Like you, they took the bleep test. They also evaluated paintings, movies, and literary pieces. They contemplated on Ethics, Family, and Philosophical Anthropology. They survived Math too.
Your teachers also became their teachers. Assignments, which were exactly like yours, were met with the same sighs of tiredness by these Dragons born outside the Ortigas campus. If you had sleepless nights, so did they.
The only differences would be that they started to take their bachelor’s degree seven years later than you did, and while you were having classes on Work and Society, they were applying them minutes after their class. And on a graveyard shift.
Meet the pioneering TELUS Dragons.
Twelve young professionals from TELUS International Philippines, Inc. form part of the Golden Jubilee Batch who walked down the PICC Plenary Hall in Pasay City on August 19, 2017 to receive their diplomas. For these men and women in their early 30s, it was a fulfillment of dreams put on hold and an impetus to dream even more.
Know your fellow Dragons.
Christian Gonzales
Christian and his younger sister grew up in Oriental Mindoro. He wanted to become a veterinarian, but his parents thought he would be better off as a nurse or a doctor. He did try to become a nurse, but his lack of passion for the course showed in his grades. The university decided to dismiss him after three years. Looking back, he was relieved, for he realized he has fear of blood. Now 31 years old, Christian has just celebrated his 10th year in TELUS as a customer service representative for a non-voice account. He is looking forward to earning a graduate degree and getting a teaching post.
Why did you take AB Humanities?
When I was in the University of the Philippines, I tried to transfer to the College of Arts and Letters because my interests lie in those fields. I like writing and studying people. When TELUS announced the scholarship for AB Humanities, it readily got my attention.
What do you like most about the UA&P education?
We appreciate the mentoring. We do it consistently even if we don’t feel like doing it. Being relatively older than the regular college students, we greatly need advice especially from those people working here in the University.
Did your UA&P education help you become a better employee?
Yeah, I think so. Sometimes we quickly judge people on the basis of what they do. The education in UA&P taught me that before we judge people, we have to look at his background, where he’s coming from. If you take that into consideration, it would be easier to relate with these kinds of people. You are better able to understand others and even yourself.
What was your impression of the teachers?
They’re really good. I thought they were going to give us some consideration because we’re working students, but I was surprised because the same requirements in the University ang ibinigay sa amin. I think about Coach Stella. Right after our shift, we had to run, and we had to do it well because if we didn’t, we would fail the test.
My favorite teacher is Sir Roque Carballo. Whenever we would see him in the canteen, he would always approach us. I realized, “Wow, this professor is really reaching out to his students.” Even in the middle of his meal, he would come to our table and join us.
Now that you have earned your diploma, what is in store for you?
I want to take good care of myself this time. It’s been 10 years of working in the graveyard shift so I want to invest in my physical well-being. I can’t really work or function well if my body is weak. I want to rest for a while and then apply for a day job. I’m planning to take Education subjects in UP. A master’s degree. I want to teach.
Would you advice your colleagues to take this kind of scholarship?
Yes. Sobrang laki ng advertisement nitong scholarship na ito sa TELUS. Tamad ka lang talaga if you won’t avail of it.
I remember our former coordinator who pushed me: “Uy, Christian, mag-aral ka.” Kasi the first time na in-offer ito sa akin, hesitant pa ako because of the requirements. Tinatamad akong mag-asikaso. Mas gusto kong matulog. Pero sobrang pushy niya. “Sige lang. Mag-apply ka nang mag-apply.” Tapos nakulitan din ako. Nag-apply na ako. When I graduated, I sent her a very long message. Sabi ko, “If not because of you, I won’t have a diploma.”
What was your biggest challenge in this study program?
Lack of sleep. Two semesters before graduation, I took 21 units kasi gusto ko talagang mapasama sa first batch of graduates. I came from Batch 3. Sabi ko kahit walang tulugan ‘to. Last tumbling na talaga ‘to. Challenge talaga ‘yung two hours lang matutulog or sometimes literally none. Then after school, may shift ka pa. Hindi naman siya basta trabaho. May pressure.
How were you able to do your requirements?
Every 15-minute break, basa. During lunch, we would also do our readings. Pero ‘yung ibang managers, they were very considerate. For example, when I was in front of my computer and already nodding off, my manager would say, “Christian, you can take a break. Matulog ka muna. I’ll just call you ‘pag kailangan kita.” Sometimes we napped in the shuttle van from Cubao to Market! Market!. Pero masaya. I mean, iba talaga ‘pag na-stretch ka. Sabi ng friend ko, “Don’t waste your pain. It either breaks you or builds you up.” And I choose to be built up by these things.
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