The Perpetual Undergrad, Part 1

All in all, I have attended 4 universities; two in Mindanao, one in the Visayas, and one in Luzon. I have already bypassed two commencement ceremonies.

And I’m still on my second year in college. Cool, isn’t it?

It’s always been an adventure being a student. Loads fun, trust me.

University # 1: University at the Mountain Top
Location: Marawi City, Lanao del Norte

A friend once remarked that studying at MSU is like joining “Survivor” for four years. Voting off is held at the end of the semester, and your reward is not a million dollars, but a diploma. Here, it’s survival of the fittest. Guess, I’m not one of the fittest.

Course: International Relations, Major in Asian Studies

Fact: It’s a very peaceful campus. Fog as early as 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Cool (literally and figuratively)!

Fiction: People just open fire at each other, carnage in the streets, Muslims are evil. (What the--!? Certainly NOT true! Do you want to debate? Makes me want to write about this.)

Amazing bits of info:

• Picturesque and beautiful campus, overlooking Lake Lanao.
  
  
• When feel like “emote-ing,” just go to the golf-course and cry yourself dry. Plus, the very thick fog adds up to the drama.
  
  
• At about 5 to 6 in the afternoon, when the sun is ready to set, the “Sleeping Lady” emerges. It’s the I-don’t-know-the-name” mountain ranges, that when seen from afar (especially at the MSU golf course) resembles, well, a lady sleeping, curves and all. It’s so breathtaking. Plus orangey tint of the sky, and the gentle sun rays, Oh, so beautiful!
  
  
• Gastronomy’s delish! Pater and Beef Randang, especially. And oh, the art of eating straight from the cellophane, with no utensils, how to tear the plastic in order not to make a mess, and the “rituals” that goes with it.
  
  
• With only 50 pesos in you pocket, you can survive for a day. Honest. But that was before, about 4 years ago, I don’t know at this time if the prices are still the same.
  
  
• Unless you own a car, the only way to go in and around the campus is through walking. It’s good for the heart, you know. Plus no pollution.
  
  
• The campus is also tagged as a mini-U.P. because of its size, and a mini-Baguio because of the climate. Cold in the morning and afternoon, freezing at night. Very thick fog, especially at night, about 5-10 feet visibility only, sometimes, 3-5. And I’m not exaggerating.
  
  
• We have our own SM (not Shoe Mart), where we watch the latest movie months ahead its release.
  
  
• More to come about Mindanao State University – Main Campus…

*Photo: MSU-Main Website*
(to be concluded...)