04 Feature
THE UNO-RIAN VOL. 1 NO.1 November 13, 2023
https://issuu.com/tolentinestar
The Cycle of the Ferris Wheel: Its Twist and Turns by DANICA ROSE QUINDAP
Life often feels like a perpetual ride on a Ferris wheel—full of twists, turns, and moments of breathtaking elevation. The cyclic journey mirrors the rhythm of our experiences, and much like the riders on this iconic amusement, we find ourselves suspended between anticipation and reflection. As the Ferris wheel ascends, offering panoramic vistas of the world below, we are reminded of the exhilarating peaks we strive to reach—academic achievements, personal growth, and the pursuit of our dreams. The view from the top becomes a metaphor for the triumphs and successes that punctuate our journey, each rotation bringing us closer to our goals. But just as the wheel reaches its zenith, life descends into the inevitable troughs, subjecting us to challenges that test our mettle and resilience. SKY DIVER November is the month where we remember the departed souls of our loved ones, but it is also the month where UNORians convene for the most awaited event—the University Week (U-Week). The Ferris wheel ride has been a staple ride every university week, but this year, it offers more than just the normal ride. Compared to the previous years, the Ferris wheel during u-week is the usual one we see during festivals or perya with a rotating upright wheel with multiple passenger cars, but this year, it is bigger, scarier, but more exciting. Kier Torbeso, second-year Education student, shared his experience and how he underestimated the ride at first but then realized how risky it really is. “I thought at first that it is not risky, but it is because it needs to be balanced with the steering wheel so it does not rotate and make you upside down,” Torbeso shared. Philip Martesano, a third-year Education student, also shared that he enjoyed the ride so much because they get to ride an unusual Ferris wheel because he can balance the passenger car through the steering wheel. Despite the uncommon features of the Ferris wheel, individuals like Kier and Philip chose to ride it and share how the experience is different from just the usual ferris wheel. NO SINGLES ALLOWED This year’s Ferris wheel seems interesting as it introduces a new instruction that sparked the interest of many people: “No single riders.” Earl Diopet Ignacio, firstyear Mechanical Engineering student, expressed
how he enjoyed the ferries wheel ride with his friend. “I was riding the ferries wheel with my friend and it was a fun experience to both of us. I get to see his other side and how he was trying hard not to puke,” Ignacio said. Torbeso also shared that he has mixed emotions on whether to ride the ferris wheel again with his friend. “I was with my friend and I would definitely ride it (Ferris wheel) again with her and no. I like riding the Ferris wheel with her because she was just sitting there like a statue, not moving at all, but there are parts in the ride where she squished herself too much o n me and so I was crushed between the cold metal of the
passenger car and her,” Torbeso shared. Although, the Ferris wheel ride strictly implements that no single rider is allowed, this time, friends get to share their experiences during and after the whole ride. CLOUD-9 The Ferris wheel may not be the highest you could be on, but it could definitely make you feel that you are actually in the highest point of your life, but because the ferris wheel rotates endlessly, at some point you will also get to the bottom of it. Brianna Alexis Tipon, fourth-year Education student, shared how she feels from just looking at them and hearing them. She also adds how she relates Ferris wheel in life. “Not all the time, we are at the bottom or at the top. There will be a time that we will stay longer at the bottom, but when you reach the top, it most definitely be fulfilling because you have overcome the struggles going at the top,” Tipon shared. Torbeso also shared that he can also see the Ferris wheel as a cycle of life where seeing is not enough but experiencing it firsthand is one way to learn. “At first, I see it [my problems in life] as easy but if you deal with it, it is not. When it comes to learning experience and application as well, we should not disregard the reactions and experiences of others and take it into account when dealing with problems,” Torbeso shared. Riding the Ferris wheel is a unique experience to every rider. Some may feel scared at first but will enjoy the ride, some may feel excited but will never ride again, while some will want to try it again and again. After all, we’re all just passengers on this carnival cruise, hoping that, in the end, the ride was worth the ticket price. So, my fellow thrill-seekers, as we stumble away from the Ferris wheel of life, let’s carry with us the laughter, the lessons, and perhaps a lingering sense of nausea— because isn’t that what makes the carnival of life truly unforgettable?
