Brebeufian of the Week: Ernest Jo Ruste

He is one of the most amusing people in the class-- amusingly silent. Most might remember him for the super delicious brownies that his mom baked, or Carmela's seatmate or Edmar's cousin. Just that. We knew he was there and we didn't mind. But that was years ago.

Interview by Dino Mas & Carlo Esperat

Edited by Mark Cabil & Mae Arevalo

He is one of the most amusing people in the class-- amusingly silent. Most might remember him for the super delicious brownies that his mom baked, or carmela's seatmate or Edmar's cousin. Just that. We knew he was there and we didn't mind. But that was years ago.

He went to study in Manila that's why for most years, we heard stories about him taking Capoiera classes, not finishing school etc. We don't know what happened. It's time to catch up and maybe find something new and something more about Erjo Ruste in this short-but-sweet interview. By the way, those who have met Erjo recently realize and attest that we're now we're looking at a new improved Erjo-- a real hunk, hottie, and hearthrob! (and he's single!).

Name: Ernest Jo Ruste

Status: Single
Occupation: Computer Programmer

Dino: First question, are you single, engaged, in a serious relationship?
Erjo: Single.
D: How long has it been since your last relationship? Care to tell us what happened?
E: 1 year. Nah.. We're not compatible.
Carlo: So, are you currently dating anybody?
E: Nope, no steady date. Still single coz I simply haven't fallen for another girl yet. But I'm open to dating, if ever may opportunity.

D: Next… what's your job right now? Where?
E: Programmer. Accenture.
C: Kelan ka nagstart sa Accenture? Nag travel ka na ba because of work? Saan?
E: I started August 29, 2005. No travel yet, some of my more senior friends(senior by a few months lang) are being sent abroad pero sa batch namin wala pa. But even if I'll be offered I'm not sure if I'll accept kasi may dagdag sa bond yun. I have plans to apply in other more high-paying companies.
C: What language are you using with your current project?
E: We're under SAP, its language is ABAP, Advanced Business ApplicationProgramming.

D: What was your course in college and what school?
E: Computer management, Letran College.
D: Is this the course you wanted or you just didn't have a choice?
E: This is what I wanted. I like the challenge of using logic while making programs.
C: I never thought you were into programming, so how did you end up taking the course?
E: I like the challenge of programming, particularly the use of logic. It stimulates my brain. That was what I wanted originally when I applied in DLSU, but my parents wanted ECE. So yun, no interest and I didn't do well in the engineering subjects but I did well in the computer subjects (we had a few computer programming subjects) so I tried to shift to ComSci but I didn't get accepted so I transferred schools. I was supposed to transfer to UA&P but my parents decided at the last minute that it was too expensive in the long run, so Letran na lang.

D: Next, describe high school in one word.
E: Enjoy.
D: Chingga, bien one liner. Cosa bo telegrama?
E: One word gane… High ga bo.
C: Why "enjoy"?
Syempre enjoy coz we didn't have a lot to worry about, life was not so serious then, puro kalokohan n tawanan lang. It was a good time to have fun and be stupid. At that time I didn't really realize it yet, but compared to college and working life it seems so carefree and fun.

D: Next, most memorable moment in high school.
E: Ta pensa pa yo. Daw nway man.
D: Chingge, nuay gad bo kosa ta akorda de high school? Memorable and what's the most embarassing moment?
E: Nway gane. As a whole kasi… Embarassing ya lang akel ya perde ta na choral (laughs). 3rd year... Memorable ya lng akel yan send out kanamun di Gafar. Ta ri kame kay ta kopya si Gafar mga tan drums apuera. Toribio kel, Math class. Basta chene tan drums apuera, kabar pensaba gaha si Toribio kunele kame ta ri.

D: Who is your favorite person in high school?
E: Eh di si bespren Al (Shamir Jihay).

D: Who's your crush in high school?
E: Kaye (Ramos) and Cheng (Casimiro).
D: Why man bo yan crush kanila? Diba si Kaye debo classmate grade school?
E: Nusabe gane yo. (laughs) Eh di, kay chene sila itsura. They're kinda cute.. they're cute.

D: If you could go back in time, what would you change in your high school experience?
E: Pensa anay yo… None.

C: Since we are on the topic of high school, what can you say about your love tandem with Carmela? Do you know pano nagsimula yun?
E: Wala yun, purely imbento. If im not mistaken si aileen nagstart nun. Parang nag "Uyyyy..." lang siya once, then naulit hanggang sa kumalat na. Pero no truth to that. Dagdag pa si Ghafar kasi pareho daw kami balbon, "contra pelo".

C: "Ang seatmate kong poste" - what do you remember about this?
E: Chubby at malapad ako dati kaya parang poste daw ako, yun lang. I think started by Carlo Esperat. (Was it me? I don't remember actually. Haha. - Carlo)

C: Anong reaction mo sa mga kalokohan ni Mark sayo? Naiinis ka ba? Affected ka ba?
E: Nope, wala lang yun. No problem, basta no touch lang.

C: How did you get into capoeira? Tell us more about this. Anong gustong gusto mo about it?
E: I saw it in a movie on TV "only the strong" when I was in grade school yata. Then I recognized it in the videogame Tekken, so I learned how to play the character and I saw all his moves (motion-captured from a real capoeirista) and I was captivated by its beauty. I find it more beautiful to watch than kung fu or breakdancing or anything else, there's nothing like it (for me lang ha). I also like the fact that its not a common hobby, and I liked the challenge of learning the moves. So I looked in the net if there are capoeira groups here in Manila. As it
turns out, wala, but there was a group of capoeira enthusiasts and I joined them. We learned from videos and clips lang, and sometimes capoeiristas from other countries would visit us. Then we had a Pinay member who studied in Singapore and another from Canada so eventually we got enough attention to have a real mestre come and teach us under the EBC (Escola Brasileira de Capoeira) school, one of the biggest schools in Brazil. So our group became the manila branch of EBC.

D: Alright, describe your first date... with who, where, details.
E: Hmmmmmmm... Can't remember.

D: How's your love life now?
E: Non-existent.

D: Sex life?
E: Same.
D: De mano lang bo pirmi?
E: No comment.
D: I'll take that as a yes (laughs).

D: If you were stuck in an island, what single item will you bring and why?
E: Lighter or matches. Siyempre, for cooking food, fending off animals, heat at night. Naks! Very practical and logical, no?

D: Still stuck on the island, which classmate would you like to be stuck with?
E: Chingga. Dipisil se. Eh di, either of my two crushes. So after a hard day's work of hunting and providing food, they can help me "relax" and go to sleep. (laughs) Para sulit tamen si man provide yo food na di miyo companion.
D: Cosa man bo ase sulit kanila?
E: Sabe ya bo.

D: Genie in a lamp grants you three wishes, what are those wishes?
E: Hmmm, simple lang. Make me a billionaire (dollars ha), give me a super hot wife and make me d best capoeirista EVER! And kere era yo super sense. Akel sabe yo si onde kanda Bin Laden, etc. To help stop terrorism. Pero bien unbelivable ya kel (laughs).

D: Describe your self using the letters of your name.
E: Earnest.. Reasonable. Joker! Open- minded! Very open minded.
D: Baka openly green minded.
E: Given ya se.

D: Next, how do you see yourself 10 years from now?
E: Richer. And with a hot babe. Seriously committed. Maybe married. Around two kids... Happy marriage, happy family.

D: Message to the roots?
E: Mga chonggo kamo. Joke. Hi, hello there.
D: TIENGGA. Inspiring tamen.
E: Pensa anay yo. Dipisil man se. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." ya lang.

You can email or chat with Erjo on YM, his email address is erjoruste@yahoo.com.