The CSB Experience: Experiencing La Salle U-M (The 3rd Time Around)

    Grabeh! Never did I realized that I would reminisce the painful loss I have suffered when I found out that I was not accepted in La Salle-Taft all over again. Just now, I went to DLSU to buy myself a Bible and the moment I went inside, I was in a different world, so different from that of DLS-CSB.

    Actually at present, I have been in La Salle thrice (with the most recent was this Thursday July the 19th). I was in three different situations in three different times. The first time was when I came to La Salle as a weakening applicant who went with my just-graduated Lasalista sister on a Saturday, a day after Typhoon Milenyo wrecked havoc in Metro Manila. I wasn't able to have my application passed as I was lacking my birth certificate so, as feverish as I am, we crossed Taft Avenue and caught a jeepney ride to Binondo and walked our way to Recto (across scary Tutuban rail station cum mall). Before that, my sister made a short tour of what's La Salle looks like. I remember some dead leaves were all over the Marian Quadrangle and one of the trees nearby fell down because of the storm.

    The second time was when I came back there as an aspiring entrance examinee. Many of us were at the North Gate. My place of examination was one of the rooms in Miguel Hall (coincidentally the first home of CSB, the 1st Benilde Hall). I was able to see what LA Salle looks like on this side of the football field. Too bad I didn't passed.

    Now the third time was just recently. My normal dismissal time that day was 2:30 PM and the second floor of CSB was full of hype as people are buying tickets for this Campus Stop-Over concert to be hosted by Rated Oh host, Sam Oh, slated the day after (Friday the 20th). Unfortunately, I can't come since I'm going to the CSB Open where I'm pitting against Lasalista DebSoc Freshers. By the way, the bibles at the CSB bookstore ran out so the lady at the cashier suggested that I would go to La Salle's own bookstore to see if they have copies there.

    I did and just as I entered the South Gate, I caught up with Sember with a bunch of other Lasallians coming out as if they're going to some event (many going to the Rizal Sports Complex which later turned  out that today's La Salle's game against FEU at the UAAP). Asked why I'm here, I told her my reasons (shocks, I forgot to say that BFF Maan is as mataray as ever). Then I went to the visitors' kiosk and got a permit (I surrendered by ID card for it). The guards gave me directions on the whereabouts of my destination. On the way, I saw Jeco the second time around (with the first time when I saw him with his new friends trying to eat out at S.Ex.), this time with longer bangs (just as my old Vietnamese lady barber would say "No bang, no bang?"). I was surprised to see Jeco with his elongated ahir but thank goodness hindi pa kasing haba nang buhok ni Geoff Trinidad ng Batch 03 (no offense). Well, I asked him if where I can find SPS, the place where I can find  the bookstore. He pointed in teh direction of the relatively young Yuchengco Building.

    Shocks is the word, I can't help but amazed myself. It's been really a long time since I've been to La Salle and to the quadrangle. It's wider than CSB's own Plaza V (although I think it wide enough). I feel so envious since We don't have fancy buildings with Corinthian-like designs and that their buildings are all in one compound (almost). Shock is the word for I was amazed that even their cafeteria at SPS looks so "superior". As I'm writng this, my sister just told me that they several canteen and the one I saw at SPS is not the only one in that bldg.

    I was able to get insde the bookstore, it's wider with windows facing the outside word. Other than it has a wide range of La Salle merchandise, it is a full-fledge bookstore with books actually outnumbering school supplies in terms of area distribution. I was able to buy a copy of the Bible and went my way out.

    Now, I feel so belittled with all that I have seen in DLSU but nevertheless I shouldn't for I was not accepted anyway. It's their loss not mine. At least now, I'm lucky being a Lasalista and a Benildean (We're One La Salle remember?). I never regret enrolling msyelf into CSB for the first term, I had really so much fun. At least' I'm enjoying being an MMA major, just think if iI was accepted and my course would be AB-ComArts? Besides, La Salle was not really my first choice but was UP's. But at least as a Lasalista, I can get myself inside DLSU.

Truly my Lasallian Experience is wonderful!