There is no reason to dread the early morning call time for OrSem when Shania Felizarta is around. The “3-in-1 coffee bae ready to kick start your day,” is set on sharing her infectious energy with the incoming batch of freshmen. This may be her first run as an O-Host, but the confidence she exudes proves that she is ready to take on the challenge.
Shania is no greenhorn when it comes to being under the spotlight. Her love for hosting was cultivated in her alma mater, Saint Paul College Pasig (SPCP), where Shania’s exposure to the stage began with hosting small classroom activities and joining marketing teams for school events. She was then gradually able to make a name for herself—which gave her the opportunity to host departmental gatherings and SPCP’s own TEDx event.
The communications technology sophomore admits that she had her eyes set on becoming an O-Host ever since her own OrSem. In fact, many of her high school friends were supportive of her pursuing this endeavor. “I have schoolmates who would tell me, ‘Dude, bagay ka diyan. You should try,’” she shares.
Yet, despite her experience and the support of her friends, she still had apprehensions before applying as an O-Host. Shania often questioned whether she was prepared for the role or not. Fortunately, fellow Kyther and two-time O-Host Rafa Chua was there to encourage her. “He would send me the [application] link everyday. He was like, ‘Do it na, do it na.’” This made her realize that she had nothing to lose but the chance of becoming an O-Host.
Fast forward to the present, and Shania is more than ready to show the freshmen that she has what it takes to give them a memorable OrSem. As much as possible, she tries to maintain the ever-smiling and bubbly Shania both on stage and off stage. She believes that this is crucial to her identity as a host. “I feel like it’s gonna be hard [if] you portray a character [because] you’re not gonna be consistent,” she explains.
She shares the same insights for those worried about first-day impressions. Upon looking back, Shania realized how hard she was on herself during her own OrSem. “I was pushing myself to do so much—establish this [impression], be this, be that—[but] I should have just let it [run] its course.”
This is why Shania’s advice for the freshmen resonates the importance of balance: “Don’t force things,” she says. “Of course it’s good to initiate because you’re in charge of what happens to you, but at the same time, don’t control everything to the point that [it all] becomes planned.”