Lights off, please!

"Oo na crush ko yung boss namin"

Araw ng lunes - may pasok ako, Hahahaha makikita ko nanaman si sir, ehem! Makakatrabaho na pala ulit ako para sa pamilya ko.. 

Uyy! Alam ko iba ang iniisip niyo.. oo na crush ko yung boss namin, atsaka wala namang masama, single siya. At ako? Single rin noh, at magkaedad lang kami. Classmate ko siya nung highschool at noon ko pa siya crush, pero hanggang pangarap lang ako.. Okay lang.. inspiration ko na lang siya.. 

Yah! Balik tayo... 'Yun, pumasok ako.

“Goodmorning Nana,” sabi ng isang employee.

“Goodmorning rin.. Musta na?” sagot ko.

“Okay lang… Ganda ng ngiti ahh.”-siya..

“Umaga na pala?” ako.

“'Yan nanaman yang mga banat niya. Ok fine! Oo bakit?” siya.

“Kasi hindi ko napansing umaga na sa kakaisip ko sa’yo.”-ako, sabay tawa kami, oo nga pala si Pearl, bff ko sa office. And oo nga pala secretary ako ni Mr. InMyDreams or si Mr. Chris Dela Cruz.. Hehehe

"Lights off please!"

“Nana, natapos mo ba yung mga pinagagawa ko?”-siya

“O-opo sir..”-ako, medyo nagstammer ako. Ang gwapo niya kasi.

“Why are you stammering? Proceed to my office.”-siya.

“Ah-yes sir..” sumunod ako sa kanya, grabeh ang bango!! WAAAHH!..

Sa office niya.

“Let me see the presentation.”-siya.. “Light off please!”-utos niya sa akin..

“Wait sir..” tumayo ako ng tuwid..

“Why?"-tanong niya.

Namula ako… "lights off ka ba?”-ako

“Why on earth.. fine! Bakit?!”-siya..

“Para tayo na lang mag-ON”. Matapos ko tong sabihin pinatay ko ang ilaw tapos ipinakita ang presentation at lumabas.. GRABEH ang bilis ng tibok ng PUSO KO!!!...

Maya-maya sinundan niya ako..

“NANA!”-sigaw ng lalake and alam ko kung sino 'to, hindi muna ako tumingin..

“W-why sir?”-tanong ko

“Past, present, future ba kita?”nagulat ako sa sinabi ni sir, kaya humarap ako..

“B-bakit sir?”ako

“Kasi I can tell you that in my past, nandyan kana, tapos ikaw pa ang present ko, what if maging......" maging ano!? maging?

"TAYO sa FUTURE?” sabi niya.. 

Ako?! Speechless!

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Ang Asul na Ibon

Isang araw, merong isang Asul na ibon na nakalipad sa loob ng kwarto mo at hindi makalabas. May kakaibang aura si asul na ibon kaya sabi mo sa sarili mo na aalagaan mo na lang ito. Pero sa hindi mo inakalang pangyayari, kinabukasan, ang ibon ay naging Dilaw! Itong ibon na ito ay nagpalit nanaman ng kulay overnight. Sa umaga ng ikatlong araw ay naging Pula siya, tapos naging Itim naman sya sa ikaapat na araw.

Ngaun, may tanong ako.

Ano ang kulay ng ibon pagkagising mo sa ikalimang araw?

Ang ibon ay hindi na nagpalit ng kulay. Itim na sya forever.

Ang ibon ay naging Asul ulit. Boring daw ang Itim eh.

Ang ibon ay nagbagong buhay at naging Puti.

Sosyal si ibon, Gold na kulay ang pinili nya.

Ang ibon na nakalipad sa kwarto mo ay ang symbol ng ‘good fortune’, pero bigla itong nagbagong anyo, at nagaalala ka na baka ang kasiyahan mo ay hindi magtagal. Ang reaksyon mo sa situation na ito (sa pagbabago ng kulay ng ibon) ay nagpapakita kung ano ang klase ng reaksyon mo sa paghihirap at pagaalinglangan sa totoong buhay.

Sa mga sumagot ng Itim

Pessimistic ang outlook nyo sa buhay. Naniniwala ba kayo na pag parang wala ng pag-asa ang isang situwasyon ay hanggang doon na lang yon? Wag ganyan! Tandaan: There’s no rain that doesn’t end and no night so dark that there’s no dawn the next day. Sa medaling salita, may bukas pa.

Sa mga nagsabi ng Asul

Kayo naman ang mga tinatawag natin na ‘practical optimists’. Naniniwala kayo na ang buhay ay weather weather lang at wala na tayong magagawa doon kundi tanggapanin na lang and realidad ng buhay. Kalmado kayong humarap sa pagsubok and hinahayaan lang tumakbo ang mga bagay na walang stress or worry.

Sa mga pumusta sa Puti

Cool and decisive kayo. Hindi kayo nagsasayang ng oras sa kakaisip kung ano ang solusyon sa problema na iyon. Kung masama na talaga ang situwasyon, mas pinipili mo na maghanap pa ng ibang paraan para ma-solve ang problema kaysa atakihin kayo ng wala kakwenta-kwentang kalungkutan. Needless grief, ang tawag sa walang kakwenta-kwentang kalungkutan na yan. Oh diba. Literal masyado ang pagka-translate.

Sa mga mahilig sa Ginto or Gold

Ang tawag sa inyo – fearless. Walang ‘pressure’ sa dictionary ninyo. Kung meron man, minsan lang nagagamit. Para sa inyo, ang bawat problema sa buhay ay isang oportunidad. Pero mag ingat na hindi maging over-confident. Mamaya sugod na lang kayo ng sugod.  Mas maganda kung maingat parin kayo. Mahirap na ang buhay ngayon. Nasa huli ang pagsisisi.

Tugma ba ang mga sagot sa inyong personalidad?

 Jin Matsu

Source: Kokology – The game of self-discovery by Tadahiko Nagao and Isamu Saito 

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Newest Spot: Veranza Mall

If you need to chill and have a mini food trip with family and friends, where do we usually go? Where can you get free air-condition experience?  The automatic answer to that is the Mall. We have a couple of malls here in Gensan, and recently another one is added to our choices.

After a mass held by no other than Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was attended by the city’s VIPs, KCC suppliers, clients and tenants and many other important figures, Veranza Mall celebrated its opening with a bang.

Veranza is said to be a GREEN mall. It has transparent roofing that allows natural sunlight to shine during the day, thus, saving the ever consuming electricity. The building’s structure also screams nature, and more than 800 plants and trees dominate the mall’s three floors. This includes its ROOF GARDEN, which contributes greatly to the environment.

Lo and Behold! It has two outdoor waterfalls which is the first of its kind here in Mindanao. Located right across the KCC Mall, it also has an Activity Area or Atrium which is ideal for indoor activities, ceremonies and concerts. This is where the blessing ceremonies on its opening day took place. Veranza also has an AL FRESCO dining area, which accommodates the country’s high and popular local bands and other performers to perform live.

The building which is flanked by the mighty waterfalls on the side and is connected to the mall by a bridge is their five-floor parking lot.

Veranza is said to rival the other malls of Gensan. Looking at its building structure, design and purpose, we might say that SM has found its match. And like any other mall out there, Veranza has its own branded stores. Such as Vans, Lacoste, Swiss Gear, Coffee Bean, Payless, Alberto and many more. With all these kinds of brands in one roof, Team Veranza earns a point above Team SM. But who says SM is going to sit and nurse its flattened and ruffled feathers? Let’s just wait for its mighty and well planned come back, if they have one. That would make living in Gensan a little more fun and interesting.

It is a huge mall with huge, well-known merchandise. It is a beautiful structure that wants to help somehow in saving Mother Earth, and it has these awesome waterfalls that you can stare at all day. KCC is just on the other side, so you don’t have to fret and worry about your grocery. It all has its benefits; the disadvantages have yet to make themselves known. So, have you visited Veranza yet?

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God's art

Photos by Leizel Zafra

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Touch of nature

Photos by Leizel Zafra

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Bruno Mars

Materials: 2b and 8b on eggshell drawing paper

Time frame: Accum. 6 hours

Artist: Z (Reference courtesy of Google)

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Ang mga Babaye sa Batotiti

Source: http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/love/images/33002173/title/love-wallpapers-wallpaper

Dili gani ko musugot nga ana-ay Search sa among lugar, ti-aw ka, ang mag-daog, nganlan nila’g “Miss Batotiti” lami ba diay paminawon?

Ambot nganong naga-boarding house pa man ko. Duol man lang pud amo-a sa eskwelahan.

Didto lang gud sa Malungon.

Didto ko nagdako, sa may Barangay Batotiti – nakabati na ba ka ana? Kuyaw lagi kaayo pangalan sa among baryo. Ingon nila, ang mga dalaga nga nagapuyo sa among lugar, mga gwapa man unta, hilig lang galing mam-basted. Ing-ana jud daw katig-a ilang mga dughan murag bato. Hence, the name for our barangay.

Dili gani ko musugot nga ana-ay Search sa among lugar, ti-aw ka, ang mag-daog, nganlan nila’g “Miss Batotiti” lami ba diay paminawon? Hinuon, lami man pud siya inig dugay, kay akon man na-realize mas nindot kaysa “Miss Malungon”. Hehe, opinion ko lang ‘to ha?

As I was saying, mahilig magpahilak ug laki ang mga bayi. Bag-o ko nag-eskwela sa kolehiyo, ubay-ubay pud akong napahilak. Sari-sari akong mga suitors: nay manong-balot, kanang si Berto – napundir na lang iyahang itlog (sa balot ba) sa sigig bike paadto sa among balay, wala lang gyapon ko musugot nga mahimong iyang trato.

Si Erwin nuon, anak sa usa ka adunahan nga tag-iya sa Funeral Homes. Gwapo man intawon pero tag-himo lagi sila’g lungon. Kung mangolitawo siya, nagaduda naman ko kun asa gikan ang iyang mga bulak. Nagaduha-duha tingali ko modawat.

“Ate, sayang ‘to no… gwapo man si Erwin. Anak sa usa ka adunahan, but-an pa jud! Unsa ma’y ginapangita nimo?” ingon sa akong igsoon, si Ging-ging.

“Ambot uy… basta. Mo-eskwela ‘sa ‘ko.”

“Wala man ko naga-kolek og fafa, sila man lang mudo-ol. Dili ko sama nimo Lyn, hadlok laki.”

Busa katong nagpa-enrol na’ko sa pinaka-prestihiyosong eskwelahan nga gipili pa sa akong amahan, single pa kaayo ko. Hadlok pud gani ko mag-boarding house, apan, ingon sa akong auntie nga nagapuyo sa GenSan, naa kuno sya’y kaila nga nanag-iya ug Ladies Boarding House, na’y discount ang mga gwapahon.

Sadihang, gipangayuan man dayon ko ug 2 months advance ug deposit. Ambot sa langaw… asa didto ang discount? Pero, desente hinuon ang kwarto nga akong gipili, dako siya ug ‘nay tatlo ka katre ug usa ka aparador. Tatlo mi ladyboarder sa usa ka room.

Dire nako naila-ila ang akong mga kaboardmate: si Amanda, bright kaayo, nagkuha og Nursing, og si Nenita, Commerce, taga Isulan, ilonggang dako. “Day, taga Malungon ka? Ti, Cebuana timo haw?” iya ko gipamangkot. “Sagol naman gud ko mo-istorya” tubag pud nako.

Kadugayan, nag-bonding napud lagi mi sa akong mga ka-boardmate. Lami man pud diay ang feeling: murag naa mi’y girl power, pero na-O.P. ko gamay kay puro lagi mga boyprend ang ilang gipang-istoryahan.

Si Amanda, naka-lima na. Ingon pa niya: “Wala man ko naga-kolek og fafa, sila man lang mudo-ol. Dili ko sama nimo Lyn, hadlok laki.” Unsa? I realized, hadlok ba jud diay ko sa laki? O hadlok ko sa relationship? Seryoso man ko sa akong pang-eskwela, ‘kana ang akong pirminti rason. Medyo nahadlok ko kay naa ‘ko nadunggan. Ingon ni Nenita: “Ang mga klasmeyt ko tana sa Elementary, nag-busong dun. Kadalagko gid sa ila tiyan, indi man nila matago. ‘Ti nagpangasawa na sila… ka-aga pa lang gani.”

Si Nenita, nay boyprend, katingalahan. Sige’g bisita dire sa boarding house. Bawal lagi pero gina-jammingan man lang niya among tigol-its nga mayordoma, si Manang Saling.

Usa ka adlaw niaana, nabal-an na lang nako nihawa na si Nenita. Nag-istorya pa man mi ato, depressed man to siya. Gipangutana pud ni Amanda: “Buntis ka Neng? Pag-sulti na lang ug tinuod, naa bitaw mi dire…”

Deny man pud siya. “Dili lagi… basta lang…” Naghinilakay pa mi ato. Na-hurt pud siguro si Amanda kay dili man mag-istorya si Nenita. Niuli na lang sa ila si Nenita, nabilin mi duha ni Amanda sa boarding house.

Nagligad ang panahon… manog-graduate na mi Amanda, stick-to-one tingali to. Na-inlove sa iyang lab partner. Na-develop siguro sa ilang RD “Ambot uy, nag-injection siguro si Cupido sa akong dughan…” ingon pa niya. Happy ko sa ilaha.

Tapos graduation, nag-impake na mi sa among boarding house. Nag-despidida si Manang Saling. Naghiwalay na mi ni Amanda, pero nag-pramis musulat kanunay.

Ako…? Nibalik ko sa Batotiti. Gamay lang gyapon tawo sa amoa, gamay lang lagi nagapakasal didto. Na-isip ko advice ni Amanda… “Kung mabiya-an ka Lyn, unsa na lang?” Unsa tingali? Siguro time na para main-love ko.

Siya na gyud siguro ang para kanako.

Katong celebration sa among balay, gibisita ko ni Berto, dili na siya manog-balot, naglapad na ilang hatchery, ug medyo nag-asenso na pud ang negosyo niya. Ngisi-ngisi pa siya, naa daw siya isolti kanako.

“Lyn, kanang… busy ka karong Sabado?”

“Ah… ngano man Bert? Isoroy ko nimo?”

“Kanang kwan Lyn… sa simbahan unta…”

“Ha?”

“Pwede ka mo-ninang sa akong kinamagulangan?”

Agay.

Dugay pud ko bag-o naulian. Wala na kaayo tawo sa compound. Pagka gab-i, ni-puwesto ko sa bintana sa taas sa among balay. Nakit-an ko si Erwin, misulod sa among gate, naa sya’y dala bulak. Naka-porma. Nag-atang pud ko sa bintana, istoryahon ko tingali. Siya na gyud siguro ang para kanako. Si Erwin, dugay napud nako siya gusto. Ngano man gipahulat pa na’ko? Karong gab-I, kung siya mosulti sa iyang gibati, mag “I do” na’ko. Si Erwin diay ang tinuod.

Unsa gani ‘tong iya gibitbit nga bulak? Ah! Mga rosas ‘to, pula kaayo. Gihuna-huna ko ang among future.

Dugay man kaayo siya? Asa naman ‘tingali si Erwin, nganong wala pa man siya nisaka?

Miadto ko sa silong.

Nagsakit akong dughan, ‘ato siya sa duyan, gisabak si Ging-ging, nga anaay uyat nga mga rosas-pula kaayo.

Source: Admist Injustices (The Voice Publication, 2004)

*References to actual names, places and events are used for the sake of writing fiction Batotiti does not exist in Malungon.

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NDDU Kingfishers outrages NDTC Lions

Nerve-breaking kill attacks, smashes, spikes, and flares made the Kingfishers of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) as the ruling champion in the friendly match of men’s volleyball during the Notre Dame Educational Association Friendship Game ’13 against the hardened players from Notre Dame of Tacurong College (NDTC) Lions, trailed in NDDU Campus on October 23 with an outscored sets of 2-0: 25-18, 25-22 under complex match points.

As the Kingfishers grabbed the limelight in their successive wins on the same date; defeating the Notre Dame of Kidapawan College (NDKC) with a straight two sets, another overwhelming victory they blasted in the final face-off against NDTC which ended within their control. An off-speed error from the Lions concluded the declaration of Kingfishers as the winner.

Both teams were hungry for scoring to prove their supremacy on the court. The Kingfishers played 1:1 ratio with the Lions as they shook off the cobwebs in set 1, reigning with quick push of the ball over the net while leaving the opponent gasping for breath, 15-9. Aiming to drive an earnest game, the NDTC returned with aggressiveness that added more stress to NDDU. Players exhibited long rallies that made the crowd went wild. It continued up to tie up period 16-16, but the smart fake-toss of Kingfishers crushed the deuce in 25-18.

The match concluded in set 2 where visible errors displayed: service and reception errors, due to the fact that championship title laid upon their hands. Players with win-win attitude showcased skills in the end line: forcibly dig and spike the ball to gain every point. Finally, the tight match ended as the NDDU Kingfishers took successive overhand pass with gnashing of kill attacks that resulted to 16-14. An error from the NDTC added one point from the 24 score of NDDU to a winning score of 25.

“We really prepared for this game; we practiced for two weeks, in-house training to have team building, and develop trust for one another.”, Web Galzote (no. 15), one of the star player of the champion team. The game ended nothing but basic form of sportsmanship and friendship. Both teams congratulated one another and NDDU Kingfishers attested their superiority in volleyball tourney.

                                                                                               

                                                                                                Jonnafe Mae A. Prongco

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Junior Masscom Studes Culminated their Crafts in the 7th MSFF and Dokyu-Suri

Film making is groping in the dark, they say.  However, the junior Masscom students foundlight after crafting their own film entries showcased in the 7^th Masscom Short Film Festival (MSFF) and Dokyu-Suri held last October 14, 2013 at the Bro. J.McKnight Auditorium.

The festival’s goal is focused in developing and enhancing the skills of NDDU’s future media practitioners in making short films of their own choices of genre and documentaries while putting into application the theories learned in the four corners of the classroom.

The entries for short films were:  Gatilyong Kalawang, Usok, Kolorete, andCentro.  The production team of Gatilyong Kalawang which is an action-love story bagged 6 awards for outstanding in cinematography, production design and musical score, editing, direction, had the best supporting actor and coined the most promising short film.  Meanwhile, Usok which is a story of love, trickery, and hatred garnered the best in screenplay and had the best actor.  Kolorete, a story of an uptown girl gone gaga in the city, had the best actress while Centro, a tragic story of friendship, was the best in theatrical display.

The young film makers also culminated their skills in making documentaries – eye-opening films to realities in the society.  Talaarawan shone the brightest being awarded as the best documentary and having the best documentary host.  It is the documentary counterpart of the production team of Gatilyong Kalawang.  Talaarawan was a documentary of the lives of our seniority in the Home for the Aged who has not long seen their families.  The other entries were Kagud which is about internet scams, Porter shares to us the life of a bus terminal porter, and Maya which is centered on bisexuality.

“We deserved it!” rejoiced Halier Rubrico exclaimed as he received one of the awards for Gatilyong Kalawang.

As the saying goes: “If teamwork and hard work go together always…it pays!”

Agnes Salada

Sheina Mae Laus

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The Voice attends 15th NTC Press Con

In celebration of General Santos City’s Tuna Festival, the 15^th National Tuna Congress was held at SM City General Santos Trade Halls on the 6^th and 7^th of September with the theme “Celebrating 15 years of Advocacy, Partnership and Collaboration.”

A press conference was held in the morning of the first day which was attended by the The Voice Publication of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University as a part of the private sector which would promote out the Tuna Industry in productive collaboration with government agencies, political leaders, industry leaders and experts.

During the conference, questions were raised on some of the 14 resolutions presented, and one was regarding the passage of the law creating the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

According to Mr. Joaquin T. Lu, President of SFFAII, the Department, being on the secretary level could participate in international conferences and through its creation, the government could give more attention and immediate action to the needs of the fishing industry which clearly provides more benefits and advantages than the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The Typhoon Pablo incident was also recalled. Mr. Dominic R. Salazar, Chairman of the Program and Resolutions Committee said that advance monitoring of the weather as well as of the condition of the high seas is essential wherein speculations of a perfect storm could be made. Mr.Marfenio Y. Tan, Chairman of SAFI Group of Companies added that people should accept the drastic change of weather patterns (climate change). Specifically, he also mentioned that fishing is banned during typhoon season for safety.

Aside from the fishing industry, there was also a resolution regarding the development of the General Santos City airport. It is briefly said that the airport is strategic in nature and the government is aiming for its improvement together with its facilities for it to be globally competitive.

Other matters addressed through follow-up questions concerned fishing boats, the International Labour Organization Recommendation 199 and the minimumwages.

Meanwhile, at the same morning, the Trade Exhibit was also opened which featured products of different companies such as Citra Mina Group of Companies, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, Energitex Power Technologies Corporation, Dynamic Casting, Inc., Cebu Pacific Air, Unilab, Banco De Oro Universal Bank, etc.

The Congress proceeded in the afternoon until the next day wherein topics about the Tuna Industry were discussed, open forums were conducted and the 15^th NTC resolutions were developed.

Shandy Mae M. Pagco

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