Pensieve

Incomings 2009, outgoings 2012.

Ang pamamaalam | An outgoing’s speech

Sa aming pag-uusap ng isang kaibigang Amihan tungkol sa nalalapit kong pag-alis sa Varsi, kami’y humantong sa isang katanungang sa una’y tila madaling sagutin: Ano nga ba ang mas masakit, ang maiwan o ang mang-iwan?

Bilang naging saksi sa tatlong Outgoings’ Nights at bilang ilang beses na ring naiwan ng mga kaibigang nauna nang lumisan sa Varsi upang harapin ang mundo nang wala ito, mabilis kong isinambit na, marahil, mas masakit ang maiwang mag-isa sa Varsi kasama ang mga panibagong miyembro nito.

Ngunit nang papalapit na nang papalapit ang taunang pagpunta ng Varsi rito sa Caylabne, tila nag-iba ang aking pananaw at kasagutan sa mahiwagang tanong na iyon—matapos nito guluhin ang aking isipan sa mga nakalipas na mga linggo, sa tingin ko’y mas sigurado na ako sa aking sagot: Mas masakit ang mang-iwan, lalo na’t isang bagay na napakalapit at halaga sa iyo ang iyong kailangang iwanan. Oo, ‘kailangan.’ Handa man ako o hindi, kinakailangan nang lisanin ang Varsi na walang sawang kumupkop sa akin sa tatlong taon.

Taong 2009 nang una akong tumapak sa Varsi. Nagsimula ako bilang isang writer sa Special Reports section at kalauna’y naging editor nito sa sumunod na taon. At tulad ng iba, tila humupa ang enthusiasm ko rito kaya’t ilang beses ko na ring naisipang mag-resign. Kung anu-ano man ang mga dahilan, sa akin na lamang iyon. Humantong ako sa paggawa ng draft ng resignation letter, ngunit sa kalagitnaan ng pagsusulat nito, tila hinigop lahat ng aking lakas kaya’t dali-dali ko itong dinelete.

Sa pagpapatuloy ng aking paglalayag at pagpapa-anog sa malakas na alon ng Varsi, aking napagtanto ang halaga nito kahit na hindi ako isang Journalism student. Tulad nga ng sinabi ni Arnel Pineda sa isang interview, “’Wag kang hihinto kung alam mong may mararating ka.” Hinadlangan ng mga magulang ko ang pagsali ko rito, ngunit hindi ako nagpapigil dahil gusto ko ito at alam kong may mapapala ako rito.

Sa Varsi, hindi ko maikakailang malayo na rin ang aking narating, bukod sa lumaki na ako kasama nito, nakipag-“date” kasama ito sa napakalayong lupain ng Pransya, at, siyempre, naging Punong Patnugot nito sa aking huling taon, pinalawak nito ang aking kaalaman at mas pinatatag nito ang aking karakter na tiyak na aking magagamit sa hinaharap. Naghandog ito ng maraming oportunidad at pinahusay nito ang aking mumunting abilidad sa pagsusulat.

Sabi ng iba, ang EIC ang hindi pinakamahusay magsulat sa Varsi. Kung ano ang meron ako kung bakit naluklok ako rito, hindi ko alam. Basta’t nagpapasalamat ako dahil sigurado ako na sa aking pag-alis, bitbit ko ang maraming kaalaman at karanasang parehong nakasisiya at nakalulungkot alalahanin. Masaya dahil tama ang aking desisyong sumali at manatili rito, at malungkot dahil tila kulang ang tatlong taong pananatili ko rito.

Oo, nakakapagod at minsa’y nakakasawa na rin ang Varsi, pero hindi ko lubos maisip kung paano ko ipagpapatuloy ang apat na taon ko pang pananatili sa UST ng wala ito. Noong una, sinabi kong aalis ako nang masaya at buong-buo, pero ngayon, siguro’y aalis ako ng masaya na ang isang bahagi sa akin ay maiiwan sa Varsi. Hindi ko alam kung paano ang gagawin upang muling maging kumpleto at maka-recover. Marahil ay aabutin ito ng mahabang panahon. Kung kailan at paano, walang nakaaalam.

Mahirap man at masakit, ang tanging magagawa ko na lamang ay magpasalamat sa sa lahat ng inihandog nito sa akin:

Sa incoming staff, simula pa lamang ng inyong paglalakbay sa Varsi. Nawa’y matagpuan niyo ang mga bagay na aming natagpuan dito. ‘Wag kayong hihinto sa Varsi dahil tulad naming lahat, marami kayong mapupulot na aral dito—hindi lang sa pagsusulat kundi pati na rin sa iba pang mahahalagang bagay. Hindi basta-basta ang Varsi, pag-ingitan niyo ang pagkakataong ibinigay sa inyo dahil minsan lang ito ibinibigay sa atin.

Sa incumbent staff, alagaan niyo ang Varsi tulad ng pag-aalaga namin sa kanya. Sana kaya niyo na ng wala kami. Panatalihin niyo ang lagablab ng Varsi sa 85th year nito. Ipagpatuloy niyo ang pag-ani ng mga kaalaman para sa ikabubuti at pagtataguyod ng Varsi. Kahit wala na kami sa Varsi sa susunod na taon, handa pa rin naman kaming tumulong kung kailangan niyo. ‘Wag niyong pababayaan ang Varsi.

Sa mga kapawa ko outgoings, tayo naman, tayo naman ang aalis. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng ibinigay ninyo para sa Varsi, lalong-lalo na sa taong ito. Salamat at hindi ninyo pinabayaan ang mga kanya-kanya ninyong tungkulin sa Varsi.

Sa mga section editors at kapwa ko EB, naka-12 issues na tayo, at naisilang na ang Neo-centennial baby natin—‘yung magazine. Salamat for a ‘good run.’ Konti na lang at matatapos na rin tayo. Salamat sa pagsuporta at sa laging pagtulong upang mairaos ang taong ito. Marami tayong pinagdaanan—positibo man o hindi—pero salamat din at napanatili nating maaliwalas at masaya ang ambience ng Varsi. Salamat.

Sir Lito, Sir Ipe, at Sir Ian, maraming salamat po sa inyong paggabay upang malagpasan namin ang mga hamon ng Quadricentennial at Neo-centennial. Thank you, sir.

At sa Varsitarian batch of 2009, ang mga kababata ko sa Varsi, Josa at Carla, maraming salamat sa pagkapit sa Varsi at sa hindi pagpapabaya at sa walang-sawang paglilingkod dito. Hindi ko alam kung ano nang nangyari sa akin kung nauna na kayong umalis. Hindi niyo lang alam ‘yung pasasalamat ko no’ng malaman kong pinili niyong manatili sa Varsi. Ngayong sabay-sabay na nating lilisanin ang opisinang naging tahanan na rin natin sa UST, sana’y magtagpo pa ang ating mga landas. Salamat.

Naging isang malaking hamon para sa akin ang pagiging punong patnugot ng pinakamahusay na student publication sa Pilipinas. Ito na rin ang isa sa pinakamagagandang nangyari sa akin. Ngayong sasama na ako sa paglisan ng hanging amihan, nawa’y nakapag-iwan ako kahit papaano ng mga aral na maaari niyong pulutin at magamit sa susunod na taon.

Mahirap man, paalam Varsi. Hindi ko alam kung kalian muling magtatagpo ang ating mga landas.

Salamat at congratulations sa ating lahat.

*Outgoings’ Night. May 8, 2012, Caylabne Beach Bay Resort, Ternate, Cavite.

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thevarsitarian:

Out soon: TOWARD 500—The Varsitarian Neo-centennial Magazine.

Source: thevarsitarian

Set to go with the trade winds | Varsitarian farewell column

Amihan, noun – (1) an annual seasonal pattern that is dominated by trade winds and characterized by dry and cool northeast wind, which ends some time in May or June; (2) refers to Varsitarian alumni.

***

Disclaimer: I wasn’t a Journalism student. I majored in Legal Management.

***

THREE years ago, I applied for the Varsitarian just to have “something to do.”

On March 30, 2009, after a rigid selection procedure, I was accepted to the world of the Varsitarian, which I had never imagined I would be attached and devoted to.

Thereafter, until the concluding days of my collegiate life, I’ve become besotted with this publication. I don’t miss a day without thinking about it; I invariably dream of it, sometimes perturbed by it. I am wakeful because of it, and I live (literally) with it.

To date, I have worked on 45 issues since I joined the paper (the last 15 as chief editor), whose cycles “killed” us every time. I have also worked on 18 extra-editorial activities, which put to the test our organizing skills.

The life of a Varsitarian staff member is never easy—nobody said it was. But to serve as its “chief” in the University’s yearlong Quadricentennial celebration, capped by the Neo-centennial, is a privilege. That is undeniable. But when work prevents you from enjoying an ordinary student life—due to the deadly fortnightly editorial cycle, perverse co-workers, and standoffish sources—it becomes a millstone that crushes one’s mental, emotional, and physical faculties.

But amid all the heartbreaks and woes, I have tried to remain calm and composed the entire publication year just to allow the environment of the Varsitarian to be light and beaming for everyone, for I believe that it’s only through it that the staff can survive the vicious demands of this 84-year-old student paper. After all, the Varsitarian couldn’t have endured if not for the perseverance and patience of the staff.

Yet, I believe, there’s no completely comfortable and painless way to delivering the editions, and that hard work and commitment are the key to wrapping up a good issue.

To the incumbent staff, it is imperative that you step up because you are next in line. Unleash your potentials and grow up for, soon enough, and before you know it, you will face the toughest challenge of being role models to the new ones while running the Varsitarian on its 85th year.

For three years, the Varsitarian has been my refuge in the University. The white-walled office, which I’ve become too engrossed with, has seen the worst and best phases of my collegiate life. It has also been a witness to many personal firsts. But more important, it has become, and remains to be, my ultimate mentor on most aspects of life. The paper has taught me ideals I will definitely champion in my future endeavors.

But as the saying goes, “nothing lasts a lifetime.” One day, each of us needs to get out of our comfort zones and attempt to face the cruel world on our own. Lucky are all those whose lives were touched by the Varsitarian for they have been equipped with the weapons which they can use to combat the challenges of the world.

And now that I have finally breezed through the ‘V’ and directed the floating pollens—through my cool and dry winds—to the perfect kind of soil where they will eventually grow, I would like to thank those who I have stumbled across in this meaningful and one-of-a-kind wandering.

To the publication’s mentors (Sir Lito, Sir Ipe, and Sir Ian), I wouldn’t have survived the “chaos” if not for your fatherly guidance and countless inputs. Your views have consistently helped me pilot the ship to a better course.

To 4LM1 that has been transformed into a “republic,” thank you for the undying support and understanding, I hope to see some, if not most, of you in law school (hopefully). I am impressed by the thought that despite our polarities, we definitely have each other’s backs.

To Hanna, Vea, Jan, Leigh, Metha, and Chot, the clique that became my “stress-relievers,” thank you for rescuing me in the most dreadful times of this journey. From time to time, you remind me to smile amid my strenuous work at the ‘V.’ I am looking forward to sharing more adventures with you, especially in Greece! Also, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation for the utmost understanding and consideration of my thesis-mates and “partners in crime,” Hanna and Vea. Everything has paid off, hasn’t it? Flat one!

To Kuya Eli and Alphonsus, my former editors and, incidentally, my predecessors in the Special Reports section, thank you for the labor of refining my fledgling writing aptitude and for believing that I may and can handle the unit that you have taken care of.

To Cha, Jilly, Rose-An, Aj, and Dana, the extension of my family at the “V,” who have earlier taken on the tasks of the ‘real’ world, thank you for the trust and faith that I can get through “this” alive. And yes, I did! All the happiest moments at the “V” were spent with you. I hope to see you soon.

To the Varsitarian batch of 2009, Carla and Josa, it has been a long ride. Thank you for staying and although we have somewhat found ourselves in different circles, I am happy that we will be exiting the confines of the “V” together. Our triumvirate of a writer, artist, and photographer, has served the publication well. Let us pass on the lessons we’ve learned after three years to our respective tribes.

To the Neo-centennial editors, advanced congratulations! We are onto the final phase of our term. Thank you for bearing with my attitude.

To my parents, thank you for everything. You initially contested my joining the Varsitarian, but I turned you down. I have worked hard to graduate with a Latin honor to prove that my decision was right—that I could dutifully juggle and balance my tasks in school and at the ‘V.’ With that, along with my being the editor in chief, I hope I made you proud.

To God, I don’t know how I will be able to express my thanks to all the blessings and help you have showered upon me since then. Thank you, thank you.

To the next batch, always remember, “It is our character that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Take care of the Varsitarian.

Finally, thank you to those who remained loyal and truthful throughout the publication year. Your support has made me trust in myself during the toughest times. You know who you are.

In two months, I will be leaving this publication. Painful, yes, but I’m ready and happy. And like the trade winds of an amihan, I will soon be coming back. Yes, I will come back.

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For all that has been, all is well.

Alexis Ailex C. Villamor Jr., The Varsitarian editor in chief, 2011-2012

Vol. LXXXIII, No. 12, April 10, 2012.

http://www.varsitarian.net/editorial_opinion/opinion/20120410/set_to_go_with_the_trade_winds