Let me write on the spot

My university is celebrating its 100 years. The premiere state university of the country, the University of the Philippines, is the best there is in the land when it comes to higher education. Forget about the old buildings or the very minimal budget. UP is living legacy of how to survive despite limited resources. A microcosm of the country, UP is more than just an educational institution. This is the breeding ground of the future leaders of the country.

I wasn’t able to join the revelry of the centennial celebration of UP but I want to pay tribute to it as I give you a visual tour of the institution that nurtured me for four years of my undergraduate years and even continued to tolerate my presence during my graduate studies which, sadly, I left unfinished.

To get to the 493 hectare-Diliman campus, imagine yourself riding a green-roofed jeepney taking the UP route. First that will welcome you is the University of the Philippines name at the entrance of the University Avenue along Commonwealth Ave. The long stretch of the University Avenue passes through the checkpoint, which is shaped like a check on both sides, and leads to the Oblation. UP’s symbol of educational freedom, the Oblation towers in front of the Quezon Hall.

Behind the Quezon Hall is the Amphitheater and UP Lagoon. The trees lined up at both sides of the Roxas Avenue (to the right from Quezon Hall) with their branches almost reaching out to each other will give you a feeling of going through a green-laden giant tube. It’s the same picture you’ll find at its parallel, Osmeña Ave. Across the UP Lagoon at the Roxas Ave. side is the Jorge Vargas Museum followed by the Faculty Center. That’s the first stop of jeepneys and students taking general subjects get down to rush to their classes at nearby Palma Hall. The statue of the diwatas or the muses of the arts are found at the Faculty Center grounds behind the jeepney stop.

As the Palma Hall or Arts and Sciences (AS) building looms ahead, you’ll see the famous Palma Hall or AS Steps which is a familiar backdrop in some Filipino movie scenes. The Palma Hall and the parking lot across the building is a favorite hang-out place of various organizations and student groups. At the parking lot, a small walkway called the Beta Way, connects Palma Hall to the Engineering building at the other side of the university oval. Once you see the Palma Hall, you’ll find that you have officially entered the “academic area” of the university.

Near the Palma Hall is the CASAA or the eatery where students take their meals and snacks or just sit around and wait for their next classes. Another favorite eatery is the Beach House beside the University Library. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no beach in UP. But while feasting on a delectable lunch and barbecued pork, the green expanse of the Sunken Garden will fill your view. We were told that the Sunken Garden got its name because the area sinks each year (UP lies in an earthquake fault line). Again, there’s no garden in the Sunken Garden. It’s just a field with grasses which is used for sports events like soccer and Frisbee and other university activities like the UP Fair.

At the end of Roxas Ave. is the Vinzons Hall which caters to offices of the student affairs, the university’s school organ, the Collegian, and other student organizations. Jeepneys take a left while commuters going to Katipunan Ave., Ateneo de Manila and MWSS get down at the jeepney stop in front of Vinzons Hall where a statue of Filipino hero, Andres Bonifacio stands.

The jeepney will pass by several college buildings and will continue towards the International Center (IC), home to many international students. Beside the IC is the Ilang-Ilang Residence Hall which is an all-female dormitory. Across Ilang-Ilang is the Swimming Pool and the University Arcade.

Before we proceed with the jeepney ride, you might want to find out what’s around Ilang-Ilang that commuters wouldn’t be able to pass by. There’s the Balay Kalinaw and further on is the University Hotel. Behind Ilang-Ilang is a residential area for employees.

Moving on, the jeepney will take a left. You will find the Protestant Church of the Risen Lord at your right and the UFO-shaped Catholic Parish of the Holy Sacrifice or the UP Chapel at the left. Then, you’ll pass by the UP Health Center or the Infirmary where clinics and a few beds are available for ailing students, teachers or employees. Beside the Infirmary is the Diliman Shopping Center where you can buy souvenir items, find an ATM where you can withdraw cash, street food, eateries, photocopying centers, computer rentals, office supplies, pharmacy and everything else that the whole community would need. Grocery items can be found at the nearby Consumers’ Cooperative.

The University Post Office which was built during my college years is located at the end of the street. As jeepneys turn left again, you will see the Kalayaan Residence Hall where the freshmen are nurtured as they adjust to university life. Other dormitories are found within the area.

If you’ll take the UP Ikot (ikot means going around) jeep, which plies the route inside the UP Diliman community without leaving the campus grounds, you will immediately turn towards the Bahay Alumni where the faved Chocolate Kiss Café is found. That will go further towards the Film Center, the Alumni Center, the Track and Field Oval, and the gymnasium. But because the jeepney you are taking is one that goes inside UP from and to Philcoa, Pantranco or SM North Edsa mall, you will turn right at the Tennis Courts. You’ll then pass by the UP Theater and Carillon and the other side of the UP Lagoon, Amphitheater and Quezon Hall before proceeding back to the University Avenue.

But apart from the “instructional” buildings where classes are held, you’ll find a different atmosphere at the College of Fine Arts building, the Veterinary Hospital which is more known as the Stud Farm, and the favorite drinking joints of the students at Gulod or Krus na Ligas. This leads to the residential area again which reminds visitors that UP is really a community more than just a school.

Some visitors, or even students, do not know that there’s a police headquarters and a fire department inside the campus. There’s even an observatory where students can view the sky and enjoy in the myriad of stars.

UP has some best kept secrets. But I’d want to keep it that way. It’s for you to embark on a UP discovery on your own and enjoy the university first hand.

Happy 100^th year UP! Keep it up!