Homecoming

I don’t think people realize how much of a big deal it is for me to be back here as a facilitator for the 4th Leadership & Management Perspectives in Higher Education Summit. After the summit, I informed UST's Vice-Rector for Student Affairs that I had attended the university but did not complete my degree. Her response, "Dapat pala welcome home. Thomasian pa rin. Alumnus pa rin." (I should have welcomed you home when I greeted you. You’re still an alumnus.) felt healing. Let me tell you why.

When I was about 10 years old, I came home from school with a flyer from España Tower. I told my mom I wanted to live there because I would study at UST. At 10, I already knew I was going to be a Thomasian.

I still remember the first day of classes in June of 2004. It was a time when Rexona's "First Day High" ad was popular, and its catchy tune was playing on repeat in my head. As I made my way from the main gate towards St. Raymund's building, I felt a rush of excitement, like a rollercoaster ride about to begin. Despite my usual anxiousness, I felt an unusual sense of comfort in that moment, as if I was meant to be there.

I also vividly remember the day I found out I had to leave the university two years after because of my excessive absences. I remember standing in line at St. Raymund's building, waiting to collect my report card, and feeling a sense of impending doom. I thought to myself, "This is it. I'm going to be debarred." Even though I expected it because I spent more time in bed than going to class, it was still difficult to take as an 18-year-old who thought his entire future is now in jeopardy.

I didn't understand what was wrong with me. I thought I was just lazy. I thought of other young people my age who didn't have the same opportunities as I did, and I was just throwing everything away because I couldn’t keep up with my studies. After transferring to Thames International Business School, my Psych 101 professor, who was also a psychiatrist, recognized that something was amiss. She was pleased with my academic performance since I was getting A's but was concerned that I would miss classes for several weeks at a time. After several consultations, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was terrifying but it helped me understand myself better.

I moved back home after that and chose a university that would allow me to see my family every weekend. I found a home in St. Paul University Philippines again. My friends, professors, and the dean, Ma'am Jeng, accommodated my needs the best they could. I found things to do that I enjoy, like the debate club and volunteering for community events. I excelled in classes that piqued my interest, such as law, entrepreneurship, marketing, and human resources. My biggest takeaway from my diverse university experience was recognizing my strengths and passions. However, I struggled to complete my general education subjects and ultimately couldn't finish college. After all, formal education in the Philippines is not a choose-your-own-adventure affair. It was not built for someone like me. Or maybe I wasn't built for it. At least that's what I thought.

Until my former debate coach, Dr. Giged Battung, told me about the Expanded Tertiary Education, Equivalency, and Accreditation Program, or ETEEAP. The ETEEAP program enables individuals to obtain a college degree by means of an evaluation procedure that gives credit to knowledge, competencies, work experience, and past education gained from related formal, informal, and non-formal education. That means if I work for at least five years, I could come back and present my work experience to graduate.

I worked hard, often because I felt like I had something to prove as the guy without a college degree in a job market that puts a premium on academic background. I dedicated myself to studying just as hard as I worked, but on my own terms.

Ultimately, I learned more from trying out new things and learning from my failures. Through hard work, luck, and dedication, I was able to prove myself in the job market and establish a career that I'm proud of. My unconventional path may have presented challenges along the way, but it also taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of following your passions, even if it means taking a different path than others.

I am fortunate enough to have earned a college degree through ETEEAP and a postgraduate degree from Spain. I recognize that I was privileged to have the opportunity to choose my own path and take risks, thanks to the unwavering support of my family.

I'm not saying everyone should do away with formal education. Structured education is important, but it's also crucial that students who do not fit into the standard mold are aware of and able to access alternative options.

The 4th Leadership & Management Perspectives in Higher Education Summit provided insights into the efforts being made by the academe and the government to provide support for students with varying strengths through microcredentials, credit transfer system, apprenticeship programs, and many more. I am grateful to ED Joyce Samaniego for giving me a chance to work here while learning from the panelists, the organizing team, and the other participants.

It feels great to be back here, welcomed by one of UST's highest-ranking officers, and working with my alma mater SPUP and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities. This means a lot to me. If only my 18-year-old self, who was kicked out of college, could see me now, he would make fun of me for my other life choices, but boy, he would be proud.