I don't know why. But every time we don't expect to win, we do.

Just like all of the hardships we counter during our cheers and chants, we still encountered them during our practices for the speech choir competition. We fight. We argue. But it's making the block's bond stronger. The more we encounter hardships, the more we become closer to each other.

During the competition, I can't help but to be scared. Scared that we won't be to perform it well since we made a lot of changes as our turn draws near. Scared that all of our hard work will be in vain.
That's what I thought as I watch the other blocks perform.

I am also embarrassed because of our audio visual presentation. I edited the video that's why I'm the person who embarrassed for it. None of my block mates saw it before it was presented in front of everyone. I was watching the avp of the other blocks and their videos are really short. When I edited ours, I made sure to make the video 4 mins long because I thought that was the required length. I am also embarrassed for it because of a reason I can't really explain. Maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from, if you have been in a similar situation.

During the awarding, I am trying to cover my ears when the champion is being called. Simply because we committed a lot of mistakes during the presentation and I don't want them to call the other block since this is something we really want. Not just because our grades is in line with this, but because we really worked hard for this. I can't imagine how I would react if it wasn't us who were called.

It was an honor. Especially when sir Deeno said that this is the first time that TM ever won the speech choir competition. That keeps ringing inside my head. I know that TM151 will continue in making name for the TM not to be underestimated.

I am really in awe when I watching the ignite speakers. They all speak with confidence and they don't look like they're scared. Since I was given a chance to talk in front as well, during the public speaking competition and since I also did an ignite speech for our finals, I know what it's like to be in front and what it's like to deliver an ignite speech. I admire them very much for I know how hard it is to deliver an ignite speech because every second counts.

Everyone did a great job in delivering their speeches and they did a great job coming up with a topic that is interesting for the crowd.

I don't want to sound biased, but I am rooting for Charella. Not just because she's TM151 and she's my friend, but because I can really see the potential in her. I also know how much she wants this.
She may not be part of the winners, but she's still a winner to me. Being able to represent TM151 in front the crowd is amazing.

Congratulations to all the winners for the ignite speech. I also want to thank you guys for inspiring me.

When I was chosen as one of the competitors for the speech competition, I honestly felt joy but at the same time, I felt burden. It was an honor to be chosen as one of the great speakers out of the 33 TM, but I felt burden because we have a lot of projects that needs to be done and I don't think I have time to participate on the said competition.

As the competition draws near, I don't feel pressure at all. That's because I plan to get eliminated on the elimination round. I heard that they'll only pick 3 students per room and I also heard that AC Students are really good in public speaking. With that being said, there is a low percentage of me being picked for the final round because I know how horrible my public speaking skill is.

A day before the competition, everyone is memorizing and mastering their speeches. But I didn't. Even a little. I didn't attempt to memorize because I was planning to sabotage my performance because I don't want to prolong my agony. haha

During the day of the competition, my block mates are literally nervous and quite panicking, but I didn't. I don't have anything to be scared of because I have no plan on winning. If I commit mistakes, then that's better because that will create a bigger percentage of me being eliminated.  I just want to get things over with and start feeling the Christmas feels as the term ends.

As we move to the respective rooms we are assigned to, there are constant battles within my mind; Do I sabotage this or am I letting myself be embarrassed in front of everyone? One by one, everyone is being called to perform and so far, the people who have performed were holding a copy of their speeches in front. Then finally, my name was called. In the end, my pride couldn't let myself be embarrassed in front of the crowd. Just to get myself eliminated, I brought the copy of my speech in front. In the end, I didn't even glance at the paper and before I knew it, I think I did a pretty good job with my presentation even though I was planning to sabotage it and didn't prepare for it.

I knew it. I knew that I would be part of the 3 students that would be competing in the finals. I don't want to hear my name being called as one of the competitors, but I did. When my name was called, I felt honor and privilege to be part of the top 9. But as the final round start, I don't know what I would do. I wanna cry. I wanna forfeit. But I can't. When I saw my name as the first person who would speak in front, I felt the pressure even more. As a first  person, who would be talking in front, I would be one setting the standard and that thought scares me. But, the thought of failing in front of everyone and being a laughing stock scares me the most. Especially that this is the very first time that I would be on a big stage alone and I would be talking. I have been exposed in a crowd a lot during high school, but I would be on the stage with a lot of people and we would be singing, dancing and acting. Talking is different. I think it's the scariest to do in front of a crowd.

So, I performed. And as you can guess, since I didn't prepare for it, I failed,
But, that doesn't really matter right now. I am really happy for giving me a chance to be on the stage conquering my fear. After talking in front and failing, I believe I am more confident right now for I know what it is like to be in front of the big crowd and failing. Next time I would be ask to talk in front, I would definitely be still scared but not as scared as I felt during the Speech Competition.

Thank you, Asia Pacific College for giving me this opportunity. This is definitely one of the things that I will remember that made my college life noteworthy.

During our EEP Class, I was able to watch Phantom of the Opera. Actually, I tried watching Phantom of the Opera before, but since I watched the movie version, it was quite boring to me. It was not as amazing as the musical play.

So here's the plot summary written by phan007 on imdb:

Our story begins with Opera Populaire's manager, Lefevre, leaving. His successors, Andre and Firmin, take over the opera, and bring with them their new patron, le Victome Raoul de Changy. To celebrate their new managers, the opera throws a gala, at which the leading diva refuses to perform, due to the mysterious 'Opera Ghost' who seems determined to have the screeching diva leave. Without a diva, Andre and Firmin are strong-minded to find a new leading lady, so they invoke the talents of a young, chorus-singer named Christine Daae, who has been taking lessons from a mysterious tutor. Raoul, Christine's old childhood sweetheart, who recognizes her at her triumphant gala performance, wants to bring Christine back into his life. But, suddenly, Christine's mysterious tutor reveals himself to her... Now, will Christine ask everything of Raoul or listen to the Music of the Night?

I am really glad that our professor showed us the musical play because I have always been dreaming to be a Classical/Broadway singer... But, there's not much motivation around me since I am not exposed to anything Classical/Broadway related. Especially that in this generation, they are really into pop. 

Watching the play triggered something inside my heart. I want to continue pursuing to be a Classical/Broadway singer. Maybe, I am really not born to be a pop singer, but a Classical singer. ;)

Back to the musical play, I loved everything about it! The character choices, the original soundtracks, the story, everything!~ 

If you haven't seen it, I recommend that you should. Especially the 25 years celebration on Royal Albert Hall.

Once again, we didn't have class for the entire day and became an audience to the high school student who presented they speeches. We were forced to watched this. I didn't enjoy it at first, but lately one, I didn't realize that I am really enjoying the event.

I know that the kids were really nervous especially that they are in an environment they are not familiar with and with the audience have never crossed path with, but still, they all act professionals. I really admire them for sharing a piece of them to the audience especially the sensitive topics like family issues and personal heart breaking experiences. They were really brave. I will be part of the speech competition in December and I think I wouldn't be able to do as amazing as the kids did. They were really marvelous.

Each contestant really gave they all, I can feel their passion and their energy all the way from the back of the audience. I wish I could talk more about the individual contestants, but I have decided to talk about the winner alone. The winner is really tall and pretty, She has the legs and body, I've always dreaming to have. Hahaha enough with her physical look. When it comes to her skill in public speaking, I think she really does have a talent. Every word that comes out of her mouth has feelings behind them and her connects with the audience. When she speak, it does not seemed it she memorized it. She was definitely born for public speaking.

A day well spent. I learned so much from the kids and I enjoyed that day. I hope I'll be able to do great on the day of the competition cause I do not want to be a laughing stock infromt of the entire SOM.

I did not expect to enjoy the seminar. At first, I was really happy just because we wont have class for the day, but there something more than that. The seminar was really eye opening especially to those people who have their hearts open since the beginning. The only reason why I tried listening because our gramcom prof said that we will have a quiz regarding the topic. I am not into writing much, but I learned so much from them.

The first speaker talked about how to write stories effectively. She gave us tips and tricks that might help us in the future. We all know that The famous 5W and 1H  formula to get all the necessary information for a certain topic, but what everyone always forget is the question "So What?" Why should the reader care? Answering that question will definitely improve your writing skill. She also shared to us the Art of Interview . And here they are:

1. Embrace the silence
2. Do not be afraid to play dumb
3. Takes notes for more questions
4. Research is a process of gathering data, not a result
5. Start strong. Eng Stronger.

The second speaker spoke about the social issues which really caught my attention so much that I wasn't able to write any notes at all. I was so impressed with the things she discussed. She is not against entertainment but people has the power under our finger tips that we can help people around the globe. The media only feeds the people what they want, that's why more important topics were being put aside because we're too focus on the entertainment especially AlDub when we could have been saving people lives.

The last speaker discussed the role of the media and advocacy journalism. The media has three roles: to inform, to educate and to entertain. While advocacy journalism, should always look at all the sides of the issue to promote fairness. Corroboration is important as well as the two source rule. She talked more about raising awareness and presenting news.

The seminar was really good. I had fun.

According to Merriam Webster, it defined Plagiarism as the act of using another person's words or ideas without giving credit to that person. Basically, plagiarism has been one of the rising issues in this generation .Well, this is only based on my observation.

The youth has been more dependent on the internet that they copy and paste everything. Little did they know that plagiarizing or not giving credits to the owner is against the law and it's not a crime, but it may lead to a serious offense. The cases of plagiarism can lead to constitute copyright infringement.

I have searched the consequences if you commit plagiarism. This might be an eye opening to you, who are reading this, to give second thoughts before committing plagiarism again. I believe that all of us have. When I was younger, I didn't know anything about plagiarism and I am really glad that my high school teacher taught me the right thing.

So here's what ithenticate said about the consequences when you committed to plagiarize. Pretty much, ithenticate just said more about reputation being ruined; your personal reputation, student reputation and many more.

When you plagiarize, the owner is not the only one affected here. It's you as well, for you are not learning the proper and self discipline when it comes it researching habits. It's quite unfair for the other students as well for they are competing with someone who's not using his or her idea in the situations and it is otherwise known as cheating.

Here's how to avoid plagiarism:

1. Paraphrase. Summarizing is quite different because the exact ideas of the owner are still there. Try to paraphrase because when you paraphrase, you are telling the story with your own words and own understanding. Just read the entire article or etc before you start writing, so you can express them with words.

I hope this was helpful c: