Light Up The Spark

Chapter 13

Projects

I wasn't well rested. Iyon kaagad naisip ko nang dumilat ang mga mata ko kinaumagahan.

There were tent set – ups for resting kaya doon ako nag-stay last night. It was already past mid-night when I came here to rest at ngayon, 5am palang ay nagising na ako.

I went to the bathroom to freshen up myself and went straight to the auditorium para lang i-check ang kaganapan.

The auditorium was silent. There are still a few people inside. Hindi pa siguro natutulog ang iba, ang iba naman siguro kakagising lang din at ang iba ay nakatulog na sa harap ng laptop nila.

Isang lalaki lang ang naroon sa binabantayan ko na team at sa kabilang side naman ay nakita ko si Caden na gising din.

Papunta na sana ako kay Caden kaso lang naisip ko na mas mabuti sigurong may dala akong snacks or coffee para sa kanya?

Lumabas ako ng auditorium at pumunta nalang sa snack room para gumawa ng coffee. Wala pang breakfast dahil mamaya pa iyon i-seserve kaya kinuhanan ko nalang siya ng snack at gumawa ng coffee para sa aming dalawa.

I slowly walked towards him when I went back inside the auditorium. Nakatakip ang ulo niya ng hood galing sa jacket niya at busy siya sa pag-tytype.

"Morning." Mahina kong sabi. "Have you slept?"

"Ui, aga mo ah. Nag-nap lang ako tapos pagkagising ko puno na ulit ako ng idea."

Inabot ko sa kanya ang coffee at isang pack ng biscuit, tinggap niya naman at nagpasalamat.

"Less than 6 hours nalang, deadline na. How's your progress?" I asked.

"Tapos na kami, may mga inaayos lang ako na error at nagttry din ng functions na ni-scrap namin kasi hindi kaya sa oras na gawin."

I just nodded, I know they have the potential of winning.

"Kaka-rest lang nila Shelly 10 minutes ago. Mag-fifilm na kami ng demo video after they take a nap." He continued with eyes still glued on the screen.

Hindi ko na gustong makaistorbo dahil mukhang busy siya at malapit na rin naman kasi ang deadline kaya nagpaalam na akong aalis.

"Wala bang good luck dyan?" Tanong niya nang tumayo ako.

I chuckled, remembering our conversation last night. "Good luck, times ten." I said.

He finally tore his eyes from the screen to look at me. His tired eyes met mine and a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

"Thanks, times ten."

Mabilis na nagdaan ang oras, before anyone knew it, last 10 seconds na ang nasa countdown timer.

We counted the last few seconds then the emcee spoke. "Time's up, hackers! Any more demo videos submitted will not be qualified."

Magulo na ulit sa auditorium dahil ang iba ay nagpapanic kanina habang nag-uupload ng demo video at may iilan yatang hindi pa naka-abot.

"It has been a roller coaster ride for you, I'm certain most of you hadn't had any sleep yet so use the next few hours to catch up on some sleep and some food as our judges evaluate your projects."

Nakakalungkot man isipin na may mga hindi nakapag-pasa on time pero kasama kasi yan sa rules at malinaw na inulit-ulit yan.

One of the important skills in joining a hackathon is allocating your time wisely. Sobrang ikli lang ng 24 hours para makabuo ng functioning program. Pero kaya naman, with the right strategy and wise time allocation.