Points Of View
by The Ugly Duckling
(August-September 2000)
It all started with a letter I wrote in the
historic logbook of our org - a
letter so intense that I felt the beat of my heart in every character that
emblazoned the paper. Then somebody took the time to read it and eventually
became fascinated with my concerns that prompted her to recommend my letter
to be published. Hence, my sudden rise to fame. I was offered a column in
the newsletter and I grabbed it, for I felt that if there's one way by which
I can be of service to this league, it would be this - voicing out the
sentiments of the majority and the concerns of everybody which often
remained unexpressed.
With this pilot release of my column, I wish to commend each and every
Alchemist for being one with our league's pursuit of our governing ideas and
aspirations - for always having kept our fingers crossed in the hope that we
would be able to see through all the challenges that come our way. So far,
we have been making out well, considering that we are still young and many
differences remained to be compensated. I congratulate everyone for having
the initiative to check on upcoming activities by the org. We were able to
prove that our lack of tambayan was never a hindrance; furthermore, it has
enhanced the sense of responsibility and awareness in us.
Actually, whenever non-Alchemists would hear praises about the org, almost
everyone would put in "wala naman kayong tambayan." And that is the wonder
of it all. Even though we do not have a nest of our own, we always see to it
that we are aware of the org's activities and our responsibilities as
members. It amazes me lately how a large number of participants would turn
out in support of the org's projects and activities, or how members of a
committee would enthusiastically look forward for meetings in front of the
Eng'g lib, or how proudly some diligent people would post announcements on
the walls and boards of Eng'g. We have been responding very well that
it makes me wonder, if we are doing great even without a tambayan, just how
many times greater will the turnout of our actions be if there is a higher
probability that everyone would be informed of the activities? We can never
tell that somehow our being homeless has unconsciously made us exert an
extra effort to know our orgmates so that when we see them outside, due
acknowledgement may be rendered.
Sometimes I think that the fact that we are young and the struggles we are
going through have made us bond closer to each other, feeling that no one
believes in us and we are alone against the world. In fact, we have made the
presence of each other something like a security blanket - a shield amidst a
world of apathy and indifference. It isn't bad in any way but I fervently
hope that security is not the sole reason for our bonding. I hope that like
me, we also long for our organization to make a mark in the history of the
university - that the day would come when UP ALCHEMES won't just be an
ordinary like the rest but an institution that has established its way
towards the top learning from the mistakes of the yesterday and inspired by
the awaiting future.
In a way I am also grateful that some remains passive and patient with
regard to our detractors for should everyone be as reactive as I am, we
would be a radical movement - always on the go asking for changes and fair
treatment. At least, there are people to neutralize my impulsive violent
reactions. But let it be the limit for if we allow them to put us down, we
may not be able to stand up again. Though I believe that a true warrior
grows more valiant when wounded, I also believe that a dead warrior can
never fight in the battlefield again. So go on surviving even though we are
deprived of air in the sea of life, go on surviving - struggle harder - for
its never over unless we stop breathing... its never over unless the curtain
closes the stage play we're in...
back to top
