GIRL INTERRUPTED
GIRL INTERRUPTED
3.10.2005
THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE FACE OF THE EARTH
1. I PASSED U.P. LAW!!!!!!!
Oh my god! Can you believe it?
When I received text messages from friends who are in U.P. law and friends who have also tried their luck, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Kahit 5 silang nagsasabi, di pa rin ako makapaniwala.
The wonderful news caught me by surprise pa. Wala akong kamalay-malay na today pala inilabas ang results. What a lovely surprise talaga!
Tsaka get this, I'm part of the lucky 100 who don't need to go through interview anymore. Pasok na pasok na! Yipee! Di talaga ako makapaniwala. Hanggang ngayon overwhelmed ako.
I really thought when I took that blasted exam eh bagsak ako kasi nga hindi ako nakapag-review at ni hindi ako naka-kalahati sa Math. I guess the English and Logic parts pulled me through. Plus my college grades! Yea-ba!
Dear God, thank you, thank you. As in!
I said before that I'll take it as a sign, kung meant for me or hindi. I guess it's meant to be. Haayyy... Atty. Rachelle Grace San Pedro in about half a decade's time! Gandang pakinggan.
2. My future in media is looking good. Update on the ABS-CBN thing: The fashion show, for which I was originaly going to be a writer, was put on hold. Inaayos pa kasi ang details. Medyo magulo at the moment. But all is not lost. In fact, may gain nga. The HR department endorsed me in a corporate position (secret muna!) So ayun, I went there today for an interview and on-the-spot writing test. It went well naman. I really hope I get picked despite the competition. I really really dig the job! *keeping my fingers crossed *
3. iNEXUS, the new iATENEO forum, has been launched. Excited talaga ako dahil pinaghirapan ng team namin 'yun. We wanted a forum that has lots of features tsaka personal ang dating for all our readers to enjoy. Sana mag-click. Check it out guys! Register na and join the fun!
Hay... ang saya saya talaga! These three things made my day wonderful. I'm getting everything I want: entrance into law school, a writing job, and expansion of an organization I truly believe in. What more could a girl ask for? I really am the luckiest girl in the face of the earth.
P.S. By the way, proud na proud ako. My soul sistah Jamie Santos, Philo and Theo buddy Gwen Garcia, and papparazzi Chinkin won Raul L. Locsin awards for their exemplary performance in journalism. Congrats you guys! :)
3.09.2005
MY VERY LAST REPORT CARD
Senior Seminar Paper II [A]
Theology 141 [A]
Philosophy 103 [A]
Writing about Culture [A]
Western Literature [B+]
Literary Criticism II [B]
Four As, a B+, and a B. Pretty good! With those grades, I'm definitely graduating cum laude!
I am especially proud of the A with thesis because I really gave that all my time and effort. And I promised myself at the beginning of senior year that I would work for an A in thesis for both semesters. Thankfully, I was able to realize that goal.
Honestly, I'm pretty surprised to have gotten a B+ and a B on the Lit subjects. I wanted to make the most out of the minor degree and so resigned to getting not so high grades (C or C+ I thought) from risking it with "expert" teachers. I simply planned to make up with core subjects Theology and Philosophy. I'm glad that my plan worked and that I got more than what I expected.
[Side note: Yabang ko! Kulang na nga ako ng isang paper (worth 10%) sa Western Lit tsaka sa I only got a C sa LiCrit midterms, nabawi ko lang talaga sa A feminist paper ko tapos mataas pa ako in both subjects! Hehe... Galing ko talaga mang-bola!]
Dean's Lister for all my four years in college, wow! I'm so proud of myself. I know that grades don't define a person. Technically, that is, since we can't be measured like that. But my report cards reflect the consistency, drive, and passion for excellence that I have cultivated. Those are indeed worth being proud of.
The As, B+s, and Bs prove that nothing is impossible if we just choose to believe and we act upon our dream.
3.08.2005
AN ODE TO THE CREATURES WHO GIVE LIFE TO THE WORLD
[A MESSAGE FOR ALL WOMEN THIS WOMEN'S WEEK]
March 8 is International Women's Day.
In celebration of these events, I would like to pay my respect to all women all over the world.
Mothers, daughters, teachers, nuns, feminists, actresses, writers, artists, Maria Claras, Madonnas, career women, housewives--all the bearers of the indestructible female spirit, I celebrate you. Your beauty, your strength, and your valuable contribution to society serve as an inspiration.
This week and all other weeks, celebrate being a woman! Continue showing the world that creative positive energy females possess.
Mulieris Update
Because of the said important occassion, Mulieris will be releasing a CD entitled "Boses ng Babae" with the songs "Ako ay Babae" and "Sabi Niyo" by Mitzi Alojipan. Do get a copy.
I would like to post the piece I've written for the CD pamphlet because I think the message is important to share.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
A FEMINIST STATEMENT
All who have had to deal with menstrual cramps, giving birth, stereotypes, and the double standard, know this: It is not easy to be a woman. Yes, even today when society is more liberal, delineation between males and females still exists and it has detrimental effects on the so-called "inferior sex." Women are faced with the challenge of opening windows and discovering views while inside the room society has locked them up in. They need to find that delicate balance between gender roles and the person they want to be. Truly, carrying estrogen in one's body poses difficulties the testosterone-filled should not dismiss.
Now if being a woman is hard, being a feminist is even harder. For a patriarchal society that wishes to preserve its "balance," feminists are nothing but trouble. Indeed, the feminist movement's biggest problem is either the lack of or the wrong idea regarding feminism. The gender-liberating field has been wrongly associated with rallying amazons.
It is in the face of all these difficulties that Mulieris was born.
The women of Mulieris do not wish to topple men down. After all, a man-hater is no better than a chauvinist. We do not claim to know "the right way" to live. We ourselves are still on that journey of defining our person. We do not offer a panacea to the gender problem. Such is so pervasive and deeply rooted that it requires a combined effort from all the elements of society to be solved.
Mulieris takes the first step.
Mulieris' aim is to ask questions, to make people aware, to present both sides and to make sense of the situation. Mulieris wants to let women know that they always have a choice. Mulieris wants to help men understand the female's predicament and vice-versa. Mulieris envisions a society that is free of discrimination, a society that promotes the welfare of its members regardless of their sex.
It is about time the women of Ateneo speak up. It is about time gender issues are addressed.
This Women's Week, Mulieris brings you "Boses ng Babae," a CD containing the songs of my dear friend and Mulieris member Mitzi Alojipan. Listen to the soulful celebration of womanhood "Ako ay Babae" and the feisty, upbeat, challenge to stereotypes "Sabi Niyo." And when you listen, do so not only with your ears but also with your mind and heart. Recognize and understand the gift that is womanhood.
It is not easy being a woman. It is not easy being a feminist. It is not easy to declare "Ako ay babae" in the face of all those "sabi-sabi." However, to be a woman and to be a woman for other women is a beautiful and wonderful thing. It means bringing life to the world, possessing that positive energy called love, rising above the challenges, and being that emblem of beauty, strength, and spirit.
I want to express my deepest admiration and utmost respect to the women who take up their role with courage and smile. Happy Women's Week!
Rachelle Grace San Pedro
Vice President for Human Resources
"Boses ng Babae" Project Head
Para sa nagdadala ng buhay sa mundoPara sa nag-aaruga at kumakalinga sa bayanPara sa nagsusumikap at nagtatagumpay sa kabila ng hindi patas na pagtingin sa mga babae at lalakiPara sa pinapatunayan ang kanilang kakayahanPara sa kanyang binansagan ng maraming pangalan at binigyan ng "dapat" gawin ngunit nabuhay ayon sa sariling naisPara sa marunong tumayo sa sariling paa ngunit palaging nakakabit sa mga mahal sa buhayPara sa larawan ng kagandahan, katalinuhan, at kabutihanPara sa boses ng maliit at inaapi ngunit palaging sumisigaw at ipinahahayag ang damdaminPara sa babae hindi lamang sa pisikal ngunit sa puso at sa kaluluwaPara sa babae na nagbibigay dahilan sa ibang babae na makadama ng dignidad sa kanilang kasarian
Para sa lahat ng kababaihan, ano man ang edad, estado, at paniniwala
Espesyal na pagbati sa mga babae sa aking buhay--ang aking ina, mga lola, mga tita, mga guro, mga kasama sa Mulieris, mga kaibigan, at mga kakilala. Kayo ang bumubuo ng aking pagkatao bilang babae. Maraming maraming salamat!
HAPPY WOMEN'S WEEK!
3.07.2005
FORGIVENESS IS FOR FREE
My reaction to that: Whatever! The idea that forgiveness is for free is nothing but cheese. C'mon, it's a big blow on the pride. People who have wronged you deserve to know just how big an offense they have committed. I mean, I take responsibility whenever I do something wrong. Why shouldn't everybody else? To repent is the least they could do. We should get even. Nothing is free. People should deserve something before they get it.
I lived with that philosophy for a while then...
[Fast Forward]
Scene: Present
[Stop]
[Play]
Today, I spoke to someone who... well not really wronged me but let's just say didn't fulfill her obligations and in the process burdened me. As in I really had things to hold against her! I admit there was some bitterness in my heart that I found it hard to even look at her and talk to her at the start. But we had a heart to heart. I revealed my emotions and my stand. She explained her side. And before I knew it, I forgave her (or since it's not really a sin, we can say I "absolved" her). And tell you what, I discovered that the line I found so cheesy and unreasonable before proved to be the most reasonable and natural thing. It is very true.
Sometimes too many words just get in the way. Sometimes grand actions only complicate matters further. Sometimes carrying a grudge or just a small annoyance feels too much, feels unnecessary. Sometimes we transcend ourselves and find the things we worry about are too small when compared to the bigness of life, of relationships, of trust. It is in these times that one would find out that the best thing to do is to forgive.
Forgiveness is for free. It's as simple as that.
P.S. Who would have thought I'd get an insight from Just Shoot Me? Go shoot me!
3.04.2005
THE DIARY OF LITTLE MISS GIMIKERA
I. Princess Jamie's Arabian Night [I'm not kidding. That was the title of the event. My friend Jamie is a drama queen like me.]
Ten minutes after I handed Mr. Pulan the Post-Structuralist reading, I was back at my dorm painting my nails (yellow gold to match my outfit), putting on makeup (Maybelline Night Shine 'coz it was night, duh!), and squeezing into an outfit that can be described as updated Princess Jasmine. I was going to an Arabian-inspired party!
You see, to celebrate her birthday, my good friend Jamie Santos rented Taj Ma, an Indian-inspired restaurant at Katipunan. The place really had that Indie vibe with open entrances (no doors, just the cement wall with an opening), more mats and couches than chairs (so you really sit on the floor and do the ritual), a washing station (think bathroom tiles and faucets attached to the wall), lots of lamps (magic? maybe... but I did no lamp-rubbing that night), and glittery fabric for everything (the curtains, the mats, the table covers). It was truly the perfect setting!
To match her theme, she asked her guests to don something that communicated Arabian glam. How cool and how fun is that?!?!!! I had a hell of a time with my outfit. Too bad I didn't take a picture. (Well, actually I did take a few with a phone but they were close-ups so you wouldn't see the outfit anyway.) But visualize this: a 3/4 sleeved green see-through blouse with alternating green, yellow, and silver layers drowning in sequins; capri pants; wooden high heeled chunks with a circle metal for a strap (kind of like what Indies sometimes wear on their foreheads); and white pearl dangling earrings. Totally fab, if I may say so.
And of course, we were fed Indian food. Kebabs, shawarma wraps, and pana cotta. Yum yum!!! I'm not really into Indian food. I like Pinoy food best. But it's nice having variation.
As if the Indie resto, glittered clothes, and flavorful food weren't enough, Jamie turned an already spankin' party to an ultra-spankin' party by making us wear bell-adorned belts and actually having a gym instructor teach us belly dancing!!! Hahaha... I have always thought about trying belly dancing. I didn't know I would get a tutoring session that night. What can I say about the experience? Um, on one hand it was fun. Very enjoyable indeed! We were laughing at ourselves. You should see how weird people look when gyrating! And there was something very natural, very sexy, and very smooth about the dance. It is truly an art. But of course, there is a bad side. And it comes by the name tummy ache! I mean, ouch! That 20-30 minute workout made me realize just how long it has been since I took P.E. I know it's gonna take out tummy fat but darn does it hurt! But it was a heck of an experience just the same.
Stomach aches aside, the party was great! I have to hand it to Jamie for thinking of such a good theme. And she reinforced it with all the details. (Even the invite and the souvenir matched the theme!)
Anybody holding an Arabian party anytime soon? I would sure like to do this all over again.
II. English Block Lunch Reunion a.k.a. The Return of R07
I almost missed this one!
I came home late from Jamie's party and was a bit tipsy so I slept well into the next day. Thank goodness my roomie and her mom came in to get her stuff and they were so noisy that I was woken up. I took a quick shower, put on the first jeans and shirt I found, and rode a trike praying it wasn't over yet.
Thank goodness they were still there. Thank goodness they stayed a bit longer after I got there.
It was a really nice little lunch at Shakey's. Ma'am Chona was there. Ma'am Rica unfortunately had an important engagement. My very friendly, very loving classmates from my freshman days were there. We recounted the class play -- The Quickie Mart, re-evaluated first impressions, reminisced moments, listed down the stories Ma'am Chona made us read (Let's see. Canon stories like Bread of Salt and Magnificent, my very first Structuralist and Marxist readings!), etc. It was good conversation, laughs, smiles, and camwhorage over pepperoni and cheese.
Here are some pictures courtesy of Da Bird.
Good Morning!
My Kakagising Lang Look
Acid a.k.a. Britney doing that pop star thing
Back to Back: Acid and Me
(a.k.a. Britney vs. Christina, hahaha!)
The R07 Gang
Before
[O.M.G.! Look at those hairstyles and outdated pants!]
After
[All prettier/handsomer, smarter, and better but still the same nice R07 people]
Oh, how I love R07! I cannot believe how long it has been since I was a semi-feminist, semi-kikay girl under Ma'am Rica and Ma'am Chona's wings. Now I am a full-fledged feminist and 24/7 kikay very nearly a woman. * tears * This is making me feel sentimental. I owe a lot to my teachers, classmates, and close friends. I wouldn't be who I am today if not for them.
Acid, Birdie, whatcha say we do this again? This time with the complete Quickie Mart cast and crew.
III. Constantine [Yet another Keanu being "the one" movie but surprisingly worth catching]
After bonding with my former classmates, it was time to give my own peer group some love. We watched *you need to say it in that throaty whisper a la Rachel Weisz as they show in the previews* Constantine.
I must say, it's a good movie. A thinking piece. Had the same old good vs. evil theme but presented it in a good way. Had a still-happy but very-realistic so credible ending. Scared me enough. Amused me enough.
It was great to watch with Mau and Tin. Tin was her usual scaredy-cat self. She covered her eyes during the "freaky parts" (I can't really brag 'coz I covered my eyes too. But I did it only once. When they had a close-up of the cat! People who know about my trauma involving cats can guess why.) Mau was as usual loving the gore! Both Mau and Tin were very insightful. We had a nice little discussion about Angel Gabriel's motivations and John Constantine being a symbol for every man.
I love watching movies in the cinema! Especially with that whole center seats, buttered popcorn and rootbeer in hand ritual. And movies are watched best with friends. So I really had a good time.
IV. Oscar Night
My ex-roomie but still dorm mate Sweet watched THE OSCARS with me. We had a splendid time listening to Beyonce's sultry voice and looking at her nice bootie; laughing at Chris Rock especially when he was doing that entire "If you don't have a star, wait..." act; scrutinizing the face of the nominees whose names weren't called out all trying to look normal and happy for the person who won even if "Kill! Kill" was running though their mind; and deciding which acceptance speech was best (I vote for Clint Eastwood and his "I'm just a kid."), etc.
The only thing I didn't like about the show this year was that there were no "statement outfits" ergo that one apparel that an actor/actress is gonna be remembered for like the pieces of Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts (the one she wore when she won for Erin Brokovich with a white triangular neckline), Renee Zellwegger (Well, the red dress-black hair Asian look was nice but I miss her more experimental and flashy ones), Gwyneth Paltrow, etcetera. My hypothesis, it's because these fashionistas weren't nominated. Of course, they would have more motivation dressing up if they knew they could win 'coz they want the photos to look divine. I bet Joan Rivers and the entire Oscar red-carpet fashion encore out there were as disappointed as I was.
But well, there's always next year. Too bad I can't watch it with Sweet again. I love our TV and movie-watching chemistry.
V. Family Party
I also squeezed in the birthday party of one of my cute little cousins. The scenario: typical family gathering with loads of food, "inquisitive" relatives, and graduation congratulations. But it was fun! Even if they are sometimes weird, I love my family. Both immediate and extended. Both Ocols and San Pedros.
VI. Mulieris FGD [Focus Group Discussion / Food-Girls-Discourse]
The last thing I went to before I finally came back here in Tagig to start my "vacation" was a Mulieris FGD at World Topps. The usual suspects Patty, Charvic, Paula, Lala, and Mabs were there. Giselle also dropped by. We discussed the big thing Mulieris is releasing next week [Take note please: MARCH 7-13 IS WOMEN'S WEEK, WOMEN'S DAY IS MARCH 8 TUESDAY]. I am so excited with that. It's gonna be big. I hope people like it and they get the message we are trying to convey. Then we dabbled on the topic "The Media's Portrayal of Women. Giselle was going into Michel Foucault's panoptic view theory. It was really interesting. It's funny how women are made objects of the male gaze. It's such a dilemma. On one hand, you don't want to be reduced to an object of fancy/a scene for the male pleasure. On the other, you cannot deny the fact that you need people (men and women alike) to look at you in order for you to say or do something meaningful--for you to effect change. It's a very problematic concept, very nuanced just like how a woman's situation generally is--so many on the one hand and on the other hand.
Anyway, I just wanna say that I'm really gonna miss Mulieris and the Mulieris girls. I wish them all the best. I hope Ateneo opens itself up to the idea of a women's org trying to promote women's rights and promote gender equality. The problem is people don't understand feminism and they don't try to. It's about time we Atenean women speak up. I really really hope Mulieris gets accredited. I'll come back and check up on them every once in a while.
Here's to more educational and fun moments with Mulieris!
Okay, those are all the parties/gimmicks I went to from the Saturday to Thursday I stayed in school. I'll be going to more now that I'm really free. Cheers everyone!
3.02.2005
ACHIEVEMENT
Haha... 'Yun pa naman pangarap ko nung nagsisimula pa lang ako. Didn't really think it would come true but now here it is.
Can you believe it? People have read what I, just a girl, just some writer, just some feminist, have to say! 10,000 times!!! Bongga talaga!
I hope reading this blog has been as educational and as much fun for you as it had been for me.
SITEMETER REPORT
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O di ba? Nakakatuwa naman. I know it's nothing compared to the site statistics of... let's say Sassy... but I'm just happy that I'm being read and I am able to share, even in my own little space lang.
3.01.2005
HAPPY
GIRL INTERRUPTED
GIRL INTERRUPTED
Hi! I am Rachelle and this is my online journal.
Hear what I have to say. Look and see inside of me. Enter the mind of a girl, interrupted.
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