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Thank people who support climb up ladder of success

By Daily Bruin Staff

June 9, 1996 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 9, 1996

A tattered, yellowed newspaper clipping on a not-so-obscure part
of the refrigerator door of the Aquino household says "Gem of the
Day: Don’t forget who held the ladder when you climbed to
success."

With that, this column is dedicated to all the people who have
"held the ladder."

Some of you have been instrumental in keeping me focused on the
next rung, others have been great in helping me when I misstepped
and many others passed through my life, but at the very least,
didn’t do anything intentional to knock the ladder over. So, in no
particular order …

ROMualdo and BENita Aquino (Dad and Mom): Even though I keep
trying to get farther away, the lessons you taught me and the
values that you have instilled in me serve as a reminder that you
are always with me. I am eternally grateful for your constant
support of my activities and encouragement in striving for
something better.

Mike and Romielle Aquino: They used to say, "If anybody asks
you, you ain’t my brother." Now, they make sure that I never forget
about my ASUCLA discount.

Malone and Santy Navarro: As my big brothers, it took some of
the load off of me to set the example. But you guys didn’t leave an
easy trail to follow, either …

The extended Aquino and Estrada clan: Thanks to your financial
contributions. I caught Potomac Fever in December 1991. Be sure to
catch the sequel ­ "Mr. Aquino goes to Washington," coming at
ya in September 1996.

"Uncle" J Fong: Despite our differences in age and sexual
orientations, you’ve kept my "eyes on the prize." Quite possibly
the best advice you ever gave me: "It seems to me that faith is
believing in things in one’s heart that your brain tells you not
to. Our brains fuck us up more than our hearts … our hearts drive
us to do silly things sometimes, but that’s usually because our
hearts yearn for something greater or better than we are. Our
heads, however, speak with our parents’ and society’s voices. And
those voices rarely, if ever, understand the needs of our
hearts."

Levin Sy: In a dogsled race, only the lead dog gets a change in
scenery. Give me a call when you take over San Diego City Hall.

The 6S Crew ­ Kyle Nagata, Paul Tung and Eric Dunn: At 3
a.m. on any given night, we were always talking about the same
thing ­ why women only date assholes. Looks like we all got
the Martinelli’s in the end.

Denise Sze, Marisol Antonio, Helen Kim and Stacy Frand: The
women in my life who continuously told me that my "asshole theory"
was just downright wrong. Thanks for the advice, the lessons in
tact (Denise!), and all the free food. Zoey and Jena: Your Uncle
Rom loves ya both.

An Le: Living proof that my "asshole theory" is wrong. "You’ve
gotta love yourself before you can give yourself to someone else.
That’s something I’m trying to learn, and from what you tell me, I
think you need to learn too ­ we’re very much alike, you and
I."

Negin Mirmirani: Thanks for talking to me about political race
relations (although we spent more time talking about gender
relations than anything else).

Michelle Cabalu: I hope you find the "perfect study spot"
someday.

Norman Tolentino: Survey says North Campus is cool. (Same
message applies to a certain engineer, whose first name starts with
Mariam and her last name ends with de la Cruz.)

The rest of the "Menudo Boyz" ­ Andre de la Cruz, Erik
Clemente and Nestor Foronda: Peace, love and understanding
sometimes went out the balcony … just a fact of life.

And all the "transients" ­ Adrian Quiogue, Marissa
Williams, Trisha Perez, Stacey Wong, Steven Leung, Mariam de la
Cruz: Thanks for making Four-O-One the best place in Westwood to
procrastinate.

Trisha Ma, MyLinh Phan and Jean Song: Thanks for not hanging up
on me when I called for An. Anyone seen my Gold Card?

Ross Asis: Sometimes I think you’re misguided but you were
actually a godsend. Thanks for helping me to realize that there is
much more to life than academics.

Maria de Leon: Forty miles didn’t put a damper on our
friendship. I hope that 2,000 doesn’t make a difference either.
Thanks for always being there through e-mail, pagers, phone calls

Jeet Basu: Keep your head up. When it pours, it pours. But
remember that too much sunshine makes a desert. I hope you find
that balance.

Mr.Hutson: Thanks for continuing your counseling sessions beyond
high school and over the miles.

Samahang Pilipino: Let’s extend the Samahang sense of family
toward others (especially our neighbors in 409). Because in the
long run, we’re all one big family, ‘di ba?

Daily Bruin copy deskettes: Thanks for letting me feel like I
was "one of the gals." I will never forget your insights on
problems with the opposite sex and how those problems never seemed
to apply to yours truly.

Betty Song: It’s the extremists who have the biggest mouths;
it’s the moderates who incrementally push the movement along.

My friends at Izzy’s Deli ­ Jimmy, Johanna and Lupe: Even
though I’ve never ordered anything more than $4, they’ve never had
the good sense to kick me out. Thanks for keeping me awake and
letting me study.

The ’95 basketball team: No championship, no celebration, no
hanging out on the balcony and no meeting An Le for the first time.
Funny how certain people just waltz into your life, how one event
leads to another … and your life is never the same.

Aquino will receive a bachelor of arts in political science with
a specialization in Asian American Studies.

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