~Wendy

hello 2008! time flies huh? one night, anytime soon, you’re just going to be lying down on the bed, thinking: "Where have all my four years of college went? It feels as if it slipped right out of my fingers." that’s the time you recall those events that have made such an impact to you. may they be positive or negative. But with this one major event that I consider, i can’t tell if I should be smiling while I will be recalling, or shattered just to get those thoughts inside my head.

December 15th of 2007, wasn’t just any other day, or any other party. It was the last Double Major (as undergrads) Christmas Party, and the first time ever, celebrated with a teacher. Not just any other teacher, with the mentor of all our mentors, Mr. Ted Cantones. (**Just for the information of a few people, Mr. Ted Cantones, designed the Double Major curriculum, he had been our Marketing teacher for a couple of years, and we are his "children"–we are the pioneer batch of the double majors program.) WE spent our Christmas bash this year at his home in Cordova in Mactan Island. Oh! the bliss of the preparation for this party. He was very excited and he told us that he is willing to provide the venue for the party. And we just dove right and in and went like: YEAH!

Earlier in 2007, the Department of Business Administration was shooked up when we heard, Mr. Ted Cantones wouldn’t be coming back to teach. We thought it would just be for a while, but then, the hard part of the news broke, and we were informed, he is diagnosed with Stage 4 Bone Cancer. My lips and throat just ran dry as if a gush of incredible heat dried up every moisture in my body. When the information reached the batch, i could say, people felt the void inside. we all have a share of our actions in his class that we finally ended up regretting (texting, sleeping, playing in class, not taking the whole subject seriously, etc). This is one of the many reasons why we really worked on this party with extra love and labor. True, it would be the last Double Major party as a batch, but we were more concered of spending the holidays with our teacher who is sick, and probably crushed on the inside. He needs this celebration more than we do.

In the course of preparing for this party, we had everything laid out, including the food, transportation (thanks to Fr. Mark Matthias, Dean of the College of Commerce, who has been very generous to have provided funds for transporation), programs, videos, and games even. Each corporation had their own share of the tasks, which i personally would like to thank for the full support as well. The House of Dominique Corporation, was in charge with the food, transportation, and games; The Creative Thinkerz for the majority of the programs (intermission numbers, ice-breakers, crazy drama presentations-that could get your intestines tied up in knots); DMpreneurs for the Mini-Concert, and videos; ShePao Corp for the tribute.

With all these corporations working together, and support from teachers, this party materialized. We set off early to the house of our teacher in 3 vans, and arrived pretty early to get things ready for the party. When we arrived, we gathered around the front porch, laid our Manito-Manita gifts under the Christmas tree, opened up the piano, check the sound systems, etc. As we were all busy, I’m sure everyone was just aching to see the face of our teacher. I was exceptionally nervous. few minutes after, he came out, seated on a wheelchair, a big smile plastered on his face. That made my day to be honest. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed him, though half of the time i was glancing at my watch during his classes, and i felt how wrong i was to do that. we chit chatted for a while, had group pictures in his front porch. He was wheeled inside because he needs to make a phone call, and us, to prepare for the games.

Prior to that, by the way, Inee and I sat by the piano to play for our-last-minute-piano presentation of It Might Be You. Sir Ted requested earlier before December that he wanted someone to play the piano within the program of the party. I had a line up prepared, none of them are classical, which he requested, but i still tried to play some of the best songs I have learned. One of them is "It Might Be You" that Inee has been learning in our piano lessons. I promised to do the melody, while she took care of some of the chords, and I with the others that she hasn’t been able to learn yet. The night before, we were alreay deliberating if we are to play or not. We ended up in the decision not to. But when we were there, maybe the enthusiasm just poured out that she decided that we practice for a few minutes. We were busy tinkering away while the others are busy preparing for the party as well. I was very proud of Inee that time, and true, she has still much to learn, but she is fast in learning them. (great job!)

When Sir Ted was wheeled in, i went inside to arrange my stuff by the piano, and suddenly wanted me to play. I wasn’t sure if i wanted to do it because i haven’t practiced that much since i don’t have a piano here. For the past week, I only relied on the piano in the dorm which has a specific schedule (8AM-10AM and 4PM-6PM), and a lot of people playing it. He asked to be turned to face the piano, so I didn’t have a choice but to play although I don’t go on til after lunch, as planned in the program. I played "At The Carousel", a favorite piece of mine taken from the soundtrack of Turn Left Turn Right, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbGaSo9pPMQ&feature=related –the original is a violin arrangement.

When i finished the song, a loud applause came from the audience which i thought was only Sir Ted, but to my pleasant surprise, i saw all of my classmates clapping as well. (Thanks!) My heart swollen up like a proud performer. They urged my to play  them another song, Claudine by Maksim. I decided to play this against the "Disney Medley" (inspired from Jim Brickman, and arranged by me) because it sounded like a classical piece, and Sir Ted might like it.

After these two songs, I looked for another excuse not to play the "Disney Medley" because im not ready to play it yet, that led me to drag Inee into the scene to put that practice to the test! And yes, we played it. well enough to get cheers from the crowd again (although I think its Inee who deserved most of the credit here =) )

It’s the favorite part of the whole party…and definately one of the favorite things that the DMs love to do, and yes, we EXCEL on this one as well —- G A M E S!!! Thanks to Kimmi for the wonderful games that definately got the party started!!! 

After the body-challenging games, we had another expertise of the Double Majors…kainan na!! Thanks to Gladys for coordinating with the caterer. =)  YYYUUUUMMM!

The Creative Thinkerz did it again! Providing us with fantastic world-class entertainment! We have a new star of pirated, chopping songs, Miss Crystal Bakekang Celine DaYON, who has once again, found true love’s "wipe" 

What is a Double Major Party without the Miss Gay Competition? "Wwwwuuuuuttt??" If you remember, we had Miss Gay on our Christmas party last year! What a great way to close the program with real men in female wardrobes. And with the great hosting skills of Jiana aka Tyra Banks.  Thanks to the irregular Double Majors who willingfully submitted to the make up and bikinis. =) Congratz to Miss Greece, Daniella (Daniel Diores)–Miss Gay Universe 2007. well-deserved!

The moment of truth. the Tribute video for Sir Ted is next in line. and true enough, not an eye was dry. you would have been as cold as stone if you didn’t cry in this part! The video was made by Maeka backep up with the perfect song, Music of My Heart by NSync and Gloria Estefan. I chose this song because it is a song written for teachers. the lyrics are just perfect that it could set off everyone who listens to it in tears. (okay, I might be exaggerating on that but truly, it has a wonderful message)

POOL PARTY!  As Sir Ted retired to rest, the fun didn’t end for the double majors. Apart from the wonderful home that Sir Ted had provided us to use, we had access to the pool! WEEEE! Although i didn’t swim, i still got wet because of the tidal jump of Butch (you owe me a dry shirt!)

We decided to head home by 6PM, all with smiles and content in our hearts. it was definately a party to remember. I need not write a longer essay to tell the story. We all had the moments, and memories. I’m sure it will be carried on with us forever.

The Double Majors in one batch that is ENTIRELY unique from the rest.