Monday, November 30, 2009

Idling

I have a lot of studying to do. I have tons of assignments and exams are coming up…yet here I am idling, procrastinating. Had nothing done over the long weekend except for a photowalk, reruns of grey’s anatomy. I did some little studying but haven’t gone through everything really. I really a pain to myself. Would love to do some cramming and kill myself with stress.

I hate this attitude. I need to lose it if I want to survive.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Oblation


The Oblation at UP Diliman


To any alumni of the University of the Philippines in any campus in the country, the Oblation is one symbol, one could get attached or identify himself with the Alma Mater.  The nakedness of the man speaks about symbolic sacrifice to the country and the whole of humanity.  Aside from nationalism and patriotism, it speaks about freedom of expression, a characteristic evident in each campus through fashion, self expression, the arts, etc. and even in protest actions. 
1) The Oblation at UP Visayas Miag-ao Campus 2) The Oblation at UP Visayas Iloilo Campus

A masterpiece of the great sculptor, Guillermo Tolentino, The Oblation was commissioned by the first President of the University of the Philippines, President Rafael Palma.  Palma ordered to translate the second stanza of Jose Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios" or "Last Farewell" into a monument which has now become the landmark of any University of the Philippines Campus.
Rizal's "Last Farewell", Second Stanza

*Spanish (original)*

En campos de batalla,
luchando con delirio,
Otros te dan sus vidas,
sin duda, sin pesar,
El sitio nada importa:
cipres, laurel o lirio,
Cadalso o campo abierto,
combate o cruel martirio,
Lo mismo es si lo piden
la patria y el hogar.
- Jose Rizal

*English*

In barricades imbattled;
fighting with delirium,
others donate you their lives
without doubts, without gloom,
The site doesn't matter;
cypress, laurel or lily;
gibbet or open field,
combat or cruel martyrdom,
are equal if demanded
by country and home.
- /Translated by Nick Joaquin/ -
The Oblation at UP Los Baños

"The completely nude figure of a young man with outstretched arms and open hands, with tilted head, closed eyes and parted lips murmuring a prayer, with breast forward in the act of offering himself, is my interpretation of that sublime stanza."

Above is the exact word's of Tolentino regarding his masterpiece.  Originally, the figure was purely nude.  The fig leaf or the katakataka leaf was added upon the suggestion of President Jorge Bocobo. Katakataka plants, which grows anywhere with any part of it, symbolizes how deeprooted patriotism should be, similar to our heroes. The height of the statue is 3.5 m representing the 350 years of Spanish reign.

The original oblation is now located in the 3rd Floor of the University Library in UP Diliman.

UP Techno Hub


UP-Ayala Technohub
UP – Ayala Techno Park is the lovechild of the partnership of the University of the Philippines, the country's prestigious state university and Ayala Corporation, one of the biggest business conglomerate..  It is an economic, technology and information zone for related businesses. Located in one of the former idle property of the university, UP-Ayala Technopark is now a house to BPO companies like Convergy's, HSBC and IBM. It is also a spot for students from UP, and nearby campuses like Ateneo and Mirriam, as they unwind for coffee at Starbucks, Figaro and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or fill their hungry stomachs with food from KFC, Razon's, Seafood Island, Reyes Barbeque, Mr. Kebab, The Old Spaghetti House, Kanin Club, Yellow Cab, Pizza Hut, Flap Jacks, and Le Ching among others.  A branch National Bookstore, Bench Fix Salon, a Mac Store, Timezone and Mini Stop,  is also visible.

It is situated in Barangay UP Campus near Philcoa in Quezon City, along Commonwealth Avenue.
-o-
After going around UP, Icile and I decided to hit UP Ayala Technohub to practice more night photography.  Likewise, we decided to fill our hungry stomachs with what they could offer.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Cancellation Blues

I spent the afternoon at UP... now I have sore feet for walking around in heels.

I have to cancel my seminar class because it was intended for those having their thesis. Cancelling it was supposedly easy. I only have to have 3 people's signature before going to the registration's office.

But of the many things that would happen, I get the three copies of the form to be signed in disarray. The two bottom copies were similar to a thermal paper, that if disarrange, the mark will not be seen in the other paper. So after going all through the procedures, it was later realized by the personnel from the graduate office that one of the forms have no 3 signatures. So I would repeat the whole thing going back to the people for their most precious marks. I surely gave myself a hard time. And what was more embarrassing was that I have a classmate with me who has to deal with it too... tsk tsk!!! I surely was a pain today...

But we finished today...and will be working on getting our P1500 refund.

Small World

I bumped into an old friend today. Which was so surprising and turned into an awkward circumstance. Of course, the usual me would play it cool as if it was a natural occurrence. Good thing I was with a classmate who happens to be a friend and ex-colleague of his, at least I am allowed to do small talks..hmmm.. Small world right???


P.S. It's the person who googled his name and found it in my blog.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Finally Gave in

I finally have acquired my new baby!

nikon D3000

And now I declare myself bankrupt.

Handuraw Pizza

After Kat's persistence, I was convinced to check out her new found spot at Katipunan:  the Handuraw Pizza.
handuraw

For first timers it is hard to find the place since it is not visible from the Katipunan Road.  Surely, its customers have known its existence due to word of mouth and how great their thin crust pizzas are.  The place is shared with XBX Interactive and has only about 6 tables to fill.

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XBX interactive as its housemate
Kat and I ordered Mozarella Triangles as appetizers.  It is madeof crust triangles filled with mozarella cheese. Some of it were hallow though.  Also we add in our table a bucket of iced tea which is too sweet so we requested additional water to unsaturate its sweetness.

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Mozarella Triangles

If you would think that their food is mediocre based on my previous paragraph, stay for long for their thin crust pizza will surprise you.   To maximize our money, we thought of having two flavors of pizzas in one pan. We had Handuraw Special loaded with pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, bacon, mushroom, olives, onions, green bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese on their homemade tomato sauce and in the other half, we got Meatlovers which is topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, onions, and mozzarella cheese.  It was magnificent at 298Php. Because it is thin crust, you would get to taste the soulful blend of its generous toppings. You will surely be transported to pizza heaven...It was really a superb experience!

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2 Pizzas in One Pan: Meatlovers and Handuraw Special

Handuraw could be found at:
XBX Interactive, 2F Burgundy Place, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Tel. No. (02) 435-4361.

Their original place is at Cebu with 2 branches:
Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City
Tel. No. (032) 232-6401

One Mango, Gen. Maxilom (Mango) Avenue, Cebu City
Tel. No. (032) 416-3200

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Manila Cathedral

Yesterday was my first photoshoot with my NEW Nikon 3000D. I bought my baby from Hidalgo so we thought of proceeding to Intramuros for a test run. From Quiapo, we took a Quiapo-Pier jeep and have ourselves dropped in front of the grand Manila Cathedral.
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Manila Cathedral
Just a little history. Manila Cathedral, as it is now, is built upon the remains of its 5 predecessors. The structure was completed in 1951 and its majestique Romanesque stone carvings and rose windows topped with a cupola boast about balance of strength and grace. The four previous constructions were toppled by earthquakes and fires, and the fifth was bombed during the Liberation of Manila in 1945.

Inside Manila Cathedral is La Pieta, the original of which was done by Michaelangelo. Also it houses the Bamboo Organ, and the statue of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception which seats at the altar of the cathedral.  What was so glorious about the statue is that it depicts so much holiness.
La Pieta
La Pieta

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Our Lady of Immaculate Conception

The Manila Cathedral has been the seat of the Manila Archbishop since the Spanish colonial era and until today, it serves as the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Miss Goody Two Shoes

No bosses today… What and why in the world am I going to work? Something is really wrong with me… I am a guilt freak… and everytime I escape from work or from my commitments, my conscience is working at top notch. I would often plan out when to go away for a vacation, take a few leaves or even just go absent but just by planning, I am already at guilt. Maybe because I am not always lucky… I could not always get away with it. Or that I always believe that the system works with a carrot and stick. So while others just go skip work (or even school during my forming days), I am one of the very few who would think a thousand times before going as planned and be agonized by guilt because of irresponsiveness. I am even close to a goody two shoes. To prove all these, read through my previous post on how I forego Boracay because of class.

But really, this is the way I am brought up… My mom even knows when I do lie because as she says, I am not a good liar. Not that I prefer doing otherwise but I wish I could do away with the guilt… it stresses Miss Goody Two Shoes a lot.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Bahala na po kayo, Bro

It is nerve-racking… I have never felt at ease as I ever did in this chair for the months that I am sitting here… this is not related to work though.

I have gone to school today to inquire on enrollment. I came back with the news that I am inelligible because of a pending grade for my EnE 213 subjected.

And I am so so afraid… I am desperate to pass… I want to continue with this… I want to have a masters degree… I have forever longed this and I am not in any way willing to just let go everything…

I am just lifting everything even my professor, Sir Jun B., to the person up above… Kayo na po Bro ang bahala.