Aubrey Navida and Mae Gabrielle Reyes, college applicants
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“Relieved, but anxious”
How do you feel after finishing your UST Entrance Test (USTET)?
Aubrey: Relieved po kasi natapos na ‘yung exam tsaka relaxed na po kasi natapos [na]. Pero medyo anxious din po ako sa results po.
Mae: Parang medyo disappointed po ako kasi na-notice ko po na medyo […] para pong wala po siyang connect sa strand namin kasi HUMSS po kami eh. Tapos lahat po ng napag-aralan namin, wala siya talaga. So ‘yun po parang disappointed po. Parang nasa acceptance stage na po [ako].
What is something you’re grateful for today?
Mae: Siguro po ‘yung experience na lang po.
Aubrey: Same po experience din po.
What program are you eyeing and why did you choose UST?
Mae: Sa akin po, ang first choice ko po talaga dapat is [political science]. Kaso naisip ko, mag law school din naman [ako] so naisip ko mag [psychology] na lang since [pwede rin siyang] pre-law and pre-med pa so pwede pa ko mag [medicine] if magbago pa ‘yung isip ko. Kaya po ako nag [psychology].
Aubrey: [psychology] din po tapos parang pinili ko lang po ‘yung UST para matry lang po talaga.
How did you prepare for the USTET?
Mae: Nag review naman po. May nakuha po kaming mga reviewer pero po parang malayo siya [sa exam].
Was there a specific person who inspired you to take the USTET?
Aubrey: Dream school ko po talaga siya.
What was your most favorite subject among the tests that you took and why?
Aubrey: Mental ability po kasi it’s easy po.
Mae: English po kasi siya pinakamalapit sa HUMSS.
What was your least favorite subject among the tests that you took and why?
Aubrey: ‘Yung math po talaga kasi hindi po siya na-lesson sa strand namin kaya natakot po ako nung nakita ko ‘yung questions.
Mae: Ganon din po [math din] kasi ‘yung sakop lang po ng HUMSS is [General Mathematics] and [Statistics] lang, [and] wala pong lumabas na ganon. Ano siya talaga…complicated para sa’min.
Marylle Reese Planas, college applicant
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“Ad Veritatem Per Caritatem”
What program are you eyeing?
“Actually parehong [under] rehabilitation sciences ‘yung napili kong program. ‘Yung first choice ko ay speech language pathology tapos ‘yung pangalawa ay occupational therapy kasi parang medyo magkakambal ‘yung kanilang program.”
Why did you choose UST?
“UST dahil speech language pathology ‘yung first choice ko, medyo limited talaga ako sa universities [that offer such program] maganda naman ‘yung quality of education sa UST, kaya why not?”
How did you prepare for the USTET?
“Natulog po ako sa biyahe. Wala po akong preparation.”
Do you feel confident in taking the exam?
“I feel confident naman. I trust in myself. Dinadaan ko nalang talaga ‘to sa dasal. “Ad Veritatem Per Caritatem” po — “To Truth Through Charity.” Wala siyang connect sa exam pero kasama siya sa dasal.
Who inspired you to take the USTET?
“May ninong ako, dito graduate. Tapos nasa [United Kingdom] na siya ngayon. So ano, ayun, medyo ‘yun ‘yung nag-push sa’kin mag-UST. Kasi ‘di talaga ako nag-plan mag-UST before, nitong nag-senior high lang. Saka ko naging option.
What subject are you looking forward to in the test?
“English. ‘Yun ‘yung forte ko eh.”
What subject are you least looking forward to in the test?
“Math.”
Caleb Jireh Caranto, college applicant
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“I was starstrucked, this was my dream school”
How do you feel after finishing your UST Entrance Test (USTET)?
“Slightly exhausting, some parts of the exam were unfamiliar to me. Tapos ano kasi like, ‘yung ibang parts unexpected, kung icocompare [with other entrance exams] parang mas harder siya.”
What is something you’re grateful for today?
“Siguro natapos ko na siya kasi ‘syempre it’s an accomplishment as well na natapos ko ‘yung test na sobrang hard.”
What program are you eyeing?
“I’m applying for MedTech. Medical technology sa Faculty of Pharmacy.”
Why did you choose UST?
“Since [the] school is prestigious in medical sciences and since elementary [school] this was my dream school. So ayun, tapos first time ko lang pumasok dito sa campus and sobrang exciting. Ayun, nakaka-starstruck kasi nga ‘di ba, dream school ko since elementary then ngayon ko lang siya napasok.”
How did you prepare for the USTET?
“Actually ‘yung preparations ko for this is quite minimal lang kasi nagkaroon kami ng quarterly examinations before nito so konti lang ‘yung [preparations] na nagawa ko like this week lang ata ‘yung [preparations] ko so ‘yun talagang ano—tapos ‘yung mga contents nung mismong USTET is Grade 11 tsaka Grade 12 [lessons] ‘di ba. ‘Yung sa UPCAT kasi is medyo broad siya compared sa USTET.”
Do you feel confident with your performance on the exams?
“‘Yun lang! Hindi. Ano kasi, ang hirap.”
Who inspired you to take the USTET?
“Siguro sarili ko lang kasi, ‘yun nga, ever since I went to elementary school, it’s already my dream school. So sarili ko lang.”
What was your most favorite subject among the tests that you took and why?
“It’s either ‘yung mental ability, kasi sobrang dali lang niya, or ‘yung english kasi—‘yung english, siguro time pressure lang siya kasi may reading [comprehension] sa dulo, like pinagsama ‘yung language [proficiency] tsaka reading [comprehension].”
What was your least favorite subject among the tests that you took and why?
“‘Syempre wala nang magbabago diyan, math lang, kasi ang hirap talaga, as in.
Lord Reyes, Alex Alejandro, Joshia Octavio, Devean Lee, college applicants
Interview by Arabella Penaranda
” We feel amazing and accomplished”
How do you feel after finishing your UST Entrance Test (USTET)?
Devean: I feel amazing.
Joshia: I feel accomplished na tapos na siya finally.
What program are you eyeing and why did you choose UST?
Josiah: I chose [political science] as my pre-law actually. ‘Yon po ‘yung pinakapriority ko po talaga as my pre-law. Honestly speaking, [UST] isn’t really my first choice pero ‘syempre naman ‘di ba UST, hihindi ka pa ba? So nag exam na din ako; UST na ‘yan eh. Just in case swertehin din naman na makapasa ako kasi magbabago pa naman ang isip ko for sure. Malay niyo in the future maisip ko na maybe para sa USTE talaga ako.
Alex: I chose architecture since ‘yun ‘yung sinabi ng parents ko pero naeenjoy ko naman ‘yung drafting. I chose UST since it’s my lolo’s school and I’ve been here since I was a kid. Dito na ko tumatambay so this is the dream school talaga. I chose archi ‘cause… UST is archi na school talaga ‘di ba?
Devean: I chose behavioral science. Actually dapat psychology pero wala sila nung BA Psychology dito, only BS. ‘Yung alternative ko [political science] din and I chose it for my pre-law din. I chose UST kasi malapit lang sa dorm ng kuya ko dun na lang daw ako tumuloy.
Lord: I chose engineering. Wala para pahirapan sarili ko [and] kasi nandito girlfriend ko.
How did you prepare for the USTET?
Devean: We didn’t. Walang time to prepare. Prayers lang. Lalo na kasi napaka-hectic din ng schedule ng [current school] La Salle. Kakagaling lang din namin sa exam.
What inspired you to take the USTET?
Alex: Lolo ko. Lolo ko talaga. ‘Yun talaga inspiration ko dito. Pag napasa ko [ito], [para] sa kanya yon.
Julie Anne Odarbe, parent, and John Rainnir Odarbe, college applicant
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“Be yourself and achieve what you want to achieve”
What was the first emotion you felt upon seeing your child come out of the building after they took the exam?
Julie Anne: Excited and happy.
What is your message to your child who is about to take on a new journey in their academic life?
Julie Anne: Actually my message is… just be yourself and achieve what you want to achieve. No pressure. We’re always here for you.
How do you feel after finishing your UST Entrance Test (USTET)?
John Rainnir: Relieved because wala nang i-isipin pa. Tapos ayon, tapos na ‘yung exam.
How did you prepare for the USTET?
John Rainnir: Nag review ako for one day.
Julie Anne: Meron siyang program… tutorial for college entrance exam.
What inspired you to take the USTET?
John Rainnir: Na-inspire ako dahil sa mommy at ate ko dahil dito din sila nag take ng USTET.
What was your favorite and least subject among the tests that you took and why?
John Rainnir: Favorite subject is science and my least favorite is math.”
Cherisse and Rarely, SHS applicants
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“Math was the hardest”
How do you feel after finishing your UST Entrance Test (USTET)?
Cherisse: I feel discouraged. Ang hirap.
Rarely: Nadisappoint po ako sa mga sinagot ko.
What is something you’re grateful for today?
Cherisse: I’m grateful that I got the chance to take the exam even though walang possibility na maaccept ako, at least I tried.
What were your preparations for the USTET?
Cherisse: Prayers [lang po].
Rarely: [Nag cram] po ako for one day.
Was there someone who inspired you to take the USTET?
Cherisse: Yes po, ‘yung pinsan ko po. He studies here and currently 4th year na siya ng pre-med niya. Wala lang, nainspire ako ang galing niya.
Rarely: Gusto ko lang po ‘yung school kaya gusto ko mag try dito.
What was your most favorite subject among the tests you took?
Cherisse: English and mental ability po. Pero english talaga.
Rarely: Science.
What was your least subject among the tests?
Cherisse: Math. No questions, math.
Rarely: Math din po.
James Marvin Bonquin, college applicant
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“I was inspired to take mechanical engineering”
What program are you eyeing?
“Ang gusto ko pong kunin ay mechanical engineering na [program]. Kasi po na-inspired po ako sa ibang nakilala ko na kunin ‘yun. Katulad po nung tatay ni Marylle [friend], na-inspired ako na kunin ito tapos ‘yung kilala ko na [boyfriend] nung ate ko na minomotivate po akong mag-mechanical engineering kasi nga maganda daw ‘yung [program].”
Why did you choose UST?
“Napili ko po ang UST kasi kasama po siya sa list na pinili ko kasi parang nakita ko po siya na isang magandang school para sa college. Tapos parang sustainable po para sa’kin.”
How did you prepare for the USTET?
“Dati po noong bakasyon, nag-review review po ako. Tapos kanina po sa [Mcdonalds], nagsagot po ako ng math [reviewer].”
Do you feel confident in taking the exam?
“Base naman po sa pinapakita ng mga nag-exam na dito noong pagkatapos nila, katulad po nung kaibigan ko, confident po siya na kayang-kaya namin. So, sa tingin ko kaya ko din.
Who inspired you to take the USTET?
“Siguro po ‘yung ate ko kasi sinasabi niya po sakin na dapat hindi ako mawalan ng choices para sa college kasi baka mamaya hindi ako makapag-exam sa iba tapos mawalan ako ng choices.
What subject are you looking forward to in the test?
“[Chemistry] po at math kasi po nakikita ko po ang math as parang fun tapos ang chem nakita ko po ‘yung sarili ko nung Grade 11 na nag-excel po.
What subject are you least looking forward to in the test?
“Filipino po. Mahina po ako sa filipino.”
Lisette Caranto, parent
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“Goodluck on his journey”
What was the first emotion you felt upon seeing your child come out of the building after they took the exam?
“Nervous kasi ‘syempre nakakatakot. Sana makapasa siya.”
What is your message to your child who is about to take on a new journey in their academic life?
“Goodluck sa new journey niya. ‘Syempre panibago na namang pagsubok para sa kanya at sana makapasa [siya].
Marian Lois Tapnio, college applicant
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“I feel relieved after months of waiting for this”
How do you feel after finishing your UST Entrance Test (USTET)?
“I feel relieved because hinintay ko siya ng maraming months, and now na tapos na [akong mag exam] masarap sa feeling.”
What program are you eyeing and why did you choose UST?
“I applied to psychology. I chose UST because part siya ng dream school ko and [UST] is [also] a famous university.”
How did you prepare for the USTET?
“Medyo mahirap mag prepare kasi may school [responsibilities ako] and marami rin activities pero sinabay ko siya [sa priorities ko]. I searched for review materials sa Google and mga Youtube videos din.”
What inspired you to take the USTET?
“UST is my dream school and I really want to [study] here.”
What was your least and most favorite subject among the tests that you took and why?
“My most favorite subject is mental ability kasi madali at mabilis siyang sagutan, while my least favorite subject is math, mahirap po talaga siya.
Nevaeh Hernandez, college applicant
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“The exam was easy”
How do you feel after finishing your UST Entrance Test (USTET)?
“Okay lang po. siguro masaya naman ako kasi may naka-encounter ako sa loob. May naging friends din naman ako. Wala, nadalian ako doon sa exam.”
What is something you’re grateful for today?
“Grateful po ako doon sa chance na nakapag-take ako ng [USTET] kasi sa aming magkakapatid ako lang po talaga ‘yung nakapag-take ng exam dito sa UST.”
What program are you eyeing?
“[Medical biology] po ‘yung first choice ko. Tapos [biotechnology] ‘yung second choice. Pinili ko po ‘to dahil plano ko pong magtuloy sa medicine after graduation.”
Why did you choose UST?
“For clout. Wala naman po talaga akong balak pumasok dito. For clout nag-exam lang.”
How did you prepare for the USTET?
“Wala po. Mas inuna po namin ‘yung thesis.”
Do you feel confident with your performance on the exams?
“Opo naman. Parang makakapasa kahit by one point.”
What was your most favorite subject among the tests that you took and why?
“Science po. May alam po ako eh, lalo na sa [Biology].”
What was your least favorite subject among the tests that you took?
“Math.”
