Caryl Son, literature senior
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“Naging memorable [moment] ko is researching the biography of the artist that I’m studying.”
If there’s one person that you can dedicate this achievement to, who would it be and why?
“Si Jungkook, joke. Personally, para sa akin na rin. Kasi ako na din naman ‘yung nag-pursue nito and nagpakapagod for the effort. So ‘yun, sa akin talaga.”
How do you feel now that you’re a few months away from marching to QPAV?
“Actually, for us na naging online setup lang for the rest of the year, may side sa akin nanghihinayang kasi hindi namin totally na-experience ‘yung campus life […] Pero, ‘yon talaga ‘yung need sa life natin, na kailangan natin isunod-sunod ‘yung mga cases ng buhay. For me, I totally prioritize my working life na din kasi need talaga.”
What was the most memorable moment you’ve had while making your thesis?
“Kinikilig ako [laughs] actually, ‘yun naman kasi ‘yung point ko. Knowing na literature and album naman, it perfectly matches my course, and ‘yung naging memorable [moment] ko is researching the biography of the artist that I’m studying. So ayon, happy naman ako for my thesis.”
Thomas Joaquin Manapat, political science senior
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“Know your paper more than anyone else”
If there’s one person you can dedicate your thesis achievement to, who would it be and why?
“Kung one person lang, then I would dedicate this to myself. Sa mga puyat […] and starting do’n sa pag-construct ng RRL na napakadaming articles na binasa, sa data gather[ing], and data analysis. [Surely,] I would dedicate the success ng defense sa sarili ko.”
Do you have any advice to your juniors who are currently in the process of writing their thesis?
“Siguro one thing na maa-advice ko ay when coming to defense na, know your paper more than anyone else and be confident lang.”
How do you feel now that you’re a few months away from marching in QPAV?
“Gaya ng kasama namin, si Maurice, mixed emotions. Excited na nakakalungkot kasi […] another journey na naman, another chapter na naman sa buhay namin. Opening new doors for career, but at the same time, nakakalungkot kasi four years ‘yung college and ngayon we’re going to different paths na rin.”
After the success of your thesis, what are your initial plans after college?
“I’m gonna pursue careers na in line sa PolSci (Political Science) like development sectors or working in the government. I am [also] planning to take up a master’s degree in international relations.”
Regine Caldona and Camille Elises, journalism seniors
Interview by Giannah Erin Ochoa
“Pwede na, parang kaya ko na lahat”
What was your initial emotion after defending your thesis?
Regine: Sa ‘kin, parang nanlalambot yung tuhod ko, totoong nanlalambot. Yung kaba mo, tsaka pressure— na-release lahat. Nung defense namin, gusto ko lumuhod. Pero, in terms of emotion naman, fulfilled naman ako sa naging defense namin.
Camille: Feel ko pwede nang grumaduate […] since ilang sem[ester] din namin trinabaho yung thesis– ‘di siya madali. Mabigat siya and tumultuous for my group since marami kaming hurdles nung gumagawa kami ng thesis […] natuwa naman yung panel and ‘yun naman na ‘yung gusto naming mangyari […] kasi hindi naging maganda yung last thesis colloquium. So nung naging maganda yung response ng panel sa amin ngayon, medyo fulfilled na talaga kami. Parang, malapit na. Road to QPav na talaga.
How do you feel you are a few months away from marching in QPav?
Regine: Personally ako, excited pero may halong pressure kasi medyo mabigat pa yung remaining subjects namin. Pero, actually, pinagninilayan ko ‘to kagabi kasi ang bigat na may thesis defense,[… ] pero naalala ko ‘yung quote na ‘Bawal mapagod mag-aral dahil hindi napapagod ang nagpapaaral’ so tuloy lang, laban lang. Ngayon, medyo malapit na so kapit na lang kami.
Camille: For me, katulad ni Regine, excited din ako, at the same time, pressured. More on like, tinitignan ko ‘yung future self ko. Aminado ako na at this age, 22 ako, unsure pa ako sa next step ng buhay ko. So basically, ‘yun talaga ‘yung kinakatakutan ko. ‘Yung uncertainty ng future ko after graduating […] hindi naman porke’t tapos na yung thesis defense tapos na [rin] ‘yung lahat, ‘di ba? So nandoon yung takot and pressure to make it out alive kasi mahirap talaga ‘yung remaining subjects namin ngayon.
What was the most memorable and exhilarating moment you have had while making your thesis with your groupmates?
Regine: Marami akong na-experience na maganda at ‘di maganda pero para sa akin, ‘yung ano […] to give you context, nag-data gathering kami one week lang so na-magic namin na hindi ko rin alam. Ngayon na tinitignan ko, hindi ko rin alam ala pano namin siya na-magic. Isa siguro ‘yun sa challenging na naranasan ko.”
Camille: Pinaka-memorable nga yung one week lang kami nag-data gathering. Medyo delayed– delayed talaga kami pagdating sa thesis […] ‘di ba April na yung defense? So makikita mo ‘yung mga tao nags-story sila [na] nasa beach sila, ‘ta[po]s ako nagda-data gathering, ‘Hello, sagot kayo ng forms’ Pa-raffle kami, ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-memorable kasi isang linggo lang, 391 respondents yun […] so nung nakumpleto ko na yung 391, ‘Pwede na, parang kaya ko na lahat’.
What advice can you give to your juniors who are currently writing their thesis?
Regine: Maraming mararanasan, maraming pagsubok na madadaanan, pero ang magma-matter pa rin at the end of the day is ‘yung hindi ka susuko. Okay lang magpahinga, okay lang ang matulog ka, ilabas mo ng bahay yan, pero lagi mong iisipin ‘yung end goal mo. ‘Yung, ano ‘yung ‘why’ mo. ‘Yun ‘yung magpapakapit sa’yo para malagpasan mo thesis mo.
Camille: For me, ‘yung ‘wag mo kakalimutan magpahinga in between. Kasi once na ma-burnout ka, mahihirapan ka to continue. Lalo na mabigat talagang requirement yung thesis, dapat hindi ka basta-basta tumitigil. So, you should learn how to pace yourself. Pero at the same time, dapat i-consider mo rin ‘yung time ng mga ka-group mo during sa pahinga mo para wala ka namang naaagrabyado. So basically, kailangan mo lang talaga matutunan how to handle your time well and ‘yung pakikipagkapwa-tao sa group work talaga.
Maurice Jebb Agustin, political science senior
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“Nilulubos na namin ang mga araw na natitira na magkakasama kami”
How did it feel after your thesis defense ended?
“Siyempre, masaya. Nakangiti lang ako after no’n kasi noong colloquium nahirapan ako eh–kami ng pair ko, pero naitawid naman namin. Masaya.”
If there is one person you can dedicate this achievement to, who would it be and why?
“Sa magulang ko siyempre kasi ang laki ng naitulong nila sa pangtustos sa thesis namin.”
How do you feel now that you’re a few months away from marching in QPAV?
“Mixed […] although masaya kasi tapos na, pero kami ngayon sa dorm nagbibilangan na kami ng araw kahit na […] alam mo yon, nilulubos na namin ang mga araw na natitira na magkakasama kami.”
Do you have any advice to your juniors who are currently in the process of writing their thesis?
“Mas mag-focus sila sa technicalities ng papel nila, ‘yung sa content kung paano niyo ie-explain nang maayos ang topic. Kailangan niyo rin ng tulong ng advisers niyo pero ‘yung mga kayang asikasuhin na kayong dalawa lang tulad ng technicalities, formats, and structure, ayon ‘yung dapat bigyan ng pansin. Ayon ang importante.”
Lawrence Makabenta, literature senior
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“The most memorable was when I was able to click everything together”
What was the most memorable and exhilarating moment you’ve had while making your thesis?
“The most memorable was when I was able to click everything together […] The moment I said, ‘oh my God, I actually know what I’m writing, I actually understand, it’s making sense’ that was the most exhilarating moment. I was actually able to finish a few weeks of work into two days because of that, so keep your time safe and make sure that you have that burst of confidence. Once you do have that, keep on pushing.”
If there’s one person that you can dedicate your thesis achievement to, who would it be and why?
“I’m definitely dedicating this to my adviser, Sir Jan Ledesma. He was my second adviser because my first adviser didn’t get to complete his advising to me […] he already had five students that he was helping, so I was incredibly grateful and he was very encouraging.”
Do you have any advice for your juniors who are currently in the process of writing their thesis?
“Manage your time. I cannot stress that enough. I was an incredible procrastinator, I was holding on to a lot of things – ‘I should do this tomorrow, I have completed this so I’ll give myself a reward and rest’. No, if you have time, you should use that time.”
Margaret Diaz and Edlyn Morales, communication seniors
Interview by Giannah Erin Ochoa
“Isa lang mapapayo ko sa inyo, listen to your groupmates”
What was your initial emotion after defending your thesis?
Margaret: Feeling ko para akong nabunutan ng tinik, kasi parang even in our idle moments kahit hindi na namin iniisip yung thesis […] it’s eating at us, parang andiyan lang siya, inaabangan niya kaming, ‘Uy tapusin mo na kami (thesis).’ Now that it’s done […] mas makakapag-focus pa ako sa ibang requirements namin in a better mental state.
Edlyn: I feel relieved and a big weight was taken off my shoulders. Kahit may mga revisions pa rin kami, compared to before, at least hindi na kami magde-defense ulit, that was like you know [one of] the big part[s] of writing the thesis, presenting it.
If there is someone you’d like to dedicate this achievement to, who would it be and why?
Margaret: I think most people would dedicate this to their families, pero ako I would dedicate this to my dog, kasi all throughout the thesis writing process, the data gathering, siya yung katabi ko. Like literal na nakatabi lang siya sakin when I cried about thesis […] even in my most stressful moments feeling ko siya yung nagpapasaya sa’kin, so feel ko I owe this kind of achievement sa kanya.
Edlyn: Ako hindi ko ma-dedicate sa isang tao lang eh. Besides my family kasi that’s the obvious answer, I think all of the friends that I’ve spoken too in the past years, kahit yung mga junior high, senior high, […] they really helped me realize that I still have people around me who care for me and care about my success as much as theirs.
What was the most memorable and exhilarating moment you have had while making your thesis with your groupmates?
Margaret: Pinakamasaya? Feeling ko yung focus group discussion namin […] because I got to see [a] fresher perspective mas nakakilala ako ng other people who shared the same experiences as I. Natutuwa ako kasi there are deeper stories pa pala behind these people na nalalagpasan ko lang sa corridors, so parang being able to actually sit down and ask them these questions, hearing their stories, nasiyahan ako kasi mas nagkaroon kami ng contact.
Edlyn: Sa totoo lang, I think the most exhilarating moment for me was the second na alam kong tapos na kami sa pinaka-recent manuscript namin at na-submit na namin sa mga panelist. Alam kong this was not the most final thing and we still have to work on it, but there’s a weight taken off our shoulders we’re getting there.
How do you feel you are a few months away from marching in QPav?
Margaret: Actually medyo kinakabahan, kasi una, meron pang ibang subjects na kailangan harapin. Other than that yung pressure na maa-achieve ko ba yung goals ko, mapu-pursue ko ba yung dream career ko, and siyempre I don’t want to let down the people who believed in me. So siyempre there’s this goal [para] sa sarili ko na hindi ko pa alam kung mararating ko, but I’m sure na with this milestone, feel ko it’s gonna be a new motivation for me to reach greater heights pa.
Edlyn: Ako naman as a person who always worries about the future pa, ilang– hindi lang buwan, taon ko na to pinag-iisipan, matagal na. Freshman pa lang ready na ready na ako grumaduate, and you know it’s finally here four years after, after lockdown, hindi ko in-expect na aabutin ko ‘tong milestone na ‘to because of how difficult it was and lalo na ngayon lang kami nakabalik sa campus so, it’s really relieving but at the same time bittersweet because I didn’t get to experience the prime college life that I always wanted.
What advice can you give to your juniors who are currently writing their thesis?
Margaret: Isa lang mapapayo ko sa inyo, listen to your group-mates… I know you guys have your own pace, your own schedule, but parang importante talaga yung teamwork dito and cooperation… There will be times na parang hindi kayo magiging magkasundo ng vision, it’s always better to communicate what your ideal outcome would be, kasi parang iisang papel lang ‘yung gagawin niyo, so mas mabuti if iisang direksyon ‘yung pupuntahan niyo.”
Edlyn: Ito ang masasabi ko, there are three C’s to this. First one is collaboration, second one is communication, third is cramming. [But] don’t do it, ‘wag kang mag-cram ng thesis mo para ma-experience. Kami na-realize na namin yung deadlines, and that’s where we start panicking and that’s where things tend to go downhill. As much as you like to rest, or have a good time, you have to be aware of the responsibilities that you have so that everything moves much smoother than it would otherwise.
Verson John Ora, political science senior
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“Kumuha kayo ng attentive and magaling na adviser kasi sila ‘yung pangatlong mata niyo”
If there’s one person you can dedicate the accomplishment of your thesis to, who would it be and why?
“Sa sarili ko […] hindi ko rin inakala na aabot ako sa ganitong stage na makakayanan ko, ‘yung ganong stress, ‘yung ganong hirap, ‘yung rigorous na paggawa ng papel. Kaya ‘yun, dine-dedicate ko ‘yun sa sarili ko.”
How do you feel now that you’re a few months away from marching in QPAV?
“Siyempre, halo-halong emosyon din. Una, masaya kasi, ‘yun nga nairaos yung apat na taon. I mean ‘di lang nairaos, naenjoy [at] nakayanan. Like hindi lang bare minimum ‘yung pinut in kong effort and mag-aaccumulate na ‘yun sa mismong pagmartsa sa QPAV so masaya ‘yung feeling. Pangalawa, malungkot kasi yun nga kung sana lang pwede i-freeze ‘yung time na [ganito] pa rin na college na easy-easy lang. Kasi sabi ng iba mas prefer nilang mag-aral kaysa magtrabaho. Sana mali sila.”
Do you have any advice for your juniors who are currently in the process of writing their thesis?
“Siguro, sa’kin, kumuha kayo ng attentive and magaling na adviser, kasi sila ‘yung pangatlong mata niyo. Since by pair ‘yun, siya ‘yung magbibigay ng ibang insights na hindi naiisip niyong dalawa as estudyante palang. So piliin niyo ‘yung adviser na attentive, laging nandyan, and ‘yun talagang forte niya yung field ng thesis niyo.”
Mika Nitro, literature senior
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“I hope ‘yung topic na pinili niyo is something you guys are passionate about”
After the success of your thesis, what are your initial plans after college?
‘Honestly, I don’t know pa. Siguro magre-rest muna. Siyempre hindi rin naman biro mag-aral. So feeling ko magpapahinga, hahanapin ko muna sarili ko. Tapos, gusto ko i-pursue yung passion ko which is to work in media or theater so, ayon. Pero siguro magre-rest muna talaga. And once na makapag-work syempre the goal is to give back sa parents, ‘di ba?’
How do you feel now that you’re a few months away from marching in QPAV?
“Gusto kong mag-slow down yung moment. Kasi before parang excited ka na eh. Gustong-gusto ko na grumaduate. Pero once na ngayon na tapos na, gusto mo nang mag-slow down ‘cause I [realized] we only have less than a month left para grumaduate. And after college, ‘tong mga taong ‘to na sobrang naging importante sa’kin hindi ko na alam kailan ko na sila ulit mahahagilap. Busy na sa work. May mga future endeavors na.”
Do you have any advice for your juniors who are currently in the process of writing their thesis?
”I hope ‘yung topic na pinili niyo is something you guys are passionate about because once na gusto niyo talaga yung topic niyo, ipaglalaban niyo talaga siya. And ano kapit lang kasi […] hindi siya madali so kapit lang talaga and everything will be worth it in the end. Totoo ‘yun. As in magugulat ka na lang na, ‘Shocks, ang layo na ng narating ko’ So trust the process […] trust lang. Kaya niyo ‘yan.” F
