Graduation 2009

Congratulations to BS MAC batch 2009! All our hard work has paid off. Even though we had to wake up very early and our patience was pushed to the limit, this day was soooo worth it. I hope all of us will still keep in touch beyond graduation. QQ 2009, thanks for the best 5 years of my life!

PS: Does anyone know where I can find a xerox machine big enough to photocopy my diploma in case I need it for documentation? That blasted thing is like a blanket compared to other regular diplomas. Also, does anyone know how to decipher the Latin inscriptions? The only writing I can understand is my name :D

Tony Blair in Manila

My dad and I went to Tony Blair's speech on the Leader as Principled Negotiator. Too bad my camera has a poor zoom function that's why Tony Blair cannot be seen clearly. One of the main sponsors was DLSU and they gave him an appreciation award and a school jacket. They probably heard the news that ADMU also gave an Ateneo jacket to Mr. Blair during his earlier speech at the Irwin Theater (ha ha). His talk in Ateneo was supposed to be an "invitation only" event but there were more of students than faculty, staff and alumni guests combined... so who were the lucky bastards who got invited? The ticket in Sofitel costs P1000 each but despite the crowd and traffic, it was all worth it. But of course it still feels different (and probably better) watching the event from your own alma mater (and it was probably free!)

Moving on to more important matters... Tony Blair's talk is about negotiation as the primary tool for leadership. Surprisingly, this kind of leadership is not limited to politics but also in business, social activities and the like. He said that problems are not solved through conflict or force but through dialogue and conversations (yes this comes from a man that declared war on Iraq). One must always be willing to engage in open conversation and negotiations with another party. Once dialogue is closed, how can a compromise be reached? With such topics being pointed out, I couldn't help but remember the Rorty's philosophy echoing in my memory. He said the same thing about continuous dialogue, a willingness to negotiate and reaching compromises. Tony Blair's description of leadership can be summarized in one word - courage. It is to have the courage to listen to the views of the opposition, the courage to question or even abandon your own stand and, yes, even the courage to continuously find resolutions despite the possibilities of failure. With this, I like to end with a line in his speech that struck me the most:

"What is forgivable is to fail but what is unforgivable is to not try at all" - Tony Blair

Dave Batista in Ateneo!

Last week, Thursday at around 2pm, a Nissan Urvan pulled over the Moro sports center drive way and then suddenly I saw all the people flock to the entrance. The next thing I knew, I was the only person left in the gym. It turns out, Batista paid an unannounced visit to the Moro Lorenzo Gym. He was there to have a pictorial for Solar Sports with the Talk n Text basketball team practicing on the upstairs court. Unfortunately he only stayed for around 15 minutes and when I met him in the hall way, he was already about to leave. I wasn't able to take any good photos of Batista because my camera was too slow and his bodyguards were in the way (with those muscles, I think the last thing he needs is a bodyguard :D ). This photo was taken by one of the staff and it's one of the only clear shots of the celebrity. It is posted on the front desk as proof that Batista was there... who's the aryan woman, you ask? Got no idea.