proud to be....

This wasn't just an ordinary university for ordinary people... this is a university where, students could build their dreams despite poverty or lack of money... this is a university which shapes the minds of every individual to become aware of the present status of the society and let them see the truth. this is a university that enhances the potentials of every students... this is a university where i came from..

early this morning, i went to school to get my evaluation form for graduation... as i walked, i looked intently to the students passing by and to the main building, seeing it differently. for the four years of my stay here, i can say that i have appreciated somehow my school. Although, more often, it makes me feel awkward when somebody asks me where am i studying especially if he is from a prestigious or known school... oftentimes, i am thinking what if i studied in UP or Ateneo? there'll be more opportunities.. and many will say "ahhh..." whenever i would tell them my school...

but then, i just realized that, maybe school would help especially when looking for jobs, but it is still up to a student how he will make his way to succeed...

though we may not have so much facilities and complete equipment, though we may not have Harvard graduate professors, though we may not have a big parking lot , though we don't have big and air conditioned classrooms, though we may not have experienced what other students from private schools experience, though most of us lack in money, i am still proud that i belong to this university...

this is perhaps "an ordinary university" to some... seat of activists, or a university for the poor... yes these are all true. but proudly i would say that my university is the hope especially of the unfortunate people who still wants to continue studying despite financial problems.. this university made me a better person and encouraged me to persevere in life. it may not have provided me all my needs as a student but that made me more persistent in seeking for other ways where i would also learn.. i'm thankful because our university's weaknesses teach every student to innovate and gain knowledge at the same time.

however, the big chance that our university gives to the less-fortunate is slowly turning down because of the budget cut for education annually. this year, 40.2 million.. and how will a state university like us survive if the 52 million budget given by the government every year would be lessened? what will happen to the school? more dilapidated facilities? no more additional equipment? no more books to be used? no more comfortable classrooms? but what is so saddening about this is the thought that students are the first ones to suffer.

why do they need to cut the budget for education after putting it as the first priority in the budget share? why do they alot big money for some unimportant stuffs? why waste money for people who are not doing their job well? why, instead of helping out of school youths, the government is giving away money to the officials who are just seating on their couches doing nothing, waiting for the next election and then make their way again to fame? but the bottom line is still: why do they deprive the poor their right to study?

this is very true of our country. and this is the reason why we are not attaining progress despite the many resources available but are not used wisely.. if only all youths would be given the chance to go to school, maybe the country could produce more brilliant graduates... or perhaps, we could have better politicians.. well, i am not saying that our government officials are not good.. of course they won't be elected if they are not, unless they paid for it.. they are really smart people i believe. because they know how to get money then use it without the people knowing it. i am just wondering why they don't get embarrassed with what they are doing.. they get money without even working hard for it???

this country is so pathetic because of some people, mostly are intellectuals but just use their brains to fool their countrymen.. but despite all these, i still love this country and wants to contribute for change... this is just one of things i realized when i entered my school.. and i am grateful truly that my eyes where opened when i entered this university.