BONJOUR, JE M’APPLE, Anne! It seems like my academic and The Bedan journey has reached its conclusion. However, the fire within me as a Bedan will still live and continue—today, tomorrow, and till the end of time.
San Beda University-Manila (SBU) was never a part of my plan during college application season. Nonetheless, upon staying, I’ve realized it was His plan for me all along.
I could say that our four-year stay inside the Mighty Red School was years full of adjustments. The first year was adjusting to the online set-up and not meeting the curiosity of a first-year college student due to the pandemic. Sophomore year was fully grasping the ins and outs of being an online college student (shout out to Red Canvas, Zoom, MS Teams, and Google Docs). Junior year came and we transitioned towards the hybrid setup during the second semester, being more present inside the walls of the university—we’re like freshies inside the body of a junior, familiarizing ourselves with the offices and the people in the Bedan community, even the near go-to food places in Mendiola! Fourth year; Senior year, was like a fast-forwarded scenario for me. The pressure of thesis and practicum was there but juggling major and minor subjects at the same time, plus The Bedan responsibilities?
Girl, it was tough. Like really really tough. Even though it was rapid, senior year was frustrating yet fulfilling on my end. I did experience a bad case of burnout, during which was supposed to be the “most responsible” year for me. I knew that it was not my best work nor the usual outputs I make in my academic performance, which was expected from me by my professors. Nonetheless, I tried my hardest to rise to the occasion. To bounce back. I tried to make everyone who believed in me and my capabilities to be proud once more. When I said my final words during our final defense for THESIS2, “Thank you for letting me open the world of fairy tales in a different light and look at the Disney films I grew up with in a new way, the Bedan Literati way. Once again and not once upon a time, this has been Anne Julia, your Literature Bedan princess.” That’s when I silently hoped that they all could see that I’ve given my all to live up to the expectations and that I poured out my heart’s work in my thesis. And eventually, it did—I did.
Now, that’s my academic moment. Let’s move on to the “org part,” shall we? Being an active student in my two organizations, which were The Bedan, and the San Beda English and Literature Society (SBELS) was challenging. Nevertheless, I view it as my best years in college at the same time, especially, the last two years of it. Actively participating in these two filled my cup because I was able to do things that I’m very enthusiastic about.
I thank SBELS for reigniting my drive for leadership and critical thinking skills because I became their Auditor for two consecutive years (sophomore and junior year) and it was the starting point of my realizing that I love doing org work, paperwork, event management, budget allocations, auditing, and to summarize it just “getting the job done”. I collaborated with my co-officers who were as goal-driven as I am, which made the job description not a heavy workload anymore but something that I enjoyed and adored doing. Therefore, my sincere gratitude SBELS and our lovely moderator and Kween, Prof. Larry J. Ambion, Ph.D.
Lastly, but definitely not least, my dearly beloved, official publication of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), The Bedan. Being a student journalist was on my bucket list for so long. I thank The B for allowing me to finally check it and be part of an organization that is truly rewarding. This is where I was able to meet peers who helped me improve not only my writing skills but also one of the things I value the most, making connections, and being able to converse with people.
I became The Bedan’s Human Resource (HR) Manager for its 80th volume and I was able to connect with most of the staff, which was an important thing for me as I got to know them better. After which, I applied for the Managing Editor position and the saying “dadaan ka muna sa butas ng karayom” was true, the position did not land on my lap, but it was something I worked hard to have. And when the results came, it meant I had a bigger responsibility to manage. I’ll be honest that my last year as a staffer of The Bedan was not smooth as I pray it would be. There were some obstacles, but at the end of the day, I’ve realized that they were inevitable.
However, what truly mattered to me after experiencing all of those was that real people would come out of the surface and those unpleasant experiences, will be a distant memory. Getting swamped with paperwork while thinking about what you’re going to do first on your to-do list for both org work and acad work was fun, if you have people who are swamped there with you (you know who you folks are). Just kidding, but yeah, my last year was paperwork after paperwork, and I did not regret any second of it.
“Madam” bids adieu to you, The Bedan. I am rooting for the remaining and future staff, specifically, my predecessor, Rizian.
Aja to us, Seniors! Let’s now walk towards the beginning of our new journey.
P.S. Shout out to Bossing and Little Bossing (now the Sir Chiu), kape na tayo, mga sir.
Animo San Bedaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Aalis na si Anne Juliaaaaaaaaaa!