Haughty UP?!

“I think, therefore I am from UP.”

Those were the brave words written on my newly bought shirt. It’ll be a good memorabilia from the school I am about to leave in a year or so. Somehow, I summoned the courage to buy, and gathering still, more courage to wear it loud and proud.

Actually, this shirt is the most modest UP shirts on sale that day. Have I wanted more attention, I could have bought the more spirited designed shirts like:

“UP ako, ikaw?”
“OO, taga UP ako. Ikaw?”

If you have visited the parking lot of the Office of the University Registrar already, you should know what I’m talking about. If not, well…you can only imagine what’s written on those shirts.

On the day I first stepped foot on UP grounds, I already felt the scholarly spirit. From the freshmen orientation, they taught me to be proud of myself, because I am in the only school in the Philippines, and that is no less than the “Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.” As I would later find out, there are only two schools in the Philippines, UP and others. And in my three years, I have endlessly heard my professors tell the whole class that we are among the best students in the country.

“Did you get it class? You should get it co’z you’re in UP for God’s sake! Otherwise you should transfer to another school, somewhere in Vitocruz!”

I’m sure you’ve heard some campus jokes already, and yes, they have been retold so many times by different professors-- especially about the school somewhere along Vitocruz. Heard it so many times, and in certain instances, I remembered laughing along too.

“You should be proud because you are the few students who passed UPCAT.”

***

THUG!!!

I came from Vitocruz. Three years ago, I was just a “kolehiyala,” clad in my uniform, wearing make-up, and walking along Vitocruz. Not anymore.

"Iska" ako ngayon dahil pinili kong maging “iska”.

Isa nga akong “iskolar ng bayan” ngayon, dahil ipinasa ko ang pagsusulit ng prestihiyosong unibersidad ng bansa.

I am a transferee who got in UP by answering an essay question. Easy? You wish!

***

Does being a transferee makes me less smart than the rest of the UP population?

Or does transferring to UP make me smarter than the classmates I left behind?

Why did I transfer then? Two things: Economical and academical reasons. Not an issue of whose smarter or any of the likes.

I transferred because like any other middle class family in this country, I could no longer afford the 4OK something tuition of my “kolehiyala” education.

I transferred because I am fulfilling my father’s dream of sending his children to UP.

I transferred because according to my relatives, UP is UP.

And they are right. I am indeed enjoying my university life. I am enjoying a certain freedom I never experienced in my former school. And like the rest of UP students, I am enduring the pressure that comes with being a UP student—great expectations from bright minds.

But then again, I wonder, does making fun of other schools and labeling the students in it make UP students smarter than the rest?

Of course not.

So why are the brightest minds of the country enjoy this triviality?


***

During an interview with my boss for my internship, he asked me, “Do you think UP is overrated?” Not contended with that question, he also asked this, “Do you believe that there are also dumb students in UP?”

My answer is a simple no. No, I do not think that UP is overrated because UP graduates are indeed brilliant people. UP students meet your expectations and in some cases, exceed it.

Secondly, I do not believe that there are dumb students in UP, or in any other school for that matter. There are no dumb students, only lazy ones. Being in UP does not exempt one from occasional procrastinations. I should know, I have had my share of this and have witnessed my classmates and friends went through this as well.

***

Like any other school, UP has its shortcomings as well, say a faulty enrollment system, or limited resources, or lazy ass know-it-all professors even. And this is exactly what life is; each has its own assets and liabilities.

I am proud to be an “iska,” like I am proud to be a “kulasa” then.

There are many undiscovered minds in the country that may not be in UP, but they are not less of who and what they are.

I have no problems with wearing my school name loud and proud as they say.

But I quote one of the most admired professors of my department on the t-shirt issue, “Why make such a BIG deal out of it?”

This is not a college sports fest nor is it a fancy tournament on who is better than who.

But I see a problem common to all schools, TOO MUCH school spirit.

You see, I think that the bright minds work in silence. Really.