𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 

By Bin-Bandar, Sittie Ainah D. 3rd BA Communication Studies, OIPP Volounteer

“𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒅—” Sohaina S. Sangcopan, a third-year BSBA Marketing Management student under the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) marked when asked how she balances her academics while also having other responsibilities in the organizations that she belongs to. It is a simple statement—almost casual in its delivery—but in the life of Miss Sangcopan, it unfolds as both philosophy and practice. 

“𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒚𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔—𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒂 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒆𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆,” she further shared. 

Her days are rarely still or quiet. Mornings are spent in lectures, afternoons in organizational responsibilities, and evenings in tasks that demand both time and attention. Yet, amidst this constant motion, Miss Sangcopan does not lose herself. Instead, she finds clarity. 

This rhythm, she admits, did not come overnight. It was during Grade 12 that life first demanded more of her—more time, more energy, more resilience. What could have been overwhelming became a formative experience. That season trained her to hold multiple responsibilities simultaneously, a skill she carries with her to this day. And so, she plans. A to-do list becomes her compass, guiding her through the demands of each day. Every item written is not just a task but a promise to herself—to stay grounded and focused. For Miss Sangcopan, productivity is not about doing everything at once; it is about knowing what matters most. 

“𝑨𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕,” she says with certainty. Yet, she speaks of her organization not as an obligation but as an extension of her growth—a space where she learns beyond the classroom. This carefully maintained balance allows her to thrive in both worlds. Not perfectly but intentionally.  However, even the most structured lives are not immune to moments that disrupt everything. 

For Miss Sangcopan, that moment came with the loss of her brother. There are pains that cannot be measured, only felt, and his passing became one that reshaped her entirely. It was a time when questions lingered longer than answers, and the weight of grief made even the idea of moving forward feel uncertain. 

There were moments when giving up seemed to be easier. However, in those moments, she looked outward. Her family—steady and enduring—became her source of strength. In their quiet sacrifices and continued perseverance, she found something to cling to. Their belief in her became more than encouragement; it became a responsibility that she chose to honor. 

“𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒂 ‘𝒚𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒌𝒐.”  Therefore, she continued—not because the pain disappeared, but because she learned how to carry it. Slowly and gently, one step at a time, she chose to move forward, even when the path felt heavy beneath her feet. It is this quiet resilience that echoes through her achievements. 

Being a consistent Chancellor’s Lister since the first semester of her second year might seem like a testament to academic excellence—and it is—but for Sangcopan, it means something deeper. When the news came again, it was not met with surprise but with gratitude. A quiet acknowledgment of the journey behind it. 

For her, recognition is not defined by numbers alone. It reflects the unseen—the late nights, disciplined choices, and moments when she chose to keep going despite everything. This proves that even in the midst of a full and sometimes overwhelming life, she remains capable of showing up and giving her best. 

More than the title, she values consistency. The growth. The becoming.  Ultimately, Sohaina S. Sangcopan is not just a student balancing academics and responsibilities. Her story is one of quiet strength, discipline shaped by experience, and resilience rooted in love. 

Sometimes, the most powerful lives are not the loudest ones, but those that continue, steadily and surely, even after everything has changed.