Theres a fifty percent chance (not scientifically proven) that youre not from UP and you are reading

this article to know more about the university. That or youre trying to counter-check if what you know about UP is in parallel with mine. Or youre just bored. Or are required to do so. And thats more than 100% already so you have to scrap what I told you about probability just a few sentences a while ago. But what really makes the University of the Philippines, the University of the Philippines? What makes UP, UP? I can give you 101 reasons but that would just take forever so Id give you five instead. UP has a huge naked man standing at its entrance. Okay, people know theres more than one entrance to the university but when we are speaking of the huge naked man almost stark naked at that- were talking about the University Avenue, the main and most legitimate entrance to the university. Basking in his naked glory in front of Quezon Hall administrative building, what better way to greet incoming students and visitors than The Oblation, ready to embrace you in his arms? However, I hate to break it but hes not the real deal. The Oblation in front of the university is just one of the various casts of the real Oblation by national artist Guillermo Tolentino and this is housed at the Bulwagan ng Dangal, UPs Main Library. UP holds tons of knowledge. Literally. Aside from the various libraries that could be accessed from 25 colleges in the university, the Bulwagan ng Dangal is where you should go if you consider yourself a book and information whore -you know, the type who enjoys sniffing old dilapidating books (and new ones too!) and reading amongst fellow bookworms while feeding off each others silence. The library has two floors and various rooms worth of good books and I promise it will satisfy all your hunger for data if you stop by. And maybe after satisfying your intellectual hunger, you could go and satisfy your physical hunger next. UP is the best place to go food-tripping. Seriously, wherever you go, youd find food and food-eating people and food-selling people and more food. For people on the go, the maglalako are your best bet. They are the people who go around (or sit around) selling easy and affordable bites like banana-cue, turon, buttered corn, not-so-dirty ice cream, taho, and more! Theyre everywhere, take my word for it, and you would not miss them around UP. For people on a tight budget, the green carts will always be there for you. Theyre like mini sari-sari stores scattered around UP. Isnt that great? From fishballs to pancit canton to monay to buko juice to isaw to softdrinks to candies to junk food to not-so-junkfood, they are sure to offer you something you wont be able to resist. Just down-to-earth food for the iskolar ng bayan. If you are looking to splurge a bit on your dine-out, UP is sure not to fail you either. Are you up for Japanese or Korean cuisines? Mashittas menu will blow your mind. For Italian fanatics, there are two branches of Long Island for your daily dose of pasta and pizza. You can also go gourmet on Kenneths Kitchenette and the Tea Room for more options. For old-fashioned school canteens, you can always

check Casaa and Katag which youll find to be teeming with good food and loud students. However, if youre verging on fine dining, youll find The Chocolate Kiss and ROC both located at Bahay ng Alumniare sure hits. And mind you, the writer of this article did not get paid to advertise these food places. Its first-hand, straight from the oven friendly advice. UP could be your weekend getaway. Aside from being a full-time university and a part-time food bazaar, UP also offers on the side a great place to enjoy with your friends and family during your leisure time. The Academic Oval, a 2.2km jogging and biking lane, is a popular spot in the university. Perhaps youll meet your soulmate while taking a bike around or spot a famous face like Piolo Pascual as you jog. Not everyone is a fan of Piolo but come on, that toned body who can say no? Perhaps you are thinking of a place for a surprise picnic or wanting some quiet time alone with a special friend? Spend this special time surrounded by nature on the UP Lagoon. It may not have the best reputation aka lovers lane or ghost avenue- but it wont hurt to give it a try. If not, you may want to just chill around the Alumni Center and rent yourself a bowling lane or a pool table. Just be sure to bring comfortable clothes because one thing I can assure you, its not somewhere youll feel cold. UP is not just a university, its a community. It can get real warm in UP. Im not talking about how it could get hot around UP during the summer time or how it can get cool with all the shady trees. Its how everyone could just feel welcomed and safe inside the university, unlike any other. UP does not make all its awesomeness exclusive to its students and staff, unlike other universities no pun intended. Or maybe some pun was intended. But we wont dwell on the pun. UP, with naked Oble on its front, opens its arms wide open for everyone who wishes to stay and spend time inside the university. Its not just a school running inside. Its a community, a family, a place where everyone is welcome. No matter how expensive the car you drive or how inexpensive the clothes you wear, entering the university is not entering a vacuum. Entering the university is entering life. Youll learn not only about math or science but also about how to deal with people, how to live with people outside your niche, how to live life to the fullest. Indeed, its just not a university in the Philippines; its the University OF the Philippines; a university FOR the Filipinos. Theres a ninety-nine percent chance (not scientifically proven) youll want to visit the University of the Philippines Diliman after reading all of these. That or youre insane. Or youre a stick in the mud. Or Im ineffective. But my ineffectiveness wont matter because the university can deliver in itself. And thats more than 100% already so you have to scrap what I told you about probability and just go visit UP already!