GRATITUDE BEYOND WORDS

Being poor is never a hindrance.  It’s not a crime.  It’s a leverage to success.

I am posting this primarily because I am indeed proud of my daughter’s accomplishments and at the same time to give inspiration to others who are aspiring to be an Atenean.

To be honest, I did not approve of my daughter’s going to Ateneo.  From the very beginning, I was uncooperative with her application for ACET (Ateneo College Entrance Test).  However, as the saying goes. Ïf there’s a will, there’s a way.  And that’s it.  

She qualified in the top 3 universities of the country : DLSU (De la Salle University), AdMU (Ateneo de Manila University) and UPD (University of the Philippines - Diliman). She also qualified as DOST - Merit Scholar.  

 

We had a long argument regarding her choice of school because of the very obvious reason : FINANCES.  Pros and cons were laid on the table.  Friends and relatives were consulted. In the end, the die is cast and Dorothy got her resolve.

AdMU maintains a reputation of one of the best schools in the country. One of the Philippine universities which constantly appears in the top performing schools in Asia and the world. To be in such august institution is both an honor and a privilege, but it has also its perks and quirks.  

I am a public school teacher, though a Master Teacher II, a solo parent at that, I cannot guarantee adequate financial support because AdMU has a jaw-dropping educational cost.  The DOST scholarship for tuition cannot suffice for it.  However, Dorothy’s tenacity and determination to take up the course that she really wanted in a school that only offers it, moved me to consent by all means.  She applied for AdMU’s scholarship grant, confident that she will get it  because she is also among the qualifiers in the Honors Program of the University.  She actually did everything to get into AdMU.  Being in the Honors Program, one has be be among the top 10-15% of the ACET qualifiers and the minimum grade requirement is higher in order to remain in the program.

DOST grants P20,000 for tuition per semester;  P7,000 monthly allowance; book allowance; one-time travel allowance (from province of origin to place of study). AdMU covers 75% of the tuition and miscellaneous fees which usually ranges from P100,000 - P140,000 per semester; free meals or discounts every first week of the month; free or 50% discount on other expenses; special privileges on other school services.

Apart from financial constraints, I was adamant to send Dorothy to AdMU because of the “label” that it is a school for the rich and the brightest.  I definitely don’t want her to be bullied nor suffer discrimination.  Being a Philippine Science High School  graduate herself, I am confident that she can hurdle through the academics, so our mantra was ‘’COMPETE NOT WITH MATERIAL RICHES BUT WITH INTELLECTUAL CAPACITIES”.  I never forced her to be in the Honor’s Row, I only asked her to maintain her scholarships and  finish school, and she did for four solid years, even getting First Honor or Second Honor. Maintaining two scholarships is already a feat.

To have her graduate from ADMU under the grace  of two scholarships is enough for the both of us.  As a teacher myself, my standard for excellence is quite high, however,  I subtly impose it on her.  

The COVID pandemic posed a great challenge.  With her at home during the pandemic, I am a witness to the rigors she went into because there were times that I have to be part of her learning experience. We sometimes engage in discussions and argumentation over certain topics.  I got to assist her and I delved into the energy-pumping feel in some of her activities, especially during submission time when she has to beat the time and internet speed.  The sad part of it is when co-group members cannot come up with expectations, it drained her energy and patience. Worse is when professors have innately high standards, a tint of apprehension and anxiety over grades set in. Count also the long hours sitting in front of the computer, less hours of sleep and missed meals to meet requirements and org activities. Waiting for grade results after every semester or intersession is just like watching a thriller movie.  It took blood. sweat and tears for her to graduate is quite a cliche.

Despite the rigorous academic training, it was worth the experience. In the course of the quest for academic excellence, AdMU exudes cura personalis. Worth mentioning is the extra effort extended by the university in checking into the well-being of its students. During the lockdown period, calls were made to check on students.  Dorothy has even attended online consultations to this effect.  Some students even received computer units and were given internet allowance just to cope with online classes. Lab paraphernalia and materials were delivered to students’ homes to cope up with experiments and lab activities. Recently,  I also appreciate the attention given to Dorothy  when she got sick of Covid where I could not personally attend to her needs when onsite classes were resumed.

Dorothy is not the studious type. She’s not the typical nerd.  She loves to read, that’s it. She never misses on her animes, movies, online games and video calls with her barkadas, no matter how busy she is.  She, too, has a love life. Whenever she is free, she writes stories online in her fanfiction sites.  She has actually earned an HP FanFiction Banner for winning as First Place in her story ”Always”.  Opps, this is TMI. (Too Much information).

Before Covid, as an Ateneo FA scholar, she did office assistance work and tutorials.  She also helped in other activities of the school. Upon recommendation of a professor, she did volunteer work at the Mind Museum during her spare time, Saturday, in particular.

A month before the end of Dorothy’s senior year, she was listed among the candidates for Latin Honors.  Based on her Cumulative QPI, she got 3.67 which qualifies her as Cum Laude.  A Magna Cum Laude is 3.7.   I was quite hopeful, she would make it but, she was down for a week because of Covid  before finals and I knew it put a strain on her performance.  Nevertheless,  a Cum Laude is a bonus.

I am a crybaby. I cry over my KNovelas or seeing my dogs hurting.  I cried my eyes out when Dorothy qualified in the DOST scholarship.  Recently, I was in flood of tears when she was chosen as Loyola Schools  Program Awardee for SOSE-Life Sciences. More than one can be conferred Latin Honors, but only one in the department can be given  the Loyola Schools Program Award.  It is given as a recognition to a graduating student based on outstanding academic performance, extra-curricular activities and impact on the program.  The Award was a bolt out of the blue.

I cried not because I was happy.  I cried because I was grateful.  Given the Atenean environment swarmed with the rich and the brightest, Dorothy got recognized. It was not the sparkle of material riches that shone but the glitters of performance that glowed.  I am grateful that Dorothy’s efforts got caught in the University’s eagle eyes.

 GRATITUDE.  GRATITUDE.  GRATITUDE.

 Gratitude to the school which epitomizes magis and cura personalis.

 Gratitude for inculcating in Dorothy the value of non multa sed multum.

 Gratitude for letting her embrace  the tenet of ad majorem Dei gloriam in her works.

 The eaglet has now grown its wings and the Mother Eagle has trained her to fly.  

 Dorothy, its time to fly!  Good luck and God be with you always.

 

6.23.2023