My U.P. Student Number : 87-40357

An article published yesterday in the Philippine Starweek, the Sunday Magazine of the Philippine Star, entitled “U.P. my beloved” by Teresita Ang See rekindled the happy memories of my UP days. Just like the author of the said article, up to now I still remember my student number, 87-40357. The U.P. student number is such a very special number which one holds for the rest of his/her UP student days. But being a U.P. student is not at all about memorizing one’s student number.

Passing the U.P. Entrance Exam (UPCAT) is a feat in itself. In my school at Tanauan School of Craftsmanship and Home Industries (TSCHI), I was the only student who passed the UPCAT out of the more than 10 who took that exam. How I passed is also a question which until now is left unanswered and if ever I will be made to take that exam again, for sure, I will not pass it.

My first year at U.P. was a memorable difficult period of adjustment, from the environment to the development of my study habits.  But nothing will beat  the memory of my very first day in school wherein my undefined fashion statement was exposed for the first time. Imagine, wearing awkwardly  in a long blue skirt paired with white T-shirt with purple collar and a Bandolino shoes with white socks while we were toured around the different buildings of the UP Tacloban Campus. I started with a course in Economics but eventually shifted to Management when I found out that there were only three (3) of us who wee taking that course. My first year subjects were tough but the Spanish subject was the most challenging because I couldn’t understand how to appropriately use the words nor distinguish the verb from the an adjective. . . Comoesta usted? Si, señor! . . Muy Bien . . . Tu habla Español? . . . Yo comprehende .. . At the end of the first semester I expected to fail one or two subjects so I could have a good reason to tell my parents that I will transfer to another school to take up Medical Technology in preparation for a course in medicine. But I guess I was not destined to become a doctor, unlike my three (3) siblings who successfully became doctors, since my scientific and cerebral cells never subjugated the hemophiliac stratum of my being.

The next three years was easier for me. I joined the UP Tau Omega Mu Fraternity and the Ladies Circle, actively participated the Sportfest activities even if we never win, had a more permanent circle of friends to, had my share of wearing slippers and shorts in school, and all other extra ordinary activities which only UP students experience. I also learned to juggle my time in order to survive UP, from studying for the lengthy quizzes to eating lunch in front of the piles of books at the library. The researching part would eat up our time because there was no internet yet at that time and we had no reason to be staying in school after five in the afternoon.

 Last January , 2008 was a celebration of the UP Centennial Anniversary. If not for the call of my one of closest friend, Shirley Ann Burce-Nebrija, I might not have that opportunity to celebrate the 100 years of UP. It was also a good time to see two of my long lost classmates, Al Marzol and Daniel Amida, whom I never heard of   since our graduation in 17 years ago. Also present were Segundino Advincula and Emily Badidles-Pretencio. I don’t know where my other classmates are right now. I hope we will have a get-together soon and get a chance to ask each other’s student number.

From Left to Right: Shirley Ann Burce-Nebrija, Al Marzol, Segundino Advincula, Emily Badidles-Pretencio, Daniel Amida and Dureza Antoinette Dolina-Osias