Contest Instead Of Rest

Different: My semestral break this year was different from the others. 'Twas the only time that I got very busy and concentrated much in my reviews for the Regional STEP Skills Development and Competition; and also, a time to meet a "new friend".

My Last Year in STEP (probably in Mangaldan - October 28-30): I enjoyed this, really. Although we weren't able to bring home all the awards, I'm still glad for this experience I had. New skills competitions were added this year, like the Fertilizer Computation. I was chosen to be the representative of Vigan City Division on this. Since it was new, we had to prepare for it that's why I attended an intensive review at the Provincial Agriculture Office before going to Mangaldan. We also reviewed for the Techno Quiz. Without being boastful, I can say that our tandem was great, and we might have a chance to win in the region. However.. I was very very very disappointed for I wasn't able to participate in the quiz show. There was a conflict in the schedule of two event skills. 'Twas done simultaneously. But I feel contented, a bit only.

Calculator: At least, I met a new friend.. in an extraordinary way.. very unusual. He’s from Urdaneta City and was actually my opponent in the competition. We met because of a calculator! He was absented-minded like me. Maybe he hadn't also read the guidelines about the required calculator - a nonscientific calculator. He and I only noticed that we brought the wrong one when the competition was about to start. And in coincidence, I had two. He borrowed the other one. After the contest and before we parted ways, he thanked me and we talked about where we're planning to study in college. His coach was too “makulit” unlike him who’s so “silent”.

He’s GEORGE.