By: Alyszah Angela Beltran
Photo courtesy of Mary Joy Salcedo / INQUIRER
Each day, Letranites and school personnel walk by the arch of Intramuros, carrying with them stories of provinces they left behind. The city is louder, faster, and far from home. Yet for many, it is where doors are opened for new beginnings, more opportunities, and adventures.
According to an article by the Inquirer titled “Why Students Prefer Metro Manila Schools,” many students choose to move to the capital because it “boasts a higher number of prestigious and well-established universities and colleges compared to the province.” Moreover, the article notes that students are drawn to the city for its wider range of academic programs and the belief that studying in the city may increase their chances of securing a better future for themselves and their families.
Undas: More than A Remembrance
When the last week of October finally creeps in, it brings a familiar longing for home. Midterms season is finally done and Undas break is almost near. For Inst. Mark Astom from the College of Education, Liberal Arts, and Sciences, Undas is more than just visiting the graves of loved ones. Coming from Ilocos Sur, he treasures the moments when he gets to spend time with his family, even just for a short time. “Undas is more than just a celebration of those who departed; it is also the celebration of those who were left behind, and that’s us,” he shared.
For many Letranites, like Paula Ramirez, a 2nd year Human Resources Management student from Davao, where the holiday is rooted in traditions. “Undas break is very big for our family. All of us have a day to visit our relatives who passed away, where we go to the cemetery and have a 3pm merienda, do prayer and after that we eat dinner somewhere.”
This sentiment transforms the holiday into something deeper, connecting the past to the present across distance and time. The holiday now becomes a bridge and a reminder that family bonds remain strong despite separation. Those who stay carry home in their hearts, while those who go are reminded of what they’ve left behind.
Finding Home in the City
“First week ko dito, I was alone. Wala akong masyadong pinupuntahan; kain, dorm, pasok,” shared Jalwin Villaflor, a 1st year Legal Management student from Zambales.
For Villaflor, the city was overwhelming at first, but slowly, he found his routine. Over time, the clamor of Manila became somewhat familiar, and oftentimes, comforting. “Ngayon, I do it my own way na,” he said. Manila is loud, bustling with life, and a city that never sleeps but it is also where dreams meet possibilities and every street feels like a chance to grow and find your own place.
For Paula Ramirez she shared, “Manila feels like home because of my partner. My partner was born and raised here, so she was the one who helped me adjust and taught me everything I need to learn about living here for good.”
Home isn’t just a place. It is the friends who walk home with you after classes, the vendors who recognize and remember your orders, and even the arch of Intramuros that greets you warmly. It is the chatter in the hallways, the corners where you hang out with your friends, and the small routines you slowly develop.
In these moments, the chaos of Manila softens and the city begins to feel less like a foreign place and more like a new chapter in their story.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
“Honestly, I still don’t completely feel at home here. However, I find comfort in the people I’ve met, those who have introduced me to new perspectives and ways of living. Even though I miss my family, being surrounded by people who genuinely care about me eases that homesickness and makes living here a bit lighter,” shared by Shanon Cumaling, a 2nd year Communication Arts student from Ifugao.
Sir Richard Tupas, a security guard from Eastern Samar spoke of his journey from his hometown to Manila; “Pumunta ako dito galing probinsya para magtrabaho. Wala hindi kami nakakauwi, tulad ng Undas, pasko, New year. Dahil sa layo dun, once a year lang kami nauwi.” His story is a reminder that even when life takes us far from where we came from, with perseverance and hope, we can create a new space of belonging.
For some, they arrive in this city with nothing but hopes and dreams clutched in their hearts, but piece by piece, the city teaches them to turn it into something real — and maybe, just maybe, this city could belong to them too.