U-nibersidad ng Pilipinas!

I believe in academic freedom. The kind of academic freedom that allows the student to learn beyond what the traditional educational system offers. I believe in the importance of an environment that allows the mind to explore and soar. I believe in an educational institution that allows free thinking. A good school does not repress nor cramp nor stunt its students’ growth as human beings. Any institution for higher learning that only teaches how to make money, or even how to make a lot of money, falls short of my standards.

Yes, I believe in U.P. I’m not saying it’s perfect (it still requires [male] students to undergo this blasted citizen’s military training for four semesters, doesn’t it?) but I say it’s still a cut above the rest. (Sassy Lawyer)

Senior year of high school, I was given four options:
1. UP Diliman, not ComSci.
2. ADMU, MIS.
3. DLSU, ComSci.
4. UST, Comsci.

Despite not getting my first choice, I still chose UP because of two silly reasons. One, a lot of people I know didn't pass the UPCAT for Diliman. Two, lower tuition fee might mean bigger allowance + other perks. Of course I was being unreasonable. First, non-UPCAT passers can always transfer while secondly, I didn't (and still don't!) get such a big allowance as I have expected.

During my first two years, I kept on regretting not choosing Ateneo over UP or not even trying to shift to ComSci during my first year. I don't have a problem with my course but when I get bored reading photocopied notes I could barely read, I wish I was in front of my computer instead! (Although I'm always in front of the computer which means...nevermind!)

Now, I can't say I have no regrets anymore because I still do. However, I couldn't imagine myself not being in UP. In UP Diliman to be exact. I've learned to love my school not because of the earlier reasons I gave back in high school but because of the people I have met and the experiences I've had. I must admit I have found the most amazing set of people inside this university including the most interesting, fun and creative professors; the wittiest, out-of-this-world classmates from all over the country (even outside of it); and the most hyperactive bunch of friends and orgmates who'd willingly offer the best they can just about anytime. To top it all, as what Sassy Lawyer mentions above, no other university in the country matches up with the amount of academic freedom and the rich diversity UP gives.

In UP, I have found the richest people in terms of what they can and have to offer plus all the possibilities they could come up with. I know I am generalizing but I'd like to believe it's the truth. Hey, it's not perfect out there (there are boring professors, lazy students, annoying classmates and yes, we do have a number of rules to follow still) but having found such an enriching and wonderful place to grow in and amazing yet real people to grow with, I wouldn't want to settle for anything less. Would you?  ¶ 1:17 AM