It’s just a few days before Kulê 101 ends, and so is my time here in the publication. My editor and I have been thinking about how to wrap up “Point of Divergence.” Should I write about my origin story? My key takeaways? Or reveal my face? Was there even a point of divergence? Someone suggested that my last column should be a recruitment call for the next Collegian columnist. 

So, here it is: Replace me.

Honestly, I still don’t understand why I was invited to contribute to the Collegian. The best that I can do is guess. But whatever reason my editor had for inviting me, I think it had something to do with my shallow experiences and limited views. I used to think that I’d follow what most would call an “ordinary” path. One would consider me as someone who’ll just go in and out of the university, someone who’ll just study all day and night until the day they get their diploma, someone who’ll spend their whole stay without any expressed passion and knowledge about anything “political” or of social relevance. 

But the challenge to come up with something to write about almost every other week encouraged me to attend my first mobilization, educational discussion, and basic masses exposure–things that I never thought I’d do in my whole stay in UP. Perhaps my editor was trying to prove something. And perhaps, they were trying to push me to my very own point of divergence.

As I went on, I met new people and learned their stories. They made me realize things that I would never learn if I were to continue my usual, mechanical and isolating route of just staying inside the classroom and my dorm room. 

They widened my understanding of the world. The stories of their long fight for freedom, justice, and rights made me realize how the world is tilted in favor of the rich and powerful, and how the current systems oppress, exploit, and dispossess most of us. They made me realize that everything, from the moment we wake up until the moment we fall asleep, we fight and struggle for something larger than ourselves. And I hope, someday, I’ll be able to dedicate my full time to the struggle.

The thought that I am not doing enough has plagued me more lately. I have come to a point that there is beyond academics and occasional writing for the student paper that I can and want to do. This is the point where one has to decide if they’re willing to take the extra step in helping the people. And thus, I’ve come to end my stay in Kule, and perhaps for a while, in UP. 

As I try to end this column, I’d like to take this chance to be cheesy. I’ll miss Kulê. I’d always remember the time when I had to spend the night in the Collegian office (because I was having roommate troubles), the overnight pressworks, and the walk around the academic oval. For the readers who have read my past columns, and for those who have yet to pick up a Collegian tabloid for the first time, thank you. ●

First published in the July 28, 2024 print edition of the Collegian.