♪ UP naming mahal, pamantasang hirang ♪

Aug 05, 2012 02:03

UPCAT weekend feels as good a time as any to finally write about graduation. I still remember the day I took the UPCAT in Melchor Hall six years ago (to the day! But August 5 was a Saturday back then), although the actual test itself is a blur. I remember feeling anxious and wanting to get it over with. Nervousness came in January when the results were about to come out. I had already gotten into other schools, but UP was an entirely different thing. Coming from Pisay, where everyone is required to take the test, the UPCAT is a Big Deal. Teachers were aiming for 100% passing and I definitely did not want to be one of those who didn't pass. But luckily, I did. And I got my first choice, too! Fast forward four-and-a-half years later, I graduated with a degree in Biology. :)

Graduating is one of the times I've been most proud of myself (let's be real, its the proudest I've been of myself). I had my share of ups and downs throughout college and my stay in UP Diliman and the Institute of Biology - "down" moments such as the hell that was second year and the whole Bio 120 situation come to mind. But with a combination of determination, hard work, optimism (and probably a whole bunch of divine intervention + mystical workings of the universe) I came through it a better and stronger person (or so I'd like to think hah). So yeah, graduating was a Very Big Deal for me.

I attended both the College of Science recognition and the University Graduation. I had already graduated in October, so by the time graduation season rolled around in April I'd been basically bumming around for 6 months. But I was still really excited and not even the thorn-in-my-side that was the wedding we had to go to (on the same day and time as the CS recog - ugh at the whole situation and how it was handled) could get me down. Finally I would get to wear the sablay and march across the stage and get my "diploma" :D



This was the first time that the CS recog was held in the (newly-built) amphitheater, and not in the UP theater as in previous years. There were a few bumps and logistical problems, which was expected since it was the first time and everything. But I had a great seat (front row, in the shaded area) and there was a light breeze, so I wasn't complaining. And I was determined to just enjoy it all, really.

The Universty Graduation was held in the Univ Amphitheater the next day, and as great as the CS recog was, the univ grad was definitely more awesome. I'd say that I have an average amount of school spirit, but attending the univ grad amplified it by a thousand. It was definitely an experience I'll never forget. And to think I originally didn't plan on going! My friends eventually convinced me + we didn't really have any plans for that day + the, of course, very important switching of the sablay (!!!). One of my friends told me I wouldn't be a true UP grad if I didn't get to switch the sablay (the UP equivalent of switching the tassel). Since college recogs are just recognition programs (as the name implies) they aren't actual graduation ceremonies, which is why in the above picture our sablays are still on our right shoulders. The univ grad is the real deal, so to speak.



The ceremony started at around 2PM, so we had to assemble at 1PM. To say that it was hot is an understatement - it was the height of summer and the middle of the day. The thousands of people in attendance just made it that much more hot and sticky. Pero di naman halata sa pictures so k lang haha Being there with all of the other graduating UP students was an amazing experience. You're all hopped up on school spirit and good vibes that the stickiness and the sun just doesn't matter. I seriously loved every minute of it. Speeches were made, graduates were presented, the sablay was switched, and the UP hymn was sung. And of course, the protesters came. All in all a wonderful way to officially end my stay in UP and that chapter in my life :)



Parents and family usually just attend the college recognition programs since the univ grad is really long, plus I feel like its a generally boring experience for the non-graduating student (unless of course Summa ka/anak mo). Which is why my family stayed home and we just went out to dinner after.

Another reason why parents usually don't attend the univ grad is because of the amount of people. An insaneeee number of people go to the univ grad. Roughly two thousand students (probably) with immediate and extended families in tow = parking and Oblation photo op hell. Since Xenia and I didn't want to wait in line for a picture with oble that would be inevitably photobombed by other people, we went back the next day for our oble photo op. We had the place all to ourselves! We probably spent two hours taking pictures :)) Lahat na ng pose! Of course we had to get a picture with the sunflowers (its practically a requirement hah), but since it was the day after grad almost all the flowers were gone (either taken as souvenirs or dead). We walked almost the whole length of univ ave to find picture-ready sunflowers, and then walked all the way back to Quezon Hall for picture taking with oble v2.0 (now with added sunflowers!). Talk about dedication haha It was really hot. Like, really really hot. I ended up getting weird tan lines from my dress and shoes. Lunch at Mashitta (Omu-rice :') huhuhu) afterwards was very much welcome.



So that's how my stay in UP ended. I miss it a lot especially now that I'm studying in a different school. I wish it didn't have to end, but everything in life must come to an end. Ika nga ng Semisonic, "I know who I want to take me home" "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." harhar. I miss the people, campus, atmosphere, and just manila and college life in general :') And its weird to think that, initially, I didn't want to study in UP. But since the school I wanted to go to wasn't really known for their natural science programs, I chose UP. And I definitely don't regret it. I LOVE UP, K?! My stay in UP taught me so much about myself, changed me for the better, and helped make me who I am today. Thanks for everything, UP! Also, THANK YOU to my professors, classmates, friends, and family for helping me along the way and always being there for me. And of course, a huge THANK YOU to the Filipino people who helped pay for my education. I promise to do my best to be of service and to give back :)


Iskolar ng Bayan. Chos.

Luntian at pula, Sagisag magpakailanman
Ating pagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal
Humayo't itanghal, giting at tapang
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan.

:')

And now, sleep. We've got a softball game tomorrow and assembly is at the ungodly hour of 6:30.


Me when I get up to bat tomorrow

picspam

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