I CAN probably compare my journey at the Varsitarian with the journey of the The Little Prince—an experience that was full of lessons that prepared me for adulthood.
The first lesson I learned as a Journalism undergraduate was to look beyond the superficial.
The narrator in The Little Prince, during his childhood, drew a boa constrictor (a snake) that swallowed an elephant, but all the adults could see from the drawing was a hat.
I learned in the “V” to look beyond the basic 5Ws (who, what, where, when and why) and how.
Grownups take themselves too seriously, like the businessman in the story.
He is too busy counting the stars he owns that he has forgotten to appreciate their beauty.
I learned not to take myself too seriously—to be less of a perfectionist and to let myself have fun once in a while—so I can appreciate the opportunities the Varsitarian has given me.
I learned to take the criticisms of my editors and advisers as opportunities to improve myself.
Beyond that, I learned to enjoy the experience and live in the moment.
“Busy” has been glorified in this day and age due to the advancement of technology.
People cannot keep still, they always have to do something or go somewhere.
Like the lamplighter in the story, soon we will all have little time to rest and to live in the moment because of our fast-paced lives.
Joining the Varsitarian indeed filled up my schedule with all of the day-to-day tasks of the publication. But amid coverages and editing,
I learned to appreciate the V for giving me an opportunity to be in the front seat as history was being made.
As Joseph Cook, former prime minister of Australia, said, “I believe in resting in reason and moving in passion. If you’re always busy or moving, you will miss important details.”
Being a writer for the University-wide publication has also taught me that there is very little substance in wanting the admiration of others.
In the story, the Little Prince meets a conceited man who always wants the admiration of others.
But to pursue a life meant to please others is to not live at all.
Journalists are meant to be watchdogs; their task is to report nothing but the truth, even if it is against the opinion of many.
Media have always faced accusations of being “biased.”
However, instead of hitting back, I learned to reflect inwardly in order to understand others’ perspective.
Like what the King says in the story, “It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others.”
Some criticisms do make sense and it is by improving on these does one make him or herself better.
Even as I graduate and leave the walls of the University, I will always gravitate towards the Varsitarian when visiting UST.
The V was my home for two years and its staff, my family, for hopefully a lifetime.
Try as I might to detach work from personal life, I have learned to care for the V as the Prince cared for his rose.
And just like what the Prince says, “Of course, an ordinary passerby would think my rose looked just like you.
But my rose, all on her own, is more important than all of you together, since she’s the one I’ve watered.”
I have learned from the Fox that love comes from “establishing ties” or investing in other people.
It said, “It is an act too often neglected. It means to establish ties.”
And lastly, sometimes I have to let go of the things I love because there will always be a next chapter in life.
Just as the Fox lets go of the Little Prince because he want what’s good for the Prince, I must also learn to let go.
I’m letting go of the V because better writers and editors will come to keep the “V” in excellent condition.
Moving on does not mean forgetting, it means cherishing the memories so one can keep it alive.
And as I leave the V, I will treasure the memories and friends I made within the short time I spent within the organization.
Because even if everything is ephemeral, what matters is that one remembers, and that is, in itself, some sort of permanence.
