philomath defined

Companies to go to for my OJT? Not my problem! Modesty aside, I had a handful for myself to choose from, and that I would have to turn down the others. It wasn’t just fed to me, I worked for them all: Nestle, Coca-Cola, and finally, Unilever! I deserved the damn opportunities because, boy, I know how to chase them! But life never forgets to give me my share of problems. Need not be told, they’re finances, yet again! I always asked why don’t it give me a break?! You know, I feel like I don’t deserve such and that those people who didn’t believe in me, I also feel that they are still dragging me down. But I shall not falter, He always backed me up, and always will! I can prove them wrong and slap their faces with my success. One step at a time, I will hurdle this off, and I can pay those who people whom I owe.

Carry on, Chal, you will do great! You know you will go places!

(This post is long overdue and for a long time I can’t figure out how I should present it but what the heck, I don’t have an editor! I may just emphasize that the accounts of the events could be subjective to my observation and I do not claim them to be complete.)

After 40 [insert adjective here] years, they have gathered to celebrate. The class of 1973 of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Santo Tomas shared the night of 11^th of February with joy, cheers, and memories. They are the ruby jubilarians!

Thanks to technology that they have restored their connections, though some, still, were not able to make it because some were abroad and for some personal reasons just didn’t make it; maybe some due to old age, and some were already one with the Creator. Nevertheless, everyone’s been celebrated for!

Professor Alberto Laurito, former Dean of the faculty, our Reaction Kinetics and Separation Processes instructor asked us to assist their batch organizing committee with the event. The deed mostly includes documentation and material preparation, plus a medley number. Having seen their pictures in the Thomasian 1973 (the yearbook of UST), the eight of us were excited to see the attendees even before the event started. How those faces evolved with time, if you may. :)

I cannot recount all the happenings during that night anymore. No one would want to read that, this ain’t news.

The whole event was an experience for us, witnessing the priceless moments of them seeing each other after a long time, hugging and catching up with each other. Some of them didn’t even see each other after their graduation, as they said. These were all not caught by cameras, we regret, because it was all spontaneous. The joy in their spirit exudes in their action and smiles. Many of them are already retirees; some are travelling and seeing the world and some are just active with organizations or overseeing their own business. Almost, if not all, of them were actively participating with the prepared activities.

The photobooth where they have to strike a wacky pose is just a statement how game they still are and which, by the way, is my favorite. Some of which are shown below.

The theme of the occasion was “Still Smart and Gorgeous @ 40” and justice, I think, was given; intimidated as she said was the current Dean Dr. Marcelo who graced the event. With her is Asst. Dean Balog, Faculty Regent Fr. Luanzon, and USTEAAI President. Also present were their living professors who were just but right given honors.

My classmates and I can’t help but putting ourselves in their shoes. Thinking of how are we gonna end up after 40 years. To whom of the attendees are our fates most likely to be similar? The thought that they were also once students like us that just made us think of what future holds for us. But then, only time will tell.

All in all, the night has been long, tiring and stressful but fun!

I’ve never been drunk, never partied hard! Have I lived a life?

I’m always taken aback when I always have a chance. I see, then, drinking differently. Though I know it’s not as bad as it seems, I really don’t think it was unnecessary but I never tried it. I didn’t think it was super cool either. Just right. I blame it to my high school friends who are conservative by definition! haha Family setup didn’t help either, there are drinkers but not my age and they never asked me to take even just a swig, so I didn’t take any.

Don’t get it wrong, I’m drinking alcohol but not tonnes of it. Damn I’ve studied brewing and fermentation processes back in our Industrial and Organic Chemistry classes, respectively, but never had I taken the chance to fully appreciate its products.

So I want to take out calculus one day and test my limits. HAHA

After deciding not to pursue Nestle Philippines - Cabuyao factory, we’ll be heading to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc. - Canlubang plant on Monday!

May the universe conspire with us!

I’ve been pondering about it for days. Am I a bad leader? Like how bad? This is rhetorical. (I will opt not to expound on it.)