Bean Blogs

(Three) Every College Student's Diet

2017-06-25T08:14:00.001-07:00

Everyone who's in college or have been in college knows that these years weren't exactly a stellar time money-wise.

Only got 50 pesos for the next eight hours until you are dismissed? Don't fret. You're not alone! This article exists to remind you that even though you can't really buy that Army Navy burger that you're craving for, there's still a way to make your tummy happy.

I present to you the top 4 things that every college student probably consumes on a daily basis.

1. Coffee

The cream of the crop in every college student's diet. Whether you like the taste or just like the feeling of toting around that Starbucks cup, college students have no choice but to consume a cup or two with all that papers and assignments they have to finish. Already #thesisgaming? Well, lucky you! You get to consume twice the amount you consume during your undergrad years!

PS. Do check for palpitations once in awhile. How the hell will you be able to pass your subject if you ~~die~~ get sick, right?

Suggestions: Because you're reading this, I'm assuming that you're a broke college student and don't really have the money to shell out on coffee that probably costs more than half of your allowance. For a more budget-friendly option, do check out Faroncinno's coffee. If you're reallllyyy tight on budget, 7 Eleven's coffee is available in various sizes and none of them costs higher than 40 pesos.

2. Street food

Professors who give students a 5 minute breaktime are a blessing from the Gods (even though you'll have to admit that you don't really come back in time). If you're not so lucky. sneaking out for a quick snack isn't entirely that hard. If you're willing to risk a Hepatitis infection, street food is the way to go. Do thread lightly, however. There is a reason why they're cheap.

Suggestions: Personally, kwek-kwek and fishballs are my favorite because they're able to stave off the hunger better (If you're really hungry, go for the fishballs. 20 pieces for just 10 pesos? Yes please.)

3. Lemon Water

You're probably feeling some guilt with all the unhealthy food you've been consuming. If you want to trick yourself into thinking that you're finally going to start with that healthy lifestyle you've been planning on for months/years, why not start it with a cup of lemon water? Lemon water stands have been popping up everywhere recently and I'm sure it's not that hard to find one near your university.

Suggestions: Well... none really. Before I graduated, I usually just buy from a stall in front of the Dapitan Gate (I'm from UST) and the taste and price (35 pesos) is good enough for me.

4. Fast Food

Friends, we all have to thank whoever came up with the cheap sub-50 peso meals from fast food restaurants. Even though fast food is cheap, sometimes it's still not cheap enough for a college student's allowance. With these meals however, you'll have no worries on what food to buy! Craving KFC? Their Flavorshots are quite satisfying. Jollibee? You might not be able to buy that Chickenjoy but their Burger Steak is enough to quiet down your angry tummy. Even Mcdonalds have their own Crispy Chicken Fillet.

Suggestions: KFC's Flavorshots all the way. I don't have to explain myself.

If your hungry tummy is still allowing you to explore, do check out the various restaurants outside campus. Most businesses know that their customers will be students and would price their food accordingly. In UST, Dim Sum Treats is often the go-to with the a rice meal that costs 40 pesos (already has 4 huge siomais of your choice) and an additional 25 pesos if you want a large iced tea!

Remember that even though consuming these foods can be be beneficial to your wallet, they're not exactly beneficial for your health. However, if you have a little extra time during the morning, why not pack your own lunch instead?

Happy eating, broke AF college students!

(Two) 17 freshman memories from the Class of 2017

2017-06-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

*written for When In Manila's Internship

Task: Picture this: you finally get accepted as an intern for WhenInManila.com. Your first task is to produce content for When in Manila on Campus.

Ahhh the college life. The last step wherein you have to finally come to terms with the fact that you're already on the road to #adulting.

Maybe you're someone who graduated as this go-getter student who made it to the honor roll, whose eyes are on the next big adventure. Maybe you're someone who've spent the past four years just making the most out of your college life, partying until your first period. Or maybe you're even someone who has a minor in "Org Is Life", who wasn't scared to pursue other passions regardless of their current degree. Different students, different stories.

Nonetheless, everyone started out as that bright-eyed freshman who stutters the first time the professor calls his or her name, who fumbles around campus with the university's map on their smartphone. No matter your experiences, if you're a graduate, you may agree that it was one hell of a ride from then to now.

With that, here are 17 fresh grads who'll take you on a nostalgia trip as they look back to the highlights of when they were in their freshmen year.

1. For some, it's kinda hard to pick just one memorable event. It is a whole new different world, after all.

When I was a frosh, I survived having a terror math prof... because I excelled in her subject. When I was a frosh, I made nine good friends but only 2 stayed. When I was a frosh, I accidentally shared my kani maki to my friend that has seafood allergy and she nearly died. When I was a frosh, I went to a Happy T seshwith my crush and now we're awkward. When I was a frosh, I fell in love with my PERSEF class seatmate but he eventually broke my heart. These life experiences taught me self-growth and self love, thus all was memorable.

-Lea, DLSU

2. However, here's a wake-up call: Everything changes in college...

'Yung pinakamemorable na memory siguro noong first year for me is 'yung naculture shock ako in the first few months sa UST. Coming from a public school doon sa Cavite, wala sa mga classmates ko 'yung umiinom or nagpaparty pero when I got here in Manila, nasaksihan ko kaagad 'yun in the first few months. Sobrang naculture shock ako and nahomesick pero I got used to it and minsan, sumasama naman ako haha

- Delfin, UST

3. ...And even though you know you're here to have fun and to learn like any other student, it still is the first step to #adulting.

My best freshman memory isn't so much a moment but a feeling. I'd studied at UST before but the first time I entered the campus as a college freshman, I felt like I had entered an entirely different world compared to the small all-girls’ school I’d attended for my junior and senior years in high school. All at once, I felt the freedom and the endless opportunities that were waiting for me. I was freer than I ever was when I was a student. To be honest, knowing that I would have to be responsible and accountable for it didn’t dampen how good it felt to not be treated like a child anymore.

- Tiff, UST

4. Definitely lived up to the "College is an adventure" saying. And on the first day, nonetheless!

My best freshman memory would be my first day where I went home with my soul sister, Enki.I, being a timid geek, was befriended by an outspoken, half-spanish young lady. As we are the only people in class who live within the country's business districts (Makati and Taguig), we both faced the struggle of commuting.

On our first day, we were jeepney-hunting. We were literally running over just to have a ride. To cut our dilemma, we did it the amazon-way or should I say what a true PUPian can do.

"Nag-angkas" kami and we honestly enjoyed the whole ride from Pureza, Manila to Pasig City.

I'm not used to being observed by the public but that ride surely is worth the try.

That's how I ended my first day at school--exhausting and fun. In the end, it's just a matter of perspective.

- Clars, PUP

5. Who said field trips are for primary and secondary schools only?

Ang best memory ko siguro is nung first field trip namin sa Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

Kasi nung time na yun first ever field trip ko siya sa buhay ko tas naexperience ko na ata lahat ng pwede maexperience. Like una masaya smooth sailing tas bigla umulan ng super lakas tas basang basa kami tas yung friends mo obvious na love ka nila kasi minamake sure nila na ayos ka lang. Ang daming food and kantahan otw, may mga ipinaglaban para makuha yung gusto, may mga nalate din tas yung tulog lahat pauwi. Yun yung best siguro haha parang crash course ng field trip :))

- Arianne, UST

6. Every school has their own "pasabog" when it comes to welcoming their freshmen...

Every year, the University Student Government holds an event for frosh blocks as a way to welcome them to DLSU. During my first year in college, blocks were asked to recreate movie trailers, as well as to perform during the event. My block won first prize, and we were awarded a trophy and a cake.

- Shayne, DLSU

7. Sorta like your initiation to your new school...

The are a lot of great memories in college, but as a Bedan, I think it would have to be the Bedan Integration or known as the "Red Baptism." It's like an initiation rites of a freshman student, organized and handled by the upperclass men as a welcome to the new breed of Bedans. As they say, you will not be a "legit" bedan if you don't experience this "Red Baptism.". The Integration rites is definitely something, I won't forget, ever.

- Luis, San Beda

8. ...and it never fails at becoming one of the highlights of a student's college life.

Best memory ko in college is when i was in first year and first time kong magcelebrate ng Accountancy Week. Maraming activities but my favorite part is ung sabay sabay kaming nagpalipad ng balloons which is hudyat nung pagsisimula nung event. Favorite ko siya kasi as for me, nung paliparin ko ung balloon, sign yun na someday makakalipad din ako at maaabot ko din yung mga dreams ko

Totoo yan

- Marisa, PUP

9. And once in awhile...

I remember San Beda victory party (basketball, NCAA). Many alumni and outsiders were there. We were singing the school hymn around this big bonfire. It was nostalgic kasi ang strong ng school spirit and passion nila for the games. I met new friends from other courses. It was really fun.

- Jessica, San Beda

10. ...a little party never hurts.

If I were to pick the best one, perhaps I'd say it's when I attended my first College Christmas Ball. Partying with new friends in a social scene you're barely used to is definitely not something you would easily forget LOL. All the awkwardness mingled with excitement made it a night to remember.

- Hazel, PUP

11. Here's to the passionate peeps...

One of my most memorable and best freshman experience was when I played the guitar in front of my batchmates. It helped me boost my self-esteem and made me more confident in what I do.

- Christian, UA&P

12. ...who you know will probably change the world one day.

Okay so I was in my freshman year. Every once in a while, I'd go on breaks or vacant periods by myself. I wouldn't join my friends even if they would do our homeworks or if they would eat someplace outside the school. I'd go to the abbey and I'd play the piano there. Surprisingly, the church caretaker never reprimanded me, since it was not allowed for students to play the piano, unless for song practices for upcoming masses.

One day, I was playing the piano when a guy, a senior student approached me and complimented me on my piano playing skills. He then asked if I could do him a favor and just stay there. He was to surprise this girl and ask her to be his girlfriend. I found it funny and weird at the same time but I agreed to play my part. As the girl, who was blindfolded that time, entered the church, the guy gave the signal for me to start playing.

I played Pachebel's Canon in D major. I looked at them and I saw the guy go down on one knee to ask the girl the ultimate question. It was like a freakin' wedding proposal cuz' the girl cried. Anyway, they started taking pictures of me, which really got me shy.

Afterwards the girl and some of her friends left, while the guy thanked me over and over again. He gave me his number and said that should I have problems in school, for example, bullies who would make fun of me, he's just a text or call away. He'd give a hand anyway he can.

- Joseph, San Beda

13. Being bida-bida also pays...

"Firsts" can either be the worst or the best.

As an active freshie, I have always been eager to learn new things. Best I should say is the opportunity of joining a lot of activities, discovering capabilities of oneself and getting out of our comfort zones

It was always fun for me to lead- in my first year I have led my classmates and joined our organization's events, seminars etc.

I have met a lot of inspiring professors and schoolmates. And of course, it is fun to explore what a typical college student does- from remembering our room destinations to exploring different food hubs in Mendiola to exciting group activities and meaningful classroom discussions :)

- Regine, CEU

14. ...sometimes not only when it comes to acads.

I can say my best memory was during the first week of my freshman year. Nasa front ako noon, medyo malapit sa table ng prof kasi bida-bida ako noon (Joke ). Yung katabi ko sa right side, kausap yung katabi niya sa right side. Eh I brought my rubik's cube with me for that purpose, na kung sakaling wala akong makausap and ma-bore ako, I figured na it would be a good thing to keep me occupied. Eh nagsawa na ako mag-rubik's :( Tingin sa kanan:she's still busy talking to my other blockmate. Tingin sa kaliwa:busy rin siya sa phone. I said to myself, "Shet. Bahala na. Kung ma-ignore, okay lang, at least I tried, di ba? "

So ayun, sabi ko kay Ate Pretty Girl sa tabi ko, "Hi! I'm Ysa." Then I gave my right hand for us to shake hands.

Tapos, ayun, from then on we became friends. Siya yung unang naging ka-close ko sa block and I became her closest friend sa block din. Kung saan ako, doon siya. Kung saan siya, doon ako. Partners kami hanggang sa last year ng college namin.

That was the very first time that I tried to step out of my comfort zone in college. And because I took the risk of being ignored and embarrassing myself, I gained a true friend first week pa lang ng college <3

- Ysa, UST

15. And finally, in college, there are these unexpected encounters with people you never thought you'd actually click with...

In my first year, I joined a small dance group where I met two other freshmen. I wasn't really expecting us to get so close so soon but I found that we had similar sense of humor and in of our earlier trainings, we laughed for a solid 30 minutes like we were high. And I remember being so conscious of that moment then like I knew those two were my people. For an anxious freshman, that was so comforting.

- Jasmine, UST

16. It may take time for some but in the end, perhaps it's the most memorable of all.

My most memorable experience of my first year life is probably learning how to be brave enough to let go of friends that I know wouldn't be with me in the long run. I was able to be independent and was able to spend some quiet time on my own. During those times I was able to somehow find myself and learn to love the silence. By doing that I was able to let my current friends find me and I was able to reconnect with some old ones. First year let me experience so many things that I never thought that I could experience and let me meet so many people from different walks of life. I guess I was able to see the world in a different perspective because of it and given the chance to go back, I guess I wouldn't change a thing at all.

-Jasmin, UST

17. Also, walwal is life. Well... once in awhile. It doesn't hurt to drink sometimes. (Just drink responsibly kids!)

Happy T with friends hahaha

- Nicole, La Salle

(One) A Slice of Life

2017-06-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

*written for the WHEN IN MANILA INTERNSHIP

When people ask me to introduce myself, the image of a cat cuddling amongst fluffy pink sheets is the first thing that comes to mind. I don't know what's with the pink because I hate that color. The others, however, make perfect sense. I am probably a cat stuck in a human's body and I often have this existential crisis on whether I really am an INFP or an ENFP.

Paradise for me is either an art store or National Book Store and I am 100% convinced that notebooks are my soulmates. Oh, and I am in love with art, particularly when it comes to mixed media and art journaling.

I do believe that I was always meant to create. Now that I am 20 and a recent graduate (read: unemployed), I'll be honest and say that I am quite uncertain of the future (who isn't?) However, one thing that I am absolutely sure about is that I am meant to create, whether it be something written or drawn or photographed.

But I chose the writing internship for a reason.

Truth be told, writing and I haven't always been the best of friends. Ironically, I was on the borderline of hating it during my college years... When I was taking up journalism. What's funnier is that I only graduated this week.

I know what you, the reader, are probably thinking. "The hell is she doing, applying for a writing internship?"

I think that at the end of the day, I would still go back to writing. I'd still be the girl you see in the coffee shop whose nose is buried in a notebook and I would still find satisfaction in tap tap tapping away word vomit on a document, no matter how shitty the laptop may be. I also I doubt that anything can beat the sense of fulfillment I feel whenever I fill up a journal entry in longhand, no matter how much my wrist is aching by the time I finish. Words are my arsenal. I often have a hard time expressing myself verbally but I find that writing it down never fails me.

Now that I have professed my 'til-death-do-us-part' situation when it comes to writing, there's only one question left to answer. Why become a writer for When in Manila?

In my past four years in college, I often found myself thrown in lifestyle assignments, whether as a writer or a photographer, whenever we have a final project in class.

No. Scratch that. I actively pursue and make sure that I get assigned in lifestyle and feature writing assignments. Perhaps it's the hidden ENFP in me, telling the INFP side that it's her time to shine since I've always linked adventure to covering lifestyle events.

This is the reason why I think I would be a good addition to the team. With my excitement with anything that has something to do with food and art events, I would hopefully be able to bring the readers on an adventure with me through the way I weave words.

Other than being a journalism graduate who has been hammered with words, words, words for the past few years, I also think I will be able to contribute to the other teams, particularly in photography.

At the age of 18, I always targeted that I would be something more. Unfortunately, I wasn't much of a goal-getter back then and doubts are the biggest cockblocker when it comes to me achieving my dreams. When I graduated, I promised myself that I won't be scared in pursuing my ~actual~ goals any longer.

I see When In Manila as the starting line to me finally living the life I've always wanted.