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A Pawisin’s Guide: The Best Cool Down spots in UP Diliman
- 17 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Words by: Marcus Bellosillo and Bianca Silva
Art by: Marcus Bellosillo and Bianca Silva
Imagine this scenario: siksikan na sa jeep. You’re halfway between standing and squatting, and they just keep on packing the can full of sardines. Pawis na pawis ka na nga, ang ingay pa ng JisuLife ng katabi mo. Sana naman nakatapat lang sayo ng slight…
ANG INIT DITO SA PILIPINAS.
Iskos and Iskas are stereotypically always known to be in shorts, a quick-drying shirt, and running shoes or sandals. But can you blame us? We’re trekking through untamed paths (bumpy Palma Hall sidewalks) while being slow-cooked by the sticky fires of hell (typical UP Diliman heat and humidity), on our way to our next safehouse (classroom with air-conditioning—hopefully).
The midyear weather is jammed in between the scorching-aesthetic-iced-matcha summer heat and the its-raining-in-manila-tiktok-trend rainy days! The heat and humidity of our country announces itself through its sheer clinginess–dumidikit sayo yung init!–and the only thing we can do is survive. Not to worry, because just like you, who probably keeps an extra shirt and extra-large face towel just in case, the authors are PAWISIN. We know the struggle (Trust us).
So here we are, ungate-keeping A Pawisin’s Guide: The Best Cool Down spots in UP Diliman.
Econ Lounge, except 11:30 - 1:00 PM
Pawisin’s Rating:
Usually: 3 Extra Shirts
11:30-1:00PM: 4 ½ Extra Shirts
Ancient texts reveal that the School of Economics’ Library was once one of the premier study and hangout places in UP because of its amazing climate control. But, with the library being out of commission, the Econ Lounge has stepped up to be that spot. That space is equipped with one of the taller air-conditioning units, the one as tall as the wall. The lounge is small enough to be cooled up quickly, but you have to pick your spot carefully. Once you open the door, the seats facing the wall offer a great study space with an outlet, but you run the risk of sweating through your shirt because of how far it is from the source of the coldness.
The best spots are located further into the room. When you get there, try to nab one of the stand-alone circular tables near the glass window. They are located close enough to the air-conditioner for anyone yearning to fully experience the soothing hug of 22-24 degree celsius air. But beware, the moment the clock strikes 11:30 PM, your haven will turn tropical. This time is when most students have their vacants, and with the sudden influx of people comes their body heat stealing the cold from the air. A pro tip is to try your best to get the timing right, hit the lounge and have an early or late lunch.
Vinzons Hall, Student Union Building
Pawisin’s Rating: 3 Extra Shirts
Whether your goal is to have some me-time or hang out with your friends, the Student Union Building (SUB) at Vinzons Hall has just the space for you! Your down time can be best spent cooling off among one of the many rooms available in the SUB, both for your leisure and your necessities. You can greet your favorite campus companions–baka dumaan rin crush mo, you’ll never know!–as you make your way up the building, and even stop by the University Food Service (UFS) cafeteria for a delicious pick-me-up.
The SUB has dedicated spaces meant for student utilization and academic operations, as seen in the semestral organization of the famous Kapihan sa Diliman initiatives, wherein these spaces are updated to accommodate the isko and iska’s needs (such as food, study spaces and, most importantly, coffee!) during the exam seasons. Want an air-conditioned space built especially for your convenience? SUB is the place for you!
College of Business Administration (CBA) Library
Pawisin’s Rating: 2 Extra Shirts
Entering from the 1st floor and taking that one flight of stairs truly feels like you’re going to walk among the clouds (and no, it’s not because the floor is incredibly squeaky). The CBA library offers an experience very close to the introvert’s dream! Single-seater tables sprawl across the library’s grounds equidistant from each other. Because of this, it offers a very lock-in-centric atmosphere, encouraging its students to finish requirements and turn in their Canva-birthed presentations.
If you’re looking for the best seats, you have got to surrender your UP ID. That’s what it takes to be able to use one of the many outlets the library provides. It’s only right that while you soak up the chill, your devices also recharge ready for your next grueling accounting class.
Third Space, Kamia Residence Hall
Pawisin’s Rating: 2 Extra Shirts
Want a cooling space that feels closer to home? Then the Third Space at the Kamia Residence Hall is just for you! Getting its iconic name from the concept of having a space in-between your home and your school/workplace, the Third Space is situated among one of the university’s dormitories.
Its main selling point is the three distinct areas (called “Zones”) that serve a specific function that students may utilize: the Blue Zone (or the Quiet Zone, for relaxing and recharging at your own pace), the Green Zone (or the Social Zone, for study dates and regular hangouts with friends), and the Orange Zone (or the Movement Zone, where regular activities and events are held for engagement). A jack of all trades kind-of area, this space offers more than just cool air, but dedicates itself to the social and holistic development of our fellow students!
Marine Science Institute (MSI) Library
Pawisin’s Rating: 1 Extra Shirt
On the way past the College of Science and before the academic oval, lies a hidden gem often overlooked as it lies along a transitory route. You may walk past it every day going from your STS 1 class at the CS Auditorium, on the way to your Eng 13 class at Palma Hall—the MSI Library. A cooling tip we can give you is to stay on the first floor, get a seat to the side of the room, and enjoy that electric fan + air-conditioning combo.
At the heart of all university experiences, our college libraries serve a larger purpose in not just helping our students cool down, but in helping them in their academic endeavors! Catch up on your required readings (we know you’ve been putting them off…), or read something new among the book-filled halls. Recharge your electronic devices or even take a nap! Just like any library in the university, the MSI Library is maintained and updated for the convenience of its students, so why not stop by whenever we need a place to stay?
With the hot-and-cold temperatures giving mixed signals (parang crush mo lang) and the midyear academic workloads weighing down on our shoulders, we all deserve a space that can help us recharge and pick ourselves back up. As temperatures rise and we need to find the quickest escape to stop the sweat, the issue of accessible student spaces becomes pressing as well. The lack of spaces compels us to look out for one another and help wherever we can! Because even something as simple as finding a good, air-conditioned area to cool down in can help turn a binusted ni crush day to a binusted ni crush pero komportable day! Anticipating the drastic shift the weather will take in a few weeks time, it is essential that students have a safe and secure environment not just for their personal comfort, but also as a way to maintain their overall health while balancing the demands of being an Iskolar ng Bayan.
Given this, our end goal is not to merely compile a list of available cooling spaces. Rather, it is a direct call to action to gain more spaces and third places for the general body. The demand for space is a relevant one, because whether for individual or organizational use, whether for recreation or labor, every isko and iska has a right to a free and open space where they may operate and exist inside the campus.
We hope that sooner rather than later, the number of spaces available for student use will increase in such a way that we won’t need to list them all over again, because we would know that anywhere we go is a free and open space (that, of course, is air-conditioned!). Stay hydrated & drink your water, Iskos and Iskas!
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