Sunday, August 04, 2013
Volleyball - How it all started
"Hiponia serves it long. And the Season 70 UAAP Champs are the Lady Tamaraws of FEU!"
If I would be a fan of anyone or anything, it would definitely be VOLLEYBALL.
I used to play the sport. Although it was all for fun. Our class during high-school was very into this sport. EVERYONE plays it. I remember even improvising a ball made out of crumpled manila-paper just to be able to play it. One classmate even broke a florescent bulb while we were playing INSIDE our classroom.
Then I got engaged with the sport competitively. During our
mini-olympics, I would join in the men's division for volleyball. I was also part of the varsity team of our school. But that was nothing serious. All I know is that I was enjoying the game.
During my last year in high-school, I needed to be transferred to another school. I was a bit excited, because I know that the school I was transferring to had a solid volleyball program. I tried out. I got accepted in the team. I was positioned as a setter. There I experienced
proper volleyball training. Long warm-ups, Rotation and Positioning, and a lot more. I would go to training after classes and on Saturdays. I would go home sore, and I didn't mind. I was enjoying.
But before I got the chance to compete, I had to quit. I talked to my coach - my mentor - that I was quitting. It was affecting my studies and my church responsibilities. One more thing, he was honest that he was developing a program concentrated on juniors. We seniors were only second in his priority. Eventually, my co-seniors in the team also quit.
During college, I didn't have as much time with volleyball. Although, we had our annual sports fest in church, that was the most volleyball I had during that time. I also played in the inter-college sports fest, where our newly formed College of Arts and Sciences team placed second against the College of Medicine team who was been playing together for a long time already.
It was also during college when I discovered TV-volleyball. Volleyball then was a sport with little TV coverage, as compared to basketball. I was thrilled to see UAAP Womens Volleyball had TV coverage via Studio 23. Through that TV coverage, I met volleyball stars like the Balse-Bernal duo, or the Daquis of FEU who was starting to make a name for herself, there was also the scrappy AdU team, and a lot more.
UAAP Season 69, I remember the Championship game between FEU and UST. All I can recall is the crying FEU squad who lost to the powerful and complete UST line-up. Then came season 79. I got to watch the entire season. The 3-way 12-2 standing among UST, FEU, and AdU. This was the season of
contrapelos. During the elimination round, UST always won against AdU and can't beat FEU. FEU had UST's numbers but has always lost to AdU. AdU never won a game against UST but has always beaten FEU. Thus, the identical 12-2 standing among these teams. As seen in the video above, FEU eventually won the best of three finals against Adamson, which they have never beaten during the elimination round.
Suddenly, I became more engaged to the sport as a viewer. I started going to San Juan Arena to watch the games live and to see my favorite players in action. During that time, it was not difficult to secure tickets. Just go to the venue and get your tickets at the entrance. I was there during the AdU-FEU championship, and that was the most crowded game I watched during that time. The volleyball spirit was fun and alive. The volleyball crowd are also intelligent viewers. I felt a sense of belonging whenever I watched the games live. Suddenly, I got involved to the sport more, even compared to the time when I was playing it.
I am a fan of Volleyball. I used to say this all that time whenever asked which team I supported. If there is a good hit or a good play, I give my applause. If a player gets injured, I sigh. If a game arrives to its crucial part, I stand with the crown and cheer on. It feels great to look back at this sport, which I consider now as part of my life. But, it is even more exciting to look forward. With the increased visibility and support that this sports has been getting lately, I just can't help but get excited. I just feel like the evolution of the volleyball is also my journey. There are more plays to make, Hits to dig, Sets to Give, and Spikes to nail. Whichever direction this sports is headed, I am sure to support it all the way through.
Pogssz
10:07 AM |
Sunday, February 06, 2011
LOWVILLE
Well, I always wanted to have my own band. If fact, I have our first single in mind - CAPTAIN PLANET - OST!
I got this from Chico Garcia and thought it was cool so I tried it out.
This is Creating your band's album cover 101!
Here's what you have to do:
2. Go to http://quotationspage.com/ and click on “Random Quotes”. The last few words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album. 3. Go to http://www.flickr.com/explore/ and click on “Interesting photos from the last seven days”. The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover. And in case you decide to post the final product, even if we’re just doing this for fun, don’t forget to acknowledge whoever owns the original image! 4. Use Photoshop to put it all together.
5. And voila, you’ve got you band’s CD album cover!
I thought that I would also share mine, because of its awesomeness.
Credit to the following:
Pogssz
9:52 AM |
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
In the tune of N-Sync's Bye Bye Bye...
Bye Bye Blog... Bye Bye!
Pogssz
6:28 PM |
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
That is when...
When I get tired of feeling sober, that is when I will be happy again.
Pogssz
3:23 AM |
Sunday, January 03, 2010
An open letter...
Christ, when he was persecuted, suffered in silence. He took the blows, the bruises, the pain, the humiliation without resistance. Although it is ideal that we strive to be like him, I just can't. Punch me and i'll bleed, kick me and i'll retaliate-- I have the every right to. Besides, I'm still human.
I have three things in mind, not to divert the attention to something else, but I just had to express my long-suppressed thoughts.
I'm not mad, but I have something against you. I know that you already knew about these things long ago. Why didn't you talk to me as I expected to you to. It seemed to me that you just don't care. You believed them, I supposed, but why didn't I get any benefit of the doubt? Why didn't you ask for my side? Why did it take you this long before you talked to me. I respect you so much, I wanted for so long to talk with you, even before all these. I guess you are too busy to over-see every little detail that is going through your flock. I just hope you cared a little more.
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
You believe them, I suppose. Not that I claim that they are speaking evil of me. But what proof do they have? Don't I have the right to be friends with people outside the religion? Don't they have their own? Let's set aside the fact that these allegations are true, but one can always argue that they started as allegations. No one has approached me, no one has asked me, and no one can confirm or deny these issues but me.
Finally, if we always say to none-Baptists that what we want to share to them is a relationship with God and not RELIGION, doesn't it apply to human relationships as well? Should our relationships be based on RELIGION? How can we be so quick to judge and accuse one person of compromising? How?
He who is without sin, cast the first stone.
You can prove me wrong, you know the words of God by heart. I can only argue up to this point. Now, I want to hear you.
---------------
How I wish you can read this...
Pogssz
5:03 PM |
Friday, January 01, 2010
There are times...
My first blog for 2010. Here it goes...
More than a year ago, it was a complete confusion. I was facing two options: to keep a friendship that I absolutely value in my life, or to take that friendship to another level. In all the confusion, one thing was for sure, I don't want to lose her.
Four years in college, I can safely say that I really know her as much as she knows me. We talk about anything and everything-- the trivial, the serious, the humorous, the senseless, just about anything. I know who I was in her life, and I can easily say who she was in mine. We were friends.
I was always the bestfriend, never the boyfriend. I'm used to that, no regrets or whatsoever, I guess that was just me. Growing up, I was always one of the girls. I can say that I have not yet pictured myself playing the boyfriend role.
Faced with my dilemma, OUR dilemma I mean, I had to make a decision. I decided to take the second option. We took the relationship to the next step. We became more than just friends, but partners.
The fear was always there. The what if's never ceased to resurface. The maybe's have to be dealt with as well. But above all these, we did our best to stay happy. I have to admit that it was never a walk in the park. Keeping the relationship alive was bittersweet. We struggled. We strived. We stayed together.
There were issues-- countless issues. We always try to resolve them, but sometimes they demand more from us. There were times that we almost gave-up, but it was always this that kept us together-- we are happy with each other. The relationship is getting stronger. The root grows deeper. We are growing as individuals and as partners.
But there are times of doubts. Right now, I am struggling. I am VERY happy and satisfied with how we are right now, but sometimes... you just. There are time I feel inadequate. There are times that I want to speak but choose to keep silent. There are times I just wish I am free(er).
It will be unfair to her if I say she has taken my freedom. Sometimes, it is just my decision to let go of this freedom I once had. There are things that I want to do but choose not to, cause I don't want another argument. There are times I just choose to withdraw myself to be fair with her. Sure, I can do without those things, but sometimes you just miss them.
I want to spend uninterrupted time for my faith without having to think of texting her or updating her.
I want to go out with my high-school friends again.
I want to watch games on my own.
I want time for myself.
I want more rest.
I want this.
I want that.
She is not prohibiting me from doing these things, but I choose not to, because it will spark another fight. Sure, I can do without them, all for the sake of having a harmonious relationship.
I just had to let this out. Sometimes I just feel it's unfair. I guess that is just how life is.
Pogssz
8:25 AM |
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Latest Post
Yes! After a long time, I finally convinced myself to write a blog entry today. My last post was like ages ago. I think I'm slowly loosing my (non-existent) writing skills. What should I write about? I can rant about a million of senseless things (which I have always done), but this time I want to make sense.
Thats right! Let's start with that-- MAKING SENSE. I have always believed that I am a sensible person, with intelligence higher than that of an amoeba. For me, making sense is not using words that only Meriam-Webster can understand, neither is it getting straight A's on your report card. Making sense for me is speaking with coherence, stating an idea which most people can comprehend; it is expressing your self in any possible way as long you are understood. Given this definition, indeed, I am not making any sense at this moment.
In life, is it really important to make sense? That's a good one! Let's talk about life and what are the important things in it. I created this blog so that I can share my life, my experiences, my challenges, my thoughts-- ME. No matter how many times I say it to myself that what other people say won't affect me, one way or another, they still do. This sounds very selfish, but at this, all that is important for me is to be happy-- regardless. Now, this is where the complications enter the picture.
Where does happiness come from. How can one be genuinely happy. I believe that happiness is very subjective. Some people find happiness in different things, in different places, in different ways. Where do I get mine? Ice cream! Delicious foods never fail to put a smile on my face. I must admit, happy foods really make me happy. Being with my loved ones make me really happy as well. Simple things make me happy. I dare say, the elusive happiness is not that elusive at all. Our pursuit of happiness (not the movie) can be ended with just one word-- CONTENTMENT.
I know it's not that difficult to satisfy me (in every sense of the word :P). I am really contented with what I have. Seldom do I ask for something I don't have. I believe, that I already have what I need, any addition to it will be great but they are not necessary at all. Making do with what you have is NOT contentment, being happy with what you have is more like it. In a way, it is very circular. To be happy, you have to be contented with what you have; to be contented you have to be happy with what you have.
This brings me back to making sense, happiness, and life. I still believe that what's important for me is to be happy. I am happy, satisfied, contented. I could not ask for more. Really! I have a job, I have a family, I know I am loved. I know, I nor my life is neither perfect. Maybe some parts of it are not there, but SURPRISINGLY it is perfectly well. Cliche' as it may sound, I could not ask for more.
Pogssz
12:00 AM |
Friday, August 01, 2008
World's Ten Oldest Jokes
I was reading random articles from Yahoo! when I stumbled upon this article about the world's oldest jokes. I was redirected to this
site, and I was really entertained by what I read. They listed top ten of the world's most ancient jokes. Some of the jokes are funny, some just left me clueless. Anyway, I am sharing this list to you. Here they are:
World's Ten Oldest Jokes1. Something which has never occurred since time immemorial: a young woman did not fart in her husband's lap (1900 BC – 1600 BC Sumerian Proverb Collection 1.12-1.13)
2. How do you entertain a bored pharaoh? You sail a boatload of young women dressed only in fishing nets down the Nile and urge the pharaoh to go catch a fish (An abridged version first found in 1600 BC on the Westcar Papryus)
3. Three ox drivers from Adab were thirsty: one owned the ox, the other owned the cow and the other owned the wagon's load. The owner of the ox refused to get water because he feared his ox would be eaten by a lion; the owner of the cow refused because he thought his cow might wander off into the desert; the owner of the wagon refused because he feared his load would be stolen. So they all went. In their absence the ox made love to the cow which gave birth to a calf which ate the wagon's load. Problem: Who owns the calf?! (1200 BC)
4. A woman who was blind in one eye has been married to a man for 20 years. When he found another woman he said to her, "I shall divorce you because you are said to be blind in one eye." And she answered him: "Have you just discovered that after 20 years of marriage!?" (Egyptian circa 1100 BC)
5. Odysseus tells the Cyclops that his real name is nobody. When Odysseus instructs his men to attack the Cyclops, the Cyclops shouts: "Help, nobody is attacking me!" No one comes to help. (Homer. The Odyssey 800 BC)
6. Question: What animal walks on four feet in the morning, two at noon and three at evening? Answer: Man. He goes on all fours as a baby, on two feet as a man and uses a cane in old age (Appears in Oedipus Tyrannus and first performed in 429 BC)
7. Man is even more eager to copulate than a donkey - his purse is what restrains him (Egyptian, Ptolemaic Period 304 BC – 30 BC)
8. Augustus was touring his Empire and noticed a man in the crowd who bore a striking resemblance to himself. Intrigued he asked: "Was your mother at one time in service at the Palace?" "No your Highness," he replied, "but my father was." (Credited to the Emporer Augustus 63 BC – 29 AD)
9. Wishing to teach his donkey not to eat, a pedant did not offer him any food. When the donkey died of hunger, he said "I've had a great loss. Just when he had learned not to eat, he died." (Dated to the Philogelos 4th /5th Century AD)
10. Asked by the court barber how he wanted his hair cut, the king replied: "In silence." (Collected in the Philogelos or "Laughter-Lover" the oldest extant jest book and compiled in the 4th/5th Century AD) >>>So what is your favorite?
Pogssz
11:21 PM |
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Mapait Ba?
Sinimulan ko?
Tinapos ko.
Tinuloy niyo?
Eh kung yan ang gusto niyo.
----------------------------------
It's either you kill them with kindness, or you give them a taste of their own medicine.
I prefer the latter. Not that somebody asked for it, but that is what -I think- you are asking for.
Thank you by the way, you are making this fun for me.
You add spice to my boring life.
You just don't know how much I am enjoying this.
Paranoia can kill people.
The sun is the center of the solar system.
I am not a superhero.
Where can I have our ink cartridge refilled?
Pogssz
2:40 PM |
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Desperate Old Hags
I HAD REACHED THE END OF MY TOLERANCE!
After quite a long time, I find myself crying again. I can't even remember when was the last time I shed a tear. I'm really the type of person who tries to keep everything to himself. It's not that I consider crying as a weakness; I'm not just fond of expressing too much emotion.
(I'll keep this blog entry for my selected contacts only, I don't want her to know that I cried... Although, I know, eventually someone will surely tell her.)
It all started last Saturday. Finally, we had the chance to settle some serious things between us. Apologies were done, forgiveness were made. Everything was ALMOST back to normal. We took the long walk to her house like we used to. We talked and laughed like we used to. We were supposed to eat at McDonald's like we used to, but they were only serving spaghetti during that time, so we just went to Jollibee instead. (Alam niyo na probinsya bihira ang marangal na kainan)
I will admit it, I was very happy. Everything has been cleared and settled. I was even surprised with myself; I was able to say words I never imagined I would be saying. Believe me, you will not want to hear it, get goosebumps myself!
Now, just when everything was slowly getting better, here comes the group of old HAGS... again! (I will say they are really a bunch of OLD HAGS, this is private entry anyway) They were not yet through with their hobby-- gossip making. I thought all issues were settled between the two us, I know they are. But the OLD HAGS, slowly losing their market values, don't want to see us happy; they were now putting into question our reconciliation. I know everything is already okay between the two of us, but just when the wounds were already starting to heal, here they come trying to open them again and even inflict more pain.
I don't know what the heck are their reasons. Maybe it's because of their insecurities, or even the fear of getting old ALONE. I will just try to understand the situation of the OLD HAGS; they who are slowly losing their market values (if there are some left!). This is the only thing they can do to make themselves happy, 'cause no male Sapien sapien will get attracted to OLD HAGS like them... EVER! unless these are male horses, donkeys, or ogres!
Don't worry, nothing was changed between the two us. We will try to go on and become happy again. Who knows, we can even formulate a poison to put on their apples; we'll say they came from prince charming. They will definitely believe it.... DESPERATE OLD HAGS!
...or DESPERATE OLD MAIDS!
------ Isn't "old hag" redundant?
Yes! Just for emphasis!
Tuyot na matatandang dalaga!
Pogssz
1:15 AM |