8 years as an Augustinian

Colegio San Agustin -Binan has been my home and source of education for 8 years. I know almost all corners of the institution, except for the teachers' section in the library. But I did not start my education there. I studied at Amazing Grace School for 2 years, namely, Nursery and Kinder.


I first stepped on the campus floor when I took my entrance test for Preparatory last 2001. I was going to enroll to Casa Del Nino when my mother decided to enroll me here because she thought that it was better for me to study here. When I got the result, I got a fair score. Fair enough for me to be recommended as a Grade 1 student. But my mom chose to let me study first on Preparatory. My first day as an Augustinian was on July 5, 2001. The classes on Pre-school Department were suspended because the building where we are going to stay are still under construction. I was an official transferee and a certified Augustinian. My first year was not bad. I was a studious kid back then. On my first graduation, I ranked 7th Academic Excellence. I consider that as an outstanding achievement for me since I was a new student. I soon thought that I can still manage this kind of excellent performance. But I was wrong.


Elementary is obviously different from Pre-school. It has a distinctive ambiance that told me that I can't continue. But I never gave importance to that. I gave importance to my education , not to what level I am stepping on. I kept telling myself that I can survive this, although I would need time to adjust to the new ground, new environment, and the new atmosphere. I was now an elementary student. I started off as a Grade 1 student. Many old students were there. My first Augustinian friends, some familiar and unfamiliar faces, and new students. During the first few weeks, I was a mess. I can't understand anything. But, as time goes on, I gradually get the hang of it. I understood the lessons. I can do so many different things that I wasn't able to do when I was still a pre-school student. 5 years later, I was, again, a graduating student. It was, again, a new world. So many lessons, so many projects, so many problems. But I got over them. I ended up graduating as the 9th Honorable Mention. That award gave me the though that I overcame all the struggles and obstacles during that 6-year-long elementary life.


After graduation and a bi-month long summer, I found myself entering the golden gates of the High School Department. Most people say these are the best four years of our school life. But, I never looked it that way when I was a freshman. I didn't adjust that quick to the new level and new hardship of my education than on elementary. I was becoming a bit rusty during may freshman year. But, my friends gave me company, namely: Jeps, Nico, Josh, and Eduardo. They were my source of pride and joy. We always have laugh trips and, at the same time, we helped each other when one of us is down. They were the best part of my freshman year. But, tragically, I wasn't incuded at the recognition awardees that year. It was my first ever to spend an early summer. I was a bit disappointed to myself. But later on, I realized that I still have 3 more years to improve, 3 more obstacles to overcome, and 3 more given chances. After another bi-month long summer, I am now a sophomore. I find my sophomore year better than my freshman year, since I have already adjusted with the department and from my disappointing freshman year. My brothers and sisters today are awesome. Even if we are together for just 2 months, I feel like we have been together for quite some time. Many different faces but more familiar faces. I don't mind if there are different students. We are here to learn together, share together, and have fun together. I hope that this bond of my section and "siblings" will be stronger as time goes on.


My life in Colegio San Agustin has been great. I now feel what it is like to be a great part of the Augustinian family. But, I know that there are many more obstacles to overcome, more miseries and laughs, more faces to meet, more teachers to greet, more lessons to learn, and more experiences to remember. My journey in this institution is far from over. I hope that maybe my last 3 years in Colegio San Agustin would be as great as the experiences I got from this school, so that, whenever I feel dreadful during my college years, I can remember my great life that I have got from my great Alma Mater.