Core memory from my first year in college. 😂
During our Construction Technology subject, our Architect professor was discussing traditional Filipino houses, especially the bahay kubo. He explained that, back then, the paliguan or comfort room was separate from the main house.

Then, out of nowhere, he looked straight at me and asked, "What is a batalan made of?"

Si ate niyo... nag-loading. 😭😂

I answered, "Sorry, Sir. I don't know yet what a batalan is."

He replied, "Kawawa ka naman. Hindi mo alam ang batalan?"

As someone who was born and raised in Manila, I had never seen or even heard of a batalan. I honestly can't even remember if it was ever discussed in Araling Panlipunan back in elementary or high school... o baka naman naituro nga, hindi lang ako nakinig dahil busy akong makipag-marites sa mga kaklase ko. 🤣

Siguro kung may internet na noon, o may ChatGPT at AI na, ilang segundo lang, na-search ko na ang sagot. 😅 Pero kami, lumaki sa panahon ng mga terror professors. Walang Google, walang AI—kaya mapipilitan ka talagang magbasa, mag-research, at matuto.

In the end, I shifted to a different course. Pero ang plot twist? My job now is in the same industry as my Architect professor's profession.

Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutan si Sir at mg kaklase Kong mapang asar. Tawag na nila sa akin ay Ms. Batalan. Akala mo nanalo ng pageant. 😫