BACK AT U.P.

Today is my free day from work. I decided to visit U.P. to secure transcripts for my application to the Netherlands. I'm always excited to visit UP. It's like travelling back in time, about 10 years ago, when I was a student of Economics. Anyway, a lot of things have changed about my Alma Mater. New buildings, new kids on the block, but the same vast and sprawling land, and the beautiful acacia trees are still there. I felt at home, almost instantly. Upon filing my application, that's when I really felt that it's still the same UP of old. I would be waiting for 3 weeks until copies of my transcript are ready. THAT'S 21 DAYS TOTAL! It takes them that long, it's almost funny! And, after filing the application, I had to travel to the Shopping Center to pay for it, then run back to the Registrar to show them my receipt. It was really irritating that after almost ten years, nothing much has changed. To think, that ours is the premier state university in the country! And they're trebling tuition fees! After all that, I suddenly remembered what registration was like in UP. Long long lines at A.S. to enlist for SocSci1, being there at 5:30 am to be first in line, or at least the priority list, in all 5 of them! Or if all else fails, make a fool out of yourself prerog-ging (in common UP parlance, the teacher's prerogative "prerog" to take you in) in front of your prospective teacher and classmates. 3 or 4 gruelling days of going through this ordeal in perhaps all of your subjects. Then travelling from one building to another, aboard the UP IKOT or TOKI jeepney, circling the entire campus.

See, I told you it was such a nostalgic morning for me. Anyway, I had my friend Howie with me and we had lunch at Chateau Verde, a cozy garden resto near the UP Shopping Center. Food was fairly okay. But the prices, I guess, weren't student friendly. Anyway, I noticed that more faculty members trooped there for lunch. But the ambiance was so familiar to me. As if I didnt leave my backyard. But it was one of the better dining places on campus, up there with Chocolate Kiss.

So I know, I'll start doing my novena, so the Registrar will come up with my transcripts on time....

HAPPY HEARTS' DAY

Happy hearts day to all! This day is dedicated to all lovers, as well as to singles like me! :) It is a day to celebrate singlehood. Not having to brave monstrous traffic and long queues in restaurants. I'm spending my Valentines' Day with the family. My mom is whipping up a delicious feast for us later tonight. Also, we'll be home tuning in again to the PBA Finals. I hope it will continue to be an interesting series.

So to everyone, enjoy this romantic day. Sing happy tunes of love, watch sappy movies, wine and dine with the ones you love. You may not have significant others to share this day with, but make it count! :) Happy Valentines' Day!

JAWORSKI'S BACK

It was just yesterday that I was blogging about the Ginebra magic. This morning while I was reading the sports page, I read this headline "Jaworski Ready for Coaching Comeback." What perfect timing isn't it? I've long thought if he ever considered coming back to his first love. It was a foolish decision for him to join politics, or maybe selfless, if I choose to be objective, because he was ready to shed his superhero image in the hardcourt, to be able to serve the people in the Senate. Well, I seriously doubt he did a good job in the Senate. But as a Philippine basketball fanatic, I welcome his re-entry into the PBA, with open arms. Though I would never, never, root for his team, may it be Air21 or Talk and Text. But a celebrated personality like himself,will bring back the long lost glory of the professional league.

THE COURTESAN (Dangerous Beauty)

When I made a trip to St. Francis Square to get a few DVDs to watch at home, I was so glad to find an 8 in 1 collection with a movie that I had been looking for for over 4 years! I watched The Courtesan (Dangerous Beauty) when I was in Japan. I loved it so much that I searched desperately to find a copy of it. I forgot all about this unsuccessful search up until I saw it last Saturday.

I saw it again last night. I just remembered to include it in my list of favorite movies of all time. The movie stars Catherine McCormack of Braveheart as Veronica Franco and Rufus Sewell as Marco Venier. I recommend that you see this movie! :)

PBA PHILIPPINE CUP FINALS

I stayed home to tune in on Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, pitting the San Miguel Beermen against crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. As you well know, basketball remains as the number one sport in the Philippines. Quite ironic since basketball is a game of giants and the average height of a typical Filipino male is about 5'7 or 5'8. Still, you can find a basketball court or ring, on every corner of the Philippines. Some far flung places may not have electricity or means of telecommunications, but you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be teams of 5, barefoot or in slippers, battling for supremacy in the basketball hardcourt, or off the streets.

True enough, only basketball can amass a crowd of over 15,000 rowdy spectators in one venue, chanting one mantra, GI-NE-BRA! GI-NE-BRA! The magic of the Ginebra franchise goes way back to the days of playing coach and erstwhile senator, Robert "Big J" Jaworski. The Ginebra/Anejo team was notorious for its ragtag kind of play and never say die attitude. It amazes me that this team has lived true to this character over the years, though personnages have changed constantly. But once they don the Ginebra jersey, they seem to be possessed by the ghosts of Ginebra teams past. Probably it also helps that the whole stadium/coliseum/arena, filled with Ginebra diehards, is right behind them, screaming at the top of their lungs.

I remember that we were tasked to deliver a speech during our Communications class back at U.P., with a free hand on what we wished to speak about. Being the basketball fanatic that I am, I chose to speak on how basketball mirrors the Filipino psyche, and how it defines the Filipino way of life. The required attire I recall was corporate chic. So I wore a dress, but had a basktball in my hand as my only prop. It totally ruined my outfit, by the way! I then went on, saying that basketball showed how the Filipino loved the underdog, why the entire Filipino nation goes crazy over Barangay Ginebra, in whichever standing the team finds itself in. It's funny to observe that while many say that Filipinos are never loyal but fickleminded, they never sway in their loyalties for Ginebra. Another thing that will dispel this observation, is that, despite the fact that we are rather ill-placed in the sport of basketball, being of average height and brawn, we continue to strive for recognition as one of the forces to reckon with in the sport.

My father would often say that an effective brand of management, or even in running a government is to replicate how a basketball coach runs his basketball team. The team would be under strict supervision during practices, listening no end to the coach's constant reminders. But when gametime strikes, the players are left alone to do their own thing and the coach is anxious if indeed the players will execute, as instructed. Maybe this is the magic formula for the Philippines to pick up on economic recovery. All the country needs is to choose the coach that they pledge to follow.

After all these thoughts running through my mind, I was happy to find that Ginebra lost, the Beermen winning by a close margin. I was rooting for San Miguel, being a longtime fan of the franchise. Heck, it was already hard playing in a championship but even harder, winning it against Ginebra and majority of the crowd rooting against you.

So far, it is a series well fought, but I'd love to see Ginebra lose :) Go San Miguel!