I just came from BlueREP pictorials. Yes. After two years of theatre hiatus, I finally auditioned for a BlueREP production. I’ve thought about it a lot before trying out, and even went out of my way to ask my parents for permission. I did that because if ever I do get in, I will have to devote school nights of June for rehearsals. It can be pretty tough for someone who lives in Makati like I do. Fortunately after my amazing persuading skills, they both finally agreed to it. It is my last year after all. Before I lock myself away to the world of law school, I might as well continue indulging in all the things I probably can’t do in the near future.

Hence, welcome to my busiest year ever. This is my attempt to overwhelm you guys. :)

Now that I have finished my practicum in Congress, I finally have time for rehearsals. I miss Congress already. I miss being part of that world and working with the good people in our office. I never really had any initial expectations, but I surprisingly left the place with newfound knowledge and appreciation of a lot of things that should matter. Everyday was a chance for me to learn and experience something new. It was not just about learning politics, the dynamics of power or national issues, but also learning more about myself. I shall miss the legislative life. haha.

For now, I am incredibly excited for BlueREP’s next musical, Summer of 42. I am thrilled to be part of the cast, especially since they were only to get 3 BlueREP female members in the play. I missed performing for BlueREP so much that even if our songs can be quite difficult, I am just so grateful to be back on stage – singing, dancing and acting again. I’m one-third of a close harmony singing group (much like The Andrew Sisters of the 40s) played by Charmie, Sab and I....

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It’s been crazy-busy than usual lately. The past few days since last week were both physically and emotionally challenging. I ended up feeling very feverish and even took a trip to visit the infirmary inside the House of Representatives last Wednesday. It was really terrible because the next few days after that was still pretty busy for me. I really didn’t like the fact that my body had to break down. And although I’m so much better, I still have colds.

Last Saturday, I also had the chance to finally meet up with the Aegis (Ateneo yearbook!) 2009 Executive Board for our training and initial planning, and it was just so exciting. I love being part of this. There’s just so much room for creativity that I can’t contain my excitement just thinking about it. hahaha. Of course, that also means added work to my already busy year.

I say bring it on. (Yeah, right.)

This week is even crazier (I didn’t think it was possible anymore. but it is.) with work ending at the usual 6 to be only followed by meetings and consultations till 9 in Ateneo everyday. I’ll be missing the one on Friday because my little sister will have her 16th Birthday bash.

Let’s make it clear. It’s really not that I’m complaining because I really end up fulfilled after – most especially yesterday and today. Together with my Secretary-Treasurer, I had a consultation with each of the presidents from my cluster around 1.5 hours each. And I wish I could express in detail how I feel about each consultation, but it’s 11:50PM and I’m pretty exhausted already.

I do have to say that I’m very pleased, and inspired, and excited, and moved by everything that came about during each consultation. It makes me love my job even more as the head of the Performing Arts Cluster. Despite the tedious work COA is making us do, it’s all very worth it. I feel like we have already...

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Work, either in Congress or for COA has kept me quite busy these past few days. Not that it hasn’t been any fun, because I really do find myself enjoying both. I marvel at the new things I learn and discover every time. And every new experience has been incredibly valuable. I also get the chance to meet new people – something that I’ve always enjoyed. Meeting all these influential and powerful people, and actually have that chance to exchange views, opinions and even a quite a few light-hearted moments does get quite overwhelming. But I’m really just thankful for that opportunity.

I’m truly fortunate enough to have been sent to quite a few conferences, committee hearings, offices, etc. The exposure is probably the best part of my job. I get to learn a lot of things that aren’t just merely constricted under the traditional notion of politics. It’s both fascinating and maybe even disturbing to learn about the travails and even victories (yes!) of Philippine society and let every issue that I’ve probably always known but never really understood, unfold right in front of me. It’s just so very real, and the legislative process is all too complex than I’ve ever given it credit for. It doesn’t come without the complications. And there are still a lot of very disappointing realities that come with it.

So far, the 2 weeks I’ve spent working for a congressman, attending several conferences, hearings and meetings, and meeting all these influential people have been quite an overwhelming ride. It’s tiring, yes. And the fact that I still have COA meetings and assignments to attend to does take its toll. However, I’m glad I’m learning a lot and the experience has taught me so much already. I’m also thankful it’s not some routine work because I can’t stand that. As for now, I still have around 3 weeks there, so I need this enthusiasm and interest to sustain.

I will try to update...

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I never realized that I would have accomplished and experienced so much even after only 2 days of OJT in the House of Representatives. I’ve managed to help finalize a draft for a specific bill, review past bills and the Tax Reform Act of 1997, write a few paragraphs as part of the explanatory note of that bill, learn how to file it, learn how to search archives, and attend my first session. Of course that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The best part about representing a congressman is attending the workshop conference on Political Parties earlier. I’d love to talk about that more thoroughly at another post just because it was such an overwhelming experience. It was amazing to experience the intensity of PolSci in action. hahaha. It’s like everything I learned from my past POS classes were put into good use, while we analyze a bill on political parties. It was such a wonderful exposure and I really learned so much. Two days and I already feel like I’m not just a mere OJT student. I does get quite exhausting since after my OJT, I usually have a COA meeting from 6-9PM at the Ateneo. I will have another one tomorrow. But more on my first week at my next post.

The point of this post is to share some pictures during the previous reunion I had with my high school family. Just before I start work, I had to find time for a little bit of celebration.

We usually allot at least once a month for a class reunion. And during the summer, we try to have at least one overnight affair. This one felt so rushed actually, but I’m happy that there were still quite a number of us who got to go. And that included our Madame President, Cheeze, who was also our amazing 2-time class president. We stayed at a private...

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