MS Environmental Science

School year 2011-2012 when I entered De La Salle University - Dasmarinas for my graduate studies on Environmental Science. I had made up in my mind that graduate school is dead serious with professors equipped with doctorate degrees that will bleed us to death of tremendous paper works and mind games. I arrived 30 minutes earlier that day with PCH giving a haunted appeal; soon enough student started arriving and I first met Jean who teaches Physics in TUP, then there was Jen whom I mistaken to be undergrad in her yellow cardigan shyly smiled on us. Then, a petite lady with her scholarly eye glasses arrived. Joseph arrived that day an hour late with a snobbish expression that made quite an impression. 

Inside the classroom was An, Rina (both Conservation Bio) and Mylene who all welcomed us sending of a friendly atmosphere; they all shared wonderful experiences they had such as their recent trip in Palawan and how they made inventory of its Biodiversity. I was almost convinced to shift course that day with how Rina and An advertised Conservation Biology (not knowing it was later dissolved).  

Then a smart, all-smile lady arrived with her backpack, shoulder and hand bag that seemed she just arrived from a camping trip - she was Dr. Blesshe Querijero. She was soft spoken, with eyes that smiles on its own and with the look of tenderness. I was not intimidated as i was suppose to feel but her motherly image made a calming effect. Dr. Blesshe was our first professor for Sustainable Development and Philippine Environmental Laws. 

First semester had opened so many doors of experiences: My very first essay on Sustainable Development that was scrutinized and evaluated like i'm a literature major; first take home mid-term exams that i finished answering for 1 whole week; classes with overflowing food; sleepless nights for requirement completion; Typhoon and heavy rain on every field trip we made; and of eating beef omelette at Wan Wan. 

Homer and Phobe joined the succeeding class and they are the pioneers of MS Environmental Science that we look up to. Homer is like King Midas only that he turns every serious class discussion into a witty exchange of laughter. Phobe on the other hand was cool and a business minded person. Gradually, our personality explodes but we all have one thing in common - We love to EAT!

There are people we met along the way - Rex who vanished after our Christmas party at Mts. Palay Palay; also Vivian who after throwing a birthday cum despedida blow out was no longer in reach; Tim epitomizes the seriousness of his own world; and Michelle who left us hanging with the question of her having a secret affair? Wherever they are... we miss you guys.

Every semester the family grows with the arrival of Ms. Judaline Fabro of DENR - that added so much fun and calories in our continual increasing weight. Then, we have Carol, Maricel and Daryll which proves that the more the merrier life will be. 

I shall never forget the field trips we had specially how JB slided off at Mt. Palay Palay and going home in boxer shorts, vomiting after eating hotdogs on way to Anilao, of being frequent late and of course of introducing to various places in La Salle with his Kaharian and "shotgun". I thank Homer for the consistent Goldilocks cakes he brings in every occasion; Jean's puto and bico that had made us full in satisfaction; Jen's junkfoods - picnic and chocolates. I shall remember our ghost story telling in Planet Dive and the typhoons we faced in our field trips. Glad I also learned the fetal position in swimming during our Los Banos trip with the submarine, dugong, mermaid, chihuahua stuff we had. I had smoke Winston with JB that night and he taught me more.

To our professors who made us face pandemonium specially in Toxicology class, we thank you for we learned tons of greatness. Life at DLSU-D will never be of fun without the spice you added into our lives. To Dr. Medecillo, Dr. Ching, Dr. Rubio, Dr. Guzman, Dr. Blesshe - KUDOS!

Second semester of this school year will never be the same as 4 seats will be emptied. To Jean, Jen, Joseph and Ailene - Good luck to your comprehensive exams and may you share to us the questions and answers for our Sustainable Development. 

To all of you guys!!!