I was firm in waking up earlier than usual today. I had the goal in mind and I was not going to let anything get in my way. I have been waiting for this since the start of the school year. Like Charlie Bucket, I'm willing to buy all the Wonka chocolates in the world just to have the Golden Ticket -- in my case, they're not literally Golden but they're just as precious in college:

The UAAP tickets.

Armed with money in hand and my cellphone on the other, I was determined to get myself tickets for both the September 6 basketball games and the September 7 Cheerdancing Competition. These two are not only requirements for my PE class, but also two of the most-awaited events in the whole UAAP season. Did I mention that the September 6 match-ups would be UP versus UST, and ADMU versus DLSU -- the four major universities in the country? And that, the Cheerdancing Competition current titleholders are the UP Pep Squad? Yeah. So now you know.

On my way to Quezon City, Inna and Drea already texted me that they were both in line at the Ylanan Gym for the tickets. The windows are not yet open so the lines were not moving then. Inna was in line for the Sept. 7 competition, and Drea for the Sept. 6 games. I, meanwhile, was to go straight to Araneta Coliseum and purchase tickets there. Our plan was set -- we've got all bases covered. Or so we thought. Upon my arrival, the whole circumference of the Coliseum was packed! If I didn't know any better I would've thought there was an event inside right then and there! It was very apparent that it was all for the UAAP. Why else would there be people wearing UP lanyards, UST uniforms, La Salle shirts, and Ateneo ID laces, all in one place? I'm sure there were people from all the other universities as well. I immediately texted Inna and Drea saying that if I fall in line here, I'm certain I won't be getting any tickets at all.

So off to Diliman I went.

Upon my arrival, I immediately saw people crowding outside the gymnasium. I went in and saw Inna and Drea who were on two different lines. I decided to go with Drea first since the line for the September 6 game was shorter. I saw lots of familiar faces there, including my Kas-mate Chantal (who was telling me to buy more tickets so that we can sell them at double the price, LOL!) To pass time, Drea and I talked about the Eraserheads concert which she was luckily able to attend. She shared with me all the excitement and drama that transpired that night. Being the funny and ever-entertaining storyteller that she is, I can't help feeling jealous! But like what she said, maybe the concert getting cut short meant that the Eraserheads should do it again. We just hope it won't be any time soon so that Ely can fully recover physically, and Drea can fully recover financially :P

Soon, the line was moving, but we kept overhearing from the people that "one is to one" lang daw. Oh no! We were supposed to buy four: for the three of us, and for our other Maroon friend, Cars. Nevertheless, we were determined. As we approached the booth, we immediately called Inna from the other line. She asked her "line-mate" to save her a place, and she quickly transferred to ours. Finally, it was our turn.

Lady Selling Tickets: Ilan?
Drea: Tatlo po.
Lady Selling Tickets: One is to one lang.

*Inna, Karla, and Drea smile*
*Lady Selling Tickets gives us three tickets*

FINALLY! Next up: the Cheerdancing tickets. Drea fell in line for the Sept. 6 game again (for Cars' ticket), while Inna returned to her line with me. While waiting, I really felt the anxiety of the people around us. "Ang tagal naman!" "Mayroon pa kaya?" "One is to one lang daw!" -- it was crazy. After a few minutes, one guy came from the office saying they were only going to accept the exact payment because they have no loose change. Inna and I suddenly went to panic mode. We both only had 500-Peso bills with us. So outside the gym I went. In times of hunger and desperation, the sari-sari stores beside the gym were our saviors! Luckily, they had barya so I just bought myself Fit N Right Apple flavor. Hah! It was like hitting two birds with one stone: getting smaller bills and burning fat. Hell yeah! :) I went back inside to find Drea's line moving quicker than ours. But we were almost at the booth as well, so right when we were about to buy the tickets, we called Drea and once again, the same scenario:

Lady Selling Tickets: Ilan?
Karla: Tatlo po.
Lady Selling Tickets: One is to one lang.

*Inna, Karla, and Drea smile*
*Lady Selling Tickets gives us three tickets*

YAHOOOOO! :) Our strategy worked! Drea went back hurriedly to the Sept. 6 line, and just a few minutes later she was able to get Cars a ticket. THE FOUR OF US WERE SETTLED! But there was one more thing left to do: get Cars and Inna's cousin Red tickets for the Cheerdance Competition. Unsurprisingly, the line was longer than for the Saturday event. Not all people were eager basketball fans like us and most of the students only look forward to the Cheerdancing. The line snaked up to the outside of the gymnasium, but luckily there were some benches there. As they say, UP is University of Pila, so there was nothing else we could do but be patient. While waiting, a group of upperclassmen approached this one guy ahead of us.

Guy Ahead Of Us: O ano nangyari?
His Friend: Grabe pare, 6 o'clock pa lang nandun na kami sa Araneta. Sobrang daming tao!
Guy Ahead Of Us: Nakakuha kayo tickets?
His Friend: Hindi! Sold-out na! Bad trip. Mga ten people ahead of us na lang, nagsara na yung window!

*Inna, Karla, and Drea smile*

We couldn't help secretly grinning at each other. If we stuck to our first plan, we probably wouldn't have gotten tickets to either event! Man, we were so LUCKY. As in. Unfortunately though, after about ten minutes, news spread that the tickets were sold-out already. Being the persistent creatures that we are, we stayed in line still. But to our dismay, wala na daw talaga. (Super extremely sorry, Catherine Pascual! We really tried!) A friend of Chantal's approached and told me that there are probably still tickets but they are just holding off the selling until tomorrow or the days to come. He wasn't sure though. Soon, everyone started leaving and we had no choice but to depart as well.

It's funny how in just a small amount of time, and over something relatively trivial, you can see the true colors of different people. Some were incredibly impatient, while some were more forbearing and relaxed. Others passed time by chatting with the people standing beside them, others were just silently anxious. But in spite of that, you feel the excitement and the adrenaline rush, and add in the thrill brought by the sound of the drums and the sight of the athletes inside the courts -- school spirit was in the air! It's undeniable that it all comes down to the fact that everybody just wants to support our dear university. Hey, hey, UP go, UP fight!

Despite all that's happened, we felt triumphant! We got the tickets we were longing for. And obviously, they were anything but easy to get! Buti na lang our diskarte and strategy worked :P Saturday and Sunday, here we come!

Matatapang, matatalino! ...Ganyan kaming mga taga-UP! :)
UP FIGHT!

The Golden Tickets :)

I was firm in waking up earlier than usual today. I had the goal in mind and I was not going to let anything get in my way. I have been waiting for this since the start of the school year. Like Charlie Bucket, I'm willing to buy all the Wonka chocolates in the world just to have the Golden Ticket -- in my case, they're not literally Golden but they're just as precious in college:

The UAAP tickets.

Armed with money in hand and my cellphone on the other, I was determined to get myself tickets for both the September 6 basketball games and the September 7 Cheerdancing Competition. These two are not only requirements for my PE class, but also two of the most-awaited events in the whole UAAP season. Did I mention that the September 6 match-ups would be UP versus UST, and ADMU versus DLSU -- the four major universities in the country? And that, the Cheerdancing Competition current titleholders are the UP Pep Squad? Yeah. So now you know.

On my way to Quezon City, Inna and Drea already texted me that they were both in line at the Ylanan Gym for the tickets. The windows are not yet open so the lines were not moving then. Inna was in line for the Sept. 7 competition, and Drea for the Sept. 6 games. I, meanwhile, was to go straight to Araneta Coliseum and purchase tickets there. Our plan was set -- we've got all bases covered. Or so we thought. Upon my arrival, the whole circumference of the Coliseum was packed! If I didn't know any better I would've thought there was an event inside right then and there! It was very apparent that it was all for the UAAP. Why else would there be people wearing UP lanyards, UST uniforms, La Salle shirts, and Ateneo ID laces, all in one place? I'm sure there were people from all the other universities as well. I immediately texted Inna and Drea saying that if I fall in line here, I'm certain I won't be getting any tickets at all.

So off to Diliman I went.

Upon my arrival, I immediately saw people crowding outside the gymnasium. I went in and saw Inna and Drea who were on two different lines. I decided to go with Drea first since the line for the September 6 game was shorter. I saw lots of familiar faces there, including my Kas-mate Chantal (who was telling me to buy more tickets so that we can sell them at double the price, LOL!) To pass time, Drea and I talked about the Eraserheads concert which she was luckily able to attend. She shared with me all the excitement and drama that transpired that night. Being the funny and ever-entertaining storyteller that she is, I can't help feeling jealous! But like what she said, maybe the concert getting cut short meant that the Eraserheads should do it again. We just hope it won't be any time soon so that Ely can fully recover physically, and Drea can fully recover financially :P

Soon, the line was moving, but we kept overhearing from the people that "one is to one" lang daw. Oh no! We were supposed to buy four: for the three of us, and for our other Maroon friend, Cars. Nevertheless, we were determined. As we approached the booth, we immediately called Inna from the other line. She asked her "line-mate" to save her a place, and she quickly transferred to ours. Finally, it was our turn.

Lady Selling Tickets: Ilan?
Drea: Tatlo po.
Lady Selling Tickets: One is to one lang.

*Inna, Karla, and Drea smile*
*Lady Selling Tickets gives us three tickets*

FINALLY! Next up: the Cheerdancing tickets. Drea fell in line for the Sept. 6 game again (for Cars' ticket), while Inna returned to her line with me. While waiting, I really felt the anxiety of the people around us. "Ang tagal naman!" "Mayroon pa kaya?" "One is to one lang daw!" -- it was crazy. After a few minutes, one guy came from the office saying they were only going to accept the exact payment because they have no loose change. Inna and I suddenly went to panic mode. We both only had 500-Peso bills with us. So outside the gym I went. In times of hunger and desperation, the sari-sari stores beside the gym were our saviors! Luckily, they had barya so I just bought myself Fit N Right Apple flavor. Hah! It was like hitting two birds with one stone: getting smaller bills and burning fat. Hell yeah! :) I went back inside to find Drea's line moving quicker than ours. But we were almost at the booth as well, so right when we were about to buy the tickets, we called Drea and once again, the same scenario:

Lady Selling Tickets: Ilan?
Karla: Tatlo po.
Lady Selling Tickets: One is to one lang.

*Inna, Karla, and Drea smile*
*Lady Selling Tickets gives us three tickets*

YAHOOOOO! :) Our strategy worked! Drea went back hurriedly to the Sept. 6 line, and just a few minutes later she was able to get Cars a ticket. THE FOUR OF US WERE SETTLED! But there was one more thing left to do: get Cars and Inna's cousin Red tickets for the Cheerdance Competition. Unsurprisingly, the line was longer than for the Saturday event. Not all people were eager basketball fans like us and most of the students only look forward to the Cheerdancing. The line snaked up to the outside of the gymnasium, but luckily there were some benches there. As they say, UP is University of Pila, so there was nothing else we could do but be patient. While waiting, a group of upperclassmen approached this one guy ahead of us.

Guy Ahead Of Us: O ano nangyari?
His Friend: Grabe pare, 6 o'clock pa lang nandun na kami sa Araneta. Sobrang daming tao!
Guy Ahead Of Us: Nakakuha kayo tickets?
His Friend: Hindi! Sold-out na! Bad trip. Mga ten people ahead of us na lang, nagsara na yung window!

*Inna, Karla, and Drea smile*

We couldn't help secretly grinning at each other. If we stuck to our first plan, we probably wouldn't have gotten tickets to either event! Man, we were so LUCKY. As in. Unfortunately though, after about ten minutes, news spread that the tickets were sold-out already. Being the persistent creatures that we are, we stayed in line still. But to our dismay, wala na daw talaga. (Super extremely sorry, Catherine Pascual! We really tried!) A friend of Chantal's approached and told me that there are probably still tickets but they are just holding off the selling until tomorrow or the days to come. He wasn't sure though. Soon, everyone started leaving and we had no choice but to depart as well.

It's funny how in just a small amount of time, and over something relatively trivial, you can see the true colors of different people. Some were incredibly impatient, while some were more forbearing and relaxed. Others passed time by chatting with the people standing beside them, others were just silently anxious. But in spite of that, you feel the excitement and the adrenaline rush, and add in the thrill brought by the sound of the drums and the sight of the athletes inside the courts -- school spirit was in the air! It's undeniable that it all comes down to the fact that everybody just wants to support our dear university. Hey, hey, UP go, UP fight!

Despite all that's happened, we felt triumphant! We got the tickets we were longing for. And obviously, they were anything but easy to get! Buti na lang our diskarte and strategy worked :P Saturday and Sunday, here we come!

Matatapang, matatalino! ...Ganyan kaming mga taga-UP! :)
UP FIGHT!

The Golden Tickets :)