The Transformation & The Quandary

The transformation is complete. The man who was first Green
& White (Paulinian) then Blue and White (Louisian) then
Yellow (Thomasian) is finally, reluctantly, Green (La
Sallian).

Last Saturday, I enrolled at DLSU's Graduate School where I
will take up a masteral course for teaching the English
language (MA-TEL). In two years or so, I hope to acquire the
knowledge & skills necessary for me to be able to teach
college students the beautiful language we all aspire to
learn.

At the very first paragraph, I wrote that I'm a reluctant La
Sallian now. Reluctant because I'm a proud Thomasian.
Reluctant because of those so many wars our schools have
waged on the UAAP. Reluctant because of "Tuition niyo baon
ko lang." Reluctant because of the cheer "Bobo La Salle."
Reluctant because... I can go on all day enumerating the
reasons why La Salle would have been the last school on
earth I would've enrolled on. But alas, times has changed.
Realities, too, has changed.

Sad to say, our beloved alma mater's graduate school has
stubbornly resisted the realities of today. In fact, truth
be told, it has very meager facilities that does not befit
it's lofty reputation in the academe. From the year I've
graduated (2000)to now (2k8), UST's graduate school is still
sharing facilities with the High School Department. And with
this, compared to other reputable schools (UP, DLSU, Ateneo)
it has the gall to charge exorbitant fees. Sure, the
university has made strides in improving it's graduate
school through the Research Center, subscriptions to
journals, etc. But it simply is not enough.

In the end, as much as I wanted to enroll at my grand old
alma mater, economic realities told me not to. It just could
not beat DLSU's trimestral program, facilities & tuition &
fees.

This transformation will be difficult when the UAAP begins.
Will I be chanting D-L-S-UUUUUUUU or E-yo, E E E-yo? Or Go
La Salle, go go La Salle or We are the Tigers, the mighty
mighty Tigers? Will I do the wave or will I give you the
elitist stare or glare? What a quandary.

It would be difficult too when my friends & I get together.
Surely, I will get it from them. I will get ridiculed &
villified for switching sides. Drawing comparisons from
Anakin Skywalker drifting to the dark side of the force &
becoming Darth Vader.

I'm writing this like an apologetic Thomasian would to his
former comrades in arms. Even if it appears I've left you,
I've never really abandoned you my friends. I have not, and
will not wander to the dark side of the force. And even if
I'm a La Sallian now, once the cage wars begin, I'll show my
quality, my true colors. To the very end, to the very last
breath, in my mind & in my heart, I'm still a yellow-blooded
Thomasian.

Animo Tigers, beat De La Salle! Beat De La Salle!

Cinco de Mayo at Puerto Galera

Time really flies so fast that one can easily lose track of it. Moreso when one gets older. Last May 5, Chabs & I celebrated our much anticipated first wedding anniversary. And what better way to celebrate it by doing what we love most. Traveling.

Since it was summertime, it was a perfect time to go to a beach. We had some places in mind and after briefly considering going to either Boracay or Bohol, we ultimately decided to do otherwise due to the prohibitive cost in going to those vacation hotspots. Although we're still planning to go to those places in the near future. And we're looking forward to it.

With Bohol & Bora out of the picture, Chabs & I thought Puerto Galera would be perfect. And it was.

I've been to Puerto twice already & Chabs once so we know what to expect in the island. We burnt our skins, ate grilled food, I had a henna tattoo, she had her hair braided, we had a good massage on the beach & partied at night. Plus I got to try the banana boat. And boy, it was a blast even if my whole body felt sore after. But still, it's one ride I'd recommend to all. Overall, our Puerto experience, like all our past travels, was perfect. And much of the credit goes to Rianne, our travel agent who made sure we had a very nice place to stay in. She was so intent in making life easier for us she more than exceeded the bounds of customer service.

Looking back, we had a charmed 1st year of marriage. We always say that we are a lucky couple and it sure is that way. We see other couple's marriages and compare it to ours and we can't help but feel very lucky indeed. Sure there are the usual petty quarrels & disappointments but the happy moments far outnumber them. And these moments galvanize our relationship even more.
This is our first year together and we know that we will be celebrating many many more anniversaries. And consequently, a lot more traveling is in the pipeline.