If you read my previous post, I once mentioned that I want to get the highest academic rank. As a competitive person, it's not enough to do what one ought to do. For me, we should do what is best based on our capabilities and strive to continue for the better. We should not limit ourselves to something we know we can reach, but we should attain it with excellence. I want to share the CMA Awards Day and RSO Day in this blog. Without further ado, let's get started.
Processional Entrance
Compared to last year, the CMA Faculty decided to establish this type of ceremony. I don't know where I initially was since I was not in the dry run. I still feel humiliated since I didn't know where to locate it in the queue. Regardless, I successfully aligned with other awardees on different campuses and proceeded to the processional ceremony. It's good they know me, although I don't remember most of them! It is like a graduation ceremony where you will walk together with your parents. I walked with my mom and smiled at the camera like a celebrity.
Academic Awardees
It is the moment that I've been waiting for. After awarding those who have non-academic awards, one of the faculties gave us a sign to fall in line. Although I already knew my rank, I kept it a secret from my mother. Then, another faculty also observed our order on stage. Once it was my turn, our professor called my full name, and I immediately walked to the front. After the event concluded, my mom kept asking if I had the clip where they announced my name. Luckily, I have the raw copy with the help of my classmate/friend.
McDonalds
After the awarding ceremony, we immediately ate lunch at McDonald's. I only ordered ₱124 worth of food per person. I only ordered a double cup of rice with soft drinks for the first set. For the second set, I clicked the "Regular Meal + Coke Float" worth ₱124. In total, I only spent ₱248 for it. Since my mom doesn't like fast food much, I took a double cup of rice and a Coke float while she ate the latter. That's my hack whenever we go on fast food. We stayed there for a few minutes and decided to proceed to the campus again for RSO day. I told my mom to return home early since I still had different errands.
RSO Day
I wore a modern barong worth ₱600 for RSO day and paired it with the khaki pants I used for the awarding. Imagine spending that amount for only three hours of stay. I don't have a choice, at least, since I don't want to feel out of place. At least I can still wear it at future weddings or christenings. Before the ceremony started, we walked in front and acted like we were in the fashion runway show. I would not have joined if I had known that only less than 10 would go from our organization. It's not that out of place since other organizations are complete. We also didn't leave the university without something since we got another certificate.
Foods
I thought that the food booth was only for faculty members. Yet, I'm surprised since officers can also get free food while enjoying the program. The food was not extravagant, but I appreciated their efforts since it was all for free. Imagine getting free food for a private university. That's a flex! During our awarding a few hours ago, they distributed a Minute Maid and a hamburger sandwich. It was already enough to satisfy our hunger.
Going to Church
We can't complete this week without going to the church. While I was in the program, I had two choices:
a) Should I go to the church near the campus and finish the program?
b) Should I attend the church for a 6:30 pm start and take an early leave?
I thought the program would end at 5:00 pm, but they extended it since they only started it at 3:00 pm. It is contradicted by their announced 1:00 pm call time. I chose the Letter B and left the program at precisely 5:00 PM. Unfortunately, I only took the transportation at 5:30 PM since there was almost no space for jeeps at the place where I wanted to go.
I was frustrated since the driver didn't give me a change, but I didn't have much time to think about it. I was already frustrated about which church I should attend, and it was already 6:25 pm. I already accepted that I could not go to the local where I needed to go.
My initial choice was from Baloc, but I told myself it was too far from my hometown. As the clock struck further, I took all the risk and said I would visit the INC church I saw. Then, I saw Maligaya, Munoz, across the arch of SCM and decided to enter it. I asked first if they have ongoing worship and what time. They said it was 6:45 pm, and I told them it was a success.
After finishing my worship, I called my mother to fetch me from church and gave her the exact place. I know she can get it since it is only on the highway, and she can immediately see it. After she fetched me, she said that it was too far. Yet, I rebutted that this is way farther than Calisitan. At least I feel blessed that day.