I have, in any way, not seen myself studying in DLS-CSB when I was in High School. But when I was in my fourth year, unexpected twists and turns colored my school-home routine life. However, in my three years stay in College of Saint Benilde, I have found myself. I’ve gained new set of friends, a totally different school environment where there’s no uniform, complete schedule control, frequent out of towns, and a whole new challenging stressful organizational work in Computer Business Association under the Office of Student Affairs. I liked what I had gained in the three years of my stay in CSB although there were still “I should have..” moments.
I joined the Frosh Orientation Program as an Orientor and this has somehow made me familiarize with the school’s Core Values: appreciation of individual worth, deeply rooted in faith, professionally competence, social responsibility, a sense of nationhood, and creativity. This part is one of my most loved what-about of my school. Every core value fits my interests and principles in life.
I’m a Christian by faith and I’m glad that the school is open to non-Catholics, the fact that CSB is a Catholic School. I know that I am exemplifying the life of a true Christian. I have developed a personal relationship with Him which I will cherish forever. The school has different religious organizations which I have been involved to and made me in contact with my faith. CSB has this special school for the Deaf offering Multimedia arts and Entrepreneurship which is one way of exemplifying Benildean Core value appreciating individual uniqueness. We always see the Deaf Students communicating through Sign Language at the Cafeteria and at the ground floor near their PEN Lab. I have learned the basics of Sign Language and it is heart-warming when you are able to talk and reach out to them. CSB also pioneers the promotion of creativity among college/university students. During my first year, I had second thoughts of shifting to an SDA course like Multimedia arts. I like arts but I do not know how far can I excel in this field. That’s why I sticked to my course. Besides, even if I’m not an SDA student, it’s enough for me to learn how to use different media software such as Adobe, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, etc, which I can really use now and in the future. A sense of nationhood core value and social responsibility tell me that I, as a student, should not only be aware but also be proactive on national and social issues.”Today I start the change I want to see..”. It made me realize that I should exercise my rights such as to vote on the national elections and effect a change into this nation. I don’t want to be part of the nation’s problem; instead I want to be part of the solution. If I want change, it should start in myself. It’s like the way I see apathy among students which should really be resolved. A typical Benildean would not care to attend educational seminars or worthwhile activities unless ORDEV accredited or required. Most don’t even practice their right to vote. My experiences in organizations have led me to this idea. In orgs, we learn how an institution operates. We get to know the highlights of the school, the different offices and the freebies from different events. We get to know the faculties of different departments and are able to gain new experiences. In orgs, we make things happen which ordinary students cannot do within the four walls of the classroom. Student Leaders are volunteers who share their talents and skills for the achievement of a unified goal of the org. I also believe that this is already a training ground for me. We make decisions; we experience lots of problems and provide effective solutions. Everything that I have learned has a purpose, from small work such as interviewing professors/students, raising simple questions during discussions, reflecting myself to what I want and writing a paper, falling in line at the registrar’s, to writing our thesis documentation, planning and preparing our biggest project – everything is worth it because I know that there’s something in that experience that I can apply in the future whether on work or on my personal life.
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