She is Little Miss Sunshine personified. A ray of beaming light for some. A humor injector to many. But certainly, she�s not your typical Iska. As the saying goes, there is more than meets the eye. And indeed, there is more than much.
In an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) where the life story of TV comedienne Pokwang was featured, there was an Iska who was a part of its production. She played the role of the teenage self of the comedienne which entailed, according to her, a lot of underacting.
She is Marie Jude Bendiola, a senior Journalism student of the College of Mass Communication (CMC) in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
�It was a fulfilling experience. Imagine, I was able to work with some of the most respected actors in the industry�, she said.
This experience had inspired her even more in enhancing her talent in acting. But she insists that academics will always come first.
Having spent her first year of college at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Judee, as what her friends fondly call her, couldn�t help but compare the way her former school and UP mold their students.
�I think that UP students are more independent compared to other college students. They can freely do what they want and they can freely express what they feel and think.�
She also added that UP students are �more opinionated and immerse in social and political issues because they usually practice their freedom of expression not only as a student but also as a citizen of our country.�
Judee also commented that the educational system in UP has and is continually making her realize her potentials as a writer and as an actress.
�In UP, no one would really help you to excel except yourself. Even though professors would teach you the greatest lessons and even if your friends give their 100% support, if you don�t believe in yourself and if you are not susceptible to change, then you will not progress.�
One of the hardest lessons that this 21-year old lass learned during her stay in UP is not about getting high grades.
�It is usually beyond those numbers. Who would have thought that after reviewing for 3 days continuously I�ll get a grade of 5 in Econ 100.1? This scenario may be hard for me at that time but it also taught me to study more, work extra hard and be more brave to do better next time.�
In terms of her major Journalism subjects, the cum laude standing student enjoyed Journ 121 the most because that was the subject that made her realize the true meaning of Journalism and group effort.
Adjusting to her transfer from UST to UP has not been easy for Judee. Luckily, when she decided to join university �wide organizations, fitting in in the UP community became a smooth sailing for her.
During her first five months of stay in the university, Judee joined the UP Theater Council and UP Lakan. The following semester, Judee then applied for membership in UP Samaskom.
Born a natural leader, Judee was elected as president of two organizations; Lakan in 2007 and Samaskom the following year. Along with this power, according to Judee, came a lot of responsibilities and advantages.
�Being the president of UP Samaskom and UP Lakan entails many responsibilities. It gives me an avenue to hone my leadership as well as my social skills. I have the chance to help so many people in Bulacan through the socio-civic projects oF UP Lakan and I�ve got the chance to be exposed in the different forms of media through UP Samaskom.�
Being part of these organizations also has its downside.
�They limit me to engage in other activities because they demand a big amount of time,� Judee said.
Judee also learned through her Lakan and Samaskom experience that it�s hard to always compromise.
�Sometimes your personal ideals and principles are usually bent just for the greater good of the majority.�
Aside from the active role that she plays in her organizations, Judee still manages to accept hosting jobs within and outside the university. Just last December, she hosted the Miss Eng�g competition held at the UP College of Engineering. Truly an explosion of talents, Judee said she enjoys hosting because it lets her express herself and communicate to different people.
Despite her jampacked schedule, Judee never forgets to unwind once in a while. During her free time, she writes, reads and watches TV programs and movies.
Judee also keeps her friends and contacts posted by regularly checking and updating her Multiply, Blogspot and Friendster accounts.
A certified ate figure and a mam's girl at heart, Judee also makes sure that she spends enough quality time with her family once in a while. Bonding trips with the fam include going to CCP, having a picnic and riding a bike.
Aside from her family and friends, are there other special people who keep Judee happy?
�My heart is not only smiling but it is also laughing at this moment. I don�t have a specific significant other but I have a list of men that I really do admire.�
A self-confessed long term planner, Judee is not in a hurry for love. She also admits that she does not easily adjust if the situation doesn�t go with what she plan.
�They say that I�m so square and inflexible, well maybe that�s the downside of my nature.�
And now that she�s about to graduate and leave the university that sheltered her for four long years, Judee kept on reminiscing the most memorable moment she had as an Iska.
� When I was about to drop my Math 2 class during the summer of AY 06-07, I talked to my professor and told him that I was half-hearted to drop the class because I was thinking about the tuition and on the other hand, I was so afraid to fail if I continue the subject. He told me to take the risk, to try harder and do better in our next exam. After class, he would try to teach me our lessons that I didn�t get and true enough, I got 98 in our second exam.�
Indeed, her four years of stay in UP have been fruitful for Judee. She had been molded to become a not-so-typical young woman, driven by great passion and equipped with a roster of exceptional skills and talents. Truly, she is a woman worth knowing of.
