Being Irregular...

I just experienced another unexpected hiatus. This semester entails some familiarization. Classes aren’t hard, but there are just things that need getting used to. Professors, classmates, environment and a whole lot more. Let me give an example…

First Day…First Class…

I don’t know anybody in my class (One pro AND con of being an irregular student). I take a seat at the back of the class and try to look bored and unnoticeable. I hate block students (the opposite of an irregular student). They can be so boisterous and inconsiderate, plus they have control over the class and easily influence teachers. The minute I stepped into the class, I saw their eyes darting towards me with the expression of “subtle smugness” in their faces. It was as if they didn’t want me to invade their little clique. There were the usual stares and mumblings. Let me just say that I know not all block classes are like that. Unfortunately for me, this one was. I settled in, drowned out all the noise with my iPod (my good friend), and decided to recheck my schedules, hoping that this future hell hole I’m in was the wrong room. It was the right one (surprise, surprise).

A few minutes in, another student stepped in. He received the same “welcome” I got. He sat next to me and settled in. He then faces me and asks, “Irreg ka?” I gave him a small nod and a small smile. “Pareho tayo. (chuckles) Wala rin akong kakilala dito.” We kept to ourselves after that short conversation. Then came, the Professor. Female and quite striking. My first impressions: kind, approachable, and patient. What was that saying about first impressions again? She stepped in the classroom, set her things on the table and sat down. Her first words were, “Get 1 whole sheet of paper and define the following.” Of course, the block students, in chorus, moaned and complained about the sudden test, but to no avail. After 30 minutes, the papers got collected and the professor introduced herself. She spoke as if she had no desire to speak. She dragged her sentences and slowly threw them away. She stated her rules and requirements and she was not a woman who was easily pleased, but all too easily offended.

She then asked a simple question, “This is a block class right? Are there irregular students?” The block students instantly turned and glared at us. I raised my hand and so did the guy next to me. We both noticed two girls raising their hands on the other side of the room. Then, the instructor asked a loaded question, “why are you irregular students? Don’t you want to be regular?” I never thought I had to defend my choices or decisions on something that is completely valid and acceptable. None of us wanted to answer. The rest of the class kept looking back expecting someone among us to defend our state. The guy seating next to me whispered something, “Kilala ko yang si ma’am. May nagsabi sakin na hindi daw nya gustong may irregular student sa mga klase niya.” I was surprised. I never expected such feelings from an educator. The teacher suddenly calls on my seat mate, “Mr. _____, maybe you want to share your little discussion over there with the rest of the class, and maybe tell me why you are an irregular student.” Demeaning is an understatement given that the whole class was looking at him expecting a complex string of events which lead to him being an irregular student.

“Ma’am, I failed po two subjects so I am retaking them.”

Then the rest of the class immediately turned their attention to the teacher eagerly waiting her reaction. She answered in her dragged, apathetic tone, “Hmmm, well that’s too bad. Do better this time around” “You really should waste your parent’s money.” If that wasn’t demeaning enough, she called on a regular student and asked, “Am I right Ms. ____? What do you think?” And the girl blatantly answered, “Yes ma’am. May nagsabi din sakin na teacher that irregular students are irresponsible, kaya sila naging irregular.” Whoa! Definitely uncalled for. I was riling at this point. And then opportunity presented itself. The professor called my name, “You are also irregular, do you agree? I think her statements are not only justifiable but also logical.”

I said, “Ma’am, her statements are nothing short of offensive, bordering discriminative.” The woman then stands up and tells the teacher, “Ma’am hindi naman po ako nagsabi non! Sinabi lang sakin ng teacher yun noh!” I continued interrupting her, “Even though it was not she who actually expressed those sentiments, to affirmingly correlate being irregular to irresponsibility is in itself irresponsible.” Mumbling ensued.

“Being an irregular student doesn’t automatically categorize you as an irresponsible money-wasting child. There are several justifiable and logical reasons why we are irregular students. Some of us might be working students who need flexible schedules. Some may even be smarter than the average student by prioritizing subjects which would optimize their learning experience. Some may fit the description you have so narrowly placed them. They may have failed, but they are trying hard to change that. And if there IS such a teacher, a supposed educator who would discriminate or favor a student for not being irregular, he or SHE should be ashamed of themselves, then, they should be fired.”

I sat down and the mumbling continues and intensifies. The teacher, after a few moments, silences the class and begins to explain the subject material. After ten minutes, the class was dismissed…

I had never had to defend myself for doing something that was not wrong uncommon or different. I’ve been irregular all my life, in more ways than one. What happened was just ridiculus. Just goes to show, some people can really be idiots…

Two Weeks without technology

Is not as horrible as you may imagine.

Now when I say technology, I mean the stuff bloggers and young adults are made of: PCs, Laptops, iPod, Camera, VideoCam, INTERNET, TV, Vehicle, Microwave and Cellphone.

Well, I did have my cellphone, but it barely made a peep so it was virtually invisible. This would explain my short hiatus once AGAIN.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I spent my whole sembreak at my aunt’s house in Marikina. They are affluent, and probably owned anything their hearts ever desired. They owned a veritable mansion. I expected extravagance, luxury and some well deserved relaxation.

“Gino, we’ll be spending a week at our farm in Ilocos.” – these are the words that shattered my prospects into tiny pieces, like the grains of sand, soil and rice that I will be getting acquainted with, very soon.

There was that dread of the unexpected. Not knowing what I will encounter at a “farm” where my stereotypical mindset imagined a small kubo hut, with no beds, and no proper lavatory. And a huge field with the overwhelming stench of cow manure and the usual abundance of mud, livestock and greenery. However, there also was that security of the identified. Meaning, I knew my aunt wouldn’t consent to me experiencing a horrible time during my vacation, and knowing her standards, she won’t let herself experience that too.

o I accepted my fate and embraced all the experience had to offer. When we got there, I was surprised. It was nothing like what I imagined (of course it wasn’t! come on!), it was surprisingly a beautiful sight to behold. It was just an inch short of the huge haciendas portrayed in television. The place was simple, the only advancement visible was the vehicles and machines used in the farm. The house we inhabited was big and was one of those antique Spanish colonial houses.


“Technology is but a brushstroke

in this rural backdrop.”


This rustic locale had a substitute for everything. A few days in the whole experience, you get to revert to a more simple life where no one will scoff at you for not putting on a thousand peso shirt or applying your make up before going out. You are appreciated for just being there and sharing the whole experience with them. Everyone got along, even the owners and the employees.

It was a great. It has been a while since I did so much with such little effort. It was wonderful. It was refreshing. It was just what the doctor ordered....

To be continued...

P.S. Ayo... I'm tired of using technology...