Regarded as one of the most difficult entrance exams in the Philippines, the University of the Philippines College Admission Test took place at various venues in the UPLB campus this October 5 -6.
In this video we see what the UPCAT takers and their parents have to say, in regards to their dreams, reasons, and expectations for the exam.
Last October 5 and 6 of 2019, The grounds of the University of the Philippines Los Baños was filled with numerous UPCAT takers from around the region accompanied by their parents and guardians, who are hopeful to become a part of UP and be called an isko and iska. It is recorded that there are more than 7000 applicants who took their UPCAT in UPLB.
Excitement and nervousness can be seen in their faces as they wait for their tests. I interviewed some of them to get their insights regarding my three questions: why UP, what were their preparations for the exam. and what does it means to them if they become an isko/iska.
Hana is an aspiring UPCAT taker that shared her insights about her whole UPCAT journey. She told me that ever since her elementary days, it is her primary goal to set foot and be a part of the university. Her preparations include a month of intensive review with the help of KAPWA that goes to her school and conduct review sessions every Saturdays. Lastly, she told me that it is a huge privilege to be a part of the university and become one of the Iskolars ng Bayan.
“If UP ka, iba ka.” she stated.
Norlyn is another UP hopeful who was accompanied by her mother Morelyn while waiting for her exam. She told me that she chose the University of the Philippines because for her, it is a well-known prestigious university and to be called an Iskolar ng Bayan is a privilege, not anyone can attain. Her mother explained that they cannot afford to enroll their daughter to review centers so her daughter opted for self-studying as well as studying with her friends & classmates. That became Norlyn’s primary preparation for the exam. Tita Morelyn also explained that it is a proud moment for her as a mother if her daughter passed the exam and become an iska. As for Norlyn, she jokingly says that she will be shocked and it will be unexpected if she passed UPCAT, due to its hard nature.
Even though these applicants are clearly nervous for whats to come, faith and hope can be clearly seen, shining in their eyes. Wishing a good luck to the more than 100 000 hopefuls as they embark their journey to the beginning of their future.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/198RNffjrWUbu_UQb9cERd4VfNH2hnxzY/view?usp=drivesdk
The UPCAT is both an invitation and a challenge for all aspiring future iskolars. It serves as the first rigorous tests of many, that a UP student faces. Some say its the easiest test you will experience in UP, others say its quite hard, but at the end of day it is a an entrance test. It is your key into the university.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=148BClg08RCfADT1DaMAL_9KBLtsEDifl
Leanne Ocampo, a grade 12 student from UP Rural Highs School was one of the hopeful takers of this years UPCAT. her dream course? Veterinary Medicine.
According to Leanne, science was her biggest obstacle during the test due to the fact that most of what she reviewed didn’t come out. She stressed on the importance of preparation and practice. She said that instead of stressing over the smaller details future takers should take more practice tests instead.
Overall she says she had enjoyed taking the UPCAT since it was her dream school. She remains hopeful to this day about the possibility of becoming a future iskolar ng bayan.
Many are invited but only few were chosen. This maybe is the harsh truth behind the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) conducted every year. Many Iskolar ng Bayan aspirants filled UPCAT testing centers last October 5 and October 6 with the aim to enter the university and be a certified Isko and Iska.
As students gather at the Oblation Park of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, I felt the need to know how their experience in UPCAT 2019 was. Here are some of responses I was able to gather.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1N6EXpZhKIkh40udGZXIaw9BUbEkQ_Do1
Friends of three, that was build since Junior High School chose to take the exam together. Hopefuls from Tiaong, Quezon: Kathleen Arellano who is still undecided of her course, James Sarmiento who wants to pursue Communication or Agriculture and Mark Calabia who wants to be a dentist someday chose to take the UPCAT together.
Some among them had similar reasons as to why they wanted UPLB as their collegiate university. James Sarmiento took UPCAT with the influence of his friends, while Mark took UPCAT for the opportunities that awaits its graduates in the future. The notion of everyone about the University of the Philippines as one of the most famous, competitive, and extraordinary university upholding its call for honor and excellence as “Iskolar ng Bayan, para sa Bayan” put pressure to Kathleen Arellano as an aspirant. She says her parents always have the phrase “UP yan!” and so they wanted her to pass the exam and be an Iska someday. On the other hand, James Sarmiento believes his parents doesn’t have any idea about how UPCAT works. Nonetheless, his parents showed their support financially.
Mark has a different story, he says his parents never intended to give him burden with regards taking UPCAT yet he was sure that even they don’t tell him directly they are still expecting him to pass the exam which according to him adds pressure and uneasiness as he took the entrance exam.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=18zf1xkB2QUOhgBSRryPX8LzHLejb6JGo
Also, I spotted two aspirants arguing along Oblation Park. They shared to us their points and views about the recently conducted UPLB UPCAT. Denise Castillon and Mark Ñusco are hopefuls from Cavite.
Denise took UPCAT because of opportunities his dad would always tell her. “Maraming oportunidad kapag nag-UP ka,” he would say. While Mr. Ñusco had the exam for conformity with his friends who also took the exam. For Denise, the UPCAT entrance exam was a battle of reminding the lessons she had ever since elementary and that if you won’t remember the most basic concepts, ideas, theories and/or philosophies it will be a very tough exam for you. “Yung mga nireview mo talaga (before UPCAT) parang plus points na lang yun, ang mahalaga talaganaintindihan mo yung bawat topic tapos ia-apply mo sa bawat questions.” Says Mark during the interview. Initially, Denise has no intention of taking the UPCAT exam, but her family encouraged her to show up for the one of the biggest college admission tests nationwide. They would tell her to keep going forward, “go lang.” she phrased. While Mark felt the overwhelming support of her parents who took care of everything he needs before the exam, with a bit of influence by his cousins whom some already graduated in the university. And so, he pursued to someday walk with a sablay.
Prayers since day 1. This is the greatest weapon Denise had in her before going to UPCAT. Along with your perseverance and courage. On the other hand, Mark appreciated his former teachers better, realizing that their eagerness to teach him different things is worth it for he benefitted a lot from it.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EONkeKtA523lVUGEo6d6jySe4Wu6aPAi
When asked about the final question: Sa pagpasok mo sa unibersidad, naniniwala ka bang isa kang Iskolar ng Bayan para sa Bayan? They responded:
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Denise Castillon
Yes! Isang-daang porsyento. Yes!
Mark Ñusco
It’s never bad to dream. But you must claim it in yourself. Abecause when you already passed UPCAT, fate has destined you for a selfless journey, and there is no turning back. Believe that you can, and nothing is impossible. I can still remember fresh in my mind how mind-boggling and mind-blowing UPCAT was. And yet I survived, and now I am surviving. I hope to hear you scream Iskolar ng Bayan para sa Bayan as well. Soon.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/13CqZwZPhIq0ZjV3q_pSgZ0HrNI6-HoDl?fd=true
Fields and pathways filled by students from different schools, shades occupied by parents who are patiently waiting, yes, it is the time of the year again. The UPCAT 2020 season…
Loaded with determination and the dream of becoming an Isko next academic year, Daniel Marquez is one of the thousand applicants who took the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) last October 5, Saturday. Marquez is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) student of Kapayaan National High School who aspires to be an engineering student in the University of the Philippines Los Baños.
UP, according to him, will give him not just free and quality education but also broad set of opportunities in the future. This is the very reason why he took the risk and accepted the UPCAT challenge.
Old notebooks and papers, past lectures, and simulation tests, these are the things that helped him in preparing for the said examination. According to him, the examination is both easy and hard. Easy because the questions are all in the high school lessons and lectures, and hard for the time is limited. Nevertheless, he still manage to answer the questions and finish the test. Despite the struggle that he experienced, he still gave a 3/5 confidence rate in passing the UPCAT 2020. At the end of our conversation, he boldly declare that whatever happens, he will be a student of the people and for the people. UPCAT is not the end, this is only the beginning.
by Marie Janille Berdin and Ray Anne Germia
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/188K3lLJ9H_8bD5xER3qwN1Wi_dgSe4I0
It took much more than sleepless nights, cups of coffee, blood, sweat and tears for thousands of University of The Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) aspirants to prepare for their big day. Senior high school students coming from different schools flocked the UP Los Baños UPCAT testing centers last October 5 and 6, 2019.
The aspiring iskolars came more than two hours before their scheduled exam time and hailed from different areas around Los Baños like San Pablo, Biñan and Batangas. Some of them even brought their parents along with them to support them throughout their UPCAT journey.
We talked to Mr. Nilo Perez and his daughter, Kyla Perez, who was anxiously waiting for her turn to go inside the testing room and take the UPCAT. They came from Sta. Rosa, Laguna and they were already waiting for almost three hours under the shade of the trees in the CEM area. Kyla wanted to take up BS Biology in UP Los Baños and said that she really wanted to study in UP. In order to prepare for the admission test, for months, she has been reviewing for at least 30 minutes per day.
As a parent, Mr. Perez also feels as nervous as his daughter since he has also experienced taking the UPCAT during his time. Though anxious, he also feels excited for his daughter who’ll finally take the exam after months of hard work and preparation and aside from the emotional support, Mr. Perez also helped his daughter by giving her financial support in order for her to buy reviewers. Despite the pressure and the nerve-wracking atmosphere, the father and daughter hope for a positive result regarding UPCAT and are looking forward for the days to come.
Just like the the both of them, thousands of students and their family members hope to attain the privilege and honor of entering the most prestigious and recognized university in the Philippines. Some say that entering UP is difficult, but surviving and leaving is a lot more than that. However, no matter how hard the journey may get, an iskolar should always strive to do his/her best not only for him/herself but also for others, especially for our nation and its people.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EdCf9ZCHnVBgbuzIMeZCBvyyFkUt3IPa/view
October 5 marked the first day of the most-awaited entrance exam of the University of the Philippines – the UPCAT, where aspiring students from different parts of the Philippines take. It is an exam that not only tests your intellectual capabilities, but also to test the strength of your character and how you’ll manage to come through even if all the odds seems to be against you.
Kathleen Canonio, an 18-year-old STEM student from FSUU, was excited to take the exam.
“Last summer, I was so hyped to take the UPCAT. It died down a few weeks before the exam, but eventually came back on the day of the actual exam. Praying na unta maka pasa mi duha sa akong brother.” (I’m praying that my brother and I will pass)
Kathleen Canonio, 2019
What she aspires to be is to become a professional in the medical field. This led her to a conclusion that what she really wants to take up is either BS Nursing or BS Biology , which will serve as a pre-med course. When asked which campuses she chose, she answered, “UP Manila is my first choice and second is UP Los Baños.”
After the UPCAT, she was able to cite some insights. One, is she found mathematics and science the most difficult part of the exam. Second, is how none of what she prepared or reviewed for actually came out of the exam. She was devastated. Though after a while, she quietly reassured herself that all will be well.
SO, WHY UP?
“I know I will get the quality education that I need that will help me in the future.”
Kathleen Canonio, 2019
A few days after the UPCAT, I overheard a group of students discussing about how the exam went, and one particular student asked: “Ginamit nyo ba ang power of C?” which really had me laughing, for I remember using it so many times when I took the exam myself.
Yes, the UPCAT may be quite overwhelming but we must always remember that a true Iskolar ng Bayan will never back down from a challenge.
It is the time of the year. This October 5-6 is the annual college entrance examination of the University of the Philippines. Many believe in the quality education UP offers; hence, students want to be part of this university.
Jane Madelaine Lapena is an aspiring Iskolar. She prepared for the UPCAT by enrolling in a review center. She aims to be accepted under the program of BS Biology here in UPLB.
Mang Ernie and Aling Doyen supported their child’s desire to enter UP. They stated that ever since she was in junior high school this is Ellaine’s dream school. They said that because of their faith in God, they believe that she will pass the UPCAT.
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