Non-Ateneans would probably be wondering why would I even sign up for TNT. No, nerd, I'm not referring to Trinitrotoluene. But see, like that kind of TNT, we too are explosive. For one to fully understand that, he or she must be a fellow TNT, a freshman, or basically someone who sees us in action.
TNT stands for the Talks and Tours committee of Ateneo's Orientation Seminar held once a year for the freshmen to formally welcome them into the college life. Yes, hanep sa introduction. As the name implies, introducing buildings, facilities, trivias, and other functions to the freshies is part of the job. That's the Tours part there, so what about the Talks? Well, think more like CNT; Craziness and Tours.
What defines TNTs and sets us apart from the other committees is our excuse, right, and privilege to let it all out. No exaggeration here when I say ALL OUT. For the three days of OrSem, we find ourselves, our being, completely irrelevant. It is not about us. It is not for us. OrSem is for the freshmen, it is for our children. We become parents for three days, if not forever, to the block we're handling. Our only aim is for them to feel the joy, the energy, the enthusiasm. For them to actually have something to look forward to in embracing a new chapter in their lives as they enter the tough life of a college student. We dance even if our legs are about to fucking fall off. We sing till our throats run dry, shout even if we already sound like the breeze, and barely. We smile until our cheeks develop abs, or at least until someone from DnP notices us. And despite feeling what would seem like the sensation of running out of anything else to give, we see our family, a fellow TnT on top of that monoblock chair doing just all those. Yes, we get consumed along the process, but we never get drained. We have each other to draw strength and energy from. There is nothing more selfless than being part of this experience, and it feels so damn good.
As we leave our blocks, our children, we welcome each other with open arms and with faces where evidence of the confusion brought about by the mixed emotions of happiness, sadness, and triumph is showing. In the end, we celebrate with sweat, tears of joy, and smile. Knowing that we gave it our all, is reason enough to think deep within ourselves that we did a job well done. A job worthy for three cheers.
Best fucking person in the world, my partner, Quinto 'Quintits' Lutero.
You know, there is actually a reason why we all keep coming back to do this. No, not the three OrSem shirts. Possibly but improbably, the smell of TNTs after each OrSem day, if you know what I mean. If you still don't get the reason why this thing is something you'd definitely come back for after what I've written here, then I must be way worse a writer than what I originally thought. Well pweds din if you are what we call the letter T.
What we call the TNTs are people who started with just plain volunteerism, that eventually evolves into an ultimate passion.
TNT STRONG. TNT WALANG JUDGING. TNT FAMILEH.
Too lazy to proofread sorry! :))
