#sablay2018

Thank You Father God.

Thank you family.

Thank you friends.

Thank you UP.

*insert another long message*

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na grad na ko; yung tipong paggising my first thought is still "may ACADS ba ko?" hahahahahuhu. These are photos right after receiving the diploma (case) haha. Sobrang takbo kami ni Nichole pastage kasi com arts na yung tinatawag e nasa likuran kami kasi late. Pero umabot kami!

 Surreal. Parang hyperreality lang yung pag akyat ko sa stage pero this is it

After seven years

 Isa na kong UP Graduate 🎓🌻

 (Pwede na maglovelife CHAROT) 

📷 Nichole

Grad credits (THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS)

Photos by Nichole Ballesteros (my grad seatmate) and my parents

Styling by Karl Ocampo 

 Hair & makeup by Nikki Despi

Barong by Artes de Vurda, Lumban, Laguna Pants by Milly, SM Shoes by Parisian Plus

Postgrad yellow cab treat by Tita Grace

Thank you so so much Grad sponsors: Tita Zeny, Tito Riz, Tita Eva, Tita Lourdes, Tita Nory, Tito Rey, Tita Yolly, et al

Thank you Lord Jesus, family, orgs UPPAIR and UPMUN and friends

(I'm still in cloud nine I can't write all this huhu pero font 9 acknowledgement ng manus ko kasi I'm so thankful sa lahat ng tumulong sakin. Salamat sainyo! 💜)

One year after I submitted my manuscript, I still cannot believe it. I feel overwhelmed. I read my manuscript today, Hyperthymesia: Stopovers and Detours of a Time Traveler--and I travel to exactly 365 days ago.

180 pages of sleepless nights, each paragraph weaved the path to my graduation.

I remember the smell of paper, the sound of printer, the rush of students coming in to have their manuscripts and theses printed. Other students were getting their printed outputs while I was still cramming the final touches of my final opus.

Every minute mattered. Every second counted.

June 1, 2018 determined if I would march on June 23 or not. If it were not for that day, I would still be preparing to march this June 2019. I remember receiving a text from my adviser Ma’am Grace Mendoza, who I am so blessed to have, that if I would not be able to submit my manuscript on or before 5 PM, we would lose by default. The editor in me could not find contentment and it took a lot to tell myself to stop, Grace, you have done your best. Submit this and wear your sweet Sablay in 22 days. I remembered when my countdown started from 399 days to go, that was May 20 2017–and now we’re this close.

Because acknowledgement was limited to three pages, I used font 8. This is an excerpt, the first half of the first page, dedicated to my dearest parents who always reflected God’s love to me, supporting me every step of the way. Some of the people I thanked wanted to be thanked in private. I could not thank my loved ones enough, everyone who helped me from the start, everyone who made an impact in my life, this is all our achievement. We made it, guys! Thank you for never giving up on me.

June 1, 2018 determined if I would march on June 23 or not. If it were not for that day, I would still be preparing to march this June 2019. 

A letter I received from my co-intern in DZJV, Jobelle. This is one of my favorite parts in my exhibit.

I remember receiving a text from my adviser Ma’am Grace Mendoza, who I am so blessed to have, that if I would not be able to submit my manuscript on or before 5 PM, we would lose by default. The editor in me could not find contentment and it took a lot to tell myself to stop, Grace, you have done your best. Submit this and wear your sweet Sablay in 22 days. I remembered when my countdown started from 399 days to go, that was May 20 2017–and now we’re this close. 

I remember leaving Miked Computer Shop nervous, thrilled, excited, nostalgic, awed. The feeling of gratitude, pride, sleeplessness, fulfillment, relief in every step heading to UPLB, my home. 

Lord, this is it. You are faithful. In every season, You saw me through. Carried me when I could not get up and walk. Equipped me to go beyond my limitations. To do what I cannot do on my own.

Excerpt of Theater Insights chapter. I took my internship at ARTIST Inc, served as the stage manager for music in Senakulo, held at Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. I also worked as secretary and synthesis writer at Balitok 2018, a national theater congress. I learned a lot from different theater organizations from across the country. My output was part of the goal to digitize data and archive theater performances.

Every step I took from Grove to the campus brought me flashbacks of every time I ever walked on this same street, heading to CAS because I had a class. An exam. A paper to submit, mostly at the last minute. This time, I am taking the same route, going to CAS, because I am submitting my final legacy, an extension of me, this manuscript. My baby. Haha! I could not believe it. All the struggles I went through in the past seven years. I’ve had semesters when I could only take three units because I was still recovering from clinical depression. But this final semester, I fought and went the extra mile. Against the recommendation of my doctor, I fought for overload units, all while doing my last third of internship (theatre), having a part-time job as an ESL tutor to my last batch of students, So Yeong and Yeo Reum, and writing my manuscript. There was a time when I did not sleep for 50 hours straight. I mean, unbelievable. All these to reach that one moment.

The room inside the Dean’s Office was filled with anticipation. Here we are, soon-to-be graduates waiting to have our manuscripts signed. I don’t know a lot of them, but I feel joy for each of us. I look at them and wonder about everything they have been through to reach this point. I feel genuinely proud of them and of everyone in our batch. We all made it through. We rose above the challenges and all the times when we never thought we would graduate. I am especially proud of graduates who are delayed like me. How many times did we think we would not make it but now we are here? (Congratulations to us for pushing through, guys! Late man, nakalabas pa rin tayo ng UP!! Haha.)

I look around the office, and remember the times I was here. I am no longer here to drop a subject, to file for LOA, or to file for readmission when I was dismissed.

I am here because I am on my way, finally, to wear my Sablay.

There is a lot to write, and I hope this June can give me the opportunity to have a throwback of my June 2018. :)