"The End of Punishments"

"The End of the Punishments”

                                   

                                   

               Last week was the arrival of the “Acid Tests”, the 3^rd Quarter Exams and it was a busy, tiring, and hell week! During that week, I experienced torture not only physically, but mentally! I needed to review for the exams (of course), at the same time, finish doing projects to be able to meet the deadline. In my case, I did both of them for loooooong hours and I was stressed for the whole week form Monday-Thursday! I lacked sleep and rest during that time and it was like I lived in hell that week with Satan as the Periodical Exam and The Death God as the project! At least now, it’s over and I’m back to human world starting the 4^th quarter. I think my hardwork and determination in reviewing and doing projects by sleeping very late at night are worthy enough because I can say that I performed and answered well during the exams and I think I did and got good grades in all the subjects, except for Chemistry, which I almost made it! Geez! Haha..now it is the 4^th quarter and as for now, it is the end of the punishments but all I can say is this is now the ‘Last PUSH” and I really need to be serious now and do my best as I can to achieve the best grades that I can have! :D

"A True Llamado"

                       "A True Llamado”

        

                  As many of you know that I really like basketball and I even consider it as a part of my life, of course I still follow and watch PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). PBA is like the NBA here in the Philippines. All the moves and strategies I’m working on and imitating are from the PBA, especially from my favorite team. As a basketball fan addict, it’s usual that you have a favorite team maybe because the player that you idolized is playing for that team, or maybe you just simply like the team because of their superb performance as a team. In my case, my favorite team in the PBA is the BMEG Llamados! I like this team not only because of their incredible performance and as you know, my idol, James Yap, is playing for BMEG Llamados, but because of their rich history. They’ve been in the PBA for a very long time already from the name “Coney Island” to “Purefoods Giants” and up to the present with the name of “BMEG Llamados”. This franchise team had produced efficient coaches at its hands and great players that became one of the greatest players in the PBA and one of them will be James Yap in the mere future! As a result, this team had won a total of 8 titles and accomplished this golden “winning tradition” for them that will not be removed from their spirits. For your information, “Llamado” is a term which means one who is superior/has the advantage over the other. Just based from the team’s name, it’s really obvious that they are the “Llamados” because of their rich winning history.

                              
                                         Tim Cone of BMEG   


                                     

              

               In this season, BMEG Llamados have been performing well and efficiently as a team, except for what happened to them during the playoffs of the Philippine Cup. In that conference, the Philippine Cup, this team started slowly and struggled because of their new head coach, who is a veteran and a multi-titled coach in the name of Tim Cone. Tim Cone is a successful coach because he had won 13 titles under his belt when he was still with his former team, Alaska. He is known for using the “triangle system” and that system has been successful in the PBA that’s why he’s a multi-titled coach. Now, with his arrival to the BMEG Llamados, he will implement his “triangle system” to this team and will share his strategies with BMEG with a winning tradition like him. So BMEG adjusted to that system and they struggled but when time passed by, the team finally adjusted and they finished 1^st in the eliminations of the Philippine Cup with an 8-game winning streak before entering the playoffs. In the playoffs, as expected, they are the “Llamados” against the 8^th seed team, who played poorly during the eliminations, which are the Powerade Tigers. The unexpected just happened and the 8^th seed Powerade defeated and upset the leader 1^st seed BMEG Llamados by winning 2 games in a row against BMEG because of the blazing yet “lucky” shooting of Gary David, the star player of the Powerade. With that, BMEG’s hopes to capture a title was banished. Now, PBA is in Commissioner’s Cup and it’s a brand new conference. I can say that BMEG is playing another superb conference led by their main man, James Yap, with a current 4-2 win-loss record and I hope this time, they will finish better and I hope their quest for a title will be fulfilled. Of course, you will be happy if that happens if you are a true “Llamado” like me! 

                                 
                                            

                     

 

Dream.Believe.Aim High!

  Basketball, The “Big Dream”

                         

               Since I was a kid, I like basketball as my favorite sport that’s why one of my hobbies is playing basketball. I can say that I even entered a basketball training clinic once before just to improve my basketball skills like dribbling, proper movement and positioning, endurance, shooting, etc. However, it doesn’t mean that I’m now really excellent in playing basketball. In fact, I suck in playing DEFENSE! Haha..that’s why I still keep on practicing hard and improve more, especially on defense,  during our varsity practices. Today, I’m a basketball varsity player representing MIT school and one of the reasons why I joined the varsity is to discover my potentials and to be a step closer of my “big dream” of becoming a professional basketball player in the future. For now, I watch PBA, a professional league in the Philippines and the player that I idolize and looked up to is James Yap of BMEG Llamados.

                         
                         

               He is James Carlos Yap and he plays for the BMEG Llamados that’s why his current team that he plays with is my favorite team. I idolize him because of his sharp shooting and superb basketball skills. He is known as “Big Game James” as his monicker because every time the game is on the line meaning it’s a close game, James Yap shows up and plays BIG. He scores crucial points and has a big heart to finish the game for his team. There are a lot of times that he had hit the game-winning shots that declared his team the winner of those ballgames that’s why there’s no doubt that he is a 2-time champion and a 2-time PBA MVP, for his individual output. Now, he is still the main man of his team and every time I watch him and his team, either live or in television, I always admire him and dream of becoming like James Yap as a basketball player someday. I imagine myself playing in the venue where they play and playing as a professional player like my idol! J

         In varsity, I always strive and do my best to help my team. I practice hard and improve more, especially on defense because most people say like T.Chris and my other team mates that I really suck and need to improve my defense. However, my offense is really there. I always find ways to score and help my team offensively but they say that if I will improve my defensive skills and maintain my explosive offense, then I can become an all-around superstar, which I want to be someday! :D But first, I need to study hard and finish my studies to be able to fulfill my “big dream”. At the same time, I still need to practice harder, improve my basketball skills, and believe in myself that I have what it takes to be a pro basketball player someday and I can prove it to everybody! Basketball. Part of my life. My “BIG DREAM”. 

                 

The Arrival of the “Acid Tests”

                

                   The 3^rd quarter examinations are coming this week and for sure, most of MITIS students, especially I will treat this as a bad news and we will have a scary and busy week finishing our projects and reviewing for the tests. For me, I consider the examinations as the “acid tests” because these examinations will dictate my overall grade for the whole school year as a 9^th grader. In other words, if I fail or get low scores in my exams, I can say that my overall grade for the school year will be in jeopardy or in danger of getting my lowest overall grade in my life, but if I get an average or if lucky, high grades in my exams, I can say that my overall grade will be safe and can fully prepare for another tough but interesting school year, grade 10.

             Of course, for me, my grades for these upcoming 3^rd quarter exams will dictate my grade for the whole school year that’s why it is really IMPORTANT to get higher grades this quarter for my grades to be surely safe! J I will study hard and give myself more time to review. I will lessen my time relaxing for a while and study first. I know it’s a huge sacrifice not only for me, but for all students. However, we will always think that it’s for our own good to be focused and get high grades. In life, in every hardwork, there is a prize later on so we will all target our goal of getting high grades this quarter. #Webelieveandwecanachieveall! J

                         

  

FOCUS VS DISTRACTION

             HAPPY TOM’S BIRTHDAY! J

                              

                              

                    Actually, Tom Noh’s exact birthday is on February 23 but we celebrated that “special” day of Tom last Saturday, February 25, 2012 at ATC because aside from we didn’t have class, the exact day of Tom’s birthday was a mixed of emotions!! I don’t want to recall it because for me, I consider it as one of those bad and emotional days of Grade 9 class although we, including our beloved adviser ;) and other teachers still celebrated and ate together to make Tom’s birthday memorable and to make a great farewell for the “3 Kings”, Jacob, Kevin, and Solomon!

       At ATC, most of Grade 9, including Ms. Mae, T. Lyle, and Ms. Chey joined the party of Tom (even though I came 45 minutes late) :P haha! First, all of us had great and fun time playing in Timezone! Some were together at the same time having good time playing. Jf and Tony were playing race cars. Jerry and Robin were playing Rambo, while Tim and I were playing basketball shootout, as USUAL! :D Then, our hunger had come..and we respected it so we went to Shakeys and it’s a TREAT from our beloved <3 Tom! Hahaha! I think all of us had great time eating and were full after that! Next, we watched “This Means War” and all of us enjoyed the movie, especially Robin, I think, because I saw him watching closely everytime an exciting and wild scene was being shown in the screen! For me, the movie was interesting because it was about 2 spies (FVR and Tuck) who are friends, competing with each other for 1 girl and they needed to capture Ivan, the killer.

        After those enjoyable events, we almost had nothing to do! We walked around and sit for a while while talking with each other. But the moment I will never forget for the day was when Tom almost fell down from the escalator. It sounds scary because it almost cost his life, but nice thing we were able to save him. However, the way he looks when he was trapped was really funny. Until now, I keep on laughing every time I remember it! Hahahaha! :D I hope someone took a picture of Tom during that time! Just KIDDING! It may be scary but it was really hilarious! Hahaha! Overall, I really enjoyed the whole day with Tom and Grade 9! J I had a great time and had fun with them! We bonded together and it was a pleasure for me that I was included during that party of Tom! Thank you again! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM! Next time, be careful with escalators! Hahaha..peace! XD

It’s the final push and I need to come up with a strong finish!

                 

                3^rd quarter examinations are just around the corner and I admit that my school year so far is like a roller coaster ride because I had “ups and downs” in both school and personal life. Sometimes, I perform well and get very good grades but I admit that there are times that I get bad scores because sometimes I’m so lazy and I barely get affected with my personal life like adopting to the new life that I didn’t get used to when I was with my grandparents. Of course, it’s not an excuse and I need to take them off in my mind and focus now in my studies. If I will grade my performance academic wise, I think I only get a B+ overall because I have low grades in 2 subjects, Geometry and Chemistry. But in other subjects like Literature and Social Studies and others, I get A’s on those subjects. I admit that I really don’t like Math and Science that much because I’m more on reading comprehension and applying history to life, not on solving and analyzing problems. Maybe before I still get average grades in  Math and Science because topics that time are not that complicated yet but now, it’s the other way around!! But I’m really doing my best to improve and get higher grades!

           Now that we are almost at the tailend of the 3^rd quarter and at the start of the last quarter of the school year, I know that I really must act now and do my move now while it’s not yet too late! I think I must give more time  on the subjects that I’m having hard times and maintain my good performances in other subjects! I need to focus now and if that happens, success will follow me, for sure. It’s my final push and I need to come up with a strong finish! J

The Sudden Change Has Arrived

                    

Unfaithfulness

                                                  by

                               Renzo Miguel Ibanez

 

Men are born to be unfaithful

Pretending to be perfect as God’s mind

Like considering your love as beautiful

They are not as men who usually play behind

It can be determined as dishonesty

With false women, you express your bad romance

As those glittering stars in your fantasy

Not your true love that captured you with a lovely glance

If following your unpreventable, but sinful feelings is not a fault

It is being a slave to your heart trapped between two butterflies

For men, it’s like no way out in a full-of-gold vault

But worse, you’ve hurt someone’s feeling amd brought tears

I ain’t mad by the feelings of most men

Always I need to know what is good and bad in loving gorgeous women. 

            In my life, this is the first time that I composed my own sonnet, which was first popularized by William Shakespeare since we were tackling about poetry, particularly sonnet.  My sonnet is about "unfaithfulness". For everyone's information, my theme didn't come from my own experiences! :D It just popped in my head and I actually found it interesting to talk about so I deeply thought of how I will start it to make an impact to the readers, then I thought of an interesting body including examples and knowledge, and lastly, I carefully thought of how I will end my sonnet with a bang or will let the readers discover something from my poem. Honestly, I had a difficult time composing it since it was my first time and I need to think deeply about my theme using figurative language, which I'm not used to use in any composition. However, I also enjoyed my time composing it! I tried my best to follow the "ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG" rhyme and I really had a tough time until I finally made my 14-line sonnet! Many people found my work weird and mysterious, but for me, I'm really proud of it! Haha..of course, it's my own work and I found it interesting and meaningful. =)

A Successful and a Fun Week! :)

           During the week, I felt a lot! I can say that having discussions is sometimes tiring or in other word, BORING!!! Haha..kidding! We prefer to have "free time" rather than having lessons in any subjects, but of course, these "young and hardworking" teachers especially someone, will try his/her best to force Grade 9 students to go on study! 

                      In that week, I was a little bit successful and proud of myself for even one time because I got high scores in tests in English and Social Studies. I got 36/40 in English test! YEHEY! Then, in Social Studies long exam, I  got 63/75! It seems low but what makes it successful is I didn't need to take a remedial test to improve my grade because I passed already and my studying time and sacrifice for the week are worthy! :D I hope these "good news" continues until the end of the school year because I want to make a change now until it's not yet too late..I want to improve my grades and bring back the old Renzo! :P Haha..

                          Do you think it's all about studying and all discussions during that week? Of course not! And we will not allow that to happen because during the week, in every breaks, lunch, or even when we have free time, all of us were watching............................

                          

                              Haha..yes it is "SAW VII" and I was amazed and felt weak while watching it because of terrible situations happening to the characters! For me, the creators of this movie are smart and imaginative because even though it is fictional (obviously), the scenes look realistic and the scenes were made almost perfectly! Some were shouting, closing their eyes, and we felt weak as blood and internal parts of the body comes out! hahaha! :D The week was really fun and for me, a little bit successful! I hope this will continue until the end :))

It's more fun watching PBA! :D

                        

             The date of this day was February 15, 2012 (Wednesday) and my first impression entering the court known as the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City was "WOW!!" :D It's been a long time that I watched PBA live since July 2011, a half year ago!  Haha! Actually, we came to the venue earlier than the start of the ball game but it's better to be "early" than to be "late" because at least you will witness the whole game from the start 'til the end. Then, here came the players doing their warm-ups! :D Honestly, they are really tall and that time, I seriously imagine myself  as a professional basketball player and play in the same court. During that time, I even promised myself that in the future, maybe 6-7 years later, I will be there on that court and play as a pro like my basketball idol, JAMES YAP! We even took a picture of him taking a free throw shot! :)

                                      

                      The player on the left taking the shot was JAMES YAP. He is my idol in the PBA since I was 9 years old. He is so athletic and has a great basketball skills that''s why he won numerous and big awards like winning MVP title twice and winning championships twice! In fact, he has these big hands measured 10 inches long..meaning his hand is almost as long as one ruler that's why he can carry a basketball by one hand! It was really nice to see him again in person, especially that day, February 15, 2012 was the exact date of his birthday that's why many fans of his greeted him a happy birthday! What made it more special to him was his team, BMEG Llamados, won its game by just two points, 88-86, so it was really close and their win was as thin as a hair line, but still, they won! :D 

                       Of course, we didn't let the opportunity  to  take pictures with basketball players just go away. We showed how excited and "adamant" we are to see them in person like these:

                           

                     Last, when the games are officially over, the fun was not yet over! We had not eaten our dinner yet, so Martin invited us to go to MOA to eat there and we ate in KFC! It seemed that we were all hungry and exhausted but we really enjoyed the day! PROMISE! I can say that IT'S MORE FUN WATCHING PBA! 

                     

                                  

                       

   

 The Preparation for the Upcoming Play of Grade 9A "Wild. Young. Free!" :D

                    The upcoming playfest in MIT is just around the corner and Grade 9 class will surely showcase its talents in acting and performing on the stage! =) Honestly, we haven't thought of our title yet for the play but we already have the script and the permanent characters! I think, everybody in our class are willing to participate and do their best to make a successful performance on March 2012. All of us have our own roles and jobs like Yu Shin, Monica, Sam, and Mika will be our main characters then we have these responsible and quirky directors in the name of Jerry and Jason! Haha..we also thank Gino for his sacrifice and hardwork for writing the script =) I think it worth it! Haha..well it still depends on the performance of the whole Grade 9 but I know we can do it! My role is the narrator of the story. Without me, no one will know the beginning and the conclusion of the story! :P right? I'm enjoying my role because aside from just reading my lines during the actual play..I know I have loud voice which is perfect for the narrator! I know, I can still improve my accent and pronunciation, but I admit that I'm almost there and I will do my best to give the audience a loud and clear voice telling the start and ending of our story! Thank you! Support me! :p JOKE! Haha..Let's support the play of Grade 9 class right? :))

My role as NARRATOR.............