It’s the time of the year when you know that the zombies are coming (sunflower), sleepless nights will be almost over, climbing the steps of AS would never be the same again and that finally you can break the curse of taking a photo with Oble.
To reach this level of almost tasting the euphoria of wearing a sablay, for sure you have had a fair share of experiencing UP at its finest and deadliest: from sleepless nights and ungodly crammings to that glorious moment of getting all your subjects enlisted on CRS and that first time you received an uno not because the professor is lazy to compute grades.
But before that epic sablay moment, for those Grade Conscious (GC) whom after their last class would head home immediately and miss all the fun parts, it’s not yet too late to make a bucket list of the things you must do (aside from getting an UNO) before you bid farewell to our revered university. Well for some, making this kind of list is a bit mushy but you only go to college once and you only study college at UP once, no matter how many years it will take you to finish your degree. The university, more than being an educational institution, is a womb of memories, a womb nourished by a common denominator that is the maroon blood. Maybe you’ve had your heart first heartbreak, first kiss, first five or first uno, but those memories can happen anywhere. The point of this bucket list is accomplishing the things that can only be done at UP and UP alone.
Drinking escapade at Sarah’s. Failed an exam, bad breakup, long breaks or you just craved for a kick, Sarah’s is the instant antidote that’s just around the campus. It’s an open air drinking place which is famous for its isaw and other cheap ihaw-ihaw pulutans. You don’t have to go far to look for pricey bars when you already have a cheap one in the neighborhood.
Walk around the acad oval barefoot after a downpour at night. It really has to be after the rain so that your feet will be able to savor the cool breath of the ground. You don’t want to burn your feet do you? It’s up to you if you want to walk at night or during the day but there’s always something subtle about nights especially when there are less cars, less people, less noise and the only sound that settles is the rustling of the leaves.
Stargazing at the Observatory. The reason why the Observatory is located where it is, is because that is the highest point in Quezon City. Usually the UP Astronomical Society holds stargazing events and other epic astronomical happenings such as the alignment of planets and meteor showers.
Watch sunset at the track oval. If you’re the romantic/subtle kind who don’t get bored staring at pure blankness except that blankness is painted with the bleeding colors of the sun, then this one’s for you. The track oval is a better spot due to its more open grounds compared to the sunken garden wherein the trees and the Main Library block the view of the waning colors of the sunset. And also since the track oval is situated near Area 2 which has now been a food hub, you can seal your stressful day by feeding your tummy with various foodies while being mesmerized by the sunset.
Vandalism won’t hurt a little. There’s liberation in vandalism may it be hidden on the backdoors of restrooms, armchairs or even on the walls of college buildings. It’s quite enjoyable to read vandals since most of them really say something, from political ideologies to heartaches. This isn’t an advocacy on vandalism, it’s more of the art in expressing one’s self and the pleasure sought from the hidden. Remembering what UP is all about, liberation.
Ultimate food trip beyond Mang Larry’s and Rodics. There’s really something wrong with you if you haven’t tasted either Mang Larry’s grilled goodies or Rodics’ famous Tapsilog. Aside from the kiosks and the vendors which all sell the same food, there are a lot of hidden food destinations inside the campus such as Khas-Persian restaurant, Likha Diwa-vegan restaurant, siomai with egg-only sold at the College of Architecture, Tearoom at the College of Home Economics, Tinapay - the nocturnal footlong hub of Kuya Onz Tee at Dagohoy and if you want more choices, you can check out the vibrant food and art culture scene at Maginhawa St. which is just an Ikot ride away from UP.
Attend a lecture of a celebrity professor/media personality or enrol in his/her class. Winnie Monsod, Ramon Bautista and Malou de Guzman are just a few of the celebrity professors at the university. You’ll only be star struck during the first day but after that you’ll realize that they’re also just regular beings who just happen to pop by your television screens. Having them as professors/lecturers can also be a bragging right.
Jog/walk at the heartbreak hill. Heartbreak hill is actually a small village where UP faculties reside. It is located near the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice and the UP Health Service. According to regular joggers, jogging there is heartbreaking due to its steep and winding roads thus it got the name Heartbreak Hill. For those who aren’t into jogging, the simple walking around at the hill would already be delightful due to its nature vibe similar to that of Baguio’s.
Stay at the Main Library until 12:00 a.m. The main library had been a host to crammed group projects and exams. This isn’t just for grade conscious peeps and crammers though, if you’re looking for an interesting slash spooky trip, then this could be your ticket. Aside from books, the Main Lib also houses ghostly beings who could be up for a meet and greet at midnight. Your UP life won’t be complete without a tinge of eeriness (aside from terror professors).
Nothing beats the Oblation Run. Oblation run is oblation run.
P.S
Earn your degree. They say it’s hard to get in UP but it’s harder to get out. You’ve invested more than enough tears, sweat, blood, money, time, sleepless nights and other capitals to survive the trials of being an Iskolar ng Bayan. More than the fruits that you will reap after your laborious sowing, it’s what you have become and how the university molded you into becoming an honorable and excellent being that you should be most thankful for.
Make the most out of your stay at the university even if getting up every morning can most of the time be painstaking.
But hey, you don’t count the years, you only count the memories :) RLM
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