Deb Soc Orientation

Join us this Thursday at Ristretto Cafe 7pm for our first wave orientation. If you are interested in joining a worthwhile org, it's the place to be. Deepen your thinking and be critical in your thoughts. We do not clamor for argument's sake, we constructively analyze every possible perspective. 

Disclaimer: We are NOT a friendship org. We are a professional org.

Minions on Desk

©darrengarcia

I heard that stocks are almost out, and I'm very fortunate to buy a pair of minions. Now I know why the demand is sky-rocketing...these toys just explode in cuteness.

Pesky Seatmate

©darrengarcia

Have you ever had a seatmate who's deeply immersed at playing mischievous pranks? Well I have. From my freshmen year 'til sophomore, my classmate has been messing with my class notes.

Freshmen class:

He wrote scribbles on my notebook. A page was filled with senseless writings. I wrote something to remind me who did the nonsensical figures. One time, he borrowed my notes and when it came back...he inserted the word "handsome" and filled the whole page with his name on it.

Sophomore class:

He asked me if he could copy some answers that I took note of. This morning, when I was about to answer #18, I saw the line "darren's fat". I dunno what to feel, either be outraged (not to mention that it was a worksheet) or be a sport and just laugh it off.

Go Bald's resto

©darrengarcia

©darrengarcia

I was one of the first few people to try this new food stop. It's not yet open but it accommodated us nonetheless. It serves really good food at reasonable price; though I might say that some UP students might find it somewhat expensive for a single meal. I had to buy extra rice to be truly satisfied. 

They have cool gimmick by the way... There's this challenge where you have to consume 3 glasses of iced tea, 6 layers of pancake, scrambled eggs, and a couple of bacon in just 7 min. It's free if you succeed, otherwise you have to pay 200php for the meal. Too bad, the guy I saw failed. I really think that it was the 3 giant glasses of iced tea that made it difficult to finish the challenge.

Rice Escapade

©darrengarcia

People think that what I mainly do at school is plant trees and crops. Actually, last thursday was my first time to ever step on the mud and sow rice. Before we did that, someone explained to us how to do it properly. I didn't expect that it was that complicated.

©darrengarcia

Everyone was given a chance to plant 5 rows of rice across half the field. It was fun but tiring since the sun was directly above us. I felt that even a 2-min exposure could already tan you.

©darrengarcia

Unfortunately, not everyone had a good experience. One of my classmate fell flat at her bottom on the water-soaked clay. Sadly, she doesn't have extra clothes, she doesn't stay at a dorm, and most of all...she has a next class right after. Oh well, good thing, UP students don't evaluate people based on outward appearances.

©darrengarcia

From clean white feet to farmer-like feet. It was an instant clay foot spa plus tadpoles plus scorching heat plus smelly poop-ish atmosphere . The best thing about that was that it's free. All in all, it was an experience that highlights my "planting career". 

Sweet Stop

©darrengarcia

I am currently working as a student assistant to gain familiarity with the reality of work. The income is very negligible, 30/hour wouldn't really be enough to live on. 

Before going on my job, I bought some pastries to keep me alert and full. It's just somewhat ironic that the bread actually costs more than what I'll earn for that particular hour. It's actually not about the salary that everyone should be up to when starting, it's all about observing the sweetness, as well as the gore, of real-life jobs.

Cattle Mechanics

©darrengarcia

Earlier today, I encountered some of the tools used to prep up cattles. I am totally enjoying most of my subjects this sem. Almost all are focused on the business aspect of each matter. I am intricately heeding on minute details that can give me ideas on what I kind of business opportunities I can embark on someday.

A Way to Throw a Party

©darrengarcia

©darrengarcia

I spent my whole Saturday on a party...But it's not a typical party, it's a kind that is worthwhile. I had an interaction with children that are crime offenders, sexually abused, and abandoned. I am able to impart enlightening ideas to them; but beyond that, I realized how fortunate and guided I am. Knowing that I am privileged, was one of the best things I learned. It was not a matter of "who has what", but it's more of "who gives what". 

Life is not measured by your possession...it's what you do with it that counts. What's the point of accruing a collection of highly-valued materials

©darrengarcia

©darrengarcia

One of the highlights of my experience was when I challenged their dreams. I asked what aspirations. One said he wants to be a driver, a jeepney driver to be specific. When I told them they have to raise the bar because we have an UNLIMITED God, the next kid told me he wants to be a mayor someday. I'm looking forward to see that kid take that mayoral position, I might even help him campaign if that happens...

Last Group Standing

©darrengarcia

Last friday, we were the last to vacate the center. I wonder, it's either we were blocked by the chairs which is why the guard didn't see us or it's just that we were simply allowed to stay. Whatever the reason is, it was plainly awesome. Silence casts the auditorium and the eerie echo baffled our ears.

Thursday Night = LB Gala Night

©darrengarcia

At UPLB, thursday nights are student's night out. One reason why it's on thursday is that most students go back to their province/city on friday. Well, instead of going elsewhere I invited some of my friends to a youth service. I don't have serious plans of converting their religions, I just simply want them to operate on a life based on similar principle's as mine. I'm not saying that I have a astounding principles, I just got them from my mentors as well.

As what we've learned from the service...YOU HAVE TO HAVE VISION/STAND/PRINCIPLE, OR SOMEONE ELSE WILL DO IT FOR YOU. In place with diverse ideologies like UP, one has to be founded on a strong conviction; if not, he'd be likely to be swayed by radical and mostly nonsensical thoughts.

Farm-ology

©darrengarcia

©darrengarcia

YES, I'm a naive Manilenyo in a province. It's my first time to see a tractor and other farming tools. I was amazed to see these things LIVE. I only used to see them on cartoons. Next activity on our calendar will be planting. In contrary to what most people think, I DON'T PLANT PLANTS IN UPLB (in fact, I haven't even dug a hole yet). It will be my first time next week to plant, hopefully it will be a memorable one.

Official

©darrengarcia

NOW AN OFFICIAL UP STUDENT AGAIN. 

At Marikina on Wednesday

©darrengarcia

Don't mind the date on the corner, it was just shot this afternoon.I passed by the bridge as I headed to Cubao, and the water level was just normal. I had to go back to Marikina to fix some things. Good thing we don't have classes at Laguna since it's Rizal's birthday. 

 I had a great time with my mom again, and I hope she had one too (even if her wallet was emptied by my hefty demands). No picture of us, just the place we ate lunch. Oh well, this will do. 3 stars for ChickenCharlie, the menu and other paraphernalia are similar to bon chon's though.

©darrengarcia

Newbie training

©darrengarcia

Last night, before I went back to Manila we had a personal training with a graduating debate-expert. I have to learn the ABC's of debating just so I could be like them SOON.

Last day of Summer Break

©darrengarcia

Before classes start...we went to banapple for brunch then ate a grandiose McDo meal for dinner. I feel truly blessed for having the privilege to eat scrumptious food; thousands of people barely have a single meal for a day.

Volunteer for Christafari

©darrengarcia

My friend picked me up at around 7am and I got home at around 12 am. It was really an exhausting day. There were numerous untoward incidents that happened before the event, but God made a way. (Whole story to follow)

LB trip with my mom

©darrengarcia
Los Baños' trademark— buko pie

Had a day with my mom at LB. Now she knows how difficult life is in UP (especially the walking part). I really have to rewire my brain to eat less in preparation for another sem, my mom just made my tummy bloat again. 

Cheers at 19th

photo from Eler Santos

I was almost 2hrs late for our small group, but at least I was still on time to greet the birthday boy and attend his celebration. Yesterday we were just sunday school kiddos, and now we're all growing old. Now, I feel and see the humor behind the "being old" jokes.

IGNITE 2013 Experience

©darrengarcia
BUS #5--best bus

©darrengarcia
Awesome Vgroup (w/o our leader in the pic)

The whole event was a blast. Not only was it entertaining, but it also brought revelations, provisions, and enlightenment to everyone. It's just amazing to have fellowship with these men and women from all around the Philippines and even from other nations. 

From Day 1-3, the gospel was taught to us through different characters in the bible which resembles our stages and places in life right now. Truly, there's no other better way to reflect ourselves than to read directly from His word.

Campus Pride Night (Ignite 2013)

©darrengarcia

The university...a place where most people form the values of society. A place where most powerful leaders come from. A place now infected with diverse and distorted ideologies. A place that needs to be changed.

The challenge is on. With over hundreds of students from UP which almost dominated the arena, I am expectant that the battle for revolution is about to begin.