The SM Hunt

A security guard watching our every step, sweat dripping down our faces and our minds and bodies craving for rest. At a first glance, you may infer that we are going through a problem, but not that kind of problem you’re thinking right now. It’s not about breaking the law or anything. This was just about our group chasing SM employees. But to completely understand what we are trying to do, let me tell you first what lead to this activity.

Last week, our Fil 40 professor assigned group projects. Each designed to interview and target people who have gone or may be going  through rough patches and how they are dealing with it, specifically we are told to interview SM employees, comfort women and juveniles. Our group was assigned to interview SM employees about their life working for Henry Sy. My group mates and I created guide questions, planned the execution of the interview and agreed to meet in SM North that Saturday to carry on with the activity.

It was Saturday morning and all of us were there. We had papers, pens, two cameras, one tripod and one goal: to listen and hear what SM employees have to say. We were all set and ready to mingle. We decided to first start asking employees working in the supermarket. We approached a bagger and asked, “Kuya, pwede ka bang makausap nang saglit lang? Meron kasi sana kaming mga tanong tungkol sa pagtratrabaho mo dito sa SM. Ok lang ba?”He was shy and hesitant to answer at first. He then smiled and said, “Sorry, bawal kasi. Nagtratrabaho ako.” We replied, “Kuya, di pwede ka bang iinterview mamaya sa break mo?” He then stepped back and said, “Ummmm, may gagawin kasi ako sa break ko. Sorry!” He then left in a hurry. We then approached a customer service assistant and asked the same thing. But like the bagger, she too said that she was busy and apologized after. We asked 3 more people and all of them said no.

To our dismay, we went out of the supermarket and searched for other employees. And we thought of janitors so we went to comfort rooms. We went from one floor to the next to find a janitor. We couldn’t find anyone in the janitor’s room nor in the succeeding comfort rooms we went to. We wanted to look for other SM employees until we luckily found one in the ladies’ comfort room at the 3^rd level. We asked her the same thing. She said, “Sige, saglit lang ha” We then asked her if we could record this interview. She replied, “Basta wag yan lalabas sa TV ha, “We then said, “Oo naman ate, this is confidential. Sa atin lang ito” She then said yes and we started with the interview.

 We introduced ourselves to her. We told her that we were UP students conducting an interview for a requirement in one of our subjects in UP. We then greeted her and asked her how she was doing. We asked her about her children, her family and her status as a janitor.  Something intriguing during the interview, people passing by would always constantly look at us with curiosity as if we were celebrities but still we continued on with the interview. Then eventually we asked for more in depth questions about employment and problems she is currently facing. She first was hesitant to open up to us but eventually she expressed her concerns regarding the labor contractualization and minimum wage and how this impacts her family and herself as well.  We were so happy because she was able to vocalize herself. We then gave her a simple token for the interview. 

We were so grateful because we found one person wiling to engage in an interview and also to talk about concerns regarding the SM system. However, we were still looking for one person to interview so we decided to go back to the supermarket and try again our luck. We went to the back where employees enter and exit. But this time, we decided that only two people would go and ask since we thought that our failure of getting people to say yes was connected to the idea that a group of people can rattle them and make them hesitant. So I and my friend volunteered while others were at a distance.

My friend and I saw somebody went out, we carefully approached and asked her if she could answer some of our questions. But then we heard a loud yell, saying “Hooooy”. It was a security guard signaling us to get out. We stopped and went away. But as persistent as we were, we still went looking for someone a little further from the gate and out of the sight of the security guard. It was almost 30 minutes but no one entered nor leave the establishment.

So here we are sweating, perspiring and evading a security guard. We really wanted to give up and go home and continue on tomorrow until we saw a person leave. We calmly approached her and asked if she can answer a few of our questions. Like others, she was so shy and hesitant but I think our good looks and sweet charm made her say yes. The interview went smoothly like the first one. But we were so happy and astonished because she really was knowledgeable about the issue of labor contractualization and infringement benefits of employees. She really had striking comments, reactions and opinions on the SM system. After the interview, we thanked her and even hugged her and gave her a simple token. 

We went back to our group with all smiles and shouted, “Successss!” We ended the day with a prayer and a group hug and went our separate ways. This day was certainly a memorable one for me. This was my first time to conduct an informal interview as a UP student. All the sweat and fatigue were just small prices to pay for having an interaction like that. It was precious and a life changing one, my view on the whole world really changed.  Even though, we only had 5 to 10 minutes with them. I got a glimpse to be on the shoes of another person. UP makes you do crazy things but for a legitimate reason, just like chasing and begging SM employees. 

By : Benedict Guinto 
(Narration)

Sources (Photos):

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v_bRqkr73gu8NzUeAGeGchueSVDYibYLCG0MxyyTd-TiwQtzpIR09s9oY03uJDU-vVlx8BU9YdxJEux0vNR_rdTQInaLcu-qd1qh0Eg4Hp8uFiKxqKHNcMwazuijBEXedq9GhqEwbDiH/s1600/SM+North+EDSA+-+North+Pole+%252848%2529.JPG

Friends

                There are so many organizations inside the university.  When I first decided to join one I was already in my second year.  I figured that I should just use my first year to get myself used to living away from my parents first.  At the time of my second year in college, I was already adjusting pretty well to the university life.  Some of my friends wanted to join an organization, so I thought, why not?

                The organization we decided to join in was an organization for psychology majors, or for people who had at least taken three psychology units, which is equivalent to one class.  There were about 60+ of us applying in the org, and the application process was a tedious one.  As soon as you apply to be part of the organization, they give a calendar of sorts for the application process.  There were so many activities that us applicants needed to do.  But the first week was dedicated solely to the applicants meeting each other and meeting the members.   There was even a ‘tambay log’.  Applicants were required to be at the ‘tambayan’ of the organization for a minimum number of hours.  This was to ensure that applicants would really interact with the members and their co-applicants.  After that, a couple of applicants decided to drop out already.  They thought that the application process was such a hassle.  I’m glad that they dropped out early, because if they thought that the requirement to stay at the ‘tambayan’ was already a hassle, then they would certainly hate the other requirements that would come up next.  As the weeks passed by we were required to do numerous time consuming things that made me question my resolve to continue with the process.  But the requirement I hated the most was that we had to memorize all the basic information of every member and alumni.  If it wasn’t for the constant support of my co-applicants I would have quit.

                I realized during the process how important it is to have a support system.  When times become hard, sometimes all you need is a helping hand.  It also made me have faith in myself---  Faith that I can overcome difficult tasks as long as I do my best.

Nicola Fionna F. Delos Santos

Why UP Dormitories have curfews?

On my first night in the dormitory, they called us for a corridor assembly. The meeting was all about the rules and regulations of the dorm. The first thing they discussed was about the curfew. A curfew requires students to remain indoors between specific hours, typically at night. We are just allowed to go outside the dormitory in certain prescribed time. From Monday to Friday the curfew time is 10 p.m. while during weekends we are allowed to stay outside until 11 pm. It was my first time to undergo such rule. I was really afraid to violate the rule because this may result to eviction. I was disgusted because it limits my freedom and chances to do the things that I want to do. But beyond this, I know that this curfew has a good purpose that’s why they implemented it, and this will really help us to maintain our safety.

Dormitories have curfews to keep us out of trouble. Most of the time, crime rates are high during the night. Curfews serve us our protection. In the province, I live in a place where there is no curfew. There was one night, probably at 11 p.m., when I went to a basketball court to play with my classmates. A group of men came and surrounded us and for unknown reasons, they attacked one of my friends. We went to the barangay officials to ask for a help but they blamed us and said that it was our fault for staying outside that late. I believe that if there is a curfew that night, every one of us was already at our own houses and the incident was being prevented.

Dormitories have curfews for us not to meet the wrong road. If a place has a curfew, it can disengage students from doing bad things. If we are not allowed to stay out late, we are less likely to meet characters who could lead us to bad habits. In U.P, most students live their social lives at night. We can meet a lot people during this time and this may lead us to learn vices like drugs, smoking, drinking alcohol or even prostitution that may greatly affect our academic performance.

Dormitories have curfews to make us disciplined, responsible and organized. Enforcing a curfew and a lot more rules to follow will develop us to become disciplined students. Violations in curfews will be avoided if we know how to manage our time. It is very important for us to organize our schedules to avoid overlapping things to do. In addition, curfews give students the opportunity to prove that they can be responsible by following the guidelines the dorm implements. To sum it up, the implementation of curfews in dormitories can greatly help us to avoid the wrong road, to keep us safe and be obedient.

by Mark Lesther M. Jacinto(Exposition)

Sources (Photos):
http://www.nlondtwp.com/GenInfo/Ordinances/Chp65C http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/right-vs-wrong-how-to-answer-this-from-the-bible/

Shifting Process

I believe, all of us have our own dreams. We all want to achieve something which will make us happy and contented. As for me, I really want to be an accountant, particularly a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). I never had doubts about it because it was my dream since I was in grade two, so I didn't find it hard filling up the chosen course part in the UPCAT forms back then. I am so hopeful to pursue the BS Business Administration and Accountancy (BAA) course here in UP, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to get into it. Instead, I was accepted in another course, BS Business Economics (BE).

Even though fate doesn't let me reach my dream, I am still hopeful and determined to study the course I really want to take, so during my first year in the university, I decided to shift into BAA after one year. I told my friends my decision about shifting. I am so happy because they supported me, but they also warned me to get myself ready in case I didn't pass again for the cut off grade in this course is really high. I told them I will be happy no matter what the results will be.

After one year of waiting, I immediately searched for the CBA website to look for the steps on how to shift to BAA. The first thing I found out was that the applicants should already completed 30 units to be able to transfer. Since I've already taken up 35 units, I am allowed to shift, so I went on to find out the application process.

The first thing to do is to fill out the online shifting application form posted on the CBA website. When I found out about it, I quickly looked for this application form and answered it as fast as I could to be able to move on to the next step. The second step is to print the said form. I did that and already moved to the next. The third thing to do is to pay the thirty pesos application fee at the Cashier's Office. Since I was not in UP when I am looking for the procedures, I can't do this step as of the moment so I waited for the next day to do it. When the other day came, I directly went to UP to pay for the fee we need to accomplish. When I went home later that day, I again looked for the next things I needed to do. According to the website, the fifth step is to pass the printed copy of the shifting application form with recent 2x2 photo together with the official receipt of the P30.00 application fee. I also need to pass an official True Copy of Grades (TCG) showing all grades from the first to the second semester in UP validated by the home college or unit. Since the fourth step was not easy to finish, I instantly started accomplishing it one by one. I went to a studio to have my 2x2 photo taken. Then I attached it to the printed form I have. I also put with these the official receipt I received for the application fee. The next day, I went to UP to request a TCG, but it could be claimed only after three days from the day it was requested so I waited. The final step in shifting is to pass all the stated requirements and wait for the release of the list of successful applicants. When I finally finished gathering all of the things I need to pass, I immediately went to the Virata School of Business (VSB) to pass all of these.

When I passed my requirements, I was so shocked to know that I am the 500th applicant who wished to apply on the same course. Because of it, I left VSB with a lot of doubts and questions in my mind, whether what I did was the right thing, or should I not be wasting my time hoping to get in when in fact, there are so many students who are also hoping and fighting for a slot. With all of these thoughts running in my mind while I'm walking away from that place, suddenly a slightly heavy leaf fell on my head and it caused me a little bit of pain. I supposed, it was the way of God to remind me that I should not lose hope because the final decision is still on his hands, I just need to trust him. After that, I went home already.

The results came out. I got in! But in BA, not BAA. At first, I was so indifferent if I would shift or not since the course I like was BAA. Later on, I decided that I should shift, to get closer to what I want. And maybe someday, after another year, I will repeat all of the stated steps and hope again to get into my first choice.

Cyrishlyn Aira E. Malubay

(Process Analysis)

Source (Photo):
http://naldzgraphics.net/freelancing/reasons-keep-job-freelancing/

Types of UP Students: where do you belong?

Every one of us has reasons why we do things. We make tons of actions and decisions with accordance to our principles in life. This affects the way how we approach people and handle every situation. Every one of us has a unique identity that makes us different from each other.

Upon entering the University for the very first time, I saw different students coming from different places having different cultures and different attitudes towards studying. Some of them take studying seriously, some are just having fun, or simply chatting. I can categorize them in three. But a student, at a given time, may belong to one or more category.

The first type of student is normal students who, most of the time, are found at the library. If not, they’re at a peaceful place holding their books and reading. Usually, they are the students belonging to those who have an average or below average form of living. Normal students can be grade conscious or contented. The grade conscious ones are more on the results. They are not contented of what they have unless they have the highest score. Let’s just say that they are after their grades and not of what they have learned. Contented ones are those who are after what they have learned. They don’t mind the scores or grades they have as long as they know that they deserved it. Contented students are the opposite of the grade conscious ones.

Another type of student you can see is versatile students who are great balancers. They excel in academics and in all other activities. They are normally at the gymnasium, library, workplaces and their org. tambayans. They know how to manage their time and are very strict on it. They can adapt to their environment easily and can get along well with people. Versatile students can be leader-type persons. Because they are organized, people acknowledge them as persons who can lead a group properly.  But versatile students can also be simply the followers. They are those who choose to be the ones to follow than the ones giving instructions. Versatile students do not stay on a certain field only. They like to discover new things and they love adventures.

Lastly, there are students who go to school but do not really focus on their studies. Sadly, yes, there are students like them. They are given enough allowance but just spend them on computer games, social life, and vices instead of meals and other school requirements. You can’t see them often at school because they are at internet cafés, malls, or anywhere that gives them happiness.  No matter how much their parents ask them to be serious about their studies, they don’t mind itbecausethey only think of what will make them happy. There are reasons why students like them exist. Family problems, friends’ influence and acquaintances are some of the reasons why they put their selves into that kind of situation. Once they start doing such things, they find it hard leaving it, making their situation worst.

Among the three groups, you belong to one of them. It is your principles and decisions that will determine who you are. Think of the benefits and consequences you may encounter as you realize where you belong and where you would want to be. In the first place, respect and do not judge the others because every individual has reasons why, try to understand and you will be enlightened.

By: Mark Lesther Jacinto

(Division and CLassification)

Sources: (Photos)

http://blog.ivywise.com/blog-0/bid/134320/Staying-Up-Late-to-Study-Hurts-Students-More-Than-It-Helps

http://theberry.com/2012/02/11/college-drinking-at-its-finest-31-photos/college-party-14/

https://www.facebook.com/STAND.UPdiliman

Uno

                Grades don’t define who you are.  I have constantly told this to myself whenever I get a low grade in one of my classes.  After all, when I start working, I doubt my future bosses would look at my grades as a basis of my work.  Yes, grades do have a factor when it comes to getting hired.  But it is not the only factor, and your grades can only get you so far.  If you don’t do well in your job, then getting high grades during college is utterly useless.  But even if grades aren’t a reflection of who you are as a person, it does have a factor on your emotions.  Getting a singko, or a failing grade, will surely make a student feel sad.  Who wouldn’t feel sad when you have to repeat a subject again?!

                The opposite can be said for getting an uno.  An uno is the highest grade you can get in the university.  It is a trophy of sorts for students.  The university is home to the crème de la crème, or so we UP students believe.  That is why getting an uno, especially in a difficult class, is no laughing matter.  An uno is not only the highest grade a student can get, it is also one of the best bragging rights to a student and his or her parents.

                Parents love bragging about their kids.  Whether it be about them painting a portrait of the family to when they were kids, to them getting accepted to the University of the Philippines.  Of course our parents are aware of how difficult it is to get in, and how difficult the classes are in the university.  That is why telling them that you got a perfect grade in a class would lead to them telling this story to a few of their friends, and you receiving a slight increase in your allowance.

                An uno is thing of miracles.  It can make anyone’s day wonderful.  It is even better than getting a new phone.  The first time I got an uno I remember jumping up and down in happiness.  Nothing beats the feeling of acing a class you know you worked hard in.

Nicola Fionna F. Delos Santos

Face to Face with Oble for the First Time

Just like how a kindergarten feels during his first day of school, I was very excited to enter my new school, known as one of the best schools in the country - the University of the Philippines. I was so innocent then about what was all about this school. I heard a lot of rumours, like the school being the centre of student activism, lots of jeepneys inside, huge buildings, and of course, its famous tradition - the oblation run.  I surfed the internet to know more about the university, and the first thing that appeared was a statue. It was Oble (Oblation or Pahinugod) – a concrete statue made by the famous Filipino artist Guillermo E. Tolentino, which serves as the iconic symbol of the University. Since then, I dreamed to see Oble personally until there comes the time that I needed to go to Manila for the enrolment. Finally, I knew that I will see him!

After a long eight-hour trip from Isabela, we finally reached Manila. As I, together with my friend, stepped out from the bus, the sun’s rays shone upon my face and hurriedly, the hot desert climate of Manila welcomed me, as if thesun’s rays werehuggingmedirectly.All things became new to me, specially the environment. Noisysurroundings, numerous cars,foul and hazy air and vast number of people -these were the things I observed, far from what I experience in the province. Besides from excitement, my mind and heart began to feel pressured as I saw how life was in Manila.

            As the green light turned on, “broom, broom, beep beep”, jeepneys, taxis and buses turned the highway into a racetrack. They were racing to get more passengers. Wewere picked-upby ahuge bus going to Fairview.The ride was very crazy- if the lion was the king of the jungle, the bus was the king of the road. The bus wasas fast as a camera flash, it overtookto the right and left making me feel unsafe. In justa few minutes, the conductor shouted “philcoa, philcoa”. The bus stopped to unload passengers. We went down and my knees began to shake as my friend told me that we were nearly there.

“U.P CAMPUS, CAMPUS U.P!” a thin man shouts as he walked towards us asking if we were going to the campus. We answered him and he helped us to load our things. The jeep’s small capacity I believed was good for only 10-14 persons but I was amazed how the jeepney driver managed to insert four more passengers- we looked like sardines in a small can, we were compressed. But besides that, I enjoyed riding the jeep because it was my first time to ride a public utility jeepney. The machine turned on and we started moving. The jeepney turned right into a very wide road, the University Avenue, which I thought was an expressway. There were flowers that looked like a fire dividingthe road into two partsI was so impressed when my friend told me that those beautiful sun flowers also symbolize the Graduation period of the school.

The jeep went straight up to the checkpoint and I noticed something- a gigantic building. A massive building views from afar to which looked likea palace floating on air. The statue stands approximately two meters and I noticed a plant on his foot. The statue seemed familiar to me; I knew that I alreadyhave seen it. I didn’t remember its name but I remembered the way it looked like. I asked my friend and she said “yan si Oble”.I realized that statue because of the famous tradition of the school-the oblation run.I can’t describe how glad I was when I saw him face to face. The tiredness I felt was lost as I read the markers on the statue’s base- It was a verse of Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adois. The long and tedious journey was well worth. This journey to see Oble is one of the most inspiring journeys I had in life. I will never forget this experience.

By: Mark Lesther M. Jacinto

(Narration)

Sources: (Photos)

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/354096/scitech/science/no-more-blooming-grad-sunflowers-for-up-after-calendar-shift

http://irvinarenas.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/entry-058/

Jogging: Where o where

Heart pounding, knees aching, sweat dripping, body hurting – these are the typical effects of running at a slow pace or commonly known as jogging. Jogging is a tremendous physical activity which helps us stay young and healthy. It helps build stamina and endurance. It also helps with weight loss or weight maintenance. It is also costs free. You don’t need any fancy machines to jog. All you need is a shirt, running shorts or jogging pants, rubber shoes, a lot of motivation and you’re all set to go. Since we need to exercise at least one hour a day, this could be the most regular activity we could do since we can do it anytime.

I for one, jog at regular intervals. I jogged once a week at Burnham Park when I was still in Baguio and now that I moved here in UP Diliman, I jog twice a week regularly. I could remember my 1^st jog here in UP around the Academic Oval. It was the evening after the Math 17 1^st long exam. My friend and I decided to jog after the mind drenching exam to relieve and relax ourselves. We did some stretching and some warm ups first. We then started from Roces Street and jogged at a slow pace until we reached the Oblation. We fastened the pace until we finished one round. We were perspiring like you’ve never seen before. We wanted to stop but we decided to do one more round for fun. At the end, we had a little race to see who finished first and unluckily, I lost.

Jogging in UP was quite different from jogging in Burnham Park in three aspects. In terms of temperature and atmosphere, they are completely different. In Burnham, it is quite cold and humid making it hard to breathe. Sometimes, I stop just to get my breath once in a while. But one advantage of jogging in this type of environment is that you don’t perspire easily; making you fasten your pace. On the other hand, jogging in UP is jogging in a warm, windy environment. After jogging for maybe 2 minutes, you could already feel your sweat running down your body. However, both settings still make me feel cool and comfortable, since both settings are surrounded by trees. Trees produce oxygen. A supply of oxygen that is more than enough and unpolluted makes it easier to jog and breathe.

Also, they are both different when it comes to the people you will see and meet when you jog. At Burnham, you often see people in groups. Sometimes, they even laugh and talk to each other while jogging. They even tease each other if one gives up and may even challenge each other to a race. Jogging for them is just to enjoy the company of others. However in UP, most often than not, people here jog independently. A good reason maybe is that they are focused more if they are alone. And since the academic oval was built to have a jogger’s and biker’s lane, people really jog here to condition themselves.

Lastly, one important aspect to delineate is their accessibility and security. In UP, the academic oval is free to everyone. Anyone can go there anytime, even at night. There are street lamps that light up the road so that you can still see much while you’re jogging. At Burnham however; people jog only during the day. Jogging at night could be dangerous since some parts of the trail are not well lit. You might stumble and fall. To sum all things up, both places pose different purposes and advantages. One is not better than the other since the objective of jogging is different in both places. They are really convenient for jogging. And it’s up to the person’s preference to where he wants to jog. 

By: Benedict Guinto

(Compare and Contrast)

Sources (Photos):

http://www.cityofpines.com/ (http://www.cityofpines.com/baguioglimpse/baguio10.jpg)

http://miccaldo.wordpress.com/ (http://miccaldo.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/img_0170.jpg)

New Semester's Greeting

Before I enter University of the Philippines (UP), I used to hear rumors about the difficulties of students in enlisting for a subject they want to get. At first, I didn't take it seriously for I had an easy time enrolling during my first year in the university, but now, I finally understood it when I experienced the notorious student activity called prerog.

My first time to enroll in UP went just fine. I easily got the subjects I want to take and the only struggle I faced was the long line in Office of the University Registrar (OUR). All in all, just like what I have said, I had an easy time both in enlisting for a subject and in enrolling. But after a fortunate year, I finally experienced the horror of preroging when I started my second year. I will never forget all the challenges I faced during that horrifying enlistment period.

Since a lot of students are studying in UP and the administration cannot do the enlistment manually for it is more effort and time consuming , we have this online website called CRS where we can pre-enlist to choose the subjects we want to take. This enlistment usually is a month-long period or shorter. After this period is the moment of truth, the time when we will see how many units and what subjects we got. As for me, I only got nine units after the second batch run of this semester, so the my last resort to get enough units is to prerog.

During the second day of enlistment, I immediately went to Econ to fall in line for an Econ 100.1. When I arrived there at 6 AM, the line was already long. I think I am the 30th person in line. Even though it seemed so impossible, I didn't lose hope that I will get this subject so I waited there for seven hours, until 1 PM. Unfortunately, I am not lucky that day, I wasn't able to get it. They just told us to return early tomorrow for new announcements if they will open another class for that subject. I left econ with a heavy heart and made my way to prerog for another subject. I went to the Faculty Center for a Kas 2 class. Approximately, I am the 40th person when I arrived there. I am trying to lengthen my patience that time because I am so tired and stressed. Many people came after me waiting for a sudden miracle from heaven. When I am finally the first in line, the proctors cut it and said that there is only one slot left so the unlucky ones should go and find fortune in another class instead. I am so delighted because I am the last one to have a slot, but destiny is truly unpredictable, the proctor told me that they just made a mistake and there's actually no slots left. I left that place with a heavier heart and an exhausted body. I am really hurt with the false hopes they gave me. The perfect word for this is “paasa”. I took a rest that time and looked at CRS, and I discovered another heartbreaking thing, my Hum 1 class was dissolved. I panicked intensely that time so I rushed to the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) to find another subject. I went to the prerog area for English classes. The administrator there told me that only English 11 and English 12 classes are available. At first, I was hesitant to take any of the said subjects because I just want an English 1, so I waited there, taking for granted the available subjects. After five minutes, another student came and asked if there were any English 1 class available. The proctor told him that there is only one remaining slot so the student who just came felt happy. I felt so cheated that time so I complained why they said to me that there's no slot for Eng 1 when in fact, there's still one. They quickly added me to that class and apologized to the student whom they gave false hopes. I also said sorry to that guy and told him that I am really in need of that subject. I ended up that day retaining my nine units.

During the last day of enlistment, I needed to cancel my Stat 101 for an Econ subject since they have conflicting schedules, but luckily, I was finally able to get Econ. Also that day, God blessed me with a Kas 2 class. I ended up having 12 units, but that was still underload so the only thing I could do is to have the teacher's prerog. I did it for all Geol 1 classes, but I wasn't able to get even one of those. I also did teacher's prerog for Stat 101 since I cancelled it. Even though it's embarrassing, I shamelessly asked the professor in front of his class if he's accepting prerog. Fortunately, he accepted all of the students in need, but asked us to perform and share to them our talents. I swear I just want to disappear that time.

Because of these prerog experiences, I realized that in UP, it is not only studying that is difficult, but also the things you weren't expecting to be hard, especially the new semester's greeting, the enrollment.

Cyrishlyn Aira E. Malubay

(Exemplification/Illustration)

Source (Photo):
http://www.annarbor.com/news/line-started-for-expected-crowds-interested-in-university-of-michigan-graduation-tickets/

A UP Student’s Exploring Time

There comes a time in our lives where we get confused, humiliated and really ‘sabog’. This first occurred to me during my first day in UP.  My first day in the University of the Philippines was a topsy-turvy one. I didn’t know where my classes were or which buildings are which and I did not know what to expect from UP professors and also from my fellow UP students. I just said to myself, “Bahala na lang”.  

My first problem was getting to my classes. I could compare myself to a traveler not knowing where to go but still had the guts to travel. This is me, the bold traveler or better yet the clueless UP student. So I did what every freshman would do, I asked people passing by where my classes were. I could remember asking a girl, standing beside the photocopy machine of the left wing of AS, where my Bio 1 class was held which was at PHAN 4105. She told me “That is the Palma Hall Annex 4, just behind this building.” So I went behind the building but then I went to the other side of the road since I thought it was not directly behind the building. In the end, I ended up asking 3 more people just to find where my class was and to make things worse, I was 20 minutes late. As I entered the room, everybody froze and looked at me for 3 seconds. The teacher then asked me, “freshman?” I answered, “Yes sir.”And he said, “ Kaya pala late”. Then everybody smiled. 

My other problem was getting to understand what professors or students mean. In UP, there are some terminologies they use that everybody knows what it means but for a freshman other things come to mind.  For example, I thought when they said ‘Oble’, it meant academic oval because it was slang for oval. When they said ‘Petics’, I thought of a branch of Science because it had the suffix ‘ics’ in it. When they said ‘blue book , I thought of a record book used in inventories because it was the only blue book I knew. I was really in a culture shock.

This was a day of confusion for me. But as the saying goes, “When there is confusion, wisdom appears”. Even though I was embarrassed, puzzled or clueless, I learned eventually what UP terminologies meant and knew where buildings are. Well, maybe this is how UP wanted me to experience UP for the first time, to be confused so that you will know next time which is which, what is what and where is where. 

By: Benedict Guinto
   (Illustration)

Sources (Photos):

http://www.justanotherpixel.net
http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph (http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/File:UP_Blue_Book.jpg#.VGcq38nEJYo)