Monday, April 2

Immersion.

Sure, being a Sociology major may not present a clear career path after graduation but being one entitles you to a lot of perks. As students, we get to travel and meet new people while learning. This is facilitated through our community exposure trips or immersions. With those activities, we get to apply the theories we read in books in real life situations. 

For our first immersion, we went to Davao for a week. Getting there was not easy, literally. There were a lot of obstacles, but it was worth it. All those days of being yelled at, running around the University, etc. paid off. "I can't believe it. Nasa Davao na talaga tayo. Maayong buntag!" Seeing everyone excited was enough for me. Suddenly, my blockmates were filled with energy that they didn't have in a few hours back in Manila. The whole week shocked us. It was full of ups and downs, of new experiences, and of strengthening relationships. 

Truly, it was a week to remember. A week filled with laughter, stories and lessons. I want to share those priceless moments, but where do I start? For almost a month now, I've wanted to write about our immersion. I want to share the lives of Nanay Edna and her family, Francis, kuya Julian and nanay Orlan. Then it struck me. Why do we even have our immersion? To write a research paper? What comes after that? Parang may mali eh. So what if we write a good paper? Do we better the lives of these people? 

Our lives intersected with theirs when we had our immersion. We have influenced the way they live the same way they influence us. While in their community and/or institution, we do research not a student from the University but as one of them. In Pigasaan, we experienced the long walk that students take just to attend school. They showed us that life could be simple and stress free; and that electricity is not needed to be entertained. The people from Pigasaan made us feel genuine kindness-the one that does not expect nothing in return. The inmates in DAPECOL showed us that respect and discipline are often enforced through fear, while those from CIW-Mindanao told us stories on how a mother's love could go beyond the norms and laws of society. 

How could we give their stories life? How could we go beyond the data in analyzing the reality? How could we change status quo? Reality ain't pretty, but what else can we do? We have 2 years of University life left, I just hope my questions will be answered by then.

2SCL2 <3

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