# data[].attributes.body
My phone and earphones are my best friends. They have been my companion for almost a decade already. I've experience different feelings when I'm with it. I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I got mad, and the like with it. Whether if it's for listening to music, watching movies and TV series, connecting with friends, capturing precious moments, they have been with me. I wake up to it and use it before I go to sleep. I feel like there's a void in me whenever I don't have it with me or when the battery drains. I know it's "very millennial" for me to chose it but it sure has helped me in every waking moment of my life.

# data[].attributes.body
I value words. More than anything, I value ideas within words. The idea that entire feelings, people and even worlds can be held in a single sentence is always such a powerful and life-changing thing to me. It's probably why I love books and have since I was a child, collected them and I am proud to be the owner of a tall shelf filled with books but I am a bit ashamed that the first series I've ever completed is the twilight saga series complete with graphic novels.

So if there were any inanimate object that I value the most. It's probably a book, what else can make you smarter, distract you from your world, open your eyes to issues you were never even aware of. So expect that in the future,My book collection would grow bigger and bigger,who knows? maybe I would even have to buy a new shelf?

Carido, Hannah Lesly S.
3ELS2

# data[].attributes.body
I’m not a materialistic person, well at least that’s what I believe.

But my iPad deserves an acknowledgement for making me so happy.

This thing accompanies me 24/7, from the moment I open my eyes until I close them.
Its loud familiar noise called “strum” wakes me up in the morning, and its blinding screen light goes all-nighter with me every time I have something to do.

It was also the same friend who taught me everything, good and evil you name it.

Whenever I’m alone, it was my company. My submissive friend who does everything that I command, not unless it has a virus. Lol.

It captures all my important memories, and logs my significant events. It’s like a hybrid of my mom and my dad, It just makes me happy, what else is there to say.

It has everything that I want and all the things that I need, and I think that’s the reason why it became my happy little pill.

P.S
No offense to my phone, I love you also.

-Noreen Penullar 3ELS2

# data[].attributes.body
Sonny Manansala

I have spent a few minutes thinking of what I will write on our previous journals. However, today’s writing prompt is an easy one for me. If there is an object that I loved since I was a child, it is definitely a guitar. I play the guitar when I am happy and inspired. I play the guitar when I am bored and down.

Guitars have played a very important role in my life. They are always there for me. They helped me deal with a lot of problems. Whenever I have a bad day, I just play my guitars, or maybe clean them, or maybe just look at them. This has been happening since I was in grade school. Anxiety is another thing it has helped me with. I always tend to be anxious when I was in high school, and playing the guitar is one of the things that can make it better.

Guitar helped me with my problems, but they did not stop there. They are the reason that I got to know a lot of my friends now. I was in a guitar club my whole high school as I love it so much, and also because I do not know any more skill. Playing the guitar is one of the few things that I am comfortable doing. It made my life more joyful and became a tool for me to experience great things. Guitars also introduced me to the artists who influenced my personality and inspired me to be a better person.

As you can see, guitar has given me a great life. However, there are also some negative things that came with it. Yes, I made a lot of friends through it, but I also got in bad terms with some people because of it. The times when playing the guitar is not yet a passion for us, but merely a competition. There is also a period in high school that I got so serious on improving my skills with it that I rarely talk to my family, and even to my friends. During these years, I play the guitar after I woke up, and I immediately go to it when I got home after school. It is basically the only thing that I am interested in then, nothing else. I got so hooked to it that there are many times in which I have chosen practicing over going to trips with my family. In spite of these few things, I still think that guitar is the most wonderful invention of mankind.

# data[].attributes.body
Jemimah V. Bongcayao

3ELS2

I am not a person that gets attached to inanimate objects but if I had to choose an object that gives me joy, then it would be clothes. My weight has always been an issue since I was younger because it was hard for me to pick clothes that I like which would fit me. I always had to wear the ones that only had my size that we can afford but they were quite limited. That is why now that I have grown up, my keenness to buy clothes grew.

The clothes that I enjoy wearing are not tank tops, skirts and dresses; I prefer shirts, pants and sweaters. I would instantly purchase it if the style or print on it piqued my interest. I am one of those people that really looks for discounted clothes and buys when there is a sale, completely aware that it is a hoax. I also have this slight addiction of not wearing my newly bought clothes; I would only allow myself to wear them if there are already new ones that will substitute them in my closet. It causes me stress when my mom nags at me for wanting to obtain additional clothes even though there are still some unused ones in my closet. Despite of this, I am still far from being a shopaholic since I can still control myself if I know that I cannot afford it. I would not risk expending all of my savings if the clothing is not worth its price.

I know if it is wise or not to purchase something especially since it is not even my hard earned money. I am blessed to have a comfortable lifestyle which allows me to get the things I want so I should really appreciate it by not wasting money but my love for clothes makes it really difficult for me sometimes.

# data[].attributes.body
There is nothing worse than leaving home without my earphones especially when I’m going to travel alone. I like watching the movements of the cars passing by while listening to music. I am the type of person who is into music; from rock, reggae, country music, indie, opera, and classic. It may sound cliché but music helps me to escape from the worries and to the reality I live in. It is a piece of art that goes into my ears straight to my heart.

Whenever I don’t want to be bothered and just want to do something without people chatting me up, I just plug it on my phone, put the volume up, and insert the two little cute pods that ease me and isolate myself from other people. There are times I can’t express my feelings into words then there is music that speaks for me. It soothes my mind and gives my heart a rest.

by Mary Jolina Francisco

# data[].attributes.body
By: Michelle Marasigan
3ELS2

I collect notebooks, and yes, it’s one of my fetish.

I have been collecting notebooks for as long as I can remember. Since I was a kid, I loved collecting things. I remember I started collecting cute pens of different shades and sizes. But as the time went by, I realized it was a stupid idea since I discovered the ink would ran out eventually. Thus, shifting my attention to its trustee partner, the notebook!  This has go on since I was in high school, every time the school starts I would always buy two to three extra notebooks to add to my collection.

As of the moment I have approximately 36 unwritten notebooks in my room, excluding the ones I have already used. They are well tucked in a drawer in one of my cabinets. Until now the drill has been quite the same. Whenever I pass by bookstores or crafty shops, my eyes would always be on the hunt for notebooks to add to my collection. The cuter and more stylish the notebook is, the more irresistible it is to buy.

You might be thinking like my sister right now and probably asking the same question that she keeps on asking me whenever she tries to snatch a piece of my collection: “What are you going to do with all those notebooks?”

Well, all I can say is, as an aspiring writer, it makes all the difference. I have always been into writing when I was young. And personally, I prefer handwritten letters or notes. For me, it feels more sincere, genuine, and industrious. The thought that I have a lot of fresh pages to write on makes me feel like I have more spaces for my outrageous, shallow, hilarious, and uncanny thoughts somewhere. They are welcome in my notebooks.

Thus, I therefore conclude that notebooks make me happy.

# data[].attributes.body
My post is empty. Oh wait, it is not anymore. Words are filling it. Finally! My brain is working. This makes me feel happy. The way the thoughts are flowing, cascading towards the page. I am excited, elated. At long last, I can submit something. After this, I can move on. Am I just wasting my time writing about nothing? No. This is not just nothing. This is something. This makes me feel elated. The high from finally being able to accomplish something. I’d like to thank these words. These inanimate words that have come out and are steadily being arranged onto this page. At last, the post is not empty. At long last, I can move on.

Well, enough of that.

But the thing that really makes me happy is my recently acquired ukulele. My father accompanied me when I bought it and it is what I spent my birthday money on. Before actually purchasing the ukulele, which I dubbed Yuki Lily just because, we went to a couple of stores that sold the instrument. Choosing was difficult because I had no knowledge on what kind of ukulele I should get. I thought I could just go into a store and point to one and say, “Yes, I want that one!” Silly me. We found Yuki at the third store we went through. A salesman was playing it. It was blue, and the words “La Union” on its headstock. I loved the way it sounded so me and my father decided to purchase it along with two books for ukulele beginners.

I am still trying to memorize the different chords to play with it as well as some simple songs. I play it whenever I feel stressed. I just strum it again and again, playing the four same chords I learned: G, C, Am, and F. The amount of school works given to us prevents me from spending a lot of time for practice so, I just play it whenever I can. Right now, I am trying to learn how to play “The Judge” by Twenty One Pilots.  I cannot wait for summer vacation so I can be able to learn more songs to play and someday, hopefully, I may produce my own songs with it.

# data[].attributes.body
LUISSE GABRIELLE R. RUTAO

Without my makeup kit I feel incomplete. One thing that you will surely find in my bag is my makeup kit. My makeup kit comprises of a concealer, eyeliner, blush on, eyebrow pencil, mascara, eye shadows and lippies of different kinds. Each makeup has its own function and role that it plays not only on making ourselves look good but also of purposes that are comparable in our lives.  I use a concealer to cover dark spots or portions of my face specifically of marks under my eyes, spots in between my nose and others. Like the way we must conceal things that are to be kept in life. Those dark memories which we need to forget for a while to keep going.

I use eyeliner to highlight the edges of my eyes so as how we should highlight things and matters that are needed to be prioritized and stuff that are not to be taken for granted in life. Matters like studies, relationships and future careers. I use blush on to emphasize my cheeks whenever I smile like on how we must put importance on the things that makes us happy rather than of the bad ones.

I use eye shadows of different varieties to add color to my eyes identical on how we must add and put flavor to our personalities to jive in with a variety of people with different personas. I use an eye brow pencil to shape my brows the way I want them to look like. Similar on how we should manage and take control in shaping our lives the way we want it to turn out.

I use different types of brush to blend and to remove excess makeup similar to the way we should remove and brush out things that are not important and significant in our lives.

I use mascara to expanse volume and extend my eyelashes resembling to the way we should extend our patience when trouble comes a long our way. And lastly, I use my lippies to enhance my lips and match the tone of my whole make up. Parallel on how we should learn to stand out and be different among everyone else. Be different! Be unique! Like the color of your lipstick!

Other people including I are too afraid of showing a bare face, having been frighten on what other people might say about them. They use makeup as a tool to hide their true selves instead of showing what they really are. Don’t use makeup as a cover up but rather use it as medium to highlight things that are to be loved about you! Be true! Be you! Stay fab!

# data[].attributes.body
Cortes, Bianca Isabel T.
3ELS2

Regardless if you are Miss Universe or the Queen of England; you have to get rid of your toothbrush every three months. No matter what type of toothbrush you use, you cannot escape the different kinds of bacteria in your bathroom which your toothbrush can be exposed to. But, this is not the case for me—thanks to my toothbrush sterilizer.

Fear of bacteria and microorganisms is a constant drumbeat for my Obsessive-Compulsive disorder. That is why when I was first made aware of this new technology, I was immediately intrigued. On Christmas Eve, while waiting for the Noche Buena to be prepared downstairs, I was watching YouTube videos of my favorite Korean boyband, BTS in my room. I stumbled upon a particular video wherein one of the members, Kim Taehyung very enthusiastically showed off his favorite item in his luggage that he brings with him anywhere… his toothbrush sterilizer.

Taehyung explained what it does in great detail; it kills 99.9% of germs with a special UV bulb, leaving your toothbrush fresh and clean for the next use. He then closed the lid and the UV bulb lit up for five minutes and automatically shut off after it's done.

I then giddily Googled where I can purchase the exact same product here in Manila, but sadly, I found out that it is only available in South Korea. I contemplated for a few days whether the toothbrush sterilizer is worthy enough of the shipping fee and its’ waiting time.

Now, when I see it every morning, I have zero regrets about buying it. Not only does it really do its job, it also complements most of the stuff I have in my bathroom as it is in color white—bonus points for my OCD!

# data[].attributes.body
What ‘object’ makes me happy?

As of now, the object that makes me happy is my Kumamon named Daegu. I bought my little bad boy on the 27th last month (February). I can still remember the exact date because it was the day I was able to meet up with my best friends from high school.

I have always been in love with stuffed toys. In fact, I own a whole lot. As far as I can remember, I have been collecting stuffies (I’m sorry. I really call them stuffies hahaha) ever since I was a child. Stuffed toys give me company when I’m alone. Also, whenever it’s cold voilà! I have an instant cuddle buddy. I am really fond of soft objects, I don’t know, they’re just really comfortable.

It was a Monday when I bought Daegu at a store named Miniso inside SM City, San Lazaro. Honestly, I had no intention in buying a stuffed toy that day. It was not even on my shopping list, but when I saw the rack of ‘the good stuff’, I immediately got one and placed it into my cart. After that, I was so happy and excited to snuggle myself into the cute stuffy-pillow.

Another reason why I love it so much is because it reminds me of what happened on the day I purchased it. Just as what I have said earlier, it was the day my best friends and I met for the very first time here in Manila. We seldom meet at our province when it’s vacation because it is either I am out of town or it is them who aren’t home. We’ve had a lot of fun, and were able to catch up about the things we’ve been missing out. That day was the only exception to my dread for Mondays, for it was full of bliss.

Lastly, Daegu is special to me because this past week, school has really been a pain in the arse. My baby stays up with me until I’m finished with my schoolwork and when it’s time to sleep, it helps me forget about my nightmares. I feel safe when I embrace my Daegu.

# data[].attributes.body
PAMELA D. RECIO

My grandmother once said, “You cannot find happiness in material possessions.” When I first heard it from her when I was just probably around seven years old, it made me wonder. If that’s the case, how come whenever I get to see books in bookstores, and toys in toy stores, my heart flutters? It was as if I was Gretel, looking at a chocolate and candy-covered house in the middle of the woods, drawn into its beauty. As time went by, I realized I was beginning to disagree with her. There is something about materials things that make a person feel ‘happy,’ even if that kind of happiness is more temporal than the happiness one can get from experiences or actual events.

Perhaps, I was born time-conscious. If other people tend to have an obsessive compulsive disorder which turns them into a neat freak, I probably have a ‘time-conscious’ disorder (if there’s such term). Ever since I was young, I despise being late to class, not being able to submit before the deadline, and not being able to do tasks on my scheduled time. For me, time is essential and one who does take time for granted has not valued life at all. My time-consciousness even brought me to a point when the other members of my family tagged me as “the girl always in a hurry.” They see the simplicity of time. I see the complexity of it. Time controls our every move for we move in accordance to the time that we have, and being aware of time makes it easier to get things done.

Now that I am about to turn twenty in a few days, I suddenly realized, that among my prized possessions, it’s my salmon pink wristwatch that keeps me blissful and at peace when I do not forget to wear it – a symbol which reflects my being time-conscious. It was actually a gift from one of my best friends, Hillary. She said that she bought it in Singapore last Christmas vacation. It was actually a set, with two bracelets which I often use whenever I hang out with my friends and family. The strap was a bit big for my wrist but I do not mind at all, I still wear it. The wristwatch, other than its actual use as a time-checking device, reminds me that there are people around me who will make time for me – to listen to my stories, to tell me what to do, and to correct me if I am wrong. Like a watch’s strap, these people make me feel secured with their presence. Like the minute hand, they constantly move me to make right decisions, and get me to my goals like the hour hand even if the progress is not quite fast.

A wristwatch might be a plain, boring, material possession for some, but for me, it reflects time – the time which all of us have to take seriously, for time, once gone, is a time that can no longer be retrieved. It only moves forward, and all we have to do, is to make sure that we are not left behind.

# data[].attributes.headline
That one thing that never fails to make me happy

# data[].attributes.subject
That one thing that never fails to make me happy

# data[].attributes.body
MEDINA, Dancelle Jasmine M.

As we deal with life every single day, we experience its various kinds. First, there are days when you feel like the world is finally going in your favour and everything just keep falling on its place. It feels like God has finally heard our prayers. We feel lucky to be alive. However, just like the cliché plot in every movies where there is the beautiful and good things, its opposite, of course, will always be present which are the ugly and bad things, comes the second type of days which are those days when we feel like nothing seems to go our way and that the world just keeps letting us down. And, lastly, there comes those days that are dull, nothing seems to excite us anymore and getting out of bed is not part of the option, but you are forced to because no matter how dread, sad, and lonely we feel inside, the world is not going to stop and wait for you to get on your feet again.

Lucky are those people who experience the first kind of days that I mentioned above at least thrice a week. But, for those who constantly just encounter the second and the last or third kind of days, aside from I can relate and feel sorry for us, the unfortunate people, I say we have to learn how to turn days like those into something at the very least bearable, if not good. We have to think of ways on how we can actually ease the feeling of negativity.

In my case, when I encounter such days when I feel like I have done nothing right and it just feels suffocating and I am drowning with the negative thoughts and energy, I would most likely find the best thing that I know would always make me happy and maybe, if you know me very well, you have already guessed what it is…yes, food. For me, there is nothing more satisfying and truly appeasing than the taste of my favourite food, specifically and usually, it is chocolate and cold coffee.

When I feel down, pressured, and stressed out caused by the amount of schoolwork in every courses we have now that we are in our third year in the university, I find time to end my day eating the food I am craving for on that day or just go straight home after school because there is no better food for me than the ones cooked by my mama.

In life, in order to survive, we must think and have something to look forward to everyday. It can be the plan of binge watching a television series, going out with friends, or maybe similar to mine, just food…eating, and have some good time alone.

# data[].attributes.body
by: Chloe Elijah L. Malicdem

From the smallest of things to the grandest, I am the type of person who appreciates everything and anything. The fact that someone has thought of me when they saw something is already a source of happiness for me. I am a very sentimental person and I consider what is given to me as not only a gift but a treasure together with the person who gave it to me.

Just recently, a friend had given me something from when she and her family traveled to Korea. It was a pair of chopsticks. An object of about ten inches has become a source of my happiness ever since it was given to me. First, it is because I really did not expect anything from her and I did not even know that she went to Korea for a vacation during the Christmas break until she posted a photo in one of her social media accounts. Second, I was really planning to buy myself a pair of chopsticks because to be honest, I am in my third year of college, I claim to love eating Korean and Japanese food but the irony of it is I do not know how to use a chopstick! So when she gave me one, I was really grateful and extra excited to use it. Third and a big part of why it makes me happy is because it is my goal to visit Korea and experience the culture that Koreans have. I may be perceived as mushy or overreacting but every time I use the chopsticks and top it off with a spicy ramen, I get a bit of a feeling of being in Korea even though I haven’t been there yet.

Now that I think about it, it is the little things that really make me happy. Whenever people say that it is the thought that counts, cliché as it may seem, but I really believe it. I consider the little things my simple joys.

# data[].attributes.body
Ingalla, Marie Carmella DR.

I am not a very enthusiastic person, and I don’t easily feel happiness with material things. But there’s just one exception that every time I see this shade, I can’t help but smile.  Teal is my happy color: bags, pens, handkerchiefs, wallet, notebooks, highlighters, pillows, blanket, and even slippers, you name it. There’s something about it that makes me feel beautiful.

Out of all my teal-colored things, my most favorite is my wallet. It is the best shade of teal that I could ever wish for. It has 3 pockets for the peso bills, 8 small pockets for my personal cards, and a coin pocket.  It is so space-wise that I can also put receipts inside, and also my condo unit key. Its most unique function is that I can put my phone in it just because it fits well. With all these pockets and features plus the fact that it comes in handy and it brings elegance to my hand practically sum up why I am in love with my wallet.  I consider it the most precious to me, second to my cellular phone.

I say material things don’t really get a grip on my attention but if it is my favorite color, it really makes me happy in snap. With my wallet, it’s just so valuable to me than any other teal-s that I have. Well not just because it is with that color, but because of its essence with my daily life.

# data[].attributes.body
3ELS2 Hannah Cabardo

Art materials has always been on the top of the list of things that really make me happy.  Drawing has always been my hobby ever since childhood. I am that kid that would rush to art supplies section of the National Bookstore just to gaze at art materials that cost an arm and a leg. I still do that a lot even if right now, I am mostly a digital artist.  However, I can’t always bring with me my laptop and graphics tablet, it is, if not quite, really heavy. In that case I would switch to your classic traditional art.

There are many art materials to choose from if it comes to traditional art and this frustrated artist would be really happy to talk about it for hours. However, time is limited, so I chose to talk about my beloved pencil case instead.

I am that living thing that is in constant need of paper and pen (aside from my graphics tablet). In the brink of boredom; any brand will do, even tissue papers are not safe from me. With that said, my pencil case is my savior (since I could draw on any surface if I need to).

It is pretty handy in size (at least for me). Its transparency enable me to see its contents and it makes it all the more special. It includes the basic necessities in my life- I mean things that I need for drawing such as my trusty mechanical pencil, its lead case and eraser. However, there are times that I would suffer from pencil crisis so as a result, I use light weight pens, especially the ones from Faber castle.

Recently I did an upgrade and added markers to my collection. Before, I am more of a color pencil person but right now I have discovered markers, my life has never been the same. Most of them are brush tip pens, since it has this good feel when it glides on the paper and it has a good coverage. I usually use them to color my drawings which are mostly from the anime that I am currently addicted with.

If I am allowed to call a thing my best friend, it would be my pencil case.
It got everything that I usually need and I love it for that matter.

# data[].attributes.body
A thing that is making me happy at the moment is something that someone gave me. I appreciate it a lot because I didn’t really ask for it, but still, that person thought of giving it to me. And I think that’s a very kind gesture. It’s also looking very cute and it matches the overall pinkness of my room. I hope the Philippines is cold enough though, so that I could wear it. Right now, it’s just stashed in my cabinet.

I always appreciate it when someone gives me something but this one, for some reason, I like very much. I think I’ll probably wear it someday when I’m in Korea or Japan or Canada (A girl could dream, couldn’t she?). But for now, it will stay snug in a box where I put things like letters from playmates, friends, best friends, and classmates in the past, bracelets and necklaces which are given as gifts, pieces of paper with doodles and messages on it, and all sorts of things that remind me of good moments in my life.

Whenever I would like to reminisce, I would just open this stash and be reminded of the times I spent with these people. Sometimes, they make me happy. Sometimes, they make me contemplative. But I would always end up appreciating these gifts and mementos.

Lorraine Tiu

# data[].attributes.body
I have always been a self-proclaimed “productive” person. I like crossing out items on my to-do list, and I was never a fan of cramming. In fact, it annoys me when the things I have to do are teeming on my list, and when I’m cramming I also get headaches that will only subside once I achieve the good result. That’s why, since I am not a fan of cramming I like planning things ahead and I usually write to-do lists that are attainable because I want to cross them out right away.

So what is something that makes me happy?

A planner. Not only because of the black glitter sequins that makes my 2017 planner sophisticated, nor the good quality paper that doesn’t make my pen blot. Rather, it is the reminder that I am being a responsible individual, who learned to juggle time in doing all my school works and extra-curricular activities, and at the same time to “legally” sleep, watch movies, spend quality time with my friends, and/or write anything about the universe.

A lot of people are complaining that they are sad about not having so much time, but what they are subsequently disregarding is the fact that they just have to own a planner, plan, and include non-academic or academic activities to their lists, and then they will be happy.

Hillary Atondo

# data[].attributes.body
My family seemed to be at distant before because of an incident that happened back in when I was a teenager. And because of that, we seldom do things closely, we rarely eat together, and I hardly stayed inside our house. I’ve always felt that I am not a part of the family and that they don’t love me as much as they love my brother and sisters.

Then my eighteenth birthday came. I never expected anything special that day. It felt just like an ordinary day for me, I even thought that my parents had forgotten it because no family member greeted me. It was a school day, I was supposed to finish my class at 9 but our professor was fortunately not around. I went back to the condo, with a little hope that maybe my family was there, but unsurprisingly, they’re not. I was about to cry when my mom called me, she told me to go home to Batangas because something important has happened. So, I stressfully packed my back and went to my province. There, inside a van, my cousins we’re waiting for me. They brought me to a salon and had my make-up and hair done and they gave me a red gown to wear. I was crying on our way to the venue because I really didn’t expect it. We arrived at the venue and saw all of my family, relatives and friends, looking at their best, and I was delighted. The party started, and it the 18 wishes is still my favorite part of the day, my parents told me everything they wanted to tell me, and then, I’ve felt that we are a family again.

That was also the day when someone special to me gave me a large “panda” stuff toy, which I sleep with, every night. It was memorable for me because pandas are my favorite, and also, the people who gave it. I name it “AA”, from the name of the givers, Alexa and Andrei, my cousins, who were the ones who have the biggest contribution, not only in making my party successful, but also making our family together again, as one.

# data[].attributes.body
Sy, Zephania Chantal
3ELS2

The first thing that came into my mind when asked what the thing that makes me happy is my phone. I bring my phone everywhere, from formal occasions to simple gatherings, name it, I bring it. Not only because I use it to communicate with the people I interact with, or to access social media, but it serves as my memory saver as of now.

My phone makes me happy because I’m the type of person who is a memory hoarder and my phone saves memories for me; I take a lot of pictures when there is an event just to look at it after few days or weeks. I’m the type of person who goes through a hard time thinking whether to delete a certain picture or not, because I feel like I’m deleting memories too. Being a memory hoarder doesn’t only apply to pictures, but also to messages, I tend not to delete conversations that seem special to me. So when I want to reminisce, I can just read it over and over again.

Not only that, my phone saves me from awkward situations too and I know I’m not the only one guilty of this. For instance, I am in a room full of acquaintances, and I don’t have anyone to talk to, I just pretend to do something in my phone, and I’ll be looking busy already. I may look like I’m texting someone, but I’m just actually opening and closing different applications in my phone.

My phone is like my go-to buddy, because whenever something good or bad happens, I save notes in my phone, because it’s not every day that I bring my notebook with me, but I do bring my phone with me every day. It has become my own personal diary too.

Yes, I know phones are temporary. But I believe that everything is. As the saying goes “The only permanent thing is change.” I guess what matters is, you are happy with what you have right now, and you should cherish it.

# data[].attributes.body
by Francis Olavidez

Everyone needs their temporal break and escape from their daily stresses and mishaps. Sometimes even the smallest of your possessions is enough to reverse a frown and lighten your day. Mine, however, would probably be my beloved laptop. It has everything I may need to unload some heavy baggage on a tough day and these include anime, series, movies, Broadway musicals and video games. They are more than enough to satisfy my entertainment needs as I temporarily immerse myself in a new dimension, leaving behind the harsh and unforgiving reality there is in this world.
Even at the moments where I’ve got nothing to do, my laptop would be enough to complete my day. Watching Broadway musicals really gets me going because I have a continuously burning passion for Broadway and theatre and it gives me ideas as to what I should be trying next when we produce a production in my theatre organization, Mediartrix.
Anime also piques my interest greatly as I am a huge fan of the entire concept of anime and how it portrays various genres in an invitingly satisfying and animated way. Besides the fact that I can watch Broadway musicals, anime, series, and movies on my laptop, I also get to play video games. I consider myself to be a gamer and I firmly believe that there’s more to video games than meets the eye. Video game developers do not spend months or years of hard work for simple petty things. The story development, graphic design, sound effects, and all other aspects of it are carefully polished to the detail to produce this huge interactive environment and virtual reality in which we get to experience as we play. Given that, I would definitely disagree with anyone who thinks lowly of it.
All of these wonderful past times are comprised into one laptop which really defines how useful it is for me. Of course, it has other beneficial uses such as for typing word documents, editing images, internet browsing, and the like, but the ones that I aforementioned top the list of why I consider it to be my materialistic happy pill. I get to do a lot with it and it is beautifully crafted with stickers reflecting my different interests whether it be in pop culture, Broadway, band, favorite food, etc. Above all, my laptop is my metaphorical time machine in which I can go anywhere at any time as long as I have it.

# data[].attributes.body
Jonalyn Sarmiento
3ELS2

Since we can’t include things that move, there’s only one thing I could think of that makes me happy, that is, my laptop. There are no other things that could make me happy at home than watching films and series on my laptop. Every time I’m not in the mood to socialize with anyone, I just turn on my laptop and watch films as many as I can since I’ve already downloaded a lot, or watch a series if I’m not feeling watching a film. I have a habit of downloading films whenever it’s already available in a high quality, and sometimes, it’s my curiosity that makes me want to watch such. Often times, it is because of my interest. And every time I miss the chance on watching a film that was shown on cinemas, I will wait for it to be available online. I know that using a phone can be addicting, especially of the existence of twitter, but I’d rather watch and have a lot of food by my side in a cold room, sitting or even lying on my bed. There are also times that I would watch the film for the second, third, and perhaps for the fourth time, this is how much I love watching films. Even though I already know the story of the film or series, I would watch it again because it makes me happy, and sometimes, it brings back some memories. And one of my ways of reliving in those happy moments is to just simply watch a film that makes me remember of a situation, and who was with me while watching or who were the people that was with me.

# data[].attributes.body
Jesselle Pampo
3 ELS2

Whether it's wrapped or naked, I love it anyway it's clothed.

I had my first ever burrito in 2015, in the street of V. Concepcion. I cannot afford the expensive ones sold in Army Navy so those sold in V. Con will suffice. Nonetheless, it tastes amazing. It was introduced to me by my good friend, Bianca. I couldn't be  happier that she introduced me to this Mexican food. I never knew burrito could taste so good.

I usually have garlic and cilantro for my sauce. I don't want anything other than that. The pungent smell of onion stays in your mouth for quite a while but it's tolerable. Your friends will still talk to you but beware of those judging eyes and noses. Well, I believe that the smell only proves that you had a sumptuous burrito for lunch. I don't know if the store where I buy burritos sell burritos with spicy sauce because that would taste even better. However, I haven't tried that, yet.

The cheese. Oh, the cheese! It tastes even more heavenly because of the cheese. Even though they only put a small amount of cheese, it still feels like everything is made of cheese.

I don't even mind if they are being sold along the streets without proper sanitation. They store their ingredients in a huge styrofoam cooler. Their cooking pan is even burnt but it's fine as long as it will only make my burrito even more delicious. I guess the smoke from the vehicles passing by also contributes to the flavor. Well, one sanitary thing they do is that they wear plastic gloves while making my burrito.

In fact, I just had my burrito earlier for lunch and that made me happy.

# data[].attributes.body
Jhelo V. Mercado
3ELS2

Being a happy is a choice, we often say. It depends on you whether you make that choice or not so the result says most about you because nobody is in charge of your own happiness except you. I think it’s easy to say that being happy would be just a matter of decision; I think it takes for your whole being to really do that. But happiness is something we all desire, in all times, and in all situations. We pretend to be happy even if we are not because that is what we want, and somehow, on the process, we let ourselves be happy. For me, being happy is just a simple feat, I am easy to please and everything makes me laugh, and eases my heart. Food makes me happy; sleeping makes me happy; playing badminton makes me happy. But if I will choose a thing that makes me happy nowadays, I would choose my laptop.

I have always been a techy kind of person, and I think even my parents knew that for they always think of me as some kind of an electrical engineer or a computer technician. I like to fiddle with things, know my way through them so that when problems arise, I would know how to fix them. I am exactly like that with my laptop. The laptop that I am talking about is the laptop that I just bought this January, and I treasure it because I bought it using the money that I saved. It makes me happy because I can see where my money went, and knowing that I bought a laptop using that money makes me happier for my old laptop is damaged already and I badly needed a new one. Having a new laptop means I won’t have any more problems writing papers required for my subjects, I can make a presentation again using PowerPoint, I can edit pictures again, and the most of all, I can know my way again through it. Having a laptop that has a newer version of the operating system means it has new features and I can’t help but bring myself to look for these features and to tweak my laptop according to what I want. Other reasons why my laptop makes me happy is that it is so light and that means I can bring it to school without worrying that the bones in my back would snap. My laptop makes me happy because I can download again, something that I cannot do in my previous laptop that it makes the work more stressful; I can watch Korean dramas and TV series much clearer because of the resolution; the battery life is longer than the previous I have and that means I can use it around 5 hours without charging. Really, I just love my new laptop because aside from the fact that it came from my own money (technically it doesn’t really came from me but you know what I mean) and that it suits all my needs.

My laptop makes me happy because I gain joy in using it. But what I really think is that it’s not the object that makes me happy but the experience that I gain in using it. I gain new knowledge by searching the Internet through my laptop, I can read my readings through my laptop and that makes it easier, I can almost do everything on my laptop and that what makes me really happy. As Dalai Lama said, “Happiness is not ready-made. It comes from your actions.” And no matter how small or big your actions are, I believe that those can bring you happiness, genuine happiness. Appreciate what you have now and I know you will be happy.

# data[].attributes.body
by Lance Mia
The thing that makes me happy is either the television or the laptop. These things make me happy in terms of entertainment. The function of the television is to give entertainment to the viewers by giving certain amount of various channels with varying genres. The function of the laptop is to be used as a multi-purpose tool that gives the user various tools to work on.

Both the items give the same amount of happiness for me as it is a tool invented to provide entertainment. Both items are different but, it provides the same kind of entertainment from series to movies from music to news. Both have different functions but both have the same kind of output it wants to deliver. The difference between the two can range from its functions to its uses.

I personally use both electronics as it provides me comfort and pleasure. I use the television for news, TV series, and movies. I use the laptop for various purposes; from news to movies; from videos to music; and also academic purposes. Both can have same functions as time passes by.

# data[].attributes.body
Czarina Castro
3 ELS2

Every day, when I’m done with my classes, I always look forward to being on my bed. I love everything about my bed. But the thing that makes me the happiest would be my comforter. It is a thick and soft blanket in the colors green and white. It is big enough to cover my entire bed, but I use it as a blanket.

I started using it when I got to college because it was too big for me back then and I didn’t really like thick blankets. My mom used to use it but eventually, she gave it to me because I was going to move out and I really loved the feeling of it. It keeps me warm and its soft sensation never fails to make me feel relaxed. Having it on me instantly changes my mood. Whether I am feeling sad, lonely, angry or scared, I always find comfort in my blanket. Being away from home all the time, I think my blanket makes me feel the coziness of my own home whenever I am in Manila. It makes me feel like I have my mom, my dad and my sister with me all the time. Every time I bring it home to be washed, I always make sure that I bring it back to Manila right away because I wouldn’t be able to sleep without it. With all the stress going on in school at the moment, the comfort my blanket gives me is what I really need.

# data[].attributes.body
Glenn Krishnan
3ELS2

The thing that makes me happy is my doll Shaggy.
My mom and I bought Shaggy eight years ago. I’m always with Shaggy and I really can’t sleep without it. I remember the time when Shaggy was lost, I was so sad because I experienced losing my favorite doll Woody when I was a child. The maid thought Woody was just a dirty cloth and decided to throw it away. I was so mad and sad because of that incident. I thought I will be experiencing the same thing then suddenly, my mom found Shaggy! Shaggy makes me happy for the reason that, the time we bought it, everything was fine and I have a lot of good memories ever since the day I bought it. Every time I see Shaggy, I feel comfortable. When I’m sad at night, I will just hug shaggy and think about happy memories. When we bought Shaggy, it was so fluffy and cute but now, Shaggy is thin and is less fluffy but I really don’t mind, I still love it and I will forever keep it. It’s pretty weird but I never thought that an object (doll) can bring so much joy and hope to a person and I’m just blessed to have one.

# data[].attributes.body
3ELS2 Patricia Bringas

Out of all the things that a person could have, there’s always one thing that would stand out and make that person extremely happy. In my case, the thing that makes me happy at the moment is my Chlorophyll powder. I use my chlorophyll powder as a paste for my pimples. It helps the pimple come out and dries it up after 3-5 days. It is really helpful to me since I have acne problems. I find using the chlorophyll powder very useful since it’s all organic and there are a lot of benefits you can get from it. It also makes me happy because recent studies show that chlorophyll, when added to drinks, can help weight loss and give you a healthier skin. It can also prevent cancer, help reduce wrinkles and can act as detox for your skin. Even though I'm not yet as flawless as those Korean stars I see on TV or as slim as Emma Watson, I'm happy to see the results.

# data[].attributes.body
The number one object that makes me happy is my smartphone. It has everything I enjoy; it has my favorite books, my favorite music, social media apps that helps me stay in touch with my friends and connects me to the world, and it even has a few games that I can play whenever I feel bored. My smartphone is essential to me now. It has a built-in planner that controls my life, alarms for when I need to remind myself to do important things, notes I need on a daily basis, and pictures of my school notes.

I can also document my life using my smartphone. I can take pictures or videos of beautiful places I visit, or take note of beautiful phrases I hear. I can share my life with others, or simply keep a record of where I’ve been and where I want to go.

But, mostly, I love my phone because of my books. Ever since I was a child, books have been my constant companions. They have been doors to new characters, windows to new worlds. They are the things that make me happy. My books have opened my eyes to new knowledge I would have never learned had I not been a bookworm. I learned about different cultures, different worlds, and different people. I learned important life lessons, like sacrifice, love, and confidence. I met different characters and fell in love with them. Now, I can carry all these books in one handheld device.

My smartphone is important because it is one device that does and contains multiple things that make me happy.

Rhafaela Bacal 3ELS2

# data[].attributes.body
The inanimate object that makes me happy at the moment, is my uniform.

A white blouse, a navy blue pleated skirt, and a ribbon. These are the components that make up my uniform. I really love having to wear my uniform to school each day. It is symbolic of how I passed my college entrance exam in a university that I have dreamt of going; which is also the only university I applied to. I remember the first time I tried it on, I thought to myself that I still looked like a high school student. Nonetheless, I still loved it because it meant that with these pieces of clothing, I could enter my chosen university with pride because I know I belonged here.

I have this  feeling of blissfulness whenever I put it on. It just means that I am lucky and privileged enough to enter one of the top universities in this country. Whenever I wear my uniform, I remember how thankful I am for having hardworking parents to support me in achieving my dream.

I met great and unique individuals because of this clothing. Individuals that I am now proud to call my support group. We all came to our chosen university, bringing with us hope and determination. We will keep these things until we reach the end of our journey here.

The comfort that this clothing provides is like a gentle hug from the whole university itself. Embracing, accepting, and telling me that I made it here; and here is where I'll stay.

by Kamille Salazar

# data[].attributes.body
By; Luigi Tolentino

The thing that makes me happy is my ukulele. The reason as to why I picked this particular object is because first, I love music, and second, I love the idea of producing music.

When I play my ukulele, I get the feeling of relaxation, calmness, and peacefulness. I like this feeling because it helps me loosen up and unwind from all the stress that I encounter every day. When I’m doing something important for a long period of time and decided to take a break, I immediately get my ukulele and start to play it because hearing the melody that comes from it rests my thoughts and gives way to all the things that stress me.

My ukulele, which is a Makana brand,  is very to me special because when my parents and I went to Sta. Mesa to buy it, we found out that that ukulele is the last one of its type because what I love about it is that it has a built-in tuner which means I don’t have to buy one anymore. So, that feature had sold me on buying it.

It was my 17th birthday when we bought it which means my ukulele is now 2 years and 3 months old and I want to continue having it and keep on learning new songs to play because as long as there’s music, I will never stop playing it.

# data[].attributes.body
That one object that makes me happy at this point in my life is nothing but my eyebrow liner. It’s the Eyestudio® Brow Define + Fill Duo by Maybelline (this is not a product review, I’m just really happy about it). It may seem like I’m just being vain, well maybe I am a little bit, but there’s more to it than me just wanting to look good.

They say that the eyes are the windows to your soul and if that’s the case then your eyebrows are the frame of those windows. I’m not really sure why but people these days put a lot of importance on their brows it’s gotten ridiculous - both men and women now groom their brows, if animals have eyebrows; I bet they’d groom it too. Anyways, my brow liner keeps me happy throughout the day. Whenever I get stressed out because of school stuff and probably my extracurricular businesses or just an exhausting day, all I do is look in the mirror and I say to myself “Well, at least my brows are on fleek!” and that gives me enough reason to smile and keep on pushing. It also gives me that extra confidence that helps me carry myself or present myself to people because when you know you look good, you’d feel good but in this case, it’s your brows that look good.

My brow liner also somehow reminds me of my mom. I remember that time when I was at home and we were getting ready to leave and go to the mall, my mom was yelling and telling me to hurry up because I was taking too long then she went to the room and she saw me doing my eyebrows. She came up to me and said “Anak, napakaarte mo naman.” and we laughed. Every time I do my brows in my dorm or anywhere else, I’d hear her voice in my head and it also makes me giggle. She just finds it weird and funny that I take more time to get ready than her.

So, whatever life has to throw at me, I’ve got my brow liner and I’m ready to face it ON FLEEK!!

Euri Camus
3ELS2

# data[].attributes.body
Venice Bautista
3ELS2

The inanimate object that is currently making me happy is my new Kate Spade wallet that I got as a Christmas present. The color is plum (it’s a shade of violet) with gold-painted metal for the zipper, button, and the small plaque that has “kate spade NEW YORK” written on it. Two of my cousins chipped in for this wallet and I love how they chose the one with a big coin purse because that is what I always look for – a space for my coins. There are girls who are alright with having a wallet for bills and a coin purse for change but I want all my money and cards in one place so it doesn’t take up too much of my time and energy.

It makes me happy because Kate Spade has been my favorite brand for bags, pouches, and wallets since I was young and it’s been a while since I owned a new item from the brand. I love Kate Spade because their designs are diverse which means any type of girl can identify with a product. There are the classics, the pastels, the ones where it has animated designs and animal-shaped forms, and the ones for the tomboy type of girls. The products of this brand may be slightly expensive but the quality is top-notch. All the Kate Spade bags and wallets my cousins and I own are still alive and intact throughout all the years it has been with us. That’s about it, I guess. I already wrote too much for a wallet anyway. I swear I’m not as materialistic as it seems.

# data[].attributes.body
by: Krizia Reyes

The list of inanimate objects that fills up the day of a person is way too many to mention but in the midst of it, there would always be that one thing that fills your day up with love and contentment.

Although my first thought is my ever reliable laptop because it helps me survive my everyday life (a.k.a. assignments) and all the demands of college life it’s not what fills my heart with excitement at the moment.

Tickets, especially plane tickets.

Recently my family decided that we would go on a trip, I thought it would just be around the Philippines as what we would usually do but this year we’re going abroad #ReyesOnTheRun. Since it is my first time flying abroad I’m the most excited person in the bunch. The feeling of finally having that precious paper on hand makes my heart fill with joy.