nicolekeith

[nicolekeith]

an audio I've made promoting our school... this is a project in one of our subjects... (04/28/2022)

[nicolekeith]

Parallel

written by: N. K. Alagenio

April 30, 2022

I wish we, at the very least, were asymptotes,

We could go close, tho never meet...

It's fine but we knew better...

We're just parallel lines...

We may go side by side,

But still can't intersect,

We just simply cannot.

We may travel on the same x-axis,

But never on the y,

We run on same directions,

But on different heights.

Once, a transverse line passed through us,

But then and again, that further made us not equal...

Merely not meant-to-be,

In primary, 8 - 9, cannot be.

Without me, and at one point,

You and that transverse conjoined...

You meet, you make a perpendicular...

Amongst the crowd, you shine, you are gem in particular,

As for me, you are more like a star...

Because unlike them who can hold you,

I'm holding back from afar.

[nicolekeith]

Students and Social Media

written by N.K. Alagenio

12/10/2021

In the current situation we are in, a high percentage of the population is involved in social media. While the social media is a good tool for communication and networking, negative sides like hates, and disinformation cannot be denied.

In this text, I will tackle about my stand on whether it is a good or a bad tool for the humankind, particularly on students and teens.

According to Oxford Languages, social media comprises of the “websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking”.

While it enables us to share content, posting our pictures for ‘memories’, we never know our pictures could be used to scam other people. While it enables us to connect with other people worldwide, it disables us also to connect with the people who are near. While it enables us to see the lifestyle of artists and celebrities, rather than be inspired by it, we are most likely to suffer ourselves with insecurities.

You see, while the social media can be a useful tool, it has negative aspects as well, being said, animosity and lies are things we should look out for.

I stand for the correct usage of social media!

Peer acceptance is a big thing for adolescents, and many of them care about their image as much as a politician running for office, and to them it can feel as serious. Add to that the facts that kids today are getting actual polling data on how much people like them or their appearance via things like ‘likes’(Ehmke, R., retrieved on Dec. 14, 2021).

What those adolescents should realize is that, social media is not merely a tool for exposing themselves. Other than the things they do currently in those applications, social media could also be a tool to take advantage from, for the good.

Eversince, I was so fascinated with social media, for how it works… But as I was prone to see for myself the lies and confusing statements, the fascination crippled out of me. And not until our Science teacher told us to follow pages relating to Science, Technology, Math, and the ‘big institutions’ did my interest reappeared.

Teens and students, even the whole population, should know that social media isn’t just a platform so that you can follow celebrities and friends, it’s a platform for education too. We could follow the Facebook pages, Instagram and Twitter accounts of the ‘big institutions’ like the Harvard University, the University of the Philippines, and other sectors, not solely school departments.

Teens and students, even the whole popluation, should learn to take advantage of social media. It’s not just a thing for entertainment, it’s also a thing for learning. Rather than following nonsense accounts on TikTok just so you could get a ‘follow’ in return, we could follow educators and life coaches, and even dancers that inspire us to move our joints and muscles.

Teens and students, even the whole popluation, should understand that not all they see in social media are true. Only a few would know something is untrue while the greater percentage think it’s the truth, little did they know, they are already victims of disinformation. To treat this, people should master this thing called ‘researching’ and by that, people should get the information from a verified source.

Social media is bad when treated incorrect.

Restating my claim, social media can either be good or bad, it depends on how you will use it. Rather than using the ‘wrong’ lineament, like following people that constantly remind you of your insecurities, why not follow those who can empower you, who can push you to be confident about yourself? The first step towards having a good usage of the online platforms really starts on you. Start by evaluating who you have been following then unfollow those who are no longer ‘useful’ and those who are sending you the ‘bad vibes’.

Social media is good when treated right.

[nicolekeith]

A speech by Sultan Kudarat after his failed battle in Lamitan, Basilan... (01/11/2021)

[nicolekeith]

What is family for you?

written by N. K. Alagenio

January 12, 2020

A family would be a group of people who are connected by hearts and not just by blood. A family would be a group of people who are deeply connected. A family is where you can love and be loved, where you are taken care of. Deeply connected because you have them whenever or whatever situations you have been in. They are the ones who support you. They are the ones who will stand by you.

A family would be a group of people who you are with in times of celebrations, celebrations not representing foods, balloons, cakes, candles and decorations but a celebration where the warmth and joy are evident.

A family could be your friends and acquaintances you happen to have established a deep connection with. Anybody could be your family, really… as long as when you’re with them, you feel home.

[nicolekeith]

Here's a community service brochure I've made together with my classmates when we were in ninth grade...

⚠️ low quality pics and maybe grammatical errors ahead

[nicolekeith]

Here's a review of a World Camp I have attended...

[nicolekeith]

Failure equals Success

written by N.K. Alagenio

December 13, 2021

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fall,” a quote by Benjamin Franklin.

As I read the quote and internalize it, I’ve realized how important it is to prepare. The statement made me look back to my ‘preparations’. I have made myself to think that it’s a matter of, “How much did you prepare to succeed?”

Some people prepare less for they just want to ‘go with the flow’, some prepare just enough, and some just prepare too much, probably those who have been driven by too much stress, pressure and anxiety.

As for me, I like to prepare just enough, enough to get the goal I am aiming for. But, there are certain times too that I don’t achieve the place I am dreaming, even if I have prepared ‘enough’, what I thought was enough.

Preparing doesn’t just mean to ready yourself to succeed, it’s also about readying yourself for a ‘failure’, for a ‘fall’. But anyways, failure is part of success. Disappointments, what ifs and failures come too. And having them is not the end of the game, it’s not the end of life - which some peeps fail to realize and drown themselves thinking they couldn’t do things right.

Those three things we thought are bad, overriped bananas, they’re actually good things, good enough to make a tasty banana cake, good enough to achieve the goals we are aiming for. We need failures to balance the equation in thriving for success.

Life isn’t just about the good things we could enjoy, about the life we ambition, it’s also about the journey we had, the lessons we learned along the process of ‘failing’. Those lessons are most likely the ones who could armor us and enable us to battle against circumstances, then win that ambition. We just have to stand up again everytime we fall.

By preparing, we are able to think of what lies ahead and set goals beforehand, let us don’t just prepare mentally, we need physical work too, we just need to act on it.

[nicolekeith]

Balance and Value

written by N. K. Alagenio

December 13, 2021

"Value has a value only if its value is being valued," a statement posed by Brian Dyson, Coca Cola’s former Chief Executive Officer in his 30-second speech which (a fun fact!) is claimed to be one of the shortest essays ever delivered in the world.

Although it’s short, the message was clear: To value Family, Health, Friends and Spirit rather than sacrificing them for ‘Work’ – for if not being treated right, they would be irrevocably damaged and would even be shattered.

The speech got me thinking, “How are you supposed to treat them and balance them all ba ?” I mean in every situation, there would always be something you’d sacrifice… For ‘Work’ to thrive, for you to provide for your family, you gotta hustle long working hours, even if you try to leave work on time, there would always be ‘pahabols’ and ‘overtime’ and sometimes, the job just demands for you to go through 12 hours a day , in return you sacrifice your time for your family.

I do observe it from my mother, she wakes up at 4 in the morning to work, get home by 8 to eat breakfast then do things as fast as she could to go back by 9, then return home by 12, then back to work at 1 and later come home at 5 or even 6 in the evening, not to mention her work needs a lot of physical strength, at 7 or like 8 in the night, she’s already asleep… the cycle just goes on and on everyday. I would barely get to have a chat with her…

So I would have to disagree to Dyson as he advised to ‘work efficiently during office hours and leave on time’, the principle may be applied to others’ work but not to my mother’s. Even if she works efficiently for 12 hours a day, she needs the other 12 to sleep and eat, hardly enough for her health not to decline. Not nly the time for her family but also the time for her social life was sacrificed.

Nevertheless, I am still thankful that my mother is able to endure her days to provide for our family. I’m grateful to her friends also that they understand her, and despite not having that much time to bond with them, they’re still a friend to her.

For the Spirit aspect, I can see that my mom is doing well and it’s something I could learn from… that no matter how busy she is, she never fails to strenghten the tie between her and the Lord.

In conclusion, sacrifing the other ‘values’, the time meant for those, doesn’t mean not valuing them. The time my mother spent for her work, instead of spending it with us doesn’t mean she doesn’t value us at all. It was just a matter of balancing the four glass balls while trying to hold on the rubber ball, because the rubber ball enables her to provide the other four.

[nicolekeith]

Here's my song composition about my community... (09/20/2021)

[nicolekeith]

Here's about my travel experience to the Municipality of Laguindingan, Philippines!

[nicolekeith]

How are you?

//a monologue piece//

written by N.K. Alagenio

November 27, 2019

“How are you?”, a question from a friend. “I’m fine”, I said as if I really am, even when I’m not. If I were to be honest, I am so overwhelmed! I am left dumbfounded by anything and everything. “I AM NOT FINE!” I wanted to shout that to everyone but I doubt if they really care... Afterall, they also have their own demons to fight with.

“You are not alone,” they say... Yeah, sure! I am not the only one who feel this way but it feels like I am the only one fighting for my way.

“You got friends,” they say... Yeah, sure! I do got friends and they got me... they got me as someone with shoulders always ready to cry on... I just couldn’t say a word to them because they already have their words waiting for me.

“You have your family,” they say... Yeah, sure! But I cannot tell it to them because they’ll just reply, “Ayy, ang OA. Huwag ka ngang mag-inarte!”.

It’s just so funny that who we thought we could lean onto are the ones who refrain us from voicing out what we really feel inside. When will it make them realize that they should have also listened?! Will it when I’m already gone?!

[nicolekeith]

FLOW OF LIFE

written by N.K. Alagenio

November 12, 2019

My friend, life’s not easy as it seems,

It’s not such thing as games,

It may be simple as what you see,

Step in, complicated it will be.

Thunder and lightning bulge in,

Darkness spreads all over in,

But there’ll be light from above,

We are embrace by God’s love.

Keep up with the changes,

As this is a challenge,

There’ll be sorrow always,

But there’s a place for happiness.

Begin with a race,

And let your self command for your pace,

You may stumble and fall,

Stand up and reach your goal.

Let’s just go with the flow my friend,

Time will come, we’ll reach the end,

Life’s not easy as it seems,

Have courage and there’ll be achievements.

[nicolekeith]

Pagsubok

Isinulat ni N.K. Alagenio

Setyembre 18, 2018

May maraming pagsubok sa buhay,

Pagsubok na tapos na at pagsubok na nag-aantay.

Kapag dumating at ika'y babanggain,

Kung pa'no malalagpasan ay iyong siguraduhin.

Gaano man kahirap,

Dapat kang magsumikap.

Pangarap na inaasam-asam,

Iyong makakamtan.

Pagdating ng panahon,

Ikaw rin ay makakaahon.

Maalala ang mga pagsubok na nadaanan,

Galak na galak sa satili'y nalagpasan.

Harapin ng buong tapang,

Malaking pagsubok na dadaan.

Sumabay sa daloy ng buhay,

Iyong maaamoy ang halimuyak ng tagumpay.

[nicolekeith]

STAY

written by N.K. Alagenio

October 19, 2021

Disclaimer: I'm still a newbie in writing a story so if ever you have something, like a tip or advice, I would really be glad if you share it to me. I'm always open for improvement :)

***

“Damn you Khai!” I shouted with all my might, careless of the vehicles passing. From what I remember, I drank a lot of shots of tequila but then okay pa rin akong maglakad. It makes sense since I was a hard-drinker, before Khai happened. I just limited myself from drinking too much while I was in an oh-so-relationship with him. Sa katunayan, ngayon lang ako nag-all-out eversince.

On the other hand, I wanna be so drunk so that I could pass out and someone will call him to fetch me. I just wanted to be with him even just for a little while. But I really can’t do it kasi nga, wala na siya…

Hindi ko akalaing magagawa kong magmaka-awa ng atensyon at pagmamahal sa kaniya. Kahit na alam kong wala naman talaga siyang nararamdaman sa akin, simula pa lang ngunit sumugal pa rin ako… Akala ko kasi may magbabago, akala ko ako na, akala ko lang pala.

I was actually walking on the bridge with some people also. I could actually see them taking a glance at me and they were probably stereotyping that I’m one of those na napariwara. Maya-maya pa’y huminto ako sa gilid ng kalsada, sa gitna ng tulay...

“Hindi ko kailanmang inakala na sa susunod na titingala ako sa buwan, malaya na ‘ko.” Habang patuloy na pinagmamasdan ang buwan, napaisip ako, “How could Luna shine so bright even if she’s light years apart from Sol, her lover?”. Alam kong namumugto na aking mga mata dahil sa pag-iyak niya halos buong gabi at araw, and I probably look like some addict right now, still my tears flowed one by one hanggang sa nagtuloy-tuloy na. Hindi ko ring mapigilang alalahanin ang nangyari kanina lang.

***

“Hyeong-g...” Why do you have to leave me when I was the one who stayed?

“Sorry dongsaeng...” He held my hands as I cupped his face. I was crying my heart out. And yet, there’s not even a hint of his tears flowing.

“I know there’s already a bond between us but we can’t continue this anymore. I have set up my plans from before and I need to follow that no matter what.”

After he said that, I felt my knees getting weaker and weaker. Napaluhod na lamang ako, patuloy pa ring umiiyak.

The moments we spent together, the memories came rushing back in my mind.

I stood by his side. I stayed for he was so devastated that time since his childhood crush and long-time girlfriend left him for the afterlife. Ang masama pa diyan ay siya yung sinisisi ng pamilya nung girlfriend niya kung bakit na-aksidente raw ito. He told me that his girlfriend was crossing the street to meet him at the other side when a truck passed by and hit her.

He’s already dear to me so I did everything I knew to help him bounce back from what have happened. At the same time, I was falling for him already. And what he’s saying to me now is making me feel that I’m so stupid, that I’m a fool for staying with him.

I have a lot to say to him but I don’t know where to start.

“Please stay...” Can you stay like how I did when you were like this, crying endlessly? He’s making me question if he really did value me because ba’t parang ang dali niya lang akong iwan.

“Dongsaeng--” He looked away as if he can’t see me like this.

“Please don’t do this,” I sobbed. I couldn’t care less of the eyes boring into me.

I never thought of this coming our way… okay naman kami ah… I wanted to ask him a lot of things but I cannot because he still need to catch his flight for US kasi doon na raw siya mag-aaral for his med proper.

“Sorry Khean...” That were his last words before pulling me into a hug and finally went to the boarding area in the airport.

Throughout the relationship I had with him, I never heard him saying that he likes me or loves me. All he did was say a single sentence, “Please stay with me”. And all I did was follow him because I like his company too. It always makes me happy whenever I’m with him.

He also knows that I like him but he was clear on saying that he only treats me as his yeodongsaeng. I was happy with it though. At that time, I never really thought of pursuing him since he’s so high to reach. But then, after almost a year since that accident with his girlfriend happened….

I took the risk of confessing to him when we were on a vacation. Actually it’s a vacation for us to celebrate our birthdays together. His was on September 30 and mine was on September 28. He said he’s trying little by little to open his heart for someone new. And I was so happy that time, I thought I could take a shot on him but then, not even a month after, he said he’s leaving.

Masakit pala talaga… Our relationship wasn’t even on its peak, we were just starting. Hindi ko matanggap na nagawa niya akong iwan nang ganun-ganun na lang, na talagang sobrang late na nang sinabi niya sa akin na aalis pala siya. Pa’no ko pa siya mapipigilan? He just called me while I were in my room saying that I should meet him at the airport.

***

Out of the blue, I thought of following him abroad. So I hurriedly went home, packed my things, and slept.

I know that it’s a sudden and even a stupid decision but what else could I do? Hayaan na lang na ganoon ang kahihinatnan namin? Gosh, he’s something I knew I should be fighting for because he’s really worth all the effort, pain and all.

Kinabukasan, I immediately booked a flight bound to US and at 12 pm, I went to the airport, rode a plane and finally feel the wind of America. The problem is Khai doesn’t know I’m here in the US.

So to let him know, I called him. “Answer my call Khai, please...” I was fidgeting on my phone and thank God, he answered.

“Kheanna?” Gosh… I can’t help but giggle on how beautiful my name sounds when he’s the one calling me.

“Hey, are you there? Do you need something?” I cleared my throat and then…

“C-can you fetch me at the airport please?” There, I finally managed to say it. Though nakakahiya talaga sa part ko kasi nga inaabala ko siya…

“Please don’t tell me you’re in America, woman!”

“Well, it’s unfortunate for you because I’m here my man!” I uttered smiling.

“You’re really crazy over me, huh?!” He said sounding like he can’t believe that I’m here.

“Okay, stay there for a while. Wait for me. Just text me where exactly are you at and what are you wearing so that I can locate you easily.”

After half an hour, I saw him roaming his eyes around probably lookin’ for me nang nakakunot ang noo. I couldn’t help myself but thinking he’s so cute in doing that.

As soon as our eyes have locked, he’s already paving his way towards me. And a gesture I didn’t expect him to do, he opened his arms wide to welcome me. Being me excited to finally be with him, I ran and hugged him like I can’t let him go… hindi ko nga namalayang tumutulo na pala iyong luha ko. He probably noticed my shoulders heaving up and down.

“Why?” Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. I was taken aback when he caressed my face, drying my tears up with his thumb.

“I don’t want us to end like that. To be precise, I don’t want us to end. I fell for you so hard I couldn’t even stand up. Saranghae, aishetiru, I love you so much Khein Haniel Lopez.”

“Honestly, I have thought of going back there because you are there. When I first set my feet here, I thought that was really the end for us but you are here with me already so thank you so much. I never thought it could be so hard without you by my side. I was afraid of losing you like how I lost her so I decided to distance myself from you. Sorry. But I do love you too Kheandra Lynn Suan, soon to be Lopez. I love you so so so so much.”

“You are forgiven my love, and one thing, you’ll never lose me for I am inside you, I am inside your heart.”

“Oh, yeah? Then, would you be willing to spend the rest of your life with me?” I slowly nodded while my cheeks flared up.

Ikinahig niya ang buhok ko palikod. He slowly tilted my head upwards. Then, he held my face with so much care while his face drawing near, with our eyes locked in, eyelids slowly closing, he kissed me na para bang ibinubuhos niya iyong pagmamahal niya sa ’kin.

***

From then and onwards, I’ll leave it up to your imagination.

[nicolekeith]

Isang Linggo: Bakasyong Sana'y Pahinga

Isinulat ni N.K. Alagenio

Ika-28 ng Oktubre, 2019

Semestral Break ang animo'y tawag sa isang linggong pahinga para sa mga guro at mag-aaral. Ito'y nangyayari sa pagitan ng unang sem (1st Grading at 2nd Grading) at ikalawang sem (3rd Grading at 4th Grading), karaniwang ginugunita sa pangatlong linggo ng Oktubre. Ang pagkakaroon nito bawat school year ay mahalaga, kumbaga sa isang linggo, break natin iyon, makapagpapahinga na tayo para naman maging handa at aktibo sa paparating na pangalawang sem ng klase. Isang layunin ng semestral break na makapaghanda at makapagpahinga ang lahat na siyang ikinasisiya at pinapahalagahan ng primaryang sektor ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon.

Para sa karaniwang na mag-aaral ay siguro tulog, kain, pagliliwaliw, at ang paggawa ng mga gawaing-bahay ang araw-araw na takbo ng pamumuhay sa linggong iyon. O kung hindi naman ay puro pagpapraktis ng mga presentasyon para sa United Nations Culmination ang kina-aabalahan. Seminar naman ang pinagkaka-abalahan ng mga guro samantalang sa mga journalist naman ay ang pagsasanay sa pagsulat ng balita at iba pa para sa mga contest na kanilang sasalihan... Akala ko ba pahinga?

Gayunpaman ay nagpapasalamat ako kahit na nakapapagod ang mga praktis at iba pang gawain na kailangang gawin, hindi naman matatawaran ang mga experience at saya na nakuha namin sa isang linggong sana'y pahinga...

[nicolekeith]

SUN'S THE HOPE : a love untold

written by N.K. Alagenio

May 4, 2021

One gloomy afternoon welcomed her,

Woebegone came by with the weather,

Alone in an island with nothing to remember,

Entertained with lethal blues as a dancer.

Tomorrow came, another day has began,

She's staggered and surprised by the sun,

Sun gave her comfort, love she cannot shun,

She's captivated and she fell in love, she cannot run.

Sun bid good bye, she knew she can't forever hold,

She got love, she just can't unmold,

She knew in her heart's depth, Sun's a diamond more precious than gold,

It's just sad she had her love untold.