FEB FAIR 2014

BELATED HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I chose to be a volunteer together with my roommate, Rose, this Feb Fair for the perks and experience. The week-long celebration was exhausting mentally, physically, and emotionally. Balancing acads, orgs, and being a volunteer that time was no fun at all. But the hardships were worth it since most of the students enjoyed the Feb Fair. Let's have some recap on the events before the program proper.

FEBRUARY 7, 2014 (FRIDAY)
  It was our first time to visit the USC Office and it's kind of messy that time. Our first activity was to think of a way so there won't be a dead air on the program such as Minute to Win it or a raffle draw. That afternoon was the first time meeting personally a few councilors busy working under piles of paper and our co-volunteers. We were there until early morning of Saturday.

FEBRUARY 8, 2014 (SATURDAY)
  The meeting time was 10am but we arrived late at 1pm. We saw other volunteers and councilors marking the grounds for the booth set-up of different school organizations under the blazing sun. The VolCorps' task to put the name of the organizations on the plot they had chosen. We finished the task after an hour or so. At 3 pm, different org representatives went to the USC Office for the completion stub. The scenario inside the office was complicated. There were really plenty of people but thank goodness they were pretty patient. At night, the flags for the concessionaire's name were prepared.

FEBRUARY 9, 2014 (SUNDAY)
  The start of activity was at 9 am when we arrived the USC Office was a marketplace. There are many people completing there requirements like business permit, concessionaire's form, and contract. The VolCorps that arrived before us were really in panic since many of the concessionaires were impatient. At the afternoon, the same scenario of riot was seen in the office. There were some shouting and arguing here and there. They were waiting for the completion stub that wasn't yet released since everyone waits for the Feb Fair Head's go signal. It became more complicated when the plot markings done the previous day were in shambles. The VolCorps did not know where to put the flags. As the night went on, everyone (concessionaires) became more hot-headed and demanding. I knew all were already tired but they needed more consideration since the Feb Fair Head did not prepare the layout of the field, there was someone known as the Layout Head person. The layout that was finalized had a trouble and needed to be finalized again which the people (conce) could not understand. When the VolCorps started to put the names on the assigned plot, many conce argued that they should be there not them and more complaints too incomprehensible for me to remember. The putting names were halted again, verified, and started again. Then, later that night, the Feb Fair Head ,herself, went down to clarify things and settle down all the positions of the conce's place. That night was long. I haven't slept really well. 

FEBRUARY 10, 2014 (MONDAY)
  There are a few conce that was not there on Sunday so they went on the office for the completion stub early in the morning. Some had forgotten about the business permit first before the completion stub so they waited until the municipal officials arrived before noon. I had a seminar to attend so I was out from 9-12 nn. The afternoon to early evening became problematic when the electric wires were not sufficient to provide all the booths electricity so someone went to bought the needed wires. The wires were set-up by the electricians and his staffs. Many concessionaire's had complained again. No sleep for me that night.

FEBRUARY 11, 2014 (TUESDAY)
  I went to my PE class without sleep. Thankfully, it was an hour class so it was easy to get by. The USC Office was in relative peace in the morning but not in the afternoon. I missed my group meeting because I overslept. :( .The concessionaires whose booth did not have electricity complained but the other council officials and the volunteers could not do anything since they were no electrician and did not know how to put electric wires across the Freedom Park. Some organizations were also hoping for the electricity. The program that night was partially successful. I enjoyed Tthat night thanks to the autograph I got from Ebe Dancel. :P

FEBRUARY 12, 2014 (WEDNESDAY)
  I did not stay overnight on the USC Office that night, as what I remember. Since this week was SP week for ZOO 120 lab, I had more time in helping co-volunteers and council officials. But I have attended my class in the afternoon as I remembered. Common problem that time was the lack of electricity of some booths in the conce side and some on the org side. It was UP Dharma Down's night performance. I enjoyed it even though Rose and I were guarding the VIP entrance. I got another autograph! :)

FEBRUARY 13, 2014 (THURSDAY)
  At early morning, the Feb Fair Head and some volunteers made rounds on the field for violators. I went again to my PE class without sleep. I returned plates that morning and made a mistake in doing so. I overslept again and did not make it on my classes in the afternoon that day. At night, the work was relatively easy. Staying on the USC booth, doing rounds, checking for violators on both conce and org, and making sure that the staffs were given ration. The program went on relatively smoothly. Every student had a chance to know the candidates for the upcoming USC-CSC elections. I went home early so I did not had a chance to see the program's ending.

FEBRUARY 14, 2014 (FRIDAY)
  It was the day when I felt good being busy as a volunteer. But I think I was not there all morning, I only went to the food sponsor informing her about the food to be given to the technical staffs. I dropped by the USC for a bit. I have done laundry and sleep for hours and went to classes. That night, other concessionaire's were given violations as well as organizations. Other VolCorps stayed at the booth, others become an errand, and others did the rounds and check the wattage of the booths. The night was relatively peaceful as I could remember. I also met some Haring Ibon UPLB alumni in our booth when I dropped by.

FEBRUARY 15, 2014 (SATURDAY)
  That day, I had found out about a problem. (This problem was not yet solved until today.) The day started on waiting on the booth for orders from council officials, the concessionaires and organization rep signing in, and passing the food to the technical staff. One of the guest band's vocalist was in a bad mood when they arrived but thankfully, the other bands did not complain much. The program was relatively smooth sailing. I went to be a guard on the USC booth after preparing the band's food. The night went on a blast as the last guest band, Callalily, sang on stage. 

----> These is my recollections on what happened on FEB FAIR. I did not elaborate about the 'problem' here since I think it's unnecessary. I hope next FEB FAIR won't have any electricity and money issues. DEWA MATA MINNA.