Because of the rising cost of basic necessities, traffic, and curiosity, the author takes on the challenge of conquering the historic avenue I did it in three hours 30 minutes. This is how long it took me to get from the Oblation of the University of the Philippines in Diliman to the gates of my village in Makati on foot. That’s 17 kilometers.
I have been going to UP of late in preparation to enroll in the UP School of Archaeology (UP-SoA) Phd program. My husband and I will soon be dropping o f f m y son, Ian Orestes, at university in the US and it will be days of empty once we do. So, to combat the expected loneliness, I’ve decided to take my Phd.
That day, I spent the morning in the library drafting my concept paper as part of my intent to apply at the UP-SoA. I was having my lunch at the newly renovated University Hotel where I chanced upon my mentor Dr. Victor Paz.
We were both pleasantly surprised to see each other. Paz told me to visit him in his home, which was nearby, where I had a lovely catch up with him and his family whom I had not seen in ages. That afternoon, I told them about my plan to walk to Makati from UP that night, traveling along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA).
They were adamant against this plan and attempted to dissuade me. I reasoned with my mentor, describing this walking feat as a sort of mental calisthenics to help prepare me for the rigorous academic demands I’d be facing as a PhD candidate. At the end of the day, “Why not? Why can I.