tHER

tHER
by Daniel Macrohon
this life is a little bit colder than it
used to be since she left.
whats there to keep warm when
her marks are long gone, senseless and full of meaningless
what more should i expect when the worst has come?
do i follow the breeze as it takes me to another
or stay under the heat while under the slab of ice
shine something on me to make things a little bit brigh
tHer


I dont remember when i wrote this. Maybe 2009 - 2010. Laughing at my works. I remember posting most of my poems online. Multiply, i think, and now that site's long gone.

Poems, for me, usually came in a stanza and every last word should rhyme with the previous line. That changed when I reached grade 6 or high school. I began developing my style of writing during 3rd year high school after discovering the freedom of 'free form' poems and the different forms of poetry. I would regularly make short poems for the Friday English requirements at school. After a while, it became my past time. I would get pages or clean sheets, write everything that goes through my mind, and hope that i don't make a mistake writing. Since, i didn't like making erasures, i just had to find a way to fix errors, and include it in the composition, something that was quite challenging. Even stray lines needed to be considered; otherwise it would be subject to page tearing.

I entered college, no longer writing things of pure emotions and reason. Now that i have the time, i might pick up from where i left ( or go way back to the basics) and carry on.

Kapag ina'ntok ka talaga

Third Year High School. After Sports Fest or AMAKANA.

Ano magagawa mo kung sadyang antukin ka talaga?

Ito ang isa sa mga madalas kong kinukwento sa mga taong nagtatanong o nagsasabing magpatigin daw ako sa doktor.


Ang aking kwento.

Chem 31 Lecture Classes. With MM, Baschia, Jill.

Bata pa ako, mga edad walo (na sa tingin ko ay nagiisip na ako nun), hindi ko hilig ang matulog ng maaga o sa tanghali. Kapag nasa bahay ako ng lola ko, madalas kami pinapatulog tuwing siesta, pero lagi akong naglalaro o nanonood ng tv.

Tumungtong na ako sa mataas na paaralan. Ikalawang taon, sa asignatura na Math, nagsimula ako matulog-tulog sa klase, at sa pagkakatanda ko, hindi ito sadya. Paborito ko ang math, at sa katunayan mataas ang marka na nakukuha ko sa eksam at sa mga final grade. Natutulog lang talaga ako. Dulot lang siguro ito ng pagod bilang estudyante. Nahiya lang ako sa guro ko na siya ring moderator ko noong taong iyon.

Ang sumunod naman na pangyayari ay naganap noon sumunod na taon sa klaseng Religion/CLE. Dito, hindi lang yung asignatura yung gusto ko, padin ang pagtuturo ng aming guro. Konti lang ang naalala kong panahon na nakatulog ako ng tuluyan sa klase, mga tatlo siguro. Isa doon, sinita ako. Ay! Natulog din ako sa klase ni Ginoong Ryan Villena. Kinalabog niya ang katabing desk para magulat at magising ako.

Ika-apat na taon relax lang.

Bumalik ito sa summer ng unang taon ko sa UP. Math 54 ko noon at lagi akong nakadapa pag binibigay na ni Ma'am ang formula at gumuguhit na siya sa pisara. Sumasayaw talaga ang mga guhit ko sa aking kuwaderno. Hindi ko alam kung integral ba, tandang pananong o ang numerong 7.Sa panahong ito nakilala ko si kape na galing Math Canteen. Kapag break ng 54, derecho sa baba sabay bili.  Brewed coffee, isang sachet ng asukal at creamer. Naka 2.25 pa ako nun.

Tuloy-tuloy na ang ganitong sitwasyon at pangyayari. Buong panahon ko sa unibersidad: GE, Major, ROTC o Lab, laging nakapikit ang aking mga mata.

RAATI 2012. Going to Fort Bonifacio.

Minsan sa aking Anthro 10 ako'y nagigising sa buong klase. Sa 15 siguro na pasok namin, hindi kukulang sa sampu ang tulog ako ng mga isang oras.

Nakilala ko din sina Early Bed Time, Iwas Pagod, Cobra, Sting at Extra Joss. Nakasalamuha ko din si Double Mint, Manggang Hilaw na may asin-sili at mga kamag-anak nila na sinusubukan magpagising sa akin. Bigo ang karamihan.

New Year's Day!

Sa aking pilit sa paghanap ng dahilan at lunas, ako'y nagsumikap na hindi gawin halata o hindi nakaaabala sa guro at mga kapwa kamag-aral. Bihira akong nakadapa sa arm rest o tablet ko kapag inaantok ako. Laging properly seated, pero pikit-mata naman. Nagigising lang ako kapag nagdi-dive ang ulo ko patalikod o nagb-bow ng biglaan paharap.

Bilin ko lagi sa katabi ko dati: "pagising kapag inantok ako"
Sumunod: "pagising kapag tulog ako"
Eto pa: "pagising pag tumingin yung prof o pag pinansin ako"
Active: "pitikin mo ako kapag nakatulog ako"
Huli na siguro: "kahit ano gawin mo, basta gisingin mo ako"

Kahit rin sa kalsada, habang nakasakay sa pampublikong sasakyan, nakakatulog ako. Mga dalawang beses lang naman ako nakalampas sa aking dapat babaan, pero di ko talaga trip mamasahe kapag nararamdaman ko ang antok.

Bio 118 Field Trip @ Makiling. With Kuya Jay.

Ang tanging kinatatakutan ko ay kapag madala ko to sa med school o graduate school. Paano na kaya ako dun? Hmm, itutulog ko na muna yan!


P.S. Magpapatingin ako sa doktor kapag inantok na ako.

The baket list

Ililista ko ang mga kapuna-puna na bagay sa UP, marami dito hindi maganda.

ANG BAKET LIST
- png. isang bagay na naglalaman ng iba't ibang tala
TANDAAN: Hindi nito nilalarawan ang bawat isang taga-UP. Hindi nito nilalarawan ng buo ang paaralan, ang mga estudyante, mga opisyal, mga guro, mga staff at iba pang mga naka-ugnay sa UP.

1. Hindi marunong sumunod sa panuto ang taga-UP. (dudugtungin ng "ang taga-UP" ang mga bilang na susunod)
2. Hindi tumatawid sa pedestrian lane kapag madaming sasakyan na dumadaan
3. Nangongopya
4. Maingay sa harap ng guro
5. Hindi marunong pumila sa sakayan ng jeep

6. Hindi marunong mag-abot ng bayad at magpara ng jeep
7. Hindi marunong umupo at hawakan ang gamit ng maayos sa jeep
8. Maarte at malakas magdahilan
9. Tamad
10. Hindi marunong magtapon ng basura

11. Hindi marunong magsuot ng pantalon o belt ng maayos
12. Hindi marunong tumabi sa daan kung mabagal maglakad habang may mga nagmamadali sa likod
13. Hindi nakukuntento
14. Malakas magreklamo dahil sa pamamaraan ng guro, o admin
15. Hindi sinusuot ang ID kahit na may memo, guard, at karatula na nakapaskil

(maaring walang kasunod na "ang taga-UP". gets mo na sinu-sino ang mga tinutukoy ko

16. Hindi dama ng madaldal, know-it-all, tanga ang sakit sa ulo na dinudulot nila sa klase
17. Gawa nang gawa ng daan, kahit na may nakasemento na daanan.
18. Usosero, tsismoso(a), no-honor
19. Hindi madiskarte
20. Masyado mataas ang tingin sa sarili, at gusto lagi nasusunod

21. Singit sa pila
22. Nang-aaway ng studyante, guard, tindero, tsuper
23. Hindi marunong magbantay ng gamit nila
24. Hind tinatangkilik o sinusuportahan ang mga dapat
25. Mahilig magparesched ng exam sa mas malayong panahon

26. Tumatambay sa kainan kahit business nila ay hindi kumain
27. Hindi marunong magflush
28. Hindi marunong pumili ng isang mauupuan na gagamitin sa buong sem
29. Hindi sineseryoso ang mga proper handling of equipment or resources
30. Hindi alam ang Pambansang Awit at UP Naming Mahal

31. Mas pinahahalgahan ang numero sa marka kaysa sa matututunan
32. Pabaya, sinasayang ang slot na pwede sana sa iba
33. Mayabang na wala sa lugar
34. Harang sa daanan
35. Hindi marunong maghintay, alyas atat

36. Nagwwalk out para sa rally habang may klase
37. Nandadamay pa ng ibang tao sa walk-out
38. Umeepal sa commencement exercise
39. Hindi marunong mag-sorry
40. Hindi marunong magsauli ng gamit

41. Hindi kilala ang mga guro, opisyal ng unibersidad
42. Hindi alam gagawin kung may problema
43. Hindi alam na may ganito pala sa UP
44. Hindi binabalik ang mga overdue books na sobraaang tagal
45. Malakas magkalat ng dumi

* Karamihan din sa mga ito na ginagamit ng taga-UP ang kanyang self-proclaimed infalliable thinking para lumusot

46. Hindi marunong magsara ng pinto
47. Sinisira ang school property
48. Nagtetext habang klase kahit na nagsabi yung prof na bawal
49. Hindi nakapatay o nakasilent, lalo na pag may exam
50. Nandaraya

51. Gumagawa ng sariling data
52. Hindi sumusunod sa panuto para kumuha ng mga kemikal
53. Hindi binabalik ang mga gamit na hiniram
54. Hindi binabalik ng maayos din
55. Hindi alam ang gagawin kapag may pangyayari sa lab (natapon, nabasag)

56. Kapag may insidente, mali pa ang gagawin at ibibida na tama
57. Hindi marunong maghiwalay ng basura
58. Kumakain sa lab sa maling panahon
59. Naglalaro sa klase
60. Hindi nakikinig sa mga nag-uulat, liban pa dito sa guro

61. Hindi na nga nakikinig, may ginagawa pang iba
62. Nagsusulat sa upuan, pader ng silid at palikuran
63. Hindi nagbubuhos/nagfflush
64. Iniiwan ang gamit kung saan saan na walang bantay, inaasa sa guard na mababantayan lahat
65. Pumapasok sa silid kahit andun pa yung prof ng nakalipas na klase ( protocol para sa akin)

66. Inaasahan na memorize yung cheer, pero may kodigo
67. Hindi marunong iilag yung bag o payong
68. Naghihintay ng signal, catalyst o udyok para kumilos, walang initiative
69. Ginagalaw ang orasan, o nagbibigay ng maling oras sa prof
70. Sinusulatan ang mga libro ng paaralan

71. Maingay sa silid-aklatan
72. Hindi tinatapat ang ID sa scanner
73. Hindi marunong makiramdam kung sino ang nauna sa pila
74. Alam na ngang nahuli sa pila, kikilos na parang siya yung nauna
75. Nahihiyang magtanong, minsan aabot sa paggawa ng mali

76. Natutulog sa klase
77. Natutulog sa bahay habang may klase
78. Hindi na pumapasok kasi late na
79. Ginagaya ang pirma ng magulang para sa mahahalagang papel
80. Pinipirmahan ang taong wala sa klase para sa attendance

81. Mahilig magPDA sa maling lugar at panahon
82. Maingay sa lobby habang may mga nag-aaral, hindi matularan na ingay
83. Palakasan ng ingay sa mga grupo kasi hindi magkaintindihan
84. Sinisira ang kagamitan ng mga kainan
85. Nag-aabang ng jeep sa maling pwesto, bumababa sa maling lugar

86. Pinapakitang namimili ng magandang handout, lab manual, kagamitan
87. Nangunguha ng payong at hindi na binabalik
88. Nangunguha ng payong at makikita nalang na nasa kabilang building
89. Nang-aagaw ng glassware
90. Hindi ginagalang ang pagkanta ng Pambansang Awit at UP Naming Mahal

91. Hindi hinuhugasan ng tama ang mga kagamitan
92. Mahilig sa shortcut
93. Hindi sineseryoso ang SET
94. Nangingielam ng cellphone o ng facebook
95. Hindi alam ang keep right rule

96. Nagccut ng klase, para sa ibang bagay o asignatura
97. Hindi marunong magparada ng kotse
98. Pinagmamalaki na napagdaanan ang mga bagay kasi hindi na freshie
99. Pakipot, ayaw daw manuod ng Oblation run
100. Ginagamit ang bagong pahayagan para sa lab

101. Hindi binibigyan halaga ang mga parangal
102. Hindi nakikinig sa mensahe ng isang guest speaker
103. Minamaliit ang kurso o trabaho ng nakakasalamuha
104. Stereotyping
105. Marami pang iba

Ito ang mga bagay na di ko nagustuhan sa naranasan ko sa UP. Bawat isang bilang may tao o grupo akong naiisip. Pwedeng ako, at pwede rin naman ang iba.

MALIGAYANG ika-105 na taon UP!

I won't share this - haha

Taglish mode.

I never was fond of the demonym of students of the University of the Philippines - Maroons and Iskolar/Isko. Tinanggap ko yung maroons, pero yung isko, hinding-hindi. 

Una, ang hirap makisabay ng salitang Maroons sa Lasallian, Thomasian, Atenean, Bulldog, Falcon o sa tamaraw. Hindi ko pa hinahanap ang pinagmulan ng bansag na "Fighting Maroons", pero sa unang dinig ko pa lang wirdo na. Bagaman natatangi ang mga tao, at iba ang tingin ng mga tao sa UP sa sarili nila, hindi pa rin kumakapit sa akin ang tatak Maroons. Ang lungkot naman kasi kung mga taga-UP lang ang nakapagbibigay halaga sa katawagang ito.

Tapos sa Tagalog naman, si Iskolar/Isko/Iska ng Bayan. Unang dapo pa lang nito sa aking pandinig, nandire kaagad ako. Walang talab kasi ang katawagan na ito. Parang isda ng bayan kung pakikingan mo mabuti. Sa totoo lang, hindi lang naman kasi mga taga-UP ang mga iskolar ng bayan. Idagdag mo na rin ang lagay ng pagiging iskolar sa panahon ngayon. Tunay nga ba na bayan ang nagpapaaral sa mga ito?

Idagdag pa rito ang bagong ngalan - STATE U. Sobrang sagwa pakinggan, lalo na kung makikita mo sa shirt o jersey ng mga tao. Nawala yung tanyag na pares, UP. Hindi ko alam kasi kung may malas ang "UP" sa athletics, kaya pinalitan nila sa STATE U. Maaring gusto ng mga nag-isip nito na angkinin ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas ang mga titolong ito, Iskolar ng Bayan at State University. Proud ba talaga ang mga nagbabandera ng STATE U na ang kanilang paaralan ay pinapatakbo ng bayan? Tinatanggap ba nila na yun ang tunay na lagay ng paaralan o ito ay ang kanilang ninanais?

Ano ba talaga ang UP?

Basta, taga-UP ako.

The feelipino spirit

The inspiration from this post was brought about when i bought gulaman near the market.  A simple exchange of salamat made me look back at the moments when i was proud to be a Filipino.

Me: Salamat po.

Vendor: Salamat, din.

You would expect a you're welcome or an equivalent or a counterpart in Tagalog. It wasn't a new exchange to me because i've done the same thing too to other people.

No nation would wan't to be labeled negatively, rather they would just want promote certain values like every proud country. Filipinos have been often tagged as hospitable, cheerful, problem-free, resourceful, family-oriented, flexible, creative, talented and the list goes on. Pero naiinis ako kapag may naaalalang counter-examples o panahon na mapapamura ka. Kaya't hindi madaling malarawan ang kabuuan ng mga Pilipino.

The Jeepney culture has been on my mind for several years already. I admire the countless and endless episodes that happen inside the no-longer-American vehicle.

Here's the first season:
1. Passing the fare to the driver. It really requires effort to do this, especially if you're the passenger situated just behind the driver (actually, from experience, its the second person from the driver who regularly hands down the payment - on a filled up jeep). It goes the same when you're with a single person on opposite sides. If you're the guy or the younger fellow, it'll be you who'll be dragging your arse all the way.

Feel ko: Feel ko mas maginhawa ang buhay kapag marunong magtiyempo ng bayad yung mga tao. Tipong, hindi ipagsasabay lahat ng bayad, lalo na kung papel yung binabayad. Marunong dapat makiramdam yung mga tao kung kelan dapat iaabot yung bayad para di mahirapan yung mga nagpapasa, at si Manong. Gagana lalo na kapag sa terminal ka sumakay at saglit lang puno na. Heto na ang mga bayad!

2. Where you goin? It's not yet your stop! On my part, it takes confidence and a roaring moral spirit to guide first time or lost passengers. When people overhear the conversation of said passenger and driver, they sometimes pitch in their answers and guidance, especially when the driver is wrong or is unaware of such places & means of getting there.

Feel ko: Maliban sa dapat alam ng manlalakbay kung saan at paano darating sa pupuntahan, marunong din siya magtanong at mangulit! Medyo may-ugnay din sa #2: kapag may gustong humabol pero paandar na si manong at nakita mo ang taong ito. Mahirap sa bahagi mo lalo na kapag dama mo na pabilis ang takbo ng dyip. Para dito, dapat makiramdam yung mga nais sumakay sa body language ng jeepney. Para hindi hassle sa taong nasa dulo na matataranta ( o sa mga tulad ko)

3.Carry on! Whether it be a child, or bayongs of perishables, people of the Jeepney always lend their hands in assisting the people who ride. It's a mini-bayanihan thing inside public transportation.

Feel ko: Siguro para nalang sa bata na hindi alam kung saan uupo: BATA, UMUPO KA KAAGAD. SUSUNOD NAMAN SI TATAY O SI MOMMY. Sa buhay mag-aaral, hindi mo maiwasan magdala ng napakarami o napakalaking mga gamit papunta sa paaralan. Sana marunong umunawa ang mga taong nasa bungad, lalo na't kung masagi o mabangga sila ng proyekto ni Junior.

Jeepnicles to be continued! Masaya kasi ang kwentong dyipni.

However, i wouldn't be all praise for this race, and this will be highlighted in another blog entry.

Saan ka talo?

Kanina lang sumakay ako ng bus pauwi. Pag dating pa lang sa isang babaan, napansin ko may dalawang babae, edad 40-50, na nakatayo na dahil sa hindi na sapat ang mga upuan. Sa totoo lang, naniniwala ako na sapat lang ang mga upuan, dahil hindi ako payag sa overloading. Ang pinoy, matigas ang ulo. Maraming pwedeng pag-usapan diyan, pero napaisip ako sa dalawang hindi makaupo.

Ang Lucky Seven Tours bus na ang biyahe ay mula Fairview hanggang Baclaran via EDSA.

Ito ang mga tumakbo sa isip ko.

1. Hindi ko iaalok ang aking upuan dahil:
a. Hassle, medyo malayo sila sa akin
b. Hindi ko naman dama na kailangan nilang umupo (pero siyempre inaasahan mo pag sumakay ka ng bus, ay makauupo ka)
c. Para masanay sila na 'di lagi ay may upuan na libre
d. Pampalakas ng katawan
e. May mas nakababata sa akin na andoon para mag-alok
f. May mas nakatatanda sa akin na andoon " "
g. Malapit lang naman ang bababaan ko
h. Mas nauna ako nagbayad
i. Kung ituring ng bawat tao na kapamilya ang bawat isa, madalas na pinapaupo o hinahayaan ng mga matatanda ang mga bata na umupo
j. Hindi naman ako nanliligaw o nagpapacute

2. Pauupuin ko sila dahil
a. Pakiramdam ko mas pagod sila
b. Matanda na at mahina na ang katawan nila
c. Baka hanggang dulo pa ang biyahe nila at di tiyak na may mauupuan sila
d. Ito ang inaasahan na gawin ng mga lalaki
e. ito ang inaasahan na gawin ng mga nakababata
f. Baka sumama tingin nila sa akin
g. Para may good karma
h. Baka abutan ako ng pera o fairy godmother ko pala
i. Para lumakas naman katawan ko
j. May mga nagiisip ng mga nilagay ko sa #1 na ayaw magpatalo

Sa totoo lang, medyo solid ang mga nailista ko sa #1.
Ano sa palagay niyo ang tama?
Paano kung dalawang lalaki? Isang bata't matanda, buntis at bakla, taong may bitbit na aso?
Saan ka lulugar?
Saan ako lumugar?

These moments mutter

The Corpsnicles Saga continues..
(Edited 18 Jun, for easier reading)

Charlie - Character

Located at every classroom inside the AHS Campus.

I got used to living the 5 C's of an Atenean (save your comments!) when I was younger. Christ-centered, compassionate, committed, competent,  and conscientious. I've strove that I embody at least one of the many traditions that my high school desired to instill in the young men before they go on to infinity.

As I entered the University of the Philippines, those five characters drove my basic relationship with the people around me. Somehow you lose the touch of doing so when it is no longer drilled into your head and time. I'm not sure about this, but being at Loyola Heights gave me this boost that seemed to be absent in Diliman. Or they may have been something else within that enormous campus.

Did i lose my sense of direction? I wasn't sure.

One year after immersing myself into UP culture, I was built to survive the waves of challenges that each student met. The times forced you to stay up late, put more effort into requirements, meet the demands of the academe and maintain a healthy life with family and friends. Don't forget personal health! Furthermore, I seemed to take another option that separated me from the majority of the UP population.

Here, I enlisted in the Reserve Officers Training Corps as part of my NSTP requirement. Looking back, I wanted to become a medic during high school, but fell into being an ordinary cadet. I joined an org at that time, but that's for another day. Before the first semester, I tried to bring everyone i knew to join my bandwagon. Unfortunately, it didn't pay off and i had to go through this alone. Actually, very alone since my recent loss.

Time flew and i enjoyed the course. Reaching the end of the year, i wanted to do so much more to "improve myself". Besides my already strong personal reasons, i decided to join the Cadet Officer Candidate Course 61-B because of this.  The first day of the journey was on 10 January 2011. The days that followed were a multitude and a series of training in as much aspects that my mentors could teach me and my batch. My pit stop was on 9 July 2011 where i graduated with the highest honor, but it never ended there. The training and learning never ends that quick and that easily. It continues on until you graduate. I spent at least two years, undergoing paramilitary/military training that ended well, by accomplishing its goal to train, last March 16 of this year.

HONOR AND EXCELLENCE

Introduction pa lang, napasubo na ako sa pagsusulat.

On your own
My experiences of being alone are a handful: the sole biologist in my batch to finish the course, the only guy who took cocc, the only member of my batch to proceed to Class 2013, the only Corps Commander, and the only person convinced he was truly alone. Individual training gives you the basic skills and experiences needed for you to survive in the Corps.

These times, training kicks in: the Don't Quit poem, the basic soldiery skills, the accomplish the mission-mindset and leadership trainings ( i'm clearly ignoring that those can all be related to teamwork, im aware).  As a leader, you are made to make decisions on your own with the support of your staff or other commanders. I've learned that whatever you do is an action: you say yes, no, some other thing or do nothing at all are actions for a decision-maker to stick with. I've had my share of the outcomes of everything. Individualism is only a part.


Build your resistance

Discipline (n., training to act in accordance with the rules). The common tag of the ROTC program. I carry on a definition shared to us by my Senior Tactical Officer, Vgd. Filomeno Buena: Discipline is doing things right. May nakataingin man o wala. You may create your own understanding of the word.

 Following rules was never that easy. You were initially trained to begin and end your sentences with sir only (even for the female cadet officers) (even in text and online communications), you saluted properly, you followed proper format for military correspondences, you executed precision movements in unison with your batch mates, and you familiarized yourself with the rest of the rules and regulations of the institution you got yourself into. It then took on a different form: you follow orders given by command; you respect all individuals - superiors, equals, juniors; you took a break from your routine - clothing, manners, principles and perceptions, and you developed a better sense for what is right, what is just and what is appropriate.

These challenges determine the outcome of each cadet officer, each batch, each class and each corps. Ideally, you get the point of each lessons that at the time you just had to accept. You're too tired to process it at the first time they feed it to you. At the end of the day, they expect you to learn and prove so. You'll get a spike of adrenaline if you don't.

My experiences were unique. I'd like to list some down.

1. Imperfection. As a lower class man, you learn to wait for your turn, or you learn to go through the proper channels and lines of command if you wanted to voice out something. You do not go barging in like you know everything or know better. I've had my share of this.

2. Chow. Down to the last grain of rice, and consumes as much of the sauce to make the plate look clean. Whatever is served on the table you are to eat or feast upon, you hold back the urge to be picky. I've had my share of this.

3. Acknowledge. Greeting a good morning, giving a handshake or mere recognition of someone's presence displays our understanding of courtesy. I've had my share of this.

4. Ruling. You enforce the rules while following them. I've learned to play around the rules without breaking them. It's like working within the box with your arms swinging outside. Humans evolve and so does the law. As a former staff officer, i learned to make the system better (assuming that people are not the problem) and made them stick by making policies that revolve around reason and efficiency. I've had my share of this.

5. Silence. It may be applied to #1. During the expected times: in prayer, in formation or at the position of attention, when a superior is talking, when information is on a need-to-know basis, when in an operation, etc.  I've had my share of this.

Much of which you sacrifice your as you submit your free will in order to abide by these rules.

Discipline for going on? Do you have it? Tune in next time for the continuation of Charlie Character.

Medyo umulan kasi

Balik jeep ulit ako kanina dahil sa punong mga dyip sa UP. Muling nilakad ko hanggang sa sakayan sa labas ng campus. Binalikan ko ang mga panahon na freshie pa ako sa Diliman, at sa ngayon ako'y nagbabalik freshie sa Diliman. Ang hindi lang naiba ang mga ibang kamag-aral, mga guro, mga kasama sa buhay taga-UP at mga gusali na kumupkop sa akin habang umuulan. Sinisipag ko bawat lakad at bawat biyahe, subalit naging puro biyahe nalang pagdating ng ikaapat na taon ko. Nagwagi rin ang aking katamaran at kawalan ng ganang maglakbay.

Parang pag-akyat lang ng bundok ang aking ginawa sa paaralang ito, kagaya ng ginawa ko sa Ateneo. Mahirap ang unang mga hakbang para makarating sa tuktok at madama ang mga ginhawa at sarap sa buhay, pero hindi ako tumuloy-tuloy sa isang bangin. Bundok nga eh! Kinailangan ko bumaba o dumaan sa bahaging hindi matarik. Dahan-dahan at tila mas alam ko na ang ginagawa ko. Alam ko na ang padating - isang panibagong bundok na akin tatahakin.

'Yun lang ang aking mga alaala, marami pang darating. Ito'y akin magpakailanman, ang aking karanasan sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

(Ano kinalaman ng kanta? Tumogtog lang bigla at naramdaman ko pwede nang opening act ng blog na ito)

Siyempre yun yung closing act.

Back to back

Back to the barracks

Personal areas were big concerns for officers, especially those biletted. You can determine how much free time a cadet officer has by inspecting his or her personal area. You can also find out if he or she has the skills to make all the mess disappear. Our favorite footlockers and magic boxes house all of the items that we are unable to sort before the barracks inspection. If you're up the chain and have a narra bunk, you can keep your shiz under the bed. In times of distress an upper class man may leave his trash for the junior officers to dispose, like 1 minute before the bell rings.

I loved my first area in the barracks very well. Floors were swept everyday, waxed at least twice a month, windows cleaned every 12 hours, foot gear aligned to the millimeter and cobweb free! This was suppose to be the description of everyone's area, nothing less than that. I was lucky to have another locker where i could store my unsorted articles, so inspection wasn't really a problem.

As the Corps Commander, i probably abused the privilege of having my own room, with a door. Since no one inspected my room regularly, most of the time it looked like a dump. I can probably count the times wherein it was clean top-down: Presentation of Sponsors, Summer General Cleaning, Sem Break General Cleaning, Christmas General Cleaning, RAATI Phase I, and the Turnover Parade. I was also in charge of inspecting the areas of the entire barracks along with my Cadet Officer of the Day and Barracks Commander. My room had a lot of hooks were i hung most of my head gear, hangers, and other items that would be best left hanging.

The Second Class Area, 2011. My area is the one behind . You can see my orange towel folded properly and hanged onto the top portion of the steel bunk. The floor has undergone years of polishing, and you can see a clear reflection of the ceiling light. Don't mind the dirty and misplaced articles. Taken after a training day wherein I was appointed Batch Commander of KIDLAT 2013.

Sometimes it floods along the hallway of the barracks. During the habagat onslaught, I went to the DMST Complex in the middle of the night just to check on the officers. Lo and behold! Flooded hallway. Luckily, i bought and brought my rubber/aqua boots. I felt like a king striding along the path, but got wet eventually since i didn't have a poncho.

It was convenient to have an installation of your home inside the school. Things seemed within a hands reach, but i wished it was near the Academic Oval or near my institute, para di hassle. I need a change of clothes, go to the barracks. If i needed a lab gown, jacket, extra socks, new shoes, i just went to the barracks. If i needed to cook, take a bath, have other emergencies and to sleep, it would just be an ikot away. It's automatic for all officers to doze off at the barracks after a tiring training day.

Parties inside the barracks are great. Study periods are better. It may be a coincidence, but when i stayed and studied at the barracks during my first class year, it seemed i got better grades and exam results from both semesters. That's why I miss the barracks right now, on my last semester of a new academic year.

It took a while for me to move all of my stuff from the barracks. A good supply of clothes, toiletries, food and academic material. I had to pass down to my lower class some items that had special meaning, were useful or that i didn't need anymore. I took home most of my uniforms, appliances and other memorabilia. I also regret taking a few photos of the barracks when i was still an officer, I was never the type :D

I guess this ends the Barracks Corpsnicles. Next: Charlie Character

Next stop: the bus stop

Continued

The Corpsnicles.. 

Chapter Bravo - Barracks

I also put much value in the word bravo. When i was still a kid watching the TV series Combat Missions, I intuitively chose the Bravo Squad. Eventually, they won most evolutions and got the spots for the championship. One of my favorite childhood cartoon character had the name of Johnny Bravo. 

In the Corps of Cadets, I belonged to the 2nd Company which could have been Bravo Company. I underwent my Cadet Officer Candidate Course under the batch 61-B(ravo). In addition, the first unit that I held command of was the Bravo (CASMAC) Company. I guess the best cadet officers came from whatever bravo batch, unit or affiliated icon. 

There are several privileges when one graduates from COCC. It starts from tuition fee discounts, registration priorities, scholarships, uniform allowance and other UP related assistance. The cherry on the top is the grant for billeting, or lodging, in the Granadillos Hall - the cadet officer's barracks of the Diliman Corps. 

At the realization that you are granted access to this hall, you wouldn't know if you'd be happy or problematic. For an under class man, it may be another name for hell rather than a lodging hall. The endless orders, tasks, routine, and schedule will keep you on your toes even after graduation from plebe year. However, all of the sacrifices and investments will pay off. Eventually. 

I moved in during my senior year in Bio and my first class year as a cadet officer. As the Corps Commander, i was entitled to have my own quarters, a.k.a. the Corps Commander's Quarters. It has the best bunk, cabinet, footlocker, table & chair, etc. I made that i point that i had the best. I just live nearby the campus, but i liked staying in the barracks whenever i needed to study, sleep, eat, work or while thinking about deep thoughts. The barracks was the place to be. Total freedom. My parents agreed for me to stay there for most of the week as long as i studied.

Another home means another family. I've had my share of experiences with different cadet officers. Upper class men, classmates, lower class men and the tactical officers too! Promdi man o taga-Maynila, andyan yan lahat. The roles varied: janitor, cook, alarm clock, guard, garbage sorter, assistant, boss, mess maker and party goer. It's the interaction that keeps you alive.

Food in the barracks is quite a problem, especially for the type who picks his food often. The choices are: eat out, deliver, cook, canned goods, instant noodles, instruct someone to cook, steal or leech. Habang nasa Corps ang isang CO, hindi dapat siya nagugutom. Laging naghahanap ng paraan, madiskarte at 'di nagpapahuli. 

The first actions you do inside the barracks is cleaning. A lot of cleaning. Everyday officers clean their personal areas, while the lowest class had the task to clean the communal areas: the latrines, the study area, the lounge, the kitchen, the hallway, the backwash, the walls, floor, windows - the surfaces, and the dining area. My favorite area to clean as the Men's Latrine, even when i was the Chief i took time to clean the latrine. I also did my laundry there from time to time. Kapag sinabi na malinis, dapat kaya mong panindigan. Yung tipong nilinis mo yung sahig, tapos pwede ka gumulong gulong o magpaa na walang takot na madumihan ka. Kung hindi, lagot ka. Hindi mahirap maglinis. Sa mga pagkakataon na kasama mo yung mga kaklase mo, nagiging magaan at masaya ang panahon na nagwawalis-walis ka.

A sample of our schedule
4:00 - Reveille or Wake-up
4:10 - Physical Training/Road Run
5:15 - Morning Mess or Breakfast
5:25 - Barracks Clean-up
6:25 - Personal Time
6:40 - Barracks Inspection
6:50 - Release for Quarters (esp. those who have class at 0700H)
1800H - Call to Quarters or Assembly
1815H - Evening Mess
1900H - Study Period
2100H - Personal Time
2145H - Tattoo or Settling Down Time
2200H - Taps or Time for Sleep
0000H - Lights out

Hindi pala total freedom. Maraming mga ipinagbabawal at ipinapataw sa bawat taong naninirahan sa barracks. 

Some rules derived from the Barracks Rules and Regulations:
1. Never leave your area unorganized. Areas should be inspection-ready whenever a CO leaves for class.
2. Follow the barracks schedule and the orders of the Barracks Commander.
3. Ask permission when entering and leaving the area of a senior officer.
4. Compartments of the locker must have at least five articles. The compartment are as follows: A - Academic Related; B - Toiletries; C - T-shirts, Shorts, Socks, Underwear; D - Military Paraphernalia and Food, E - Military Uniform, Collared Shirts, Jackets, Elongated Articles, Pants, Belts and Headgears; F - The Magic Box.
5. All misplaced articles will be immediately disposed.
6. Cadet officers must log-in and log-out.
7. Cadet officers are not allowed to sleep between reveille and taps.
8. Shoes must be cleaned and kept under the bunk. These must be aligned with each other.
9. There should be no cobwebs. 
10. Windows and lockers must be closed when staying out for more than 15 minutes.
11. There should be no clothes and dishes at the backwash during inspection. The garbage bins must be emptied out before inspection.
12. Follow proper folding of bath towel, underwear, socks, shorts, shirts and pants.
13. Cadet officers must apply for "late light" if they wish to continue working on academic or corps related items.
14. The buzzer will be rung during reveille, inspections and times of emergencies. Only authorized officers such as the Corps Commander, Cadet Officer of the Day, and Barracks Commander may ring the bell.
15. You may not wear shorts and slippers outside the barracks premises.

When officers fail to follow the rules, they get demerits and this usually translates to exercises such as push-ups and rounds at the quadrangle. 

Mahal ng bawat cadet officer ang barracks at tinitiyak ng bawat isa na aabot o lalampas sa pamantayan ng kalinisan at kaayusan. Hindi basta-basta pwede dumaan ang mga tao sa barracks nang walang rason o pahintulot. This is our home. This was my home.


Andami kong gusto ilagay tungkol sa barracks, pero lumilipas lang  lahat. Medyo tinatamad na rin ako magsulat sa kasalukuyan. Maaring ituloy sa susunod...

The times i may miss

Long Post.

17 March 2012

"Ako si Magat Daniel Manuel Ocampo Macrohon Junior, ay tinatanggap ang tungkulin bilang pinuno ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman. Ako'y handang mag-alay ng dugo, pawis at luha upang magampanan ang tungkuling ito. Kasihan nawa ako ng Diyos"

There should be "Laguman ng mga Kadete" before UPD. I'm sure i didn't take the job of the chancellor at that turnover ceremony. 

That was the day I became a first class man by virtue of ceremony when the UP ROTC Class "SIGLO" of 2012 put us in charge. At that time we were still the KIDLAT Class of 2013.

BREAK.

Things were a walk in the park, or a dragging ultramarathon under the noon heat. I account the different experiences, lessons, moments and the like during my final year ( and maybe across the years) in the UP Corps of Cadets.

 Alpha - Rayadillo

The Rayadillo Honor Guard Unit, Rayadillo Honor Guards and the Rayadillo Uniform share a great part in the majestic and striped history of the UP ROTC Unit. The uniform traces the small blue stripes back to the time of the Philippine Revolution in the Spanish time. The unit, which served as bodyguards then, became the flag, color and standard bearers of the University. During parades, the Alpha Company are usually composed of men in Rayadillo.

I give a lot for the Rayadillo. One of the reasons I joined the Corps is that I saw a Raya platoon doing a short stint in front of AS during the Lantern Parade 2009. I was still a freshman, and despite my parents being cadet officers themselves, I barely knew anything about ROTC. I had to recall during my freshmen orientation at Econ wherein officers and sponsors were handing out brochures. I went home and asked my mom. The reply: no.

I put a lot of value to the Rayadillo uniform. I always reprimanded my officers whenever they didn't handle or treat it with enough respect. My experience with this uniform was somehow memorable. The first time I wore the uniform was for a necrological service for Vgd. Lorenzo '78. When i was drawing my uniform from the logroom, I noted that people back then were tall and skinny. The long upper garment with the long and tight sleeves attest to that fact. I guess those dated back to early 2000. 

This was taken when I was a cadet major. The Rayadillo uniform consists of the Guinet Cap, Upper Rayadillo, Maroon Sash and White Pants (not seen). For officers, they may wear their sword and sword band, and their decorations which includes their rank insignia on a shoulder board, class insignia, name plate, and military awards. You can see the Diliman Sword and Sword Band, my Loyalty and COCC Valedictorian Awards and my personal guinet cap.

I used to list down all of the events that i participated wearing the uniform, but i misplaced my notebook. Here's what i recall: Necrological Details for: Vgd. Morales '63, Vgd. Ambil '67, and Vgd. Baybay '67, AFP Day 2009, Bonifacio Day 09-10, Lantern Parade 2009, Hagikhikan 2010, Himig 2011, Tribute Concert 2011, UP President Investiture, UP President Induction, a few Vanguard Fellowships, Gawad Chansellor 2011, UPM Commencement Exercises 2011, UP Diliman Commencement Exercises 2010-2012, various UPD and UPM College Graduation and Recognition Days, various private events and the Turnover Parades. 

The most memorable experience I had as a color officer was during the College of Science Recognition for Scholars just this 2013. First, we left the complex to commute since our ride was late. The driver arrived a minute after we left. Next, the assembly time given to us was way early even for practices. So we bummed around CSRC. The entrance of colors had a slight error where the UP flag stand was at the other side. The color bearer had to cross the stage, in front of some CS officials. Lastly, we got the warning that we were up for the exit of colors when we heard UP Naming Mahal being sung. All of the female officers present wore their uniform and went to their posts with great haste! We arrived on time, literally. I took post at the last "pag-asa ng bayan". I couldn't believe that we were able to make it, so i paused for a few seconds and gave the command: "PASULOOONG, KAD!". 

Some perks when you serve as an honor guard are the food and allowance which can go as high as 1,500 Php, depending on the event and the number of officers serving. As an upper class, you have the privilege to pick which events you want to participate in. I just buy food with the money i get. 

Some SOPs you have to follow when under the influence of the Rayadillo uniform:

1. Wear the uniform with pride, distinction and honor. Be snappy and professional.
2. Rayadillo men and women are prohibited from sitting down while wearing the full uniform. Go to T-White (White Underrshirt and White Pants) when not in service.
3. Bring conversations to a minimum level or only as required. Avoid smiling and laughing.
4. All brass articles must be clean and shiny. The rays of the sun must blind the people who stare directly towards your guinet cap.
5. The uniform must be clean, odorless and ironed.
6. The Maharlika Buttons must be oriented properly.
7. The snaps must be, for lack of better term, snapped or activated.
8. Assume the position of attention when you are idle. 
9. For transporting, the upper garment must be contained in a suit bag or carefully kept to avoid damage.
10. If you are an under class officer, you have to wear the uniform faster than your upper class. It goes the same for undressing.
11. No running.
12. All paraphernalia must be secured with a board and stoppers.
13. Look good, do good, feel good!

I had problems with my Rayadillo uniform during the latter months of my CO life. Apparently, i significantly grew such that my maroon sash (clip type) had a difficult time being secured around my body. I had difficulty sealing the collar cause i even got fat at that area. Consequently, i conditioned myself to cut some mass in time for the Turnover Parade. 

UP ROTC Class "MAGISTRADO" of 2013 during the Turnover Ceremony and Graduation Parade last 16 March 2013 at the General Antonio Luna Parade Grounds.

"Ako si Kalakan Daniel Manuel Ocampo Macrohon Jr, ay nagbibitiw sa tungkulin bilang pinuno ng Pangkatin ng mga Kadete ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman. Ako'y nag-alay ng dugo, pawis at luha upang magampanan ito. Kasihan ka nawa ng Diyos."

CLTC DANIEL MANUEL O MACROHON JR 1CL

CORPS COMMANDER , UP CORPS OF CADETS