THE END is the beginning is the end. And so my favorite band, the Smashing Pumpkins, says.
Every concluding chapter in my life, it never fails to give me a mixed feeling, one which I have quite some trouble comprehending.
First, the end brings fear, for I have no idea what is ahead of me. Also, I am afraid to leave the persons who brought so many colors to my monochromatic life. But then, I am excited. I look forward to new challenges, to meeting new people, and to discovering the wonderful and not-so-wonderful realities in life. And interestingly, I am also happy and sad. Happy, that I know I am continually growing and changing, sad because I will leave so many happy thoughts behind.
I remember when I graduated from elementary school. I thought life would never be the same. That I could not find better friends and be as comfortable as I was during those years from grades one to six. But I was wrong, for high school was even more exciting, even more memorable. And the feeling again haunted me when I left high school. Even stronger, I once again doubted if I could recover from that closed chapter in my life. But thanks to the “V”, I did. And now, here we go again.
They say that when one chapter ends, it is also the beginning for another. But in this chapter, I bid goodbye.
And before I leave this institution, the University which has molded me into the warrior I am today, and this organization, the Varsitarian, the organization that has unleashed the person that I never imagined I would become, I would like throw a few parting shots.
I’ll start with the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), which was a regular tambayan for me in my two years of stay in the V. This was the place to be, when I was dire need of articles and tsismis , when the deadline was at hand. To all those who were victimized by my kakulitan when I was looking for interviews — Ma’am Lydia, Ma’am Lita, Maam Camus and all of you out there in the gym — sorry but no sorry. To Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P. he with his mood swings, thank you, father, for understanding my job. To Ma’am Francisco, trabaho lang po. To Sir Mike, you’re doing fine, keep up the good work. I pray that all of you at IPEA would treat my successors with the same professionalism and warmth that you gave me.
To the University’s heroes in the UAAP, thank you for everything. To these athletes, many of whom have become my friends, be the best that the Thomasian always is. Work in the V seemed like no work at all, because your dedication to your sport fueled me. I understood that the Thomasian community needed to know about your sports exploits, all for the glory of our beloved University.
To those champion teams that did not get publicity, the four-time champions Female Tankers and Tiger Judokas, I send my apologies. I tried my best, but circumstances here in the V and outside deterred my efforts to see you glorified. To the Judo team’s Coach Jojo Arce, Joan Liccup and Niña Salazar, again, I cannot say I am sorry enough.
To Sir Isaac Deita, and premiere poetess Gloria Goloy-Garchitorena, for the same reason, the articles I made about you cannot be published. My sincerest apologies also. Maybe Dex, the next sports editor, could work things out for you.
To ABS-CBN’s Studio 23, your television coverage is amazing. The promotions and media exposure are fantastic. But please, hear this. The UAAP is not only basketball. Please, try promoting other sporting events. And in your coverage of basketball, please try to limit the ads. They’re quite a sore for the auditory senses. Every movement in the hardcourt has a sponsor and come to think of it, it’s quite hilarious (from Globe free-throw shots to Close-Up Smile of the Day). If you want to know more of what I am talking about, log on to the UAAP thread of Pinoyexchange.com and look for the topic “UAAP too commercialized” by “Thomasian Altwegg.”
One more thing for Channel 2, now that you have also acquired NCAA, I hope that it will not fall prey to the same fate the UAAP has, in which other sporting events are neglected and basketball is made into a milking cow. The commercialization of the UAAP and NCAA basketball may have a few short-term advantages, but in the long run I firmly believe that with the rate ABS-CBN is covering the UAAP, it’s a real possibility that the varsity spirit will be slain. I hope the UAAP board will give it careful consideration come the next contract signing.
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In my brief two years in the paper, the V office became a home to me. It was a place in UST dearest to my heart. How could I forget those wild and wacky presswork evenings, when putting the paper to bed seemed like a never-ending task. Whatever some people may say, I have no regrets for I know that I gave it all.
To my heir apparent, Dexter, I know you will take good care of this section, whom we both love so much. Pare, ikaw naman.
To Christian and Alder, it’s nice to enjoy the things we do. Huwag ninyong papabayaan si Dex.
To Patrick, okey ka, pare, you will do well here in the V.
To the Photogs guys, you are one cool bunch. Paul, stop being cranky. Ken, sana hindi tayo magkasalubong sa Intramuros. Stephan, teka? San Carlos ito di ba? Ambot sa imo. Clifford, ano’ng tinatawa-tawa mo diyan?
To the geniuses of the Art section, I have one question for you: Kelan kaya kayo mananalo sa amin sa Sports sa basketball? Carlo, thanks for all our kalokohan during presswork overnights. Commissioner Charles, sorry, pare, nasira ko iyong ring mo. And of course, to Ron, mens, huwag mo kong kakalimutan kung sikat ka na.
To my editorial board, Reyann, Jayme and Louie, it was a pleasure working with you.
To the incoming staffers, enjoy your stay in the V.
To the incumbent editors and the new Editorial Board, give peace a chance. Learn from the mistakes of the past so you will not suffer repeating them. Good luck.
To all the friends I made in the V, from the infamous “Amats Squad” to the “Mob Squad” girls in their darkroom lair, I will miss you all.
To the V-advisers, thank you for your unwavering support. Sir Lito, I cannot thank you enough for all the things you taught me, I feel so blessed to have encountered you. Ma’am Chrisma, you have been a real mother to the V. Like us, I guess, we all have to move on.
To the friends I made during my first and second years in college, Perry, Louie, and the A2 people; to my Journalism classmates, most especially to Darrell, Angelo, Leslie, Omar and Jay, or collectively known as the revered Prestigious Group of Company (PGC), magkikita-kita pa tayo!
To my childhood buddies, Lester and Michael, it’s amazing how time flies.
And lastly, to the three most important person in my life, the three girls in my life, my two sisters, Cherry and Crystal, and of course, to Mama, all that I have done and accomplished, I dedicate them to you. Peace.
