Growing up, I have only ever known one university – UST. Passing the entrance exam was a really big deal for me since I didn’t want to be “disowned” for flunking by my family full of Thomasians.

Little did I know, the USTET would be the easiest exam I’d ever take within the four corners of the university. Everything that followed was not just a test of intelligence but of character, resolve, commitment, and even faith.

I used to think that I’d be able to skate through college like how I did in high school: with just quick wits and a dose of confidence. Of course, it didn’t work. It was a difficult pill to swallow. Instead, college knocks you off the pedestal and humbles you. It pushes you to exert effort and make sacrifices; I learned that in the most brutal way possible.

College teaches you that there are far more greater things in life than chasing glory and raking in awards. It teaches you to appreciate the journey, the lessons, and the people rather than only setting your sights on the destination.

It's always easy to feel lost and hopeless, to feel alone and beaten. While I sincerely love Taylor Swift, there’s one thing that I respectfully disagree with. Despite all those breakdowns and heartaches, all those shortcomings and missed opportunities, you’re never really on your own, kid—and here’s why.

Your block will always be your family

(Photo of LM1 Class of 2024)

There’s absolutely no one else who will understand the struggles you're dealing with other than the people you’re in the same boat with, your blockmates.

I was part of the “pandemic batch.” We had to shift everything online, and we faced many hurdles despite belonging to a generation well-versed in many technologies. We reviewed, spent quality time, and even exchanged heated conversations virtually since it was the only way possible then. Despite being miles away from each other, it was very comforting to feel that we were still connected and supportive of each other in every way possible.

It wasn’t the kind of arrangement that we all hoped to experience. Most of us imagined hanging out on campus among its scenic spots and historical vibe. For the most part, we might have planned more about the things we would do during on-site classes rather than actually studying – which, again, is very comforting.

While our face-to-face classes may have only been during the last three terms, we definitely made the most out of our limited time. We maximized all the opportunities we could get. We explored every street surrounding the campus. When we get tired from the scenic route, we explore further to quench our curiosities, albeit a bit too much sometimes – but it’s always a good story to tell in the future.

After all, we were still students. We still had struggles that were common to us and unique to the world. Luckily, even though we were just a small group, we had each other to carry the burden.

Your block will always be your family and your support system. They will always be the people you can turn to. They are not your competitors nor your academic rivals; they are the people you strive to accomplish great things with. When everything seems too heavy and when you feel like you’ve lost your reason for continuing, you’ll always have your blockmates to remind you why you’re here and to carry you back whenever you fall down.

I was blessed to have been placed with the best people and friends that I can always count on. We may have different circles, but whenever it comes to it, everyone immediately goes to your side to help.

You’ll meet like-minded people

(Photo by Adrielle Agbayani/TomasinoWeb)

I always love telling the story of the very first TomasinoWeb post that I ever came across. I was in senior high school when the organization changed their profile picture to a TWice-inspired rebrand for April Fool’s. As a Once, I fell for the prank–an official Twice fan club at the university I was aiming for? Sign me up! (A few years later, I did.)

Looking back, I never really imagined that I would eventually apply for the highest position. As its former external affairs head, I was content with representing the organization in partnerships and answering emails.

But I was surrounded by innovative, passionate, and dedicated people, so I instantly knew that mediocrity and doing the bare minimum could’ve left me behind and forgotten. I had to stand out. I was able to get the rhythm and find my place with the help of these like-minded people.

Despite doing my responsibilities completely online, I felt that I greatly contributed to the Thomasian community through our work in TomasinoWeb and, most importantly, I was seen and appreciated by people who I admire and leaders I look up to. I was able to find a home outside my block, a place where I can explore other opportunities.

People may consider joining organizations or doing extra-curricular activities, in general, merely for their curriculum vitae. But for me, it was more than that. The experience and friendship you will make with people is an opportunity you should never pass by.

You’re not on your own, you’ll meet people with whom you share the same interests and passions. You’ll meet people with whom you want to achieve greater and reach bigger heights. You’ll meet people who will be your comfort and escape from your academics.

You have the Thomasian community

Prior to the presidency, I thought I had figured out the kind of leader I wanted to be. I’ll be stern but kind-hearted like Kuya James; I’ll think quickly on my feet and still hold myself accountable like Ate Jazmine; and I’ll be committed to my passion and be able to inspire others like Brin. In “figuring out” who I want to be as a leader, I learned many things the hard way. When you have your back against the wall, you’ll be faced with the rude realization that, sometimes, there’s only so much you can do.

The hardest exam that I had to take in my four-year stay was fighting for the survival of my home organization. By now, everyone knows the ridiculous 7–Eleven fiasco and how the whole country had their eyes on the University administration.

It’s an understatement to say that it wasn’t a good time for me at all. I was left to carry everything on my own after our adviser’s resignation. I desperately wanted to leave alongside him, thinking this was simply an unfair battle that I could not win.

I had already lost my touch and hit a deep slump months before the issue. I stopped wearing my media ID. I was ashamed to look at the graduation pictures of my friends and colleagues who were hanging up on our office wall. I had even denied my position whenever I got introduced to other people. In a nutshell, I had long given up.

When the storm struck, it was an opportunity for me to walk away. I mean, why shouldn’t I? I could simply say that I can no longer lead the organization due to the threat of the administration. But in reality, I was hiding the fact that I was just not fit for the role anymore.

But people were rallying behind us. Students are standing up for us. The Thomasian alumni are fighting for us. Why shouldn’t I be there with them?

The pressure and burden were insurmountable, but we pulled through. We got back. This is because it wasn’t me against the world. It was us against it, and we definitely liked those odds.

What I feared to be a lost cause turned out to be the start of actual pressing of accountability among those who unjustly interfered with students’ rights and, of course, press freedom. Students and alumni were the only ones making the true “collaborative efforts,” and really made progress.

We still haven’t gotten what we truly deserve: editorial independence and justice for what the administration has done to the members and to our former adviser. Hopefully, we inspire students to continue the fight for a free press.

We left a stern reminder that never again will we allow such transgressions to happen to us students and to our freedom. None of this would ever be possible without the help of everyone.

(Jan Carlo Zamora, outgoing President)

To further show that I was never on my own, I’d like to give my most sincere thanks to the people who made all of this possible.

To my Mommy Paz and to my Kuya Eivan, thank you for the guidance, patience, and unconditional love and support. Thank you for inspiring this once small and fragile kid you raised to stand straight, speak confidently, and seek happiness.

To Iera and Liyah, thank you for being my home, for allowing me to be myself, for accepting all my flaws and shortcomings, and for constantly being there without fail. I really had the time of my life fighting dragons with the both of you.

To LM1, to my Home Group, to Arendelle, and to my Dormies, thank you for making the best memories before any of our case digests. I will forever cherish all the spontaneous trips, random picnics, and even helpful tips during class. I’ll always be rooting for all of you.

To TomasinoWeb, to Sir Leo, Brin, RJ, Marsh, and Jianne, thank you for allowing me to take the leap of faith and lead a group of exceptionally talented individuals. It was nowhere near a perfect term, but with your unending support and guidance, everything just eventually fell into place and turned out well.

And to the University of Santo Tomas, thank you for setting me for greater heights, for making me appreciate the value of every drop, and for bringing me towards the people whom I love and I’ll forever be grateful to.

It’s still a very long and bumpy way ahead, dear reader, but with the love and support of the people you’re with, you’ll be fine. So make those memories before your case digests, take those huge leaps of faith, and celebrate. After all, you’re not on your own, kid. You never have been.