The Experience of UP COOKOUT MMX

I am suppose to write articles for my job, but I'm tired writing about something I don't have any idea. Let me released my stress by writing and telling some stories.

It's been a long week. It's officially one week after Cookout MMX, the event that each Churbarbies Sorority sister put an effort on. Most people would never understand what happens before the event itself, more so, what is is happening at the backstage during the event. Of course, the only people who can understand how difficult it is to bring to life a big event like that are the production team - this means from the executive producer, production team, production volunteer and down to the last people who helped that night. 

Honestly, I didn't feel the "air" or "tone" of this year's cookout. Of course we weren't able to enjoy this year's cookout, We were running around, it was a fun experience, with everyone having their fair share of obstacle. Despite that, I could say that we were successful inspite of so many obstacles we had to face on and before the night. I wish we could have enjoy it though. I had a job to do that night and enjoying it wasn't part of it, making sure that everything went well was my job.Everyone was in difficult post, everyone worked hard to see that every thing was fine. Everyone did their part, that's what sets us among others, when we work, we just don't work, we cooperate. We're just glad that it's over. Some people may criticize the Cookout, but let them be, they just can't understand how much effort and hardship the people behind it made. I understand these kinds of people because they simply think they can do better, when they really can't. Let me apologize to the people who were disappointed (they think they can do better - we tried our best) and I'm sorry for the people who got insecure.

In my opinion, Cookout has evolved, thanks to the previous organizers. This isn't just a UP event anymore wherein the only audience are UPians, this is an annual event that students even from outside UP look forward to. I'm not saying that this shouldn't be about UPians, what I'm saying is that, some people are expecting to have a good show at the Cookout. I'm saying that the audience of the Cookout has far reached other people who aren't from UP. I'm saying that Cookout is bigger than its original state, it has evolved into something for UPians, by UPians and to UPians and others who are interested to see this event. The organizer's burden is how to integrate the main concept of the original Cookout and at the same time be modernized and keep up with times.

This year, we chose to have Apathy as the main issue to forward. Our theme for the grand opening, stage design was Circus, for those who doesn't understand, this is because a circus has a lively feel, where everyone just wants to do something, this is contrary to what an Apathetic feels. We want to bring out the real Isko and Iska in every UPians heart by presenting something that will appeal to them to join in fighting such issue. Thus we have, Magpakabana, Manginlabot to the eXtreme. We really feel that we should be nationalistic in this year's Cookout. This is the reason we used Philippine colors for the official logo, had integrated national values to the Kantahan, Sayawan, Bandahan and Rampahan segment. 


Then again, enough with our best effort to put on a good show. We cannot please everybody. 


Thank you, to everyone who supported the Churbarbies Sorority, to the people who believed in us, to the people who tap our back before and after the show, to the people who stood up for us, to the people who saw all our efforts, we dearly appreciate all of your kind words. Thank you, to the people who scrutinized us, you only made us stronger. Thank you, to the one person who made our day last Monday, you totally proved to us that our event was the best you've seen. Thank you.. both to the haters and lovers, thank you. We will become better. 

Eight months to embrace student life. Eight months to do the things we haven't done yet. Eight months to enjoy and party. Eight more months to be with each other. We'll surely make the best of it. 

This was written last Friday...