Thesis the moment, my final test!

Exactly a year ago, I finished my undergraduate thesis. I can still remember the moment when I finally got the approval of my thesis adviser.

I never thought that I would finish my undergraduate thesis and graduate on time.

Sh*t People Say in UP Mindanao

I spent my college years at the country's premier university and it was such a privilege. Aside from knowing the true meaning of service and excellence, I have also experienced a lot of things inside the youngest campus of UP.

Photo taken during my graduation last April 18, 2011. Photo by Sam Sanchez

UP Mindanao is one of the most diverse places that I've been to (aside from Imperial Diliman) - people come from different places and walks of life (never mind the countless number of flora and fauna species that thrive within the 204-hectare campus).

 Inspired by Shit Girls Say, here's my personal collection:

Freshmen-Torch Night 2011

Yesterday, I went to UP to meet up with my beloved batchmates and to attend the most awaited event of the academic year - Freshmen Night spearheaded by the University Student Council with the help of the different student organizations of the university. Every year, UPMin holds this spectacular event to welcome the freshmen students. With a theme, ‎"Iskolar ng Bayan, Paano Ka Naiiba?" student leaders hope that UP students would take part of our goal to serve the people.

The event started with the presentation of the bands. It was great to witness raw talents of some UPMin students! Too bad I didn't have the chance to buy their album.

The event officially started at around 8 PM. It started with the passing down of the responsibilities by the sophomore students as "mga Iskolar ng Bayan" to the freshmen through the traditional and symbolic passing of the Torch.

The Finish Line

Four years ago, I was really happy when I learned that I passed UPCAT. I didn't expect it, knowing that I didn't finish the English and Math subtests. I didn't have any second thoughts of pursuing my UP dream. My parents were all supportive with my plans, well actually, they are the ones who convinced me to study at UP because it's one of the country's prestigious universities. Add the fact that the Mindanao campus is just 15 minutes away from my home, ergo making my UP dream possible since my parents can't afford my college education in Manila (specifically UP Diliman).

I was really surprised when I first entered UP Min. Aside from the fact that we were outnumbered by goats, wild chickens and carabaos, UPMin's a thousand miles away from downtown. Travel time to the nearest mall (SM City Davao) is around 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the traffic along McArthur Highway. Good thing was, my blocmates were friendly thus I didn't feel lonely during the first few weeks of being a freshman student.

The succeeding semesters weren't easy.

Oblation of UP Mindanao. Photo courtesy of Sam Sanchez.

I had the chance to travel to different places in Mindanao with my classmates. I got the opportunity to see the beauty of mother nature. I experienced flunking one subject (Biochemistry) and repeating it the following semester due to my indolence. I was also on the brink of not graduating on time due to conflicts with my thesis adviser. But all of these experiences made me a better and stronger person. Back in high school, I was always on the top. Everything had changed in college. I was no longer on top of the class, but I learned a LOT of things not just from the academic aspect.

UP made me realize that honor and excellence is not defined by just getting high scores in exams and eventually graduate as cum laude (or better yet, magna/summa cum laude). Honor and Excellence is rather defined as how you, as an Iskolar ng Bayan, will serve the country base from what you have learned from the university, be in the field of Mathematics, Biology, Communication Arts, Political Science and etc. UP had also taught me on how to become a selfless and a sensitive person. It is not a good idea to celebrate from passing a difficult subject or complain that you only got 1.25 instead of 1.00 whilst your classmates have a hard time of getting at least a passing grade of 3.00. The university had also taught me on how to serve the people. I may not be the type of person who joins some of the university's demonstrations or rallies but one thing is certain: I will serve my country, in any possible way and help those people who are in need.

Some people may criticize that I am ONLY from UP Mindanao. Well, I will tell some things about UP Min. We may not have a 'true' ikot jeeps but we do have habal-habal or princess rides. HH or princess rides are way cooler than ikot rides, I tell you. We may not have Mang Larry's isaw but we do have Ate Malou and Burger Machine's buy one take one burger. We may not have Zorro but we do have our very own Sandara aka Maria Cristina Bacareza. We may not have multiple dormitories inside the university but we do have Silva, Chong's and Rubia. And don't forget Ma'am Silva's famous line, "Ichacharge kita!". We may not have a jogging lane but we do have abortion roads... lots and lots of networks of abortion roads! Truly, every UP campus holds a unique culture. Inspite of the cultural differences, we uphold the same principles not just for ourselves but for our country as well.

I will definitely miss UPMin. I will miss those good old days with my classmates. I will surely miss those days when I was still writing my manuscript and had a 'walay klaro' arguments with my thesis adviser. I will definitely miss those epic fail moments with my classmates and professors. I will miss those days when we were still practicing for our cheerdance on wee hours of the morning and sleep inside the Wildlife Laboratory. I will miss those videoke-slash-drinking sessions with my friends. I will miss those days when we were cramming for our lab reports and pass it in the middle of night. I will miss those days when we got stranded inside the CSM because the creek had just overflowed (the road wasn't paved until the first quarter of 2010).

To my professors, mentors, TORMENTORS, friends and classmates, thank you. Studying at UP Mindanao was one of the best experiences of my life.

And now I'm going to open the new chapter of my life and embark on a new adventure.

Optimism Prime

I personally do not like when I'm doing the same thing over and over again. This is primarily the reason why I don't want a job that requires you to sit in front of the computer, doing the same thing over and over again. I'd rather quit the job than to suffer the psychological ordeal.

Now this lead to answer the question as to why I prefer doing a LOT of things than focusing on just one work (given that those things that I really do are my interests).

People around me might notice that I play several important roles in every organizations I joined. First, there's the council, then my second family, BioS (Biological Society) and then, Himati. They think that I'm suffering from their specific demands. They think that I can't handle the three organizations simultaneously. They do not believe that I have this potential to straighten things up. You know guys, I still sleep, at least 6 hrs a day. My academic standing isn't compromised as of this moment. Sometimes I'm pressured to do all those things.

But do you want to know my secret?

Time Management.

It's not really a secret or talent. It takes time to learn this old magic trick. You see, three years studying in UP (or any institutions you're currently enrolled in) is already enough to muster self-discipline and time management. Frankly I have a hard time to manage all those stress when I was still a freshman. Little by little, I learned how to balance academics and extra-curricular activities.

It's just a matter of dealing such things that are important to you.

Know your priorities.

Set you goals.

Accept defeat.

Make your winning moments as one of your inspirations.

Let us temporarily forget those leisure activities such as watching movies at the cinema, shopping and et cetera. We can still visit them if time permits. The world won't end soon. Don't worry.

And always remember that a smile on your face, despite the stress will make your day complete. I guarantee that you will have a happy disposition in life.

Lastly, one should exude optimism to attain success.

Evolutionary speaking,

You know class, ideally it doesn’t really matter if you have a car or other luxuries in life. Do you think a man will look better if he owns a brand new car? It doesn’t make any sense! Your physical attributes (personality included, for a good reason) are one of your best assets in which you can ever present to the multitude. Earth has already been here in our solar system for at least 4.6 billion years. The first microorganisms appeared 2 billion years later, and then the complex evolutionary process occurred gradually until such time that it molded several genera and families base on the capability of the organisms to adapt on certain climatic conditions.

Nature will naturally select those who have the greatest number of advantageous traits. Those who do not have advantageous traits will soon disappear since traits will not be passed on to the next generation. Moreover, it will create a stable gene pool given at the right environmental condition.

But then again, we humans are so intelligent that we actually seek for practicality. We do not think of the possible detrimental effects to the future generations base on the way we choose our own lifetime partners. It may sound superficial to you, but think of it this way: If we continue to choose luxuries of life over the person per se, time will come that the next generation will have less advantageous traits and might lead to an event that we do not wish to happen.

—-

These are some of the things that I wish to discuss if ever I teach Evolutionary Biology in the near future.

Inappropriate Protest

We students have the right to protest - be it from the sudden tuition fee increase, and other school matters.

Moreover, we can do this in an orderly manner.

We do not need to burn and destroy those armchairs, tables and chalkboards. We do not need to throw them from the third or fourth floor of the building. We are intelligent human beings. We live in a modern era and society. We are not like those Goths who invaded the Roman Empire thousands of years ago.

We keep on protesting about our country's quality of education, and yet as a form of protest, we destroy lots of school properties. I don't see the point, really. Is it brought about by a surge of mixed emotions? Oh dear, we should at least know how to control our temper.

Ahhhh, the beauty of democracy. Freedom at its best... and worst.

Student Representation

"Hay naku, yang mga taga Student Council, mga rebelde... rally nalang ng rally..."

I got hurt when I heard this from a student of UP. Ironic, isn't it?

Let me clarify this.

The University Student Council of the University of the Philippines is the legitimate and autonomous institution inside the campus that protects and upholds the democratic rights and welfare of the students. We firmly believe that in order to further uphold our principles and campaigns; we must become a part of the alliance. Alliances are the foreground of collective actions because it strengthen and solidify the line of students.

Being the prime stakeholder of the university, we have the right to know what is really happening inside the administration. We have the right to know the different issues of the university. We have the right to share our opinions about those issues that circulate across the entire UP System. That is why, student representation is VERY important. It is our right it, not just merely a privilege. Where's the academic freedom by the way? I can't really take the idea of withdrawing the student representation.

We the officers of the student council are not rebels. It's just, we are not happy with the decisions of the administration. We DO NOT think that it is suitable, appropriate and right for the students. We thoroughly review those issues and when things get worse, we have no choice but to picket. We voice out our concerns about the institution just to be heard.

Before the elections, we already accepted the fact that it's going to be a big responsibility, sometimes compromising our academic standings and free time. But we don't think of that way. We just want to serve the university for a year or two and to address our concerns to the administration. Take note that not all of the students have enough guts to raise their concerns to the administration.

So, to that certain UP student, you must put this in your mind that UP upholds academic excellence and national consciousness.

Stop being apathetic. Wake up!