Finish Line

Nakakapagod…

Walang katapusang paghangos…

Nakakahingal…

Parang hininga mo’y malalagot…

Never did I imagine that college life could be special. I was told by a lot of people, including my parents, that high school days are considered to be the best part of one’s life. And yes, I agree – I think…

It has been four years since I first stepped into the dusty, not-so-clean floors of my beloved Pamantasan. On those moments, I felt excitement and awe just by merely looking at the ghastly corridors of Gusaling Villegas, filled with numerous students clad with the infamous SM-like uniform and some professors who looked more terror than Professor Snape (the ONLY teacher I feared then…). The feeling got even more absurd when I laid eyes on the terrible canteen, the grassy-cum-messy field, the grim gymnasium, and the other creepy buildings surrounding the University especially the so-called Voltes V’s haven – Gusaling Lacson. I was like: “So this is my second home for my next few years in college?”. This happens to be on the day where I passed my requirements for application in PLM.

And then, I took the entrance exam, passed it, and was accepted in the College of Mass Communication. My race began – but I did a half run, half walk at first.

First day of classes arrived, and there I was, somewhere-I-can-not-remember. I don’t know what went on in my head that time, nor what was I doing then, but one thing was sure – I did not attend the first class of my college life. In fact, the whole first year in PLM went through my system like a summer breeze – fast, unnoticeable. Though I did make a lot of friends, my heart was still shouting the names of my high school pals.

Then the second year comes, the appreciation begins. This is the start of my realization that college life sucks – if you don’t have THINGS and PEOPLE to value. The most valuable thing for me on that year was my Economics’ class card, it was my first failing grade after years of book-eating and notebook-munching. I remember a great friend telling me before, “…you have a wheelchair…”, for it resembles how the number 5 looks like. It was a big challenge for me, and because of it, I learned to fight back. I embraced it, and took it as a slap on the ass saying “Hey! You should do right!”. And for the people I learned to value A LOT, it was MIDAS. The birth of MIDAS happened on this year. And since then, college life became MORE INTERESTING – this is the part where I began running a bit faster.

Nakakapagod…

Walang katapusang paghangos…

My third year in PLM has taught me lots of things; this was also the year I allowed to avenge myself after being buried on the pitfalls of the number 5. On this year, my grades flourished! It was like I was back to my old self during elementary and high school years, where I drool to learn, learn, and learn. This year also enabled me to overcome battles which I never thought of conquering – from my second failure in the infamous lovelife to the memorable cheering competition, the stressful advertising campaign, the series of substantial movie reviews, the unnerving case studies, so on and so forth. But there’s one thing that truly hit my senses during this year, SOMEONE has finally appreciated my knack of pen waving and keyboard pushing. Yes, my mentor said I could write. That simple note was kept engraved in my heart since then. The confidence for myself and trust for my skills has heightened during this academic year. Like one would say, I was back in my game. From then on, I ran as fast as I could.

The last and final year is the most remarkable and memorable among the four years of my college life. I remember myself wondering before about when would I be a part of something the University would be proud of – that time came on this year. I was part of the TEAMPLATE team behind the documentary Isang Sigaw, and a committee head for PLUMA IVY LEEGUERS Team 3’s Mag Eco-Yakap Laguna PR campaign, both champions on their respective fields. But those are not the only reasons why this year has been a spectacular one for me. For in this year I’ve witnessed, learned, and appreciated things that made an impact in the life I live now. I saw walls broken, barriers torn, and bridges forged for the sake of FRIENDSHIP; I learned the science of thesis writing, on-the-job training, play production, filmmaking, and audio-video production along with FRIENDS; I appreciated the simple smiles, handshakes, applause, hugs, kisses, and tears offered for/by a FRIEND. On this year, I saw my batch mates become ONE – I saw CMC as ONE. All things were into place by then, enough for me to run the fastest in the farthest race I have ever been.

Nakakahingal…

Parang hininga mo’y malalagot…

Now, I am a GRADUATE. I’ve finally reached the finish line – MY FINISH LINE. I am proud that I have spent my last four years in PLM under the embrace of my second family – the College of Mass Communication. Yes, I will imagine no more that college life could be special, for I have already experienced it! And another yes, I USED to agree that being in high school was the best part of my life… I though it was.

Ang sarap mapagod…

Lalo’t may kasama ka sa bawat paghangos…

Ang sarap huminga…

Dahil alam mong hindi ito dito magtatapos…