Written by Kate Baron and Marielle Irathelle Trinidad

January is over and it has only been weeks since the second semester started. While our first semester as mga Iskolar ng Bayan has wrapped up, it is a journey in itself to look back on the stories that shaped what could be an unforgettable time in our college lives.

What do you choose to remember?

Whether you are the type who is warmed by “wholesome” UP moments or the one who collected “kalat” moments from your organizations or sem-ender parties, let us all look back on how UP Manila welcomed us.

We asked OrCom freshies some questions about their unforgettable first sem experiences. These are the stories they choose to tell.

What is your first impression of your fellow Iskos and Iskas?

Intimidating, intelligent, “lahat aktibista” — these were OrCom freshies’ top answers when asked how they perceived their fellow UP Manila students. However, all of them expressed that when you get to know your fellow isko and iska in UPM, you will realize that aside from being intelligent, proactive, and resilient in their own ways, UPM students are also relatable, fun-to-be-with marupoks who love memes.

In spite of the diversity among the students and the hassle caused by renovations around the campus, UP Manila is home to people with the biggest hearts and there is nothing you can’t choose or learn to love about them.

What is your favorite thing about UP Manila?

As mga Iskolar ng Bayan for about five months in UPM, OrCom freshies found various gems around the campus which left a mark in their hearts and their answers are really diverse. It ranged from UP Manila being located near a mall (which meant more karupukan towards food and shopping), that Kalachuchi tree in the CAS Quad (which lifts a freshie’s soul in times of loneliness), to the “super solid” parties held by various organizations, and even the boys from the white colleges (and their karupukan towards them).

What is your best org experience?

Some freshies shifted from being BA OrCom majors to being BA Organizations majors since they joined various orgs within and outside the college. Freshies from OrComSoc shared that their favorite experience yet would be the Stranger Things-themed acquaintance party.

Despite the fact that they are from different organizations, they all shared their most treasured org experience — from the additional workloads, to searching for a potential crushie (but org-cest is prohibited *sad reacts*), freshies loved the family they formed and the support system they found in their organizations.

What is the weirdest vandal you’ve seen in one of RH’s comfort rooms?

RH restrooms are home to several statements that may either range from ranting to heavy hitters that leave you cracking inside the cubicle. There’s the very relatable “Thank God I wore my favorite panties today because I totally got f*cked on my exam” statement, the important questions about virginity and masturbation, the random drawings, the crush confessions, and the here’s-my-number-I-want-a- textmate types, these vandals fearlessly imparted their message. The best part? They didn’t care how weird they got.

What is your worst bluebook experience?

Entering UP is already a huge challenge, but the real test is actually getting out of the university. The iconic UP bluebook is a testament of the trials that we face as iskos and iskas. Some freshies cried when they saw low scores on the covers of their bluebooks.

However, they also shared that this is an experience that everyone should overcome and a feeling that everyone should get familiar with. We definitely got used to it from the Math11 departmental exams and KAS1 long exams we have failed.

What is your best bluebook experience?

In spite of our failures, we all still had our “anak ng diyos” moments. Although most of them are unexpected and may have only happened because you wore your lucky charm during the day of the exams, acing the exams is really an achievement and a manifestation that sleepless nights are either a “anak ng diyos” moment or a “sana natulog na lang ako” moment.

What is your best commute experience?

Here’s a secret: there is none. However, the chikahan sessions with your blockmates during commute, seeing your crush in the same vehicle you are riding (ayoko na bumaba, tbh), having the UV all for yourself (naka-Grab ka, gurl?), and simply arriving on time for your class are still blessings in disguise that we should not take for granted.

What is your favorite food spot around UP Manila?

Due to the lack of food concessionaires inside UPM (#WeNeedFood!), freshies needed to search for an affordable yet delicious place to eat. They are most grateful to that kuya who sells all-sorts of tusok-tusok in front of the CAS gate. Speaking of affordable, Ma. Orosa St. offers the cheapest meals (for as low as 20 pesos) we could have around UP Manila.

Also, Brelyn’s is one of the go-to food spots for OrCom Freshies as the meals served there make you feel like you are home. The existing food space issue in our college helped us discover food spots around UPM that found their way to our stomachs, and to our hearts.

We all have different stories to tell. Apart from the diversity of the students on campus, a wide array of differences can also be observed among our mentors and professors. Although we may consider some of them the best and the others the worst, each of them instilled useful nuggets of wisdom in our minds. Our experiences with them, whether good or bad, resulted in lessons that we can use as we continue our college journey.

In all its storms’ worth of papers and dark days, perhaps college turned out to be nothing like we had envisioned; in fact, it exceeded our expectations! College life is only the beginning of our long trek that is adulthood, and maybe it already intimidates us to the bone; but whatever your first semester was like, we hope that when you look back on it, you will realize that there is sunshine beneath the clouds and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel — getting that diploma and that prestigious sablay. With memories in hand and a newfound energy, let us all march on and conquer the next semester and each day to come.

Padayon, Iskolar ng Bayan! Huwag matakot sumablay dahil kasama ‘yan sa daan patungo sa pinakaaasam na sablay 😉