AS I STAND on the threshold of graduation, bidding farewell to the community that has shaped me over the past four years, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and nostalgia. From overcoming the hurdles of online learning to stepping into my role as Chief Photographer for The Bedan, my time at San Beda University has been a genuinely cathartic venture.
Starting my freshman year at the mighty red school amid the pandemic as a psychology student brought its own set of challenges. For the first two years, our classes were held online, a far cry from the lively campus life I had imagined. Building friendships in a virtual environment was tough, and the absence of in-person interactions often felt lonely. Despite this, I discovered that kindness shines through, even on a screen, and gradually, I began to form meaningful connections.
In my third year, the campus buzzed with renewed energy, bringing a wave of fresh opportunities. Fueled by my enthusiasm for capturing moments and narrating stories through images, I applied to become a photographer for The Bedan. Those first few months were a whirlwind of discovery and development, and I treasured every assignment and every photo that encapsulated the spirit of student life.
Four months of being a mere photographer, I was presented with the opportunity to become the Chief Photographer. Although I felt honored, it brought a tough decision at the forefront. Balancing academic duties, such as my thesis and on-the-job training, alongside taking on a leadership position, was daunting. After considerable thought, I decided to accept the promotion—a choice that would profoundly influence my last year at San Beda in ways I hadn’t imagined.
Taking on the said role opened doors to experiences and interactions with people from diverse backgrounds. One of the most demanding aspects of my job was building rapport with students, admins, athletes, and coaches to ensure seamless event coverage. It was a journey that pushed me beyond the confines of my introverted nature, encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, and embrace the vibrant community around me. In this role, I found not only professional growth but also friendships that I will carry with me long after graduation.
Throughout my venture, I’ve come to deeply understand the vital role of kindness. It’s only by investing time to learn about others and their stories that we can truly grasp what they are experiencing. Often, smiles conceal hidden struggles, as people may fear revealing their true challenges to the world. In my role, I have encountered countless individuals whose outward demeanor masked inner struggles, and it has strengthened in me the need for empathy and compassion in every interaction.
As my time at San Beda draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of my bewildering journey. I am genuinely thankful to the students, faculty, and staff who allowed me to capture moments of their lives. To Chelsea, Archelle, Juliet, Diana, Lara, and Zak, though our connection blossomed later than expected, it is indeed a testament to the saying, “Better late than never.” I will always be indebted to you guys; your constructive criticisms have helped me grow and have driven me to push myself harder.
Paul, thank you for always sharing meals with me and matching my energy as well as my humor. I’ll definitely miss my “Bossing may lechon, ilan order sa’yo?” and “Bossing, kape tayo?” Anne, I owe you big time for always looking out for me, even beyond the walls of The Bedan office. You’ll always be my org mom, and I’ll cherish the tears we shared through every drama we’ve faced. Paolo, a.k.a. Boss P, you know that I couldn’t have done it without you, instead of just listening to my rants and nonsense you always made time to give me logical solutions and taught me not to let my emotions get the best of me.
I am more than grateful that you always notice. Gian, your reminders to complete my tasks each month were invaluable. From our Baby Boss to Big Boss, I am proud of you. Lastly, Thirdy, even though our connection came later, I hope your bored moments will become a source of productivity for the upcoming volume. Stay passionate and best of luck. I’ll always treasure the moments I captured with you all—our late nights in the office, laughing uncontrollably over random things, turning our creative ideas into reality for special issues, and grabbing coffee to fuel our Starbucks addiction. This new chapter will be different without you all. I will miss you all deeply.
Words alone cannot capture the depth of my gratitude for having met and worked with all of you, especially my companions from The Bedan. Although our time together spanned just a year, it is still one of my most cherished and proudest moments. Change is indeed inevitable, and there is nothing wrong with being scared. This is just the start of us creating something more meaningful. Looking back, these four years have been a rove of resilience, growth, and connection. While I bid farewell to the familiar halls of San Beda, I carry with me the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the countless moments captured through my camera.
As I move forward into the next chapter of my life, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a camera ready to capture the world. Farewell, San Beda, and thank you for everything. To conclude this chapter, I’ll leave you with a quote from the book Wonder: “It’s what you’ve done with your time, how you’ve chosen to spend your days, and whom you’ve touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.” Thank you for being a part of this incredible wander, and for your unwavering support of The Bedan.