Maîtres du Temps
Introduction
In the past, I was an awful writer. I sucked. But then, through English GEMS class under Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, my writing improved. I had a sense of how writing could be like. But then again, it wasn’t enough. Through Mr. EJ Legaspi’s class, I was able to enhance more my writing skills, until I came upon to be part of the H2 English Advanced Class under Mr. Adrian Dy. My eyes literally opened.
Being part of an advanced class is something different, but being part of the H2 English Advanced Class is something new. It enables me to get out of my comfort zone, and step out of the box. If I was writing purely serious and emotional essays before, I now write a variety of essays in a complete array of moods and topics, and even styles. English Advanced 2 helped me experience a whole new level of writing, the true writing experience, writing about anything under the sky.
Unfortunate as it is, I did not apply for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. I know it is such a great opportunity as well to get out of more comfort zones, but I decided that since I have no plans at all to study at universities abroad, I should just go through the regular Xavier program, which is as good as the IBDP. Looking forward as an aspiring writer and artist, I plan to take everything that I have learned and grasped from Mr. Dy, my English teacher as well as the Stallion Moderator Head, to whatever I may be associated with in the future. I know I did not push through with the IBDP, and it’s sad. I didn’t have the courage to just go through with it, but I know that wherever I may be, or whatever I may pursue in, the important thing is that I have the spirit to excel, the spirit to be a crown for every achievement.
Stress Can Kill
At the time when Mr. Dy was asking us to write fiction stories using abstract characters, stress was already the first thing that popped into my mind.
Those few weeks were the busiest times of my life due to all the deadlines and stressful problems with group mates. That is why I decided to write about a character named “Stress.”
He does not only seem very cunning, but can really strike you hard, and may lead to your death.
I felt that this was one of my strongest works because looking back upon the pieces I have written, none of them is as unique as this – talking about stress and the reality of stress.
Well, of course if I had the chance to change it, I probably wouldn’t. Whatever I have written does not get altered, but rather, if I wanted to change it, I would have just written a new story with the same feel of stress, but having a whole new different set of characters and setting.
And, this piece acts as a message to everyone that stress can kill.
Stress Can Kill
In a city called “Stressville,” there were a total of 1563 citizens. The number never changed. There was a young boy named “Emerson Stress.” Everyone just called him “Emerson.” Since he grew up in Stressville, the city named after his great grand daddy, everyone, even his schoolteachers, was prepping him to take over as Mayor of Stressville City.
The thing about Emerson was that as he grew up and studied in Stressville Academy, he always hung out with Death Will, his best friend. The two enjoyed seeing people get lonely and depressed, and eventually die. This was Death’s influence on him, which made people walk away from them. This sadistic attitude bothered his parents, and it only ended when Emerson met Happiness, whom he came to love dearly. Happiness was his girl. It was such a small world that when Emerson had told his parents about Happiness, it seemed that their parents were very close friends. Ever since, it was as if their future had been set. As they reached 18, the church bells rang. Two years later, the horns of Stressville sounded when he became the mayor of that city.
“Mayor Stress! Mayor Stress!” everyone exulted.
“Remember, remember, on this 5th of November, any male 18 and above, who does not work or study 18 hours a day, will be captured and forced to work in Stress Jail.”
Now everyone knew what Stress Jail was like – smelly garbage, rotten food, and crooked villains. Everyone worked to avoid working in Stress Jail. Emerson followed his own rule and worked in Stress Hall for 18 hours a day, only coming home at the strike of ten in the evening. Slowly, Happiness was getting depressed. She didn’t have a husband to cuddle or talk to anymore. Everyone knew that Emerson’s best friend, Death, was always with him. In fact, Death was actually appointed as Emerson’s Vice Mayor, and was also responsible for the 5th of November Declaration of Stress. Whatever Death wanted Emerson to do, it was just by the flick of his finger.
The elderly started bleeding from their rectum. Children started having moles with edges that were blurry or jagged. This was said to be Cancer. Everyone in Stressville City was starting to get the disease. Everyone went to Dr. Who, the best doctor in Stressville, but he could not diagnose what was causing this dreadful disease. People were dying one after another. The number of citizens rapidly plunged from 1,563 to 555. It is striking to note that majority of those who were getting cancer were males, from the age group 18 and above.
“You know, Emerson, I want to have a child,” said Happiness one night as Mayor Stress came home.
“Of course, I want a child, Happiness, but I’m just too exhausted from work these days.”
After a few nights…
“Emerson, do you remember what we talked about the other night?”
“Oh please, I’m tired! Let me do what I want now, which is to lie in bed.”
Mayor Stress, being close to Death, told him about everything that night that Happiness wanted a child. Death suddenly said, “Emerson, this is good for you! Go and procreate! You need a successor for Stressville, don’t you? Tonight! When you go home, go and make love, fill the earth and subdue it!”
That night, Emerson and Happiness had the best night ever. Both of them had big smiles on their faces. They didn’t need someone to say “Let’s put a smile on that face!” It was as if the two were joyful newlyweds again.
But Cancer spread so rapidly in Stressville City, and so Mr. Stress had started getting eyebags, white hair, wrinkles on his face, but this had not yet affected Mrs. Stress, and so she had what she’d wanted for so long – a daughter named Joy, but having Joy did not in any way change Mayor Stress. He neglected his sweet young daughter since what he really wanted was a son, as advised by Death, which led Mrs. Stress to be in charge of Joy 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Slowly, Mrs. Stress got fatter. She began to get wrinkles and white hair. Her smile lines turned into frown lines.
After a few months, Health City got alarmed because Cancer in the capital of Life, where Stressville reigned, was widespread. It alarmed the country that the city of Stressville was shielded.
In the end, everyone pointed the finger at Mayor Stress. Sadly, no one ever placed the blame on his assistant – Death, for his handiwork was unseen but his influence, great. Soon, Mrs. Stress passed away due to Cancer.
Sadly, her death didn’t hit Mayor Stress at all. He had forgotten all about Joy, but Joy was able to manage on her own even until the age of 18. Thank goodness that she’d taken up after Happiness. She’d moved out of Stressville by then. A few months after, Cancer took the life of the man who was once known as Emerson. Mayor Stress had truly succumbed to Death. Death Will immediately took the mayoral seat of Stressville.
Up until now, Stressville still exists. It’s an infamous town where citizens go through their lives as if their only purpose were to move closer to Death. A monument of Mayor Stress still stands there. And that is where the saying, “Stress can kill” originated.
Illuminating the Path: A Crown for Every Achievement
I believe that this is quite self-explanatory. When this project was given, the research project, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme was being offered by Xavier School. I, at the time, had already rejected the idea, and was not pushing through with it.
In order for me to know more, I decided to do my research on the IBDP. I was very interested whether or not the IBDP would help students in college and in the future.
I felt that this is one of my strongest works because it persuaded me as well. After my research, I read my entire portfolio, and I thought that I myself should have joined the IBDP.
But as for my essay, I would not change anything at all. This piece, for me, is truly a crown for every achievement as it is.
It illuminates the path towards greater excellence.
A Crown for Every Achievement
While some people would opt for a Casio, others would anticipate a Rolex. In buying timepieces, there would always be the option to get the cheaper one, or the more expensive one for those with discriminating tastes. Both timepieces would tell the same time. The only difference is the components of the watch.
The same could be said of those who are deciding between the regular academic program and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While the former is something every student is familiar with, the latter serves as a formidable option for the sophomores in Xavier. It is a program that poses an extra challenge on the students. We know that both the IBDP and the regular program would help students in their college life and life beyond, but in my perspective, the IBDP is something worth the squeeze.
Dr. Patricia Fioriello has listed several benefits of the IBDP. She said that graduates of the IBDP have higher university and college acceptance rates than other applicants. Graduates have increased opportunities of being granted scholarships and opportunities. The program also helps develop the students into international-minded individuals. In addition, a graduate of the IBDP leads to a cultivation of lifelong learning. Not only do the students develop, but the teachers are also expected to meet the demands of the students using IB strategies. This program trains students to release fear, and not be afraid of approaching unfamiliar situations and uncertainties. Students are taught to be independent-spirited, to explore new strategies, ideas, and roles, and to express and defend their beliefs. Aside from the education, culture is emphasized to enable students to understand and appreciate their own personal histories, and to be open to the perception, values, and traditions of other people. Moreover, the IBDP stresses not only the academics, cultures, and international orientation, but also develops several values and traits in the students that participate in the program. Although the regular program also promotes interculturalism, the IBDP is widely known for programs that are challenging and at the same time intercultural, centered on international education with exacting assessment standards. Students in the IBDP are not only exposed to their own culture, but are also encouraged to explore other cultures as well.
Something that sets the IBDP apart from the regular program is that while the standards of the regular program rely on Xavier School’s own, the IBDP assesses their students according to international benchmarks, thereby reducing cases of prejudice. In addition, the IBDP is universally known and accepted. The IBDP is a comprehensive pre-university course that demands the best and enables students to have a “feel” of college life. The IBDP graduates are also welcomed by the world’s leading universities. “As a student, whether you choose the challenge of the IB Diploma or take individual courses, you will find that the IB Program promotes curiosity and inquiry skills in order to foster a spirit of discovery and enjoyment of learning. It provides a solid foundation for future achievements.” (International Baccalaureate Program)
The IBDP and the regular Xavier program are like watches that tell time. Both give us the same results, but they work in very different ways. The IBDP, like a crown for every achievement1, would offer students a great education like the regular program, but it would function very differently. Like a Rolex, the IBDP would have complex jewel movements ensuring absolute accuracy in time and excellence that would last more than a lifetime. Of course, the Rolex would also give the privilege of showing off to others.
Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal once said, Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan (The youth is the hope of the nation). The basic foundation of children and youth is the education that they receive before college life. The youth is the hope of the nation, and in order to achieve a better tomorrow, children should be trained for anything that may come. Truly, the IBDP is one that can light the path to great ends. A crown for every achievement.
This House
Well, the story is quite simple, really. It’s a bit of a mixture between me and my sister. We both study really hard, and get high grades and all that. Since, she’s graduating high school, she had to apply in different colleges, and luckily, she got scholarships from different colleges.
Her acceptance and scholarships from the different colleges got me thinking into how certain people, especially females can work very very hard, go through prestigious schools and universities, but later on may end up a housewife or in a position lower than the expected outcome.
That was the very ironic thing that went through my head as the theme of irony was given for this piece.
Somehow, I believe that this is one of the best pieces I’ve written so far because it’s very simple, yet true in life. Sometimes, we may go through an I.B. program, maybe even to an Ivy League school, but later on, we may just end up as the housewife.
This House
I never thought that I’d be here right now. Sitting in this newly polished Oakwood chair, I feel as if I have all the power in this house. Pounding on the table and making something of those little pieces always makes me feel like I’m in control.
Back in middle school, I had no ambition. I was pleased to get a C or D, but you know what? I’m quite an achiever now. You could say “what?” or “how arrogant,” but it’s true. I have always been getting straight A+++ ever since. Well, back in Australia in my sophomore years in school, they introduced this new program – the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program or the IBDP. I’m sure you know this by now. It’s quite popular nowadays.
Back then, I dreamt to be the most powerful woman I could ever be. I hoped that I could be someone like Indra Nooyi or Sandra Day O’Connor. I wanted to make a change in the world, and I knew that I could.
In Concordia College, I was the alpha female, the top-notch. It was with much privilege and honor that I was able to undergo the IBDP. Through that program, I was able to learn so much about life. You see, the IBDP does not only give you a great education, it also gives you a great experience. I was able to help people, to be able to reach out to my classmates and to the less privileged in Australia. Well, I went to higher level Math, Physics, and Chemistry, so you most probably think that I went to medicine or engineering afterwards, but I didn’t.
I went to Harvard Law. By now, I’d suppose you know that my family is of the privileged class. And yes, I wanted to become the next Harriet Miers or Elizabeth Warren. Becoming a lawyer was my stepping-stone to becoming part of the High Court of Australia. I wanted to be Chief Justice, and even have that nameplate on my table saying “Chief Justice Elsa Jones.”
I’ll tell you this though, IB is one thing, but Harvard Law is a completely different subject we’re talking about. I did not only miss out on parties and special occasions at home, I also missed out on sleep. Well, eating, I could still manage. I’m what some would say, pretty hot for a “nerd,” having a twenty-eight inch waistline, in a five-foot-eight-tall body. Beautiful women are usually not taken seriously, but many have put a high premium on me because of an equally beautiful mind, they say.
On the other part of my studying career, you’re probably wondering whether or not I was ever socially inclined. Well, to tell you the truth, I wasn’t. Although I’m quite good-looking, I did not have any time at all to go out in pub nights or social clubs. Even back in Concordia, I was completely alone in corners studying or at the library.
Even though there were some well-built, handsome varsity guys in Harvard, I had to concentrate on my studies. Becoming Chief Justice doesn’t come that easy even though you have all the financial means or wits in the world. You need to give your blood, sweat, and tears, as Sir Winston Churchill would say.
I did have some male friends in Harvard though. But, I had this special friend, whom I always studied and discussed ideas with. Just like me, he was not from the U.S. He was from Spain, and his name was Danilo. Well, you could probably say that we did have a relationship, but most of it was through studying. Somehow, he made me feel as if I was the most important person in the entire universe; he made me feel special. He made my ideas matter, and I fell in love with him.
Now, falling in love shouldn’t ruin one’s career, even for a girl. That was a fact that I had always carried with me even throughout my younger years, but Danilo was something else. He was exceptional.
Am I the Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia now? I’ll tell you this. I don’t have a nameplate, but I do have a bumper sticker.
And it reads, “The Housewife.”
Explanation:
Elsa Jones is a woman who is bright, beautiful, and intelligent. She was the school valedictorian, getting straight A+++. She even went through IB and graduated from Harvard Law. She dreamt to be the next Sandra Day O’Connor, but met her dream boy instead, gave it all, and ended up to be a housewife.
Maîtres du Temps
Never did I see myself in this position right now. I used to think that taking pictures was all too easy. But you know, it all started with a Photography class.
As a twelve-year-old, I was just playing around with my dad’s Hawkeye. Who knew that I’d turn out to be a photographer? It all comes down to the element of time, pretty much like the art of photography. Awesomeness and greatness come only when you are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. Luckily for me, that happened.
You might know me now as the famous David Doubilet, the underwater photographer. To be straightforward, I’m a man who wears a $10,000 watch, a $12,000 suit, and who drives a $500,000 car. Life is good, eh?
For the past 60 years, I have always been in search for new underwater adventure, being able to see different species of aquatic and marine animals like sharks, catfish, and even stingrays. Different new species and scenic spots caught on camera, yet to be discovered and unfolded. It is only a matter of time until we will be able to unravel them. They’ve been around for time immemorial, locked away in the deep dark waters since the past.
The past – it had always set me back. In order for me to take photographs, I had to make sure that my subjects and their respective backgrounds were all perfect, no distractions and no imperfections. Before I would take my photos, I had a long ritual. I would set up all the lighting and white backgrounds. I would spend time making sure that my tripod was at the exact angle and location I needed it to be. If and when I didn’t have the perfect settings I wanted, the photo shoot was off. I had to make sure that my photos would be magnificent, and they were. I was one of the top-photographers in my time, even until now of course. I photographed over 60 stories for the National Geographic Magazine. That’s why National Geographic publishes my photos and books, quite a number already.
You know, my audience and mentor always noticed and commented on something: I was a master of still life, always taking photos of objects of luxury for advertisements, bringing out the natural glamour in them for the world of consumerism. But you see, I noticed something too. Despite all the bravura, I never felt a slight form of achievement. It always felt as if something else was lacking, or something was amiss, misaligned.
In my earlier years, I started off with my dad’s Brownie Hawkeye, very simple actually. I took photos of the newly established ‘65 Rolex Submariner, the ‘67 Corvette, and even the Mustang. They wanted simpler things, but I just didn’t know what.
By then, I earned $10,000 a year. People would hire me to take photos of their weddings, birthday parties, and even reunions. But, one person asked me to take a photo of their barn, their farmland. That set me off.
I was so frustrated that time. I didn’t know how to set-up the place or even what to shoot. There is no glamour, just grit. Then again, he was paying me $3,000 to take photos of his farmland. I couldn’t do anything but to keep taking the photos. It was muddy that time because of the rains, but thank God I always brought my rubber anesthesiologist’s bag to keep the water out. It was, I thought, the worst photo shoot of my career. At one point, I almost gave up and didn’t care about the money, but then a part of me felt that if I had given up, it meant that I wasn’t a good photographer. Call it pride. I call it humility. So, I stayed, took as much photos, then parted from the farmland.
When I finally submitted my portfolio, my client, and even my mentor, were so amazed and were happier than ever. They saw something greater than the images and the art of commercial photography. They saw reality.
Well, of course the Photography class wasn’t the only thing I took. In order for me to be great, I had to take higher education. I studied in Boston University, Massachusetts. Let’s just put it this way, it was the best place for photography.
Even as a great photographer before, I never thought myself to be something more than just a great photographer. Sometimes, I wonder even if greatness can ever be planned at all. Like I said before, it all comes down to the element of time. And more than that, I always thought that in order to be someone great, I’d have to use something great, capture something great like the whole “in order to be the best, you’ve got to drive the best,” but that doesn’t define greatness, doesn’t it? It obviously is, something more. It’s more about the simplicity or rather the simple things in life. They carry within them something timeless and therefore more valuable.
Everything all dwells upon one element – the element of time. I may be redundant, but I’m trying to stress a point here not only for future photographers, but also for future aspirants. If I hadn’t taken the rugged photos of the barnyard, who knows, I wouldn’t have seen the extraordinary in the ordinary. My perspective has changed. The angle with which I see the world.
It’s not about the camera. It’s all about the photographer. And, above all, in order to overcome the element of time, you have to be the master of time.
Masters of Time
In writing, it’s quite obvious that the topic or the theme of the piece is related to the writer in any way. It’s a fact and a reality.
My hobbies are watchmaking and photography.
Maîtres du Temps is a newly established watch brand in French for “masters of time.” And, I associated this with photography, how the mastery of time can help one get to whatever he or she may want to be at, assuming of course that time can be controlled, but of course, reality steps in and all else fails.
David Doubilet is an underwater photographer, who takes photos for National Geographic. His father was a doctor, and he did use a Brownie Hawkey. Before he became an underwater photographer, he would just put his Hawkey inside his father’s rubber anesthesiologist’s bag.
I tried to put together three main concepts: simplicity, photography, and time. We use photography as a means to capture moments in time, and sometimes, the best subjects and themes in photography are the simple things in life – nature.
All of my written pieces have something to do with me. That’s where I get my inspiration. I’m a photographer myself, and I believe that the best things to capture in photography are the little things we seem to disregard and give little attention to.
I believe that in life, everything goes according to plan – God’s plan. There seems to be a purpose why Mr. Dy approved the IBDP topic for my research instead of Rolex. The IBDP was my main topic, and I related it to a Rolex watch, a crown for every achievement.
Somehow, I have written everything I have planned or intended to. All these topics and emotions just go on spontaneously. They don’t come instantly. They come at the right moment in time.
This Joyous Fairy Tale
Who knew that things would turn out this way? I mean like, that fourteen year-old boy was stalking me before, but I never knew that he’d stalk my cousin too. Oh, poor Juliet! I send her my condolences.
As a niece of the great rich Capulet, everyone was so pissed off and disappointed in me, if I may say, when I decided to go to the convent. Becoming a nun is quite common for us women, who are not able to get married by the age of twenty-one. Sadly, I was one of them. I broke out in tears that very day, but still, at least I will be in the service of God.
I know that Romeo is a charming suitor, expressing his love and all that for me. It was very amusing and even flattering, but he’s too young, five years my junior, and he’s too immature as well. He needs to grow up.
By the time I entered the convent, I did hear about the brawls concerning the house of Montague and my family’s Capulet, and I got worried. The fights just never seemed to stop. Two houses fighting over just a small conflict. Maybe that’s another reason why I decided to go into the convent, to deprive myself of the worldly riches of this world and live in peace and happiness.
I’ll be honest. My dear cousin Juliet, is truly fair and is a beautiful flower, and Romeo isn’t so bad himself. They’re both of the right age gap, and they both balance each other out, Romeo’s immaturity and Juliet’s maturity and all that, but I think that he just replaced me with my cousin. Isn’t that a little bit too rash and fickle of him. Was that like a way just to get back at me or something, to make me feel jealous?
You know, I was there in the act. They all focused on Romeo and Juliet as if they were the stars of an act, but they never noticed me.
It all started Sunday last, when the men of Montague and Capulet were fighting. Then, prince Escalus even threatened both houses that if they ever fight again, they would pay with their own lives. I believe that Paris wasn’t good for Juliet, and he will never be. They’re both weak. None of them could probably defend themselves.
When evening came, I was at the party of my uncle as well. Thank God! I was wearing a mask, so that stalker wasn’t able to recognize me, but then he lay his eyes on my cousin Juliet. Poor her.
They’re quite stupid, actually very stupid. They should never have gotten married. In addition, I don’t think that they ever felt the true meaning of love, especially for that Romeo Montague. He stalks me, then he stalks someone else all of a sudden. What’s up with that? I bet that if he had the chance, he’d even stalk my mother.
My uncle, on the other hand, is something else. He’s too desperate to restore their riches that he’d even give my cousin off to that Count Paris, who is no use. He may be rich, but he wouldn’t be able to regain his wealth after they spend all of their gold. If you’d like to know, the reason why my uncle needs a rich guy all of a sudden is because of their bankruptcy. They lost a lot of gold in a deal with a foreign merchant.
But, the worst part of the entire story is what happens on Thursday last, when the three of them had to do their scheming, with all the poison, potions, whatever. Friar Lawrence shouldn’t even have done that. Oh the sin he has caused everyone!
You know, being in the convent is very advantageous for a spy. I got to witness the entire action, and I didn’t even get noticed or caught. God is good!
Actually, Romeo isn’t stupid, but very dumb not to have suspected that dear Juliet wasn’t dead yet. It’s like he doesn’t even have any common sense in him. Next thing I heard, Romeo and Juliet were both dead.
Why do people act so stupidly? What can I do now? My dear cousin is dead. Two of my cousins! Maybe, the best thing to do is to pray for their everlasting rest. Maybe Friar Lawrence was right after all. The best thing for everyone is for both of them to be dead. Tybalt won’t be able to start any fights. Romeo and Juliet are in a better place now. They can love each other forever in peace. And, in addition, both houses are now friends. Everyone’s happy. Everyone wins.
Fate always gets its way. No matter what you do, there is always a plan. Just like what I said earlier. Who knew that I’d ever go to the convent in the first place. Only time will tell what will happen next, and only God can know whatever will happen.
Although, I’ve noticed how everything points and leads towards me. You see, the only reason that Romeo and Benvolio even went to my uncle’s party was in order to see me again. But then, since he didn’t see me, he saw Juliet instead. Fate brought these two people together, and now they are together in their everlasting rest.
What pisses me off right now is how he was really serious with Juliet. If he was that serious with me, who knows? I might have married him instead of going to the convent. Yes, I sometimes regret my decision to go to the convent. I do envy Juliet for having someone who would kill himself just for her. I now see why she would also kill herself for Romeo. I don’t blame her. But you know, without me, he wouldn’t even get to see Juliet in the first place.
Again, what can I do now? Five people are dead. It may be best if I remain in this convent to be of full service to the Lord. I have made my decision before, and I cannot take back my oath. I must stand by my decision. It is very immature of me to even regret my choices in the first place.
There are so many emotions running through my veins right now. Life may be difficult and challenging, but you know, life is good, and it must go on.
I have spoken too much, and revealed to many. Before I end, remember that I, fair Rosaline, witnessed it all. I am the reason for this joyous fairy tale.
Maîtres du Temps
A Lifelong Pursuit of Excellence
Daniel Paul Cheng Uy
He left. So what? Why does everyone have to keep bothering me about the question whether or not I miss him? Sometimes, it gets really annoying because some of my friends try to rub it in my face. I know that he was quite a good friend, but it was his decision in leaving me, in leaving us.
Life is Good! Life is very sweet! 