Daecia graduated Magna Cum Laude standing last July 5, 2025.
How far can Philosophy take you? It brought Plato to the World of Forms, beyond what one can physically perceive. Spinoza found God in the fabric of nature.
Meanwhile, it took me to the sun-drenched coast of the French Riviera.
I can still recall sitting by the Plages des Sablettes, or the Sablettes beach, in the golden town of Menton in Southern France. The cold September breeze embraced me as I watched the waves of the Mediterranean Sea gently lapping against the shore. Soft, pebbly sand crunched beneath my feet as I walked along the beach. Above me, the sky is a mixture of fading blues and the first hints of twilight purple.
Seagulls and pigeons fluttered overhead as they patiently waited for the right moment to steal pain au chocolat. Behind me, the vieilles maisons françaises or old French houses stood demurely. Their peach and pink pastels perfectly contrasted with the white and green mountains of Alpes-Maritimes.
Philosophy led me here.
When one ends up in Philosophy
Although “UP or nothing” was my motto when I was applying to college, Philosophy was not the first degree program I had in mind. Five years ago, I could not care less about my major as long as I get to tell people, “Taga-UP po ako.” Hence, initially, I studied Social Sciences (with a major in Economics at that!) in UP Baguio.
After a year, I decided to transfer to UP Diliman. Out of all the programs I applied to (particularly, Film and Social Work), I ended up pursuing Philosophy, arguably the best pre-law course, so they say, for aspiring lawyers like me. Frankly, I chose it because it sounds eccentric (or should I say edgy?) and I thought it fits the vibe of a cinephile who thinks studying a program with little to no employment prospects makes them cooler.
When I tell people what I study, I get the “Ooohhh” – the reaction that is a mix of awe, confusion, and mild concern. “Philosophy? Ano ‘yan? Anong gagawin mo d’yan?” people often asked.
How I wish I had told them before that this program would bring me to France.
Daecia presented her original Theories of Justice paper titled, “Justice as Vengeance” at the 10th De La Salle University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference held last March 15, 2025.
What Philosophy gave me
A lot has been said by my wonderful batchmates about what students can get out of Philosophy. Intellectual rigor, critical thinking, research and writing, communication, and speaking – some of the practical skills honed in the four corners of our classrooms. It is no surprise that some of the brightest minds the world has ever known arose from this discipline. Still, the criticism stands that Philosophy has yet to come down from its ivory tower.
Our duty as Pilosopong Iskolar ng Bayan – intellectuals with a heart for the masses – is to step outside our comfort zones and put theory into practice. Go beyond texts and treatises, and engage with the world as it is. Our ideas should not come from above, detached from the people they aim to describe (sorry, Plato). Instead, it should come from our experiences with and struggles of the very people we seek to serve.
And this is how Philosophy brought me to the other side of the world.
Not only did it give me the intellectual capacity, but it also inspired me to seek knowledge beyond borders. I never dreamed of studying abroad until I met my professors in UP Diliman who had degrees from Europe, America, and neighboring Asian countries. I thought it would be great if I could also take graduate studies in France or Japan. Little did I know that this opportunity would be given to me in my undergraduate years.
Daecia shared her LIPAD ARAL experience and invited Philosophy students to apply to the exchange program during the UP KAPITAS Applicants’ Orientation on March 13, 2025.
Applying for the exchange
In October 2023, I took my shot and applied for the LIPAD Aral International Student Exchange Program of the Office of International Linkages (OIL) UP Diliman. I wanted to study at the Institut d’études politiques de Paris (SciencesPo Paris), one of the best Political Science universities in the world and the number one in Europe.
Given my research interests in Political Philosophy, Theories of Justice, and Philosophy of Law (and my love for mountains and beaches), I naturally gravitated toward SciencesPo’s Menton campus, which specializes in International Relations and Law in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. The campus offered the unique intersection of Law, Politics, Philosophy, and Global Affairs that would greatly supplement my studies in UP.
It was a long shot, really, considering I had never been abroad, never held a passport, and came from a low-income household. I never hoped for anything. I simply did not want to regret not trying when I had a chance.
I poured my heart into the application, writing essays about my dreams, my advocacy, and how Philosophy shaped the way I see the world. I asked for recommendation letters from my Philosophy professors (shoutout Sir Henry and Sir Totoy!), unsure if I was good enough for their endorsement.
I also asked for the support of our Department. I remember composing the email to Ma’am Ocampo, second-guessing every word. Would they think I was being too ambitious? Was I really worthy to represent the Department of Philosophy on an international stage? To my surprise, they responded with warmth and encouragement. The Department and the College believed in me, even when I could not believe in myself.
Weeks later, I received the news: I got in.
Daecia also presented her original paper titled, “Family vlogging exploits children” at the Durungawan: The UPD Undergraduate Social Sciences Conference 2025 held on March 31, 2025.
It takes a village
Despite getting into the program, I was worried that I could not afford it. At one point, I thought I would have to let the opportunity go. But through the MOVE UP Financial Assistance Program of the OIL System, I was given a grant to cover my flight tickets, insurance, and stipend.
Through the OIL Diliman and OIL System, students like me who do not have the means can dream bigger and reach farther. Their support made it possible for me to set foot in Europe for the first time and to thrive in an institution like SciencesPo. It was a testament that competent students from humble backgrounds can take part in the global academic stage, too.
Most importantly, my sister, Dter D. Bautista, who took on the role of our family’s breadwinner, made it possible for me to say yes to this opportunity. She carried the burden of my dreams. She gave me this once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was her sacrifice that allowed me to pursue something we never thought was within reach.
After a year of asking for signatures and documents, attending pre-departure orientations, and processing visa applications, I finally boarded the plane from Manila to Nice. It felt surreal. Suddenly, the little girl who had only dreamt of studying in UP was going to study abroad, representing the University. From August 2024 to January 2025, I lived, studied, and traveled in Europe. It was the second-best semester (nothing tops the first face-to-face semester in UP after the pandemic, of course!) of my college life.
Daecia during her first day of classes at SciencesPo Menton.
Every new experience I had, every lecture I attended at SciencesPo, and every place I visited in Europe, I carried with me the understanding that none of it would have been possible without the support of my professors, the Department and the College, and my family and friends. I owe it to the Filipino taxpayers who, through public education and scholarships, made this journey possible.
My semester exchange abroad has become a defining chapter of my life. It showed me that Philosophy can be more than just arguing over definitions of justice and criticizing a philosopher’s idea. It is also about learning to sit with difficult questions and embrace the discomfort of not knowing. The purpose of philosophy, then, is to help us understand the world more deeply and change it for the better.
At SciencesPo, surrounded by students from all over the globe, I realized how powerful our training as UP students is. The constant push to ask, “Para kanino?” is exactly what makes UP education the best. I never felt less competent than my peers abroad. From my experience, I have proven that being an Iskolar ng Bayan means being a world-class student.
Additionally, Philosophy is the most humanizing degree program there is. It teaches you not just how to think, but how to feel; how to empathize with others, how to recognize the dignity of every human being regardless of their background. It forces you to confront your biases, interrogate your assumptions, and listen to perspectives different from your own. It asks you to be honest in the way you live your life.
Living and learning in France also taught me humility. It reminded me that while ideas can be universal, experiences are not. It made me more grounded and more aware.
And to those who dream of studying abroad, just do it. You do not need to come from wealth to deserve a place in global classrooms. You just need the courage to try. It can be daunting to apply, ask for support, and imagine yourself in spaces you have never stepped into before. But let me tell you one thing: you belong there, too.
So take the shot. Write the essay. Ask for the recommendation. Apply for the grant. Even if you are unsure, even if you think someone else is more deserving, do it anyway. Because someone like you, someone who dares to dream beyond what seems possible, is exactly who the world needs more of. And when you get there, carry your roots with pride. Represent your community, the University, and the Philippines with all your heart.
Show the world the honor, excellence, and service of an Iskolar ng Bayan.
Daecia graduated Magna Cum Laude standing last July 5, 2025.
About the Author
Danica Grace “Dae” Bautista recently graduated Magna Cum Laude standing from the UP Diliman Department of Philosophy. She presented at several conferences, including the Durungawan: The UPD Undergraduate Social Sciences Conference 2025 and the 9th and 10th De La Salle University Undergraduate Philosophy Conference. She was one of the hosts and student organizers of the Emmanuel Q. Fernando Philosophy Undergraduate Conference and Paglulunsad: A Send-Off for BA Philosophy Seniors. Dae participated in the LIPAD ARAL International Student Exchange Program, where she studied at SciencesPo in Menton, France, during the Fall Semester of A.Y. 2024-2025. She was also accepted to the Master’s Governing the Large Metropolis Program of SciencesPo Paris and waitlisted for the Emily Boutmy Scholarship. She loves volunteering and organizing events. She is also a film and visual arts enthusiast. Dae dreams of becoming a lawyer and a policymaker for the people someday.