My Years in UA&P

Would you remember a funny anecdote from your college days? Or a memory in UA&P that never fades?

 

Mrs. Ma. Elena N. Clarino

M.A. in Education Major in Values Education, 1997

Volunteer mentor

After successfully defending his compre, my MAVE8 classmate was rapturous and kept jumping for joy from the defense room out to the octagon fish pond. It was such a jubilant funny moment. Those of us waiting outside had a hilarious laugh.

 

Natividad Cristina J. Gruet

M.A. in Political Economy with Specialization in International Relations and Development, 2004

Professor, UA&P School of Law and Governance

I entered the University in June of 1999, when there was a global fixation on the impending cyber apocalypse known as the millennium bug. We thankfully survived the Y2K, but the year 2000 was perhaps the most challenging year of my stay in the University. To this day, I still wonder if the Registrar’s Office had a grudge against my block for giving us a 7:30-9:00 a.m. class for Metaphysics, and then 9:00-10:30 a.m. for Calculus. No, we didn’t have choices when it comes to class schedules and professors. Sometimes you felt like you won the lottery; a lot of times you truly can relate to the humans at the mercy of their gods in Greek Mythology.

My memories of UA&P similarly vacillate between little victories and gargantuan challenges. Mostly, these memories are made of iconic individuals; looking back, they gave so much levity in my otherwise boring college life—Mrs. Cristi making me care about syncopation, Mr. Bayana and his performance-driven Rizal classes that put theatre actors to shame, of my heart skipping a beat every time Dr. Terosa enters our classroom; of facing my fears known as subject advising with Atty. Tantuico.

These members of our community go through their daily lives with quiet yet distinguished dedication that made my years in UA&P as a student a meaningful and whimsical one. Inevitably, for being who they are, they have shared a piece of themselves that I carry with me. Today, we no longer talk about the millennium bug, but millennials; students get to choose their subjects and professors. Yet, despite many major changes in the University, what gives everyone a sense of familiarity and a feeling of being home isn’t so much the tranquility of the pond, or the little cracks on the walls of the CAS rooms, but its people.

 

Maria Socorro B. Claudio

M.A. in Education with Specialization in Values Education, 1998

Instructor, UA&P College of Arts and Sciences

 

I’ve been teaching in the University for the past 27 years and in that span of time, so much has happened to me. It would be quite difficult to choose just one outstanding story so, perhaps, I should write about three short ones that are memorable to me.

One anecdote I will never forget happened on October 29, 1990, the day I was hired, on the spot, to teach Spanish at CRC-CAS. Dr. Jose Maria Mariano and Dr. Antonio Torralba interviewed me individually. In my interview with Dr. Mariano at the 2/F Boardroom of the CAS Building, I brought out my Spanish fan (I never leave the house without one) and started to use it despite the fully functioning air-con. Since I was so nervous, my hand looked like wiper blades on high speed. Apparently, Dr. Mariano was highly amused especially with the way I would open and close the fan. This interview turned out to be one for the books because the applicant (that’s me) asked most of the questions. One of the questions I asked Doc Mar was if he was married (since he seemed to be wearing a wedding ring) and he said no. I said, “What a pity. You would have had brilliant kids!” It’s a miracle I was NOT booted out on that day! What infernal cheek, right?

Another story had to do with a freshman student of mine (from one of the earlier batches) who asked me, “Señora, why do CRC priests wear dresses? In my former high school, the priests wore ordinary shirts, jeans, and sneakers.” I said, “The ‘dresses’ are called cassocks.” So I guess he learned a new word that day!

Finally, during one of my Shakespeare classes with the pioneer batch, we were sitting in a circle for our discussion on Macbeth using the Socratic Method. Beside me was the scion of one of the richest families in the Philippines. Since he crossed his legs, I could see that, while the upper part of his shoe was in good shape, the sole needed some fixing. I pulled him aside after class and suggested that he might need to get a new pair or change the soles of his shoes. He said, “Señora, I am paying for my tuition and it is so expensive, so I will just get my shoes patched!” No wonder he’s so rich!

I am truly blessed to have such great memories of UA&P. My students (past and present), whom I call “my kids,” have enriched my world in so many delightful ways!

 

Dr. Peter L. U

M.A. in Industrial Economics, 1987

Vice Dean, UA&P School of Economics  

Back in the late 1980s, the CRC sportsfest included a fun run held on a Saturday morning. The route would start from the Pearl Drive gate, turn right at Pearl Drive, right again at Exchange Road (back then called Tektite), then left on Meralco, right at Julia Vargas, and all the way down to C-5 then back to CRC. If the Boston Marathon has its Heartbreak Hill, for the CRC Fun Run it was the agonizing climb up at Julia Vargas (I am sure everyone knows how steep that is). Back in those days (around 1987 to 1990), traffic in the Ortigas area was so light that we didn’t need to get the police to cordon off the route (I don’t think there were even traffic lights on Julia Vargas back then.)​ Each runner basically just took care on their own to avoid cars (which were not too plentiful in the area on an early Saturday morning in those days, and thus posed no real danger).

My recollection is that Dr. Bernie Villegas would participate, and despite the roughly 20-year difference between us (he is older than me, of course), I would finish barely ahead of him. (My memory is getting hazy though. It could have been the other way around.)​ He must have been roughly in his 50s then.

​​I also remember that Mang Rudy Astilla (still with us in the BEM section) would often be the winner of ​the men’s division in that annual fun run.

 

Mindy Santiago-Cabudol

A.B. Major in Humanities with Professional Certificate/Specialization in Development Education, 2004

UA&P Human Resource Officer

I guess it’s hard to come up with just one favorite memory from my college days because there really are quite a lot. From my CAS blockmates to my Educ block, there were a lot of happy moments that we shared, and this is probably the reason why these friendships that we’ve built in college remained strong. Back then, I wasn’t conscious of how lucky I was to have a UA&P education. It’s just now, in hindsight, that I realize that not everyone has the opportunity to be taught by UA&P/CRC pillars and living legends like Dr. Bernie Villegas, Dr. Rina Villegas, and Dr. Antonio Torralba.

 

Dr. Veronica L. Isla

M.A. in Education with Specialization in Values Education, 1990

Professor, UA&P School of Communication

CRC’s first batch of Master of Arts in Values Education graduated so many years ago. Not gifted with a photographic memory, I wish I had kept a diary. It’s difficult for me to recall the details of at least one memorable event because the whole experience of being part of this pioneering program was filled with a series of fond memories. What I could clearly remember is that the faculty and staff, headed by Dr. Antonio Torralba and Dr. Rina Villegas, took very good care of us. They not only made sure we were formed well intellectually by providing us with great teachers (they themselves were two of the best), but they also made sure we received the best possible cultural and human formation within a short span of time through cultural trips and performances.

One such cultural trip was a fun-filled and culturally-enriching Baguio outing. I can no longer remember the names of the places that we visited, but I do recall the pleasure of not only scrutinizing the arts and crafts produced by the natives, but also of conversing with some of their families.

 

Gregorio A. Mabbagu

M.S. in Industrial Economics, 2013

Instructor, UA&P School of Management

I am trying to recall a funny memory  when I was still in college in UA&P, but I can’t recall any despite being the usual joker in class. My college life was a mix of challenges, but it was just my nature, perhaps, to be humorous and to seek funny things and moments even in thorny situations. One of the things that I remember though was that during the application/admission period, I originally applied for the I.T. course in UA&P. So throughout my 1st and 2nd year, I thought I was in the I.T. program already. However, when 3rd year came and we had to apply for our course, I realized that I was not yet with my I.T. classmates. Eventually, I opted to take MSIE instead.

 

Francis Lorenze R. Visco

A.B. Major in Humanities with Professional Certificate in Humanities, 2010 / M.S. in Management, 2016

UA&P Corporate Communications Officer

The second semester of my first year in college was make-or-break for me. The required GWA to reach second year was 2.75; I got 2.78. I deserved it though, since I signed up for every organization that caught my attention, and I attended all their GAs and first projects. I enjoyed being with the Arnis team. I joined every theater org. I was a Kultura volunteer, and I helped with the Student Executive Board (or SEB, not USG)’s Constitutional Convention. When my parents saw my grades, they made me choose: either I join just one organization or I don’t get to choose at all.

I dropped everything except Dulaang ROC. In the end, I managed to rejoin all of the orgs, but I really stuck with Dulaang ROC, with the camaraderie that transcends batches and the support that the members develop within the group. I so thoroughly enjoyed being in that group that, when I started working for UA&P, I agreed to be its moderator. I try to teach the students the wonders of theater and to make them realize that, with the beauty that they create on stage, they are more than just their grades.

 

Karla Ava Marie Pelayo-Lozano

A.B. Major in Humanities with Professional Certificate in Communication, 2007

Executive Assistant to the Operations Committee, UA&P School of Communication

First Encounter

Little did I know that my first encounter with UA&P would pave the way to happy and memorable days in the University. I learned about UA&P from my cousins, who were then students taking IMC [integrated marketing communications]. Since we hardly talk about school and I wasn’t wise enough to ask, I didn’t know anything aside from the location and its image as a good school. I wasn’t even aware that the dress code is strictly upheld. On a sweltering day, I went to UA&P with a good friend to submit my application form and requirements. I was in my typical attire of sleeveless top, cropped pants and backpack when the guard kept making signs before I even entered the gate. He kept saying “Bawal!” but I didn’t understand what was prohibited. My friend and I stopped at the corner trying to decipher what the guard was saying. I then told my friend that backpacks were probably prohibited. We were willing to leave our bags with him but the exasperated guard gave up and just let us in.

In Heels

We used to call the UA&P parking lot the “Amazon.” There were huge trees, uneven paths, and a tricky mix of gravel and soil. When it rained, rivers formed, and getting wet was totally unavoidable. Worse, the area was the archenemy of high heeled shoes. It was like walking on quicksand. We used to joke that the farther you were parked, the more pointed your heels would be.

National Museum Visit

Adjusting to college life proved to be quite a challenge. There were times I forgot to do assignments and projects which led to intense remedial steps. Having Ms. Ferreria for APS was no laughing matter. She was known to push her students through demanding school work and constant exams. So when I forgot to do an assignment to produce a paper from a visit to the National Museum, I was in panic. Since my sense of direction was almost non-existent, I asked my mom to come with me to the museum. Needless to say, the assignment became a bonding session and a mother-daughter field trip. I even got a certificate of visit as souvenir!

Tara J. Lapiz

M.A. in Communication Major in Integrated Marketing Communications, 2013

UA&P Office of Alumni Affairs Program and Events Officer

I really loved my college days here in UA&P. Although I wanted to go to another university with my best friend and got mad at my parents for enrolling me here without my knowledge, I eventually learned to love this school. With it came so many memorable moments that it’s hard for me to choose which one is my favorite. So here are my top two:

When I was in 2nd year, my friends and I signed up for Dr. Olmos’ physics class because they said he gives high grades. But because the class was in the afternoon, most of us felt sleepy. And so to entertain ourselves one time, my friend Kim started singing “…Olmos Paradise!” which was a spoof of “…Almost Paradise…,” a line in the theme song of Boys Over Flowers (Korean version of Meteor Garden). She sang it during class (but of course, only for our ears). I wish I had recorded a video of her singing.

I also loved being a PEER Facilitator. Joining this organization made me come out of my shell and be more sociable. I first handled a block during my 4th year in the University. When the block I handled won the class presentation during Freshstart, I literally jumped for joy and screamed out loud as though I was the winner! Looking back now, it’s a little bit embarrassing. Being in PEER helped me gain life-long friends and made me realize that UA&P is where I belong.