In The Land of Green and Gold is where I found my Heart
August 25th, 2008 by jansuing
Entering FEU was never part of my plans.
One of the hardest decisions I had to make the moment I stepped out of St. Mary’s Academy (my high school Alma Mater) after graduation was choosing what university in the Philippines I’d go to to purse the degree my parents chose for me. Of course there are so many things I had to consider that would aid me in my decision. Topping the list of these criteria would be the quality of instructions it offers for my chosen course, and the tuition fee rate. I wasn’t born in a family of elites and all (I won’t have to take up nursing if I was born in super-rich family). Some of the schools that conformed to my standards were UP Manila, UST and Angeles University Foundation. It’s my own decision not to take up the notorious UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) just because I didn’t feel like it (and I lacked confidence that I would pass the exam that time). And so, that trimmed my list down to only UST and AUF. I took the entrance exams of both universities. And as expected, I flunked USTET (nursing was my first course of choice). That leaves me AUF as my only resort. And I passed the university’s entrance exam. But a serendipitous circumstance happened. My friends were persuading me to go with them to a Spongecola concert (I’m a big fan), but of course, I had to ask my parents’ permission first, and OF COURSE, they didn’t give it to me. They even scolded me. And then they learned that some of these friends of mine will go to the same university (AUF). I still have a vivid memory of what they have ordered me that day of serendipity: “Mantun kang aliwang eskwela keng Menila!” (Go find another school in Manila!) Those words casted me ambivalence: I felt sad because I won’t be able to go to the same school as my friends, but at the same time, I felt happy and a surge of excitement. Just a thought of Manila makes me happy because I know the place will give me experiences I might not have in Pampanga. And so after my parents’ hung up the celphone (They’re working overseas), I immediately asked my Auntie Joy and Auntie Chaie a list of other good nursing schools in Manila. They gave me San Beda, and Far Eastern University (FEU). One of them told me that FEU would be a better choice because Nursing in San Beda’s still ‘young.’ FEU finally won my nod of approval and I applied for the FEUCAT the next day.
And of course, I passed the exam. I was even a candidate for Full Merit Scholarship.
I USED TO HATE FEU. “‘Hate is such a strong word,” my editor-in-chief would tell me, but that’s what would really explain my feelings for the university the first time I entered it. I hated the ‘tuck-your-polo’ policy, some of its childish students, its reputation outside its premises, and other things. But I had no choice but to conform to its stringent policies and endure its flaws. I just wanted to finish my course and leave the hell out of the school after graduation. As time passed by, I just found myself establishing a connection with the school. And before I knew it, I AM IN LOVE WITH FEU. And then, I started to see gradually the beautiful things about it that I failed to see before. That’s how I realized: “FEU is MY school.”
There are so many things about my school that captured my heart – from its beautiful architecture (FEU won the UNESCO Heritage award for having the largest ensemble of preserved art deco buildings in the country. Wikipedia) to its friendly people (based on my personal experiences), FEU never fails to make me proud. It taughtt me so many things I never knew before, and it aided me on formulating my principles in life. And now, I’m a far better person than I was before. There are also so many instances when FEU students topped board exams and all. I mean, okay, FEU isn’t as huge and as prestigious as UP or AdMU, but my school’s struggling big time to give its students the best education and the best service that they deserve. And FEU is still young. We still have a long road to trudge and I know that someday, with just pure perseverance and determination, FEU will be the benchmark of Philippine education. We all just have to wait and see. We don’t want to compete, but if challenged, we know how to fight, and we fight fairly. I can even say that FEU is the mirror of the Philippines – the people, the government (mind that I’m pro-government), and other things that make us a unique nation. We’ve been casted with bad derogatory remarks and slurs and maltreated so many times, but still we’re resilient, and that’s our nature. We’re strong people. We’ve won so many games, landed on the ‘first place’ so many times and we’re still humble. We don’t care if weren’t rich or haven’t got so many achievements in our lives because those don’t make us happy. It’s our family and friends that make us happy. These things make an FEU student. We don’t care if we’re superior or inferior to others because being an FEU TAMARAW is cool in itself.
To my fellow FEU students, I sometimes think that you guys have some sort of inferiority complex. I guess its time for you to realize that YOU ARE THE BEST. You just have to accept that in your hearts and minds. When walking on the street, stand tall. When amidst other students from other schools, stand tall. Never ever be ashamed of your school. Why enroll yourself at FEU if you do not want to study here in the first place? I don’t want to hear you badmouthing my school ‘cuz in the first place, you had a choice not to enter FEU. And guys, only YOU know how exquisite you are, not only academically, even in all other aspects. Behave as you want to behave. Do not mind others, they can always complain if you’re bothering them. Social norms and ethical standards? You always have choice to follow them or not. Do what makes you happy. What’s more important is you always keep in mind the values FEU has taught you: Fortitude, Excellence, Uprightness.
To other students from other schools, I just want to say that Tamaraws are naturally friendly. But never ever mess up with them, ‘cuz Tamaraws are intelligent, pugnacious and aggressive.
And to FEU, thank you. You’re still my Badass University of the Philippines. P.S. I’d love to stay with you and graduate in your arms, so can you please pass me, I mean the battery exam and all, and admit me to 3rd year? Pretty please? Do not fail me. Haha.
This is subjective. Of course we must always love our own, and I love mine so much that I’m willing to fight for it. (I’d even fight for Wendy Valdez! Haha, beat that.) Corny? Think again.
This work, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Philippines License.
(+23 rating, 29 votes)
| August 25th, 2008 by jansuing Jan Suing is currently the Editor-in-chief of The Lamp, the Official Student Publication of the Far Eastern University Institute of Nursing. He's an agnostic theist, a fan of Nietzsche and a movie buff. Among his favorite films are Sympathy for Lady Vengeance and Revolutionary Road.
www.formspring.me/jansuing
www.twitter.com/juansuing |
Most commented
August 25th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
hehe.. nice one jan.
?August 25th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
nice! the same feeling i’ve felt before…
natutunan ko ring mahalin ang FEU…
August 25th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
salamat! kung mapapansin niyo second year pa ‘ko ng ginawa ko ang article na ‘to dahil ngayon ay parte na ‘ko ng FEU-IN at masaya ako. Hahaha!! ^___^
?August 25th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
naalala ko.. parehas tau nang kinuhang course sa ust.. fine arts major in advertising arts… miss u jan.. :) galing u tlga..
August 25th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
good one there.. i guess this is really the reality, most of the time people would ask me, bakit sa feu ka lang? as well as yung mga classmates ko tinatanong din, sagot nila kasi bumagsak ako sa ganito, etc. no choice eh..etc.. mga tipong ganyang sagot..
but in the end, we have learned to love our school.. our dean, professors and even the maintenance people (reliance at our time).. i mean our college life would not be complete without them.. especially if your a graduate na, you’ll be able to appreciate everything about you Alma Mater..
I myself and my groupmates are very thankful na sa FEU-IN kami nag-Nursing.. we dont have any regrets because there are a lot of things to be proud of. Especially pag nag-oath taking ka na, you’ll realize all of these.. and even here in the States..
jan, continue on inspiring our fellow Tams, publish niyo sa The Lamp.. heheh
August 26th, 2008 at 5:47 am
nice one jan! :) i felt the same way before pero ngayon super love na love ko talaga ang FEU kahit anong mangyari. ^-^
August 26th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I am also a graduate of FEU. I am proud of being Tamaraw.
Nice article Jan. Im proud of you. you have all the guts to share your experiences as Tamaraw. Someday I will share mine.
I believe that my experience as alumni of FEU will also help to encourage students who dont believe in the ability of their Alma Mater.
FEU is one of the best schools in the Philippines, it may not be as prestigious as UP, ADMU. DLSU, I am always proud that I have been a part of it.
With out FEU, I believe, I can say that I am not what I am now. I cannot be a part of one of the largest travel agencies in the UAE but in the whole middle east.
Thanks FEU for teaching me on how to persevere, to keep my focus, to dream big. FEU made me stronger and patient.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:55 am
salamat henzen! ^_^ oo nga, pero sa totoo lang cguro blessing in disguise ang hindi ko pagpasa sa UST. kung pumasa siguro ako doon, ibang JAN ako ngayon.
?August 26th, 2008 at 11:03 am
@TamSNurse
hindi ko po alam kung pde pa siyang i-publish sa LAMP ngayong nasa Tambayan na siya hehehe. alam po ng classmates ko at ng mga kaibigan kung gano ako ka-proud sa FEU. katulad nga po ng sinabi ko, wala akong pakialam kung saang school man nanggaling ang iba, basta proud ako na sa FEU ako hinubog at habambuhay kong dadalhin ang school na to sa puso ko. Iyon nga lang ay medyo malungkot ako kapag nakikita ko o naririnig ang ibang tamaraw brothers ko na hindi sila proud sa school nila. isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit ko ginawa itong article na ‘to. sana makarating sa lahat ng mga tams ang mensahe ko, na hindi tayo FEU LANG, FEU TAYO.
^_^
?August 26th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
@marlanne
ditto! tinuturuan ko pa nga ang mga classmates ko na maging proud din at effective naman. ikaw din! hehehe ngaun ang dami na naming nanunuod ng laban ng FEU, hindi na sila nahihiyang sabihin na FEU sila at taas noo na rin silang naglalakad sa Espana. Araw-araw kong dinadaan ang likod ng UST at sa tuwing dadaan ako dun na naka-uniform, taas-noo talaga ako. Hahaha
?August 26th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
@Jhun Tayo
wow ang sarap isipin na ang daming matagumpay na Tamaraws ngaun hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo. sana wag nating kalimutan ang mga natutunan natin sa ating Alma mater at lagi nating ibalik dito ang mga pasasalamat natin. ako promise ko kahit graduate na ko manunuod pa rin ako ng UAAP games at susuporthan ko pa rin ang FEU hehe.
?August 26th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
gling kuya jan..! tsk..Grabe..hehe..
that’s what u call..SAMBA…!
whew..actually, gnun dn feeling ko..
kya nga FEU ung last n pinagtake-an ko eh..
aun.. and if not just with the FULL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP..
i would have tried at La Salle Dasma pa..
ready n ngau ng application ko eh..haha..and i still have it now..
Bsta..
gnda..!
just continue doin’ things like this po..!
Suportado ko kyo..! haha..
actually, i have a friend named Xai..aun..nbbsan ya din
sa multiply un g mga Blogs mo..
and ntutuwa xa..hehe..un..
bzta..!
ganda..! keep it up po..! =p
August 26th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
helow jan… tuloy mo lang yan. hekhek.jeez….
?August 26th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
@neil
si xaikumplikado? hahahaha… anyway, BE A PROUD TAMARAW! ^___^ hahahaha
?August 26th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
@joanna
hahahaha oo! obvious na wala akong magawa lagi akong nagcocomment hehehehe
?August 26th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
sulong jan albert suing.haha.
ipinagmamalaki kita.^^
um tunay na kahanga hanga ang mga isnulat na kaalaman ng taong ito.
pangako…
isa ako sa mga saksi ng knyang mga artkulo at istorya sa buhay at pag-ibig na binigyang parangal. ^^
nang dahil sa kanya, natuto akong magsulat at mgkaroon din ng pasyon dito.
Hinubog nya ang aking pagkatao.Haha. (OLDBOY and SYMPATHY TO LADY VENGEANCE.xet.haha)
Seryoso ako ah?Um…
Higit sa lahat, lagi niyang pinapalakas ang loob ko.haha. ^^
He showed and taught me how to be CONFIDENT in everything I do.^^
kaluguran daka nimal.^^
August 26th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
wow jan.. nice one :) hehehe feu was really never part of my plans.. i never even thought that i’ll be studying here eh.. pero so far, FEU, as a school and as an institution, it’s just being OK to me :)
August 26th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Hahaha! oo naman. proud na proud talaga ako. tsaka kahit anong gawin nilang alipusta sa FEU, Go Fight Tams! pa din ako noh. They can’t take that away from me. wahaha :)) I love FEU so much. Na love at first sight tlaga ako sa FEU. Pagpasok ko, napaWOW talaga ako. kaya after ko mag test dito di na ko nag test sa iba. Di ako nagkamali. Proud to be an FEU Tamaraw! :)
August 27th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
nice one..
keep it up jan!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
@chona guiao
aww chona ^_^ salamat kahit na hindi ka isang tamaraw… hehehehehe maging inspirasyon tayo sa lahat ng tao hahaha.
?August 27th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
@marlanne
ako nga di ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na kong nakiag-argumento sa iba para sa FEU hahaha. GO FEU!
@pao
thanks pao!!!! ^___^
?August 27th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
go tamaraws!
?August 28th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Kung nabibigyan lang ba lahat ng pagkakataon na mag-aral sa “BIG FOUR” eh bakit hinde na lang tayo dun mag-enroll diba? Pero maraming mga bagay ang nakakaapekto kung bakit di tayo nakakapasa or napapakasok sa mga pamantasang iyon. Noong hindi ako ipinasa sa interview ng UST, sabi ko sa sarili ko “MANILA or BUST”. Ayaw ko kasing sa probinsya mag-aral. Sabi ko “SIGE NA NGA, FEU NA LANG”. Ito ang damdamin ko noon.Pero sa paglipas ng panahon ay lubusan kong minahal ang FEU. Marahil sa paningin ng iba, isa ang FEU sa mga SECOND-TIER universities pero ika nga, maraming namamatay sa maling akala. Hindi lang gawain ng pamantasan na magyabang at ipangalandakan ang mga natamo nitong tagumpay.
Ngayong apat na taon na ang nakalipas mula nang ako’y magtapos, masasabi ko na ang puso ko ay hugis TAMARAW at ang dugong nananalaytay sa aking katawan ay BERDE at DILAW. Ipinagmamalaki ko na TAMARAW ako. Sino mang mang-api o mang-mata sa tulad ko, SUSUWAGIN ko. KAMI PO AY MAY SUNGAY. =)
August 29th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
wooow. gnyan dn ako before. kc prng ampanget ng tingin nla sa FEU. cguro kase akala nila madali lng sa feu, nde lng nla alam qng gano khrap. ska wla tlga sa choice ko ang FEU. AS IN. wala! pero as time passed by mnahal ko na dn ang school. best choice, no regrets. naiinis nga q sa classm8s qng nagdo2wn sa school nten lge qng cnsb sknla “e bat k nag enroll?” haha. nkakainis kase e. basta koo. im proud of our shool. and I’ll fight for GREEN and GOLD
?August 30th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
uy! masanting ya ing article mu..
istu ka ken.. ehe..
aliwa la reng tamaraws..
August 31st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
wow naman, may nagtatanggol na satin hehe lagi ko kc naririnig na minamaliit nila ang feu, at inaasar sa checkered green uniform,
August 31st, 2008 at 12:21 pm
haha me too i never really expected na dito ako magaaral, it was never my choice, i just failed to enter DLSU-Manila, and ive found out na mas maganda ang feu,
August 31st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
@glam
istu ka ken, aliwa la deng tamaraws hahaha ^_^ salamat keng komentu mu
?August 31st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
@junnie
habambuhay kong pagtatanggol ang PIYU. salamat! ^^
?August 31st, 2008 at 8:47 pm
janal!!!
nice one! galing mu talaga. (”,)!!! i really love the way how u write!!!
1st year plang tau fan mo na talaga ako. remenber the words ” Writer ako at hindi nars?” haha. love u mare
September 4th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
wow..
nakaka inspire naman kayo..
uhmm..
sa batch namin,
kami nalang ang huling breed ng ahse and all of us still hopes that we could pass the battery exam and be a part of IN.
thumbs up for all the IN’s out there!
September 5th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
proud tamaraw! galing. a nursing student who has the wits and skills of a good writer. FEU must be so proud to have a student like you. Go green and gold! Go Jan Suing! :)
September 25th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
nice speech.
kht antagal mu ng pinublish to eh ang ganda pdn ng timing q sa pgbasa n2.
im kinda having trouble kc w/ nursing stuff and all.
binanggit pa pla q ni neil d2.
anyways, naun q lng npancn.
suing last name mo po?
and ur from pampanga?
san ka sa pampanga?
dq lam qng anu mgi2ng rxn mu kc my fathers’ middle name is suing.
and he’s from pampanga.
haha!
akalain mu bka mgka’mg’anak pa tau!!?!
=P
September 25th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
i love it.
“KAMI PO AY MAY SUNGAY.”
PERIOD.
=p
September 26th, 2008 at 11:51 am
wah baka nga magkamag-anak tayo! taga-Sasmuan ako? hehehe
?October 6th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
sasmuan?
haha!
dq lam un.
haha!
sa san fernando ung lolo q ata.
ewan.
haha!
October 8th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Sana nag FEU na ako hehe -_-) ako lang akse sa pamilya ang nag UST hehe… pasaway kase hehe kaso baka di kita nakilala ^_^) hehe, ayos tong FEU tambayan! Walang kapares
October 8th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
@xai
hahaha town namin sa pampanga. ang alam kong sa pampanga lang ang mga SUING e
@rene
hahaha naks! ^_^
?October 30th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I remember, a month before enrollment for the 1st sem, my Mom and I were just walking around U-belt. We were visiting some schools and we were inquiring about their college entrance exams and then on our way home, we passed along FEU. At the gate of FEU, my mom asked me, “Gusto mo pasok tayo, kuha tayo ng application form?” I answered her, “YOKO NGA JAN SA FEU!” and then we went home. Look at me, I’M A PROUD GRADUATE FROM FEU. FEU had always been good to me and I will love FEU for the rest of my life.
?November 19th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Tamaraws! Click on the link below:
Senator Lacson and Mayor Lorenzo at FEU
?November 19th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
^nag promote ng blog??
February 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
nice one!!
super naka-relate aq, before my HS grad i started to think of the universities n pwede q pasukan, at nde ksama don ang FEU.. nagrereview n kmi non ng mga klsm8s q for the upcat tpos we planned to visit several universities.. sa lhat ng npasok nmin – UST, UP, UE, Lyceum – sa FEU, i felt that Im at home.. corny xa pakinggan pro thats the truth.. kinalimutan q ang upcat pti ang ibang options – nag-enrol aq sa FEU without my HS frends and i made the right the choice..
Go FEU!!!
March 9th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
OK..ACTUALLY AKO DUN…NVER ko naging choice FEU..even last choice,,, pero nung pumasok na ko at naranasang manood ng UAAP at mag cheer sa magagaling na athletes ng FEU, I really appreciate the FEU..MY school, our school..
?March 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Nice comments and the way we express our experience for this school. I share the same sentiments. Like after graduation its hard to get a job before since call center is just starting and most of the jobs before are sales thing. But when I came and stayed long with this call center I feel proud of FEU because I came to work with a lot of FEU alumni and we share the same vision and passion. If we have time my co workers will watch UAAP games. Another good thing is when fellow alumni launch this website which we are informed and united as one TAMARAWS! Let’s always be proud of who we are and what we have gained and learned from this school. We are not that famous unlike other schools but what makes us different from the other schools based on experience we are trained to resourceful and be unique with ourselves.
?April 9th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
wui… publish nio to sa lamp next issue ah… haha… ngaun ko lang nakita to… sana makita rin to nila nica saka mark at gelo…
April 10th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
hahahaha try ko po siyang i-incorporate sa column ko…. yun e kung magkaka-column ako hahahaha
?May 1st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
HI Fellow tamaraws!
?just want to inform evryone that i have always been proud of being a tamaraw!
June 20th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
LETS KEEP THE TAMARAWS PRIDE BURNING…
June 20th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
astig un ah!!!
yeah!!!
ganda ng article mu..
mejo me pagkacorny pag ung taga iba ang nakabasa..
peo dont worry..asa likod mu ang buong feu..haha
go tamaraws…
ang tanging skul na my SUNGAY!!!!
haha
sana manalo tayo sa UAAP!!!
bring home the bacon guys..
im so proud being a tam..
?August 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
“We don’t care if we’re superior or inferior to others because being an FEU TAMARAW is cool in itself”
i love it..!
ako din eh i used to hate FEU
pero after 4 years maiin love knlang lalo na sa FEU-IN
lalo pa kng pumasa k ng battery..
haha..!
August 7th, 2009 at 10:14 am
from the start,i love FEU coz it is where my tito’s and tita’s graduated.
FEU made them successful in their career.
FEU is my dream school since then.
I thank my parents that they supported me when I decided to study here.
They are so proud that I’m one of the lucky students who are academic scholars.
Even my tito and tita’s congratulated me that I made a good choice to take up nursing here.
Well,I hope that I would pass the Battery exam next year.
If I will fail,I dont know where to go.
I dont want to study in other schools coz Im a pure tmaraw at heart.
August 11th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Ako, FEU tsaka UST lang ung major schools na pinagisipan kong pasukan. Ngayon, masaya namang maging tamaraw. Sarap ng feeling. Hehe, kahit maraming naninira. Hindi yan sa school kundi sa studyante. GO FEU
September 8th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
hey jan..feu grad here..iabf-accountancy major..CPA na ako….thank you FEU…ASAHAN MO KAHIT NA BUSY AKO SA WORK LAGE AKO SUSUPORTA para sa FEU…im proud to be a pure tamaraw….wla akong pakialam kung sbhin ng ibang school na feu grad lang ako…dahil for me FEU is not lang..FEU is the best and orig…..
?November 3rd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
hello Jan, ako din sa tatlong schools ako nag-take ng exams pumasa naman ako sa lahat pati sa USTE pero 2nd choice lang yung pinasa ko dun, at first ayoko pa rin talaga sa FEU pero I really ask myself kung saan ba talaga ako mag-aaral it’s my choice naman kasi, sa UST ba because I like the school but not the course I will take or sa FEU wherein I can take the real course that I want. At the end I chose to be n FEU, before kasi super daming negative comments akong na babalitaan noon sa FEU pero now that I’m here, umm ok some of them are true, but there’s so many things to like about our school too that I almost forgot those old negative comments, I’m now here in FEU and I love & proud to be a part of it.
?November 4th, 2009 at 1:34 am
hi simpleblue
glad to hear that. natutuwa naman ako dahil nakikita kong lumalakas ang school spirit naten. sana magpatuloy. kulang lang talaga sa confidence ang ibang estudyante. sana maisip nila na isang privilege ang makapag-aral sa FEU
?November 5th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
@jansuing: agree lalo nat ang kurso mo eh belongs to the GOLD PRODUCER ng FEU (alam kong alam nyong lahat ang ibig kong sabihin)
at para sa mga maninirang puri ng aming unibersidad?! INGGIT lang sila noh… ang PIYU ACHIEVER sa lahat ng FIELDS pero di BINOBOAST… keep ur feet on the ground! ahahaha
?December 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am
ahahaha ayos!
?January 24th, 2010 at 6:03 am
FEU is the bomb biggity! These students are oblivious to their surroundings and to the help OUR university has extended. Sometimes it is good to “stop and smell the roses” … anyway, Proud Tama- Nurse to!
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