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.