Coming home to UP Baguio for the Alumni Homecoming on May 6, 2023, brought back memories of our college years. For many of us, UP Baguio was our home for four years and more. The experience of coming home reminded us of the small challenges we faced as students: not having enough sunlight to dry our clothes, figuring out how to get from the boarding house to the campus without getting soaked in the rain, struggling to wake up in the morning for a 7:30 a.m. class, and dealing with the pressure of passing our courses. We also had to navigate issues like what to do if we received a blue admission slip for enrollment and figuring out how to manage our allowance, which sometimes led to the dilemma of finding money for our next meal. Ours is not exactly a unique student experience, but we like to think that our stories as students are deeply connected to the place… connected to UP Baguio.

More than the university education we received, many of us have a special bond and fondness for UP Baguio as a place. Not only because of its idyllic scenery and cool climate, but also because of how the people on campus made us feel, I believe our emotional connection to the campus is strong. We come from the generation of UP Baguio students who know each other. Our small population fostered a sense of belonging and mindfulness among each other. This is where decades of friendships were built.

UP Baguio was our safe haven. The wooden walls of our classrooms safely contained our thoughts, from ruminations about nonsensical things to that of the social mobilization plans. The campus woods bore witness to tears shed due to academic demands, failing grades, and shattered hearts. The trees of UP Baguio have witnessed creative ideas, joys, and jubilations resulting from academic success, as well as the collaboration of individuals to serve the people.