On Candy: Life Is Sweeter With Candy

We were asked to write what we loved most being a correspondent for Candy. I feel bad I wrote the least and didn’t reminisce as much as everyone else did, though you can’t say I’m the least grateful.

If you scroll back to last summer in this blog, joining Candy Correspondents was something I looked forward to. The age limit was 19, and since I just took journalism classes and turned a year older, I thought of giving it a shot. A lot of things were uncertain but I just let things happen and then suddenly I was part of this really cool group of people who had a passion for what they do.

I do feel bad though for being the only correspondent who didn’t get to go to a lot of press conferences and events. Mostly it’s because I prioritized training for track and field. But no regrets. I’m sure my fellow correspondents had fun.

Anyway the experience was thrilling, being able to write for the website. I wish though that I was less uptight so that I could write more for the target audience. I’m really happy being able to work for this teen magazine I respect and subscribed to growing up. Thank you for this experience and for new friends.

Read our thank yous here.

20.

Woops. I haven’t posted in so long.
Anyway it’s summer again and here I am waiting for new opportunities to come my way. I just turned 20 a couple hours ago and though it wasn’t the ideal birthday, I’m thankful for the two decades that has passed. Thank you parents for a grand gift I would never thought you would give me. Thanks to my extended family for always making me laugh. And thanks to my friends especially those who have been there since I was thirteen (because you matter the most). I’m very lucky and blessed to have them. The journey may not be a perfect one but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

To end the celebration, I guess it’s fitting for me to post this song. It’s a milestone for every Tegan and Sara fan to turn 20 so I can finally sing this one. This one goes out to the ugly truth of what has been. But it’s really okay; we’re all gonna have to move on, right?

I was nineteen, call me.

#SpreadTheLove

Today is an ordinary day worth remembering. Since I started the day with a histo long test, I decided to stay positive by giving chocolates to friends, watching UAAP football semi-finals, and hohols with random people. I figured no one would get me flowers so I gave myself some by wearing my flower-printed pants. My friends called it lola pants but haters gonna hate!

Lyka

men of the hour

Joel’s game

and a pleasant surprise:

Thursday well spent!

 

Think nothing, of mistakes that I’ve made
All around, change that I can’t take
The way I left you hanging every time
You avoid the sound, of my voice coming down the line
You avoid the sound, of my voice coming down the line

- I Run Empty, Tegan and Sara

preparing for the worst.

MTR Hong Kong Racewalking 2012

Last October 28, our team went to Hong Kong to join the annual MTR Hong Kong Racewalking Competition! It was my first major and international race. We’ve been preparing for this for about two months and we were both excited and nervous, but at the same time, I’ve never felt so at home.

Racewalking happens to be a popular thing internationally. I know it’s an Olympic event, but it overwhelms me how even the ordinary person takes this seriously because it isn’t as popular as running in the Philippines. According to the MTR website, around 1500 people participated in the 3K, 10K, 1K, and Corporate Challenges. Amazing! The racers were all friendly and the race itself was organized well. Our race kit was fully loaded and it was definitely worth the trip

pre-race!

with my teammates!

with Coach Mick

gun start for the 3K walk

overtaking Dory hehehe

all smiles post-race!

with Katsuya Ueda from Japan who just finished first in the 10K walk!

In the end, I placed fourth, and Dory placed fifth. I definitely could have done better, but I this trip was necessary to give me important lessons on racing and self-trust. Jeremy did a 10K walk and placed 12th. On the bright side, my teammates Jethro and Rex placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the men’s 3K walk! Horay! Ateneo (and the Philippines) is well-represented in this race.

podium finish for Jethro and Rex!! Woohoo!

fourth and fifth place

What we brought home!

Walkers

We’ll be back. And I’ll do better. Thank you Hong Kong. Til next year

No (more) Pressure.

Sharing you my post- Hong Kong race song, where my favorite band spells out everything I feel about it. The lyrics just hits the spot.

Blogging about my weekend at Hong Kong soon

no copyright infringement intended.

Sometimes it feels like I’m all that they’ve got
Gets so hard to know I’m not what they want

mie famiglie a scuola

My Italian’s rusty and my teacher would probably frown on me when he sees the title.

Here are some lovely photos of different student groups I am privileged to be part of this year. No, I’m not graduating yet. Things are going a little bumpy especially with finals coming up so I just want to remind myself of the gratitude I have for these people for being present in my life.

Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League

I’m not even active in this org. I don’t even get to go to area and teach kids about God, but I’ve gotten used to these people who just never fail to brighten up my day no matter what. I go to them when I need to de-stress before or after a class, or simply when I just want to talk to someone. The people in this org are always happy and really nice. They’ll never forget to include you with their plans. I owe the kids an area visit soon, and I’ll definitely go back after UAAP.

AWTF

Speaking of UAAP, meet the team. *u* I love them. In this team, I met 9 dedicated people who motivate me and push me to always perform my best. They inspire me so much with their hard work. Anything’s possible with these girls especially when we work together and continue getting better and stronger. In around 2 months, we’ll be showing more than what we have, just like in training everyday!

Ateneo Association of Communication Majors

ACOMM taught me to be confident. They welcomed me like family even though what I do with them is more professional. I love that I have them as my friends beyond my block and that they are just around to talk about interesting COM classes. I’m happy I get to serve ACOMM X and I can’t wait for the big projects they’ll have to offer this school year!

ACOMMpany <3

Dancing is my first love, and this crew will forever have its place in my heart. I couldn’t dance with them this year because I’m already training with track and field but I decided to stay with them as their manager. They did great in this year’s RiB by winning 1st runner-up!!! (see my post about last year’s RiB here) I’m very proud of them, and especially to our coach Reflex for trusting them with his vision. Hats off to you guys. You’ve come a long way. Thanks for always welcoming me like I’m still training with all of you!

Watch their piece below:

Despite all this, I have my priorities straight. Nothing comes in the way of anything, especially with training. It’s what I wake up for and I give it my all every single time. The time will eventually come when all my hard work will pay off and I’ll be able to thank everyone for always supporting me in what I choose to do.