Ronald James Payos' Profile

RJ Payos: The Silent Stinger

by Mariel Ratani Balitao

“I was in Broadcom by accident” confessed the 18 year-old Broadcast Communication Junior Ronald James Payos.

That was a revelation which may explain why RJ; as he is more known, seem to appeal weird to his classmates on their starting years because of his quietness and aloofness to the crowd. Indebted to his tita’s abrupt idea of making him fall into the line for BBrC because it’s shorter, this could-have-been journalist in the making already learned how to embrace his course because of the superb training he acquired in his learning process.

Having been trained in a private secondary institution, RJ made a huge tapestry to embroider his spoon-fed, hassle-free high school routine to his “crazy” college life in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Like a prince on his voyage outside his kingdom, RJ has to learn to be independent somehow. When in high school he just walk blocks going to school and meet his very few schoolmates and be served with lessons freshly picked by his mentors, in college he travels one and a half hour minimum on his way to school everyday just to find out afterwards that his professors won’t come. RJ eventually got used to that system as he got used to the poorly-equipped facilities of the classrooms.

Despite the structural and technological limitations of his university, RJ describes PUP as a physically efficient and conducive to learning environment. In fact, he doesn’t want to change anything about his school. He was no complains whatsoever with the faculty and staffs of PUP, specifically in College of Communication. “The professors are like Hollywood superstars, we have to please them” believe it or not, he takes it on the light and believes that dealing with professors is a part of his task as a student. And as to the students, he finds them friendly and accommodating.

For three years, PUP made a big change on RJ. It honed him a better individual by giving him the best professors and implementing strict regulations. The environment also became his avenue for exploring more about his abilities. A lot were amazed when they found out his basketball prowess and hidden acting skill last year. He himself couldn’t believe he showcased such talents in front of a crowd. Bye-bye to the old introvert Ronald.

For someone who experienced both private and public school worlds, RJ still hold to a “security blanket”- the values of education he was thought regardless of the tuition fee he pays for it. He is looking forward to learn more and continue to get satisfying grades. He also has plans of befriending more people around so watch out girls and girls-wannabe.

Half his college struggle was won. The other half is on set. His said to be dream of finishing college without stopping is not too far from his stand point right now. And undoubtedly, his three remaining semesters in college will continue to wow his fellow COCians.