| Unofficial Website of Ms. Janice de Belen |
| College @ 33 |
| by: Lala Dimaano |
| College @ 33 by Lala Dimaano If you think that you've seen just about everything that she's got, well, think again. Janice de Belen has already shown us remarkable strength, determination and resolve. Just when everyone believed that she was at her lowest point, she stood to face the world again and showed the public what she's really made of. She became the epitome of today's modern woman� strong, confident and straightforward. Holding her head high, she made her way back to the showbiz industry and tried hosting a couple of shows. Obviously, Janice became successful in her new field, but it doesn't end there. Her carefree spirit prodded her to face the one thing that she still has to finish� college! Yes, at 33, Janice de Belen is a successful host, a fulfilled mother, and a thrilled freshman! She's every bit as excited about it as a teener could ever be, so read on and learn some new things in this conversation with one of the best interviewees I've ever encountered. How are you now?Wala naming bago sa akin� aside from my hair! Well, I'm back to school. And how's campus life?Campus life, initially, siyempre, mahirap ng konti kasi you have to adjust to, unang-una, waking up early kasi I live in Para�aque, so I wake up at 5 (a.m.). I have to leave by 5:30 para hindi ako abutan ng traffic. What prompted you to go back to school?Last year, a friend of mine who teaches in Ateneo, sabi niya sa akin, 'Mag-sit-in ka naman,' so nag-sit-in naman ako sa class niya. Wala naman akong masyadong emosyon sa pag-sit-in ko. Wala lang, sit-in. Tapos sabi niya sa akin, 'Bakit hindi ka mag-aral?' It never really occurred to me. Sabi ko nung una, scared ako because I might be starting something that I won't be able to finish. Sayang. For anybody naman na nag-start ng college tapos biglang nag-drop, sayang naman talaga. Pero sabi ko, 'Teka, iisipin ko muna,' Unang-una, inisip ko, 'Ano ang kukunin kong course? MassComm? Artista na ko tapos MassComm uli? I want something different naman,' Nung tinanong uli ako ng friend ko, I decided na pumasok na nga. I got my application from Ateneo, kasi that's the only school na lang na pwede pa akong humabol because the test is on January pa. In fairness, na-stress talaga ako sa kakaisip kung papasa ako ha! I took the exam, ninenerbyos ako kasi wala akong naaalala sa Math! 18 years akong wala sa school, matatandaan ko pa ba naman 'yon? Nag-enjoy naman ako. Nung kumuha ako ng application form, pina-sign ko pa sa Mommy ko, eh! Nakalagay kasi Parent's Signature, so pina-sign ko! Exciting 'yung feeling. When I was there for the exam, you have to follow rules, diba? You have to sit here, sa line na 'to� hindi na ako sanay. But to actually be normal, knowing that you have to fall in line for something, iba 'yung feeling. Nung nalaman ko 'yung results nung test, tinext ko yata buong Pilipinas para sabihin na 'Yes, I'm officially a freshman!' Siyempre hindi pa 'yon! Nakipagpilian ako ng PE! 'Yung magaganda, sarado kaagad. In fairness naman, bumagsak ako sa Physical Fitness. Na-eenjoy ko naman siya. How do the people there treat you?They made me feel welcome. Warm naman sila. Una ko kasing inisip na baka mailang sila sa akin, eh ayoko ng ganon, eh. In fairness, they were so nice to me. Sometimes, when I have to rush to work, 'yung mga assignment na kailangan kunin sa photocopying machine, they pick it up for me tapos binibigay nila sa akin. It's a totally different group. They don't look at you like you're somebody different. Tapos, may website kasi 'yung Ateneo, tapos nakita ko sa isang chatroom, 'Uy, pinag-uusapan nila ako!' So tinignan ko nga. Okay naman 'yung sinasabi nila. 'She's so cool, naka-backpack,' Talagang naka-backpack naman ako! Dala ko lahat. At mabigat siya ha! Pero I'm starting to learn. Medyo nagbabawas na ko ng readings sa bag ko. About the people naman, I think they're all used to seeing me na around campus. Although there are still some na pag nakasalubong mo, magbubulungan. Hindi naman siya unfavorable. I guess it's the overwhelming factor na� 'It's true, she's really here!' At mabait sa akin ang mga tao sa cafeteria. Meron akong classmate na nagpa-autograph sa akin, hindi ko kinaya! Isn't hard being a student, a host and a mother all at the same time?I work twice a week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays lang. 'Yung school ko, sa morning lang naman. 'Yung tapings namin, hindi naman inaabot ng madaling araw so when I get home, I still have time to study. And wala naman akong problema with my kids. At may school din sila. What's the best part of being back in school?Well, remembering that you still know this, that you like this. Iniisip ko nga, if I were 16, I wouldn't be that focused, whereas now that I'm 33, I know that this is what I want, and I want to see this through. Gusto ko na matapos siya. Do you see any difference in the school system then and now?Definitely, ang nakikita ko lang, 'yung difference ng high school and college. Sa high school, isang upuan ka lang, diba? Forever ka lang nandon. Ngayon, you go from classroom to classroom. At meron kang 15 minutes grace period. Tapos pag wala 'yung prof, hindi pala uso ang sub! Tsaka 'yung mga units units, hindi ko talaga maintindihan 'yon. It's different. Even the way you submit your papers. At hindi ka pwedeng kumuha ng make-up test! Pag wala, wala. Has your being back in school added to the happiness that you're feeling now?It's gives me a different kind of high. Siguro kung 16 years old ako, I wouldn't care as much. But I'm really bent on finishing it. I really like my course, which is Psychology, and I'm excited na magkaron na ng major subject. It doesn't mean that I would have a career change. Pwede sigurong added career, another feather on my cap, but mainly, it's knowing that I can start something and I can finish it. Okay, four years from now, when you graduate, can you say that this has been one of the best decisions of your life?Even as early as now. I told my friend nga, I texted her, 'It's my second freshman day. I really know� I'm really sure that I made the right decision.' I may not change careers. I may not be able to use it, but at least I know I did something. Alam mo, sinasabi ko nga sa iba, walang mawawala sa 'yo when you go back to school. It would just take a little more effort and a little more sacrifice, pero pag buo 'yung loob mo, magagawa mo. So far, buo pa naman ang loob ko. |
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