"GOOD MORNINGGGG ISEURIELLSSS!!"
"Good Morning Miss Jeane. I-Z-U GO, FIGHT, WIN, LIGHT!" it was our university chant. Nabanggit sa amin ni Miss Jeane na kapag may orientation sa auditorium we have to do our chant.
"I am sure that you are fully aware of why are we gathered here, in the last day of your rest week." others cheered and shouted. Last week was our midterms so the school gave us enough time to rest kaya no lectures and vacant kami the whole week. Our professors didn't take attendance so okay lang na hindi kami pumasok.
"We are now entering the post-midterm month and you all know what that means. We are now going to have the Southward Movement Ceremony also known as the SMC. Of course, freshies might be wondering what is the ruckus the seniors are doing about. Well I'm going to give a short background about this event." she stopped and suddenly, the lights went dim.
"Southward Movement Ceremony is one of the university's pride. Only IZU celebrates this event. The ceremony represents the southward movement of the Sun resulting to the sun appearing in the celestial equator. As a celebration to longer nights, the university decided to hold the intramurals this way. And after the ceremony, you guys will have longer rest time and shorter classes up until the March Equinox. The event holds many activities such as competitions, university meet, camping, all celebrated in a month." she explained while showing a powerpoint presentation in the big screen.
"But wait! Some of y'all might think that a month is too much. But no, you're definitely wrong! You're participation will take over to your grades, giving you a chance to have better numbers on your report card. The second half of the first semester will focus on extra-curriculum activities that will help you expand your thinking, enhance your cooperation and leadership, and learn things the hard way. If you're smart, then well and good. But if you do not have what it takes to be REAL smart, then sorry, you do not have what it takes to be an Iseuriel." she again stopped then the lights went white again. Her dim lights effect was for explaining the equinox'.
"All of the students are encourage to sign up to different activities such as sports, camping, field trips and demos, forestry, laboratory visits and such. After the orientation, please proceed to your rooms and let your class advisor discuss and elaborate the event. Please do ask questions when needed. Then, each of you must sign up to atleast one of the activities mentioned, please note that slots from each activities are limited but are distributed equally based on the number of students. That would be all, enjoy the SMC." then she made a dramatic exit, dropping her microphone on the stage. "Micdrop." then she walked fiercely. The ot ended just like that.
"Zyair ano na?! Nakapagdecide ka na ba kung anong sports ang kukunin mo?" si Lucas.
Kinukulit na ako nila Nate dahil mandatory ang pagsali sa mga sports, well, atleast one. Hindi ako makapili, limited lang daw ang slots sa basketball kaya hindi na kami nakapag sign-up. Which activity should I join? I'm thinking of field trips, camping and soccer.
"Alam ko na kukunin ko. Kukuha ako ng ticket sa desert camping tsaka ticket for TAPT (Tagaytay Appreciation and Promotion Trip), tsaka mag sisign-up na din ako sa soccer." pagbasag ko sa katahimikan. Sabi nila na magbigay daw kami sa isa't isa ng moment of silence para makapag isip-isip kami ng maayos.
"Naks, nawa'y lahat Zyair. Ako, kukuha nalang din ako ng ticket para sa TAPT at desert camping pero hindi na ako sasali sa sports." si Lucas. Gaya gaya talaga tong hayop na 'to.
"Uhh, hockey nalang siguro ako tsaka desert camping, mukhang masaya!" si Nate.
"Ako kukuha ako ng ticket para sa Pristine Perfumes Lab Visit." bored na bored na sabi ni Josh. Alam kong dahil sa kambal ko kaya siya pupunta doon. Mayroon kasing napanood si Martha na KDrama, about siya sa babaeng mahilig sa perfumes at na-boost yung self-esteem niya dahil doon, gusto daw niyang maranasan, parang KDrama feels lang. "Tsaka siguro sa baseball na din." he shrugged.
"Wow pre, interesado ka na pala sa mga perfumes." pang-aasar ni Ady. "Ako baka kukuha nalang din ako ng ticket para sa desert camping, ayaw kong malayo sainyo eh, hindi tulad nitong si Kiefer, traydor." umirap pa siya.
Nakita ko kung paano umirap si Josh dahil nabanggit ang second name niya, grabe 'tong mga kaibigan ko! Parang mga babae! We parted ways para makakuha ng tickets at makasign-up sa mga sports namin. Kailangan pala naming sumabak sa try-outs bago kami magiging official na player for our units. Our units are soon to be announced, pero hindi na namin kailangan mag-alala dahil blockmates will have the same unit. Of course the number of students here is no joke, they said we will be having 5 units. We already arrived at the registrar near the Byeol Building, maraming booths doon with wide varieties of sports.
Soccer League Registry Booth. Dumeretso ako ng lakad papunta sa booth namin at iniwan si Nate at Joshua para magsign-up din sa gusto nilang sport. Naiwan naman si Ady at Lucas sa cafeteria para sabay sabay nalang daw kaming kumuha ng ticket.
"Zyair Marcellus Pimentel, PolSci, section D." sabi ko dun sa registrar.
"Mr. Pimentel, you are now registered to soccer league. Please attend the soccer try-outs on Thursday, October 4, 10am in the outdoor field. The coach will call you if you passed and your class advisor will announce your unit soon. Please fill out this form." she briefly explained. I filled out a form where I agree to attend and participate in the league I have chosen. It also says that the school will handle the fees when the student is injured but should not have any responsibilities and commitments to parents, only the fees. I filled out the form, signed it, and returned it to the registrar. After that, I went back to the cafeteria.
"Oh! Andyan na pala kayo! Tara na baka magkaubusan pa ng tickets!" akbay sa akin ni Ady. Nauna naming pinuntahan ang kuhanan ng ticket para sa TAPT. Like what happened earlier, meron ding form na fifill up-an, but this time, para na iyon sa accidents, transportation and food. In basic terms, they will pay everything na kailangan bayaran but they don't owe our parents explanation and apology. Simple as that.
"Please attend the mini-orientation for TAPT on October 6, Saturday, 1pm in the Byeol Hall. We will distribute your exclusive passes for the Taal Volcano Hike and such, we will also distribute cameras per team as for your documentary, details will be explained in the mini-orientation. For now, keep your tickets with you. Thank you" si Sir Tom, siya yung History prof ng freshmen. Siya din yung coordinator ng TAPT. Next, we went to get the tickets for desert camping. Si Miss Smith ang maghahandle nun, yung Mom ni Luke.
"Lucas Kiel Guevarra, Political Science, section D."
"Nathan Javier Velasquez, Political Science, section D."
"Arby Dain Mercado, Political Science, section D."
"Zyair Marcellus Pimentel, Political Science, section D."
"Isla Zena Won, Medical Technology, section A."
Napatingin kaming lahat sa babaeng biglang nagsalita. Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako nakatitig, napakurap naman ako ng magsalita ang kasama niya.
"Jianna Shine Cortez, Civil Engineering, section C."
"Emiko Dale Parke, Aviation, section B."
Tumikhim si Miss Smith dahilan para bumalik ang tingin namin sakanya. "Well, I will all put you in one team, but you still need 3 people. 10 person per team. Mr. Guevarra, Mr. Velasquez, Mr. Mercado, Mr. Pimentel of PolSci, Ms. Won of MedTech, Ms. Cortez of CE, and Mr. Parke of Aviation. All of you will be in one team, understood?" tango lang ang naisagot namin.
"Fill up this form and make sure to read it properly. The desert camping will be held in Laoag, Ilocos Norte in La Paz Sand Dunes so we need to use an airplane for transportation. Call time is 3am sharp on October 22, Monday to October 26, Friday. Make sure to bring all of your necessities because there will be no stores in there. Catering services will be provided 3 times a day only. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. There will also be no signal in there but you can bring your phones with you for picture taking. There will be a mini ceremony inside the plane. The flight will be from NAIA to Laoag International Airport will take approx. 1hr and 15 mins and that would be enough for briefing. I expect your compliance and attendance on the said date. Thank you." she explained again.
This will be a hell of a month.
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YOU ARE READING
Flora in the Dark
General Fictionfiction. Zyair Marcellus Pimentel is a PolSci student in IZU. He's from their province, he was always the perfect child that his parents have always wanted and the unico hijo in the family. Until he meets Isla Zena Won, a MedTech student in IZU, she...
