Mabuhay and pag-asa ng bayan (2x)

I made it a point to finish my graduate studies before 2008. I officially graduated last October. Actually it should have been much sooner than that, but as Life would rather have it, I didn’t. My friends and I experienced delays (what would grad school be without them?): thesis roadblocks – except Mark who finished his thesis in a record “less than” one year! and Vir who took the comprehensive exam instead of the thesis path – extra subjects, office work, plain procrastination (of which I am the queen), and other such reasons. It so happened then that the four of us – Len, Mark, Vir and I – would find ourselves marching together, among 4000+ other Centennial graduates of the University of the Philippines.

I should probably say that I’m too old for this. After all, I already attended my undergrad commencement exercises five years ago, how would this be any different? Truth be told it did feel a little bit silly, sitting beside 20-year-olds who were laughing at the guest speaker, repeating the words he was mispronouncing as if it made them feel better to know they could pronounce the word “privilege” better. It took all of my patience not to scold them for showing disrespect to the man on the stage, who is infinitely more distinguished and respectable than they are. I realized that the five-year difference between me and those kids does matter – maybe I’m more uptight now? Hahaha.

Then again I’m not yet too old. Not too old to feel happy and giddy and proud, standing beside my friends and colleagues and marking another milestone in our lives, on UP's 100th year no less. Not too old to appreciate the immense support of our professors and mentors/”surrogate parents” who guided us and showed us by example how we could help society as environmental planners. Not too old to feel the love of family and friends who saw our professional lives unfold. Not too old to express our gratitude and honor by actually finishing what we started. And definitely not yet too old to be running across the road in high heels and formal wear because we were late for our own graduation! Yes, the tunganga brigade strikes again! Much too much merrymaking – not to mention long speeches – at the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning Recognition Program (which ended 10 minutes before the university graduation), and our insistence on walking from UP-SURP to the UP Ampitheater (most sustainable form of transport eh hehe) meant that thousands of other graduates were already seated when we arrived huffing and puffing, trying to hide behind students we didn’t know and melting under the unbearable heat of the summer sun. It didn’t help that those around us were nicely made up and calmly fanning themselves. Not a strand of carefully curled hair out of place!

But all’s well that ends well. We had a blast throughout. I fumbled only a little (hehe) with my sablay, we didn’t forget to take photos of the UP@100 sign, and I felt great singing UP Naming Mahal once again – fist in the air and singing the last two lines as loudly as I could. Never too old for that. :)

photos at http://larababeh.multiply.com/photos

Special thanks to Edison, EnPraxis partner and official photographer/PA. Di bale, when your time comes to graduate, there'll be a minimum of four cameras pointed at you ;)

Life is nothing but the occasional burst of laughter rising above the interminable wail of grief

The film Dedication is "about Henry, a misogynistic children's book author who is forced to work closely with a female illustrator instead of his long-time collaborator and only friend."

It was surprisingly pleasant. Hmm, it just now reminds me of Music and Lyrics in that girl broken by her teacher/lover meets a guy and works with him kind of way. Except 1) I honestly wasn't crazy about Music and Lyrics, 2) this is isn't all Drew Barrymore-y and it really isn't about the girl, and 3) Henry Roth isn't a washed out 80s bloke. He's just this neurotic guy who needs to pile up books on his chest while laying on the floor to keep himself sane. I guess I can relate better haha. Plus, Henry's got a cool, dead friend.

___________________

Henry: She deserves better than him.
Rudy Holt: Now you're talking.
Henry: Better than me, too.
Rudy Holt: Yeah, but she doesn't know that yet.

---

Henry: I've spent my whole life... wanting something... and doing my very best not to find it. Never even going near the places it might be... And suddenly, I've got the goddamn thing practically chained around my neck.
Lucy: What are you talking about?
Henry: You. You. You're the, you're the... You're, you're- you're the goddamn thing. Ahhh, uh. I mean... You're, you're. I can't describe you... uhh, I don't, I don't write that kind of shit, I write... You know, the people who write, who write the real books, the love books, and the poems, and even those stupid little fucking novels with the hunky assholes on the cover...
Lucy: Stop...
Henry: You know it? You know what I'm talking about? You know - you're like Princess shit! You know? Fairytales. You know what I'm saying? The million guys are after you and are blinded by your beauty kind of shit. Real big stuff. You know, that just - even, we got the dick that kidnaps you and sticks you in a cave and you're guarded by a five-headed dragon, you know and the tales of your plight are spread throughout the land and all the guys go and put on their shoes so they can see what's up and none of them have the balls to save her except for me. I would go through anything... for you. And still, there I was looking for a way not to see it. Anything. Money...
Lucy: You stupid idiot.
Henry: Yeah.

---

Lucy: Do you just genuinely dislike me, Henry?
Henry: A week ago, I didn't give a rat's ass about nebulas and now I can't get enough of them. Ok?
Lucy: Nebulae.
Henry: What?
Lucy: It's nebulae... not nebulas.
Henry: Ok, fine. I don't care about nebulas. You know accuse me of whatever you want, I'm probably guilty of it... contributing to global warming, and killing a squirrel once, and using the word retarded, and occasionally misinterpreted bigotry, but don't, don't... don't don't don't don't don't accuse me of not liking you. Ok?
Lucy: I understand.

---

Henry: I've never been good at finding things, I'm really good at losing things.

---

Henry: You'll be fine. We'll both be fine Rudy.
Rudy Holt: That's life Henry.
Henry: Yep.
Rudy Holt: You know what life is?
Henry: Life is a horrible little giggle in the midst of a forced death march towards hell.
Rudy Holt: No it isn't.
Henry: An interminable wail of grief...
Rudy Holt: No. Life is a single skip for joy.
Henry: I know.

summer song

Eternity
Robbie Williams


Close your eyes so you don't feel them
They don't need to see you cry
I can't promise I will heal you
But if you want to I will try

Sing this summer serenade
The past is done, we've been betrayed
It's true
Some might say the truth will out
But I believe without a doubt
In you

You were there for summer dreaming
And you gave me what I need
And I hope you find your freedom
For eternity
For eternity

Yesterday when we were walking
You talked about your mom and dad
What they did that made you happy
What they did that made you sad

We sat and watched the sun go down
Then picked a star before we lost
The moon
Youth is wasted on the young
Before you know it's come and gone
Too soon

You were there for summer dreaming
And you gave me what I need
And I hope you find your freedom
For eternity
For eternity
For eternity

Sing this summer serenade
The past is done, we've been betrayed
It's true
Youth is wasted on the young
Before you know it's come and gone
Too soon

You were there for summer dreaming