“Work hard, and never run dry.”

That is the very thing every student should keep in mind. 

Eunice Ronquillia Berina, a twenty year old and a fourth year Engineering student of the University of Perpetual Help System – Dalta Calamba Campus, has proven for the past 3 years of her college journey that the very key to success is hard work and passion. She is a consistent dean’s lister since freshmen year. Her father is a company driver whereas her mother is a fulltime housewife who never gets tired of running the household. She has two older sisters. One is a certified teacher, and the other one is a certified public accountant who helps out sustain her needs in school. 

Being a consistent Dean’s Lister was and still is a tough journey for Eunice. She have gone through obstacles before having the aforementioned honour. For the first two semesters she have taken, Eunice already became a Dean’s Lister. On her second year, she also had it in the first semester, and unfortunately failed in the second semester. But, it did not stop her in achieving higher and claiming the position she deserves. On her third year, she made it again for both two semesters. And now she is still facing the same battle with a pen and a paper in her hands.

As mentioned above, maintaining a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.75 and up for every semester is not a joke. In fact, the first time anyone gets such an honour is already given a responsibility to retain it because, for everyone who has known you of having that achievement, puts an expectation in everything you do. Plus, the factor that the family name you carry might be at risk when grades are neglected. And as Eunice have shared, she has shed tears in front of her family for failing to maintain the said GWA back in her second year college’s last semester.

Now, how does Eunice study?

Eunice usually go to a quiet place for her to focus on her studies. Her favorite spot to do her stuff at is in the Learning Resource Center – the library at UPHSD which she called ‘her office’. It is where she gets her work done. And as studies are concerned, Eunice do take her vacant time in school exclusive only for reviewing. And if not, attend the Supreme Students Council’s meetings where she is elected as the secretary. In short, she is a woman who takes her time preciously.

It is true that Eunice had and has struggles in maintaining grades. But, it did not make her feel restricted to having an enjoyment with her family and friends. As a matter of fact, sticking with social life most specifically with family, makes studies even lighter. There will be the love, the care, and support shown by each family members – an ingredient to cheer you on. And when everything is fine or feels heavy for her, and seems to be getting out of hand, still, she never forgets to pray and ask God for strength, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Yes, she is a faithful one. No wonder why God continuously grant the desires of her heart.

Not everyone is given an opportunity to have such an achievement in school. But Eunice just made a conception that in everything we do, we must have a humble heart and continuously work harder for our dreams. That very thing will keep our hearts burning for learning and for our chosen field. 

Raising three kids and sending them to college all at the same time was a tough battle for both her parents. But now, the success is just drawing nearer. That is why to inspire others to strive higher and harder, she is leaving her heartfelt motto – “I don’t regret the things I’ve done. I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.” Hence, do not let the enemy within you, rule over you. If you are seeing an opportunity that is brighter and better, and beneficial not just for you but for your household, do not think twice. GRAB IT!

Lastly, when asked about tips in achieving higher in studies, she mentioned taking responsibility for your success or failure. “In college, you are in control of your fate. The more you work at your studies and the more you actively participate in your classes, the higher the probability for academic success. If you don’t take college seriously and don’t study to the level you need, don’t blame others for your below par academic performance.”

“Just be humble at any phase of your student life and never forget to pray. Moreover, never panic if your grades are not what you hoped or expected them to be. And do not study for the sake of studying. Always put a heart on everything you do,” she emphasized.uttered.

By Clyn Joy R. Faraon

It’s obvious, most students who reside far from their chosen university opt to get a dormitory or an apartment near the school where they can stay while earning the degree on their chosen track. But there are also these fearless explorers who choose to break the norm and go through the journey to and from college despite the distance.

It’s no secret that traffic in the Philippines is terrible, and we all know how exhausting commuting could be— the stress from the traffic congestion, the time wasted waiting for the jeepney or bus that took forever to land an inch, the heartbeat-skipping possibility that you’re going to be late, and you might also add the hot season in the Philippines that has the power to transform a person from a beauty to a beast, real quick. You know, that moment when you left home pretty and you got to school scary. Short horror story.

But here’s the kicker and the reasons why some Perpetualites aren’t just dorming regardless of all the inconveniences I just mentioned above.

“Mas gusto ko mag-uwian kasi, lalo na sa course ko na Arki, pagod na pagod. At least ‘pag uwian ako, andun ‘yung nanay ko na nag-aasikaso, tumutulong sa paglalaba at nagluluto ng pagkain. ‘Yun kasi yung sobrang nakakamiss na part, ‘yung luto ni mama. Saka masaya rin mag-uwian kasi feeling mo araw-araw field trip. ‘Yung tipong pag tinanong ka kung taga-san ka, kailangan mo pa ituro sa mapa.”

Von Aeron Baral
4^th year, BS Architecture
Alitagtag, Batangas

“It is actually because of my mom. Pag nagdorm ako, walang kasama ang mom. And honestly, I’m still in the process of preparing myself to live life independently. One thing about commuting for almost 4 years is that it made me feel that I’m much stronger and ready to deal whoever person I might face. Every commute for me is a story, a story that contributes to my everyday experiences.”

Patrick Treyes
4^th year, BS BA- Marketing Management
San Pablo City, Laguna

via GIPHY

“Sinubukan ko ng magdorm dati, eh nahirapan ako kasi hindi malaki ‘yung space. Ang hirap magdraft. Tsaka sa chores, pagka nagdodorm ka mas madami pa ‘yung gawain imbis makapagfocus sa schoolworks. Mahirap bumyahe pero ‘yun na ‘yung nagiging pahinga ko minsan, natutulog nalang ako sa bus.”

Mick Edrick Marcellana

4^th year, BS Architecture

Pila, Laguna

“Sa totoo lang wala pa kasi akong makitang maayos na apartment kaya nagtitiyaga ako magcommute. Sobrang hirap pero tiyagaan muna kasi kailangan pumasok. Although merong malapit na school dito samin, may nagsabi kasing maganda daw ang turo dito sa Perpetual kaya nagpasya ako na dito na lang.

Eugene Gabriel Joyas
4^th year, BS Civil Engineering
Tiaong, Quezon

“Pinili ko mag-uwian since I had to help my dad before sa company which is in Makati, then my school is in Calamba, so gitna lang yung tinitirahan ko which is a win-win situation for me- malapit sa school at malapit sa office. Another thing is that mas comfortable ako sa bahay kasi andito yung mga gamit ko, my computers and other comm-related stuff.”

Kim Renzelberg Austria
4^th year, AB Communications
Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila

“Kaya mas prefer ko mag-uwian dahil may anak akong nag-aantay sakin, gusto ko syempre may time pa din ako sa kanya. Nag-aaral na din kasi kaya kailangan ko din mag-uwian para may mag-asikaso sa kanya. Another thing is that makakasama mo family mo pag uwian unlike pag nagdodorm ka.”

Laarni Grace Francisco
4^th year, AB Psychology
Taguig City, Metro Manila

“Being practical, since graduating at may thesis ako, mas okay na sa’kin bumiyahe ng malayo kesa kumuha ng dorm kasi mas mahal yung bills kesa sa magiging pamasahe ko. Piga kasi talaga bayarin kapag may thesis.”

Carla Pamela Noriesta
5^th year, BS Civil Engineering
Victoria, Laguna

“Para sa’kin mas convenient s’ya kasi kasama mo yung pamilya mo. Kasi kung magdodorm ako, konti lang yung oras ko para sa kanila. Saka natuto rin akong i-value yung time dahil sa pagcocommute ng malayo, natuto akong hindi i-take for granted yung oras na meron ako.”

Conrad Mari Batacan
5^th year, BS Architecture
Bae, Laguna