From Zamboanga, with Love (First Draft)

Cápitulò Cińcò - Opening of Class

Aldee's POV

Today is the first day of classes and I am nervous because I don't know what lies here ahead of me. I don't know all the students here as well as the teachers. Anyways I studied here in one of the best Catholic Universities here in Cebu located in front of Carbon Market and Barracks. I prepared myself and put on my clothes since I did not receive my uniform yet. We were advised to come to school early because we are required to attend the opening salvo, and to report to our class for an orientation. As I went outside I waited for the jeepney to come but they are already full and I need to wait longer just to ride on a jeepney, but I won't mind because it's still the first day of classes and we aren't late yet. I am also excited at the same time and of course a new adventure awaits me.

I am now here at my school and there are a lot of students entering our main campus. I don't know what makes this school one of the best schools, but I am about to figure it out. Once I entered the campus I am looking for my classroom first so that I will not get lost, my first subject is Guidance 1 at 9:30 Am but I don't know where is Guidance Session Room or GSR as they called it for short located so I asked the working students in our school "Good morning miss, may I asked where is this Rm GSR located at?" They led me to San Agustin Hall and turned left. "Thank you miss" I said to her with a smile, then I kept looking for other rooms for my other class and I found them all. After that I went to the lobby as the program was about to start for 3 minutes. "This is it Aldee! You finally come here in Cebu, You leave the place you love just for this, but don't worry this is only for 4 years after that you can come home" I said to myself as my motivation. "You can do this Aldee" I said again to myself because I entered this degree program so therefore I will face the challenges ahead, I do expect and hope that I will meet nice and friendly teachers, I do not want strict teachers! Later the opening salvo begins "Welcome back to school students and teachers" the emcees started as I am looking for a seat and they begin the opening prayer and the Philippine National Anthem and after that they welcomed us as they are preparing for opening activity and some game for us and yes I was called "The man sitting in the front come here" she said "What is your name and where you came from?" she added "My name is Aldee and I am from Zamboanga City" I replied and they asked me a lot of question about the place of my origin as they are very curious about it and I am happy to share my place to them

After the opening salvo, I do have my first class which is Guidance 1 and I am already in the room and my classmates are already in there, they are very noisy and talkative. Most of them are from Cebu City, that is why I was shy at first "Good morning guys" I said and I wanted to make friends with them "Good morning and what is your name?" they asked me "I'm Aldee and I am from Zamboanga City" I replied and they stayed away from me "please stay away from us! You came from the place where there's a war" they said. What! This is not my place all about and besides we value peace in our city they are still afraid. Because of this I don't have friends at the first day of class until the same man that I bumped yesterday, I don't know that he will be my classmate "Hi Aldee, I am Van Keanue and it's nice to meet you" Van said "Just ignore our classmates because they haven't visit your city before, but I did and it's beautiful in there" he added "Thanks Va–" as I looked at his face I stop "You are the man that I bumped yesterday near the store where I bought my things" I said to him and he laugh, he agreed "I'm so sorry about yesterday, and it was my fault that I did not watch my way and also I don't understand your language" I said to him and he forgive me for that incident "it's ok and I understand too that you don't understand our language in here, well don't worry because I will be going to teach you the basics" Van said. I smiled and jumped, Van also is happy about it

The teacher came in and greeted us "Good morning class, I am Mrs. Aireen Dumas and I am going to be your teacher in Guidance 1 and at the same time your counselor for School of Arts and Sciences and School of Allied Medical Sciences" It's still first day of classes and yet this teacher is boring already and very bad, I thought she is our counselor and our Psychologist, I thought she is kind or what, Chingga vos nana! Why her. "I wanted you to introduce yourself in front of the class, say your name first, then your place and reasons why you wanted to take up Political Science. Aldee Xavier Cruz you are the first who will introduce yourself here in front" our teacher said "Good morning everybody, I am Aldee Xavier Cruz, and I am from Zamboanga City. The reason why I took up Political Science is that I wanted to be a lawyer and to become a mayor of my city. My expectations for the teacher is that she is approachable and kind. Thank you so much" then I took my seat then everyone followed. Mrs. Aireen then began her lesson and her first topic was the history of our school. She already gave an assignment like what! Our Guidance 1 classes only happened once a week so she only gave 2 absences. Then the bell saves us and we get dismissed by the teacher, like I want to drop that class and transfer to another class but I can't since I am already enrolled.

Our next class is at room SN 301 and it's our major subject, Fundamentals of Political Science at 1:30 PM so we are having our lunch. My classmates and I are going to the cafeteria to buy food, there are a lot of students and the food in there is not that good, because of this me and my classmates decided to eat our lunch at the Barracks with more food and beverage choices. We talked a lot with my classmates even though I'm not yet that close with them, they are so curious about my hometown and they have a lot of questions about it but I can't answer them one by one "I will share to you about my hometown next time, I am not prepared for it" then they understand about it. After we had our lunch we went back to our school to report for our next class, our teacher went inside to our classroom and greeted us, and a man "Good afternoon class, and welcome to our subject Fundamentals of Political Science and I am your teacher Mr. Alejandro Bernales" he introduced himself in front of our class. He's funny and kind, I like his examples. That's the teacher that I am expecting, not unlike Mrs. Aireen Dumas is boring and a very bad teacher. Why did the school hire her anyway? She should not be teaching or become a counselor in the first place. Anyways let's move on from her, not a time to say that now.

I really like Mr. Bernales and I found out that he was also born and raised in Zamboanga City. I was happy when I heard about it. And also he's approachable and willing to assist his students unlike our previous teacher in our previous classes''Now if you need anything feel free to approach me and I will be happy to assist you" our teacher said. And we introduced ourselves to them again, Mr. Bernales was happy when he heard that we have the same hometown and he spoke Chavacano to me. I responded happily. After our classes in Fundamentals in Political Science it's already dismissal time and some of my classmates went home. Van invited me to go to their house since it is his birthday today "Would you like to come to my birthday on Wednesday Aldee? I am inviting you to come" Van said. Since I am shy and I wanted to decline "I'm sorry Van, I can't come to your house, I am shy since I have no friends here or family. Besides I am not used to coming to another person's birthday celebration" I responded. Van forced me to come "Come on Aldee, don't be shy since this is my way of getting to know you better, see I wanted to be your friend since you came from another place. And I know that you wanted to learn our language here so I am willing to help you" Van is really kind and willing to help me in their language "I will think first, Van, I will tell you if I will go there or not" I replied. Then he left me

Being a student in another city might be challenging sometimes because you don't have any idea where to live and where to get some money for my living. Sometimes I miss my family, my friends, especially Sitti Jahida and my beloved hometown. I miss the environment there too, like the sea breeze and the cold wind. But never mind, I will be back there soon when the semester is over. Aldee this is only for four years, I can finish and graduate from your course soon have faith. Before going back to my boarding house I needed to explore Cebu City in order for me to get acquainted with it, so I got a chance to go to the mall. I was also shocked that their mall here is huge, and I almost got lost. Luckily an old lady helped me and tried her best in speaking Filipino to me even though it's hard for them to speak that language. I'm hungry again

"Ma'am pwede Ako mag tanong, Anong masarap Kumain dito?" I asked her "Yung Walang pork sana" I added

"Ah punta ka sa itaas, may Bag-ong store Doon na Hindi Sila nag serve ng pork" she responded

"Ah thank you po" I said to her then went to the place where the lady said.

Upon arriving in the said restaurant they are falling in line to order some food and drinks, I decided to take it out since I cannot eat in here because the restaurant is full and no vanant

"Unsai imoha sir?" The cashier asked me.

"Pwede ba mag order ng Isang pirasong manok then isang rice? Then Yung drinks ko coke zero lang miss" I said to her

"Ano pa sir?" Asked the cashier

"Yun lang po miss" I replied

After the cashier packed my food, I went back to my dorm and ate my dinner. There are no lessons yet so I won't study and besides it's our first day of classes. After eating I have decided to sleep, tomorrow is another day and I need to be early at school, I don't want to be late. I pray first before sleeping. As I face my altar I prayed to Our Lady of the Pillar. And sleep, I tried not to think about my family back in Zamboanga City, I tried to close my eyes and sleep.