Pen, Cam, Mic and Gavel

BY JEZRYL LAPIZAR AND CHEA FATIMA PACAY

Pen, Cam & Mic,

Maybe I’ll quite miss you.

We have gone a long way together. Since my high school days, you were the ones in my company – whether it may be in script writing, writing articles as contributions to the school publication, or being a master of ceremony in certain programs. In my dream to enter the limelight of the media industry, I always remember having you guys by my side. And so we went on journeying together, and stepping onto the college platform, we took on the path which says Bachelor of Arts in Communication in Saint Louis University. I was exposed to more adventures with you, and with other people in the same direction. I even had the chance to be the president of the university’s Mass Communication Society. It was beautiful, beautiful. However, you know it was not easy. The travel was tricky, a roller coaster ride. Aside from certain family matters, aside from friendship issues, we never get out of the problems in groups within the four corners of the classroom. Remember how we often met misunderstandings with our classmates? - especially with our group mates, and even some with certain teachers. And with these external factors, came also those internal ones just like time management which are crucial parts, too.

But we a fighta, yah? With the untiring efforts, immeasurable patience and understanding of my parents, the bond of a group of friends and of course my passion for you guys brought me to not just survive this journey, but transcend to it and meet that success. We have surpassed four years and we’re beginning of the last days of it.

Now that we are finally close to finishing our chosen track, I feel fulfilled, not just for myself but also for my family and I want to share this fulfillment with you. After four years, we are finally getting that Bachelor’s Degree!

However, Pen, Cam, & Mic, maybe I’ll quite miss you. After graduation, I have ideas to pursue TV Production in some networks in the country and take on the work field still by your side. But I am more decided to walk the other path and take up law school which, you know, is one of my wildest dreams. I’m even starting to absorb the atmosphere of law school. And maybe soon, rather than you guys, it would then be a gavel I might be holding. But please don’t feel bad, know I would still keep in touch – that, I think, is most especially with Pen.

I owe gratitude towards you guys. In ways, you contributed a definition of me that I never would have met. And even if I had the chance to turn back time, I would not. The years we spent together play vital roles in my growth as a student and as a future professional. It was not a mistake that I had you as my first choice. You made me my own musketeer and I am very thankful.

For those younger musketeers, who also took you as their weapon of choice, I hope they would possess, aside than the proper attitude, is the persistence to keep improving the craft – keep sharpening their swords – not settling for mediocrity, but always strive for excellence. Because in the real world, it’s a battle out there, and they can’t settle at second best. But always keeping attitude in consideration.

If I’d still have the chance to, I would like you to help me hand to them a piece of advice, that is, for them to learn to pause, not to stop; know the difference in between. Tell them that stopping is quitting and giving up, and in the real world, there is no such thing as stopping because we continue to learn and grow.

I believe this won’t be the last of our friendship and bond. I know, we will either fulfill the escapades written for us in the future; or in the future, we will write the escapades we have fulfilled.

Until then,

Rywelle

“Learn to pause, not to stop.” – Rywelle Bravo, 2019.