“Mr Albano, ano ang choice mo ….?”
That was the dialogue that happened at the Testing Center in UST a couple of years ago. When we were in our senior year in high school, we weren’t that sure what course we would be taking. Since computers were in demand then (and now!) we decided to register for the Computer Science course. When the exam results were released, none of us in the barkada succeeded. Hence, that dialogue above. I couldn’t really remember the other courses mentioned. Out of the litany of courses, I only remembered that subject I was so in love with in my junior year in Letran – Chemistry.
“Some people think of the course as Chemisery. Others, Chemystery. But Chem is trying!”
That was Dr Beatrice Guevara, then Asst Dean of the College of Science, during our Freshmen Orientation. She would later be our lecturer in Organic Chemistry for two straight semesters. She wasn’t a terror though, she delivers the lesson well complete with concept maps, problem sets, models, and open notes tests.
“This is the College of Science. This is not the College of Hairdressing and Dressmaking!”
Those were the words from Dean Carmen Kanapi. She didn’t become my teacher, but her words left an imprint on me, a challenge of how it is to be part of the prime college in the university. Indeed, during her stint, the College has been accredited (and re-accredited) to Level 3 status, the highest level.
“Mag-ingat ha? Mag-ingat kayo sa units!”
It’s Dr Fortunato Sevilla III, lecturer in Physical Chemistry (This subject made me feel that Chemistry likes me too! It’s only in Third Year that I finally discovered that!), Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Technical Analysis, and Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. He was also my thesis adviser. His 5-minute short quiz before the start of every lesson has challenged me and my classmates to be prepared, and yes, be careful with scientific units. I won’t fail to remember Joseph Masayda and myself riding on the jeepney’s estribo just to be on time for his lesson – he’s known to shut the door to latecomers!
“Mag-aral ka ng Advanced Organic…alam mo, hindi ako nahihiyang mambagsak!”
Such were the reminders I got from Dr Alicia Mascardo- Aguinaldo at a time when the atmosphere would have been festive due to the Christmas season. It sent a chill not only in my spine, but in the whole class as well. Yet Ma’am Alice gave us the chance to prove our mettle. Eventually most of us passed.
It’s been 10 years already since I graduated in UST. During graduation at the PICC, I was slapping my face. Is this for real? Me, graduating? As I look back and remember the quotes I just mentioned, I feel blessed to have drank from the springs of knowledge and wisdom in UST-Science. Drinking from these was made more meaningful by my ex-classmates: Joseph and Dana Masayda, Raniel and Maricel Yambao, Herbie and Chi Cruz, Irene Lapus, Richelle Ordoña-Libut, Florence Punieg-Manuel, Maricar Montano-Adams, Mareus De la Rosa, Hazel David, Lana Enriquez, Eleanor Dayrit, Leah Balladares-De Leon, Pocholo Naguiat, and many more (Apologies if I forgot anyone!). Some may have noticed that I failed to attend any alumni homecoming. I did my homecoming day in and day out since I was appointed to teach in UST: nurturing the youth to draw themselves to the springs in collaboration with the people who once guided me to do the same.
That was the dialogue that happened at the Testing Center in UST a couple of years ago. When we were in our senior year in high school, we weren’t that sure what course we would be taking. Since computers were in demand then (and now!) we decided to register for the Computer Science course. When the exam results were released, none of us in the barkada succeeded. Hence, that dialogue above. I couldn’t really remember the other courses mentioned. Out of the litany of courses, I only remembered that subject I was so in love with in my junior year in Letran – Chemistry.
“Some people think of the course as Chemisery. Others, Chemystery. But Chem is trying!”
That was Dr Beatrice Guevara, then Asst Dean of the College of Science, during our Freshmen Orientation. She would later be our lecturer in Organic Chemistry for two straight semesters. She wasn’t a terror though, she delivers the lesson well complete with concept maps, problem sets, models, and open notes tests.
“This is the College of Science. This is not the College of Hairdressing and Dressmaking!”
Those were the words from Dean Carmen Kanapi. She didn’t become my teacher, but her words left an imprint on me, a challenge of how it is to be part of the prime college in the university. Indeed, during her stint, the College has been accredited (and re-accredited) to Level 3 status, the highest level.
“Mag-ingat ha? Mag-ingat kayo sa units!”
It’s Dr Fortunato Sevilla III, lecturer in Physical Chemistry (This subject made me feel that Chemistry likes me too! It’s only in Third Year that I finally discovered that!), Advanced Analytical Chemistry, Technical Analysis, and Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. He was also my thesis adviser. His 5-minute short quiz before the start of every lesson has challenged me and my classmates to be prepared, and yes, be careful with scientific units. I won’t fail to remember Joseph Masayda and myself riding on the jeepney’s estribo just to be on time for his lesson – he’s known to shut the door to latecomers!
“Mag-aral ka ng Advanced Organic…alam mo, hindi ako nahihiyang mambagsak!”
Such were the reminders I got from Dr Alicia Mascardo- Aguinaldo at a time when the atmosphere would have been festive due to the Christmas season. It sent a chill not only in my spine, but in the whole class as well. Yet Ma’am Alice gave us the chance to prove our mettle. Eventually most of us passed.
It’s been 10 years already since I graduated in UST. During graduation at the PICC, I was slapping my face. Is this for real? Me, graduating? As I look back and remember the quotes I just mentioned, I feel blessed to have drank from the springs of knowledge and wisdom in UST-Science. Drinking from these was made more meaningful by my ex-classmates: Joseph and Dana Masayda, Raniel and Maricel Yambao, Herbie and Chi Cruz, Irene Lapus, Richelle Ordoña-Libut, Florence Punieg-Manuel, Maricar Montano-Adams, Mareus De la Rosa, Hazel David, Lana Enriquez, Eleanor Dayrit, Leah Balladares-De Leon, Pocholo Naguiat, and many more (Apologies if I forgot anyone!). Some may have noticed that I failed to attend any alumni homecoming. I did my homecoming day in and day out since I was appointed to teach in UST: nurturing the youth to draw themselves to the springs in collaboration with the people who once guided me to do the same.
