STORY

Honestly, I have difficulties in choosing what course in college 'yong talagang gusto ko. Noong
tinatanong ako noong fourth year high school ako kung ano 'yong dream course ko kasi need itong
ilagay sa annual namin, ang inilagay ko is Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM). Pero challenge for
me kung makakapag college pa ako kasi that season talagang hirap kami sa buhay. During high school,
kapag walang baon ay nilalakad ko lamang 'yong school namin which is MHPNHS, kasi gusto ko talagang
makapag-aral despite of having financial problem.

Noong kuhanan ng entrance exam sa mga Universities, hindi ako nakapag take kahit isa dahil para akong
naka hang if makakapag college ba ako. Hindi rin ako nakakuha ng scholarship examination sa DOST that
time. Even so, dahil gusto ko talagang makapag college, kahit wala akong school na nakuhanan ng
entrance examination still nag take ako ng mga scholarship exam sa BulSU. That time dahil wala ring
pamasahe, nilalakad ko lang 'yong University mula sa amin. And imagine the risk since kumukuha ako ng
scholarship samantalang hindi naman ako formally enlisted sa BulSU. Ang iniisip ko nalang kasi that time
ay madali na lamang naman siguro makapasok sa BulSU dahil may second batch pa naman na pwedeng
mag take ng entrance exam. Take note that it is only my thinking. To cut the long story short, after I
passed the exam, napunta ako sa ME. But take note, it’s not my choice pero dahil may ilan akong kaklase
noong highschool that has already enrolled sa ME, sinabi ko sa Dean ng COE na roon nalang ako
magpapa-enlist.

Never did I dream of being an Engineer and sorry for whoever will going to read this message. I have
learned to love this course because of the theories and concepts. Also, I had overcome my difficulties in
solving technical problems specifically in Mathematics and Science related subjects. It is only my fear to
explore and challenge myself that hinders me to excel to those kinds of subjects when I was in high
school. When you learn to accept the fact that there are no easy subjects to deal with, that is the time
when you will easily cope up and adapt on the course little by little. I can say that I do encounter
instructors with different attitude and behaviors that gave me challenges to push through but now that I
am also an instructor, I can now clearly see the difference in perspectives of being a student and being
an educator. It is not an easy thing and you cannot please everyone. Yes, being a Mechanical Engineer is
not my original choice, but one thing is for certain. I was not the one who had planned my destiny but
only God. He was the one who had orchestrated things in my life, and I am just following His plan. I have
committed mistakes in terms of making poor decisions, but I know that God always do something that
redirects me towards His will for me.

For the lower year ME students: for sure there are also like me na hindi rin talaga nila choice 'yong ME
but the circumstances let you in this course. Alam ko na wala ako sa kalagayan ninyo and I cannot give
advice in a carefree manner. But God will do something in your life, and it will not happen if you will not
push through. Yes, pursuing something that is beyond of your desire and passion is very hard to do. I can
testify on to it and somehow, I can say na naiintindihan ko 'yong part na 'yon. Let me just share you
these. Currently I am taking my MS in Manila and yung realizations sakin lately gives me so much pain. I
do not know if para sakin talaga yung mag academe and to get a master’s degree. I am now in my fourth
year of taking it and hindi ako intimidated sabihin na hirap na hirap talaga ako tapusin. I try to escape sa
reality na I have difficulties in pursuing it. Pero I was wrong in doing so. I have learned to admit na
nahihirapan ako kasi if you will know your limit that is the time to humble yourself and seek for help.
Like hindi ko pala kina-strong 'yong pagpapanggap na nahihirapan ako and kunwari okay lang ako. I
know the feeling na little by little your passion and interest will slowly fade. Like nagkakaroon ako ng
what ifs. What if noong una palang hindi na ako tumuloy sa ME. What if ganito, what if ganyan. It is a
never-ending throwing questions into myself for all of my what if's in life. Pero I am still here, pushing
through on this challenge. I do believe and still holding onto what God will do to deliver me in this
unending anxiety. My friends tell me to keep on going. Pero 'yong feeling na kahit ilang beses kang i-
encourage ng loved ones mo, still not be able to suffice 'yong agony mo. But I declare, na mas mainam
na maniwala ako sa nagsasabi sa akin na kaya kong magpatuloy at makatapos kaysa maniwala ako sa
lahat ng nakakapagdown sa self-confidence ko. And now I will tell the same thing to you, YOU CAN DO IT
AND I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Maybe I am not the right person to encourage those graduating students and who are going to take
their incoming board examination, but I am taking this opportunity to address you. This pandemic gives
you a lot of time to spend wisely on doing things which are worthy and reasonable. One of my regrets na
masasabi ko na meron ako before is I fail to enjoy my life to the fullest. Masyado akong nagmadali
during my college days. The only thing that is on my mind during that time is to graduate and to obtain
my license so that I can earn money. I am not saying na absolute na mali 'yong isiping kailangan ninyong
magkawork agad but remember that LIFE IS NOT A RACE! It is slowly walking in the path which you
continuously need to be strong. You will surely pass your boards so set aside all the expectations and
pressure from other people. You are not proving yourself to anyone. You are doing it not just only for
yourself but do it for God. Always pray and take time to communicate with Him.

And I will be going to end this message sharing to you some words taken from the book The Alchemist
written by Paulo Coelho: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to
achieve it.”

Thank you and GOD bless!

HIGHLIGHTS

"Yes, being Mechanical Engineer is not my original choice, but one thing is for certain. I was not the one
who had planned my destiny but only God. - Zedrick T. Farin, College Instructor – Bulacan State
University"