When I was a child, I had a dream. It's one of those that I can still vividly remember even after I woke up. It was very simple: I dreamt of a building with high and wide stairs.
When I was a child, I heard of UP. Well, who won't right? The number one, the best, where the really smart students go..oh the high and mighty.. UP. Yes, it'll be great to study there one day (I thought for seconds), but then I know it's so impossible, there's NO WAY I can study there. I'm not even sure if I can study in high school. Mag UP pa kaya after that? Nah. No. way. Okay. Shrug. Bye. UP is like that, a dream. A dream that's just too far.
When I was a university student in PUP (yes, by God's grace I made it to high school and then nakapag PUP pa!) , I was in awe already! I'm so grateful and happy to be there. I just love my university. There, we had a professor (who studied in UP) and he asked us to go to UP for a tour and to watch a stage play. It was my first in UP. I was so amazed how wide it is, the trees, the Oble, the students, the Ikot jeepneys...but what struck me the most is.... the Palma Hall.
When I saw it and climb it's steps, it seems like I've been here before! I've seen this! And yes, it's like my dream as a child:
"I dreamt of a building with high and wide stairs. "
It's so amazing. How could I have a dream about this place?
Anyway, I just find it amusing and eventually I moved on. Maybe UP and I just really meant to meet like that. As a visitor, as someone from another university. Oh, okay.Okay. Shrug. Bye.
I came back again as a visitor after that. Back then, I almost join an activist group and we had a meeting in UP one time. I also watched the lantern festival, shot some school project, ran with friends and watch Eigasai (Japanese Film Festival). My future with UP includes still watching Eigasai, run with friends and I was also planning to take pictures with the sunflowers there! That's it. No more. no less.
But then I started to become curious about teaching, education etc. How is it really to be trained as someone who'll teach others? Most of my co-workers majored in Education and they really inspired me. The major thing is the thought that I could really have an avenue to engage the students, the next generation plus, I could also be an effective first teacher of my future children (Haha, indeed, so futuristic). My heart beats fast when I thought about learning about it, eventually taking the LET and becoming a licensed teacher.
Wow. To think that I hated this thing before entering college.
"Ang tagal ko na nga sa school, sa school pa din ako magtatrabaho?" This is what was on my head at the time the my grandmother told me that she wants me to be a teacher. Who would've thought of a changed mind and heart right? As Ms. Acel puts it: isang pambihirang pagkakataon.
The initial plan was enrolling in NTC (National Teacher College) because I thought UP only offers online classes for those who want to have a Certificate of Professional Education. I'm not that into the idea of studying online so..
But then, last August 18, I went to UP to watch Eigasai with Ana. On the way there, I was with Camille, a co-worker who's currently taking up her masters in UP. While we were talking, she mentioned that CPE is not only online but there's a classroom setting too. She knows for sure because she has classmates who are taking CPE!
My heart fluttered against my ribcage. I can't hide my excitement. I was so kilig. So in awe. Honestly, just the thought of sitting and learning in a UP classroom makes me feel so giddy and hindi talaga makapaniwala! Huhuhu!
I called the UP College of Education to inquire and the secretary told me that if I can submit all the requirements within the week, I can still make it to the next semester (which January 2017)!
I still don't have my NSO copy of birth certificate at that time so I hastily prayed and asked Daddy God if I can have it right away so that I can pass the requirements ASAP.
Great thing is that God answered that prayer when Shim told me that she got hers for less than 30 minutes in the PSA main office!
I got mine in 20 minutes! Whoa. And now, my requirements are complete! I'll be in UP later to submit them and then we'll see. If it's His will, walang makakapigil. In Jesus' Name Amen! :)
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November 10, 2016
Hello there! It's been over two months since I wrote this. Over two months since I saw my name in a receipt with "University of the Philippines" written on it. Over two months since I tried to ride the whole route of an IKOT jeep (yes, umikot sa UP, hehe). Over two months since I wrote a very challenging, childish, full of heart na hindi talaga scholarly na essay.
Two months of waiting for their e-mail but there's none.
I'm starting to lose heart. Thinking maybe it's not for me.
Oh those two months. But then earlier, I decided tocall UP to ask and to know the status of my application.
Tantanannnnnn
Me: Hello po. This is UP college of education po di ba?
Her: Yes, Yes.
M: mag i inquire lang po sana for the result ng exam...
Her: ah wala pang result yung sa Masters
M: ah, sa CPE po..
H: ah, sa CPE? wait lang...
another person on the phone:
Him: Hello po.
M: mag i inquire lang po sana for the result nung sa CPE?
H: Wait lang po... ano pong pangalan nila?
M: Jessica May Padayao.. Padayao po..
H: letter P po?
M: Opo
H: Pasado po
M: Pa..pasado po?
H: Opo ......
And the rest is poker face. Ganun pala yun. Yung gusto mo sumigaw at magtatalon pero dapat composed ka pa din.
Huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu. Yung essay ko... alam ko si Lord lang talaga ito. Pramis! I'm just too in awe ngayun. Hala sya oh... UP oh... huhuhuhuhu!!!!
Come on! Let's be the teacher that He wants us to be! I declare favored sched, result ng medical , provision and above all, wisdom! May the purpose why He allowed me to be there prevail!
*tulala
Background Music:
"The Maker"
by Chris August
I see You in the sunrise
I see You in the rain
I see You in the laughter
I feel You through the pain
Everything that You have made is beautiful
Oh, my God, I can't believe my eyes
But in all of this to think that You would think of me
Makes my heart come alive
Your love is like a mighty fire deep inside my bones
I feel like I could climb a thousand mountains all at once
And I never have to wonder if somebody cares for me
I love the Maker
And the Maker loves me
I see You, You are creation
I see the grandness of Your majesty
The universe is singing all Your glory
I can't believe You live inside of me
More than just some words upon a page
You've shown me in a million ways
But there is one that stands above them all
Hands of creation on a cross
