"Ti, happy ka na?"

“Oh. Nadeliver namon ha… Ti, happy ka na?” Says Sir Rommel, the sales manager of Makinaugalingon Press, with a teasing smile. They were about to go back to Iloilo then after promptly delivering the yearbooks. “Hu-oh… happy eh…”, I replied with a big grin.

At long last, I already saw the fruit of all our labors. After all the sleepless nights, the crying times, the “pangasaba and yawyaw” galore, the cutting classes, the "emo" posts, etc…etc…, we were still able to produce the Pylon 2009 Yearbook and the Pylon Interactive on time.

My happiness that time was indescribable. The sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that I felt was beyond description. (Char! OA pod... hehe)

Whenever I think of how I cried during the last Yearbook Camp, when I learned that the biggest responsibility in Pylon was handed on to me, I just smile. All the hesitations and doubts that I felt before just vanished. Now, I'm ready to take on the next challenge. (mag start na sa Pylon 2010? haha...) The compliments and congratulations from the other staff members, advisers, some students who were able to see the book, and even the ex-adviser and the ex-EIC, made me even more confident. It's as if, all the exhaustion and fatigue that I felt were lifted off. "Naibot na jud and tunok sa dughan, Jan?", teased Sir Jo, our former adviser. "Finally, Sir. Baling dakoa dagway sa tunok na naibot," I replied.

At least, now I already know the process and all the ins and outs in yearbook making. I learned so many things along the way. Good thing all went out just fine, because one wrong move in Pylon already means failure in accomplishing the main goal.

A big "thank you" also to the Makinaugalingon people, to Sir Joseph, Sir Vincent, Sir Rommel, Mr. and Mrs. Mejica, and everybody who helped out, for not failing us. During our last visit there last February 28, we've seen how they worked hard just to meet the deadline. And of course, the yearbook 2009 won't be possible without the cooperation and teamwork of the Pylonites. I am just so thankful that I have the full support and help from all of them. (My complete speech at the EIC's page in the yearbook. hehe..)

We made it, guys! Next yearbook na pod...!


"Happy na gid..." hehe

Faith Check...

Here is an excerpt from Dan Brown's Angels and Demons, that i want to share with you.

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"Father," Chartrand said, "may I ask you a strange question?"

The camerlengo smiled. "Only if I may give you a strange answer."

Chartrand laughed. "I have asked every priest I know, and still don't understand."

"What troubles you?"

Charland took a deep breath. "I don't understand this omnipotent-benevolent thing."

The camerlengo smiled. "You've been reading scripture."

"I try."

"You are confused because the Bible describes God as an omnipotent and benevolent deity."

"Exactly."

"Omnipotent-benevolent simply means God is all-powerful and well-meaning."

"I understand the concept. It's just... there seems to be a contradiction."

"Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man's starvation, war, sickness..."

"Exactly! Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't He?"

The camerlengo frowned. "Would He?"

Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn't ask? "Well... if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help."

"Do you have children, Lieutenant?"

Chartrand flushed. "No, Signore."

"Imagine you had an eight-year-old son.... would you love him?"

"Of course."

"Would you do everything in your power to prevent pain in his life?''

"Of course."

"Would you let him skateboard?'

Yeah, I guess," Chartrand said. "Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful."

"So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?"

"I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle him if that's what you mean."

"But what if he fell and skinned his knee?"

"He would learn to be more careful."

The camerlengo smiled. "So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?"

"Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn."

The camerlengo nodded. "Exactly."