By this time, most people have gone back to the provinces to take a long, well-deserved break. Some, however, would be working and perhaps still checking this blog for news about our beloved alma mater

It is also perhaps a good time to reflect on the months that passed. For the first quarter of this year, we’ve seen people lose jobs due to the world financial crisis. But as expected, most Filipinos have found ways to cope.

Also, with the presidential elections next year, expect a roller-coaster ride. Just now, we can already see a lot of the presidential hopefuls “campaigning.”

Just this week, a moral movement was created to find a “reform” presidential candidate.

I really never imagined being where I am today. I remember the days in College when life was a lot simpler [basketball, bluebook, notes, basketball, canteen, basketball, uwi]. You had an idea of what to do, but you could not wipe off that smirk in your face as you think of the task ahead.

Last year, we saw each other again. And boy, our faces have changed a lot (not to mention our anatomy). But there was that instant connection that reminded us again of our carefree days in UP Baguio. We went back to the spots where we often congregated. Stories started pouring in again. New stories were created. We saw old friends. We met new people, and realized, “Amfufu, ang tanda ko na!”

I remember this story passed on by my colleague. It was about a UP alumni. Perhaps out of frustration, he wanted to relive what it’s being like in College. So when that chance came, he grabbed it by the cohones. He saw this cute girl from UP, and he followed her. He then thought of a good line to break the ice. “Hey, where you my classmate in Bio 101 [couldn't remember the exact subject]?” The girl stared back, confused. The UP alumni smiled back. Then a slight smile emerged from the girl’s perky face. Then she replied, “Excuse me, noh, ang tanda mo na!” Then she left. The UP alumni was dumbfounded.

Hay, there are numerous stories that I can remember. Some I have forgotten. A lot of them were retold during our roadtrip [Joel Pinaroc, Bong Soriano and Armando Somintac] from Manila to Baguio as we traveled to join the alumni homecoming. I especially enjoyed the part when we went through a playlist of 80s music. Of course, di mawawala yung “More Than Words,” which was one killer tunes that we had to learn back then on guitar and Sweet Child ‘O Mine. Pero meron din E-heads, which we discovered as we were about to be thrown into the real world.

As I write this, I can see the sun rising from my window. It’s quiet in my area, except for the lovely chirping of birds, the irritating barking of neighborhood dogs. Most of my neighbors have gone home. I’m already thinking of cooking breakfast. Or perhaps buying a supot of hot pandesal. I was hoping to dash to a nearby store to get some exercise. But I chose to sit down and write this, which I really never thought of until now. Here’s a confession. I stumbled with words when I was in College. I still do. But as they say, there are three secrets to everything: practice, practice, practice. One book says you need 10,000 hours of practice to become successful. Of course, good timing is important.  But writing is no fun if you don’t have any stories to tell. So there, I hope this inspires some of you to keep on writing and posting comments here at Sayote Republic, where people of the same vegetable congregate, that is virtually.

Happy looooong break guys and may you find peace and happiness, and some of those little stuff.