Category: Week 09

Cedric Allen Katigbak, Kristina Isabel Perez, and Karen Anne Vargas from the UP College of Development Communication asked the 2020 UPCAT takers and their parents about their experiences before and during the entrance examination. 

Cedric Allen Katigbak, Kristina Isabel Perez, and Karen Anne Vargas from the UP College of Development Communication asked the 2020 UPCAT takers and their parents about their experiences before and during the entrance examination

Cedric Allen Katigbak, Kristina Isabel Perez, and Karen Anne Vargas from the UP College of Development Communication asked the 2020 UPCAT takers and their parents about their experiences before and during the entrance examination.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1J8r3XoK9Lf9r5vW9rpfsB-0EIj9l3ux-

Every year, thousands of students from different places gather at UPLB to take the very famous University of the Philippines College Admission Test, also known as, UPCAT. 7,800 aspirants took the UPCAT 2020 in hopes of becoming a future Iskolar ng Bayan.

As early as 5 am, together with the aspirants and their families, I started roaming around UPLB to look for students which I can interview for this write up. Seeing how long lines started to build up made me feel very nostalgic. Two years ago, I was also one of them; a student hoping to enter her dream university. Now, I am already here, living my dream.

As I walk and take pictures of the event, I saw my former schoolmate together with her friend waiting in line in front of the CAS Annex 2 building. Without second thoughts, I immediately approached them.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1J8r3XoK9Lf9r5vW9rpfsB-0EIj9l3ux-

This is Mary Jazzelle M. Magpantay, an 18 year old student of Malayan Colleges Laguna. She was my former schoolmate back when I was still in junior high school. She aims to be a Chemical Engineer someday.

According to her, she wants to enter the university for a reason that this is one of the best schools in the Philippines and it has no tuition fee. However, she was not able to attend review centers so all she did was to study all by herself in preparation for the exam.

“Gabi-gabi ko pong pinagpepray and sinusurrender sa Kanya ang lahat. Dahil po ron naisip ko po na, if UP is for me, God will give it to me po. If not, I know naman po na may better plan siya sa’kin.” This is her last statement before they entered the building.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1J8r3XoK9Lf9r5vW9rpfsB-0EIj9l3ux-

Jazzelle was accompanied by her family on the day of the exam. Full of support, her mother told me that no matter what the results will be, she’d still be proud of her daughter for doing her best.

After the exam, I went back to the campus to interview her friend regarding her experience .

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1J8r3XoK9Lf9r5vW9rpfsB-0EIj9l3ux-

This is Sarah Lynn Cedeño, a 17 year old student of St. John Colleges in Calamba. She chose Agribusiness Management as her first choice in the UPCAT since this is the only business-related program that interests her in UPLB.

Unlike Jazzelle, Sarah attended review centers in preparation for the exam. Also, she wasn’t accompanied by anyone in her family since they have work to go to. However, she stated that she still felt their utmost support nonetheless.

Regarding her experience, she said that the only challenged she faced during the exam was the mix-up of information and confusion because of the time pressure which made her end up with educated guesses.

“Every hula ko po sinasabi ko nalang na ‘Lord, ikaw na pong bahala sa’kin’” she stated.

UPCAT definitely is a big deal for those who badly want to enter the university. However, this should not be the basis of one’s intelligence.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1J8r3XoK9Lf9r5vW9rpfsB-0EIj9l3ux-

Before they head back home, I told them that I am looking forward to see them together next year in UPLB, fighting for the battle college will bring. And together, we will uphold honor and excellence. Para sa bayan. Para sa bayan!

By Topinio, Genesis; Pasion, Shann Elyse; Agulto, Mia

“Mahirap. Mahaba. Para masabi kong busy ako. Nakakanerbyos.”

These are the words Nica, Jan, Francesca, and Sophia used to describe the UPCAT. The group had come from San Pedro, near Muntinlupa, for the first batch of UPCAT takers on October 6, 2019.

Cramming had been their answer when we asked them how they prepared for the UPCAT.

“Tamang skimming, scanning lang,”

Francesca, 2019

—of their lessons, as the workload of senior high had eaten majority of their time. they admit that they weren’t able to prepare as much as they’d like. And so, to help their chances, they plan to apply to as many colleges as they can. However, they the UPCAT is one of the tests they most hoped to pass.

Majority of the group are planning to take engineering programs, with Francesca being the only who is taking med. Part of the reason she wants to pass UP is because it is one of the few universities who offer the program she is applying. The others said that the reason they want to pass is because of the many opportunities that come with being a student in UP.

“Sa una na pressure, kasi yung environment kakaiba yung aura.”

We were able to catch Jericho with his mom, Galiza, just after taking the UPCAT, and this was his answer when we asked how it went. They had also come from San Pedro, and had woken up at 2AM to make it to the morning session.

“Puyat na puyat kaya we’re making the most of the campus na!”

Galiza explains that just before the interview they had been taking pictures around the campus, as UP had also been her dream university when she was younger. Now that it’s her son’s turn at the UPCAT, she’s sure that he will pass.

Jericho plans to take BS Chem, BS Bio, or an engineering program. And says that he had prepared for the UPCAT by himself,

“Sariling sikap lang,”

he says. When he mentions that he is also planning to take other universities’ entrance exams, his mom assures him of the many good qualities of UP, encouraging him to choose the university.

“Alam ko nang papapsa ang anak ko!”

Galiza, 2019

After the first few harrowing months here in UP meeting such hopeful students is like a breath of fresh air. Even if they didn’t sound like it at first. When we asked about the programs they’d like to take, and listened the lengths to which they prepared for the test, you could hear it in their voices. 

From studying for months, to studying just the night before, by themselves or in a review centre. These UPCAT takers came prepared, and despite the uncertainty in their voices, they didn’t just come to UP with the hope of taking the test and going, they came here with hopes and dreams of their own. The bragging rights of taking the UPCAT is just a bonus or so we’re told.

It was a nostalgic experience being able to talk to them, as well as a motivating one, as afterwards it seemed like their hope had rubbed off on me. They reminded me that I had my own aspirations for applying in UP, and now that I’m here I need to keep them in mind, so I can’t let myself get overwhelmed.

To all the students who took the UPCAT, thank you. You didn’t just apply to UP, you applied to be in service of the people, to be an iskolar ng bayan. And I can’t wait to see you next year!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LKNLuvh3pO1YCqXYnku56Vf5BRGHvWvQ

Once you enter the testing center, there’s no turning back. That’s what hit me in my UPCAT days. And now, interviewing aspiring Iskolars ng Bayan during UPCAT 2020 brought back many memories when it was my time taking the exam. As expected, it was not easy and it was a long process.

Every year, hundred thousand of aspirants were taking University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) hoping for them to have the chance to be an Isko/Iska.

One of the aspirants is Ruth Jercy Baquiran, a Grade 12 student of Regional Science High School for Region 2 (RSHS-02). University of the Philippines is her ideal school for its quality education which nurtures and open not just one’s mind but also heart in consciousness on what’s happening in our nation and to have deeper knowledge on issues.

Last October 5, the day has finally come, the day she has been waiting for so long. As she entered the testing center, she realized that her rivals are not just all the other examinees but also herself. So, she just focused on her strengths even though she knew that there were so many more intelligent than her and finally trusted and laid down all her worries to God.

But after the exam, the exhausting day was replaced by being thankful and happy as she saw her friends waiting for her and greeted each other ‘Congratulations’.

Her story is just one of the 100,000 examinees but their dreams unite them as one, that is to be an ISKOLAR NG BAYAN!

October 5, 2019. How was life before UPCAT?

Isang pagbati mula sa UPLB! Sa araw na ito, aalamin natin ang mga dahilan at paghahanda ng aspiring Isko at Isko ng bayan. Halina’t samahan ninyo kaming mag-ikot, makigulo at mamigay ng Stick-O sa loob ng campus ngayong UPCAT 2020!

“Mahirap. Mahaba. Para masabi kong busy ako. Nakakanerbyos.”

These are the words Nica, Jan, Francesca, and Sophia used to describe the UPCAT. The group had come from San Pedro, near Muntinlupa, for the first batch of UPCAT takers on October 6, 2019.

Cramming had been their answer when we asked them how they prepared for the UPCAT.

“Tamang skimming, scanning lang,”

Francesca, 2019

—of their lessons, as the workload of senior high had eaten majority of their time. they admit that they weren’t able to prepare as much as they’d like. And so, to help their chances, they plan to apply to as many colleges as they can. However, they the UPCAT is one of the tests they most hoped to pass.

Majority of the group are planning to take engineering programs, with Francesca being the only who is taking med. Part of the reason she wants to pass UP is because it is one of the few universities who offer the program she is applying. The others said that the reason they want to pass is because of the many opportunities that come with being a student in UP.

“Sa una na pressure, kasi yung environment kakaiba yung aura.”

We were able to catch Jericho with his mom, Galiza, just after taking the UPCAT, and this was his answer when we asked how it went. They had also come from San Pedro, and had woken up at 2AM to make it to the morning session.

“Puyat na puyat kaya we’re making the most of the campus na!”

Galiza explains that just before the interview they had been taking pictures around the campus, as UP had also been her dream university when she was younger. Now that it’s her son’s turn at the UPCAT, she’s sure that he will pass.

Jericho plans to take BS Chem, BS Bio, or an engineering program. And says that he had prepared for the UPCAT by himself,

“Sariling sikap lang,”

he says. When he mentions that he is also planning to take other universities’ entrance exams, his mom assures him of the many good qualities of UP, encouraging him to choose the university.

“Alam ko nang papapsa ang anak ko!”

Galiza, 2019

After the first few harrowing months here in UP meeting such hopeful students is like a breath of fresh air. Even if they didn’t sound like it at first. When we asked about the programs they’d like to take, and listened the lengths to which they prepared for the test, you could hear it in their voices. 

From studying for months, to studying just the night before, by themselves or in a review centre. These UPCAT takers came prepared, and despite the uncertainty in their voices, they didn’t just come to UP with the hope of taking the test and going, they came here with hopes and dreams of their own. The bragging rights of taking the UPCAT is just a bonus or so we’re told.

It was a nostalgic experience being able to talk to them, as well as a motivating one, as afterwards it seemed like their hope had rubbed off on me. They reminded me that I had my own aspirations for applying in UP, and now that I’m here I need to keep them in mind, so I can’t let myself get overwhelmed.

To all the students who took the UPCAT, thank you. You didn’t just apply to UP, you applied to be in service of the people, to be an iskolar ng bayan. And I can’t wait to see you next year!

Looking back years ago, I was also one of the aspirants who wanted to enter the premier state university of the country. But before entering the university you must pass its first examination, the University of the Philippines College Admission Test or simply UPCAT. There are thousands of aspirants who dare to take the challenge every year, but only a small percentage qualified. It was a battle for dreams, brains, and pressures of young students who wanted to pursue college in a university offering a proven globally competitive education, practice of self-expression and have working facilities.

Last weekend (October 5 & 6) was the day that UP aspirants have waited to dare to take the test. This year the third batch of the K-12 curriculum tried their luck to take the exam. With them are their dream careers and guided motivations in life with one goal, the faith that UP is the best instrument that can help them achieve their ambition. UPLB is one of the testing centers that accommodated thousands of takers, parents, and guardians from Laguna and nearby provinces.

Then as I walk around the campus I saw in the faces of the takers a mix of anxiousness that they won’t pass the exam and courageousness to reach their ambition. I met and had interviews with some students, parents and/or guardians and asked them what does the UP have and many students are trying their luck to enter and study here in the university. They shared their reasons why they wanted to be part of the university while parents have expressed her thoughts about supporting her child’s dream to enter the academe.

“Bakit UP?”

Kindly click the link to see the photo.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ay_deyN-Ks15jf7qbEVHnNuR0uGDpDLR?usp=sharing

She is Angela Mahinay, 17 years old, from San Pablo City, Laguna is a student of Laguna State Polytechnic University – San Pablo City Campus, currently taking Accountancy, Business, and Management Strand. She said wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in UP Diliman or Bachelor of Science in Statistics in UP Los Baños.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ay_deyN-Ks15jf7qbEVHnNuR0uGDpDLR?usp=sharing

He is Andrei Earl Salazar, 17 years old, from San Pablo City, Laguna is a student of Laguna College, currently taking Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Strand. He said wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, here in UPLB.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ay_deyN-Ks15jf7qbEVHnNuR0uGDpDLR?usp=sharing

He is Darryl Jan T. Canoso, 17 years old, from San Pablo City, Laguna is a student of Laguna College, currently taking Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Strand. He said wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, here in UPLB.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ay_deyN-Ks15jf7qbEVHnNuR0uGDpDLR

She is Angelica Carsola, 44 years old, from Pacita, San Pedro, Laguna, is a Call Center Agent and mother of one of the UPCAT takers. This was her experience while waiting for her daughter it was tiring, she waited for her daughter for almost 6 hours and they experienced terrible traffic.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ay_deyN-Ks15jf7qbEVHnNuR0uGDpDLR?usp=sharing

She is Vanessa V. Cruz, 40 years old, from San Pedro, Laguna is a Housewife and mother of one of the UPCAT takers. This was her experience while waiting for her daughter it was wearisome.

If you failed UPCAT, it won’t make you a lesser person. But passing UPCAT is the start of responsibility to improve other’s lives and serving the people. With determination, hard work, and love for the country YOU can enter UP. Do whatever it takes. Padayon! Iskolar ng Bayan, Para sa Bayan!