University of the Philippines — the country’s only National University.

June 10, 2008 marks my first day as a college student in the country’s premiere national university. A new chapter in my life; reborn in a new and more realistic environment.

For my first year in U.P., I am lucky to be granted a dorm slot in Kalayaan Residence Hall. This time, I’m more confident than the people of my age — after having stayed on a dorm, a home away from home, for the last four years. I can now laugh to people who brought literally a lot of stuff at the back of my mind. I can laugh at their excitement as seen on their uber-early wake-up time, as early as 4am. That day, I woke up at several minutes past 6. That time, the bathrooms were not congested already. I managed not to eat breakfast at the mess hall, as everybody did it, for a fact that I am not used to eating the “first meal” of the day.

The first activity the University had for us was the Freshmen Orientation Program. All freshmen entered the UP Theater — after assembling in an orderly manner outside while listening to the rallyists. Inside, we were grouped by Colleges. I was very amazed by our college’s freshmen population, which is a third of all freshmen. UP System President _________, UP Diliman Chancelor Cao and other UP Diliman and System officials were also present throughout the program. As centennial freshmen, we were given a more wonderful orientation with better presentations as compared to the previous batches (just an assumption). It was fun, especially seeing activists rallying up stage during the program. Another special thing is that a batchmate of ours participated the staged rally. Saya nun, first day palang sa UP aktibista na!

After FOP, the blockhandlers assembled us per block. Our block, G14, was handled by U.P. Prime. They kidnapped us for a while outside the campus for a lunch and bonding at Jollibee Katipunan. Our block was fun. With the Jollibee food, we talked and introduced ourselves to each other. I was amazed on how my tablemate recognized my name (just before I recognized myself to him) by my blog. By 1pm, our blockhandlers freed us back to the University as we still had to attend our afternoon classes.

My class lineup for that afternoon was Eng11, Geog1 and ES10. I was quite a bit late for Eng11. When I entered the “small” classroom, I saw a 3/4 full room with other students. We waited for at least 15 minutes, not until a student noticed that the bond paper posted on the board read that we do not have classes for the day. So we all left. Geog1, our prof checked our attendance and eventually released us later. ES10 at P&G room was the only subject that had a formal “intro” to the course. I love the subject as the grades only rely on 6 projects, 1 midterm and 1 final exam. All of the projects will be made inside the classrooms in groups. Yey!

My first day as a student ended by 5:00pm after the ES10 class.

A dorm orientation was also scheduled 8pm that day so all the 570 residents of Kalayaan gathered in the TV area. The attendance alone took a very long time. I happened to sit on the floor but was not contented so I asked the three girls sitting on the sofa if I could sit with them. Eventually, they agreed. Some jealous male highschool batchmates did the same so there was 5 of us in the sofa. At the middle of the meeting, I tried to ask their names then one of them asked me, “Diba ikaw si Conrad Miguel?” (Am I right that you are Conrad Miguel?). I was fluttered on how she said it. I felt like super popular. Hahaha.

Second day. Second day. Second day. My only subjects were my block subjects — Math17 and CS11.

I was again a bit late for Math17. I was wondering why most of the people in the class were familiar, then I realized later that they were my blockmates. We had a lesson in sets, argg. FYI: Sets is the only Math topic in which I got a higher grade than Wayne (our highschool batch Math Genius).

After my morning math class (10am to 11:15), I had a very long class as my next class is still scheduled 3:30pm. By 3:25pm, I left Kalai. I arrived the very far Department of Computer Science building a bit late again. I inspected that area to locate for my classroom until I saw my other cool and hip blockmates waiting outside a room while waiting for our prof, Prof Eric Tambasacan or Prof E.T. who was still on a meeting with the college dean, talking with each other. I joined the group and again we introduced ourselves to each other.

Prof E.T. finally arrived from the meeting. He opened our classroom and there we enjoyed the airconditioned room. He tasked us to prepare a statement to introduce ourselves by our nicks, full names, high school, programming background and why we chose Computer Science — then told us that he’ll be leaving the room and will be returning shortly.

While waiting for Prof E.T., our block bonded with each other. We kept on shouting G14, our block number. All of us were proud of our wonderful block, G14! G14, G14, G14.

When Prof E.T. went back, we introduced ourselves. When I introduced myself, Prof E.T. recognized the blogger in me. Weeeeee. Strike three. (Just proud that some of the UP community members have encountered my blog at least once in their lives) We kept on shouting G14 whenever there’s a null moment. The class was filled with fun. Prof E.T. maximized his timeslot and finished the entire two hours alloted to him (quite practical as we paid a higher tuition as the previous batches). I like Prof E.T.’s passion for teaching and learning!

By 5:31pm, he dismissed us. As we opened the door, our blockhandlers were again present. They were there to fetch us for G14’s acquaintance party. But before we left, we had a block head and assistant block head. I nominated Reynold Pader, the ever-energetic but fun coriddormate in the dorm, as our block head. No other nominations were filed so he won. For the assistant block head, our block handler pointed me as I was the one who placed Mr. Pader in trouble. Huhuhu.

Then the party. We had a party ’till 7:30pm. We had games such as the backstabbing in which a paper is placed on our backs and we had to write our first impressions on our other blockmate’s paper. I got the following impressions: DoTA boy (I know how to play the game; but not true), leader, ang hot mo naman… (the most correct impression, LOL), computer nerd, magaling!!!, makulit (agree), bait!, computer geek, genius CS, nerd, quiet (nagpapanggap lang po), friendly, masaya, super kulit, geek and friendly. Wow! How could they possible assumed that I am a computer geek? Uhm, not that geek maybe.

After the party, all the Kalai boys + the Kalai girl + two nondormstayer girls + one nondormstayer guy blockmates walked our way back to the dorm and led the two girls and one guy to the jeepney. We still had fun while walking in a group. Still had the G14 spirit despite the fact that we were already very tired.

That ends my first two days as a UP student. Two days, two block hangouts. For the third day, we’ll have to meet again for a non-class related matter, a concert. Our block is actually aiming to be the best block. Go G14. I love you guys!

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Random Ramblings

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The UPIS girls were super nice.

Another girl in our room also knew MCS-51 (8051) assembly language.

We have a classmate from Philadelphia High School. Not the one from Pennsylvania. Still NOT an international school. Ironically, it’s a Chinese school.

UP Prime, our blockhandlers, fed us with food.

Go G14. I love our block.

For the last two years, G14 had the best block award.

G14 rocks.

I’m writing this June 11, 2008 10 to 12mn in Kalai.

See you tomorrow G14. See you on the Math 17 class and hopefully the concert.