Anna Theresa L. Licaros

BA Broadcast Communication,  GWA 1.161

The eldest in a brood of four, Theresa is big sister to three boys whom she “loves so much.” She comes from a “huge extended” and close-knit family. She likes Japanese and Italian food and plays mahjong, backgammon and scrabble. She reads subverted fairytales, communication theory books and books by Latin American and Asian authors. She loves the beach and traveling. The Assumption Antipolo (Batch 2001) graduate will enter the UP College of Law in June this year.

On a UP education

It is worth every bit as it was before: it is priceless. A UP education is more than a ticket to a job; it teaches you the more important things like striving for excellence, humility, working with others and a passion for service. However, not all people value these things and if some expect their UP diploma to effortlessly land them jobs, they might not find it valuable 100 percent of the time. I think it’s worth comes from the values it teaches. A UP education could get you a job, but more than this, it will help you keep it.

On getting the top honors

It is scarier because people have higher expectations from you and you feel you have to keep raising the bar. It is also a relief because all the school work is over but no, I have law school come June.

On time management

What helped me balance everything was knowing that I wasn't just a student, and knowing that summa cum laude was not my end-all and be-all. I knew who and what else mattered to me and I pursued them as well. It is really a mindset. I might have been tired from all the school work but I knew I had other responsibilities and other things I wanted to do so did them: that was enough to get me up and running again. Also, I received so much support from my family and loved ones. This achievement is not mine alone, but theirs as well. I don’t think anybody can graduate summa cum laude by himself.