The UP Chinese Student Association is selling 我愛UP (I Love UP) Shirts! Only XS, S, M, L, XL sizes on white-colored shirts are available at a very low price of Php180. Orders may be coursed through Tasha Teh at 09176678113 or you can email her at tashateh@yahoo.com.

Today’s 中秋節, the Mid-Autumn Festival or more commonly known as the Mooncake festival to younger generations of Chinese descent. This is the time of the year when the Filipino-Chinese community are busy celebrating the festival by playing the famed dice-game.

Back in my younger/grade school days, we always play the dice game in school. But as we grew older, we didn’t get to play it anymore, but instead, we had alternative activities, such as painting contest, and other related contests and activities to celebrate the occasion.

Now that we’re already in college, in the UP Chinese Student Association,  this time of the year signals our annual event of Mooncake Dice game for both Filipinos and other interested people  and Chinese students to play the popular dice game and enjoy the culture.

Today, my Gua Ma came down from Dagupan to be with us in Manila. She brought us some Mooncake too. I love this time of the year because the supply of Mooncakes overflow — I just love to eat 月餅！

Alliance of Filipino Chinese Students’ representatives and organization leaders from UP, DLSU, ADMU, UA&P and UST left one weekend of last month for Batangas for a team building.

We did some activities, talked most of the time, enjoyed ourselves with the company of each other, in a scenic and fresh escape from the busy and hassle of Metro Manila and academic stuff.

After the weekend off, I would say our ties became stronger, and it not only benefited each and everyone who went, but ultimately our friendships extended within and among different college organizations - making AFICS even stronger.

On another note, of course, with any gathering or any activity, there must always be food to satisfy and re-energize the people, right? And so, these are the food pictures I took from the Batangas trip. Obviously, I am trying to make you hungry Well, I hope you enjoy!

Leslie’s Restaurant pics are from Gwen. You can visit Manila Foodistas for our Leslie’s Restaurant post. Other pictures are taken by the author and others from  Larraine

Triple Chocolate Banana Oreo Pancakes

Last week, to get out from all the hassle and to take off stress from all the academic and org stuff I had, I made some pancakes for Barbie, Kent, Reg, Rog and Tenai. The day before this, we were also talking about/ planning (a month in advance) of having a Japanese themed cook-out at Reg’s house. Ah, but I digress.

Triple Choco Banana Oreo Pancake really sounds yummy. But it doesn’t just sound yummy, it tastes even better. And so I experimented with what I had at home. I took 250g of Pancake mix, added 3/4 cup milk, 1 whole egg, 3 tablespoons of Hersheys chocolate syrup, 1/2 bar of crushed Swiss milk chocolate, 3 whole bananas mashed by fork, 2 pieces of Oreos crushed, 2 tablespoons of oil, and presto, you have a winner! (You might want to add in some Vanilla — as suggested by Rog) They all loved it. It was gone in an instant!

A few days ago, I made pancakes again. This time, for Tiffy and my buddy Delaney. It was just Hersheys and Bananas in the bater. It was simple yet it still tasted really yummy. I also experimented on a chocolate syrup which you can put on top of the pancakes. Awesomeness!

Asian Dragon celebrated their latest issue by having a themed fashion show and an exclusive The Mummy screening last Aug 1, in TriNoma. With an effort to bring TriNoma closer to the Chinese-Filipino crowd, they partnered with the mall and its various shops in making the event possible.

And finally, with more or less two weeks in advance of planning, BFFL was complete. First time? Also, Delaney and I did some buddy activities Go buddy!

We surprised Chris Ng and Karol Yee last Friday night at Arcadia Clubhouse. Although they weren’t that surprised because of some people who slipped or wrong texted them, we sure had a lot of fun. People from CSA (old and new), MassComm, CLC, and their HS friends went.

I didn’t know that CSA people can also “party.” Fun! But anyway, I can say that that night was definitely a “night to remember forever.”

I also can’t believe how brave and daring Sarah and half of the CSA people, who were present that night, were. Fire, Drinks, Spirits, Plungers, and all that.

Needless to say, it wouldn’t be complete without the Sober Club, a mobile bar who spread their wackiness and liven up the despedida, and even got the non-drinkers drinking. The bar and their drinks were very colorful indeed.

Tiffy arrived later, and the night became more amazing… let’s just put it at that. To Karol and Chris, best of luck in Melby!

Photos by Sarah Wu and Oliver Co

Last June 18, 2008 marked the 100th Birthday of the University of the Philippines. Celebrations were supposed to start 05:30 a.m., with the Photo-Op of the 100 Oblation poses; but unfortunately, it was canceled due to reasons unspecified. Instead, it officially started 08:00am at the Oblation Plaza, where every department, college and student were represented.

But before the official start of everything, it kicked off with the Parada Patungong Oblation Plaza (Parade going to the Oblation Plaza) with the U.P. Constituents, GHQ and QC Bands around the Academic Oval. Basically the bands, while playing, fetched all the contingents waiting around the Academic Oval.

After everyone arrived at the Oblation Plaza, we started with the singing of the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, which was led by the bands and the choirs present. (U.P. Symphonic Band, GHQ Band, QC Band, U.P. Cherubim and Seraphim, U.P. Staff Chorale and Dean Ramon Acoymo)

Right after the national anthem, we sang the U.P. Naming Mahal (U.P. school song), which followed by the singing of Happy Birthday U.P. (to the tune of “Happy Birthday to You”) after.

President Emerlinda Roman gave a speech after, on the balcony of the Quezon Hall. Being on top of everyone and commanding everyone’s attention is the most amazing way to deliver a speech, really. Nearing the end of her speech, she pulled off a “text” joke, saying that the text message/ announcement coming from the higher ups was late/ just arrived. Everyone was shouting and really ecstatic at that moment.

She later announced that as per approval of the Department of Budget and Management and signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the centennial bonus of 20,000 pesos will be released to the UP workers. She instructed all accounting offices to process the pay already. Everyone was jumping, very happy with that news.

After the speech, the newly elected officials of the University Student Council were sworn into office.

After that, President Emerlinda Roman, and other U.P. officials led the launch and the unveiling of the new U.P. Centennial Stamps.

Almost everyone was holding red/maroon and green balloons for the synchronized release of the balloons at the end of the event at the Oblation Plaza. The emcee counted from 1 to 20. After he said 20, everyone bid goodbye (and of course, wished for good fortune and a good year also) and released their balloons to the skies.

I bought a set of the U.P. stamps for my collection (watch out for the centennial stamps post later). Everyone headed to Vinzons Hall for some food and refreshments, and the launch of the Vinzons Hall, as a more student-centric establishment.

UP National College of Public Administration and Governance

More Photos at 100 Photos in UP’s 100th

Where can you find this little cute rat? ^^

Only in UP Chinese Student Association - outside AS 101, Palma Hall ^^

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