4-day ‘Out-of-Town Seminar’: There’s something extraordinary behind this adventure

“I love surprises and I love doing this to my family, friends, and girl friends.”

17-20 April 2006: Few months ago after my graduation last February 2006, I feel like the biggest fish bone that stuck to my throat was gone. But, there is one more left, this is the challenge of passing the Electrical Engineering Board Exam.I only enjoyed travelling during later part of my college life. Maybe because I don’t have that eagerness and friends to join with, or perhaps lack of time due to the quarter semestral scheme in my Alma Mater, or maybe I don’t have enough money to sustain my vices, definitely! So, I just focused on studying, sleeping in the school library, playing billiards, and bonding with my college close friends in the school pavillion, tambayan (local term for place you usually hang-out) or at my best friend’s unit within Intramuros (the famous Walled City in Manila). I’m an average school boy who wants to finish study and have a successful professional life.

After the graduation day, I didn’t tell to anyone, especially to my family and friends that I’ll be taking up the upcoming EE Board Exam on April 2006. I don’t even asked my Nanay (mother) to pay for the examination fee, instead I used the money that I save in the last few months of my college life and some cash gift from my relatives during my graduation day celebration. Since I didn’t enroll in a review center (but I do borrow some review materials of my college friends), it’s easy for me to conceal what I am doing especially at home. Haha. I have review papers posted on the wall inside my room, and I make sure that I always lock the door, to prevent my naughty niece and nephew to bully me. 

I had my own review schedule that time which is late midnight up to early morning (0130-0430) every other day. But, I didn’t strictly follow that schedule, rather I see to it that I enjoy what I am doing so that it’ll be easy for me to love and understand the importance of it. Actually, I even enjoy my review session in the mountains of Mt. Palos and Mt. Romelo. I travelled a lot during that time; I even joined the leadership training at Montreal Garden Resort. Nevertheless, I didn’t forget that I will take an examination in the next few months.Finally it has come; I have to face it and its time for the escapade to be set aside first because today, tomorrow, day after tomorrow and two days after tomorrow will be the examination days, ‘The 4-day Out-of-Town Seminar’. That was the only reason I said to my family and friends when I left early morning of 17th April 2006. 

A bit nervous and excited, together with my high school and college friend Noel, we headed to Manila packed with fresh and relaxed brain that is ready to solve Math, Science and Engineering problems. I’m happy all throughout the examination. I stayed 4-days and nights at the Dimasalang sleeping quarter, the place where my college friends stayed during their entire review course. Throughout their review, I visited them maybe around four to five times, review with them, and borrow some review materials as well. 

Every night after the examination, we do relax, chat, review a bit, do some brainstorming, and whisper prayer. Since I’m a wicked guy, I always bully some of my friends because they were very serious and I don’t like that. I want them to enjoy the examination and the occasion. Yes it is given that we really need to focus and be determined, but we also need to smile and laugh hard to release the tension in our nerves. Haha.

The Manuel L. Quezon University at Quiapo Manila (the examination center) is a typical university operated by the government with aged facilities but have clean and organized environment. 

The Monzon Hall which was not air-conditioned that time has a relaxing ambiance because of its big quadrangle which lets the air come into the building freely. 

The Law Building, which is in the next street to where the Monzon Hall reside has the same atmosphere because of its open car park.Right after the last day of examination, we again thanked everyone for the support and bonding, whispered prayers and thanksgiving, and had simple dinner and drink. The next day I headed back home with accomplished task, the 4-day Out-of-Town Seminar! My family still has no idea what the real adventure behind this seminar was. I only informed them few days after the examination and the adventure continued in visiting the Pink Sister Chapel in Tagaytay City.