Every Struggle is an Opportunity towards Success: The Resiliency of a Yolanda Survivor in MSU

“Mama!!! Papa!!! Michelle!!! John Cris!!! Help me get out of here!!! I’m trapped, I can hardly move. Please shed some light!!!” “Mama, Papa,” I screamed out loud but I could not hear any reply except for the wrath of the strong typhoon”… Strange sounds from the window kept bothering me. “Mama, I’m scared!!! Huhuhuhu (sobbing). “Oh Lord, please keep us safe.” Bang, bang, bang!!! Strong winds have crashed our humble abode. Thunder and lightning are like enraged dinosaurs, with sounds so disturbing and life threatening. “Oh my God, forgive me for all my sins. If I die any time now, please cuddle me in your loving arms. I offer to you my Mama, Papa, brother and sister.” Huhuhuhu. I slowly opened my eyes, trying to recognize things. “Our Sovereign God, thank you for keeping me alive. I pray that my parents and siblings are equally alright.” Then, with all my might, I looked for my loved ones from where I stand, combating the pain in my whole body. As I explored our wretched home, I saw someone lying on the floor. “Michelle? Is that you?,” I whispered. But there was no reply. “Hope she is just into a deep slumber.” So, I moved closer and reached out. “Michelle, wake up, we need to find John Cris, Mama and Papa.” But there were no signs of her consciousness. “Michelle!!! Oh my God, my sister has left me.” Huhuhu. As I stepped further, I saw my mother embracing my younger brother, both of whom are…….dead… “Huhuhu, Mama, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to protect you. If only I am stronger than the typhoon, I could have saved you both. Huhuhu.” A couple of meters away is a sight of my father, breathing in and breathing out uneasily. “Father, please hold on! Help, we need help! My father is dying!” I tried helping out my Father from the trap but I was so weak. Then, before my father’s one last breath, he uttered, “Yolanda, pursue your dreams and never give up. God will be with you.”  “Yes Papa,” was all I could say. Huhuhuhu… “Oh God, please help me deal with these challenges. I cannot do it alone. Huhuhuhu.”

Then, someone said, “Landa, Landa, Landa, wake up!!! It’s already 8:00 o’clock in the morning. Hurry, today is the last day of enrolment. Get yourself fixed and we’ll catch up.” I paused for a moment and reminisce the days when everyone in the family shared happiness – enjoying every bit of a second. “Now, I am all alone. What is left in me is a set of memories – of struggles, sacrifices and solitude. “Landa, there you go again,” my roommate interrupted. “Don’t worry, everything happens for a reason.

We were then ready for enrolment. Like a thousand hopefuls to get enrolled in a prestigious university, I was worried if I will be admitted in the department I love to belong, specially so that it is the last day of enrolment.

“Mindanao State University Main Campus gladly welcomes Freshmen, Transferees and Old students!” Wow! I love that warm welcome message reflected on the tarpaulin. “I am getting more excited.” Then, we went to the College of Business Education because I wanted to take up BS Accountancy. As soon as we reached the door of the department, “ADMISSION CLOSED” signage was already posted. I tried requesting the enrolment officer but to no avail. We then proceeded to other colleges with the same signage that ADMISSION IS ALREADY CLOSED. Huhuhuhu, how can I get a college degree if all colleges no longer admit freshmen. The day was about to end and I felt hopeless. Then I remembered what my loving father told me. “Pursue your dreams and never give up. God is with you!” My hope is revived and I made my last attempt to the College of Social Affairs. I took a glance at the Department of Society Management with the same note that ADMISSION IS CLOSED. But it never discouraged me to try. As I entered the department, one of the faculty welcomed me by saying, “Yes, what can we do for you?”  “Sir, I would like to enrol in your department. I am Yolanda Dimatarug from Samar and I dreamed of getting a college degree so I could realize the aspirations of my family. I am the sole typhoon survivor from our clan and I just would love to pursue my dreams no matter what. I just arrived yesterday and hoped that even in this very last day of enrolment, I would be given a chance to enrol. I searched almost all of the courses but ADMISSION CLOSED signage hindered me from pushing on. I’m giving my last try this afternoon so I could begin my college education.” The faculty closely listened to me and eventually said, “Welcome to the Department. You will now be taking Bachelor of Science in Society Management. I hope that you will do well in your academics and be able to graduate in due time!” “Thank you so much Sir! You are God’s instrument for me not to give up on my dreams. There are indeed kind hearted people on earth! Thank you, thank you.”

Because it was the last day of enrolment, I was also falling in line with a group of old students trying to pay for the tuition fees. The Macarambon Hall was still crowded, each student waiting for his turn. “Huh, enrolment has always been exhausting,” one student said. “I’m still underloaded,” the other student said.

The challenges of being an MSUan do not end up in enrolment because there are many other unimaginable circumstances that happen.

Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang! “Oh my God, what is it?” I slowly moved from my bed and immediately closed the window. Bang! Bang! Bang! The firing of guns continued, as if it was targeted to me. “Oh my God, I should not be hit. I’m not prepared to die. I still have mission to accomplish.” Bang! Bang! Bang! “Ate Shane!,” I shouted but she was deeply asleep. Bang! Bang! Bang! I hurriedly ran out from my room and asked for protection from the management. “Yolanda, it’s a manifestation that the Ramadhan Season has commenced,” she explained and I sighed. “Huh, I really thought there’s an encounter between the rebels and the military. Thanks Ate Shane, at least now I learned one of your traditions. “Thank God, I am safe.”

One night, while I was on my way back to Ararat Cottage, someone attacked me and forcefully insisted, “Give me your phone!” “Ha?” I exclaimed. “Oh no! Please don’t get this.” The culprit immediately striked my left shoulder with a hard muscled fist and a weapon on it. I was petrified for a moment because blood flew from my shoulder. And then I begged, “Oh no, please give it back to me!” I thought he would not even think of snatching my Nokia 3310, a phone gone obsolete, but he had escaped with it!  I tried chasing him but to no avail. I reported the incident to the landlord and they tried to search the thief but couldn’t find him.

These are just some of the many unimaginable happenings in the campus. Every now and then, a boy killed, a girl raped, a student wounded, and a lot more. Oh no, these occurrences are life threatening, mind boggling and emotionally daunting.

Nevertheless, I still hold on to my dreams in this world class university. I am not easily discouraged. Despite these struggles, is a glimmer of hope that everything will be well. After all, I am Yolanda Dimatarug, a survivor from one of the world’s strongest typhoons. Now I understand how it has made me stronger in facing challenges in life. It was indeed one of God’s purpose to let me survive that fateful night when Haiyan typhoon hit our place.

            Ladies and gentlemen, the candidates for graduation from the College of Social Affairs! Bachelor of Science in Society Management, Yolanda Dimatarug, Magna Cum Laude! Thank God!!! After all the struggles, here I am receiving a great honor. Papa, Mama, Michelle and John Cris, this is all for you. Wherever you are now, I know that you are also happy with me. Thank you so much. And to everyone in this all, have the courage to face life’s difficulties because one way or another, it will help you become more resilient in the tests of time. Indeed, every struggle, heartache and disappointment has a seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.

The journey doesn’t end during our graduation and let it be that we join our hands in helping our beloved Mindanao State University realize her vision as a world class institution in 2020. Thank you everyone. God bless J

Education Amidst Struggles and Challenges: The Plight of Mariway

“Nooooooo!!! Please don’t do it!!! Help!!! Help!!! Help!!!” I hurriedly run from the culprit, fighting against his will but he was so strong, pushing me down and striking my abdomen with his hard-muscled fist. “No!!! Get away from me,” but he managed to pull down my underwear and harass me all the way. “I beg you, please don’t do it!!!” The criminal did it swiftly and managed to get what he wanted. I was petrified for a moment, thinking of what can I do with the situation.

            I went home puzzled that my mother got bothered. “What happened to you Mariway?,” she asked. “Nothing mother,” was all I could say. “Speak up Mariway, I know you’re not okay.” “Mama, someone raped me! Huhuhu. I was washing our clothes in the river when the culprit harassed me. Mama, I was raped! And I don’t know what to do… Huhuhu…” “Who’s that criminal?!! Tell me!!!” I just can’t answer her.

            Days passed and I remained passive, not wanting to eat food and even go out from our house. My mother got anxious that she asked me what do I want to do. For a couple of months, only one thought comes to my mind. It was the day of my graduation in high school.

“Yipee! Yehey! Yipee! Yehey! Yipee! Yehey! I am Mariway Limunsudan, the Class Valedictorian of Sitio Limunsudan National High School. At long last, I am done with my high school education. I can now pursue my dream of getting a degree in a prestigious university that is far from this hinterland. Trees, falls, birds, cattle, and fellow Higaonons can really be boring. I’m tired of this humdrum experience. I want to live in a new environment, meet other people and explore the world.” Then I sincerely requested my mother, “Mother Dear, please allow me to enrol college education. I want to fulfil my ambition of getting a degree for the betterment of our family. I know that what we are earning is just enough for our survival but please, I beg you. It is the only way that I could think of so I could forget that tragic moment in this place. Please mother.” With these words, my mother got into deep thinking and eventually said, “Okay, Mariway, I’ll do my best to send you to college. Please take good care of yourself and you will have my full support. We still have some carabaos, and we can sell some of those for your schooling.” “Thank God! My mother agreed!”

Welcome to Mindanao State University Main Campus, the Melting Pot of the South! So this is MSU! The climate is cold and the environment is refreshing because lush trees and beautiful flowers abound in the area. Wow! I feel good about it. Looking further, I noticed high rise buildings, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), sophisticated facilities and yes different people, some of whom are wearing veils. Hmmm… this is really exciting.

            Classes have started and I have gained friends and acquaintances, one of whom is tall, dark and hmmmm handsome. Oh no, he must be the man of my dreams. One day, he started giving me a letter, a rose, a candy and a stuff toy. We became close friends and he courted me. Later did I realize that he is a Muslim. He touched me and I felt hesitant because of what had happened to me. And so he asked, “Are you okay Mariway?” I just nodded. There were days when he wanted to kiss me but I just moved away.

Then one day, I feel cold and feverish with my head aching. I feel like nauseating and I don’t like to eat. “Oh God, what is this? I find it strange because this is the first time that I become so weak and sickly. Please keep me safe.” My roommates brought me to the University Infirmary for a medical check up. One of the questions of the doctor was “When was the last time you had your menstruation?” I paused for a moment and recalled that it was two months ago. “Oh no, this could not be.” Finally, the doctor advised me to undergo pregnancy test and afterwards, it was found out that I’m 2 months pregnant. I was petrified by then, thinking of what I am supposed to do with the situation..

            “Babe, I have something to tell you!” “What about it Babe?,” he answered. I became silent for a moment and eventually said, “I am 2 months pregnant!” “What?” Ahhhh!!! he was shocked. “But we never had sex!? What happened? You must have some other guy that’s why you didn’t want me to kiss you.” “Babe let me explain.” I started sobbing. “Please listen. I was raped in our community, just 2 months ago before I enrolled here.” “Where is he now?” forming his hard-muscled fist. “He is still in our place. I must go home now and confess to my mother. Please come with me.”

            As we approached our home, my mother was filled with joy. “Mariway, welcome back home! Who’s with you. Hmmm. Is he your boyfriend?” “Yes mother and he is a Muslim.” “Mariway, we need to talk,”my mother grabbed my arms and we headed towards the kitchen.” “Of all the people in the world, why a Muslim?” “Mother, he is deeply in love with me and he wants to marry me.” “No Mariway, that’s against our culture. You better stay here at home and we’ll send him back to MSU.

            Days passed and I remained unmotivated, weak and puzzled. Every time Sarip my boyfriend calls me over the phone, I kept on crying – wanting to get back to MSU and have my degree completed. “Hello Sarip, I miss you. I want to continue my studies.”

Then, I prepared a rope to end my life. Slowly, I climb through the chair and just about I kicked away the chair, my step father surfaced! “Mariway! Why are you doing that? Why do you want to end your life? Are you crazy?” I tried to step back but I was a bit weak. Then my mother arrived and shouted, “What is happening here?” Speak it out. “Mother, I’m so sorry but it’s my stepfather who raped me! That bastard who took advantage of my youth! How can I tell you directly about it, when all I have is fear? Fear of being ridiculed, fear of being rejected by no less than my mother and fear for the future of my child. Do I still deserve to live on, when all I think now is to end my life. I don’t deserve to continue existing will all these sufferings. Uhuhuhuhuhu. I want to die.”

            “Your stepfather? How in the world can he do it to you? I loved him but what did he do? Oh Lord, what in the world is this?” Then my mother showing her unconditional love cuddled me in her loving arms, embracing me so tightly and slowly pacified me. “Mariway, do not give up! You have a life to live on and you have a baby to raise! Don’t be afraid of the criticisms of the people around you. They don’t matter. What matters is our future.”

            Months passed and it was time for the birth of my baby. Thank God for a healthy baby. He will serve as my inspiration to continue living and even pursue my dreams.

            A year after, I went back to MSU with all excitement. That time, I became stronger, fiercer and braver. I focused my attention to my studies and the future of my baby. “God is so good that He never left me specially during those times when I needed guidance. To everyone in this hall who seemed to be hopeless, just believe that everything will be well. Hold on to your dreams because one day, it will be made real. Thank you so much Mindanao State University for accommodating poor but deserving students like me. Without you, we can hardly make our dreams come true. We take part in your vision as a world class institution in 2020. Thank you also Sarip, we will have our time soon.”

            “I am Mariway Limunsudan, a BSBA major in Social Entrepreneuship graduate. To God be the glory!”

MSU's Vision and Aspirations Amid Challenges

“Good morning world!!! It’s the first day of school and I am truly excited! See you all my dear batchmates!!!,” I tweeted online. “See you Rachel, I’m ecstatic to see you around,” a reply from a dear classmate.

As I take a walkalator from 7^th Street to the College of Entrepreneurship and Marketing, I can see newly completed high rise buildings at the commercial center and looking farther is a perfect scenery of a consistently beautiful sleeping lady over the magnificent Lanao Lake. “This sure will be a great day!!!”

Reaching the main entrance of the College of Entrepreneurship and Marketing is an upgraded facility with a microchip reader to make sure that only bona fide students can enter the college premises. Finally, I met my co-majors and after saying hellos in the classroom, everyone got busy updating statuses on facebook and twitter, “First day in school with a hashtag, “HERE WE GO AGAIN :D” Having checked my newsfeed, I replied to their tweets, “Good luck!”   

Then a voice said, “Good morning everyone!!! Today is Monday, June 15, 2020, and welcome to the Mind Museum.” The mind museum is actually a creativity room that stimulates both imagination and critical thinking. “Swipe your ID card on the sensor to activate your account in this course”, the voice continued. Then a video presentation was projected on screen. “WELCOME to Marketing 111 which is all about Internet Marketing.” “Log on to www.msuinternetmarketing.com and download a copy of the syllabus, class policies and the grading system.” Having heard that, our instructor entered the class and stood in front to continue the orientation. With the wide monitor behind his back, he just flipped pages of the presentation by using hand signals that will be detected by the sensor!!! “Wow, that’s fabulous!!!  I’m loving the new learning environment! Sophisticated and state-of-the-art facilities are now in place! Internet connection is stable!!! And everything leads to a conducive learning process!” The instructor finally said, “Keep updated on our virtual classroom! See you there!”

On our way to the lobby was an electronic bulletin recognizing the Crème of the Crop of the College. “WOW!!! What a great way to start this semester, I am one of the Dean’s Lister. Thank God!!!” Then, a bigger electronic billboard was placed near the gymnasium featuring the achievements of the students, the news on the various board and bar topnotchers of MSU and the winnings of the faculty and student researchers in international research paper presentations. WOW!!! Mindanao State University is really doing well in its pursuit of academic excellence. In fact, many colleges in MSU have garnered the title of either a Center of Excellence or Center of Development. Indeed, MSU has reaped the hardwork, persistence and commitment to a world class university. These great successes are worth a celebration!!!

Then, someone said, “Rachel, Rachel, Rachel, wake up!!! It’s already 8:00 o’clock in the morning. Hurry, today is the start of the enrolment. Get yourself fixed and we’ll catch up. We need to enrol sufficient number of academic units so we could graduate on time,” my roommate explained. I hurriedly went to the bathroom smiling of the wonderful dream I had. “Time will come that MSU will become a world-class university. For now, I need to face the various challenges in the academe.”

We were then ready for enrolment. “Hundreds of students crowded our college, waiting for their turn to get a regular academic load or even more.” “Hope I can get a full load now,” one student said. “I’m tired of always being underloaded,” the other student said. The first day ended with our number of units not yet determined. The enrolment period continued and most of the time, I can hear students having a clamour for a full load. With their insistent behaviour, they assembled and rallied against the administrators, “We demand justice! Extend the enrolment!!! Open new courses!!! Give us sufficient load!” It’s a sad fact that the enrolment every semester wouldn’t be complete without the emergence of problems such as inadequate courses offered, unavailability of the enrolment task force members, slow internet connection, endless waiting lines and even harassments. “Oh Lord, help us get through the struggles during enrolment.

The challenges of being an MSUan do not end up in enrolment because there are many other unimaginable circumstances that happen.

One sunny day, a huge fire petrified the constituents at the commercial center. “There’s a big fire, fire, fire!!!” someone screamed. “Turn off the main switch,” said an employee of a nearby establishment. Others just stared at the fire, so helpless to control it. The firemen came an hour after the fire started and every building reached by the conflagration was turned to dust. I got more frightened upon knowing that a faculty and two students were intentionally burned to death… “Help, help, help!!! Help me get out of here… Oh, no, help help help, was all I could imagine while these innocent people were put to death. “Huhuhuhuhu, this is the most horrible crime I have known.” Oh, Lord, please keep us safe…” The news came to my mother’s knowledge and she called me up over the phone. “Rachel, are you okay there?” “No Mama, I’m terrified… I wanna go home now, huhuhuhu.” “Keep all your things now and leave MSU the soonest time possible, my mother answered.” Days passed and it was as if nothing happened. Everyone seemed indifferent about the incident.

Some months later, a loud sound startled us. Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang! Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang! Oh my God, what is it!!! Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang, the firing of guns continued for a couple of minutes. Oh my God!!! Save us!!! Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang! We closed our door and windows and fervently prayed for our safety. Then, we realized that there was an encounter between the rebels and the military. The news once again came to my mother’s knowledge and she called me up, “Rachel, are you okay there?” “No Mama, I’m scared… I wanna go home now, huhuhuhu.” “Keep all your things now and leave MSU the soonest time possible, my mother answered.” Days passed and it was as if nothing happened. Everyone seemed indifferent about the incident.

While we were walking at the commercial center, a loud gun shot “Bang!” puzzled us. We hurriedly moved away from the source of that terrifying sound and sought refuge at our cottage. The news immediately spread, “The ‘balot’ vendor got killed in just a minute,” said my cottagemate. “Why? What was that for?” Answers were not clear to me and all I had to do was to call my mother. “Hello Mama, please get me here, huhuhuhu…”  Days passed and it was as if nothing happened. Everyone seemed indifferent about the incident.

These are just some of the many unimaginable happenings in the campus. Every now and then, a boy killed, a girl raped, a student wounded, and a lot more. Oh no, these occurrences are life threatening, mind boggling and emotionally daunting.

When can we be peaceful? When can we feel secure? When can we seek justice? When can we affirm that we are heading to our vision as a world class university in 2020? Nobody knows the answer. But for as long as you, you, you, and I love Mindanao State University, there is a glimmer of hope that everything will be well. That all we dreamed of will be realized. That MSU will serve its major purpose in promoting peace across the globe. That you and I will become exemplars of peace and harmony to everyone.

All these are but a dream… I leave the challenge to you of what will be your role in achieving the vision of our beloved MSU as a world class university…

Photos during rehearsals and props making :-)

 Writer: Prof. Richard S. Celeste

              Faculty, Marketing Department

The piece was performed by Ms. Maryjoy Fuentes, a BSBA Entrepreneurial Marketing student during the 2013 University-wide Declamation Contest where she won as 2^nd runner up.

Education Amidst Danger and Stigma

        I dared not choose but accept. I complained but have pursued. I died but have lived.

        It was a dusky room when I heard my parents discussing. “How can we send our child to college? My earnings in driving “habal-habal” is just enough for our daily needs”, my father uttered. “We’ll try to find means”, my mother explained. “She should not be sent to Marawi because of the prevailing battle, what might happen to our child there, I cannot afford to lose her.” “If not in Marawi, where can we send her?”, my father added. Tears flew silently from my eyes and I pitied myself. “How can I fulfill my ambition of finishing a degree, of helping my parents and of making myself a role model to my nephews and nieces?” I asked myself.

        What then is MSU? Why does it have the stigma as a horrible place? Some unforgettable memories surface.

        Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang! Oh my God, what is it? I slowly moved from my bed and immediately closed the window. Bang! Bang! Bang! The firing of guns continued, as if it was targeted to me. “Oh my God, I should not be hit. I’m not prepared to die. I still have mission to accomplish.” Bang! Bang! Bang! “Kuya Jun!”, I shouted but he was deeply asleep. Bang! Bang! Bang! I hurriedly ran out from my room and asked for protection from the management. “Rachel, it’s a manifestation that the Ramadhan Season has commenced”, he explained and I sighed. “Huh, I really thought there’s an encounter between the rebels and the military. Thanks Kuya Sam, at least now I learned one of your traditions. “Thank God, I am safe.”

        I got my share of food and went home when a brick of hollow blocks hit my back. Why? What caused this? “Ouch, it hurts!” And the criminals ran swiftly and I could not find any of them. “This is really a horrid place.”

        My mother texted me and waited for a reply. I got no remaining balance and hurriedly went down to SM 1 to buy load. While going back to Ararat Cottage, someone attacked me and forcefully insisted, “Give me your phone!” “Ha?” I exclaimed. “Oh no! Please don’t get this.” The culprit immediately striked my left shoulder with a hard muscled fist and a weapon on it. I was petrified for a moment because blood flew from my shoulder. And then I begged, “Oh no, please give it back to me!” I thought he would not even think of snatching my Nokia 5110, a phone gone obsolete, but he had escaped with it!  I tried chasing him but to no avail. I reported the incident to the landlord and they tried to search the thief but couldn’t find him.

        Yes, I am a victim of traumatic experiences, a sufferer incarcerated in the dungeon of fears about the worse things that might happen to me here. Every other month, prattle spreads like a holocaust regarding unimaginable transgression. A boy killed, a girl raped, a student wounded, and a lot more. Oh no, these occurrences are life threatening, mind boggling and emotionally daunting.

        What made me persistent then, that even after graduation, I dared work here as a faculty? Faculty member? Have I not had enough? All my tragic experiences and the prevailing crimes should have discouraged me! Well, it is because this academe has consistently perpetuated its mission and vision of providing the students quality education despite the overwhelming odds. MSU humbly lives to the pedestal by integrating diverse culture and guiding the learners to be ambassadors and diplomats of peace. I believe these two impressive deeds are the epitome of proudly endorsing MSU graduates to the actual world of professions.

        Administrators of this glorious institution, you are given the challenge to meet the fast changing trends of information and communication, to gradually equip the students with innovative techniques and provide them sophisticated facilities to keep pace with the global call of modernization and the most important thing is to be exemplaries of promoting peace.

        Faculty members, never be tired of imparting your knowledge because the future depends on you. Be patient in inculcating the values one should possess to be competitive. Compromise if possible to mold the students despite the deprivation of using highly sophisticated facilities for instruction. And also, be like second parents to your students who will rear them with extra love and care. Be proud of your profession.

        MSUans, begrudge not on what students of the cities are experiencing. Never grumble that you are left behind or feel inferior of your education here. After all, knowledge economy workforce does not only call for enthusiasts fully equipped with all the technological academic facilities. It’s more than that. It simply awaits for individuals molded with a character, developed with attitude, making you MSUans, an edge over others.

        Truly it is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eyes.