CHECKMATE IS VICTORY. What’s up? Have you delivered a checkmate worth celebrating? A victory that is worth relishing, because Elias did; and boy we have a ton to talk about.
Going into Elias’ college history, his prelude was not so bright. It had potential, but he never had the patterns necessary for success. During a pandemic-ridden year heading into college, he has one goal in mind—checkmate the competition.
Now my dear reader, let’s stop beating around the bush. I’m Elias and this is my story—one that is filled with gambles that made or broke my time in college.
As an English major, I never really considered myself as a reader or writer. It wasn’t really until my 3rd year in college that things turned around – I took on another degree; as an AB Organization major. It’s not a real course! It is colloquial term by college people for students who go to collegiate organizations in pursuing their interests. I became a part of the San Beda English and Literature Society (SBELS) where I pursued my passion for visual graphic design.
It was also during this time when I met Allysa, a fellow AB Organization major – who became my partner on this wild ride known as college. It wasn’t just Allysa who changed my world after I embarked on this journey of mine. Felix, AJ, Alexis, Jom, and Jen were also fellow AB Organization majors for SBELS. This is where I developed my interests for organizations further.
Though I have been reminiscing on the past, I have then realized that my academic pursuit heavily outweighs my organizational commitments. I have more memories of making publication materials, spiels, and going to different areas around the Metro due to organizational commitments than studying. Was it worth it? It was until I realized that I lost focus on my academic responsibilities. I have lost my laude status.
I was extremely devastated. Now that I am graduating, I have felt that I have lost a once in a lifetime moment. You only get to be a cum laude once. Everybody from my section became one, only I did not. The gambit that I have made in hopes of joining an organization left me in shambles. I cursed myself over and over again. Is this “King’s Gamble” worth fighting for?
Even after all that contemplation, I saw myself becoming the Vice President for External Affairs of SBELS and becoming a staffer of The Bedan, one of the oldest publications in the Philippines. Why? Why am I here? I kept asking myself that same old question. Why am I out here contacting speakers for an event for my organization when I could have been working on my thesis? Why am I taking photographs of the NCAA games? Why am I here interviewing different Bedan professors and administrators? Why am I here creating pubmats for my organizations? Why am I doing this?
Chess. As I wrote down my story and recalled the significant events that happened in my life, my chess-riddled brain is what has pushed me this far. I am like a pawn in a chess board, seeking to reach the other end of the board; by any means necessary.
I wanted to get better. I wanted to be seen as more than less who I was before. I wanted to see the limits of my capabilities. I wanted to see how much more I could give. I wanted to see who I could truly be. I wanted to see what I am really capable of.
This is why Elias is here. Go ahead, look up who Elias symbolizes in Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere – that is who I am. I am like a pawn in a chess board, forced to play the King’s “gambit” all for the sake of victory.
Checkmate.