A visit to my alma mater

Scenic view of the UST Main Building (c) M.Pagulayan

Since my graduation, I rarely visit my alma mater. And I have to admit that I really miss college. I can still remember how my friends and I wish to graduate in just a snap. But while I'm currently busy with my professional career, the nostalgia of being a college student still creeps over me.

Just recently, I had a visit in my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas. As I walked past through its buildings, nothing much has changed in terms of its physical structure (except for the on-going constructions that started even before my graduation) – but the administration did change. During the opening of classes last June 4, UST installed its 96^th Rector, Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P. and its new Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P. This is one of the many things that I miss about college – to witness a milestone that will be forever etched in history.

I went straight to Tan Yan Kee Building, my second home in UST next to the Faculty of Arts and Letters. I can still see familiar faces like our friendly “Kuya” guards and janitors, colleagues from other student organizations and of course, my beloved org mates.

I stride past to room 3K, where TomasinoWeb, the University's official online based student organization, currently resides (by the way, I served as its president and VP Internal). It was nice seeing some of the new officers busy doing org matters as I came in. As I look at them, I can’t help but tell myself, “Grabe, parang kailan lang ginagawa ko rin yan kasama sila.” After a natter, I went upstairs to visit another dear organization of mine, the Becarios de Santo Tomas, scholars organization of UST.

They’re having the freshmen orientation for newly accepted scholars as I entered the Audio Visual Room. I gaily observed my then mentees (now officers of the org) as they interact with the new scholars and promote the organization.

In my five-hour visit, I feel like a student again – right in this building where I spent four wonderful years of my college life. And now as a full-fledged Thomasian alumna, I am proud to see how my colleagues have become leaders of their own. I am even prouder that I became part of their journey as their “ate” and mentor.

Looking forward to my next visit in UST with my co-officers and classmates as well. :)