Graduation day! (photo courtesy of Pat Buenaobra, Marvin Panganiban, Grace Libero)

March 23

March 23, 2012 marked some personal memorable moments. One, it was my birthday. Second, it signaled the almost end of my college journey and the start of a new chapter.

The 2008 batch from the University of Santo Tomas simultaneously passed under the monumental Arch of the Century. UST has this legend that undergraduate students must never cross the arch if they want to successfully finish their supposed four or five year-college stay. Hence, for almost four years, I resisted the urge to pass under the archway! Haha.

UST baccalaureate mass would not go by without completing traditions such as writing on another student's uniform and goofing around the fountain. Unfortunately, UST turned off the fountains ahead of scheduled time! Ergo, we failed to cap off our celebration with playing in the fountain.

my vandalized uniform!

I was very happy and grateful that I was able to march under the Arch together with the people whom I walked with four years ago. We made it friends!

Flame

Our first and last photo op.
Editors & Editorial Board: Ardi, Cam, Marianne, Jenn, Azer, Angel and Eli.
So long, Flamers!

firsts...

The remaining months of my University-stay have been full of initial experiences. Apparently, I’ve been making the most out of the lingering days of my college life, and I’m not regretting any of them.

(P.S. While still keeping my morals LOL)

Get togethers, singles’ night out, later-than-usual home arrival, V-day party (sort of, with my friends) and other “shenanigans” I’d rather keep to myself.

… by the time that I’ll step out of the comforts of my University, I’ll be heading towards the corporate phase of life that I guess , I cannot afford these things anymore. Work will be my priority.

Peg lately: young, wild and free.   

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Speaking of firsts, I had a dengue + UTI last week, and it was my first ever real disease, thank God it was diagnosed early so I wasn't confined in the hospital. *whew* 

***

I had a "major disease" last week but I still had to go to school because it was our thesis defense! I was allowed not to participate in the defense, but i'd rather use my remaining energy, and hoarse voice to contribute something to my group...fast forward to ending: we aced our defense! Thank God! Credits to my friends/thesismates: Bianca, Demi, and Joanne and our adviser, sir Kliatchko! 

*photos from Bianca.

For full thesis story: here.

finally

Photo diary of how my friends and  I celebrated UST's neocentennial celebration and how my alma mater capped off her 400th year: eight-minute firework display and 'inuman session' in Tapsi. 

Finally, one of the mandatory things I set myself to do before graduation was fulfilled: to go to Tapsi, or any 'pub' for that matter. To cross the Arch of the Century and play in the fountain will come next!

*photos again are not mine. Credit to CJ and Bianca

let's bring it back!

Photo diary of UST's Velada, which marks the ending of our 400th year celebration and also signals another beginning of centennial year. Way to go  UST. Velada by the way is english for an evening gathering.
Backgrounder: Thomasians are encouraged to wear native outfit hundred years ago.
*photos are not mine, btw, they're from my friends. Thanks Thaene and Lars!