Top Ten Things To Do Before You Graduate From UPLB

This list isn’t in particular order. J

10. Watch a play at DL Umali.

This will be hard not to accomplish, since everyone who has taken up the GE course Hum2 has been required to watch a production at DL Umali. But if you’re not from UPLB, well, the ticket rates can go from P50 to P150, depending on how big the production is. One thing’s for sure, though, every production staged at DL Umali is enjoyable.

Dioscoro Umali Auditorium (photo by me)

9. Climb Flatrocks or Peak 2.

This is an experience one should not miss. Usually, there’s a climb organized by the UP Mountaineers, but if you prefer climbing Flatrocks or Peak 2 with friends, by all means, go ahead. Here are a few tips on what to do if you’re going up.

A.      Wear comfortable clothes. For Chrissakes, do not wear heels or slippers. Wear sturdy sneakers or rubber shoes with non-slip soles. The tracks can get a little slippery, especially in the rainy season.

B.      Bring two bottles of water. One is for drinking and the other for washing. Which brings me to..

C.      Soap and water solution. This is to ward off those humongous leeches that stick to you and never come off until you’re dried off. Not to scare you or anything. Haha.

D.      Bring an extra shirt and a face towel. You will sweat a lot, plus there’s a creek at Flatrocks with really clear water, and you will want to swim in it. ‘Nuff said. :D

E.       Do not bring an iPod. Enjoy the sounds of nature. But do bring a phone and a flashlight. It will come in handy when it gets dark and you don’t know your way back.

8. Have a taste of the famous Raymundo proven.

               Proven is by far, the most famous street food in UPLB. One can buy it at Raymundo for P15-P20, or more. It’s so delicious, even without vinegar, and you can eat it with rice. Yum. Now I’m craving.

(photo from Google)

7. Watch the Oblation Run.

                It is held annually at the Oblation grounds, more known as the academic triangle, more known as “in front of Hum steps.” Naked men from the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity run around in their birthday suits waving banners that bear political statements. No Elbi experience is complete without getting to watch the Oblation Run.

 OBLATION RUN 2009 (photos by me)

6. Sleep in the Lib.

                If you’re a student of UPLB, then you have surely taken a nap in the library during your Eng2 days, or whenever you have research to do. I always scout the coldest part of the library, surround myself with books and drool away. (I’m kidding about the drool part)

UPLB MAIN LIB (picture from Tumblr

5. Go to an org/frat/soro sponsored party.

                If you’ve partied in Eastwood or Katipunan and enjoyed it, then I’m sure you will have a whole new take on the partying scene once you’ve partied in UPLB. I highly suggest sponsored parties because you pay P100-P150 then you get rocking music, free-flowing booze and games where you win really cool prizes like money and/or shirts and other stuff. Some of the parties I enjoyed were Class Recess by the DeMolay, Unsilent Night by the UP Ranchers, and EC Gives Back by the UP Entrepreneurs.

 CLASS RECESS (photos by me)

4. Eat at one of the open tambayans.

                Whenever a fraternity, sorority or organization is celebrating their anniversary, they hold a series of activities within campus. One of these activities is the open tambayan, where they, well, open their tambayan to the student public and feed them pancit, ice cream, lechon and various other food.

Isabela Soc open tambayan (photo by me)

3. Go for a walk at the Never-ending Bridge at midnight.

                This bridge behind the Main Library is rumoured to be haunted. When you walk here at midnight, alone, you will find yourself unable to reach the other end, hence its name. I strongly suggest you walk with a friend. J

2. Pull an all-nighter at Boston Cafe.

                They have unlimited coffee along with the breakfast meals (pancakes or waffles) and if ever you find yourself needing an all nighter, this is the place to go. There are three Boston Cafe branches along the Grove, one of which is at Robinson’s Town Mall. Another is One Caldi, which is beside One Silangan Place.

(photo by me)

1. Walk to Junction to eat at Jollibee.

                This is fun to do when you’ve been studying all night and desperately need a break. You will find that walking to Junction isn’t as tiring at midnight as it is in the morning or afternoon. Do this with housemates or friends and you’ll have a blast. :p

 Cheerios, kids. Enjoy your Elbi life! :D