j a n s e n. i. s. m.

09.23.06 I’ve been invited by my org in college, the
Computer Group of AcTive Engineering Students (CGATES) to be one of the judges
in the annual popularity contest it hosts, the Mr. & Ms. CGATES pageant. As
usual I was a bit anxious going back to Baste, but especially now returning to
this event that I consider very special from my college life. For the last
three years of this pageant I was always there and as a matter of fact, last
year I spearheaded the event as the CGATES president. I know very much how hard
and extremely demanding it is to put up such event but this year, things are
different and the table has been turned. Instead of being a backstage person
shouting at the candidates that they need to hurry up fixing themselves for the
next wardrobe competition, assisting the emcees with their script or
instructing an officer that the spotlight should follow the contestants as they
move on stage… this time, I was simply sitting there as a judge - putting
scores for each contestant, sharing side comments with other judges and feeling
proud for the org, April (my IVP last year) and the rest of her officers for
making it happen. I can say that the Mr. & Ms. CGATES pageant was my best achievement
in my career as a student leader and now that I am done with college org what’s
better than best is to see other people continue with what we have started or
what I had been a great part of.

During the presentation of the judges and awarding of the
certificates of appreciation, I was just happy and honored to be addressed as
an ‘engineer’ alongside others– one is a successful engineer practitioner, two
were my college teachers in fact, and then Rodel as well . For a computer
engineering graduate like Rodel and I, who do not have to go through extensive
review and take a board exam to be called an ‘engineer’, I think that the only
time we can have the pride to be called as an engineer is when we return to our
school and your former teachers and colleagues acknowledge and put the title
“Engr.” next to our names.

 After several
costume changes of the contestants, predictable acoustic intermission numbers, nerve-wracking
Q & A portion and a raffle draw on the side, the winners were announced
(YES, the 5^th year candidates took home the crowns once again!), and
everyone was just ready to wrap up a successful evening. I exchanged hugs with
Mam Shie—the most heartfelt hug that translated the most silent words of good
wishes. A handshake and smile to April and the rest of the fifth year officers for
a job well done– bravo! A sincere cheek-to-cheek from someone and just like
that I knew she was doing fine after what happened and we’re really ok now. And
a thought to myself “This is a once in a lifetime event—to be a judge and an
engineer on the same day”.

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