The Perpetual Undergrad, Part 2

University # 2: Campus Beside the Sea
Location: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

The province is not only renowned because of the famed Apo Island (which, by the way, is one of the best dive sites in the world), the Dolphins, the Sand Bar, etc., but also because of its universities. Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental, is dubbed as the University Town. Why? Because of the many universities in the city. Duh!

Furthermore, with the random killings that have happened in recent years and the infamous Dumaguete Scandal, the city could not carry on with its previous moniker (i.e. City of Gentle People). Hence the change. Not sure though, that’s just my hypothesis.

Course: Psychology (for 4 semesters), then Political Science (for 1 semester).

Fact: The University is one of the best schools in the Philippines, though it’s unfamiliar to some Luzon-ians (What dyo call people from Luzon? Tagalog? Nah. Not everyone’s Tagalog.) Yahoogle it up if you want, Silliman University.

Prominence cannot be equated with excellence, you know! If a school’s well-known, it doesn’t necessarily follow that it’s a good school. Take for example the case of this particular university in Manila (I deleted the name of the school, I don’t want to receive hate mails. Haha!). Famous, yes, but just look at the licensure exams results. Talo! And they keep on brandishing that they’re this and that (Again, scrapped). I know, licensure exam result's not the sole determinant on whether the school's good or not, but it's one of the-. Say, we take two schools, one prominent but produces lesser graduates, while the other an anonym to many but spanks the exams real good; who's better? Need I answer my own question? (/me resisting the urge to say 'Duh'.)

Fiction: Visayan people are poor in English. *snap fingers above the head* Excuse me!?

I don’t know why some people are prejudiced and discriminatory towards us, Bisaya. Can it be attributed to their (not referring to anyone, ang tamaan wag magalit) *gasp* superiority complex? Or maybe it’s the ‘defense mechanism’ talking? Uh… because they’re threatened? *suck air violently and cover the mouth with one hand as if expressing disbelief*

Why do people snigger when they hear Bisaya people talk? Perhaps they find the accent funny. Or maybe … I don’t know.

One more thing, though. In the movies, Bisaya maids are always portrayed as stiff-tongued, ridiculous characters. “Ati, Ati, tapus ku na pu patologin si Junatan, po-ponta na pu aku sa palingki.” What the heeeeell was that all about!? When do Bisaya people get to be leads? I can count only a few. But that’s beside the point, I know.

*Photo: Silliman University Website*
(to be concluded…)