The Graphophiles' Joint | Volume One

VIII- Let's Make a Good Start! (Part Two)

LYSANDRE GREYSON BELTRAN

'YONG FEELING na kaka-start lang ng klase at nasa school na mostly ang mga estudyante ay roon pa lang nagtaas ng class suspension ang buong university due to the torrential rains brought by the southwest monsoon.

But as part of the league of Joint's higher staff, kailangan pa ring magpaiwan sa school para i-push ang meeting nang mas maaga pa kaysa sa napag-usapang time. Well, as if we would be granted the Huwarang Estudyante award for doing an act of valor for staying at school despite the terrible weather and suspension--kulang na lang at magpatayo na sila ng rebulto naming mga staff sa may main gate ng university.

"The clusters is fast approaching, at kailangan na natin ng masinsinang preparasiyon para dito." Iyon ang pambungad na salvo sa amin ni Sir Yuzon habang nakatayo sa pagitan naming nagpupulong sa may conference hall ng Joint room.

We would never thought that the upcoming Press Conference--little by little--would be just a breath away, at napakabilis nga naman ng oras. Raphaelio Colleges will have the privilege to host the competition this year, at ina-anticipate ko talaga ito. It's the time again to meet my comrades from the other rivaling school paper organizations.

Well, the training never ends with us, pero ang mga minomolde namin ngayon ay ang bagong members ng Joint, lalo na't we accumulated more new members and contestants compared to last year.

Although being trained and honed by years in the industry, marami pa kaming dapat matutunan--this is a competition after all. Even the fiercest competitors may excel way higher than we think of. Indeed, this is a game of survival of the fittest.

"Kailangan nang i-train nang maigi ang mga ibang kasali sa Press Con especially the rookies," ani Mitzi na nag-iisip ng mga gagawin pang mga hakbang.

"Most of the newbies are experienced, napakalaki ng expectations ko sa kanila, the stakes are really high," pag-entra naman ng aking co-EIC at umalingawngaw sa buong room ang kaniyang pagiging bossy. Bumulong pa itong si Harris sa akin na ang sabi pa ay humahagupit muli ang bagyo.

"But could be that enough? Huwag tayong maging complacent sa mga oras na ito," saad pa niya, at saka nagpatuloy muli. "Gusto n'yo bang maging bridesmaid ulit ng Verte ang USF this year?"

Verte College Foundation is considered one of the rivaling schools of USF for every aspect (including the merits na nakukuha ng bawat school). Mahigpit talaga ang competition ng dalawang schools, especially that they also produce NSPC qualifiers.

And as usual, tahimik na naman 'yong iba. They are being too overpowered by Kendra's bossy attitude--well, sanay na kaming ma-intimidate.

Yeah, here we go again with this overall-championship thingy. Halos lahat ng school papers at schools sa bawat cluster ay handang makipagpatayan para makamtan ang overall championship place sa Press Con. Sino ba namang aayaw sa title na iyon?

May pahinga man sa school paper works, mas doble pa ang efforts naming lahat for this competition. It would also be our final blow as campus journalists from senior high, kaya we should seize this moment, and make it memorable and significant.

"I don't think our training is that enough. We still have a long way to go. Every one must be serious about this matter kung gusto nating makamit ang championship hanggang NSPC."

They are being too ambitious again. Hindi na nga biro ang makapasok sa Regionals, NSPC pa kaya? Wala namang masama sa nais nila.

Her competitive aura radiated. Kulang na lang at masisilaw na ako rito. Si Kendra siguro ang isa sa mga pinaka-persistent na taong nakilala ko. Even we are still on the lower positions last year, nandoon na ang strong leadership traits niya.