As I’m writing this, the holiday spirit possessed me and gave me slower reflexes. I have to overcome this because I still have a live report later for State of the Nation with Jessica Soho about Christmas rush shopping. Needless to say, the past few days have been a rush for me — actually, it’s more of a blur. But it did recharge me.
Last Tuesday, I reported LIVE in Baliuag, Bulacan to feature its Christmas trees made entirely of garbage and recycled materials. This was a project of the local government involving various schools. One example is this white Christmas tree below. The leaves are made of walis tingting! You’d never know at first glance.
Made of garbage.
Another aspect of Baliuag I enjoyed is its night food market near the plaza. It featured orange tukneneng (without flour) and fried balut. To round up the choices, there are various barbecue combinations as well.
Tukneneng, fried balut and barbecues.
This Wednesday, I did my live report about women drivers in UP Diliman. Actually, it was an excuse to catch the 2013 UP Lantern Parade after my work is done. I failed to see most of the lanterns but I saw my kumpare Joseph Morong while he was reporting live too for State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.
Joseph Morong reporting LIVE during the 2013 Lantern Parade.
I also found time to visit the hallowed grounds of my college nest: Plaridel Hall, the College of Mass Communication in UP Diliman.
UPD College of Mass Communication.
Here is the lantern of CMC for this year. It also felt nice to have an organization to return to. I spent time with the new faces of my college org, UP Broadcasters’ Guild. I joined this socio-civic group back in 2004 when I was a sophomore.
With my org UP Broad Guild and the 2013 lantern of CMC.
Lastly, I took a postcard with Oble. I’m not a fan of this giant star behind the statue. But I think during these tough times, any form of Christmas celebration will do. By the way, do you know there’s a belief among undergraduate UP students that they should never have a picture with the Oblation? Otherwise, they won’t graduate.
I’m immune from that, though.
The 2013 Christmas look of the Oblation
Restless Reporter 