Bringing back Pistaym

For all those who graduated in Ateneo de Naga Highschool would probably agree when I say that PISTAYM is one of the most exciting events that made a lot of memories during our highschool life. For those of you who never experienced what this is, let me give you an overview.

PISTAYM, a "filipinized" word from peacetime, is a week long event held in Ateneo de Naga high School. Students and teachers are divided to eight big groups and each student get to chose from different events ranging from ball games, academic contests, music and dance contests and the like. For 5 days, these events will be held simultaneously and the students will get the chance to showcase their talents and whatever skills they have hidden.

When I was in High School, I got to participate in three Pistayms from second year to fourth year. The events that I joined are mostly musical events such as vocal duets and vocal solos. The fun part was I was also choreographing cheer dance and modern dance on the side. You could just imagine how hectic my schedule was back in those days.

Being a student, I was able to hone my talents in the said fields and was also able to meet a lot of new friends along the way. I also learned the value of sportsmanship and doing you best not minding whether you win or lose in the end.

Now the tables have turned and instead of the one competing, I am one of the organizers of this awesome event. My first Pistaym experience as a teacher has taught me a lot of things. For this year, I was assigned to be the coordinator for a ball game called kick baseball.It is basically baseball. Instead of hitting the ball with a bat, you have to kick it.

I really thought that it would be easy for me but boy was I wrong. The game was really complicated and the teacher coordinators of every team added pressure to what was already a pressure-filled game. However, I did learn important things serving as the coordinator.

1.If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail

I must admit that the preparation that I poured into the event was not as expected. All the while I thought that referees would be provided only to know in the last minute that I had to look for them. In the end, I had to officiate the game. Even if I did understand how the game goes, it was really different when you are already on the field and officiating. I had to learn this lesson the hard way. Preparation really would get rid of uncertainty in any endeavor that one takes. Even in a simple game like this.

2. Be firm in your decisions. Even if it makes people unhappy.

In officiating a game, the referee's call is very crucial. Truth is, the teams may not be happy with your call but you have to stand by it.As long as you know what your call was, even if they think it's wrong, you really have to assert that it is right. It's just like in life. People make decisions and these do not make everyone happy. The thing is you have to stand by your decision and feel whatever consequence they may bring-good or bad.

3. Keep your cool.

As people always say, ang pikon laging talo. In officiating a game, you have to compose yourself and let not the pressure get the best of you. If you do, you will not be able to concentrate properly and you will not be able to make sound decisions. Keep your cool.

 All in all, this Pistaym experience as a teacher has been fun. I learned lots of new things that I think will make me a better person. The only bad thing about it is that my skin got burnt because I had to be under the heat of the sun from 9 am to 12 nn. Imagine how I look like now.