Pacesetter Vol XLI No. 1 Broadsheet Issue
By Eruel Geronimo and Rowell Demdam
Your nights were sleepless, spending tons and mountains of efforts on revising your notes. You spent your waking hours pushing yourself to the utmost of your capabilities. Fighting so hard to remain on top, you made sure your classes were always your priority. You gave all your best, your everything.
Bulacan State University (BulSU) gives recognition to students who have exemplary academic standings. Once a BulSUan achieves an average of 1.75 without any grade lower than 2.0, one qualifies for the dean’s list (DL). Along with the prestige, they automatically qualified as institutional scholars.
You were once part of the crème of the crop. But the game of fate is at times, cruel and some things are never meant to be.
The day you are dreading has finally come. You fail to maintain your demeanor. As much as you aim high for the gold, no one remains on top forever. And like some, you fall, hard.
Over the Other
Most students have difficulty on the aspect of time management--- one of the vital keys to successfully achieve good grades. But for John Joshua P. Cudia, BS Education 4A, balancing his timestudying and serving as the governor of the College of Education in BulSU Student Government is the biggest challenge which caused him to lose his standing.
“Kasi tumakbo po ako sa SG no’ng 2nd year. No’ng eleksyon, mas natutukan ko talaga iyon [SG] ng pansin. ‘Pag kasi gumawa ako ng isang bagay, focused lang ako sa kan'ya, parang selective attention,” narrated Cudia.
In Cudia’s case, he said no one has to be blamed about his downfall for he knew that his professor had a fair and square grading system. After having a 2.25 in his major subject, the lad still believes that this is not a total defeat for him.
“Ang reaction ko noon, medyo nanginig ang tuhod ko dahil ako ang class president that time. Sayang kasi talaga. Pero nakita kong tama lahat ng computations kaya tanggap ko na naman. Mabuti nga at nakakuha pa ‘ko ng gano’ng grade, ...‘di naman ako nagsisisi sa mga nangyari sa’kin,” said Cudia.
He also added that though he had a grade lower than two that makes him disqualified for the next application of dean’s lists, that doesn’t make him any less than of what he is. Being recognized for his academic performance is not his only target at all but a mere prize for his whole hearted efforts.
“Satisfaction, fulfillment, ‘yan po ang gusto ko kaya nag-SG ako, …’di ko naman aim na maging DL, reward lang naman ‘yan ng pagiging hardworking ko. Ang mahalaga, nakapasa ka at alam mo sa sarili mong binigay mo ang best mo. Na-realize kong hindi naman sa honor nasusukat ang kahusayan,” he defended.
His priorities was too heavy for him to manage. But despite the busy schedules, Cudia’s passion to work harder in his studies so as to take his title back was triggered more by the support he got from his family.
“Sa family ko, wala sa kanila ‘yon. Proud pa rin sila sa ‘kin ...honestly, gusto ko [maging DL ulit]. Lahat naman kasi ay gusto ‘di ba? Pero titingnan natin. Mag-aaral pa 'ko nang mabuti,” dedicated Cudia said.
Admitting one’s mistake pushes a person to try again and avoid the same fault that he did. However, no matter how hard you try to make yourself feel that there is still a chance of regaining your title, still, it is inevitable to feel such pain from the loss, especially if it was your greatest dream which became affected by the situation.
Prof-zoned
Arnel, who refused to reveal his real name to avoid conflict with his former professor, shared his not-so-memorable experience in one of his major subjects. Bigger than being a DL, this third year Civil Engineering student’s goal is to graduate as a cum laude. However, fate seemed to challenge his ambition as his professor gave him something he never expected.
“If ever pumapasok ang students at iyong prof naman ay laging wala, as a consequence, do’n sa experience ko, ang ginagawa para maka-cope ay hinahabol iyong mga lessons, at sa paghahabol e, hindi na siya maayos na naituturo sa lahat. At hindi na maayos na nauunawaan ng mga estudyante,” he elaborated.
Going further with his story, Arnel expressed his resentment to his former professor for being ‘not so’ considerate, “Medyo mayro’n [akong hinanakit sa kan’ya] kasi kilala na namin siya no’ng first sem pa. So, may tiwala kami sa kan’ya, na hindi niya kami pababayaan kasi alam niyang DL ako, and I tried na pakiusapan siya na kung maaari kahit 2.0 lang para ma-maintain ‘yong grant, pero hindi e.”
In his case, being disqualified from the dean’s list became more difficult for him to adjust this semester as he admitted that his family is not financially stable to support his studies. Yet, still, his parents’ trust manages to uplift his spirit to continue aiming for the best.
“S’yempre sino ba naman akong estudyante na hindi mangarap ng ganito, dahil sa ganitong bagay ko lang masusuklian ang paghihirap ng magulang ko. At first, disappointed [iyong magulang ko], ‘yon naman kasi siguro ang unang impression na makikita mo sa isang tao. Pero naka-move on na naman kami, sabi nga ni nanay, may perfect purpose and plans si Lord kung bakit nangyari ‘'yon,” lamented Arnel.
Despite that unfaithful situation, the competition for Arnel is not yet over. He continues to fight for what he believes he truly deserves. As of now, he still hopes that he could have that dream he has dreamt of.
“Sabi lang nila, kapag ‘'yong grades ko [ay] nag-satisfy sa pagiging cum laude, kahit na may maliit na discrepancy, iyon ngang 2.25, ‘yong panel na ang mag-aaral at mag-aayos ng mga cum laudes sa mga gan’ong cases. ‘Di pa rin ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Siguro, sa darating na pasukan, mas pagbubutihin ko ang pag-aaral para for the next application ay ma-qualify ako at magsumikap ako at magpakabuti sa mga darating na academic years,” stated Arnel.
All alone but still alive
Aside from mismanagement of time and conflicts with the professor, another different reason why former CAL dean's lister Christian John Calimbasfailed to maintain his rank is the absence of guidance, assistance and supervision of hisparents who were supposed to be his biggest motivators and supporters.
“Nakaapekto s’ya kasi ‘yong ine-expect mo na magbibigay ng moral support sa 'yo ay wala. Since wala sila sa tabi mo, parang less motivation. Parang ‘di sapat ‘yong media para maging way na ma-motivate kang mag-aral nang mas mabuti. Mga magulang pa rin,” explained Calimbas.
The consequences of his lapses in his 7am World Literature class led to failure of obtaining the ‘right’ grade that will save his status as part of the crème of the crop, “Naging DL lang ako for a year, first year. Pero no’ng second year, hindi na. A'yon, pala-absent kasi ako plus madalas din akong late. Late gumising, sabik lang sa tulog. Siguro isa lang kasi ‘yon sa mga luxury na maibibigay ko sa sarili ko, ‘yong pagtulog ng walong oras pataas.”
Admitting his own fault, Calimbas exclaimed too, that his professor wasn’t able to get his attention during class as the discussion always turns out to be pretty boring. In the end, all his reasons cost him regret and loss of title.
“No’ng kuhanan ng classcards, Nagdadalawang isip ako kung lalapit ba ako sa prof na ‘to para makiusap na sana po bigyan ng consideration na i-dos n’ya man lang. Pero ‘yong pride kasi, iba kasi talaga kapag pinaghirapan mo,” explained Calimbas
Heartbroken, this broadcasting student still has to endure everything alone as both his parents are overseas. Without the status of being one of the most excellent students and the scholarship grant that comes along with it, he faced the most hurtful piece of that reality.
“Di na ako nakabalik sa dean’s list. Nando’n talaga ‘yong pagsisisi, na kung siguro nagseryoso lang sana ako noon, mare-retain ko pa rin ‘yong pagiging DL ko. Alam mo ‘yong makikita mo ‘yong ilan mong kasabayan na nando’n pa rin ‘yong pangalan? Nainis ako. In a way na siguro kung hindi ako nagpa-late, siguro kung ginawa ko lahat ng assignment, cinomplete ko lahat ng requirements, binigay ko ‘yong best ko no’ng time na ‘yon, siguro DL pa rin ako,” Calimbas lamented.
Moreover, he also related the shame he felt of being unable to maintain his class standing,“S’yempre pinagmalaki mo rin ‘yon sa mga kaklase mo no’ng highschool. Pero ngayon, alam mong awkward ‘pag nagtatanong sila kung DL ka pa rin ba. Bihira na nga lang magkikita ta’s itatanong pa nila kung DL ka pa rin.”
Despite his disappointment over what happened, Calimbas still dares to continue aiming for more. Busted and back to zero, determination boosted up his spirit to prove and reorganize himself for his ‘big’ and ‘last’ comeback.
“S’yempre part of it, kasalanan ko talaga ang pagkalaglag sa list. Ngayon ginagawa ko kung ano lang ang mayro'n, kung ano lang ang kaya ko. Binibigay ko naman lahat. Suportado naman nila [parents] kung ano man ang mangyari sa pangarap kong maging DL ulit,” ended Calimbas.
Book Review
It is normal for us to dream of getting to the top, as to dream then fail is better than not to dream at all. To lament after a downfall is likewise. For students sharing the same sentiments with Joshua, Arnel and Christian, Dr. Antonio Del Rosario, Vice President of Academic Affairs explained the real picture of how things should be in this matter.
“Ang grades kasi hindi pinapakiusapan, nasa performance ‘yan. On the other hand ‘yong pag-aspire kasi sa any position is you have to consider also your capacity, your time and it cannot be used as an alibi for not achieving whatever level of performance you want. That’s part of the sacrifice,” Del Rosario stated.
As a subordinate opinion with Del Rosario, psychologist Dr. Bong Faustino said the same thing about the students who do not take the blame themselves, “Maybe defense mechanism n’ya ‘yan. Ia-assume n’ya na tutal papasa naman ako. E ‘nong ‘di nangyari ‘yong kan'yang desire, ‘yong fault n’ya, prinoject n’ya sa iba.”
However, Faustino faced the other side as he coaxed them about what every next time holds, “It’s a matter how much we see an experience at kung papaano ka nag-cope do’n afterwards. Either bumaba ba ang self-esteem mo or naging challenge ‘yon sa perception ng estudyante na ‘yon. Generally, experience is perceived to the positive outlook or positive self regard. To quote Karl Rogers, positive self regard is needed in every experience.”
These stories still continue as each try to fill in the gaps of their quest for happily-ever-afters. Plots may change while trying to find a solution to a conflict.Yet, the urge to fight and try again in every challenge they will be facing still burns passionately within these dreamers' braver and stronger hearts.
Your nights were sleepless, spending tons and mountains of efforts on revising your notes. You spent your waking hours pushing yourself to the utmost of your capabilities. Fighting so hard to remain on top, you made sure your classes were always your priority. You gave all your best, your everything.
Bulacan State University (BulSU) gives recognition to students who have exemplary academic standings. Once a BulSUan achieves an average of 1.75 without any grade lower than 2.0, one qualifies for the dean’s list (DL). Along with the prestige, they automatically qualified as institutional scholars.
You were once part of the crème of the crop. But the game of fate is at times, cruel and some things are never meant to be.
The day you are dreading has finally come. You fail to maintain your demeanor. As much as you aim high for the gold, no one remains on top forever. And like some, you fall, hard.
Over the Other
Most students have difficulty on the aspect of time management--- one of the vital keys to successfully achieve good grades. But for John Joshua P. Cudia, BS Education 4A, balancing his timestudying and serving as the governor of the College of Education in BulSU Student Government is the biggest challenge which caused him to lose his standing.
“Kasi tumakbo po ako sa SG no’ng 2nd year. No’ng eleksyon, mas natutukan ko talaga iyon [SG] ng pansin. ‘Pag kasi gumawa ako ng isang bagay, focused lang ako sa kan'ya, parang selective attention,” narrated Cudia.
In Cudia’s case, he said no one has to be blamed about his downfall for he knew that his professor had a fair and square grading system. After having a 2.25 in his major subject, the lad still believes that this is not a total defeat for him.
“Ang reaction ko noon, medyo nanginig ang tuhod ko dahil ako ang class president that time. Sayang kasi talaga. Pero nakita kong tama lahat ng computations kaya tanggap ko na naman. Mabuti nga at nakakuha pa ‘ko ng gano’ng grade, ...‘di naman ako nagsisisi sa mga nangyari sa’kin,” said Cudia.
He also added that though he had a grade lower than two that makes him disqualified for the next application of dean’s lists, that doesn’t make him any less than of what he is. Being recognized for his academic performance is not his only target at all but a mere prize for his whole hearted efforts.
“Satisfaction, fulfillment, ‘yan po ang gusto ko kaya nag-SG ako, …’di ko naman aim na maging DL, reward lang naman ‘yan ng pagiging hardworking ko. Ang mahalaga, nakapasa ka at alam mo sa sarili mong binigay mo ang best mo. Na-realize kong hindi naman sa honor nasusukat ang kahusayan,” he defended.
His priorities was too heavy for him to manage. But despite the busy schedules, Cudia’s passion to work harder in his studies so as to take his title back was triggered more by the support he got from his family.
“Sa family ko, wala sa kanila ‘yon. Proud pa rin sila sa ‘kin ...honestly, gusto ko [maging DL ulit]. Lahat naman kasi ay gusto ‘di ba? Pero titingnan natin. Mag-aaral pa 'ko nang mabuti,” dedicated Cudia said.
Admitting one’s mistake pushes a person to try again and avoid the same fault that he did. However, no matter how hard you try to make yourself feel that there is still a chance of regaining your title, still, it is inevitable to feel such pain from the loss, especially if it was your greatest dream which became affected by the situation.
Prof-zoned
Arnel, who refused to reveal his real name to avoid conflict with his former professor, shared his not-so-memorable experience in one of his major subjects. Bigger than being a DL, this third year Civil Engineering student’s goal is to graduate as a cum laude. However, fate seemed to challenge his ambition as his professor gave him something he never expected.
“If ever pumapasok ang students at iyong prof naman ay laging wala, as a consequence, do’n sa experience ko, ang ginagawa para maka-cope ay hinahabol iyong mga lessons, at sa paghahabol e, hindi na siya maayos na naituturo sa lahat. At hindi na maayos na nauunawaan ng mga estudyante,” he elaborated.
Going further with his story, Arnel expressed his resentment to his former professor for being ‘not so’ considerate, “Medyo mayro’n [akong hinanakit sa kan’ya] kasi kilala na namin siya no’ng first sem pa. So, may tiwala kami sa kan’ya, na hindi niya kami pababayaan kasi alam niyang DL ako, and I tried na pakiusapan siya na kung maaari kahit 2.0 lang para ma-maintain ‘yong grant, pero hindi e.”
In his case, being disqualified from the dean’s list became more difficult for him to adjust this semester as he admitted that his family is not financially stable to support his studies. Yet, still, his parents’ trust manages to uplift his spirit to continue aiming for the best.
“S’yempre sino ba naman akong estudyante na hindi mangarap ng ganito, dahil sa ganitong bagay ko lang masusuklian ang paghihirap ng magulang ko. At first, disappointed [iyong magulang ko], ‘yon naman kasi siguro ang unang impression na makikita mo sa isang tao. Pero naka-move on na naman kami, sabi nga ni nanay, may perfect purpose and plans si Lord kung bakit nangyari ‘'yon,” lamented Arnel.
Despite that unfaithful situation, the competition for Arnel is not yet over. He continues to fight for what he believes he truly deserves. As of now, he still hopes that he could have that dream he has dreamt of.
“Sabi lang nila, kapag ‘'yong grades ko [ay] nag-satisfy sa pagiging cum laude, kahit na may maliit na discrepancy, iyon ngang 2.25, ‘yong panel na ang mag-aaral at mag-aayos ng mga cum laudes sa mga gan’ong cases. ‘Di pa rin ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Siguro, sa darating na pasukan, mas pagbubutihin ko ang pag-aaral para for the next application ay ma-qualify ako at magsumikap ako at magpakabuti sa mga darating na academic years,” stated Arnel.
All alone but still alive
Aside from mismanagement of time and conflicts with the professor, another different reason why former CAL dean's lister Christian John Calimbasfailed to maintain his rank is the absence of guidance, assistance and supervision of hisparents who were supposed to be his biggest motivators and supporters.
“Nakaapekto s’ya kasi ‘yong ine-expect mo na magbibigay ng moral support sa 'yo ay wala. Since wala sila sa tabi mo, parang less motivation. Parang ‘di sapat ‘yong media para maging way na ma-motivate kang mag-aral nang mas mabuti. Mga magulang pa rin,” explained Calimbas.
The consequences of his lapses in his 7am World Literature class led to failure of obtaining the ‘right’ grade that will save his status as part of the crème of the crop, “Naging DL lang ako for a year, first year. Pero no’ng second year, hindi na. A'yon, pala-absent kasi ako plus madalas din akong late. Late gumising, sabik lang sa tulog. Siguro isa lang kasi ‘yon sa mga luxury na maibibigay ko sa sarili ko, ‘yong pagtulog ng walong oras pataas.”
Admitting his own fault, Calimbas exclaimed too, that his professor wasn’t able to get his attention during class as the discussion always turns out to be pretty boring. In the end, all his reasons cost him regret and loss of title.
“No’ng kuhanan ng classcards, Nagdadalawang isip ako kung lalapit ba ako sa prof na ‘to para makiusap na sana po bigyan ng consideration na i-dos n’ya man lang. Pero ‘yong pride kasi, iba kasi talaga kapag pinaghirapan mo,” explained Calimbas
Heartbroken, this broadcasting student still has to endure everything alone as both his parents are overseas. Without the status of being one of the most excellent students and the scholarship grant that comes along with it, he faced the most hurtful piece of that reality.
“Di na ako nakabalik sa dean’s list. Nando’n talaga ‘yong pagsisisi, na kung siguro nagseryoso lang sana ako noon, mare-retain ko pa rin ‘yong pagiging DL ko. Alam mo ‘yong makikita mo ‘yong ilan mong kasabayan na nando’n pa rin ‘yong pangalan? Nainis ako. In a way na siguro kung hindi ako nagpa-late, siguro kung ginawa ko lahat ng assignment, cinomplete ko lahat ng requirements, binigay ko ‘yong best ko no’ng time na ‘yon, siguro DL pa rin ako,” Calimbas lamented.
Moreover, he also related the shame he felt of being unable to maintain his class standing,“S’yempre pinagmalaki mo rin ‘yon sa mga kaklase mo no’ng highschool. Pero ngayon, alam mong awkward ‘pag nagtatanong sila kung DL ka pa rin ba. Bihira na nga lang magkikita ta’s itatanong pa nila kung DL ka pa rin.”
Despite his disappointment over what happened, Calimbas still dares to continue aiming for more. Busted and back to zero, determination boosted up his spirit to prove and reorganize himself for his ‘big’ and ‘last’ comeback.
“S’yempre part of it, kasalanan ko talaga ang pagkalaglag sa list. Ngayon ginagawa ko kung ano lang ang mayro'n, kung ano lang ang kaya ko. Binibigay ko naman lahat. Suportado naman nila [parents] kung ano man ang mangyari sa pangarap kong maging DL ulit,” ended Calimbas.
Book Review
It is normal for us to dream of getting to the top, as to dream then fail is better than not to dream at all. To lament after a downfall is likewise. For students sharing the same sentiments with Joshua, Arnel and Christian, Dr. Antonio Del Rosario, Vice President of Academic Affairs explained the real picture of how things should be in this matter.
“Ang grades kasi hindi pinapakiusapan, nasa performance ‘yan. On the other hand ‘yong pag-aspire kasi sa any position is you have to consider also your capacity, your time and it cannot be used as an alibi for not achieving whatever level of performance you want. That’s part of the sacrifice,” Del Rosario stated.
As a subordinate opinion with Del Rosario, psychologist Dr. Bong Faustino said the same thing about the students who do not take the blame themselves, “Maybe defense mechanism n’ya ‘yan. Ia-assume n’ya na tutal papasa naman ako. E ‘nong ‘di nangyari ‘yong kan'yang desire, ‘yong fault n’ya, prinoject n’ya sa iba.”
However, Faustino faced the other side as he coaxed them about what every next time holds, “It’s a matter how much we see an experience at kung papaano ka nag-cope do’n afterwards. Either bumaba ba ang self-esteem mo or naging challenge ‘yon sa perception ng estudyante na ‘yon. Generally, experience is perceived to the positive outlook or positive self regard. To quote Karl Rogers, positive self regard is needed in every experience.”
These stories still continue as each try to fill in the gaps of their quest for happily-ever-afters. Plots may change while trying to find a solution to a conflict.Yet, the urge to fight and try again in every challenge they will be facing still burns passionately within these dreamers' braver and stronger hearts.