Chapter 10: The Lighting Guy

The semester I finally decided to stray away from the pcn stage and take on the backstage position that I once took back in Chapter 2. The only reason I did lighting only is because I was more involved with Pride of the Pacific Islands luau. It was my chance to meet a lot of different people at San Jose State. With no surprise, I met a lot more girls than guys. Well, of course I did. Hardly any guys wanted to dance, which was no problem for me at the time. The luau was somewhat stressing because we weren't allowed to miss any practices. If you missed more than two practices, you were automatically cut. I know its discipline, but I guess I just wasn't used to it. That was how I wanted Akbayan pcn practices to be. But, after four years, I just couldn't handle being mean and an authority figure as much as one would want. I just made things fun, but at the same time, I got things done. Remember that you should get things done first, and then once you got things down, have fun with it. I wasn't really stressed that semester because I already started to feel motivated with my classes. I had time management down to the minute.

Spring 2002 was academically noticable because it was the first time I was getting A's in my classes.
School was interesting that semester. I tried hard to stray away from Akbayan's existence. I wanted to live the life of an M.I.A. Unfortunately, there was a lot of time that I had where I wasn't in class. Even though work kept me occupied, I was still doing my job pretty quick to be able to kick back in front of the Union...and waste time with people. The semester went smoothly because I was taking my minor classes. I was in a bunch of my Business Management classes.

PCN 2002 - Aking Pilipina (a success) I was surprised that I limited myself with this pcn. In the beginning, Chariss asked for assistance with the dances she would be teaching. I wanted to help her, but my classes had become my first priority. Little did I know was that she had everything under control. See what happens when you put a female in charge of dances. Things get done. I can't believe I was reliable with dances in past years. In time, I've become someone to look to for help with dances. Like now.

The competition between Pride of the Pacific and Akbayan showed significantly. Practices with pride were strict. So strict that people doing pcn didn't show because of their commitment to the pride luau. It was said that if you miss two practices, you were out. Although, with akbayan-pcn, if you miss practices, there were no understudies. It was either you were in or you were in. The luau went somewhat smoothly. The stresses of this show was a bit less stressing, mainly because I wasn't one of the main people in charge of the luau. Crazy stuff, but hey, I was considered a luau virgin. I met a lot of hottie chicks, yet no one seemed to catch my eye...or no one had an eye for me. And if they did, sheesh, am I that intimidating? Now, that the luau had diminished, time for pcn to march right back into my life.

The show was scheduled, once again on the same date as Santa Clara's. As a matter of fact, this was the show that Jonas Estrada went to instead of ours. And you claim him as your PCN Co-coordinator. -sheesh- The show was on its way. I was so able to do the things I've always wanted to do. The ability to interview people and talk with the cast and make sure the show went on smoothly, instead of practicing dances, teaching steps, getting the preparations ready for the show. My role in this pcn was lighting. Two run-throughs before the show, I was able to work with my fellow lighting consultant. She was very friendly. We had strange conversations about theater production, sex, and food. She was a sexually deprived individual. By the time the show came around...BOOM...I had my trusty red-orange booklet giving cues. FADE OUT to 80, FADE IN to 50. blah blah blah blah.

The show was over. I predicted the show would be great...And it was. My vision two years after the infamous re-arising of pcn 2000 was finally here. It came faster than I thought. People were hugging, everyone seemed proud to be akbayan, to be part of this show, and most importantly, feeling that akbayan would last without me.

My brothers Pil-Grad was coming up. The class of '02 was a huge one. A class of nearly 25 came and dressed in their black robes. They were an inspiring group ready to put on their last good-byes. My brother was there, along with some roommates that made life interesting. It seemed as if they had so much behind them to make this event successful. This was my motivation, yet just not enough for my own.

Chapter 9: Limited Participation


Fall 2001 - Spring 2002 Ted's Reign!

My education became the first priority in my life. I was taking my second major at state, and I surpassed my four years of post high school education. This fall semester was the beginning of the end for Akbayan, the start of my new education, and the quality of great friendships.

I've been living at e.W.o for four years and become very comfortable with my surroundings. I didn't really have much to participate in the house except for watching television and playing ice hockey.

Friendship Games 2001 was dull. The transportation to and fro were the interesting parts of the trip. I drove a fifteen seater with the most random and diverse group. Some of the passengers decided to smoke weed while we were on highway 5. Oh well, I didn't smell it in the van when I returned it. On our way, we stopped in Casa de Fruta, off of 152. When we were about to leave, we discover that a wife cheated on her husband. The affair met out there at their location and the husband found them. We watched the drama turn into a violent blood bath. Just kidding. The husband swung a few punches at the guy, while the wife yelled at both of the men. The two males ended up on the ground. My passengers and I just laughed and video taped the whole incident. Hilarious! Remember that Paulo!

On the way home from the Promenade in Santa Monica, after we all finished eating at Hooter's, with the ugly waitress that overcharged our bill and discovering that Tera Patrick was there too, Mark's suburban broke down a few exits after we got on the freeway. The time was about 6 o'clock. All the cars with us, minus three, followed Mark to his cousin's house in Los Angeles. Finally, the caravan began their trip home at 10 o'clock in the evening. We arrived in San Jose about 4am, tired as a mutha!

Filipino Heritage Day happened the week before friendship games. I didn't participate, I just watched.

My winter formal date that year was whack. Enough about that, I had more fun when she left with Ted's ex. (covering mouth) haha. sorry Ted. Had to say it.

Chapter 8: Spring 2001



Another PCN semester. The strength of Akbayan has never hit this peak, according to my so-called reign. That semester, the participation level was unbelievable. We had our pcn open house. Even an hour before the meeting, I was making calls to people so that they'd show up. And guess what! We had a damn good outcome. I remember the interns doing their job. That year, the interns were our famous go-getters to make things happen. Aris, Mark, Marius, Irene, and Suzanne(kinda) made it all happen. People showed up interested in doing the show. That year, we pretty much lost the support from a majority of our alumni. The only help that I could gather up were Ann, Jun, and some of Jaymar. Ann helped with Dumadel, Uyauy, while Jun helped out with Uyauy, and Jaymar with Kappa Malong Malong. And yes, I can be wrong with the dances. I just have my own way of teaching dances. It may take a lot of dedication, but hey, it will be done. That year, we found another great dancer and contribution to Akbayan, Chariss. PCN was held at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The only negative part of that show were the programs. They were somewhat whack, but hey, I made the whole thing in one night.

The skits were great. I starred in one of the stories. I played the white-washed boyfriend that gets physically slapped in the face. It stung. This was the first show where I had drama with someone. I was truly sorry that the drama had to unveil itself, but hey, I trusted people with my confidence. Oh well! You never know who to trust with your words. Does anyone know where my pcn 2001 tape is?

This was the first semester where I was an IT major. I registered for all Computer Science classes, but dropped them all for Tech198, Tech 60, and some other one. During the semester, I saw a GE advisor. I completed all my lower GE classes. Yay! When I tried dropping one of the CS classes that I had, I forgot to insert a reason why I wanted to drop the class. So, in time, I was sent a letter to turn in the reason. The only problem was that I didn't need the class anymore. Later, I was given a call to go in and see an advisor. She practically scolded and lectured me about my classes. She questioned why I was a fourth year student and coming no where close to a degree. At that point, something just hit me. Education had become really important to me. Most students believe in taking classes and hoping to just pass the class. At that point, I turned into a "I won't settle for anything but an A" student. And guess what, my grades started to go up. When I was president and co-coordinator of pcn 2000, I received a gpa of 2.81, which was my highest at that point. Tell me, how does someone receive a high gpa when I'm really busy, and not close to getting anything done.

Chapter 7: ReFRESHman-ing



The summer of 2000 was an amazing one. This was the summer I turned TWENTY-ONE. It was the day that I thought a bunch of people would actually come to TGIF's over at Valco. Although only a select group of people went, I wasn't really disappointed. It just meant intimate get togethers would always be my thing. I drank my first alcoholic drink on that day. I don't really remember which drinks people bought me, but I know for sure it wasn't over at the restaurant. I have a few pictures of that day at TGIF's, and I have a video taping of my night at e-dub - which I will never show any of you. I did the most interesting things that night. I ran around the block twice, I drank 151 as if was orange juice. I'll stop talking now before I release any boring memories.

The semester barely started and I was already tabling for freshman orientation. During those few days of sitting out in the sun, surrounded by the SAPhi and SOPi sororities, I knew I would have a crowd amongst my table already. Some of the people that signed up for Akbayan were the Villa twins, which I actually spoke to their parents, Urs, Meesh, Marius, Mark S. and mostly females. For some reason, the guys that signed up didn't really stay with Akbayan. That week brought many freshmen that kept the future of Akbayan stable.

Next, Akbayan and Delta Sigma Phi(?) worked together with BookCheck. I met even more people, like Plucky Duck on her shoulder girl. BookCheck was just two weeks of bag, staple, tag. I had the longest lines, but I didn't really care. The collaboration with the group didn't really last long. Fortunately, Akbayan was able to do BookCheck the following year, but that's about it.

Fall 2000 actually was a relief for me because I wasn't President, but at the same time, I knew I didn't have to be all serious with the organization. There was people who wanted Akbayan to succeed just like me. AJ was president and I was treasurer. There was enough backbone in the organization and people were interested in joining.

That semester was really just school. I will hopefully update this chapter after everything is done.

Feelings of success for others achievements

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The excitement of watching, listening, or getting texts of scores. For those of you who do not know, I am an ice hockey fanatic. (more or less) I love the sport. When someone says, "What quarter is it?" I quickly respond with, "Quarter? You mean Period, dammit." That was how it was before. I'm somewhat lenient about that whole issue because the game is my game and no one else's. No one can tell me to stop what I love.

The San Jose Sharks get passed the first round of the nhl western playoffs, thinking that their next opponent will be the Calgary Flames. According to the regular season, the series between the two was favored towards San Jose. Anyway, I look forward to this occasion because Sharks didn't make playoffs last season. I just hope that their outstanding achievements stick with them.