My early years at UP (Prep, AB and Law) were marked by personal financial difficulties.
I was orphaned early and brought up by an uncle. There were times when I had to walk to school just so I could save my meager baon. And then there were times when I would just buy rice for lunch, and rely on getting a bit of ulam here and a little bit of ulam there from some of my classmates and friends. And even then, I would rotate them, so that I wouldn’t be asking from the same people every day. That experience taught me the value of sharing, which I keep up to this present.
I also remember my graduation day, when I lacked not only a new shirt and a new pair of pants, but I literally had no shoes to wear. Fortunately, an aunt of mine gave me enough money to buy a pair at the last minute, and I had to rush to the shoe store to make it in time for the graduation ceremonies. But sadly, I was all alone during graduation — no family members or friends (other than my classmates) in attendance — which heightened in my mind the significance of acquiring a good education, without attention to the frills and accompanying ceremonies.
During college, I was basically into two activities outside of studying; fraternity and campus politics. I would always be in the forefront of the frat wars despite my diminutive frame, and I think that made people respect me more. Those frat activities (mayroon rin naman other than the frat wars) inculcated in me the importance of camaraderie and of standing by your friends and frat brods through thick and thin.
As for campus politics, I ran as a member of the student council and won. I was the only candidate from Diliman that spent the whole day campaigning in UP Los Banos — to the surprise of the students there. The result? I was supported by the and that turned out to be more than enough to ensure my victory. Sipag sa kampanya, which I practice to this day.
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