In the University of Santo Tomas, a renowned pontifical, royal and Catholic University with 400 years of proud history, she sends off her graduates with a Baccalaureate Mass that ends with a bang - pyromusicals, loud merrymaking, and the symbolic passage under the Arch of the Centuries, signifying that one has successfully earned his or her right to be called a Thomasian. I've had the privilege to experience my first Baccalaureate Mass last 2010, when the University conferred my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry.
Last March 21 I once again experienced the Baccalaureate Mass - this time as a graduating Masters student. Truth be told the excitement was no longer the same. The poignant characteristic of the Mass would linger more with the undergraduates, and maybe graduate students who took their degrees outside UST, but not from former alumni. It was fun and you will be proud to tell the world, a Thomasian is here. Excitement wise...maybe I've outgrown it.
Today my beloved alma mater again conferred me another degree - my Master of Science major in Chemistry degree. The Graduate School is very honored to have our Very Reverend Father Rector to confer us our hard-earned - as I may quote - our second/third sheepskin. In the graduation ceremony you can see the prim and proper demeanor of the graduate students: classy and mature. Instead of the tassel being moved from right to left, the academic cap is imposed on the graduate student.
Obtaining this graduate degree was no walk in the park. There were academics whose requirements were too much to handle. I logged in critical hours in the laboratory to finish experiments. I supervised and guided undergraduate students, even though they sometimes cost me my sanity. I cried my lungs out when I failed, more so when people I trust disappointed me. I almost passed out from sleepless nights rushing my manuscript for defense.
There's always something rewarding after every hardship. I aced my academics. I finished and defended my masteral thesis on a benemeritus honor. Most undergraduate students I 'mentored' became real close to my heart. I was able to present my studies orally to my colleagues in national and international meetings. I am afraid to fail, but this graduate student life taught me that in order to succeed, you have to taste failure and start all over again. In the end, everything paid off.
To my mentors - thank you for pushing me beyond my limits, and sometimes stretching my patience. To my students - thank you for letting me guide you, teach you, and be friends with you.
To my parents - my degrees and my medal are for you!
I hang my Masteral academic gown for now. Until my next academic pursuit!
