Salvar me de mí mismo (Save me from myself )

It takes further efforts and guts to face and challenge my old behavior promulgated by no other than me. The programmed DNA running my system for decades was really hard to beat, and that became the greatest challenge I have to face. I was not sure if I am going to last the 4 months class for I knew I'm gonna exceed  the 5 allowed absences, aside from an elusive dream of having my own camera. Having these thoughts created an uncertainty, heavy, and chaotic world inside me. Not to forget the stereotyping and intimidating approach of the people around me (showing off their cams) dragging me down, inculcating letters F-A-I-L-U-R-E in my head. I seek help but found nothing; no one is left but me. I remember Bruce Lee's master said "break the mirror and you will see the true image of your enemy" the later scene of Enter the dragon film. So in this battle I have to stand alone and face my greatest enemy, me. Me fighting myself looks so stupid for some, but hey man that's the first thing you do before achieving other things.

Should I stay imbecile? Hell no!

Back then, I hate pressures like loads of assignments and short notice deadlines. It made me think to pick up my katana blades and go berserk inside the campus decapitating faculty members just like in video games. But of course it's just an imagination hehehe. Little did I know that those things were set up to guide me to something constructive. First - of course most of the time I was late in submitting the pictures (because I have to wait for my classmates to send me my photos from their cams). It's not an excuse anyway but unconsciously I was able to comply all the requirements. Second -always aiming to come on time but still I’m late but surprisingly I was able to attend all the meetings (miraculously no absent). From being an "invisible guy" to "latecomer" means a lot to me.  Those were the two amazing things I have achieved in DC89 class that never happened in my entire college life, the biggest leap ever. It may seem so easy for others but we have to remember that we have our own strengths and weaknesses. It might be easy for some to come early to class and come up with a judgment that I am weak for being late. What if I’ll ask them with my strengths - can you sing in front a huge crowd? Can you draw like this? etc. Certainly not all of them can do these "simple things" of mine. Like I said it’s a matter of strengths and weaknesses within us.

Astonishingly I became a different person, somehow. I am more responsible than before. Instead to be driven by fear to fail in this subject, I was fueled with courage and faith to prove that I am not a loser. This is the main reason why I’m still fighting no matter how the ambiance seems so hopeless. Now my spirit is taking over my body, we’re in business. Learning photography then became more interesting to me and was not a problem anymore. I hate writing blogs because I don’t read that much, but now I enjoy doing it. Not as good as my classmates but I am happy to learn a new medium of expressing myself aside from painting and music.

So this is what all is about! It's not just a photography class for me but it was a subject packed of learning. Of course I learned a lot how to use the cam, compose to capture a good shot etc. It inspired me to be a photographer someday not just for art's sake but to be a journalist as well sending message to the public, just as what DevCom taught us. With discipline, initiative, and cooperation I guess everything would be somehow easier for me to pursue this career someday. This blog might be different from my classmates view of what they've learned, the hell I care. What matters most is I have learned to discipline myself and for sure everything will be fine in the future not just for photography but for everything I will encounter in my endeavor. Kudos to my mentor, I will forever be grateful for everything I have learned from him for I have redeem myself from the dark path that I used to follow. It gave me hope to respond all the challenges, realized my mistakes, became a better person and now ready to play with the greatest game called life, saved.

resulta sa ako na tun-an sa dc 89 class, akong achievement para sa akoang kaugalingon karon na sem

Blood, Sweat and Tears

Aggies' Bull Whippers

The XU Intramurals 2011 officially opened yesterday around 7pm inside XU Gym. It was launched with the most anticipated part of the event the cheer-dance competition. As an Aggie student, I was there as early as 4pm with cam to support my classmates and friends and of course the whole "Bull Whippers" team for this competition. Everybody was eager to start but of course as always the program had so many rituals before they got the balls rolling, you'll just have to wait.

continue ko ugma..di na makaya dghan ipass :) 2am na hapit

To watch the video just click the YouTube link. Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qxOHM5DLPE&feature=player_embedded

Grotesque world - Cogon Market

Pinag-iwanan ng panahon

escalator from hell

It was the most admired and respected Mayor of Cagayan de Oro, Justiniano R. Borja responsible for opening the Cogon Market for the Kagay-anons. It's the biggest market so far here in CDO. It helped us so many decades and still serving up to now. The place was renovated several times but not as good as it became Cogon Market and Commercial complex few years ago by Mayor Vicente Emano. The Kagay-anons were so proud for this huge development and bragged to our neighboring cities that we have a world class market.

 Now what? Those wonderful thoughts, the structure, the huge amount of budget, etc. were all flushed into the toilet bowl. The market looks old and distorted after few years from construction, everything was wasted. The tenants were not properly placed, kids and beggars were everywhere. I saw their rusty escalator blocked with a warning sign "Bawal gamiton kung wala mo andar" or something like that, WHAT? what a waste. And in the middle of the building there was these 4 huge industrial fan facing upwards  (why the hell is this thing facing up?) and I guess it's not working as well.

gilawa-lawa nga proyekto

Double parking and street vendors were back and stressfully chaotic. Who's in charge for these? And beside their market office was an unfinished construction, stand by for months already for some strange reasons. The future of this project lies on the result of the officers' debate, some vendors said. There were too many disputed points needed to be resolved.On the contrary just to be fair, I saw some improvements like the on going construction on the third floor said to be rented by a Chinese businessman. Well I guess that's something good for the market. There were renovations on the outside too (I don't know what are those things for). I know progress within the area is happening, it's just that it's not clearly visible to us cause maybe we are too focus on things that distracts us.

My only concern for Cogon Market is the maintenance. If we could only take care properly what was given to us then we don't have to spend another huge amount of money for another major renovations, should have been given to other projects who need it most. The old lady in the picture represents the market. She was just sitting there the whole time, ignored but still hoping for someone to help her rise again from the grotesque world - and that's us Kagay-anons.

Questions and faces

On a sunny Tuesday morning, we were grouped again for this exercise and assigned with a question. Along the SC building a black cloth hanged with cameras fronting it, guys were ready with boards and chalks, and have to make it to 100 photos before 12 noon. Seems so easy but, it wasn't. It was hard to ask someone whom you've never met before to pose for this activity, yet it was quite challenging. Asked them to write their answer on a piece of board, make a certain facial expression and then click!

What do I think about Emano's administration?

Well, tons of feedback I've heard not just about how he handled the city but also some personal stuffs. It's horrible and shameful. There was a very controversial issue that came to light, but still nothing has changed, He remained unshaken. He never gave a damn about these things. What can I do about this? Nothing. I don't really care what transpires inside offices, as long us they will serve what the city deserves. We see a lot of infrastructure projects in this highly urbanized city - Cagayan de Oro, that means huge amount of cut? Anyway, If he was not doing his job honestly, it is God who will avenge us to him and to all the cheaters under this administration.

Youth's major problems now a days?

This was our group's assigned question. As for me, just to summarize the answers - we are so DISTRACTED. New generation is distracted and over-entertained with the comfort of technology we have received. Too much time spent on TV and social networking sites. Engaging with a lot of things including getting wasted almost every night and I guess we all knew where these things lead to. Out of focus and loving it. Looks like we have a very bright future, not! LOL


Who's my role model?

It's hard to answer. I want it to be Jesus but I guess it's cliched. I find it hypocrite to say He is someone whom you're following and it seems you're in the flip side. What a shame to those who claimed "Christians", who cannot even follow the path of righteousness.

What will I be doing 10 years from now?
Honestly, me and my friends answered this question 12 years ago, some gave an accurate one, some were close to perfect but I never made it. Why is that? Am I too stupid to fulfill my destiny? Was it because I am weak? Or let's say, I was deprived by opportunities? I do not hold answers for this question for now, I am uncertain. It's not that I do not plan anything for my future, because I am an ambitious man. It's just that I believed that someone has a better and bigger plan for me, and I am just going with the flow whatever it is. I tried planning things out but it did not go according to plan. Something huge is waiting for me, sooner or later. The hell I care  if it will take some time as long as it is rest assured.

 "Yesterday has gone, we do not own tomorrow, all we have is now" that's why its hard to answer this question after all.