Journal from a Friend: Random Thoughts Under the Sun

I am Raymond de Guzman Nicolas. I am 18 years old, residing here in the busy province of Bulacan. I am presently studying at the University of the Philippines Diliman taking up BS in Civil Engineering. At the time being, I just finished my freshman year and to tell you frankly, I've got lots of stories to tell you about my experiences, adventures and journey as a college student. Let's begin.

ON STUDIES AND ACADEMICS

Marami ang nagsabi sa akin noon na mahirap mag-aral sa UP. Nakakayupi raw ng utak. And it's true. I have experienced it and I attest to it. My first impression of UP then was just an ordinary university. The only difference of UP from others was there was no uniform and a very big campus. One thing I did not know was its background. Really. I did not know anything from UP when I was in high school because first and foremost, I did not even think of studying here! Now that I have realized the beauty of the UP culture, I do not want to get out anymore. At first, I was overwhelmed by the ways teachers teach their own subjects. The pace was too fast, at times, I don't get to follow immediately. I was used to "spoon feeding" type of teaching when I was in high school that is why I was really surprised when I entered here. It is entirely different. You have to study hard if you want to pass. That is why I have learned to develop study habits as early (or late) as now because if I don't, I'll be the one to suffer. Then the first sem ended, I was surprised to see my grades. A 1, 1.25, 1.75, 2 and 2.75 flashed to me when I saw my class cards. I was very happy to be able to get those grades. I gained self-confidence and self esteem that I can finish my studies if I would really do my best. Well, actually, I was not fully satisfied with what happened with my grades. It turned out to be that my Math 17 grade is the lowest considering that it is a 5-unit subject and a course I must excel into considering myself as an engineering student. But as many have said, in UP, it is not a shame to get a 3. In fact, you must be honored because it is not easy to get those grades. Only real intelligent people and gifted ones can get those grades. Well, for that I am very flattered (or rather proud)!

THE FEELING OF AN ISKOLAR NG BAYAN

Iskolar ng Bayan- a phrase that is always attached to a UP student or alumnus wherever he or she may go. At first, I wondered why are we called as such. Why are we called scholars of the nation? It was a pleasure ringing in my ears yet it is an obligation to fulfill. Now, I understand why. When I first entered the University of the Philippines last June 14, 2001, I was nervous, excited, anxious and feeling kinda lonely in this big campus. It was not only big but the people around wore different expressions which made my feelings even complicated. Am I gonna make it here? Am I gonna make friends easily? How I wish I was back to my old high school and be with my old friends, classmates and teachers again. There I will feel secured and safe. But I said no, this is it, I've got to stand with my own two feet and face the world on my own. Being a UP student is really hard. It takes a lot of perseverance and hard work to be able to get good, high grades. It is not easy especially if you are not used to it the hard way. But I tell you, getting good grades will soon make you feel proud and good. After a semester of studying hard and doing all your best to pass, it is a sigh of relief for you to see an encircled UNO in your class card. When an old friend and classmate asked me where do I study and what is my course, I told her in UP taking up engineering. She was filled with amazement and somehow sort of admiration for me. She said that I was sure an intelligent and brilliant person for it is not easy to pass the UPCAT and to land on an engineering quota course! I felt somehow proud for myself because a lot of people who I have met also told me those beautiful remarks. It gave me a good feeling, a feeling of satisfaction within myself. Indeed, it is true that it is not easy to pass the UPCAT. Staying in UP makes it even a lot harder. That is why it is not to be considered as a joke.

TRUE SERVICE AND DUTY

But being in UP does not only mean you have to get high grades. As a quotation goes, "Let learning interfere with your academics." While it is true that it is important for an Iskolar ng Bayan to get high grades, he or she must also bear the task of being an Iskolar ng Bayan. And what is this task? It is the task of serving the people who work for our education. It is saddening because many of us do not realize this truth and how it affects our lives as students. We are ought to serve and bring back the time, treasures and talents that our farmers, teachers, janitors, carpenters and all the laborers are giving us. We live and study because of them. So it is only right to give them what is their due. We do not learn these from the four walls of our classrooms neither from the blackboards that are filled with chalk dust. It is from everyday living that we learn these things and apply what we know.

JUST WONDERING

I've been pondering these days about the sudden rise of universities and colleges offering IT related courses. They say on their advertisements that IT related jobs are the leading and fast-rising jobs in the whole world nowadays. They are encouraging everyone to study and learn computers and technology because it is in demand and it pays a good salary. But I came to think about, are we studying just for the sake of "profit"? Why do people want to become computer geniuses? Even if it is the trend, do we always need to follow? Where is the sense of service to the people? Now I believe in my Christian Living teacher back then when I was in high school. She told us that it is more important to give than to receive. It is in service that we find true happiness, that's why I am here in UP trying to fulfill that mission.

IN MY DREAMS

For a fact, I tell you that it was my long-time dream to become an Electronics and Communications Engineer or a Computer Science graduate someday. I dreaded why I chose Civil Engineering as my course. First, because it was not my dream to be one and second, I really like computers very much. But now, things have changed. Although I still like to become an ECE graduate, I do not regret anymore why I was not able to enter into this course. Do you want to know why? It is because I believe that God has a purpose for me why he placed me here. He wants me better in CE than in ECE so it's ok, I will still hold to what He gives me. After all, it was profit motive that drove me gaga over computer courses. Now I tell you, it is still in my system but the sense of duty and service to my fellowmen is I think the greater factor why I persevere in my studies and academics. "What is the use of mind if there is no heart?" Just asking.

ON RICO YAN

Speaking of service to people, the thoughts about Rico Yan's death entered into my head. He really is an inspiration and I admire him for what he did. I believe that his death was not put to waste. He was a loss to many of us but he left a remembrance that will eternally stay in our hearts. Like him, I would want to do my share in giving myself to the needy and the poor. He inspired me somehow that it is in giving that we find true joy. We may be rich and have everything but still we can't be truly happy. We may be poor and own nothing but still we can experience God's love for us if we share. I am not a fan of Rico Yan but his departure left a tear in my eye saying, "Sayang". But not totally, for he left the physical world but there are a million "Rico Yans" who will continue what he started. And for that, Rico Yan will never be gone. How beautiful isn't it? How I wish everyone would be like him so that the world would be a better place to live in.

MY SENTIMENTS

I am sure Rico Yan is in heaven now with the stars and angels. He had many friends and loved ones. For sure, he will be remembered forever. I would like to feel the same. The feeling that many care and love you makes me happy. And I would like to thank my friends for giving me that feeling. Friends are angels. Do you believe me when I say so? Perhaps a childish perspective you may say. Well, you think so. But I don't see it that way, especially if you'll meet my friends. Indeed, you'll say they are angelic! Here in UP, I have met many friends who became very special to me. We call our barkada as the "orgy boys"(I know what's going in your head but it's not that okay?) Why is it named as such? Well, it is a long story (if you want to find out, just visit our website). Right now we are having our summer vacation and to tell you honestly, I miss them so much. Probably, they do too. For a very short time, we've developed such a strong bond within ourselves that on the day for us to leave, it became a tearful drama of parting ways. How I wish we could be altogether again as one, sleeping in one room, chatting, singing "When You Believe," eating on two or three tables put side by side, etc. I miss those nights and all our activities. I miss them a lot! I know someday, in some place we will see each other again and be reunited. I can't wait for that! (Raymond dG. Nicolas, BS Civil Engineering, UP Diliman)

Impossible

Could it be? It seems so. There actually seem to be things that are improving. We aren't kidding. With all the grim and infuriatingly stupid goings-on obsessing the country, isn't it time to accentuate the positive? At least once in a while?

Many of our readers and indeed the public in general have been saying for sometime that while the fourth estate exists to pillory corruption and stupidity -- cupidity and conceit -- in the government, the purveyors of the news should get it into their heads to remind the public that not everything is wrong, and some things that are wrong are being righted. Not that there's much, but there's some, and this is what we've noticed.

We aren't imagining it: traffic along EDSA is improving. And by improving we mean that it may still be creeping along but most people can count on it creeping along at a steady pace; thank God for small mercies but inching along the metropolis's central thoroughfare is progress of some sort.

Just this weekend we observed that despite the intermittent rain, the crater-like surface of parts of the Makati stretch of EDSA were being asphalted.

This, sad to say, is news: that the MMDA has the common sense to work at night and on a weekend when traffic is lighter, so that the roads get fixed faster and hopefully in time for the weekday rush hour.

Now if the government could do more fixing of roads during the summer when traffic is lighter, we might actually cast a less jaundiced eye on the DPWH.

As far as the major cities of Manila and Quezon City, we seem to be noticing a slight improvement that augurs well for the usually abused residents of those cities. Liwasang Bonifacio has suddenly gotten a face-lift, startlingly at the behest of the Mayor's Office in cooperation with the Historical Conservation Society (our readers may remember this group as the entity famous for losing every case it has filed to save historic landmarks).

This time around, an NGO and the Mayor's Office actually did the unthinkable and worked together to give the people a park. We consider this a hopeful sign.

Not to mention the freshly painted public buildings and infrastructure in Manila in general.

In Quezon City itself, the Quezon Memorial Circle is getting refurbished and the old garbage blight seems to be on the way to being eradicated. Could it be, shocking as it may seem, that basic services are being improved in these cities?

It may be too soon to tell; but point these things out we must: for let it not be said that we don't point out hopeful signs, if only to give officials more rope to hang themselves with.(TODAY)