Leighnor Ann Gumogda's Profile

Certain as a she is

by Cherry Lou Nequia

Leighnor Ann M. Gumogda, 18 years old and living in Batasan Hills, Quezon City has no concrete plan of studying in PUP. She was a student of Batasan Hills National High School when her classmates persuaded her to come with them and fill-up the requirements for PUPCET.

“Actually I’m just swept. When I’m in high school, I never thought that I’ll be studying at PUP. It really never even crossed my mind. My classmates told me to file an application for the PUPCET and I went with them since I’m already late for UPCAT,” she said when asked how was she able to know about PUP. And luckily the lady who was just swept away passed the exam and not only had that she passed but got a high score as well. Before and after the examination she did not consider enrolling to other universities. “PUP lang ang pinag-enrollan ko my mother’s choice- low tuition fee.” Everybody has the same reason why they enter PUP and Leighnor’s mom was practical enough. With 500-peso tuition fee they really made a wise decision, mothers really know best.

Ever since high school, she went to a lot of seminars and attended a lot of press cons that’s why she took Bachelor in Broadcast Communication “It’s the influence.” When it comes to subjects, as for her there’s no hard subject everything can be learned in the process. But the problem she sees aside from financial aspect is the professor. “Minor subject profs ang problema ng karamihan, specially me. Sila yung nagpapahirap, too many requirements that are not needed. Tsaka most of them, di proficient.” How about the COC professors? “Magagaling ang mga COC profs.”

Leighnor is not active with extra-curricular activities but she maintains her good grades and she enjoys being a COC student. Her favorite events in COC are the Sikat Awards where productions are given recognition; Cheering Competition “kase lagi tayong panalo, sikat na naman” and COC Foundation Week. Although she is busy fulfilling her responsibility as a student and as a member of her family, she finds time to compose songs, play guitar, read books and surf the net. But her study habit? “Nothing specific.”

PUP had faced controversies in the past few months, the gang rape, the computer shop in NALRC and recently the five-month old fetus found in one of the comfort rooms at the Jasmine Building. As a PUPian how is she going to defend the school when somebody puts it down? “’…yun ang dulot ng media, parang sponge ang tao. Most especially yung average or below average, di natin sila masisisi kung ganun yung mga reaksyon nila kasi yun ang nakikita nila at naririnig nila. D’yan pumapasok ‘yung tinatawag nating sophisticated communication, dapat daanin nating mga mas nakakaintindi sa paraang ‘di ikakalaki ng gulo.” And the best way to do that “prove them wrong”.

Every school has its good and bad side so what makes her proud to be a PUPian? “The answer is obvious, maraming magagandang bunga ang PUP, marami kang makikilalang magagaling na taong mula sa PUP.” For that she believes that her batch will be one among them.

Five to ten years from now she sees herself in a radio station she wants to be a disc jockey first before entering the television and movie industry, “that would be my preparation.”

Leighnor was influenced by her classmates to consider PUP, because of her mom, she finally decided to enter PUP, because of her wit and intelligence she managed to be a PUPian and she is paving her way to be one of the best in her batch and to be one of the best in her future field.