True: Intramurals, shopping, and other tales

Tagbilaran, Friday, 21 September 2007 04:25:52

Barangay officials 'Rest and Recreation' in the Land of Pines

Proem:

It's September, an affair to remember. Schools and universities in Bohol are once again in full of color and energy as they celebrate Intramurals. Students love Intramurals because it signals a week of no classes. Students can participate in sports and other activities to hone their talents. I love to watch opening of Intramurals because of field demonstrations-so vibrant, colorful and energetic. Others will do acrobatic and dance the latest craze in town.

Intramural sports or intramurals are recreational sports organized within a school. The term derives from the words intra muros meaning inside the walls, indicating that matches are conducted between members of the same school (as opposed to varsity teams who compete with other schools).

Last week, I'd witnessed the opening of the Holy Name University (HNU) Intrams that packed the Dampas ground to the rafters. I was surprised to see how students showcased their talents. There was a concert of Christian Bautista organized by the Central Student Government (CSG) last Wednesday, but how true, the CSG officials promised that the first 100 students who would arrive at the Oval would have the chance for photo ops with Christian, didn't realize? According to VRS, Christian's talent fee was so expensive that the CSG has to shell out P200,000, that is, excluding food and accommodation.

The same student leaders had "threatened" the officials and organizers to "withdraw" their support for the launching of the university's "new" service. The reason? They didn't receive tee shirts from the organizer. In the first place, these student leaders have not shown their support from the very start of the "program." It is just a start of their "administration" and we hope they can give more programs and projects that can benefits the studentry.

On the other hand, all alumni of the University of Bohol, formerly Rafael Palma College, will converge at the UB quadrangle on September 21, starting 7 p.m. to rock and party with songs and dances from the 50s to the present which became a part of the UB-ian's life from 1946 to 2006.

The search for the Mr and Ms UB Personality is the most awaited event in UB. The organizers are reminded to make it more "interesting" and "appealing"-with better concept rather than superficial and dull.

Don't give up

This is inspirational. Many thanks to the person (who asked for anonymity) who forwarded this article:

One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".

"I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said.

"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me.

"You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?"

I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never, Never, Never Give up.

For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.

Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,

tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heavens door open this morning, God asked me... My CHILD... what can I do for you?" and I said "Daddy please protect and bless the one reading this message.

God smiled and answered ... "request granted...."

Las Vegas, baby

Got a letter from socialite and fashionista Mikey Gatal, the man behind the website www.mikeygatal.com, who finds Las Vegas (again) the best entertainment capital of the world. Here, Mikey dished out bucks shopping (and gambling!), the hedonist way. According to Raul: He (Mikey) is a true-blue fashionista, whose fashion philosophy is combining comfort and style with practicality and common sense. I've witnessed his metamorphosis from a simple and naive province-bred lad into a sophisticated, self-assured, dignified and cultured gentleman who has embraced the culture and lifestyle of his adoptive country without shedding the vestiges of his Filipino identity and culture.

Dearest Leo,

I have been in Las Vegas many times and every time I visited the Strip it's always been a memorable one and this last trip was no exception and you know why? Two of my friends who are lovers traveled with me, namely Hector and Yusuke!

They say that three is a crowd but not to us because we are so close and have known each other very well even Yusuke is just a newfound friend! We had so much fun in Las Vegas from the moment we checked in at Bally's Hotel & Casino, we hurried up to change outfits as I usually like to do for pictorial purposes, hahaha, then go straight to the slot machines and luckily one of us won for we have something to pay for our dinner buffet!

On the second day, before we ate lunch at the Flamingo Hotel, my Friend Yusuke helped me in experimenting a new hairstyle and as you can see in the picture I am sporting a new look! (nakuryentahan look?) hahaha but you be the judge if I look good, ok?) as soon as we reached the hotel's restaurant, we asked about the price of the buffet and I backed out because it's $25.00 each person and I said to them I'd rather eat at McDonald's and spend 5 bucks only, they did not stop me and what shall I do? I passed by the casino and each time I pass a slot machine, someone hit's the jackpot and the second one too, so, I decided to try my luck at the 3rd aisle and randomly played one of the slot machines and viola, I hit the jackpot as well, I was so happy and I returned to my friends right away at the buffet and showed them the money, they were shocked and from then on we decided to go on shopping spree at the Designer's Outlet Mall and I bought them something to remember from my winnings and I said to myself that's it for me and never played again for that day! By the way, we promoted the website, by wearing the www.mikeygatal.com shirt every time we went bar hopping and I strike a pose ala Chippendale style too at Rio's Hotel!

Lastly, it's not about the money but the beautiful friendship that blossomed into a wonderful relationship between the three of us that matters most and life is too short, so make the most out of it, ok?

I love you all in Bohol, www.mikeygatal.com

You can email me at leoudtohan@yahoo.com. Or you may read online at www.bohol.ph. Interact at www.tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com. Or be "in" at www.mikeygatal.com/connect. Visit the journal of the high-minded progressive Boholano, www.boholrepublic.com.

Leo P. Udtohan