At first, I thought that college doesn't have a Brigada Eskwela program and that it only exists in high school. But I was wrong because the program also exists in college. What's up, Hivers! It's me, makiyumee and I'm here again with another blog!
Classes have already started but here I am, sharing to you my experience as I helped in cleaning our campus during the Brigada Eskwela program. I know it's a bit late, but I still want to share this one to you, so here I go!
On August 5, 2024, Cebu Normal University – Medellin Campus had a Brigada Eskwela program. The night before that day, our class mayor sent a message in our Messenger groupchat and she told us about the program. She also told us about the things that we should bring which were rugs, brooms, bolo, and sacks. We were free to choose what to bring, of course.
On the day of the program, I brought with me rugs and sacks since I had a hunch that my classmates would bring the others. My mind also told me that day that we were going to be cleaning near the school library. As I rode the tricycle, I looked at the time and I saw that I was already late for the program but I didn't feel an ounce of nervousness because I was listening to BINI's Karera for like in the lyrics of their song, "Buhay ay 'di karera."
As the song played through my earpods, I noticed that even the driver seemed to be taking his own time in driver the tricycle. He looked so chill and I just sighed while thinking, "Maki, buhay ay di karera." But when an old lady got in and told the driver that she was going to the market, the driver speed up and I finally sighed in relief. I can finally arrive at school before the program ends.
I really thought that I would arrive at the campus after the program ended because of how slow the ride was. Dark clouds gathered like a quiet, gloomy force, rolling in from the horizon, slowly consuming the last traces of blue, their presence casting an uncomfortable shadow over the river below, and the sky changed as we got closer to the Medellin bridge near Dockside. I silently hoped that it wouldn't pour down later since I forgot to bring my umbrella that day.
When I arrived at the campus, I quickly searched for my classmates and luckily, I found them immediately found them near the library which was where we were going to clean. See? My hunch was right. Never underestimate a woman's intuition, they say. I wrote my named and signed beside it for it served as my attendance for the day and after that we all started cleaning the library.
I got out my rug and started wiping and dusting off the dusts from the books and the tables in the library. As I cleaned, I also noticed how the first years gave all their efforts in cleaning their assigned areas. The first-year male students were lifting old and broken chairs, transferring them at the back of the building. The female first year students cleaned the area, some were sweeping and pulling some weeds, while some were (who were strong and capable) helped the males in carrying the old chairs.
When we were done cleaning the library, we helped the first years carry the old chairs towards the back of the building. We stored them there since it the back of the building was where the new storage room was located.
Some of us also helped in sweeping the weeds and dead leaves on the ground while the others helped in pulling the dead plants and weeds on the ground.
After all of us were done cleaning, we were called to come at the covered court for the closing program and we all gathered their and witness the closing of the event. Following the program, my classmates and I felt we needed some break to recover from the excitement of the day. We decided to go to one of our friends' houses to relax. As soon as we entered, the formality of the occasion gave way to the easy comforts of a relaxing day. We took off our shoes, spread out on the floor surrounded by blankets and pillows, and settled in to watch a movie as the TV hummed softly in the background.
We had a casual chat while lying on the floor, the kind that only happens when you are with another person you know well. We began exchanging gossip and stories that were going around during the days we hadn't seen one another, as well as events. We laughed heartily, gasped in shock, sometimes arched an eyebrow as we pieced together the most recent events in our small space from each story.
It was around 12 in the afternoon when we all decided to eat lunch at Artea–the café that we love and where we always eat and drink our favorite milk teas. We hired a tricycle and paid for the travel fare when we arrived.
Everyone got their order while mine was shawarma chips and a pearl milktea. It was a very sulit lunch for me because aside from its delicious taste, it's also my favorite. The way how the shawarma chips made a crunching sound every time I take a bite, the sweet and sour taste of its sauce, the sprinkled cheese that added a salty flavor, and the tea that made the whole set perfect.
All of us ate together and continued talking about the gossips that we heard throughout the days. When we were done, it was finally time for me to go home. When the bus going to my address came, I waved goodbye at my friends and boarded the bus with a huge smile on my face. It was a tiring day for me after cleaning almost the entire campus but after spending time and relaxing with my friends, I felt recharged and renewed which was something I was very thankful for.
I hope you had fun reading my blog for today. See you all on the next one, everybody!
