U.P. naming mahal, pamantasang hirang.  Ang tinig namin, sana'y inyong dinggin.  Malayong lupain, amin mang marating, di rin magbabago ang damdamin.  Di rin magbabago ang damdamin...      Luntian at pula sagisag magpakailanman.  Pagdiwang natin, tanghalan ng dangal.  Humayo't itanghal, giting at tapang.  Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan...mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan.

I grew up in U.P.  Before my UP days, I was this naive, cloistered, innocent girl who had so many of life's misconceptions.  UP opened my eyes, my heart, my soul and showed me that the world is my classroom, the people my teachers as well as fellow learners and that even as a single person...I can do something that can ripple through to many, larger ponds.

If high school was fun and memorable, college was life-changing and essential...a huge part of me will always love those age-old acacia trees like wisened pillars embracing, welcoming and beckoning you in a green, soothing caress - as your Ikot jeep takes a turn from the Administration building where the Oblation stands naked, unabashed, ready to absorb all that life and learning has to offer.

I met a lot of people and kept some real friends who I continue to keep in touch with through these many years.

Block Q2

A freshman in the University of the Philippines, Diliman campus will truly be in awe at the many things college life has in store.  To help newbies thru their first semester, they are grouped into block sections - where they share the same subjects for the entire semester.  After that, they're on their own.

My block was called Q2 but we often changed that to read "Cute Too!!!" or "Too Cute" if inverted.  I can no longer recall everyone although I should have done so but we were:  R'Deen Rosanne Roxas (our block leader), Cherry Ann Distor, Pauline "Polin" Hortelano (my freshman year best friend), Joanne "JP" Parenas (my dorm and remaining-college-years best friend), Celestina "Cele" Manlagnit (the only one who stuck with me as a Linguistics major), Liza Sarmiento, Leizel, Arnold (our only guy), Dinah...urgh! I will have to keep coming back to update this page as soon as I remember more names.

CCC

Oh yes, believe it....I was once a member of Campus Crusade for Christ of CCC.  The students who 'pester' you in corridors and in the Sunken Garden asking you if you've heard of God's four major laws.  I remember Edith who was so persistent in converting me and Chrislyn who was so sweet I couldn't help but indulge her.  I had a crush on Alvin...a Chinoy born-again.  I also recall Hope only because she has three other siblings and they were all named after the fruits of the Spirit.  Actually, Polin and I joined them but her evasive tactics were more effective than mine...

UP Repretory Company

Then Polin and I finally decided we're spiritually mature enough to dump CCC and go to the other end of the moral spectrum.  Join the artists at the UP Rep.  Being an applicant was truly hellish.  You had to undergo so many embarassing, sometimes even life-threatening, tasks as a person as a batch (applicants are grouped as well) and as buddies (you are also paired off with another applicant or another member).

People's Service Corps (PSC)

"Give a man a fish and you feed him one meal.  Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."  PSC's aim is to help people (ang masa) help themselves which can only be done right if one has lived with the masses.  "Pakikipamuhay" (to live with) is a social intergration program wherein university students can choose to live with any of the basic sectors of Philippine Society - farmers, factory workers, indigenous people and the urban poor.   Lifetime and unforgettable friendships spawned as common visions, dreams and hardships were made and undergone.    Japs Hatta, Den Ismael, Milag San Jose, Rita Geronimo, Niza Conception, Memoy Lukban, Dolly, Desi Navarro, Yetti Marcelo, Jeff Quinto, Dom, Vice Yu, Junji Altamira, Lisa Alano, Lisa dela Paz, Joey Madolora, Rutchie, Mikal Rallonza, Simonette Sibal, Rochelle, Jeng Hipolito, Randel, Maki Pulido, Polin Hortelano and Joanne Parenas.  So many more, I have to go back to my logbooks and notes in college to include everyone.

SAMASA

Sanggunian ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan (Student's Coalition for the People).  A noble name for a noble organisation.  SAMASA was an umbrella organisation of all like-minded organisations, fraternities and sororities, it was a force to reckon with during university campus elections.  University Student Council chairperson who ran under Samasa's banner included Bong Bongolan, Rex Marlo Varona and Amante Jimenez.  So many friends, passing and enduring have been made as well as a few enemies usually with the rival Tugon Party.  Considered as left-leaning, Samasa struggled not only for student's rights and university level politics but braved the streets to rally against national issues concerning the US military bases, oil price hikes, IBP, freedom and democracy.  

Beta Lambda Kappa Sorority

Bagong Lahi ng Kababaihan (New Breed of Women) is what BLK stands for.  What used to be a ladies circle that was the counterpart of an established fraternity became a full blown sorority with the ideal of freeing women (and men!) from oppression, depression and repression.  My batchmates (91-A) and I were part of a revival program to put new life into the sorority.  We were Mayumi Galang, Maki Pulido, Alma, Cel, Leng, Mitzie, Lyn, Desi, Yetti, JP, Sol Hidalgo and Menchie.  Succeeding batches include Yvette, Evelyn, Jeng and many more.  BLK is more active today with a growing number of members.

College of Social Science and Philosophy

Linguistics

(more to come!)

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