find the geek

I had to beg for a friend to answer these questions. We see each other almost every school day so interviewing him seems a bit exploitative, but for the sake of grades (yes, grades before friendship. joke lang. haha)... I asked asked if I could write about him. haha


I got to interview and post the the story on Dr. Gapalon anyway so there's really no big need for me to be posting this -but it'll be such a waste. BUT wait, I could post this for my 5th story. haha


*photo grabbed from his Facebook account*
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Not all geeks wear thick glasses and spend their lives stuck in front of a computer. No; sometimes you'll find a geek jogging or biking, playing frisbee, playing the drums, goofing around in a mascot on top of a van, or maybe even approaching you and asking if you've heard the news that "God loves you."

Geek, from the Urban Dictionary definition number four, is "an outwardly normal person who has taken time to learn technical skills."

Stanley Semilla -Stan, Es or Tan, whatever you want to call him, is a normal 18-yr-old UP student. He wakes up early in the morning, goes to school, sleeps in class, is active in a student organization, he eats, does his school work, goes to Church, listens to music, just like a regular teenager. Just add that he trains in the Computer Science Department's Programming team, and spends the rest of the night until the wee hours of the morning in front of the computer.

What's a geek? Stan threw a strange look at me, as if saying "Mafi nakakasakit ka na ah!" but laughed it off anyway. "Somebody who wants to know and learn about computers," was his own definition of a geek. No saying about spending countless hours in front of the computer and programming using different computer languages -which is by the way also true to him.

Are you a geek? And the answer I never heard him say, I read from his reply via e-mail: "yes." He said that by his definition of a geek, he qualifies as one. He does love learning about computers and how they work.

Stan grew up as a pastor's kid in the province of La Union. He first wanted to be a pastor when he was in pre-school, and later on wanted to be a computer programmer when he was in elementary.

When he was seven years old, Stan learned how to play the drums. He said he does not recall exactly why he agreed to learn how to play, but what he said he knows for sure is that he plays for the Lord. Until now, he still plays when he goes back to his hometown, and gets to self-study via Youtube videos.

His first encounter with computer programming was in high school, where they, along with other high school students, simply copy-pasted codes. When he was about to enter UP as a Computer Science student, he felt pressured and did his self-study on programming. And that was it. He was later invited to be part of the department's programming team.

Aside from programming, he also does other stuff when he uses his computer. He is one creative chap who also tinkers with the Photoshop for fun. In the student organization he belongs to, some refer to him as the one-man Photoshop committee. He has been active in his organization that he played one of their mascots the last UP Diliman Lantern Parade.

What is remarkable about him is how he manages to balance his time. It's given he spends hours and hours in front of the computer, although not necessarily programming. But other than that, he also has plenty of time for friends and other activities. There goes the Urban Dictionary definition number four that geeks are "outwardly normal persons."

Right now his new passion is biking. He sometimes bikes the considerable distance from Cubao to UP Diliman. He also goes jogging and plays ultimate frisbee. So much for geeks having a sedentary lifestyle.

Stereotypes are just what they are, stereotypes -based on oversimplification. Stan is but one example of the deviations from the view on the geek. Thick glasses, antisocial behavior, sedentary lifestyle, use of jargon, inability to communicate in spoken English, may not be true for all geeks out there. You just have to observe more and find out that geeks come in different packages. Or who knows, find the geek within you.

planning 2010

I'm planning 2010 and what better way to plan than with a... planner. Sabaw much. But seriously, I got a cool planner custom-made for CCC. Designed by none other than ze Donya Quixote, Ate Chebi. *cheers*

I know it's the middle of February and I'm writing about a planner. Life gets hard with other things I have to write about and submit for grades. XP

Where was I? Oh.... For 165 pesos, you get a cool planner. And and and! I availed of the buy-one-take-one promo in UP, and gave the other one to a good friend. :)

First, I like the size. Spiral-bound at around 8x6 inches in dimension, it's super handy.

It also has good space for the monthly calendar.

Wide spaces for the dailies. However, the smaller spaces for the weekends is a con for those who plan stuff for the weekends. Quite encouraging for me, nonetheless, to treat them as weekends and confine work in weekdays. XD

See? I started planning. Yay!

The downside: It came our on January 28. Blank spaces for the first few days of January. (I used them for taking note of possible internship employers. Haha)

Some other bonuses (big bonuses if you're from CCC) found at the back part are the pages for prayer journal, disciple list, address pages, and the Four Spiritual Laws! Haha

You really get your money's worth. I just hope they start on next year's planner so a December release would be possible. :)

Importing Sugar

The Philippines is expected to import sugar for this year while domestic price increases.

The current market retail price of refined sugar is estimated at 48 pesos per kilo, and consumers are suspecting that there is a shortage in  our country's supply.

The Philippine Sugar Regulatory Administration however stressed that there is no shortage in the country's sugar supply. "We are in our peak season. There is no shortage," said Rosemarie Gomera, head of the Planning and Policy Department of the PSRA.

Consumers think there is a shortage while there isn't; the prices went up but we have ample supply, said Gomera. The problem is that people won't buy sugar because it's expensive, but there is sugar, she explained.

Gomera attributes the rise in price as an effect of the world market price. India, formerly the second main sugar exporter in the world, has faced cultivation problems that resulted in decrease in their sugar production. The country has turned from a major exporter to an importer.

The Philippines on the other hand is not experiencing the same scenarion, according to PSRA. There is a 'perceived tightness of supply, but no shortage at the moment,' according to Reuters interview with Rafael Coscoluella, administrator of the Philippine Sugar Regulatory Administration. Archimedes Amarra, executive director of the Philippine Sugar Millers' Association said in an interview with ABS-CBN that the country will not run out of supply 'as far as local production is concerned.'

The typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng did not bring about significant damage. While Tarlac and Pangasinan were submerged in water and crops were destroyed, the impact on the country's supply is negligible. Sugar canes withstand weather conditions such as strong winds and much water.

The PSRA said they recommend the importation to secure a safe buffer, as they projected an increase in demand. A safe buffer would mean a supply that could last up to two months.

Importers and food processors used to buy from the world market since the prices from previous crop years were better. Now, food processors have turned to domestic supplies because of the increased cost in the world market, which resulted in the increase in demand, explained Gomera.

Imported sugar will also be used to ensure the country's quota to US will be met this year. 60,000 - 65,000 metric tons of sugar is needed to comply with the US quota. The Philippines has to meet the quota since the US offers a good price for our exports.

The government will ensure that imported sugar will be more or less of the same price as local sugar. Tariff rates will apply just as in other imported goods.

According to Gomera, they reccomend an estimated volume of 150,000 metric tons of sugar to be imported. This will come preferably from a neighboring southeast Asian country, for less shipping cost. Gomera said they are looking into importing from Thailand. The sugar imports are to be shipped into the country between May to June, the lean months of sugar production.

Gomera said this is not the first time the country is importing sugar and that we have done so in the past.

Sugar price may have increased for the year but Gomera said that hopefully next year would give us better prices. Fertilizer price has gone down and by next year the world market may become more stable, hopefully.


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Business story for j109 class. But wait, it's news. :|

comment: ohmaigulay. everyone had featurized stories. (doh)

**edited**

I'm baaack!

I'm back from Laguna! UPCCC Leadership Training Institute: My Mission, My Generation -Louder than Before!

May I first say... LTI was so fun! It just keeps getting better each year. It's my third year attending the LTI and I love it!

photo grabbed from Ate Lu's Facebook (I think) hehe

I had fun, I learned a lot, I taught, I sang, I lost my shirt and had a new one, I was so blessed. Or should I say, WE were all blessed and had a swell time. The lesson that really struck me, and until now God is teaching me, is LOVE. Yep, you read it right. LOVE.

"Jesus replied: 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39 NLT)

The two morning devotions were about love, the last seminar in the Leadership level was about love, and and and... the pastor's sermon this morning was about being filled..with love. I love it! Although I cannot say I already love everyone (it's a hard thing to do) -I know it's a process. Getting there... God's love compels us to love others. Hmmm.. Reminds me of what they always say waaay back in elementary: Caritas Christi urget nos.

A question some ask in LTI was... SINO? Hehe. So here, I'll have to thank certain people. Although everyone played  a part of making is LTI meaningful for me: LOUDER than before! (in no particular order)

• Marga. It's your first LTI. You were able to raise full support (at sobra pa). And I saw that you had aa great time. I hope to see more of you in the movement. (And the 'Sana Nanalo Ka ng Award' Award goes to.... Mich! XP)
• Mich. It's your first LTI. The Lord's provision is indeed more than enough! Bibbo kid! We're gonna move this coming sem!
• Sarah. Wala man si ate Ro--- ay Nicol pala. Hehe. You've been a blessing to me Sarah. Parang ampon lang. Haha. *hug*
• Tin aka Baldo. Haha. I never thought you'd raise support for a new shirt for me! That was just sooo sweet. *hug* Thanks for emcee-ing, super! And thanks for your sabon. Haha. The morning devotions with you, Abi, and Teten, were one of my LTI highlights. :)
• Abi and Teten. Since Tin was already mentioned above. Hehe. Thanks for beingpart of those two meaningful morning devotions. Thanks for sharing bits of your lives. I'm just here, if you need anything. Wala lang, I'm just here. Haha. *hug*
• Leadership classmates! Ok, marami. You know who you are. I love you classmates! And Ate Bel pala! Ahaha
• Half of the Basic class. The other half hinde. Joke lang. I taught seminar4 for half of the basic class and hahaha -you're my first basic students. I know you were not so paying attention, but you are forgiven. XP
• Jho. I'm blessed by your life. It was not just checkout, it was sharing. hehe. See you around!
• Praise and Worship Team. Yes I was being bugged by my conscience since I didn't sing backup for the first day. Haha. Kulang man tayo ng cymbals at keyboard at nawawala man sa tono ang gitara at nalolost kaming kumakanta, To God Be the Glory pa rin! Special mention is Ate "Ligaya." Wala lang, gusto ko lang i-type ang "Ligaya." Haha
  
• Langley. "Taksil ka Langley!" Haha. Joke lang. See you sa Artists TA Time. (Hindi sa CSSP ha? haha. you are forgiven. XD)
• Artists TA. Kuya Ferdi, Ate Mai, Ate Lu, Ate Liza, Ate Coco, and students. *wink* See you sa pasukan!
• Paula and Bryan. House number 12 na iisa lang pala ang tao. Hehe. I'm blessed by your love for God.
• Ate Sars and Ate Mai. *sniff sniff* Hindi na ako yung alaga, ako na ang may mga alaga. T.T *hugs*
• Tim. Thanks for emcee-ing. I know you were tensed but you indeed stepped out in faith. I foresee: you'll me emcee-ing in other CCC events too. haha
• Miki. Thanks for being the ssuper tech person! Hmm.. And now I wonder if you found Kuya Benj's USB...
• Kuya Benj and Chil. Thanks for lending me your USB's. hehe
• Ate Tats. For being Train Committee Head. And for the toothpaste. Hehe. Sorry sa last night...
• Gen, Bianca, RJoy. Next LTI na lang yung plano natin. haha. Ladies na hindi makatulog kaya nagkwentuhan at nagtawanan ng naka-mute. *hahahahaha na naka-mute* RJoy salamat din sa sabon mo. haha
• All staff -people who organized the event. Kuya Al for his teaching. Kuya Ace for coordinating. Babayaran ko na po yung shirt...nag-support-raising po si Tin. hehe. Salamat po ng marami sa inyong paghihirap at pagsisikap na ma-glorify ang Panginoon sa LTI na ito.
• Everyone else. Directly or indirectly, you were a part of making this LTI (for me) special and LOUDER than before! Hindi dahil wala kang pangalan dito ay nakalimutan na kita. *hug*
• Myself. I thank myself for making this LTI more meaningful to me. Alabooo. haha
• The Lord. To You be the glory, the highest honor and praise! (***personal stuff here***)

Can't wait to go back to school! Movements everywhere. Until everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.

Poetry

I've been telling people or posting in Facebook, Multiply and Plurk that I loved my class last semester where we just did a lot of analyzing of poems, and a little bit on short story. English 11, if I get it right.

Shakepeare's Sonnet 116 or Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds...

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

And also Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Another one is the famous poem by Elizabeth Browning How Do I Love Thee

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

It's the feeling of reading poems and analyzing, understanding them, that just makes me feel like, wow. After every class I feel good when I just read and appreciate poems. I wish others appreciate poetry too.

Poems taken in the class had deep meanings or are already acclaimed. But the first poem I have actually memorized from first grade is what would be forever memorable. It's from our first grade book, which I forgot the title. My apologies to the publisher and author.

When I was one, my sister was two

When I was three, my sister was four

When I was five, my sister was six

Now I'm seven and going to eight

Won't someone please tell

My sister to wait.