"Beautiful things don't ask for attention." A quote from the movie Walter Mitty by James Thurber (One of the most popular humorists of his time.) It was a frantic Monday and beautiful things do not happen when you are caught in a traffic jam, walking under the heat of the sun in Manila. As usual, Manila's full of truck, buses, taxis and private cars that people of the Philippines deal with everyday. So I thought that it will be a tough day for me. Finally, the clock hit 11:50 a.m and it is time to see the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) my friend's alma mater.
How to Get there
From Taft Avenue, Manila take the LRT going to Gil Puyat station for P15.00 only. Upon arriving at Gil Puyat station take the DLTB bus going to Sta. Cruz/Calamba Laguna. Since I bought the ticket at the DLTB station, it costs me P99.00 but you can avail the ticket for only P79.00. It was a 2 hour trip and during my travel, I enjoyed the cleanliness of the Southwoods Manila Road going to Laguna. I've heard that the Governor of Laguna imposed an ordinance on littering (a good law). I arrived at Sta. Cruz Shell station at 2:30 pm and rode a jeep going to UPLB for P7.00 only (I feel like an alumni of UPLB hihi).
UPLB Tour
My friend and I met at Maces Educational Store. She still had some errands so I accompanied her at the UPLB infirmary authorized for the physical examination, and also known as the UPLB Health Center (fare going to infirmary is P8.00). We then walked around Elbi campus, and started with UPLB's newest attraction called Nihon Koen, a Japanese inspired garden located in between the Thai Pavilion and the International house dormitory. It also symbolizes the bond of Japan and Philippines because of the academic partnership between Filipino scholars and universities of Japan.
Our next stop is the Rizal Centenary Carillon Tower, known as the second largest non-traditional carillon tower in the Asia Pacific region because of its bells. I was actually fascinated with how the tower was built and thought of this as the unleaning tower of the Philippines (haha) why not? compared to the leaning tower of Pisa Rome. I wasn't able to climb the tower, because they banned it. Students say that it encourages suicide and may cause accidents. The movie of Angelica Panganiban entitled "White Lady", was shot here. Carla also introduced to me the Fertility tree located near the tower, where lovers play around. It has low branches which gives privacy for lovers. Upon my research, CCTV camera is now located near the tree and lights are also everywhere.
I also get to see the infamous Baker Hall named after Charles Fuller Baker, the former Dean of Agriculture of UP in the pre-war era. It is a beautiful colonial era building in the campus that wasn't burned down during World War II. My friend told me that historians knew that it was more of a wartime torment. During World War II, Baker Hall was a Japanese Internment camp where about 2,500 allied soldiers (Filipinos and Americans) suffered for 2 years. Baker Hall is considered as one of the oldest buildings in UPLB. Students hear ghost stories about this building.
Elbi Food
I have tried UPLB's Proben (Chicken Proben or Proven) which cost P25.00. It is a popular street food in UPLB. The word came from Proventiculous of a chicken, dipped in corn starch and deep-fried served with vinegar and melon drink or "palamig" for P5.00 only. UPLB students enjoys the taste of this snack in the afternoon and has become very popular part of campus culture.
Kim Bop Experience
We have decided to take a very sumptuous meal before going home. So my friend, together with Shiela and Maemae took me to a Korean snack bar located at Los Banos. The place was so intimate because it can only be accommodated by 10-12 persons. The crews were also very friendly and they know how to entertain their guests. What makes the food very special is the Korean chef, who cooks the food and serves it in a Korean way. The food price was worth it, which ranges from P99.00 to P200.00 only. If you are into Korean food, you will not regret eating at Kim Bop snack bar. Their food is very delicious like Omu Rice, Beef and Tuna Kim Bop with unlimited soup and many more. The Korean Chef gave us free Yaki Mandu Egg Roll with our meal.
It is now time to part ways, I left Los Banos 6:30 pm.
*Rode a jeep going to Calamba Laguna - P8.00
*Bus fare going to Olivarez (for Saint Rose bus station) - P20.00
*Saint Rose fare going to Alabang South station - P49.00
*Van fare from Alabang South station to Pag-Asa Cavite - P40.00
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| with my friend, Carla G. |
It was a 3 hour trip from Olivarez, and I arrived home safely. UPLB is not just a campus because the beauty inside of it is one of a kind, knowing that Elbi is at the foot of Maria Makiling. You can go trekking too for Mt. Makiling. The university has also played a great role in preserving our nature and I salute University of the Philippines Los Banos. A great example that "Beautiful things don't ask for attention."
My indomitable strength carried me here. Headstrong. Meditate.
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