By MEG ANNE G. SANTOS, CHE-3
They say that some of the best memories in college come from the events and parties that make up your social calendar through the four or more years you spend on campus. Back when I was a freshman, I never really bothered going to the events hosted by the school.
I always had my reasons. Still, I can’t help but ask myself, had I missed out on what should have been one of the greatest memories of my college life?
Now in MCL’s fourth year, the organizers decided to shake things up a bit. Instead of the usual celebrity and band appearances, this year’s Acquaintance party would be enlisting the help of the newly-established organizations of the school. This party would not only be for the freshmen but for the upperclassmen as well.
By 4pm, classes were already cut. I had nothing to do and I had a couple of hours to spare. Maybe this was the perfect time to know how much I’ve been missing. It was about time I knew for myself what the hype is all about.
Acquiring the tickets for this event had been quite tricky- my fault for buying it at the last minute. I did not know what to expect; it was a first for me and for some of my friends who did not attend our batch’s Freshman Treat. In a way, we felt like first year students again, quite unsure what to make of the time that we had.
The school oval was packed with people. The air smelled of grilled meat coming from the M.E’s Isawan (which was a blockbuster- who can resist the temptation that is barbeque?). Students were all over the place, flocking from one booth to the other. There were quite
a number of stands to choose from:
- CLC booth- Almost everybody tried their luck at winning a CLC tumbler. I got mine for five pesos!
- ACES’ Cuff and Stuff- What better way to repay the kindness of your friends than by handcuffing them to the person they like? The cost? Twenty pesos for ten minutes. The looks on your friends faces? Priceless.
- CoE’s booth and Loop-loopan- Tried my luck at guessing how many candies were in the container. Turns out I’m good at making assumptions. The correct number was 158.
I guessed 250. - IE’s refreshments stand- strategically placed beside ME’s Isawan, sells ice cream too.
- C.E’s Jail booth- I learned something important this day. Never get yourself caught after paying a good amount to the Cuff and Stuff booth to set-up your friends. Chances are they won’t bail you out anytime soon. My PE courses really paid off in my attempt to escape. (I had to distract the jail guard and run for my life).
- DAD’s photo wall- where professional looking photos are shot by our very own future professional photographers.
And when you’re tired from all the walking, the soft green grass is a perfect place to sit down, relax and have a chat.
Despite the inclement weather, the event was a success. The booths were reflective of how much time and effort was given by the members to make it possible. For a couple of hours I was able to temporarily forget that there are reports I have yet to make and exams I have yet to review for. It was an enjoyable experience.
This year’s event did not have the high profile band/celebrity performances the previous years offered, but, nevertheless, this welcome party of sorts was able to give something more. The simple pleasures of eating isaw with your friends, strolling around, getting imprisoned by the jail booth and watching your own college band perform gave a feeling of fun and excitement reminiscent of our carefree high school days. To the organizers, congratulations and keep it up. I definitely had fun.
You can only be a college freshman once in your life.
There was always that one time when you first arrived that you felt that your school seems so huge, filled with hundreds of people that you don’t know, and going from one class to another is an adventure. A couple of months later, you’ll be walking around like you’ve been there for years, and everywhere you go, you’ll see people you know. The Freshman Treat reminded me of that day, when I realized that this place-this school, will be my home for the next few years, and that the people in it would be my family.
Two years later, after attending the Freshman Treat in my junior year, this simple event tugged a chord in my heart. It was as if I was extended a warm inanimate hug, telling me, “Hey, you may not be a freshman but you are always welcome home.”
