PSP Stuff.

I'll be selling my PSP-3000 later tonight for P6000, which is about (130 USD). This guy's a good friend of mine (without him I wouldn't have passed High School) so I'm selling it to him at a fairly large discount (a PSP-3000 would originally set him back some P8500 (170 USD).

I'll probably wait for the rumored PSP2 which reportedly will come out on Spring 2011, right with the Nintendo 3DS. Hope it isn't much of a flop as the PSP Go. I hope it'll come out with custom firmware so I can play pirated games and homebrew a music and video player, like the the previous generation's PSP.

Have a Break, Have a Sky Flake.

Ah finally, my semestral break has arrived! This slice of heaven ends on the 8th of November though so oh well. But still, I'll make the most of it! Hour-and-a-half train riding to Esther as much as possible! I'm here now actually, waiting for her classes to end so we could hang out a bit.

Other plans include Muay Thai training, resting, looking for a job, enrolling for the next semester, being with Esther, and a lot more. Hope I can make this worthwhile.

Christmas break's in a month and a half anyway. Excelsior!

I do hope I passed my finals, and ultimately the semester. If not, then I'm just gonna have to do better than my best (since I already did my best last sem and well, if that didn't work...).

My Dream Alienware

Processor:  
Intel Core i7 980x Extreme 6 Core Processor (3.33GHz, 12MB Cache) for my ultimate gaming needs, obviously.

Operator:  
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit because why choose a Mac. Yuck
.
Video Card:  
Dual 1GB DDR5 ATI Radeon HD 5870 CrossfireX Enabled. Hmm, although there are better options, it requires me to upgrade to a Chassis with 1.1 KW. A part of me says it's worth it, but... oh well.

Memory: 
6GB DDR3 1333MHz (3x 2GB) Tri Channel Memory. Surprisingly, 6GB was the lowest they had to offer. Since I'm no multitasker, I'd stick with this.

Hard Drive:  
1TB (at least).

Optical Drive:  
Blu-ray Disc Combo (reads BD and writes to DVD/CD. In case there's ever a time we buy Blu-rays. I'm always stuck with Standard-definition TV's so, yeah, it'd be a cool experience.

Speakers:  
Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra MX6021. Because I'm a bit of an audiophile.

Sound Card:  
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Series. See above.

Keyboard:  
Alienware TactX Keyboard

Mouse:  
Alienware TactX Mouse

Office Software: 
Microsoft Home and Student 2010

Monitor:  
Dell Ultrasharp U2711. 27 inches of gaming goodness.

Semestral exams (also known as the torture before the release)

My Literature, Filipino, and Math exams are coming up on Thursday, October 14. Last few days have been hell, what with all the late nights and the cramming and the what not. I had to finish 5 papers yesterday, and that was not cool.

At least after this it's 3 weeks of rest and relaxation. Semestral break, baby.

Also hoping to take the TOEFL test so I can get a part-time job some time in the near future.

In school right now, finishing up on most of my projects. I still have my Laboratory Investigatory Project to finish, and it's due tomorrow. However, my groupmates are kind of in a scuffle amongst themselves. Egos bursting, immaturity flaring.

I'm in the first batch of next semester's online registration? That would be cool if I could pick my Natural Sciences subject. But no, I'm stuck in BS Biology for the time being, meaning the only subject I can pick for myself is Physical Education. Judo or BJJ? I wish they had Wrestling. Being in the first batch, what a waste.

Reminder: Must get an Dell Alienware Area-51 desktop computer. Saving up 200,000 Php starting NOW.

First Amateur Muay Thai Spar Aftermath: Well That Certainly Didn't Go As Planned.

Yesterday, I was supposed to soldier my way through my sparring partner but no. Here's a play-by-play recap of what happened. I'll try to remember as much as my beaten up noggin can.

Round 1:

Traditional Muay Thai ring-sealing. Staredown with opponent, John. Round one begins. Quick one-two scuffle. Espa kick to knee, John falls, fight resumes. Another quick scuffle and John lands a good right to Espa's nose.

This is where it gets ugly.

Ref halts the bout to check on my already-bleeding nose. Fight resumes. Espa can't breath through nose. Loses technique, defense, and just about everything else as John pummels me for the rest of the round. Espa accidental (?) low blow ends the first.

Ref (who is also our instructor) comes to red corner and tries again to stop the bleeding. Appears stable, but Espa bleeding inside rather badly and his phlegm started to kick in. 

Round 2:

Start 2nd round. John landing more punches to Espa's face. John senses for the kill, advances. Ref halts fight, gives Espa the eight count. Fight resumes. John lands more and eventually, fight is stopped for good, but not before and Espa high kick attempt.

Winner: John by TKO, 1:59 Rd 2.

Oh well, I learned a lot at least. Like, clear phlegm before fight, especially when down with the fever. 

And uh, stick to the game plan ("Mayweathering", supposedly). But I lost myself and decided to bang with him like in Leonard Garcia vs. Chan Sung Jung which probably wasn't a good idea. Oh well, at least I know what it's like to get hit with one hundred percent strength.

And I also learned that I'm a bleeder! I'm not sure if he hit my nose directly, and I think he just rocked my head which already caused me to bleed.

Well whatever I'm still young and this was a learning experience. It was fun getting hit and hitting back at least. Really fun. I needed that. I hope I could do it again with him.

Other fights of the day:

My blockmate, Dale, by TKO in the opening seconds of the fight. The only blow he landed was a low one, if you get what I mean.

Muay Thai classmate Tonio wins by points. His midkicks were damn smooth, and his opponent was fun to watch to, especially in the second round, as he kept charging and going on the offensive.

Krispy Qui from another class, by points, or TKO, or whatever. It was a dominant one. Only person who successfully landed those brutal head kicks. Thrice. It was a mismatch.

There was another fight from an afternoon class which featured a girls' sparring match. Like woah, the girl in the red corner has more balls then most other guys. She kept charging and charging and charging like a jackass on high. Even after they both fell outside the ring. Even when her opponent was down. Even when she was knocked over. Crazy. When the winner (her, by sheer jackassery) was announced, she still threatened her opponent. I say this girl didn't wear a toga nor was she accompanied by her parents to her high school grad, she must've worn a straight jacket, and four security guards must've been her company, in case she decides to go bloody the school principal.

Well that's about it. Took me quite a bit to get over the loss but it's okay, whatever. Hope to have another fight soon.

The Saga of Cadet Soldier: Cadet Captain

"Although the end may seem near, and a cadet may slack off, we are reminded that the yearling if ever he turns into a cow can easily rot and waste his training with his own overconfidence by reaching what he may think is near the finish line. All is not over."

-Cadet Trainee 1st Class, Vincent Aureus

Chapter 7: Cadet Captain

Right now, people would tell me that my journey is finished. I've finished my Cadet Officer Candidacy Course, and the struggles have ended. I would reply back with a simple "No," and move on, thinking that these people may be too shallow to grasp my explanation, or that the said explanation would be too long to keep them entertained, because when I talk about a part of my life, especially something as significant as this, I'd like to explain it in as much detail as possible, so as not to exploit possible misinterpretations by the audience.

As of June 2009, I am now Corps Adjutant and Cadet Captain Espadero. It wasn't the kind of induction I had hoped (Adjutant Yucoco just told us somewhat informally during one of our meetings minutes before being presented to the whole batch) but it was an honor. I'm quite disappointed that I was not able to attain the designation of Corps Commander, but I still got what I wanted as a second.

Here are our current positions:

Corps Commander and Cadet Major Lorenzo Miguel Samonte
ExecutiveOfficer and Cadet Captain Jason Patrick Martinez
Corps Adjutant and Cadet Captain Joseph Wihelm Espadero
Logistics Officer and Cadet Captain Melandro Lopez
Intelligence Officer and Cadet Captain Michael Brilliantes II
Operations Officer and Cadet Captain Deriq David
Logistics Officer and Cadet Captain Melandro Lopez

I'm disappointed with Adjutant Yucoco and Commandant Santos for choosing Samonte as Commander based on seniority alone. Sure, he was in the COCC the longest, but quality over quantity any time. I guess it's also a big plus when he always sucks up to "The Man" every chance he gets.

So what does an "Adjutant" do? Basically, he is the face and the voice of the officers, directly commanding the cadets. I'm fine with the officers taking over my job once in a while, but Jason Martinez always insists that he command the cadets. Obviously he likes the spotlight. I'm quite peeved by that, but I let him do what he wishes anyway.

I haven't seen Retired Cadet Colonel Rendor or Retired Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Thomas ever since. I saw some of the retired Master Sergeants and 2nd Lieutenants, but I'm really interested to see how he will react to our being officers already. Taking advantage of our not-anymore-so-professional relationship, I added him as a contact in the social networking webite, Facebook. Sure enough, he accepted my invitation request. Seeing his images, wall posts, and comments, one can hardly find a trace of his days as a CAT officer. He (literally) outgrew his 3x4 white side wall military haircut and leads a very jolly life. As for the others, I heard they're doing just as well and grew just as much hair too. Occasionally they come back to the High School and check out how the CAT is doing. A talk with them about things of the yesteryear would always take place every time they pass by. Those who used to punish me with intense physical training are now my good friends. Besides, they would always remind us last year that whatever they made us do is "nothing personal."

This year, the effects of the slow demilitarization of the Ateneo cadet Corps can clearly be seen. The maximum amount of physical training we, the officers, can give is merely nothing compared to last year, and the CAT is more focused in being a righteous citizen than a disciplined man trained in the military ways.

It feels good to be an officer, mainly because it's what I worked so hard for. People sometimes harmlessly tease me about my being an officer, but it's fine as long as they don't go overboard. During CAT time held every Friday after classes, I do my usual roaming around the classrooms and stop by mine to watch how my classmates are doing under Cadet Trainee 3rd Class Aquino, a member of the NCOCC (Non-Commissioned Officer Candidacy Course). My classmates happen to form the noisiest class in the whole batch, during and outside of CAT. Sometimes I get a kick out of it whenever they joke around, and sometimes I tell them enough is enough.

I now handle the next batch of the members of the COCC, while the others handle the Medics, Air Police, NCOCC, and Honor Guards. It is my job to shape them up into formidable officers for next year. They would have to be as physically, mentally, and psychologically strong as we are, perhaps even more, to lead next year.

My journey isn't over. With the way things are going, I hope it will never be. The Saga lives on.

The Saga of Cadet Soldier: CAT Graduation

"Often the struggler has given up
When he might've won the victor's cup"

-Don't Quit, COCC Plebe Knowledge

It's been 26 months since I joined the Cadet Officer Candidacy Course, or COCC for short. 26 months of trials, tortures, and tribulations. This is my story.

Chapter 6: CAT Graduation and the Aftermath

From January until the end of February, COCC was already difficult to balance with other aspects of my life. There was training every Recess period, everyday, held by the Honor Guards. I don't get the point of this. Sure, it's probably another loyalty test from Sir Rendor, but come on, why force fatigue right before the second batch of classes start? I was barely able to keep my grades within the passing range, and I'm pretty sure my comrades had a hard time, too.

Around February, my comrades, along with the Honor Guards-turned-Technical Sergeants practiced our silent drill for CAT graduation. During one of these days, Sir Rendor gave me my most painful activity I have ever experienced in my cadet life: knuckle hops. The objective of this "PT" would be to hop using our knuckles while in push-ups position. Simply said, right? Well, easier said than done. When knuckle hopping, one should also advance forward. I could get a good 6 inches to a foot in my hops. However, after 10 of those, I started feeling exruciating pain. I saw that my knuckles were bleeding, so I forcefully pushed myself to the beyond my limit and kept going until I could finally go no more. As I stopped in a pyramids position, I looked back at my trail and saw blood at the last few of my hops. Finally, Sir Rendor told me to stand up and get back in line. Yeah, I was the ONLY one who had to go through that.

This affected my performance in my individual rifle exhibition which I worked so hard to perfect. I couldn't get a good grip on my rifle; and thus it flew away from me while I was about to throw it above my head. The silent drill continued, with me being rejected to do my individual rifle exhibition.

Around 2 hours in training, I saw an old friend of mine who just came from the States. We call him Orvz, and he was being accompanied with two of his bosom buddies who were equally surprised to find him here. Obviously, I wanted to greet him, but of course, I was bound tightly to my training, and all I could do was watch as more of his friends surrounded him. Eventually, they all looked at me and teased me from afar. The temptation to just run over there and talk to them was growing by the minute. I had to supress them, and soon, their group went their separate ways.

February 20, 2009. CAT Graduation. It was a day where the regular cadets didn't care diddly-squat about CAT, just like every other day. Honestly, ever since Ateneo High School CAT has been demilitarized, the regular cadets didn't give shit about the this.

First in the graduation program was the presentation of each flights' (regular and special) silent drill. No one brought much to the table, except for a few flights who did some extreme dancing. But other than that, nothing special.

Then came our silent drill. Everything went smoothly until someone gave the cue to do our special move at the wrong time, and everything wrong followed. Well, at least hardly anyone noticed.

A merienda break followed. Special flights were given an exlusive room with called the Alumni Lounge to eat in a special buffet. That, to me, was already a highlight. Sir Rendor, Sir Thomas, the Honor Guards, NCOCCs, Medics, Air Police (let me remind you, all of whom are officers at this point) and the COCCs ate side by side as sort-of-equals (they still ordered us to do stupid things, but it was all for fun).

I'm not sure what happened next, because Mio and I were given a post to guard the gates of the venue. All we did was guide the parents to their sons and warned people who were just "passing by" not to cross the venue again.

And then, the graduation itself.

Then recognized as Cadet Major Rendor, now Retired Cadet Colonel Rendor. Then recognized as Cadet Captain Thomas, now Retired Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Thomas. The Honor Guards, Medics, and Air Police were promoted to Cadet Master Sergeants in their retirement, while the NCOCCs became 1st Lieutenants.

A year of taking shit from them. A year of practically swallowing the phlegm they spat on us. And still, I salute to them? Maybe because that year will be the last year I will ever see them. Maybe because uner all the shit-taking and phlegm-swallowing, I had accomplished something more. A year of memories. A year of physical, mental, and psychological self-improvement. A year never will I regret.

Of course, our training wasn't over yet, and it still isn't. At March, the Summer CAT was held, for those who didn't pass and for those who were in varsity teams. I was in charge of flight Bravo, a mix of jocks and student officers. Under my command, I feel they've become the finest among all five Summer CAT flights. I've pushed them hard, and I've gained their respect; and because of that they followed my every order. I could tell they didn't follow me because of fear. Sure, I gave punishment to those who don't do my orders well. But still, I could tell. They were flight Bravo, and for the five days I've stuck with them, I had a tremendous amount of fun.

After a Summer CAT session, my comrades and I would hide from training while the officers were distracted by the other cadets. This brought my famous (ehe) quote: "COCC training is applied to avoid itself." citing the stealth techniques we were taught before. We weren't always successful, as we were caught a number of times trying to hide. Narrating how exactly we were caught that one time would just ruin how extremely funny it was.

Ahh, life.

Soon it was time for OUR "private" graduation, called Recognition Night, or "Recognight" for short. There are two versions: "Rendorognight" which should be held by Sir Rendor in secret (epic PT, and more epic final tests), and "Yucocognight" which should be held by Adjutant Yucoco (graduation rites, and that's it). By the way, Sir Yucoco doesn't and should not know about Recognight. Because CAT was demilitarized, this type of Recognight was banned.

Unfortunately, Sir Yucoco DID find out, thanks to Samonte. We went through with it anyway, and we were caught the same place we had Combat PT, only this time, Sir Rendor was no where to be found. Moments before our doom, Flashlights and motorcycle headlights were advancing toward us. We were already sure of our being captured, yet we remained down as a last desperate attempt to hide. And so we were caught and brought to a room in the faculty lounge ironically named "Salvation Heights." Here we were questioned about our actions. They considered suspending us, but decided not to in the end. We found out the next week, the week the COCC would practice bearing the colors (bringing the flags) in the Batch 2009 High School Graduation, that Sir Rendor as well as a number of Honor Guards were suspended for trying to go with the Rendorognight. It was also this week that Sir Rendor talked with me heart-to-heart for a few minutes about our thoughts of Rendorognight, this year's CAT program, and next year's CAT program.

Everything went smoothly in the bearing of the colors during the CAT Graduation. We were commanded by Retired Cadet Major Martin, who left for the States shortly after being promoted to office and thus never was able to participate in the colors.

There was no training ever since, and up to now. Here I am, narrating the saga of my life in the cadet corps, waiting to be initiated to office, myself. My saga still isn't over yet. I will continue writing about it until my connections with the Ateneo High School cadet corps have disappeared. By now, this should be needless to say, but this means my story will continue long after I graduate.

I hope someday I to come back to CAT as a retired cadet officer to observe and teach the new generation of special flights. This way, my connections will never sever, and my saga will live on.