The Book

One day, as I was rehashing this unfortunate dilemma to Christie, my friend, I vowed to her that graduate school is done and dusted for me. But then, she asked, “Do you see yourself pursuing another career?” Puzzled, I said, “No! I can still see myself teaching in college the rest of my life!” Flatly, she blurted, “Then you must have a Master’s degree.” This makes sense as having a Master’s degree is the minimum requirement to get tenure in college teaching.

After a long time of thinking and praying, I knew deep in my heart, I need to get a Master’s degree. So, I searched for other options. But this time, I am picky because I know that it is something I need to commit myself to for the next two to three years. I looked for universities closer to where I worked to lessen my commute. But all the factors I was trying to consider were not met. I could not find a program aligned to my career goals. Also, I wanted evening classes so I could teach all day, then head to graduate school in the evenings on weekdays. This will free my weekends and perhaps, I could live a more balanced life! I equated balanced life to my happiness and life satisfaction. And having time for social events and church activities gave me that happiness and life satisfaction I crave for. But this dream was far-fetched with the way traditional classrooms are set up. Until one day, I noticed an advertisement for a university that was offering online programs. Back then, online learning was so new, and many people in the academe had misgivings on its credibility. Fortunately, the University of the Philippines is a credible, top-notch university and their online programs were getting traction in the global arena. 

After all the due process involved in the enrollment, my quest for a Master’s degree begun and my love and appreciation for online learning was born. It saved me from my desperation to live a balanced life despite pursuing a Master’s degree and managing a full-time career. It gave me more time to visit my parents and siblings on weekends, serve in the church community, and attend social events. Gone were my weekends spent on long commutes to the university just to sit on boring lectures, listen to classmates’ presentations, and then bring home more readings and assignments due for the next weekend. Gone were the days where mobility was limited and I pity myself because I cannot attend social events on weekends, or travel whenever, all because I have to attend classes and be physically present within the confines of four-walled classrooms on my precious weekends. The online program was a big blessing to me because I was able to manage my time better. After work, I stayed longer in the campus where I teach and study on my own time. This freed my weekends for recreational activities.

Because of online programs, I did not only obtain a Master’s degree but I was also able to pursue my Phd. My doctoral program kept me busy and occupied during the isolation of COVID-19 pandemic years. While others resorted to planting, baking, online selling, and movie binge-watching to entertain themselves during the lockdown, I dove deep into writing responses to discussion forums, participation, assignments, and eventually my dissertation all within the confines of my home office. Although I envied those who were able to do recreational activities or establish their own businesses during these unforgettable pandemic years, and would often find myself throwing a pity party for being stuck in my studies, the reward after was a lifetime achievement, all made possible because of the way online programs were designed.

So, here’s my academic life’s work, turned into a creative form for you to enjoy and learn from. This is the culmination of my personal stories, my own educational journey, especially my research output for my dissertation, the influence of those I dearly loved, and impacts of my mentors. Intricately woven in these pages are the promises of God’s Word that held me through the years. I am passing these on to you. You are not alone in your dreams and struggles in this academic journey. Make this book your friend and company until you cross that stage on your graduation day.