What’s New Baguio?

It’s definitely winter here in Baguio – minus the snow of course. Last night, I had trouble sleeping despite the newly bought uber thick comforter. I even wore a bonnet, a thick jacket and socks, but still, the cold is unbearable. As a matter of fact, I didn’t want to get out of bed, or even take a bath, hehehe.. According to PAGASA, the lowest temperature recorded for this season is at 11.8 degrees Celcius and that happened yesterday.  It’s all because of the northeasterly windflow, they say.

Anyway, for people who are from UP Baguio, today is the most awaited Oblation Run and Pasik, so if you’re anywhere near, go on and visit! For UP IM students, there will be a party at the IM building. Those who are enrolled in MA SDS, you can join the Christmas party at Camp John Hay on Sunday. Bring a gift worth 150 pesos and you’ll have to pay 200 pesos for the food.

If you are from the Philippines, then you probably know what Oblation Run is. But do you know what it means? When I was in college, they told me it was about sacrifice, others were saying that this was a form of protest which was started during President Marcos’ time and has become a tradition since then.  But today, some students are saying that it is about being true to yourself…

Being a member, I have read the history of the Oblation Run too many times. Before the start of the Run, this is being read, but I guess no one listens because they are all too excited. This isn’t the exact poem, but I got this from another member:

 Oblation run is a yearly APO activity held every December 16, wherein showcases APO fraternity members roaming running nude and naked in University of the Philippines campuses…

     This activity was started in the year 1977 ( The First Ever APO Oblation Run ). When an APO member first ran naked in the A.S. lobby to promote a play the fraternity was sponsoring called “Hubad na Bayani,” or “Naked Heroes”, Rolly Abad the said member was killed in a rumble few months later. In comemoration with this, the run was held yearly with noble themes every year… It was said that Oblation run was just for fun or just an expression of insanity but in a closer look inside it you’ll able to learn that it’s not just an ordinary run, but its an expression of protest againts the system.

     The ceremory starts with the assembling at the APO tambayan, where the runners will give them the traditional fraternity salute, in this process also do’s and don’t’s were instructed to the runners… and presto… to the run.