Slam Book, Out of Nowhere

When I was about to go home from work, it suddenly occurred to me the concept of slam book. Out of nowhere really. I thought, boy, it's been more than a decade since I saw one, or even answered one.

I think I was still in grade school when that stuff came by every desk of the classroom. When I entered high school, it kinda became taboo. Like a bad abusive relationship to bury down and forever forget. But when I thought of it, I didn't think it was silly. I just thought, if I'm asked to actually answer one page of a slam book right now, I've got straight-forward answers. Before, when I was 9 or 10, kids don't usually have a favorite food or a favorite band. They'd just write which/what/who ever they think is good, just to impress people, especially their classmates who may want to read what they have answered. Or probably, they'd just copy whatever the brightest "interviewee" would write. That's most certain on question like "define love" or whatnot, or "who is your crush". My friend in college once told me that she has to answer that question before, and because she didn't know whose name to write, she just copied her friend's answer which was "Harry Potter". It was really hilarious.

My point is, when I was a kid, I did not have much of the experiences to actually answer simple questions like that. The favorites, the definitions. It's not yet concrete to me when I was nine. Right now, at 23 (turning 24 this year), I can say that I already have answers to these simple questions in a slam book. Like spot-on answers. Unique, so to speak. In conclusion, slam books are for young adults. But we wouldn't take that seriously, would we? It is for adults, yes, but the concept is a little bit for kids' entertainment.


Whatever though, I researched some questions usually found in a slam book. I tried answering them and here they are:

  • Name: Gregory Mark del Carmen
  • Nickname: Greg / Mark
  • Birthday: September 15
  • Address: Bulacan, Philippines
  • School: De La Salle University (college) / Meycauayan College (high school) / Bancal Elementary School (preschool & grade school)
  • Height: 5'3"
  • Weight: 63 kg
  • Phone/Mobile Number: +63 906 *** ****
  • Email Address: i.greggy@yahoo.com

  • Describe Yourself: I am a licensed Electronics Engineer. I am currently working as a Network Engineer for an IT company providing solutions to financial institutions, brokers, and whatnot. I spend my spare time writing, reading, and watching TV series. I also love going to the beach, and do water activities such as swimming and canoeing. I'd love to travel Europe by myself, and the rest of the world with some of the people I truly love. I am a frustrated athlete and I, at the age of 23, just realized that I want to learn how to play basketball or volleyball. I also want to become a guitarist, a disc jockey, and a mixologist (though I don't usually drink). I believe the best will always happen; we just have to have faith and believe, basically.
  • Ambition: To be successful; and by success, I mean to be able to help my parents build a house, to have my own sophisticated and fine bar, and to have my bachelor pad in New York City. Basically, to have a very comfortable life. Who isn't. And oh, I want to become a Survivor US castaway, and win Survivor, of course.
  • Motto: "Experience is the best teacher."


  • Favorite Songs: On Top of the World (Imagine Dragons), I Won't Give Up (Jason Mraz), I'll be There for You (The Rembrandts), Lights (Ellie Goulding), I Would Do Anything for You (Foster the People) - I could go on but that could take a while, so I just listed some of my most favorites. Those are definitely the top five.
  • Favorite Movies: Titanic, The Proposal, Easy A, Les Miserables, Sweet Home Alabama
  • Favorite TV Shows: Friends, Survivor, The Big Bang Theory, Suits, Maging Sino Ka Man
  • Favorite Books: The Alchemist, The Winner Stands Alone, Les Miserables, Percy Jackson, ABNKKBSNPLAKo
  • Favorite Actors: Ryan Reynold, Ryan Gosling, Matt Bomer, 
  • Favorite Actresses: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Sandra Bullock, Emma Stone
  • Favorite Singers: Jason Mraz, Adele, John Legend, Adam Lambert, Justin Timberlake
  • Favorite Bands: Maroon 5, The Script, Foster the People, U2, Rascal Flatts
  • Favorite Author: Paulo Coelho
  • Favorite Food: peanut butter and chocolate, french fries, spinach
  • Favorite Subject: Mathematics
  • Favorite Teacher: Sir Bert Caguingin (professor in Analog Communications, Transmission of Signals, and Microwave Communications)
  • Favorite Hangout Place: any coffee place such as Starbucks, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and UCC
  • Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
  • Favorite Cartoon Character: Doraemon

  • Most fond experience: Escaping my near expulsion in the university and graduating from college, earning my engineering degree. I made my parents proud. That's an awesome feeling.
  • Most embarrassing moment: Wow, where to begin. Any Everything I can think of and relate to my high school life.

  • Define Love: Love is the only magic that exists.
  • Who is your first crush? Rica.
  • Who is your first kiss? Ella.
  • Who is your first love? I wanted to write the name, but it would be much controversial. Six letters.
  • Describe him/her: Very opinionated, not really attractive, but has a sense of humor that would really draw people. Intelligent and diligent.
  • When and where did you meet him/her? At the university, one night under a tree. I think that's around February or March.



So there you go. I must say, some of the questions aren't really easy to answer since I do have a lot to write. But then, the point is at least, I have something to write now unlike before that I did not have any idea what to put in.

Photo taken from Google