12 May 2010
I love Sundays. Its the only day where I can really stop for a while and "smell the roses". I love Sundays, and I love spending it in U.P. I fell in love with the place the first time I entered its gateways in 1997 as a college freshman, and up to now, i still feel that "wow" feeling when i pass under the canopy of the acacias that line the Academic Oval.
U.P is specially appealing on a Sunday. The Academic Oval is completely closed to vehicular traffic. Joggers, bikers, skaters, kite flyers, wave boarders, and lovers abound. You'll find your usual 'manangs' at practically every corner carryng their wares: banana cue, turon, lumpiang toge and of course, kariokas. If you're lucky, you may come across one of the 'monay' boys pedalling around, selling humongous 'monay' breads (with or without cheese). When i feel like it, i'll go for a jog. But most of the time, a leisurely walk would do just fine.
There were a few improvements since U.P.'s centenial last year, the sidewalks of the Academic Oval is now paved with maroon and green bricks; the Carillon Bell Tower is now completely restored, its 46 bells once again serenade the students of the campus; the Academic Oval already has a one-way (counter-clockwise) traffic scheme, where one of the three lanes designated as a biking and jogging lane. Also, all buildings now has a No I.D. No Entry policy, unlike then.
Besides food trips and cardio workouts, U.P. is an ideal place where you can just sit down and relax. If you love taking photos, you might want just want to bring your camera and click on the whole day.
I can't help but feel a little nostalgic, remembering the days when i was one of the many Iskos trying to make it out of U.P... on time, and with a degree. hah! I remember the fishball and isaw stands, i remember IKOT trips and the late night concerts, i remember exams and cramming escapades, i remember E-heads songs and free 'MOLAVE' meals. Each step i take are memories waiting its turn to be remembered. I tell you, if the surroundings were'nt this beautiful, i would have gone mad during my college days. The scenery offers instant relief to academic and peer pressures. When im almost at the brink, i simply take a walk.
Until next Sunday....
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i get the same nostalgic feeling. Parang enchanted na lugar. Since the day she adopted me, she'd been showering me with all the care and love i needed. nice pics.
ReplyDeletenice shots. keep it comin'.
ReplyDeletesana maenjoy ko rin ang college days ko as much as you do kuya paolo..haaay..anyway..nice shots..^_^
ReplyDeleteRah, yeah, nostalgic.. thats the word.
ReplyDeletegaiLie, hindi ko pa tapos basahin ung listahan mo.. hehehe
jaid, tanggalin mo na ung 'SANA' and go enjoy your college days! hehe..
you didn't mention the oblation run.. haha, wala lang, nagpapapasok ba sila ng outsider?
ReplyDeletekaren, open to the public naman ang campus, hindi lang yung mga colleges... oblation run? magulo eh.. ang excited, mga babae at bading.. once lang ako nakapanood aksidente pa.. siguro pag may kasama nang babae.. hahaha
ReplyDeleteNice!! Makakaipon ka talaga ng memories sa UP
ReplyDeleteI remember Ikot-Toki and the dreaded flooding of strangers during UPCAT. Pamasahe then was PhP 3.50 if I'm not mistaken. And yes, I so love the piles of photocopied handouts/readings, and not having to stand-up when talking to an instructor/a professor :D
"Also, all buildings now has a No I.D. No Entry policy, unlike then." -- Really?
violetauthoress, oo nga.. and lahat ng vehicles na walang stickerm sa University avenue nlang makakapasok, may gates na kasi ung ibang entrance kagaya nung sa NIGS at sa may Krus na Ligas.. neway, i think its better taht way, para at least makontrol na din ung mga hindi magandang nangyayari sa loob ng campus.. salamat sa pagbisita..
ReplyDelete