manila, has been undergoing intensive recovery and relief operations. Last Saturday, this capital of the Philippines was struck by a categorically mild Signal #1 typhoon named Ondoy.
Ondoy turned out to be the worst typhoon in over 40 years in this country. Almost 300 are confirmed dead as of today, and thousands are left homeless. Over 2 million people have been severely affected by this typhoon, due mostly to the deep floods that it caused.
Most of the fatalities caused by Ondoy were due to floodwaters. In some 'fortunate' places like my area near Taft Avenue, the waters were only chest-high; in badly-struck areas such as Cainta and Marikina (Google them), the waters reached four, sometimes five meters. Insane, and very sad.
Schools at all levels have been suspended since last Monday, and today, with reports of another typhoon - reportedly a super typhoon of Signal #5 strength - coming in later tonight or tomorrow morning, the Philippines has been hit pretty hard. We can only pray that all these would end soon, and that Typhoon Peping would just veer off and spend itself over open ocean.
I know, I know. Way behind schedule. I have Remix 09 to prepare for and a whole new term, you know. :P
Some pictures from the Araneta Coliseum locker room (which we shared with the University of the Philippines Pep Squad two years in a row now). Our coaches and General Manager. Araneta shots. Look at the crowd! During results. :) Honoring our university, our supporters, and the Lasallian community.
Winners: 1st: Far Eastern University 2nd: Ateneo De Manila University 3rd: University of the Philippines
I am proud to have worn the green and white of De La Salle University. I am so proud and honored to have been in the pioneer two years of the new-look Animo Squad (formerly known as the DLSU Pep Squad). Teammates, you guys are awesome and some of you are just sick (double full-twist, anyone?). Coaches, thanks for every skill I've learned, and all the lessons you four have imparted on me. Our manager, thanks for the responsibilities that made me a better person. :) DLSU, thanks for the opportunity. Gaylie, thanks for the support. <3 :D
The 2009 cheering season of the Animo Squad competing team has officially ended. I must say that it was an awesome experience from beginning to end. So many life lessons learned, and so many obstacles gone over, and most were very much worth it. :)
Much thanks to the De La Salle University Manila Office of Sports Development and the university official sponsors Adidas, especially Bro. Bernie Oca, FSC, and Sir Edwin Reyes, for the incredible support and love you two have shown to our squad, and the countless advice and opinions to make us a better squad every year.
To the coaches, Sir Peter Alcedo, Jr., Coach LA Garcia, Coach Ajjie Mendelebar, and Coach Mycs Villoso, thanks for the skills and abilities you have all imparted on this still-learning dancer/cheerleader. Just a little over 2 years ago, when I was still a bass guitar addict, I would never have thought of learning and doing all the things all of you have taught.
Thanks to all family (especially Mum and Pops) and friends for the prayers and support. Never would have done the performance we did, if not for all of you. :)
Finally, thanks to my Gaylie for her love and understanding, even when I had not much time due to all the training and practices. :) <3
To my beloved Animo Squad, a lot of us will not be competing for La Salle anymore. Our captain and co-captain have worn the green and white for the last time, and I'm glad we gave them something to remember fondly. I probably will not join next year as well, as I am graduating in 3 terms. :( Thanks for the love and friendship, and most especially the sense of camaraderie that we all shared. We have given blood, sweat, and tears for our university and the Green and White community, and we can all truly call ourselves Lasallians. I love you all. All the best next season!
Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 CDC. :) UP Pep Squad, you guys are my heroes. :D
Until next year, keep the faith, and ANIMO LA SALLE!!
Academically, the past term has been the best term I've ever had in university. :) I have been blessed with awesome group mates (CITIGOV "Supergroup" Danica, Denise, Marianne, Queenie, Rhona, and Angelique) and hardworking, responsible, and absolutely reliable thesis research mates (Chea and Bea). It's nice to be dancing with Animo Squad and Skittlez Crew, AND get awesome grades as well.
Without further ado..
Citizenship and Governance: 4.0 History of Civilizations: 3.0 Research Methods for IS: 4.0 US Foreign Policy: 4.0 Statistical Literacy: 3.0 Race and Gender in America: 3.5
GPA: 3.583 First honors, baby. :D
Non-academic subjects: Personal Effectiveness 3: 3.0 Lasallian Recollection: P (Passed)
Captain Obvious says Jay is very happy. :D
From Coach Carter: "..they are student-athletes. Students before athletes."
I would like to thank my university, De La Salle University Manila, and our official sponsors, Adidas, for the very generous amount you gave to get some gear. :) It was fun to shop, knowing it's all sponsored. :D
Trying on my DLSU track top. Gayle. <3 My CDC 09 black polo shirt. Black Climacool training shirt. I love this one. Us. :D Some funny posts on the "Why do you run?" wall at Adidas. Thanks again, uni and Adidas! :D
