Christmas Is Not Just for Kids

A wise man said, “You’re mother is busy worrying about you that she forgot to worry about herself.” They often say Christmas is for kids. They get to receive presents, new clothes, simple tokens, parties and a lot more. But we, the Young Computer Programmers Association (YCOMPASS) had decided to make a difference. Instead of throwing a party for the kids, we ought to draw joyous smiles on our “Lolo’s and Lola’s” faces by inviting them to come to our little party for Senior Citizens last January 5, 2016.

The original plan was to have it before Christmas to feel the spirit of giving however, given the circumstances we went to Plan B and we conducted the activity after the Christmas vacation so it was a “Post-Christmas Party”. We want our “Lolo and Lola” to feel even younger than ever, we had invited the all-time favourite mascot of kids, Jollibee and this mascot really amazed them. Everyone got the chance to take a selfie with Jollibee and all of them showed their childlike hearts through smiles and laughter. Along with the mascot, Jollibee Balayan also provided the food and some “parlor games” that they really enjoyed. Moreover, none of them came home empty handed because the organization, with the little money they have collected for this event, prepared a token of appreciation for each attendees. Seeing their smiles and their appreciative look was indeed very overwhelming. 

                

The YCOMPASS event was one of our ways in showing our deepest gratitude to the best people in the world that would never turn us down, and those people are our grandparents. Also, it aims to enlighten us that most of the time we chose to neglect the ones that had given their lives for us just like our grandparents. We often forget to say “Thank you Lola” or “Lo, are you ok?” When we were just a kid, our best friend is our grandparents. They were our defenders, partners, and most of the times, our buddies. They might spoil us a bit but it is only because they love us that much that they cannot resist our charm but when have we ever told them “Thank you!”?

by: Princess V. Cornejo

Books and Pdfs

“One, two buckle my shoe”, the first rhyme where I learned how to count, The Red Riding Hood, The Frog Prince, Puss in Boots, The Three Little Pig were the first stories I learned from child hood. I called it the red book which was my Mom’s compilation of stories and poems with her own illustrations which was her thesis requirement in BSEd and which she treasures till now.  I am thankful that my Mom has opened my eyes earlier into reading books and listening to stories. I believe this why I love to read or to simply listen.

When I was in elementary, I read the comic edition of the Old Testament Bible. I love to read it not because of the good stories that I appreciated probably later but because of the beautiful illustrations of each bible characters. My Mom said that it was older than her and was passed from her grandmother down to us. Then I get to know Reader’s Digest that my Mom subscribed until my Dad get sick and the subscription gone. At some evenings, my Mom used to read us the lives of saints when we sold our television.

In high school, my dorm mates called me “bookworm”. I read lots of classic books like the Little Women, Road to Avonlea, Midsummer Night’s Dream and other spiritual books. I was a fan of Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson of the Nancy Drew detective stories, the Hardy Boys and the Bobbsey Twins. I even kept a list of the books I read. I first met Nero in the History of the Church who burned people alive to serve as torch in his castle to persecute the first Christians, now it was a name for a cd-dvd burner.

During college, I met Jonathan Livingston Seagull which I called The Seagull and thought it’s author was Jonathan when it is Richard Bach and there are other’s that I don’t remember the titles including love stories by Harlequin. I also bought three hard bound Reader’s Digest collection of stories as a souvenir. Then, searching at my sister’s old books that I thought was boxed for oblivion, I saw The Count of Monte Cristo and it became my favorite. Have read it three times before it was made into film.

Then I became with work and was able to read only during semester breaks but still got hooked with the volumes of Harry Potter. Now, I started reading some short stories and a novel in pdf but much more on academics. 

I want to learn more apart from the lessons at school or from my own experiences and I believe I learned from reading. I would love to retell those stories and the lessons I’ve learned but I barely remember the stories let alone the titles or authors but I cannot forget that reading has saved me from boring days, from noisy surroundings and at times from some activities I don’t want to do. It has shown me life in different perspectives and meanings. It has me acquainted with different people, their characteristics, traits, problems, hopes and dreams. While I read, I learned to put myself in other people’s shoes and got inspirations or felt their sorrows. There I also learned what is right and wrong. There I was able to see the other side of the world, the center of the earth and even the deepest ocean. There I had also experienced sunrise and sunset but most importantly it taught me about greed, hate, gloom, despair but also of love, passion, joy and hope. I believe it also helped me to be where I am now and maybe it is also where I first learned to how to write. 

by: Terranya M. Tiamson
Photo from: http://www.google.com.ph/imgres