Monday, April 18, 2005

ARCADIA

As far as I know, Arcadia is a philosophy more than a “society”. It stands for so many things. We have tried many times to define it. We have tried to make by-laws, a constitution, etc. We’ve tried forming taglines and all. We’ve tried to define it using sociology. At one point it was something short of an attempt for “anarchy”. It has also become a “rebellion”. It has been associated with the concept of “existentialism”. It has become something like a “sorority”. We’ve tried to define it, to box it in so many, many different ways, but we never really succeeded.

So what is Arcadia really?

Looking at its roots, it started as just a “reference” to the group of people who hung out for many hours at the Ilang moondeck (but is more apt to the group of people who hung out for much more hours at the University Arcade). But it’s not just the people who hung out there. It has much to do with the group of people who hung out, sharing some really good, reality-based, philosophical, anything-under-the-sun, intellectual, uninhibited, uncensored talk while smoking and drinking some soda. The basic commonality was that everyone in the group had some sort of “rebellious” side, some kind of “resistance” to the outside world, some kind of “outcast” roots. And the basic spirit was that any kind of difference in opinion, in perspective, in beliefs, in lifestyle, in personality, in fact, and kind of difference at all, was to be respected.



Whatever the kind of atmosphere that it fostered, that was what was really hard to define. There was never any rule on how we were supposed to react to the Differences. Some differences were met with an entertaining kind of surprise. And so we have prided ourselves to be goddesses of certain qualities. Some “weirdness” was seen as a possible source of underground popularity for Arcadia. This had made most of us feel like a special, “chosen” group, having the spices from all walks of life.

But then, also many times before, some of us have been “ostracized” (did I spell it right?) because of these differences. Others may have been aware of the group’s cold treatment, others may not have been. Others never rejoined the group, others did. There has been some backbiting. What’s interesting is that somehow, everyone knew about these things and that somehow, it was accepted behavior. It was somehow a way of respecting our Differences – a way of accepting who you are and how you affect other people, a way of respecting how other people are affected by you, and ultimately, a way of being an Arcadian. It is part of knowing all about the Arcadian, and then accepting this new flavor of an Arcadian. It is part of realizing that we cannot necessarily expect full acceptance without resistance in a group of smart, open-minded individuals.


With this kind of spirit burning among Arcadians, it does not matter where you go. An Arcadian is an Arcadian forever. We may all end up hating each other tomorrow, but it is because foremost, we are Arcadians. It is this characteristic that makes us love each other so much, and it is also this same thing that makes us hate each other so much as well. Take pride in being an Arcadian, because it is something to hold on to until we grow old. It is something to know, in your heart, that you have that feisty, rebellious, distinctive you – that makes you an Arcadian. Arcadia may seem like a “society”, but in my mind, I think, it is more of a comfort zone, a sanctuary, or maybe even a school. It is something to pass through, something that will change your life.

It is belittling to ARCADIA the concept to look for ARCADIA the people and what they stood for, what flavor they added to ARCADIA the concept. ARCADIA the concept is a journey (or a life-forming stopover in the journey that is life). It is probably not a group journey in the grand scheme of things, but rather, an individual journey. Which is why Arcadia is composed of different people with different dreams. And somehow we expect everyone of us to chase our dreams – to move on, to grow. And while in this journey, we meet a few people. We cannot close our doors on these new people, these people who add a new kind of spice (be it sugary pink spice, might I add specifically) to Arcadia. These people may be in the state of or are done with being “Arcadianized”.

The thing is, these people are different people going through their own journey. And like I said, it doesn’t make sense for all of us to expect to go through one group journey until we’re weary and gray. It’s all just a group of people going through everyday to get “there”. People who hang out at the University Arcade, sharing some really good, reality-based, philosophical, anything-under-the-sun, intellectual, uninhibited, uncensored talk while smoking and drinking some soda. The basic commonality is that everyone in the group has some sort of “rebellious” side, some kind of “resistance” to the outside world, some kind of “outcast” roots. And the basic spirit is that any kind of difference in opinion, in perspective, in beliefs, in lifestyle, in personality, in fact, and kind of difference at all, is to be respected.

So I say again that it is not fair to expect that ARCADIA will continue to remain the same. For as long as we are changing and growing, both the individuals that have become part of it, as well as the group (even the culture), then we are true to the Arcadian heritage. When we start to question why ARCADIA changes, then we have defeated its purpose in the first place. And we are bickering over things, therefore, ARCADIA lives.

We have immortalized ARCADIA the concept. There is now Arcadia the place, Arcadia the people, Arcadia the philosophy, Arcadian / Un-arcadian the adjective, Arcadianize the verb. How could we ever question what it will mean to people whom we have passed it on to years from today, when we are all dead?

We should be proud, Arcadia lives.

NOTE: At the end of the day, ladies and gentlemen, it’s all about being friends. We’re all friends here. Amen.

Posted by xam :: Monday, April 18, 2005 :: 0 Comments:

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