By Beatrice Diane D. Bartolome and Franzine Aaliyah B. Hicana

Love exists in countless forms, making its way into the everyday lives of Tamaraws. While romantic love often takes center stage, the Far Eastern University (FEU) community finds love in many places—through the guidance of family, the deep bonds of friendship, and the quiet strength of self-love. 

Whether in the laughter shared at Freedom Park, the late-night study sessions in the library, or the reassuring words from a loved one, love is ever-present, shaping the experiences of every student.

The tides may change, but family stays

While university life encourages independence, many Tamaraws find strength in their family’s constant support.

From the perspective of a graduating Psychology student, Belle Velez mentioned that she credits her mother's resilience as a compass, guiding her life. 

For Velez, her mother is the epitome of a 'superwoman,' but this was shaken when they received the diagnosis of her mother—stage one breast cancer. It was a quiet suffering, yet her mother remained the family's pillar. Velez's mother continued to be the superwoman figure to their family.

“This significantly shaped me into a more understanding and generous person. It made me realize that many people, just like my mom, may be fighting silent but difficult battles,” she said.

Her mother’s calm strength became her guiding light, teaching her that unconditional love knows no bounds—a lesson that lingers in her heart, shaping every connection she makes.

Meanwhile, first-year Nursing student Danica Marie Obrero shared that her family is her anchor—keeping her grounded through the waves of academic challenges and lifting her when the tides of doubt rise.

As the eldest daughter, she witnessed firsthand the sacrifices made by her parents. Her mother endured 16-hour shifts, while her father, despite the risks, devoted himself tirelessly to his work in the hospital.

“They faced hardships and made sacrifices just to ensure we had everything we needed. It taught me that nothing comes without effort and that gratitude is essential,” Obrero reflects. 

Seeing her parents’ hard work instilled in her a deep appreciation for perseverance and the importance of giving back.

Beyond emotional encouragement, families also provide a foundation for personal growth. 

Both Velez and Obrero highlighted how their parents’ guidance helped them navigate the pressures of university life. 

From reassuring words that academic success does not define one’s worth to the small yet meaningful gestures of checking in, their families ensured they never felt alone in their struggles.

Of course, challenges arise within families as well. Velez admits that handling conflicts can be difficult, but she has learned that resolving issues matter more than insisting on being right. 

Similarly, Obrero reflects on her teenage years, when she often clashed with her parents. Over time, open communication helped them bridge misunderstandings, allowing her to see that their strictness stemmed from love and an aspiration to guide her toward a better future.

More than just a source of strength, family also imparts lifelong values. 

Obrero’s parents, for instance, always emphasized the importance of kindness. 

“They taught me that if you do good things, good things will come back to you,” she says. 

Their generosity—whether through small acts of kindness or simply being there for others—has inspired her to carry forward the same principle in her life.

While the love of family provides the first foundation of support, Tamaraws also find companionship in another kind of bond—the friendships that grow into a second family.

A bunch of kindred souls

For many, friendships formed within FEU’s walls become an anchor in the unpredictable tides of university life.

Nursing freshman Timothy Jesse Bumanglag considers his friendships a crucial part of his daily life.

“They are the ones who make my day easier and lighter. A friendship that creates an enjoyable space for me,” he shares. 

More than just companions, these friends serve as his vital support system, offering comfort amid academic struggles and personal challenges alike.

Second-year Psychology student Angel Contreras echoes the sentiment and highlights how friendships on campus offer both support and space.

While she admits she tends to handle things at her pace, she finds solace in the subtle yet unwavering support of her friends.

“Sometimes, going out and catching up is our way of saying, ‘Hey, I got you. I’m right here for you,’” she shared.

These small but meaningful moments reinforce that love in friendship isn’t just about being present during the highs but also about offering silent encouragement during the lows.

A first-year Psychology student, Maria Althea Tirzah Ferrer, recalls a particularly vulnerable moment when she broke down in front of her friends after silently struggling for months.

“They haven’t left my side since and they did their best to make themselves available when I needed to rant or just needed a distraction,” she reminisced.

Over time, these friendships become more than just shared experiences—they transform into a family, one built on mutual understanding, laughter, and the simple yet profound act of showing up for one another.

But as bonds deepen and connections grow stronger, some friendships begin to blur the lines between platonic and romantic love.

Home is where the heart is

For many Tamaraws, a little romance adds a spark to everyday life—shy glances, blushing cheeks, and stolen moments over a good cup of coffee.

Fourth-year Psychology student Mary Jostein Tebang shared that she entered the first relationship of her life only after becoming a Tamaraw.

While her peers often indulge in extravagant and expensive dates, Tebang prefers to keep her love life grounded and realistic. Yet, this simplicity doesn’t take away from the meaning and depth of the moments she shares with her partner. 

Love is priceless, a truth that remains untouched by the curated illusions of social media.

“I do love going out and roaming around with him and simple dates where we just watch movies,” she reminisced.

The presence you share with your significant other is indeed a simple gesture, but it is more precious than gold.

“For me, a romantic relationship is purely just undying trust. Like you know you can trust your partner with everything, your love, personality, secrets, everything you have, and in return they can trust you too,” Tebang shared.

For Tebang, that kind of unwavering bond is where you can feel safe to fully express your true self, free from fear or hesitation. The green-and-gold community surely deserves a love as freeing and unconditional as theirs.

“I think romantic relationships are useless if you can't trust each other, if you're not honest with each other then there is no point in being together because you’ll only end up hurting each other,” she expressed.

Though new to this whole love thing, someone like Tebang isn't afraid of learning something new from her partner and vice versa as it takes two to tango.

Relationships can be challenging for many college students, and for Tamaraws, it often boils down to carving out moments between classes—even if it’s just for a minute.

“He always helps me with my academic stuff, when I'm sick and I need someone to help me. [This gesture] helps you have something to look forward to that would give you inspiration to do your best because someone out there believes in you,” Tebang shared.

Studying can become tedious, but it is so much lighter and more special with the right person. 

Love comes in many shapes and forms for the Tamaraw community. It comes at different stages in our lives and hits us in the face at the most unexpected times.

“I learned that I'm actually super capable of being loved and treated right because all my life, I always feel like I'm second to anyone—friends or family, and then suddenly, he made me realize that yes, I do deserve love, and through him, I also learned to love myself in the process,” Tebang said. 

No doubt that love is a process of trial-and-error. It's between the odds and favor of destiny, but then again, the reward of fulfilling and taking risks is a shot worth taking.

Over time, some love stories don’t work out, but that doesn’t mean they were any less real or meaningful. Love, in all its forms, leaves traces—whether in memories, lessons, or the quiet hope that the right story is still waiting to be written.

But even the most shattered hearts can mend, slowly stitched back together by time, resilience, and the right person who reminds us that love, in all its forms, is always worth the risk.

And sometimes, that person is you.

Be gentle with yourself

With the pressure of doing well in academics, it's no surprise that most students might end up neglecting themselves—in between exams and commuting, there's not much time for giving yourself loving and tender care.

A fourth-year Psychology student, Thirdy Abeto, says something as simple as sleeping is how he practices self-care now that his tenure as a student is coming to an end.

“As a graduating student, I practice self-care by having a decent sleep talaga, since sleep deprivation affects our brain’s functioning, including our ability to process information, think, and pay attention,” he shared.

Abeto recounts how, even when running on little sleep, he manages to sneak in moments of rest wherever he can—whether it’s in a jeepney, at the Nicanor Reyes Hall, in the Freedom Park, or even tucked away in a quiet corner of the library. 

These tiny moments add peace to his life amid the chaos and struggles of a graduating student. Though, Abeto admits that he believes self-love might not always be a linear process.

“There are times where it feels like it's so hard to love myself or I feel like I'm not worth it at all but then after a day, I start to feel confident again—’I look so good’—as though I didn't have a breakdown last night,” he confesses.

Those rollercoaster moments are where he said he realized that the importance of self-love comes when, regardless of what people think of you, you're still ready to accept yourself.

He says that pressuring yourself to fit into others’ standards isn't worth the trouble.

“Whether it's academic or personal matters, I let myself choose what makes me happy without sacrificing my well-being to please other people,” he added.

Abeto believes that vulnerability isn’t such a bad thing. Even for Tamaraws who struggle with self-love and self-esteem, sometimes simply taking a moment to sit down, close your eyes, and breathe is enough—because you will always be enough.

Love is an all-encompassing force, subtly woven into every moment of our lives, often going unnoticed yet always present. For the Tamaraw community, it goes beyond grand gestures or romance—it thrives in family, friendship, and self-acceptance. Whether in late-night study sessions, heartfelt conversations, or moments of solitude, love takes countless forms, waiting to be seen. 

When we open our hearts to the connections around us, we realize that love isn’t just felt—it’s in every aspect of our lives, shaping, guiding, and quietly holding us together.

(Photo by Krystoffer Zyanel Bermudez/FEU Advocate)