HERE'S TO THE JOURNEY THAT BROUGHT ME RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW ✨
One question my best friend would always ask whenever I ranted about graduate school was:
"Why did you even enroll in a master's degree when you already have a bachelor's degree?"
It was such a simple question, yet it always made me pause. It forced me to look deep within myself and go back to my why.
Over the years, my answer changed.
At first, I would say it was because my work required me to pursue a master's degree. But eventually, I realized something deeper—I was doing this because it had always been my dream.
I remember being in high school, gardening after class with some of my classmates, when I casually said, "If I ever go to college, it would be nice to study at UP Diliman." Back then, it felt impossible because of many factors, especially financial constraints. Little did I know that the university where I eventually earned my bachelor's degree would become the very bridge that opened the doors for me to UPD.
I first enrolled in graduate school in 2018 but stopped midway through the semester because it took a toll on my mental health. I endured the first two months until my body simply gave up. I would wake up at 2:00 a.m. with my mind racing, gasping for air, or crying without fully understanding why. Later, I learned that those were panic and anxiety attacks.
I decided to stop and go home to seek medical attention because I knew I needed help. More importantly, I realized I wasn't pursuing something that truly aligned with what I wanted. I wasn't ready, and I didn't want to spend years chasing a path that didn't feel right for me.
Two years later, in 2020, I decided to try again.
This time, I applied to the master's program at the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning—a program that genuinely matched my interests and strengths. Although I was accepted into the diploma program instead of the master's program, the school encouraged me to complete the diploma first and then proceed to the master's degree afterward.
So, that's exactly what I did.
Three semesters later, I finished my diploma degree—and surprisingly, with flying colors! (Wa nako mag-expect ma-honor student oy kay naanad nako sigeg kahagbong sa beska. 😂)
Afterward, I enrolled in the master's program under the thesis track—a decision that added two more years to my graduate school journey. (Di jud lalim mag-thesis. Makapanangpit jud kas tanang santos sa langit. 😆)
In 2023, I returned to full-time teaching while simultaneously working on my thesis proposal. (Di napud lalim mahimong estudyante og maestra at the same time. 😭) I constantly worried that I might lose my job because I had not yet completed my master's degree.
Then, in February 2024, I successfully defended my thesis proposal and finally received the green light to conduct my study.
A few months later, another difficult decision came. Because of my employment status, I could no longer be regularized and would have been downgraded to part-time. I knew that meant carrying a heavier teaching load, leaving even less time for my thesis.
For years, I felt pressured to finish my master's degree within two years. But that wasn't my story.
Crafting my research topic and getting my proposal approved alone took an entire year.
During our recognition day, I talked with some of my seatmates and learned that several of them took five years to finish their thesis, while others spent eight or even nine years completing their master's degree. Hearing their stories reminded me that I wasn't alone in my four-year journey.
The last year—from mid-2024 to mid-2025—I intentionally chose not to work so I could devote myself fully to my thesis.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
For the first time in years, I gave myself permission to focus on myself: finishing my thesis, exercising regularly, sleeping well, and taking care of my health.
It wasn't an easy year. There were nights filled with overthinking, self-doubt, and fear. But despite everything, I kept going.
I will always be grateful to the people who stood by me through those difficult times—those who supported me emotionally, financially, and spiritually.
Every night, my prayer was simple: to make good decisions, to figure out the right methods for my research, and to be led to people who could help me whenever I felt lost.
One of the greatest blessings along the way was meeting my thesis adviser.
She generously gave her time, patience, and expertise from my proposal until my final thesis defense. (Kapila jud tawon gabalik-balik og revise. Di na nako maihap. 😆) She challenged me academically, encouraged me to think more deeply, ask better questions, and become a better researcher and writer. Because of her mentorship, I learned that research is not simply about producing results—it's about continuously learning, questioning, and improving.
Graduate school taught me so much more than theories and research methods.
It taught me diligence, humility, and perseverance.
It taught me to keep going even when things became difficult, to ask for help when I needed it, to communicate, to rest without giving up, and to begin again whenever things didn't go as planned.
I spent years waiting for this moment while quietly fighting battles that no one else could see.
And now, here I am.
I graduated with my master's degree as one of the top students in my class. Receiving an academic award was truly an honor, but more than the recognition itself, I value everything it took to get here.
This achievement didn't happen overnight.
It came from countless sleepless nights, endless revisions, difficult decisions, and moments when I questioned myself more than anyone else ever could.
Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I would always return to that one question:
Why?
Why am I pursuing a master's degree?
Eventually, the answer became so clear.
I wasn't doing this for career stability.
I wasn't doing this because my employer required it.
I wasn't doing this for anyone else's expectations.
I was doing this for myself.
For the 16-year-old girl who once dreamed of studying at UP Diliman.
I know I still have so much to learn, but this season of my life truly feels like a harvest season.
New opportunities are opening, and I am excited to see where they lead. More importantly, I have learned to be intentional—to protect my time and energy and to invest them in things that truly matter.
What a beautiful journey this has been.
It changed the way I see the world, challenged me to become a better version of myself, and reminded me that growth rarely happens overnight.
I have a new set of goals waiting for me, but for now, I simply want to pause and appreciate this moment.
To simply be here.
Right here.
Right now.
Sa kanunay pa nga expression sa UP—
Padayon.
Padayon gyud! 🌻🎓