My UPCAT story

I can still remember that day when my friends and I decided to take the UPCAT. They were all excited because it would enable them to enter the premiere state university in the Philippines. I also thought the same but I actually took the test just to gauge myself. If I failed, then it's alright. If I passed, better.

However, as the weeks passed, one by one began to back out until our numbers dwindled to a mere three. I would not back down, was what I said. Even if I was to be alone in this, I didn't care. After all, I had nothing to lose.

So came the day of the UPCAT itself. I was scheduled to take the morning exam, which began at 8AM and ended at 12 in the afternoon. Imagine my horror when I woke up and saw that it was already 7:30AM! I threw down the blankets and began to speedily finish the daily routine of eating, bathing, and dressing up. I was dreading as I did these things and was praying to God.

Thankfully, I wasn't late. The exams hadn't even begun yet. I heaved a sigh, relieved.

The UPCAT was divided into four parts: English, Science, Math, and Reading Comprehension. English and Reading Comprehension were fine and pretty easy. But Science and Math! Ugh! I can assure you that I was only certain of my answers in one-thirds of both. The rest? Well, it's all up to chance.

I was the first to finish in every part of the exam. I had to wait for the time allotted for each to move on to the next. I observed my fellow UPCAT takers. Their foreheads were all furrowed, concentrating. They were really striving to enter the state university... Unlike me, who was taking it all for granted.

So the months passed. I pursued my studies and took entrance exams in two more universities: PNU and FEU. I was granted a scholarship in both. The most promising one was in PNU, though. Can you imagine a 100% scholarship and a 100 peso fee for every unit? Obviously, it was the better choice.

The thought of the UPCAT was out of my mind. I had dropped all hope of ever passing it. After all, what chance did I, a Kapampangan girl who only stood out in her class because most of them were mediocre, have of being granted an entry in the University of the Philippines where the most intelligent students go? It was an impossible dream (although I still prayed for it in secret).

Well, imagine my surprise when I found out that I passed the test and was admitted, not in UP Baguio (my second choice of college), in UP Diliman with my first choice of course: BA Journalism. I was, of course, happy. But a new problem was presenting itself.

UP Diliman was known for its student activists, hazings, and fraternities and sororities. I was not keen on enrolling because of the said reasons. How could I, a small girl, survive in such an atmosphere of temptations and vices? I saw absolutely no chance.

I had already reconciled to the fact that I was going to PNU, and I was determined, too. The future looked more promising there. However, I was not satisfied. Our relatives and family friends wanted me to go to UPD so badly. I told myself again and again that I did not go around to please others, rather I was going to go around pleasing myself. But even this mindset did not work and I was more confused than ever. Somehow, putting people down was not my style.

I finally acquiesced to enter UPD when I heard a sermon stating that God wants only what's best for us. He was giving us a million opportunities and it was our job to grab them all. That's when it all became clear to me that God gave me this chance so that His goodness and glory would be evident even as far as Diliman, Quezon City. I was to be an ambassador of God and I was more than ready to accept the mission. I no longer dreaded the thoughts of living in a dormitory with people you barely know, "monster" professors, paper works that could well comprise a three-storey building, and "worldly" organizations. I felt in my heart that God's hands were moving in all of this. I rested on the solace that everything would work out for good because the Father was acting.

And it was indeed true. All His promises hold true.

So, here I am, a freshman student in the University of the Philippines Diliman, a proud testimony of God's love and faithfulness. For without him, none of this would have happened. I would never have passed the exam without the wisdom and knowledge He most graciously imparted in me. I would never have survived that hard and (home) sickening first week. I would never be the person I am now if it was not for God.

I believe now that there are no accidents in life. Why? Because long ago, everything has been written by the Master's hand. Everything works out for God's holy purpose.