Song: Minsan Cover by Munimuni
[SAME CLIPS, DIFFERENT HIT]
I've made a lot of videos for you guys for the past few years. The 2016 year-end video was mainly for documentation. I knew coming into college that the next four years would come swiftly, so I wanted a way to remember the best moments.
But for the following years, this “project” has grown into a weird way for me to express how much I value my time with all of you and how special you all are to me. I always try to tell a story (albeit, poorly) with the clips, most especially, with the songs:
· Fools by Ransom Collective is about how futile life is. As freshmen, we had no idea what was going on. We were promised that, eventually, we’ll figure things out; but we quickly realized that the more theories, principles, and facts we learn, the more clueless we become. However, the song tells us that regardless, it’s best to enjoy “being fools who are trying to find our own paths”. And it was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone, that I had you with me in that journey to self-discovery.
· Just Keep Breathing by We The Kings is about flexibility. 2017 was the year it started to feel “too real”. Yes, this is it, the realization that college isn’t supposed to be easy. That year we learned just how important and difficult it was to get that diploma. But luckily, you were there to remind me to keep going and to take a break every once in a while.
· Best Day of My Life by American Authors is about big achievements. In 2018, we saw ourselves grow into students that are capable of so many things. We felt as though we were at the top. Having been fully adjusted to the college life, we have found comfort in the mundane activities of a Thomasian ELS major. We had our groove, the momentum. But, it wasn’t always perfect. Pompeii by Bastille reflected exactly that. With only few semesters left in our safe haven, we felt more fragile, like our sanctuary was being attacked. The pressure of thesis and graduation was stronger than ever. Often times, it seems hopeless. But whenever I was with your company, I feel at peace, like I was back in Room 109.
· I Lived by OneRepublic is THE song that perfectly show our victory. Despite all the challenges, we made it. We got through it, a little broken, but still, we made it to the end. It wasn’t just the acads, it was way more. I feel prouder of the fact that we didn’t miss out on any opportunities in college. We worked hard and partied (a little less) harder. We made our marks in ELS and in UST. We lived.
· Looking Back by Parachute is my ode and farewell to UST. As it was the home that sheltered us for the past four years, I felt like she needed a proper recognition. This was the bitter side of graduation.
· Have it All by Jason Mraz is my wish for you after graduation. Every word of the song. Also, it shows my hope that our friendship lives outside the 25 hectares of UST.
· Clearly by Grace VanderWaal is about hope and courage to face the world, or as other people say, “the real world” [as if college was a virtual reality]. It’s also about acceptance that there are things we cannot control – passage of time, being at the top of the list. Somehow, understanding that fact makes things a little easier.
· And finally, Minsan (Cover) by Munimuni, closes the loop. We are just as clueless as we were when we first entered college [side note: what a sad commentary about our educational system]. Yet somehow, we are different. We know better than to assume things will stay the same. Needless to say, we are now on our different paths; but that does not necessarily mean an end to our friendship.
It's true that the first and second part of 2019 felt more like two years than a continuous stretch. While I was editing this video, I realized why - because you're barely in my second half. I have been so used to the cycle of school and was so consumed with the chaos of our last sem together (acads, orgs, and all the drama) that I was never able to say a proper goodbye to that life, especially to you.
No, this isn't one. Don't worry. Think of it more of a celebration.
The hardest thing I had to do this year is to deal with the fact that, for the first time in four years, I would not be seeing you everyday, we would not be aiming for the same goals, we would not have the same schedules, we would not have the same deadlines, and that there is a 90% chance that we would never be complete in a gathering ever again. That sounds really dark... but this year, as I’ve said, is also about acceptance, especially of change. Change is always scary. But at the same time, it almost always means growth. And that's all I want for you for 2020.
I want you to grow as professionals, as law students, or as whatever you decide to be. But most especially, I want you to grow into a person that you'd be happy to be.
This is also probably the last SPG video I will make (because... I mean... you know... no clips?). I have accepted that we will not be spending as much time in 2020 like we did in the past four years, and that's fine. I'm fine with semi-regular meetings for life-updates, with December picnics, with random group chat check-ins. But I promise to always be there for the big moments.
I miss you, all!
Always,
P
