In 2008, my Alma Mater, the University of the Philippines, celebrated its centennial year. Everything was special in UP during that year, especially the events that were held in the different campuses throughout the school year. Being alumni, my husband and I made it a point to attend these gatherings and events. One of the events we attended was the Feb Fair held at UP Diliman and that was where I bought this shirt.
But that's just part of the story. There's a more meaningful story behind that souvenir shirt. The shirt is special because it reminds me of what UP has brought me. I owe UP a lot, not only my undergraduate and graduate education but also the lessons that were revealed to me outside the classroom.
I was part of UP Manila's Ugnayan ng Pahinungod (UP Oblation Corps). I was already on my third year and I wanted to do something more meaningful before I leave the school. The summer before I enrolled for my senior year, I signed up for the Summer Immersion Services Program (SISP) of the org. It sounded fun, plus the fact that I get to spend my summer traveling to some distant place in the Philippines for free.
Much to my dismay, I was only sent to Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal which was only three towns away from my town, LOL! Still, it did not dampen my spirit and I was still enthusiastic with the trip. I found it an advantage since it was nearer to Manila and, most probably, would have all the facilities that were available in the city.
I was wrong. It was already 1998 and yet parts of the island still lived in darkness. There was no hospital in the island and the sick needed to be ferried across Laguna Bay to avail of medical services in the town capital. There were health centers but there were little to no supplies. There were still malnourished children and mothers who do not have a single clue what family planning is all about.
My buddy and I were instantly transformed into health workers. The locals sought our help whenever there's a medical emergency. We were both 18 and only underwent a quick 3-day leadership and medical training before we were deployed. Yet, we can't let the people down.
With the help of our foster families, we went around the island to do what was needed to be done. We held nutrition seminars for the mothers and health care volunteers. We taught the children to brush their teeth. We administered first aid to a lady who had a heart attack. And before the summer ended, we circumcised over a hundred boys in the island. Up to now, when I visit the island, some men cannot look me straight in the eye, haha!
This shirt has the words matatapang (brave) and matatalino (smart) on it. It would have been more apt if makatao (public spirited) was included. I believe that, having been privileged to enjoy a subsidized education from the State, we UP graduates should do, at the very least, one single act of devotion to public welfare. May this shirt remind us of that fact.
I love this shirt! Now I want someone else to love it,too! I support the Electrolux Wash-athon Clothes donation Advocacy.
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37 sweet comments:
my first entry was supposed to be a UP related shirt din.. though not a UP shirt.. would you believe I never even had a UP shirt?? ahahaha but since that shirt comes with tibak history, ung black shirt na lang :)
and I agree with you.. we need to serve the people :)
ganda ng tshirt, parang kasya sa akin :)
Proud to be an Isko
UP Manila also means a lot to me because I am an alumni, too. One thing I regret is that I haven't had the time to join the Pahinungod. I was the typical bahay-school-bahay iska way back, plus Rob gala in between. Lol.
I also have a UP shirt, it's maroon, which I haven't worn for so long now. As usual, hindi na kasya sa akin. Hehehe! Btw, I admire you for sharing your story—and your shirt. This way, you're also sharing goodwill and volunteerism. Keep it up!
hindi ako taga UP pero kahit papaano alam natin na ang UP ay isa sa pinakamatatag na institusyon sa Pilipinas na nagtataguyod malinang at mahasa ang mga kabataan na upang maabot nila ang kanilang mga pangarap....
Being part of that program is a great accomplishment. I admire your willingness to help others in need.
I used to say "taga-UP ako," not because I study there but because I lived there (Diliman). :D I was working already then, though.
Nice! Keep up the good work and you'll succeed!
Well, i am so proud of you cousin... especially when you passed the UPCAT.. mas lalo na ako naging proud sayo... pagkatapos kung mabasa ang story mo sa blog... keep it up cousin...
Hi batchmate! I can't remember celebrating the centennial back in 1998. *i'm confused*
anywyay, i think i remember the second picture posted somewhere else, i guess in one of pahinugog billboards or maybe in one of your blogs.... hehehe.
btw, nice shirt!
Matapang at matalino...peyups eh! Ang mahusay ay ang pinakita mong angking sariling kakayahan na tumulong at magbigay ng iyong sarili at kalooban para sa higit na nangangailangan. Pagpapatunay na tayong mga anak ng Peyups ay sadyang makatao! I do hope that you still continue lending a hand to those who are in need. :)
Being a UP-ian for quite a time, I also had a UP T-shirt, but a different one. I used to wear it almost daily coz I felt so proud that "I belong". It's good to reminisce my good old UP days.
Waaah! Typo, churi naman. What I meant was 2008 ang centennial and 1998 ako nag SISP. LOL!
matatapang,matatalino & makatao-traits nang mga teacher..buti na lang sa TUP ako nagaral atleast may UP pa din...hehehe..sabi nga ni Kuya lloyd ang ganda nang shirt may extra small ba nyan?..:)
so konting halagang worth of cerealicious magkakaroon niyan hehehe
I want to have that shirt sis... akin na lang. :) Anyway, you are right. Some people think that being an ISKA is just about having the brains and being brave enough to rally... When you really get to UP however, you'd know that being an ISKOLAR NG BAYAN gives you an opportunity to really understand the issues that our society faces - and with that deep level of understanding, lumalabas ang pagkaMAKATAO natin. (UP shirt din ang entry ko..pero hindi pa ako tapos.waaah!)
Go finish it na so I can comment. :)
Nice shirt and I love the story that goes with it! We'd always be thankful to the institutions that shaped us or help us in a way define our personality. I would have loved to wear a shirt of my alma mater too (on it's 400th year) but I' too far to buy one. lol. ;)
we all should at one point serve others
My husband was from UP too and I believe that "matatalino" part. Hehe.. I really hope the younger batches now will still live up to the UP spirit.
i would say it is indeed a pre-loved shirt and i'm sure it's going to someone who deserves it. how good of Electrolux for coming up with this.
it's great that a simple t-shirt can give you a lot of memories from the past and I'm sure ittreasure yan ng next na makakagamit :)
I salute you for donating the tshirt even though it means a lot to you. Ang ganda ng t-shirt gusto ko nga e :)
I love the story behind the shirt....and the pictures too! You are one of the few persons I know with the biggest heart Mau....
Galing mo Mau! Rap is lucky to have a mom like you that he can look up too...sige na nga, pati na nga din si Alex good model to Rap..hehe! =)
it was indeed a privilege to be able to reach out to our kababayans. i hope, someday, my children will experience the same.
that is an awesome post and indeed, somebody needs to love that shirt too:) glad there are people like you:)
aw, circumcising over a hundred! wow!
i loved ur shirt. daughter gave me a maroon centennial UP shirt, small nman sakin :)
find ur link via FBU. hope u cud visit me here.
http://www.clarizzatomacruz.com
http://www.clarizze.blogspot.com
we had a similar activity back in grade school. it was just to make us aware of the world where food was scarce and education was never heard of. di ko kinaya. masyado ako affected. i couldn't eat for days coz i kept thinking of the kids who didn't even get to eat 3 meals a day. my mother had to talk to the teacher and asked that i be pulled out of the program...hayyy. so sad talaga. nice gesture on your part though, giving up something that meant so much, something that reminded you of substantial and worthy deed...
i love your shirt! shucks, all i got from the UP centennial was the one with the big UP logo. i want this!
oh, didn't know na nagpahinungod ka pala. galing!
maganda yang clothes drive ng Electrolux. kahit na type ko din sana yang T-shirt na ido-donate mo, I'm sure there's someone out there who is the very embodiment of that shirt.
It's really nice to be part of a community immersion program. ilang weeks kayo dun sa island?
bagay na bagay sayo ang UP shirt mo!
yan ang gusto ko gawin pero di ko magawa-gawa, been meaning to join orgs when i was in college pero something's holding me back.. sobrang makabuluhan ang experience na yan. at may remembrance ka pang shirt :) kung ako ang nasa sapatos mo, ise-share ko din yang shirt na yan :)
ganda naman ng story ng shirt mo... like ko din nkasulat matatapang at matatalino ikaw na ikaw sis! swerte mkakakuha ng shirt mo
Akin na lang yang shirt na yan! :)
may the recipient of your UP shirt inherited some or even a little of your being a selfless individual.....
Dropping by again from the FB comments exchange...
C5 @ 21 Days To Form A Habit
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