#atenean!reader

[spadesolace]

catch it (then keep it)

lasallian! yeji x atenean! reader

yeji isn’t the biggest fan of sports, who would have thought a girl would make her feel motivated to attend class

word count: 2.2k

yeji is not the biggest fan of possibly getting hit in the face by a ball. especially at a speed that is quite disturbing that she won’t be able to react fast enough.

here she is, getting ready for her second meeting in class, but there’s a new face. a part of her  assumed she was absent during the first meeting. yeji is unsure if she’s a student who isn’t wearing the discussed shirt assigned to the class or if she was a senior. she’s aware of the amount of past students the coach allows to join the class to teach dodgeball but it’s the first she’s seen your face. taking notice that you’re closer to the coach more compared to the rest of the so-called seniors of the class.

you have the face card but she would have been familiar with your face by the school’s freedom wall now because who wouldn’t have a crush on you. although she sees some resemblance between you and the coach that makes her think that you two could be related. during attendance, you were calling out names, somewhat getting to familiarize the students?

“hwang?” you look at the group seated on the floor, until your gaze stops at the girl who’s hand is raised.

“present!” to others this was nothing but to yeji, seeing you look at her with a smile, nodding in confirmation that you heard her and continuing on. she felt something in her heart, one she’s unsure of.

the following meetings you were there to help and coach the girl’s team as the boys played to their heart's content. yeji notices that your jerseys or sportswear isn’t from DLSU but from a different school, so it wasn't uncommon for people to be wearing their old Ateneo jersey. especially if you’re just visiting.

“ah- she’s from ateneo.” one of yeji’s classmates confirms as you run around and play with the rest of the class. somehow even if you're sweaty and competitive, she loves to watch you play. dodgeball isn’t supposed to be seen as cool, that sport was normally played in elementary and high school but here you are - in your element as you throw a ball so hard at one of the boys. she took note of how you have fast reflexes right away, how easily you dodge the ball or how you could catch it with ease.

even during yeji’s short conversation with the coach while she admires you, he drops on some story about how his daughter is such an athletic kid who enjoys playing any type of sport known to man. it was a bonus that you have the looks as the coach would casually say, but everyone in that class knows very well how beautiful his daughter is. yeji finds it hard not to like you, despite only seeing the special guest only during her physical education. you were the motivation she needed to attend this 2 hour class.

word spreads fast, not only was it past students visiting the gym, even friends of yeji’s classmates would visit and see the pretty girl from the rival school coaching.

“where’s the pretty girl?” ryujin visited once only to tease yeji, but seeing how shy her friend got - it was enough to mess with her. as yeji pointed at the other side of the court as you cheer for the class, she understands why people are gathering around as if it’s a celebrity. 

“ok gets, ganda nga.” yeji shoved ryujin as she looked back at you with a smile.

if only she knew you were this popular amongst the other classes that you’ve participated in, then she would have heard about this athletic girl from the rival school that is the child of a coach in La Salle taking the hearts of many. at this point there’s at least two posts about you on the freedom wall, which makes her question it all over because why are there so many people watching you but little to none posts about it.

you’re friendly, everyone knows that but yeji was too shy to ask for your socials despite the multiple encounters of you saving her from being hit in the face because she wasn’t able to catch it easily.

that was the first thing yeji liked about you. how fast you’d act just to make sure no one would get hurt aside from yourself. almost every week she’d see some bandage in your body, either your arms or your knees. brushing it off like it’s nothing and clearly to your father - it was something. when you had to sit one out - yeji took it as an opportunity to talk to you.

short yet memorable, you remember her as the girl that looks like the light fury from how to train your dragon and how she was one of the few that knew how to play but was a bit scared when it comes to actually having the ball. seeing her closer, admiring her beauty, she’s pretty you’ve mentioned that to one of your close friends here that is currently playing and lowkey teasing you about it because you sort of have your fair share of dating Lasallians.

yet you made the first move.

“hi.” you smiled at her as you moved a bit so she could sit down next to you, ”yeji, right?”

it took her by surprise that you remembered her name and face when you’ve been bombarded by the other students who are trying their best to catch your attention.

“yeah, you remember?” you could only nod as you took note of the team’s strengths and weaknesses, it’s for your dad who possibly plans to recruit for the team. yeji could only sit there next to you as she watches the game go on - it would have been like that if you didn’t speak up or if she didn’t help you keep track of everything.

“your team is up next,” setting aside your ipad as you look at her with a reassuring smile, ”make sure to catch the ball with your hands, not your face.”

yeji took notice of your teasing as the game is close to ending, short and memorable but to her it was the start of something.

luck wasn’t on either of your sides because for the past three meetings, you weren’t there. yeji couldn’t bring it to herself to ask the coach where you’ve been because she’s not really one to do something about her fleeting crush on you. her dating you, an atenean? it might be the dream for others but it was far from her reach when she doesn’t even know if you swing that way. she kept her mouth shut, waiting for you to walk out of that elevator with your duffle bag, crocs, and a smile on your face.

three weeks and nothing but disappointment.

by the time it was midterms, yeji lost all hope that you’ll watch her play. her head down and walking to her usual spot by the classrooms and waiting till the coach arrives. she was settling in, back facing the students playing volleyball, turning to lean her back on the wall when a ball was about to hit her in the face. eyes closed and getting ready for impact until she heard a loud smack right in front of her. slowly opening her eyes to see you there crouching and passing the ball back to the people playing.

“yeji, you alright?” it was as if a knight in shining armour saved her from a dragon, if that dragon was small and in the shape of a ball. she could only nod at you smiling at her as she thanked you.

“paano mo-”

“hindi mo ata ako naririnig na binabati kita.” (translation: i don’t think you heard me greeting you.) you pointed to where your stuff is, a few centimetres away from her spot. it made you laugh that she was too preoccupied to notice that you were already looking at her from where you were moments ago.

yeji could only look at you in awe as another ball was about to come towards you. seeing it hit your back and crouching to the floor as it was painful due to the strong impact. you could only look at the group playing, clearly it were the seniors as they profusely apologised to you. seeing how you took care of the issue (and how they clearly aren’t paying attention to their surroundings) made her heart skip a beat. you came back to double check if she was indeed fine.

“i’m fine, you on the other hand, are not.” she could only caress your back and smile at you as you finally give in and tell her that it did somehow hurt more than you expected it to be.

“it’s fine really,” you sat down next to yeji as she caressed your back, “i once took a volleyball to the face. it did hurt but i was brave about it!”

“tanga mo.” she’s warming up as you shrug and laugh at her.

“part of my charm.” you could only laugh as yeji smacks you on the shoulder.

“you know,” you look at her with such curiosity and interest that she had to stop her thoughts of kissing you right there and then. “you’re from Ateneo but you’re spending your friday night at La Salle.”

a faint smile but also avoiding her gaze, you’re not too keen on the idea of letting her in on the little secret crush you have on her. as you opened your mouth, immediately closing it once you hear the bell that your father always presses to let the class know its time. watching yeji drop everything and run to the coach as you sit there and take that as a sign to keep quiet for now. 

you would sit there for the first 30 minutes of class, warming up as well as they run around and get ready to play. yeji in a messy ponytail leaves you sitting there and watching her run around, smile, laugh, and have fun. she’s brighter than the last time you saw her, there’s some spark of joy in her eyes as she plays and it’s her best play yet.

“uy, she could melt if you keep looking at her like that.” you look at your friend and flip her off as she sits down next to you as she joins in and watches the game.

“she’s pretty.” your friend looks at yeji then back at you, there’s a teasing smile that makes you want to shove her off her chair and continue watching the game.

“bakla.” you shove her lightly and see her lose balance a bit in her chair as you two laugh.

“so are you.”

you’re never too sure of your feelings for yeji because you rarely see her, and it’s only once a week. she’s obligated to be in this class but you aren’t, nothing but a simple visitor who helps her father in his work. it’s different because for once you’re looking forward to driving to La Salle and rushing to see your father just so you could see her within those two hours and hope you could get the courage to talk to her.

sometimes you wanna thank the people playing and almost hitting her for giving you a chance to talk to her longer than usual. that you could see her be a bit affectionate and check up on you as she makes sure you weren’t too in pain from being hit by a volleyball. although it seems cruel that you wish to somehow get closer to her, befriend her, get the socials and keep on talking after this whole thing is done because you want to see her again.

you want to get to know her more than what she plays or what her major is. you want to know what’s her favorite color, what she does in her free time, what her interests are, and you’re suddenly blanking out as you see yeji holding her face with her hand.

she walks towards you, pointing to the cooler next to the table. she got hit in the face.

“sit down,” you stood up and offered your chair, getting the ice pack and crouching in front of her, “put your hand down.”

yeji sits there, flinching as the cold plastic touches her skin. she could hear you telling the guy who hit yeji on the face, you weren’t screaming but she sensed that you’re pissed and concerned. you kept on sighing as she checked on her cheek every one to two minutes to ensure there’s no blood but a bit swollen.

“does it still hurt?”

“no… i think i can move my jaw a bit.” you removed the ice pack, gently holding her face to see if there’s any swelling. to yeji, this was a bit too much as you looked intently at her - she shouldn’t be thinking of how soft your lips would feel on top of hers or how soft your hands are and how gentle you’re holding her face. you let go and smile as you gave her the ice pack back.

“you’re good, but just ice it for a few more minutes.” she could only nod, look up at you and be mesmerized, patting her head and walking out to talk to the boy who threw the ball. yeji feels her chest tightening, butterflies erupting in her stomach, and her face heating up as she looks down and try to contain her emotions at bay. oh, she has a crush on an atenean.

[thots4hee]

thoughts about atenista conyo party boy hee and thomasian conservative reader na everytime nakikita ang e/o sa pop up or xylo. tas nagmomol na sa gedli (sana mapansin deprive na aq sa tagalog smut eh /hj)

GAGO TANGINA DJEKDJWKDJDJXBD

pairing: hee x reader 🔞🔞🔞🔞

warning:Dom Hee! Sub reader! bj, public sex if you squint, KABASTUSAN

Heeseung is everyone's dream. Isang sikat na Atenean. Pogi, matalino, mayaman, at reserved na tao. Kasali siya sa pitong sikat na magkakaibigan sa university. Kung saan gagawin lahat ng fan girls nila ang lahat mapansin lang nila, lalong lalo na ni Heeseung na walang pakialam sa kasikatan at sa mga lalake at babaeng nagkukumahog magpapansin sakanya.

Pagpatak ng Biyernes ay dito na nagsisimula ang kasiyahan ng pito. Maliban sa pagtambay sa court, tambay rin si Heeseung sa parties at clubs.

Heeseung chuckled and shut his phone. Aminin man niya o hindi totoo ang sinabi ni Jay.

He's been eyeing a girl from the club. Halos buong gabi siya hindi mapakali kakalinga at hanap and finally he found her. For Seung, she's sexy, alluring, napakaganda, nakakaulol. The way she laugh with her friends wearing a tight black dress that hugs her curves. The way she dances and enjoys the music that night hits different with him. Napakahinhin... sure marami na siyang nakitang mga babae sa clubs at parties. Pero lahat sila parepareho lang. Hindi maintindihan ni Heeseung ang nararamdaman basta at mahalaga makuha ka niya. And he did.

Sa condo niya, nakatuwad at inuungol ang pangalan niya.

"Napakahinhin mo sa labas, hindi nila alam puta lang kita." Hindi na kayo nakaabot ng kama at napunit na ni Heeseung ang suot mong dress na pinilit pasuot sayo ng kaibigan mo. Palagi kang tumatanggi sa mga parties na aya niya pero palagi ka rin nitong napapapayag.

Hindi mo rin alam kung anong pinainom sayo ng lalaking katalik mo at napapayag ka niya sa mga gusto niyang pagawa saiyo. Halikan sa madilim na parte ng clubs, blowjob sa comfort room ng parties, at kantutan sa parking lot. Wala ng pakialam kung yumuyugyog nang matindi ang sasakyan o may makakita man sainyo dahil hindi gaanong tinted ang sasakyan ng binata.

Hindi ka nagrereklamo dahil ginusto mo rin ito. Natatakot ka lang sa iisipin ng ibang tao dahil kilala ka bilang conservative na babae.

"Hee, t-tangina naman! please po" ungol mo nang sinagad niya ang pag ulos sa loob ng mainit mong puke. Wala na ring saplot si Heeseung maliban sa itim nitong t-shirt na sobrang bango.

"Napaka landi mong umungol, alam ba to ng mga kaibigan mo?" natawa si Heeseung ng maramdaman ang panginginig ng binti mo kaya lalo niyang binilisan ang pagkadyot sa puke mong naglalawa at namumula mula na.

Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Heeseung sa magkabila mong bewang na tiyak na magkakaroon ng pasa kinabukasan.

Ramdam na ramdam mo si Heeseung sa loob ng puke mo at lalong nakadagdag sa sarap ng sensayon ang paglamas niya sa naglalakihan mong suso na paborito niyang kagatin at iwanan ng marka. Lalo nga itong lumaki dahil panay lamas niya nito.

"y/n malapit na ko, luhod na bilis" sabay hugot ni Heeseung ng kanyang titi sa loob mo at pwersahan kang tinapat sa namamasa niya titi at pinasok ito sa bibig mong nakaabang na. Heeseung released his load into your mouth.

Napakababoy ngunit napakasarap maging puta niya, inumin ang tamod niya at maging alipin niya sa kama. Nasisiraan ka man ng bait dahil sa libog pero yoon ang totoo. Iba ang mundo mo kapag kasama mo si Heeseung, at gusto mo kapiling mo nalang siya palagi.

"Tanginang bibig yan sarap kantutin, gusto mo yon y/n? kantutin ko bibig mo?" hingal ng lalaki at napatango ka nalang.

===============================

This is really short tangina. Tanginang writer's block to taon ata bago ako makaahon. Will probably write a part two.

or send me ideas and prompts sa ask! hehe

[gureumz]

toxic situationship with fil-chi golden boy atenean jungwon and masungit lasallian it girl model reader 🫡

GODDDDD the fights and dramatic exits but the utterly delicious hot sexy passionate riveting sex they both have 🧎🏻‍♀️

jungwon is the perfect man, as perfect as perfect will go in today's standards. pogi, matalino, from a well-off enough family, attends one of the most prestigious universities as a legal management major gearing up for law school.

you're an up and coming budding influencer landing modeling gigs left, right, and center. you're girlbossing you're way to the top, juggling school and your career so you have no time for bullshit.

but a bumble match leads to something more and now you spend your mondays in screaming matches with jungwon in his car while he drives you home to your condo sa taft (kahit sa lgv lang naman siya nakatira) and your tuesdays having sex in the backseat. wednesdays are date nights and the rest of the week depends on if tinotopak isa sainyo or both.

[urninhongs]

hanggang kailan, profiles 1

SYNOPSIS, kung saan nag away si seungcheol at si yn at nadulas niyang nasabi na mas pipiliin na lang niyang lumayas ng bansa. masyadong sineryoso ni seungcheol at binilhan siya ng ticket, not knowing na merong ibang nag-aantay sa kanya doon.

PAIRING/S, choi seungcheol x f!reader x yoon jeonghan

kang y/n, 24, met seungcheol during 1st year of college and started dating 3 months after they met. nagkalauban nung naging exchange student sa japan si y/n at nakilala nya si [ REDACTED ].

momo hirai, 25, bestfriend ni y/n since high school nung nag move yung family niya from japan

jeon wonwoo, 26, older brother figure ng buhay ni y/n, ex high school sweetheart ni y/n, ayaw kay cheol

kwon soonyoung, 26, the only thomasian in a barkada full of ateneans, baby boy ni y/n

xu minghao, 24, taga vibe check ng groupo, the only one other than y/n na nasa long term relationship

vernon chwe, 24, pinsan ni y/n na nakatira sa japan, inadopt ng barkada

PROFILES | prev / masterlist / next

[staysuki]

omg i just saw the new series and got so excited ! watch me read both versions of when in manila 😭 really interested in how filo humor is gonna translate into a more international vibe (and also as an atenean i cant wait to see the school made fun of for the lolz 🥳 or if it ever comes to that lmao-) cause filo humor sounds really harsh when i think of it in english- mga pilipino talaga ang humor nasa panlalait 😴

anyways good luck on the series 👏👏💞 i love ur works!

omg salamat pi 💃💓‼️

HELLO ATENEAN 🤪🫶 former lozolion pue here. and i agree JWHSJWHSHW our humor is just ??mean?? HEHSJWHS. the english translations sound...tamer, in comparison, even when i try to make it sound similar. i also feel like jisung and y/n's friendship is less uNhiNged as it is in the tagalog version, same with y/n's spunky pALAvHUn personality.

but idk 😭💔 i'd def love to hear ur thoughts as a reader for both sides ahuhuhu💧💧💧

(some spoilers below)

ngl, alot of the slang/references are cut from the english version, like the marites jokes and us saying hAtDOg (for some reason). plus the call-outs to our current PH elections. the whole vibes of chan being conyo/gwapo typings are also gonna be gone for the english version too JWHSJAHSH

though probably the one i'm most sad about is minho's characterization

since i specifically made him to be very modest and humble—someone who's in a prestigious university but barely speaks any english because he's just so makabayan like that 🥰😍‼️🇵🇭. so now that i can't have him speak tagalog, i feel like his appeal diminishes a bit 😔💔

[tetsvhoe]

Ain't an ask, but I am thrilled to know ur a filo writer!!! 🤩 ngayon ko lang nakita 'tong blog mo, though I haven't binge read everything yet, since kakakita ko lang nitong blog mo like 5 or 7 minutes ago, nag-search ako hq angst then nakita koy ung toxic exes mo ft. Iwa, Oikawa, and Kags. And yes bhie! I have read positive too from kurokenma beforeee! But yun nga bhie nag-deact nga si author, super love ko pa naman yung works niya and also siya syempre!

(Skl rin, I remembered her rting my work last year and I never got a chance to thank her for that sana mag-reactivate siya ulit, I miss seeing her sa feeds ko 😭 p.s. I still have a screenshot of her rt noon sa akin🥺)

I'm excited to read your works mamayang pag-gising ko! Stay hydrated and keep safe bhie! Love lots!!! 💛🌻

hi!!! ang saya din ang dami filo readers and writers dito and ang tatalented nila lahat 😭 kaka start lang neto blog na to may 19 i think para sakin lang talaga to dapat mga self insert chaka pang comfort tapos biglang dumami yung notes ayon huhu sobrang thankful n happy <3

plS FINALLY SOBRANG GANDA NUNG SMAU NA YON SOBRANG FUNNY since una kong nabasa nung sept last yr di nako naka recover everyday rent free si atenean kuroo sa utak ko flz i would give up everything to read it again nilike niya den tweet ko na nag ffangirl sa smau niya :((

thank u mami i hope u enjoy binge reading take care mwa <<3

[leonaesque]

Poetic Injustice: On Ateneo and Negotiating Complicity

To be a successful comprador is an art. Tony Tan Caktiong knows this. Given the scale at which multinational corporations influence Philippine culture, at this point, who are we to refute it? And how? Profit-seeking forces itself on us; to be recognized. Every mass-produced item of clothing featuring the pattern of an ever-smiling billion-dollar bee is indication enough: Art is execution. In fact, being the recipient of foreign capital requires deliberate hands able to maintain thousands upon thousands of labor-only contractual workers, despite their having worked at the same establishment for years on end. These workers produce what no middleman can. Yet a company will still view being bought-out by an industry giant as the ideal exit strategy. Each moving part makes for one striking image of monopoly– worthy, one might insist, of being featured in a gallery.

Jollibee Foods Corporations (JFC) acquires stakes or ownership of restaurant chains in order to expand, as it has done over the course of many years with local and foreign brands. Their current roster includes Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Burger King PH, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Panda Express PH. The company also runs businesses internationally, such as Smashburgers in the United States, and Yonghe Dawang or Yonghe King in China.[1] Of course, the face of this massive undertaking remains the once tiny Magnolia-inspired ice cream store, Jollibee, now every business-oriented insect’s wet dream.

Ernesto Tanmiantong, brother and successor of Tony Tan Caktiong as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jollibee Foods Corporation, is the latest former Chairperson of the Ateneo de Manila University Board of Trustees.[2] One can even find his name, along with his wife’s, gracing a first-floor exhibit hall of the Ateneo Art Gallery, found inside the university’s so-called creative hub, the Arete. In the months before the start of the first semester of S.Y. 2018-2019, Tanmiantong’s adorable, marketing-committee-approved buddy in white gloves and a chef’s hat took a trip to the then-newly inaugurated art gallery for a photo-op. The mascot then posed with several installments and paintings, a couple of which depicted farmers and workers.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), JFC is one of the most notorious businesses with regards to the perpetuation of the practice of contractualization.[3] Contractual workers are, according to law, not employed by– and, therefore, not the responsibility of– the company they provide labor to. Because of this, these workers do not receive benefits or compensation, are often subject to abusive working conditions, and are vulnerable to the shameless practice of mass termination. No doubt, the Public Relations stunt with the Ateneo Art Gallery was ill-timed; right at the height of protests against the corporation, in the midst of its non-compliance with the DOLE’s order to regularize upwards of 6,000 of its workers– there was Jollibee: tone-deaf and taking pictures to post on his Facebook profile, The Atenean Way.  

Ironically, as the statement by Ateneo’s School of Humanities Sanggunian (which condemned the incident) pointed out, perhaps even the person inside that oversized blinking head of the Jollibee mascot was a contractual worker, posing in a space that he might never have been able to enter without the cartoon-bee-mask of his exploitation.[4] Surely, it does not matter whether or not the institutional faux pas was an intentional case of art-washing. At least, it should not. Is there such a thing as art for art for art’s sake?

---

There is this poem entitled “The Doomed” written by Mikael De Lara Co. A friend of mine recommended it to me once after a workshop session because my piece, he said, reminded him of it. I do not think my friend meant to insult me. Unless he did.

“The Doomed” is a poem about writing a poem, wherein the poet-persona is aware that, while he is writing poems about lilies, there is violence somewhere, which he is both physically and socially detached from. This violence is manifest into the shooting of Liberal Party supporter and candidate, Hamira Agcong, in 2010, as well as the infamous Ampatuan Massacre that occurred in 2009, where 58 people were kidnapped and killed.  

Where do poems fall under in the realm of social praxis (if at all)? “The Doomed” ends with the lines “I want to find beauty in suffering. / I want to fail.” Yet, the poem’s aestheticization of the murders via tone and imagery is blatant. The declarative rejection of an ideal like beauty or portraying beauty betrays the poet’s pretentiousness in what can only be his underlying conservativity. There is no attempt to avoid it. With lines like “You sit at your desk / to write a poem about lilies and a clip of 9mm’s / is emptied into the chest of a mother…” and “… a backhoe in Ampatuan crushes the spines of 57 / – I am trying to find another word for bodies”, it sounds as though these killings are more poetic material than actual, politically motivated deaths. Tell me, is the reader to blame for reading what is on the page? Mikael De Lara Co fails in failing, making the poem and its project a useless endeavor.

Despite the pointedly crafted grief into the persona’s voice, “The Doomed” does nothing to grieve the circumstances which brings about its dramatic situation. Why are people “doomed”, if not for the bureaucrat capitalists that viciously plot to stay in power? Could the poet not have addressed that, instead of weeping about his writing process? I do not believe that the poem would have failed that, at least, because all language inevitably fails in the face of social reality. That would be lazy, if it were not bullshit.

But I suppose that is why “The Doomed” fails, most of all: The poet believes it is fine to write speeches for a leader who allowed farmers and indigenous people to be harassed, as long as they could be tagged as members of the New People’s Army, the armed faction of the Communist Party of the Philippines. A text speaks, though the words are not on the page. So, the poet dooms.

Mikael De Lara Co has won many awards for his writing and translations, including the prestige-inducing Don Carlos Palanca Award for Literature. He graduated BS Environmental Science from Ateneo de Manila University, where he was once an editor of Heights, the school’s official literary publication. He has been published in many other magazines, literary journals, and the like, where his author’s notes proudly indicate all these accomplishments and more, such as having, himself, worked for the Liberal Party and once been a member of the former President Benigno Aquino III’s staff under the Presidential Communications Operations Office. Ergo, ghostwriter, alongside a number of other Ateneans who were also once part of Heights.

“Noynoy Aquino was a fascist” is a phrase that does not get said often enough. The Aquino administration, with its neoliberal policies the color of dehydrated piss, is credited with the starving thousands of farmers to death. Unsurprising, I suppose, for a family of landlords to inherit a disdain for the very hands that feed them. Corazon Cojuanco Aquino passed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) during her regime, and her son amended it with an extension and reforms (CARPer), making it even easier for land owners not to have to redistribute their lands at all.

For all its “Kayo ang boss ko” and “Daang Matuwid” pandering, the Aquino administration did not skimp on its counterinsurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan, which heavily drew from the U.S. Counterinsurgency Guide.[5] Here, it was farmers and Lumad, some of the most vulnerable sectors of Philippine society, that were tagged as rebels, terrorists, communists, etc., simply for knowing and standing for their rights, as the government failed to decimate actual armed revolutionaries in the countryside.

The massacre that took place under the Aquino administration occurred in Kidapawan, Cotabato on April 1, 2016. According to reports, among the group of 6,000 protesters that was mainly composed of farmers and activists, 116 were injured, 87 went missing, and 3 were killed.[6] Perhaps the lilies in “The Doomed” were a metaphor for De Lara Co’s beloved Noynoy.

---

Speaking of Ateneo: For an institution that makes yearly claims to combat historical revisionism and uphold the memory of the victims of human rights violations under the Martial Law era, this university loves to slurp on major Marcos ass. In 2014, President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ drew flack for having rubbed elbows with the iron butterfly herself, Imelda Marcos, at an Ateneo scholars’ benefactors’ event.[7] The mere thought of Imelda posing as a charitable, bloated cockroach in a wig that feasts on all that is lavish and garish, while the university welcomes her to do so is nearly comical. I imagine the blood.  

In 2019, a similar incident ensued[8], this time with Imelda’s daughter, Irene, whose art connoisseur lifestyle she lives second-hand. It was during the inauguration of the Arete’s amphitheater, named after Ignacio B. Jimenez, a crony of the corrupt family themselves.[9] Community backlash forced the building’s executive director, Yael Buencamino, to resign and for University President, Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ to issue a statement in response to the instance.

Yet, despite the triumph of Ateneans in demanding accountability for having the Marcoses at our literal and metaphorical dining table, there are also the Camposes, the Consunjis, the Lorenzos, and other local elite whose hands are stained with generational blood, that have established their presence in the campus with no near hopes of showing them out. Students could also be as loud as they pleased about the violations on workers’, farmers’, and national minorities’ rights that these families are frequently attached to, with only the answer of a warning that school organizations may lose sponsorship opportunities. What else can we expect? Of course, the names that line the halls that one studies in are the limits of academic freedom.

---

A few semesters ago, I wrote a poem to be workshopped by my co-English staffers in Heights as part of our membership retention requirements. It was not a good poem, I know. It was about my experience of integrating with the striking workers of Sumifru, a multinational Japanese company that produces fruit, whose union was called NAMASUFA (Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farm). After struggling to get word out of their plight and facing violent dispersals and harassment, 200 workers came all the way from Compostela Valley to Metro Manila via boat and plane, despite the difficulties of travel due to the imposition of Martial Law throughout Mindanao. Their objective was to pressure the DOLE and its Secretary, Silvestre Bello III, into action; that is, to be firm in enforcing Sumifru’s compliance to regularize their workers, which the company refused to do even though the DOLE had legally recognized them as their workers’ employer. The workers set up camp in various places, such as Mendiola, Liwasang Bonifacio, and beside the Commission on Human Rights inside the University of the Philippines Diliman campus, and often welcomed students who came to learn about their cause.  

During the workshop, the discussion began with a silence and an awkward laugh. Political realism was how my poem was diagnosed, for obvious reasons. However, the main critique that I remember was that my use of language– the words multinational corporation and bureaucrat capitalists, in particular– did not induce the feeling of the struggle that the workers went through. It was not the language workers used or would use. I refuted this claim, saying I had talked to the workers. That this is exactly what they say. No, it is not poetic. It is real.

I agree, though, with the verdict that my poem was not good, if the basis were form. I agree because I do not think poems need to be good to say what is needed. If the basis were factors other than form, I still do not think the poem is good. I mean, either way, it does not change the fact that, ultimately, I only wrote a poem for a workshop, despite any intention of bringing awareness to NAMASUFA. Is a poem going to save them their jobs? Does that make a difference? Did it make a difference?

The Sumifru workers returned to Mindanao last July, 2019. I have left Heights as well.

---

Within the Ateneo campus, a tarpaulin overlooks the red brick road that the entire Loyola Schools population traverses. The sign merits a purposeful, impossible-to-miss position on the old Rizal Library building, immortalizing the critique: “We find the Ateneo today irrelevant to the Philippine situation because it can do no more than to service the power elite.” Nothing could be more fitting, in my opinion. The Ateneo de Manila University’s commitment to performativity deserves to be blasted in our faces, if at least once a day.

This declaration was taken from the “Down from the Hill” manifesto published by The Guidon in November of 1968. The manifesto was written by a group of five students, namely Jose Luis Alcuaz, Gerardo Esguerra, Emmanuel Lacaba, Leonardo Montemayor and Alfredo Salanga, all of whom actively campaigned for an anti-imperialist orientation to nationalism.

I want to talk about Eman Lacaba. Throughout the Marcos regime, he was a student activist– a radical, so to speak, as disapproving administrative bodies might now label him. Presently, he is known for being a poet, revolutionary, guerilla, and a martyr during the Martial Law era. One of his most often discussed poems is “An Open Letter to Filipino Artists”, a piece that finds itself into syllabi like a de-fanged snake. The poem is a detailing of his experience as a cadre of the New People’s Army; the provinces he visits, his process of proletarianizing from a burgis boy to a communist rebel, and so forth. The epigraph of the work, a quote from Ho Chi Minh, affirms his praxis– “A poet must learn how to lead an attack.” The poem is the revolution that Lacaba takes up arms for. I guess now that he is dead, Ateneans can wholeheartedly claim him as one of their own.  

After the Martial Law era, Ateneo decided to create a body dedicated to the integration of its students with various disenfranchised sectors of society, as encouragement for their middle to upper-middle class youth to become more socially aware and active. The Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) is the current iteration of this. Their programs, from first year to fourth, require students to be socially involved enough to pass their Theology units. Commendable, no? Still. You can almost get sanctioned for so much as lighting candles for state-murdered farmers on the sidewalk by the gates outside of campus if it is not an Office of Student Activities-approved event– something I learned the hard way. I was not aware that bureaucracy was a key principle in Catholic Social Teaching.

So, does this mean the opposite of active non-violence is that which is inactively violent? The areas that OSCI allows their students to immerse in are carefully chosen, the interactions are prepared for in advance. In fact, they do not want to use the term “immerse” lest they be misconstrued with the damn leftists that climb mountains and “brainwash” unsuspecting poor people. You know, the ones that dare challenge the status-quo? Ateneo, or at the very least, its administration, will recognize the necessity of political action, but only to a certain extent. Nothing like Eman, the warrior-poet, whose militance is much too red to aestheticize.

The contradiction between what is said (marketed, poeticized, apologized for, etc.) and what is done should be scrutinized, instead of convincing ourselves that our interests are not merely our own. The dominant culture of a society will expose who supports those who hold political and economic power.  

[1] Cigaral (List: Brands operated by Jollibee Foods Corp.)

[2] (Leadership)

[3] Patinio (Jollibee tops list of firms engaged in labor-only contracting: DOLE)

[4] SOH Sanggunian (The Statement of the SOH Sanggunian on Jollibee's PR Stunt)

[5] Karapatan (OPLAN BAYANIHAN For Beginners)

[6] Caparas (WITH VIDEOS: 3 dead, 87 missing, 116 hurt as police fire on Cotabato human barricade)

[7] Francisco (Ateneo de Manila 'sorry' over Imelda's visit)

[8] Paris (Irene Marcos was invited to Ateneo, and students are up in arms)

[9] Rappler.com (Ateneo hit for art ampitheater named after Marcos 'dummy')

Works Cited

Caparas, Jeff. “WITH VIDEOS: 3 Dead, 87 Missing, 116 Hurt as Police Fire on Cotabato Human Barricade.” InterAksyon.com, 1 Apr. 2016, web.archive.org/web/20160402013745/interaksyon.com/article/125901/breaking--security-forces-open-fire-on-cotabato-human-barricade.

Cigaral, Ian Nicolas. “List: Brands Operated by Jollibee Foods Corp.” Philstar.com, The Philippine Star, 24 July 2019, www.philstar.com/business/2019/07/24/1937490/list-brands-operated-jollibee-foods-corp.

Francisco, Katerina. “Ateneo De Manila 'Sorry' over Imelda's Visit.” Rappler, 6 July 2014, www.rappler.com/nation/62549-ateneo-manila-imelda-marcos-apology.

Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights). OPLAN BAYANIHAN For Beginners, Karapatan, 2011.

“Leadership.” Leadership | Ateneo Global, global.ateneo.edu/about/leadership.

Paris, Janella. “Irene Marcos Was Invited to Ateneo, and Students Are up in Arms.” Rappler, 8 Apr. 2019, www.rappler.com/nation/227702-irene-marcos-invited-to-ateneo-students-protest-april-2019.

Patinio, Ferdinand. “Jollibee Tops List of Firms Engaged in Labor-Only Contracting: DOLE.” Philippine News Agency RSS, Philippine News Agency, 28 May 2018, www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1036679.

Rappler.com. “Ateneo Hit for Art Ampitheater Named after Marcos 'Dummy'.” Rappler, 21 Apr. 2019, www.rappler.com/nation/228633-ateneo-ignacio-gimenez-ampitheater-marcos-dummy.

“SOH Sanggunian.” SOH Sanggunian - The Statement of the SOH Sanggunian on..., 2 July 2018, www.facebook.com/sohsanggu/photos/a.157891440898864/1893103380710986/?type=3.

[mikmik2347-blog]

Application of Principles of Design

This infographic is made using Canva and it contains some promotional content for my current college program, which is Bachelor of Science - Psychology.

Procedure into making this infographic

To be able to make an infographic I had to choose a photo editing tool. In this case I chose Canva for its accessibility and for its user-friendly interface. Canva also provides good and free templates.

Choosing a template

In choosing a template, I chose a very simplistic and organized template such as seen above. It is has a 2x2 area for the information and graphics, as well as 2 more spaces for the leading title and the details as shown. The template already contains the appropriate text boxes and image placements so all I had to do is fill in the design.

Title

In choosing my title, I just thought of a simple way to captivate readers into reading the infographic. That is why I chose a question “Why Psychology?”, by  doing this the readers must read the content to know the answer of this question. And with that I also added our school seal and the Atenean psychology trident symbol to represent the psychology community of Ateneo.

Information

In editing the information, I had to simplify and clarify the key points into why Psychology is a good program and also state the benefits that come with the program after graduating. In this case I chose emotions, conflict management, biology, and medical profession as my key takeaways from the program.

Graphics

In choosing the appropriate graphics, I chose clip arts and memes to better capture the attention of readers. Clip arts also work well with any background and the memes are neutral to any background and are fun to look at.

Background Colors

In choosing the colors for the background, I chose pastel colors and white. I chose these colors because of their pleasing factor, and also it is easy on the eyes so that the readers can easily read the text.

Details

In the bottom part of the infographic, I added details so that the readers will know what academic organization psychology is in, and also what school my course is from.

Principle of Design 

Emphasis

In the design, I chose to emphasize psychology by making it all caps and also increasing its text size. This is to emphasize that the infographic is all about psychology. And also, the key terms are also in all caps to emphasize and differentiate the key terms from the supporting details.

Balance and Alignment

In the design, I chose a 2x2 area for the balance of both information and graphics; and with that, all the texts and graphics are aligned with each other. All key terms and supporting details are aligned and balance with the pictures added.

Contrast

To achieve harmony between all key points and all the graphics used in the design, I chose contrasting colors to make the design more readable and pleasant looking. Each of the key terms that was put in the 2x2 squares have different background colors to show that each square is different. And with that the background colors and graphics are contrasts so that the reader can clearly see the design. It is also worth noting that the text as well is contrasted with all the squares while maintaining the same text color.

Proportion

The images that I used in the design are just proportionate to the square areas I assigned them to. All fonts sizes are also proportionate to the pictures added, and I wrote the texts in a clear and concise manner to also achieve proportion to all squares the texts have been assigned to.

White Space

I intentionally made the design into a semi-minimalist poster, because of the white space principle. I intentionally kept the number of images in each square from one to two so that there would be an empty space for the eyes of the reader to rest on. Too much images can cause sensory overload, so a few empty spaces are also crucial in design.

Pattern

And lastly, In the design I incorporated the template because of its 2x2 pattern which can be read by readers from left to right, up to down, clockwise, counter-clockwise, or to however the reader wants to read the inforgraphic. The 2x2 pattern not only helps the reader follow the flow of the infographic easily, but also it establishes the unity of the design.

[cam-studies-life]

Ateneo College Entrance Test

 Application Process: Paper (you have to claim your application kit from the university)

Application Period: June – August

 Exam Date: August – September (last year’s exam was held on September 24)

 Guide to Each Test 

The following is what I can remember about each subtest of the ACET. The order of the tests here may not be accurate:

1.     English Proficiency

This portion tests your knowledge of basic grammar (correct usage of verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, single-word analogy, etc.). The questions were not very difficult. HOWEVER, this was a difficult portion of the ACET because aside from answering 90 – 100 multiple choice questions, you also need to write an essay within the time limit. Think of it as a two-in-one portion. If I remember correctly, the time limit ranged from 30 – 45 minutes, which seemed so short, believe me. ☹ For the essay, a topic will be given to you. I can’t remember the essay topic of last year’s ACET, but I remember it being quite broad. For this portion, I advise you to speed through the multiple-choice part (without sacrificing accuracy, of course) so that you still have enough time for writing your essay.

2.     Reading Comprehension

In this portion, a few of the passages were quite difficult to understand, and the questions didn’t always ask for facts. Sometimes it required you to analyze the meaning of a text (whether implied or explicit). To prepare for this test, practice reading faster. Try not to read the whole passage; it’s more efficient to read the questions first then skim the passages for the answers.

3.     Math

The Math portion was quite difficult. There were many questions about lines (slopes of lines, equations of lines, finding the point of intersection of two lines, etc.) and geometry (finding the angles in transversal lines, perimeter and area, etc.). There were also a few world problems. Once again, your enemy in answering this test is TIME.

4.     Abstract Reasoning

As the name of the test suggests, its purpose it to test your aptitude in finding patterns or differences in figures. This shouldn’t be very difficult, and you can look at CET reviewers online or in bookstores for sample tests like this. However, TIME is very limited. In last year’s test, there were 25 questions that I had to answer in 5 MINUTES.

5.     Vocabulary

Probably one of my favorite portions of the ACET, it is designed to test your vocabulary. It would really help if you are a wide reader, since I recognized most of the words from the books I read. To prepare for this part, I suggest that you take the necessary steps to widen your vocabulary. Aside from reading more, try learning the definition of a few unfamiliar words each day. Similar to the Abstract Reasoning portion, there were 25 questions that had to be answered in 5 minutes.

6.     Logical Reasoning

This portion was also quite difficult. The questions came in the form of statements/premises (e.g. “Insects are filthy creatures”, “Man is a mortal being.”). Then, you have to pick the most logical conclusion that can be drawn from the statements/premises given (e.g. “All Caucasians are mortal beings”, “No Caucasians are mortal beings”, “Insects are always filthy creatures”, “Insects are sometimes filthy creatures”). To prepare for this test, review basic Logic (if you took this up in Math/Research class). Make sure to know how to draw a logical conclusion from a set of premises. You have more than 5 minutes to answer this portion, but the time limit was still quite short. 

7.     Numerical Ability

I remember that this was the last portion of the ACET and, at least for me, also the most relaxing. It was 25 items of the word problems you encounter in Algebra, basically (age, work, mixture problems, etc.). There were also a few questions that required you to apply your knowledge of ratio, proportion, and variations. You have more than 5 minutes to answer this portion, but again, the time limit was still short.

How to Prepare for the ACET

1.     Speed

Of the Top 4 CETs, the ACET is definitely the most stressful one to take because of the TIME PRESSURE. I read somewhere that the ACET was designed not to be finished (hence, the ridiculous 5-minute limits jk jk); however, this does not mean that you shouldn’t try!  If you wish to pass the ACET, you must work on your speed when it comes to answering. You can do this by timing yourself while taking practice tests. Keep practicing until you can finish answering most, if not all, of the items within the time limit ( while still paying attention to accuracy, of course). By simulating the hectic, time-pressured environment you’ll most likely experience in the ACET, you’ll be able to cope better with the pressure during the actual exam.

2.     Review Math

If you’ve noticed, many of the subtests are related to Math (Math, Numerical Ability, Logic). Therefore, I suggest you to pay special attention to this subject. No need to review Science since the ACET doesn’t have a Science portion.

3.     Practice your Writing Skills

If you thought you were done with writing when you submitted your essay together with your ACET application, think again. With your application essay, you have the privilege of time and guidance from Grammar Nazis or your English teachers. In the actual ACET, you’ll have neither. Therefore, you need to practice writing a proper essay. Make sure you know how to apply the rules of grammar and how to construct a sound essay (introduction – body – conclusion). Aside from this, you also need to come up with the main idea (and the supporting ideas) of your essay more quickly so that you can finish writing it within the short time limit. (And of course, write legibly!)

Additional Tips:

1.     Choose the best time for you.

I don’t know if this will be the case every year, but for my batch, we were given the freedom to pick our preferred time to take the exam (morning or afternoon). I think you should choose the best time for you, while considering the time when you’re most alert/active/energetic and the travel time.

2.     Get there early.

The traffic in Katipunan is usually bad, and it gets worse when it’s the scheduled date for the ACET. Unlike the other tests, where your parents can drop you off directly in front of your assigned building/site for the exam, ACET takers are picked up by a shuttle from a certain place and brought to the testing site. Trust me, you’d want to be early.

3.     Do your necessities before the test.

Ifthey tell you that the proctor will allow you to use the bathroom before the test starts, DON’T FALL FOR IT. I had a super strict proctor who said he’d start the test even if there were still people in the bathroom (smh). In all honesty, my ACET experience was horrible because I was holding in my pee for at least 2 hours. Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to leave the room (even for bathroom breaks) once the test begins, except during break time. There’s a break in between (around 15 minutes), but with the long lines and few bathrooms spread far apart, the time might not be enough.

In my opinion, the questions in the ACET were average in terms of difficulty (I found the questions in the DLSUCET more difficult). However, the time pressure really makes a difference. I also observed that the acceptance rate of the ACET is not as high as the DCAT. If I remember correctly, the scores of applicants are ranked based on percentile (meaning your performance/score depends on the performance of others as well), and ADMU only accepts a certain number of students. However, don’t despair if you are waitlisted! Many of the applicants who passed decide not to enroll, so their slot is given to others. I have a classmate who was waitlisted, so she submitted a letter of appeal (you’ll be given instructions on how to do this later) and other requirements. A few months later, she was informed that she made it 😊

I hope this helped aspiring Ateneans! Feel free to message me/send me an ask if you have more questions about the ACET. Best of luck xx

[socsci11blog-blog]

Alin ang loob? Alin ang labas?

After reading about “loob” in the Alejo article, I have come to understand which aspects of my hybrid identity are more “loob” and which are more “labas.”

I believe that my being Filipina, Bicolana, probinsyana, Catholic, and Atenean—these labels—are more of “labas,” but the traditions, beliefs, and teachings that I have learned from being all these are more of “loob” because not only have I internalized and lived them out throughout my life, but I have also discovered myself more because of it.

On the other hand, my “loob” is composed of being family-oriented, a devotee to Ina, a Bigg’s and Shakey’s lover, a potato enthusiast, a bookworm, a Disney, Marvel, and LOTR fan, a manga reader, and so much more. These are the things people would only get to know if I would share a piece of myself to them. These are the things that I keep close to my heart.

In short,

ang labas ko ay iyong mga bagay na alam ng ibang tao tungkol sa akin kahit hindi pa nila ako lubos na kilala samantalang ang loob ko, ang sarili ko, ay makikilala lamang nang lubos ng aking kapwa kapag binuksan ko ito sa kanila, kapag naramdaman kong makapagkakatiwalaan ko sila.

[enlit12ww]

The sound of a car horn could be heard throughout the empty house of 16 year old Neo1 Tuazon, and the boy unwillingly got up from his perch on the couch to get in the car and head to school. Both his parents haven’t been home for a week, and he finds himself getting more and more used to this fact. He’s never been really close to the both of them, and it’s just something he has learned to live with. After asking his nanny for his overnight bag, he let out a sigh, remembering about the stupid immersion he has to participate in.

He’s never had the same excitement his batchmates had towards the required immersion2 of the Grade 10 students. He found it unnecessary; forced, even. He’s perfectly fine staying in his gated home and his airconditioned room, thank you very much.  Just imagining how small and cramped and filthy the place they’re required to go to fills him with such a feeling of contempt and dread.

He was then snapped out of his reverie when the gates of his school3  came into view. With feet heavy as gravel, he went to his class’ meeting place and followed the instructions of their moderator to file into lines and get into the buses leading to the immersion venue.

When they arrived in Boso-boso, Antipolo4, they were immediately asked to go to the assembly area, where they’re supposed to meet their foster family. With his heart drumming inside his ribcage, Neo took one hesitant step after the other.

As they reached the area, something peculiar instantly caught Neo’s attention. There was a boy, around 4 years old, cradled in a woman’s arms. There was visible distress on the lady’s face, but a tentative smile could also be seen gracing her lips as she watched Neo’s class hesitantly step inside the area.

As all of Neo’s classmates were called one by one to meet their foster families, he kept his eyes on the lady cradling the child. After what seemed like forever, his name was called, followed by a woman’s name.

“Neo Tuazon, with Nanay Sita, please.”

Just then, the lady with the child approached him. Amidst his surprise is a hint of curiosity, already feeling a little better about the entire project.

“Um, hi. I’m Neo. Neo Tuazon.”

Nanay Sita laughed a quiet laugh, careful not to jostle the child sleeping in her arms.

“Come then, Neo Tuazon. Follow me.”

Nanay Sita led him through a maze of alleys, until they reached a small, unimpressive house5. He was hesitant to go in, and his hesitation must have shown on his face because Nanay Sita gave him a small smile and said, “I know it isn’t much, but this is home. I hope you get to see it as such, too, during your short stay here.”

He felt embarrassed for his attitude. Something about disappointing this woman who seemed so inexorably kind felt a bit unbearable to Neo. And so he went in, and inside he saw an even smaller place than what the exterior of the house originally suggested. It was small, yes, but it felt more alive than his empty house ever did. There on the corner, staring wide-eyed at him are 2 little girls beside a pot-bellied man who was trying to give him a warm, wide grin. The scene was so foreign to Neo’s eyes that a furrow involuntarily formed in between his brows.

He was about to ask Nanay Sita to introduce him to the three strangers, but just then a hard, rocking cough jostled the peaceful boy sleeping in her arms.

Neo really didn’t know what happened next. The next thing he knows, there was blood splattered on the floor, the man ran to Nanay Sita’s side, and the two little girls burst out crying at the commotion. They were running out the door, and Neo was left standing there dumbfounded.

Everything went by so quickly and yet so slowly after that. After some time, all he remembers is their moderator ushering them back to the assembly area, and someone announcing that the immersion is cancelled until further notice. He remembered walking back to the bus, until their moderator pulled him aside.

“Neo…I don’t know if you’ve already heard of what happened.”

“What is it, sir?”

“Daniel, the son of Nanay Sita… has passed away.”6  A cold hand seemed to have run its fingers through Neo’s frozen spine.

“What? What do you mean?”

“The Ateneo has tried in the past to reach out to Nanay Sita to help with the treatment of Daniel’s illness. However, she told us that she has the situation under control. Not wanting to impose, we just let her be. We found out though that their family has never had enough money to take the kid to the hospital, and he just progressively got worse…until his body just gave up. He was gone before we even reached the hospital.”

Neo felt cold all over. He doesn’t even know Nanay Sita and their family that much, wasn’t even able to spend enough time with them, but he felt as if someone has punched a hole in his gut. Suddenly, the way he saw everything… changed. It was like an epiphany, if epiphanies could be this horrifying. Here he was, bemoaning a little discomfort, when all over the world families literally suffer through each day just to survive. Here he was, being so, so scared of going into this immersion, when in reality all he was scared of is shattering the illusion of perfection he has built around his life.

Neo wordlessly alighted the bus, watching as the road silently passed by, watching as the sun set on another day, trying to pretend that he was able to come out of the experience unchanged, but knowing in his heart of hearts that it would be a sin to even consider going back to the way he was before.

1 Comes from the Greek word “neos,” which means “new.” This name is symbolic of how the main character would learn to gain new perspectives and beliefs as he faces situations he has never experienced before.

2 Directly based on the immersion program of the Ateneo JHS, which every grade 10 student is required to have. It was deemed appropriate by the author of this modernization to make use of this particular program as a substitute for Siddhartha’s exposure to the world, if only because the immersion program also serves the purpose of exposing Ateneans to the realities of the world and the society outside the one they have grown accustomed to.

3 The setting of the story is the Ateneo, and the readers are given a glimpse to the main character’s experiences during his immersion program.

4 Directly based on one of the immersion sites of the immersion program; supplied by an anonymous source who went through the immersion program.

5 Again, directly based on the details supplied by the anonymous source.

6 A substitution for the 4 signs seen by Siddhartha. The author chose to focus on death, since she believes that this gives the most impact while still being plausible enough given the context of the story.

[spadesolace]

(more than) friendly rivalry

lasallian!yunjin x atenean!reader

yunjin as your lasallian girlfriend who doesn’t know who to cheer for when you’re playing for your own university versus her own

word count: 2.2k

another year another UAAP, an exciting event for everyone with the highlight of the entire event finally taking place, the finals. DLSU versus ADMU; some would say it’s the fight of elitists with both universities are known to house politicians, businessmen, and other familiar faces. long time rivals - both civilized and good sports to the event.

yunjin had tried her best to get the seat closest to the match itself without possibly getting hit in the face by a volleyball. luckily, with her connections, she managed to find a seat in between DLSU and ADMU. her lingering eyes wonder as she looks for her friends, not without taking a quick glance at the arena and looking for a certain middle blocker.

the sounds of cheer as yunjin watched her university’s women’s volleyball team - the lady spikers - run out to the main court; it was no surprise to have everyone on the left side screaming on top of their lungs. some of the players smiled and waved back to their adoring fans, yet the middle blocker is nowhere in sight.

“YUNJIN! UY!” her eyes landed on her small feisty friend - hanni, who was waving her hands to get her attention.

“girl, you didn’t have to scream at me.” settling down on her seat, that is closer to the opposing team, hanni could only flip her off. fixing her outfit and looking at their university’s volleyball team.

“i know but don’t be so obvious naman that you’re looking for your bebe.” 

“oo nga, quick reminder yunjin, she’s still in our rival school.” somi is quick to remind the girl who is wearing their school’s name on her windbreaker that despite it being all for fun and title of champions for the event- Ateneo De Manila is still their rival school.

“you’re quick to judge when your ex is literally in the roaring tigers, somi. but they’re right, yunjin.” giselle adjusted herself to look at yunjin, a small smile on her face as some members of the opposing team started walking out.

“uy, don’t forget, you’re fighting with everyone for her attention.” the screams from the right side only became louder as yunjin looked at the person waving. the number 8 printed on the back of her shirt, with her surname printed on top, hair tied in a high ponytail, even signing volleyballs for the kids seated in front. middle blocker of the lady eagles.

yunjin eyes never left the middle blocker of the opposing team, there was something about you that has her on a chokehold. she’s watched all of your games whether it was in the comfort of her room as she takes a brain break from writing scripts and listening to sound boards to physically watching your games at the arena.

she wanted to scream your name, and it didn’t help that she was merely a few feet away.

being the co-captain and middle blocker of the lady eagles, you were automatically in the starting line up. a huge smile on your face as you remove your shirt, finally showing the royal blue jersey underneath, the screams of the Atenean louder than before as your eyes look for a certain Lasallian in the crowd. yunjin’s gaze never left you as you continued looking for her.

“fuck, why is your bebe so attractive, yun.” the entire group now looking at you, hanni was about to stand up again and wave at your direction only for somi to pull her back down.

“itong si hanni, we said lowkey not let the entire arena and everyone watching catch your attention.” yunjin could only laugh, watching hanni and pout and express how she wanted the courtside report of Ateneo to look at her.

there you stood in all your glory, finally catching a glimpse of yunjin sitting by the front row middle seat. a smile on your face as she waves at you, a part of you wants to run and kiss her before the game but the other half is to let her have her peace and enjoy the game.

“hey, y/n. one last pep talk sabi ni coach.” a small wave and there you go running to your teammates who looked at you with teasing smiles and playfully pushing you.

once the game started, yunjin couldn’t focus on her own university when you’ve been serving aces back to back switching from a jump float serve to a topspin serve. anyone could see the fire in your eyes as you target the setter, not even a full rotation in and you’re racking up points. the conflict of whether she’d cheer for you or her own university is slowly getting to her.

“another service ace from ateneo’s very own shin y/n. grabe simula palang pero todo hataw tong si shin.” no one assumed you’d be such a strong suit in your team, and already making your team have a 3 point lead simply from service aces.

“AND…! RECEIVED BY DLSU’S LIBERO, HERE TO END ATENEO’S STREAK!” the crowd screams, and finally yunjin sees you running towards the net ready to block, the rally continues as you successfully block the attack.

slowly people are standing up, no one is letting the ball drop as this makes or breaks the momentum for both sides. yunjin watches you back up as the setter sends the ball towards your direction. only for the ace to score, letting ateneo take the point.

she sees the bright smile on your face, the camera pointed directly at you as the entire arena watches in awe as the captains of the team share a hug and a high five. the crowd filled with different shades of blue cheered, the band playing louder along with the many cheers for Ateneo’s Lady Eagles.

“GO ATENEO! ONE BIG FIGHT!” the crowd cheered and yunjin felt the urge to scream with them, maybe not yet but her girlfriend is a few feet away, taking quick glances at her before serving the ball again. the sounds of cheer as DLSU got its first match of the game.

“WOOOH! ANIMO LA SALLE!” the group cheered, now feeling the hype of the game and how fierce it would be. the fire in your eyes is now brighter as DLSU serves, while your girlfriend is in her seat wearing her school’s merch - wishing it would be your school merch she’s wearing.

set 4, the lady eagles are in the lead taking 2 sets while the lady spikers have 1. giselle feels agitated as you were about to serve again, now on the left side of the court. somi and hanni are holding hands hoping that your serve would go out while yunjin simply took her phone out to take a picture of her girlfriend moments before you finally serve.

“SERVICE ACE ULIT KAY SHIN! GRABE ANG NGITI NI COACH HWANG! ANG MOMENTUM NASA LADY EAGLES!” the girls groan, they love you but it was all for the sake of the name of their school as champions.

“GO Y/N!! MY SEXY SEXY LOVE! WOOOH ONE BIG FIGHT!” the three looked at their friend who is now full on cheering for the opposing team, a few side eyes from the people on their left and laughter from the right.

“yunjin, why not tell your girlfriend TO STOP SENDING SERVES THAT CANNOT BE HIT!” hanni shook the girl who is now smiling as she took a quick glance at the middle blocker of the lady eagles who was giggling at the cheer.

“ayaw ko, that’s my sexy love playing.”

hanni could only smack yunjin with a balloon with De La Salle University written on it. “mapagkakamalan ka delulu, yun.”

the girls sit in anticipation, watching you get ready to serve again after settling a bit down from hearing yunjin cheering you on using the iconic cheer from she’s dating the gangster.

“si Shin kinikilig! JOWA REVEAL?” one of your friends screams, a familiar voice to yunjin as she takes a quick glance at the group on the other side of the court waving a picture of their friend high. your teammates looking at you as they process what jay had mentioned. that was on you for deciding to keep the relationship on the low as to not make yunjin feel uncomfortable under the spotlight and be known simply as your girlfriend. yet, here she is screaming on top of her lungs to show her support for you while wearing her school’s name.

yunjin has been your biggest supporter, you’re well aware of how much she loves and adores you from back then in senior high school. before anything else, you were a Lasallian once but Ateneo seemed like the perfect place for you to pursue your undergraduate degree. you have no one to thank for the amazing support rather than from your own girlfriend - even if it means beating her university.

the arena became quiet, hearing the whistle and watching you perfect your serve. everything felt slow as your serve made it pass the court, some would say that was the strongest serve of the game but it was outside. cheers from the left side, giselle and somi standing up and jumping finally your streak coming to an end.

“ANIMO LA SALLE! LET’S GO!” yunjin screams as the crowd goes wild, making DLSU at set point ready to win the entire set. 

“ghurl, nasaan loyalty mo?” giselle could only judge her friend is keeps on switching sides whenever DLSU would score a point or when you would score a point.

“THAT’S WHERE MY LOYALTY LIES!” yunjin pointed at you as you apologized to your teammates.

to everyone on their side, they would question whether she was truly from LaSalle or from Ateneo wearing a DLSU merch.

“damn, calm down. she’s looking at you.” yunjin never turned her head so fast that she almost got whiplashed but there you were in position, smiling at her and signalling her to calm down.

“if ateneo gets this point, we won’t get a chance to see this game end.” hanni pulled both somi and giselle down in order to watch the game properly and see the game. seeing it was their setter getting ready to serve, one that you’re familiar with.

it didn’t take long for you and karina to act upon your moves. not only is she a setter but can also switch from an outside hitter, and the same goes to you as the middle blocker who can switch positions at any given moment. it felt like a move from an anime, watching you set the ball onto karina who had perfectly targeted an open area that cannot be reached in time. a point to Ateneo!

the match extends, with both teams at 24 and with wonyoung serving, it would be easy to rack up those remaining two points to win the title of champion.

yunjin could only watch in awe. her girlfriend never looked so fierce and ready to attack, watching the rally after wonyoung’s serve. she’s reminded of how much the middle blocker is the hidden weapon of their university. the last two points were achieved by your very own outside hitter and fully blocking the offense of DLSU.

“AND ATENEO TAKES THE WIN! LET’S GET A REPLAY.” yunjin screams as the lady eagles gathered around and start jumping from their win. yunjin screaming made everyone on their side look at her as if she was crazy but seeing you running towards their side with the biggest smile.

“I- I DID THAT?!”

“YOU DID THAT!”

yunjin did the unthinkable and kissed you while the camera was panned on you two. the whole arena and everyone watching at home seeing the interaction as you kiss her back with so much passion. coach hwang had nothing to say as you deserved it, letting you celebrate in your own way before you head out later with the team to celebrate.

“yunnie, wait. we’re on national tv.” it was too late for yunjin to realize what she had done.

“HUH? WAIT… OH MY GOSH- I’M SO-” but it didn’t stop you from kissing her again.

“ang lalandi.” giselle complained yet still took pictures of the interaction as karina pulled you aside, not without waving at yunjin and her friends.

“come on, we gotta do the post game interview before we close the entire event. from the looks of it you’ll get MVP and best middle blocker. or an interview about your lasallian girlfriend.”

“shut up, rina.”

post game interviews mostly focused on your play and thoughts during the game, of course ateneo’s own courtside reporter wouldn’t miss the chance to ask regarding yunjin, taking note of her being from DLSU.

“so, do you perhaps have anything to share with your adoring fans who watched you being kissed by a student of the opposing team?” you could only laugh at the comment, yunjin rarely does anything drastic and considering how the spotlight is on you - with multiple videos circulating on social media already.

“well, as my friend shouted kanina na jowa reveal, that would be my girlfriend of 3 years. i’m long taken and out of the market from our long time rivals.”

in the background of your interview, yunjin smiles proudly as you announce to the whole country how in love you are with her. even getting a few teases from your teammates as they gather around you; you could only thank yunjin.

[spadesolace]

BIG4 AU MASTERLIST

lasallian

(more than) friendly rivalry - lasallian! yunjin x lady eagles! reader

catch it then keep it -lasallian! yeji x atenean! reader

- lasallian! minji x thomasian! reader

thomasian

analyze my heart - thomasian!chaewon x lasallian!reader

thomasian! seulgi x lasallian! reader

- thomasian! hanni x thomasian! reader

iskolar ng bayan

status quo (pending title) - iskolar! karina x atenean! reader

- iskolar! jihyo x lasallian! reader

atenean

- atenean! wonyoung x lasallian! reader

- atenean! kazuha x lasallian! reader

OTHERS

le sserafim as your big4 gfs

iskolar! karina text hc (wip)

[spadesolace]

please publish big4au lasallian yeji x atenean reader please!!

the way i haven’t finished any of my drafts bc of classes but spoilers ^^

[spadesolace]

big 4 univ but newjeans editionnnnn

lasallian engineering student minji na nakikipagcompete sa botb every year - typical famous sa campus and has a lot of admirers (maraming nagcoconfess sa anonymous page 😭😭😭😭) (very malinis tignan, has cool school fits) may car ‘to for sure (something honda civic)

thomasian literature (ab) / tourism (cthm) student hanni na nasa honors lagi and kasali sa singing competitions every event - maraming admirers and maraming natatanggal na letters and gifts kapag valentine’s day (amoy baby, literal talaga kaya maraming nagccling sa kanya 😭😭) (kasali sa mga kind and conyo girlies - nagala after class always and everyday) (joyride girlie since malapit lang naman condo niya sa campus)

atenean culinary student na kasali sa student council danielle - laging nanonominate sa school pageants and lagi ring nananalo 😵‍💫😵‍💫 (chika and acads yung priority) (girl’s girl 😭😭😭 feel ko siya yung nagaapproach sa girl kapag natagusan or ganyan then bibigyan niya ng unused napkin niya na available) (lagi kang issave sa kahihiyan 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻) (fave student ng professors niya) (maraming naffriendzone 😬😬😬😬, friendly kasi sa lahat)

thomasian fine arts student (cfad) / nursing (or something related sa med) and ust salinggawi dancer haerin - famous pero lowkey and private person na minsan lang makita sa campus kasi busy sa acads pero kapag lumalabas na, maraming nagggreet sa kanya sa hallways (friendly and smiley naman once na makaencounter mo sha - maganda ngiti neto masyado kaya maraming nahuhulog), amoy baby daw (proven and tested - out of league ng nakakaramihan, happy crush ng lahat) BASTA MARAMING ADMIRERS 😤😤 (may car din, color gray or white - siguro mazda cx-50 na gift sa kanya ng dad niya) (maraming nagpapapic after ng shift niya??????) (fresh pa din kahit med student)

thomasian shs humss student hyein na sumasali sa mga debate competitions - future attorney hyein me thinks (typa girl na aakalain mo na masungit pero maingay and approachable pala) (maganda na, nageexcel pa sa acads fr) (laging hinahatid ng daddy niya pagpasok 😭😭😭😭😭) (suited din sha sa feu actually, kaso big 4 edi ust nalang 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻) (may kalog moments 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫) (may tiktok acc para sa vlogs niya for her ust journey - short vlogs sa tiktok na puro vids lang na kumakain at gumagastos siya)

halata ba na haerin biased ako……. bye

- 🩵

3/5 thomasian… girl, why?

engineering major lasallian! minji with atenean! reader, for sure this girl is both brains and beauty but downside girlie has no time for you bc HELLO ENGINEERING MAJOR???? famous on and off campus, always ALWAYS being posted on the freedom wall

shoutout to my crush minji, looks like a red flag but i’m colorblind so idc

but then again, who said atenean! reader isn’t famous as well

thomasian! hanni… i still see her as an architecture major. she sorta screams red flag behavior. for this ask, tourism major thomasian! hanni. SUPER FRIENDLY! this girl is an introvert but her major requires her to be an extrovert. paired this with lasallian! journalism major reader and that’s a pair that is required to be extroverts in their own world. well known at campus - like she probably has been picked to model the uniforms.

CULINARY MAJOR ATENEAN! DANIELLE!!! i have nothing else to say but she’s the greenest or green flags - problem is you’re the delinquent in the relationship. will cook her way to your heart but will also find a way to understand you to the point that everything can be communicated… its for sure a thomasian! reader

HAERIN 🫵 tbh i don’t see haerin as a thomasian, sorry anon but similar sense with minji, this girl is just too busy to have a relationship at the moment. CAREER DRIVEN BUT HELLO, EVERYONE LIKES HER AND IS GETTING SHOUTOUTS IN ALMOST EVERY MAJOR EVENT! fresh after duty at ust hospital like she is very meticulous with everything - probably the only green flag in the thomasian! idols… i feel like thomasian! reader would be a good pairing for this

pre med major! haerin… but lasallian biomed major haerin!!!!! who you met at campus during arw as an officer of your org and getting her to sign up (even getting her socials in the process). yes, she’s busy af but so are you and tbh your majors aren’t that far and you see each other at the science building 😭

hyein as a humss shs student - about to be a lawyer but also lowkey influencer. IF THIS GIRL IS TIKTOK FAMOUS YK WHERE SHE’S GOING FOR COLLEGE 🫵 hyein and eunchae would be besties for sure. stem! student eunchae and humss! student hyein superior pairing (platonic alright) daddy’s girl or- thomasian! hanni’s girlfriend would be willing to drive hyein to school 🥰

yeah, halata na haerin biased ka anon…

[spadesolace]

what if iskolar ng bayan na law student si reader tas hanggang admiring from a far kay karina

andaming thoughts wait lang

iskolar ng bayan law student reader meets atenean law student karina. within the same area nagkikita minsan sa UP Town Center or sa mga bars within katipunan

always within the same area, pero never nag-uusap