-- About murder

-- Adapted into a 1967 film

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

-- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

-- About a transexual

-- Most recent book

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

-- A bit weird but a good book

-- Adapted into a 1970 film

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

-- Abortion, Orphans, Sex

-- Adapted into a 1999 film

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

-- About a deaf man

-- Adapted into a 1968 film

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

-- The longest but makes for good conversations

-- About an architect

-- Adapted into a 1949 film

Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut

-- Anti-war science fiction film

-- Adapted into a 1979 film

-- About murder

-- Adapted into a 1967 film

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

-- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

-- About a transexual

-- Most recent book

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

-- A bit weird but a good book

-- Adapted into a 1970 film

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

-- Abortion, Orphans, Sex

-- Adapted into a 1999 film

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

-- About a deaf man

-- Adapted into a 1968 film

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

-- The longest but makes for good conversations

-- About an architect

-- Adapted into a 1949 film

Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut

-- Anti-war science fiction film

-- Adapted into a 1979 film

-- About murder

-- Adapted into a 1967 film

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

-- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

-- About a transexual

-- Most recent book

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

-- A bit weird but a good book

-- Adapted into a 1970 film

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

-- Abortion, Orphans, Sex

-- Adapted into a 1999 film

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

-- About a deaf man

-- Adapted into a 1968 film

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

-- The longest but makes for good conversations

-- About an architect

-- Adapted into a 1949 film

Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut

-- Anti-war science fiction film

-- Adapted into a 1979 film

-- About murder

-- Adapted into a 1967 film

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

-- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

-- About a transexual

-- Most recent book

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

-- A bit weird but a good book

-- Adapted into a 1970 film

The Cider House Rules by John Irving

-- Abortion, Orphans, Sex

-- Adapted into a 1999 film

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

-- About a deaf man

-- Adapted into a 1968 film

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

-- The longest but makes for good conversations

-- About an architect

-- Adapted into a 1949 film

Slaughterhouse-five by Kurt Vonnegut

-- Anti-war science fiction film

-- Adapted into a 1979 film

Either way, I impressed UA&P enough for them to offer me a 100% scholarship. Yes, I was offered a friggin' hundred percent. Shocked? So am I. Not shocked? Gee, thanks ha! You talaga! Di naman! *blush*

I had my scholarship 'interview' last Friday, and after a few questions, the admission lady asked me if I would enroll right away if they offer me a hundred percent scholarship.

Now, I was curious as to what she was driving at. A hundred percent. Was she using it for hypothetical purposes? Was she actually considering giving me the hundred percent? Why is she asking me this now, aren't results coming out on January? Am I in already? Will I die of cancer?

Well, after avoiding the question WHY a million times by proclaiming the very safe 'I'm weighing out which course I want most,' she spilled the beans and said, 'We're seriously considering giving you a hundred percent scholarship.' I was dumbstruck, like a bee had come to stung me, and it stung me hard. Bzzz!

So the conversation went on the topic of what college I would choose. I think we both knew that I want Ateneo, seeing as she kept drilling me about it. But I, being the very backstabbing-balimbing person that I am, laid out the safety net below me. Well of course, who wouldn't? I'm not dumb enough to tell them truth, now am I?

We took a break from the cat and mouse game for a while. She started asking me about my views--and you know I'm liberal--when it comes to contraceptives and same-sex unions. Gahd. Those made for some fine awkward moments. Of course, I put in mind the school was run by Opus Dei people.

She first asked about contraceptives, and it's as if bird shit dropped out of nowhere. We were somewhere in the courting process when she just brought it up. At first, I was, "whut?!?!" I was caught off-guard with that one. I believe my vocabulary flew out the (inexistent) window. I was struggling with my words until I finally said 'use it but, if at all possible, abstain.'

Then she asked me about same-sex unions, which probably made up a fourth of the time I spent in that room. I think I was looking from a lawyer's point of view delving on marriage rights and discrimination, and she was asking me other stuff. And I just wasn't thinking straight, so I ended with "I respect them," which she translated into "so you don't care about what others in society say?" which I agreed with. End of discussion, finally. Gahd, this is messed up.

I think the awkward silences I was sprouting made for the sudden rise in birth population of gay babies in the world. (If you don't understand, don't try to. It's a not-so inside joke between me and some fellow crazy people.)

But my longest moment of silence was when she asked me about my idol. I obviously have none in my life. Well, fine there are some in just a few aspects, but none so seriously as to make a monumental crater on my existence. After much umms and hmms and 'I never really thought about that,' I finally conceded with my mom.

Anyhow, after leaving the courting department and some obviously awkward questions, she just said it straight up. I'm offering you a scholarship of a hundred percent tuition. (Or something to that effect.) Add to that, if I graduate with honors (which I shall), they're going to give me perks as well. Haha!

For some reason, Spain comes to mind. (Oh Vicky Cristina Barcelona!) Seeing as how I may get additional perks, I wonder what Charles is getting. After all, he is the class salutatorian/valedictorian? (Kyne's going to hit my if I put valedictorian first. I don't think Charles bites anyway, and he's all the way in China.)

After crawling through morning duties, we finally got in the car and zoomed away. I drove this time. w00t. I was quite scared going up the Rosario flyover, but I did fine. Might I add, I hit a security guard with my side mirror while entering the car park.

But this blog isn't about my still under-developement driving skills.

It's about Pacquiao.

Now, I know, I'm not his biggest fan. In fact, I wasn't too keen on going. One, because I had to wake up early. Two, because I'm not a big boxing fan. Sure, I went to boxing lessons last year, but I'd still rather watch a LIVE game of basketball and root for whoever.

Anyhow, after eating (free) breakfast, I slept through the pre-matches. Yes, I was that sleepy--even if I was in a ballroom full of people (who wouldn't care about me dozing off either way). Crowne Plaza's a/c temperature wasn't really helping in keeping me awake--it was too damn cold and cozy.

My dad woke me up right when the last pre-fight finished.

And everybody was all excited. The energy was just waiting to be released from the room.

Now, as I mentioned, I was never really a big fan of Pacquiao.

I remember two fights before, I wished he lost since he was getting too smug. But I also remember wishing he'd win the last time since his opponent was a big gloater.

This time, I was a bit indifferent.

Anyhow, Martin Nievera sang the national anthem. Somehow, it gave me goosebumps.

Setting aside the thought that the National Bureau of whatever might chide him for belting out, I felt a sense of pride. Our national anthem was being sung proudly in front of an audience of millions--billions maybe.

What an honor, I thought.

Fast forward, we have Manny Pacquiao entering the arena (with Batista behind him) and the whole ballroom going wild. Applauding and hooting as if we were actually there.

It made me smile. (And they actually used a Manny Pacquiao song. Hehe.)

Fast forward again and the first round begins.

You'd think the Brit was taking this one but Manny starts getting into the game, and soon enough, he knocks Hatton down to the floor. Once again, the ballroom roars.

He knocks him out again an everyone's on their feet as if he had already won the game.

It put a big smile on my face as I sat down clapping my hands, content.

It was then that it donned on me.

Pacquiao is truly one of those few blessings given to us Filipinos in the sense that he binds us all together. I mean, not even the elections or, say, Sarah Geronimo can gather all of us into one thing, but Churches would be empty every time there was a Pacquiao match. You'd think that's a bad thing, but going it again, what other bond keeps us united?

He practically transcends through religion, politics, social class and other crap in the sense that he brings out a sense of nationalism in everyone. Something to unite us.

Now, I'm not saying he should get into politics and run for president. Neither am I saying he should be a local star or even an international one. (Heard the news about the Pacquiao-Stallone movie?)

All I mean to say is that it's wonderful that we him to give us hope. Hope that we CAN be one nation. At least for those two minutes (or less) that he showed up on screen and kicked ass, we were ONE nation.

He eventually knocked out hatton on the second round. WOW.

Everyone was jumping for joy. Screaming. w00ting.

I was happy.

Fast forward, he's being interviewed. And it's still the same bad English. Down-to-earth. It always seems to crack me up.

(Check this out. Funniest ever! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxA0OVqhKFw)

Later on, they head on to interview Bob Arum who was nothing but praise for Pacquiao, calling him the best there is. Taken from him, we should always keep on learning, even when we're on top.

What struck me was Pacquiao's interruption.

It was beautiful. And it did mean something. (Even if Arum sort of shrugged it off.)

What if actual mornings began at 6am.
Wouldn't that make things sort of easier?

I mean, not really easier... but just when you're referring to things.
Take my life for example. I say last night when I mean this morning.

"Guess what time I slept last night?"

"11:30?"

"No! 2am! *laughter*"

"You should have said this morning!"

"Sorry na po."

Or I'd say tomorrow when I mean later this afternoon or something.

Then again. That really is how my system works. Everyone understands anyway.

Sigh. My body clock is all screwed up.

(Might I say, I forget what day it is these days.)

Wow. 1:30am. It's raining. What a summer.

I'm supposed to be asleep by now, but I'm extending by just a bit. ;)

Anyhow... this afternoon, I had a dream. (No, I didn't take an afternoon nap. I woke up at 3pm. Hehehe.)

Going back to it... I had a dream. I was drafted into the army or the navy... or something. o.O Not just me, but the whole junior-incoming-senior batch. It was crazy. A lot were crying. I can't remember why though. There was no battle scene or anything. I woke up too early for that. (Though I still woke up late.) Quite distinctly, I remember having this cabin in a ship. Quite stuffed. Kim and Charles were my roommates. I don't know why, but they were. I even remember Mrs. Cacacho checking up on us and stuff.

Strange dream.

But what if there really was a war?

I don't think I'll find myself in the front lines. I'll either be in one of those anti-war hippie rallies. Or dead in some building that was bombed. I'd prefer it that way. ;)