My First PE Class in UP

        My first PE class in UP Diliman was very tiring. I never thought that I will be able to survive that class. My first PE was Arnis. True, it was fun but in the middle of the semester, I felt like almost dying.

         When I was about to pick which PE subject I will take in the Computer Registration System (CRS), I pre-enlisted PE subjects through which I could learn some self-defense. Luckily, I was enlisted in an arnis class. Unfortunately, I was not aware that the instructor of that arnis class was very strict. Because of that PE class, I was tired every Saturday.

         Every Saturday of my life during that semester felt unbearable. In that arnis class, we're told to jog around the room for 5 minutes or more without stopping and with acceleration. Many students in our class were not physically fit. Most of us were actually freshmen and when we’re together, we look like high school students. However, our instructor was really strict. He doesn't allow late comers. He gives punishment to those who comes late.

         The goal of that PE class was really met after the end of the semester. We all loosed weight and all of us became faster. That PE class felt like hell always but the knowledge we gained is truly amazing. We learned a lot in such a short period of time and that is somehow because of the strictness of our instructor. Our final requirement for that class was to fight against an arnis class from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P). Surprisingly, students from that school are tall and are physically fit. Even though they have tall girls, we had girls who are fighters so the girl’s team of our class won against those of the UA&P. However, the boys from our class were dumped by the huge guys from the UA&P.

        My first PE class in UP was the best. Even though we received a lot of punishments during the semester, it was fun and we were disciplined well. We were treated as soldiers and not students, and so we gained a different perspective about arnis. Many of my classmates became irritated by our instructor and so they decided to drop the subject but for us who survived, we learned more than arnis itself.

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by Alyyana Reyes

(Description) - Narration

Sources (Photos):

https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/v/t1.0-9/p180x540/1379698_667626133249101_60671769_n.jpg?oh=886c5f1b07cf6dee3a8ea9eb30a60064&oe=55098090

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1374331_10200726948445139_1403816822_n.jpg?oh=61753d7aeec03cc8c37f919f0bd8c6dd&oe=54D20A06&__gda__=1428029657_fc5fe2cf667570618eaf824b3900f5c8

IKOT

            There are numerous modes of transportation in the Philippines.  But hands down, no doubt the jeepney is the most popular of them all.  They can be found on all sides of the Philippines.  Whether it be on  the metro or some far flung province in the middle of nowhere.  The jeepney has been so deeply ingrained in this country’s culture that it would be next to impossible to imagine a Philippines without the jeepney.   Around 15-18 people can ride on a jeep, but depending on the driver some jeepneys can fit up to 20 people.  Do not be fascinated by how a 15-18 seater vehicle can magically seat 20 people.  Imagine a can of sardines, and think of them as people instead.  That is how a jeepney with 20 people look like.  

           They say that the University of the Philippines is a microexample of the Philippines.  This belief seems to be consistent even with the modes of transportation.  The university is so big that there are even jeepneys going around the campus shuttling the students from one building to another.  The jeepneys are extremely helpful, especially if the classes you have are located at buildings on the opposite ends of each other.  For 7.50 pesos you can ride an jeep which basically circles the university.         

          I remember when I first rode the jeepney in the university.  I was so clueless about the buildings that I ended up missing my stop and circling the university again. I was supposed to go down at the econ building at that time.  I even brought a map of the university to make sure that I would not get lost.  But it seems I underestimated my poor sense of direction.  I only realized I was lost when we passed by the stop when I first rode the jeep.  So I decided to just transfer my seat and go near the driver and tell him that I had to get off at that specific building.    Luckily the driver did not ask me to pay my fare again and even took his time point out some of the buildings to me.  It seems that it is normal for freshman students to get lost.  It wasn’t that bad since I had time to spare and it served as a sort of tour of the university.  At that time I was embarrassed because I did not want other people to know how clueless I was.  It was a good thing that I had a 30-minute break then. That incident made me realize how important it is to ask someone when you are unsure of something.  There is nothing wrong with asking someone.  At least next time you would not have to ask them again, and it certainly beats getting lost.

by Nicola Fionna F. Delos Santos
(Definition)

Source (Photos):
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/104/9/3/day79_isko_po_ikot_jeep_by_tusoksiomai91-d3dyo9l.jpg

The Big Event

Last Sunday, September 14, 2014, a major event happened in the Big Dome, Araneta Coliseum, the UAAP Season 77 Cheerdance Competition. Many people have watched this contest, primarily the students of the eight universities which are part of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines(UAAP). These are UP, ADMU, UST, DLSU, FEU, NU, UE, and AdU. I've also witnessed this one of a kind event and the amazing routines each team prepared for the battle. By watching it, I remembered my incredible experience last year, during the UAAP CDC 2013.

It was a rainy Sunday, September 15, 2013, when the cheerdance competition of 2013 happened. It was held in the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Luckily, I was able to get a ticket since my PE during that time was Cheerdancing and we're required to watch it live. I'm just a freshman back then and it was my first time to experience watching this kind of event so I was very excited for it.

UP Pep Squad in UAAP CDC 2013

When I woke up that Sunday, I instantaneously prepared all the things I need to bring and I quickly got myself ready to go straightaway to MOA Arena. I can't wait any longer to see the cheerful crowd supporting each pep squad of different universities and the astonishing dance they made to win the trophy everyone wants to get. After my preparation, I left our home already. Nobody can send me to the arena during that time so I just travelled alone by commuting. After waiting for five minutes, I immediately found a jeepney I could ride on. It was just easy for me to travel. Our trip went smooth. When I was to pay the jeepney fare, I looked into my wallet to get money, but I noticed that the CDC ticket was not in it. I panicked at first, but after some time, I was able to calm myself and to think deeply where is my ticket possibly located. Then I remembered that I put it in my envelope which was in my school bag. When this thought came into my mind, I quickly paid my fare and went across the street to go back and get my ticket. After 45 minutes, I came home with a shivering heart beating so fast like a drumbeat. I rapidly got my ticket and travelled again as fast as I could so that I will not be late. After two hours of stressing trip, I finally came to the big event everyone has been waiting for. As soon as I entered the arena, I can already hear the loud sound of the drums being played by the drummers of each team. I saw the excitement on the faces of the audience. I also heard the loud cheers and encouragement of the fans from different universities. I really felt the school spirit and pride by seeing the support of each student to the team of their university, how they uphold them in every possible way they know.

UP Pep Squad in UAAP CDC 2014

The program began and the first to perform was University of the East(UE), followed by Far Eastern University(FEU), then University of the Philippines(UP). Since I am from UP, I delightfully cheered and shouted for the UP Pep Squad when they performed. I am so proud of their performance and I am so happy that I was able to watch it live in the arena. After they presented their outstanding party routine, I received a lot of text messages from my friends telling me that they saw me in TV, cheerfully screaming for UP. One of them even said, “Cyrish, nakita kita sa TV, artista ka na.” This made me laugh and I thought that from the huge crowd MOA Arena had during that time, it's amazing that the camera was once focused on me. It's an assuming statement, but I was just too happy that moment. Another five universities executed their routine after the UP Pep and I could say that they all did well.

When the performances of all the teams were done, they already revealed the results. When they announced that UP Pep Squad was the first runner up, I felt sad because I really hoped for them to be the champion, but eventually, I accepted it and thought that they will get back the trophy again next year. When the program was finished, almost all the people there left but the UP students and fans stayed for a short while and sang all the cheers of all the universities. This act made me even more proud of UP because of the sportsmanship shown by the team. I will never forget how this competition influenced me to be happier with being a UP student.

UP Pep Squad in UAAP CDC 2014

A year after that memorable experience, I could still recall how that day have marked in my life. As I watch the CDC 2014, I cannot stop thinking how glad I was before when I am watching it live. This year, we were still not able to get the first place. Yes, UP Pep Squad was not able to win the eyes and hearts of the judges, but for me, they're more than champions because they won the eyes and hearts of many.

by Cyrishlyn Malubay
(Narration)

Sources (Photos):

www.static.rappler.com (http://static.rappler.com/images/up-pep-squad-20130917.jpg)
www.localpulse.net (http://www.localpulse.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014-UAAP-Cheerdance-Competition-Results.jpg)
www.fullcourtfresh.com

First class in U.P!

          The 1st semester of School Year 2014-2015 marked the beginning of my life as a college student. I had chosen Bachelor of Science in Geodetic Engineering as my course because I figured out it was where my potentials and skills lay. Having lack of experience and self-confidence, I prepared myself early for the first day of school at one of the most prominent universities in the country – University of the Philippines Diliman - the best school in the country.

UP Diliman, Math Building

        I don’t remember the day of the week, probably a Thursday, nor the day of the month, but I shall never forget that day as I walked along the corridors of a large building - the math building, with a vast number of students walking and chatting around me. I can’t describe how nervous I was as I walked towards my classroom. I felt like what a probinsyano must feel like walking into the busy streets of Manila for the first time – overwhelmed and scared to death.  The tension and anxiety struck me as I faced the reality that I would be dealing with a lot of new people. It was early, 8:30 am, as indicated on my Form 5 (registration form) that I would be sitting in my first class - math 17, with other freshman students. I felt like I do not belong here.

        As I walked, someone caught my attention. He was sitting by himself so I walked towards him. He looked almost as scared as me; I bet it was his first time there too. He is a freshman mining engineering student, maybe 5”5’ in height, with well styled hair, medium build body wearing a black jacket, his name is Joshua David. He was the first person I spoke to. As I recall, we talked about college life and learned that we have many similarities. Having met each other was probably a good thing because we were able to understand that neither of us was alone in our fright.  It was a good first encounter and from then we became very good friends. He is my first college friend. We talked until we reached the Audio-Visual Room. Before I entered, I stood near the glass door, drank water and took a deep breath. I entered the room head down with my heart beating heavily.

        I found an empty seat at the back. As I remember, I was fixing my things when a woman entered the room. She introduced herself saying “I am Issa Ibarra and I’m your professor for this subject”.  I was amazed by how she oriented us in just 5 minutes. She gave us three things to remember to pass the course – “dream, struggle and become - dream to get uno, struggle to get uno, and you will get uno.” And then she dismissed us. Amazing, isn’t it?

UP Diliman, Kalayaan Residence Hall

As I walked back to the dormitory, I realized that my teacher had a very big point. In relation to my career, I have already built my dreams - to become an engineer; the next step is to struggle and reach for it because if I do my best in everything I know that in the end I will become what I dreamed to be. Every day, I wake up energized by these words I learned from my first class in UP.



by Mark Lesther M. Jacinto
 ( Narration )

Sources (Photos):
www.photobucket.com (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/jafhoy3/100_0676Small.jpg)

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