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Apat na dekada.Libu-libong kawani.Mahahalagang adhikain.Isang National Housing Authority.

1975, hudyat ng malaking pagbabago para sa Pilipinong kapus-paladPresidential Decree No. 757, pinasinayaan, pinagtibay, inilahadInstitusyong nagsisilbing pandayan ng dati’y pangarap na sariling bahayNHA kung tawagin, isinasakatuparan mainam na pamumuhay.

Pakikibaka.Bayanihan.Sakripisyo.Makabuluhang serbisyo.

Aninag ng apatnapung taon ng pagbibigay ng disenteng pabahaySalamin ng tapat at busilak na paghahasik ng dugo at buhayPara sa pagtataguyod ng isang magandang simulai’t kinabukasanIsang pagbubukang liwayway para sa maralitang kababayan.

Pasasalamat.Pagpupugay.Pagkilala.Makasaysayang paggunita.

Mga katagang nararapat para sa apat na dekadang pagpupunyagiAt di matatawarang kontribusyon ng mga magigiting na kawaniWalang humpay, tuluy-tuloy na paghahatid ng pampublikong serbisyoTungo sa pangmatagalang kaunlaran ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Samu’t sar ing kuwento.Natatanging karanasan.Mi lyaheng tagumpay.

Jerome F. BanayCRO A, BN2 Project

APATNAPUNG TAON NA PO KAMI

I PASSED THE BIG FOUR

Yes, I am that girl, and yes, I passed those examinations. But no, I am not a nerd.

Actually, I never had a dream school before. Maybe I had, but not for a University. When I was an honor pupil in Manggahan Elementary School, I once dreamt of studying in Pasig City Science High School, the prestigious science high school in Pasig where the cool kids study vigorously, However, the wind brought me to Manggahan High School, the school near our house and is known for its disciplinary actions. I never had the chance to take the entrance examination in my dream high school due to a requirement deficiency. But I never regretted it because my education in Manggahan was good. Besides, my elementary classmates were with me. I just promised myself that I must enter my dream University. Sadly, I never had one. - SOMEDAY.

My senior year came and everyone was panicking from all the stress of making college entrance applications. The first university that opened its applications was the University of the Philippines (UP), the most prestigious university in the Philippines that ranks among the best schools in the world. Passing the UPCAT (UP College Admission Test) has always been a proof of excellence not only for one’s school but also for an average Filipino family. That's why most parents encourage their children to attend review lessons in the summer before their senior year to better prepare them for the bloody test, even willing to spend thousands of money for those month-long sessions. Students also buy reviewers that help them recall their lessons from first year. Since I thought that those lessons and reviewers would be a waste of money and time (because I think the lessons were already taught and if you have been good, you already knew about those), I never reviewed properly. Or in simple terms. I never reviewed. However, going through reviewers would still be helpful. Just do not cram, which I did.

For my first application, I chose BS Mechanical Engineering because I want to pursue a course in Physics. But after I visited the National Institute of Physics in UP Diliman, my outlook changed and decided to switch it to BS Physics.

It was like my calling to take a physics path. I then passed my form with hope. My mother also told me to pray at the Monastery of St. Claire in Katipunan and offer eggs because all exam-takers who prayed there passed all of their exams. It is like the haven for all hopeful examinees.

When the UPCAT came, I got to my assigned room early because I searched for it the day before. The two airconditioners were operating fully but the test was absolutely difficult. Much of the time, I laughed at my paper because I knew I was in trouble. I felt anxious and hopeless.

After UP, the Ateneo de Manila University opened its gates to hopeful applicants. The Ateneo gave free application and scholarship forms to public schools during a seminar there. Fortunately, my school was included. On that day, I also saw my half-Japanese crush/scholar that, after taking a photo with him, motivated me to pass the entrance exam and study there no matter what. After a long period of decision-making, I chose BS Applied Physics with Materials Sciences and Engineering, an honors course. I am utterly thankful to my parents because they let me decide on my future. They helped me by giving me tips or just by asking me.

The Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET) was held on the day of my Division Science Quiz Bee. Fortunately, my friends from Rizal High School asked me to go with them to Ateneo after the contest. The Ateneo gave

free bus rides to the examinees to better guide them to their examination rooms.

The exam was easier compared to the UPCAT. Maybe because I already had a background on what it would be like since I already took the exam when I was still a junior for the Ateneo Junior Summer Seminars (AJSS). However, essays were included. Let us just say that the ACET also got me praying for something miraculous to happen, although I was confident enough with my essay.

By October 2014, the De La Salle University was ready to search for new La Sallians. Honestly, I am a die-hard green-blooded La Sallian in the UAAP games. So after hearing the news about the application, I immediately crammed to collect my application forms and requirements. Good thing, it was free of charge. I ran through their programs and chose BS Physics with Medical Instrumentation. The course fits me because I want to be a physicist in the field of medicine or astrophysics. I also like the free bags that La Salle gives to applicants but I never got one because I was a public school student.

When the test came, I found it difficult. The math and science questions were overwhelming. The english texts were also challenging to read. But I got the hang of it since the test was similar to the other entrance tests that I had taken. Unlike the ACET, the test had no essays.

After the UPCAT, ACET and DLSUCET, I got tired of applying for and answering tests. But my family and friends insisted that I take other tests too, just in case. So I took other entrance tests. Fortunately, I passed them while waiting for the results of the first three universities.

One time, I happened to find out that the University of Sto. Tomas was

open for applications. So, I tried it there too, cramming my free application once again. The ambiance of the campus was amazingly friendly and warm. So I decided that if I would not pass the other exams, I may settle there. I chose the BS Applied Physics Major in Instrumentation Program for the love of physics. UST’s entrance test was particularly the easiest among the Big Four. So I was confident that I would pass it even though I belonged to the third batch. And so, after taking several exams, my waiting period began.

6:30 PM, December 20, 2014. I was at our BCE Scholarship Program Christmas Party in Rizal High School and was having a blast with my classmate-scholars when I got the news that the results of the DLSUCET were already available. I panicked with heavy sweating on my skin. I wanted to scream from nervousness but I couldn’t. I needed to have fun.

I even asked my classmate if there was a nearby computer café in Maybunga. I just controlled myself and patiently waited. When I finally went home,

I searched for my name in the portal and found that I passed! I passed with my first choice of course. It was the best thing ever. It was like all of the of applying and waiting paid off.

I told my mom about it and shared a screenshot of my letter of acceptance on social-networking sites. Many congratulated me and I was happy. But I knew that it was the start of something more. I knew that I could only study there if I had a scholarship and that scholarship applications were given after the DLSUCET results.

10 AM, January 10, 2015. A friend from Rizal High School broke the news that the ACET results were out. I was applying for the DLSU scholarship then. But I got flustered and instantly shared the news to my friends online. We agreed to wait. A classmate found a link where the names of the passers were posted. I searched for my name and I passed! I screamed at the top of my lungs and ran from my house to tell everyone the news. (I later found out that it was absolutely embarrassing). Then,

it dawned on me that I could not study there if I do not also have any scholarship. After two hours, I opened the portal and searched for my name again. There, I saw that I also got the scholarship that I had been waiting for -- a renewable 100% scholarship on my tuition and fees for one year as

part of the Loyola Schools Financial Aid Grant. My mom got teary-eyed when she heard the news. It was the best thing ever. I also passed my choice of course. Who would not be happy at that moment? I decided not to apply for the scholarship in La Salle anymore since it is too far away and study instead in Ateneo.4:30 PM, January 12, 2015. While I was busy surfing the internet for no particular reason, I got a notification from Facebook that our treasurer in the Manggahan High School Supreme Student Government tagged me in a post. Without having any clue, I clicked it and the post shocked me. I passed the UPCAT too with my first chosen course! Out of the thousands of examinees, I had passed! I told my parents about it

and they were glad. I started debating on whether to study in Ateneo or in UP. Both schools are prestigious. UP’s tuition fees is cheaper than Ateneo’s. But I got a scholarship for Ateneo. I cried because of stress and the problem

that I was about to face.

12 PM, January 28, 2015. A letter from the UST informed me that the same day was when their exam results would be released. I got into the internet and searched for my name in the portal. I passed too, getting a score of 93/100! I ranked 12th among my colleagues in my first chosen program. I was surprised to know that we were only 68 who were admitted to the course. It was such a great day.

With all these experiences and successes, what about now? What will happen to me? Will these predict my future? Will these actually guide me to a more successful

life? Honestly, I do not know. However, there is one thing I am sure about.

JUSTINE DOMINGO

That it is not about the school. It is not about passing prestigious entrance tests. It is not about the challenging course. It is about the person or the student.

It is about being highly imbued by things like your family, their needs, your f i n a n c i a l constraints, your dreams, your visions and your vigor to l e a r n . Because no matter what, you will the one to make your future. In my case, we are not wealthy in terms of finances so, I tried my best to work hard and study to the

fullest because I have dreams that I believe would later on solve our financial problems. I know that if I will be the best in the field that I chose, I can help those who helped me in the first place. It is important to make the right decisions. To challenge yourself.

Resolve to be the best that you can be. Do not let anything stop you. Create the life that you always want to have in your own way.

I finally decided to take my studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.

I am doing my best to be worthy of the opportunity of availing of a Jesuit education.

Lupang pangako ng NHA di napakoBuhay may ibinuwis makamtan lang ang minimithing tituloIto’y winasiwas at sa madla’y ipinamalasKasiguruhan sa paninirahan nagkatotoo na sa wakas.

Sa lupang ito aking itatayoPundasyon na Matibay ng aking bahayNagmula sa pawis ng asawa kong minamahalAming bunga’y palalakihin at sabay naming papandayin.Babae man ako sa tingin ng ibaNgunit may potensyal na maging lider ng maralitaUpang dito’y ituro ang pagkakaisa.

Banta ng demolisyon di rin alintana Pagkat Gobyerno’y aming Kasama Abutin man kami ng dapit-haponPumuti man ang buhok at ngipin ay magkulangPero sigurado matamis na ngiti ay masusulyapanDahil sa NHA sigurado aming Lupa’t Bahay.

MAY CARDEL LinkOD Pool of Writers Maysilo, Malabon

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