ATSPAR (III) contenders must hear a ****

“There are two major types of contenders joining a writing contest: those who expect and those who don’t… But what should both realize after the contest?” (My response to ColdExpress’s “ Meet the Natives”)

ATSPAR III preludes ALTPA in a regional level. The latter is in Luzonwide level and is being held in February of the subsequent year, few months after its regional counterpart during November. For the benefit of those who live outside this archipelago, these two are writing contests held annually for campus journalists. The words “tertiary schools press conference” can be extracted from these acronyms, which technically means they’re intended only for college students. Meanwhile, ATSPAR III has celebrated its tenth anniversary this November.

THAT NOVEMBER 2008 DAY I’ll never forget. The azure November sky was crystal clear, the atmosphere was unruffled, and the temperature was tepidly blended. Although being consternated about the results and feeling nauseous, I was still certain that I will hear my name and see myself once again, going in front of the faceless crowd of campus journalists, receiving my opulent medal of either bronze or silver, and being applauded by all and sundry. Afterward, I thought I’ll be seeing my banner flogging in front of our university’s main building. And so I expected that from Edwin de Leon too. These were then my expectations…

Kalaguyo (Paramour): The rhythm of illegal love affair

“You’re already somebody else’s angel, so I’ll just look at you from a distance, simulating as if our love could have been more than illegal…”

When I was a kid, I dreamed of learning how to sing, but my father sent me to piano lessons instead. After four years, I pursued some voice lesson, yet it didn't work for me. The bottom line: I can only play piano and that’s just occasionally, but I don't sing. Now, if I play the music of Bad Romance, would you sing its lyrics for me? (Photo credit: http://jamdigitalproductions.com)

KUNG TUTUUSIN, MAS MASAYA pa nga ang maging "kalaguyo" o "third party" o "paramour" kung tawagin sa Ingles. Maaari din ang "inamorato" o "inamorata" para maging partikular sa kasarian. Kapag kalaguyo ka, wala kang dapat asahan, wala kang karapatan maghabol, at wala ka din karapatang pumili ng oras. Bagaman hindi mo kasalanan na may nararamdaman ka, kasalanan mo kung pakikinggan mo ang nararamdaman mo. Dahil kasalanan mo, wala kang karapatang magreklamo kapag nasaktan ka. At kapag tapos na ang lahat sa inyo, madali lang tanggapin dahil sa simula't sapul, 'di naman talaga dapat yun nag-umpisa.

A man is not a bird

In the cage is a bird assumed to be singing. Apparently, it does not look like a man, does it? (Photo credit: http://blog.dugnorth.com/)

THOU SHALL NOT TEACH a man what righteousness is by putting him inside a cage. Instead, thou must give him due freedom—from this freedom, he shall comprehend the meaning of righteousness.

And when he gets home, he has certainly become a learned man.
****

Circumlocutory likeness of two dissimilar words

Two pieces of paper and a pen for writing in a contest such as a press con. The first paper will serve as your rough draft, which you may keep as a memento. The second paper will be submitted to the judge as your final copy, which could be your key to attaining victory.

HE STARES AT YOU with his dagger eyes. Then he lifts his fist, fleetingly stares at it, and his squeaking voice says, "You want this?"—my nephew's reaction when he gets annoyed...

Last week, I've seen Jonathan de Quiroz—former USC President in AUF and one of the few Suma Cum Laude and TOSP awardees, in the same school, who graduated in 2006 (to shorten the long description, “high-profile person”)—at the waiting contour of bus passengers. I approached him and he flashed a hesitating smirk while saying, “Hi!” Then he stuttered, "Uh… uh, I’m sorry. What's your name please?"