UP Naming Mahal ❤️

I will always be an Elbi gurl. But we have our own fair share of memories, Diliman. We do.

Peyups Kong Mahal

Aneque Na, Bes?

I can’t quite believe it’s been a year already since I strutted my way to that stage, proudly wearing my Sablay. Having unlocked a major achievement, I remember feeling relieved – relieved from all the stresses caused by thesis statements, production visions, org responsibilities, and theoretical frameworks. “Natapos din ang lahat ng paghihirap ko,” or so I thought.

Life in UP was equivalent to all-nighters, canned goods and pancit canton, free-flowing tears, or in one word – hell. I used to believe that the key to heaven was nothing but that piece of parchment paper we like to refer to as the “diploma”. Little did I know that that piece of parchment paper is leading me to nowhere but another hell. Haha.

I guess adulthood is even more evil than UP can ever be. I thought graduation would direct me straight to my well-paved way to greatness. How was I supposed to know that it’s an effin’ labyrinth out there? I mean UP was a maze, too. But I had a compass back then. I knew that the way to get out was to study and to do whatever it was that I had to do to pass the semester. It wasn’t easy but at least I knew the steps (or had an idea on how to deal with the steps). When I stepped out of the UP maze, I discovered that the compass doesn’t always point north. More often than not, there’s no way to find out where exactly I’m heading. Every turn opens the door of “what’s next?”

It’s not a question that my undergrad self uttered probably thousands of “I-want-to-graduate-already” in different versions, through different media. Back then, I believed that graduation would save me from being broke, stressed, and what else. “Pag nagttrabaho, at least binabayaran ka. Unlike pag nag-aaral, napapagod lang.” What a philosophy, I’d say. The biatch in me didn’t know what she was talking about.

It’s been 365 days already since graduation day. What has become of that girl who used to think that commencement exercises are the answer? Well, here she is, getting paid already but still as broke as she can be. No love life. No added stamp on her passport. No grand achievement since that chance to wear the Sablay.

Nevertheless, it would be unfair to just dwell on what’s still missing. Yes, there aren’t achievements I can consider grand as of now. But I guess in those 365 days, I’ve taken the baby steps to “grand achievements”. There have been plenty of discoveries already – about me, about the universe, about life, about dreams. And I wouldn’t have found out about them if I didn’t step out of UP. Besides, UP did not educate me just to have it easy. What would be those sleepless nights for if they were not preparations for a tougher phase of life?

After 365 days, I still don’t know what’s the best direction to take. I’m not even sure if I wanna get out of the labyrinth. All I know is I want to at least enjoy the challenge and learn from it. After all, moments don’t happen twice. Might as well have fun rather than stress myself out. Beautiful stories have difficulties and I want my life to be one so I have to live up to adulthood’s crazy. I’m not sure when the next unlocking of achievements will be. I can only hope that it’s in the next 365 days.

Don’t worry, I’ll probably blog about it next year. 🙂

Food for the Soul

Unemployment and underemployment are serious issues that our country has been facing for as long as we can remember. According to the National Statistics Office of the Philippines, the unemployment rate in our country is 6.5% while the underemployment rate is 21%. Thus, a person having a stable job is undoubtedly considered as blessed/ fortunate/ lucky or whatever you want to call it. Indeed, it is a gift from the galaxies to obtain something that trains you for eight hours a day, five days a week; keeps your stomach from growling; and lets you discover how the professional world tastes like. But, it is in the nature of jobs to be overly attached and needy – forcing every second of your time, every cell in your brain, every bit of your energy to be for them and about them. The source of your living ironically kills you. That’s when you feel exhausted. That’s when you crave escapism.

Without question, my career is one of the things that I’m most thankful for. I consider my goals as my one great love. I would like to believe that my current choices are a map that I’m trying to draw that will eventually point me to the direction of my ambition. I may still be universes away from my dream but I know that in one way or another, I am getting there. I am thankful for whatever it is that I have right now. But I’m also human just like everyone else. Therefore, I’m not exempted to the draining facet of employment.

So in order to not lose my soul to the kiss of the dementor that is the corporate world, I make it sure to conjure my own Patronus. And I get my happy thoughts from none other than my friends.

It’s been a recent habit of mine to visit my Alma Mater – UPLB during most of my rest days. This past long weekend, I did not think twice to catch up with my homies. Together with the two people I miss the most – Tabi and Ate Nini, I watched Ang Guhit na Bilog ng Tisa, a Filipino adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle directed and adapted by Prof. Elmer Rufo. My batchmate and alter ego, Micah Musa, played the lead character, Grusha Vashnadze.

To say that I enjoyed the play is an understatement. It made me realize how much I miss doing theatre, how much I miss being part of something that mirrors humanity, how much I miss feeling so damn alive. Seeing the cast and crew dance onstage after the curtain call reminded me of the glorious feeling I felt each time a production that I’m a part of succeeds and contributes to the promotion of art in the Elbi community.

Another event that fed my soul during the long weekend was WiSiK. It is the short term for Wika, Sining, Kalawakan. It is the local community’s annual celebration of language, arts, and community initiated in 2012 by Precious Leaño and Alex Baluyut with Marvin Oloris as its co-organizer.

I was fortunate enough to witness Eisen Bernardo’s Mag+Art opening exhibit. It is a mash-up of postmodern, contemporary, and classical art. I also took pleasure in exploring Genus Loci: The Spirit of Los Baños – one of UPLB OICA’s contributions to the Los Baños Quadricentennial Celebration.

I also got to explore booths selling artworks, write-ups, photographs, and the like.

WiSiK also had a session wherein visual artists and enthusiasts were encouraged to draw the skeleton of a goat. Three artworks were chosen to be posted at the UP College of Veterinary Medicine Museum.

For those who just wanted to burst their hearts out through painting, there was a freedom canvass to catch their angsts and whatnots.

My favorite part of WiSiK’s program was the final performance from Jett Ilagan. He performed his neo-electronic soundworks for the program’s finale.

As I’ve said, I’m grateful for my career. But it feels fantastic to get away from it sometimes and find out the other things that the world can offer aside from an 8:00-5:00 job. My bank account is not the only thing that needs to be replenished; my soul does, too. Because it is my soul that makes me feel alive. It is what makes me human. In the Harry Potter series, losing one’s soul is worse than death. Wizards and witches would rather die than receive the dementor’s kiss. I’ve almost lost my soul once. And it sure as hell didn’t turn out pretty. So before I lose it all to the corporate world, I find time to feed my soul every now and then. Besides, I won’t be able to stand a dementor touching my lips. Good thing I have art as my patronus.

Check out WiSiK’s website at http://www.wisi-k.org/.

Listen to Jett Ilagan’s amazing and hypnotic compositions at soundcloud.com/jettjettaww

You’re welcome. 🙂