A Decade After

Ten years ago today, April 2, I graduated in college. I marched my way to get my diploma in this gymnasium. I was given a round of applause by my friends and family, and I remember having fun years of PE classes here.


The school's main entrance where jeepneys pass and make ikot in the whole campus. I remember when this road was not cemented yet, and we were covering our heads with tubao, or bandanna. Lucky for me because I do not pass this entrance because there's some wing entrance areas that are capable of entrance and exits to students and motorcycles; that one near the flat where i stay. The building you see is called Y building because of its structure, this is the administrative building where we line up for payments of tuition (which I don't pay at all, being a priviledged student). You can just imagine how long the walks are when you are in our school. From buildings to buildings, you have to suffer walking a good distance of 500 meters or more just to get to your class' building.


We call this the H building, here is where Accountancy and Management, also Marketing students and Engineering and Education students are hibernating during classes. Odette's building, she's from the same university where I came from. I remember walking from our Agriculture building to this building, and MSU is a super HOT place, now, it is easier, the administration allowed motorcycles for transpo from buildings to buildings. And students are very much at ease now with the long covered walks. But during our time, ack! You are literally walking in the desert.


My girl friends stay in the dormitory so I frequent this building, I always bring food when I feel like sleeping overnight in their quarters. i love the Girl's Dormitory, although there are stories of ghosts because of aborted babies and stuffs spooky, I still enjoy bonding with friends and barkada here.


This is the infirmary. Many of our friends have experienced visiting here for unexpected sickness but not me, I am friends with the resident physician but I have never ever been admitted here.


This is a new building, we call this the BA and A building. Now, marketing and Management and Accountancy students reside here, separated from the Education and Engineering department.


Our Arts and Sciences Building. Odette and I have been frequenting this building before we graduated because this is where our Darangen room is located. Darangen is a Maranao word for "chant". And Darangen is the name of our school yearbook. For two years, I have been part of the school's yearbook staff.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the building for Agriculture students. Yes,my building. And yes, I am an Agriculture student. I earned a degree of Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management in 1999. Thank you very much. Oh well, my job now is very much in consonance with my degree, isn't it?


I miss my Alma Mater, ten years ago, I still remember walking to and fro just to finish my thesis and to just get all things done and over with.

All the walking, all the dust, all the scorching heat, all the tired sleepless nights, all those strict and ever all-knowing professors, they are all noteworthy experiences for my four years stay in this institution.

And I am what I have become because I have surpassed Mindanao State University.

Ten years ago, I was a 20- year old lass trying to conquer the world, now I am a mother trying to conquer life's struggles.

Hail Mindanao State University!

PS. I hope you enjoyed touring MSU in this post.

photo credits: msu.edu.ph