my first speech in UP Visayas.

Good morning.

At this moment, we, the newest set of Iskolar ng Bayan are taking a major switch from our dramatic world of high school to the action-packed, reality-oriented portals of college. College is just a place somewhere in the world. It may look like it’s your world or maybe it’s nothing like it. But, if you’ll look closer, you might see someone like you, someone trying to find his way, his place, and his self. It could be a replica of what you thought of yourself. But whatever it is that we are seeking here in the country’s premiere university, we should instill on our mind that we are here not just to taste what college is but also to take a part of what is it.

For me, being in the University of the Philippines Visayas is both a boon and a bane. Boon, for we are the so-called chosen ones and bane, for the expectations are really stressing us out. It’s absurd to imagine that out of the thousand students who took entrance examination, we are hardly any in here to face the more challenging yet fulfilling college life. This is the real thing and we should make the most of our stay here. We, the freshmen, came from different walks of life. Some are jocks, some are badly intelligent. Some are high school prom queens and kings; others didn’t even go to their school prom. There are loners and there are friend magnets. But I guess, the university doesn’t care much about who we are and who we probably used to be. They are much aware and concerned about who are we going to be years from now and so we should let go of our identity. We can never sail far if we won’t lose the sight of the shore. Anyway, one thing to admire in UP is their capacity to mold our future. When it comes to quality education, there’s nothing to more to ask from this university. What you see is what you get. And I’m sure that our parents made a good investment by sending us here.

Most of us freshmen are still on that homesick mode. Initial feeling, right? After almost 16 years in our comfort zone, we are now brought to unfamiliar grounds and we struggle to cope. But this is our home for the rest of our days in college; we shouldn’t feel ill at ease and tongue-tied. Friends are here to make our stay worthwhile so we’ll have to see them starting today.

Apart from that, we can count on two groups – the first is the upper class. They were right here before and so they can lead and guide us; maybe to the right, where I guess there’s nothing left or probably to the left, where there’s nothing right. We’ve met some on our orientation, and as observed, they let us feel that we are welcome here and we are part of the university. And that’s a good thing to look forward to. Some are familiar to us way back in high school, others are just popular enough that we used to know them by their names, by their faces; nevertheless, there are still lots of faces here we are about to bump along the campus and we should feel free to befriend them. The second group is the university’s personnel, faculty and staffs, it’s early to tell what they look like or what they can do or what they are about to do to us. But I’m quite sure of two things; first, they can really help us, not just in our studies but also on how we will live our life here. Second, I know they’re good because if they’re not, then they’re probably better or the best.

We have so many things to anticipate but let me just share my expectations which some of you expects too. Aside form terrific and stunning teachers, peaceful and conducive place to learn, mile walk from building to the next building, rallies and expressive forums, certified UP activities like the oblation run, meeting new friends, aside from what we are expecting most, we should expect the unexpected. This is UP, and everything is possible.

Finally, I want to end this talk with an inspiring quote from Shakespeare. It says that, “There’s a tide in the affairs of men, which taken on to flood leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage in their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea, we are now afloat and we must take the current when it serves or lose our ventures.” It means that life is too short and opportunities are rare. We have to be vigilant in order to look after them. By this, I mean not only to the opportunities to succeed but the chance to laugh and see the enchanting world. Let’s take every step because time passes us all by one.

We are thankful to the University for their hospitability and the warm welcome they afforded us. It’s nice for us, the freshmen, to feel that we are actually here and we are part of the UP community.

I guess that’s all I can offer. Thank you. Good day and see you when I see you.