Lab Life of a Microbiologist: A Journey of a First-Gen Graduate

“My journey might be different from yours and it’s okay, there's no need for comparisons. We are all travelling according to our own timeline, there's no need to hurry. Just keep moving forward and enjoy the ride.“ This is how Angelica G. Quitalig lived her academic journey as a BS Biology student of Central Luzon State University who will graduate as Magna Cum Laude and will lead the graduating class of 2024 during the 33rd Midyear Commencement Exercises on February 16 as the class valedictorian. Growing up, Angelica was always reminded by her parents on the importance of finishing and having good education. Her mother, Mrs. Elena Quitalig, at the age of 21, gave up her studies to raise Angelica and her siblings while, her father, Mr. Fernand Quitalig, opted to be in the military service to provide for their family. Witnessing the hardships of her parents being both undergraduates, Angelica promised herself that she would finish her education – making her a first generation graduate of her family. “Lagi nilang sinasabi sa akin na yung Edukasyon lang yung maipapamana nila sa amin. Hindi kasi sila nakapagkatapos ng pag-aaral at wala din naman kaming ibang yaman o ari-arian kaya kung itong education ko yung ipapamana nila, sabi ko sarili ko noon, gagalingan ko at pagyayabungin pa ito.” It was during her junior year in High School that Angelica found her passion and fascination on the wonders of Science. The laboratory became her sanctuary and treated the microscope as her go-to gadget. This paved the way for her to secure a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology. As a student, she experienced struggles and challenges just like her peers who needed to manage their finances for the laboratory experiments, books, and other needs to sustain their stay at the university. These however did not disheartened Angelica but further boosted her determination to finish her studies and deepened her love for science specifically in microbiology. By doing what she loves, Angelica exceled in her studies despite the change of teaching modality due to the pandemic. The transition to online and going back to face-to-face classes became another wall she had to break down where another nemesis awaits, her thesis proposal. “Nung una po siyempre na down ako and na-dissapoint kasi akala ko makakasabay kong grumaduate yung mga kaibigan ko. Pero dahil sa suporta ng pamilya ko na laging naka-alalay sakin, ganun din yung adviser at mga kaibigan ko, tinulungan nila ako na talagang tapusin yung thesis ko.” Despite facing numerous challenges, Angelica demonstrated resiliency and kept on pursuing her passion and focused on her studies which resulted to her general weighted average of 1.31 making her graduate as a magna cum laude and eventually the valedictorian of the 33rd midyear graduating class. Angelica’s journey is an example on how a student can demonstrate persistence in chasing their dreams. Her timeline might be different from her friends but she kept on pushing and moving forward. May her story remind us that life is not a race. We have our own battles, roads to traverse, and timelines to adhere to both in school and in life. Remember, it's your journey, so make it worthwhile. Congratulations Angelica and all the students you represent very well. Padayon graduates!