BU Community Airs Sentiment On Return Of Full F2F Classes

𝐁𝐘 𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐉𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓

BU Administration released an order on January 15 to conduct full face-to-face (f2f) classes starting the second semester of this academic year due to the improvement of the health situation in the region together with the stand of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), policymakers, and other educational sectors.

The usual mornings of online and blended learning modality of the students for almost two years will now come to an end. Video call links sent by your professors will now be you, who find rooms around the campus. As you pass by the hallways, it feels like something you've longed for, brought you home, again.

However, despite the positive purpose, other members of the community such as students, faculty members, parents, and drivers air their reactions.


“Ang advantage na maibibigay ng full f2f classes ngayong second semester ay mas makakafocus ang mga estudyante sa pag-aaral kumpara sa bahay lamang na maraming distractions, ” said Marjorie Binasa, a second year BS Accountancy student.

Meanwhile, JC Lorenzana, a first-year BS Accountancy student mentioned that he will meet new friends which will help him be able to grow more as an individual.

Giselle Villamor, a first-year BS Psychology student, stated that she is already prepared because it has been already two years since the institution shifted to online modality and for her, it is quite hard compared to f2f classes.

In contrast, some students also raised their worries about the said implementation.

“Pinaka unang struggle na ineexpect ko ngayon full f2f classses na ay yung transportation ko since ako ay nakatira sa Ligao City. Kailangan kong gumising nang maaga upang makarating sa BU at hindi ma-late,” said by Bhabie Esperanza, a first year Bachelor in Public Administration (BPA) student.

Along with this, Aliah Bejo, a BS Marketing Management student also expressed her thoughts that there were subjects in their course that have no permanent classroom during f2f classes, so they just manage to find vacant rooms to continue the lesson.

Furthermore, Ludy Ann Encinas, a first-year BPA, and working student also shared her concerns.

“Bilang isang working student, inaasahan ko na marami akong mga pagsubok na kakaharapin ngayong f2f classes. Kagaya ng tungkol sa pera, katulad ng pamasahe, baon, projects at iba pa. Isa na rin yung paggising ng napakaaga at pagod, dahil na rin sa mga gawain, ” Encinas said.


The isolation that occurred two years ago has distanced students from their known second home. The screens, the masks, and the virtual setups have taken everyone into a surreal scenario of not even knowing the real end. But starting this semester, students and teachers see possibilities, but with hopes for better facilities.

“My course is [a] major subject ng Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPeA), so really the course itself, it entails face-to-face activities and lessons because that is the nature of the course. I prefer face-to-face talaga. Mas excited, and mas madami ka kasing pwedeng magawa sa classroom versus online. And then you can explore so many activities for the students na they can really practice,” Professor Indira Tabo, a professor from the Performing Arts Department stated on the advantages of this implementation.

On the other hand, despite the readiness assured by students, teachers, and all involved in the formation of children's holistic knowledge, there are still some areas to improve on, when speaking about the readiness of the institution such as the amenities and classroom.

“I observed the lack of available classrooms and amenities inside the buildings such as the teacher’s table or chair. 'Yun yung usual problem that we have experienced here in CAL,” Professor Tabo added.

She also stated that there were instances where teachers tend to grab tables and chairs from other rooms just to have materials for their classes. Professor Tabo also mentioned that she knew teachers who don't have enough venue to conduct large classes.

This seemingly new situation introduced another reason for people to adjust. In an interview with The Bicol Universitarian, Arnulfo Mascariñas, the university president advised college faculties to practice sharing facilities.

“So our advice to the colleges is that we should learn how to share facilities like in BUCENG there are a lot of buildings, there are already a lot of classrooms, the only thing [colleges can do] is proper coordination with the colleges that's how they do in other schools,” said Mascariñas


Parents, guardians, and self-supporting students are also adjusting themselves back to f2f classes in terms of the resources they need. Butch Imperial, a father of a BU student, described the tasks that he needs to do as the supporter of his child.

“Adjustment sa budget ng pamasahe, allowance, pagkain, uniform, mga kailangang gawin na face-to-face projects - ito yung mga kadalasang iniisip kong panibagong adjustment dahil nasanay tayo na wala ‘to eh, nasanay tayo sa pagpapaload ng mga estudyante, ” he said.

Moreover, Edison Dayao, a BU student guardian, laid out his opinion about the advantages of full f2f classes.

“Mas matutukan ng mga teacher ang pag-aaral ng mga students at mas makakafocus rin ang students sa kanilang study pag nasa school, vice versa lang. At the same time, hindi na kailangang imonitor namin na mga parents kung nagagawa ba ng tama ang kanilang mga activities, ” Dayao said.

With the return of full f2f classes in BU, the community of drivers has positive hopes to bring back the same energy to Rizal street along with the huge number of student commuters.

“Ako, bilang namamasada na dati pa, ready na ako sa ganitong set up [ng full face-to-face classes] kasi syempre, dapat lagi kang ready lalo na sa hanapbuhay. Ready na din ako sa ganitong set up since alam ko na talagang malaking target na mga pasahero ay mga studyante, ” said Nicanor Noel Jr., 33, a jeepney driver who caters to passengers from Daraga-Legazpi and vice versa.

On the other hand, Tobias Agripa, 42, a tricycle driver, also voiced out his concerns.

“Meron palagi, syempre, may mga ibang pasahero na konti lang magbayad, tapos may kailangan pang habulin na presyo ng gasolina, pero dapat maintindihan din sana nila na naghahanap buhay rin kami para sa pamilya namin,” Agripa commented on how the price hike of gasoline affects their income.

Arabella Mae Hipolito is a Bachelor of Public Administration student at the BU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance and Development. She joined the Universitarian in 2022 as a staff writer and was assigned to cover sports, lifestyle, and entertainment.

Julia Minerva Molet is a Bachelor of Public Administration student at the BU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance and Development. She joined the Universitarian in 2022 as a staff writer and was assigned to cover politics and governance.