Grand Prix's Grand Prize

"Pagod na ko."

I've been saying that countless times for the last 2 months, no make that 8 months. Been tired since I started my internship on April and I never really got a week vacation for myself. I was still finishing my internship when the classes resumed, so yea it sucks. And my subjects that term demanded most of my time so I rarely had time for myself. Just right before the term ends, a bittersweet news was before me... my team got to be a finalist for PRSP Grand Prix. 

My team and I practically worked our butts off for almost a month working on that campaign proposal and it got a lot of criticisms from a lot of people so we kind of lost our hope in making it to the finals. As we revised the paper, all we want is to just finish it and pass a decent paper to our professor. But on the last day of our PR class, it was beyond our (or at least my) expectation to see our campaign logo on the projection screen. WE MADE IT. Wow, just wow. I was smiling the entire time, but in the back of my mind I thought, "More sleepless nights and stressful days to come. UGGGH." Nonetheless, I'm just so proud of my team that we're able to make it among the 56 entries passed, we're one of the 8 finalists. And what made me more proud is that our batch made a history! Two entries from DLSU-D got in the finals! Holla! Haha yabang. 

Right after the thesis defense and revisions, we immediately went our way to prepping for our presentation for Grand Prix. And that could only mean one thing, no semestral break for us! Oh well, I didn't have summer break this year, I could go through life without savoring my last semestral break. Oh well. We meet almost everyday of the week during sembreak. Go on a meeting, brainstorming, memorize our lines, formulate message maps for Q&A, mock presentation for our mentor and coach, canvass for the perfect white suit, props-making, weird vocal exercises--that's how my sembreak went. Thus, fun and laughter are shared in between those. I must say, it was really fun working with my team. Oh, we call ourselves The Empire, by the way. Why? Dunno either. Oo nga, bakit nga Empire? Anyway, life isn't all beer and skittles. Yes, we may have got into the finals and we may have done fun stuff together, but we also went through a bumpy road. There were intense confrontations, grrrrrr moments, mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood, miss no way it's all good (charr), "I no longer want this" phase, "Rachel, late ka na naman" every meeting, almost quitter, lulubog-lilitaw teammate, "Ang pagiging nega ko ang magtatatag ng Empire" attitude, love life muna bago Grand Prix scenario, OJT muna bago Grand Prix scenario, "May sakit ako, kayo naman", "Hindi susunod ang mga tao dahil gusto mo lang", "Ano, magha-Harry Potter na lang tayo?", "May balak ka bang sagutin ang tawag namin?", and "Paos ka lang, may bronchitis ako." Obviously, we went through a lot! Empire, don't hate me for posting this. Teeeeheeee!

Joining Grand Prix isn't as easy as it looks. I had to deal with a different types of people, go on a 2-hour travel everyday, put that game face on and prove my worth to my teammates. I'm pretty honest that I'm in this half-heartedly, but for my team, I devote all my efforts and time into it. So when the judgment day came, I had no choice to back down. I just said to myself, even if we don't win this, I'll be forever grateful for the experience and friendship that I gained. If we win, that's just a bonus. Before going to stage, one of my teammates said "Empire, let's conquer the stage!" I tried to live up to what he said, I tried to deliver my lines in the best way I could. But as the presentation ended, the winning aura wasn't there. Why so? Well, as you figured, we didn't win. And I was frustrated for some reason, not entirely because we didn't win. I myself couldn't explain it as well. But when I got home and read text messages from my teammates, that's when I realized that hey, we didn't lose, in fact, we're winners ourselves.

"In a way, I had recognized and captured the real essence of victory in you! Love you so much!"

"Winning a competition is nothing compared to the friendship formed, hardships that are overcomed, endless laughter, heartwarming tears, warm hugs, ridiculous fights, inside jokes, sleepless nights, ugly eyebags and a lot lot more that we went through for almost 2 months and a half we've been together in preparation for this competition. For me, winning means not with plaques, prizes, or an iPad mini but with staying together as one team when everything else seems to fail. I love you guys!" 

"I had no idea that you were going to be a part of my dream as it came true. Thank you for conquering the UST's stage with me. Today meant a lot to me, thank you! Love y'all!" 

Victorious face. That's my grand prize right there ↑