Final Fantasy VI Sheet Music

Out of boredom, I arranged FFVI's "The Decisive Battle" for a string quartet.

Here is the link to the sheet music if you're interested. :-)

Click!

ACET Tips

A lot of people ask me for tips in passing the ACET. Instead of giving the tips one by one, I decided to just collect everything in one place, hence this blog that you are now reading.

4 years ago, I had no one to ask for tips when I took the ACET (Ateneo College Entrance Test). I was 1 of the 4 people who tried to take the exam in my highschool batch, but no one was willing to be my study buddy. Nevertheless, I still took the exam. Lo and Behold, I passed!

So if you have stumbled upon this entry, congratulations then. I will try my very best to write all the things I know are effective in passing the ACET.

But first, the FACTS.

FACT 1: LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY is SUBJECTIVE.

Some of my batchmates in Ateneo said that they found the UPCAT harder than ACET, some said that the ACET was UPCAT, and some said that they either found the DLSUCET harder than the ACET or vice-versa.

Personally, I found the ACET really hard. I cannot compare it to UPCAT as I wasn't able to take the examination in UP. I got late in submitting my application form (nobody is perfect haha). Compared to the ACET, the DLSUCET was quite easy, but I don't mean it in a condescending way. It was more easy for ME. Remember people, don't get thrown off when your friends or parents say that you will have difficulty in passing the ACET. It may have been hard for them, but it won't be necessarily hard for you.

FACT 2: Enrolling in a Review Center DOES NOT ENSURE you of passing.

It may not ensure you a spot in Ateneo, but it certainly does help. Remember, a month or two of preparing for college entrance tests will not always be enough as your first three years in highschool was supposed to be the time for you to have prepared. This doesn't only apply in the ACET, but also to any college entrance test in the Philippines.

In my case, I did not enroll in any Review Center. I actually got scared while waiting in the line before the ACET as the people were pulling up notes and study cards that I presume came from the centers. Remember, all that you've learned during the first three years of your stay in highschool are actually useful. And finally, it also takes some street-smarts to pass the ACET.

FACT 3: Studying in a well-known highschool DOES NOT ENSURE you of passing.

Some students coming from obscure highschools get scared as they fear they might be judged by their school. You might have had this presumption from the media, usually citing famous Ateneo Alumni that came from LSGH ,ICA, DLSZ, Poveda, Miriam, AHS, etc.

I came from Children of Mary Immaculate College (CMIC) in Valenzuela. It was under De La Salle for some time, but you get the idea. I'm a living and breathing proof that applicants are not entirely judged according to their highschool.

FACT 4: Passing takes a little (minute) LUCK.

"Good luck!" My parents told me when I got out of the car to line up for the test. After three years, I've realized that yes, it takes a wee bit of luck as out of more than a thousand applicants, I was one of the few who actually made it in.

But that doesn't mean that you should entirely depend your chances of passing on the stars and hope that your astrological sign will decide your fate. Passing WILL still take a considerable amount of studying.

FACT 5: What you write in the the Application form MATTERS, especially the essay.

You will be asked to write an essay in the application form. Make sure you have right grammar and good vocabulary. It is also imperative that you get your point clear in the essay - its no "free-write", you really have to think about it. It would help if you can show how you are a person for others.

Also, don't treat it as an academic paper - remember, its about YOU.

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Now that I've gotten the facts straight, let me get to the tips that will more or less work in making you relaxed and confident enough to pass.

• Sleep the night before the test. I cannot stress this enough as a well-rested mind and body has been proven to answer tests more correctly than the mind and body who took an all-nighter.
• The baon that you bring during the exam should fit in your pocket. Trust me, you won't be able to eat that much. Snacks brought to the test are designed to keep you and your stomach relaxed in between breaks.
• Do not bring Cola as refreshments. A single bottle of water will do. You don't want your stomach grumbling due to the carbon content of the Cola.
• Bring high-quality Number 2 pencils. I don't have anything against generic brands, but you don't want your pencils screwing up during the exam. Better go with a brand you can trust.
• Eat a full meal hours before the exam even if you don't feel eating. My parents treated me to KFC in front of Gate 3, and though I didn't want to eat, I must say that a full stomach adds to the confidence.
• Bring/Wear/Borrow a watch. You will be taking the test under time pressure, and it will be helpful if you can monitor yourself. Time is more precious than gold when taking the ACET. Remember, do not dwell on one question for too long.
• Since what will save you most of the time is your stock knowledge, it would be nice to pick up knowledge in whatever form you encounter it. From now on, read the newspaper, brush up on your reading, watch the news, etc.
• Practice your English (seriously) and get serious with your Math. You will write an essay during the test so you also better start practicing your writing.
• The Math will be hard, but with enough studying, you'll pull through I promise. I did!
• Wear comfy (and decent) clothing during the ACET. Flashy clothes tend to be thicker, so better stick with the shirt and jeans. Mas presko, 'ika nga.
• PRAY! Smiling will also help, even if the other people are wailing after finishing the exam. Positive energy attracts even more positive energy.
• Take care of yourself days before the test. You don't want to be sick when taking the ACET.
• Remember that it is just a test! It is completely normal to worry about it, but you shouldn't let it get the best of you.

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Well, that's about all of the things I usually give out as tips. To all the highschool students out there planning to take the ACET, goodluck and do your best to pass!

Results are posted online and at the Blue Eagle Gym. AdMU also mails out the results, but it would be faster if you would look it up at the BEG instead of waiting for it.

Again, GOODLUCK!

Journal

In this information age, you might be thinking that journals are a thing of the past now that blogs are much more mainstream. I beg to differ.

Who ever said writing is a thing of the past? I just bought a journal notebook this morning and I have been writing in it ever since. I find it more enjoyable than typing away here in my blog. Attached in this blog are pics of the journal I bought.

Bitag Moments

"Anak, baka makita ako sa TV!"

My mom casually told me when I went home the other day. When I asked her how, she told me that she was witness in an entrapment operation done in Jollibee Tandang Sora (in front of St. James College QC, my former school).

It was just one of the normal days that my mom would fetch my little sister from school and maybe grab a bite or two at Jollibee or McDonalds. Everything was the same except my mom said that she saw a heavily tinted van parked outside the fastfood restaurant.

She told me it was such a blur that out of nowhere, cameras showed up and Tulfo came to arrest a woman meeting an accomplice inside Jollibee.

My mom told me that the commotion ended quickly just as it started all of a sudden. Customers (and staff) were left with their mouths hanging open and saying to themselves: "What the fuck just happened?"

When I asked what she thought about Tulfo, my mom said that she was starstruck. She got excited over the fact that she might show up on TV. I didn't tell her of course, but as far as I'm concerned, I think being an extra in "Bitag" is not really something to be proud of. Sure you get to be on TV, but its certainly not one of the prettiest events to be present in.

"Nakita ako sa TV!"

"OWS? Anong show?"

"Bitag! Ako yung kumakain ng burger dun sa likuran nung ale na hinuli!"

:-]

I'm sure that you've felt it once - the feeling that everything isn't going according to plan.

Today was one of my low days. Everybody was out, I had no one else to speak to in the house except our Labrador, and I'm not exactly feeling very chirpy right now.

It is as I feel, life is not cooperating with me. This wasn't supposed to be part of the plan. Somehow when I was 10 back then, I pictured my life very differently once I hit 20. It's been months since I turned 20, and things aren't going according the way I pictured it.

What happens now? I have to deal with it.

Thoughts on the Recent PBA Incident

I agree with other people - we should not condone what Arboleda did, but we are not in the position to judge him on whatever he has done.

I guess the best that we can do is to try and step into the shoes of both people involved.

I think that this incident should serve as a lesson for us all - huwag ka mampipikon nang sobra, at huwag ka magpapapikon nang sobra.

Lines

QM: Why?! Why do you go to such lengths to defy me?! You dream of a beautiful future, but you are sure to eventually realize that this world is already ugly and filthy!

PS: No! I have faith!

QM: In Love? Friendship? Or, in the trust between people? Haha!

PS: I have faith. I have faith in this world that everyone tried to protect!

QM: Fool! There is nothing left to believe in this rotten world!

Libre kita ng lunch kung mahulaan mo kung saan galing ang mga linya na ito. Haha!