Music and Life

This blog had featured significant events throughout our college life and also highlighted the magnificence of our beloved University. But I'll deviate from this momentarily and just share a valuable insight that may serve as a guide to our decisions in life... here's a two minute video that may Change your outlook in Life.

Copyright: AlanWatts_YouTube2009

Let's face it... we all seem to live a hurried life and get so engaged with our business and corporate obligations. It's time to pause and rethink what we really value most in our so-called life. Life is so darn short (and complicated), and it would be a big let down if we tend to forget how FUN this journey should really unfold. Success is not the only key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If we love what we are doing, things will pretty fall into the right places and eventually we will be successful. It's just a simple directly proportionate formula in life sans the derivatives of biases and pride. C'est la Vie!

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Those were the days...

Those were the days….

Days of blithe…
Days of forlorn…

Days of furor…
Days of fervor..

Days of misery…
Days of discovery..

What more can you yearn for?
For those days that brought us lore.

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90's Foodtrip around USTe

Remember this is the dawn of the 90’s ..no sleek mobile phones ..no cool ipods ...no public internet ..no branded commercial food centers inside the campus yet ...and only a handful major shopping malls in the Metro.
You’re simply not a “Complete Tomasino” without experiencing the following gastronomic trips (err calorie suicide? with tons of carbon footprint!) inside and within the historic perimeter of the vast twenty one and a half hectare campus ..forget the other resto’s and fastfood chains along España and the nearby Ubelt concrete jungle.. here’s some Top12 unforgettable and definitely better alternatives way back then.. ... . (drumroll please)

1. The legendary and one and only Almer’s! sizzling spareribs + mashed potato + triple garlic rice + yema (plus overflowing gravy and free “usok”!)
2. SR Thai!’s spicy bagoong rice, beef fried rice, et.al. along P.Noval
3. Fishball, squidball, footlong, bananaQ, waffle, atbp along Asturias St.!
4. Janet’s sizzling menus plus the killer banana split along Dapitan
5. Rowie’s along Forbes (for cutting class inuman sessions ..cheap cheap alternative to Mayric’s lol!)
6. Szechwan's chopsuey rice atbp. (near corner Forbes/España)
7. Quick hotburgers at ‘Varsi-kiosk’ (infront of UST Hospital)
8. The CooP and Canteen student meals (during rainy days and if your in a rush or just tired to walk!)
9. Junkfood at the Bilyaran in Dapitan (“kung anong junkfood at softdrink nlang dahil natalo sa bilyar!”)
10. Classic palabok inside the UST Hospital (I wonder what’s their secret sauce? wink!)
11. The Other Restos along Forbes (darn this memory block! can anybody help out? hehehhh!)
12. And who can forget Lopez Canteen!!! and its Hepa-scare in the 90’s!?! who cares?…the canteen is part of a tradition… nevermind the wet plates, greasy utensils, stained cups, and “name it they have it recycled combo turo-turo menu”… that’s what makes this place so unique and a logical place to eat super tipid-student budget meals!

Really gonna miss some of these places... I've heard most of them either closed shop or just simply put out of business due to the sprouting of new/branded establishments in&out of campus (sigh). How ‘bout you guys? What’s your fondest foodtrip during your USTe days? c",)

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UST's Historical 4-peat!

1993. What a year that was for UST Basketball. UAAP Season56 (1993-1994) will always remain the most memorable collegiate basketball season for most of us since this was the year that the UST Growling Tigers swept the elimination round with an immaculate (and very rare) 14-0 record and were eventually declared "automatic champions!" (thanks for the new ruling that was imposed by the UAAP Board that season). It was a sweet win ending UST's basketball championship drought since 1967. (Source:Wikipedia)

(Video Credits: Gameplan - Probe Production Inc.)

And then.. as they say the rest is part of local basketball history. The Growling Tigers further dominated the league-- for a four-year reign as UAAP Basketball Kings. The winning spree continued up to Season59 (1996-1997) where they faced (and beaten! beaten! beaten!) the formidable La Salle Green Archers for the third consecutive Finals series. It was indeed a rare 4-peat in UAAP basketball lore.

Since then, the Growling Tigers were solidly stamped in the annals of the UAAP. From 1993 to 1996, local collegiate basketball fans saw the Growling Tigers color the league black, gold and white. The 4-peat era then witnessed a new breed of raw basketball talents. The mythical roster included;

• Bal David (former Barangay Ginebra Kings)
• Dennis Espino (UAAP MVP 1993/1994 and Sta. Lucia Realtors)
• Siot Tanquincen (Magnolia Beverage Masters head coach)
• Rey Evangelista (former captain of Purefoods TJ Giants)
• Patrick Roy Fran (Talk 'N Text Phone Pals)
• Edmund Reyes (former Purefoods TJ Giants)
• Estong Ballesteros (Welcoat Dragons)
• Udoy Belmonte (former San Miguel Beermen)
• Chris Cantonjos (UAAP MVP 1995 and Tanduay)
• Dale Singson (Coca-Cola Tigers)
• Richard Yee (Purefoods TJ Giants)
• Gerard Francisco (former Sta.Lucia Realtors)
• Gilbert Lao (Talk 'N Text Phone Pals)

The UST Glowing Tigers were led by Coach Aric del Rosario (from 1992 to 2003 season)

It was indeed a privilege to witness and be part of the historical championship days of the UST Growling Tigers. Those were the days of endless parades and gym food fights. It was Pure. It was Fun. It gave us Honor&Pride. It was a special moment that binded each Thomasian. And gave us a rare chance to set foot on the hardcourt and mingle with the Growling Tiger Titans.

Go S-A-N-T-O T-O-M-A-S!

Black Gold, Black White!

Go USTe! Go USTe! ...Go...Go...Go USTe!

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"Ferocious Attack of the '93 Tigers!"

1993 was the year that the Glowing Tigers achieved unparalleled Basketball Supremacy. Sharing some monochrome highlights of that ferocious and glorious attack... Go Tigers Go!

(Photos courtesy of The Varsitarian Vol.LXVI No.6)

Coach Aric in serious huddle...

The Tip-Off!

The Great Bal David in action...

Dennis the Menace posterized dunk!

(Credits: The Varsitarian circa 1994)

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UST in Retrospect

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UST in Retrospect. Marvel on the beauty of our University through the eyes of a shutterbug. The symmetry, depth, color, and balance of each composition reveals a unique realm... providing a deeper perspective of the diverse edifices and landscape of the 400 year old University.

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"La Herencia Rica de UST"

Copyright: All Photo Rights Reserved®-flicker.com by their owners.

The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas (UST) owns the distinction of being the oldest existing university in Asia and the largest Catholic university in the world. UST's rich heritage is evident in the multitude of historical edifices sprawled over the twenty one and a half hectare campus in Manila. Amongst the notable landmarks are the baroque gateway Arch of the Centuries, the Benavides Monument which has a striking visualization of the significant vignettes in the history of UST, and the imposing Main Building which is considered as the first earthquake-proof building in the Country.

The Campus
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest existing university in Asia and in terms of student population, the largest Catholic university in the world located in one campus.
The University sits on an almost perfect square of 215,000 sq. m. (21.5 hectares) bounded by España Boulevard, P.Noval, A.H. Lacson and Dapitan St, in Sampaloc, Manila. The University transferred to its present campus in 1927 when the Dominicans deemed the Intramuros Campus inadequate for the University's growing population. The first structures in the campus were the imposing Main Building, the Santisimo Rosario Parish, the UST Gym (once the largest gym in the country), and the Arch of the Centuries.
The Campus, at present boasts a mixture of old and new architecture with the inclusion of the UST Multi-Deck carpark which houses the UST-AMV College of Accountancy, and the proposed UST Sports Complex, the 2nd Modern Sports facility to be constructed by a UAAP member school. Other new structures include the Beato Angelico Building which houses the College of Architecture and College of Fine Arts and Design, the Plaza Mayor, the UST Quadricentennial Square and Alumni Park, Thomas Aquinas Research Complex and the UST - Tan Yan Kee Student Center.

Arch of the Centuries
The Arch of the Centuries is a monument that stands fifteen meters away from the University's main vehicular entrance along España Boulevard. The Arch of the Centuries was originally erected in 1611 at Intramuros, where UST was originally found. When the University transferred to its present location at Sampaloc, the Arch was also carried piece-by-piece and was re-erected at the front of the main vehicular entrance of the University.
The original Arch which faces the Main Building was the main doorway to the University building before it was destroyed during World War II when it was at Intramuros. A newer arch faced España Boulevard, which is a reconstruction of the original arch. The Arch contains Doric columns, but is Baroque in its details. The inscription on the arch says "Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos," a reference to the numerous alumni who have made an impact in Philippine history. On the left pillar of the facade facing España Boulevard is commemorative plaque honoring national hero Jose Rizal, and on the right pillar is another plaque honoring President Manuel L. Quezon. Both Rizal and Quezon were UST graduates. On the sides at the top of the Arch are panels depicting the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of the University and of all Catholic schools.
All incoming students, as parts of their initiation rites into the University, known as the Thomasian Welcome Walk are required to pass through under the Arch. Graduates, on the other hand, also pass through under the Arch before the University sends them off. This tradition started on June 2002. a Fireworks display ends the passage and signals the party afterwards.
There is an old superstition that while studying at the University, you must never pass through the Arch until your Graduation. If done so, an event will happen that will not allow you to Graduate at the school.

Benavides Monument
The Benavides Monument is the centerpiece of a raised open rotunda at the edge of which stands several elephant statuary loaded with hanging ferns or flowering bougainvillea. Surrounded by a landscape mini-park efflorescent with the Doña Aurora, the rosal, santan, adelfa and other tropical flowers, the monument is a striking visualization of the significant vignettes in the history of UST.

Main Building
As the visitor stands by this monument, he sees an obstructed view of the University's Main Building. Massive, imposing, seemingly solid, this famous city landmark overwhelms the visitor. Unpainted and gray, bleached by the elements, the rugged stonewalls have acquired an aura of its own. It has the distinction of being the first earthquake-proof building in the country. Designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., priest and engineer, the building is composed of forty independent structures separated from each other by a gap of one inch, which is filled with loose cement. One of these structures rises beyond the level of the fourth floor to form the tower in the center of the huge box-like stone mass. A cross atop the tower rivets the gaze of the beholder. It promises the student a Christian perspective, a Christian formation. It symbolizes the University's mission to impart knowledge in the sacred and civil sciences.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Santo_Tomas
http://www.ust.edu.ph/
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Our Baguio Field Trip...

Reminiscin' Good Old Baguio....
[Check our Online Album]

"Baguio City, her pride in victory"

On all occasions, Baguio gives her best

Her beauty, climate, and fashion,

All resembling a standing ovation

At times of trial knowing no rest

Love engulfs her true identity,

Often a form of allegory,

Vested with burdens she must carry,

Expressed today with authority

No river or see pulls her into tide,

And her cool in times of heat

Remains a standard no one can beat

In this prize for infinite pride

I claim the nature of her bearing

With actions prominent to all

Let those who cling to this stand tall

And say, "Our city is rising!"

One day the world will see

Her people sent out to make history,

To bring back the plaque of glory

For others to be blessed for free

And together we shall sing

The wonders we've all unseen

In the past we thought had never been

The prosperity she was meant to bring!

-a poem by mark limpin

www.everypoet.net

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Our Angat Dam Field Trip...

Facts...Facts ..Facts about Angat Dam

The Angat-Ipo-La Mesa Dam Raw Water System is currently the major source of water for Metro Manila. The water abstracted from it is treated in two facilities- The Balara Treatment Plant (Manila Water Company, Inc.) and La Mesa Treatment Plant (Maynilad Water Services Inc.). The Angat Reservoir and Dam are located at the Angat River in San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan. The facilities were constructed from 1964 to 1967 and have been operational since 1968. They have multi-purpose functions:

1. To provide irrigation to about 31,000 hectares of land in 20 municipalities and towns in Pampanga and Bulacan;
2. To supply the domestic and industrial water requirements of residents in Metro Manila;
3. To generate hydroelectric power to feed the Luzon Grid; and
4. To reduce flooding to downstream towns and villages.

The Angat Dam is a rockfill dam with a spillway equipped with three gates at a spilling level of 219 meters. Its storage capacity is about 850 million cubic meters.

Furthermore, the Watershed has been considered vital to the City, not only because it is a primary source of drinking water, but also because its forest functions as the lungs of Manila, providing it with clean air. In 1999, AFI- Bantay Kalikasan undertook Save La Mesa Watershed Project. It aimed to rehabilitate, reforest, preserve and protect the Watershed. To sustain the project, Bantay Kalikasan, in partnership with government agencies, rehabilitated and renovated a 33 hectare portion they turned into La Mesa Ecopark. Please continue advocating the preservation of this significant Metropolitan resource. Let's help sustain the Watershed for future generations.

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Dubai Boys Reunion

Ang mga guwapings ng Dubai!!!

Ayos!!! Kakaiba talaga ang mga Dubai Boys!!!

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Inhinyerong Tomasino sa Bagong Milenyo

The Dawn of the New Year. Just like the shimmer of the first light of the year, this webportal aims to mirror the same radiance and bringforth to actuality --"The Life and Times of being an Inhinyerong Tomasino". It resonates a different insight to some of the most memorable timeline and personal experiences of being a Thomasian.

The Vanguard shall continue to be the online communication bridge serving our BsCE90-95 Batchmates and Friends. This is also a manifestation of our solidarity and continued commitment to serve and excel in this Age of Information and Globalization.

The UST Faculty of Engineering marked its 100th year last February 2007 with the theme: "UST Engineering @100: Furthering a Legacy of Excellence". Our Batch is likewise echoing that same "Passion for Service Excellence" as it gears towards its 15th year Anniversary in 2010. This is a tribute to that breed of Global Thomasian Engineers -- Service Oriented and Truly Global!

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