9th Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference

The Paulinian Staffers goes to Pangasinan...

After having been adjudged as 5th place in Feature Writing Filipino during the 8th Regional Higher Education Press Conference, I was qualified to join the Luzonwide level together with Jaylord and Troy. I never expected that I would be able to achieve this thinking that I am a novice in terms of this endeavor, but yes, I did it - and I know that God made a way for me to have this kind of opportunity.

I feel lucky that among others I was chosen to partcipate in this kind of event. This is such a good experience for me.

Here's our schedule for the duration of the Press Con.

Day0
8am-6pm - Arrival, RRegistration and Billeting at Consuelo Hotel, Lingayen, Pangasinan
6pm-8pm - Opening Program

>>>1:45 pm at Consuelo Hotel lobby We arrived here around 4 in the morning after riding in 6 different vehicles (I actually counted it!) I'm here at the lobby right now making this blog entry and I am to see my room mates later. I went to our room for several times but I haven't seen them yet because they come from Bicol. I am the only one whose seperated from my co-staffers and adviser because I am the only female delegate of our school [go girl power! (lol!)] On what will happen later, just watch out for reposts of this entry.. ^_^

>>>10:30 pm We just had our Openicng Ceremonies and I want to browse the internert but I hsve to rest because my contest will be tommorow...haay.. goodluck to us all...

Day1
8am-6pm - Contest Proper (whew!)
7pm onwards - Lace Night
>>>2:10pm I just finished having lunch and I'm already done with my category. The topic given to us feature writers of both Filipino and English was "Is running for the election a wise decision". I included in my article the probable answers of Filipinos if ever this question is posed to them and on my last part I had a patriotic conclusion. I just hope the judge will like what I have written. But ofcourse even if she likes it, there might be those who are better than me.

>>>12:26am(day2 na!) We had a great night during the LACE Night (Luzonwide Association of Campus Editors). We had a pageant called "Mutya ng Bangungot" wherein instead of a nightmare("bangungot"), its purpose is to make the audience laugh. The contestants are guys cross-dressed in casual and regional attire. Some of them are straight while the others are not. They also hire stand up comedians to perform but we didn't like it for they made some things which are more than to be considered green. What we liked most is those guys who made us laugh by answering pointless questions with a little bit sensible and humurous answers. Befor going to the socials, we also went around the Capitol Grounds and visited the Office of the Governor and the Board Room. What a great experience!

Day2
8am-12nn - Continuation of Contest
1pm onwards - Tour at Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan/ Cape Bolinao,
Bolinao,Pangasinan/ Manaoag Shrine, Manaog, Pangasinan
7pm - Group awards night
>>>5:15amMama just arrived 4pm because she knows I'm not feeling well due to abdominal pains. I just got off the bed and saw Mama's text message that she's waiting for me here at the lobby and so I rushed here but she made a visit at the church. Later after the last contest, were going to have a tour around Pangasinan. I'm so excited and I feel lucky.



Day3
9am - Closing and Awarding Ceremonies

My New Found Friends

The Region2 delegates (SMU and SPUP) unwinding at the shore of Lingayen.

Regional Student-Teachers' Congress

Held at St. Paul University Philippines, Tuguegarao City.

Joined by over 1500 participants throughout Region II

University Festival '10

School of Education

+School of Arts and Sciences

=School of Arts, Sciences and Teacher Education

It was a great year for us Educados and Educadas!

Since then, our department had a good combination with our former neighbor department - School of Arts and Sciences. Now as one family, we have proved that we can beat the odds....

Let me tell you a story of how we broke barriers, how we had our crown and how we made others keep their selves in silence.... ^_^


DAY1(January 18, 2010) -
At the Pavillion: "Festive Praise" - this was the title of the Cultural show which the CPAC Fanmily had prepared for us to witness. My classmate Crispin (who happens to be a very good and graceful dancer) was a part of it. But sad to say we have to meet at the Pavillion since we are preparing for the Musical Dance Shoowdown. We were able to hear the harmonic voice of the chorale and the energetic music and laughter of satisfied audience of the dance troupe We were actually envious of the viewers at the gym and we were given the chance to stay there for a while but we didn't get the chance for they might not let us get out unless we finish the show.. - and so we still went on with our practice.

DAY2(January19,2010) - My bestfriend Juliemar who is a part of the dance troupe told me that there is a second chance for those who weren't able to catch the show of day1 but we still went on with our practice...
Why do we need to have intensive practice? Because we are the defending champion in the Retro Dance category and we must sustain the glory of having this title.... Just this afternoon, a group of students irritated our group because they wanted to use the comfort room in our "base camp" and they came from another department. What we did is that we hid our props under a black cloth... Nice try for them...


DAY3(January 23,2010)All the SASTEans were gathered in a place. It's good that the BEEd students prepared food to satisfy the growling stomachs of those who weren't able to eat their breakfast just for them not to miss any eye-catching scene of the UniFest. We stayed long at the FLC Building and before we went to the Pavilion, I made sure that the balloons for the Debate and Musical Dance Showdown are prepared. Day 3 made as all weak, I feel like I'm going to get sick but I hardened myself and did everything just to let my stamina work good. Good thing I was able to cross this day without fainting. We had enough time to rest because our co-dancers happen to be a part of the Volleyball Women division and while they were playing we had time to fix our props, chat and of course rest! Late at night when everyone's out, we silently had a short rehearsal and briefing at the Student Center. Who would ever notice that we are the contestants? haha!

DAY4(January 24,2010) - Today is Sunday, a day after a long week for us to be with the Lord in his banquet. This morning I went to Cathedral to hear mass. I prayed hard and asked guidance from the Lord for the Literary-Aesthetic Relay and Musical Dance Showdown. While hearing mass, sudden rush of thought entered my mind on how to construct my poem for the contest. Good thing I had a good composure during the competition though I know my opponents are very competitive. At night, everybody's eager to watch the Musical-Dance Showdown and so we did our best just to entertatain the audience and bring back to them the life their yells are giving to us. Unfortunately, we lost the title and we are really disappointed with that. The winners for the Aesthetic Relay were announced and I'm so happy that I became the champion in the Poem Writing Contest and I still feel incomplete. But what is good with the contest is that we have learned the true spirit of sportsmanship and humility.

DAY5(January 25,2010) - As I pass by my classmates, they were asking me "Bakit hindi kayo ang nanalo?" It feels painful that even others would not accept that we weren't hailed as champions. They knew that we are deserving enough to defend our title and I knew more than enough that in the eyes of others we are the winners. :)

DAY6(January 26,2010) - The awarding day! Everybody's eager to bring home the biggest plaque. I congratulate all the SASTE Students for bringing up a collaborative effort to hitch the title with honesty! Great job brothers and sisters! With the University Sportsfest, I have learned that it pays to be humble.

This is my ultimate UniFest experience! :)

School of Education

+School of Arts and Sciences
= CHAMPIONS