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.

 

August 25th, 2008 by Jan Suing Jan Suing is a former editor-in-chief of The Lamp, the Official Student Publication of the Far Eastern University Institute of Nursing. He's a deist, a fan of Nietzsche, a movie buff and currently the epitome of quarter-life crisis. www.twitter.com/juansuing