10 signs that YOU ARE A TRUE BLOODED THOMASIAN!

Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas. Ang pinakamatandang unibersidad sa Asya. Ito ang pamantasan na pinakamamahal nating lahat. Maraming tinatanggap na mag-aaral ngunit sobrang hirap makagraduate. OO nakapasa ka nga pero masasabi mo ba na ikaw ay true blooded Thomasian? Naranasan mo na ba ang ilan sa mga ito para masabi mo na ikaw ay #PROUDTHOMASIAN?

1. UST ID PICTURE. 

Tunay kang Tomasino kung ikaw ay biktima ng pagiging haggard  sa ID picture mo. Yung pagkatapos mo magenroll nung 1st year ka bigla bigla nalang kukuhaan ka ng picture na wala man lang ayos ayos. Ang matindi neto, gagamitin mo ito for the WHOLE STAY mo sa UST! 2nd year, 3rd year 4th year 5th year. Dahil kahit iwala mo pa iyang ID mo yan at yan parin ang ilalagay kaya naman ang gagawin mo ay lalagyan ng stickers ang front ID mo o kaya naman takpan ng LRT/MRT/TimeZone card ito pero ang madalas likod lagi ang nakaharap pag suot mo ito, tipikal na makikita mo sa mga Tomasino. :)




2. NAKAKAIN KA NA SA MGA THE BEST CANTEENS AROUND UST

Bago pa ang mga fastfood restos sa Carpark at UST GYM, maraming mga best canteens around the campus. Nandiyan ang Mang Tootz Food Hauz na palaging bago ang binebentang pagkain.Masarap ang kanilang ihaw ihaw. At syempre hindi makukumpleto ang meal mo kung hindi mo titikman ang kanilang famous BANANARAMA!

 

Nandito din syempre ang
ALMER'S CANTEEN. Talaga nga naman malalaglag ka sa upuan mo pag natikman mo ang kanilang mga sizzling meals. Syempre hindi makukumpleto ang kain mo dito kung di mo naexperience ang Unli Gravy Soup nila! SARAP!

Siyempre, ang pinaka institusyon sa lahat! ang Lopez Canteen. Sa kanila ko lang natikman ang masarap na BOPIS in town. Syempre hindi mawawala ang kanilang super SPECIAL PALABOK na talaga nga namang dinadayo.








3. TAKOT KA LUMABAS SA ARCH OF THE CENTURIES

Naniniwala ka sa Urban Legend na kapag na lumabas ka sa Arch of the Centuries na hindi mo pa natatapos ang iyong kurso, hinding hindi ka na makakagraduate. May ilan pa nga na sabisabi na ito ay time warp zone na bigla ka nalang dadalhin sa ibang oras/taon sa mundo. Kaya tipikal sa mga Tomasino na magtakutan/magbiruan ng tulakan papalabas sa arkong ito. :)






4. KILALA MO SI ATE JOAN SA LABAS NG UST      
    LACSON GATE

Naniniwala ako na isa na talaga siyang institusyon ng unibersidad. Simula kinder ako na nagbebenta siya ng tamagochi at dragonball text cards hanggang nagcollege ako na binebenta naman niya ay ang paluto niyang pancit canton na ang sarap sarap. Hanggang ngayong matanda na ako ay nagkaroon na siya ng sarili niyang sarisaristore sa gilid ng UST pero ano? Ganun parin! Chestnut Brown parin ang buhok niya! Mabuhay ka Ate Joan!






5. NAKABILI KA SA PINAKASIKAT NA SI ATE YEMA!

 Isa sa mga local UST celebrities ay si ate Kaye o Ate Yema in short! Ang kanyang famous line? "Hi guys, would you like to buy some yema, chocolate pastillas, food for the gods, oatmeal cookies or the special homemade pulvoron? It's the best pulvoron you'll ever taste in town." Tomasino kang tunay  kung nakabili ka sa kaniya at natikman mo ang mga paninda niya. Masarap naman talaga yung pulvoron di ba? :)


6. NABIKTIMA KA NA NG KRIMEN SA LABAS NG UST LIBRARY

Isa sa mga talamak na krimen na nangyayari sa labas ng UST Library lalo pa't maulan ay ang pangingidnap ng mga payong. Marami na ang mga nakaranas na mga tomasino ang mawalan ng mga payong sa labas ng UST Lib. Desperate moves kumbaga haha! Makikita mo nalang ang maganda mong payong sa ibang parte ng campus na laspag na at wala ng malay. Condolence brad! peace!



7. MAY KAKAIBA KANG NARAMDAMAN SA PAGPASOK MO SA RELIGOUS STATUES SECTION NG UST MUSEUM

OO! Sino ba ang hindi nakaramdam ng takot ng bisitahin natin ang mga santo at anito na nawawala na ang mga mukha sa lugar na ito ng UST Museum. Yung akala mo lahat ng mga mata nakatingin sa iyo lalo pa't kakaiba yung amoy sa loob?Aminin mo, sinabi at naramdaman mo ang salitang TAKOT sa pagpasok mo dito!




8. PAGAAKALANG SIMBAHAN     ANG MAIN BUILDING

Inakala mo talagang simbahan ang UST Main Building. O kaya naman minsan sa buhay mo sa loob ng campus may nagtanong sa iyo kung simbahan ba iyan o ang mas malala ay makakita ka ng nag sign of the cross at nagdadasal sa harap ng main building. Well di naman natin masisi ang malaking krus at ang mga statwa sa taas ng gusali


9. ISA KA SA MGA NANOOD NG UAAP GAMES WEARING YELLOW SHIRT!

Aminin mo, kahit ano't ano pa, mayroon kang kahit isang UST Yellow shirt sa cabinet mo na lagi mo pinapaplansta kay yaya, ate o nanay pag may game ang UST! Sumabog na din ang voice box mo kakasigaw sa tuwing makakatres o makakashoot sila Bal David, Espino, Duncil, Cruz, Fortuna, Teng o kaya makapuntos sila Bernal, Balse, Tabaquero, Pimentel. Syempre while shouting the most nakakahawang chant na Go USTe na kahit taga ibang school nakikitaas ng kamay! haha!

10. SYEMPRE 'DI MAWAWALA YUNG NARANASAN MO ANG MABAHA SA CAMPUS

Nakakaramdam ka na ng takot sa tuwing nakikita mo na maitim na ang kalangitan. Hindi mawawala ang tsinelas sa bag para pamalit sa sa sapatos mong may 4 inches na takong! Sino ba naman ang may gusto ng baha? Wala! Pero aminin man natin o hindi HINDING HINDI TAYO MAGIGING GANAP NA TOMASINO kung hindi natin maranasan lumusong sa baha at mastranded sa loob ng campus

CALAGUAS : The Unexplored Paradise in the Philippines

EXPECTATIONS vs REALITY. These two words are very important in choosing the right destination to escape yourself from the busy streets and polluted cities of the metro. Tired of being stress when you book a summer vacation to a place where you expected to feel relax but turns out to be a disaster due to over hyping? Worry not! There's a newly discovered virgin island that will make your stress go away and let go of the busy sched that you have. It is called the CALAGUAS ISLANDS of the Bicol Region in the Philippines.

One of the most famous islands in  Calaguas is the Tinaga Island where you can find Mahabang Buhangin. It is a long beach famous to its crystal clear water, powdery white sands and the peace and serenity that you can only experience in this place.

From Manila, you can choose 2 ways on how you can go to Calaguas Islands. 

First: You travel by land for 7 hours (from Manila to Camarines Norte) then 2 hours by water (from Camarines Norte to Calaguas Islands - Mahabang Buhangin)

Second: You travel by air for 30-45 minutes (from Manila to Naga, Bicol) then 3 hours by land (from Naga - Camarines Norte) then 2 hours by water (Camarines Norte - Calagaus Islands - Mahabang Buhangin)

Just a little bit of Warning: If in case you'll travel to experience a place where you can sleep in a soft bed, eat luxurious food, party like beach and be drunk I must say do not go there. The island is in the Pacific Ocean. No Signal. No electricity. No hotels. No bars/clubs BUT the beautiful virgin island will compensate it all. :)

Upon reaching the island, the tour guide will advise you to set up your own tent and get rest for awhile.I'll advise you to set up your tent under the small trees because the sun is too hot. But mind you, even though the sun is too hot, the powdery white sands of Calaguas do not mind it at all because they are really kind to our feet. There are also  nipa huts there that you can use as your barracks. 

The food there is not a problem if you book a package with a travel agency but if you are walk in(s) you should buy raw food from the market in Camarines Norte then you can cook it on the island by bringing your own cooking materials or borrowing from the locals there. For me, it is best that you cook your own food to experience the  true sense of camping. There are also mini stores there where you can buy your basic needs.

When we finished setting up our tent, we decided to try to experience the water of Calaguas. I must tell you that the water is very clear, no stones, corals, trash under water. It's so calm that you can do snorkling, scuba diving or just simply floating and experience the beauty of nature. I must tell you that the water is cold even the sun is hot.

While you are in the island you can take some pictures or you can do recreational activities with your friends. Frisbee and Volleyball will do or you can bring your own cards or board games if you have kids with you.

When you are done swimming, you can also do trekking up to the hill of the island where you can see the overview of the Mahabang Buhangin and the Pacific Ocean. I assure you that the view will more likely lift your soul and feel stress-free.

To make your stay more contented and happier you can also do island hopping where you can see and swim on the clear waters of the different islands of Calaguas.

On the island, there are comfort rooms but don't expect that it's a beautiful one but it is still clean and good.

You should pay:

P30 when you will take a bath

P20 when you need to poo

P10 when you need to pee

P10 when you need to change clothes inside the CR.

If you will book with a travel agency, the more persons included the more cheaper

for 3D2N P3500 for 10-12 (per pax)

for 2D1N P2900 for 10-12 (per pax)

You see, God gave us beautiful places where we can enjoy the beauty of nature. We are responsible in taking care of it and be the soldiers to protect it.

 I must say that you should take nothing but pictures and leave no trace except memories.

It is more fun in the Philippines! Enjoy! :)

PILOT BIHASA: A SILENT WORKER

Sharing my humbling story:

Im one of the thousands of tourists who visited Baler last week. While looking at the beautiful environment, I saw this man walking on the streets of Baler simply wearing a polo shirt, shorts and a pair of leather shoes. He was walking and looking at the surroundings while most of the tourists just passed by him. I noticed that the locals were smiling at him and I learned that he's a respectable person.

Apparently, the man beside me is Mr. Nelianto Bihasa or PILOT in short. He's no other than the MAYOR OF BALER and upon searching for his background I discovered that he's consecutively elected for three terms and received numerous achievements and awards for doing his job as a public servant to the people of Baler.

No wonder why the locals of Baler love him so much because of his attitude towards the people and the municipality itself. He is very approachable and down to earth person and knows how to handle his job as a public servant.

Baler is a very beautiful and systematic place. Thank God that he is at the helm on giving Baler what is due to the municipality. Sana lahat ng mayor sa Pinas ganito. Marunong makibagay at abot kamay ng mga taong kanyang nasasakupan.

I just wanna share this story at sana i-share at repost niyo rin para naman malaman ng mga turista na pumupunta doon na ang lalaking nagbabantay at palaging naglalakad sa bayan ay ang Mayor ng Baler at pasalamatan siya sa husay ng kanyang serbisyo at sa laki ng ginanda at ikinaunlad ng Baler sa ilalim niya at ng kaniyang mga kaalyado.

Best Summer in Baler!

Last April 8-10, the Araling Panlipunan teachers of our school went to the not-so southern part of Luzon to visit a beautiful municipality called Baler. We  stayed there for 2D1N. I was so excited because I never visited Baler and I never imagined that I can see in my own eyes the beautiful environment that I only saw on the Anne Curtis - Jericho Rosales starred film Baler.

Baler is known for one of the surfing capital of the Philippines but little we know that there are many tourist spots that we can enjoy and experience in visiting Baler and that's our main objective.

We decided to visit  there because Baler is the province of my subject coordinator. She said that Baler is a beautiful place that we can relax and free ourselves from the polluted city of Manila. We travelled by land for almost 5-6 hours. During our travel, my subject coordinator told a folklore old town story of the origin of Baler. She said that a great storm appeared on the 27th day of December on the year 1735 and a huge wave called tromba marina devastated an old town that was then located in Barrio Sabang. Among the survivors were the Angaras, Bihasa, Bitongs, Lumasacs, Carrascos and Pobletes who swam toward the nearby Ermita Hill.


Upon reaching Baler, we first visited the beautiful and peaceful municipal hall/grounds and take pictures on the huge BALER letters. There were different pasalubongs stores there at that time so we grabbed the chance to buy some pasalubongs to our relatives in Manila.

Beside the Municipal Hall of Baler (maybe 30 steps) you can find the historical and old church of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. In 1898, 54 Spanish soldiers garrisoned the church and made  it as their barracks and known as the last stand of the Spanish empire here in the Philippines. The church is a little bit small but it is very beautiful inside and out.

In front of the church is the ancestral house of Doña Aurora, the wife of Manuel M. Quezon. It's a Spanish designed house where you can see the different things that were properties of the Quezon family.

Located at the back of Baler Church is the Museo De Baler. It houses several historical artifacts that link it closely to the Philippines' first and longest colonizer, Spain. It also houses old letters. reports and drawings from the Franciscan memorabilia and missionaries who settled in Aurora from 1609 to 1899.

After Museo De Baler, we went to the famous Ermita Hill or what they call as the Land of Hope. From here you can see the uphill view of Baler and the Pacific Ocean. Ermita Hill plays an important role in the history of Baler. It is where the only survivors of the catastrophe "Tromba Marina" fled for safety where the entire old town of Baler was engulfed by sea water.

We also visited the hanging bridge of Tibang and Sabang. We risked our lives crossing the rickety bridge. It was full of fun, enjoyment and fear in crossing the hanging bridge. There was a funny moment there while we were crossing the bridge, we were so scared and our nerves were cracking while the locals were just crossing the bridge like nothing to be scared of. It's like they were laughing at us through their minds hahaha.

 We also visited Pleasant Valley Guest House wherein you can hire a boatman. While boating  you and your friends and family can enjoy the clear water of the river and feel the fresh air coming from the sasahan/bakawan and from the Pacific Ocean. It was an hour of boating starting from Sabang up to the Tibang-Sabang hanging bridge and vice versa


That's the part 1 of our trip in Baler. There are still many tourist spots that we will visit on our 2nd trip like the Mother Falls, Digisit, the different islets, Cobra Reef etc. We didn't visited all of the tourist spots so that we have reasons to go back and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful place.

There are different transient houses available in Baler that you can occupy. Also, I must recommend not to eat on fast food restaurants instead buy fresh seafoods, vegetables from the market and cook it to feel the rural way of living in Baler.

I must say that our trip in Baler is one of my few trips that I enjoyed most. the place is wonderful, the people are kind and hospitable and mostly, you will deeply learn and gather information about  slice of the history of the Philippines.

FIRST POST

Hey guys! This is my first post as a blogger. It's been years since i've been an observant citizen of my country. I created this blog to share my insights on the things that I love and don't love and to give insights and tips on the things and places that I experienced and visited.

It's my frustration to be a successful blogger. So i am trying to be the best that I can be to one.

Hope you'll enjoy my posts here in my blog! :)