THINGS TO DO IN UP DILIMAN

I have been in UP for four years now. UP Diliman has a large campus and there are a lot of things you can do there! Listed here are some of the things that you can do in UP.

1. JOG/WALK AROUND THE ACADEMIC OVAL

      UP's academic oval is a well-known jogging place. The oval measures 2.2 kilometers. Jogging could be a good way to start or end your stressful days! Plus, it will keep you fit and healthy. If you don't want to jog around, you can simply walk and enjoy the beautiful scenery that UP offers. 

You might even get a chance to see celebrities like Piolo Pascual!

2. TAMBAY NEAR THE TRACK OVAL

     After buying food and drinks in Area 2, you can stay in this place just behind it. There are logs where you can sit facing the track oval. For me, the perfect time to stay there is during sunset. You can enjoy the beautiful descent of the sun and the colors of the sky with your friends and loved ones. Also, fireflies can be found in the area. It is a pretty sight to see and you can even catch one! 

3. VISIT VARGAS MUSEUM

    Different artists hold their exhibits and galleries at the Vargas Museum. Come and see the magnificent works of our national and local artists. You can not only enjoy paintings but also art installations that can tickle your imagination.

4. TAKE A PICTURE WITH OBLE... OR NOT.

    UP's icon, Oble is standing in front of Quezon Hall. (But you can find the original statue in our Main Library!) Visitors usually take a picture with Oble. But UP students (or those who plan to study in UP), I'm warning you. There is a myth that if you take a picture of Oble, you would not graduate on time. So think twice before taking a selfie! 

5. TRY RAPPELLING!

    UP SURP offers a CWTS/NSTP program for rescue and survival. This includes lessons on Basic Life Support, Environmental Awareness, Safety, and the most fun of all - RAPPELLING!

   For those who are not afraid of heights and who would want a little challenge and adventure, you can try this activity! The tower is located beside the SURP building. You and your friends can rent it for Php 150. (half day) Just always remember: listen to the instructions that your instructor will tell you. Safety first!

6. ATTEND EVENTS 

    A LOT of events take place in UP whole year round! You can choose to attend the big annual events that happen in UP.

   In February, a week is dedicated for the UP FAIR. Various bands and singers perform in this event. You can also enjoy the food and merchandise stalls in the area.

   In December, we have the Lantern Parade. Different colleges show off their amazing ideas and creativity through making colorful lanterns to be paraded around the Academic Oval. Also, feel the Christmas spirit with the lights that are put up around the campus.  

7. HAVE A PICNIC AT THE SUNKEN GARDEN

   The sunken garden is a good place for a picnic in a beautiful sunny day. You can bring your banig or mat, basket of good food, and your friends. There you'll see people playing frisbee, football, etc. If you would like more physical activities, you can also play there with your friends. 

8. FOOD TRIP!!!

   There are a lot of places to choose from if we talk about eating in UP. There are canteens, kiosks/food stalls. You can eat at the Shopping Center, in Area 2 and you can also enjoy taho, sweet corn, mango, cotton candy , and dirty ice cream. UP offers a variety of food choices and it is not much of a hassle because they are everywhere!

  I would want to share with you these food establishments and that will be posted on my next blog! So stand by and wait for it. :)

 I hope you enjoyed this post. Write these down in your bucket list and be sure to do them the next time you visit UP Diliman!

Artsy Cafe, Maginhawa

After a very stressful week, I finally got to reward myself with what I love the most which is food!

Last week, my mom and I ate at Artsy Cafe in Maginhawa, Diliman. The place is known for its chick-type interior and its delightful and relaxing ambiance. 

The place is rather small but I love how they were able to maximize the space.

The interiors are beautiful and was well-designed

They served different kinds of food like sandwiches, pasta dishes, steak, and desserts. To be honest, there is nothing special in their menu. 

We ordered Carbonara and T-Bone Steak

Carbonara (P150)

T-Bone Steak (P250)

I really enjoyed the ambiance and the food was okay. 

All in, Artsy Cafe is a must-visit!

Artsy Cafe

36 Maginhawa st., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City

(02) 4349487

European Films Under the Stars

European films under the stars

by Jeuls Hermosisima and Moira Pavino

Familiar with Hollywood forever? Perhaps you don't know that you are. Have you ever seen a drive in movie on t.v. or a giant outdoor film showing set in the US? Well that is Hollywood Forever. People would line up for hours for a chance to experience an outdoor movie screening in this cemetery. Yes, that's right, it is a cemetery. Many stars lay buried there, but that just adds to the attraction.

What if I tell you, you can have the same experience here in Manila. Though not in a cemetery, the UP Diliman's College of Science Amphitheater is the next best thing. For the first time, UP EURO held a Grand Outdoor Film Showing with European films provided by different European Embassies and Institutions.





Listed below are some of the films featured the night of October 23 this year:
- La Creazione
- La Naturalista
- Que Sera?
- La Bon Conduite
- La primera vez
- Les Voilieurs de Luxembourg

The films elicited different reactions from the audience. Some films are cute, some are weird, and some left the audience speechless.

The event was attended by almost 200 film enthusiasts. Group of friends, a couple of lovers, and even a bunch of bikers gathered together that evening under the stars.

It was nice to share this experience to people who have the same interests! What a cultural and stress-free night, perfect for the semester's heavy workload (hehe)

If you missed the event, don't worry because UP EURO is planning to hold the event every semester!  

The Taal Volcano Experience: San Nicolas Route

The Taal Volcano, known as the smallest active volcano in the Philippines offers tours for people who wants to visit and see the volcano's crater up close.  You can visit the crater via Tagaytay or Talisay route with tour packages offered by residents around that area.

Last April 2014, my family and I get to visit the Taal crater and the experience was really amazing. We went for the San Nicolas route, a different way which is not yet that popular for tourists since the place is still being developed with a resort project named Riverfront.  Since we know someone from San Nicolas government, they offered us the 20-pax boat that is originally for official use only.  It was a 30-45 minute boat ride from Kalangay to the island crater.

We also get a chance to see these migratory birds along the way.  They said that they're also developing a bird sanctuary to add to their tourist attraction.  I forgot what it's called, but they're really pretty.

When we arrived to the island, the residents offered us horses to use which cost us Php2500 (500/horse).  We trekked for almost an 1hr and 30mins (7km) before reaching the viewpoint of the crater, giving me this magnificent view.

After resting for a while, we started to trek again, by foot this time.  It took us another 45 minutes (5km) to arrive at the main crater.

It looks plain in the picture but once you get to see this in person, you may get an urge to jump and swim in the water.  The soil, by the way, is not sand but rather sulfuric soil.  Some part of the crater is too hot to the point that you could boil an egg.

The journey was indeed very long and tiring, but the whole trekking and horseback riding experience were really worth it.  Although this tourist attraction is still being developed, I could guarantee that the place is beautiful, and even more in personal.

Definitely would visit again next time! :)

Millie's Diner

If you're a student in the Asian Institute of Tourism,  you might have noticed the restaurant on the ground floor of UP Microtel by Wyndham. 

If you're planning to eat there and wondering how much budget should you bring, then this is the right blog. I only tasted a few of their  offerings but all of them  were good.

This is their Nasi Goreng.

their carbonara

and pad thai that looks good even when rotated.

Bring a budget of around P300-P700 then you're good ;)

Learn it from Erwan!

I don't really attend talks unless they're value-adding.

UP Economics Society had an event last October entitled...

I was actually required to attend that's why I came. The topic was somehow interesting so I pushed through with coming to the event.

To my surprise, I was actually able to learn a lot.

 Kuya Kim gave a talk on spiritual reinvention. I thought that he'd be speaking about fitness since it's the orientation of the class that required me to attend this.

Same as Hayden Kho's. 

His appearance and talk was a surprise for everyone since he was not in the pubmats.

Anyway, they gave a good talk about their topic.

The speaker that surprised me the most was Mr. Heussaff. 

He actually knows his thing.

 I thought that he would just be there for the sake of the event to have a speaker.

He gave the most informative talk  about health and fitness among all the speakers which  spot on the event''s  topic.

I really don't know much about him other than being part of The Cave podcast that I listen to,  along with Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez and Stephen Ku.

 I didn't know that he used to be obese. Then now maintains a fit and healthy stature.

 Source: The  Fat Kid Inside

Source: The Fat Kid Inside

He is truly inspring.

The content of  his talk during the event can be presented in just 5 mins 

by The Fat Kid Inside himself :

The event was really informative thanks to Erwan.

Also, it's worth paying the P75.

I like the fact that they have freebies like this one below too!

The 2013 Arrow Challenge

 The UP Baguio Archery Team conducted the 2013 arrow challenge in the early month of the year 2013. The goal is to be able to shoot 2013 arrows within the day. :) 

As early as 7 am in the morning, the team is already preparing for the event. Assembling the bows available and arranging the arrows. 

And so the shooting started! 

With the effort of the UPB Archery Team, students and people who want to try shooting are invited. Even if it just two or three arrows, the experience is still priceless. 

Throughout the day, the team members ushered the event in a rotating manner since each have classes for the day. Every break, one would go directly to the range and continue shooting and letting other people experience and be part of the challenge. 

And finally 2013 Arrows!!!

(It was already dusk when we finished the challenge.)

Truly it was an awesome experience shooting hundreds of arrows in a day. For us archery team members, it was a good training for endurance and extreme form shooting. And for our guests, it was a great experience being able to shoot arrows without any background on it. 

Considering all the efforts of the team and the guests, the event was a success! I personally had so much fun all through out the day. :D 

2013 Arrow Challenge? Challenge accepted.