The Circles of Transgression

               Defiance. That’s what we get from our misdemeanors inside this institution. Unwittingly, just like what we have witnessed in Dante Alighieri’s Inferno and Purgatorio, each one of us have passed at least one of the nine spheres of transgressions in which, instead of getting into the Earthly Paradise, will lead us to be reprimanded then eventually, expulsion.

              Even from the very moment that we walked in the premises; if you missed your identification card, came up late or haven’t trimmed your hair (in case of the males) then you’ll be warned by the school guard along with the student-police. If we don’t, then that’s the time when we get conceded in the first circle of transgression.

              As you walked along the walkway going to our designated rooms, we actually flout the rules being impost by the administration when we simply throw our rubbishes off the ground without being discerned by anyone. That’s another peccadillo on our part. Though it was just a little fault, still you are able to break the law. Then that’s the time when we went ahead of the second circle of transgression.

              When we got into the classroom, of course the first thing that we’ll do is to put down our loads. That very moment will mark the third circle of transgression, and it comes in three semicircles: the circle of fraudulent, the circle of conspiracy and the circle of maltreatment. Generally, when we speak of fraudulent we are dealing with deceitful behavior especially when it comes to examinations. Whether we controvert it or not, the fraudulence is always been coupled by expert timing to yield something that you can be proud of. I am not in any way trying to magnify the loopholes of some of the students here, but I guess this sphere as a whole would be the most lethal of all.

              Another thing which probably may exist in this circle is the circle of conspiracy. I believe you all guys are already familiar with one of the Shakespearean masterpieces entitled Julius Caesar. Do you still recall how the noble Roman general was killed? In fact, he was killed by the conspiracy of Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus and the rest of the conspirators in the Senate. That’s actually what some of us are doing to our fellow buddies. Instead of looking at the positive side, some always find a way to show up the negative side of their friends, and that’s what we are referring to as the plastic.

              To sum it up, the circle of maltreatment merely talks about bullying. We can’t deny that bullying and discrimination are prevalent in this institution. Even from the very small case up to the most repulsive one, still it’s a sin.

              Now on the fourth circle of transgression, I know most of us resort not to flush the toilet after having it used. Whenever I enter the comfort room, I always see and breathe filthy environment that dismayed my senses. Oftentimes, I got ashamed of what some of us are doing. Without knowing by them, that’s actually a sin. Good thing we got a kind janitress who decided not to put the blame on them but instead, ignore them.

              Whenever we enter laboratories or learning centers, of course we are obliged to pay attention to the rules and regulations inside. Undeniably, most of us nowadays do not observe these rules which in one way or another may lead to accident or deduction in grade. That was the time when we cross the threshold of the fifth circle of transgression.

              After the arduous day’s toil, there would come a time that we need to get into the cafeteria to fill up our hungry tummy. Of course, there is a chance that the cashier or the teacher-in-charge may have mistaken the change that she gives us right after purchasing. It can either be excess or less than what is it. Definitely, if that’s less than the right amount, we’ll complain; but if it is excess, some will just ignore and go on. That’s another sin in the sixth circle of transgression which should be brought to a halt.

              After we bring the day to an end, of course we need to get into our vehicles or the so-called “services” for us to get back to our respective residences. As we wait for our fellow “servicemates”, some decided to roam around with their valuables or foods with them. What will be the eventuality? Of course, rubbishes will just be left on the school grounds and even inside the vehicle. Too shameful, isn’t it? Well that’s the time we when come across the entrance of the seventh circle of transgressions.

              After all these seven circles of misdemeanor, you got nowhere to run but to the eighth circle of transgressions which is at the guidance center where the guidance counselor is waiting. There, all your track records from the initial circle will be invigorated thus; suspension may trigger depending on the level of your misdemeanor which may lead to expulsion if you are proven guilty without reasonable doubt as you pass through the ninth and final circle of transgression which is the Principal’s Office wherein you need to get your transcript of record and Form 138 from the principal and walk out the door of this institution.

              So before all these transgressions may happen, make sure to be a better individual once you entered inside or else, you’ll taste the wrath of the nine circles.

Better to be Precise

            Facebook, Twitter, Friendster, Flickr, Tumblr. Those are just few of hundreds of social networking sites which, in one way or another facilitate us in getting in touch with our close buddies and relatives as well as the business matters. But generally, before we had this variety of social media people resort to texting as one of the best ways to keep in touch with someone. And as time passes by, most of us make use of several methods like abbreviations as an alternative in a rapid way on how to exchange a few words using our cellular phones. Unwittingly, this technique of conversing may lead to misspelled words and mislead technicalities which may trigger our poor English skills and proficiency. In spite of the aforementioned statements, most of the people here and abroad favor this kind of way out. In the first place, is it really essential for us to ensure the accuracy of the words that we’re using while we are texting? Do you agree that texting is the reason behind our ruined English aptitudes?

              Nowadays, people of all ages get addicted to several social media including those which I mentioned earlier. They even spend more than a couple of hours a day facing the computer and the cellular phones, which they think do not yield health problems. Other people resort to texting as well, if they think facing computers that long wouldn’t be favorable especially these days when high-tech cellular phones become trendy and up-to-the-minute. Some of us including myself make use of these gadgets in a way that our English skills won’t be hindered. Sad to say but most of us, especially the students make use of short cuts and abbreviations when it comes to texting. They even modify the spelling of several words just to abridge the text as a whole. Let say for example: instead of using the complete words in this interrogation “Where are you know? I am right here waiting,” they will simply type “Wer na u? D2 na me.” Too bawdy to read, isn’t it? Though reduced, it’s not acceptable to make use of such lewd terms in texting. Why not use the actual words, anyway? Most of us I guess are unlimited both in terms of call and text daily.

              Another thing which must be carefully examined is the punctuations. As a copy reader and headline writer, I do observe every punctuations and spacing in every collaborative activity that we had especially during our Filipino class. Some think of it as an inconsiderate one, but I guess in my own simple way I was able to instill in their minds the significance of the correct use of punctuations, capitalizations and spelling in every composition. I may sound a critic but I guess everybody is entitled to his or her own beliefs. And I believe that my own belief really favors me a lot.

           To sum it up, texting is not the legitimate reason behind our ruined English aptitudes. It merely depends upon the user, whether he or she will prefer the right one or not. But in my own viewpoint, it is still better to be precise.

Semester Break: A Commendable One or Not?

          “All our life passes in this way: we seek rest by struggling against certain obstacles, and once they are overcome, rest proves intolerable because of the boredom it produces.” – Blaise Pascal.

            After a long wait, the Semester Break was finally over. I guess this is the right time to rebuild the broken equanimity (perhaps due to the recently concluded Issuance of Cards last 25 October) as we indulge to the Third Quarter of triumphs and failures. You all guys are excited, don’t you dare deny it. But before we finally move on, let us take a look back at the memories brought about by the recently concluded Semester Break. Were they commendable enough to reminisce or not? 

          Actually, the answer will really depend upon the person concerned. For me, absolutely it was a tedious one. I got nothing else to carry out at home aside from riding my bicycle early in the morning and store keeping the rest of my day. In fairness, my lackluster “Sembreak” had grown better-off this October 28 (Monday) as I, together with my family and relatives had a good time on my 15^th birth anniversary. Simple, yet exceptional; that’s how my birthday went on.

            It happened that I woke up late at around six in the morning that day. I wasn’t expecting for a profligate birthday blow-out, for I really don’t want to have such. So I got into the store and made my daily routine: checking yesterday’s sales and having sales inventory. It was Barangay Elections then, that’s why people started to get hectic with their plans and last-minute campaign. I don’t even have a time to ride on my bicycle, for everyone was truly occupied. Like what I’m doing before, I got into the church to express gratitude to the Lord Almighty for another year He has given me. 

            When I got home at nine, everyone in the house started to prepare for the parsimonious birthday celebration. I got a dozen sticks of barbecue, a couple of liters of ice cream, a circular basket of pancit bihon and of course, the cake. It was mealtime when my uncle and aunt together with my youngest cousin came along to have some good time with us. Everything seemed to be typical, of course with the exception of the foods that we shared which is usually on a birthday gathering only.

            After almost an hour of mealtime, my mom got into the precinct to cast her votes for the aspiring Barangay Chairmen and Councilors. When she got home, my dad and I proceeded. That was the time when I finally took a glance at the glamour of my previous institution after three years upon commencement exercises. After casting his votes, we got home and everything had become usual all over again.

            The subsequent days of my week-long holiday were filled with tediousness and boredom. Like my previous routine of activities, I rode on my bicycle in the morning and did some business matters the rest of the day. In order for me not to get totally jaded, I deposited my savings in the commercial bank on Tuesday (October 29) and went shopping every now and then. My mom will have the extensive list with me and right away, I went to the nearby grocery store. That goes every day, except on Wednesday (October 30). The reason why is that we, my dad and I were scheduled to have the annual maintenance of the sepulcher of my great grandparents in the Catholic Cemetery roughly a kilometer away from our vicinity. It was my first time to have with me the paint brush and started painting the walls and ceiling of the grave. I even polished the granite of the grave. It took us more or less a quarter of the day having the annual maintenance.

           When we got home at three in the afternoon, I just took a bath and went on shopping (because I can’t help myself not to get shopping on that particular day) once more. It was a short list after all, so I just seized up half an hour shopping. As I went down the tricycle, I instantaneously check the items and have it priced before putting them to a display.

            On the 31^st of October, instead of thinking about the Halloween attires, I just opened my piggy bank to count off my savings. In fact, that piggy bank was last opened on 2009: roughly four years from now. I counted every coins and found out that it was actually ₱ 12 000.00. I got no more time to have them deposited in the bank, for tomorrow is an official non-working holiday in observance of the All Saints’ Day. Better to keep it first in the cabin and have it deposited soon.

            On the All Saints’ Day (November 01), my dad and I went to the cemetery having a couple of sets of flowers and multihued candles with us at exactly half past one in the afternoon. As we got there, the scorching heat of the sun started to shatter. That particular moment was said to be the most tedious time of all. I forgot my earphones, nothing to seat on (for the bleacher was too hot) and the ambiance seemed to get even fetid as people continues to pass by our area. After nearly an hour, we decided to get out of the congested cemetery.

            Nevertheless, in spite of boredom which mesmerized my mind during this recent “Sembreak”, at least I had a remarkable birthday celebration even without her greeting me on my most precious day. Thanks to my family and relatives, for they made not just my birthday, but also the whole week a more meaningful one.