She had wanted to be a psychologist.

            But upon entering the Ateneo de Manila University, 18-year old Angelica Belle Uy found herself accepted into AB Communications –her second choice--  instead of BS Psychology, which had been her first.

            “I was always interested in Psychology because it’s a broad field,” she starts, smiling as she adds, “And I was always seen in school as the counselor type. But I wanted to be more than just a guidance counselor, so I decided to pick BS Psychology over AB [Psychology].”

            Looking at her, one can see that she would have made a good psychologist indeed. She has the kind of face that’s very disarming, and one just instantly feels at ease with her. Unlike other chinita beauties who may come off as intimidating sometimes, Gege –as she is fondly called—always has a ready smile and her eyes are always twinkling with laughter.

            Her trademark smile widens when asked why she decided not to shift out of AB Communications in order to pursue her dreams of being a psychologist. “Kasi, nakilala ko kayo!” she sighs dramatically, referring to the block section that she has grown to love. Jokingly, she adds that she has never been good in Math anyway, so the course gave her the perfect escape. But more importantly, she also saw that, like Psychology, Communications was a broad field where there would be many different opportunities open to her.

            Given the choice, she would want to be involved in the field of public relations someday, for this could also give her the chance to use the photography skills that she currently puts to use as photographer for The Guidon. Before graduating though, she plans to use her free elective to take up a Management subject that can help her in managing a business, should she become an entrepreneur one day.

            Working for an advertising company after college is also an option, but her face wrinkles in distaste as she says, “Ayaw ko lang ‘yung sosyalan part. Hindi ako maka-keep up doon e!”

            For despite the radiance that she naturally exudes, Gege is still somewhat conservative and childlike. She credits this to her upbringing in Jubilee Christian Academy, a Chinese Catholic school. Looking back, she says, “Compared to other schools, parang isip-bata pa 'yung mga graduate namin.  Hindi pa mature enough to think of the future and set goals.”

            In this respect, with a sense of direction and a life-plan after college, Gege is different from the rest of her peers. But behind this is a conscious desire to be different from others, as she refuses to simply go with the flow. Instead, she chooses to be weird in her own, unique way, having a world of her own. “But not to the point na may makakabangga ako,” she clarifies, stressing the difference between those who do weird things out of some sort of rebellion against society, and those that just don’t want to be as ordinary as everyone else. She just wants things done differently, just to spice up life and keep it interesting.

             Weird, in fact, is how she initially described herself. But upon reflecting on her diverse and ever-changing hobbies –buying books but not reading them, watching TV, and photography—she says, “I can’t seem to define my personality because it’s always changing.” Chameleon? I try to suggest the term. She laughs at this and nods, “Maybe. Weird, ever-changing, ewan!” She shrugs and her eyes crinkle as she smiles, letting her smiles compensate for the words that escape her.

            Maybe there just isn’t a word that can fully encompass the personality of someone who is, quite simply, just Gege.