UP Fair leaves trash in its wake

For years, the University of the Philippines (UP) has hosted its biggest student-initiated activity renowned even outside its campuses for showcasing diverse local bands and activities and a different theme for each day: the annual UP Fair.

Held at the Sunken Garden every February, the 5-day music fest usually attracts almost up to 10,000 people (also consisting of non-UP students) per night.

And every year, after the fun and parties, after the wild gyrating of bodies into the music, the fair leaves its mark in the physical form of generated trash strewn all over the place.

This year's UP Fair is no different. After the event, which was held from February 14 to 18, some people in social media like Facebook expressed their dismays upon seeing its aftermath. Also, according to UP Haring Ibon, a duly recognized environmental student organization of UP-Diliman, this year has generated probably the most trash during the UP Fair.

For nine years, the Haring Ibon has raised awareness in taking care of the campus grounds and organizes cleanup drives after the fair through posting several pictures of the wasteland that was the Sunken Garden.

One of the current pioneers in the campaign, Jelaine Gan, councilor at UP College of Science Student Council and former UP Haring Ibon president, declared that this year's Sunken Garden is seen at its worst in terms of post-fair waste accumulation.

"Ano na UP? Ito na ang pinakamalalang UP Fair trash sa 4 na taon na naglilinis kami sa Sunken Garden," her profile post said, captioning a picture of the UP Fair aftermath, and urging people to come join in the "grand cleaning" this February 20. The post has garnered 108 shares as of print.

Although due to the collective efforts of the UP Haring Ibon and the volunteers moved by the posts crying for help, the Sunken Garden is now back to its original state, leaving only small traces of the past event.

Next February, a new UP Fair awaits. Will we finally learn from our mistakes?

Beyond Mediocrity; An Inspiring Masterpiece

Beyond Mediocrity; An Inspiring Masterpiece

A sacred horror about everything grand, said by the famous Victor Hugo.

We see and meet different people as we move on with our lives each day.
Sometimes we're struck with awe and amazement at just how far different their lives are from us yet they somehow manage to inspire us, move us, give us a sense and make us realize that we all have purpose - even if they are deprived.

Photos taken by: Denniz Futalan

Handicapped, with no hands at all yet was able to create such an intricate work of art. This certain man from Dumaguete creates this miniature tricycle figures called Pedibox which cost 500 Php.

This man learned it from the owner of digital electronic shop surrounding his area. 

Denniz Futalan, the photographer responsible for taking his pictures shared his photos on his Facebook posts.

The models are sold at the Art Workshop Art Workshop of SusanCanoy, 2nd floor of Robinsons Place Dumaguete and Ct Limit Digital Electronic Service Center at San Jose and Maria Cristina Streets, Dumaguete City.

For such handicapped man to be able to craft such refined work and give it scrupulous attention is just, wow! 

Far-fetched from the ordinary when we thought of those with incapability can be capable of doing such things. Stories of people just like this can just captivate us and inspire one to get going.

Highly a Masterpiece!

Bulakenyo discovers his home's HIDDEN TREASURES, travel post gone viral

Bulacan is the first province north of Metro Manila—so near that a lot of city-dwellers don’t see it as a possible vacation spot. But as a viral post by Louie Dimaano blown-up the social media last September, many netizens discovered that the province is rich not just in history and theme parks but also with its hidden sanctuaries of nature’s beauty.

These several pictures of mountains, hilltops, rivers and falls from his public post in Facebook garnered 23K likes and a whopping 19,500 and still counting shares!

So why it becomes viral when in fact almost everyone posts different travel destinations here on the Philippines in Facebook? Well, it is simply because those stunning places are located on a most unexpected area.

“Sa Bulacan ‘yan? Talaga ba?” as one of the comments of a Bulakenyo goes.

The mere fact that many Bulakenyos were not really aware of what their home have proven that Bulacan was once generalized to be just a gateway to the north and nothing more.

As Louie shared his travel story, he pondered about how he doesn’t know these sweet city-escapes of his hometown and how even more proud he is now that he comes to unveil the curtains by his windowsand behold a sight of a new found garden of splendor. It is.

I’m sharing you some of Louie’s captures.

Mt. Manalmon

We’re above everything else.

Biak-na-Bato National Park

What it’s like below the ground.

Secret Falls

A secret meant to be revealed.

                  “I wondered if paradise is real with enough curiosity and being outdoors you’ll realized that it actually exist.” 

-Louie Dimaano, Mountaineer/Traveller

Want to engage yourself, your family, your bffs, your other half to quick travel and biglaang gala? Bulacan is now a new place to consider. A real-quick escape from city-living and reality.

Fun facts:

• Bulacan comes from the word “bulak” (cotton), because way back then, the province had plenty of cotton plants.

• Francisco Balagtas, author of Florante at Laura, was from Bulacan. “Balagtasan”, the Filipino debate form that flows like poetry, is named after him.

• Bulacan is the birthplace of Filipino heroes Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Gregorio Del Pilar. Bulacan was also one of the first areas to revolt against the Spanish colonizers. Because of this, Bulacan is symbolized in the Philippine flag as one of the eight rays of the sun.

Reference: (NewsTV show) Road trip, Bulacan: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

Follow Louie’s next adventure through his Facebook and help him advocate tourism in Bulacan.

Wanted: Minor Hold-upper

Wanted: Minor Hold-upper

                                             Photo courtesy of Maegan Manaois

                   Social media waken up by our co-Bulsuan's post via Facebook after Maegan Pinaroc Manaois, the victim, together with her boyfriend encounter this "minor hold-upper", February 16, 2017 in Crossing Malolos, Bulacan.

               

                     They are about to attend their next class after they ate in Pandong's (near malolos crossing) when they heard a lady shouting "Ate nadukutan kayo nung batang maliit, nandon nakatakbo na". They just realized that they are that people talking about by the lady. They tried to run next to that kid, but because of traffic jam, and crowd around, the kid got a chance to get out of their sight. Then the reality punched them that just in a snap, a high-value cell phone disappeared.

               

                   Some students from the main campus of the said University, witnessed what happened so they helped the victims to find the minor and bring back the thing being stole, until, luckily, the victims themselves found out a group of children hiding in a street, recognized the minor who stole the phone get it back.

                

                  They shared their experience for the public to be aware enough about that so called Minor Hold-upper. The said post, rained of lots of comments telling that they are also victims and reminding the netizens to be always alert.

Man shot dead in Hagonoy, Bulacan

Man found dead in Brgy. Balakbak, San Pablo Hagonoy, Bulacan near residential areas last February 16, 2017.

The residents found the victim along the street near his tricycle, wearing black shorts, black shirt and barefooted.

A photo posted online by Jaymart Maala, resident of the said area earned various reactions from netizens and later served a tool in knowing the identity of the victim.

Photo courtesy of Jaymart Maala

The man identified as JM "Patak" Trinidad, resident of Balot, San Agustin Hagonoy, Bulacan and a tricycle driver.

The photo was posted on the same day and it garnered more than 300 shares and counting. It also earned comments from the family and friends of the victim. The victim was shot straight in the head that caused his death. 

We tried to contact the uploader of the photo and the family of the victim but they didn`t respond to our message.

People behind viral photo of 2 elderly holding hands shares thoughts

Picture taken in City of Naga for a group project turned viral in the social media after a known Filipino facebook page Filipino Vines with 7.4 million likers, reposted their picture that garnered 53 thousand likes and more than 600 shares and counting and even various reactions from netizens in few hours.

Photo courtesy of Jezah Mae Sulla

“My classmate was the one who took the picture then uploaded it because we had a project wherein we need to take an unscripted picture,” Sulla explained when asked why they took the photo of the old men.

She also cleared the wrong impression that the persons in the photograph are lovers, rather she clarified that they are 2 old men and are siblings who are helping each other walk.

“Yes, I’ve seen some of the comments on the facebook page, some of them are harsh, and maybe the caption made by the admin (of the facebook page) made a mistake, but if they would see ours (caption) they might be touched," Sulla stated. 

She also said that the facebook page was given the go signal to repost their picture, for one of her group mates shared it to that facebook page that made their group’s photo go viral, she even added that she is happy that their photo shared on Valentine’s Day reflected that it isn’t only for lovers but also for siblings too, but also states that people getting the wrong idea of their photograph makes her a bit sad.