Miss Iggy at the Q Parade

 Miss Iggy was able to watch the University of Santo Tomas' Quadricentennial Parade in Manila!

The University is celebrating its 400th year anniversary this year, and one of the highlights of the week is a grand parade that shows the different cultural influences during its existence.  The parade started from the UST Campus in Manila and went around the University Belt area.  Streetdance participants from neighboring schools Far Eastern University (FEU) and the University of the East (UE) joined in.

 Students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters waving their college color balloons in front of their building.

Mmm Jollibee breakfast!  Food was provided for the parade participants.  Here, Commerce students have their fill of Chickenjoy by the Quadricentennial fountain.  Behind them, swathed in blue tarp, is the Quattro Mondial, a sculpture by National Artist Ramon Orlina, which will be unveiled on the following day.

 Miss Iggy poses by the Q balloons...

 And with her new friends, a group of Medical Technology students!

 Showing off the retro-themed look (Brother Seminarian looks very thrilled)

The College of Tourism and Hospitality Management has a fiesta theme (Miss Iggy is the one who's thrilled this time--she likes this boy!).

According to the Swatch Man,

 There are only two days left until the Grand Celebration.  Good morning!

One of the many banners around the campus that cheers Miss Iggy and makes her proud to be Thomasian!

Each float represents a century of UST's existence.  Riding the floats are Mr. & Ms. Thomasian Personalities.

Fray Miguel de Benavides, OP, on the float.  He's pointing to where they're going (to FEU!) .  :)  There's an old joke that when one fails studies in UST, he/she can ask Fr. Benavides for guidance on what to do or where to go next.  And he points there...

 Orange umbrellas in full force, the College of Education proudly passes the gate onto the main road.

Miss Iggy's seminarian friends!  :P  The Ecclesiastical Faculties is considered the Quadri celebrants.

 Meanwhile, in the next century...

The talented kids from the Conservatory of Music!

Becoming more and more "modern"...

Here come the AB students!  (Miss Iggy has a bias for AB because some sisters of the 'hood came from this college.:) )

 

Asian theme.

The College of Science in light blue Vietnamese ao dai and nón lá.

Lovely Filipinas.

Fiesta! Fiesta!

Such a cute character.

Oh! Oh!  Here comes the current century!

This has got to be the most meticulously-made float of all. Witwiw.

The College of Fine Arts in Design holds a *special* place in Miss Iggy's heart!

A sea of yellow--it's the College of Commerce!

Architecture students show off their model buildings--that's the Sto. Domingo Church at the left!

And finally, the Quadricentennial Float.  But...hmm Miss Iggy was not impressed at all.  Aww.  Maybe next century, eh?  ;)

Watching the Q Parade was truly a memorable experience for Miss Iggy, and she was glad she lives in this century!  Until the next!  :)

Pontifically and Royally Yours, UST

Jersey Iggy was quite impressed by the official bus of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila when she visited this oldest educational institution in the Philippines last June. It had tiger stripes on the side and the campus color combination of yellow and white.

Established in 1611, UST is officially known as the Pontifical and Royal Catholic University of the Philippines. One of Fortuitous Faery's professors once joked to her class that UST is the "only university recognized in heaven." Of course, he was being sarcastic.

UST will be celebrating its 400th Birthday next year, in the merry month of March, to be exact. There's a yellow Swatch Countdown figure to remind people of the time remaining until the big celebration!

This is what the clock looks like at night! 

UST observes some unique traditions in the campus, such as the recent Grand Living Rosary. Teachers and students participated in forming the beads of the rosary with their own presence while praying it. This year, the religious event drew in an estimated 24,000 people!

Miss Iggy thought that was a cool feat...cooler than this campus ice cream vending cart!

As she neared the iconic Arch of the Centuries structure, she knew in her heart she will be back there.

It comforted her to know that she has a resident twin in these premises in the form of Schoolgirl Iggy!

miss iggy and columns

a blurry miz iggy outside the National Museum of the Philippines- National Art Gallery.

watching the wheels and fun running

Schoolgirl Iggy had an exhilarating weekend!

On October 9, she attended a tribute gig at the Ayala Museum in Makati commemorating the 70th birthday of one of the greatest musicians of all time, John Lennon.  Eight local bands did covers of their favorite John Lennon songs in addition to their original compositions.

The event also featured works done by young artists--interpretations of Lennon's songs, and their reflections about his life.

 

Miss Iggy didn't stay at the gig too long because she had to be up very early the next day for a fun run--she would be running 5 kilometers at the 10.10.10. Run for the Pasig River!  So, on October 10, she woke up way before the sun rose and she made her way to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the starting line for the 5k.  The finish line would be at the SM Mall of Asia.

It's so early! At the CCP while waiting for the gun start, Miss Iggy watched the transition in the colors of the sky from dark blue, to purple, to orange, and finally to warm sunshine yellow. 

There were so many people!

After running four kilometers, Miss Iggy reaches the SM Mall of Asia globe, with the Pasig River run Dream Team, here having their pictures taken too!

 

 HHWWPSSP: "Holding hands while walking, pa-sway-sway pa (and swaying too)"

 Miss Iggy tells her running buddies Lauren and Hairy Harry the orangutan to hurry up.

She can see the finish line!

 

 Just one quick sprint and it's official: Miss Iggy finishes the 5k run!

Finished!!!  Miss Iggy got a cool finisher's bracelet.  What's even cooler is that she helped out in saving the Pasig River!  And the coolest part, of course, is having fun with her buddies Lauren and Harry!

Miss Iggy at the Cafe Mezzanine

Different kinds of siopao, among other gustatory delights

Cafe Mezzanine, the Volunteer Fireman's Coffee Shop, is located at Ongpin corner Nueva Streets in Binondo, Manila.  

The placemat has a name game you can play while waiting for your order to arrive.

The little line at the bottom reads "Part of the revenue of Cafe Mezzanine will be donated to Binondo Volunteer Fire Search & Rescue Brigade."  Cool!

Schoolgirl Iggy had lunch here.  She was very hungry, so...

...she had camaron rebosado (shrimp coated with flour-and-egg batter and then fried), asado (thin slices of roast marinated pork loin), and pata tim (braised pork hocks)!

oh, and her favorite sauteed mushrooms, too!

Miss Iggy was so full, her tummy had no space for dessert anymore!  Next time, she thought, I'll save some space for ice cream!