All Girls, Three Days

From May 6 to 8, the SMI had its 10th biennial convention. A member of the church org since 3rd year high, this was the second time I attended. While my two co-members and I approach age 20, the more we become pasaway.

Friday

We arrived late and went straight to the refectory. Sister's staff was supposed to be resting but had to serve the curry, bulanglang, fried fish, and rice. We ate fast then I rushed to the water dispenser. After getting refreshed, sister surprised me by closing the main door while I'm still inside. .

With excitement, we roamed pretending to play Half Life. I hid behind walls and carried an imaginary gun. And what do you expect? I tried to shoot every Squirette that came my way. Gianne even broke the seal of a container as she desperately seek for H2O. She drank. What if it was kerosene?

Everyone went to the conference room for the group activities. I was even chosen to be the team leader. For introduction, I forced my teammates to serenade the audience with Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin.

From 11-1am, Gianne and I talked as if there was no tomorrow. About love teams, welding (she wanted to fix an aircon even if it's too late and sister might catch us), and ghosts. And by the way, we didn't use the corner cabinet because it resembled a coffin.

Saturday

We failed to get up early but then again, succeeded to join them in eating. It was a superb breakfast: pandesal, butter, rice, hotdogs, scrambled egg, and coffee. Add one fruit in season. Guess what came after that. We got back to our room and slept once more. Zzzz... Positions? Only half of my body laid on the bed. Same with Mao, while Gianne seemed to reach the trundle by crawling. Boozed?

Half-awake, we heard a familiar voice and realized that for the nth time, we're late! Ya, it was the same man from Pro-Life Philippines. Parang nakikilala kita ah (imagine voices of Squirettes who are already old, with their index fingers raised)! Going straight to the point, he is not a persuasive speaker. Too conservative. He tells us not to do this and that, but doesn't explain why. His task was to talk about pre-marital sex and abortion. A film was shown with the victims' pictures while we sang Hindi Kita Malilimutan. I wish more "liberated" people, especially from the university, were invited here . Then a debate with Gerry. Here's my stand: It's alright to use condoms and other contraceptives provided that there is no new life yet. I'm against abortion as it also puts a woman's life in danger. Moreso, the child is innocent.

The second speaker was a priest from the UST seminary. His speech dealt with the virtues of Mama Mary: simple, sumusunod sa kalooban ng Diyos. It's inspiring, not the traditional boring talk. Also... Father is attractive (it wasn't me who first said that). Bad, bad, bad...

The third is a radio broadcaster (but I was turned off by his frequent Hellos that required a Hi ). I would rather call him a magician. I heard that he was even selling a compilation of his tricks in a CD worth 700. Eeew. Sa kanya galing yung "You can't face your problem if the problem is your face."

Election. Kailangang magpasikat. Pinauso ko ang:"As auditor, I will audit everything that has to be audited in the auditorium...like Audilyn!" Siguro may audition din 'to sa auditing office. Yung na-nominate na vice, ayaw ata dahil mabigat na trabaho. President na lang daw sana(?!). Ok, the table is now open for snacks, este nominations.

Talents Night. We're not supposed to present simply because there was no preparation. But sticking to our pasaway nature, we scheduled a practice after dinner then snatched the bedsheets for our costume. We danced (ethnic style) and sang Liwanag Sa Dilim. Ironically, we led the rest towards the dark!

Sunday

Aba! Ang aga nyo atang magising. Tama, nakasali pa kami sa morning praise at exercise. Pero pagkatapos nanaman ng almusal, bumawi kami ng tulog imbes na sumali sa reflection. Reflect reflect...dito nalang tayo sa kwarto magreflect! Ayun, hanggang sa maiwan kami ng sasakyan patungong Marikina Sports Center. Nakalimutan ko palang banggitin na Sabado palang ay adik na 'ko sa British-Indian-Visayan accent. Kinakausap ko ang lahat sa ganitong pamamaraan. Baka nga kung ano na impression ng iba noh. Pati sa paulit-ulit na "Test mic...check...sound check...bouncing check." Masyadong nag-enjoy ang isang Squirette sa 'kin, pasado raw ako for Laffline.

Commute lang pag-uwi. sa dami ng dala, tinanong ng driver: "Naglayas ba kayo?" Opo, malupit kasi ang madre. Wag po Ms. Minchin!