Merry Christmas!

Season greetings from the Philippines!

looks like the text ain't that visible, laughs... Anyways, Merry Christmas peeps!

John Mark Katindig Torres

NMAT Result

Yeah baby! I have already viewed my NMAT result online and thanks God, everything went according to plan and prayers… I immediately informed my mom to go back home because I would like to show the fruit of faith, support and efforts. Admit it or not, the percentile rank would determine the applicant’s status in the schools we applied for. Part of the rules of every medical school in the Philippines in general is for the applicant to reach their preferred NMAT score. Luckily, I got qualified for all schools in terms of NMAT [because they will also assess GWA], anyway, am more than happy to receive such a wonderful Christmas gift from God. I made not only myself happy but also my family, Madam and Father Kelly [my sponsors] and some concerned friends. Am more than excited to receive the official result via snail mail this January 2011 and have it submitted to my preferred schools. Yippee yippee!

NMAT

I took the National Medical Admissions Test (NMAT) at De La Salle University, Manila yesterday. My family accompanied me right from Bulacan to Manila. We started the trip at pass 4 [we woke up like 3 a.m.] and I felt like really dizzy. We arrived at 5:30 and parked near the University Mall. We haven’t eaten our breakfast and we found no foodchain opened that time. I just ate 2 sandwich buns with patties [afraid that bowel movement and stomach wars will interrupt me during the exam, haha c:]. I went right towards the main entrance and saw a number of students in queue. The guard waved and told us to enter [even at that early] to accommodate perhaps a multitude of students later. Mom, Dad and Vin [my bro] went back to the car and drove to Quiapo as part of the family’s tradition every time Dad’s goes back for a vacation. Alice, my batchmate, came rushing towards me with her mother. Well, while waiting for the next instructions, we had a nice chat about our plans and what’s new in UPLB [I haven’t been to LB for a month or two]. We saw Clarice, Josiah, and many other schoolmates hurdling to get a seat while in queue until we were all allowed to find our respective rooms. I was assigned at the 5^th Floor of Yuchengco Hall [just imagine how many took the exam that day]. NMAT was simultaneously administered in other test centers like in Baguio City, Cebu City, Iloilo City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga City. I was really in great awe as I watch other aspirants rushing to their rooms thinking that with these number of takers, it would really be an achievement to get 90^th percentile rank in the result [that is, scores will be relative to that of the norm group’s performance]. A big WOW for that [and am positive to hear such word for me in a month’s time]! And as I enter my room, I noticed that we were like 6 Torres’ who will indirectly compete with the scores of each other. I just prayed to God that may I be able to recall what I’ve reviewed and prepared and that I surrender the day to Him.

The Test Proper:

The test consists of Part I (three-hour test) & Part II (two-hour-30-minute test). Part I is a 200-item test with 4 subtests:

1. Verbal (Word Analogy and Reading Comprehension),

2. Inductive Reasoning,

3. Quantitative (Algebra, Geom, Trigo and Stat) and

4. Perceptual Acuity Skills.

Part II deals in special areas of Basic Sciences such as

1. Biology,

2. Physics (College Physics),

3. Social Sciences (Socio, Anthro and Psych) and

4. Chemistry (Gen., Org, Inorg, Analytical and Biochem).

For non-science majors, they should focus mainly on theories and formulas in physical sciences. A good browse of introductory courses in behavioural ciences would also be of big help. Some questions were concept-specific also. For computations, the most commonly used formulas should be held in mind always. Some of my classmates opt to enroll in review centers [there are many institutions with such offers anyway].

I for an instance did not take any review center primarily because it would just cost me a lot [and I don’t wanna ask my parents to spend money again coz the applications to the schools were already expensive] aside from the efforts of travelling from Bulacan. I thought to myself that I can have a far more comprehensive review myself without paying someone else to the job I could actually do myself and besides, the scope covered all areas I took when in college [except anatomy and physio]. I just bought an MSA NMAT reviewer which is actually far harder than NMAT, I swear. I browsed high school notes in Math and Science and borrowed a Introductory Psych book from my cousin. Set priorities in areas you think you need to pay more attention. My technique was to list down first the major topics per subject and understand basic concepts, terminologies and formulas. Practice, practice, practice! You may not need to remember each and every detail of your concern because during the exam, all we have to do is to recognize which among the choices fit the answer. With time constraints, there’s no need to recall everything per subject but rather one should learn how to recognize the relevant ideas alone. Stay calm and always have a good sleep. Zzz…

I don’t know why I was able to write these tips I deem helpful [well I hope for my case, laughs]. Am with high hopes to get a pretty fair rank as results will be released 10 days from now, woooah! So help me God. [Everything depends on my NMAT]…

By the way, the very first step in taking NMAT is to register and pay for the corresponding fee. Follow this link peeps: http://www.cem-inc.org.ph/nmat/

A blend of love, service and offering...

As far as I could remember, it was during the 4th quarter of 2001, when a green van with a tall, amiable white man fetched I believe 10 of us students from Minuyan Elementary School for some sort of examination. Not known to us, that day marks the very chance of a lifetime. I just took the tests the usual way I do in school, with no worries of whether meeting the requirements to pass or not. The principal made it clear to us, though after, that the foundation will be selecting deserving students from Sapang Palay to receive scholarship for High school. However, I am from Bigte, Norzagaray and to be part of it will contravene the rule. I finished my elementary education as the batch Valedictorian with a very good news to both my mom and dad, that I got accepted as a scholar under Financial Assistance Program (FAP). Indeed, when it rains, it pours...

I am a farm boy. My dad’s a driver while my mom’s taking good care of us. We raise pigs for quarterly earnings. I’ve been through a usual farm life with cows and goats, ricefields and veggies, hays and pads. But never did I stop dreaming that someday, I know, we can be more than what we were before. My interests in school were further reinforced by Assumption Development Foundation with our annually-held Summer Enhancement Program. With the scholarship in hand, I managed to finish and obtain a quality secondary education in a private school, Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College. I always do my best in bringing recognition to the foundation in every way I can and as a student, to make both my parents and the foundation grateful of having me, I always strive to get high grades. With continuous support, I graduated BS Biology Major in Microbiology at the UP Los Baños. Shifting gears, what made ADF very indisputably distinct, is that it establishes not the typical benefactor-scholar relationship but rather a long term bond of love, service and offering. Monthly meetings are highly regarded to serve a long-term goal of guiding us all for a lifetime. What I have learned from this foundation are things we can’t acquire in schools and in other institutions we might belong. The values, stories and life’s examples Madam and Father shared with us helped us establish our personalities. Furthermore, they taught us the need to be aware of the things happening around us, the true essence of service and offering for the Filipinos and for the Philippines in general.

I believe that the sense of responsibility is one of the best characters I have developed in the course of my stay in the center. In everything that I do, I always reckon what would be the effects and consequences of my actions. In this world we live, every decision we make and every path we take have substantial effects to other people. For the world and human well-being are inextricably linked, it underpins that we are not living our lives for ourselves but for the welfare of others. Realizations, concerns and incorporation of humane values are the ingredients why we ADF scholars stand where we are now. I know that I would not be who I am now because of this foundation. How I wish it can accommodate more youth for them to experience and understand that life is not just living for ourselves but living for others as well. And as I strive to be the paragon in the years to come, I am looking forward to be its lifetime constituent to continue its noble works for the ideal Philippines.

Though not all dreams can be achieved as we confront the reality, we should still keep holding on our dreams for dreaming itself is part of God’s plan. If we let it go, then we’re starting not to believe. God moves in mysterious ways...Move out of the box and explore...or else, we’ll never know what’s in store for us...

Starting the book of our lives, where stories of altruism, achievements and hopes shared together...


John Mark Katindig Torres
the dreamer outside Sapang Palay

Image used fr

http://ittakessolittle.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=6

Plants in Milestones of Life Experience fervent passion. Unravel the gist of floral gems. Behold the Language of Flowers.

I graduated last April 24 of this year. However, I decided to go back to school and take extra courses to comply with the required units in med schools. I took comparative anatomy, practical botany and human physiology. The following piece is from practical botany; a GE course in natural science. We prepared a video for the said matter.


Long time ago, plants have been associated with human activities may it be as foods, medicine, clothing or part of some sort of rituals and beliefs. Overtime, meanings of their uses have developed great sense and different sentiments during various milestones of life. In an aim to deal with the plants used in milestones of life, we presented how flowers become a way of communicating feelings shared throughout one’s life.
First of all, the question that bothered our group was ‘do flowers have a specific meaning?’. We ended up thinking like it might have all started because they have wonderful colors and because people use them as gestures and symbols for communicating with their loved ones. Whenever there is a special event, to express sympathy, to show how much love you have for someone, or simply by just telling that you are there; all these acts and emotions can be well represented by these beautiful and enchanting colorful bracts and plant organs. In the course of time, traditional meanings may be provided for each and every flower that we have in the world but to know the real message the person likes to convey will always vary. After all, what matters most is the effort and compassion wrapped together with the flowers. Words will still play its role in communication.
We focused on birthday, graduation, courtship, marriage, anniversary, and period of senescence; those which are usual events in once life. We depicted a typical story of an old man reminiscing his times during youth and with his family as he approaches the near death. For every event we portrayed, we used specific flowers and identified their relative significance for that event.
Generally, regarding the main topic of the activity, our class have successfully integrated the important points in the lecture as we explore different plants and their associated uses and meanings may it be in terms of sociology and just mere daily significance in life. We have learned the various plants we associate with religion, superstitious beliefs and the like. Of most, I enjoyed our part. That “Talent Galore” was indeed a great idea for the recit class.
Giving flowers is a powerful way to share our sentiments on those very important events in the lives of our friends and family. While meanings may vary and change, forgotten and taken for granted, the idea itself of giving flowers will always be worth remembering. So, why not send someone you care about some flowers today!

John Mark Katindig Torres

Life's Trainee

I still consider myself a student, with no other aspects concerned or vague and deep interpretations included, at least for this semester even if had already received my college diploma last April, ‘cause I am still indeed a student. I think there exists a driving force in me motivating me to study further, to learn more things life has to offer, exploring any possible stuff I haven’t yet encountered. I feel so eager to improve myself in many ways; all of which I always remind myself to pay attention to, to become a holistic individual. Right now and in the next six years of my life, I’ll be investing a lot for the fulfilment of my greatest dream; one thing I could barely imagine would be possible. To pursue a medical career has always been a dream of mine but things would not be that easy to get. Reality most of the time suggests that sometimes we should be satisfied with what we have or to the extent of what we can acquire but I do not in particular stick to it. I firmly believe that in one way or another we can still have what we dream of and be what we aspire to be, just in time we didn’t expect it to happen, even when odds do not permit it and sternly persisting against our plans.

Four years had gone so fast and it took me a while to face the fact that my status as a student now faces its end. It made me then wonder how did it happen and to whom do I owe the inspirations I had in pursuing the last four years of my student life. April 24 marks the last commencement exercise I will be attending but it does not signify that I should stop striving for my improvement as a person. The idea that I will soon be graduating even welcomes me to a new phase of my life, a stage far different from what I used to have in the past 20 years of my life. I could still remember, when I was in second year high school, I was wishing of being a working man, earning for the family with no other concerns, but now, it seems like I’m craving for more years as a student, afraid of losing dependence from the older ones. But this is life, the changes occurring are irresistible. Only by complying with these changes that we will find ourselves caught in another set of opportunities and challenges life offers for further growth and development. I always keep in mind what Stephen Covey said about our capabilities; that it needs kaizen or continuous improvement. For me, my life is like a recipe. The main ingredients of my character have already been identified yet the seasonings that will add up more taste and twist to me as a holistic individual are not yet discovered. Well, I believe that I am not fully equipped to deal with the challenges that I may encounter but the inspirations and perseverance to achieve those residing in my soul serve the source of my strength to pursue things. A never-ending road awaits for us to take.

John Mark Katindig Torres

Realization On My 21st Birthday

Oh oh oh, it is my birthday and the date suggests my age as well. Starting the day right, I woke up before 5 am, did some washings, broke down the corridor of the apartment, passed the indoor pond and the garage and entered the canteen. As usual, rice as our staple food made the course with hotdog. It’s my day yet, I was alone taking my breakfast when I should be still at home in Bulacan with my family since in the university we usually have no classes on Mondays. I remembered a week before, we had plans of rescheduling our anatomy class on a Monday, and it will be made effective today. Anyway, I didn’t have the guts to wake up my roommate and join me with my meal given that he doesn’t have classes today and I’ll just be spoiling his deep sleep. Part of my everyday routine is to start taking a bath an hour or two before my appointment and for today, this was when my mom and some of my HS classmates started expressing wishes and greetings to me thru text messages. I wore my green polo shirt my mom gave me and walked to school. I felt so happy thinking that finally, my TTH class will be officially be rescheduled on a Monday because if this will be the case, I’ll be having more time for any part time job available. However, it turned out the other way and so I went back home very disappointed of my early return in Laguna on a Sunday. It was just pass 7 in the morning and I found myself caught in boredom. I started reading my syllabus in anatomy in preparation for next session. Then lunch came with my roommate; a time for some chit chats. After filling my gut, I started reading my third John Grisham’s book, A Painted House. Lying on my bed, I finished the first four chapters of the book and eventually fell asleep. Got woke up by a body clock at pass 4 in the afternoon and started responding to the greetings I’ve received via text messages. I then asked Princess, a good college friend of mine to join me for a dinner when I remembered that she has her sister with her. She asked me if she could bring Kim, her sister with her and of course, I found it nice to be with the two. Time passed so quickly and suddenly I had my outdoor attire worn, ready for the dinner. I decided to have our meal at Mommy Ludy’s (‘coz I was craving that time for cordon bleu which whenever we do grocery in Fairview is always part of our list). They made their own orders and I had mine done as well. Cess, as many of our friends used to call her, is a batchmate of mine in Microbiology and is currently taking her Masters in the said field. We had lots of stories shared as if we haven’t seen each other for years. Well, most of our accounts were our experiences for the past three weeks of June back in the university as students again. It always felt good exchanging discourses with her and moments with her just reminded me of my HS classmate who thinks very out-of-this-world. It’s my day and so with no words uttered, I’m the one who’s in-charge of the bill (a once in a blue moon thing, LOL). While I’m on the process of this blog, some sort of my bitter past crossed my mind but I think, it would be better to leave it unsaid. Anyway, I accompanied them back home and went to my place on my own afterwards. Oh by the way, on my way to LB Square (where most of the gimmick nights in Los Banos is held), Gela, college blocmate, called me through phone to say her thoughtful greetings. Upon meeting Cess, she handed me over a present, a set of nice papr clips and a stress ball, and of the two, I like the latter. It would be my second because my bestfriend and I exchanged one each before we left for Bulacan last April.

No one in my place knew that I was actually celebrating my birthday. I didn’t tell them and they didn’t ask ‘bout it when we all first met. It was I think pass 9 when I arrived home though I should be in our place much earlier. I always walk unhurried unless there are time constraints and the like. I was wondering that time with my feelings and a lot of things until I reached the front gate. I sat on a corridor bench, gazed at the stars quickly fading every now then above the clouds, thinking what’s with me all through these teenage years that I haven’t yet entered nor made moves to end up with, you know, a usual relationship. Am I still attached to the events of the past that it holds me back when I can actually and should move on? I really don’t think getting into a relationship would help things out. At some point that night, I realized that my status’ actually discomfits and causes me uneasiness and worries but what can I do, I can’t find the one who can replace YOU...

This pic was taken last May 2; an advance celebration while my dad's with us still coz he's working abroad.