The no-bummer summer

MANILA, Philippines - In case anyone hasn’t told you yet: the summer bum look is getting kind of old. You know what I’m talking about. Don’t think no one knows about the ratty sando that welcomes your sweat-drenched pits with open arms, or your tendency to buy a ton of bikinis for that perfect on-the-beach profile picture on Facebook. It’s about time you ditch the overrated beaches of Boracay (where all your annoying schoolmates probably are, anyway), or your living room couch that will lovingly cradle your lazy gluteus for hours on end while you watch pirated copies of How I Met Your Mother.

You’ll probably blame this lethargy on the heat or the lack of pesky midterm exams to worry about like a good Filipino should. Then again, if you’ve cooped up enough energy to complain about not doing anything, you could probably muster just as much to live up to the reputation of our go-getter generation. Get something done, why don’t you?

Here are just a few of the excellent activities that you are certainly welcome to partake in during the forthcoming months. Have a hand at helping create a micro-business or a magazine folio. Hone your acting or design skills. Aside from the cheesy sense of fulfillment you’ll undeniably get, revel in the thought of watching your mom’s jaw drop as she sees that you went out of the house and actually bothered to take a shower.

‘Xplotar’ Magazine

The brainchild of a group of potty mouthed, laptop-wielding, design school prodigies from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Xplotar is a “submission-based collaboration of artists, photographers, writers, musicians, and filmmakers.” Basically, it aims to do what your average magazine can’t, which is everything. Get the chance to be published and submit anything you want to share — whether it be some highbrow art or photos of you puking all over your friend’s bathroom. As Xplotar’s creators claim, everything is fair game.

Think this is for you? Head on to http://explotarmagazine.com or e-mail them at explotarmagazine@gmail.com for submission details.

Hapinoy Volunteer Program

Put all those business electives to good use and help Hapinoy encourage social entrepreneurship in the country. Their two-day immersion program will give you the opportunity to interact with community store owners and understand the importance of businesses like sari-sari stores in local communities. This volunteer program can take you from Rizal to far-flung Mindoro. If you want to keep that big brain of yours at work, you could also apply to their internship program, where students can learn from pundits about the ins and outs of social entrepreneurship.

Can’t wait to start? E-mail Ms. Pabsy Pabalan at pabsy@hapinoy.com or go to http://hapinoy.com to learn more.

The Blued Project

Becky Bloomwood of the Shopaholic novels has said that, in fashion, “If you don’t know the right people or have an ex-Beatle as a father, you might as well forget it.” Prove that crazy lady wrong with The Blued Project. It’s a competition that challenges aspiring student-designers from different colleges and universities to come up with a fashion line that would embody the Blued identity. Unlike Project Runway where all you do is create a runway collection, you’re also required to formulate a feasible plan to market your groundbreaking ideas. Winning this contest will grant you a Blued line to your name and a rare opportunity to intern for a 19-year-old brand.

Are you up for the challenge? Log onto http://blued.com.ph or follow Blued on Twitter or Facebook for more details.

9works Theatrical Stage Camp

Unfortunately, the reason why your parents don’t believe that you came home before two in the morning is probably because you’re a shoddy actor. Face it, your inability to cry on cue is a huge point against you. Hone your skills of expression and persuasion with a 9Works Theatrical’s stage camp, the same guys who staged local productions of Broadway and West End favorites such as Rent and The Wedding Singer. It doesn’t matter if you’re old enough to apply for Social Security, because workshops are available for kids, teens, and adults. 9Works Theatrical’s stage camp will run from April 11 to May 29, with a culminating showcase at the end of the program.

Ready to test your acting chops? Visit http://9workstheatrical.com or contact Anna at 557-5860 or 0917-5545560.