What Made Me Eat My Words

I'm one of those people who, when asked whether they belong in an organization (in the university), would smile timidly then shake their head to say no. Sometimes when the person I'm conversing with shares the same view as me, I would even say I'd rather spend my time with friends or hang out at our dorm than be with an org. I am a junior (and junior standing, thank gosh) now by the way but I am still org-less. I have nothing against orgs except those which defy a few ethical things due to such processes and whatnot. I just feel too thick as well to eat up my pride and do things just so I can be part of the org. Don't hate and don't take it personally but I won't stoop down for the prestige (and old exams!) the org will offer. Another factor is the reporting to almost every single member within a week. I mean, hello, I've got better things to do. I just can't imagine dividing my time too because 1) I have too much on my grill already, meaning acad stuff, 2) I'd rather spend my free time doing student assistantship obligations, and 3) I value sleep more, sorry not sorry. There's also those stories, unbelievingly true and horrifying, which just make me cringe like what they ask applicants to do during finals and inhumane tasks which are ridiculous and stupid. See, nothing against orgs personally, just maybe too scared to go out of my pretty comfy shell. But don't get me wrong, I wanted to join an org a few times. I thought about joining UP Painters, AEMS and UP Miabe-abe. But somehow, things happened and I didn't get a chance to. Looking back, I have no regrets.

Because now, second semester of my third year in UPLB, I am finally an applicant of an organization, specifically UP Gawad Kalinga-Los Baños. I told so many people I will forever be org-less, but here I am now, unable to detach myself from GK (not that I want to, but I deem that I am becoming over-clingy). I am still hung over from our Christmas party which was a huge blast. I am now checking Facebook a couple of times a day, which is something coming from a girl who used to open her account once a week. Heck, I am even posting stuff now aside from photos. In short, I ate my words about not joining an organization (on the bright side, still not eating my precious pride though).

What made me change my mind? Well, that's a handful. First off, I have this dream or aspiration that someday when I get rich, I will build a foundation or something which will help less fortunate people. We can build homes, feed the hungry and the like. Then, one day, GK was introduced to me by my friends, then a light bulb lit up. Why not start early? Why not start now? I don't have to be rich to help improve someone's life or to put up a smile on somebody. I can still help through little ways, and no matter how big or small it is, a good deed is always a deed done good. Second is I would only join GK if I have someone with me. For the love of service, I will brace myself for the reporting and process. So here comes my roommate, Rose, in the picture. It just opened up in one of our random conversations then she said she wanted to join too because she also got a friend who's a member already. But that wasn't official because we still had half a mind to think about the aftermath. I also felt it was an impulsive decision so somehow I was 50-50 on the matter. We even missed the orientation! But a day after I had lunch with my friend Camille, who is a member of GK already, and I got to ask her about the org. To my surprise and joy, there was no reporting! It was like kismet (lol joke) because it was like the universe was conspiring to make me want to pursue GK. Immediately I texted Rose if she still wanted to. I told her I would only join if she did. I got a yes and violà, we were attending the first requirement of the process. Well, let's jump to today wherein we already accomplished 1) First build, 2) Batch Project, 3) Talk 1, and 4) Batch Activity. A few more then say hello to a new member of UPGK-LB!

I had the grandest time during this on-going process. I never felt like I belonged in a circle aside from my little circle of friends from high school and my other mini circle of friends from my college. It's the first time since high school that I felt so happy to belong in a bigger group or barkada. And now I've got new people to get to know more coming from different colleges. I just love diversity and there's this quote i encountered months ago that just keeps coming in my mind. "Surround yourself with good people." I daresay this experience is an epitome of the quote. Where else would you find good people if not in GK? It would take a person blessed with a golden heart to want to join GK. Only sincere hearts would risk the opportunity cost of everything else for the good of other people, moreover, people who are strangers to them but strangers in dire need of golden hearts. Wherever I got that quote, I am glad I stumbled upon it because with a little help from it, I am surrounding myself with good people. Better yet, good people with golden hearts. Hihi. I seriously can't wait to be part of Gk officially. I love you GK! I love you batch Sanlahi! ❤️