WHEN I had my qualification exams for the Varsitarian a couple of years back, I found it extremely hard to think of the perfect word to start my essays. For me, firsts are as important as the lasts.
And so it goes for all other feature articles I wrote for the paper. I have to sell my story, and sell it for no bargain. The perfect first word would help me do that—to sell each and every word of my article to my readers.
To each one’s life there are also words that start a story. To most of us, we start with “Once upon a time”. I look back the past four years of my life and I was once upon a time a Thomasian student and a Varsitarian staff member. From there, I recall the entrance exams in Albertus Magnus Bldg, the enrollment in St. Raymund’s Bldg, the subject and professors I had, people and friends I met, everything, and how these are all a part of me now.
I remember the countless times I gave my parents hypertension, that instead of them congratulating me for an achievement, a massive mischief would breed disappointment and frustration hence substituting the supposed pride. But they were always there, and for the most part, I am more sorry than thankful to them.
Then there was the Varsitarian — the organization I am most indebted to. It taught me to believe in myself and bring myself to greater heights. Once a V staffer, always a V staffer.
My story as a Thomasian student and a Varsitarian staffer has ended. I will now start another story, in a different world following a different path. Everything in UST and the Varsitarian were part of my goals, my struggles, mistakes and triumphs. Thank you for being characters of my story.
From journalism I learned, start with a strong lead and end with a powerful ending. When most stories end with “and he lived happily ever after”, mine would be, “And she will continue to live…”
