UP student who failed the UPCAT but graduated with Latin honors shares her story of overcoming setbacks
To borrow the words of an American essayist, Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." This holds true for Katie Chelsy Perez, 23, who graduated summa cum laude at the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD). But unknown to many are the struggles she went through before reaching the finish line, including failing the UP College Admission Test or UPCAT.
Perez received the highest Latin honor during the university's commencement exercises on July 30. The BA Philippine Studies student earned the award for achieving a general weighted average (GWA) of 1.11.
'UP or nothing'
Speaking to PhilSTAR L!fe, Perez said it was her childhood dream to study at UP. For her, it's "UP or nothing." However, it became a shattered dream when she discovered that she failed the 2017 UPCAT on the day of her senior high school graduation ceremony at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
"Noong graduation namin umiyak ako. Akala nga yata noon ng mga tao, umiyak ako dahil finally, nakapagtapos na ako sa high school. Kaso hindi. Umiyak ako kasi, para bang gumuho bigla ang mundo ko. Akala ko kasi noon, hindi ko na talaga magagawang matupad ang noon ko pa pangarap," Perez told L!fe.
Because of this, she enrolled in the same university for a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy as her parents wanted to have a certified public accountant in the family. However, Perez didn't ace the program, earning failing marks, as she didn't like the course.
During her second semester at PUP, KC decided to pursue her UP dream again and rise above her UPCAT failure. Without the knowledge of her parents, she prepared her transfer application and requirements and worked hard to gain the required GWA for transferees. Eventually, she got flat 'uno' grades in her general academic subjects.
"Kaya sabi ko noon sa sarili ko, baka ito na ulit ang pagkakataon ko para muling ipaglaban ang pangarap ko? Na baka ito na rin ang sign para yung gusto ko naman na course ang kunin ko? Na baka mas may chance akong makapag-aral sa UP kung mahal ko na ang programang kukunin ko?" she recalled.
After several months, the young dreamer reaped what she sow, after being accepted into her dream university with BA in Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas as her degree program. She later transferred to BA in Philippine Studies.
"Sa unang taon ko sa UP, pumasok akong may pagmamahal at paninindigan sa wika sa kabila ng mga hamon na patuloy nitong kinahaharap. Ngunit, sa ikalawang taon ko, lumipat ako ng programa, mula BA Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas tungong BA Philippine Studies dahil mas napagtanto ko ang nais na gamitin ang aking kakayahan sa pagsusulat upang makapag-ambag ng makabuluhang mga pag-aaral sa bayan," Perez explained.
From failure to success
Perez faced challenges and struggles, but she never gave up on her dreams. She knew that to achieve her goals, she would need faith and trust in herself and her abilities.
"Bago pa man ako pumasok sa UP, marami akong hirap na pinagdaanan lalo na’t hindi ako suportado ng mga magulang ko kasi sayang daw ang talino ko kung nasa accountancy na nga ako, tapos magshi-shift pa ako sa kursong 'hindi kumikita,'" she shared.
Perez refused to let discouragement and fear lead her to bitterness or regret. Instead, she used them to make herself stronger.
"Pero dahil makulit ako, tiniis ko ang lahat ng sinasabi nila at hinayaan ko na lang na mapatunayan ko sa kanila na hindi kailanman naging sayang ang desisyon kong kuhain ang Philippine Studies dahil pinagsikapan ko rin na maging isang consistent University Scholar kada semestre," she added.
The pandemic posed challenges for Perez in continuing her studies, as she lacked the necessary materials for her online classes and her parents' medical conditions made it difficult for her to focus on her studies. She also noted that it is a struggle for an Arts and Humanities student like her to obtain a scholarship.
"Bukod dito, sa apat na taon ko sa UP, ilang beses ko ring pinag-isipan kung dapat na ba akong mag LOA o i-INC (incomplete) na lang ang iba kong subjects dahil ang hirap talagang mag-focus sa acads lalo na kung pamilya mo na mismo ang nagkakasakit. Higit sa lahat, mas mahirap mag-aral lalo na kung alam mong may posibilidad na baka wala na kayong makakain sa mga susunod na araw dahil hindi na sumasapat ang sinasahod ng mga magulang mo bilang mga manggagawa dahil sa pandemya," she revealed.
"Wala akong maayos na laptop at internet connection. Madalas lang akong nakikigamit ng laptop sa ka-opisina ng nanay ko para lang makapagsagot ng mga quizzes o magpasa ng papers. Ang hirap din kasing makakuha ng mga scholarships sa arts and humanities," the 23-year old UP student said.
Despite the challenges she faced, Perez courageously pursued her dreams. She showed her determination and strength in overcoming the odds, and she remains steadfast in her goal of making a positive impact on the world through her studies.
"Isa ako sa mga estudyante na hindi pumapayag na basta na lang akong pumasok sa aking mga klase nang hindi inuunawaan kung ano nga ba ang kahalagahan ng bawat babasahin sa aking mga kurso. Gayundin, sinisiguro ko na ang lahat ng aking mga isinusulat at ipinapasang output ay sumasalamin sa kung ano ang ipinaglalaban ko bilang isang estudyanteng naninindigan para sa hustisya at kalayaan ng bawat Pilipino," KC proudly shared to L!fe.
"Sa unang pagtapak ko palang sa unibersidad, inisip ko nang kahit ano pa man ang paraan ng pagpasok ko sa UP, ang mahalaga ay isa na akong ganap na UP student na hindi lamang nag-aaral dito para sa pansarili kong interes pero para sa kagustuhang matulungan ang pamilya ko at para makapaglingkod at makapagsilbi sa bayan." Perez shared.
A message of hope
Perez's journey to achieving her dreams was long and challenging, but she never gave up. Her story is a source of inspiration to people who have also experienced failure, especially students who have failed the entrance exam to their dream university. She said failure can be a valuable learning experience that can help you achieve even greater success in the future.
"Hindi dapat magtapos ang buhay natin dahil lang sa hindi tayo pumasa sa entrance exam. Wala sa anumang exam ang nagdedetermina ng ating mga kakayahan o kagaling bilang mga indibiduwal," she said.
"Hindi ibig sabihin na nag-fail tayo ay nabigo na tayo sa ating buhay. Marami pang ibang paraan para makapasok sa gusto nating university. Kailangan lang natin ng lakas ng loob upang muling sumubok at lumaban para sa ating mga pangarap."
KC aspires to become a media practitioner or a teacher-researcher one day, as she wants to promote democratic freedom and social change through an interdisciplinary study of her country's culture and society.