Fresh

A hug from the Dean :)

Last 28th of April, I graduated.

It was anticlimactic for me, climbing that stage and receiving the diploma. Yes, it is a symbol of a job well done, a ceremony to honor what we have accomplished after 5++ years.

I'm not saying it was not meaningful, because it was. My family was there to cheer me on, the ceremony itself was meaningful (though the venue could be better), I graduated along with my cousin, who finished her Molecular Biology degree from the same university, and of course the friends and batchmates were there.

But after passing each requirement, after going through the thesis deliberations, after having our books signed and after getting our grades, I feel like success was handed out to me in small doses. Graduation was just there as a culmination, something that symbolizes the end of a six five-year frolic in UP Diliman.

I was sad to leave of course. I will miss college life: the camaraderie between classmates, the guidance of professors, the times spent with friends, and the chance to meet people from random colleges and sectors that one can learn things from. But I know for a fact that UP is always there.

I end this post with the lyrics of our university hymn, UP Naming Mahal, by Nicanor Abelardo. Yes, it's cheesy to end the post this way, but it totally sums up the way I feel about the university as an alumnus.

U.P. naming mahal, pamantasang hirang

Ang tinig namin, sana'y iyong dinggin

Malayong lupain, amin mang marating

Di rin magbabago ang damdamin

Di rin magbabago ang damdamin.

 

Luntian at pula, sagisag magpakailanman

Ating ipagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal

Humayo't itanghal, giting at tapang

Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan!

Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan!

 

Lantern Parade 2012

15 December 2012

Last night was UP Diliman's Lantern Parade, which we do every year to start off our Christmas vacation. This is (hopefully) the last lantern parade I'd be able to experience as a student, and it's also the last legit Christmas vacation for me...

I arrived very late. The Arki party was nearly finished with its route once I arrived in UP.

People were already starting to flock the ampitheater.

I eventually caught up with the parade and met some friends...

People from UP Optics cheerfully delaying the delegates to take pictures.

Let's go UP!!!

Wordlessly volunteered to take TFA's picture.

To the stage

We found out why lanterns had supposed height limits. Hello Galvanized Iron Man!

Our delegation was composed of buildings and landmarks.

Faculty Follies was cancelled this year (wtf right?) so our professors had performing withdrawals.

Of course Justin Guiab had to be Galvanized Iron Man.

Hung out with some friends at the amphitheater after our lantern passed by. It would have been better if the stage faced the larger group in the amphi instead of the ones in Quezon Hall.

Joan was late. :P

We went to the Arki party afterwards. There was free booze, pizza and brownies.

Thesis? What thesis?

Writing on the freedom floor of the National Architecture Week.

I didn't take any pictures once we left Arki. Hazel, Joan, and I went to the AS parking lot to eat. We ended up staying there, just talking. We talked about art for art's sake, street children, Philippine movies, Karl Marx, pornography... and life in general. We watched the fireworks and then stayed at the steps until about 10pm, when Joan was picked up by a male "friend" so they could go stargazing at the PAGASA observatory (hahahaha, latter not true btw). 

It was a great night. Even though I felt like a loser for getting dizzy due to San Mig Apple and a tiny cup of Red Horse, it was a night spent with friends. 

And so I leave you with Pilosopotato and friends. 

Sox Shoot

This post is soooo overdue. UP SOCCSKSARGEN had a photoshoot last November 25 and I only get to post about it now. I can't post all the pictures, as I don't have permission. I can just post BTS pics and some other stuff.

This is the last org photoshoot that I would likely be a part of. This makes me sad yet happy at the same time.

The Pubcom (a.k.a. us) was challenged because we didn't have a separate photographer this year. We had to make do with ourselves and Jay's tripod (that he got on sale from Canon, ugh. *jealous*).

God gave us a clear day that afternoon, so we met up at the AS steps and decided to shoot in the lagoon.

Topy mooning below the entrance of Palma Hall

Jay "wearing" a neck tie.

Walking to the lagoon

Brent didn't know about the shoot. He was playing ultimate nearby and saw us.

Umbrella people...

Unfortunately, only two people from FinCom could join us. But their set was the most badass--- aside from ours of course.

Lee really really really really wanted to climb that tree. So she did. 

Hello Executive Board

Ending this post with Jay's E.T. moon picture that he requested. I should've thought of it first. 

Future Backyard: the UP Bonsai Garden

04 August 2012

Gelmer and I went to the UP Bonsai Garden after going through exhausting field work for our housing class.

Rows and rows of potted plants greeted us

The garden is the work of the late bonsai guru, Mr. Mody Manglicmot. UP has been taking care of it upon his death. Even though the place is still beautiful, I can tell that it misses the loving care of its creator. After all, bonsai is an O.C. hobby, or so I've heard.

I liked the garden because it doesn't try to be a "Japanese" or "Asian" garden, just because it has bonsai. It's like the plants were placed where they were just because they looked good there. It was not pretentious at all. No trying to be zen and all that. That's how my parents did their gardening. In my opinion, the haphazardness is charmingly Filipino.

We were both haggard before the visit.

Gelmer and I debated on whether this rock looks phallic. It's erect, tall, hard, and veiny... hmmm...

One of my favorite plants there.

It's enormous!!!

Like large looming octopuses... octopi? Whatever.

I don't think the ladder was supposed to be there on purpose, but I find this setting nice.

Canopies! I love canopies.

Though still maintained, the area is a little overgrown.

Mossy mossy.

The College of Engineering is creating another weird building right next to it. Sorry, Engineering friends, but your taste is a little wack.

Gelmer and I kept losing each other. If the garden was larger, she'd get lost. :P

We have these in our pond back at home. Ah, I miss home.

I was happy to see a "Christmas Plant"

It's not actually called that, but I remember seeing one of these as a kid. I was instantly reminded of Christmas. Don't know why.

They had this nursery in a netted greenhouse

Babies!!!

I want my doorway to be draped with these someday.

They are long!

We tried to braid them. But the leaves fell off.

We laughed at this plant, because it only has one leaf.

...but a closer look says otherwise.

Baby Anthuriums make me happy.