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Nalalapit na ang itinakdang araw.

Sa loob ng dalawang linggo, siguradong magbabago ang takbo ng buhay ng mga kagaya kong magtatapos na. Sa kabila ng pananabik at kasiyahan, naroon ang takot at hiwagang bumabalot sa mga damdamin ng mga nagtatapos tuwing sasapit ang Marso.

Halos mabaliw ako tuwing iisiping unti-unti nang lumuluwag ang kapit ko sa Unibersidad dahil malaking pagbabago at maraming pagkakataon ang inilatag ng institusyong ito para sa akin. Maaga pa man, nais kong pasalamatan ang mga taong nagtiwala at nagsilbing gabay ko sa nilalandas na bukas.

Arts and Letters

After three years, the six-man team of AB finally brought home the bacon last year when they snagged the Pautakan revolving trophy. This grand slam victory was the pinnacle of the Artlets’ majestic comeback after a 12-year losing streak.

But now that Pautakan oldhands Armand Delfin and Wilfred Ritona are out of the game, eyebrows have been raised as to whether the remaining members can continue the legacy.

“It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.” - (Habakkuk 2:3)

I LOVE all special occasions except one—Valentine’s Day.

The moment January ends, the town is painted red. Friends usually ask one another with whom they will spend the special day. Lucky ladies receive roses, cards, chocolates, or balloons, as guys think of all sorts of gifts to give them.

NAKAKAWILI pala’ang magpalipad ng saranggola. Sa unti-unting paghatak ng malakas na hangin, tila sumasayaw ang iba’t ibang mga klay at hugis nito sa kalangitan.

Ngunit mahirap pala’ng paliparin ito. Sabi ng iba, nasa hangin daw ang laban. Kung gaano ito kalakas, ganoon din daw kataas ang lipad ng saranggola. Pero para sa akin, hindi ko na pinapansin pa ang sabi-sabing iyon. Wala akong pakialam kung mahina ang hangin, basta ang mahalaga madala ko ang saranggola sa kalangitan.

TWO WEEKS ago a friend of mine was robbed and stabbed by two criminals near his house in Quezon City at around 2 a.m. The good thing was he came out of the incident alive as the four stabs he received were superficial.

Based on his account, the robbers slowly walked away from the scene of the crime as if nothing happened. His narration led me to think that the government is just wasting its revenues on barangay tanods who are supposed to roam the streets during unholy hours to help in the maintenance of peace and order.

COME FEBRUARY, local and university-wide politics heat up.

But the true essence of serving the studentry faces degradation. As in national and local elections, traditional politics invades the system of Thomasian governance and studentry. With all the magic formula of good looks, charm, and popularity, deserving and responsible candidates lose their chance to represent the whole student population.

MY NEXT allowance says 90 per cent of Thomasians (including this writer) dread that question or at least do not expect it asked of them out of the blue.

I did not. Especially from a taxicab driver. He was some sort of preacher for Jehovah’s Witness-es, and was waiting assuredly, before he launched into his preaching, of my reply: no, I haven’t been reading the Bible lately.

PIROUETTE [peer-oo-WET] – “Whirl” or “spin”; a complete turn of the body on one foot, on point or demi-pointe. Pirouettes are performed by either turning inward toward the supporting leg, or turning outward in the direction of the raised leg. The body must be well-centered with the back held strongly and the hips and shoulders aligned. The force of momentum is furnished by the arms, which remain immobile during the turn.

THOMASIANS do not often notice them. You look past them while walking along the corridors or strolling with friends on campus. While some of us go to class, meet our friends, or review for a dreaded exam, they do the cleaning or ensure everyone’s safety on campus.

Like us, UST non-academic personnel are Thomasians who go to school every day. But they’re not here for the office papers or the classes; they’re here for the “dirty” work.

WAVES crashed, tempting me to plunge into the tepid late afternoon sea. Despite my mother’s order to stay indoors, I found the sea too enticing to resist. As with other warnings she gave me before, I disobeyed her, stepped at the tempestuous current, and willingly let the water engulf me.

As my arms stroked against the stubborn stream of salty water, I was instantly reminded of the many restrictions and limitations my mother and other people imposed on me.