As a Filipino living in a predominantly Catholic country, I never had the opportunity to express myself as a trans woman in the schools I attended. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was constantly teased, hurt, and not given the recognition I deserved. That’s why I dreamed that one day, I would be able to attend a university that is open to students of any gender identity. Fortunately, the University of the Philippines-Diliman accepted me under the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing program. Here, I was able to freely express myself as a trans woman without judgment from anyone. They allowed me to write literature, news, and editorials based on my experiences as a trans woman. In UP-Diliman, there is a strong emphasis on recognizing and respecting the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) of every student. There is a dedicated restroom for LGBTQIA+ individuals, including those with disabilities. There is also an organization called “Bahaghari” that advocates for those who fall victim to violence due to their SOGIE. UP-Diliman recognizes you for who you are. You don’t need to change for the school, and the university will not change you. Therefore, it is only right to recognize UP-Diliman as the best university in the Philippines because, along with its name, it embodies the inclusivity that every institution in the country should possess. Among these, UP-Diliman accepted me for a reason. As a writer, I will continue to advocate, through my writing, for the rights of every trans woman in the spaces of school, society, home, and work. I will not give up until our community achieves the space that rightfully belongs to us.

UPD really helps you fulfill your dreams. Despite the hardships and challenges, you will face during your stay. From the admission examination to processing your papers, it was quite tough but once you finally get in, it is all worth it. Now for some honest reviews, professors are really passionate and you will feel their values on how they teach. It will reflect on how they personally discuss the lessons. The facilities are good, you will need a ride to transfer from one building to another to get to your next class. Social life, very very great. You get to meet a lot of people with different lifestyles, and attitudes, and culture as well. My overall stay with UPD is indeed a blast, so if I am gonna be asked, yes, i will recommend UP.