March 31st. My mom slash hair and make-up artist woke me up at five in the morning because she believes that it is better to not only be pretty, but also punctual at the same time. We arrived in school at around 7:25 a.m. and the thanksgiving mass started at around 8:00 a.m.
The recognition rites commenced at 10 when we started marching across the gymnasium towards our seats. Butterflies were in my stomach the whole time I was walking in two-and-a-half-inch heels, thinking how embarrassing it would be if I tripped. The anxiety did not end there for I was to lead the singing of the national anthem, thank the gods, all was well.
"Rei Julienne Mari D. Paras, Scholastic Excellence Awardee. Julienne is also a conduct, perfect attendance, and distinction in christian living awardee.” says my Research teacher turned master of ceremony as I marched through the aisle with my parents at either side of me who’ve plastered the biggest smiles on their faces contagious enough it made me smile as well. Cameras were flashing, people were applauding, and all that mattered to me was that I made my parents proud.
My first year as a Senior High School student in Don Bosco was definitely one for the books. With only 10 months of being a part of the institute, I was able to share my talent and achieve things I never thought I could. In line with that, I was able to make friends and form a family. A cliché as it may seem but it was a hell of an amazing roller coaster ride. It may not always be filled with sunshine and rainbows but it allowed me to become a better and brighter me.
Two hours after my recognition was my brother’s moving-up ceremony. A couple of outfit changes and meals later, we drove back to school to rush for my younger brother’s thanksgiving mass and moving-up ceremony. The ceremony lasted for four hours but it was worth it because my brilliant brother made us step onstage six times. He made all of us very much proud of everything he has achieved in his last year as he moves up to senior high school.
March 31st may have been one of the most exhausting and sweat-inducing days, yet it was one of the most gleeful and momentous ones too, that it not only deserves a place in my heart, but also a spot in this dear blog.
There’s a line in my recognition song that goes: birds don't just fly, they fall down and get up, nobody learns without getting it wrong. I guess this is what I’d like to let everyone be reminded of. No matter how many times you fail, stand up and try again. Who knows, maybe you’d not only fly, but you’d soar high.
Balang Araw (Someday) is a 17-minute drama based on a true story that was shot for exactly 13 days. It was produced by students from Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) and was nominated for multiple awards in the 1st DBTI-SHS film festival for best picture, best trailer, best actress, best supporting actress, and best poster.
In our Contemporary Arts class we were tasked to create a short film as our main performance task in the final quarter of the second semester. I have always been an advocate of film and have always been interested with the art of making one, therefore I was one of the those who were ecstatic once I heard the news.
After conceptualizing, finishing the script, and finalizing decisions with group mates was out of the way, it was time to start filming. Since we were all amateurs and first-timers, we didn’t have enough experience to know what the ins and outs of filming were. It was challenging especially when you barely have enough knowledge on which scenes to take first, which angles to shoot first (especially when you only have one camera!), and which way you should go next.
The following days definitely did not become easier. We struggled a lot especially in following the script. We edited out and cut certain scenes and had trouble with the pacing. We had trouble with the story line; with how events were supposed to change. There was a point wherein we didn’t know which direction we should go for. It was becoming a disaster in the making.
Being the editor of the film, I was in charge of whatever happens after the filming process. I was in charge of which scenes to keep, and which scenes to leave behind. I was in charge of the score and the synchronization of the audio. It was a month-long of sleepless nights trying to edit scenes being shot each day and on top of that, the film needed English subtitles which was also a pain.There was a point wherein I felt I like I was alone in wanting to make the film as beautiful as we’ve imagined. I was so worn out that the weariness inside me doubled itself up. It was a battle I had to fight every single night of February. Despite that, I was able to push through and we were able to start over.
A liberation of ideas after, we were able to finalize the script and the sequencing of events. Everything fell back into place and everyone got back their burned out lights.
I admit, creating a film was definitely not as easy as I thought it would be. Every single one of the characters and the crew members should work together in order to produce quality work. My respect for all filmmakers have grown since then, it requires so much drive, passion, and patience.
Here’s a summary of how we were able to produce this film, Balang Araw:
The first day of filming mainly focused on trying to discover how a normal day of shooting works. We didn’t actually shoot any scene, we just took a group photo and dubbed it as our official first day. On the second day, we shot a few scenes in school which didn’t make the final cut for some reason. Third day, we shot the very first scene that made it to the film. It was actually the first productive day of filming we ever had. Day four was on a weekend and was probably the most exciting one because we got to shoot the photo for our poster on the roof top. Kudos to our brave main actors and dedicated photographer! (char, dex, angelie, louis, + ye) It was also on that day that we shot our first crying sequence. Fifth and sixth day of shooting were a little less tiring than most shooting days, we filmed only a couple of scenes. On the seventh day we shot the first scene with the film’s love team! It was a struggle since their chemistry was lacking. We worked on it for a good 30 minutes which was only for a two-minute scene, but I guess there are things you just can’t force. I still don’t know up to this day if the people who’ve watched it felt an ounce of kilig. Nevertheless I think they did a pretty decent job. (charot)
Day eight of shooting was the longest day of shooting. We stayed overnight in our group mate’s house where we had to re-shoot scenes and a couple of crying sequences. Ninth day was a blast. I guess seeing Louis trip a few times in different angles was delightful. On the tenth day we made two of our actors cry. It wasn’t pleasant at all seeing them in tears but I guess that’s the magic of acting doing its work, hurting you in the process.
The eleventh day of shooting was my personal favorite. We shot our ending scene and it was all just so beautiful and heart breaking at the same time. All of us felt genuine happiness while we were in that memorial garden, we felt so much closer to the person we were dedicating the film to. It was very memorable. On the twelfth and final day of shooting, we shot the hospital scene and the scene at the very beginning of the the film. That last scene we shot was probably the highlight of the film if you were to ask me. It made the film 100% more appealing.
I could have never imagined myself being part of such a wonderful work of art. We all worked hard in making this short film. Who would have imagined it would take 13 days of shooting for a 17-minute film? Who would have imagined that from such scattered ideas would bear a successful award-winning film?
It never crossed our minds that someday, we would make people shed tears, that someday, we would inspire them, that someday, we would be able to share our stories--but we did.
It only takes a fraction of a second to believe, that someday, that balang araw, what we long for will find its way to pat us in the back and say, “I’m here, all is well.” Don’t let yourself be deprived of that.
Walong taon na ako nag-aaral sa Don Bosco at ako ay nasa ikalabing-isang baitang. Ilang taon na lamang ay patapos na ang aking paglalakbay bilang isang Bosconian. Marami akong maaalala sa DBTI Makati. Ang aking mga guro, mga kaklase, pati na rin ang mga pagkain, at marami pang iba. Habang ako’y palapit nang palapitsa dulo, naaalala ko ang aking mga naranasan. Minsan inaalala ko ang unang araw ko sa paaralan na ito. Una kong nakilala ang Don Bosco Makati dahil sa aking ama, isang Bosconian noon. Lagi niya sinasabi kung gaano kahalaga ang oras niya sa Don Bosco Makati. Dahil sa kaniyang mga kwento, nagkaroon ako ng interes sa paaralang ito. Nagsimula ako mag-aral sa DBTI Makati noong ako ay nasa ika-apat na baitang. Lumipat kami sa Makati sa panahon na ito at napahanga ako sa laki ng lungsod. Nabigla ako noong pumasok ako sa Don Bosco. Halos nawalan ako ng gana mag-aral dahil hindi ako makasabay sa aking mga kaklase. Sa mga unang linggo sa paaralan, mag-isa lang ako kumakain tuwing tanghalian at di ako masyado nagsasalita sa klase. Ngunit sa paglipas ng mga taon, nagkaroon ako ng mga kaibigan. Mga kaibigan na kasama ko pa rin hanggang ngayon. Sa tagal ko sa paaralan na ito, hindi ko mabilang ang mga magagandang karanasan na nakuha ko. Habang tumatagal, bumuti ako bilang isang tao at tumaas ang aking mga grado. Tinuruan ako ng Don Bosco Makati na ipakita ang aking tunay na sarili, gayundin na walang limitasyon sa aking mga kakayahan. Namana ko ang ugaling Bosconian at naging kultura ko ang kultura ng Don Bosco. Nasa kalahati na ako sa taon ng paaralan at unti-unti ako napaisip. Ano ang mangyayari kung hindi ako pumasok sa Don Bosco Makati. Hindi ko makikilala ang aking mga kaibigan. Maaari na iba ang aking magiging ugali. Maaari na hindi ako magiging mabuting Kristiyano. Nagpapasalamat nalang ako na tinadhana ako sa paaralan na ito. Kaya naman, kung may pagkakataon kang pumasok at mag-aaral sa Don Bosco Makati, kunin mo ang pagkakataon na iyon. Tunay na magiging mahalaga ang oras mo bilang isang Bosconian.
Hindi nakakalimutan ng isang Bosconian ang pakiramdam ng pagbabago ng pagtaas ng baitang. Ang mga bagong mga guro, kurikulum, iskedyul, at mga kaklase; layout na hindi pamilyar. Ang pananabik na pakiramdam, epekto ng kinabukasang hindi mahuhulaan. Mga planong panibago at oportunidad sa Senior High School na departamentong magbubukas ng pinto para sa bawat ambisyoso at determinadong Bosconian na paparating. Dalawang taon na hindi makakalimutan dahil sa masigla at makabuluhang alaala. Istrukturang palaging nakikita tuwing dumadaan ay masarap pasukan. Gusaling simula ng iyong buhay bilang matandang mga binata. Mga kaalaman at ekspiryensyang magpapatayo bilang mabuting mamamayan; binibigay sa Senior High School Department. Mga bagong pasilyo’y madadaanan, bawat taong makakasalubong at guro sa SHS ng Don Bosco na makakausap, dito lamang ay maisasagawa. Kumplikadong mga problema at layunin ay pagsasanayin sa loob ng dalawang taon. Paghuhugis ng iyong kahusayan at diskarteng tanging Bosconians lamang ang may kayang gawin. Pasyon at karunungang sumasailalim sa loob ng bawat silid-aralan ng Braga Building at dedikasyon sa sariling ebolusyon. Bawat hakbang, baiting, at oras; kasayahan sa ekspresyon at pagpapatunay sa sariling pagkatao, kaalaman, at kakayahan bilang isang bosconian.
Ang Don Bosco Technical Institute – Makati ay isang paaralang Salesiano na may layuning hubugin ang mga kabataan na maging mabuting Kristiyano at tapat na mamamayan. Ipinagmamalaki ng institusyong ito ang tatlong antas ng edukasyon, particular ang mababang antas, mataas na antas, at ang TVET o Technical-Vocational education and Training. Nahahati sa dalawa ng mataas na antas ng edukasyon, ang Junior at ang Senior High School. Sa modernong at makabagong Fr. Carlo Braga Building makikita ang mga klasrum ata pasilidad ng mga estudyanteng nasa Senior High School.
Tulad ng ibang paaralan, pipili ang mga mag-aaral ng strand na sa paningin nila ay nababagay sa propesyong kanilang tatahakin. Ang mga strand na maaaring pagpilian ng mga mag-aaral ay ang STEM, ABM, HUMMS, at VMA. Ang mga ito ay may iba-ibang specialized o dinadalubhasang asignatura na tutulong sa mga estudyante sa kanilang pagpasok sa kolehiyo. Anuman ang piniling strand ng mag-aaral ay tiyak na kalidad na edukasyon ang maibibgay ng mga gurong may kakayanan at pagnanais na magturo. Inihahanda rin ng institusyon ang mga mag-aaral para sa mundong laging nagbabago, kumplikado, at walang katiyakan o tinatawag ring VUCA World sa Ingles. Ang kabiguang maituro ang mga katangiang ito ay maaaring magdulot ng negatibong epekto sa mga mag-aaral.
Ang departamento ng Senior High School ay nakatuon sa pananaliksik at paghahanap ng makabagong solusyon sa makabagong problema. Binibigyan ang mga estudyante ng pagkakataong mag-isip ng lunas sa isang problema nang sa gayon ay mahasa ang ibang paksang hindi naituturo sa normal na talakayan. Nagbibigay din ang departamento ng asignaturang para lamang sa pananaliksik. Sa asignaturang ito ay binibigyan ang mga mag-aaral ng pagkakataong lumikha ng sariling pananaliksik gamit ang makatotohanang datos na mula sa totoong mga tugon.
Panghuli, maipagmamalaki ng Don Bosco Makati ang kabuuan ng paraan ng pagututuro nito. Ginagamit ng paaralan ang paraang holistic. Ito ay nangangahulugang hindi lamang aspeto ng pag-iisip ang hinubog sa mga mag-aaral, kundi, pati na rin ng aspeto ng pag-uugali, pakikipagkapwa, at pananampalataya. Ang bawat klase ay may asignaturang tinatawag na Christian Living. Dito pinag-uusapan ang ebanghelyo sa nakaraang Linggo, at ang mga isyung nakapalibot sa Simbahang Katolika. Ang buong paaralan din ay nagdaraaos ng Banal na Misa kada-buan upang mapanatiling buhay ang pnanampalataya ng mga mag-aaral at mga guro.
Ang Don Bosco Technical Institute – Makati, partikular ang departamento ng Senior High School, ay nagbibigay ng mataas na kalidad ng edukasyon sa kanilang mga mag-aaral. Ibinibigay at nilalampasan ng paaralan ang inaasahang kalidad ng mga mag-aaral at ng mga magulang, gayundin ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon. Inihahanda ng paaralan ng mga estudyante para sa mga problema at hadlang na ibabato sa kanila ng mundo. Kasabay ng mga paksang ito ang paghubog sa mga kabataan na maging malapit sa Diyos. Sa tulong ni San Juan Bosco, patron ng paaralan, at ni Maria, Tulong ng mga Kristiyano, nawa’y maging tapat na mamamayan at mabuting Kristiyano ang inyong mga anak sa kanilang pagpasok sa insitusyong ito.
Kami sa DBTI Makati ay isang nakakaengganyang institusyon sa lahat ng uri ng tao. Kahit na nakaharap kami sa isang pandemya sa ngayon, tumatanggap kami ng mga bagong aplikante sa SHS. Magkakaroon ka ng iba't ibang mga strands upang pumili mula sa tulad ng STEM, ABM, HUMMS at A&D. Sa institusyong ito, nagsusumikap kami para sa pagkahilig para sa kahusayan, maayos na pakikipagtulungan at maraming pangunahing halaga sa eskwela na ito. Pumunta at mag-apply para sa mga hibla ngayon at sumali sa amin sa DBTI Makati
Judd Trinidad (Tekstong Impormatibo)
