The Decision to Pursue DevCom

You would admit this: there are certain instances when you feel so ecstatic and content, as if nothing could ruin your mood, as if your day had been perfect. Such is how I currently feel. Somehow, it seems as though tons of things happened this day. I feel an overwhelming sense of achievement and productivity, like I was able to spend less than half of the twenty-four hours in the best day that I could.

Before I made the decision of pursuing BSDC, I felt . . . rather like an empty shell. Like someone without an identity. Or perhaps, someone who hadn’t wholly decided what that identity really was. Yes, it was exactly that. Sure, I’m taking up Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños. But somehow, it didn’t really appear like that back then. Whenever someone would mutter unpleasant words about my either my course or my school, I wasn’t really affected. My mind was still wired this way: Who cares. I’m transferring to Diliman next year, anyway. I was acting as if I were indeed a student of BS Geology in UP Diliman. I was completely, unfalteringly, certain that that wish would happen the next year.

But no.

It was exactly on the twenty-seventh day of October when I made my decision that I would stay in UPLB. It was during that particular period wherein I would spend many times contemplating, murdering my brain to let me choose properly, and the likes. I was beginning to be depressed, even. What was I supposed to do? I didn’t know. All I was aware of back then – and I still am – was that I loved both Geology and DevCom. I couldn’t choose. I couldn’t decide which was the weightier of the two.

And of course I had to choose only one.

After more musings, stumbling upon some inspiring stories and articles, I suddenly felt that “Aha!” moment when a bulb of light would emerge beside your head with that standard ting sound. It started to make sense. If I loved DevCom as much as I did with Geology, then why would I part with it? It’s already there, so close, already within my grasp, and I would just stupidly let go of it just because I liked the other one too. Be content with what you have, as I have often heard. It was so simple, that’s why It was so difficult to make the decision.

Here’s the good side: DevCom already has everything that I could ever wish for. There’s the journalistic aspect – writing, writing, writing, reporting. I wouldn’t get tired of saying this: Writing is my passion. It’s something I can’t live a day without. And quite literally. Then there’s also the artistic part of it [all the things that I am highly interested in]—photography, visual designs and video production. And the best part! Science, science, and science. I can actually write and study science at the same time. I couldn’t ask for more.

And the bad side?

There’s none, actually.

And after making the decision of staying, I felt so happy, so free of worries. From then on, I was so proud I was a DevCom student. And even more so, a UPLB student. The identity was molded. I felt whole, I was content.

A while ago, we went to PCAMRD, SESAM and ERDB for the exercise in DEVC 11. Honestly, it was my first time venturing into government institutions (PCAMRD, DOST; ERDB, DENR), and the air inside was not suffocating at all. The people were very accommodating; it was a center of ongoing learning. They didn’t give off any sign of hostility. Despite the fact that they were obviously very busy, they still entertained us.

Admittedly, I’m more of a writer than a speaker. But after that experience, I somehow felt like I could do the latter too, if I tried very hard. Luckily, I was able to interview the people there. And even more fortunately, my [how should I call it?] annoying trait of being an anti-social didn’t interfere. I did what I had to do quite well. After all, I suppose every journalist/ reporter, etc needs to have “makapal na mukha.”

I felt really giddy when I was finally able to enter SESAM. Perhaps I am too excited and way ahead of my current situation, but I had entertained the idea that if I wouldn’t continue having Geology as a second degree, I would definitely pursue an MS in Environmental Science. I love the environment.  But when we went to ERDB later on [My first time being on that part of the upper campus.], my admiration for Forestry heightened as well. To be honest, I was tempted to write BSF in my UPCAT form before, but somehow I didn’t. Not that I regret the decision, but it would be lying if I say that I hadn’t thought of taking up Forestry later on.

Maybe I will.

There are so many possibilities.

You know what? Somehow I like the idea of working in places like those – R&D institutions or anything else related to science, especially the environment. When I graduate, I would really prefer working in places like those [PCAMRD, ERDB, DENR, etc.] than ABS-CBN or GMA. Too mainstream. Perhaps you’d think of how idiotic that is, but I don’t really care if the latter could provide me more money.

Somehow, as much as I love writing, I still feel sometimes that I can’t correctly explain how I truly feel or think of a certain thing.

In the end, I’ve concluded: I won’t stop with BSDC. After receiving my degree, I absolutely won’t stop there. I would go on learning.

“Do what you love, the money will follow.”

That quote never fails to inspire me.