A UP Student’s Exploring Time

There comes a time in our lives where we get confused, humiliated and really ‘sabog’. This first occurred to me during my first day in UP.  My first day in the University of the Philippines was a topsy-turvy one. I didn’t know where my classes were or which buildings are which and I did not know what to expect from UP professors and also from my fellow UP students. I just said to myself, “Bahala na lang”.  

My first problem was getting to my classes. I could compare myself to a traveler not knowing where to go but still had the guts to travel. This is me, the bold traveler or better yet the clueless UP student. So I did what every freshman would do, I asked people passing by where my classes were. I could remember asking a girl, standing beside the photocopy machine of the left wing of AS, where my Bio 1 class was held which was at PHAN 4105. She told me “That is the Palma Hall Annex 4, just behind this building.” So I went behind the building but then I went to the other side of the road since I thought it was not directly behind the building. In the end, I ended up asking 3 more people just to find where my class was and to make things worse, I was 20 minutes late. As I entered the room, everybody froze and looked at me for 3 seconds. The teacher then asked me, “freshman?” I answered, “Yes sir.”And he said, “ Kaya pala late”. Then everybody smiled. 

My other problem was getting to understand what professors or students mean. In UP, there are some terminologies they use that everybody knows what it means but for a freshman other things come to mind.  For example, I thought when they said ‘Oble’, it meant academic oval because it was slang for oval. When they said ‘Petics’, I thought of a branch of Science because it had the suffix ‘ics’ in it. When they said ‘blue book , I thought of a record book used in inventories because it was the only blue book I knew. I was really in a culture shock.

This was a day of confusion for me. But as the saying goes, “When there is confusion, wisdom appears”. Even though I was embarrassed, puzzled or clueless, I learned eventually what UP terminologies meant and knew where buildings are. Well, maybe this is how UP wanted me to experience UP for the first time, to be confused so that you will know next time which is which, what is what and where is where. 

By: Benedict Guinto
   (Illustration)

Sources (Photos):

http://www.justanotherpixel.net
http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph (http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph/index.php/File:UP_Blue_Book.jpg#.VGcq38nEJYo)

In or Not Yet?

               One of the greatest opportunities while studying in the University of the Philippines is having the opportunity to have a second family for life – ‘Orgs’. These are the student organizations whom share a common goal, course, interest or any other thing. They are our affiliations in UP. This is where we find strength to face problems and know that we are not alone to face it. This is where a student enjoys other students’ company and do amazing things together. But the problem UP students face regarding organizations is this – “Am I ready to be part of an org?”

               I remember my 1st time joining an org and it was actually unexpected. I really did not plan to be part of it at all but peer pressure and high expectations made me say yes. Eventually, I learned to enjoy it and I am now surrounded by amazing people. But for many, spontaneous decisions really end up to being bad decisions since they are not well thought of and considered. So the simple answer to the question is to evaluate yourself; discover who you are, who you want to be, and who you want yourself surrounded with. On that note, here are my tips in doing so.

               First, orgs require so much effort. They take up your time and sometimes hoard all your time.  They need you to sign papers, reserve places, hold events, and create IGPs and many more.  You must consider your willingness to sacrifice some of your time for your org.  Assess yourself and ask these questions ‘Are you ready sacrificing academic time for org time? Are you ready for this tremendous commitment?’

               Second, org goals and visions are there so people could know why they are created for the first place. Read it with all consciousness! People in a certain org share a common characteristic or interest. They could be volleyball lovers, art enthusiasts, political science majors, marketing associates, debaters, anime fanatics and many more. You need to identify your interests and align them with the org that shares that common interest. If you don’t, you may end up with the wrong set of people.

               Lastly, a problem faced by students joining orgs is whether they could handle activities the org requires them to do and whether it upholds their beliefs. For me, you should be open to certain ideas an org presents; however, you must learn to delineate and say no if you think it goes against your principles. You should always find the reason why an org requires such action and link it back to their purpose. If you find the proper reasoning to do it, go ahead. If there is none, then don’t.

               Deciding to join an org really is a complicated decision. You need to really evaluate yourself in the area of time management, common interest and belief. And I assure you, it is not a simple task. As long as you follow my tips to know more of your personal capabilities and interests, then I believe you can now answer the question: “ In or Not Yet?”

By: Benedict Guinto
(Process Analysis)

Sources (Photos):

http://web.uplug.org
http://thepinoyweekly.com (http://thepinoyweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/UP-babaylan-transgender.jpg)

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.

____________________________________________________________

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

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