Tristan will be graduating with cum laude Latin honors this coming July.
First and foremost, I’m incredibly grateful for the rare opportunity to pursue the sport I love at the highest level of competition in the Philippines, all while studying at my dream school—the alma mater of both my mother and father. The journey hasn’t been easy, but looking back, it has been deeply fulfilling. It’s a chapter in my life where I’ve discovered so much about who I am and how far I can push my own boundaries.
Being a student-athlete, especially at UP, required a major adjustment. Waking up as early as 5 a.m. for training, then transitioning into classes and extracurriculars, became part of my everyday reality. On the field, I competed alongside some of the country’s best baseball players—athletes who brought intensity, drive, and discipline to every session. In the classroom, I was surrounded by some of the sharpest minds I’ve ever encountered, grappling with complex philosophical ideas and abstract theories. The contrast and overlap between those two worlds—physical rigor and intellectual challenge—motivated me to grow in ways I never imagined possible.
I’d be lying if I said I never felt like giving up. There were days when the exhaustion was overwhelming, when the sport felt unforgiving, and when hours of effort didn’t seem to yield any results. But in the midst of all the chaos—balancing games, training, papers, and readings—I found a strange sense of clarity and purpose. Somewhere between the baseball diamond and the philosophy classroom, I learned to embrace discipline, resilience, and reflection. Many of my most memorable moments in college were spent competing in the field, and I think that the values I have learned in the field and as a team player will one day materialize in how I am as a professional.
Tristan together with the UP Baseball team in a huddle during a regular season game.
How was I able to adjust to this kind of lifestyle?
Being a student-athlete in the Philosophy Department was, surprisingly, quite manageable for the most part. With a regular load of 15–18 units per semester, I was able to balance academics and training fairly well. It was only during the competitive season, when I had to miss about a day of class each week for over a month, that things got particularly hectic. Still, my professors were incredibly understanding, and their support made a huge difference.
One of the biggest factors that helped me grow and thrive as a student-athlete was the unwavering support of my parents. They’ve always cared deeply about my development—not just academically, but holistically. They emphasized the importance of becoming a well-rounded individual through sports, extracurriculars, and social life. Their constant presence, both emotionally and physically (they never missed a game despite the distance), gave me the grounding and encouragement I needed to keep going, especially during tough times.
I also owe a lot to my peers. There’s that saying, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, and I was lucky—my closest friends were some of the most dedicated and disciplined student-athletes I knew. Whether it was swimming, football, or basketball, they were always grinding in their own ways. Bumping into each other during early morning trainings, half-awake but motivated, created a shared sense of drive. That quiet camaraderie helped raise the standards I set for myself.
A portrait drawing of Tristan from a member of the audience. Credentials to little_purple.s_arts on instagram.
Looking back, what kept me going was maintaining a positive and grounded mindset. Life as a student-athlete is full of discipline, sacrifice, and emotional highs and lows. You’re not always going to win. You’re not always going to be the best. But you learn to take the good with the bad, to stay patient and persevere even when things don’t immediately work out.
At first, I struggled with finding meaning. I was working year-round, pushing myself to the limit, yet often playing a supporting role. It felt like I was sacrificing so much during a pivotal period of my life—when others were exploring their freedom—just to sit on the bench. But I kept showing up. And eventually, during my second playing year, I got my break and made the starting lineup.
I’ll never forget that moment. I messaged my family and friends to watch my first start—and I played the best game of my life. When I got home, I cried. Not out of exhaustion, but joy. I thanked God. All the doubt, anxiety, and questions about whether it was worth it—they melted away. In that brief, beautiful moment, I found a sense of purpose that made every sacrifice feel worth it.
While I graduate and say goodbye to both the sport I love and the classrooms in which I studied Philosophy, I will forever be grateful for all the lessons learned and how it all collectively shaped me to become the person I am today. These memories and the people I spent them with I will cherish for the rest of my life and I will look back at this period of my life with only fondness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tristan Yu is a BA Philosophy undergraduate senior from UP Diliman running for cum laude. He is an active player for the UP baseball team and an active member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity.