It is every freshman's dream to have their college years smooth and if possible, straight. But when talking about reality, to some, it happened to be the bitter and discouraging opposite of what they initially dreamed of. One must remain tranquil despite the never-ending adversities. It was supposed to be only a five-tormenting-year of architectural school, but not to Architect Dones who endured three more long years.
"Ang pagiging estudyante ay hindi lamang nakakulong sa loob ng pamantasan, isa sa mga pinakamahalagang natutunan ko ay ang daigdig ay isang malaking paaralan." Dones shared, as he reflects on the lessons he had learned after making it through. "Hindi board exam, graduation o diploma ang measure ng success, kung nakakuha ka nga ng diploma pero wala namang umunlad sa mga natutunan mo, nasaan ang success doon?" he added. Architect Bernard Dones, a remarkable alumnus of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, College of Architecture Design, and the Built Environment (CADBE) now serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration to fellow PUPians after defying countless odds he had been through.
"Mapusok, agresibo na baguhin ang lipunan at passionate sa mga paniniwala" Ar. Dones said when asked how he would describe his young self. He confessed that it was not actually an architect who his younger self dreamed to be — he wanted to become an artist, heavily influenced by his mother who was a Fine Arts graduate. Also, according to him, his father is a contractor, which made him exposed that early to various plans and models, generally, in the built industry which was the reason why in the end, he bravely pushed architecture over his childhood dream.
His dreams and great determination fueled him to continue and strive even harder in life, specifically in college. "It was actually PUP or none" Ar. Dones stated after being asked what made him choose PUP amongst the prestigious universities in our country. "Mahirap lang kasi kami" he added. He knew his family can no longer afford to let him study at other private universities if he insist to do so. Another reason and perhaps the one which made him truly intrigued on what it is to be called as iskolar ng bayan was his first step on the university. "Ang mga estudyante ay estudyante lamang kapag nasa loob ng silid-aralan, 'pag labas nila ng silid-aralan ay hindi na sila mga estudyante lang, sila ay bahagi na ng lipunan. Sila ay mga anak na, sila ay mga kapatid na at iba pa sa kanila ay mga manggagawa na." Dones shared his all-time favorite line from one of the professors facing a huge crowd that time. There was a strike outside the university's main gate and the issue was about the rumored increase of the university's tuition fee. It was to his surprise that not only students were participating and flooding the entrance gate but also several professors and even the university's janitors. "If this was how people rationalize here, the urge within me to officially become an isko intensifies even more" Dones added.
Fortunately, he passed PUPcet — and his lengthy, tiring, but fruitful journey begins there.
“'Yung buong stay ko sa PUP ay isang malaking tunggalian, isang malaking pagsubok.” he said. No words can exactly describe how much he had been through within his 8 years of stay in the university. It is unfathomable, for how courageous he is, for keeping his enthusiasm alive and burning. All he knew was he had to make it through no matter how his pace may differ from everybody, all he had was his dream — and for him, that was enough to continue to row for the horizon.
After graduating at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (CADBE) in the year 2014 and passing the Architecture Licensure Examination (ALE) year after, Ar. Dones stated that it felt surreal. One of his great inspirations during his stay at the university was Ar. Lutap, the chairperson of CADBE formerly CAFA at that time and it is to his joy to finally become one— a licensed architect, who will then also become a source of inspiration to many.
Recently, Ar. Dones have participated in Save San Roque Alliance (SSR) which is a broad alliance advocating for the decent & pro-poor housing rights of Sitio San Roque, an urban poor community embattled in development aggression. Through this, he learned so much from the community of San Roque, an experience that is truly unmatched. In fact, it even helped him to better perceive the true essence of architecture, which is to serve and provide for the urban poor and unprivileged people of our community.
It is everyone's dream to have their journey in life smooth and if possible, straight. But when talking about reality, life has so many adversities to offer. It really is not a flowery path to begin with. Yet, Ar. Bernard Dones, made it through. Even after having to study for extra three years in architecture school, he never chose to give up his dream for easier options. To withdraw He really is one of the living proof that having a dream is enough reason to continue in life, even with the absence of tranquility around us.
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