Flongology

17/06/2026

This was me in high school.

A 12-year-old kid from Davao who suddenly found himself studying at Manila High School in Intramuros.

And before I continue, let me remind the younger generation:

Welcome to 1999.

No Facebook.

No TikTok.

No smartphones.

No group chats.

If somebody wanted to insult you, they had to do it face-to-face.

And trust me, my classmates were more than willing to make the effort.

Moving from Mindanao to Manila at that age wasn't easy.

From "bulad" nga lami kaayo to "daing" nga wa jud ko kasabot unsay lasa.

From speaking Bisaya every day to trying my best not to sound like I just arrived from another island.

Did it work?

Of course not.

My accent was very thick!

And since teenagers can smell a different accent faster than sharks can smell blood, I immediately became a target.

I was the new kid.

I was from Mindanao, and some people seemed to think the entire island was just Mt. Apo.

Some of them were shocked to learn that we actually had a TV at home.

I had a thick Bisaya accent.

And I was only 12 years old.

Perfect combination.

Was I bullied?

Of course.

But did I allow myself to be bullied?

Absolutely not.

I am from Mindanao.

Davaoeña akong mama, Waray akong papa! Boholano akong Lolo ug Lola.

We don't surrender that easily.

Let's just say I learned very quickly how to defend myself.

Now, before you think I was the perfect student because I ended up in Section 1...

Let me stop you right there.

I was not an angel.

Not even close.

Let's just say I wasn't a stranger to the principal's office, I got called there at least twice. 😅

And by "called," I mean I was in trouble.

Apparently, being "pasaway" was one of my extracurricular activities.

The funny thing is that after a while, I became so familiar with the Principal that I sometimes joke that we were best friends.

If you look closely at my graduation photo, you'll probably notice her expression (that lady in violet hahaha.) Boys should not wear make up. This is 2002 for you, kids.

I think she was more shocked by my makeup than she was proud of my academic achievements.

Ma'am, if you're reading this, thank you for your patience.

I know I tested it.

Repeatedly.

Even with all the drama, the culture shock, the accent jokes, and my occasional appearances in the principal's office, I kept my grades up. When graduation came around, I finished as Rank 8 in our batch.

And mind you, we were not a small batch.

During our fourth year, we had around 20 sections.

And while some people remembered me for my thick Bisaya accent, others probably remembered me for the hairstyle that my Chemistry teacher hated so much.

Some remembered how I made life difficult for classroom reporters who came unprepared.

Others might remember when a bunch of underdogs like us defeated the school's academic favorites in the Investigatory Project competition.

Looking back, I wasn't the most well-behaved student.

I wasn't the most popular either.

But one thing was certain:

The Bisaya kid from Davao was never going to stay unnoticed.

17/06/2026

A Short Story😅😅😅

17/06/2026

𝐍𝐚-𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐝 𝐛𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐲𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?

This just popped up on my newsfeed.
I would say:
Relevance: 7/10 (she stayed on the theme of culture and heritage)
Directness: 4/10 (did not clearly answer "how do we ensure")
Content/Substance: 5/10 (mostly inspirational statements)
Delivery impact: depends on how confidently and eloquently it was delivered

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑 👑
Fiel Chesca Lambid Abarca • SAN FRANCISCO
Bae Naliyagan - Agusan del Sur • Grand Winner
Province of Agusan del Sur

PRESENTED BY
🗂️ Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur
📁 SALVO Events
📸 Franco Studio
🫡 Kudos to the Whole Team

LOVE & SUPPORT LOCAL PAGEANTS ❤️
The Future of Philippines Pageantry 👑
"Inspire Greatness • Achieve Excellence"

ANGAT ANG GANDANG FILIPINA! 🇵🇭

17/06/2026

Lately, I have been seeing many reels and posts from incoming freshmen documenting their journey from one college to another, hoping to secure a slot before enrollment closes. You can see them lining up, submitting requirements, taking entrance examinations, attending interviews, and asking around for any course that still has available slots.

What is alarming is that many of them are no longer looking for a course that matches their interests, abilities, or long-term goals. They are simply hoping to get accepted somewhere. Yet despite their efforts, many still end up unsuccessful, even in programs that are not considered popular or highly sought after.

Among the many things I encounter during enrollment, one concern stands out the most:

Many students are choosing courses not because they love them, not because they are good at them, and not because they dream of becoming professionals in that field.

They choose whatever course still has available slots.

Some were not able to qualify for their first choice. Some did not meet the required entrance scores. Others struggled during the evaluation and interview. So instead of finding a course that matches their skills and interests, they simply enroll wherever there is an open seat.

This may solve today's problem, but it can create a bigger problem in the future.

Imagine studying for four years in a course you do not enjoy. Imagine spending money, time, and effort on something you are not interested in. Imagine graduating and entering a job that does not fit your abilities.

College is not just about getting a slot. It is about preparing for the life and career you want to build.

A course should not be chosen because it is available. It should be chosen because it matches your strengths, interests, and goals.

This is becoming a serious concern. We are seeing students enter programs they do not understand, do not like, and sometimes do not even have the basic skills for. The result is often low performance, loss of motivation, shifting courses, dropping out, or graduating without direction.

The harsh reality is this: college is not for everyone at the same time, in the same way, and under the same circumstances.

If you are not yet qualified for the course you want, the answer is not always to settle for any available program. Sometimes the answer is to step back, improve your skills, strengthen your weaknesses, and come back better prepared.

There is no shame in taking extra time to grow. The real tragedy is spending years chasing a diploma in a field you never wanted and were never prepared for in the first place.

The wrong course can cost years of your life. The right course can change it.

17/06/2026

Girl, kung wala ang Boomers, wala na-develop ang gi-invent nga Internet sa mga Silent Generation. Kung walay Internet, dili ka mag-enjoy ng imuhang 3++ remote job! Halhal ra ka, kasagaran sa inyuhang generation kay di man gani kabalo mukiskis og lubot sa kaldero.

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

Ang pinakabibo nga batch sa ABEL. Asa namooooooooo.

15/06/2026

These individuals were among my top priorities this academic year. I kept breathing down the necks of their adviser and instructors to ensure that their thesis deficiencies would not be carried over into the next academic cycle. The process was not always easy, and I am sure I annoyed a few people along the way, but the objective remained the same: help these students complete their thesis requirements and avoid further delays toward graduation.

Looking back, I'm pleased to see that nigamay na gyud ang mga naa sa akong listahan nga irregular students. This coming enrolment period, usa-usahon na pud nato ning mga irregulars aron masuta kung unsa juy gikawilihan ani nila sa askat.