Breaking the Monotony

Breaking the Monotony  

John Remar G. Añasco

“I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves, all combine to create a sense of peace and calmness.” This aphorism from an anonymous writer reminds someone that if one seeks for relaxation, peace of mind, and time for himself/herself, there’s a place where tranquility, stillness and calmness can possibly be felt, - the beach.

In a student’s life and journey toward achieving the pinnacles of one’s field, it is already  given that most of a student’s life will be spent in the four corners of the academe where he/she enrolled. Sometimes, life in school may get boring because of the monotony of the activities that transpire each day. Making one’s assignment, preparing one’s self for school, attending classes, conversing with friends, complying exhausting projects and meeting the deadlines are just some of the usual stuff that a student does whenever he/she is in school. Tiring, isn’t it?

Students do need time to relax and discover places that are away from the four corners of the classroom. It’s something new when a class holds their session not in the premises of the school but rather in the beach. Just like what the teacher of the Mass Communication students of COC- PHINMA did. She opted to hold their three (hour) class outside the campus to let the students actually see and feel the hidden treasures of a beach. Interesting!

On the Subject

            As future media practitioners, the vigorous Mass Communication students of COC-PHINMA excitedly attended their class on Writing for Print which teaches the students the basics on writing praiseworthy news articles and feature articles. The subject may sometimes be tricky but with sheer determination and tremendous focus on the students’ part to get the gist of the lessons in Writing for Print that will be discussed by the teacher, the subject will then turn out as an undemanding subject and that students will feel at ease about it.

On the Students

            The gorgeous and the exquisite third year Mass Communication students of COC- PHINMA, together with their undeniably alluring instructor, Mrs. Braziel L. Ongcachuy, have decided to spend their 3 hour class in one of the most visited beaches here in Misamis Oriental, nonetheless, the Ajis Beach Resort.

On the Beach

Ajis Beach Resort was a perfect venue for the discussion of the students. The wind blows through their hair. The warm sun bathes their skin. Soft fine sand caresses their feet. The waves sing to a perfect rhythm and the Talisay trees gently sway against the breeze. If one loves the sun and the sea, the beach is the right destination for anybody. The sea was very calm that day; it was on a sunny Monday. Since it was not a weekend, anyone can only then spot of a lesser number of people who are spending their time and relaxing in the beach. “Let’s call it a day!”That was exactly the line which one of the students said after their discussions with regard to the various types of Feature articles.

Indeed, breaking a monotony can be one of the best techniques of a teacher to impart knowledge to his/her students. Students, in no doubt, are also seeking for a new environment aside from the classrooms where classes are supposed to be done. However, who would not want to learn and enjoy at the same time? As what they say, learning should be fun.

Amber Cyberlink II

tik-tok amber & johan.wmv

BA-I-RAN

An Indie- Film produced by College of Arts and Sciences, Cagayan de Oro College- PHINMA,  in cooperation of its students from the Mass Communication Department.
The film was shown for three days which competed for various awards. Its competitors are JOJO PILOSOPO from the College of Education and PIKTYOR from the College of Management and Accountancy.

The red carpet Awarding Ceremony was held at the school's auditorium.
Below is the list of awards bagged by BA-I-RAN.

Thank You COC-PEN'S Indi- Film Festival..
I was able to bag my first acting Award..
Congratulations BA-I-RAN!
*Best Picture
*Best Screen Play 

*Best Musical Scoring
*Best Director
*Best Supporting Actor
*Best Actress
and of course
* BEST ACTOR(myself)

MY P-H-I-L-O-S-O-P-H-Y in LIFE

“No two individuals are alike”, a cliché adage that reminds me that each of our traits, talents, beliefs and even our philosophies in life vary from one another. A person’s philosophy will vary depending on one’s life experiences. I believe that no two people will have seen life in the same way. There would be many people that have similar philosophies on life but none of them would exactly be the same. I will share my ideas and thoughts on what is my philosophy in life. The way I have experienced life has made me change my way of thinking more than once, and I am sure it will change again. What is my purpose in life? What is anybody’s purpose in life? That’s a mundane question that we all deal with, why are we here, what is the point of life?
If I would have asked these questions a couple of years ago I would have answered it with, “I have no idea”. Back then I really had know idea why I am here, or what I am supposed to be doing. It seems that all I cared about was to be happy and enjoy life to its fullest. I would live with the philosophy of, live one day at a time.

As a second year, AB- Mass Communication student of COC- Phinma, I believe that I have many more years left on Earth, and in my life span, I should have accomplished my visions in life. Personally, I stand on my own principles about life. I have my own principles when it come to love, life, relationships, studies and other things that would affect my life in the near future.
As a good son of my parents and a brother to my siblings, I am looking forward to giving them a a well-off living. That’s why, as early as now, I am liable when it comes to my students and as much as I could, I should maintain a high grade. I am doing this because I know that I wouldn’t be able to reach the pinnacles of my field without focusing well on my studies.

Three of the most important principles that I firmly stand with about life is when it comes to duties and responsibilities, my set of standards in life and when it comes to love. My view in life about duty is that duty for me is that of a commitment to someone or something. It involves some risks & sacrifice. My standards in life in achieving my goal is to be what I am & to become what I am capable of becoming. Goal planning challenges me to give my life a direction by
making some exercises & strategies. I keep in my mind that God gave me the freedom
to control my own life.I make sure I enjoy myself in achieving my goals in life. I
commit myself to it. On the other hand, my standards in life in making a choice is to work hard, do my best & let whatever happens happen. I believe that the single most important thing we can do in life is to serve the purpose for which we were created. This is my principle in life. My view in life about love is that love comes from God. I believe that to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength and Love your neighbor as yourself are the two most important things in life. I would like to share some of my favorite verses in the bible about love: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." - 1 Cor. 13:4-7 , "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16).

And lastly, I am so resilient with this line that says, “Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
give the world your best anyway”.

Tatarin (Descriptive Essay)

One of the best dramas I have ever read was the drama entitled “Tatarin” by Nick Joaquin. Personally, I would like to thank our Philippine Literature instructor Mr. Joseph Estroga for giving us the chance not only to read but to watch the movie Tatarin. The task given to me now is to write a narrative essay regarding the conflict in the drama Tatarin and I should relate it to any of my significant experiences in the past. Go on and read this blog post and you will be able to know the conflict that I have chosen and the experience I have related with it.


The type of conflict that I have chosen in the drama was the conflict between man and himself. This conflict happened when Juanito (the son of Don Paeng and Doña Lupe) had a role confusion. The role confusion that I am referring here was when Juanito had a difficulty on identifying on what role he should play, will he remain to be a boy that is being supervisioned by his maids and his parents or will he be a señorito that will be partly independent from his parents and be followed by his housemaids. Yes! That scene indeed cuffed my attention. It happened near the Balete tree during the day fo the feast of St. John when Juanito and a housemaid happened to meet there and they had a tête-à-tête. During their conversation, Juanito was palpably conscious on the way he talks and acts that’s why in the end of their talk, Juanito asked the maid to if they could have a kiss on the lips so that Juanito will be able to prove to himself that he is no longer a juvenile lad. When I’m going to connect the scenario to my past experiences, the first thing that will come into my mind is when I have experienced role confusion way back my High School years. During that time, my family and relatives kept on convincing me that I should not act like a girl. They have done it because they have noticed that I started to possess womanly characteristics. Since then, I was confused on how will I react to different situations. Will I be a man? Or a man trapped in a man’s body? But now, I decided to be who I am. I have chosen that thing that will make me completely happy. I have no regret on whom and what I am right now. What matters most is that I am happy as well as the people around me.


Life is indeed full of enigma. And as human beings, we often face confusions. We just have to deal with these confusions in the right manner. Because these confusions are tests for us to develop a higher reasoning when it comes to making a decision. To my colleagues who are experiencing role confusion, worry not! You just have to be you. Stick on the thing that makes you happy. Be true! Be you! God Bless Us All!!