Top 3 songs of the week and more: Boys Like Girls, Carly Rae Jepsen and Flo Rida

Before I lay down my Top 3 songs of the week, let me share an achievement worth celebrating! When I got home yesterday from work I got a package from my school and in it are my credentials. I knew what it was, a diploma stating that I am officially a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Mass communication but what struck me most are my grades, I just can't believe that a student can get more than five 1.0 grades in her transcript. I am extremely overjoyed and all I can say is thank God for giving me the opportunity to finish my schooling. On that note let me share a blog I wrote days before my graduation day, I hope it inspires and help you reach your goals and dreams. 

I finally DID IT!! (Warning: A Maalala mo Kaya Story LOL)

Never let anyone tell you it’s impossible. I'll bet that most of you have heard of this line from a movie or read it on your favorite book. I never get tired of saying it because it’s true that possibilities are indeed endless. Life provides possibilities and opportunities, but I have realized the greatest – and simplest – lesson of all, following my own heart.

  When I took up Architecture in 1996, I had no idea what I was getting into. My father wanted me take up Architecture in the hopes of becoming his protégé and possibly his successor. My father was a very successful contractor back in the 90s, people see him as someone who can build not just structures but lives. He’s a well respected man and I really look up to him. Honestly, I love the thought of becoming a successful architect but it was never my dream to become one it was my father’s.

In my first year, the thought of attending major subject classes in Architecture was a nightmare, but somehow I survived every day of it. On the other hand I kept a balance college life by being active in my speech and public speaking class. My motivation? My love for my father is beyond what I want in life. I really want him to be proud of me. In my 1st year in Architecture I got good grades and passed all my major subjects. I realized, I can be an Architect , I can make the impossible possible. I devoted time and effort in honing my skills in drawing, diligently attended class, finish my plates on time. As a result, I got good grades and in the course survived my 2nd and 3rd year.On my forth year, our family met a terrible financial crisis and I had to stop schooling. We were forced to go to Davao and just like any other traditional Chinese Families; we go where our family takes us. I followed my dad and heed to his request to join him and start anew leaf. However, 6 months later, an opportunity presented itself, I left my family and opted to work in an editing firm in Manila. For months I enslaved myself, working, saving and hoping to go back to school and finish my education. The universe conspired; I went back and took a few units. In the morning, I go to FEU and attend my major class in Architecture, in the afternoon I work for eight hours straight. I go home to a cramped seven square meter room in E. Rodriguez, Quezon City. I struggled, yes; I wanted to give up and crawl back to my father and beg for forgiveness, tell him he was right all along, I can never make it on my own. But NO, I have not laid all my cards just yet and in a few months, my 7sqm room became an apartment. I was in 5th year, I maybe an irregular student, but a semester and a half to go and I’m cleared, I can finally come home and give my father the good news.

It was nine in the evening, an hour to go and my shift is over. I have so many things in mind, plates and errands to finish. I no longer notice the sound of people chattering or phone ringing. When suddenly, “Joan, phone call” I wonder who could this be. I said hello and a familiar voice echoed “hello, hello An, mama mo to, sabi ni Papa mo uwi na, may sakit siya”. Naturally I cried, and said I’ll be there right away. A week after the call, I bought a plane ticket, gave everything-up and for the second time, I’m an out of school youth.

Eventually, I went back to school in year two thousand, unfortunately Ateneo De Davao cannot credit all the units I took up in FEU. Apparently, Ateneo’s standards are not at par with my former school. Believe it or not when I returned to school I had subjects in 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, 4th years and 5th year. I felt like somebody played a prank on me and I’m back to square one. I AM NOT A QUITTER; I worked hard and continued studying. Just when I’m about to reach my 3rd year in Ateneo, my father became very ill of cancer and eventually died in 2003. Again I had to stop and prioritize. I instantly became the bread winner. I stopped going to school for the 3rd time. I needed to be on top of everything. I have so many responsibilities and I can’t just think of myself anymore. I have to be accountable on the kind of life that I want for my mom and myself.

I NEEDED A JOB. An opportunity came when MIXFM needed a newscaster, I applied and with God’s grace got a spot. It was indeed an answered prayer; little did I know, my dreams are slowly coming true.When I had enough money to send myself to school for the fourth time, I did not hesitate. Even when I was already in broadcasting, a part of me still wants to fulfill my father’s dream for me, to finish Architecture. I took nine units and proceeded. After a few weeks of juggling work, play and school, I got exhausted and stopped for the nth time. I tried to return to school but something keeps holding me back. I fought hard and waited for years. Until one day, I saw an old man in his seventies walking on stage to get his diploma, he said in his TV interview “follow your heart, I did, and look at me now. They say I’m too old to finish College, I stand before you to prove that age knows no limit”.“Follow your heart” is the missing puzzle piece. I am determined to get a diploma, I can defy all odds to finish and get a degree. But it wasn’t ME who wanted to finish Architecture? It was my father.All along I wanted to pursue A.B. in Mass Communication. I’ve been in the business for 11 years and getting a diploma would somehow credit my years of experience in the business. But how?

In June of 2011 I got an opportunity to convert my work experience to a degree. With the help of the Commission on higher Education through the initiative of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology, in Butuan City’s Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program or ETEEAP embodied in Executive Order 330. An educational scheme that recognizes knowledge, skills, and prior learning obtained by individuals from non-formal and informal educational experiences. Under this program, a competency- based evaluation was administered by establishing equivalency competence standards and comprehensive assessment system employing written test, interview, skills demonstration and other creative assessment methodologies. In short, I went through that tedious process and came out a winner and according to my assessors passed with flying colors.

You’d be happy to know that after 15 years I am finally graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication this March 28, 2012. I know it took so long for me to get to where I am now, but the experience and the journey made it worthwhile. I finally DID IT!! Now I live to tell that our time is limited, never waste it living on someone else's life. Don’t live with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. Finally, follow your heart and intuition – because somehow you already know what you truly want to become.

Cheers to us graduates!!

Boys Like Girls - Be Your Everything

Four letter word

But I don't have the guts to say it

Smile 'til it hurts

Let's not make it complicated

We've got a story

But I'm about to change the ending

You're perfect for me

You're more than just a friend

So we can just stop pretending now

Gotta let you know somehow

I'll be your shelter

I'll be your storm

I'll make you shiver

I'll keep you warm

Whatever weather

Baby I'm yours

Be your forever, be your fling

Baby I will be your everything

Baby I

Baby I will

Baby I will be your everything

We used to say

That we would always stick together

But who's to say

That we could never last forever

Girl, got a question

Could you see yourself with somebody else?

'Cause I'm on a mission

And I don't wanna share

I want you all to myself right now

And I just wanna scream it out

I'll be your shelter

I'll be your storm

I'll make you shiver

I'll keep you warm

Whatever weather

Baby I'm yours

Be your forever, be your fling

Baby I will be your everything

Baby I

Baby I will

Baby I will be your everything

No matter what you do

I'll be there for you

And every time you close your eyes

I will be by your side

'Cause every time you make me sing

Baby I will be your everything

I'll be your shelter

I'll be your storm

I'll make you shiver

I'll keep you warm

Whatever weather

Baby I'm yours

Be your forever, be your fling

Baby I will be your everything

Baby I

Baby I will

Baby I will be your everything[x3]

Carly Rae Jepsen - This Kiss

I went out last night

I'm going out tonight again

Anything to capture your attention (your attention)

And she's a real sweet girl

And you know I got a boy

Details we both forgot to mention (forgot to mention)

And you, I always know where you are

And you always know where I am

We're taking it way too far

But I don't want it to end

This kiss is something I can't resist

Your lips are undeniable

This kiss is something I can't risk

Your heart is unreliable

Something so sentimental

You make so detrimental

And I wish it didn't feel like this

Cause I don't wanna miss this kiss

I don't wanna miss this kiss

You know you're just my type

And your eyes are lock and key, to my heart

Tempting my confession (my confession)

And you're a real hot thing

But you know i've got a boy somewhere

So can you feel the tension? (Feel the tension)

And you, I'm dancing to where you are

And your dancing to where I am

We're taking it way too far

But I don't want it to end

This kiss is something I can't resist

Your lips are undeniable

This kiss is something I can't risk

Your heart is unreliable

Something so sentimental

You make so detrimental

And I wish it didn't feel like this

Cause I don't wanna miss this kiss

I don't wanna miss this kiss

But if you ask me to

I couldn't, I couldn't, I

You're leaning closer and

I shouldn't, I shouldn't, I

But if you ask me to

I couldn't, I couldn't, I

I shouldn't, I shouldn't

I don't wanna miss this kiss

This kiss is something I can't resist

Your lips are undeniable

This kiss is something I can't risk

Your heart is unreliable

Something so sentimental

You make so detrimental

And I wish it didn't feel like this

Cause I don't wanna miss this kiss

I wish it didn't feel like this

I don't wanna miss this kiss

Flo Rida - I Cry

I know

Caught up in the middle

I cry, just a little

When I think of letting go

Oh no

Gave up on the riddle

I cry, just a little

When I think of letting go

[Flo Rida]

I know

Caught up in the middle

I cry, just a little

When I think of letting go

Oh no

Gave up on the riddle

I cry, just a little

When I think of letting go

[Flo Rida]

I know

Caught up in the middle

I cry, just a little

When I think of letting go

Oh no

Gave up on the riddle

I cry, just a little

When I think of letting go

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