my Magna experience in UPLB (Magna-9 years =]p)

                I’m finally starting to absorb everything. I’m no longer taking a bus to Cubao on a Sunday or Monday. My mom no longer gives me my weekly allowance. I am not walking along Umali Subdivision, Oble park, Carabao park on a bright sunny day. I’m no longer eating my lunch or dinner at La Nina Bea Canteen, Mernovenli, or Selena’s. I no longer lay on my comfy bed with my turbo fan cooling off my lappy Eon. Yes, it’s finally sinking; I’m no longer in Elbi, I’m no longer a student, and I’m broke [lol].

                Nine years. Siyam na taon akong inampon ng Elbi. Siyam na taon akong nasa kolehiyo. Nine years filled with memories and stories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. My whole stay in Elbi would probably be the best part, so far, of my journey here on earth. Sa Elbi ko kasi naranasan lahat, hindi lang kasi ako estudyante noong nasa Elbi ako. Sobra naman siguro kung sa loob ng siyam na taon puro aral lang ang ginawa ko. Being in Elbi is more than just going to class, taking down notes, answering exams and quizzes, performing laboratory exercises, and the like. Besides being a student, there are days that I had been a teacher, a friend, an enemy, a girlfriend, a rebel, sister, leader, follower, and many others. When I first step in Elbi my dream was simply to finish a degree, but as the years pass things made me realize that it’s not just about getting your name printed on a diploma with the UP seal, what really matters is how you make it happen. Humahanga ako sa mga estudyante na nabibilang sa honor roll/CS/US sa bawat sem, nakakabilib yung mga nakakatapos ng suma, magna at cum laude, nakakatuwa yung mga mag-aaral na hindi magkamayaw sa mga scholarships na ibinibigay sa kanila, nakakainggit yung mga teacher’s pet dahil sila yun pinakabibo sa mga klase. I admit there are times that I am wishing I was one of them, but I am not. I am the complete opposite.  Ako kasi yung studyante na sinabihan na ng College Secretary na isipin na ang paglipat ng paaralan. Ako yung studyante na kilala na ng teacher kasi ilang sems na nya akong estudyante sa parehas na subject. Ako yung studyante na hindi papayag na hindi masagad ang allowed number of absences. Ako yung yung estudyante na ilang beses gumawa at nagpasa ng readmission at request for extension of residency letters. Ako yung estudyante na tipong magpapamisa at magpaparty kapag nakakuha ng TRES. But that doesn’t make me less proud of myself. Because in spite of that I did it! I made it happen, for the sole reason that I did not quit. I did not let any of my shortcomings, any of the challenges to block my way to obtain the real reason why I am in the university.

                It will took me a lot of space if I had to tell every story on how I was able to reach the day, my BIG day, my most awaited day – 28^th of April, 2012. But I know that every sweat that I shed, every tear that I cried, every laugh that I burst, everything is all worth giving. I will never regret that it took me 9 years to have my name printed on a diploma, 9 years to finish my degree in Food Technology [which is supposedly taken for just 4 years], 9 years of being in Elbi. Those nine years would simply be the best nine years of my existence. And because of those nine years, I know that I am ready to face the real world. I know that I am brave and strong enough to face the challenges that may come my way, UP Elbi prepared me for that!

at dahil sa nakakakilig lang makita itong mga bagay na ito that reminds me na grad na nga ako isasama ko sila dito. =]p