Well, that was a long-ass univ experience… but in retrospect, I’m proud that our troubles never outpaced our ability to create the kind of memories we will always choose to go back and live in for a little while. This year is our year, batch! Whatever happens next, I hope we all continue to uphold our basic-freshie-desire to make this world a better place (at least, somehow).

This year has been a year like no other for each one of us, but I wish I could have been more present throughout. Regardless, I learned a lot about myself and found inspiration in people I have met, probably something I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. I also picked up a few things that I think are worth sharing, especially in this day and age. One would be this: leading is a great way to be reintroduced to humility and empathy. The truth is, it takes a concrete mixture of both of these things to step up, adjust and respond to the needs of others. I have seen these qualities firsthand while working alongside leaders such as the women in OrComSoc, and I shall be forever grateful for it.

So for the next person who will have the same honor as mine, my only advice for you is to stay conscious of yourself, your surroundings, and your actions. You’re gonna do great!

Hi, Batch 2023! I would like to congratulate each and everyone for surviving the semester! I am so proud of you. You all did great. 

Looking back, I didn’t know everyone from the batch. I barely had any interactions with some of you, yet I was given the opportunity to serve as your representative. I know I couldn’t fulfill some of my goals for the semester, such as having watch parties or simply chikahan sessions with the whole batch.

But I did make unexpected friendships. I had the chance to spend time and build relationships with some of you; I hope it did make the batch closer. Anyway, I hope you remember me as someone who was always there for you, that one-chat-away person, kahit medyo mabagal magreply. I hope when you hear my name, you can associate it with fun, dogshow, and friendship.

Being the third-year batch representative, I was given the responsibility to help my batch with their practicum. It meant organizing a few things to help us prepare for our internships (I hope they were helpful). It was stressful at times but worth every minute. No cap. Every moment was memorable, especially when I received chats or messages from you. I am delighted to help, even with a minor task.

To my fellow batchmates, I would like to begin by congratulating each and every one of us for surviving this academic year. Our batch has been through a series of disappointments: from being deprived of face-to-face graduation in Senior High School to enduring the first two years of college in a stress-filled online learning setup. Some had to juggle school and work while others had to file for a LOA. Some decided to lessen their units while others had to deal with personal problems such as prioritizing their mental health and grieving for the death of a loved one. Despite all these, I am immensely proud of how we are still here — still trying, still hoping.

If there’s one thing I want my batchmates to remember me by, it would be someone who tried — tried to show up, tried to initiate, tried to lead, and most of all tried to be present. When I was convinced to run as a batch representative, I doubted myself because I thought I could not represent the batch. But I decided to take a leap of faith. This role gave me the opportunity to know your stories — including the highs and the lows — and journey with you throughout the year.

To the next batch representative, my advice for you is to listen. In a world that’s full of problems and chaos, be the one who will filter the noise and will choose to listen without reservations. One who will seek to understand most especially the vulnerable because listening is where servant leadership begins.

Once again, congratulations to everyone, and I hope we could all meet one another not through Zoom calls but in person. Let us continue to persevere and aim to finish the race well.

I’d like to extend my congratulations to all of the adorable freshmen for completing our first major milestone as college students. I hope that the forthcoming school year is well for you. Best of luck! 

Looking back to my first experience as a batch representative, I can say that I am the type of person who goes along with the flow. Given that we are all in a new environment with new people, getting along with one another was something that I put priority on.

Even though the pandemic prevented us from having an ideal year as freshmen, I am happy that we are able to share little memories together; from our movie nights, online rants and casual kamustahan. 

My experience as a first year batch representative has been really smooth for me. I’d want to take this opportunity to thank the blockheads from each section of the freshmen class of 2025 for assisting me with my work. We made it a group effort to address all of the concerns raised by the students and to make it simple for us to obtain the information we needed.

My only piece of advice for the next freshmen batch representative is to make sure that you enjoy the time you spend working with your classmates. Just go with the flow and focus on making the experience as memorable as you possibly can. You can do it!