Visiting the UP Diliman Campus

I returned back to the UP Campus in Diliman to secure from the Registrar’s office my and my sisters' transcripts of record who graduated several decades ago.

The feeling was nostalgic following application procedures, filling out forms, tracking steps and paying at the cashier. It brought back memories of deva ju remembering the same landmarks at the campus.

The experience was pleasant as the frontliners I’ve encountered have strong service orientation starting from the valet at the UP Admin office, the female guards at the UP Admission office and Cherrie, the frontliner handling the Transcript Window.

1st I found out that the Registrar’s office was no longer at the Admin building behind the oblation but along T. M. Kalaw about a hundred meters behind the AS Faculty Center. The valet near the oblation correctly gave me directions on how to reach the area.

At the Registrar’s office at the 2/F of a relatively new edifice, there were adequate information on forms and processes on how to go about the request. Since I was the only applicant that morning, Cherrie behind the glass counter attended to my inquiries promptly, politely and quickly. She probed for some compliance to checklist before committing to the release of the transcripts.

To my pleasant surprise, the published 2 to 3 month processing waiting can be shortened provided conditions are met such as clearances, correct data and applicants’ academic status. It helped that the original documents are in place, online data are updated, clearances were accomplished and the staff was well informed and customer centered. I was shown the class cards, some forms with my signature, college handwriting and photographs which flashed back my cherished recollections of college where I enjoyed learning immensely anything that comes my way.  I looked forward to attending each class everyday because there were new discoveries per session.  I recall having no absences including military training in my 4 year education.

That short 15 minute visit at the campus made me feel good and proud to be an alumnus of the university in spite of the impending Typhoon Juaning projected to hit Metro Manila early in the afternoon.

I enjoyed my college because education then was my life and nothing got in the way for me to get the most from it. For this, I am grateful to my parents.

What is beyond Malasimbo?

What is beyond Malasimbo? I would ask that question each time we climb that mountain off Puerto Galera in Mindoro. Itchy feet pinoymountaineer discovered in a dayhike there are two other mountains beyond. Danger lurks.

Rome and the Fil-Italia

Rome is home to thousands of overseas Filipino workers mostly domestic helpers.

Tagged as today’s heroes for their contribution in driving the Philippine economy, they to me symbolize industriousness, risk taking and sacrifice. They leave home for a better future not for themselves but for their family.

Our hosts, active in embassy activities exposed us to several social gatherings where families enjoy simple gathering, sampling Italian and Filipino food and playing familiar Pinoy card games.

Almost all can speak Italian, their kids speaking as fluent if not sounding real Italian. You would hear success and a lot of sad stories mainly related to health and domestic issues.

Gladly, there is a Filipino community bonded to provide simple assistance if possible. Like instructions on how to go to the airport, how to remit money with minimal surcharges, how to ship cargo to loved ones in Batangas, Tarlac, Samar and other provinces and the most popular concern, the status of my and my families Italian citizenship.

We see them in groups and in pairs, in the park on a Sunday afternoon, in a debate at a downtown bar, mass held at the Coleggio, a dormitory of Filipino priests studying in Rome in buses, train terminals and literally everywhere.

There appears to be no traces of loneliness in their faces as they enjoy the privileges, amenities and the Italian lifestyle.

One thing Cecilia and I experienced, they are more than willing to help co-Filipinos. On our 1st independent train ride where we were figuring out which was North and South, a young man in his twenties from Leyte came to our rescue. He narrated his success stories and diversions to keep him busy. He even willingly took our picture together. When I asked if I can take his picture, he politely declined saying, “Huwag na lang po!”

Storyline

I caught Part Two of  Raymond Manalo's story in Storyline on ANC Cable 27 Thursday night. Still saying the same story, he is psyching himself up for a face to face with the military this July.

Supplementing the story are cases of missing activists picked up in Mindoro and in Los Banos Laguna. King Catoy narrated the Mindoro incidence.

How do your struggles at work and with friends compare with theirs?

Related story posted in Bikyamasr.