Pagbutlak

By: Louiela Mataac

Choosing a university requires careful thought and deliberation. Let alone if a notable reputation is considered while building an unattainable standard, dilemmas should not be taken too lightly. Indeed, the University of the Philippines is its epitome. 

UP Alumni highlight that the UP system began as a modest institution in Manila with just about seven colleges. Yet today, it consists of 21 campuses propagated all over the Philippines, with eight component institutions and one freestanding university. This proves that the UP administration has outgrown its mission and continues to foster, grow, and reach several students nationwide. In fact, appeals and reconsideration are even open to several campuses once slots are available for certain degree programs. 

Just as how a former UP Visayas student opted to transfer to UP Los Baños, even if it meant it would reflect a delay in her academic journey as the degree program she was taking in Visayas does not align with her field of interest. This phenomenon opens doors of opportunities for students yet is also inclined towards a series of dilemmas, adjustments, and existential crises. 

As students, many factors are yet to be considered when entering college such as the location of the campus, degree program to pursue, and financial expenses. This is more than just tossing a coin and putting one’s fate where it lands – laying out options is a crucial part of one’s future, for it speaks about what path one will take. 

For John Carlo Bariuan, an appeal passer for the Communication and Media Studies program at UP Visayas, taking a degree program even though it’s not really his thing is like grabbing a one-in-a-million chance. Yet, transferring to another UP constituent unit still lingers.

“I considered transferring to another campus to pursue my dream course. But realizations came to me as I spent more than a year in this university and was introduced to shifting to another course and could possibly be a bridge towards [medical] field. All in all, I am glad to stay in UPV and still be able to attain my goals. Just an unfamiliar path, but I feel content,” said John.

Disregarding his home of origin to a huge shift on language barrier and culture difference, it is relatively easy to say that he accepted the opportunity the moment it aligned with his values and aspirations. 

For some, however, conflicts might arise once dilemmas are faced. Calista Dayea, a former CMS student at the UP Visayas and now a transferred student at the UP Los Banos, said that she don’t see themself thriving in their former degree program even though it’s only offered in UP Visayas.

“If I were to stay, I’d likely shift to another program. Additionally, [looking back to] a professor’s feedback that I may not be suited for [CMS] degree resonated with me. I agree, recognizing that my strengths lie in a different field,” they added.

This spearheads that the university’s geographical location is not really a barrier on one’s growth, learning, and field of study to pursue in the long run. Rather, it is the degree program and better opportunities offered that constitute to orbit as a student’s political turmoil. 

Indeed, UP is UP regardless of the campus. After all, it must be realized that transferring from one campus to another is a student’s privilege and personal choice. Revolving on their determination, realizations, and enthusiasm in carving their path toward success. 

Realistically, thinking and eventually deciding to transfer to another UP constituent unit is a continual flux of decisions, dealing with confusion, laying out the pros and cons of several junctures, aligning decisions with personal desires, and learning how to embrace the gray miasma of dilemmas. Whether one may be motivated to transfer to whatever campus fits their liking and they deem necessary, what matters is their ability to cultivate their craft, further hone their skills, and showcase their passion through a wide variety of degree programs offered in each UP unit.

While it is true that an excellent academic sphere is that each UP campus entails its own character and center of excellence and produces outstanding students, there are entirely no valid claims and discussions as to why UP constituent units are compared explicitly to each other. Undoubtedly, standards and stereotypes persist within the UP community, yet breaking its norms would be a vulnerable step to recognizing healthy dilemmas. 

The contrast among UP campuses are clearly evident, yet what matters the most is the iskolars who pursue their dreams, contribute to the community, and embody the essence of being an Iskolar ng Bayan—regardless of the UP campus they belong to. UP is not the same everywhere yet after all, the decisions made in this process are for them to make, not a role for others to take.