:KaBlooog!

I’m on my last night here at ASTI. I’m going to miss this view (from the window beside me). I get to have a different sunset every night. Unfortunately though, I forgot to upload all those sunset photos I took, as a result they were all erased when the computer where I saved them was formatted. Oh well, lesson learned–always back-up your file!

These are the settings I used (btw the camera I used was a Kodak DX7590; and no, it’s not mine, I just borrowed it):
                                Shutter Speed: 5/1 second
                                F Number: F/6.3
                                Focal Length: 6 mm
                                ISO Speed: 100

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In a few days, I’ll be off to my new job at Taguig. New office, new work, new environment again. It’s a bittersweet feeling, but I guess I have to let go what I have in my hand for me to be able to catch whatever blessings may fall in my way. It’s quite hard to catch something with your hands full, i presume. I just hope I have a smooth transition (although there’s a nagging feeling that it wouldn’t–must be the clandestine pessimist in me). Nevertheless, as they say, we all have to find a greener pasture for us to graze on, and it seems I have found mine. I hope it turns out good for me, and for the team I’ll be leaving behind. They won’t have much to lose anyway hehehe.

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I just couldn’t let this one fade away from my memory. Really nice…

1. Wealth without work
If you don’t enjoy what you do, what good can you expect to come out from it?
2. Pleasure without conscience
How can you derive pleasure from the misery of others?
3. Knowledge without character
Knowledge is power. Ignorant knowledge leads to corrupted power.
 4. Commerce without morality
Be like a leech that sucks the life out of the people.
5. Science without humanity
For what is the use of science if not for the betterment and not the destruction of humanity?
6. Worship without sacrifice
A leap of faith entails a certain amount (usually a huge amount) of our old self to be left behind.
7. Politics without principle
For obvious reasons.

—Mahatma
          Gandhi
         
(source: http://www.doctorhugo.org/gandhi.html)
         

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Who said there ain’t free speech no more?

courtesy of www.sinfest.net

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From the heart … right. Vote Slick!

courtesty of www.sinfest.net

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Sounds unreasonable? You should probably see and hear what our candidates. Slick might look like a saint compared to them. *sarcastic sneer*

courtesy of www.sinfest.net

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I admire us Filipinos’ ability to survive–and even thrive–in scarcity, but trying to squeeze nine people in a jeepney that can fit at best 8 1/2 people is really ridiculous (well, the idea of a 1/2 person is in itself absurd to begin with). It is understandable that the drivers just want to maximize their profit, but to sacrifice the comfort of the passengers for their own ends is, well in my opinion at least, not quite right. Protest you can, but then end up in the losing end because there is always someone willing to endure the discomfort just to get to his destination in the soonest possible time. So if you’re running late, what recourse do you have but to give in and squeeze into whatever space there is left. On the bright side, at least you can execrise your arms and thighs while you’re at it.

Nothing epitomizes more of our penchant for quick-fixes and short-cuts than how we get on and off of buses and jeepneys. Passengers would hail buses and jeepneys anywhere and anytime, unmindful whether they are in designated loading and unloading areas. Same with passengers getting off these PUV’s. Worse, drivers and conductors not only don’t seem to mind, but they prefer this kind of behavior. Trying to follow proper traffic rules is really a futile exercise when it comes to commuting in Metro Manila. Just try catching a bus or jeepney in Cubao or in Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City and you’ll see what I mean (I’m sure there are worse places than these two). MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando knows this too well so what better way to stop people from being in places they shouldn’t be than to put fences, right? So he did exactly just that, and to some extent it worked, but on a wider scale, it was a miserable failure. We always find a way around obstacles. If we can’t overcome it, we try to undercome, and if it still doesn’t work we try to leftcome or rightcome it. Call it persistence, resilience, perseverance, ingenuity even. Now if we could only put our talents to good use…

But despite all our shortcomings, we do have our innate altruistic nature. Just pass on your fare to anyone in front of you and more often than not there will be someone ready to extend his hand to pass on your fare to the driver. No questions asked. And, despite what many people say, chivalry is not dead. When there are no more seats available for women or the elderly, there will be someone who’ll be willing give up their seat. Ain’t that heartwarming?

I think the government should promote more the jeepney for tourism. I mean not just the fact that it has become the trademark of Filipino qualities, positive and negative, but the experience when riding a jeepney (and buses too) is a microcosm of the way of living of Filipinos. Almost everything is there, from the admirable traits to the embarrassing nuances.

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In the spirit of the graduation season (and after much procrastination), I’m finally going to publish the acknowledgment of my manuscript. I was planning on doing this since last year because I had a lot more people to thank than the ones I was able to write down (blame it to cramming and the last-minute syndrome), and because I was trying to make my manuscript look as professional as possible and avoid sounding overly melodramatic as most manuscripts I read, I left out most of the messages I had for those people. I don’t mean to be overly-sentimental, but I just want to express my gratitude to these people, and to the countless unnamed others, because, unlike most students, I consider my being able to graduate–sans the honors and everything–a monumental achievement for myself… So, here goes:

I would like to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to the people who in one way or another contributed to the completion of this SP:

To my adviser, Prof. Paul Patrick Prantilla, for the opportunity and patience;

To Glenn for suggesting the topic, allowing the reuse of his code for this SP and invaluable programming tips. Even though you neglected to mention how difficult the topic would be, I am nevertheless grateful.

To Ma’am Maica Areja and Sir Jerrold Tubay, for helping me with the formulation of the mathematical model of the problem and providing the basis for the algorithm implemented in this SP.

To the people who lent their computer and/or parts of it at one time or another: Cat, Tex, Vendrelli, Rapi, Jonas, Mark, Anne, Kuya Jun; the programming part of this SP would not have been possible;

For lending their books, references and resources: Cat, Janina, Kuya Jun. I could not have conceptualized this SP without your generosity.

    In addition, I would also like to thank the following:

IH Dudes: John, Glenn, Eph, Jonas, Marco, Paul, Maki, Merlin, Mike, Clarito, Dex Mundin, Dex Perez, Cip, Dale, Oroz, Pilo, Virgo, Matt, Marvs, Jay, Kiko, Brian, Durei, Tex, Marlo, Caloy, Normand, Ian, Pedro, Rene and the rest of the IH dudes whom I grew up with here in UPLB. I will never forget you all. Depth charge, midnight hiking and swimming, endless chatter at the dorm lobby, vacations at the dorm; thank you guys for the friendship and the memories.

Batch (OPTIMUS)’: Ma’am Mench, Glenn, Pilo, Renan, Mitch, May Ann, Tin, Bcel, Kat, Grace, Mheann, Diane, Eric, Jay-reen, Joie, Memen, Lest, Ting, Glenda, Mickey, Ella, Jercy, Shan, Janis, Arnel, Sarah, and Nathan. Thank you for being the best batchmates one could ask for. 

ORSP UPLBSC members: Cabu, Nea, Wins, Erick, Marwin, Engel, Ghen, Jade, Mei, Marlon, Chie, Ann, Nor, Yumi, Mark, Jaime, Marco, Ana, Mel, Jo, Dan, Ryan, Edd, Jed, Rupert, Dugz, and others I failed to mention. Thank you for all the experiences we had. I will cherish them for as long as I live. As one text message read: "without you guys my college life would have been fine, but because of you it became a blast!" (same goes for my batchmates of course).

UPLB Athletics Team: Cat, Rey, Karen, Kaye, Cha, Niela, Kei, Caleb, Marie, Manny, Lou, Lorie, Meynard, Sandra, Jho, Ann, Jaime, Mike and especially Coach Myra Luz Abueg. Thanks a lot coach for  "discovering" my talent. I was planning on not joining anything in college, much less be a varsity athlete, good thing I changed my mind. Learned tons from you guys. Hope you all keep running (I mean that in a good way of course).

MAC Runners: Kuya Nick, Kuya Benjie, Kuya Estong, Kuya Sunday, Toki, Popsie, Inay, Mike T., Jinky, Dan, Gina, Gen and many others. Thanks for the friendship on and off the road. Do forgive me for the unintended omission.

Bloc 36: George, Jay, Lyelle, Lawrence, Maki, Paolo, Dean, Bianca, Rueth, Jason, Allan, Grace, Tin, Recah, Marge, Shelly. Thank you for being my first friends here in UPLB.

The Institute of Computer Science and the faculty and staff: I never did felt that I belonged despite my six years of stay. I always felt I wasted away those precious years trying just to pass all those courses. I thought I could have done a lot better elsewhere. But nevertheless I am grateful for all the knowledge I gained and the perks that come with being an alumni from your institute.

Sta. Fe and Unit-J Housemates: andun na kayo sa IH Dudes. Basta unit-J all the way! Glenn, Pilo, John, Renan, Clarits, Dale, Marvs, Tex, Marl; astig na housemates! Panalo na tayo sa PBB!

Calma Chameleons: Tex, John, Drey, Ken, Chickoy, Gboy, Clang, Love, Trish, Indhira, Rey, William, Mark, Manok, Rapi, Mitch. Ibiza forever! I have never met a group of guys as awesome as you, and I don’t think I ever will. Pirmi lang yes!

Narra family: Tito Jun, Tita Bing, Tito Ariel, Tita Lil, Kuya Jonathan, Bamboo, Jomar, Dawn, Iya, Russel, Mariez, Paolo, Jopet, Bonn.

Catherine Lit for all encouragement, inspiration, patience in dealing with my chronic procrastination, and all the other things you offered without reservation. yabü

My family: Tatay, Chantal and Mox. I finally got the damn diploma!

Nanay and Tita Lolly, for the all the love and guidance that lives through beyond life.

To all the people I shared a laugh, conversation, hirit, miron, tagay, and tear.

And finally to God: consumatum est.

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