Mabuhay and pag-asa ng bayan (2x)

I made it a point to finish my graduate studies before 2008. I officially graduated last October. Actually it should have been much sooner than that, but as Life would rather have it, I didn’t. My friends and I experienced delays (what would grad school be without them?): thesis roadblocks – except Mark who finished his thesis in a record “less than” one year! and Vir who took the comprehensive exam instead of the thesis path – extra subjects, office work, plain procrastination (of which I am the queen), and other such reasons. It so happened then that the four of us – Len, Mark, Vir and I – would find ourselves marching together, among 4000+ other Centennial graduates of the University of the Philippines.

I should probably say that I’m too old for this. After all, I already attended my undergrad commencement exercises five years ago, how would this be any different? Truth be told it did feel a little bit silly, sitting beside 20-year-olds who were laughing at the guest speaker, repeating the words he was mispronouncing as if it made them feel better to know they could pronounce the word “privilege” better. It took all of my patience not to scold them for showing disrespect to the man on the stage, who is infinitely more distinguished and respectable than they are. I realized that the five-year difference between me and those kids does matter – maybe I’m more uptight now? Hahaha.

Then again I’m not yet too old. Not too old to feel happy and giddy and proud, standing beside my friends and colleagues and marking another milestone in our lives, on UP's 100th year no less. Not too old to appreciate the immense support of our professors and mentors/”surrogate parents” who guided us and showed us by example how we could help society as environmental planners. Not too old to feel the love of family and friends who saw our professional lives unfold. Not too old to express our gratitude and honor by actually finishing what we started. And definitely not yet too old to be running across the road in high heels and formal wear because we were late for our own graduation! Yes, the tunganga brigade strikes again! Much too much merrymaking – not to mention long speeches – at the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning Recognition Program (which ended 10 minutes before the university graduation), and our insistence on walking from UP-SURP to the UP Ampitheater (most sustainable form of transport eh hehe) meant that thousands of other graduates were already seated when we arrived huffing and puffing, trying to hide behind students we didn’t know and melting under the unbearable heat of the summer sun. It didn’t help that those around us were nicely made up and calmly fanning themselves. Not a strand of carefully curled hair out of place!

But all’s well that ends well. We had a blast throughout. I fumbled only a little (hehe) with my sablay, we didn’t forget to take photos of the UP@100 sign, and I felt great singing UP Naming Mahal once again – fist in the air and singing the last two lines as loudly as I could. Never too old for that. :)

photos at http://larababeh.multiply.com/photos

Special thanks to Edison, EnPraxis partner and official photographer/PA. Di bale, when your time comes to graduate, there'll be a minimum of four cameras pointed at you ;)