RESPONSE TO THE FRESHMEN

Cyd F. Arellado

I could remember 13yrs ago, when West Visayas State University

grounds was still my playground. I felt like I owned the school then. I
would be left with my playmates and classmates at school 7am and
fetched anytime my mom would finish her work… And it would mean
till the sun was down and almost all the lights in school were off. I
would run and run… and run… until my clean white uniform turned
brownish white with matching awful smell. Now, I'm here, representing
the seniors and delivering a speech not as a kid, but as a full grown
lady, molded by this university.
College of Arts and Sciences 5 years before was known as a
strong college. It is where the champions, the smart, the beautiful, the
handsome, and the talented are homed. Usually, they would win in any
area beating the other colleges in the parties and activities to the
University week held by the USC. That's one reason why it feels so
good to be in this college. Suddenly, it changed. See for yourself why,
and be part of regaining her dignity.
Graduating in this institution in high school means lesser
adjustments in going to college. From having friends in the campus,
knowing the teachers, buildings, rooms, and the CR, of course, it was
not hard for me to be a freshman. But then, I understand how a
phoenix strive from the time he steps in the gate to looking for their
classrooms, meeting other people, and teachers whom they think
would eat them alive (but I assure you, if they do, they won't eat the
whole of you), and worst of all, looking for the CR when the call of
nature would eat them up but couldn’t find it.
A Korean once said, "Philippines is a slow country. You have to
experience falling in line 3 or more times a day". Lucky for the
freshmen now, that you haven't experienced falling in line for
enlistment to get the time schedule you like and the teacher you love,
to fall in line to have your bills assessed, to write your schedule and
personal information in the yellow RF that erasures couldn't be avoided
even if you wrote it 4 times back to back (take note: back to back). And
lastly, pray and be thankful if you don't have to apply and be surprised
to be in the dean's list.
For the freshmen, you wouldn't have to be afraid of being in a big
university with new faces, new races around you. Here are some tips
from your manang's and manongs:
1. Ask. As the saying goes, "Ask and you will find". Don't be
afraid to ask if you don't know how to do it. If you need a book, ask. If
you need a friend, ask. If you need someone to talk to, ask. No one
gets killed in asking.
2. Give. "Give and you'll receive". Give the college your best.
Support your class, your curriculum, our college. Our teacher in Botany
always tells us, "Scholar ng bayan". Live with it, and be it! Don't let our
college be ashamed of you; make her proud, and make our University
proud.
3. It's a matter of giving your BIG smile to your manangs and
manongs. Pa cute-cute lang! For sure, no one gets hurt. You may think
we are snobbish cause we are older than you are, but think of it this
way - our college may be the 2nd largest college, but if everyone gives
a BIG smile to everyone he bumps, we will be a BIG FAMILY. It only
takes two muscles to smile. It doesn't cost you any centavo or dollar.
Lastly, "Hwag lumaki ang ulo, ang puso ang syang palakihin",
Sharon said to Charisse Pinpyenggo. Let your feet stay on the floor. Let
others think badly about you and prove them wrong. If others try to
pull you down, it only means one thing, you are above them. Don't go
down to their level. Stand up, and face the world.
For the sophomores and juniors, despite the commotion among
us at times, let's continue the bond we have. And for those who are
still uneasy with us, for our last year, make us enjoy the most of it.
Thank you for the thrill and laughter we had in the activities we had
together.
To our dear teachers, the BIOSCI and PHYSICAL SCIENCE
department, who welcomed our trembling knees, and prayers every
time we enter the faculty room (our SOP) not only when getting our
grades but also when we ask them clarifications. They taught us not
only to be studious and focused, but also to be religious. They also
taught us to be united through the overnights we had like studying a
cat, sharing its bones, to the point of sleeping side by side with a
dissected cat and a skull in our pillow with matching frog bones in our
bed. After all, its fun going to school with your pajamas on to return the
specimens before the laboratory exams and fix ourselves after. It's
worth the stink! We gained not only knowledge but the value of
sharing, bond with our friends and classmates, and most of all, our
specimens.
The English department, we have not been under all of them, but
we are thankful for having them; not only because we received good
grades that would pull up our average grade, but they welcome us with
smiles in their faces, they make feel comfortable in studying in this
college.
The Math teachers, who made us tremble at times, because most
of us hate math, but they made the topics easier than expected.
The Social Science Department, where we learned life as it is. It
awakened us, despite of our busy schedule, that life is indeed great!
They taught us to realize that we still have to stay beautiful and alive
in doing our school work and to care about the environment.
The Filipino Department, where we he had a lot of fun. I
remembered when our class represented the College of Arts and
Sciences in a "DAIGON CONTEST". Humility aside, we won as 1st runner
up, but most of the audience would say, it's our college that should be
awarded as champion.
To the AS family, we are a big united family. Let's continue to
build a strong bond and have that urge to be the champion in every
activity the USC has in store for us. It's a challenge to rebuild the
name we had then - where the CHAMPIONS belong. To the newbies,
from your manongs and manangs, welcome to WVSU – CAS!!!