Centrum (I Want To Be Complete) by Kriska Karengkeng
This is also your story. You woke up this morning with a big smile on your face. You are lucky because hot Hollywood actor Jude Law was able to kiss and even hug you… But of course, those are just part of your fantasies... Err, your dream.
As you have checked the time, your once smiling face suddenly turned into a wrinkled one—comparable to a piece of crumpled paper. You happened to remember that you have a short story due today yet you forgot to finish it last night since you arrived late because you have debated for UPDS as part of the application process.
A few seconds later, you started smiling again, got up from your bed, turned on the computer started typing some words and after an hour, voila! A literary work-of-art was produced!
Well, why am I telling you this story? Basically, that defines BJ. How? BJ, for me is a talent. It means being able to multi-task, and carry out each tasks with confidence and finesse, ergo grace under pressure. BJ is neither an acronym nor a word consisted of only two letters. BJ - to put formally, Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero - is an adjective used to describe the true essence of being a UPDS member—that is being able to excel both in academics and in debating and/or adjudicating as well without sacrificing your gaiety and societal entertaining influence.
BJ is also a term used to describe professionalism. It means being objective and rational… Being unbiased that no matter how emotionally attached you are to a person, in the name of professionalism, you will be fair and rational in analyzing issues (involving that person)
BJ is simply a word with many meanings. But despite this complexity, cliché it may sound, BJ exemplifies the true meaning of a rational iskolar ng bayan.
These characteristics are personified through the Membership and Administration Committee (MAC) chairman. He is indeed suitable for the committee he was into, since the MAC served as rational league of applicants’ comrades during the entire application period. They’ve served my sisters and brothers (second to my buddy and my partner) to whom I could ask questions, share my concerns and get advices. They helped me in being compatible with the organizations’ members and activities. They remove the line that divides the members from the applicants and they try to welcome you with open arms for you to feel comfortable with UPDS thus, helping you carry out your best during the process.
MAC is the committee where most of my and other applicants’ “friend-members” came from. The committee members really upheld their purpose to bring the applicants closer to the org. MAC is simply great! It is helpful and if there’s one adjective that would describe it, that would be, “friendly”
With all these elements, I don’t think any applicant would dare to hate the application period.
Before, I am hesitant to enter UPDS since, in the first place, I thought, I have no debate experience in high school thus it would be hard for me to debate in front of many people. Plus, I thought, there are lotsa public humiliation, etc. but I was wrong. The members are rational enough to think of your “rights” and thus they only focused on the “honing” of your skills and “developing” your confidence.
I feel so fulfilled with my application to UPDS. And though there are times that I really cry because I find it hard to allot time for the organization yet I don’t want to defer, I just sacrifice my time for other things (e.g. time for rest) to devoting myself to the organization.
I always tell myself that if I am not a brilliant debater as of now, I promised to persevere so hard for me to uphold the meaning of a real UPDS member. I know I have lots of inferior moments yet I know that I can improve and transform to a better debater.
The process itself taught me to persevere more, to devote myself to the organization no matter how stressful my subjects are and to accept my mistakes and improve them.
As the application nears its end, I am proud to say that I have no regrets in the things I have sacrificed for UPDS and that the fruit of these sacrifice is a measurable amount of happiness that brings a sense of self-fulfillment within me. As journey take its toll, I am hoping that another door will be opened for me and thus continue the struggle towards self-fulfillment.
As of now, though I am still unsure if I would be accepted or not, I can say that I can shout out to the world that, because of my experiences during the application period, the jigsaw puzzle of my UP life, like Centrum, is now complete.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
A-Lester Tuking-pun
Application by A-Lester Tuking-pun
The prefix "a-" which means without and the pun intended with the third sex word "tuki", you can easily figure out what the distortion means. For your information, his name is actually my household nickname. =)
BJ. Bernard Joseph Guerrero is the head of the Membership and Application Committee(MAC) of the UP Debate Society(UPDS). He plays a big role in my future. I first encountered BJ during the orientation of our application period. The way he acted and talked, I knew one thing for sure, he was gay. Nowadays, BJ has been a part of my life, and so has the rest of my fellow applicants and the members of the UP Debate Society. BJ is everyone's mother. Despite bilogical differences from the typical mother, he manages to fulfill the role just as good. I have spent a lot of time with him and hopefully more so in the future, whether or not I pass UPDS.
MAC. The Membership and Application Committee was the whole committee in charge of my future, BJ extension. Everyone is perky and nice. Some of the MAC members can be intimidating and made me hesitate to get to know some of them. But my hesitations were unfounded. So far, they have given me no reasons to doubt their sincerity. Everything has continued to run smoothly, even when faced with typhoons and people deferring.
The application period were the two best and worst months of my life. Applying to an organization, I didn't think the process was so demanding. The requirements were: 10 tambay debates, 5 tambay adjudications, 3 graded debates, 3 matter exams, 30 tambay hours, an internship in each of the 5 committees, a sigsheet which meant a whole lot of tasks to acquire the signatures, an apps olympics, a matter exam, an adjudication exam, attending two debate seminars, one adjudication seminar, and one IR seminar, buddy fee, application fee, resume, a copy of my Form 5 and JDC. On top of that, you still aren't guaranteed a slot because of the tier system and the existence of a second phase. If you put it that way, I can't even believe I pushed through with the process. To be honest, I thought the requirements were unreasonable.
I was about to defer after the orientation. I couldn't imagine myself managing to fulfill the requirements. The day of the buddy bidding, braving the storm, I decided "What the heck, might as well continue and try. What have I got to lose?". It's been two months since. My adjudication exam is this afternoon. JDC is this Saturday. My views have changed. The requirements are achievable and they are the most meritorious way of filtering the applicants.
And I've never been happier. Last Monday, during my first subject(Maths 17), I was thinking about how long the time was until it's finally dismissal. Then, I can tambay at Econ. I've cherished every minute. I'm more passionate about UPDS than any of my college subjects. And I can't believe the process is coming to an end. Yesterday, 9am I was at Econ and 9pm I was having dinner with my co-applicants and members at Jollibee Philcoa.
I have changed my attitude a lot. People think I have a high level of self-entitlement. And to a certain extent, I do. Trust me, I have been working on my problem. To give faces and to be rowdy during rounds, I haven't been for two weeks. And people have been telling me, that since then, I have become pretentious and beauty pageant-ish. I don't see anything wrong with that. After all, we all control even our most basic instincts, like agression and sex. We all do a lot of pretending, like wearing make-up. I don't think I've been "plastik". When people want to change, I don't see anything wrong with that. What's wrong with changing for the better. And when I feel the way I do, like annoyed and pissed, I don't deny, I just control them.
The process has been life-changing. Just last week, I was in my most depressed state. My acads were deteriorating. The worse part is, so is my debating. A lot of people cheered me up and I realized that the problem wouldn't exist if I acted upon it. And on top of that, I have amazing people surrounding me.
I will always look back at the application period with no regret. Whether or not I get accepted lies in the hands of the members of the UPDS. And I am going to be honest about my feelings. I want to pass and I can't imagine life without DebSoc.
The prefix "a-" which means without and the pun intended with the third sex word "tuki", you can easily figure out what the distortion means. For your information, his name is actually my household nickname. =)
BJ. Bernard Joseph Guerrero is the head of the Membership and Application Committee(MAC) of the UP Debate Society(UPDS). He plays a big role in my future. I first encountered BJ during the orientation of our application period. The way he acted and talked, I knew one thing for sure, he was gay. Nowadays, BJ has been a part of my life, and so has the rest of my fellow applicants and the members of the UP Debate Society. BJ is everyone's mother. Despite bilogical differences from the typical mother, he manages to fulfill the role just as good. I have spent a lot of time with him and hopefully more so in the future, whether or not I pass UPDS.
MAC. The Membership and Application Committee was the whole committee in charge of my future, BJ extension. Everyone is perky and nice. Some of the MAC members can be intimidating and made me hesitate to get to know some of them. But my hesitations were unfounded. So far, they have given me no reasons to doubt their sincerity. Everything has continued to run smoothly, even when faced with typhoons and people deferring.
The application period were the two best and worst months of my life. Applying to an organization, I didn't think the process was so demanding. The requirements were: 10 tambay debates, 5 tambay adjudications, 3 graded debates, 3 matter exams, 30 tambay hours, an internship in each of the 5 committees, a sigsheet which meant a whole lot of tasks to acquire the signatures, an apps olympics, a matter exam, an adjudication exam, attending two debate seminars, one adjudication seminar, and one IR seminar, buddy fee, application fee, resume, a copy of my Form 5 and JDC. On top of that, you still aren't guaranteed a slot because of the tier system and the existence of a second phase. If you put it that way, I can't even believe I pushed through with the process. To be honest, I thought the requirements were unreasonable.
I was about to defer after the orientation. I couldn't imagine myself managing to fulfill the requirements. The day of the buddy bidding, braving the storm, I decided "What the heck, might as well continue and try. What have I got to lose?". It's been two months since. My adjudication exam is this afternoon. JDC is this Saturday. My views have changed. The requirements are achievable and they are the most meritorious way of filtering the applicants.
And I've never been happier. Last Monday, during my first subject(Maths 17), I was thinking about how long the time was until it's finally dismissal. Then, I can tambay at Econ. I've cherished every minute. I'm more passionate about UPDS than any of my college subjects. And I can't believe the process is coming to an end. Yesterday, 9am I was at Econ and 9pm I was having dinner with my co-applicants and members at Jollibee Philcoa.
I have changed my attitude a lot. People think I have a high level of self-entitlement. And to a certain extent, I do. Trust me, I have been working on my problem. To give faces and to be rowdy during rounds, I haven't been for two weeks. And people have been telling me, that since then, I have become pretentious and beauty pageant-ish. I don't see anything wrong with that. After all, we all control even our most basic instincts, like agression and sex. We all do a lot of pretending, like wearing make-up. I don't think I've been "plastik". When people want to change, I don't see anything wrong with that. What's wrong with changing for the better. And when I feel the way I do, like annoyed and pissed, I don't deny, I just control them.
The process has been life-changing. Just last week, I was in my most depressed state. My acads were deteriorating. The worse part is, so is my debating. A lot of people cheered me up and I realized that the problem wouldn't exist if I acted upon it. And on top of that, I have amazing people surrounding me.
I will always look back at the application period with no regret. Whether or not I get accepted lies in the hands of the members of the UPDS. And I am going to be honest about my feelings. I want to pass and I can't imagine life without DebSoc.
Claire Daw
DEBEATER by Claire Daw
What is a BJ? Let’s not go into fancy acronyms or symbolisms, as there can be only one kind of this rare species. It’s none other than Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero – the MAC head himself. I was first introduced to BJ during the night of the buddy bidding. Intimidated at first, I was very shy around him. But when my buddy reminded me that my fate lay in his hands (gasp), I made it a point to get to know him. Bad motive, I know. But it’s amazing what more than a month can do. Behind the intimidating facade is a great debate and adjudication mentor. BJ has always been one of my favourite members. He and Yang combined crack me up! Although there was a certain time when I kinda got shocked at their innocence (or lack of thereof), I really appreciate how they make serious things very light by a simple joke or “hirit”. They gave me the feel of what the REAL UPDS is – fun, spontaneous and homey. Moreover, I felt his sincere concern for the applicants. His individualistic approach at getting to know each one of us paid off. Added to this, his comments (though the truth hurts sometimes) and constructive feedback make him the perfect example of tough love, fatherly (*smile*) love.
MAC has been the committee who guided us throughout the application process. All in all, I can honestly say that MAC has exceeded my expectations. What I like the most about MAC is how much they made our whole application process as well-rounded as possible. Who would make the extra effort to organize an all-out Sportsfest and Amazing Race for us? Who would think of the Apps’ Night? Who trains us everyday, despite the heavy academic load? I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for MAC members. As an applicant, I would also like to commend how “at home” I felt every time I’m in DebSoc. Maybe it’s Bj’s blooper moments. Maybe it’s Yang’s extra effort to commend what you did RIGHT in a debate, although what you did WRONG was the only thing people saw. Maybe it’s just MAC in general – a committee of DebSoc that has and continues to reach out to rookies hoping to reach their debate goals.
I felt mostly mixed emotions while applying to DebSoc. Extreme feelings actually. During the beginning, I really was surprised at how demanding the App Process was. During that time, I didn’t see what the point of a Sportsfest or a matter exam (which I know nothing of) was. But that’s what I love most about my application. I didn’t start out as the most “bibo” or enthusiastic app, but I felt that as time passed, I grew to like the organization. Although it was a gradual process, it was certain and it was real. There were moments of pure bliss – doing well in a debate, having a great conversation in the tambayan, the joke-time moments. There were moments of torment and torture – the EAComm Task, the matter exam, the times when I would squeeze my charm just to get a member to sign my sigsheet. At the end of the day, truly, “nothing worthwhile is ever easy”. DebSoc is one of those things, and whether accepted or not, I would never regret being an applicant.
DebSoc didn’t train me to be simply a DEBATER. They trained me to be a DEBEATER, ready to face the opponent and to do my best, even outside a debate round.
What is a BJ? Let’s not go into fancy acronyms or symbolisms, as there can be only one kind of this rare species. It’s none other than Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero – the MAC head himself. I was first introduced to BJ during the night of the buddy bidding. Intimidated at first, I was very shy around him. But when my buddy reminded me that my fate lay in his hands (gasp), I made it a point to get to know him. Bad motive, I know. But it’s amazing what more than a month can do. Behind the intimidating facade is a great debate and adjudication mentor. BJ has always been one of my favourite members. He and Yang combined crack me up! Although there was a certain time when I kinda got shocked at their innocence (or lack of thereof), I really appreciate how they make serious things very light by a simple joke or “hirit”. They gave me the feel of what the REAL UPDS is – fun, spontaneous and homey. Moreover, I felt his sincere concern for the applicants. His individualistic approach at getting to know each one of us paid off. Added to this, his comments (though the truth hurts sometimes) and constructive feedback make him the perfect example of tough love, fatherly (*smile*) love.
MAC has been the committee who guided us throughout the application process. All in all, I can honestly say that MAC has exceeded my expectations. What I like the most about MAC is how much they made our whole application process as well-rounded as possible. Who would make the extra effort to organize an all-out Sportsfest and Amazing Race for us? Who would think of the Apps’ Night? Who trains us everyday, despite the heavy academic load? I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for MAC members. As an applicant, I would also like to commend how “at home” I felt every time I’m in DebSoc. Maybe it’s Bj’s blooper moments. Maybe it’s Yang’s extra effort to commend what you did RIGHT in a debate, although what you did WRONG was the only thing people saw. Maybe it’s just MAC in general – a committee of DebSoc that has and continues to reach out to rookies hoping to reach their debate goals.
I felt mostly mixed emotions while applying to DebSoc. Extreme feelings actually. During the beginning, I really was surprised at how demanding the App Process was. During that time, I didn’t see what the point of a Sportsfest or a matter exam (which I know nothing of) was. But that’s what I love most about my application. I didn’t start out as the most “bibo” or enthusiastic app, but I felt that as time passed, I grew to like the organization. Although it was a gradual process, it was certain and it was real. There were moments of pure bliss – doing well in a debate, having a great conversation in the tambayan, the joke-time moments. There were moments of torment and torture – the EAComm Task, the matter exam, the times when I would squeeze my charm just to get a member to sign my sigsheet. At the end of the day, truly, “nothing worthwhile is ever easy”. DebSoc is one of those things, and whether accepted or not, I would never regret being an applicant.
DebSoc didn’t train me to be simply a DEBATER. They trained me to be a DEBEATER, ready to face the opponent and to do my best, even outside a debate round.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Melissa Sandoc
The debsoc Experience by Melissa Sandoc
Joining DebSoc was not an idea that just got into my head and instantly pursued. If you’d have told me at the start of this semester that I’d be applying, I wouldn’t have believed you straight away. I knew DebSoc’s reputation, after all, and more than that, I knew my limitations. I am a self-professed nerd. Ok that may have been too harsh, let’s just say grade-conscious, grade-grabbing girl. After all, I don’t have the mental capacities nerds have, I just have
sheer will power and driving force that makes me give up my DVD’s, TV programs and books in exchange for endless readings. So if you’d have told me I’d be joining DebSoc, heck, any org, I’d have raised my eyebrows and thought you insane.
Thing is, I did after much deliberation from the council in my head. I signed-up with friends I knew since last year (not that that’s a long time or anything) and braced myself. Dear Lord, here it goes.
I didn’t have any debate experience and was scared to death about looking stupid in front of other people (truth: I still am!) but I told myself to just enjoy and treat the whole process like a ‘learning experience’. Plus I trusted my friends to stay with me! But heck, they haven’t even completed a quarter of the requirements and they both quit! I wanted to poke both of them in the eye.
If I say I’ve never thought about deferring, I’d be lying. Applying for DebSoc is like a whole new subject to study for. The Wednesdays and Saturdays I could have spent studying (erg?) or sleeping (now that more realistic0 keep popping into my head. Will it be worth it in the sense that I actually get into DebSoc? There is that constant fear of failing but then I thought, wouldn’t it be a greater failure if I had given up? Maybe it wasn’t even the physical exhaustion that made me think of quitting. Now that I think about it, it was probably the mental and emotional torture I got (imagines the chains and the whips and the, woops, that never happened, did it? XP). You enter DebSoc thinking you’re pretty good and the little experience you had back in high school would help you but that’s damn wrong. It’s such a humbling experience to get your butt whooped and your whole I’m-an-able-confident person outlook be turned into putty courtesy of the people around you. Forehead-slapping moment wouldn’t even cover it, it’s more of a forehead-slapping-bang-your-head-on-the-floor-then-go-into-fetal-position-in-a-dark-corner moment.
What stopped me fro quitting then? One hard look in the mirror saying, “get over it”. Oh, and a hard slap on the face.
Actually, the people who are keeping me form quitting (aside from the council of elders in my head) are the co-apps that I’ve gotten rather close to and some members, too. Actually, the MAC members are the ones always checking up on me (and everyone else) (aside from Lester who suddenly comes up and asks us those things in random): checking whether we’ve had mental breakdowns yet or if we’re all still breathing., they also supply the latest rounds of gossip (which they usually make up or start themselves). MAC members are usually those we can talk to and b
e silly with: those that lead the cam-whoring moments, shriek fests and all the commotion (yes Yang, that’s pretty much you. Haha, you even get the spotlight in my blog?!). And why such a group in the prestigious UPDS you might ask? Well, it’s all thanks to alpha male Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero (erg?). He’s usually the start of all the ruckus. I remember when we were on our way to the buddy bidding and he suddenly just showed us pictures he seems to be carrying everywhere; or the time when he pulled me in AS just to ask who the hottest guys among the apps were. BJ is the guy who gives Yang a run for his money. Those two could have their own show just talking about themselves, the gossip about the people around them and the hottest people around, which would probably include them, mind you.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say that MAC provides the comic relief in my app-period but t
hey (I’ve had my share of nasty MAC moments) but they certainly make it a lot easier. Nor would I say that I’m staying for the sake of hearing the latest chismis from MAC members or hanging around with them, I’m staying because I want to see how much I can take the mental torture and physical hazards. I’m staying because even though I didn’t have debate experience in high school, I now see what all the fuss is about. I right here and working my butt of with the people I hope to be closer with because right here, right now, this is what the council in my head wants the most.
Joining DebSoc was not an idea that just got into my head and instantly pursued. If you’d have told me at the start of this semester that I’d be applying, I wouldn’t have believed you straight away. I knew DebSoc’s reputation, after all, and more than that, I knew my limitations. I am a self-professed nerd. Ok that may have been too harsh, let’s just say grade-conscious, grade-grabbing girl. After all, I don’t have the mental capacities nerds have, I just have
sheer will power and driving force that makes me give up my DVD’s, TV programs and books in exchange for endless readings. So if you’d have told me I’d be joining DebSoc, heck, any org, I’d have raised my eyebrows and thought you insane.Thing is, I did after much deliberation from the council in my head. I signed-up with friends I knew since last year (not that that’s a long time or anything) and braced myself. Dear Lord, here it goes.
I didn’t have any debate experience and was scared to death about looking stupid in front of other people (truth: I still am!) but I told myself to just enjoy and treat the whole process like a ‘learning experience’. Plus I trusted my friends to stay with me! But heck, they haven’t even completed a quarter of the requirements and they both quit! I wanted to poke both of them in the eye.
If I say I’ve never thought about deferring, I’d be lying. Applying for DebSoc is like a whole new subject to study for. The Wednesdays and Saturdays I could have spent studying (erg?) or sleeping (now that more realistic0 keep popping into my head. Will it be worth it in the sense that I actually get into DebSoc? There is that constant fear of failing but then I thought, wouldn’t it be a greater failure if I had given up? Maybe it wasn’t even the physical exhaustion that made me think of quitting. Now that I think about it, it was probably the mental and emotional torture I got (imagines the chains and the whips and the, woops, that never happened, did it? XP). You enter DebSoc thinking you’re pretty good and the little experience you had back in high school would help you but that’s damn wrong. It’s such a humbling experience to get your butt whooped and your whole I’m-an-able-confident person outlook be turned into putty courtesy of the people around you. Forehead-slapping moment wouldn’t even cover it, it’s more of a forehead-slapping-bang-your-head-on-the-floor-then-go-into-fetal-position-in-a-dark-corner moment.
What stopped me fro quitting then? One hard look in the mirror saying, “get over it”. Oh, and a hard slap on the face.Actually, the people who are keeping me form quitting (aside from the council of elders in my head) are the co-apps that I’ve gotten rather close to and some members, too. Actually, the MAC members are the ones always checking up on me (and everyone else) (aside from Lester who suddenly comes up and asks us those things in random): checking whether we’ve had mental breakdowns yet or if we’re all still breathing., they also supply the latest rounds of gossip (which they usually make up or start themselves). MAC members are usually those we can talk to and b
e silly with: those that lead the cam-whoring moments, shriek fests and all the commotion (yes Yang, that’s pretty much you. Haha, you even get the spotlight in my blog?!). And why such a group in the prestigious UPDS you might ask? Well, it’s all thanks to alpha male Bernard Joseph Esposo Guerrero (erg?). He’s usually the start of all the ruckus. I remember when we were on our way to the buddy bidding and he suddenly just showed us pictures he seems to be carrying everywhere; or the time when he pulled me in AS just to ask who the hottest guys among the apps were. BJ is the guy who gives Yang a run for his money. Those two could have their own show just talking about themselves, the gossip about the people around them and the hottest people around, which would probably include them, mind you.I wouldn’t go as far as to say that MAC provides the comic relief in my app-period but t
hey (I’ve had my share of nasty MAC moments) but they certainly make it a lot easier. Nor would I say that I’m staying for the sake of hearing the latest chismis from MAC members or hanging around with them, I’m staying because I want to see how much I can take the mental torture and physical hazards. I’m staying because even though I didn’t have debate experience in high school, I now see what all the fuss is about. I right here and working my butt of with the people I hope to be closer with because right here, right now, this is what the council in my head wants the most.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Aaron Tiyan
BJlog by Aaron Tiyan
Throughout my application process to UPDS, I have met some very interesting characters, and in particular the Grandmaster of the BJ.
BJ, the acronym for Barometric Juxtaposition, is defined by the Hoaxford dictionary as "a mode of judgment based on the judgment that the mode is judged upon." Though for weaker minds this definition may appear circular and non-sensical, the more intellectually gifted mind will see into the verse and glean from it a treasure trove of knowledge and insight not readily available to the common man. I, having the honor and fortune to have seen into this verse will attempt to explain it into terms that lesser beings may understand. Because the Hoaxford dictionary requires 5th order transdimensional parabolic-hyperboloid thinking, one must isolate the many facets of definition so as to fully comprehend the scope of this very complex word. I will only be able to explain the first and most basic facet of the BJ definition, as I would have to publish a book to be able to explain all 19,348,217 facets.
The first facet of Barometric Juxtaposition is many things. It is a philosophy and technique in judgment, a higher form of artistic expression, and more importantly, a lifestyle. I will explain all of these in just a moment.
As a philosophy, BJ is a mode of thinking wherein one is able to vividly see the logical and causal connections between strands of information that resides in the fabric of speech. This philosophy frees the person from al forms of creative and intellectual hindrance to achieve true sight, the state wherein one truly sees, and at the same time, sees the truth. Of course, in order to tap into this state of mind and being, one must know the technique implied and required by the philosophy. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to disclose this information, as the thousand monks of the Juxtaposti Barometrium Order will have me skewered on a hundred baseball bats for revealing their secret.
It is also a higher form of artistic expression. Given that the Barometric Juxtapositor is able to "vividly see the logical and causal connectionos between strands of information", it must follow then that the most skilled of the Juxtapositors will be able to manipulate these strands. So much that is actually possible to modify fact. (For example, a very skilled Juxtapositor will be able to prove that 1 = 2) The most skilled of all Juxtapositors will be able to actually create fact. (For example, he may say that a Turkducken is actually a hybrid of turkey, duck, and chicken, and poof, a turkducken will appear.)
Such power of course requires a proportional amount of responsibility, and while Juxxtapositary Technique addresses this on passing, it is not enough to know BJ. One must live it. And thus, BJ becomes a lifestyle. This is the same lifestyle lived by the monks of the Juxtaposti Barometrium Order, and it involves a complete detachment from all social and psychological constructs, as well as, but not limited to, sexual barriers, sexual barriers, and sexual barriers. In fact, homosexuality is encouraged in this very secretive organization, which is the main factor in the categorically stagnant population. It is of no consequence of course; all serious practitioners of BJ are immortal.
Epic though the BJ Order may be, there is still a greater organization that employs these wondrous philosophers. (Albeit as leaders) And that is the MAC.
The MAC, or Magisterial Adjudicial Consortium (Sometimes known as the Membership and Administration Committee) is some sort of government body ruling over a certain undisclosed number of elements. The extent of its powers is largely unknown, but it is safe to assume omnipotence. In fact, it has been known at one point to declare blue as yellow, and yellow as the number 3. (This of course, caused widespread rallying, but eventually it was stopped due to the confusion incurred on the rallyists when "yes" was declared as "no".) Though it may be powerful, it is hardly ruthless. An excellent example of BJian benevolence, it is responsible for its actions and its kindness is shown in its dedication to its subjects and in the projects that it enacts. I myself, being the representative of my nation, the League of Extraordinarily Voracious Ipsids, have felt the warmth of the MAC. It has given me lodging and food, as well as entertainment in my various travels to the various events held by the MAC itself. And it is in one of these magnificent events that I have had the honor of studying under the Grandmaster of BJ himself.
All this of course amounts to an ultimate goal: membership into the Universal Plebiate of the Debatus System, which is governed partially by the MAC. The Debatus System, contrary to intuition, isn't just limited to the home star-system of the planet Debati (which is known for being the only planet in the universe without left turns) but rather, it refers to the gigantic organization spanning across tens of thousands of registered galaxies, which regularly participate in the argumentation and judgement of both trivial and important issues concerning the known universe.
My bid to enter my nation into the UPDS was a difficult one, full of hardship and frustration, but at the same time, rewarding and fun. Never before have I created so many alliances with other nations - incredibly able nations, full of intellect and logical prowess. I have learned a lot; from the ways of the BJ (except maybe for the lifestyle part) to the diplomatic abilities required to interact with other nations. And for this, I owe UPDS my loyalty with or without acceptance.
And thus, I end my log before I take my week-long journey to the Planet Debati, where I will undertake the final step of my application.
Jovan Celda
It's All in the "Angas" by Jovan Celda
What prompted me from applying to the UPD Debate Society was my passion for debating. I debated once in high school and our team won, though everyone in the audience thought that we’ll lose. Well in fairness, there were those who thought that our team would win – and those were my ever-loyal classmates. We were all classmates since our First Year in high school and that explains their loyalty to me. I thought my “debating experience” – if you’ll call that a legitimate experience - would suffice and make it easy for me to pass the application process of UPDS. But I was wrong. Shining as bright as the sun was the fact that I won’t be able to get in that easy. What I had in high school was not enough.
I can’t possibly do it alone. And here comes the ever-supportive MAC to aid me in the whole application process of UPDS. There’s BJ. I must admit that I’m afraid of BJ. I know he’ll read this – might as well be honest and let him know I’m afraid of him. I’m afraid not only because he holds the dice that would decide whether I’m in or out – but because he has this way of making my bones shiver. I don’t know if that’s just his way, if he’s just being tact but sometimes his way of asking me certain questions is as if he’s expecting an answer that I do not want to say. I know I’m being honest with my answers but it’s as if he’s doubting what I’m saying and that really makes me scared. BJ can be brutally frank and that scares the living shit out of me. In fairness to BJ, I understand that he really wants us to work our asses off for us to get in. He just really wants us to work real hard. Maybe his way of pressuring us is also his way of inspiring us. I’m not saying he’s not friendly. He’s just really brutally frank. If I could equate BJ with any phrase, it would be “cruel honesty.” I’m not saying that I do not like him. I can be brutally frank also and having BJ talk to me is like giving me a dose of my own medicine.
MAC is the committee that makes me feel I’m in good hands. Like my high school classmates, they’re very supportive – very supportive to the point that I don’t know if they’re just trying to make me feel alright or if they’re just avoiding to tell me that I suck in debating. Just kidding. They’re nice people. Though they’re not our buddies, they train us and give us constructive criticisms that may help us in our future debates. MAC also has the distinction of making me do things I never thought I could possibly do. The activities they organized made me feel really competitive to the point that I’ll strip just to win a game. The “infamous” Seven Deadly Questions made me know myself even more. The ranking whether I’m exclusively heterosexual or exclusively homosexual gave me a point to ponder. For a while, I doubted whether I’m ultimately straight or if I have a tendency to be a “swinger”. But for clarifications, I really am positive that I’m straight.
I feel proud that I applied for UPDS. Thoughts of deferring have constantly came into my mind. I’ve considered deferring for many times. What hinders me from doing so is my buddy. She’s very supportive. She’s the big sister I never had. I’m not good in debating but she makes me feel that I have the potentials to make it big someday. No, she’s not feeding my mind with crazy thoughts. She’s just boosting my morale and that makes me feel good about myself at the end of the day. I once told a MAC member that my buddy fee is the one that hinders me from deferring. Truth is, it’s only my buddy – not the fee.
The whole UPDS Application Process has made me know myself more. It has made me a better person – I must say. One very important lesson I have learned is that the last person who should denigrate me is myself. Others may doubt me but I shouldn’t doubt myself. My buddy wrote in my sigsheet, “It’s all in the angas!”. I’m more maangas now - the positive angas that is. I believe in myself more now than I used to before. My buddy did it for me.UPD DebSoc did it for me.
What prompted me from applying to the UPD Debate Society was my passion for debating. I debated once in high school and our team won, though everyone in the audience thought that we’ll lose. Well in fairness, there were those who thought that our team would win – and those were my ever-loyal classmates. We were all classmates since our First Year in high school and that explains their loyalty to me. I thought my “debating experience” – if you’ll call that a legitimate experience - would suffice and make it easy for me to pass the application process of UPDS. But I was wrong. Shining as bright as the sun was the fact that I won’t be able to get in that easy. What I had in high school was not enough.
I can’t possibly do it alone. And here comes the ever-supportive MAC to aid me in the whole application process of UPDS. There’s BJ. I must admit that I’m afraid of BJ. I know he’ll read this – might as well be honest and let him know I’m afraid of him. I’m afraid not only because he holds the dice that would decide whether I’m in or out – but because he has this way of making my bones shiver. I don’t know if that’s just his way, if he’s just being tact but sometimes his way of asking me certain questions is as if he’s expecting an answer that I do not want to say. I know I’m being honest with my answers but it’s as if he’s doubting what I’m saying and that really makes me scared. BJ can be brutally frank and that scares the living shit out of me. In fairness to BJ, I understand that he really wants us to work our asses off for us to get in. He just really wants us to work real hard. Maybe his way of pressuring us is also his way of inspiring us. I’m not saying he’s not friendly. He’s just really brutally frank. If I could equate BJ with any phrase, it would be “cruel honesty.” I’m not saying that I do not like him. I can be brutally frank also and having BJ talk to me is like giving me a dose of my own medicine.
MAC is the committee that makes me feel I’m in good hands. Like my high school classmates, they’re very supportive – very supportive to the point that I don’t know if they’re just trying to make me feel alright or if they’re just avoiding to tell me that I suck in debating. Just kidding. They’re nice people. Though they’re not our buddies, they train us and give us constructive criticisms that may help us in our future debates. MAC also has the distinction of making me do things I never thought I could possibly do. The activities they organized made me feel really competitive to the point that I’ll strip just to win a game. The “infamous” Seven Deadly Questions made me know myself even more. The ranking whether I’m exclusively heterosexual or exclusively homosexual gave me a point to ponder. For a while, I doubted whether I’m ultimately straight or if I have a tendency to be a “swinger”. But for clarifications, I really am positive that I’m straight.
I feel proud that I applied for UPDS. Thoughts of deferring have constantly came into my mind. I’ve considered deferring for many times. What hinders me from doing so is my buddy. She’s very supportive. She’s the big sister I never had. I’m not good in debating but she makes me feel that I have the potentials to make it big someday. No, she’s not feeding my mind with crazy thoughts. She’s just boosting my morale and that makes me feel good about myself at the end of the day. I once told a MAC member that my buddy fee is the one that hinders me from deferring. Truth is, it’s only my buddy – not the fee.
The whole UPDS Application Process has made me know myself more. It has made me a better person – I must say. One very important lesson I have learned is that the last person who should denigrate me is myself. Others may doubt me but I shouldn’t doubt myself. My buddy wrote in my sigsheet, “It’s all in the angas!”. I’m more maangas now - the positive angas that is. I believe in myself more now than I used to before. My buddy did it for me.UPD DebSoc did it for me.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Chubaboy Beltran
Get Right by Chubaboy Beltran
Why am I applying in UPDS? My answer is, UPDS has been a very undeniable need and want for me. It is now part of my indifference curves and is dictating my consumption function as of the moment. Funny as it may seem the very mathematical model of my life that governs my decision making is now inflicted by the very contagious fad of being happy, that is for me to be happy debating.
To decipher the whole apps process is just like unlocking the most unlock-able code in the world. Well what I mean is that I can never say that I am right, nor can I asses fully how to do the right things the next time. Parliamentary debating is one of the most challenging and competitive skill one can have. With the required talent or knowledge on a broad array of topic, and genius in argumentation, clearly UPDS gives justice to debating.
Am I making sense right now? I can say I am problematic, ha-ha this is how people characterize my manner in debating full of assertions and lacking argumentation. Its sad to note that I have not yet improved on that part.
That is why I am very grateful to the very helpful and generous UPDS mem, he is BJ. How lucky I am that I shared some hours of the nights with him. Glad for you its no steamy affair, but it is a night of luscious teaching, training and matter loading. He indeed helped me step by step along the way. He is also the one who really assists not just me, but all of my co applicants. I am sure that my last statement is something undebatable.
Now how was I able to say such claims that I am problematic in my debating? The answer of course is by hearing feedbacks consistently advising me to do better. The MAC also provides avenue for me, and my co applicants to improve on our debating and to be integrated in the society. Further I would like to characterize how MAC works in the perspective of the applicant who wants to get it right this time. MAC is arguably the homiest committee in the society. As for me they make me feel that I am not alone, that I can still improve on and I still can contribute more. They make me realize that I should maximize my potentials and thus motivates me to continue on my journey. Why is it important? It is important because if I will lack motivation I will have given up again thus makes me counterproductive and constricts my growth. Not discounting the fact that without the proper motivation I will be disempowering myself by just having myself finished something that is not clear to me at the first place.
I tell you that the application process as a whole is hard and indeed very challenging. Under two planks I will characterize and prove to you that the app process is hard and challenging but at the same time its worth it and very reasonable. First plank is how the standards set by the society makes it hard for me to be good in debating but at the end of the day helps me a lot. Secondly how to integrate with the members can be so hard and again at the end of the day is worth doing.
On the First plank, UPDS has high standards in debating and adjudicating in order for them to maintain high level of excellence within the society. It is hard because applicant have to meet this standards at a relatively short period of time, especially when we talk about applicants that have not enough experience and capacity to adapt. BUT, EVEN IF it is hard I say it is necessary for UPDS be protected against the problem of adverse selection, which in this case may lead to acceptance of a non excellent or below standard applicant. With these standards UPDS is safeguarded, and the applicants are now motivated to do better and make themselves more worthy to be able to be admitted in the society.
On the Second plank, yes having the courage to mingle and to integrate with the members entails a lot of costs especially when an applicant can be so intimidated by the members because of the standards that they have to begin with. BUT EVEN IF INTEGRATING IS HARD, I tell you that it is necessary to adapt in the society, after all it is a society of debaters that maintain standards that ensures excellence. Though hesitations to integrate will arise at the start, even the members are willing to extend help. That is as the app process continues an applicant will then see how and what is the proper way to be accepted in the society and how it is to be a member.
With these two arguments I have proven that getting it right is hard, especially getting into the UPDS but at the end of the day it is justified. Just like my problematic post, I can only count on myself to pass the standards and improve as the app process is near into its conclusion. With all these and all my hopes I rest my case.
To decipher the whole apps process is just like unlocking the most unlock-able code in the world. Well what I mean is that I can never say that I am right, nor can I asses fully how to do the right things the next time. Parliamentary debating is one of the most challenging and competitive skill one can have. With the required talent or knowledge on a broad array of topic, and genius in argumentation, clearly UPDS gives justice to debating.
Am I making sense right now? I can say I am problematic, ha-ha this is how people characterize my manner in debating full of assertions and lacking argumentation. Its sad to note that I have not yet improved on that part.
That is why I am very grateful to the very helpful and generous UPDS mem, he is BJ. How lucky I am that I shared some hours of the nights with him. Glad for you its no steamy affair, but it is a night of luscious teaching, training and matter loading. He indeed helped me step by step along the way. He is also the one who really assists not just me, but all of my co applicants. I am sure that my last statement is something undebatable.
Now how was I able to say such claims that I am problematic in my debating? The answer of course is by hearing feedbacks consistently advising me to do better. The MAC also provides avenue for me, and my co applicants to improve on our debating and to be integrated in the society. Further I would like to characterize how MAC works in the perspective of the applicant who wants to get it right this time. MAC is arguably the homiest committee in the society. As for me they make me feel that I am not alone, that I can still improve on and I still can contribute more. They make me realize that I should maximize my potentials and thus motivates me to continue on my journey. Why is it important? It is important because if I will lack motivation I will have given up again thus makes me counterproductive and constricts my growth. Not discounting the fact that without the proper motivation I will be disempowering myself by just having myself finished something that is not clear to me at the first place.
I tell you that the application process as a whole is hard and indeed very challenging. Under two planks I will characterize and prove to you that the app process is hard and challenging but at the same time its worth it and very reasonable. First plank is how the standards set by the society makes it hard for me to be good in debating but at the end of the day helps me a lot. Secondly how to integrate with the members can be so hard and again at the end of the day is worth doing.
On the First plank, UPDS has high standards in debating and adjudicating in order for them to maintain high level of excellence within the society. It is hard because applicant have to meet this standards at a relatively short period of time, especially when we talk about applicants that have not enough experience and capacity to adapt. BUT, EVEN IF it is hard I say it is necessary for UPDS be protected against the problem of adverse selection, which in this case may lead to acceptance of a non excellent or below standard applicant. With these standards UPDS is safeguarded, and the applicants are now motivated to do better and make themselves more worthy to be able to be admitted in the society.
On the Second plank, yes having the courage to mingle and to integrate with the members entails a lot of costs especially when an applicant can be so intimidated by the members because of the standards that they have to begin with. BUT EVEN IF INTEGRATING IS HARD, I tell you that it is necessary to adapt in the society, after all it is a society of debaters that maintain standards that ensures excellence. Though hesitations to integrate will arise at the start, even the members are willing to extend help. That is as the app process continues an applicant will then see how and what is the proper way to be accepted in the society and how it is to be a member.
With these two arguments I have proven that getting it right is hard, especially getting into the UPDS but at the end of the day it is justified. Just like my problematic post, I can only count on myself to pass the standards and improve as the app process is near into its conclusion. With all these and all my hopes I rest my case.
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