A Taste of My Life to Be

Since I was little, UP has been my dream school. I don't really know why but I guess the fact that my dad went there was a big factor. Now, my dream has come true. (I know, it's cheesy.) I wasn't actually prepared when the UPCAT results came out. I was still at school when I found out that they were out. I was planning to find out at home but I didn't. I was kind of having a mental breakdown before I found out because I was had this feeling that I didn't pass. When I did find out, I was shocked. Not only did I pass UP but I passed UP Diliman. Thank you Lord!

en·roll·ment also en-rol-ment
 n   The act or process of enrolling


University of the Philippines


When I got there with my dad, WOW. I mean, I was finally there. I was really going to college there. I still couldn't believe it. So, I went to my college, Arts and Letters, for the briefing. (Actually, the briefing is in the Faculty Center not CAL.) I had to go into this room (yung circular room or auditorium sa FC) filled with other freshies and the whole time I was trying to find a seat, I was walking with my head down. I was a little late because they were already entertaining questions from students and parents. Looking around, I realized that there were a lot of freshies that looked like they were from Ateneo or La Salle. "Mga mukha kasi silang sosyal." :) Was I at the right college? "Parang hindi ako bagay dito." :D


I knew beforehand that there were only 4 of us in a block but still, 4??? Nice one Art Studies.


When I found out that my blockmate was only a seat away from me, I said to myself that I will talk to her no matter what. When the briefing was done, I immediately went to her and introduced myself. And so, I now have a friend in UP ( Hi Janine!) (besides my classmates from HS and Elem. that were going there too). :)


On the way to advising, we (I was with my blockmate friend) were joined by another one of our blockmates. When we got to the room, we had to wait for the adviser. What an awkward moment that was. Absolute silence. I seriously wanted to talk to them but I didn't know what to say. So, it stayed that way until the adviser and my last blockmate came.


There were three (I don't know what they're called) in Art Studies to choose from. At first I chose Art History but then I figured if I was going to be a lawyer, I should take Interdisciplinary which is like having a minor. I did. After that, we parted ways without uttering a word.


Before I could go to the OUR for the enrollment, I'm supposed to go to the Infirmary for my Medical Certificate. That's where I spent the rest of my morning. I am not a patient person and I hate waiting. But still, I had to wait in line and go back and forth from Public Health to the Conference Room(?) because I had no idea what to do and there were no parents allowed inside. "Naabutan na ako ng lunch break hindi ko parin nakukuha Medical Certificate ko."


We ate lunch at Rodic's which is at the Shopping Center. It's been there for a long time and they say it's one of the best "kainan" at Diliman. That is absolutely true. The food is so delicious. (Hala nag-advertise na ako ng Rodic's :)) I've been there before when I was a kid and I didn't eat there because I didn't like the food. (Di pa kasi ako familiar sa mga silog na yan eh.) Apparently, it was stupid of me to think that way.


I looked around the SC and I found out that Korean ice cream was being sold there. (Hello fishy ice cream. :)) Also, there were UP things sold there. (Maka-UP pa naman ako.) Suddenly, SC just became my favorite place in the campus.


When I finally got my medical certificate, we went to the Kalayaan Residence Hall before going to the OUR because it was closer to pass my requirements for the dorm application at the OSH office so that I don't lose my slot. I can't wait to live there. (Sabi kasi nila dun mo talaga mafe-feel ang pagka freshie.)


After that, my dad showed me around UP before going to the OUR. Imagine what walking around the whole campus could do to your stamina. At least I found out that they sell red velvet cupcakes in the Bahay ng Alumni (dun sa restaurant sa Art Circle).


There are no parents allowed inside the OUR so I had to enroll myself and that's bad because I was absolutely clueless. On top of that, I ran out of 2x2 ID pics and I forgot to bring my Notice of Admission but thankfully they still accepted my papers without it and they made do with a passport ID pic because that was all I had left. I had to go to the third floor so that I can add one more subject to my schedule (because I only pre-registered 12 units online and the units needed this first semester is 15). I love my schedule. :)

Iskolar ng Bayan


The next day, I attended the Freshman Orientation Program at Bulwagang Tandang Sora. Luckily, my blockmate was only a seat away from me so that me feel a lot more relaxed. :) Basically, the FOP was for introducing UP to the freshies (kaya nga FOP eh). They made us watch this video called "Bakit UP" which was amazing. It was then that I really realized that getting in there was a privilege. With all of that....


^I've written this last summer but I never got to finish it because I was too lazy. Anyways, to cut it short, being an Iskolar ng Bayan is a privilege. There are people that can't even afford to take the UPCAT due to financial problems and almost 1/4 of all the UPCAT passers didn't confirm here because of that same reason. That is why it is a privilege and that is why I have to make the most of my college life.


Iskolar ng Bayan, Naglilingkod sa Bayan!