Perks of Being a PUPIAN

Let's do this list Cammie Morgan Style.


First things first, I'm an alumna of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines aka PUP aka Pinakamurang Unibersidad Puriber (I totally made that up). I think spending 5 years of my life in that University qualifies me in doing this list based on my first hand experience.


PRO: THE OBVIOUS: 12php per unit. 

I've heard (seen in the web) that it has been 12 pesos per unit since the 70s. And whenever there is a threat or even a rumor that there will be a tuition fee increase, expect a riot in a form of a rally from the students and some of the faculty members.During my stay, there has been 2 attempts of increase in tuition fee, but to the government's dismay, the students will just say, NO WAY JOSE!


CON: CULTURE SHOCK: rallies

Going back to my freshman year, I remember the shock in each and every one of my classmates' face witnessing the famous PUP Rally, then I looked at our professor, she seemed irritated because the class was being disturbed by the yells of the
ralliyistas while we (the students) are panicking for our first glimpse of PUP life. 


PRO: TRANSPORTATION: lrt, pnr, bus, jeep, tricycle, pedicab 

Don't know to go to PUP? Well, if you're from the Rizal area (like me)there are plenty of ways to go to PUP, you could ride a bus (gliner), ride a jeepney via crossing to jru to stop and shop, there's also a jeep to cubao to stop and shop, or ride the lrt (pureza station). Your choice.
If you're from the Laguna-Muntinlupa area, there's the always packed PNR.


CON: NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED: facilities

If you are used to first class treatment, clean surroundings and restrooms,  then you should reconsider if your choice of school includes PUP. 

I am not joking when I say you should always cover your nose the whole time that you are in the restroom when the flush doesn't work or if there are lot's of cat poop on the floor or your seat is in danger of falling apart when you move or when the fan doesn't work or when the board is as white as snow even you've erased the writings.

Even during lunch time in the canteen is like a battle field, and I am NOT exaggerating when I say YOU SHOULD FIGHT when you buy your lunch or you'll be late for your next class. 

Well, that's what you get from paying less than a thousand a sem. 


PRO: EAT-ALL-YOU-CAN!: less than 50 pesos meals.

The mention of the canteen reminds me of how cheap the food in PUP. You can buy a full meal of rice and steak for 35 pesos, rice and veggies for 25 pesos, and rice and hotdog/maling/egg with corned beef/egg with tuna/egg with anything the can be mixed with egg for 20 pesos. 


CON: LIKE A GEISHA: one word: PAMAYPAY

There are no air-conditioning in PUP-main, so brace yourself making paypay all day especially on those very hot days. 

Good news on Tourism and HRM students: they have air conditioning on the Jasmin Campus, but you'll have to pay extra peso for that privilege. 


PRO: YOU'LL GET EXERCISE EVERYDAY: stairs all the way to the 6th floor

Well... Let's look on the bright side of things, you'll definitely form muscles on your legs, specially when your class is on the 6th and 5th floor. There is only one elevator in the campus so it's always jam packed, and waiting on it takes time, so if you're on the verge of being late, you'll just find yourself running the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. 


CON: SMELL THE PASIG: the stink of the Pasig River

Since the classrooms are open and PUP is placed beside Pasig River, there will be THE days, the very hot days when the sun is sooo hot and the Pasig River just soaks the heat and finds itself evaporating and the air directly travels to the classrooms and into your nose. 

I've experienced it first hand, being the Advertising Department on the West Wing of the Campus. 


PRO: MONEY WELL SPENT: cheap everything

No need to go to recto for bookbinding, cheap xerox, cheap printing of documents, pictures, name it, they can print it in TERESA. Teresa Street is the cramming paradise for students, there are internet cafes, printing shops, and eateries everywhere you look. 


CON: THERE IS ALWAYS THE DOWNSIDE: students taking things for granted.

I've witnessed some of my classmates not attending classes because they don't like the professor/the class being to early and they can't manage on waking up early so they eventually ended up dropping the subject or having singko instead. They'll just say, they'll take the subject the following semester since the tuition is so low they can manage to re-enroll it again. 

This the sickness of some of the PUPians I know, taking things for granted, taking studies for granted just because they can afford it. If they go to schools like, let's just say UST, I don't think they'll event think twice wasting money dropping any subject, even PE!


PRO: AWESOMENESS: Awesome Professors

The best teachers EVER! I don't know how to elaborate this but, you can find some of the professors teaching on the ferry (rip ferry) when the students requests for it, professors letting you borrow their slrs for personal purposes, professors who treats you like a son/daughter/friend and let's you eat/tambay on their office, professor who'll give you uno for perfect attendance.




I've always loved PUP, it has made me what I am today, and for those who are planning on studying there, you'll not only learn academically, but you'll also learn about life. 

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