Prof. Miel was absent, which made some of my classmates literally jump. Today was supposedly the deadline of the short story we crafted for our Creative Writing class (15-page minimum). I was also happy though, honestly, since it would also give me time to employ minor editing.

The next class, Anglo-American Lit, we viewed ‘First Knight’, a sweeping romantic epic about love, betrayal, and passion in legendary, enchanted kingdom of Camelot featuring Sean Connery (as King Arthur), Richard Gere (as Lancelot), Julia Ormond (Queen Guinevere) and Ben Cross (as Megalant). We haven’t finished it though.

During our Literary Criticism class, we watched another movie: Dr. Seuss’ ‘A Cat in the Hat’ which we will be critiquing using the Psychological approach.

My celebration of the Yuletide Season had been completely inspiring for me. Days before the Christmas, we threw a gift-giving project for the people of the FEU Village through the Tamaraw Volunteers in cooperation with the Office of Student Affairs and Community Services. It was really moving to see the children smiling upon receiving their present. Equally touching was the music composed by a group of mothers as a sign of their gratitude to us. (How sweet!) A couple of days after that, we went to Montalban, Rizal together with the volunteers of the V4CHANGE for another gift-giving endeavor. This time, for the Dumagats. New members of the FEU Tamaraw Volunteers were exposed to a totally exciting and heart-filling affair.

I organized a batch party last December 27, 2006 and was very glad to see, after a year, some of my batchmates who, unsurprisingly, grown matured already. I missed Rain though who wasn’t able to make it since she is presently in Singapore for a practicum (she called though). Meanwhile, I felt nostalgic seeing similar faces of Zyreen, Kristoffer, Paul, Jarra, Ian (who is also in FEU taking up Financial Accounting), Kath, Mitch, Bob, Morris, Erika, Mae, Elgene, Philip, Erjay and Carmi. I attended a number of parties (V4Change’s, IASSC’s, Arvin’s, TAMVOL-CYC’s) which seemed to drive away the sad thought that I have to finish a lot of things before classes resume on the 4th including a lengthy short story for my creative writing class, the finalization of the Paragon (sighs…), and a number of narratives and project proposals…

umingajc@feumail.feu.edu.ph

It's almost a month now and i haven't really gotten a good night sleep. 12 days to go and it's christmas. one week to go and it's our semester break. prelim exam is just around the corner, and i haven't really done anything impressive in class except from being the student report evaluator in Cross Cultural Communication.

Galing Pilipino Young Leaders Congress
i qualified for this year's GPYLC organized annually by the Galing Pilipino Movement, Inc. I must admit that i enjoyed the three-day camp despite my being the sole delegation of FEU. I was with the 'happy' Team LakBYKE Mabuhay Tour with Sir Vic (DLSU History professor), Sir James (Colegio de San Juan de Letran professor), Ron (PUP-COABTE), Tin (PUP) and Yas (UP-Political Science)

Team LakBYKE Mabuhay Tour

9th Ayala Young Leaders Congress Interview
Being inside the Ayala Tower brought a sudden gush of excitement and nervousness, a mix of sort, inside me. I wasn't shocked though that my interviewers, who are all CEOs, were very accomodating, so to speak. I was glad meeting fellow student leaders from the Uiversity of Cebu and the Bicol University. T'was such a rare privilege.


32nd YMCA National Congress for College Students
I enjoyed the 32nd YMCA inasmuchas I enjoyed last year's. I really miss my old YMCA friends though Karen (Bicol University), Dexter ((Bicol University), Enver (La Salle-Lipa), te Shiela (Philippine Women's University) and the rest of my commission-mates. FEU brought six (6) trophies for the Best Delegate. Glad I was one of the nominees :-) I am starting to feel nostalgic... I miss Commission One.

32nd YMCA National Congress for College Students Commission One

co-officers in the ias student council with the feucso prexy

The Paragon's Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor ;-)

Rizal National Leadership Institute
I may be leaving again for Baguio come Dev 17 to 21 to represent FEU in this year's RNLI (if I got it right), particularly in the essay writing tilt. The papers are still in OSACS though. I will be with Dwight (Rizal quiz bee), and Mark (extemporaneous). I am praying that Ilo make it to the 10 Outstanding Rizal Model Student. Jan qualified last year.

i qualified for the interview phase (Top 140). yipee!

random thoughts

TAMVOL Overnight

I just arrived from an overnight stay at Arvin's place somewhere in Manila (my first). What is different with this is that we did not opt to do it for sheer fun. In fact, we had our organization (Tamaraw Volunteers) so-called project planning for the second semester. Sounds impressive, huh? Likewise, we took the opportunity to tighten the bond among us (haha, though I deem it not needed - for we are already closely knitted! haha, call it poetry!). Though tireless (not to mention, sleepless), I had enjoyed the company of my 'family' (as oweiz): Josef, Addrian, Ilo, Mylene (bunso), Kat, and Chimie (newly appointed as asst. treasurer). The project planning, as I happened to forecast, turned as a houseparty with light drinks (and chips!) on side, with the fabled videoke (must have slept earlier without it though).

Tomorrow, I will be bringing all my things at Arvin's (my 'kapatid' - yes, we are both 'halamang dagat'; ask him why) for I will stay there for a couple of weeks so as to help me manage the seemingly busy hectic sked ahead (ymnca, volunteers week, academics, feucso students summit, etc.). For now, I felt I have to finish reading our photocopy materials in Creative Writing and in Literary Criticism and finish reading 'Beowulf' for Anglo-Americal Literature class tomorrow...

AYLC Update

I received three congratulatory messages (the first one from Kuya Harold, second one from Ilo, and third from Mcoi , through SMS) already regarding the top 140 qualifiers for the 9th Ayala Young Leaders Congress. I REALLY haven't yet confirmed about it though (haven't even received an e-mail of sort and haven't seen my name in the AYLC site when I checked it a couple of days ago). Just the same, I will be very glad if ever the news is true (who wouldn't?) not forgetting the fact that I completely owe to my community involvement. Let's help build our nation, together...

On IASSC

Everyone is already busy for the upcoming IAS Week come third week of the month. So far, everything is flowing smoothly. -> I am very happy that R.A. has finally come back in the council and that Chumie Ann is finally enrolled. Just praying all turns out fine.

PS: BTW, I recently got hooked with an online photo-hosting site called multiply. You might want visit my site at www.jpcuminga.multiply .com.

World Bank Paper

hi everyone, you might want to read the paper i submitted to the world bank regarding practical and personal approaches to addressing national concerns.

it's in this link: http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/exteu/EssayCompetition.nsf/View%20to%20Link%20Web%20Pages/63007EBDD6CF81A38525714300434C12?opendocument

keeping me busy

It's barely a week before the start of another semester. i just though that it would be nice to revisit some of the noteworthy events that pre-occupied my first semester (not to mention, even my semester break) schedule.

1. I received another GWA not enough to qualify me for a full scholarship. depressing.
- My mentor in Sociolinguistic gave me the lowest mark (1.75). i'm totally clueless of how my grade was computed.
- I was glad receiving flat marks in Peace Education and Structure of the Filipino Language (though I honestly expected it)
- I was even happier receivIng another flat mark in Afro-Asian Literature. Sir Solmerano must have been impressed with my final exam. - i was sad with my FG in Structure of English (**** it! i should have reviewed for the FX). wasted remark (PG=1.00; MG=1.25; FG=1.5). call it inconsisency!

2. We started working for the Paragon's maiden issue.
- Yes, in fact, I can say that we already completed approximately a quarter of the total work.
- still searching for possible publishers. thanks to FEU Publications Office for the lay-out support
- I'm happy with my hardworking staff. keep it up, guys! - still working for the sponsorship and advertisements.

3. I attended the English camp
- call it a break (haha, still a hyperbole!)
- i'm glad hearing the speeches from Prof. Yvonne Chua of UP-Journalism (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism) regarding blogging and journaling as well as from Manuel L. Quezon III about youth's voice and responsibilities. truly enlightening!
- special mention to Vincent (of Accountability and Transparency Network) for his substantive tirade.
- i'm happy people appreciated my privilege speech during the youth talk show night. highly appreciated.
- get closer with FEU peeps (Aran, Euf, Nicky, Juliet, Robert, and others) and develop friendship with students from other schools (Ina, Lily, Agatha and others). - i'm starting to miss Nosebleed Group (Cluster I). we're the best!
- had to leave early on the last day for the scrabble championship

4. We joined the National Students Scrabble Championship 2006
- We were totally not informed about the word reference.
-We won 3 out of 18 rounds despite our apparent handicap.
- Ateneo backed out the tourney for the reason already stated.
- Still can't appreciate SOWPODS.

Green and Gold Team

FEU-A John Paul Uminga (III AB English Language)

FEU-B Marissa Hernando (IV AB Mass Communication)

FEU-C James Pestañas (III AB English Language)

FEU-D Michael Gaac (IV AB English Language)


FEU-E Benedict Sarmiento (I AB English Language)

Team Coach - Patrick Corpuz

Not in the Photo: FEU-F Ann Marie Fernando (IV BS Mathematics maj. in IT) and FEU-G Roland Adriano (III AB English Language)

AYLC: Contemplations

I just attended the FEU-AYLC Orientation at the Nursing Multi-Purpose Hall. Though my attendance in the caucus had caused me to rush academic matters after (since I had to finish my output in Sociolinguistics!), it has, in turn, made me feel a lil excited. Though I've heard a lot about it before, I felt re-oriented as Mr. Fritz of OSACS officially invited us, junior scholars as regards to the matter.

I saw familiar faces in the hall: Ron and Sellicha of the ORADEC, Donna of TAMVOL SIFE, Chumie Marga (who was actually a seatmate) of IASSC, and a number of MassComm scholars (hell yeah, there making a difference so to speak!). Well, my colleagues in the English Language were not with me (since, as i said, we still have to accomplish academic requirement).

The orientation has actually made me sank in deep contemplation, thinking about my status as a student leader. Have I really been making a positive difference (as my line in SIFE competition run)? What may be the things which I can reckon as accomplishments? or maybe even better, how do I concretize 'accomplishments? Along with these are questions like: how do I , now that i'm in my junior year, fare as a campus leader? have I been helping the university with the realization of its mission-vision? These queries and more have silently reflected on the mirror of my thoughts as the orientation a while ago advanced. Nonetheless, these are equally important concerns that are ought to be cleared out so that I will be able to develop a more positive self image as a leader.

(so much with these poetic thoughts!)

Meanwhile, it may be saddening that, for the first time, no one last year was able to make it as an Ayala Young Leader. My friend, Ilo, however, has made it to the top 140 (that's already a feat, mind you!). Just the same, I still believe that FEU is still a genuine haven of effective student leaders!

^_^

Hit and miss!

I still feel elated with the turn out of events these days. I was bombarded with several concerns (what's new anyway?) and was lucky though being able to transform it into a positive light.

FEUCSO Team Building - This year's FEUCSO LTS was held at Rizal. The place may not be that scenic compared to Caliraya but still I was able to enjoy (hey, that was my goal!) the two-day affair. Well, thanks to my friends from TAMVOL, ORADEC, Theatre Guild and Campus Ministry. The whole experience was really worth remembering.

ELC 1ST General Assembly - I went straight to ELC's 1st General Assembly after attending the FEUCSO LTS (whoah!). Contrary to my expectation, I was more than beleaguered with the unforeseen role I played that made me think I am still a part of the ELC EB. Well, it's just my way of paying off I believe. Thanks God, it turned out successful despite the absence of technical facilities (hey, even Mike and our department chair weren't there)

TAMVOL General Assembly - We just had our GA last Friday, August 4 at the IN Multi-Purpose Hall. I, together with friend Gee, hosted the half-day event with the theme: TAMVOLunteerism: It Starts with Me! I also received the 10 Outstanding Volunteers of the Year (2005-2006) Award with fellow volunteers: Jen, Kares, Ilo, Jane, Josh, Rob, Cis, Royce and Grace. Likewise, we also paid tribute to our senior adviser, Prof. Jose V. faustino (Associate Dean, FEU-OSACS).

The Paragon 1st Meeting - We had our first meeting in the Paragon JUST yesterday. We started distributing tasks with the hope to respond to the needs of a vibrant pub.

IAS Dance Co. GA - Dance Coy. had there general assembly last night. As part of the council, i was invited as guest during the event. It's nice being with good people! After attending the GA, we went to Pogs' house birthday bash.

ORADEC