Page 19 - The Flame

Hakuna Matata

Touchéouchéouché
KRISTINE ELIZABETH B. DIHIANSAN, Issues Editor
T T
An open letter
ANGELICA CLARISSE R. ESMERNA, Culture Editor/Copy EditorGELICA CLARISSE R. ESMERNA, Culture Editor/Copy EditorGELICA CLARISSE R. ESMERNA, Culture Editor/Copy Editor
AN
AN
Learn and unlearnearn and unlearnearn and unlearn
L L
I started to question if finishing my gratitude to Ate Rose-An, Failure due to Absences (FA) sta-
school works would really grant the former editor in chief of the tus in some of my classes.
me my diploma—my one-way Flame, for believing in my capa- Likewise, I am proud to say
ticket to success. Brought by this bilities when she assigned me that after four years since we
perception, I treated school works this post. To my writers under made the pact, everything is now
as the least of my priorities, even- the Issues section who managed slowly becoming full circle. You
he
a journalis
a journalistic ethical guideline.tic ethical guideline.tic ethical guideline.
ask a journalis he
ask
asked to swear by the rulebook ed to swear by the rulebook ed to swear by the rulebook
help, for staying with me despite lp, for staying with me despite lp, for staying with me despite
know that I was not thrilled when
to meet my demands, I salute all
tually adding insult to injury as
of journalism following it to the journalism following it to the journalism following it to the
I, for instance, had to learn for instance, had to learn for instance, had to learn
of
I, I,
of of your hard work. I do hope that my incurable pessimism, social y incurable pessimism, social y incurable pessimism, social
m m
I made it into Journalism. I could
the cycle repeats again.
inc
incapability, and for always be-apability, and for always be-apability, and for always be-
and
le le Some of those whom I con- and inc
letter, write about the truth in tter, write about the truth in tter, write about the truth in
and unlearn my lessons when I unlearn my lessons when I unlearn my lessons when I
not remember what exactly you
you learned something from me
had
had my on-the-job training last my on-the-job training last my on-the-job training last
ing there no matter what the there no matter what the there no matter what the
ing
some
young oung oung
some
and that those lessons somehow
told me, but what I remember
IFE N N is a some y y e e every ethical manner possible.very ethical manner possible.very ethical manner possible. had ing
NLIKE LIKE LIKE joke and the joke is
fided my troubles with told me
summer. It was a tough learning r. It was a tough learning r. It was a tough learning
summe
W W
We learned and wrote as we e learned and wrote as we e learned and wrote as we
adults who already have who already have who already have
adults
adults
is that if I become a journalist, I
overcome my lapses as your edi-
in our hands, my friend once to quit. Even my other half urged summe c c cost may be.ost may be.ost may be.
were taught by the lessons writ-ere taught by the lessons writ-ere taught by the lessons writ-
To the Flame staff, both the o the Flame staff, both the o the Flame staff, both the
T T
process but the lessons learned ocess but the lessons learned ocess but the lessons learned
Uconcrete plans for their concrete plans for their concrete plans for their w w pr pr must write you a letter.
me to do so but I did not have the
tor. However, I would like to instill
U U Lsaid. Believe it or not, one of
old
t t
old
and unlearned from the experi-unlearned from the experi-unlearned from the experi-
and
future, I, among the few oth-e, I, among the few oth-e, I, among the few oth- ten on the papers and those ex-en on the papers and those ex-en on the papers and those ex- and old and new, who constantly and new, who constantly and new, who constantly
futur
the
Since then, I already made
that we can only savour the suc-
futur biggest jokes that occurred
heart to follow for I took my big-
perienced by our professors. In rienced by our professors. In rienced by our professors. In
suff
ence
ence
pe
suffered from my dry sense of ered from my dry sense of ered from my dry sense of
ers, have always been lost in the s, have always been lost in the s, have always been lost in the pe ence honed and transformed honed and transformed honed and transformed suff
that an end in mind. I joined pub-
er er during my four-year stay here at
cess of our endeavours when we
gest joke seriously. Admittedly,
the
the
humor
humor
me
me into a better person. Indeed, into a better person. Indeed, into a better person. Indeed,
de the midst of all these, we were midst of all these, we were midst of all these, we were me humor and weirdness—espe-and weirdness—espe-and weirdness—espe-
lications because I thought that
de Faculty of Arts and
I learned to love it even if it ate
manage to tickle the lost sense
the
deep abyss of uncertainty. ep abyss of uncertainty. ep abyss of uncertainty. Letters
cially to Jenn and the previous to Jenn and the previous to Jenn and the previous
cially
also
also
I initially thought that I initially thought that I initially thought that I
I I
being part of a publication is tan-
much of my time and concern.
of liberalism and assertiveness of
(Artlets) was when I originally also ironically reminded to know ironically reminded to know ironically reminded to know e e experience may be a harsh xperience may be a harsh xperience may be a harsh cially
editorial staff who allowed me orial staff who allowed me orial staff who allowed me
edit
when t
when t
would never find the way out ould never find the way out ould never find the way out when to learn and to unlearn. o learn and to unlearn. o learn and to unlearn. t t teacher but it is the best.eacher but it is the best.eacher but it is the best. edit
tamount to becoming a journalist.
the Artlets students through the
w w entered as a literary writer of this
With a sigh of relief, I would
In
It It
In
In these four years of strug-these four years of strug-these four years of strug-
It may now be proper to say may now be proper to say may now be proper to say
t t
of my self-confined labyrinth, my self-confined labyrinth, my self-confined labyrinth,
of
of like to thank my friends who man- stories we painstakingly write. to stick around despite my lack o stick around despite my lack o stick around despite my lack
I aspired to become an editor and
publication—in hopes of honing
of
of
tha
gle,
gle, I became used to face I became used to face I became used to face
that being a writer or even a t being a writer or even a t being a writer or even a
but gle, tha of confidence in what I write—confidence in what I write—confidence in what I write—
but I am proud to say that after I am proud to say that after I am proud to say that after
I worked hard for it because I have
but literary skills—but ended up
Treasure this section with high
my
aged to keep me insanely sane
journalis
journalist is not an easy profes-t is not an easy profes-t is not an easy profes-
thank you.ou.ou.
thank y
bloody
bloody red-inked papers al-red-inked papers al-red-inked papers al-
spending
spending four years at the Fac-four years at the Fac-four years at the Fac-
spending bloody journalis thank y
long since visualized writing and
whenever things spiral out of
ideals.
as the editor of its Special Reports
sion
I would also like to congratu-would also like to congratu-would also like to congratu-
sion
I I
mos
mos
ulty most every day that it already t every day that it already t every day that it already sion that is always better learned that is always better learned that is always better learned dedicating a portion of my col-
ulty
ulty of Arts and Letters, I think I of Arts and Letters, I think I of Arts and Letters, I think I
Finally, to you my dear read-
control. I hope that the bond we
section. Because of this sudden
be
became part of my system. came part of my system. came part of my system.
outside
la la
outside the school. There are the school. There are the school. There are
jus
just found myself.t found myself.t found myself.
jus be outside late our batch for at least reviv-te our batch for at least reviv-te our batch for at least reviv-
umn as my thank you letter.
ers who managed to stomach this
formed will transcend beyond the
turn of events, I often find myself
ing
ing
Journalism
le le
Journalism students’ intellec-students’ intellec-students’ intellec-
Journalism
Journalism was neither a was neither a was neither a
Journalism ng issues pero is-
saying, “Ayoko Journalism lessons that only the academe ssons that only the academe ssons that only the academe ing this publication especially this publication especially this publication especially
written piece, here is the fruit
But the quest to attain my
walls of the University and will
tual
tual capabilities are rewired to capabilities are rewired to capabilities are rewired to
during the point when it was the point when it was the point when it was
during
choice
choice out of sheer whim nor out of sheer whim nor out of sheer whim nor
choice tual c c can teach and those that only an teach and those that only an teach and those that only during
goal was never easy. During sleep-
sues ang lumalapit sa akin.”
surpass the bottles of beers we
of our labor that goes with the
only a flicker away from being a flicker away from being a flicker away from being
only
lif lif
writ
write, check, and edit—all while e, check, and edit—all while e, check, and edit—all while
less nights, I found myself staring
a a Four years ago, I was not
merrily tumbled down (this also
hope of implanting a question to
a childhood dream of any sort. childhood dream of any sort. childhood dream of any sort. a writ life can impart. To know how to e can impart. To know how to e can impart. To know how to only
extinguished. To our junior staff, xtinguished. To our junior staff, xtinguished. To our junior staff,
write is far different from being e is far different from being e is far different from being
writ
Choosing f f following the tenets taught to ollowing the tenets taught to ollowing the tenets taught to writ e e
blankly at Microsoft Word in pur-
Choosing to study, chew, and to study, chew, and to study, chew, and I
true blue
Choosing Artlets student and
goes to my block mates).
your subconscious about press-
a journalist. Journalism, just like journalist. Journalism, just like journalist. Journalism, just like
I I
them.
them.
swallow it was a leap of faith—a wallow it was a leap of faith—a wallow it was a leap of faith—a them. Compared to how subtle Compared to how subtle Compared to how subtle a a I wish you the best of luck to wish you the best of luck to wish you the best of luck to
suit of finishing articles and paper
ing issues in our Faculty. Our lib-
On a personal note, I would
s s did not care about meddling with
an
le le
an
c c
risky learning something new is, it is arning something new is, it is arning something new is, it is any other career, is more than y other career, is more than y other career, is more than continue what we have started ontinue what we have started ontinue what we have started
risky decision brought by uncer-decision brought by uncer-decision brought by uncer-
the
eralism may have waned through
works, all while thinking of giving
risky affairs of the Faculty. I never
like to express my gratitude to
t t
not always easy to simply un-always easy to simply un-always easy to simply un-
not
jus
jus
tainty, hoping that it may stand ainty, hoping that it may stand ainty, hoping that it may stand not just a hobby. Being a journalist t a hobby. Being a journalist t a hobby. Being a journalist to keep the Flame burning.o keep the Flame burning.o keep the Flame burning.
up. Fortunately, I did not.
the years made evident by the
certain people. To Jhiz, my con-
t t wished to study in this University,
To all of my professors who o all of my professors who o all of my professors who
learn something.arn something.arn something.
is is
in in le le is a vocation that can make or a vocation that can make or a vocation that can make or T T
in place of what I wanted to do place of what I wanted to do place of what I wanted to do
Does this letter prove any
numerous “no response”, “no
more so to graduate with a Bach-
stant buddy who imparted to me
have contributed a piece of ve contributed a piece of ve contributed a piece of
ha
break a person as it attempts to eak a person as it attempts to eak a person as it attempts to
Learning does not end the does not end the does not end the
Learning
Learning
but could not do. It was a risk could not do. It was a risk could not do. It was a risk the concept of yin yang and bal- br br ha
but
but
good? Aside from it being a tes-
elor of Arts degree. Now that I am
comment”, and “off-the-record”
knowledge about life and jour-wledge about life and jour-wledge about life and jour-
da
kno
inspir
day we march up the stage and y we march up the stage and y we march up the stage and
inspire and speak of the truth.e and speak of the truth.e and speak of the truth.
tha
tha da inspir kno
tament to our agreement, it also
that eventually paid off teaching t eventually paid off teaching t eventually paid off teaching I
bound to obtain my diploma,
responses we received from ran-
ance, thank you for those count-
g g
***
***
***
nalism,
nalism,
me
me
me more than what I thought more than what I thought more than what I thought get our diploma. Our wit and et our diploma. Our wit and et our diploma. Our wit and dom sources, but I would like to nalism, I will always be grateful I will always be grateful I will always be grateful
brings justice to my parents who
have yet to confess that out of the
less moments you accompanied
wisdom
wisdom
My
My
My four-year journey as a four-year journey as a four-year journey as a
supported my studies even if
was possible.as possible.as possible. aforementioned, two wisdom continue to grow as the continue to grow as the continue to grow as the reiterate that being liberal is to f f for everything you have taught or everything you have taught or everything you have taught
w w many rants
me upon my request—mostly for
journalism student is a surreal student is a surreal student is a surreal
me.
me. To our “well-loved” thesis To our “well-loved” thesis To our “well-loved” thesis
pe
person in us grows. Perfection is rson in us grows. Perfection is rson in us grows. Perfection is
journalism
I must say that learning was must say that learning was must say that learning was
I I
they liked me better off in any
persuading (and eventually inspir-
speak and to act coming from a
things remain true—I am still not pe journalism me.
r r
advise
adviser, Sir John Manuel Kliatch-r, Sir John Manuel Kliatch-r, Sir John Manuel Kliatch-
o o
ine overrated. It may be impossible verrated. It may be impossible verrated. It may be impossible roller coaster ride infused with oller coaster ride infused with oller coaster ride infused with advise
a
business-related course. Lastly,
inevitable during those four vitable during those four vitable during those four I
ine true blue Artlets student and
strong good moral standpoint. Do
ing) me to finish my school works.
and
k k
emotions
emotions
and elusive to have the perfect elusive to have the perfect elusive to have the perfect
excruciating yet fruitful years—xcruciating yet fruitful years—xcruciating yet fruitful years— and emotions of heavy television of heavy television of heavy television ko, who made our thesis writing o, who made our thesis writing o, who made our thesis writing
the fact that I ended up where
e e still do not care about the affairs
not hold back in voicing your con-
I do hope that you will start to
journe
drama that I could have never ama that I could have never ama that I could have never
journe
whether you slack off or be at-ther you slack off or be at-ther you slack off or be at- e e education and knowledge of our ducation and knowledge of our ducation and knowledge of our dr dr journey exciting and fearless y exciting and fearless y exciting and fearless
whe
whe
cerns that matter to this Faculty.
of the Faculty.
I am now proves that in God’s
apply the concept of yin yang in
cr cr
sur
survived without the help of vived without the help of vived without the help of
t t tentive. It did not matter wheth-entive. It did not matter wheth-entive. It did not matter wheth- craft. We can only learn and take aft. We can only learn and take aft. We can only learn and take sur r r rather than suffocating, thank ather than suffocating, thank ather than suffocating, thank
time, everything will fall into its
Take it from me who hated issues
your state of living as concerned
So what happened to the joke
in in
y y
certain people. As this journey rtain people. As this journey rtain people. As this journey
er
er in as much as we can and make as much as we can and make as much as we can and make ce ce you. ou. ou.
er you are a regular newspaper you are a regular newspaper you are a regular newspaper
right place. I am forever grateful
people are fretful over it. To Jenn,
but was able to unearth one is-
and to the remainder of my truth?
I I
ne
ne
I would like to thank also the would like to thank also the would like to thank also the
the be
the best out of it.st out of it.st out of it.
reader or simply someone who eader or simply someone who eader or simply someone who the be nears its end, I would like to ars its end, I would like to ars its end, I would like to to our pact, to my parents, and to
r r Their combination is “one heck of
sue after another (at least in my
who kept on pestering me with
grab this opportunity to take ab this opportunity to take ab this opportunity to take
The academe, through the academe, through the academe, through the
The
The
cannot care less when it comes annot care less when it comes annot care less when it comes deadlines from group works to gr gr s s staff of the Journalese for bear-taff of the Journalese for bear-taff of the Journalese for bear-
Him because when I almost lost
term), and saw it all, together
c c a ride.” Sometimes they crash,
pr pr
ing with me and allowing me to with me and allowing me to with me and allowing me to
m m
ing
to what is happening around o what is happening around o what is happening around professors who mentored us ofessors who mentored us ofessors who mentored us my hat off to those people who y hat off to those people who y hat off to those people who ing
t t but the need for them to jive al-
track of my goal, the thought of
with my writers to tell the tale—
publication matters for the last
all
all
made this ride w
made this ride worthwhile.orthwhile.orthwhile.
you. At least in UST’s Journal-ou. At least in UST’s Journal-ou. At least in UST’s Journal- all the way, can only teach so the way, can only teach so the way, can only teach so made this ride w s s stay and be part of the family.tay and be part of the family.tay and be part of the family.
you gave me the courage to keep
four years, amid the previous
the issues of our time.
y y together is part and parcel of my
Much of my thanks also go to of my thanks also go to of my thanks also go to
Much
Much
much.
much.
ism
ism curriculum, that is how it all curriculum, that is how it all curriculum, that is how it all much. However, the rest of our However, the rest of our However, the rest of our I I I thank God and my family thank God and my family thank God and my family going.
***
advices I gave about the things
job.
ism Even if I despise doing the
who
e e
who patiently helped me push patiently helped me push patiently helped me push
the
the publication where I had my publication where I had my publication where I had my
see
see
seemed. You are bound to learn med. You are bound to learn med. You are bound to learn educational journey lies in our ducational journey lies in our ducational journey lies in our who the I do not want to get your
work, I have to embrace my situ-
you ranted about, here is a final
Dear John Neil,
in in
hands
thr
through this course—hopefully ough this course—hopefully ough this course—hopefully
hands as we go on to the “big as we go on to the “big as we go on to the “big
some hands thr How are you? I hope you have internship. Its lifestyle section ternship. Its lifestyle section ternship. Its lifestyle section
hopes up but if ever I do not be-
something, whatever it may be.thing, whatever it may be.thing, whatever it may be. to
advice reminiscent of a play by
some with much gusto for me
ation
was an extension of my Artlets as an extension of my Artlets as an extension of my Artlets
with
le le
with
You learn some and then ou learn some and then ou learn some and then
Y Y
come a journalist, just wish me
a small theatre group: “Bawal
keep up with the job description. league.” ague.” ague.” with success—despite my ap-success—despite my ap-success—despite my ap- w w
finally found your way through
pr pr
The world beyond the pro-world beyond the pro-world beyond the pro-
home
home
The
The
you lose some. The academe, ou lose some. The academe, ou lose some. The academe, sumuko (pero) pwede sumuka.” prehensions, constant whining, ehensions, constant whining, ehensions, constant whining, home. I owe them not only my . I owe them not only my . I owe them not only my
luck in whatever path I pursue in
your paper works since the last
y y Truly, some of the best things
and all-nighters.ters.ters.
and all-nigh
surr
surr
together with its mentors, can ogether with its mentors, can ogether with its mentors, can t t tective walls of the University is ective walls of the University is ective walls of the University is and all-nigh surreal journalistic knowledge eal journalistic knowledge eal journalistic knowledge
the same manner that I wish you
t t worth laughing about are the iro-
If you take those words by heart
time we talked over Facebook last
bound to teach us that not ev-to teach us that not ev-to teach us that not ev-
and experiences but as well as experiences but as well as experiences but as well as
bound
and
To my 4JRN1 family, thank o my 4JRN1 family, thank o my 4JRN1 family, thank
T T
only
only bound year, you said, “Kung ikaw luma- and
only teach you what it con-teach you what it con-teach you what it con-
nies in life we are left to deal with.
success in all of your endeavors. I
and never lose sight of what is im-
the confidence in myself where confidence in myself where confidence in myself where
the
t t
tains. In our case as journalism ains. In our case as journalism ains. In our case as journalism e e ery piece of rule taught to us is ry piece of rule taught to us is ry piece of rule taught to us is y y you for injecting pizzazz to my ou for injecting pizzazz to my ou for injecting pizzazz to my the
am still hopeful that we can pur-
langoy sa papel, ako nalulunod
But looking back, my situa-
portant whenever you are faced
c c
I I
crucial
crucial and correct. Therefore, and correct. Therefore, and correct. Therefore,
students, we were taught how tudents, we were taught how tudents, we were taught how crucial college life and for being (prob-ollege life and for being (prob-ollege life and for being (prob- I found my niche as a budding found my niche as a budding found my niche as a budding
sue our Bicol trip and future nu-
na.”
s s tion was no laughing matter. For
with a dilemma, you will never
it it
ably)
writ
ably) the most supportive class I the most supportive class I the most supportive class I
writer.er.er.
to write properly in terms of o write properly in terms of o write properly in terms of it is our duty to tweak what we is our duty to tweak what we is our duty to tweak what we ably) writ
merous getaways with the rest of
go wrong. To Paolo, my breath of
As of this writing, I am still
t t months that I have struggled to
Lastly, to those who have tly, to those who have tly, to those who have
Las
will
will ever know. Most especially ever know. Most especially ever know. Most especially
Las
know once the need arises. w once the need arises. w once the need arises.
kno
grammar and sense, and put ammar and sense, and put ammar and sense, and put kno will the gang. On a final note, I wish to
fresh air in this chaotic world, I
swimming in a major paperwork.
gr gr keep this section afloat while
not
not found their names but were found their names but were found their names but were
With all those babbling all those babbling all those babbling
With
With
everything concisely—all while verything concisely—all while verything concisely—all while will always cherish the idle times t t to my “bading” friends, Alex, o my “bading” friends, Alex, o my “bading” friends, Alex, not
Thesis still lingers at the back of
sing Hakuna Matata throughout
e e balancing my social and personal
Bea,
made,
part of my college life, I will al-of my college life, I will al-of my college life, I will al-
part
Bea,
made, the point is to know when the point is to know when the point is to know when
attracting attention, inspiring, ttracting attention, inspiring, ttracting attention, inspiring, made, Bea, Thaene, Claire, CJ, Lars; Thaene, Claire, CJ, Lars; Thaene, Claire, CJ, Lars; part
our lives—amid all my reigning
my head and I am really anxious
we spent together in conversa-
a a life, tasks kept on piling up to
t t
thesis-ma
ways be grateful and indebted ays be grateful and indebted ays be grateful and indebted
thesis-ma
informing, and attempting to forming, and attempting to forming, and attempting to to abide by the rules and know o abide by the rules and know o abide by the rules and know thesis-mates, Bianca, Joanne, tes, Bianca, Joanne, tes, Bianca, Joanne, w w
whether or not I will graduate on
in in the extent that my performance
doubts and pessimism—as well as
tions about anything and every-
and Nickky; thank you for the Nickky; thank you for the Nickky; thank you for the
and
when to change them—wheth-to change them—wheth-to change them—wheth-
when
t t
remove our own biases and emove our own biases and emove our own biases and when and to the wit and wisdom that you o the wit and wisdom that you o the wit and wisdom that you
the song I sang years ago with you
thing under the sun.
time. Adding up to my anxiety is
r r drooped. Sleepless nights did
ha
ha
e e
judgme
judgment. We were seemingly nt. We were seemingly nt. We were seemingly er it is a simple grammar rule or r it is a simple grammar rule or r it is a simple grammar rule or c c constant encouragement and onstant encouragement and onstant encouragement and have shared with me. Fve shared with me. Fve shared with me. F
judgme
guys. Cheers! – Elizabeth F
the dreary thought of acquiring a
not produce fruitful results and
I would also like to express
FLAME | 19