Something went wrong
You are not laughing
It’s not so easy now to get your smile
You gotta be strong
To walk these streets
And keep from falling
But when you’re not, just let yourself cry

You’ve been working hard
Just trying to pay the rent
Tryin’ to draw the line between who you are
and who you invent
But if you throw a stone
Something’s gonna shatter somewhere
We’re all so fragile
We’re all so scared

You say you wanna learn how to live your life
without tears
But we’ve been trying to do that for thousands of years
So go on and cry Ophelia
It’s the only thing to do sometimes
You know I’m crying too
Right there with you
It’s alright Ophelia
Everybody cries

Thank god for my bad memory
I’ve forgotten some of the stupid things
that I’ve done
I’ve come to a little wisdom
through a whole lot of failure
So I watch more carefully what rolls off my tongue

You pray for rain
But you don’t want it from a storm
You find a rose
And cut your finger on a thorn
So go on and cry Ophelia
It’s the only thing to do sometimes
You know I’m crying too
Right there with you
It’s alright Ophelia
Everybody cries Ophelia

    Monique, you mentioned about turning the house into a home.  I’m ready to build. But any strong house cannot be built on mere words alone. I am Gab Perez, running to be your Sanggunian President. First and foremost, let me tell you what I am not and more importantly, what I am not here for. I am not eloquent enough to paint you a picture of utopia; a portrait of a disillusioned world that thrives on a bed of roses. Reality is tough and it comes with problems seeking for its solutions. Neither am I here to claim that I am a panacea, a messianic cure-all for all the illnesses that plague the Sanggunian. I am a far cry from being a savior. If anything, yes, I may wear the gains of experience but I also carry with me the scars of the Sanggunian.

    But then why am I here? I stand before you because I have always been amazed with what can be created from the ashes of experience. To some, the Sanggu is still a beacon of hope but to most, it is but an ember of the flame it once had. Whatever they say, I personally refuse to believe that the Sanggunian cannot reclaim the role it once played in the life of every Atenean. The vision is simple- a “rebirth” of a Sanggunian that is true to its essence as an institution of student service and an arena for leadership training.

    But apart from a vision, a STRONG Sanggunian entails two other things – relevance and results.

    The Ateneo Student Concern Center. Hindi lahat sa atin alam na mayroon tayong mga karapatan sa Magna Carta at mayroong mga ahensya na dapat mangalaga sa mga ito. Hindi lahat sa atin alam na mayroong mga ahensya na puwedeng lapitan para huming ng tulong sa oras ng mga exam o midterms.

    Kung minsan, para narin tayong gobyerno ng Pilipinas- hindi nagkukulang s batas, hindi nagkukulang sa polisiya, hindi nagkukulang sa salita. Pero madalas, nabibitin sa gawa.

    Another point I want to emphasize is stronger sectorals wherein groups in the Ateneo are properly structured, for their needs not only to be heard but for these need to be actually acted upon. A concrete example would be hastening the re-accreditation process for the athletes. I am sure the administration would understand but I am pushing for the return of their early registration.

    In addition, we must also identify groups like the scholars who up until now, do not have an organized representation in the current framework. We may be of different talents and interests but the Sanggunian must be able to weave all these together as one, united community.


    But then all that I said are mere words and words can only satiate the craving for short-term satisfaction. Having a plan is one thing but actually doing it is another. Knowing the direction is one thing but actually driving the car is another. I run for the presidency not only because I understand how the system works but also how the people feel.

    As a block representative, I felt the joy in seeing how my block would carry out our own little activities, but I also felt the frustration in feeling that I can do more but only given so much to work with.
As an Executive, I felt the thrill of seeing how ideas would concretize into reality but I also felt the disappointment in seeing how projects could have been made better.

    Now as a Central Board Chairman, I feel the fulfillment in seeing how certain undertakings can actually bring relevance to the life of a student. When we had the Magna Carta week, I was pleasantly surprised to see how students began to talk to their teachers making sure their rights are upheld. Students are not apathetic. But they do look for relevance.

    After everything I’ve said, the question will still remain. Why should you cast your vote for me? Beyond the vision, beyond whatever accomplishment, beyond the experience and technicalities, I want to answer this on a more personal note. I have been in the Sanggunian through thick and thin. I have never believed in anything so much that I face every challenge with all the conviction in me. I have never believed in anything so much that I give everything I can just so I can contribute.

    Yes, I believe the Sanggunian needs change and yes, I am part of that very same Sanggunian. But that’s exactly why I am here. I walked with this institution. I celebrated with it, I fell with it. That’s why I admit that I am flawed and I have been wounded. But I am proud because scars teach us a lesson. They show us the paths that we have to take and the ones we have to avoid. After all, no leader can lead others toward a road that he has never even traversed.

    Just like everyone else, I’m unsure of a lot of things but if there’s anything I am definite of, it is the Sanggunian. I have never believed in anything so much until the Sanggunian.  Together, let’s bring it back.

    I can no longer offer you words but I give you action.

    Now, I’ll only say this once but may the passion resound a hundredfold. I am Gab Perez, running to be your Sanggunian President. I always say this but I will never grow tired because in the end, it’s what really matters…

    Let’s walk the talk.

February 8, 2008

I, Karl Vendell M. Satinitigan, have failed to enroll for the Second Semester of SY 2007-2008 in the Ateneo Loyola Schools.

I sought for means to remedy the situation but they, however, failed.

The lack of due diligence resulting in such a failure was entirely my fault.

In spite of this, I continued to discharge my functions as President of the Sanggunian without informing any of my colleagues, any of the members of IBIG Agila, nor the Office of Student Activities.

I recognize that this was irresponsible behavior on my part.

I apologize to my colleagues and to the student body for this neglect.

 

KARL VENDELL M. SATINITIGAN

Today at noon, I, Cabrei Cabreira, was officially sworn in as the new Sanggunian President for the School-Year 2007-2008. As the constitutional successor to the Presidency, I now take full responsibility for this Student Government. However, the events that lead to my assumption of this office are undoubtedly unacceptable and unfair. Last elections, Karl Satinitigan was duly elected to lead this Sanggunian toward realizing its vision for the Ateneans. It is now apparent that Karl is not an official student and can no longer carry out this mandate. I acknowledge the accomplishments that Karl has made but remain steadfast in deploring this chain of events. I firmly believe that the Sanggunian and the student body deserve nothing less than an explanation for what happened to the elected President. After all, this is a public position and every Sanggunian officer must be held accountable to the Ateneans who trusted them. Nonetheless, the decision to fully shed light on these matters lie on Karl alone.

    The importance of the Presidency and its leadership role has never been highlighted more. For many months, the Sanggunian has been experiencing a leadership crisis, weathering both deserved and unfair criticism from various sectors in the community. While it is not true that the Sanggunian does not work, laudable efforts from our lower units were significantly negated by the absence of clear-cut leadership. The Sanggunian has indeed gained some ground in projects such as Project 50/50, the respective school weeks, Reps’ Plenary, SONA, and the Magna Carta Week. Nevertheless, I admit that the internal effects of these unforeseen developments contributed to our failure to meet students’ expectations.

    Up until this week, the Sanggunian was completely unaware of everything going on with our erstwhile President. We did not get any official word from the OSA, Partido IBIG-Agila, or any other unit that could have been privy to Karl’s circumstances. Let it be made clear that there was no effort whatsoever to hide this issue from public scrutiny. The Sanggunian also acknowledges the swift action by the OSA and the Student Judicial Court to follow the constitutional process.

    With barely 3 weeks left before the new Sanggunian elections, I intend to oversee the proper execution of the remaining projects lined up to close the year. A collaborative evaluation on the performance of the Sanggunian is in order as well. This will help me as I begin to set the framework for the incoming officers who are to face a Herculean task of revitalizing this Sanggunian. I am hopeful that the next set of officers will have a strong work ethic and are experienced enough to produce the results and carry out the reforms needed in this institution.

    As I set out to lay the foundation for the reconstruction of this student government, I appeal to the student body not to lose hope in their Sanggunian. This coming elections, let us continue to exercise our right to choose the people who could best address the pressing problems we have. If anything, the Sanggunian needs an action-oriented leadership, one that transcends words toward action, to restore its relevance. Together, let us hope and work for the rebuilding of this institution.

Cabrei Cabreira                               
President
Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Ateneo de Manila
Feb. 7, 2008

Gwen Stefani's pregnant! Hurrah. :)

P.S.
I need summer!

This has been a one week high. This week's ep's like the best ever. (Well, yeah, it gets better by the ep, FOYN. Hehe.) Can't wait 'til next Wednesday -- CHUCK BASS, come back.

KNOLLERS!

Click THIS. It's Sir Diwa!! :)