Baskal Serves First Point for Batch Unity

By Neicy Nicdao

UP Aguman’s current batch of applicants, Baskal 2007A, finally opened the game for batch unity after having their first official batch bonding on August 7, 2007 (Tuesday) at SM North EDSA. Lead by Batch Head Jerome Ocampo and Assistant Batch Head Diogenes Dy, the members of Baskal braved the rather unpleasant weather to hit SM North EDSA for a dinner together and to watch Ouija.

Bereft of the leisure of time, the batch spent their three-hour bonding buying takeout dinner, which they shared while watching the big screen. Viewing the movie, half of the time scared of the ghost antagonist and the other half of the clock laughing about their batch mates’ scared expressions, and chatting with each other in between trivial activities.

In the end, Baskal decided to have another batch bonding gimmick in the near future, this time with more time together for more activities. It was suggested that the next outing would be done in Pampanga.

Ace
The batch bonding’s aim was to nurture a closer relationship between the members of Baskal, something I think me and my batch mates were able to accomplish. While in the past, there used to be times when it felt awkward to open conversations and keep them going, everyone was engaging that day. We were more expressive, and the end result left us finding it easier to approach each other almost anytime, begin a sensible conversation and keep it going almost effortlessly.

More comfortable talks allowed us to know each other better. This time, our conversations were no longer just about bio-data information. We had more personal sharings of experiences, feelings, opinions and advices. My fellow freshie Trish and I will keep in mind what sophie co-apps Don and John Carl shared to us about their experiences in shifting courses.

The best proof that the batch bonding did bring us closer? We want to do it again.

Fault
It is unfortunate that the activity that should be a momentous milestone in Baskal’s journey to true unity could only be attended by nine of the batch’s fourteen members (Jerome, Don, Jill, Jewel, John Carl, Nic, Anj, Minsky and Trish). Others reasoned out that they had tests or other academic activities to do.

Aguman Members have been very particular with the fact that we have never been completed in any of the organization’s activities. It’s disheartening that we had to spend our first official batch bonding incomplete.

It is impossible to bind rice stalks if you do not have all of them in your hand. I guess that in that sense, we are not truly united yet. But we’ve taken the first step, and we’re not stopping until live up to our batch’s name.




For the rest of the pictures, click here.