A UCCian's Struggle (From Facebook)

Mixed emotions summarized in the following adjectives creep over me as I once again attempt to post in this blog site.

strange
happy
reminiscent
proud

Why wouldn't I feel so? After a long hiatus from posting on this blog site, as someone who graduated from the university more than a year ago, I feel like it's not my turn anymore to be doing this. I feel that 'my turn' has ended. But a post I've recently read on Facebook provoked me to do so so I here it goes.

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Familiar with the photo below? 

If yes, you must be one of those who have shared, liked & commented on a Facebook post by someone named Dandreb Gonzales Flavio. It has been circulating and been visible on UCC Facebook community. As of writing, there have been 210 shares, 98 comments and 593 'likes'. 

If you wonder how such a mundane-looking photo could catch that much attention, you're probably one of those who haven't read it yet. Okay let me shorten you're 'beating the bush' agony and share what this is about. 

Here's a link to the original post. 

The photo above (which I don't own by the way. Credit goes to the original link/individual), along with the caption below was posted last June 21, 2013. 

ANG KUBOL (Freedom of Expression)

Sabi ng Magulang ko, magtapos daw ako ng pag aaral ko. Pero paano mangyayari iyon kung wala naman kaming pera? Ang nanay ko ay nagtitinda lang at ang tatay ko ay nangangalakl lang lang ng sirang gamit.
Napunta ako ditto sa UCC. Napansin ko na butas ang bubong, may stiff neck ang electric fan, muntik pang lumusot yung paa ko sa second floor kasi marupok na ang kahoy doon. Minsan nakapag klase na ako sa NAPAKA LAKING ROOM, hindi pala siya isang room, COVERED COURT pala. Nakapag klase narin ako sa NAPAKA FRESH NA LUGAR, yun pala nagkaklase kami sa ILALIM NG PUNO. At ang latest ISSUE, nagkaklase narin kami sa isang KUBOL. Maraming nanglait! ‘may medical mission?’ ‘ squatter room’ syempre nasaktan ako nung una.

Pero ngayon okay lang sakin iyon. Sa totoo lang nagpapasalamat ako sa mga prof ko at dean. Proud ako dahil magagaling sila sila. Kahit ganito ang facilities naming, nakapag produce naman ang UCC ng professionals, Let Passers, CPA Passers at kung ano ano pa. Yan ang ASSET ng UCC

Sabi ng magulang ko tanggapin ko nalang ang lahat ng panglalait sa akin, PERO NAKAKATAWANG ISIPIN NA KUNG SINO PA ANG NANGLALAIT SAKIN, SILA PA PALA YUNG MGA HINDI NAG AARAL SA KOLEHIYO,MGA NAHINTO SA PAG AARAL DAHIL SA MAHAL NG MATRIKULA.
Heto ako ngayon at nangangalahati na. Malapit ko nang ibigay ang pinaka magandang regalo sa magulang ko. Diploma nga lang naman. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga prof ko dahil magagaling at matiyaga sila.

DI DAPAT NATIN HUSGAHAN ANG ISANG PAARALAN BASE SA PANGLABAS. 

BALANG ARAW PASASALAMATAN KO ITONG KUBOL NA ITO, DAHIL SA KUBOL NA ITO’Y MARAMING MAG AARAL ANG NATUTO. 

This is not something new to us UCCians. Some of us may be lucky enough not to have experienced this but we can't deny that some of our friends or acquaintances may have been through this. We UCCians are not new to struggles such as this one. 

- shortage of rooms 

- sweat-inducing temperature of classrooms

- long queues during enrollment

- costly contributions 

- tuition fees 

...are just to name a few. We may not be privileged enough to experience the luxury of the college life others had but have we have an edge over them...only if we are open-minded enough to see it. Through these struggles and adversities we have learned to make the best of the least we have, be more 'abilidad'. Now that's not something taught in the classroom. So be happy UCC students. Cheer up! 

To Dandreb, I sincerely admire your courage and perseverance. Cliche as it may sound but they can never put a good man (such as yourself) down. May you reach your dreams and be happy always. :) Your UCC Alumni community is with you.