First of all, I am so sorry for not being here for quite some time, I had a series of bad luck in my health in the past two months, which includes, well a strain of this pandemic. But I have recovered by the end of last month, still struggling with fatigue that it left my body but all is better now.
When I was in high school, even if my parents will not allow me because I was entering college very young, I still took the entrance exam for the University of the Philippines. It is the most prestigious university in the country because it is very hard to get in as the screening process is very tight. It is the country's topmost state university so a lot of students fight for a spot to be one of the "iskolar ng bayan" or Scholars of the Nation.
Long story short, my UPG or university projected grade failed me to get a spot on my two campus choices. There are a few more campuses that will consider my UPG score though they are quite far and my parents will just not let me (or I even I think I can't live that far) because I was just 15.
I accepted my fate and taught to myself that my dream was over. The dream that someday I will have a portrait of me taken with the "Sablay", UP's official costume that replaced the usual black toga and mortarboard which is used during college commencements in the country.
Decades passed and I still find myself editing my photos into UP "sablay" photos of random people just to make it seem like my dream came true even on a photo (I still have that fake photo HAHA) Fast forward to my 27th birthday, I had this conversation with Ate Carm and what she said struck me, "Everything ends and begins with a solid desire. Be clear on what you want then push yourself towards that direction". So I tried again, this time for Grad School, got accepted. It was a challenge to work full time and study at the same time but I am lucky to have the best manager in the world, Miss Sheryl, who was very encouraging.
And with God's grace and all the support, there it is. Not fake or photoshopped, Real and True! My University of the Philippines Graduation Photo. And yes, it even came with a degree. Too bad it will just be an online Graduation this December due to COVID, but still looking forward to it!
So nice to see you back Stevenson. Hope you are now feeling 100 per cent. Congratulations on achieving your dream University degree from your first choice University, and even more meaningful because you were working as well!
ReplyDeleteNew blog name too :) All the best for your future Stevenson :)
Thank you so much dear Sami! I really appreciate your checks on instagram, that means a lot! And all my best wishes for you too and your whole family Sami! Happy Spring!
DeleteCongratulations on getting in. Sometimes it is better to wait or we say Good things come to those who wait. That is a wonderful honor! And I am sorry to hear you had covid, and hope all the fatigue goes away very soon so you can be back to yourself. When do you start grad school Stephenson? Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much dear Erika, so nice of you! I started at 2018 and finished last December :) But then I applied again for the next step which is the Master's Proper and I got admitted just this September :) another 2 years, but so far I'm having so much fun learning about what I really love, compared to what I took on my Bachelor's :)
DeleteStevenson; first of all it is lovely to see you back blogging and second many congratulations on achieving your dream, I am so pleased for you.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself and good luck in all that you do.
All the best Jan
Oh such beautiful words dear Jan, thank you so much! I hope I can be back more often again and visit my dear friends blogs like yours!
DeleteBoa tarde meu querido amigo. Que saudades de você. Fico feliz que você se recuperou. Parabéns pelo seu esforço e conquista, que venham outras mais. Bom início de semana.
ReplyDeleteMuito obrigado meu amigo Luiz! I am so happy to be back and so nice to see you again! Happy to have visited your blog and will continue to visit :)
DeleteCongratulations Stevenson on your achievement and for staying with your dream to make it happen! It was so good to see this post as it has been a long time. Sorry to read that you contracted the virus, but glad to read you have recovered, such great news as well. Your blog redesign looks wonderful and thanks for the recent visit and comment on mine. It’s good to have you back in blog land, my friend.
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend Beatrice, thank you for the beautiful welcome! I always am gone here and then but you guys always accept me with your beautiful welcomes! Thank you so much and always a pleasure visiting your blog!
DeleteWelcome back, Stevenson - and Congratulations!! So great that you have achieved a goal you have had for so long :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have been ill. Hopefully you will soon be back to your normal happy healthy self.
Mxx
Thank you so much dearest Margaret! It was a very happy moment to have finished the degree :) Thank you so much and I hope you and your son are doing great as well! Sending hugs to NZ!
DeleteWelcome back Stevenson. Glad to hear of your recovery from the virus and your acceptance in to grad school. You were meant to go there at this time rather than before. You kept your dream alive and it eventually came true. Don't ever give up, strive for the prize! Glad to see this post from you, it's uplifting. Have a wonderful week, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThat is super nice of you my friend Bill! I love what you said how I am meant to be there at this time, I also believe in proper timing :) I will continue to do my best :) Have an awesome week my friend Bill!
DeleteOh, dearest lille Bro! We both hit it this time, health-wise, huh.
ReplyDelete15?! I understand your parents!
And the biggest YAYYYY, RESPECT (ok, I don´t wanna yell at you...) WOW.
Great, happy, deserved pic!
Right, dearest, lille Bro - never stop dreaming (and sorry I´m late!).
My hands still hurt and my chin gives me a hard time, no excuse, of course - or a mini-one?
Wow - great pic. Sad it will be but online. What crazy times. Hugs from here, and from my heart, well done!
Oh, P.S. speaking of graduating... I did, but miscalculated Bro´s Birthday - he turns 44... A document from the doc made me younger and me.... bad Sister, made him older. 44 it is...
Oh thank you so so much dearest Iris! You got it right! Since our School curriculum is still different during my time (10 years of basic education as compared to the usual 12 years) I graduated so young and they did not allow me to study far.
DeleteOMG I hope you are feeling better now dearest big sis!
Oh! Hahaha That happens to me too all the time! Just a week ago my brother asked me to help him get a scroll from Vatican the certificate of Papal blessing and I almost added ayear to his birthday, glad he checked it before I checked out HAHAHA
Congratulations on completing your degree. So sorry to hear that you have been a victim of the pandemic, but it’s great that you are recovering well and able to enjoy the privilege of wearing the symbolic sash to graduate.
ReplyDeletebest… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thank you so much dear Mae and you are right, I did learn a lot of lessons through it :)
DeleteCongratulations on the degree. I'm glad you are recovering from the pandemic: for sure it was not an easy period but I see you are a positive person.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's not forget: often the dreams come true!!!
Congratulations on the degree. I'm glad you are recovering from the pandemic: for sure it was not an easy period but I see you are a positive person.
ReplyDeleteAnd let's not forget: often the dreams come true!!!
Congratulations! Your persistence paid off. Wishing you continued good health!
ReplyDeleteWow, congratulations! Isko ka pala. I'm also Iska from UPB before we migrated to the US. Too bad I didn't get to graduate with a sablay.
ReplyDeleteMind blowing blog
ReplyDeleteTime has passed without any recent posts, Stevenson, and I hope that it is just because that you have been busy with other projects. That said, I hope your holidays were joyful and send best wishes for the New Year. Hope to find a new post updating us all on what has been happening. And, hope you have not fallen ill again.
ReplyDeleteJust checking to see if you had a recent post, Stevenson, and admittedly disappointed to find none. I am sure that your other blog friends are also concerned about your absence and hope it is due to other concerns that are not health-related, if you know what I mean. Sending all good wishes to you for a good and better year.
ReplyDelete