Surrounded by the privileged

From the moment I could think rationally, I knew I wanted to study in Manila because of opportunities that would benefit me immensely, such as getting into graduate school with little to no trouble and being employed in a reputable company. Like any other middle-class individual, however, I also knew that I could not do so because of the extravagant expenses associated with a metropolitan life.

As someone barely scraping by, it was hard—and even inconsiderate—to ask my parents to sustain this dream. So I roamed the internet for scholarships and found a few. But most required students to be the cream of the crop of their respective provinces. “Okay,” I uttered to myself. I thought I could do it; I just needed to sacrifice some time to achieve this dream. Thankfully, I did. With a myriad of awards from international mathematical competitions, journalism, and research, coupled with the highest honor distinction for two straight years, I secured a spot in the Vaugirard Scholarship Program of De La Salle University (DLSU) as one of the university’s top applicants.

However, as I scrolled through Facebook and listened to the conversations of people around me with wealthy parents, I couldn’t help but question the incredible unfairness in society. Some just needed to worry about passing the entrance exams to their dream universities without agonizing over the tuition, miscellaneous fees, and living expenses. In my case, and perhaps other less fortunate ones, it’s never enough to pass. We should excel and be part of the 99th percentile, to say the least, of all the applicants to have a fighting chance. We had to exert more effort to access an education that everyone deserves.

As I set foot in DLSU, my indignation heightened, especially when people set aside academic requirements after partying the whole weekend. I don’t have anything against their fortune, but it was quite troubling that they got to slack off and still have the privilege of studying there while I had to maintain a specific grade percentage for my scholarship. This comparison just kept getting worse as I realized that some rich kids complain about simple academic stresses—as if they’ve never set their studies a priority and been exposed to any harshness in life.

A few more months into the university, I thought I had already uncovered the realities of life until I met someone who opened my eyes even more and helped me see things differently.For someone who had the privilege of not worrying about monetary problems, a friend told me that he is forced to take up accountancy in college. We know how harrowing DLSU’s accountancy curriculum is; not everyone has the mental fortitude to endure and thrive. But this student did not have a choice. I wondered how many more passionate individuals were deprived of the opportunity to live according to their dreams, and how many more people had to keep up with the pressure attached to wealth.Similarly, some individuals must take up management to prolong their families’ businesses. Call it legacy, sure, but these students are deprived of the opportunity to make their own path. They are treated as investments, disregarding their identity and feelings.

Even if I must exert a little more effort, I still have the liberty to plot my path, and I know that my family will support me no matter what. So, I cannot deny that I was inconsiderate of their plight and only viewed things from my point of view. I have associated much of my indignation with my struggles alone, overlooking the fact that mental and emotional distresses persist among the privileged as well. Yes, some are entitled, but they do not represent all the wealthy individuals who are also grappling with life.

Now, on the verge of graduating, I still notice people who are expected to ace every exam lest they be disowned. Even if they are fortunate enough to have money, there is this pressure to justify the extravagant tuition of DLSU, and it is arduous to fulfill such pressure, especially when people struggle with assimilating loads of information in a fast-paced trimestral system. Furthermore, beyond just academics, I also observe some people willing to join as many organizations as possible to get away from problems at home and find solace in the presence of their friends and partners instead.I also see people acknowledged only because of their wealth, not their personality. I will not play the “saint” card as I was also guilty of seeing individuals from this perspective, but I’ve realized that they are more than just their money. They are humans worthy of admiration, too, beyond the depths of possession, and it would be insensitive of me to turn a deaf ear to their tribulations.

Overall, life might have been extra hard on me, but this should not be the sole basis of my perception. In the case of the wealthy, they may not need to worry about paying their tuition or living expenses, unlike the marginal scholars. But I must also consider their life outside this privilege. After all, everyone has their fair share of struggles, and a little bit of compassion would not hurt.

Nabih Tarek A. Jaber, 18, is a Vaugirard Scholar of De La Salle University Senior High School.