Collectibles Here, There, Everywhere

It was few days before I graduated from UP, I recall myself withdrawing my remaining DOST stipend from the PNB ATM terminal inside the campus and, as luck struck me, the machine dispensed a dozen of the infamous ARROVO BANK NOTES (100-peso legal tender). I was with my thesis partner Ivy at that moment and she asked me to sell to her half of the collectors' item bills that I got, so only 6 stayed with me. Then my uncle bought another one of the remaining six for 200-pesos. As of the moment, 5 ARROVO BILLS are in my possession and these 5 are marked with consecutive serial numbers (AM461894 to 98).

Then, this evening, after hitting the gym, I decided to withdraw some cash from a BPI terminal at Robinson's Corporate Buiding in Ortigas. And... surprise! Ten University of the Philippines Centennial commemorative bills (100-peso legal tender) appeared in front of me. I was tempted to withdraw more cash to see how many of those collectibles were inside of the machine but I knew I would just drain my funds empty if I did that. So, I just pressed for another 2000-pesos to cover me for at least a week - and, the machine gave out 4 500-peso bills this time. By the way, these bills also have successive serial numbers (ET366161 to 70).

I am trying my best to keep them in good condition - no crease, no dog-ears - and hopefully, I will be able to sell them at higher value in the future. If you are interested or you know someone who collects rare (well, I think, they aren't that rare yet) items like these bills, just tell me - we can negotiate the price. Bwahaha.

University of the Philippines... A Century Hence

est. June 18, 1908

Metrowalk Everyday

Well, not really everyday, but I must admit, Metrowalk has been my crib for the past couple of weekends because of my current addiction to F1 race - an addiction rekindled by my good friend Cholle.

My first time at Phi Bar was during the free viewing of Spanish Grand Prix 2008 last April 27. According to Cho, the attendance that night was considerably low - at 26. Anyway, Cho and I won a lot of prizes from the organizers (headed by Pinoy F3 and rally driver Mike Potenciano) including UNO and C! magazines (Cho actually received a free one-year subscription of C! for winning a totally honest trivia game hahaha), car cleaners (which are so useless), Toyota caps (woohoo!), BMW pouches (which my father loves), Phi Bar VIP Card (10% discount card), and 50 pesos. It was Andy (the US expat on the right) who won the money for us - he predicted the correct combination of the top 3 finishers in the right order (Kimi, Massa, Lewis). Zaldy (the guy to the right of Cholle) made a deal with us that whoever came up with the right guess should willingly split the prize money among the four of us. Too bad, Andy's bet was identical with those of 12 other people. So instead of getting the whole PhP2600 pot, we settled with just PhP200 - thus, 50 bucks for each of us. It was a great night not just for the F1 fans, but also for Scuderia Ferrari and its drivers who we were rooting for - Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. They gave Ferrari a 1-2 result that brought the team in front of the constructors' championship race.

Two weeks passed, it was May 11, the race day for the Turkish GP. Okay okay, it was Mothers' Day... so before I went to Phi to attend another free viewing, I made it sure that my whole day was spent with my mother and my family. I also managed to greet as many people, especially the moms in my phonebook, as possible through SMS - and of course birthday boy CL. Alright, back to F1... Ralph was able to join us this time (congrats, for graduating from the UP College of Business Administration). We were not so lucky this time in the raffle draws, but hey, I won in the fantasy game. I bet that Massa would win the race, Lewis would be the runner-up and Kimi coming in third - and that was the exact order of the podium finishers after they completed 58 laps of the circuit. I won PhP300... again, I did not get the whole pot of PhP2700 because 8 other contestants guessed the same combo. The prize somehow subsidized our bill for the evening - we had a bucket of beer (I think, we ordered a couple of bottles more) and a platter of thank-heaven-for-this-oh-so-yummy-nachos. Also, we all got free F2020 fuel saver (which again, is not so useful 'cause I don't have an effin' car!) and the same issue of C! mag which Cho and I got during the Spanish GP. Baduy!

Another twin-podium appearance for Ferrari - if I haven't mentioned it above, I must tell you that I am a Ferrari fan - notice the red shirts? And a Kimi fan, as well. So we headed out of Phi smiling. Scuderia Ferrari is now 19 points clear of its closest competitor BMW Sauber and 21 points ahead of long-time rival McLaren-Mercedes; Raikkonen has already amassed 35 drivers' points while Massa and Hamilton are tied in second with 28 apiece. Then we spent an hour in El Pueblo eating ice cream and fries while reminiscing the good old times and planning future gimiks/outings where hopefully, more Barkadahan peeps will be able to attend. After some deliberations, it's final - we'll be in Galera on the 30th of May until the 1st of June. Details to follow my friends. Hehe.

I was also in Metrowalk last Saturday, at Elbow Room specifically, for OJ and Nel's pre-wedding party. Vernon & Mshel, Daniel & Felise, Philip & Dae, Cheson, Elaine (OJ's sister) and other friends of the bride were there to celebrate the couple's last few days of singlehood. The food was insane - it was terrific! Got some booze, played some billiards and joined in fun games that fit the theme of the party - shower/stag party in one hahaha.

I can't wait for OJ and Nel's wedding which will be held on Sunday, May 18th at the Fort Bonifacio Officers' Clubhouse. I, too, can't wait for the Monaco GP race day on May 25th. I invite both F1 and non-F1 fans out there for another free viewing at Phi. The race commences at 8pm.

Hopefully, this week, I'll be able to watch Speed Racer, Indiana Jones and Harold and Kumar.

That's all from me tonight... until then!

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PS: Thanks Cholle and Mark, for all the pictures. I am still waiting for Mike's pictures. For more F1 viewing images, visit this link. :)

PPS: To all grammar police out there, please proofread my article 'cause I composed it during the wee hours of the night (which is getting more usual these days) while my brain was already ready to shutdown. :P

Are they still Here, There, Everywhere?

I miss my friends...

Then, Bamboo was everywhere... Now, BamBOO is nowhere.

Look at the difference...

I almost strangled him two years ago. He was just hanging around with the VIPeeps backstage. Now, everything's changed. He is out of our reach already. Actually, there was no problem with him or even Ira last night, it was just the obnoxious bodyguard who kept on pushing us (or them) away. Still, I managed to capture a video clip with them waving to the camera and Dyan managed to sneak a shot of me with Bamboo trying to get out of the venue as fast as he (or his damn bodyguard) could.

Ala-Eli Buendia talaga. Haha.

Their itinerary last night: CAR --> DRESSING TENT --> STAGE --> CAR.

Tae.

Bands Here, There, Everywhere

(Copied from Cholle's blog entry)

MONDAY - LOVERAGE 2: OUTLOUD! (Adelfe Enu Crea Sorority and Pan Xenia Fraternity)
Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, 6Cyclemind, MYMP, UPdharmadown, Itchyworms, Kitchie Nadal, Imago, Chicosci, Stonefree, Moonstar88, Silent Sanctuary, Mayonnaise, Soapdish, Shamrock, Gloc 9, Cookie Chua, Queso, Treadstone, Blue Ketchup, Protein Shake, Ciudad, Fuse, Paraluman, Manibela, Chubibo, Tha-R, Zelle, and many more...

TUESDAY - RAKESTRA 2008: LOST IN OBLIVION (Beta Epsilon Fraternity)
Sandwich, Urbandub w/ Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, 6Cycle Mind, Sugarfree, Itchyworms, Moonstar88, Chicosci, Silent Sanctuary, Callalily, Hale, Imago, Mojofly, Rocksteddy, Mayonnaise, The Dawn, Slapshock, Radioactive Sago Project, Kiko Machine, Pedicab, Hilera, Pinup Girls, Ciudad, Chilitees, Taken by Cars, Cambio, Manibela, Zelle, Boy Elroy, Oi Wag D2, Bembol Rockers, The Dorques, Angulo, Too Late The Hero, Duster, Aizo, Bagetsafonik, The Ronnies, Concrete Sam, El Mercurio, Peryodiko and many more...

WEDNESDAY - ROCK-LOVE-AN: SANDAAN: KAMI N'APO ULIT (Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity)
Sugarfree, Spongecola, Typecast, Callalily, Silent Sanctuary, Urbandub, Barbie Almalbis, Imago, 6cyclemind, Itchyworms, Hale, Greyhoundz, Proteinshake, Pedicab, Kjwan, Soapdish, Stonefree, Mayonnaise, Fuse, Mojofly, RockSteddy, ChicoSci, Check, Melanie, Hilera, VinceNoir, Paraluman, Manibela, Ciudad, Blue Ketchup, and many more…

THURSDAY - SISFIRE 6 (Sigma Beta Sorority)
Kamikazee, Urbandub, Rivermaya, Sugarfree, Chicosci, Imago, Stonefree, Up dharma Down, Mojofly, Radioactive Sago Project, Silent Sanctuary, Juana, Giniling Festival, Moonstar 88, Chubibo, Session Road, Purplechickens, Pumping Pluto, and many more...

FRIDAY - (University Student Council)

SATURDAY - EUFAIRIA: 100 YEARS AT THE EDGE OF SANITY (Delta Pi Omicron Sorority)
Urbandub, The Dawn, Pupil, Slapshock, Kjwan, Queso, Greyhoundz, Chicosci, Kiko Machine, Stonefree, Acel, Sugarfree, Moonstar 88, Mojofly, Paramita, Hilera, Cambio, Chubibo, Giniling Festival, Datu's Tribe, The Wudz, The Jerks, Radioactive Sago Project, Aizo, Cathexis, Sunflower Day Camp, Threadstone, Fuse, Ursaminor, Nickty Nasty, Kampai, and many more...

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"Many more..." is very much in demand. Haha. I wonder how great a performer he is.

Survey Here, There, Everywhere

1. Student number?
01-26719

2. College?
Engineering

3. Course?
BS Electronics and Communications Engineering

4. Nag-shift ka ba o na-kickout?
Neither.

5. Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT?
Palma Hall aka AS

6. Favorite GE subject?
Kasaysayan 2

7. Favorite PE?
Camping

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot chick sa UP?
BA or Tourism

9. Favorite prof(s)
Ma’am Orillos (Kas 2), Dean Gev (EEE 35, DSP Founder), Sir Templo (ES 21)

10. Pinaka-ayaw na GE subject.
STS, okay sana yung subject kaso terror yung prof haha.

11. Kumuha ka ba ng Wed or Sat classes?
Yup, usually PE and/or ROTC saka nung graduating year ko – EEE 190/198.

12. Nakapag-field trip ka ba?
Hindi yata… Na-cancel yung Corregidor namin eh.

Considered field trip daw yung Company Tours sa Globe, Canon, at ASTEC.

13. Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP?
Oo naman. Haha. First and last semesters. :P

14. Ano ang Org/Frat/Soro mo?
SAVER, Circuit, FORCE, etc.

15. Saan ka tumatambay palagi?
Circuit Tambayan and DSP Lab

16. Dorm, Boarding house, o Bahay?
Own house

17. Kung walang UPCAT test at malaya kang nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun?
ECE or Civil Engg.

18. Sino ang mga pinaka-una mong nakilala sa UP?
Jen Regua and Ralph Miranda – both HS classmates and former EEE colleagues; Ghe del Rosario, Marien Dy, Larisse Garcia, Glenn Kilayko, May Que, Liz Sagucio – EEE Berks; and UP SAVER Bloc Handlers

19. First play na napanood mo sa UP?
Nalimutan ko title eh, basta sa Guererro Theatre sa AS ko siya napanood noong first year with May.

20. Name the 5 most conyo orgs in UP
OBEM, JMA, CE, IE Club, Circuit

21. Name 5 of the coolest orgs/frats/soro in UP.
Circuit, IE Club, APO, Tau Alpha, Beta Epsilon

22. May frat/soro bang nag-recruit sa yo?
Nag-alok, yes.

23. Saan ka madalas mag-lunch?
CS Canteen or pa-deliver sa DSP Lab.

24. Masaya ba sa UP?
Syempre.

25. Nakasama ka na ba sa rally?
Nope. Call me apathetic…

26. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa Student Council
Almost every year naman yata… Though, mas madalas yata sa ESC kaysa sa USC.

27. Name at least 5 leftist groups in UP
LFS at Stand-UP lang naaalala ko eh. Saka subjective yung leftist, mas okay yata kung idealist. :)

28. Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude nung freshman ka?
Of course.

29. Kanino ka pinaka-patay sa UP?
Pinaka-patay na patay? Wala naman…

30. Kung di ka UP, anong school ka?
Baka hindi na lang ako nag-aral haha. Kasi sa UP lang ako nag college entrance exam eh. Ika nga natin, “The two top universities in the Philippines are UP and others.” Hahahahaha. :D

Celebrations Here, There, Everywhere

The University of the Philippines' Centennial Celebration starts tomorrow January 8, 2008 with the UP@100 Kickoff to commence the 162-day countdown to UP's 100th Foundation Day.

Here's the schedule for tomorrow's events (click the image to visit the UP Centennial Website):

Honor Here, There, Everywhere

UP LAW BAGS

INTERNATIONAL TILT

Proving once again that the UP College of Law is one of the country’s best, a team composed of its students bested other law schools in Asia at the recently concluded 2007 Asia Cup International Law Moot Court Competition held in Tokyo, Japan last August 20­–21.

The team, composed of Janice C. Lee, Anya M. Palileo, Anna Lorem R. Ramos, and Maricel R. Seno, bested nine other law schools from all over the continent in their mastery of public international law, humanitarian law, and human rights and refugee law.

The UP team faced Chulalongkorn University of Thailand in the final round, with Lee and Ramos delivering the oral pleadings to a panel of judges composed of Ambassador Chusei Yamada of the UN International Law Commission, Dr. Umesh Kadam of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kuala Lumpur, and Dr. Jean-Marie Henckaerts of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.

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Chulalongkorn is Thailand's top university and one of Asia's best. My thesis adviser, Engr. Rhandley Cajote is currently taking up his doctorate degree here.

A Night To Remember

What's a better way to celebrate my birthday (and my ECE Board Exam success which is 5 months overdue already) than to celebrate with my family, relatives, friends, classmates and officemates?

Last night, around 50 individuals who are all close to me gathered in my house to dine, drink, sing the night out, nine days after my real birth date last September 6. From my nuclear and extended family (including my 1-month old nephew Sebastian, son of my Ate Che) to my HP clique (Ria, MarkO and sister Mindy, Warren&Kath, Primo&Odz, AJ, and Kat) to my UP colleagues (Carlo, Liz --> thanks for the hopia Liz, my mom liked it, and Jeff --> thanks for the cake Jeff and Tin) to my high school gang (Jam, Zasha, Gale, Adrian, JC, and bestfriend Arolf) to my cousins and nephews/nieces (Almond&Karen, Beth, Boknoy, Elda, Rica, Kiko, and Ate Leah) to my tropa at home (Motel, Jep, Chester, Loist, Tarapo, Maki, Odong, Kuya Gie, JR, Mhe, Kulot, Emem, Chinnie --> thanks for all the help, and Apple) were there to make that moment a night to remember.

Videoke was the "main event" of the party, and I think everyone has got the chance to sing at least once. There were lots of booze and food, I hope everyone has satiated their taste buds and thirsty throat. I apologize if ever anyone experienced some inconveniences, especially, searching for my place here in Taguig. Next year, I promise a better party and a larger venue for a larger group of friends.

I wish, those who were present last night will still be there on my 24th birthday next year, and those who were not, will be there as well.

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"Mahirap magkaroon ng maraming kaibigan, ngunit walang anumang makatutumbas sa sarap ng pagkakaroon nito." Naks. :)

University of the Philippines Hereafter, Thereafter, Ever After

100 and counting...

As I was searching for a free downloadable mp3 of "UP Naming Mahal" in line with my beloved Alma Mater's centenary next year, I stumbled upon a fellow alumnus' blogsite where I found this overwhelmingly heart-warming post. I ask pardon from those who might find Iskolar-ng-Bayan-pride too harsh on other schools. We won't brag about our school if we don't have the right in the first place. Haha.

So here it goes...

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Last weekend, my husband received a text message which went like this: "U.P. made you in such a way, that when the world is sitting, you would be standing; when the world is standing, you would stand out; when the world stands out, you would be outstanding; and when the world tries to be outstanding, you would be the standard. Isang masaya at mayabang na pagbati sa sentenaryong anibersaryo ng UP, UPian! Pass on..." (For those who did not understand the last part, it translates to: "A happy and proud greeting for the centennial anniversary of UP.")

The University of the Philippines will be celebrating its 100th anniversary by next year, 2008. It's been 100 years of producing so many "iskolar ng bayan." Are you a UP graduate? Are you proud to have been part of UP?

I will always look upon my UP years fondly. I earned my college and master's degree there, got my first job there (I taught at the UP College of Business Administration for four years after graduating from college) -- and I even met my husband there! Education, work, family -- all of these point me to UP, our so-called Republic of Diliman, where you need to constantly remind yourself that with freedom, comes great responsibility. =)

I really liked the text that I shared with you earlier. After reading it, I told my husband: "Ang galing naman. Sino kaya gumawa?" ("I wonder who made that text.") My husband replied: "Ewan ko, taga-Ateneo daw." ("I don't know. They say someone from Ateneo.")

Well, that was a joke but Ateneo is a good school too. =) My bet is that someone from Globe or Smart thought about it -- to increase their revenues from SMS. Would you know if there's a creative team in either company which just comes up with jokes or interesting messages that people will want to forward? That must be one fun job.

[By Angelica Viloria Wednesday, July 18, 2007]