Netizens found humor in the stark contrast between academic excellence and romantic vulnerability.
The University of the Philippines may be known for producing some of the country’s brightest minds, but a recent TikTok trend is showing that even Iskos and Iskas can make questionable decisions when it comes to love.
The trend, set to Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala,” features recent UP graduates, many of them are Latin honor recipients.
Each post includes two photos, with the first one featuring the user’s graduation portrait and a flattering caption like, “Wow, laude ka? Ang talino mo siguro!”
The second photo, meanwhile, shows a screen shot of the user’s deeply personal—and embarrassing—messages, including begging for another chance, yearning for an ex, and other “katangahan” in love.
Many users found humor in the contrast between academic excellence and romantic vulnerability.
A Threads user joked about the trend, writing: “Yung mga laude sa TikTok na mostly from UP ang shu-shunga sa pagibig HAHAHAHHA di talaga ibibigay sa iyo no? Dapat pantay pantay lang HAHAHAHAH.”
One viral post featured a magna cum laude graduate admitting they missed their ex and wanted to reconnect despite acknowledging the relationship’s issues. “Pwede ba [tayong mag-cuddle]?” they wrote.
Another graduate recalled lending money to an ex, saying they finished college wearing the sablay while still carrying an unpaid debt from a former partner.
“In all seriousness, just let me love you. [I] don’t demand that you love me back,” another message read.
With several entries showing graduates pleading for relationships to continue, commenters joked about whether UP’s curriculum should include lessons on avoiding heartbreak.
“UP stands for University of Pagmamakaawa,” one TikTok user wrote.
Others also acknowledged that academic intelligence does not always translate to emotional intelligence.
“IQ does not equate to EQ, that’s why. We may be good [at] analyzing logic,” a user said, “but being able to manage one’s emotions is a totally different ability.”
