The Varsitarian

I CAME across a painting titled, “There’s Nothing Glorious About Dying. Anyone Can Do It” and thought the artist was right—life expires and it is nothing out of the ordinary.

But what most people don’t see is that those who cease to exist may have the best seats in the house since the glory comes in the afterlife. Those who took the righteous path during the course of their lifetime would bask under God’s overflowing incandescence and would share every abstract space with all the angels and saints should they enter their final destination.

But what if someone close to you dies by his own hand? After all, Catholic teaching has always given me the impression that there is only one verdict for those who commit suicide. read more »

FOR THE record, summer has never been that cold, not because of climate change but of a broken friendship.

It all started two years ago, when we became connected through our common friends. He is a typical eye-catcher, the type I never thought I’d become close to. We enjoyed each other’s company through shallow jokes and pointless conversations. In my moments of self-doubt, he was there to boost my self-esteem.

He cared for me, until a daring confession ended it all.

It felt like playing an extra in my own movie, instructed to strut in front of the leading man who would never give his glance to a girl like me. My role ended at the instant I walked past him. read more »

YEARS AGO, I bumped into a familiar face while I was walking on campus with a friend.  I never bothered to smile, nor did I do anything to call his attention.  After he walked past us, I told my friend that he was my brother.  With doubt and confusion, she asked, “Kuya mo siya? Ba’t hindi kayo nag-usap?”

This was always the question people asked me about my overlooked encounters with my brother.  And I always answered that we were not close. read more »

THE OVERUSED saying goes, “No man is an island.”

This may be true in several aspects, considering that man is a socially thriving being who devotes time meeting people and making friends. Without social interaction, man deteriorates and loneliness soon takes over.

At some point in their lives, children become acquainted with loneliness. It may be because their parents are too busy to be with them, or because they feel isolated by their peers. This is something I experienced as a child. I never really got to fully interact with people near my age group. For the longest time, I had only my nannies, parents, and cousins by my side, which I thought could have hindered the development of my social skills. read more »

LIFE as a high school student in UST was my son Tyrel’s best, so he lived it to the fullest.

In 1994, when Tyrel Napoleon passed the UST Pay High School entrance examination, he told me that he jumped so high with one fist raised to the heavens as he shouted, “Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessing!”

As an incoming freshman, Tyrel became excited yet apprehensive, knowing that high school meant more rigid schedules and serious studies just to achieve his own personal goals. But he had his ambitions and dreams with all his plans underway. It was in UST that Tyrel became focused—his moral values were molded, his direction became clear. He was proud to become a Thomasian.

Tyrel was also a kind and patient friend. No matter how busy and absorbed he was in his studies, he would find time to listen to his classmates’ problems and to give advice when needed. He was truly concerned for those who sought his help.  read more »

STANDING beside a bedridden old man while compressing his artificial breathing mask wasn’t my idea of spending that sunny July afternoon. While other students in the campus were enjoying the great weather outside, I was stuck inside a cold hospital room, monitoring the old man.

He could not turn, speak, or open his eyes fully. His grave condition made it difficult for him to even breathe on his own will. In the field where life and death is a day to day matter, I was ironically afraid that he might lose his life anytime soon. But after seeing how his nurses dealt with his condition with utmost care, I felt assured that this man was in good hands. At that point, I once again began to wonder if I was in the right path like them. read more »

WHENEVER I read newspapers back in high school, I never really give attention to the names of the writers in the paper. In the first place, what filled most of the pages of the paper were not the repetitious vain-glorious names of the writers, but the way the writers conveyed events and emotions coupled with pictures to effectively give a clear view of who, what, when, where, how and why.

In my sophomore year, I entered the Varsitarian and it was like shooting blindly in the dark. It was on a dare that I tried for the publication, and luckily, I passed. I was one of the ten or so people out of around 70 applicants who passed the specialized exams held until the evening of Oct. 21, 2007. I was given a writer position, but I refused, knowing that I couldn’t handle the responsibilities as a writer and a student at the same time. Thus, I asked to become a regular contributor.  read more »

WHILE hearing an anticipated Mass two months ago, I heard FJ, my section editor, declaring that he was close to sighting 50 backpacks with the exact design after seeing another one among the throng of churchgoers. Earning a curious look from me, he explained that it was a personal challenge to find 50 bags and then make a wish after that.  read more »

“In my trouble I called to the Lord; I called to my God for help. In His temple He heard my voice; He listened to my cry for help.” — 2 Samuel 22:7

“I NEED you Lord.”

This was the only line I uttered as I restlessly knelt in front of the altar one Friday evening.  read more »

“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity.” — I Timothy 4:12

SOMETIMES, when our elders give opinions that clash with ours, we find it very to reason out and tell them they are wrong out of respect for them. And when we do speak up, we get pounded by a hail of reprimands and sometimes hurtful words, or are simply ordered to shut up. They usually say, “You are still young, listen to us first.”  read more »