The Oblation At The University Of The Philippines
If De La Salle University is closely identified with the Green Archer figure and the Ateneo De Manila is represented by a Blue Eagle, the state-run University of the Philippines has the statue of The Oblation as its iconic symbol. When one thinks of UP, what comes to mind is The Oblation. When one thinks of The Oblation, UP springs to mind. They have become interchangeable.
As one enters the University campus through its western gate, the concrete statue of The Oblation, erected in front of an elevated building, looms on the horizon. It is, undoubtedly, the biggest single attraction inside the university campus. With several utility personnel assigned to it, it is well maintained.
With a figure of a man in his naked glory, with outstretched arms and head tilted towards the sky, The Oblation symbolizes the university's noble objectives and represents the model student's idealism of offering himself in the service of the country. Being naked symbolizes the purest of intentions. The "nothing to hide" notion is also depicted here.
Done by sculptor Guillermo Tolentino as commissioned by University President Rafael Palma in the 1930s, The Oblation was actually inspired by Jose Rizal's My Last Farewell, particularly a stanza which goes like this:
" On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of fight,
Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed,
The place matters not - cypress, or laurel or lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight,
T'is ever the same, to serve our home and country's need. "
Translated by Charles Derbyshire
The Oblation has also inspired members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) to stage the Oblation Run every year where they run naked around the Diliman campus. It is also their way of expressing their sentiments concerning burning issues of the day. It is a much-awaited campus activity.
Our neighbor here apparently has also been inspired by The Oblation. Every year, on his birthday, Tamboy engages his friends in a drinking bout. After downing bottles of Ginebra San Miguel, he would streak naked through the main road and side streets while shouting invectives. Tamboy was not lucky this year. He was arrested by the police, charged with public scandal and spent some time in jail. Upon his release, his wife was heard reprimanding him: " Pambihira ka. Hindi ka na nahiya sa mga tao. Sabagay, wala naman yan."
- Konted
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| The Oblation at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City |
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| About The Oblation. Oblation means sacrifice or offering |
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| The trimmed garden in front of The Oblation |
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| About the University of the Philippines |
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| Closer shot of the statue of The Oblation. The rocks used as base were taken from the Montalban river. |
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| 2nd stanza of Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios which inspired the construction and design of The Oblation |
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| A Quotation from Jose Rizal's El Filibusterismo placed near the statue. |
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| Picture of The Oblation with the photographer facing west. |
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| Closer shot. This is actually a replica. The original one is kept at the Main Library. |
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| Quezon Hall |
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| Acknowledgement of the support extended by the US gov't in the establishment of UP |
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| The amphitheater behind Quezon Hall |
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| The Carillon Tower as viewed from The Oblation. It is playing beautiful music again. |
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| Nice Philippine tree near the driveway of Quezon Hall |
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| The main road near The Oblation |
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| New traffic scheme inside UP Campus |
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| The Jorge B. Vargas Museum along Laurel Ave inside the UP Campus. It houses the personal collection of works of art and other memorabilia of the former Presiding Officer of the Philippine Executive Commission. Vargas also served as Secretary of National Defense and as Mayor of Manila.. |
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| Main Building of the College of Arts and Letters along Laurel Avenue |
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| Bulwagang Rizal is one the three buildings within the College of Arts and Letters. It is also known as The Faculty Center. |
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| The Palma Hall was built by architect Cesar Concio and named after UP President Rafael Palma. It is also knowns as AS Building. AS means Arts And Sciences. The Oblation Run starts here. |
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| Oblation Run staged by the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity (G'gle file) |
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| Laurel Avenue |
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| The Center for International Studies is housed at Benton Hall. |
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| Visit Benton Hall and know more about Sexual Harassment. |
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| Benitez Hall houses the College of Education |
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| The football field inside the UP Campus |
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| An afternoon activity |
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| Photo of Benitez Hall taken from the football field |
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| Wide walkway lined with trees |
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| The College of Business Administration has been renamed as Cesar Virata School of Business. |
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| Osmeña Avenue |
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| Melchor Hall along Osmena Avenue is the Main Building of the College of Engineering. It was named after Alejandro Melchor, Sr. who was Secretary of National Defense during President Quezon's time. He was an engineer and a brilliant mathematician. |
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| Church of the Holy Sacrifice, formerly known as the UP Chapel. It was designed by architect Leandro Locsin. |
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| Francis Pacheco's favorite Bird of Paradise near the eastern gate of the Church |
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| The Ten Commandments |
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| About the UP Church |
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| Church's interior |
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| Closer shot of main altar |
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| A Station of the Cross painted by National Artist Vicente Manansala |
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| Garden of Justice and Peace within the Church's compound |
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| Garden of Mother and Healing |
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| At the rear portion of the Church |
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| So that the faithful may know |
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| Schedule of activities |
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| Across the UP Church |
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| The University Hotel is operated by UP's Board of Overseers. It was known then as the PCED Hostel. It is located near the UP Church. |
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| Built in 1992, Ang Bahay ng Alumni serves as a convention center. It is along Magsaysay Avenue. |
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| The Center for Women's Studies is focused on the equality of men and women before the law and on the role of women in nation building. It is located along Magsaysay Avenue. |
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| Cine Adarna is the main theater at the UP Film Center located along Magsaysay Avenue. |
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| The International Center dormitory along Guerrero St. |
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| The Romulo Hall at the corner of Magsaysay Avenue and Guerrero St. houses the Asian Center and Institute of Islamic Studies. |
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| The UP Law Center at Bocobo Hall along Magsaysay Avenue. |
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| Osmena Avenue side of Bocobo Hall |
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| The Sunken Garden as viewed from Osmena Avenue |
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| Sampaguita Residence Hall serves as dormitory for female upperclassmen. It is located along Quirino Avenue. |
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| Llamas Science Hall |
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| The Natural Sciences Research Institute is housed at the Miranda Hall located at the corner of Quirino and Velasquez Streets. |
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| The Vidal A. Tan Hall along Quirino Avenue houses the Institute of Science and Mathematics Education and the UP Information Technology Training Center |
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