Dispatches by Adrian Conoza

How 1st semester turned out? 6 This fourth year, I took an opportunity in a radio broadcasting contest, one of the contests in a District School Press Conference, out of interest in the said media. We practiced scriptwriting and news delivery for days. And at the day of the contest, the pressure was on. It was a challenging match for 2 hours, and we arrived at a script that's nice despite of the errors. Then, we delivered the script in a form of a 5-minute news broadcast. There was good teamwork working among our team of 7. Despite of the difficulties and slip-offs, I can say that we've done a great job. But with this I had a doubt if I could do this further when while we're in this contest, my classmates are busy in the classroom with our teachers. I fear of the activities and seatworks and quizzes that I'll miss. I'm unsure if I can handle the matters in both sides—the curricular and the extra-curricular. I prayed that others will be picked for the team to compete...

How 1st semester turned out? 1 'Semester' is more applicable in college, but as a high school student, 'semestral break' rings as a sign of relief and repose after the hustle and bustle of first and second quarters. It always turns out, though, to be a one-week holiday when it could have been two weeks, because the suspension of classes during the devastating monsoons takes those days away. More suspension equates to less sembreak. I should be thankful, anyway. It's good enough to rest and relax for a week before we, science high school students, ignite our engines and start functioning again. Another thing, the fear and anticipation for another week will be relieved for at least one Sunday. And we can take longer rests at last, although it still depends on the person. As I take the time to both work and play this sembreak, I also reminisce the past two quarters. We've just started on third quarter, and I think it's now time for me to improve in the last two...

We're finally at the final 10! At last! What to expect? It's yours to unfold. Well, you really have to listen. You may find these songs nice and put it in your cellphones—ahem—smartphones. So why don't you give them a try? Let's unfold these remarkable songs I listened at third year. 10. " You got to push, got to shove" Life On The Nickel|Foster The People Yeah yeah yeah. We have FTP again...or FTPs. Anyway, aside from the unique electronic and pop-ish sound of FTP, the words of "Hustling", a.k.a. "Life On The Nickel", is relative to how my day to day life turned out before. For me, the word hustling is like working in the wee hours of the night and staying awake like an insomniac. Working here, working there. I also like the pumped-up live version . 9. " But then I act like I know everything" Broken Jaw|Foster The People Yeah yeah...A slow progression followed by a DJ-like upbeat tempo. That's how I'll describe "Br...

Before I unfold the top 10 songs of my third year, I now share these songs that I've found out from the 80s that made its way to my ears during third year. 10. " There is no historical precedent/ To put the words in the mouth of the President" Russians|Sting One thing's for sure: I was fond of Sting during third year. I've learned this song from a Sting concert aired on Myx. I like the origin of this song: an invention of a friend of Sting. They just watched a Russian broadcast through the invention, and so Sting made this song of his hopes that Russians will love their children as lovely as their cartoons. In case you don't know him, he's the vocalist and bassist of one of the most heard bands in the 80s—The Police. He's a very talented musician. 9. " In times like these I have no answer/ Nothing to say at all" Coming Home|Fra Lippo Lippi A melodramatic, piano-tuned song from a favorite of Filipinos who grew up listening to them—Fra Lippo ...

Please bear with me. This list runs for almost 7 months! I missed updating this 101 songs because—guess what—I'm busy doing what has to be done this 4th year. I told it on my past post. But speaking of school...We're already down to the top 20 songs of my third year. These songs are pieces and parts of my past school year. These songs were the songs I got to listen to most of the time. For this part, we have a new band to be featured—a distinctive band in the Philippines named Up Dharma Down. Also expect some Linkin Park, M83, FTP, and James Blake. Don't know them yet? Know them here. 20. " Can you feel the rush rush?" Davenport|Never The Strangers At 20 we have a synth-filled, dramatic song of Never The Strangers. I don't really know why this is entitled "Davenport". It is either a place or the type of sofa. But what I liked in this track is that it speaks of going away and being away, and it is spoken thoroughly.  19. " Iindak na lamang ba s...