The 3Cs towards resiliency and 'bulletproofing'...

 ...as we begin again.

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by PAM

Today, we begin again.
We put yesterday behind us with only its lessons and good memories in our pockets
...and we begin with hope and with the gained wisdom from yesterday.

So, today has been a happy day for me!  The University of Santo Tomas (UST) officially opened the Academic Year (AY) with the traditional Misa de Apertura: Opening Mass, which is also known as "Mass of the Holy Spirit" where we invoke the guidance of the Holy Spirit in walking us through to the new AY; and the Discurso de Apertura: the "Inaugural Lecture", where an appointed official (or sometimes, an invited guest) gives a scholarly discourse to set the tone of our pursuits in the new AY. 

My new Team in serving the 411 year-old 
University of Santo Tomas - what an honor!

This year, the Mass was presided over by His Excellency, the Most Rev. Mylo Hubert C. Vergara, D.D., the Bishop of Pasig.  As UST is the Pontifical University of Asia, Bishop Vergara also officially opened the AY on behalf of the Pope.  The "Maestra" for the Discurso was the Assistant to the Rector for Planning and Quality Management, Prof. Clarita D. Carillo, Ph.D., who is also the former Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs - my former 'boss'... a mentor and a friend.  Now, we are in the same Team at the Office of the Rector.

Prof. Carillo discussed about "3Cs" - the stages of Institutional response to crisis that leads to the attainment of institutional resiliency.  These are: Cope, Control and Construct.  At the initial onslaught of the crisis, we gather our collective strength and use it to deal with the pressing challenges with only our immediate survival in mind.  In other words, we cope.  As we realize the effectiveness of our strengths against the challenges, and gain confidence, we then determine what else can we do and what else can we put together immediately to hold the crisis at our doorsteps, or completely crush it before it reaches our door, and seal our institution from the ravages of the attacking disaster.  In short, we control.  And as we all join hands to continuously defend our institution from the present and future danger, we build our 'artillery' of defense, and expand our forefront to better prepare us from any other danger today and in the future.  In short, we construct.

I do believe that even in our personal lives, this 3Cs approach to resiliency is also applicable.  It is okay to feel frustrated (or, is it "trusfrated", according to JK? Hehe... ) when 'coping' with an unfavorable reality... but we need to keep going.  After all, like love, life is not perfect when it's real.  So, we need to do our best to move forward towards gaining 'control' of our lives... because it is our lives... we are responsible for own lives... and we have the right to enjoy our lives, too. Our goal should not be instant success and instant gratification.  It should be to continue picking ourselves up, no matter how difficult and no matter how slow.  Perseverance and patience are key to realizing our goal... gaining wisdom from lessons learned from our failures, and moving forward with gained wisdom.  We build from our failures and frustrations... construct a future that is less prone to failures, and one that can turn failures to victories.  

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Bulletproof-ery

While we are talking about constructing, I would go a little farther and say that we should think about 'bulletproofing', too.  Inspired by BTS, of course.  And why not? Doesn't it make sense?  Here, see for yourself....

🎜"We are bulletproof.

They all said 'no' but we made it through.

Bad memories, countless trials, too.

We stopped them all without fear... bulletproof."🎝

It's a victory song... mulling over the trials that could have crushed them if their determination to succeed and their willingness to work hard did not render themselves as 'bulletproof'.  They had a collective dream.  They trudged that trial-laden path towards solid artistry and accomplishments that matter.  As they slowly realize their dream, more and more fans who recognized their determined spirits walked with them.  Their fans kept surrounding them, protecting them from more trials and hate.  The fandom since grew to a mighty ARMY - unnerving in its size, reach, and influence.  They have become the 'proof' of the growing greatness of BTS that was built from 'blood, sweat and tears'... and, therefore, built to last, indeed.  The sheer volume of ARMY's love and admiration rendered BTS to be totally 'bulletproof' - unassailable in the quality of their outputs, impenetrable to hatred, the most beloved seven souls and a constant to this generation... simply inspiring! 

So, you see, even BTS went through the 3Cs.  They stayed the course, they persevered, they kept building and re-building.  And, here they are now... BULLETPROOF! 💜

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Photo credit:  I took the photos in the collage above and my brother took my photo.  The photos belong to me though, and therefore, I have the right to use them for this post.  They may not be used elsewhere.  The photo with my UST Team was grabbed from Prof. Carillo's FB page - thanks for the loan.

Video credit:  The owner of the video featured in this post is indicated in the video itself, BangtanTV.  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

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