Tonight was the first time that I walked/jogged around the oval after graduation. And it still has the same effect on me. Just refreshing.
Well, let me give you a bit of a background to my post.
I have been a dormer for the first three years of my college life. That means I walked around the campus a lot. I went out to jog sometimes, either early in the morning like 5-ish or late at night like 9-ish. I have spent some nights just sitting at the Sunken Garden. Alone. In a big group. With a friend. Na-experience ko pa na two-way yung Acad Oval!
The Acad Oval.
Malapit sa puso ko ang Acad Oval. It has been the venue of so many meaningful conversations. Friendships started through that cyclical road. More importantly, my relationships with some people were strengthened through our Acad Oval moments.
During one of my low points last year, I rushed out of CMC because I couldn't help but cry (well because of my stupid emotions) and I didn't want to be seen by my friends. I found myself walking so fast. Before I knew it, I was already in front of the Vargas museum. If you're a frequent UPD visitor, you'd know that Zorro usually stands by that area. I looked up and saw him 10 meters away from me. I started to slow down my pace and quickly wiped my tears. Much to my anticipation, I received a slightly strong pat on the shoulder (should I describe it as a semi-shove? haha) and a "ang ganda mo!" from him. Sino ba namang hindi mapapatigil sa pag-iyak dahil dun? Hahaha.
Well basically, my point is andaming nangyayari sa Acad Oval. Pero di pa ako tapos magkwento...
After DZUP signed off kanina, Chryl and I decided to walk to Vinzons. Yes, after nag-jog na nga ako nung late afternoon, nag-stroll pa kami bago umuwi! Haha.
It was a super foggy night at UP. All the cars were sporting full-on headlights. Severe ang pagkasilaw ko! After people-watching for a few minutes, sinabi niya sakin na sobrang amazed daw siya sa pagkakaiba ng mga tao na nakakasalubong namin sa Oval. Which is very true naman. Sometimes, I even create storylines for the people I see. For example, si kuya na may malaking biceps pero may dala-dalang toy poodle. Or si ate na sobra-sobra ang pagpupunas ng pawis sa likod ng boypren niya. Meron ding estudyante na nakatingin lang sa daan habang hinahug yung makapal na libro.
These thoughts made me think about my own Acad Oval memories. I remember two summers ago, after Tropang Radyo, Gen and I would feel na bitin pa yung usapan so we would walk from CMC to Vinzons (sometimes even taking the longer cuts) so that we could talk more. Usually, we did this during her emotional/hormonal days. We walk, she talks, I listen. Slow clap naman for our dynamics! Hahaha.
During my Junior year din, Kem and I had a lot of interesting and memorable conversations along the Acad Oval when we he used to walk with me to my dorm after our TV prod class (dumadaan din kasi yung Ikot Jeep doon). Back when I was still a freshie, my Kalai group always went out for late night strolls just before curfew. And of course, how can I forget about my UP fair nights! The cold UP air and the silence was always refreshing. The orange lights from the lamp posts too.
The Acad Oval is like one of my life metaphors. It seems simple, cyclical even. But there are always detours. One way nga siya, but wait, may bicycle lane naman. Pwede pa mag-jogging! Maraming taong dumadaan. Minsan tumitigil, chikahan. Minsan, sasamahan pa ako. Madalas, come and go. But you never know when you'll bump into them again in the oval. Maraming humps, pero alam ko namang andyan lang yung humps to ensure na walang nag-ooverspeeding (sa buhay), at napapanatili ang safety.
Ang galing 'no?
Finally, na break-in na rin yung jogging shoes ko sa Acad Oval. It's about time, don't you think? Sayang naman eh sariling sweldo ko na ang pinanggastos ko dun. Hahaha.
I'm looking forward to more moments and memories at the Acad Oval. If I could, I would relive almost all of them. Words cannot explain how much I cherish every single one of them.
Hopefully I'll have the motivation to jog regularly. I'll keep this blog posted!:))
