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!

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

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. 

Plastic Balloons

(I wanna write this post in Tagalog so that I could really show how happy this day was. I’ll try to be fluent, but if I can’t, pardon me. HAHA)

So ayun, naranasan niyo ba nung bata kayo na humihingi kayo parati ng dalawang piso sa parents niyo para lang makabili sa sari-sari store ng plastic balloons? Well, I did. As in naalala ko dati, tinitipid ko ung nag-iisang plastic balloon para lang makagawa ako ng three balloons out of it (since hindi naman ako binibilhan nila Mom and Dad ng marami. Huhu.). 

Last Friday (October 04, 2012), I went to Divisoria with my college friends to make a documentary for our Bonifacio trail. Ayoko na ikwento ‘yan kasi out of the main story. :)) Anyway, so went to 168 Shopping Mall to ahve lunch and roam around after. 

Nung nag-iikot kami, napunta kami sa isang floor na puro kiddie stuffs ung binebenta. There were stamps, stickers, balloons, and anything with cartoon characters na super mura lang. What caught our attention was the ever-famous plastic balloons, then we all had this are-you-thinking-what-I’m-thinking look. We planned on buying atleast three pieces each pero sabi nung ale, di daw pwede na tingi lang. Sooo, we ended up buying one “banig” of plastic balloons (which had 48 pieces). HAHA! My friend Bianca said, “Sige, ready na ko magka-beke mamaya.” :)))

So nung nakabili na kami, we went back to UP Manila since we had theater rehearsals from 4-7pm. We were earlier than the call time so nag-decide kami na magstart na with the plastic balloons. SOBRANG SAYA NAMIN, WITH MATCHING TEARS OF JOY. Haha! Parang blast to your childhood days ulit ung feeling, nakakawala ng stress. We can see the faces of people passing by, and making statements like, “Uy oh, plastic balloons! Kakainggit!” or “Aww. Bili nga din tayo mamaya nun!”

The art of making plastic balloons.

In short, naubos namin ung 48 pcs. of plastic balloons. HAHA. I repeat, 48 pieces. Tapos, gumawa kami ng balloon tower, out of kabaliwan lang. :)) Here are pictures. :p

With our giant balloon masterpiece. Haha!

Pictures with Yvette, Bianca and Angel. :-)

Sometimes, it is necessary to feed the kid in you.

Classic Final Four Aftermath

Devastating... But no, it was a great match between the rivals, De La Salle University Green Archers and the Ateneo De Manila University Blue Eagles. The mere fact that the Archers were able to enter the final four match was a big accomplishment for a team with mostly rookies.

Expectations weren't high for the Lasallians, but I must say, the Ateneans had tough grips on their seats during the intense game. With the Archers making an 11-pt lead on the 4th quarter, that was definitely the ONE BIG FIGHT the blue crowd was looking for.

Unfortunately, we had a great run but ADMU led by Kiefer Ravena had a better hold on the game. 69-66 was the final score. Despite that, Araneta Coliseum had a proud Lasallian community after. Something bright is on our future.

Photos below courtesy of Go Archers.

Jeron Teng going through an Atenean with the help of Norbert Torres' screen.

Oda Tampus and Yutien Andrada

AN1MO spirit (Spot: Alumni Rico Maierhofer, Jerwin Gaco, Joseph Yeo and Randy Santiago)

NorBEARt Torres

Joshua Webb on his last game for the DLSU. Thank you for the amazing 5 years, Webb!

Another graduating player, Jovit Mendoza on his last UAAP game. 

Wanderlust: Bataan 2012

I've always wanted to go to places and make a travel blog in the future. It's a dream that I plan to start now.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine  

September 01, 2012
Bataan, Philippines

Three hours away from Manila, I went to Bataan along with my college blockmates for a major class, Philippine Arts 198 (Introduction to Cultural Heritage) outing. We had to take the Bataan Transit bus from Doroteo Jose station in Manila at around 6 in the morning and arrived at Bataan at exactly 8AM.

Upon our arrival, the jeepney we rented was already there and the driver brought us to Jollibee for a quick breakfast stopover before the whole trip starts. We met our professor at the terminal and drove our way to Mt. Samat.

9AM: Mt. Samat, Bataan

Mount Samat is the location of the historical marker for the Bataan Death March. Also found here is the Shrine of Valor or Dambana ng Kagitingan which is found near its summit.
From the terminal, we drove our way through the zig-zag roads around the mountain to reach almost the top of Mt. Samat. There we found the Holy Cross/Shrine of Valor which was really a great view up close. We also found ourselves inside the museum that showcases artifacts (Japanese soldier uniforms, bullets, grenades, rifles, pictures, flags, etc.). Unfortunately, picture taking wasn't allowed inside the museum. My professor was also able to buy a framed bullet which only costed Php 2000. Other historical collectibles are sold for a great price (in case anyone is interested, do visit because items are really a great addition to a historical collection).

Shrine of Valor/Dambana ng Kagitingan

 All the while, I thought we could view the Shrine of Valor only by standing from afar. What I didn't know is that we could still hike up going to where the cross actually stands. It took us 400+ steps before reaching the summit of Mt. Samat, and we were able to ride an elevator all the way to the TOP OF THE CROSS. Yes, the view was really breath-taking. The cross showed carvings of the lives and struggles of Filipinos who took part during the Bataan Death March.

Captivating view from the top of the Shrine of Valor.

 1PM: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

It was a very wise decision for us to push through our trip by going to the "living museum of Philippine customs and traditions" (www.lascasasfilipinas.com). At first, we had second thoughts because of the price rates they implement. But since we were already in Bataan, me and my blockmates decided that visiting Acuzar would be a first for all of us and it would be nice to have that first experience altogether.