I knew Fr. Mena when he was the Treasurer of Xavier School. Though I’ve only gotten the chance to talk to him and get to know him better only when I was in 3rd year.

The strongest memory I have of Fr. Mena, besides the batch mass he did for our class during my 4th year, was that he is a man with a passion.

He has this huge collection of stamps, which I really admire. During that time, when he displayed his collection in the HS LRC, I was a frequent visitor. I was amazed at the enormous set of stamps, which covered more or less 13 countries from around the world. Ever since, I became more thrilled in expanding my collection. Thanks to Fr. Mena, I learned to appreciate the stamps that I have in my collection even more.

For more, I got really excited, and was very thankful because he shared his collection (excess) to the students who want to have stamps or who want to collect them. I remember that he had this whole big 2-3 foot box full of stamps.

Besides the stamp collecting, he was passionate about Xavier. His years of service to Xavier and, of course, his book, Luceat Lux, says it all. Without Fr. Mena, I personally think that Xavier wouldn’t be what/where it is today.

Early last Monday morning, the 14th of July 2008, Fr. SANTOS MENA, SJ joined his Creator after years of fighting cancer. He was 79 years of age. Upon his request, Fr. Mena returned to Spain to stay in the Jesuit Infirmary in Salamanca, Spain, where he received the medical care that he needed.Born in Cevico-Navero (Palencia), Fr. Mena entered the Novitiate in Salamanca on 30 July 1947. Soon after entering the Society, he was assigned to the China Mission. He was ordained a priest on 18 March 1962.

A memorial Mass will be held in honor of Fr. Mena today, Friday, July 18, 6:00 pm at the Xavier School Multi-Purpose Center. Alumni, colleagues, and friends of Fr. Mena are all invited to honor this great missionary who spent most of his life serving in Xavier School.

Notes of condolences may be sent to his sisters, Ma. Socorro Gonzalez Mena (Cisneros 6, 2 Izqda., 34004 Palencia, Spain) and Ma. Angeles Gonzalez Mena (Apartado de Correo 733, 34080 Palencia, Spain).

I’m actually really happy right now to find out that Gian took the duty as head of the Appreciation Day Committee. The Appreciation Day Committee or the A-day Committee is responsible for the events for that single day in the last few weeks of September (September 26 for this year) wherein students recognize and feel proud of their teachers and other school staff and employees.

I was once the head of it when I was back in 4th year high school, and I am proud to say that since then, all the heads of the A-day Committee (Sherwin, Rod, and now Gian) was with my team back in 2006. Go Gian! Continue the Legacy!

Related Articles:
A-day 2005 Photo Gallery
A-day 2005: Buhay Superstar!
Appreciation Day 2005

Pinoy Dream Academy scholar Rafael Ting, more known as Inaki, is the 13th pick among the 25 “dreamers” (Pinoy Dream Academy scholars).

Only 16 lucky dreamers will get the chance to be included in the Academy and be mentored and taught by only the best - headed by PDA Headmaster Ryan Cayabyab, Voice Master Kitchy Molina, Performance Master Joey Javier and Voice Mentor Monet Silvestre.

Pinoy Dream Academy is a Philippine franchise from Endemol, the brains behind the Big Brother and Deal or No Deal local franchise. It is their goal, with Pinoy Dream Academy, to give “pop star hopefuls a chance to be a step closer to their dream.”

We can follow them at PDA Überture with Host Billy Crawford every 5:30pm Mon-Fri, PDA Primetime with Host Nikki Gil every 9:30pm Mon- Fri, PDA Performance with Toni Gonzaga on weekends at 7:45 PM.

Xavieran Pride! Woot! LUCEAT LUX!

I was reading through the posts of my contacts in Multiply, when I saw Kog’s “My Week So Far”. Since Kog is an alumni now teacher in Xavier High School, I was curious enough to take a look on how he has been doing “so far”; also, I knew that a lot of new stuff were added to the classrooms, and I just wanted to have a glimpse of what’s new.

Behold and be Amazed — I consider myself privileged to have studied from Xavier, and to have had a good Jesuit education. But I must emphasize that what they have now is like 5-star-hotel compared to our 3- or 4-star amenities before.

Before, we were situated in the Jesuits Residence Wing, where we had our wooden tables and chairs, and 2 air conditioning units. We were luckier back then; the batch after us were transfered to the high school building, where they all suffered/ endured the heat because they didn’t have air conditioning units. After that year, they reconstructed and did a face-lift to the fourth year classrooms. But now, they were successful in implementing the changes to all high school classrooms.

And here is our classroom, H4B, back then at the Jesuit Residence wing. Focus on the second photo — that’s our adviser, Simoneil Mendoza, using the computer with a tv screen inside a “wooden box.”

Photos By: Sean Tiu

vs

This is the new classrooms that they have in the high school building. *drum rolls* Now they all have a locker outside the room. (shucks - we didn’t have those!)

Photo By: Kog

They already replaced all the wooden chairs and tables, and gave them plastic. I say I still love the wooden/ natural/ earthy feel to it. Before, our tables had locks/lockers right below the top of the table. You can put your stuff inside; and now, obviously they can’t anymore.

Photo By: Kog

This is what I envy. Grar! They have a screen and LCD projector built in their classrooms (think: DLSU). For more, they have speakers inside their classrooms. To top it all off, welcome to the winter wonderland — better air conditioning system.

Photos By: Kog

Oh I forgot, have I mentioned, Mac Labs! FTW! (for the win) Okay, I’ll stop here, right? *hehe*

I promise this would be the last. Move your attention to the small piece of paper on top of the MacBook. “Gadget Pass” — yes, you’re not dreaming of hallucinating. During our time (not so many years ago), we brought in our digital cameras/ SLRs/ laptops/ video cameras freely. It seems that they cannot do that as much as they want or as freely anymore. Xavier’s probably thinking of “equality among peers,” which I think is just right.

Photo By: Kog

I’ll be gone starting today until Sunday, so don’t look for me. If you want to contact me, e-mail me, and I’ll check it by Sunday evening. If it’s really really really (check: really) important, you can text me at my Globe number. Don’t expect me to reply. I’ll savor this three-day retreat :3 Signing off.

I pray that I may…
See you more clearly,
Love you more dearly,
Follow your more nearly.

Photo by smiles4angels

My uncle just messaged me and showed me the text in the application TextEdit. I never knew this existed in my MacBook until today. I was amazed, really! I took a screen shot of it:

Dear Kate,

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things.

Take Care,
John Applessed

Familiar much? Here:

And so last night marked the first UP Fair that I ever attended! Alvene, Charles, Chris, Clea, Don, Thea, Tiff and I went last night to Rakestra: Lost in Oblivion, the UP Fair, sponsored by Beta Epsilon.

Alvene, Chris, Clea and I went ahead of “The DonTCha”. We ate a very sumptuous dinner: 3 Liempo, 1 Chicken BBQ, 1 Siomai, 1 Calamares, very refreshing Buko Pandan juice, and NY Fries with Garlic Parmesan and Red Chili Pepper dips. (Oh, not to mention, they ate KFC while waiting for me)

This is one of the moments when we all hoped we’ve brought cameras with us. In the end, we just settled looking for a very bright place to take our photos with Clea’s camera. Sad. But it worked, at least.Charles, Don and Tiff and Thea followed after. UP Fair Shirts are cool!

(Photo by Raisa)

It was definitely way better than Xavier fair. It was way better than ICA fair. It’s just really different. It rocked! We all joined in and tried to squish our way among the crowd, to go near the front. The bands were okay, but what really struck me the most, and made my night was Urbandub, accompanied by no other than the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. This is the celebration of music. I love it!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the JJs (Jumping Jologs) really enjoyed themselves. Sheesh. First time to see them in action. They amuse me!

We all went home after (a little before 1am), except for Chris, who “attended a meeting”, and went back 4am. What a night!

Thanks Chris for the birthday libre!
Thanks Don for the ride home!!

What better way to spend UP fair, but with CSA!

As I welcome 2008, it’s just right for me to look back at the experiences that I had. For all the good times and the not so good ones. For all the memories that are forever treasured and remembered. Thank You Very Much to everyone that had touched my life, one way or another. To the next year – to 2008 (and beyond!).

2007 has been wonderful.

• Had New Year with my cousins at our house. (It was when I lost my innocence to alcohol?)
• It was a really wonderful experience being in my first org – Chinese Student Association (which I consider family now). <3
• I got chickenpox (I had to cut class and stay at home for 3 weeks! Boo!)
• University Scholar babeh!
• I went to the Xavier Variety show with Tiff, Harrell, Vanessa and Cokie, and just enjoying watching without worrying about tasks of being in Stallion or in the Variety Show Committee.
• UPCSA goes to La Luz Beach, Batangas! Woooot!

• Got a real job (part time) in Outblaze Asia-Pacific as Online Content Support (thanks to Tiff! I can’t thank you enough dude!)

• Had my first summer class in UP (…and learned that Summer Class = HOT HOT HOT = VERY UNSUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING!)
• I got Malikhaing Pagsulat under Prof. Rene Villanueva (God bless his soul!) for 3 days (He was replaced/ subbed by Sir Eliserio after…)
• Played Frisbee – with Tim Sy and Chris Ng during summer (UF2 class with Aouex)
• Got elected as Vice President in CSA (Thanks so much guys! I love you!)
• Proclaimed Tiff and Sean to be best buds in CSA (they’re the best!)
• I got to be a Registration Assistant in CSSP/ AS101 (kalog peeps!)
• Had to choose MemComm people. Met with them at Starbucks Katips for the first time! We did the Sigsheet (Leslie = d’best! – she made all the art in the Sigsheet!) MemComm = LOVE
• Attended State of the Nation Address (rubbed shoulders with the President, Speaker, political figures)

• Went to the Office of the Vice President, met Noli, had pics taken! That was it! My future flashing right through my eyes (and mind you, I wasn’t dreaming while it was happening)

• CSA applicants exceeding “projected” number. (We’re growing exponentially as Kim said). Met a lot of new people. Got close to new people. Made new friends I LOVE C.S.A. (It had its ups and downs, but still we’re here. We’ll keep fighting, and changing for the better I hope!) XD
• Got my first? Oh no, second acting Gig (Thanks to Ma’am Anna!) *First was when I acted as a Chinese salesman in Chris Ng’s BC class. That was fun! **Second was with Bembol Roco! Yeahboy! Haha! No need to elaborate much. I’m now international! Oh yeah! Wu’s international too!
• Had new doggies! (Debbie – Mini Dachshund, Sophie – Yorkie, Jade – Shih Tzu, Kirby – Shih Tzu)
• I VOTED! May 14.
• Harry Potter Book 7! (and now it’s finally done)
• Formed BFFL (best friends for life) with Barbie, Reg, Rog and Tenai (Go Pub Ad! Go NCPAG! Go UP Law! Haha!)
• Bought my own MacBook with my hard earned money! (That felt great!)
• Dared Tiff to live without swearing (that was fun…or at least for her, because she had cake!) She almost did it, but not quite. (Medyo positive ang pagkasulat ko ha!)
• Had first complete BFFL inuman session @ Guiley’s Island to celebrate BFFL Reg’s birthday! Yeahboy!
• Had second complete BFFL inuman session to celebrate Barbie’s birthday @ her house
• Mimi’s Birthday @ Shantung

• Halloween @ Ayala Heights

• Sketchers Streetdance Battle Year III (my first ever! UP won!!! as usual!)

• Christmas Party @ new office of Outblaze (Played Wii! Crazy Wario Ware)

• Watched AVENUE Q! (yippee!)
• LANTERN PARADE!

• Reunion with my 1C,2C,3C,4B classmates

• Christmas @ Ayala Heights

Thanks Tiff, Joyce, Pat, Sean, Austin, Thea, Harrell, Kim and Merryan for your love and friendship – for always understanding me. I know that you’ll always be there for me, kahit ano pang sabihin ko sa inyo, you guys will be there to listen

Thanks to MemComm (Chris, Alvene, Ariel, Clea, Ainna, Leslie, Pam, Pao Pei, Arianne, Sarah, and Carlo) and Execomm (Jayne, Laureen, Krisha, Jarv and Scott) and to the Deps!

Thanks to CSA! You’ll forever be my family!

Thanks to BFFL! (Barbie, Reg, Rog, Tenai!) and to Blanch and Pebbles!

Thanks to my Xavier classmates! (d’best!)

Thanks to my blog readers!!! I LOVE YOU OH SO MUCH TOO! XD hehe

Thanks to everyone! You’re too many! (Sorry! Hehe! You know I love you guys too!)

I LOVE MY FAMILY! Thank you!

And now, *drum rolls* I LOVE MY OH SO WONDERFUL COUSINS, who’ll forever be in my heart! Clumtards President – Achi Denise, VP – Tin, Sexytary – Moi!, Treasurer/ Speaker of the Haus – Luj, (ano si Adi? …at sina Tippi, Justin at Jen? Haha!) Don’t forget our lawyer – AJ! And to my other cousins! Thanks for everything!

Happy New Year!

My classmates are the best! It was unfortunate that we weren’t able to play the videos and the pictures of sabaw moments throughout the 4 years of high school. I guess that’s one thing to look forward to next year! Merry Christmas guys!

Except for commuting from home all the way to Cubao, everything was a blast! It was that rare moment where you don’t care about anything, but to pour your lungs out, jumping, shouting, cheering for your team/s. To top it all, I was with my friends, who were as crazy as I was! Woot!

Earlier that day, we watched a movie at Gateway. I arrived a little bit late for Hitman. Tiff, Harrell, Harroun, and Chris were already inside. Good thing I didn’t miss a lot. I actually liked the movie, despite what other people’s reviews were.

Had merienda at Burger King after the movie. Then we all went to Timezone, where we met Patrick. After Timezone, we were headed to the main event at the Araneta Coliseum.

No it wasn’t a PBA championship game of San Miguel or Ginebra or Red Bull. It was something better, much much more cooler and more awesome! It was the Skechers Streetdance Battle III! It was our first ever, actually. And I was really excited because I had 2 teams to cheer for - Xavier School and UP Diliman!

UP Diliman’s UP Street WOWED about 10,000 in attendance at the Araneta last night. They really deserve the win for the 3rd straight time now! Our fellow CSA member, Ayna Salazar, is included in the competition team of UP Street. She really deserves to be part of the team! You ROCK! Congrats!

Although the judges didn’t think that Xavier had something to say, ARANETA thought otherwise. It was really crazy yesterday as people cheered for my high school! Yes, they didn’t bag the title this time around, but I really thought they did great! You deserve the recognition! Luceat Lux!

My palms were numb, my throat was sore, but it was all worth it! Until next year?

Clockwise from Top: Patrick, Harroun, Me, Chris, Raein, Harrell

Photos: http://superbong.multiply.com/photos/album/80