How To Recover From A Failing Grade

By: Pearl Susannah B. Tan

            “I got a grade of 5.” This is one statement students from other universities are proud to say, since in their academic grading system, it means having the perfect score. On the contrary, those six words are what UP students fear to utter. Even the best students in class may have already experienced getting a failing grade during the course of their academic life. Common reasons for failing include lack of interest with the subject, laziness, and divided attention. As for its effects on students, there were more difficult ones to handle such as not being able to graduate on time or worst case scenario, getting dismissed from your college. If you were to go through the same thing, would you even know what to do next? Here are some tips on how to recover from getting a grade of 5.

            Cry it all out. Don’t think that this is the weakest approach to deal with the disappointment. Crying is a form of catharsis and is a really good way to release all the stress and hurt inside you. “I can’t control my feelings so I just cried my heart out. There’s no harm in doing it anyway” shared Cel, a first year Economics student. In the end, you would even feel calmer and you would be able to think more clearly.

            Reflect and evaluate. Aldryn is a third year Engineering student who once questioned himself “Do I deserve this grade?” You may have asked yourself the same thing. Go over the things you have done last semester which made you deserving of the grade. Think about what you did and did not do. Perhaps you had a lot of absences and missed a lot of quizzes? Or your tardiness actually had a great effect on your grade? Or just like Martha, also an Engineering student, you knew that the subject had a lot of computations involved but you just didn’t have enough practice. Reflecting and evaluating your performance would open your mind and make you aware of the things that pulled your grade down.

            Consult your professor. You should have done this earlier but then, after reflecting on your performance in class, you might still have questions bothering you which you believe only your professor can answer, just for everything to be clear once and for all. Such questions would be about the breakdown of your grades.

            Learn to accept. Sooner or later, you would have to accept the fact that you did have a failing grade. But remember not to have a heavy heart when doing so. Know that this is part of the process so that you can move on. Also, recognize that you have to retake the subject. After all, you may not be alone in taking it again and you even have an advantage since you have a better overview of the topics to be discussed.

            Have fun and be wiser. “Life goes on” might be your favorite line after everything that happened. Surround yourself with positive vibes coming from your family and friends. Do the things that you have always loved doing. Be practical but still think positive. Just know your limitations and do not repeat the mistakes that you have done which resulted to the grade you once had.

             Having a failing grade of 5 cannot really be avoided once you mess up with your study habits. But remember that getting that grade could be the start of new and better things for you. “I just gained more motivation” said Sai, a student from the College of Home Economics. Learn from the experience and commit to not failing again in any subject you will have. Be the best that you can be, especially as a UP student. Don’t settle with saying that you never got a grade of 5. Instead, as the new semester approaches, aim high and get a grade of 1.

The P200 Dating Challenge

By: BARTOLOME, Angelica Mariah D.

“Ma, I need date money.” You’ve probably heard this infamous line from your brother, male cousins and male friends after doing a quick favor or an errand for their moms. But most of the time, they have to make do with what they have; a common example would be budgeting their allowance. One does not need to mope around if he finds himself in this situation. Instead, why not look at it as a challenge? Something that will really make you ponder and let your creative juices flow.

Dating has been a common activity among youngsters. It is our way of expressing ourselves with the intention of getting to know each other better. But what is considered a good date? Personally, I think good dates are ones that are spontaneous, simple and interesting. Everything goes naturally and there’s a flow of conversation. Also, romantic gestures and the right amount of flirting are important as well.

            I challenged my friend, Kirby, to go on a date with me around the UP Diliman campus with a budget of 200 pesos. Like me, he's a 17 year old college student. Knowing Kirby, he always spends a sum of money to impress his dates. Let’s see if he can pull off a good date on short budget this time.

Our first stop: the food stalls in front of Vinzon’s Hall. For 40 pesos, we had 2 cones of dirty ice cream and 2 sticks of kwek-kwek. Honestly, I have no idea why it’s called kwek-kwek. But one thing’s for sure, it’s delicious! The dirty ice cream, on the other hand, was perfect for that sunny afternoon and the uniquely local flavors were bursting with flavor.

We then headed to the Sunken Garden and chatted for a couple of minutes. It has been quite a while since the two of us spent some time together. This was our chance to catch up. Afterwards, he borrowed a volleyball from his friends who were hanging around the area. We played for 20 minutes until a taho vendor came. For 20 pesos, it satisfied our sweet tooth cravings.

Kirby asked me if I’m down for a short “road trip”. I obliged and was surprised that instead of car keys, he took out coins from his pocket. While waiting for a jeep, an insistent little girl approached us and asked if we wanted to buy her hair scrunchie for 10 pesos. I refused to buy but Kirby told me that it’ll be a souvenir of our 200 peso date challenge. Although I think he only bought it to shoo the little girl away, I blushed a little when he handed me the scrunchie.

We rode an IKOT jeep for 15 pesos. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Considering I’m from UP Baguio, he got to be my tour guide during our “road trip”. I noticed a lot of food stalls around campus and remembered the well-known isaw my UPD  friends told me about.

What’s a UP Diliman experience without the isaw? I’ve been dying to taste this isaw since I started taking summer class. We took a stop near the shopping center to grab a bite. When we got there, a lot of people were waiting in line but service was fast. I’m not really fond of eating street food but I wasn’t surprised that I was holding a couple of sticks after. The isaw was nothing short of heaven. It’s absolutely delish! Plus, it’s really affordable. We had 11 isaw for 66 pesos and still have 49 pesos left on our budget!

We had buko juice for refreshments and capped off the date by going back to Vinzon’s Hall. As with all good things, our time has come to an end. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways hungry for more. Total date expenses? 196 pesos.

Overall, the date with Kirby was memorable. We indulged ourselves with all the street foods we can get and inhaled pollution from jeep and car engines. Luckily, we didn’t end up at the hospital after the date. He somehow managed to make the most of what he had without even complaining. The date was a success and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

A Look at the Tagalog and Taga-ilog

By: Harlev Cabbadu 

I was field with empty silence the moment I set foot inside the Vargas Museum and check out their current exhibit. Understanding the concept of the “Tagalog and Taga-ilog”, was not easy. If only I were allowed to maintain an indifference to it, I surely would. That experience was like one of those that made me say: “Sana din a lang ako pumunta.” Luck, however, was not on my side. It was too late for me to replace the topic of my expository article which, after all, I chose.

Roberto M.A. Robles installed three different sets of sculptures entitled The Obelisk, The ensemble of Slabs, and A Sculptural Proposition. The sets of sculptures are all painted in white – which initially seemed to nondescript for someone like me who only gets fascinated by artworks whose presence is made obvious by its bright colors. Despite my initial interest, I mustered enough will to continue to peruse, however, insincere the exhibit. It was a good thing they give me a pamphlet at the entrance, otherwise I would have immediately left the museum, wasting an entrance fee of 20 pesos. It was a great thing that I held it with me while I was following the flow of the exhibit. It was in my reading of the gallery notes that the blandness slowly turned into a sense of subtlety. It got me into thinking about the art works presented before me, and to a certain extent help me come to an understanding, however shallow, about what message the artist is trying to convey.

 The work, Sculptural Proposition, is little hidden from one’s view upon one’s entrance into the gallery as it is confined in the farthest corner of the room. The composition is made up of five sculptures of various household items, each placed beside one another. It represents the culture of the natives who live near the river, the Taga-ilogs. On the walls behind them, the sunlight casts shadows of these figures that change as time passes by. This could be taken to mean that in relation to the Tagalogs and their culture, moving to a new geographical residence means leaving a part of their way of life – forcing them to adapt to that of a new setting.

The Ensemble of Slabs – seen before the proposition – is arranged like ripples, each taller slab alternate with a shorter one. In the exhibit, it connotes resistance to inequality, like the ripples almost appear stagnant. This inequality among the Taga-ilogs is stemmed in migration. Thinking that progress lies in moving to a new place, they leave their localities to settle elsewhere. They do this dreaming of a more “civilized” way of life. These changes are also reflected in their Tagalog language.

Those who migrated are considered superiors as they are thought to be more civilized. To resist the inferiority associated to being left in their locality, those who are left would also have to migrate and become as civilized as those who left before they did.

The artist proposes that this trend of migration will eventually lead the disintegration of their society. The Obelisk represents the possibility of the nonexistence of the society’s culture. It is a monument that only stands as a reminder of the previous culture f the Taga-ilog. The Tagalog language is fundmental to their culture. Hence, the obelisk’s base deductively represents the language Taglog.

Each of them represents a part of what once the Tagalog way of life. Together, painted in white - a color that make a little impurity stand out - to stress impermanence and salience, they represent what the Tagalog way of life has been.

 Although the exhibit contains a brief story, it consumed me a great amount of time before I understood it. I did not even understand it purely by itself; a pamphlet and my classmate were both indispensible companies to say that one-fifth of my “baon” was not purely went to waste. I paid to get the pamphlet for my topic and for the opportunity to converse with my classmate about it. I lack the thoughtfulness that the exhibit demands.

Tapping what’s Within – UP Diliman Summer Workshops

By: Dyandell Mendoza

Summer has once again arrived. With the regular school load out of the way, this is the perfect time for every student to be creative and discover their artistic side. While many may be enthusiastic about the thought of getting in touch with their inner artist, they often get stumped by a big question - How?  Luckily for the UP Diliman student, various summer workshops can answer that question.  What is a summer workshop anyway? Well, it is an educational seminar emphasizing interaction and exchange of information among a usually small number of participants. It aims to unlock and develop a person’s (possibly hidden) abilities and talents. In UP Diliman, different workshops are offered to nurture the core values of discipline, time management, intuitive, visionary, camaraderie, leadership and individualistic of those who are willing to take advantage of this chance.

These programs is a way by which UP can reach outside the campus as it is open to the general public. Most also don't impose an age limit. In in most cases, UP professors and students are the ones who will facilitate the program. In each program, they will have three skill levels: basic, if you are starting from scratch, intermediate, if you want to improve your skills and advanced,if you want somewhat close becoming a professional.

College of Fine Arts

Are you a budding Amorsolo or Manansala? Either way, the College of Fine Arts has workshops that can help bring out your inner visual artist.  They offer acrylic, oil, and water color painting programs. In these workshops, they will teach you the different techniques on how to paint – which materials to use, how to use your brushes, right blending of colors, and different perspectives.  They also have drawing and photography workshops. All sessions are conducted within the UP Diliman campus.

The art of creating is a joyous, exciting process, and they try to provide the room, space, and materials for that to happen.Even if you feel that you have yet to possess the necessary visual arts skill to produce an opus, the CFA workshops can still help you discover your inner creativity. Who knows? It might just be a matter of uncovering something that is already there.

Dulaang UP

The Dulaang UP is the official performing group of the University of the Philippines. They have acting, directing, stage movement, voice, makeup workshops. Workshop materials and culminating recitals are inclusive in the registration fee.  All classes will be facilitated by graduates of Theater in UP.

These clinics provide opportunities for emerging and established artists to interact and share tips and experiences with one another.  If you’re more of a thespian, then the Dulaang UP classes are definitely for you.

College of Human Kinetics (CHK)

          The College of Human Kinetics also hosts summer recreational programs. They have dance, sports, mind and body and martial arts program. If you’re into dancing, you can choose from any of the following genres that they offer: ballet, belly dance, hawaiian, hip-hop, rhythmic gymnastics, and zumba.  For sports, they have badminton, basketball, floorball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. They also offer martial arts classes in arnis, judo, karate, uay Thai, taekwondo and capoeira. Finally, for those who want to enhance the mind and body well-being, they have Pilates and Yoga.  All the sessions are held in various facilities within the CHK complex.

UP Film Institute (UPFI)

If you’re looking for film arts workshops, then the UP Film Institute (UPFI) is the place to go to.  They have scriptwriting, directing, as well as cinematography.  Topics that will be covered include story structure, character development, plot, and format – all of which are the basic foundation for all forms of filmmaking. They also offer Photoshop lessons where they teach you the craft of editing – effects, approaches, and animation.

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Applying in these summer workshops is very easy. You just need to inquire for more information through their numbers or email, by checking their websites or going directly to their respective colleges. Then prepare the requirements necessary. But take note, one need to inquire ahead of time as there are classes that only admit a limited number of people like those workshops in Fine arts and Dulaang UP. Lastly, you need to pay the necessary fee. These workshops range from P4000 to P7000. Although some of these clinics are quite pricey, the learning and experience that you’ll get from them will definitely is worth your money. 

From one-day workshops to a month long programs, these workshops offer creativity boosting, community building, and an extraordinary opportunities to everyone.  But out of limitations comes creativity.. Summer is just half way through. It is not yet too late to look for opportunities. You can still make the most out of your vacation.

Architectural Heritage? More fun in UP Diliman!

By: Angelina Limpin

As I recently found out, being a cross-registrant entails a lot of new experiences, acquiantances, not to mention sights to see. Being unfamiliar with the UP Diliman landscape, one time, I decided to go sight seeing around campus.  The moments that followed stuck with me – I was captivated by the splendor of Diliman’s vast architectural heritage.  A curiosity to learn more about these buildings has been with me ever since. 

So that was what prompted me to invite Hershe Gaela, a UP College of Architecture graduate from batch 2011, on a walking tour around the campus to find out what she thought were the top three buildings in UP Diliman.  Before we began, she told me that she will explaining the basic construction process, purpose, historical significance and innovativeness of each structure that she will be choosing as these will be the basis of her preferences.  With that, we began our sightseeing.

The “Bells of Diliman” known as Carillon is third on our list. She chose this for its stable foundation and system of vertical lines supporting the structure. The tower was built under the supervision of National Artist for Architecture Juan F. Nakpil, a UP alumnus. According to Nakpil himself, the Carillon should serve as an emotional and spiritual link between the students, faculty, and alumni of the succeeding generation. It is a landmark - a time-keeper marking the beginning and end of the day - and a memorial to the collective ideals of the U.P. Alumni, living or otherwise. He also added, “It will be a voice speaking to us from the midst of our campus – not from a distance.”

She then invited me to view two buildings that are on opposite sides of the academic oval. - the famous Palma Hall (College of Social Sciences and Philosophy) known today as the “AS” and the Melchor Hall (College of Engineering).  These two landed on the second spot of our list.  Gaela explained to me that if you remove the foliage in between those two structures, you will realize that they are mirror-images of one another, specifically designed to be similar in structure and volume. Both of them follow an asymmetrical design and is sectioned into two wings divided by a central lobby. Both were conceptualized by the first campus architect, Cesar Homero Rosales Concio. These two were among the the first four buildings built in the UP Diliman campus.

Gaela explains that she is particularly fond of these buildings’ long, horizontal form incorporated with Filipino elements. The standards of the mid-twentieth century architecture of Europe and the United States were also in their design. According to Gaela, this is why the doors in these buildings are larger than the usual door size used in other UP buildings – the average height and built of Caucasians are more than that of Filipinos. The wooden floors in some rooms help control temperature as they absorb less heat than concrete. This, combined with its well-ventilated design,provides comfortable spaces for students who frequent these colleges.

Finally, Gaela asked me if I have ever seen a UFO around campus.  When I said no, she asked me if I wanted to see one.  Of course, I said that I did.  She then lead me to a place near the Shopping Center where I did see a structure that resembled a flying saucer.  According to her, that building – the unconventional yet captivating Church of the Holy Sacrifice - was on the top of our list.  It was the first circular church (with the altar in its center) with a thin-shelled concrete dome ever to be built in the Philippines. The dome of the church is supported by pillars located at the sides of the church. There are no other supports that would otherwise block the view of the space inside - one can actually see the entirety of its interior from any point in it. Its unique design allows for natural lighting and ventilation to flow from the surrounding gardens outside.

The group that made this structure a reality was nothing short of an artistic dream team.  Its design and layout was done by the late National Artist for Architecture, Leandro Locsin. The religious paintings and sculptures that fill the interior of the church were done by several well known national artists.  The floor which is known as the “River of Life” was designed by Arturo Luz; the Stations of the Cross Murals by Vicente Manansala; while Napoleon Abueva made the “Ang Kukok” – the double-sided crucifix altar base. Its rich architectural and artistic background earned the Church of the Holy Sacrifice recognition as a National Historical Landmark and a Cultural Treasure by the National Museum and National Historical Institute respectively. NHI chairman Ambeth R. Ocampo lauded the church as a “masterpiece of Filipino artistry and ingenuity.” At that point, I was more than happy to agree with Gaela that the church should be number on on our list of architecturally supreme buildings in UP Diliman.

As our walking tour came to an end, I turn to Ms. Gaela and told her about an epiphany I had during our campus exploration. Students in UP Diliman are very lucky as they are surrounded by monumental works of art every day - buildings that do not only serve a practical purpose but also serve as a testament to UP’s historical past and a bold predictionof its bright future.  However, most of us never really look at these buildings to consider anything beyond the classes that we need to attend in each of them.    As a cross-registered student who found a new sense of appreciation for Diliman’s buildings, I humbly suggest that next time you are  riding a jeepney or walking around campus, try to look around you. As renowned writer and scholar Jose Dalisay Jr. once said about the Carillon, “ It is something to remind us that some things never change - love, honor, idealism, the joy and the challenge of learning beneath the broad canopy of a university life." This I think, is not just for a specific structure, but for the relevance of the UP architecture as a whole. 

The Hell Week Story

By: Malicse, Ma. Patricia Dolores D.

A generous serving of long exams, a ten-minute oral presentation, and a pile of term papers – these are the ingredients formulated by the academe to create the perfect form of torment for college students. The concoction is so mentally draining and emotionally exhausting that students find it synonymous to hell. Worse, they need to endure this for an entire week. But while the impending terror brought about by the hell week cannot be escaped, there are many ways to mitigate its unpleasant aftermath. Here are some easily manageable yet useful tips on how to keep your cool during hell week.

            Before Hell Week. Most students use the week before exams to enjoy their few remaining days of freedom. They watch movies, play videogames or go out with friends. Instead of counting the days before your imminent death brought about by the pile of exams and reports, why not prepare for it?

·         DO: Get organized. Take note of the exam dates, reporting schedules and other deadlines. Make a priority list to easily schedule review dates per subject, or even better, have study groups organized for a certain exam. Just make sure your study session does not end up becoming a drinking session.     

·         DON’T: Be pessimistic. A negative outlook will only hinder you from exerting your best effort. Pessimism will make you feel tired, unsatisfied and hopeless without even trying.  Instead of being cynical, a good dose of encouragement and self-motivation will go a long way, especially during the dreaded hell week. 

 During Hell Week. Because this week demands the students’ best intellectual performance, here are some ways on keeping them on the top of their game during hell week.

·         DO: Stay focused. Avoid things that will distract you from studying for your important exams. Log out your facebook account and resist the urge to watch the next episode of your favorite drama series. This way, your attention will be on the important details of your upcoming exam.

·         DO: Know the appropriate study technique for your exam. Computational exams are best reviewed by solving sample problems. Conceptual exams require long hours of reading and tedious note-taking of important details. On the other hand, exams that require critical thinking require time for reflection and research. 

·         DON’T: Skip meals, as it will affect your body’s metabolism. Skipping meals discourages calorie-burning as the body goes to starvation mode. This also leads to low blood sugar levels and in effect, decreased brain function. You don’t want to forget all those formula for your Calculus exam, do you?

·         DON’T: Drink caffeinated and energy drinks excessively. Too much caffeine can cause nervousness, insomnia, restlessness and irritability. It can also upset your stomach, make your heart beat faster and may cause muscle tremors. Imagine jittering while delivering your report in front of class. So, cut on that caffeine and drink water instead.

After Hell Week. At last, the dreadful week is over. This is the time to sit back, relax, and give yourself a pat on the back for the past week’s accomplishment.

·      DO: Release your stress. Some hours of fun browsing the internet, exercising or watching movies will help keep the stress down. Commence that postponed drinking session of yours! Of course, everything must be done in moderation.

·      DON’T: Oversleep. Oversleeping is also unhealthy. It disrupts your body clock and might even make you feel more tired. A healthy six to eight hours of sleep will redeem those sleepless hell week nights.

Next time you face the wrath of long exams, oral reports and tem papers, remember to follow these easy steps for a smooth-sailing Hell Week:

Stress Busting Quickie

By: Martin Paolo A. Laporga

Many people suffer health problems at a young age due to stress, fast food and a sedentary life. At the age of nineteen, I was diagnosed with arthritis (inflammation of the joints). I continued my sedentary lifestyle for some time.  At age 20, I was diagnosed with gout (usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis), hypertension and liver failure. I realized that to live longer I have to change my lifestyle into an active one. But the problem is I don’t’ have enough time to do exercises. Being a student, I have a duty to study and most of the time; I also have other responsibilities and commitments. There are, however, ways of coping with the lack of time. With simple exercises, you will be able to retain more muscle tone while burning calories.

People usually spend a long time either sitting down or standing up. There are simple exercises that can be done while standing up or sitting down but burn less calories than the usual workout. It is also used to maintain good muscle tone. These exercises include simple stretches to lifting and rotating.

A great exercise to do is the side stretch. You do it with your arms raised over your head or place it on your hips and then lean gently over to each side as far as you can. Be careful when doing this because it could your chair unstable. Repeat this multiple times a day to improve flexibility. It is also beneficial in reducing your waist line and aligning the spine.

 You can also do the arm stretch. It is very simple, just raise your hand and extend it as much as possible. There are different methods of doing these simple exercises; either you raise your arms straight over your head or raising them to the sides and to the back. 

Leg lifts is also a great way to go. At your desk, you can easily straighten your knees and lift your legs out in front of you. You can also march with your feet in place. This will exercise the large muscles in your legs. For easy calf exercises, you can raise your feet up on the toes and lower them.

 There are other simple exercises like gently stretching your neck or rotating your head in a circular motion. It helps in reducing stress on the neck and the upper back. Exercising at your desk only takes a few minutes. It will do your body and mind a world of good.

Each method works on different sets of muscles and all will temporarily increase your heart rate thus keeping your metabolism revving. These exercises help protect against carpal tunnel syndrome, poor circulation, and weight gain. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand. It is often the result of pressing your arm on desk for a long time, clicking on a mouse for hours and a combination of other factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise because it contributes many benefits to the body. One of the fundamental health benefits of walking is it helps control weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Good exercise for the legs like walking could reduce the recurrence of pain in the joints. A brisk walk can burn one hundred calories per mile. Doing it with a balanced diet should help in maintaining body weight. Walking should begin at a slow pace then gradually increasing the speed to prevent possible sprain or injury. Walking around for ten to fifteen minutes per day or one and a half hours per week is helpful for your body.

Walking up and down the stairs is also a good exercise. You can burn about 300 calories for 30 minutes of walking the stairs. One main advantage of this exercise is that there are stairs everywhere that you can use. It is also very convenient because it needs no sports equipment. Climbing stairs will exercise your leg muscles, particularly your quadriceps (front of the thighs), and your buttocks and also your abs. In addition, it also builds bone strength. It is important that you do this at a pace that you are comfortable in. Climbing stairs should be done in about 5 to 30 minutes a day to maximize results and lessen stress levels.

Remember that there is no quick shortcut in getting a healthy body. Doing these exercises may look easy but maintaining good health is not an easy task. However, it becomes an impossible task if you choose to live a sedentary life style. This is something that requires discipline and hard work. Don’t always sit around and let your body rust and get useless.  Always remember that you are the only one who can control how old you feel. The longer you do exercise, the easier they become and the best part is, you actually start to enjoy them. It’s about the attitude. It is about time to show your body that you mean business.

Food Talk

By: Toni Ann T. Santamaria

Planning to grab a burger for lunch today? We all love convenience food because it is not only a heavenly match to our hectic schedules, but it also tastes incredibly delicious. However, you might want to consider supplementing that diet of yours with some nutritious yet delectable food to keep your mind and body in good shape.

Convenience Food. This is a blanket term that encompasses all commercially prepared food designed for easier consumption. It is often portion-controlled, ready to eat, and specially packed for portability. Examples are soft drinks, processed meat, canned goods, and fast food.

Some of the most popular convenience foods in the campus include street foods, pancit canton from the UP Coop food stalls, instant noodles from the Shopping Center, and hotdogs from CASAA. They are either processed or frozen and are quickly heated for students’ consumption.

The best thing about convenience food is that they are time and budget friendly. Have you ever asked yourself why you enjoy kikiam and kwek-kwek so much? It’s not only the taste that draws you to these frozen and fried delicacies, but also their cost. It doesn’t hurt to lose 10-20 pesos for a yummy stick of fish balls. The same goes with a 15-peso pancit canton for merienda and a 50-peso CASAA sausage with rice for lunch. So why settle for an expensive carbonara or other specialties, when there are cheap alternatives and both could fill you up the same way? Moreover, convenience food also saves up time. When you need to study for a test or rush an essay due tomorrow, grabbing a Philly’s Steak challenger on the way home is always an option. Not only can it successfully satisfy your hunger, it allots you more time to do school work.

The issue with convenience foods though, is that majority of them contain little to no nutritional value because of its nutrients’ low bioavailability. Bioavailability is a measure of how readily is a nutrient absorbed by the body. In addition, these foods have undergone many processes which cause their nutrients to subside. Take a veggie burger for instance, it may consist of vegetables for vitamins and meat for protein, but once taken in, the nutrients it might have contained had already died out due to various processing, freezing, or reheating. The good news is that not all convenience food is considered unhealthy. One classic example is the taho which is a Filipino snack made of fresh tofu and pearl tapioca. It is a rich source of protein and carbohydrates and contains only 54 calories. There is also corned tuna available at the SC, which is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids that boost brain health.

Nutrition Food. On the other hand we have nutrition food which generally refers to all food comprising of higher nutritional values, less preservatives, and more complex methods of preparation. Unlike convenience food that is commercially prepared, foods considered nutritious are those that are usually freshly bought from the market to be cooked at home. They are by all means homemade; baked, grilled, and not just fried.

Nutrition foods accessible in the campus include grilled beef or chicken, sinigang, humba, adobo, and baked ziti. They are all cooked in the kitchen and sold at CASAA. Rodic’s in the SC also offer savory choices such as the tapsilog and pork barbecue. They take longer preparation time than convenience food, but don’t they taste as equally good? They are also served in generous amounts and are definitely filling.

Furthermore, nutrition food are obviously healthier. Instead of frozen or processed ones, they are made of fresh ingredients, and also have remarkably fewer doses of unnecessary fat and sodium. Eating slow-cooked meals with friends will also help you with stress and provide a better diet.

The challenge with nutrition foods though, is that they generally cost more time and money. Sinigang and grilled meat from Chinatown and Sizzler’s at CASAA cost around 50-56 pesos. The same goes with the toothsome Rodic’s tapsilog and pork barbecue which cost 70 pesos. Moreover, they surely aren’t “grab-and-go” foods; you would have to sit down over grilled chicken and baked ziti. It’s hard to keep up with this diet when you know you can avail cheaper food that take up less consumption time. But think about it, lack of nutritious food can cost you your physical health in the future.

           With all our demanding academics and schedules, we tend to eat just anything that could fill up our stomach as long as it’s affordable and accessible. It still pays to watch what we eat. Having a healthy diet is important; a diet balanced between nutrition and convenience. So why not try some of the nutritious food around the campus? I’m sure there would be something that would be truly worth your time.