#sablay2020

I traveled to campus primarily to settle my tution fee. I also applied for a new ID since my current one can barely be distinguished. For lunch, we had Kimchi rice and Kimbap, a surprise post-birthday celebration treat of my friend. We talked for 5 hours. 5 HOURS--which definitely used up my social battery but it was worth it. Though I wasn't able to make progress on my thesis, this day was a success because I didn't get to have a satiating conversation since last week. And it is a 'need' because it is a form of self-care for me.

Okay. A year has passed. A YEAR. Definitely a long time to re-commit oneself to any goal. Only goes to show the ningas kugon aspect of my being, how I decide to do one thing and losing interest after just one post. But all is forgiven. Today brings a gift of a new beginning. I'm at a coffee shop with a crunched face trying to organize the references of my thesis and an iced americano at as my ambrosia. The rest of the year is going to be difficult but will be worth it. ✨

today, i came across the virtual commencement exercises held by my university for the class of 2020 which also led me to recall my own graduation one sunny summer day back in 2006. the circumstances surrounding the conferring of our degrees (and in some cases, medals commending academic excellence) may drastically be different as this year’s graduation exercises have shifted to a virtual ceremony, but i would reckon that today’s graduates feel a mix of pride, excitement, unease and uncertainty all the more exacerbated by this pandemic we are facing. looking back at these old pictures brought back memories of all the odds i had to surmount to even get to this day, and everyone who helped me along the way to get there, in big ways or small. so many terrible things could have happened to me since i lost my father at 12 and have been in constant need of financial aid since, relying on the goodness of family members and strangers, juggling part-time jobs with my internships, but i chose to soldier on to this day. my message to my graduating self is a similar message i’d like to share with today’s students. today is called a commencement day for a reason. while you are closing a chapter in your lives as students, you are also welcoming the beginning of something new. and with every new start, we should summon the courage to hope. hope is not just whimsical optimism, but a certain audacity to admit to yourself that no matter what life throws at you, you will find a way to get through it as you always have been. you have been among the chosen ones handpicked to attend this university, you have survived its most gruelling demands and challenges, you will get ready for more. because you can, and you will. as my favorite saying goes, ‘ad astra per aspera’, or a rough road leads to the stars. trust me, it will all be worth it eventually. padayon! #classof2020 #sablay2020 #tatakup #upfight #throwback (at University of the Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDGqyCiHDx6NJe3fVpbIlOBQbfLyXhkG55CO9E0/?igshid=16d00jqvtk0wu

8 years for a 4-year course, but I'm finally graduating on the 24th. Greatest thing I learned: It's okay to give up, especially if it's making you unhappy, but if all the signs are encouraging you to keep trying, then might as well. You've got nothing to lose anyway. #KeepTryingChallenge #KeepTrying #Sablay2020 @tryguys @eugeneleeyang @korndiddy @nedfulmer @keithhabs https://www.instagram.com/p/CCrrpI1hlWcUlSNqTvBgu95O-zMgE10Ce9EjqQ0/?igshid=1z5s1rj9vk9v

One year down! #Sablay2020 #MalondaMA #RoadToSunflowers (at University of the Philippines)