Thursday, June 22, 2006

Come Sit Awhile

I had the opportunity to visit the Diliman campus of The University of the Philippines last Tuesday. Let me state up front, I like universities, especially those with a pretty campus and the Diliman campus is pretty to say the least.


It very much has the feel of a park, a tranquil spot in the Hurley burley that is metro Manila. Although it is more than a park as it has an obvious life of its own. With some 20,000 students coming and going there is constant movement on its leafy streets. But there is also time to sit and think, to enjoy the beauty of ones surroundings.


One can’t help but notice that the layout of this campus has been designed with this in mind. Broad avenues with well developed trees provide shade from the tropical sun along with broad expanses of grassed areas that entice you to sit awhile.


It truly is a place where you can sit and hear yourself think if that is your disposition.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

oooooooooh... there are lots more interesting places to see in that campus! Next time you're there, try to come up to the bell tower (i think they're open at 4pm), eat at Likha Diwa, sample the barbecue near the Sampaguita or Kalayaan dorms, sit at the chapel, view the stars through the largest telescope in South East Asia located at NISMED, take a stroll in the lagoon... hehehee. lots and lots to do ;p

Henry Bateman said...

Of that I am sure Dude. I made a mental note when leaving that another couple of visits will be made in not too distant future.

Anonymous said...

the barbecue stand near Sampaguita sells UP's best tasting exotic food: "ISAW" (pronounced as "ee-sau"). you should also go to Chateau Verde beside PNB, and Chocolate Kiss and Old Manila Cafe in Bahay ng Alumni (translated as House of Alumni).

darn, i miss UP.

i think the bell tower (called Carillion) is currently undergoing renovation, so i'm not sure if you'll be able to go up the bell tower.

Anonymous said...

Ah, good old Diliman. It's been a long while since I have last walked its halls as a student. Your pictures made me nostalgic about the place.

Anonymous said...

ah UP Diliman,UP Naming Mahal! thanks for posting this. glad to know you like the place. and your blog rocks. thanks for liking our country ;)

Henry Bateman said...

Many thanks for your comments, yes Diliman is a beautiful campus and one the Philippines can be truely proud to have created. The more i discover about this country and its people the more I come to appreciate its beauty and its uniqueness.

Anonymous said...

Your photos brought back some very good memories of my UP Diliman college days... walking along the Beta Way, cheap meals at Krus na Ligas, the annual Oblation Run of the APO fraternity, many others. Fare on the Ikot jeep cost only P0.75 during my time (now there's the Toki jeep). Very glad to see your pictures!