Slip of the Pen

The 95th General Commencement Exercises
University of the Philippines Diliman

Sunday, April 23, 2006
University Amphitheatre
Diliman, Quezon City

U.P. Naming Mahal

U.P. naming mahal
Pamantasang hirang
Ang tinig namin
Sana’y iyong dinggin
Malayong lupain
Amin mang marating
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin

Luntian at pula
Sagisag magpakailanman
Ating ipagdiwang
Bulwagan ng dangal
Humayo’t itanghal
Giting at tapang
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan.


First pic — From left to right, Geo, Jael, Jeric, bespren Ia, and (gasp!) yours truly. Second pic — Me and Ia looking dapper (or so I declare) in front of the Oblation, UP’s trademark symbol.


Update (4/28/06): My article on the sablay, a truly Filipino graduation garb, can be found at CCrux.

That was a fast two months. Suddenly, free time is a reality.

Never mind the computer-less weeks. A good whack on the machine (along with a clean reformat of the hard disk) solves the problem.

The near-failing marks this sem are but a hazy nightmare. Miraculous high grades in the end jolt you to the reality of your marvelous, wonderful, oh-so-beautiful world.

The same goes for the dreaded thesis project. When two companies fight over your baby, you know you’ve got a good one.

Of course, don’t forget the heartaches, those adorable little things we’re fond of collecting. A kiss blows ‘em away faster than pron.

Mid-life crisis setting in too soon? To work or to bum, that is the critical question. I guess marching might relieve some of the tension.

Finally, as for blogs effortlessly cast aside by their master, deus ex machina never fails to reverse the damage.

Hey, would you believe it?…I think I hear the corsair starting to unsheath his sword.