#University of the Philippines

[chicken-blitz13]

Pls pray for me for tomorrow, college entrance exams are gonna be brutal 😭😭😭

BUT IM READY👹👹👹👹👹👹

[povofjae]

i'll pretend that we are more than friends.

[inmylittlebubble]

UP lamunin mo 'ko😞

[nicdevera]

you could advocate for palestine without calling for a genocide of jews. this is part of a long graffiti mural on the east edge of the university of the philippines campus, along luzon avenue. i dont imagine this was endorsed or vetted, but still.

[orangerainforest]

University of the Philippines, Diliman

making a tradition out of posting my fav pics that i took while in campus during that academic year. i'll be a junior in two weeks ?! 😵‍💫

[me-dyas]

UPLB Freedom Park phone and desktop wallpaper

(Feb 2022)

[gangst3rswife]

Unibersidad ng pogi

Yes.

[the-carnivorous-cherry]

Sometimes, I am afraid of dreaming.

The higher I dream, the higher I fall.

University of the Philippines, let me in. 🕯️

[alidotjpg]

"kume" (web, 1280x1024 px)

2023 November 24

[jmmarcelo2]

I Lament Not Taking The UPCAT

But frankly, I don't know if it will help feeling unworthy of being here, anyway.

I lament not taking the UPCAT, despite my protest against its existence. While I firmly believe that quality education from the State, perhaps showered by name recognition, and in turn, academic regalia, nothing makes me feel like a hack more than believing that I do not belong in such an institution because I did not take a test--one that gatekeeps entry to what is, in Professor Emeritus Solita Collas-Monsod's words, the cremè de la cremè.

Education is a right, not a privilege, as we say, yelling in mobilization movements "edukasyon, edukasyon, karapatan ng mamamayan!" and gatekeeping is an antithesis to what we are standing for, yet, the validation that an exam offers is so fulfilling, and its absence makes me question every failure that I commit if I truly belong to this place.

I lament not taking the UPCAT, even if its absence is a product of a global health emergency, and logistics of conducting an exam of national scale is a risk that outweighs the desire to gatekeep admission to such institution. Hence, the spawn of a flurry of insults from those who have taken it towards our batch. Place your bets on how it makes us feel. Place your bets on how it makes me feel. Does it even help my case?

While the grade-based academic admission system had its advantages, mainly not having to dig yourself down sleepless nights to gamble for a chance of entry into the land of even more sleepless nights, the merit of "working hard" to earn your place reinforces something up your head: that even if you fail majestically in your courses, you at least hold on to an exam that immediately turns into vanity the moment your first academic term starts.

I lament not taking the UPCAT, but frankly, I don't know if it will help feeling unworthy of being here, anyway. Behind the flashing lights, the euphoria, and the glorifying feeling of receiving your notice of acceptance, is the crippling cycle of asking yourself if you are a hack. No matter how brilliant you are (or were), you will be on your toes if you want to stay on top of your game. And with an academic culture so vicious, doubt will be your inevitable, but necessary friend.

My hope for the new children that will enter the University is that somehow, the validating euphoria that is the UPCAT slowly chip away the doubt that their first long exam result may bring, or their first 3.00 may instill, for, at least, an exam has told you that you have earned your rightful place. May the rigor that the exam taught you not end in your first year, but bud into actions that are sparkling exemplars of Honor and Excellence. But, as for me, I will lament not taking the UPCAT, asking myself over and over if I should be here, when more brilliant people could have had my seat. If my admission is a grace afforded by challenging times. If I shall carry the guilt of being a hack.

[povofjae]

and way up there, I actually love it.

[tomdeocampooo]

through the lobed leaves of the tipolo tree

that with wind wave a gentle goodbye

or frail flowers of amaranthine amaranths

that symbolize something pure and perennial,

i say goodbye for now to these people with whom i have planted a beautiful and nurturing friendship! thank you times the florets of hagonoy.

thank you for these beautiful pictures, aivee!

[briancarpio]

Sunken Garden, University of the Philippines. April 2023.

[redux52]

Mango cheesecake at ROC, Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman

The Philippines really have the best mangoes. They're unbelievably sweet without being overwhelming. Summer is coming soon and mango season too! Can't wait to harvest mangoes from our tree again.

[n1chmura]

aaaaa eto na UPCAT, hey!! I am so not ready for u😭🙏🏻

Aug 2 or 3 😖👋🏻 wait ka lang dyann

[orangerainforest]

University of the Philippines, Diliman

technically done with my first year so here are some of my fav shots i took in the campus 🤧 see u in a couple of days again 🫠