Sunday, June 17, 2012
Revised Completion Form
1. Increase Awareness
Boys’ Volleyball
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/one-mistake-one-game.html
Boys’ Basketball
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/02/blow-out-win-against-gordon.htm
Student Council 2010-2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/01/isacsubic-student-council-jan-19-22.html
2. Undertaken new challenges
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
Lower School Soccer Club
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-30th-lower-school-soccer-club.html
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
3. Planned and initiated activities
Student Council 2010-2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/01/isacsubic-student-council-jan-19-22.html http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-student-council-2010-2011.html
4. Worked collaboratively with others
Student Council 2010-2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/01/isacsubic-student-council-jan-19-22.html
Boys' Basketball
http://wildocas.blogspot.tw/2012/04/memories.html
Boys' Volleyball
http://wildocas.blogspot.tw/2011/10/2011-boys-varsity-volleyball-season.html
5. Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Boys’ Basketball 2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/04/boys-varsity-basketball-reflection.html
LS Soccer Club Evalution
6. Engaged with issues of global importance
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
POCCH: Make a Better World
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/05/pocch-make-better-world-reflection.html
7. Considered the ethical implications of their actions
POCCH: Make a Better World
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/05/pocch-make-better-world-reflection.html
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
Boys' Volleyball
http://wildocas.blogspot.tw/2011/08/one-mistake-one-game.html
8. Developed new skills
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
Student Council
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-student-council-2010-2011.html
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
Friday, June 1, 2012
Revised Final Reflection
The IB CAS program’s goal is for
students to achieve 8 learning outcomes which are: Increased
awareness of his/her own strengths and areas of growth, Undertaken
new challenges, Planned and initiated activities, Worked
collaboratively with others, Shown perseverance and commitment in
their activities, Engaged with issues of global importance, Considered
ethical implications of their actions, and Developed new skills.
My longest activity was Student Council 2010-2011, it was school year long
activity. Being in this school for all my life, I’ve been hearing election
speeches every single year and very rarely was there a good speech that wasn’t
repetitive. I wonder every year whether or not these candidates know what it
means to be part of the Student Council, and so curiosity hit me, and I was
lucky enough to have been elected as Student Council Treasurer. While in
Student Council I learned the importance of careful planning and collaborative
work. Although my work ethics on a good day were at most merely satisfactory, I
do take into thought of the results due to my actions and lack of attentiveness.
I have become more aware of my bad habits, in which being my lack of
organization and motivation. Throughout the year, these two factors have always
been the key to success; I know this because most of the problems that rose up
were due to these reasons. The hardest part being in student council was prioritizing
and time management. As an extracurricular activity, you often have to go out
of your way and give up your free times just so your work in the council would
collide with other requirements and commitments. One of the expectations from
our council adviser was to be initiative, propose our own activities and share
ideas. My idea was that we setup a sari-sari store(Filipino convenient store) by
the school playground as the ISAC sports tournament was going on. As proposer I
went down to buy the goods we will sell and materials we will need. I felt very
in control of the situation but in the same time it was a big responsibility when
my other council members showed little help while I’m stressing out to make
things work.
Throughout my high school year I’ve always engaged myself to joining varsity
sports teams such as basketball, volleyball, soccer and at times track &
field and cross country. In the 2 years of IB, majority of my action
requirement are covered by my sports activities. CAS for sports are generally
the same, you set a goal for yourself then formulate ways to reach it and then
in the end you have an evaluation of whether or not you reached the goals. With
CAS in my mind I was more concentrated in my overall development as a student athlete;
I have gained awareness of my own strengths and looked for ways to improve my
weaknesses. One of my very own mottos for sports is that commitment and
perseverance will pay off and it definitely has for me this year as our
commitment together as a team led to our ISAC championship in basketball. Never
would I have known that sports are not only dependent on a person’s physicality
but also their mentality. After so many years of athletics, I have embraced it into
a lifestyle of mine and would have never thought that it can really build a
character of a person. I am very lucky to have such wonderful coaches that not
only taught me how I could improve my game but also gave me the confidence to
strive for better. Another factor to my success and joy in sports are the
presence of my teammates. My motivation in sports were if not always, are majorly
dependent on my teammates. Especially sports like volleyball and basketball, I’ve
understood the significance of collaborative work. One of the reason to our
success in both our varsity volleyball and basketball seasons were because all
of us on the team KNEW each other, we were always together whether it was
during practice or outside which enabled us be able to support our teammates
when they needed it without much complication because we are not only teammates
but also close friends, we did not take any criticism personal at all, and this
is one of the reasons why I am very proud to be a Razorback. In addition,
without the great coaches we wouldn’t have been united as we are today. Both
the memories and friendship that have been made through sports will definitely
be life-lasting.
The Tzu Chi Medical Mission, Lower School Soccer Club, and POCCH completed the
service parts of my CAS: Make a Better World. These 3 services gave me the most
feedback as I was writing up my reflection. All 3 made a point to me that every
single person in the world has the rights to live and be heard. Although the
kids of the lower school soccer club were not underprivileged as the people in
the medical mission and POCCH, but while I was working with the little kids I
realized that even their thoughts and actions can be valuable because I feel
that often times the voices of children are undermined. As a global citizen I
believe every single person has a role to play in the overall wellbeing of our
universe and mankind.
The
interesting part of CAS is allowing me to open many creative door and this
allowed me to learn and develop many new skills. One of the most obvious skills
that I developed is soldering. When I was an assistive technology volunteer I was
very fascinated by the creativity that people had in the workplace, their job
is to come up with technology that would help assist the ones in need so that
they could live a better quality life. I felt really honored that I could
contribute to such a cause and so I was very eager to learn not only soldering
but also how these many designs were made to suit patient needs and the feedbacks
gotten from doing this job.
One thing
I’ve tried to do as much as possible in my 2 years of IB CAS was that I do the
activities that I really have the passion of doing, not only because I know it
would be enough to meet the minimal CAS requirements but also so that I could
have the motivation and commitment to the activity. On the other hand, I can
have more sentimental value in doing what I do in which allows me to think more
deeply and have more to reflect on. Looking at the activities I’ve done for CAS
there is not one in there that I would say I did not enjoy doing and would never
do it again. All though I was not always punctual, but every time I’m present,
I give in 100% to doing what I need to do because I actually am genuine in what
I do. In conclusion I have grown into a mature young men being experienced and
worked together with many kind of people which allowed me to think through the
many perspectives in life. I believe CAS has made me truly an “International”
scholar and citizen.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Final CAS Reflection
One of the core requirements for the International
Baccalaureate (IB) diploma is CAS, which stands for Creativity, Action, and
Service. Although it has made my
last two years of high school very occupied, it has definitely developed me
into a much more open-minded thinker, a global citizen and a lifelong learner,
the perfect description of an “International” scholar. These aspects of an
individual is also what Brent International School want for their students,
stated in the ESLRs( Expected S). The CAS program forces us to engage ourselves
to not only our school but also our community and maybe even the global society
in general. It reminds us of the things that count and matters, by this I mean
academics are important and we learn multiple subjects so we can build skills
that will allow us to enter the professions we want but when you graduate and
go into the big world, there are many things that we will need to learn that
can be simply be attained through reading books but actual on-the-spot
experience. For me, the hardest part of CAS is not engaging ourselves and to
participate in activities but is the documentation of our progress. To
document, we are required to write up a proposal, then keep journal entries
through out the timeline of the activity and then finally write up a
reflection. All this writing can be extremely frustrating but I think this is
an essential factor to the success of CAS, making it more then just
participating. Writing journals and reflections has allowed me to think twice
about a subject matter, see my own progress throughout the activity, and
constantly participating (except for short term activities). The IB CAS program’s goal is for
students to achieve 8 learning outcomes which are: Increased awareness of his/her own strengths and areas of growth, Undertaken new challenges, Planned and initiated activities, Worked collaboratively with others, Shown perseverance and commitment in
their activities, Engaged with
issues of global importance, Considered
ethical implications of their actions, and Developed
new skills.
My
longest activity was Student Council 2010-2011, it was school year long
activity. Being in this school for all my life, I’ve been hearing election
speeches every single year and very rarely was there a good speech that wasn’t
repetitive. I wonder every year whether or not these candidates know what it
means to be part of the Student Council, and so curiosity hit me, and I was
lucky enough to have been elected as Student Council Treasurer. What I realized
as I was learning the functions of the Student Council and keeping up with
journal entries was that the things the council provides is nothing that’s a
“NEED.” For example, there is no need for throwing parties, having a spirit
week, raising funds and helping the ones in need in our community. There was
not a TO-DO list on the first day, the only job is to satisfy the student body
and meet their expectations, we had to make our own to-do list, which took a
lot of initiative, creativity and collaboration between council members. One huge lesson I learned throughout
the year, is that it takes a lot of careful planning for an activity to work
otherwise many on-the-spot problems will come up and everything will just be a
mess, and when things are a mess it is very hard to work with your fellow
council members.
Throughout
my high school year I’ve always engaged myself to joining varsity sports teams
such as basketball, volleyball, soccer and at times track & field and cross
country. In the 2 years of IB, majority of my action requirement are covered by
my sports activities. CAS for sports are generally the same, you set a goal for
yourself then formulate ways to reach it and then in the end you have an
evaluation of whether or not you reached the goals. With CAS in my mind I was
more concentrated in my overall development as a student athlete, I have gained
awareness of my own strengths and looked for ways to improve my
weaknesses. One of my very own
motto for sports is that commitment and perseverance will pay off and it
definitely has for me this year as our commitment together as a team led to our
ISAC championship in basketball. Never would I have known that sports are not
only dependent on a person’s physicality but also their mentality.
The
Tzu Chi Medical Mission, Lower School Soccer Club, and POCCH completed the
service parts of my CAS: Make a Better World. These 3 services gave me the most
feedback as I was writing up my reflection. All 3 made a point to me that every
single person in the world has the rights to live and be heard. Although the
kids of the lower school soccer club were not underprivileged as the people in
the medical mission and POCCH, but while I was working with the little kids I
realized that even their contributions and thoughts can be valuable because I feel
that often times the voices of children are undermined. With this said the
learning outcome of engaging with issues of global importance and considering ethical
implications of their actions were met.
In
conclusion I have grown into a mature young men being experienced and worked
together with many kind of people which allowed me to think through the many
perspectives in life.
CAS Completion Form
1. Increase Awareness
Boys’ Volleyball
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/one-mistake-one-game.html
Boys’ Basketball
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/02/blow-out-win-against-gordon.html
2. Undertaken new challenges
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
Lower School Soccer Club
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-30th-lower-school-soccer-club.html
3. Planned and initiated activities
Student Council 2010-2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/01/isacsubic-student-council-jan-19-22.html http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-student-council-2010-2011.html
4. Worked collaboratively with others
Student Council 2010-2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/01/isacsubic-student-council-jan-19-22.html
5. Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Boys’ Basketball 2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/04/boys-varsity-basketball-reflection.html
LS Soccer Club Evalution
6. Engaged with issues of global importance
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
POCCH: Make a Better World
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/05/pocch-make-better-world-reflection.html
7. Considered the ethical implications of their actions
POCCH: Make a Better World
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/05/pocch-make-better-world-reflection.html
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
8. Developed new skills
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
Student Council
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-student-council-2010-2011.html
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
Boys’ Volleyball
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/one-mistake-one-game.html
Boys’ Basketball
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/02/blow-out-win-against-gordon.html
2. Undertaken new challenges
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
Lower School Soccer Club
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-30th-lower-school-soccer-club.html
3. Planned and initiated activities
Student Council 2010-2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/01/isacsubic-student-council-jan-19-22.html http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-student-council-2010-2011.html
4. Worked collaboratively with others
Student Council 2010-2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/01/isacsubic-student-council-jan-19-22.html
5. Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
Boys’ Basketball 2011
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/04/boys-varsity-basketball-reflection.html
LS Soccer Club Evalution
6. Engaged with issues of global importance
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
POCCH: Make a Better World
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/05/pocch-make-better-world-reflection.html
7. Considered the ethical implications of their actions
POCCH: Make a Better World
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2012/05/pocch-make-better-world-reflection.html
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
8. Developed new skills
Tzu Chi Medical Mission
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2010/11/tzu-chi-medical-mission-111410.html
Student Council
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/06/reflection-student-council-2010-2011.html
CAAT Volunteer Worker
http://wildocas.blogspot.com/2011/08/caat-cas-reflection.html
POCCH: Make a Better World Proposal
Supervisor's name: Mr. Tolentino
Year 12
Activity Name: POCCH: Make a Better World
Duration of Activity: May 2012
What is my past experience with this activity?
I have been to orphanges here and there with the school and sometimes with my parents. It is always heart warming seeing the people at the orphanage happy at the end of the day and there is always so much to reflect on.
What new learning or skill do I hope to pick up or develop?
Communicating and working with younger children is one think I will definitely try pick up since the children at the orphange do not speak perfect english which can be a challenge to me.
How will this experience be different from that of the past?
The difference between this time and the past is the frequent collaboration with the same orphanage. This means that we are affecting these people long-term rather than short-term and our interactions with them can make a lifelong impact on their well being and future growth.
How am I going to know if I am making progress or experiencing growth in this activity?
If I am making progress, it will be obvious in my interaction with the kids as we will be less awkward towards each other and have a more amiable relationship. Also, I will know if I am experiencing growth when I feel good about what I am doing and when I feel a connection with the kids at POCCH.
Goals
My goal is to bring smile and laughter to the children at POCCH. They already underprivelaged but they need to know they are the same as us, and we are all just human beings and we all deserve to be happy.
Impact
The activity will definitely impact the children and community of POCCH since their well being is the main focus of our activity.
Timeline
Every weekend at POCCH or Brent School Subic
Year 12
Activity Name: POCCH: Make a Better World
Duration of Activity: May 2012
What is my past experience with this activity?
I have been to orphanges here and there with the school and sometimes with my parents. It is always heart warming seeing the people at the orphanage happy at the end of the day and there is always so much to reflect on.
What new learning or skill do I hope to pick up or develop?
Communicating and working with younger children is one think I will definitely try pick up since the children at the orphange do not speak perfect english which can be a challenge to me.
How will this experience be different from that of the past?
The difference between this time and the past is the frequent collaboration with the same orphanage. This means that we are affecting these people long-term rather than short-term and our interactions with them can make a lifelong impact on their well being and future growth.
How am I going to know if I am making progress or experiencing growth in this activity?
If I am making progress, it will be obvious in my interaction with the kids as we will be less awkward towards each other and have a more amiable relationship. Also, I will know if I am experiencing growth when I feel good about what I am doing and when I feel a connection with the kids at POCCH.
Goals
My goal is to bring smile and laughter to the children at POCCH. They already underprivelaged but they need to know they are the same as us, and we are all just human beings and we all deserve to be happy.
Impact
The activity will definitely impact the children and community of POCCH since their well being is the main focus of our activity.
Timeline
Every weekend at POCCH or Brent School Subic
POCCH Make a Better World: Reflection
Although only going to two of the four POCCH sessions, I can already feel a sense of bonding with these underprivileged children. I think it is very important that we know why we are spending time together with them even just once a week and why is doing this service. What we need to understand is, the purpose of having activities with the orphanage is to give them hope and let them know that their social status does not limit them to what they can achieve and to let them know that they are also part of our community, no one should be undermined. I think another very important point is that there is only 2 kinds of people, the willing and unwilling, for those who are willing they can go far in life, and the unwilling just look for excuses to justify their inefficiency to succeed. With that said, even though these orphans are underprivileged and unfortunate, they can still make something out of themselves, and our service to them is giving them that motivation and spark that ignites their potentially bright future, and hopefully someday they will realize the help we’ve given them and make them want to give back to the community, now that’s community service; the sharing of help to make the community a better and peaceful place. The perfect description for me to put it is team work. As a human being, our existence on Earth with each other makes us a one big community, in other words, a team, and in a team, the well-being of one individual leads to the progress of not other individuals but the whole team itself.
This activity benefitted not only the orphans of the POCCH orphanage, but as well as me and my companions who were willing reach out. The whole experience enabled us to think less selfishly and be more grateful which in turns leads to the humbling of our mind. We live so that we can be happy, and being able to be one of the reasons to a person’s happiness is very honorable yet heartwarming, as having the ability to give is much more superior then to receive. With all this being said, throughout all our own individual courses in life, we will meet people that will help you and ask for nothing in return, we need to remember, when we do have the ability we need to give back to always find a way to give back to the community, with this concept we can together, without a doubt make a better world.
POCCH: May 26 Session
The May 26 meeting with POCCH was our final session of the school year 2011-2012. I have missed the last 2 meetings with POCCH but on this particular I was very touched when one of the little kids were looking for “kuya William” which was me. The little boy’s name is El John, he was my favorite in there and the one I remembered the most since because in our first meeting, we played ultimate Frisbee and soccer and he was the smallest little kid out there and he played his heart out! It was so touching for me that he remembered me because out of everyone he remembered me after missing a couple of session with POCCH, this shows that I have left an impact in his memory in which I am very glad to have done. On this May 26 session, we were split into two groups: Theater and Reading. I was fortunate enough to be put into the theater group because I am a horrible reader and I wanted to do something active. Our group started off by playing little games such as “Duck Duck Goose” and “Elbow Tag”. These activities were important because it allowed us to interact with them and so the awkward barrier when people first meet can be broken down. After these games we were split into smaller groups of 8, and now that everyone was warmed up and opened up to each other, we were given a task to come up with a skit that has the same message as the childhood story we had to draw for. Our group happened to get the story “Jack and The Giant Beanstalk.” The problem was we could not come up with a conclusion to what the main message of the story was, so we moved on and did a play on “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” to convey the message of not to lie, otherwise no one will listen to you again. It was a straight forward and simple which was reasonable for the situation because people actually understood our performance unlike the others, where their skits became way too complicated. After the skits, we all ran into the waterslide. At first they were all shy to slide down slide, so I took lead and slid down pulling some of my friends with me. When the next round came, it was the kids pulling me to ride down with me. After the slides we had lunch together in the cafeteria and then we sent them on the bus for long farewell and thank you. In the end it was a hot tiring day but the sweat was definitely worth the smiles that was there that day.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Varsity Basketball Reflection: Memories
On March 15, the ISAC tournament officially started. Our assistant coach, who was also our school principal gave a short speech in the opening ceremony. His speech was brief. I thought it was the perfect most fitting speech that could have been given at that moment. The speech was about making memories. In 30 years, I'll remember less than 1% of the things I've lived through(maybe even less). At the end of the tournament, we have all made ourselves a memory, individually and as a team, a memory that I'm sure all of us will never EVER forget.
Before the tournament, I knew our team was strong but I had no perspective on where we would stand amongst the teams, but either way, we were going strong and going for the win. Our first game with Baguio showed not only to us but everyone watching that we were a championship worthy team. With the home crowd cheering and chanting, our momentum would only increase and Baguio stood no chance. When the buzzer buzzed, we shook their hands before we celebrated with moderation. Though as irrelevant as it seems, I believed our celebrations were what separated us from the other teams, and leading us to our championship. When we won that first game with Baguio, indeed we cheered and was happy for the win, but none of it were offensive to other team, our moderation showed not only that we had class, but also that we knew we would win. Just like making a jump shot, unless it's an impossible behind the backboard or half court shot there's no need to cheer excessively because YOU KNOW ITS GOING IN (at least that's what you should be expecting). Credits to Coach Thompson for engraving this philosophy in our heads, which was a big game changer for our team last year last year, in which we were unsure of what we were doing, dribbled with the lack of confidence and making shocking shots. Although we showed class and sportsmanship, we started to slide down just a tiny bit, knowing that we just defeated possibly the strongest team(besides us) Brent Baguio by 16 points, this led to some dirty and ugly games, however we still cruised through the round robin losing only one game to Faith Academy.
In the 3 days, we played a total of 6 teams: Baguio, Manila, BSM, EIS, FAM, and Southville. What was different with this year's tournament was that every single game that we had was unique and had a story worth telling, that's what got the crowd and audience so into it and the competition so interesting. We had something to learn in every single game we played. Every game was a hard game. Adjusting to coaches change in positions and plays, keeping composure, maintaining the motivation, and dealing with dirty plays from the other team, these were all that we had to face in the 3 days and I'm proudly to say that we are the Champions because we have overcame all this.
The following week after ISAC, we were all excited (for the first time) to bounce back to school, with our heads held high and see our coaches and teammates again to share some of our many experiences and thoughts. Literally, as soon as I stepped on campus, a little girl starts pointing at me and runs away, the same thing happened throughout the week and even until now, I'm getting a lot more greetings and Hi's from the younger kids that I have never encountered in my life. We had one last practice after ISAC for our tournament in Angeles, and Coach mentioned something that I was thinking to myself too, and that was "Great power comes great responsibility." With this "fame" and "attention" we received, it VERY important that we act the right way and set ourselves as role models to the younger ones. This came into my mind because the many times in a day when I was stoked and realized we won basketball, I would always recall those lower school days, going to sleep picturing myself playing on the team with the big boys, and telling myself everyday that I would one day be just like them. The day has come, and now I'm the BIG boy, and the awareness in school is now on the Basketball Team, each and and every one us can impact the lives of the younger ones, and that's great power and truly a responsibility I would never in my life mind taking.
In such a short span of time we've not only gotten better in the game of basketball but also without a doubt, all of us on the team has grown in character, something we showed more than any other team in the tournament. I really cannot thank the coaches enough for this, allowing us to experience such richness of physicality, mentality, and intensity in just 3 days. It made all the hard work in practices, late night watching basketball videos and training outside of practice worth it.
I was glad that my high school varsity sports career. It meant to me more than just the basketball season and the championship itself. It summed up everything up for me since the start of my career in grade 6, a sub on the basketball, volleyball and soccer team with a maximum of 5 minutes playing time, running in the cross country team and working out in the off-season to increase my stamina and strength hoping that I could get more playing time, and have the worse health problem that could ever happen, crippling me for my freshmen year, losing my chance to get better and finally make the team but even that did not stop me from going forward. Personally this championship that we won showed how far I have came and shows that hard work does pay off. It was the best way to end my own little story.
That last moment when the buzzer buzzed, I cannot emphasize enough how wild the crowd went, the next 20 minutes of celebration was a blur to me right now, but I'm sure it was a blur that none of us on the team would ever forget in addition to those who supported us along the season and along the tournament and have witnessed our progress. I have never seen so much school spirit in our school, this was exactly what I dreamed about. This win was for the SCHOOL.
After reviewing my activity proposal I posted in the beginning of the season, I believe I have reached my goals, which was to work hard,play hard so that I would not regret anything, and most importantly implement this same ideology to my teammates, and us working hard throughout the tournament shows that we have given it all. With the win, Brent Subic Basketball has officially built itself a basketball culture, which is that all players play hard and be gentlemen on and off the court.
In 50 years from now, I can with confidence say that I will still remember this moment of my life because of how much it has defined me as a person. This indeed is a "Memory".
I LOVE THIS TEAM.
Before the tournament, I knew our team was strong but I had no perspective on where we would stand amongst the teams, but either way, we were going strong and going for the win. Our first game with Baguio showed not only to us but everyone watching that we were a championship worthy team. With the home crowd cheering and chanting, our momentum would only increase and Baguio stood no chance. When the buzzer buzzed, we shook their hands before we celebrated with moderation. Though as irrelevant as it seems, I believed our celebrations were what separated us from the other teams, and leading us to our championship. When we won that first game with Baguio, indeed we cheered and was happy for the win, but none of it were offensive to other team, our moderation showed not only that we had class, but also that we knew we would win. Just like making a jump shot, unless it's an impossible behind the backboard or half court shot there's no need to cheer excessively because YOU KNOW ITS GOING IN (at least that's what you should be expecting). Credits to Coach Thompson for engraving this philosophy in our heads, which was a big game changer for our team last year last year, in which we were unsure of what we were doing, dribbled with the lack of confidence and making shocking shots. Although we showed class and sportsmanship, we started to slide down just a tiny bit, knowing that we just defeated possibly the strongest team(besides us) Brent Baguio by 16 points, this led to some dirty and ugly games, however we still cruised through the round robin losing only one game to Faith Academy.
In the 3 days, we played a total of 6 teams: Baguio, Manila, BSM, EIS, FAM, and Southville. What was different with this year's tournament was that every single game that we had was unique and had a story worth telling, that's what got the crowd and audience so into it and the competition so interesting. We had something to learn in every single game we played. Every game was a hard game. Adjusting to coaches change in positions and plays, keeping composure, maintaining the motivation, and dealing with dirty plays from the other team, these were all that we had to face in the 3 days and I'm proudly to say that we are the Champions because we have overcame all this.
The following week after ISAC, we were all excited (for the first time) to bounce back to school, with our heads held high and see our coaches and teammates again to share some of our many experiences and thoughts. Literally, as soon as I stepped on campus, a little girl starts pointing at me and runs away, the same thing happened throughout the week and even until now, I'm getting a lot more greetings and Hi's from the younger kids that I have never encountered in my life. We had one last practice after ISAC for our tournament in Angeles, and Coach mentioned something that I was thinking to myself too, and that was "Great power comes great responsibility." With this "fame" and "attention" we received, it VERY important that we act the right way and set ourselves as role models to the younger ones. This came into my mind because the many times in a day when I was stoked and realized we won basketball, I would always recall those lower school days, going to sleep picturing myself playing on the team with the big boys, and telling myself everyday that I would one day be just like them. The day has come, and now I'm the BIG boy, and the awareness in school is now on the Basketball Team, each and and every one us can impact the lives of the younger ones, and that's great power and truly a responsibility I would never in my life mind taking.
In such a short span of time we've not only gotten better in the game of basketball but also without a doubt, all of us on the team has grown in character, something we showed more than any other team in the tournament. I really cannot thank the coaches enough for this, allowing us to experience such richness of physicality, mentality, and intensity in just 3 days. It made all the hard work in practices, late night watching basketball videos and training outside of practice worth it.
I was glad that my high school varsity sports career. It meant to me more than just the basketball season and the championship itself. It summed up everything up for me since the start of my career in grade 6, a sub on the basketball, volleyball and soccer team with a maximum of 5 minutes playing time, running in the cross country team and working out in the off-season to increase my stamina and strength hoping that I could get more playing time, and have the worse health problem that could ever happen, crippling me for my freshmen year, losing my chance to get better and finally make the team but even that did not stop me from going forward. Personally this championship that we won showed how far I have came and shows that hard work does pay off. It was the best way to end my own little story.
That last moment when the buzzer buzzed, I cannot emphasize enough how wild the crowd went, the next 20 minutes of celebration was a blur to me right now, but I'm sure it was a blur that none of us on the team would ever forget in addition to those who supported us along the season and along the tournament and have witnessed our progress. I have never seen so much school spirit in our school, this was exactly what I dreamed about. This win was for the SCHOOL.
After reviewing my activity proposal I posted in the beginning of the season, I believe I have reached my goals, which was to work hard,play hard so that I would not regret anything, and most importantly implement this same ideology to my teammates, and us working hard throughout the tournament shows that we have given it all. With the win, Brent Subic Basketball has officially built itself a basketball culture, which is that all players play hard and be gentlemen on and off the court.
In 50 years from now, I can with confidence say that I will still remember this moment of my life because of how much it has defined me as a person. This indeed is a "Memory".
I LOVE THIS TEAM.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Pre-game reflection
The long 3 day weekend was EXTREMELY LONG. Since Friday I've been waiting for the weekend to end already. All day I can just picture myself in the game, every move I WILL make, every step I WILL take. With the adrenaline rushing, there will be no room for fatigue. On Thursday, once the ball is tipped off, I will NOT let nothing get in my way.
I'm very confident with our basketball team this year, and I'm sure the everyone in school thinks so too. With home court advantage, the positive energy will only keep building up as we progress through out the tournament. There's nothing for us to worry right now, if we play our best, we'll go far, and if we don't, then props to other team/s.
At moment, I just can't wait to get out there and release all this energy. I'm pretty sure my teammates and coaches feel the exact same way. This is the most pumped ISAC ever, AND IT HASN'T EVEN STARTED!
The Goals for the week:
Personal - Maintain the aggressiveness, go 100% every single game and not finish with any regrets
Team - Play as a team and most importantly, with PASSION
I have a feeling this may be it. Time for things to change. Time for Brent Subic's Boy's Varsity Basketball team to take it to another level and break the past reputation.
I'm very confident with our basketball team this year, and I'm sure the everyone in school thinks so too. With home court advantage, the positive energy will only keep building up as we progress through out the tournament. There's nothing for us to worry right now, if we play our best, we'll go far, and if we don't, then props to other team/s.
At moment, I just can't wait to get out there and release all this energy. I'm pretty sure my teammates and coaches feel the exact same way. This is the most pumped ISAC ever, AND IT HASN'T EVEN STARTED!
The Goals for the week:
Personal - Maintain the aggressiveness, go 100% every single game and not finish with any regrets
Team - Play as a team and most importantly, with PASSION
I have a feeling this may be it. Time for things to change. Time for Brent Subic's Boy's Varsity Basketball team to take it to another level and break the past reputation.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Blow out win against Gordon
It's more than halfway through the season, exactly 2 weeks away from ISAC. This is probably by far the best basketball team I've ever encountered in Brent Subic and I think a lot of teachers are having high hopes for this year's team, so am I. Practice has been going really good, everyone is improving everyday. Our plays and defense are working efficiently, I'm very VERY excited for the tournament ahead of us!
Today we had another game with Gordon College. I've been having trouble balancing work and basketball, the past week I haven't been having my head in the game. Lousy defense, making poor passing and shooting decisions has been causing my game play. All this is getting me frustrated and the frustration only keeps piling up, and I've recognized that it is a bad habit of mine, which is to get over things and continue doing my thing. Before the game today, I went straight up to Coach Thompson and told him about my problems and my goals for the week. My goals were: Keep my composure and also be more aggressive. In the game, however, I played the worst I have played the whole season in my opinion. My head could not focus in playing basketball with all the other things happening in my life behind my head and the fatigue I have gotten from the stressful week caused me to second guess myself. I believe I have a whole lot to offer, and I need to quickly break out of this shell because the season is quickly coming to an end. I have 3 things in my mind that I will concentrate on: Maintain aggressive defense, become a lethal offensive weapon, and take a leadership role in the team. I hope the next 2 practices and games in the weekend, will allow me to break out of this shell and achieve what I want to achieve. To help reaching this goal, I need to FOCUS in ONLY BASKETBALL in practice and games, have more confidence with myself, speak up, get back to training outside of the practice and have good nutrition + good sleep to build explosiveness and endurance on the court. All of this will compensate each other, hopefully it will quickly improve my game play.
Today we had another game with Gordon College. I've been having trouble balancing work and basketball, the past week I haven't been having my head in the game. Lousy defense, making poor passing and shooting decisions has been causing my game play. All this is getting me frustrated and the frustration only keeps piling up, and I've recognized that it is a bad habit of mine, which is to get over things and continue doing my thing. Before the game today, I went straight up to Coach Thompson and told him about my problems and my goals for the week. My goals were: Keep my composure and also be more aggressive. In the game, however, I played the worst I have played the whole season in my opinion. My head could not focus in playing basketball with all the other things happening in my life behind my head and the fatigue I have gotten from the stressful week caused me to second guess myself. I believe I have a whole lot to offer, and I need to quickly break out of this shell because the season is quickly coming to an end. I have 3 things in my mind that I will concentrate on: Maintain aggressive defense, become a lethal offensive weapon, and take a leadership role in the team. I hope the next 2 practices and games in the weekend, will allow me to break out of this shell and achieve what I want to achieve. To help reaching this goal, I need to FOCUS in ONLY BASKETBALL in practice and games, have more confidence with myself, speak up, get back to training outside of the practice and have good nutrition + good sleep to build explosiveness and endurance on the court. All of this will compensate each other, hopefully it will quickly improve my game play.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
CAS Activity Proposal: Boys' Varsity Basketball
Student's Name: William Ou
Supervisor's Name: Mr.Thompson
Year: 12
Activity Name: Men's Varsity Basketball Team
Duration of Activity: January 23 - March 17
What is my past experience with this activity?
I have participated in the Varsity Basketball team of Brent Subic since grade six. However, only last year was I chosen as one of the 10 representative for the ISAC tournament. I have always played as either a small guard or point guard since I started playing on the team when I was a small sixth grader. I know and am expecting that there will be hard times throughout the season, such as imrpoving our individual skills and conditioning. Most importantly I am aware that basketball is a team sport and only a team can win. "One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team." -Kareem Adul-Jabbar
What new learning or skill do I hope to pick up or develop?
I hope to become a stronger post player, especially in getting rebounds. Since our team is a very short team, we need as much height as we can in the post area, so I hope I can contribute even just a little in the area. Other than this, I want to improve my shooting accurary even more, which I think can be a big help offensively. As a veteran and a senior, I would like step up to the leadership position on the team by helping teammates when they struggle and encourage them when they do well. Players' mentallity and relationships between teammates to me is the most crucial in defining the success of the team at the end of the season. Playing a leadership role can help achieve that success.
How will this experience be different from that of the past?
The greatest difference with this year's experience on the team would be the fact that I will be one of the oldest player. I should have more responsibility as a player on the team, such as setting as a role model and a positive team culture for the younger players that they would hopefully persist even after I leave the team.
How am I going to know if I am making progress or experiencing growth in this activity?
I can set weekly goals and ask my advisor on my progress and what I can work on. But no matter what, if the team and I are working hard, then I can be sure that we are making progress, individually and as a team.
Goals:
My goal is to work hard and play hard, so that I will not regret anything when the season ends and I want to also motivate my teammates by implanting this same ideaology in them.
Impact:
Me and the rest of the basketball team will benefit from this activity. We will benefit from training everyday, learning the game of basketball, improving individual skills and how to function as a team.
Timeline:
Brent Subic Gym, Monday-Friday, 4-5:30, January 23 - March 17
Supervisor's Name: Mr.Thompson
Year: 12
Activity Name: Men's Varsity Basketball Team
Duration of Activity: January 23 - March 17
What is my past experience with this activity?
I have participated in the Varsity Basketball team of Brent Subic since grade six. However, only last year was I chosen as one of the 10 representative for the ISAC tournament. I have always played as either a small guard or point guard since I started playing on the team when I was a small sixth grader. I know and am expecting that there will be hard times throughout the season, such as imrpoving our individual skills and conditioning. Most importantly I am aware that basketball is a team sport and only a team can win. "One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team." -Kareem Adul-Jabbar
What new learning or skill do I hope to pick up or develop?
I hope to become a stronger post player, especially in getting rebounds. Since our team is a very short team, we need as much height as we can in the post area, so I hope I can contribute even just a little in the area. Other than this, I want to improve my shooting accurary even more, which I think can be a big help offensively. As a veteran and a senior, I would like step up to the leadership position on the team by helping teammates when they struggle and encourage them when they do well. Players' mentallity and relationships between teammates to me is the most crucial in defining the success of the team at the end of the season. Playing a leadership role can help achieve that success.
How will this experience be different from that of the past?
The greatest difference with this year's experience on the team would be the fact that I will be one of the oldest player. I should have more responsibility as a player on the team, such as setting as a role model and a positive team culture for the younger players that they would hopefully persist even after I leave the team.
How am I going to know if I am making progress or experiencing growth in this activity?
I can set weekly goals and ask my advisor on my progress and what I can work on. But no matter what, if the team and I are working hard, then I can be sure that we are making progress, individually and as a team.
Goals:
My goal is to work hard and play hard, so that I will not regret anything when the season ends and I want to also motivate my teammates by implanting this same ideaology in them.
Impact:
Me and the rest of the basketball team will benefit from this activity. We will benefit from training everyday, learning the game of basketball, improving individual skills and how to function as a team.
Timeline:
Brent Subic Gym, Monday-Friday, 4-5:30, January 23 - March 17
CAS Activity Proposal: Bass Guitar Lessons
Student's Name: William Ou
Supervisor's Name: Mr. Flores
Year: 12
Duration: February - May 2012
What is my past experience with this activity?
I have never experience teaching bass to a friend. However, I have tutored piano to some elementary students and have played bass for 4 years now, I am confident and clear of what I'm doing.
What new learning or skill do I hope to pick up or develop?
I hope to develop the skill of organization and time management which I will be needing a lot of in performing the task as well as many other things in life.
How will this experience be different from that of the past?
This experience is different from the past because Mitchell is my friend. It's very hard to have a teacher to student relationship with a good friend. It can either be a distrataction or a advantage, it all depends on both my performance as a teacher and his as a learner.
How am I going to know if I am making progress or experiencing growth in this activity?
Me and Mitchell will organize short weekly meetings with Mr.Florres to access Mitchell's progress in plaiying the bass guitar.
Goals:
Mitchell's goal is to perform atleast once at a school event such as the End of the Year Party. I will give him the choice of what songs he would want to learn.
Impact:
Both Mitchell and I will benefit in this activity, as I will be able to learn how to teach better, which requires a lot of planning. Mitchell will benefit through facing the challenges in learning the bass guitar, which will hopefully get him to become a bass player.
Timeline:
Every Friday and Sunday nigh, 1 hour each session, from February to May.
Supervisor's Name: Mr. Flores
Year: 12
Duration: February - May 2012
What is my past experience with this activity?
I have never experience teaching bass to a friend. However, I have tutored piano to some elementary students and have played bass for 4 years now, I am confident and clear of what I'm doing.
What new learning or skill do I hope to pick up or develop?
I hope to develop the skill of organization and time management which I will be needing a lot of in performing the task as well as many other things in life.
How will this experience be different from that of the past?
This experience is different from the past because Mitchell is my friend. It's very hard to have a teacher to student relationship with a good friend. It can either be a distrataction or a advantage, it all depends on both my performance as a teacher and his as a learner.
How am I going to know if I am making progress or experiencing growth in this activity?
Me and Mitchell will organize short weekly meetings with Mr.Florres to access Mitchell's progress in plaiying the bass guitar.
Goals:
Mitchell's goal is to perform atleast once at a school event such as the End of the Year Party. I will give him the choice of what songs he would want to learn.
Impact:
Both Mitchell and I will benefit in this activity, as I will be able to learn how to teach better, which requires a lot of planning. Mitchell will benefit through facing the challenges in learning the bass guitar, which will hopefully get him to become a bass player.
Timeline:
Every Friday and Sunday nigh, 1 hour each session, from February to May.
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