Nothing can spoil your mood like a loss of a valuable.
January 11-14, 2012: The Regional Schools Press Conference was held at Valencia City. Fortunately, I was once again a budding coach-participant to this annual regional affair. I was with three of my equally budding student-participants: Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe Lozarita, Shaira Salonoy, and Vicar Sussane Gonzales. Being with them was again a fun-filled heck of an experience.
Our first day was just like an ordinary day for a 3-day competition. We were welcomed in Valencia City Central School. We were supposed to be billeted in Batangan Elementary School but since this was the place were the flood hit weeks earlier, we were asked to stay in the city proper. The elementary delegates of our Division were escorted at City Central School. The secondary at the ALS-annex school of the City National High School of Valencia.
Well, our rooms were quite dilapidated. 'Twas as if the school building was a thousand years old and that its renovation or repair was seemingly forgotten. Not to mention the fact that as guests, we were deprived of a comfortable place to stay at up until the last day, all with complete beddings. Even then, we tried to make ourselves comfy as we do not have a choice anymore.
Our first night seemed to just be okay. Since our billeting quarter is right beside the City Oval/Plaza, we were entertained (weren't we?) by a Potpourri Night sponsored by SAIT (San Agustin Institute of Technology.) Plus, we got to view a fireworks display.
The second day was the formal start of the occasion. The parade, opening program, these stuff, just so the host division could do such formalities. 'Twas in the afternoon when Shaira was into her event: Photojournalism. We waited for her then went back to our quarter. That night was a much awaited night for them. Why? because it was then the concert of Cueshe Band. I could just fathom the excitement in their eyes when they asked permission to go. From the supposedly '1 song" to "1 whole concert" attendance. With their new found friends Michael and Garyll, they really enjoyed it! Well, even without being there, I got to listen to their music in the quarter while trying to get a little rest. 'Twas midnight when they finally got back to our room. Seeing their pictures was already enough proof of how merry they were.
That fun-filled moment was a good tickle to let us all down in bed. So who would have thought something wrong was about to happen?
Well, we just lost our valuables the morning after! That was really an extremely frustrating feeling! Mine, as well as Nica's and Shaira's phones were gone with the school camera! Unknown burglar/s came into our room. We lost our valuables unnoticed. We were fast asleep then! Our roommate-a teacher from Quezon National High School, offered his cellphone so as we could try to contact our numbers. Nica's and Shaira's were already number busy. But with my Smart? It still kept on ringing until the third time. So we went to KARANCHO and to the POLICE STATION for a blotter report with a pinch of hope that the items could still be retrieved.
Cliche as it may seem but humans as we are Life must move on! And so that day still continued. Nica went off to Lake Apo for her Feature Writing Event. So as with Vicar for Editorial Cartooning in the contest venue SAIT. At first, it was indescribable knowing we don't have contacts anymore and that we just agreed to wait on one area. After that day, we didn't get much of a tour in the city since it was raining. So we just stayed in our quarter do some chitchats, malong fun and take some photo ops inside. This continued until our last day finally came.
The last day seemed to be giving us a thrill while at the same time giving chimes of fright and sheer nervousness. Who wouldn't have these pent up emotions? It's the Closing and Awarding Ceremony! To cut it our shortly, we lost! The girls didn't make it to the Top 7! Well for them, I know there was a feeling of sadness and regret especially that the Nationals will be at Palawan!
Nevertheless, life must go on again! As I have been telling them, everything happens for a reason. God has His special reasons why He had our valuables taken by burglars and why He let us felt the loss of victory. Perhaps, this is God's way of reminding us that still, we only lost our valuables. We were still able to go home safe and sound. Probably, our loss in the Regionals is God's way of reminding us that in life, we lose, we win. After all, our loss would let us embrace triumphantly the next time winning comes our way!
To Nica, Shaira and Vicar: don't give up! We are all winners in a way or another.
