Yanni's thoughts on SAS 1

[5/22/23]

The last module, we talk about our careers and potential career paths. This was a very fitting end to the module as I take this subject during my last semester in college. We talked about the reasons why individuals want to work and how it becomes and uncomfortable question for some. I get it though as it is somehow a benchmark of where you are in life and people have that preconceived idea of what ideal career you should have.

We also learned the difference between career and vocation. I’ll be honest I was not aware of this before as they sounded close to each other’s definition. Career would be talking about the series of jobs you get throughout your life, while vocation is a job an individual desires. I’m lucky the course I am in right now can lead to jobs that I could consider my vocations.

The last thing I remember from the discussion was about resilience and how it is a good value to have, especially when going into the corporate world soon. Mentioning this trait at an earlier module somehow feels like a “full circle moment.” Haha

That's pretty much it for SAS. I think I've learned a handful of things about myself this year and I hope my journey to finding myself is a prosperous one

seriously, why can't be spider-man as my future job?

[5/8/23]

Sir made us take a test of our political standing and much to no one’s surprise, most of us were gathered in one quadrant to the lower left of the diagram. We got to talk about the contents of the other quadrants and the type of people that are in it. 

We also talked about what it meant to be a citizen of the country and our roles in choosing to be an active citizen or not. Even though we don’t choose where to be born, having an assigned duty of citizenship on day 1 already gives us a connection with other people.

Lastly, I remember altruism and how it’s a good trait to have that can be easily exploited. My takeaway is that while it’s good to be altruistic to everyone, not everyone deserves your kindness.

[4/13/23]

This module is a touchy subject as I don’t really know where my mental state currently stands. The pandemic really took a hit with all the progress I’ve made when I entered college. Though, I’m happy to report the going f2f and seeing faces I haven’t seen in over 2 years have made things easier.

We did not have a proper class discussion on this topic and instead had a group therapy session. Out of mutual consent, I’m not allowed to discuss what went down in that session but I could say there was crying (me included). Left that room with a lighter feeling in the heart and a better outlook for myself. 🙂

Dear Reader, I hope you’re doing well. Go drink water and take care of yourself.

[4/10/23]

This module had us discussing the different types of love and the different combinations of conditions there are. It felt like doing math and logic gates as a Computer Science student. Additionally, the topic of love languages was off-handedly mentioned. Made me realize that I perform acts of service to the people I care about. Must be something fulfilling when your efforts get seen.

Another topic in the module is about peer influence and risk taking behavior. Peers do give you the confidence you sometimes cannot give yourself. This can be a good thing or bad thing based on the peers in the context, tbh. Peer pressure for the purpose of being productive are best ones in my opinion. I appreciate the peers I’ve encountered here in this campus, I think I’ve changed of the better.

[6/17/23]

I thought of a funny meme regarding peers hehe

[3/20/23] and [3/29/23]

Body Image

Wow, this module is packed. Won’t deny that the readings are not that lengthy either. We started this module with body image. The physical self. I sometimes subscribe to the idea that the current state of the body gives a hint on how they’re truly feeling inside as of that time frame. Look at me, a month into f2f classes and I’ve lost 10 pounds. Must be the healthy living in the surroundings of the mountain and sea or the empty wallet huhu . We talked about the ‘ideal’ body and beauty standards, especially in the context of the Philippines. As a 5’3, slightly chubby, brown Filipino man, I don’t particularly become the first image that comes to mind for the beauty standards but I’ve come to realize accept that about me and not liking this body is going to lead to a lot of problems in the future. 

We also shared our insecurities during class and it made me realize that I don’t really care about my height as much as I used to back in high school. That’s pretty cool character development, I suppose.

In the end, we must achieve the perfect human physique below

Rites of passage

Hehe, tuli. Just kidding lol now to get back on track. I’ve noticed that ights of passage, while being gendered for the most part with the circumsions and debuts, really makes you feel like you’ve overcome a milestone. It’s interesting to have a shared human milestone to signify you’ve made it at that point in your life, makes it cooler to be a part of a society, I suppose.  If I were to correlate a right of passage here in UP, it has to be getting your first failing LE. Will never forget my Math 18. It’s kind of a milestone to make you realize that you’re in the university now and it’s up to you on how to pick yourself up from said failure.

Gender and Sexuality

We spent the whole class talking about the SOGIE. Very interesting stuff, I am already aware of the more famous aspects of SOGIE but it was helpful to be more informed about how other people around me would identify themselves. I did not even know of Omni-romantic/sexual being a thing.

[3/13/23]

PINOY PRIDE!! WOOO WOOO *AGILA NOISES*. Just kidding. Only did that in instinct due to this module’s topic. Our self can also be defined by our culture and the traditions of the society that we are born into. No man is an island and that statement is mainly applied in this topic as we explored how society can be a big factor in your journey to finding the self. I agree with that too, as who am I if not for the Batchoy that runs in my veins.

All this culture and identity talk made me suddenly think of this meme. This meme is funny because being Filipino feels like living life in hard mode sometimes. I mean, the recent elections were already tough as it is, there comes natural calamities soon after. I know that “resiliency” has been an overused description to describe us to the point of exploitation, but as I continue to go through this university, it’s a trait I’m willing to identify myself with. 

Well up until I graduate I guess, but that’s a thought for another time aha.

Also, sir made us talk about our cultural symbols and of course i had to sneak in my boy, Batchoy in that activity. It was love at first bite. God, I love being an Ilonggo for this 1 single reason. 

[2/27/23]

This module was an interesting one as it discusses different concepts on how the ‘self’ forms. So one dares to ask if they are born a certain way, they have to behave a certain way. Everyone around me does it right? I know nothing better than to imitate the people I look up to.

The topics in the module paint a light on predetermined qualities and if they’re innately present the moment you are born. I think I understand the logic of this when it was taught in class earlier but it’s a very limiting view of the self. The wonderful thing with being human is that you are your own canvas and the brush is in your hands–up to you how you’re going to paint how you want to look like. 

On the topic of choosing who you become, there’s the self you want to be and the self you want to present to others. For some, the distinction between the ‘self’ they keep to themselves and the one shown to others are close to the same, but for others, a whole different ‘self’ is shown to their peers. Struggled a bit with the later, especially if I wanted to fit in but after this module I think I need to be a bit more kind to myself.

Oh look a meme

[2/23/23]

Our first module. Before classes even started, I wondered at the name of the course: Self and Society. First thought that came to my mind is that maybe this is a class that’ll give out existential crises every meeting and like clockwork, we open the class with sir asking us if we know ourselves. Not gonna lie, I still don’t know the answer to the question. Maybe, I’ll make some progress by the end of this semester.

The module consisted of different thoughts (Eastern v Western) and their respective philosophers that all have varying views on the concept of self. We then proceeded to talk about the different theories of the self. One that stuck out to me was the social identity theory, wherein people are “identified socially in terms of the social identity that they adapt at various times”. I think most people don’t want to be left out so adapting to their surroundings helps them feel better about themselves. 

There’s two other theories that I somewhat agree with : Looking Glass Self and Dramaturgy. Looking glass self is having your “self” being based on how others perceive you, while Dramaturgy is seeing yourself as an actor with the whole world as the stage. I think I relate a bit to the first theory as I want to keep up the image I have of people I care about, especially if they look up to me. This can also lead to Dramaturgy, wherein I “perform” that role to the said people. 

So that’s it for now. Attached to this post is our first creative output where we had to draw ourselves. I thought it’d be fitting for the topic.