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Watched an Ateneo-FEU game today! Win or lose, it’s the school we choose. 👍 (Taken with instagram)

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Actions speak louder than words, that I believe is true. Gestures, I think, are much grander than any other cliché anyone can say. That’s just how it is with me. I don’t usually believe in anything I hear (from anyone) until I actually see it. Hunches really aren’t reliable - at least to me they aren’t, especially when someone overanalyzes as much as I do. I think too much and it is horribly exhausting. Anyway.

Ateneo’s Blue Roast is perhaps one of the most awaited events in every Atenean’s life. As early as freshman year, I remember being talked through how our college experience would be and this was one of the most talked about event. Seniors get to mingle and go down memory lane in this one-time affair (unless of course you have your supersenior year, which means you can go twice)… But more importantly, this is the night you can give your blue rose to your first college crush. Technically, the rose isn’t really blue but the committee finds a way to color the white roses before they get distributed to us.

Blue Rose is probably that one night when everyone just doesn’t give a shit anymore. To hell with looking like a fool trying to find your first college crush! To hell with embarrassing yourself in front of that person’s friends as you fumble for words! To hell with anything and everything, really.

I remember going to my first Blue Roast (yes, first because.. well, I went to another one this year) and having to look for that college crush whose name I didn’t know until his face flashed on the screen. Apparently, he was the “Mr. Blue Rose” (or something like that) of my batch. A lot of girls (and maybe boys, too) wanted to give him their roses. “Great,” I thought to myself, “I have about the rest of the batch to compete with later when the massive hunt for Mr. Blue Rose begins.” A few minutes later, they started giving out the blue roses but we were told to give it out at exactly 11 o’clock (or maybe 10:30, I don’t really remember). When I got mine, my bestfriend and I were already on our way back to our seats when lo and behold, Mr. Blue Rose passes by. “Shit, this is it.. I have to give it now because I might not see him later,” I told myself. I spun around and shouted his name (which I only found out that same night, might I remind you). He looked at me, of course.. I mean, who wouldn’t, right? I think almost everyone within a 10-meter radius looked at me when I shouted his name.

He looked at me, probably wondering what I was gonna tell him - it wasn’t time to give out the roses, anyway. I took a deep breath and I just let it all out, “Okay. I know we’re not supposed to give our blue roses just yet but I’m here and you’re there… And I just found out your name tonight when your face flashed on the screen because apparently everyone wants to give you their roses… And you know, I always see you around in school, and we were never classmates, and I think I heard someone call out your name once but I totally forgot so when I got here I was wondering how I’ll find you tonight.. But your face and name appeared on the screen. So yeah. I’m just gonna give you my blue rose now before everyone else starts looking for you later. So, uhhh, yeah. You’re my blue rose.” He smiled that gorgeous smile and I knew I looked like a total goof - blue rose in one hand, a can of beer in another and a huge grin to boot.

Him: Aw, thank you. You’re the first one to give me a rose. Sorry, what’s your name?

Me: Anna. And cool! I’m probably the only stubborn one who gave out her blue rose… NOT AT 11 O’CLOCK!

Him: That’s alright. And yeah, I see you in school a lot, too.

Me: Yeah, I think we have a bunch of common friends.

We talked for a while, just so you know. We talked about our plans after college. We talked about my bestfriend who turned out to be his classmate in a couple of subjects. We talked about Philosophy and a bit of Management, and work, and our common friends. It was amazing.

I never really thought I’d ever pull off something like that. You know, a grand gesture - shouting out a stranger’s name for everyone to hear only to hand him an artificially-colored rose with what I think is the lamest “mini speech” ever. I’d like to believe I’m not the showy type. I’m rarely sweet and I often deny that I like someone, but that night was different, I guess. It was that night of insane courage… And I would probably never forget it. :)

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Down from the hill… I was trying to check my AISIS account just a few minutes ago and this is what I got. SERIOUSLY? :(

It’s really over.

Down to the world go I. One of the things that I’m probably going to miss is Ateneo’s beautiful ambience at night (or even at around 5pm where almost everyone’s headed home). I’m one of those students who would always, always, always go home late. I love staying in school until it’s almost completely empty because I get to walk around and think. The silence at night calms me down. I’m alone right now sitting on one of the cold benches here at Kostka while listening to Iron & Wine’s Flightless Bird, American Mouth… Can it get any more perfect than this?

I’m going to miss you, second home.

Day 4.

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jljavier:

Night Lights

A view of Ateneo De Manila University and Marikina. Taken from the roof deck of Berkely Residences, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City.

I love my school. :)

(via claudiabeatrizz)

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Recollection time at the Immaculate Conception chapel inside Gesu :) (Taken with instagram)

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Gen. Nakar, Quezon Province. I just got back from my 3-day immersion at General Nakar in Quezon Province, and here’s one of the pictures I took of my Dumagat foster siblings. I honestly miss them all so much already because I got attached to them quite fast. I’m going to blog about my experience maybe tomorrow (or on Tuesday) once I’m done with my exams and I will probably write in Filipino because some English words really can’t just explain how I feel right now, and how I felt while I lived with them. They’re a community of indigenous people and they even have a language of their own. :)

Alam niyo, sa totoo lang sobrang kating-kati akong magsulat at magkwento sa inyo tungkol sa paglalagi at pakikipamuhay ko sa aking foster family pero hindi ko na talaga kayo ngayong gabi. Maaga pa akong babangon mamaya para sa aking klase… Kaya bukas na siguro! Sobrang miss ko na sila. :( Sa susunod ko na rin ipapakita ‘yung ibang pictures para mas masaya! Good night!

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notjustcheers:

Prepare for Slaughter..? Yes, you can say that again! According to an InterAKTV article about our favorite UAAP 7-footer, Greg will still be playing for the Ateneo Blue Eagles next year! Personally, I’m relieved that he’s going to play for us next year since he has proven himself as an offensive asset (as long as he’s having a good day). One more year wouldn’t hurt, right? I’m kind of excited for him once he’s done with UAAP though. Imagine, PBA!

So, are we ready for a 5-peat? Well, I think that could be possible considering last season’s team is still somewhat intact! See you next season at Smart Araneta Coliseum! For now, let’s show our support for the Blue Eagles tomorrow (December 9, 2011, 4pm) against the San Beda Red Lions who’s currently top seed. The Blue Eagles lost to San Sebastian College-Recoletos by 1 point last Tuesday after a very stressful and intense game; had we won this Friday game wouldn’t be do or die. So, show your support for the Blue Eagles and cheer your heart out for them! Updates would be really awesome (hehe) since I will be in Quezon Province for immersion by then.. So tweets or text updates would be great, friends! Thanks so much!

One Big Fight!

(Photo courtesy of Sir Philip Sison)

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notjustcheers:

I’m currently in the library finishing my school work, so I only got updates from friends who watched the game on TV. The boys won against University of Cebu, 100-53. Great finish for the Blue Eagles!  Greg Slaughter is dubbed Player of the Game with 18 points, 11 rebounds at 7/8 FG shooting. Well done, big guy! Next game (Game 15) is tomorrow at 2pm against the Luzon Metro Manila Bracket Winner. :)

One Big Fight!

(Stats courtesy of GetBlued)

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notjustcheers:

When Rich Alvarez and Kyla (the singer) got married the other day, I got a little sentimental. The Ateneo Blue Eagles champion team of 2002 will forever be a favorite of mine for several reasons: 1) it was around that time I started following UAAP basketball and started rooting for Ateneo, 2) thus becoming my dream school as early as 6th grade and 3) I remember having a legit crush on a couple of their players.

I still remember that championship and the bonfire after it. I went to Ateneo with a good friend of mine, and believe it or not I lined up to have a shirt signed by all of them. I was a little kid and I couldn’t contain the little fan girl in me, so Redj and her older brother waited for me until the signing was over and done with. I think that was the first and last time I ever asked an athlete for an autograph - and I still have the shirt! I honestly can’t believe it’s been almost a decade… And look how all grown up they are (well, yeah they were pretty grown up that time already but I’m sure you get what I’m saying)! They’re all tying the knot one by one and most of them are playing for a PBA team! As for me, I got into my dream school and I couldn’t be any happier.

By the way, the Rich & Kyla’s nuptials video can be found here. I’m so happy for them, they looked genuinely kilig and happy!

With that said, I’d just like to ask you guys.. Who was your first Ateneo Blue Eagle favorite? And when did you start following the Ateneo games? :)