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| The University of the Philippines Oblation |
Day 9 which was a Tuesday started out pretty quiet. I stayed home in
the morning while Larry went to work, Ninette worked upstairs, and Robynne
studied. After lunch, the helper – Vangie, had to go to Ateneo to pick
something up for Ninette, so I joined her for a jeepney ride so she could show
me where to get off so I could visit my Alma Mater – the University of the Philippines.
The previous entrance when I was still going to school there was
beside Vinzons Hall. So when I went through the new entrance, I had get my bearings
first. A lady walking beside me asked me where she could find a certain
building. I apologized that I could not help her because I myself was no longer
familiar with the place. So I started walking down the street (Osmena Avenue?) which
I knew led to the tennis courts I used to play in as a member of the tennis
team. I encountered some students doing some kind of experiment and a bunch of
kids just walking about and one of them asked me for money. This street had a
dedicated lane for runners, walkers, and cyclists, which was new to me.
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| Jeepney ride to U.P. |
I proceeded to the tennis courts and looked around. A group of 3 guys
were hanging out and talking. The clubhouse looked different and I didn’t
recognize anyone there. Then I went looking for the College of Human Kinetics
which used to be the Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation.
They had moved the building at another location so I had to ask for directions.
When I got there, I went to the gym floor. The setup of this old repurposed
giant hangar hasn’t changed much except the concrete bleachers were gone. I
didn’t see any teachers present so I went out and towards the rear of the
building where I found the faculty offices. On one of the doors, I saw a familiar
name and I asked one of the staff about her and was told that that person had
retired. She used to play guard in the women’s basketball team. Not having
recognized anyone, I left the college and walked towards the administration
building where I asked a woman who appeared to be resting after a bike ride, to
take my obligatory photo while in U.P., with the Oblation. With nothing else to
do, I went back to the tennis courts where I met a man who gave me the
impression that he was some kind of club pro or at least a club manager. He
asked me if I played and I said I couldn’t anymore because I can no longer run
due to leg problems. He remarked that I probably still had my stroke, which was
true based on my previous Nintendo WII tennis game experience. Anyway, I told
him about my playing days in U.P. and the people I used to know. Mind you, this
was way back in the mid to late 70’s so he didn’t know the people I talked
about.
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| Selfie with the Oblation |
I begged my leave and walked back to the gym, saw a group of people
playing soccer on the wood floor and a couple of girls who looked like they
belonged to a varsity squad. Still not recognizing anyone, I left and went to
Molave Residence Hall, a dormitory I lived in during my freshman year. When the
security guard asked me if I needed some help, I told her I used to live there.
I showed her a photo of my old I.D. and she said she thought it was a picture
of my son. She was surprised when I told her it was me.
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| Molave Residence Hall |
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| University of the Philippines I.D. |
I soon left and found my way to the old shopping center where we used
to go to have papers copied or mimeographed. The place is still pretty much the
same except for the mimeograph machine. There were various places to eat and
what looked like internet cafes as well as school supplies (the Blue Book!) and
places that sold clothes. It was on one of those places I found a U.P. tank top
which I bought. It felt ok when I tried it on over the clothes I was wearing
but upon my return to the U.S., I found it to be scratchy. Anyway, it’s good to
have some kind of souvenir since my varsity jacket was long gone.
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| University of the Philippines tanktop |
Afterwards, Larry texted me that he was going to pick me up on his way
home and to meet me between the U.P. Theater and the College of Music. While
waiting, I noticed a lot of people exercising on that same street with the
dedicated exercise lane. Larry picked me up and we drove home. I was spared a
jeepney ride back home and the probability of getting lost.
Later that evening, I had a hankering for a beer and went to one of
the sari-sari stores in the neighborhood. They had run out of San Miguel but
had Red Horse which I had never tried before, so I bought one of those which came
in a half liter (16.9 oz.) bottle. My first impression was that it tasted like
malt liquor. Upon reading the label, I found out that it was brewed by San
Miguel and had a higher alcohol content. Well, in combination with the volume
and the alcohol content, it certainly gave me a huge buzz. That Red Horse sure
had a strong kick. Soon after the buzz and dinner, it was beddie bye time. Regardless
that things had changed tremendously and I didn’t know anyone anymore, it was
nice to be able to revisit my past haunts during my college years.
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| Red Horse beer |
1 comment:
its president and even some of its heavily vacationed workers. Best Philippines Vacation Guide
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