LagosZine Issue 1-3: KAPWA sa UPLB

There’s no more fitting title here than our org’s name: after all, this issue is dedicated solely to it.

We are indeed in a beautiful junction in the life of this organization. To put it in another way, we are in a historic period of its existence. Whatever term one call it, it is an undeniable fact – we are at 20. I do not profess that such age would amount to strength, although that one should accompany it as it (in this case, the org) ages. Prior to the celebrations, we, the resident members were in confusion, reluctant to partake in the activities planned by the organization’s founders. It meant two things to me: the residents’ demise and my own demise as the presiding officer. But things do not always come out the way we expect it. Instead of having a barrage of scolds and interrogations, I went home that day changed.

And I say changed.

Lagos (despite the lateness of this particular issue) contains today a recollection of our twentieth anniversary celebrations as well as a number of thoughts collated from some of the members and the org’s online group. I do not guarantee that this release is sufficient to reproduce the feelings that we had as members and as persons present in that memorable celebration. Here, we put together what we want to preserve in Lagos as a form of tribute to the organization.

If ever I’ll still be around when the year doubles to forty, I would gladly open Lagos for another set of its records of the celebrations.

Long live Kapatirang Pitong Lawa sa U.P. Los Baños!

Musings of a 6th Grader (LagosZine Issue 1-3)

by Francis Murillo Emralino
(appears on 'Centerpiece' section)

Six years indeed.

And to a large extent I am proud of it, for I have assumed the role of the custodian of the tales of mishaps and triumphs of our organization, Kapatirang Pitong Lawa sa U.P. Los Baños.

I entered the gang totally ignorant of what it is all about, pushed only by the encouragements of my batch mates which seem to me, as I look back now, to be nothing more than words of invitation, devoid of any complete reason or idea of what it is all about. It was destined for me to find out for myself.

First year came like a passing wind, with all those activities barely piercing my then hyper-active self, too busy to stop and internalize the events within the org. I felt at that time that there were many more things to be discovered in the university than just being shoulder to shoulder with my org mates.

My second year came as quickly as the previous one for I was more attentive to the life in our church than in the university. But within this period I was starting to sort of discover my mates.

On the third year, it was more than presence that I saw. It was participation. For despite my seemingly naïve desire to take the highest seat in the executive committee, I was nevertheless intent on getting things done good and clean within the org. I remember the time when a particularly ‘bright’ student clashed with me concerning an answer in our review and I vowed to polished things in this activity if ever I get the presidency.
The wish was granted in the fourth year and it was not paradise at all. Constantly plagued by inactivity by the members and lack of support in the activities, cracks were introduced to my ideals towards the organization. Eventually, the cracks reached my head and I, in turn, treated things personally – I lost the concept, the principles that should bind us, the members, together. The org was barely grasping the minimum number of members to have us recognized.
The (seeming) fall extended right into my fifth year, getting the presidency again which seemed to me more of a joke than a serious choice among the members. I do not even remember having new members then. There were activities then alright. But it was geared towards saving face I believe. The cause was lost in the sea of problems about missing tarpaulins, stolen tents, low budget, and membership. Things acquired a more serious tone when we finally failed to put up a booth for the annual Feb Fair.

But for so many downfalls that I have personally experienced, there came catalysts from all directions, seeking the org that they have experienced. And in these times I saw myself, dealing things about the org solo, not even bothering to enjoin everyone in the endeavors. I only had a few intimates and to them I only shared the dilemmas. The cause was lost for I allowed the problems to get into my head. We are an organization. A group composed of individuals. And among these individuals reside the heart of the org. Not in the president, not in the past officers, not in the founders. All of us constitute the org.

I am not a believer in the ‘mystic’ (if I can call it that) of numbers but six seem now a number of life to me. For in this beautiful year, with me almost exhausting the allowed years of stay in the university, I saw the ascent of the org, not back to the glory days of its past, but into something loftier – to the continued discovery of its heart-its members-and its identity. As of this writing, we have just acquired new peers for the group, people that I see not propelled by mere pity for the org but by the desire to be part of a dynamic group and to serve to its purpose and goals. Some of them, discerning my happiness in seeing the org alive again, even urged me to stay longer to be with the org longer. If given the chance of course, I would gladly to do it. But things must move forward. I must deal with my personal life and find my calling and career. It was more than enough to be part of the re-emergence of the org from its half-slumber.

Finally, I know that my life shared in the organization is not, in any way, confined in those six years of being a resident. Life within the org is but a seed that would continue to grow even outside the university. It may not be even needed to say this but, once a KAPWA, always (if not ‘til death and even beyond) a KAPWA. Mabuhay tayo!