Feature by Athena Kryshna Salgado | April 23, 2024
Image: UP Baguio Oblation (Abigail Romualdo)

When I first set foot on the University of the Philippines Baguio, an air of excellence and tradition surrounded me, underscored by a forewarning I had received back when I enrolled.

“My advice is to not take a picture with the oblation, or else you will fail some of your classes and will not graduate on time.”

This advice, shared by a senior student, was my introduction to the complexity of the university’s culture. It has introduced me to what I would later understand as a rite of passage for many: The Oblation Curse.

At the University of the Philippines or simply UP, outstanding academics meet a deep-rooted tradition centered around the Oblation statue—a notable symbol of selfless offering and the university's essence. A popular myth among students across all UP campuses warns that taking a photo with the Oblation can bring bad luck in one's academic pursuit and potentially delay graduation.

My encounter with the Oblation statue on my first day of face-to-face classes at UP Baguio was nothing short of surreal. The moment I entered the campus, it immediately caught my attention. The statue stands tall near the entrance, surrounded by verdant grass and blooming flowers - a perfect combination of Baguio’s cool breeze and fresh air. I spent the first semester doing online classes, and even though it kept us physically apart, the legend of the Oblation curse was a constant topic among my batchmates. We shared our anxieties as Freshmen hoping to succeed in the university.

During the first day of face-to-face classes, my friends were taking pictures with the statue, filled with hope and determination for the upcoming semester. On the other hand, I was filled with fear of taking a picture with them. I didn’t want to have academic setbacks.

As peer pressure mounted, I found myself standing beside my friends, taking pictures with the statue. I was wearing a white skirt, a white tube top, and a pink bag; smiling next to the Oblation statue.

Whether the urban legend of the Oblation curse is true or not at all is still a debate among UP students. If you were to ask me: Well, some of my friends who took pictures with the statue transferred universities, some failed a few of their classes, while some are still in good standing. I also know some people who took photos with the statue that graduated on time.

As I reflect on my first day of class, I would like to give my Freshman self a piece of advice: Focus more on tangible aspects of academic life such as dedication, hard work, and determination, rather than the intangible myths and legends.

As I progress through my studies, I am currently in my 2nd year of the 2nd semester: still in good standing, with no failed classes, no academic setbacks, and still studying at UP Baguio. If I were to tell you if it’s true or not, whether I “broke the curse” or not, I guess only time will tell when I reach that moment of my college life.

Whether the oblation curse is true or not, the legend taught me that our academic paths are in our hands. It is not shaped by photographs or legends but by our works. The true spirit of the university does not lie in the shadow of a curse but in the light of our commitment to honor and excellence.