One of the reasons I favored UST, my alma mater, for my kids over other top universities in the Philippines, is because of its Block sectioning. Kap is a DLSU alumnus & he finished later than me even though we had the same head start, because he was the one fixing his schedule to suit his (MY) needs. 😛 Pag hindi swak sa oras ng uwian ko at pagsundo nya sakin, THANK YOU NEXT (sem) na ang ending.

Block sectioning has a fixed schedule, and you follow it strictly unless you want to get left behind. It also means that you get to be with the same people in your class for the entire duration of your stay in college, granting you pass each subject at hindi ka maging irreg. For people like me who don’t like constant change, it can be one of life’s greater blessings. You find a friend or 2 & you’re safe for the next 4 years. May kasabay ka nang kumain at gumala tuwing free cut kapag tinamad pumasok ang mga profs, as opposed to having to find a new friend each term -as is in the other Universities.

And because your friendship develops through the years, it strengthens & you inevitably become almost as close as siblings, being with them 10 hours a day/5 days a week, sometimes more -for 48 months sharing the same interests & life-changing experiences. My Babyson, although more outgoing & friendlier than his 2 sisters and has quite a mixed group, found himself gravitating more towards his 2 friends: Isaac & Terry.

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Here’s to the months that turned into years with friends who turned into FAMILY. <3 OG!

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The 3 of them are heading off in different directions after graduation. My Babyson is, as you know, off to Med School. The more serious Terry will study further to become a Researcher. And carefree Isaac is having a gap year while he contemplates on what’s next in his life hehe. (Their trio is perfect because my Babyson is a happy middle of the 2. Serious in life, but also knows how to have occasional fun.)

A new chapter awaits each of them with new people to meet & befriend, so they decided to go on a last trip before parting ways. Terry, although a naturalized Filipino citizen, hails from Taiwan. The Chens maintain a home there, so the 3 boys went ahead & made their summer plans. Nalaman ko nalang nung bayaran na, lol. “Mom, pahinging pera pang plane ticket”. 😛

Anim na gabi akong hindi nakatulog, I kid you not. No matter how old he gets, he will always be my baby, and I will worry constantly with regards to his safety & well being. Laking tuwa ko nung makabalik si Babyson ng matiwasay. Sa next graduation mo na uli kita papayagang lumayas ok? Ga-maleta ang linaki ng eyebags ko kaka-alala sayo.

(One thing nice about this trio is they are more foodies than drinkers, unlike my Babyson’s spoiled Alabang group na RKs hehe. Besides, Terry is an old soul at laking Taiwan so it somewhat eased my worries.)

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Goodbyes are painful ONLY if you are never going to say Hello again..

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Boys, I’m sure this is not goodbye. Baka nga bukas lang, kitakits na uli kayong 3. Kaya bawal malungkot. Maliit lang ang Pilipinas.

Congratulations, and good luck Terry & Isaac on your new adventure! :-* Your bright future awaits.