Tales Of The Dawn

Junior Term Abroad: A Challenging Exploration

2013-02-06T01:35:00.001+08:00

They were saying that one benefit of going to JTA is the taste of independence. Independence was not a new thing to me. I lived here in the country only with my siblings since my parents are living abroad. However, independence in another country is a different thing. Everything would be foreign – people, signs, culture, language. It wasn’t what I’m comfortable with. Definitely, the experience of JTA brought me a new perspective on things and I knew myself more; academics were just a second thing to me.

You’re just one of them!

During my stay in Korea, I met a lot of people of different nationalities and I have kept in touch with a few of them. I have even befriended some street food vendors there. Even though you’re so proud of being an Atenean and a Filipino, you don’t have to brag that you are foreigner on their land and you are the boss. In the Philippines, some of us might have a mindset that we should take care of the foreigners, be hospitable to them, to give them a good impression of our country. In other countries, you are just one of them, nothing more, but probably less. But I don’t say that you deny being a Filipino. You should know your position in the society. Follow rules. Act like how they act. Learn their culture. Learn their language. Be one of them! This would give you a new perspective and understanding of things around you since you would be thinking like one of them.

Be bold and explore!

I went to Korea, with a few Kpop groups in mind, knowing the basic Annyeong Haseyo and Kamsahamnida, and zero knowledge about Hangul. Going into JTA made me discover and learn a new culture, foreign to me. Having a little ammunition for the travel, this didn’t stop me in experiencing the JTA and it encouraged me to go for more. I didn’t stop wandering around Seoul. I even went to Gyeongju, a province on the east coast of Korea, where probably less people know how to speak English, alone. I even tried exotic delicacies such as Sannakji, raw live octopus. If you could go out of your dormitories for three days straight on weekends, party all night, eat fried silkworms and do bungee jumping (which I didn’t because I couldn’t), do it! If you can’t travel to another province alone here, then do it there! These are the things you can’t experience here.

Should I still study or not?

Absolutely! Don’t forget that you’re there as a representative of Ateneo and of the Philippines. You still have responsibility despite these opportunities. C’mon! You have been a student for years and I’m sure you know how to multitask things without compromising any ;)

Comments? :D

My Leadership Style

2013-02-05T13:46:00.000+08:00

I took a leadership survey from AIESEC and it tells that I am a PERFORMER. Here are the details:

Key Characteristics:
• Goal/Results-driven
• Commitment to Results
• Personal Effectiveness
• Stakeholder Focus

You are customer and results-oriented. You know that people have limited time. Words and ideas may be important to you, but you care most about actions.

As a team member, you are effective both individually and in group work. You are most comfortable however when you have ability to drive the management and working style of the group. Your orientation toward goal achievement makes you a role model to others, and often means you will looked at as the standard for work ethic.

In a position of being a leader, your emphasis on making things happen will be important. You may find a place tracking projects, or on the ground in the thick of the action. One risk: Be careful that you don't let your focus on action go too far. It's important to plan, too!

In the workplace, your values mean that a desk job may not be for you. Perhaps you might want to make ideas reality by working in implementation teams or becoming an entrepreneur.

Now, what's your leadership style? :) Take the survey: http://bit.ly/youthspeak2015

Comments? :D

Start Alone, End Alone

2012-12-18T02:20:00.000+08:00

I went to Korea for my JTA, alone.
I went to Sogang from Incheon International Airport, alone.

Tomorrow, I'll eat lunch, alone.
Tomorrow, I'll leave Sogang, alone.
Tomorrow, I'll leave Korea, alone.

The next day, I'll arrive at NAIA 3, alone.
On that day, I will go to my home from NAIA 3, alone.

Start alone, end alone, indeed.

Comments? :D

Sidetrack to Future...What?

2012-12-10T06:22:00.001+08:00

This week's gonna be (a bit) deadly. AND THIS POST TOO! (This is a TL;DR post so read at your own risk)

Currently, I am an exchange student in Sogang University, here in Seoul, Korea (yet, this status is about to end soon). In almost a week, I'm going back to my home country and continue my studies. The program (Junior Term Abroad) entitles me for only one semester here.

Back to my first statement, yes, this week's gonna be a bit deadly than the previous weeks. More or less as deadly as my midterms week. This week is our finals week and every student, whether foreigner or Korean, have their faces into their books and lecture slides. (Just a comment, Koreans have a very disciplined study habits. Perhaps, they got this from studying for the College Scholastic Ability Test or suneung (수능). This tests sometimes trigger the suicidal instincts of high school students, and that's another part of the story.) Well, I may not have study habits as disciplined as the locals here but my study habits (aka cram study) puts me to survival in my life as a student.

THOUGHTS ON POST-GRADUATE STUDIES
So, as I was studying for my final exams in Analysis of Customer Behavior and Service Modelling (CSM), I was sidetracked once again, and started searching for Masteral and Doctoral opportunities. I don't know why but I have this habit of suddenly searching for schools with MS in Information Systems, or MBA, or any graduate career in my field of study. I even searched for Ph.D opportunities.

Just for sharing, here are the usual (actually, not usual. These are the what I always look when I am sidetracked) opportunities and universities that I looked at:

I always look on the Masters degree in School of Information Systems of Singapore Management University. If you look at their website, before, they only have MSc/PhD in Information Systems and Master of IT in Business for Financial Services and Service Sector. Currently, Master of Applied Information Systems was added to the family. I liked the holistic approach of the program in Information Systems field, that they tackle Data Management & Analytics, Information Security & Trust, Information Systems & Management, Intelligent Systems & Decision Analytics, and Software Systems, which, I think, are very essential to Information Management professionals, whether practicing or on research.
I also take a look on PhD in Information Systems in National University of Singapore. A member of their faculty once visited our university and talked about a sort of "graduate-level" algorithm, which made most of the undergraduates go "weeeee." At the end of his talk, he distributed fliers on post graduate opportunities in School of Computing in NUS. And that started my interest in their program (aside that it ranks top in Asia, together with HKUST).
Of course I can't leave the management side that much that I look into MBA programs of NUS and SMU. In addition to these universities, I also check Seoul National University's program, together with the MBA programs of Yonsei University and Sogang Business School. (If you wonder why I started to check Korean universities, I will talk about the reasons as soon as I get back to the Philippines...sort of reflection/concluding post about my JTA experience)
Of course, I must not forget the universities in my country. However, I opt, if ever, to take MBA in my country so that I would have a Philippine business perspective. Well, Singapore universities could give me Asian perspective in business, too. My options are Ateneo Graduate School of Business, UP College of Business, and, if I earn lots of money by the time I pursue MBA, Asian Institute of Management. Nothing's wrong in having a dream so high like this, isn't it?

I don't know but my professor in CSM seems to have inspired me pursuing further studies on data and business analytics. The topics we tackled in CSM are actually on data mining applications for good customer relationship management. Though we did not tackle much on the technical side of the data mining techniques (we did not code or program anything; we just used e-Miner software for labs), we discussed most of the fundamental things about these techniques. We discussed Association Rules (or Market Basket Analysis), Data Visualization, Clustering, Neural Networks, and Decision Trees. He always inserts during our discussions stuff about data science and being a data scientists. Then, it comes to my mind, "Are there any data scientists in the Philippines?" or "If I become a data scientist, how could I help my country?" Such a noble thinking, huh? But yeah. Sometimes, these things just pop up in my silly mind.

To the knowledge of everyone, we have scientists in the Philippines; yet, it seems that they are not much honored. They may be honored in the academe industry, perhaps. But every high school student's mindset (not all, most probably) is to get a college degree that will surely bring prosperity to their families. That is why, most of the students either go to health sciences (especially Nursing) or Business. Not that I dislike the students who took/currently taking these courses (you're awesome! Our country and the entire world need you too!) but if we look at other countries, nations who have a lot of PhDs (whether in Natural, Applied, or Social Sciences, or Arts) tend to grow more! This is not an issue on good governance (our country is currently progressing in a rate of more than what is expected. Thanks to Daang Matuwid!) and also not an issue on being rational thinkers. Perhaps, I can put these as "another roads to choose from in helping our families", that is to help build our nation, in order for our nation to help our families. These scientists have worked so hard in order to put our country in the map of countries with great contribution to the general knowledge. And I think, valuing them, their contributions, will give us more appreciation, not just of science, but our nation as well. We could have think what they're thinking of when they were doing their research, of giving back to the society.

I, too, came from a not-so privileged family; yet, my parents work so hard just to give us opportunities that will ensure our future (such as allowing me to go on JTA and studying in one of the ivy league schools in my country, and my sister studying in an exclusive school in our city) and I value them so much for that. Yet, I can't also neglect the needs and lost opportunities of other families. That is why, I always look on opportunities on how to actually have an impact in the society, through my field of interest. Perhaps, this is what Frederick Buechner was talking about, finding where our passion meets the world's greatest need.

So much for that, I'm still in my undergraduate degree. I haven't stepped on my fourth year in my university. Too much discernment, I guess. Now let's talk about something more relevant to me, and what I'm about to experience, internship.

THOUGHTS ON INTERNSHIP

So in my degree program, we are required to take an internship in an organization outside our university so we could have a view on what is happening around us that might affect our future career, and to apply also what we've learned in real life.

Last November, I had the usual talks with my dad, and by "the usual" I mean, we are talking about my future career, as I seek coordination with what they want to what I want. (Yes we don't have that "NO YOU SHOULD DO THIS AND THAT" relationship. We value each others' side.) I was asking him if he could find me an internship opportunity in Singapore. He told me that he could get me in the company he's working with and I can hold one of their IT projects. That would be interesting since that's where I would really end up after I graduate. But then I asked, "How about an internship which works on data analysis?" (Yes, that is influenced already by my aspirations to be a data scientist.) He told me that that would be very technical and companies might look for more experience in that field since one miscalculation or wrong analysis of data might cost thousands or millions to the company. So, jokingly, I told him, "Okay! I might consider the opportunity in your company, as long as I don't work under you! Haha!"

Just so you know, when I go back to the Philippines, we, JTA students, will have our second semester from Late January to around mid-April; yet, our internship schedule starts on April to May or early June. This gives us less time in preparing/discerning for companies (though, there would be a career fair in our university as soon as we our asses back to work). I just want to be prepared when that time comes.

I consider a lot of companies, but I prefer working with multinational companies, as they could give me an broader perspective on Philippine business/IT. Well I prefer working on other country for internship as they could give me their perspective in dealing with issues revolving their company.

I remember my conversation with my friends here in Sogang (who are also JTA students). When we started talking about internship opportunities, we told each other, "Sa ibang bansa na tayo mag-OJT para tuluy-tuloy na ang pagka-international ng resume natin!" (Let's have our on-job-training abroad so that our resume would look international.) Studied in another country, worked for internship in another country, what would made that unappealing to employers' eyes when they have their first glance on your CV/resume???

But, honestly, this option would end my opportunity in having a position in my organization. As much as I want to serve the organization, I am also thinking about my own growth. I've been loyal to my organization since I was a freshman, and I really want to serve the org. But, I think I could serve you in other way aside from being in a position. As much as I want to think of your growth and the member's growth in you, I'm also considering mine.

TL;DR - SUMMARY OF THIS POST

So while I was studying, my inattentiveness attacked and made a sidetrack. Instead of studying for my finals later, I searched for masteral and doctoral opportunities, and later on, I was looking already for companies where I could have my internship. And as I was looking on to my future, I tend to consider not just my own desires, but also what is good for others.

Fin.

Comments? :D

A Night with 난타 (Cookin') Musical

2012-10-31T16:38:00.000+08:00

This evening, we (Sogang Seouldiers) went to watch the famous 난타 /nan-ta/ (also known in English as Cookin’) Musical in its Hongdae Theater.

I arrived in the venue, together with Jonah and Tricia, at around 6PM and we walked around Hongdae first before heading to the theater. When it was time to get our tickets, we only had jeje pics on a sign of the musical at the start of the stairs (the theater is at the basement of the building, that’s why there are stairs). We didn’t even had another photo on a much more beautiful sign of the musical on their lobby at the basement lol.

So we arrived at the lobby, waiting for the doors to be opened. Just like other plays, camcording/photography is not allowed so I only managed to take one picture of the set before the show starts.

All of the scenes in the musical are inside the kitchen so it’s not really a big thing to see kitchen stuff on stage. However, when the show starts, all of the set turned into musical instruments, including the flowing water :O

During the show we watched (the 8PM show), the actors of Black Group is performing on stage. You may see the characters here.

STORY

The story of the musical involves a group of chefs, who are preparing for a wedding. It turns out that there are so much orders that are to be prepared in only an hour. In addition to their small group (head chef + 2 assistants), the nephew of the manager joined the team. The group of chefs are hesitant to the skills of the nephew, which towards the play, their relationship went well because of the nephew’s wittiness.

PROPS

The props are mainly kitchen utensils - knife and chopping boards turned drumsticks and drums, water containers turned into drum bases, etc. The rhythm of the musical is based on samullori, where traditional Korean instruments are changed to kitchen utensils.

COSTUMES

Chef’s uniform - of course, they are inside a kitchen. On their last scene, the four chefs changed to black top and performed, with the manager, a series of percussion instruments (still in a form of the large water drums).

PERFORMANCE

The first part happens in some sort of a traditional Korean kitchen, that the chefs are dressed in hanboks. The rhythm sounded like a real traditional Korean performance, yet with the use of kitchen utensils. On the second part (during the present time), everyone showcases their skills on integrating cooking with performing (chopping REAL vegetables while actually beating the chopping board like a drum). The third part is some sort of a party-like, urban-styled beating.

Described in the official website, Nanta is a nonverbal musical, though the actors used very minimal words such as “6 o’clock,” “uncle,” slurping sound, screaming “AHJUMMA” on random lady at the audience, etc.

REACTION

Overall, the performance is very entertaining as it mixes Korean traditional rhythm, new style (the use of kitchen utensils), comedy, and audience participation only saying less than 10 words. The show absolutely made the audience laugh so hard and they portrayed the story well. The performance is world-class and jaw-dropping. I do not really go on musicals frequently but Nanta is really AWESOME!

RATING: 10 out of 10

Comments? :D

Gabo Invades Korea: Solo Trip in Gyeongju [PART 1]

2012-10-02T01:43:00.003+08:00

So the main point of going to Gyeongju was because of the Hallyu Dream Festival. But I went there a day ahead of my friends to have a short tour of the city.

My friend booked me a bus ticket to Gyeongju. Since I didn't sleep the night before (because of the early schedule of the trip), I took the chance to sleep on my 4-hour travel.

Then, I woke up just in time. I arrived Gyeongju!

However, I'm still worried because my I hadn't received anything yet regarding my booking in Sarangchae Hostel. And I even lost my way to the hostel >_< Good thing I could speak basic Korean phrases and I found my way to the hostel.

And just as I'd thought of, I had no room to stay in Sarangchae! But the ahjussi and ahjumma are so kind and good in English, they called my back-up hostel, Nahbi Guest House, and asked if there was a space, and Nahbi said YES! The ahjussi gave me the directions to the Nahbi Guest House, so I walked again to Nahbi. (By the way, I walked from the station to Sarangchae, then to Nahbi, with backpack and my heavy sports bag :|)

And yes, Nahbi still had a vacant solo room for 25,000 won for a night. I reserved it before someone could take that spot. I put my stuff and rested for a while because I was walking too much already. At around 1PM, I felt hungry since I had not eaten anything yet. And my search for food/soul searching began..

So that's the view from one of the streets. It's much peaceful and calmer here than in Seoul, probably because this is a province.

I decided to start looking for tourists spots as I look for place to eat. I decided to go to Hwangseong Park first because it looks near on the map. But as I continue to walk towards the direction of the park, I CAN'T SEE ANY PARK/STATUE STILL. So now I was starting to ask the locals about the location of the park.

FIRST: I asked a man, probably a college student at around 23-28 years old, where the Hwangseong Park is. I think he couldn't understand my Korean phrase (I'm still practicing -____-) so I tried to speak in a mix of English and Korean like, "Hwangseong Park odieyo? Where? Hwangseong Park? Where? Place? Direction? Odieyo?" Then he suddenly said "wait" to me in Korean and called someone on his phone. I thought he's gonna call someone to ask for direction but I eavesdropped that he's saying, "Sorry. I don't know." WHAT THE... He's asking his friend how to say sorry and I don't know in English :))))) Why couldn't he just ask for the directions... -_____- oh well, I just thanked him in Korean.

SECOND *and successful one*: So I tried asking a couple (yes, couples are everywhere even in provinces). They seem to understand the way I spoke to them in Korean because the girl suddenly points on the direction then speaks in Korean! I can't understand a thing. All I could just say, "Ne~" to whatever she says, even if she's asking me something (because one of the things she said ends in "imnikka") HAHAHAHAHAHA! I think the guy noticed that I didn't understand her and luckily *YES!* he spoke to me in English and told me to go straight and cross the river that I will see. AT LAST, AN ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSON HERE IN GYEONGJU! (Not that I'm underestimating people from the provinces in their English-speaking skills but in a desperate time like this, I would really need someone who can speak English). So I continued my journey...

FAAAAAAK! No food stores yet! All I could see are bakeries and cafes! I need real food :(( plus, I've walked so far yet I couldn't see any sign of river/water!!!

And at last, I saw the end of the long and winding road...YEY RIVER!! But as of my current location that time, I was too far from the bridge and all I could see are some sort of rocks/stones that I think was used for crossing since people in bicycles crossed the one beside it (right part of the photo below). So I walked on those stones on the left...

It was funny because I was the only one walking on the stones. I thought that time, maybe I'm the only person crossing this stones. I'd like to run so fast because people might think I'm crazy because of crossing these stones. HAHAHA! Great experience!

So when I reached the other side of the river, this was what I'd seen...

THIS IS THE VENUE FOR THE HALLYU DREAM FESTIVAL!!! I didn't know actually that this is the venue lol :))

So I walked around the area, thinking that this wasn't the Hwangseong Park yet because there should be a tall statue according to the map I had. Here are some photos I took while roaming around the area...

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Hi. - AIESEC AdMU's Official Entry to SOM Week 2012 Viral Marketing Video Contest

2012-09-13T14:08:00.001+08:00

Please watch this video and share it with others too!! :D

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26 Hours Left Before the Invasion

2012-08-27T23:27:00.004+08:00

It's officially 26 hours left before my invasion of Korea will start.

I used "invasion" because I have a Tumblr account specifically for my Korea adventures. I will post pictures and random posts there. There maybe times when I will post same content here and in my Tumblr. Maybe sometime, that Tumblr account will turn into something like a Kpop blog.

Wait...bobo moment. I did not really explain why I used "invasion." It's because the name of my Tumblr blog is GABO INVADES KOREA as what my link shows. It has a page about JTA and Sogang, and also about me!

As for my visa, I will claim it tomorrow so I hope there would be no more delays because classes have started in Sogang already.

I will post another blog tomorrow as I wait to board on the aircraft. :D See ya!

Comments? :D

JTA Blues

2012-08-15T02:15:00.001+08:00

Okay. If you think being separated from your loved ones, friends, colleagues, or closest friends is the saddest part of being in the JTA program...

YOU'RE RIGHT!!

Well, for a person like me who loves to be with his/her circle of friends, it's really hard for me not to see my blockmates since we had different schedule, as if the JTA block was secluded from the rest of the world. I became sad too when one of my closest friends in the block (both S2 and JTA) had to go to her country since her term is starting early.

Just before continuing this part, I went to the bathroom first to pee. I passed by my dog's place where she's sleeping soundly. I was imagining how would I react if it's my time to go already. I won't be seeing my dog for four months. :( I will miss serving her dinner. I will miss her barks whenever I'm entering our house. I will also miss how she licks my entire face (yes, my bitch likes licking me...).

I don't want to leave you...wait, you're not my dog!!
Don't worry Puss. You're still cute.

Yesterday, I went to school because I have a meeting to attend. As I walk along the corridors of SEC C and CTC, stairs of Matteo, and JSEC, everything went back into my mind - my blockmates, best friends, org colleagues, professors. Damn, I don't know but I really feel sad as I think that I won't be seeing these buildings, rooms, people for four months.

I'm really gonna miss this.
Photo from renzpiration.blogspot.com

So there, I had a meeting with my project team and had a small chit-chat about their rants in life. After our meeting, I met Andre, one of my closest friends in college, in CTC while he's waiting for his class. I felt so happy because I had time to see my friends there while they're waiting for their class.

Yes, I'm so clingy like yeah!

Currently, my problem is only about my visa since I still have no visa but I have booked a flight already on the 24th. When my requirements were rejected by the Korean officers, I was just thinking of quitting the program and go back on regular 2nd semester with my blockmates. I don't know but I feel so incomplete or uncomfortable without the people I'm used to be with. No offense to the people I'll be with in Korea. It's not that I'm uncomfortable with you guys. I feel that we're close already but I'll be separated with other people I'm close to also.

Oh well, this post is so emotional already. Not good for my health. LOL!

Comments? :D

List: evacuation centers, relief operations in Metro Manila

2012-08-08T13:44:00.001+08:00

List: evacuation centers, relief operations in Metro Manila

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Korea!

2012-08-04T02:50:00.001+08:00

As I was trying to change the layout of this blog, I found out that I wrote on my previous post that I should share something about my expectations about Korea and I realized that I actually failed to post something about that.

And for that, I dedicate one entire post about my expectations when I go to Korea!

I was searching for a Korean peace sign and I found this picture of a guy named Jong Hyun of CNBlue.
By the way, sorry for not posting about my expectations before! Peace (^_^)V
(Photo from cnbstorm.wordpress.com)

KOREAN POP (KPOP)
Of course! Who doesn't know anything about Kpop these days? Aside from mobile phones and cars, Korea has been successful in exporting their talents to the world.

I was thinking if once we land on Incheon Airport, will there be any random Kpop artist/s who will greet visitors and tourists to their country? Or will the aircraft suddenly play the latest Kpop song?

Is it bad to wish that SNSD would be the aircraft's captain/s and flight attendants?

Actually, I'm not really a Kpop fan before, not until a friend introduced me to it. We were blockmates and she'll be going to Korea too for JTA. Oh yeah, we're attending the same university too.

Does it show that she really hates Kpop? Lol.

Anyway, ever since JTA Sem 1 started, our entire JTA block has one favorite Kpop group. Presenting, SISTAR!!

PLEASE! Be our aircraft's captains too!
(Photo from allkpop)

You may want to hear there songs Loving U, Alone, and the best song ever, Ma Boy!

Now guys, tell me if this isn't their best song.
(Photo from awesomelymediocre.tumblr.com)

So much for SISTAR and Kpop...let's proceed to food!

KOREAN FOOD
If you really want to know the culture of the place, food is the best teacher! If I could, I would try all Korean food and beverages there such as kimchi, bibimbap, samgyeopsal. And for celebration, a toast of SoJu!

Bibimbap
(Photo from molyna.wordpress.com)

Would it be lovely to taste this from its origin?
(Photo from koreanbeacon.com)

Might as well try the drink :)
(Photo from classicgirls.blog88.fc2.com)

Samgyeopsal
(Photo from kapcha.co.nz)

KOREAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHING
I don't know why but I really want to wear the traditional costumes of Korea. Aside from experiencing it, I think I would feel like a traditional Korean, living in the Joseon dynasty (lol). They said that in Incheon Airport, you could actually have the chance to wear the costumes. Is this true and which part of the airport is this located?

So the clothing is called Hanbok and I'm really excited to wear at least any of these (bucketlist!!). Feel the entirety of Korea through their traditional clothing!

Of course, I'd want to wear the male's clothing. Though, I'd love to see some of my
female friends wear the female clothing.

FINAL NOTE
As said in our country briefing, Koreans believe in balance and harmony and that's the reason why they maintain castles in the middle of the city, as it is a sign of balance between modernity and tradition. I'd love to experience Korea and find out more about this balance and harmony and how do they manage to maintain this. So, 'till next time!

Oh yeah! *claps*
(Photo from kisskisskpopreviews.blogspot.com)

Comments? :D

In 23 days...

2012-08-01T20:10:00.001+08:00

Just to release a part of my excitement to go on JTA, I decided to post something about how my JTA Sem 1 went and what I expect when I go to my country of destination.

About the Junior Term Abroad
Junior Term Abroad (JTA) is the exchange student program of our university. This is when students spend one semester in one of the partner schools of Ateneo abroad. Each of the four schools have different school partners; therefore, students from School of Science and Engineering (like me) cannot choose to be in the partner school of School of Management, unless the foreign university is a partner of both schools.

Students going on JTA will have special semester, namely JTA Sem 1 (before you leave), JTA Sem (I just coined this term as the semester where you are in abroad already), and JTA Sem 2 (when you go back to Ateneo). All semesters will run for 4 months, so topics are usually compressed, from the normal 5-month semester to 4-month semester.

MIS students took the following subjects: CS150 (Computer Architecture), MIS21 (Introduction to Applications Development), MIS121 (System Analysis and Design), STAT107 (Introduction to Statistical Analysis), and PH101 (Philosophy of the Human Person I). We have been together for 4 months, from analyzing an organization's system, to programming, to understanding computer hardwares and statistics, and even philosophizing.

MIS JTA 2012

About Sogang University
Yes, this is my school abroad. Sogang University is a Jesuit-run university in Seoul, South Korea. It was established in 1960 by the Society of Jesus. In the 2012 QS Asian University Ranking, Sogang University ranked 51.

서강대학교
Sogang University

Come August 24, I will fly to Korea to start my JTA Sem in Sogang. I am a Business Administration major there and I will be taking subjects such as Principles of Marketing, International Business, Management Information Systems, Analysis of Customer Behavior and Service, and Productions and Operations Management. I decided not to take any free elective since I am not interested in other electives there aside from management subjects.

I HAVE NO STUDENT VISA YET!
NOOOOOOO!!

Though I'm leaving on the 24th, I HAVE NO STUDENT VISA YEEEET!! I might apply next week. The weather this week has been so bad and I even got a fever last night. The timing is so wrong :| I also have to accomplish OIR stuff tomorrow. I hope my body would be okay by tomorrow :|

Comments? :D

Conquering Roles, Conquering Fears

2012-07-31T05:54:00.000+08:00

It's still clear on my mind how I was preparing for two events at the same time. I remembered how I adjust my sleeping patterns, my acads workload, and the meetings for each event just to meet my responsibilities in both organizing teams.

Both of the projects started the planning phase at the same time (some time around late May). These two events are the AIESEC Philippines' Experience Conference (XPCon) and Ateneo MISA's First General Assembly (1st GA). I was the OCVP for Public Relations for the XPCon and the Project Director of the 1st GA.

*WARNING*
This is a really long post due to photos attached. This post consists of my own thoughts about the topic.

AIESEC Philippines - Experience Conference 2012

The Experience Conference was held last July 6 to 8 at Cristina Villas Mountain Resort and Hotel in Taktak Road, Antipolo City. It was the first conference of the MC for this term, aiming to train the team leaders and high-performing team members.

I remember my experience of submitting my application late for this one. I really wanted to be a part of the organizing committee (OC) that I actually sent a Facebook message to Joan, the OCP. I told her that I was still answering the application form yet the deadline had past. She just told me to relax and submit once I finish the form.

Official Promotional Material of XPCon 2012

From planning to execution, I loved the experience. I was once a delegate and I was really curious on how was it to be a part of the OC of a conference. Doing the ocular trips to prospective conference venues, sending promotions and email blasts by schedule, and developing a registration system are absolutely worth the time that it became a very successful product.

My biggest contribution here, perhaps, is my attempt in making registration process as fast as possible. I developed a system where delegates would just input their names and the software would automatically look for their other details. The idea suddenly popped out from my head when, of course, we were talking about how the registration should go. When we are trying to create a manual registration operations, the idea of automated registration system appeared and I proposed that it could lessen the time spent by the delegates in the registration area. I was really nervous about it because it was an idea that could build or break the impression of the delegates about the conference.

My greatest learning here as a member of the OC is the importance of proper and functioning data gathering system. This experience made me discover how important information management in a team or organization is. This experience would really help me to be the information management professional I wanted to be. It all started by stepping up and accepting the challenge of being an OC member.

Keeping the tradition - XPCon started with roll calls from different LCs.

Delegates during one of their sessions

Delegates as they dance to AIESEC dances

A conference would be incomplete without socials night - XPCon 2012 Blacklight Party

I am an AIESECer

Our chair Gab Medina, as he taught a new AIESEC dance to the conference delegates

Sugar cubes!

The Organizing Committee

The Member Committee

OC + MC

Ateneo Management Information Systems Association - First General Assembly

As I wanted to serve my home organization before I go for JTA, I applied as the project director of the 1st GA. This is my first time heading a project in this organization, although I was a part of the Board of Executives and the Associates last year as the AVP for Financial Development. For this year, I really wanted a change for the trends of general assemblies since I entered college. Now that I head the project, I stepped up to break the trend in theme and program format.

Official Promotional Material

During my first year until last year, the theme were female pop singers (Lady Gaga for 2010, Katy Perry for 2011). My team broke the trend, fearing that Nicki Minaj would follow the trend (no offense to Nicki Minaj fans). As my team tried to conceptualize for other relevant themes, we arrived at 90s music, since everyone in the organization was once a 90s kid and for sure they would love hearing those old pop music again.

We also made another breakthrough when we changed the program format of the past general assemblies. Before, the members would just sit within the venue and listen to all presentations prepared by the clusters, talent pools, etc. For this year, we tried making it similar to the freshmen's OrSem. Members would be grouped into smaller groups and they would go to different rooms where they will listen and participate to each cluster's presentation and activities. After going through 5 stations, everyone would gather in Escaler Hall for one big party-like plenary.

Though not all things happened as planned, I am very happy that this project was accomplished, at least 80% as expected. Through this project, I was able to reflect more about myself as a leader. I got the chance to see my strengths and weaknesses as well, which could greatly help my in my future endeavors.

MISA Moderator, Jal de Vera (left) and AVP for Events, Geoff Dagamac (right)

MISAyaw

Our energetic hosts, Anj Uy and Jelo Andres

MISA Musika

With Ria Corral, VP for Events (leftmost) and Geoff Dagamac, AVP for Events (rightmost)

My hardworking project team!!

Conquering Fears

It is really difficult for me to do things for the first time, such as these two responsibilities in two different organizations for two different projects. I always say that for me to be good at some things, I have to fail first. That was why I was so afraid because these two experiences are new to me and I feared that I fail this time. XPCon was my first MC level project, while the 1st GA was the first ever event I managed. Well, yes I somehow failed to do something on my two responsibilities and I really don't consider that I am successful as OCVP for Public Relations and Project Director. But I always think that these failures are always a good start to be successful in the next tries. Thanks to my two organizations who gave me such opportunity to develop myself as a man of my profession and as a leader.

Conquering fears starts from accepting the actual challenge of conquering it. That's what I learned from these experiences. :)

Comments? :D

So Near Yet So Far

2012-06-14T05:04:00.000+08:00

My relationship with Korea: So near, yet so far
Image from: http://i32.tinypic.com/2cxz120.jpg

Hi everyone! It's been a while (or a month :|) since I blogged something...

I am actually in the Junior Term Abroad program of our university where they send students to their partner schools for a semester. It is the exchange student program of the university.

We really have this weird schedule. On a normal basis, students have summer semester (April to May) and first semester (June to October). On our case, we are taking summer subjects and first semester subjects together for a duration of 4 months (April to July). The duration is long for the summer subjects and short for the first semester subjects.

As of now, we had 3 midterm examinations down and 2 to go. That is why I feel that Korea is within reach already, yet there are still so many obstacles to experience.

I've been talking about Korea. What's with Korea, anyway?

That is my country of destination. Yes, I will be immersed more in Korean culture (and yes, KPop is included) for 4 months. I will be studying in Sogang University (although we don't have our acceptance letters yet).

Sogang University, Seoul, South Korea, here I come!!!!

*I am still undecided if I shall continue to create my wordpress blog, or a tumblelog to keep track as I invade South Korea....

Comments? :D

On the Issue of Plagiarism

2012-06-04T22:10:00.000+08:00

Photo from http://flexiinfo.com/images/info.jpg

Information today has been so mixed up (or messed up) because of different channels for information such as academic researches indexed by other researches, encyclopedias, and Internet itself. However, some institutions still value the essence of originality of thought, or creating new knowledge directly from the mind, without depending on external sources, when it comes to gathering and sharing knowledge. If external sources were used as basis for your contribution to the body of knowledge, then it is just to give the owner his or her proper credit. Or else, the issue of plagiarism comes in.

Not just because I am about to discuss plagiarism here doesn't mean we will revolve around the meaning, effects, morality issues, etc. What I will discuss here is the nature of plagiarism and some counter-arguments on plagiarism, which I think can be a debatable issue.

Nature of Plagiarism

A professor in my university once said, "60% only of the stuff in the Internet are true."
Photo from http://www.plagiarismchecker.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/plagiarism.gif

Purdue Online Writing Lab indicates that "...plagiarism, which is the uncredited use (both intentional and unintentional) of somebody else's words or ideas." I can only think of getting into detailed parts of each word to understand the nature of plagiarism itself. But for now, we focus on the word uncredited.

Uncredited: I cannot find the meaning of this word from mainstream dictionaries such as Merriam Webster; although we can actually slice it to 2 parts (un + credited). The prefix un- means not-. Therefore, when it is joined to a word, for example, credited, it means not credited. Credited, on the other hand, means to attribute to some person. From the definition, we could bring up another word, attribute - to reckon as made or originated in an indicated fashion. To reckon means to determine by reference to a fixed basis. This may look silly, but if we try to merge all the definitions we tried to bring up (of course we can define more of the words but in my discretion, this is enough), we could end up with this new definition: not determining by reference, as made or originated, to some person. You might be asking the point of expanding a simple definition of uncredited in this issue. Yes, the definition is simple and short to understand already. My point in expanding is to dwell on what really is plagiarism.

Photo from http://www.german-business-etiquette.com/img/5-gifts.jpg

Crediting someone is a form of respect not just to the authors, but also to his works. An analogy here is that, taking care of your gifts means two things: liking the gift and caring for the giver's feelings. You are taking care of the gift a person gave you because you appreciate the value of the gift to you, and you value the connection between you and the giver. Therefore, uncrediting something means that it is not much valuable to you, or the connection of you and your source is not valuable at all. Giving credit to information itself gives much more value to it and it shows that you value your connection to the source.

Other words in the definition of plagiarism given by Purdue OWL are simple enough and easy to understand, so we won't dwell on those words much.

So the definition itself does not revolve only on "thanking" the source for the wonderful information you have obtained from him or her. Crediting the source of the information means that you value the source's product, and you value the source as well, for producing the product (information).

Counter-arguments on Plagiarism
I'd like to share some of the counter-arguments on plagiarism, based on my recent encounter of a case of plagiarism:

1. With so many information today, it is not impossible that two people from other sides of the world share the same idea.
-> Yes. There is a high probability that people would share the same ideas; however, each people could have different ways for interpreting or phrasing their thoughts. Since it came from their minds on their own words, each idea becomes unique to each other; hence, originality takes place. The point here is that, if you really get information from somewhere and you did not give credit to the source, then the issue on plagiarism appears. If you strongly believe that the idea is originally yours (without basing it from other sources), then the issue subsides.

2. Isn't it that the point of researching is to contribute to the general knowledge?
-> The issue may be see at that point. However, plagiarism is not exclusive to research. It exists everywhere, although it may be called something else. Researchers do not research for the sake of just throwing and bragging their discoveries. The word there is to "contribute" and we must give them proper credit to it.

Disclaimer Note
I am not an expert in this field but these are my thoughts about this issue. The issue of plagiarism might be too old already but a lot of people now seem to disregard the essence of crediting someone's work. If you have thoughts about the issue, you can share it with me as well. :)

Comments? :D

I Don't Know What Title to Put Here

2012-05-13T16:25:00.000+08:00

It's been a month since I posted an entry here. Not that I'm really busy but I can't think of something to post here.

So, today is Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers' Day, mom!

On the other note, I really miss my students in Alay Ni Ignacio. I only managed to teach for one week and I miss teaching already. There are times when I go to their classes just to say hi to my students. As their graduation goes near,

HAHAHA I'm so bored...

I was trying to do a "point the camera" pose...but my photographer took a shot already -_- Fail pose

So, for the remaining months, I'll be working as a part of the OC team for AIESEC PHes XPCon. This is the first time I'll be working in the MC level and as a part of the OC of a conference (Yes...we love conferences!). I'm so excited about this. Also, I am the project head of MISA First General Assembly and I have plans already in my head and I hope this went well. Wish me luck~

Comments? :D

Dream High

2012-04-13T00:04:00.000+08:00

So lately, I have been hooked into this Korean series entitled Dream High.

Dream High tells the story of six students at Kirin Art High School who work to achieve their dreams of becoming music stars in the Korean music industry. Go Hye Mi is a student who had majored in classical music but has to give up her dream by entering Kirin Art High School to pay off her father's debt. However, she needs to get two other students to also come to the school in order for her to enroll in the school conditionally. These two students are Song Sam Dong, who lives in the countryside, and Jin Guk, whom she accidentally meets while trying to escape from a loan shark. Yoon Baek Hee, formerly Hyemi's sidekick, becomes her rival in school because Hye Mi betrays her during an audition to enter the school. (DramaWiki)

Official Poster

Well, I think the scenes in the last episode are too compressed, that too many events happened in an hour. From Hye Mi's struggle to debut in a month, to sudden planning and execution of a flash mob, to 2018. I liked how their stories ended up but I don't like how hey crammed the events in one episode. This deserves at least 2 episodes.

Characters:
(Top) Hye Mi (Suzy), Sam Dong (Kim Soo Hyun)
(Middle) Baek Hee (Eun Jung), Jin Gook (Taecyeon)
(Bottom) Pil Suk (IU), Jason (Wooyoung)

Just as usual, I have sudden crushes on this series, IU and Eun Jung. They're so adorable in this series, especially when Baek Hee cut her hair short, and when Pil Sook was still chubby. Suzy is cute as well, but she looks like another Korean celebrity.

IU as Kim Pil Sook

When Hye Sung chose Jin Gook over Sam Dong

Hye Mi's Bird Dance looks like a Korean folk dance LOL

I'm still looking for the complete official soundtrack of Dream High in the torrent sites. I loved Sam Dong's Dreaming, the duet of Sam Dong and Hye Mi, Maybe, and when Sam Dong challenged Jason, The Last Concert. I really loved the quality of Sam Dong's voice. Here are the lyric videos of the songs:

Dreaming - Kim Soo Hyun

Jeo meolli hweuimi haejineun

Naeui kkumeul barabomyeo

Meonghani seoisseotjyo

Deo isang nameun ge eopseo

Modu pogi halkka haesseotjiman

Dashi ireonayo

Han georeumhan georeum oneuldo

Joshim seureobge nae didyeoyo

Gaseum gadeukhi duryeo umgwa

Seolleimeul aneun chae

Biteul georigo heundeullyeodo

Nan tto han georeumeul nae didyeoyo

Eonjenga mannal nae kkumeul hyanghae

Idaero kkutnaneun geon anilji

Duryeoumi nal jakkuman

Mangseorige hajiman

Gaseumsok giteun goseseo

Meomchuji anhneun ullimi nal

Apeuro ikkeuljyo

Han georeumhan georeum oneuldo

Joshim seureobge nae didyeoyo

Gaseum gadeukhi duryeo umgwa

Seolleimeul aneun chae

Biteul georigo heundeullyeodo

Nan tto han georeumeul nae didyeoyo

Eonjenga mannal nae kkumeul hyanghae

Han georeumhan georeum oneuldo

Joshim seureobge nae didyeoyo

Gaseum gadeukhi duryeo umgwa

Seolleimeul aneun chae

Biteul georigo heundeullyeodo

Nan tto han georeumeul nae didyeoyo

Eonjenga mannal nae kkumeul hyanghae

Eonjengan mannal nae kkumeul hyanghae
ENGLISHI was looking at my dream

that is being deemed far away

and I was standing blankly

i don’t have

anything left any more

I thought about giving up everything but..

I am standing up again

Even today, step by step

I step forward carefully

My heart is full of fear,

but it’s an excitement I’m embracing

I am staggering and shaking

But, I step forward towards

the dream that I am going to meet some day

As I’m thinking if it is going end like this,

a fear constantly comes,

I’m hesitating but…

Deep inside my heart

there’s an unstoppable beating

that drags me forward

Even today, step by step

I step forward carefully

My heart is full of fear,

but it’s an excitement I’m embracing

I am staggering and shaking

But, I step forward towards

the dream that I am going to meet some day

Even today, step by step

I step forward carefully

My heart is full of fear,

but it’s an excitement I’m embracing

I am staggering and shaking

But, I step forward towards

the dream that I am going to meet some day

towards the dream that I am going to meet some day

Maybe - Kim Soo Hyun and Suzy
Chagaun gaseumi eoneusae jogeumsshik
Noga naeryeonnabwa niga deureo wasseo
Geurigo nado mollae
Nae gaseumeul chaeweosseo

Eonjenbuteo inga jibe doraomyeon
Neoreul tteoolligo inneun nae moseubeul
Bomyeonseo nae mam soge
Niga inneun geol arasseo

Maybe you're the one
Maybe eojjeomyeon
Eojjeomyeon niga
Naega kidarin banjjogingeonji

Maybe it is true
Eonjena neomu
Gakkai isseoseo mollasseonnabwa
Baby I'm in love with you

Neomu neutjin anhatgil
Ijeya kkaedareun nae mam badajugil
Neutge aratjiman ijeya aratjiman
I maeumeun jeoldae heundeulliji anha

Maybe it is true
Eonjena neomu
Gakkai isseoseo mollasseonnabwa
Baby I'm in love with you

Baby I'm in love with you
Baby I'm in love with you
Baby I'm in love with you
Baby I'm in love with you
ENGLISH

My cold heart, all of a sudden,
seems to have melted because you came into my life.
And without even knowing, my heart was filled.

Whenever I return home,
I remember you.
In my heart, you’re there.
Since I’ve known you…

Maybe, you’re the one.
Maybe, perhaps…
Maybe, you are the soulmate
I’ve been waiting for.

Maybe, it is true.
You were always so close
That’s why I didn’t know.
Baby, I’m in love with you

I hope that I’m not too late.
Hope that you’ll understand
that I’ve realized it now.

I know it’s too late…
I know it’s late now..
But….
This heart won’t be shaken again.

Maybe, it is true.
You were always so close
that I didn’t recognize you.
Baby I’m in love with you.

Last Concert - Wooyoung vs Kim Soo Hyun
jigeum seulpeun nae moseubeunmudae dwi han sonyeoaesseo nunmul chameumyeobarabogo innemudae dwie geu sonyeoneunjageun uijae anjadu son gopge moeugobarabomyeo deutnenaui yaegireulsonyeoneun nareul algiedeodeouk seulpeojinenoraeneun jeomjeomheureugosonyeoneun ureum chamjimotaebakkeuro nagabeorigonoraen kkeuchinatjimanijen bureuji anheuriiseulpeun norae
ENGLISH
Now, my sad appearance
There is a little girl (at the end of the stage / backstage)
while I do my best to fight the tears
she is staring at me

At the backstage, that little girl
Sitting in a chair
Two tender hands on each other
While she stares and listens
To my story, oh

As the girl gets to know me
She gets more and more (the blues/sad)

Step by step, she gets carried away by the song
The little girl can't control her weeping
She takes her way outside and leaves me

Although the song came at its end
Now, I won't sing about the past
This sad song

She takes her way outside and leaves me

Although the song came at its end
Now, I won't sing about the past
This sad song....

Comments? :D

No Girlfriend/Boyfriend Since Birth

2012-03-25T04:04:00.001+08:00

I think I don't have to elaborate with the what NGSB/NBSB mean. It's too self-explanatory.

I don't know if I share the same thoughts with anyone, but whenever I hear someone say that he or she's NGSB or NBSB, I perceive them as someone who never fell in love with someone else, excluding their family, relatives, or Superior Being.

With this kind of perception on NGSB/NBSB identity, it becomes awkward for me to admit that I really never had an official girlfriend before, though, I have fallen in love a lot of times.

In conclusion, I think being NGSB/NBSB does not really mean that you haven't felt in love at all. There could be many factors that lead you to your "NGSB/NBSB"-ness. So next time, when someone asks you if you have been in a relationship, be proud to say that you are NGSB/NBSB, but make sure to follow up your answer if you have been fallen in love already sometime in your past. You might have met people like me who think differently regarding this. LOL!

Thoughts?
Regards,
Gabo

P.S. Yes, I haven't had an official girlfriend before but you can still consult me with your love life <3 ;)

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

We Are Young on How to be A Good Catholic

2012-03-19T11:57:00.003+08:00

Tonight

We are young

So let’s set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun

This is the chorus of the song We Are Young by Fun. featuring Janelle Monae. I chose to represent my creed with this specific verse, aside from being my favorite part of the song, is because of different brilliant meanings it may bring. I will explain it line by line, and then I will further explain after why it could show how a good Catholic should be.

“Tonight”

For some, this time indicator might not matter but during this moment, most of the people, disregarding people who work on graveyard shift, are resting. Imagine it that during nights, everything is so calm and silent, as if nothing is actually wrong. The people who are resting at night are simply waiting for the sun to rise so they could start to work again. These people are simply waiting for this sun, which rose and set yesterday, to rise again on that day. Nothing seems special aside from having another day to work, to live, to do whatever these people want to do.

“We are young”

The way I described the people on the previous paragraph refers to people who work. These people are the kinds of people who think nothing is wrong that they would follow a routine everyday so just not to disturb the flow of their lives.

Now, here comes the youth, which could be called as teenagers, young adults, etc. These youth make changes to the calm society as they find themselves in this course of life. Because of their search for who they really are, they are the ones who can see what is wrong with the current society they belong.

“So let’s set the world on fire”

I see “fire” as a symbol for social change. Because of the different injustices in the society, there is a need to set the fire within the darkness that makes the people blind of the real situation of their society.

“We can burn brighter than the sun”

With these collaborated efforts for social change, people can now start look for a brighter sun every after night.

How does this relate to Theology?

If we go back to the readings on Job, God has 2 languages: mystical and prophetic. Mystical language refers to God’s love for us, while prophetic language refers to God’s requirements for us to do justice.

This is what God wants us to do, to do justice, to eradicate injustices. However, the Church has kept on saying “God wants this…God wants that…” just to have control over the entire Catholic community. Just as discussed during the last lectures, the Church keeps on putting everything above the line, not just things regarding what to prepare during Holy Communion and the like, but also the concerns on the real situation of the society. Because of this, our real job as Catholics is somehow being forgotten.

In my metaphors of the chorus, the Church says that everything will be okay if we follow what they are saying, but I doubt if they see the real situation of the society. I do not say that what they are doing is wrong but they lack immersion on the real situation of the world. As good Catholics, we are tasked to look for these injustices and solve it. We are the “youth” who can bring a brighter tomorrow in the society, all for the love of God.

If I were to rephrase the verse, how would it be?

ORIGINAL LYRICS	CREED
Tonight We are young So let’s set the world on fire We can burn brighter than the sun	In this time when we are blind to see what is real, As a good Catholic, I will be the light of the society, eradicating the injustices. Together, we can create the change that the world wanted

So does it mean that we should not follow the Church's teachings?

No. What I mean is that we have to be critical on what the Church is asking as to do. If we have to work beyond the limits that the Church creates, we have to, as long as we are doing our task of doing good to others, together with good intentions for the betterment of society that God has created.

Final Words

Just like the youth portrayed in the song, we, as Catholics, have to be proactive and bold enough to go beyond the limits. If we continue to box ourselves with merely what the Church is asking us to do, we will not be as good and effective Catholics as what our society needs. We need to “burn brighter than the sun” in order for justice to be spread among God’s creations.

Listen to the song!

Comments? :D

Hmm..This is Kinda Weird

2012-02-12T11:15:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone!

Today is the last day for us, running a position in the Executive Board in MISA, to campaign for ourselves (duh?!)

Next week will be MISA's Voting Period and also, it's the voting period for the Sanggunian as well. Goodluck to all the candidates! :D

Just this morning, my sleep was disturbed by a message beep from my phone. I received a message from a friend telling that my campaign material is in the Crystal Eagle (and how he described the blog is that it is a hate blog that entertains him LOL). Anyway, so here's the catch. I have a post here about my conversation with Cate Sison, which was used as a source by this Crystal Eagle. Am I even that reliable to be used as a source? This blog is to share my personal opinions. If Crystal Eagle concluded that Cate is a user through my post, I think there is something wrong with that.

I, in any way, is not related with Crystal Eagle. Perhaps, her stalking skills are DAMN LEVEL ASIAN that she reached my little world (blog). I have nothing against her posts, neither praises to her posts. And to have my campaign material, which eventually turned to be my header for this blog, posted there has no reason at all. Not to have many hits, not to gain fame, and most especially, not to campaign for myself.

Well, I must have been paranoid when my friend told me about this. C'mon! Wouldn't you be paranoid if that's the first thing you meet in the morning? LOL

Anyway, the only positive thing I see here is that my hits went up (hurrah!). However, I think they just went here because of Crystal Eagle's reference. :))

It seems that we have an Ateneo Gossip Girl here :))

P.S. I'm going to change my banner again tonight since we are not allowed to campaign anymore this week ;)

Comments? :D

Elections...

2012-02-06T02:35:00.001+08:00

Hi there! How are you all doing? :D

This is the time when almost all organizations and councils in our university are doing their elections for the next term's Executive Board. And obviously, I am one of the people running for a position in my home organization, the Ateneo Management Information Systems Association (Ateneo MISA - http://misa.org.ph).

It has been a struggle for me to choose what path to take. I have been into a lot of options and fall back in case one fails. But one thing is for sure, I have a chance to take tour on these paths.

First, running as the Vice President of Finance and Marketing in Ateneo MISA. As you can see around 12MN of February 6, I have been changing my display picture and my timeline cover in Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/gabriellorenzosantos) As refered to my previous post, this is the cluster where I came from and I am now planning to be the head of this cluster. It took me a lot of time to think of pursuing this path since I am evaluating my capabilities as the leader of this cluster, and also the welfare of the cluster if ever I win the elections. (My platform? To follow on the next days :D )

If I failed my first choice, I proceed my second choice, to apply for Junior Term Abroad (JTA). It was my close friend and block mate, Joan Magno, that inspired me to aim for higher once I didn't win the MISA EB Elections. Even my dad is positive about this that he referred me to our relatives in San Francisco for me to ask whether I can stay for 5 months there to study in University of San Francisco for a term. Although this has a low probability, it is not bad to aim for higher! ;)

Those are only two of my options. It would be great if you come and talk to me personally on my plans, whether about MISA, JTA, or other stuff.

Think Gains.Growth.Gabo for VP for Finance & Marketing! ;)

Comments? :D

My Niche

2012-01-12T11:43:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone! What's up with you guys?

So yesterday (January 11) was really a hell day for me. I had appointments, including classes, from 10:30 AM up to 6PM. Seriously, no breaks at all.

Thanks Den for having the individual consultation at caf! :D

So the title goes "My Niche." It describes my exploration for this week, discovering my real niche in my organization, MISA.

Executive board elections are coming and I'm planning to run for one of the vice presidents of the organization. However, I really cannot find which position I should run. I'll relay them here:

1.) Vice President for Finance & Marketing

Context: Basically, Finance & Marketing (F&M) cluster is the one manages all money inflows from sponsorships and fundraisers. Currently, I am the Associate Vice President for Financial Development under this cluster. I oversee the fund raising activities of MISA. As of this year, we have implemented three: MISA Shirts (Wave 1) during the COA Recruitment Week, MISA Raffle and Shirt Design Contest (MISA Shirt Wave 2) are currently ongoing.

Reason for choosing the position: I know the internal operations of the cluster so I assure that I can manage the cluster. It won't be difficult since I came from the cluster itself. I also want to increase the fundraising state of the organization, since sponsorships have been good this year. I also want to provide the members intensive training

Apprehensions on running: I know I can do the job, but I'm thinking that the other person running for the position is more capable than me. He/She knows more on sponsorships and I think he/she won't do bad on overseeing the fundraisers since it's more on project management. I don't want to stop the good trend our current vice president has started.

2.) Treasurer
Context: The Office of the Treasury, in contrast to the F&M Cluster, manages the money outflows to keep the organization's operations going.

Reason for choosing the position: Since summer, the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo has been giving trainings to organizations for the presidents, HR, Finance, and Projects. Their training for finance is a mix of budgeting, risk management, meeting financial operations of the school, and fundraising. I've been learning these stuff from trainings and even from other organizations.

Apprehensions on running: I really don't have intensive experience with managing money outflows. I have one but it's not too serious.

3.) Vice President for Communications
Context: The Communications cluster takes care of the brand of MISA to internal and external stakeholders (except company partners) and manages the information dissemination within the organization.

Reason for choosing the position: I have been in the communications field in different organizations. In AIESEC AdMU, I am under the Communications Department, which takes charge on brand management, information management, and public relations. In my other organizations such as Alay Ni Ignacio and Sector Based Cluster Core Team, I do promotions that might fit in the event nature and target audience. I have a wide network which I think would be very helpful in fulfilling this job.

Apprehensions on running: I have never been under Communications cluster of MISA, although I've learned common Communications processes from other organizations. Also, I do not worry the thing that I do not have an idea of processes in the cluster since the current vice president won't be graduating yet so I have someone to consult to.

What do you think? Comments? :D

New year...

2012-01-09T04:57:00.003+08:00

Hey! How is it doing?

Yeah..2012..It's a very controversial year, especially when it comes to the "end of the world". Mayan calendar. December 21, 2012. Everything. Even Jay Sean used this opportunity to compose a song that would be a hit for almost 3 years.

Before we get our hopes down because of the said "end of the world", I would like to greet everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! New year, for me, comes with new opportunities, new challenges to face, new people to meet, everything is so new!

As new opportunities coming, I thought, "Hey! Everything's so dull. I have to do something." So now, I announce (sorry, I can't think of other word for 'announce') that I'll be getting a new blog in WordPress.com. It's not that I hate Blogger really that much. It's more of branding my identities in the social media sites. So what are my plans for my Blogger account and what do you guys have to expect in my WordPress? I will keep this Blogger for my more personal accounts and testimonials, which I think I cannot really share to most of the people. In my WordPress, you can see stuff which I can share to the entire Internet, such as photos, music, videos, views and opinions on recent issues. It's like separating who I really am with what people think who I am (now whaaaaaaat?!).

And that paragraph was SOOOOOOOOOO terrible. Feeling artista?!

Just days before my mom left for Singapore, she told me that my dad is going to buy her a new laptop. It's one of the thin laptops of Asus. I think it's the Asus UX31. What the?! THAT'S THE LAPTOP I WANT. :( In return, I will inherit my mom's laptop. It's a Toshiba laptop (I forgot the model) but it has camera installed already unlike the one I'm using now. You know how big deal this is for me? This means, I can start doing videos! *applause* Would you imagine me in a video, talking to you, and you, watching my video?....No?..Bad idea?....So I should stop my dream of being a YouTube celebrity?...Really?

So before I end this post, I just have to share my recent tweet about doing this post instead of doing my paper due later at 5PM:

Damn son! What ya doin'?

HAHA! See you in my WordPress! :D (And wait for my YouTube channel too ;-) )

Comments? :D

Breaking the Geek Stereotype

2012-01-02T12:51:00.000+08:00

Let your design be the new MISA's pride!

Join

Breaking the Geek Stereotype:

MISA Shirt Design Contest

Submit your design entries to misa.shirt1112@yahoo.com
Deadline for submission is on January 15, 2012, Sunday, 11:59pm

This contest is open to all MISA members.

Entry Requirements:

1. White shirt will be used
2. Each design may have a maximum of 3 colors only (not including the shirt color).
3. You may submit up to 2 designs only.
4. Dimensions of the image should have a maximum of 9’’ x 6’’ or 6’’ x 9’’
5. All files should be in JPEG format
6. Design should contain happy colors (as long as you don’t use dark colors)
7. It should not be wordy
8. The message of the shirt should show what MISA is all about
9. Theme of the shirt: Breaking the Geek Stereotype

Reminders:

1. The back of the shirt will have the MISA logo
2. All images should be in JPEG format
3. Please make sure your designs are unique and original
4. Submission of entry by the contestant grants the right of the organization to publish and market the accomplished shirts. The intellectual property rights are maintained by the designer.

Submission:

1. Create an image file (JPEG format) containing the shirt design (to be placed in front of the shirt (Filename: LastName_FirstName_DESIGN.jpg)
2. Create a shirt preview a this template and save it using JPEG format (Filename: LastName_FirstName_PREVIEW.jpg)
3. Compress the files into 1 ZIP folder (Filename: LastName_FirstName_SHIRTCONTEST
4. Attach your file and include the following information upon submission:
a. Full Name
b. Year and Course
c. Cellphone Number
5. Send your entries to misa.shirt1112@yahoo.com
6. Like the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Breaking-the-Geek-Stereotype-MISAs-Shirt-Design-Contest/346667648680898

Did you know that 8 people are diagnosed of HIV/AIDS everyday in the Philippines?

2011-12-06T12:24:00.001+08:00

Did you know that 8 people are diagnosed of HIV/AIDS everyday in the Philippines?

AIESEC ADMU and Exogain Productions present HIV: Si Heidi, Si Ivy at Si V. Starring Jake Cuenca and Iza Calzado, the indie documentary narrates the story of a filmmaker who follows the lives of 3 distinct characters with HIV/AIDS.

Dec 6 | 0430-0630
Dec 8 | 0430-0630, 0630-0830
Dec 10 | 0600-0800
Dec 13 | 0430-0630

Tickets selling at Php 75. Screening at Escaler Hall.

Check out the events page of the film for details:
http://www.facebook.com/events/230736646994197/