Love Letter

Dear freshie,

Hello dearies. I’m Charisse. Or may I say, your ate Char. I’m an alumna [this word makes me sound really old] of the best-est dorm in the whole UP-niverse, *drum roll* Balay Lampirong Freshmen Hall 1. I am now in UP-Diliman, but oh no, I will never forsake this dorm. So here I am! I have a [not-so-short] story to tell you dear freshie.

Not so long ago, I was one of the amazing, incredible, talented, beautiful, intelligent, [insert egotistical adjective here] centennial batch of Hall 1 dormers. I once inhabited room 102 with my obsessive-compulsive, extraordinary roommate and my over-achieving room-hopper-mate [You know who you are]. Every room in hall 1 has a story to tell. Ours was a story of daily slumber parties, gossip girl marathons [it was the fad during our batch], girl talks and endless episodes of coffee dependency especially during finals week. Just like you guys and girls, I walked those corridors, bathed in the shower room, slept in that bed, studied in that carrel, paged with that ancient paging system, partied in the multi-functional lobby, hydrated with that dispenser, made coffee with the overused heater, did my vanity in that lobby mirror and walked in and out of the glass doors of hall 1 every single day. I also have my share of [short-lived] dorm crushes, spine-tingling “ghost” experiences and pasaway moments that until now, only a single soul knows.

Oh well. My reminiscing of my hall 1 memories has practically took up the introductory part of this blog post. I bet you got bored reading my nostalgia and skipped to this part. That’s alright. It’s just that there are too many great and wonderful things to write about hall 1. But I must go to the very core of this blog post. The part where I tell you one of the few good decisions I did while I was a freshman. And that was the decision of becoming a part of the House Council. I was the Liaison Officer of Balay Lampirong House Council 2008-2009.

When I decided to run for office, I had no clear idea what I’d get myself into. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Ten teenagers were given this enormous task on their tiny, inexperienced hands. We were like a dull pencils being sharpened. We had to face real-life issues- money matters, internal conflict, apathy of dormers- that altogether forced us to act and think as young adults with responsibilities. Every activity was like a huge hurdle that we had to conquer. Being in the House Council was an additional 12 units. Haha! I have to say that I’ll carry as a status symbol the success of the Lampirong Days during our batch. It was a time in my life that exhaustion became my friend because I was already used to it. I'd return to my room like a lantang gulay. Even in my dreams, I'd still think about the activities we'd have to plan. And yes, dear freshies, I lost weight during the preparation week of Lampirong Days. It was that crucial. I became a House Council major.


But at the end of the day, it was all worth it. All the gallons of sweat I perspired, the creative juices I excreted, the number of hours of sleep I gave up were all paid off. At the end of the year, I’ve found friends in my fellow House Council members. Through the storms, we somehow found good company in each other. I found the better version of me. I learned to use my initiative, to work with different personalities, to work under time pressure, to practice professionalism and most importantly, I learned to become a leader. I survived being a House Council without sacrificing my academics and I sure do deserve I pat on the back. It's a bragging right!

I have bigger responsibilities as a student leader right now, but the core values I learned in being a House Council officer help me every step of the way. Being in the House Council made me realize I am capable of leading and achieving if I give my heart into what I am doing and If I sincerely go the extra mile.

Sooo, to the Balay Lampirong House Council 2009-2010, I hope you get inspired and encouraged with my story. Awaken the leadership potentials in you! You go gerrl! Remember the parable of Talents in Matthew 25 and bear in mind that being in the House Council is a stepping stone in growing those talents you have in you. Whatever burden you have, there is a God that is so much bigger than your problems. I congratulate you for taking the lead. Being the wallfower is boring. So step it up guys. You have a long way to go! ((:



A forever hall 1 lover,
Charisse <3

Bachelors' Night 2009

Anyone volunteer to write a short something for this?

(Photos have been strictly screened)

Counting minutes..

First sem is almost over. If this were any other semester I wouldn't fuss about it too much.
But you know being a senior has its perks and well its down side.
I'm happy cause I'm down to my last sem as a student.
and I'm sad cause UP has been my life for the past three years and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else for college.

Sadness and happiness.
Very conflicting feelings.
but if you were in my shoes right now, you'd feel the same way.

Maybe its too early to say goodbye.
A lot could still happen.
But you know the pressure is still there and...
Damn it! its Finals Week!

Good luck to all of us...

Acquaintance Party 2008

Glamour, Is Still In Me

Redd Nuñez

This is the time of my life that I can firmly say: Only Change Remains Constant. I feel sad that this is how it’s been for two months now. For 20 years, I have never come out of Iloilo (school trips aside). During those years, I have stayed with my family. But what saddens me the most is to recollect the last four years of my life. My life in UP Miag-ao and Hall 1- The Best Place in the Planet!

Miag-ao is such a nice place. I did not like all of the people there but loved some for they had made my life easy (labanderas, tricycle drivers etc…). I miss the church, lovely isn’t it?! I miss the banwa, where you can find the “batchoy-an”, “fisball-an” and “halo-halo-han” (is there such word? Ahahaha!), which I believe indulging yourself with these are great luxuries. I miss swimming in the infamous OWL. I’ll be missing the glutonic fiesta foods. I miss the buildings even though a few only exist there.

Now, I’m in the business capital of the country. And note, Ayala Avenue! Super, isn’t it?! But it’s not as beautiful as it may seem. Everything here is expensive and eating at Mcdo or KFC is never a luxury. If you wish to find cheap foods, you’ll settle it for 35 pesos (1 small cup of rice, 1 not so-delicious viand, no beverage and add 3 pesos for a styro). Compared to Lola’s Inn, you’ll think that you had been a gluton for that price.

What I love here is the avenue’s underpass. It’s like a subway in New York. I get to walk going to work. No fare and no Traffic! Moreover, seeing people in corporate attires are usual but it you would wear such in Miag-ao, you’ll be the talk of the town. Ahahaha!

Work is the reason why I am here. I believe that this will give me a good future. Actually it’s not work but training. I go on training from Mondays to Fridays and rest on weekends, which I don’t get to enjoy most of the time. It’s like college, UP, but way beyond, way beyond worst. I need to pass two national exams (1 for IT and 1 for Nihongo), which I believe passing the first one is impossible right now. Here, 1 book is covered 1 week the most while back in college, 1 book for 1 subject. The assignments are overflowing. Super! You would wish we had a 48-hour day. Back there, I would say life is unfair if my class starts at 8 am and ends at 4pm. Here, I start 8 am and end at 7 pm the least. Regrets. None. But if only I have studied hard and smart during college for there are many to learn. Sometimes, I feel insecure when I’m with my co-trainees from other UP campuses, La Salle and Achineo(Ateneo)! Of course, I get to handle such things. There’s no turning back that’s why I push myself.

For the finale, Hall 1, the place I miss the most. I miss the “pok-poker” nights, the tv-series and movie marathons, the “kulitans” with first years and upperclassmen. I miss the “lafore” nights during birthdays. I miss the “girl” moments. I miss the TV babaran (with never ending side comments). I miss the chismisan, 5 hours for that and only an hour for school work (this happens most of the time). I miss everything! Mostly, I miss being called Mama Redd. I wish I could fly so that I can go round trip from here to Miami. Of course, I can’t.

I have found a new family here, at work. But 3 months from now we will be deployed to different developments. See? Nothing is constant. Everything changes. But then, I am happy with what my life have been. It keeps getting better. Thanks to those who have always believed in me.

But then, only two things remained, I am still the same person and I am still GLAMOROUS! Ahahaha!

To those who are privileged to stay in once Ujin and I called “Glamour House”, you will be experiencing the best. Not because the institution is there but because of the people inside. Make the most of it! To the council of Huaya’s, Good luck! I sooooo miss you all! Super! To the newbies, you all are in good hands. The dorm isn’t perfect but it gave me the best 4 years of my life.

Gambatte!