1. Nothing beats having a beer with your best bros.
"I hate beer, pero gusto ko yung kwentuhan." (Mujer, 2013)
That sentence always came out of my mouth whenever there was a conversation about drinking. Beer tastes horrible, but I have no problem drinking it as long as I'm with good company. In 2013, I had two memorable drinking sessions to celebrate my 18th birthday. One was with some of my high school best bros, the other with my college roommates.
(high school best bros)
(college best bros)
Both of them were epic, to say the least, and I have the pictures and videos to prove it (though they may never see the light of day again). What makes drinking one of the best ways to bond is because everyone is frank and unreserved, even when they're drunk or not. I guess it's a sort of natural response to having beer around, but whatever the case, this being unreserved makes for having even more epic conversations that one wouldn't normally have. The drunk antics and wild confessions are a big plus as well. More importantly, by the time you wake up in the morning with a throbbing hangover, you'll learn to appreciate your best bros even more. From me to you, go have a beer from time to time with your best buds. The hangover will be worth it.
2. Never forget who your true friends are...
Ever since the greatest years of my life ended, I've only been with my high school barkada a few times. However, nothing really changed during those few times we hanged out. In fact, it's like high school all over again every single time. The last time we hanged out (or at least most of us) was July 31, 2013, and even now, I don't feel that we're apart. I realized that as long as you don't forget them, true friends will always be true friends. Look at pictures, cherish the memories, plan more outings. That's what I've been doing, and every single time I do it, I appreciate the fact that I'll never really be alone in life. People come and go, but true friends don't.
3. ...but make way for new friends too.
Here's a confession: I don't like most of the people I meet in college. They're just not the type of people I'd like to hangout with, and for most of the past two years, I was pretty much alone. While most people I know hangout with their college friends, I still chose to hangout with my friends from high school. Then I realized I should open up to people more, step away from my comfort zone, and well...stop being quiet and start talking. Only when I did all of those did I begin to really get to know these guys:
These are my JTA Fall blockmates, and they're some of the best bunch of people I know. The short time we spent together were some of the best I had in college. I'll never forget them. Thank you, 2013.
4. There will always be that one person who will make everything okay.
2013 was probably my most stressful year in terms of academics. The amount of all nighters I needed to do and the effort I exerted was five times more than the previous two years. Any other man would've broke down from all the stress, but I didn't, and it's all because of one person:
That woman was always there for me. She made it her mission to make me happy whenever I was down, and she helped me realize that whatever happens, everything will be ok. With every requirement, she was my inspiration. She pushed me to do better in my academics, and become a better person as well. She's my silver lining. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Christien Bernadette Meneses Lo. I love you.
5. Travelling is living.
2013 was a year of blessings as well. The past year, I was lucky enough not just to travel one country, but two.
(South Korea)
(Vietnam)
Travelling makes me feel even more alive. Although I'm a homebody, I'll never forego the chance to explore new places and go on an adventure. Every trip, whether in the Philippines or abroad, reminds me of how grateful I should be for the life I have. Once again, thank you for the opportunity, 2013. I hope 2014 will be an even better one with my 4-month Junior Term Abroad. Cheers to making this good life an even better one!
6. Judging comes with learning to admit your mistakes.
I'm a judgmental person (the silent type). 90% of the time, I'm right about my judgments. Whether it's a "gift" or not, I don't know. I've made a few mistakes, of course, but none as worse as the one I made a few months ago. I won't name the person, but she made me realize how wrong I can be. She also changed the way I looked at people I don't exactly know. Whatever the things I said about her a few months ago...scrap that. She's the exact opposite.
7. "If you do it right, you'll love where you are."
My parents have always believed in what I could do, and they pushed me to become what I can be, but I never did help myself. This changed come October 2013. After coming off from a bad semester, I promised myself that I'll do better this time around. I exerted more effort into studying and made more time for it. Now that my grades are coming out, I can say that I'm reaping the rewards. "...in life you're gonna go far, if you do it right, you'll love where you are." And indeed you will. Thanks, Jason Mraz!
8. The only way out is through.
My mantra for every exam (ESPECIALLY oral exams) I had to take the past year. And doesn't it apply to some aspects of life, as well? Sometimes, you just have to take on challenges whether you're ready or not, because whatever happens, you will always overcome it.
9. Everything passes with time.
This year, like any other, had its ups and downs. But 2013 probably had the deepest of downs. However, whatever sadness or pain I felt the past year are now gone. In 2013, I've learned to move on more quickly and let myself off the hook for all the things I've done. These and so much more are only possible with the passage of time.
10. Family must always be above everything else.
Having a family who loves you is one of the few sure things in this world. Bond with them, love them, and never ever forget them. My family is my sanctuary.
(too cute)
11. A true man is a man with class.
My time in the Ateneo may not exactly be the best years of my life, but I will never regret going to college there. My past few years, especially 2013, in the Ateneo made me a man; a man that knows the importance of having class. With my impending 19th birthday coming up...I can truly say that I've grown up (at least in some aspects).
12. Reality sucks sometimes. You just have to man up and deal with it.
Just when you think life is good, reality slaps you in the face. It hurts, but there's nothing you can do but be a man and face it head on. 2013 taught me that you'll never get anywhere by being afraid. My childhood is long gone. Welcome to existence.
13. Only when you fall out of love can real love begin.
There's only one thing that stuck with me from my recently finished theology subject, and this is it. In the words of my professor, "Every couple will eventually fall out of love. When that happens, only when you choose to stick with that person can you say that your love is true."
It makes sense, doesn't it?
The past year has been a turning point in my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you, 2013. It's been a blast.
