Seven Stories

The very first piece you must learn if you want to join the rondalla is the "Lupang Hinirang" - but before that, the musical scale. I was fortunate enough for having someone teach me everything I needed to know. I have enjoyed a lot of trips and experiences with our group and it is all thanks to her, my teacher.

I found a to-do list similar to mine, where dancing is at the bottom. The owner of the list would also complain of the "difficult" steps the bosses would want you to do. In the end, we would have to obey the bosses though. If you want to bring honor to your class section, you should at least learn how to dance.

In the midst of the speech of a "prominent figure from Iraq", I met someone. That person does not have something better to do too so she agreed to take a few shots with me.

One night at a ball, I sat silently between two empty seats. A sorceress took the seat and said, "I don't mind having the frog I cursed around," pointing to the one seated by the far table. I replied, "It seems like the frog has already made himself comfortable over there. I would be glad if your friend, the wizard, will take the last seat instead." The conversation led to the two meeting new friends like elves and rangers and humans and goblins.

The witch wanted to kill the queen but killed the king instead - their beloved. To avenge for the king's death, the queen's daughter was landed upon the curse of the furious witch. No one could have guessed that the rivals - Hella and Amethyst - could be good friends at the backstage.

The three goddesses were so powerful that they can make the sun shine its brightest just by walking around the courtyard.

Once there were seven tyrants in maroon robes who would roam around their land. They would mock the slaves, lavish upon the peasants' hard-earned gold, torment the villagers, or simply cackle and gossip while watching the laborers work. However even with all these ruthlessness and harshness, they can still love someone apart themselves. The tyrant with the mirror would not brag to the tyrant who pets a snake. Meanwhile, the tyrant who pets a snake would not wish that the other tyrant be deprived of something she wants for herself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EUNICE!

My Last Days at Home

I will be moving to my sisters' place on Sunday. Actually, my clothes were already taken there weeks ago. That's why I'm short on clothes today. Haha.

I'm moving real soon so I decided to make the most out of the luxuries things I have here. I stay up late to watch tv. I go online all day - hey, I always do this. I sleep until noon. I don't do chores. I did the dishes last night, though. Wait, I haven't abused the piano yet. I'm also spending with half of my family - the other half, I will be living with. I eat lunch with my mom. Eating means chatting with her too. I watch the news with my dad. That includes guessing which tv commercial is which where we always cheat. It's not a fair game, I tell you. After that, my mom watches her usual soapoperas. And just for the fun of it, my dad and I watch with her too.

Our first stop is GMA 7's Zorro. I love to annoy my mom by asking her a lot of questions like, "Who is this guy?", "Why does he want to kill that guy?", "He's an indio?", "Who are his parents?", and she would yell at me and tell me that it's the twist - I have to watch. When the show is over, I can't remember anything about it. Hahaha.

I send my dad to bed around 9pm because...he usually sleeps around 9pm so he would not get late for work. I don't stop nagging him until he goes to bed. He doesn't go until it's exactly 9:00, though.

My mom watches Totoy Bato next. I don't watch this - I don't have the heart for it. Seriously, why does she watch this show?

As I was working on something for school one March night, I overheard a girl crying(?), shouting(?) - I can't remember. Then I asked, "Sino 'yan, si Kim Chiu?" And that was when my mom discovered how I loathed the girl.

Now, I watch this drama with her. Of course I also started with, "Who's she?", "Oh...they're twins?", "Gosh, why are they fighting over her?", "Why was he sold?", "He's a criminal?" and after a lot more questions I finally got to the conclusion - "Tayong Dalawa" means JR and Dave, the twins from the series. Hahaha.

When my mom isn't tired enough, we stay up until SNN. I skip Kris Aquino's Bingo thingy though. Her constant squealing annoys me.

However when my mom is too tired, she leaves me with the tv and I get to watch whatever I want. My dad sleeps early so we can not use the tv in their bedroom. Anyway, here starts my staying up late.

The Lord of the Rings: Tactics

Me: Laruin mo din 'yung FF7: Crisis Core, dali! Para ma-in love ka din kay Zack.
Miguel: *disgusted* Pa'no ba 'yun? Parang may turns?
Me: Eew. Wala. 'Pag combat mode, laban lang.
Miguel: Aw. Ayoko nun.
Me: Bakit? Ang boring kaya 'pag may turns. Maghihintay ka pa. Tapos ang dami pa nung characters.
Miguel: Strategy 'yun no.
Me: Speed 'yun, 'pag walang turns. 'Pag mabilis ka mag-isip, mabilis ka sa controls, mabilis ka tumakbo, etc.
Miguel: Nagugulat ako sa ganun eh.
Me: Wahahahahaha. Dapat maglaro ka ng Silent Hill: Origins. Para mas magulat ka. Wahahahaha.

-conversation from late junior year

See, I don't enjoy games with turns. Okay...except Civilization 3. But it really annoys me when all nations become more progressive. Each city of each nation is busy doing something. All units (workers, combatants, planes, etc.) move. I can finish a medium-sized cupcake while waiting for that one, single turn to finish, seriously. I am impatient. BUT, I tried playing The Lord of the Rings: Tactics. That is how much I love Legolas.

I finished the game some time last week. I started playing one midnight and ended around 4am. Why? Because when the PSP batteries get drained and the PSP goes off, you can't resume your game! What's more, I have not saved any of my progress! So, I decided to get some sleep.

When I finally woke, it's time for the battle between the Fellowship and Mordor! I started all over because I can't let go of this game that easy. Aragorn is just so strong. And Legolas is just so hot. But really, they are both strong and hot.

I was spoiling my two heroes, Aragorn and Legolas. Not only because they were my favorite but also because they were the heroes often used in the game. It's the game that chooses the heroes to use - not me. That is why I have to invest in all of them: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam.

Some things I'll always remember on my way to Mt. Doom:

Eomer can not perform ranged attacks. And I don't find him that strong either!

The moment Legolas releases the arrow and Aragorn thrusts Anduril (his sword), it's a sure kill. I <3 their tandem!

Gandalf is a wizard! Equip him with spells!

I always put Legolas in a high place. I don't make him move because he can fire arrows to anywhere. He looked so lazy. Hahaha.

I fell in love with Theoden. He's old but he's really strong.

Saruman is...EVIL.

Ents are better at melee attacks but it's hard to keep them alive.

Legolas is an elf. He's better with bows and arrows. Aragorn is a ranger. He's better with swords. Use them where they're good at; you'll taste the sweet fruit.

***

The last stage is the Battle of the Morannon or the Battle of the Black Gate.

Mission Objectives: Aragorn must survive. Frodo must get to Mt. Doom (which means Frodo must survive too).

This was the final major battle against Sauron in the War of the Ring, fought at the Black Gate of Mordor. The Army of the West, led by Aragorn, marched on the gate as a diversionary feint to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo and Sam, who were carrying the One Ring through Mordor.

-wikipedia.org

So...my heroes were Aragorn and Gandalf accompanied by two Gondor soldiers and faced with a lot of creatures from Mordor. On the other side stood my two other heroes, Frodo and Sam. More enemies were here. Plus Sauron and the Mouth of Sauron!

As the stage progressed, more and more Mordor reinforcements arrive. Meanwhile, no Fellowship reinforcements arrive because no Fellowship reinforcements shall arrive. Why have I no reinforcements?! And Sauron keeps on stunning my characters! I had to do this level a lot of times until I finally gave up. I did some optional quests to earn gold and buy my heroes skills. I bought Aragorn Army of the Dead, Call of Eagles for Gandalf, Ent Summon for Sam, and Light of Galadriel for Frodo. All skills are summoning skills.

Back in Morannon...

Aragorn tries hard to get to Frodo and Sam immediately and slays enemies ahead. Gandalf and the two Gondor soldiers slay all enemies blocking Aragorn and their paths.

Meanwhile, Sam protects Frodo by having Frodo stay behind him. As the hobbits try to defend themselves, Mordor reinforcements arrive.

After some turns, Aragorn's campaign has slain three enemies. Frodo and Sam defeat one. Sauron and Mouth of Sauron approach the hobbits. Enemies come nearer to the hobbits - this means melee combat for everyone. More Mordor reinforcements arrive. It's time to use new skills! Ents came and damaged all enemies. A flash of blinding light killed some. And eagles soared and did more damage.

Finally, all enemies ahead of Aragorn were slain. However, my two Gondor soldiers have fallen. With Frodo behind him, Sam came face to face with Sauron. Aragorn and Gandalf were too far but close enough to perform ranged attacks.

What happened on my last turn?

Sam was stunned so he remained frozen between Sauron and Frodo.
Frodo misses Sauron. (Gosh, nag-miss pa siya!)
Gandalf restores Aragorn's health.
And Aragorn fires an arrow to Sauron.

Then, VICTORY!

A cutscene comes showing the battle of the Fellowship and Mordor outside the Morannon. So that's where my other heroes are - outside the Morannon.

Mt. Doom erupted. And between their own fights, my heroes stopped. They looked up the erupting Mt. Doom and smiled. Legolas smiled! *dies*

One whispered, "Frodo."

Everyone, of the Fellowship or of Mordor, knew what had happened. The ring was destroyed. And it was victory for the Fellowship.

And just like any other game I have finished, I stared at the credits and said, "Tapos na?"

You know what? It doesn't help investing in only one character. Wait, I know this beforehand. It doesn't help investing in only two or three characters. Every single unit is needed. Invest in them. Use them. The same goes with real life.

It's surprising how much can happen in one turn. If Gimli moves here, he might get caught between Lurtz and a Ringwraith. But if you move a ranger there, he could take care of the Ringwraith and leave Gimli with Lurtz. On that single turn depends your defeat or your victory. Decide wisely.

Be prepared. Bring sachels of fresh athelas and sachels of lembas bread cakes to restore your lost HP and AP.

It's okay to ask for help once in a while. Summon an eagle, or Ents, or the Light of Galadriel.

And finally, teamwork? I really loved how I spent my last turn. Sam was so loyal to Frodo. He protected him from ALL enemy attacks. He was courageous too! He was ready to do hand to hand combat with Sauron, until he was stunned. Frodo tried to do damage to Sauron but failed - probably because Sam was in the way. Aragorn arrived just in time to find that Sauron was so close to the hobbits and he fires an arrow from afar. I will die if Aragorn misses Sauron's head. And Gandalf heals the wounded Aragorn - Aragorn slayed a LOT of enemies.

My characters are so sweet. ♥

Really, I am in love. If you only knew how I spoke and acted the night I finished the game. I am so in love I want to watch the movies again. And read the books!

Sore Feet

I went to the university last Monday. And last Tuesday.

I attended the IB orientation last Monday which includes introducing you to your blockmates, knowing what to expect, and going to places where a freshman might usually go to. I was an hour late for the orientation because I had trouble finding where the place was. Palma Hall is big (or is it just me?).

On the way home, I was standing in the bus again. See, I was also standing on my way to Magallanes. Anyway, the ride home was so much better because, for some reasons, it did not make me sick.

Part 2 of the university trip begins here.

I decided to leave home late that morning because I was just supposed to pay for my tuition fee. And I believe that long queues at the cashier do not form that early. When I got there, "some person" told me that it was closed and that I should go to the office instead. And where is that? At the back of the Philippine National Bank (PNB). And again, where is that?

I got in a UP Toki with a group of college students.

Friend 1: Si [insert name here], ang aga aga, nanglalait ng freshman.
Friend 2: Hindi ah.
Friend 3: Bakit, ano ba sabi?
Friend 1: Sabi niya kanina, eto, freshman 'to.
Friend 2: Kasi halata naman eh. Tumitingin kung saan-saan.
Friend 1: O, tingnan mo.
Group of friends: *laughs*

Ate, freshman din ako. But I didn't say that. LOL.

And after having trouble finding PNB, I finally joined the long queue. Just then, the guard told us that tuition fees are to be paid at the OUR. What?! After having a difficult time of finding this, you're going to send me back there? So, the people who were supposed to be paying for tuition fees left for the OUR.

I was so tired and disappointed that I lost the will to pay. Hahaha.

"Ate Ange. Tawagan mo 'ko."

My sister was very prompt. My cellphone was ringing a minute after my message was sent. I narrated how my trip went.

Ate Ange: Asan ka ba?
Me: Nasa UP.
Ate Ange: Aah. Ako din eh. Sa CS.
Me: O?! Ba't 'di mo sinabi?! Really. I was scolding her here. Hahaha.
***
Ate Ange: 'Di pumunta ka sa OUR. Hindi mo alam kung pa'no pumunta 'dun?
Me: Alam ko! Kaso..*rant* *rant*
Ate Ange: Aah. Lunch time na eh. Kain muna tayo. Asan ka ba?
Me: PNB.
Ate Ange: Okay, pupunta na 'ko d'yan.

See what a great sister she is?

So we walked to the "Bahay ng Alumni" and ate a hearty meal at "The Chocolate Kiss" - that's where she always takes me to eat. Yay!

Again, we walked to the OUR and I joined the long queue for payments. At UP, the word "queue" always goes with "long". Hehehe. After finally receiving my hard-earned receipt, I was informed that I have to join an even longer queue for the miscellaneous fees - ID fee.

Poor sister. She looked really bored. It was good that she decided to go to the ComSci Department to save time. She was supposed to shift advisors - or something like that.

At last, I finally received my photo ID schedule. That was the last part of the enrollment. Now, how to get to the ComSci Department. My sister told me that it lies right in front of the NIGS, so I asked a jeepney driver if he could take me to NIGS.

Lakarin mo na lang mas malapit. *shows directions*

So...I walked. And there I was, at the NIGS. Surprisingly, I got there before my sister did. She left before I did and she even got herself a ride! The driver was right. Walking would save me time.

My sister went in to find her advisor which might take long. It was my turn to wait. Unfortunately, the person was not there. It was time for me to go home and for my sister to return to her office.

I managed to grab a seat in the bus this time. I deserve it after what I had from the MRT ride. Haha.

The story doesn't end here. Well, almost.

It was a relief when I finally got home (gosh, I never appreciated home like this before). I could take off my shoes now. Yay! I washed my feet with soap and water and rubbed them with foot lotion. I was really spoiling my feet. I even used my sister's soft, fuzzy slippers because my feet were sore. Yeah, they're really sore. And they're red.