Last Push, UP.

I cannot explain how glad and nervous at the same time I am for my last semester in UP. It's been a roller coaster ride for my past four years in college. Started with the wrong course, fought my way through the toughest professors and classes, and found my passion with BA Philippine Arts. But this is it, this is the moment where I'm closest to my dreams.

I remember posting this picture when I was still in BS Pharmacy (obviously studing Chem14 for that night; never loved that subject and thank God for passing it) last 2010. Every time I feel like giving up, I look at this picture and remind myself of all the challenges I've been through and believe that all sacrifices have its worth. Tiwala lang, sasablay din ako.

** For those who don't know what a sablay means for a UP student, it is very much not synonymous to failure or making a mistake. It is actually the other way around; sa UP, sablay = tagumpay. It is also a noun that means a cloth worn by graduates during the college and university graduation to represent their triumph in finishing their degree in the state university.

Last week, I had to undergo the long and exhausting process of UP enrollment (very usual, been going through it for the past 8 semesters). I almost wasn't able to enroll my last language elective, French 10, because of unavailable slots and my thesis subject, Philippine Arts 200, since it is a seasonal course subject and is only offered during second semester. Thanks to connections, skills and charm (HAHA), I was able to encode both right on time. Hello to my last four subjects in college, please be awesome and merciful.

As for my thesis, this will be the hardest, most nerve-wrecking subject of my entire life. It will make or break my entire career as a student. Just like what my friend said, and I quote "Dear thesis, iisipin kita araw-araw, ibibigay ko sa'yo ang atensyon ko. Mamahalin kita ng buong puso."

Another motivation. Dreams do come true, G. Strive and do the best that you can. Last push!

Through The Ups & Downs

We always have these small, annoying petty fights but I think it's normal for a mom and child to have days like that. Well, most of the time we really do argue but there's no such thing as a perfect relationship. All I know is that you're a one-of-a-kind mom and I'm blessed to have you until now.

Earlier today, I had to sneak out of the house to buy a bouquet of flowers for my mom. It may not last for eternity but since I know that she loves receiving flowers, at least for a day I wanted her to feel special and loved.

Everything I am I owe to you, mom. You pushed me to become the better person that I am right now. I'm sorry, thank you, and I love you very much; not in necessary order. I'm forever grateful for your endless support, understanding and love. Happy Mother's Day, mom!  ♥

Batangas 2013 ☀

After years of endless beach outing plans, me and my high school friends finally pushed through this year. You know how spontaneous plans work more often than those that are really planned out ahead? It happens all the time for us; so this time we didn't care much if everyone else was coming as long as the outing happens. And so it did.

April 16-17, 2013

With only twelve of us who were able to come to this outing (from the original headcount of 21 to 12), we still decided to leave for Batangas at 3 in the morning of the 16th of April. Stocks of food and other necessities were bought a day before to avoid cramming. But for me, I still crammed. Hah. Fresh from another outing in Laguna, I packed my things late night of April 15 and was sleepless the whole trip 'til night. 

7AM touchdown // PLAN: Take a nap first. REALITY: Went straight to the beach, took a dip, and savored the sunlight. 

A Supposed to be Escape-from-Reality Trip

PLAN: Rent a house in Tali, Batangas (cliff diving venue in the Philippines) REALITY: Everybody got broke and decided to stay overnight in my ex-boyfriend's resthouse. Nice. Perfect, just perfect.

Let's not take this into detail; but I wanted this trip to be an escape yet it didn't seem pretty much like that. Though, the place was great. It was very spacious, home-y, and very much far away from town so I really liked it. The beach was a few walks away from the house; no white sand though and it was rocky near the shore. I even got splinters on my feet that day. Nonetheless, it was a perfect view with perfect company.

With two of my closest friends, who are leaving for the States this year: Tawny & Kriza. :( 

Back-to-back Cultural Tours

It's only been the first month of 2013, and I've been physically and mentally exhausted. Obviously doing these tours and visits for school requirements, I along with some of my blockmates went to Intramuros for a Hispanic tour last January 30 and went to UST Museum the next day for a pre-colonial documentation.

Tour 1: Intramuros, beyond its walls

Fort Santiago is very well known as the military camp of the Spaniards during the Hispanic period. Big changes were done in terms of the structural designs inside Intramuros. Unfortunately, it has not been preserved well by the government and different forms of vandalism were done to the establishments.

San Agustin Church

These tombstones are seen inside the church, and serve as a flooring also.

UP JMA ADHOC 2013

"They're back, and this time, they're pulling out ALL the stops."

ADHOC by UP JMA

The biggest college party in the Metro

02.23.13

Every year, UP Junior Marketing Association (based on UP Diliman) brings out the biggest college party in the Metro. ADHOC is the largest fund-raiser for its beneficiaries and aims to bring together college students and young professionals in the Metro in a groundbreaking and innovative event.

From its first unleash in "Turbulence" 2007, UP JMA has been very successful in terms of audience count and good feedback. This year, let's see what the organization prepared for a night of euphoria. As part of its partner organization, UP Manila JMA, I invite everyone to come and have a one-of-a-kind experience on February 23, 2013 at the World Trade Center Tent, Pasay City. See you!

Videos courtesy of UP JMA.

Facebook account: http://facebook.com/upjmaadhoc

Twitter account: http://twitter.com/upjmaadhoc

Vimeo account: http://vimeo.com/upjmaadhoc

Feels Like Heaven: Sinfully by Makati Shangri-La

I remember the previous year, I was able to go this dessert shop at Greenbelt, Makati and I couldn't forget the euphoria I had the moment I bought their macaroons. Last week, I was feeling really blue and sad because of the pressure I'm feeling with all the school works so I decided to come back to Sinfully for another round of extreme tummy happiness.

Sinfully's Get Kissed chocolates

Sinfully's signature pralines 

Cookie lollipops and mini chocolate chips

"When words are not enough, have an emoti-cake." 

French macaroons, all available in different flavors! 

Pistachio & chocolate are definitely my favorites.

A perfect dose of sweets for the stressed G.

(c) Kat Aurellano

Sinfully by Makati Shangri-La

Cakes- Chocolates- and other Indulgences

2/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City

Tel. No.: (02) 729 6626

Capture the Walls

I hated my room for being plain. Basically with white walls, no art, boring.

While I was fixing my room the other day, I found pictures from my childhood years to the present and I realized I had lots of it. At first, I thought of compiling them in a photo album but I said to myself, who does that now? Haha! 

BRIGHT IDEA.

These pictures are the perfect images that will add color to my plain, boring room. Hello, memories.

Made a cardboard for my school requirements. Had the left side of it filled with fashion cut-outs. Inspiration for everyday wardrobe problems! :)

Coming Soon: Romeo & Juliet

Kung magkakaroon ka ng pagkakataong umibig sa isang taong hindi tanggap ng pamilya mo, ipaglalaban mo ba o hahayaan mo lang mawala?

Romeo & Juliet
Adaptation by UP Manila Salinlahi & Philippine Arts 163 Production Design class

February 22, 2013
Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Auditorium, Padre Faura, Manila

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Top of the World

First outing of 2013. First hiking experience, never again.

January 13, 2012


Every semester, I get to have an out-of-town trip for a major class. This is probably because I'm taking up Philippine Arts and learning and experiencing hands-on activities are better for this kind of course.

For my PA 110, Philippine Indigenous and Ethnic Arts, class we went to Mt. Arayat, Pampanga and was able to meet one of the outstanding Pampangeños for 2012, Sir Mike. He served as our guide tour and brought us to Gintong Pakpak, located at the foot of the mountain.

Magalang, Pampanga - the hometown of National Artist Emilio Aguilar Cruz. It was said that some of his ashes are kept here and the rest were scattered in Mt. Arayat.

Gintong Pakpak is located at the foot of Mt. Arayat. 

The waterfalls is said to be the bathing quarters of Apong Sinukuan, their deity god. Unfortunately, it has been damaged in the long run. Natives still continue to use this place as source of food, and place to unwind.