Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, 1995
AFTER COLLEGE
I did some research and writing work for the UST Museum, then I joined the Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, where I mounted exhibitions and managed an ethnographic collection for eight years. I also taught courses in UP Manila, UA&P, and Enderun Colleges, where I last taught a course in Cultural Anthropology. I continued mounting exhibitions at the Asian Center of UP Diliman, where I completed my master’s degree in Philippine Studies.
AT PRESENT
I am currently a full-time student at the State University of New York-Binghamton, where I am an Anthropology PhD candidate. I came home in 2015 to carry out dissertation fieldwork in artisanal sites in Paete, Banaue, and San Nicolas (Ilocos Norte). The greatest challenge this year is to finish writing up the dissertation. What is tough about it is fighting off interests that compete with my time, i.e. watching Korean dramas! Haha! Seriously, it is mustering the discipline to sustain one’s efforts, to keep calm, to keep in mind that despite the mix of ideas swimming in your head, things will make sense. But you have to hang in there and enjoy the ride.
ON UA&P
When I was in UA&P, I just loved Shakespeare Week! I essayed the role of Henry V in the eponymous one-act play in which I did a monologue where my props were some four or five guys. The scene that I remember so well is one where Henry was upset because some members of his court were pretending to be loyal to him. At the dress rehearsal, I was given a pair of boots to wear. But during the play itself, I was given a different pair, so I felt a little uneasy with it. That was during the matinee. At the gala, my rehearsal boots resurfaced. Yet, when our teacher, Mr. Carlos Cariño, gave his post-play comments, he said that my performance peaked during the matinee. I guess the agitation over the unfamiliar pair of boots drew out the needed angst.
UA&P felt like family. People may be of different backgrounds but friendships were easily forged among all. I never thought I could exchange words with Chuck Palenzuela because of his punk outfit (stud earrings, black leather pants, black lipstick, nose ring (?)—I cannot recall now) and seemingly aloof air. But one day I asked him for a favor, and he obliged.
Manny Escasa was my favorite teacher. He taught history and his classes made my day. He was entertaining without meaning to be. My other favorite was Father Joseph De Torre. He came into the classroom with only a whiteboard marker and notes. To say that his lectures were brilliant is an understatement. I zealously took down notes from his lectures; every minute of his lecture was like gold to me. He would stop students who stood up to make for the door in the middle of his lectures and say that they would not get what he would be saying from any book, so they should stay put.
I also enjoyed the papers we had to write. They just kept coming! They cost me sleepless nights but (*sheepish geek grin*) I enjoyed them. My student life had been fulfilling despite a lot of work. It was at UA&P where I experienced the joy of study and labor. My student life there was a time of discovering answers, which I thought complemented my other academic experience in UP Diliman, where I learned how to ask questions.
My wish for UA&P is more years of fulfilling its mission as a university where people can seek answers to questions. May it also stimulate inquiry, welcome diversity, and be the change agent that our society needs.
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