MAYNILA — Despite the popular line from a hit song, but for 22-year-old college student Aerolle Sana, a student leader and academic achiever, believes life is a race.

Sana, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student at Batangas State University - Alanginan Campus, trended online on July 19, when he gave a speech as one of the “Ten Outstanding Students Awards BatStateU The NEU Alangilan” — an award given to graduating student leaders. 

“Ang karera ng buhay ay hindi paunahan laban sa ibang tao. Sa karera ng buhay, kailangang makipag-unahan sa oras, sa resources, sa opportunities,” Sana said.

(The race of life is not against other people. In the race of life, we have to compete for time, for resources, for opportunities)

‘LOSE SOME TO WIN IT ALL’

Sana  is part of the student council in Alanginan, and, throughout his college life, he went through obstacles like every other student.

He has been active on student councils and organizations since high school and he spends most of his time on them rather than on his classes. 

There are even times that Sana had to choose organization tasks over academics. 

“Maneuvering ‘yung college life ko, is more on sa organization life talaga s’ya at the same time, ‘yung academics naman ay hindi ko naman s’ya napapabayaan.” said Aerolle on an interview with ABS-CBN News.

(My college life was more on organization life, but at the same time, I didn’t neglect my studies)

Sometimes, students have to give up something to gain everything, he said.

“Kapag nasa karera ka, bawal ang magdahan-dahan... Bawal ang mapagod. Bawal ang tumigil,” Sana said on his post.

(When you are in a race, you cannot slow down, you cannot get tired. You must not stop)

He said he had to sacrifice going out with friends and endure using eyeglasses repaired with tape for four months due to busy schedules and a lack of resources.

He said the glasses were damaged when he fell asleep while wearing them.

“That time busy din sa school at wala akong time and wala akong resources para makapag pagawa ng bagong salamin so I had to, kailangan kong magtiis for that time na nakasalamin na naka-tape lang s’ya,” he added.

(At the time, I was busy with school and I didn’t have time and resources to get a new pair, so I had to make do with wearing eyeglasses repaired with tape)

THE RACE FOR OPPORTUNITIES

Aside from being a student and a student leader, Sana also accepts editing jobs to help pay for expenses.

“Kailangan kong mauna, dahil baka bukas wala na ang scholarship na bumubuhay sa akin. Kailangan kong maging mabilis dahil baka bukas, wala nang pera para maka-survive sa isang araw,” he said.

(I needed to get ahead because, who knows, I might not have that scholarship tomorrow. I have to be fast because I might not have money tomorrow.)

He added: “Baka bukas, wala na ang opportunities na para sa akin... Kailangan kong maging mabilis, dahil baka bukas, hindi na ako magaling,” Sana stated on his post as to why for him, life is a race.”

(Maybe tomorrow, there will be no more opportunities for me. I have to be fast because I might not be good enough tomorrow)

Sana has helped his parents financially by being a scholar under the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation and by earning money to support himself.

He said he also sent some of his scholarship money to his parents.

Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education was enacted in 2017 to exempt students in government universities from paying tuition and other fees, but higher education remains out of reach for many in the Philippines, especially for those who need to ear to suppor their families.

RELATED: PH needs 'comprehensive strategy' to improve higher education: Marcos

‘FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE, KNOW YOUR CORE’

According to Sana, his college journey was not easy. There were ups and downs, just like every student. But, he said, the people around him made his studies bearable.

“It is a village, madaming taong naging involved para ma-achieve ko ‘yung gano’ng achievements,” he said.

(It is a village. Many people were involved to help me achieve these)

He also thanked his teachers and colleagues for being understanding and being patient with him in his situation as a student leader.

“Always look for the right people. Kasi kapag you are surrounded with the right people, kahit saan ka mapunta alam mo na mayroong mga taong sasama sa’yo,” he said.

(Always look for the right people. When you are surrounded by the right people, you can count on someone to be there for you wherever you might end up.)

He added: “And another is to know your core Alamin mo kung ano ba ‘yung core mo sa sarili mo kung bakit mo ginagawa ‘yung mga bagay na ginagawa mo.”

(Know your core and why you are doing the things you do)

Sana will graduate with Latin honors on August 13.

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