A POOL FROM THE PAST: A SWIM TO THE FUTURE

A POOL FROM THE PAST:

A Swim for the Future Graziel Mae G. Ramat

When I was a freshman, it had been embedded in my mind, that the university’s swimming pool is considered as a treasure, hidden in a chest that can be found in my college –the Health Sciences in the main campus, adjacent to the university oval and lagoon. There is actually a small, rusty signage that can be seen along our pathway, which says in a fading red paint ‘CHS Swimming Pool’, with its arrow pointing towards the right direction. Yet, when you peek a glance towards it, you can’t see any sign of water or a pool, unless you really try to look beyond the high walls with scaffoldings enclosing it, since it’s under rehabilitation (which I believe for safety purposes AND its surprise factor –you can’t change my mind for the latter).

I’ve heard it’s been almost a decade that it was not utilized, probably the reason why it’s not that much of a talk among the students from other colleges. The walls with scaffoldings were high enough, that it did not give me a chance to even see how its day to day improvement is. All I know is it’s in a progress –with the slow and simultaneous hammering of metal machineries which either wakes me up or makes me sleepy during our afternoon classes.

In between those moments, I have wished the rehabilitation will make it in time when we reach our second year in college where we have swimming classes for Physical Education. Then the pandemic happened and my supposed-to-be fun swimming sessions became virtual lessons of swimming guidelines and exercises executed at home. Also, I am already in my third year at the university. But whether or not the pandemic happened, I think the rehabilitation will take more time to finish which means we still cannot use it. Good things take time, indeed.

The pool was constructed in 1982 and

“From the typical university pool inside our head, we can now imagine it anew as an Olympic-size swimming pool.”

inaugurated on February 20, 1984. However, it was closed nine years ago before the rehabilitation has started, and after almost 37 years since it was first inaugurated, it sure did took it’s time and price for its anticipated beautification, and was once again opened last January 22, 2021.

From the typical university pool inside our head, we can now imagine it anew as an Olympic-size swimming pool, like the ones we see in TVs or in our phones, with a measurement of 50 meters by 20 meters, a depth of 1.8 meters to 2.3 meters, and consisting of eight lanes. Aside from that, near the pool is a new functional hall, accommodation rooms, and even a gazebo for occasions and other recreational activities. This features makes it welcoming to everyone, and not just for swimmerathletes who’ll make it as their training ground.

With the combined efforts of the national government, and the university administration and stakeholders, the university’s Olympic-size pool is yet another blessing and a step towards the goal of being a premiere university in our country by 2028. When face-to-face classes will resume, there’ll be no more metal hammerings to be heard or high walls of scaffoldings blocking our view as we behold the refreshing blue water of our Olympic-size pool.

This pool, like the other infrastructures in our university, will continue to serve as landmark of success. And this pool, as it always has been, will continue to be a part of the lives MMSU students for generations and generations, until they reach their success and find their own treasures.

And who knows in the near future, the MMSU Olympic-size swimming pool might train another Olympic gold medallist that will be representing the honor of our university and our country?

ORANGE YOU GLAD IT TASTES GREAT?

KYLE NOJEN O. ANDRES

As you travel through the wonders of Ilocos region, you'll come across food stops and stalls, particularly alongside roads, that have that giant skillet reserved solely for oil. What lies beneath that pool of boiling grease will make your wallet spring out of your pocket, since this meal known as "Ilocos Empanada" will trigger your hunger senses just by looking at it! Inspired by the Spaniards and their former Latin American colonization during their previous times in the province of Ilocos, particularly in Batac City which this dish is originated. This handheld food has always been a hit among Filipinos especially Ilocanos whenever they go out for a bite after a long day of work with friends, a family get-together or even when going out on a romantic date. But what makes this so mouthwatering anyway? Of course, we're obviously attracted immediately for its bright orange colored shell, which is made with natural “Atsuete”, a food color you’ve probably never heard of before that is extracted from reddish fruits to show uniqueness of the Empanadas from others. It sure is crunchy on the outside, but how about we explore what the real flavor is on the inside? Evidently, the color isn't the only thing that makes this Empanada unique; the ingredients also get a special spotlight, with native veggies

grown and meat produced by Ilocanos. Shredded papaya strained from the juice and boiling monggo beans seasoned with salt and pepper are one of the veggies included. Gladly combined with an egg cooked according to your desired doneness because we all have differ-

ent taste vibes; don't hesitate to ask if you want half-cooked or well done because each employee understands your fulfillment. That alone is ordinary in the menu, but wait till you hear the best part of all the flavors! Our cravings for meat will shine upon us as we taste the juiciness of Ilocos Longganisa!

Coming from the old-fashioned place of Vigan City where we witness the taste of the most tenderest and garlic-y sausages we can find. Most people agree that this is the main reason why they savor this dish so much. Mixing all these babies up and served hot makes those perfect homemade feels. We’re not stopping there just yet, hold your taste buds for something goes specially together with that. Is it ketchup you may ask? Well, yes, ketchup is a good dipping sauce to raise the sweetness levels but that’s not the main excitement I was talking about. Filipinos value sourness and spiciness in their dips, which is why one empanada needs a best friend known as "Sukang Iloco" (Ilocos Vinegar) that will wake your cheeks up with its electrifying outcome; almost everyone knows that these two always go together like Romeo and Juliet. Bet you’re hungry from all that food talk, huh? So, what are you still waiting for? The entire region of Ilocos is always open with countless street food enterprises like Irene's Empanada from Vigan city, Batac City's Wide Riverside Empanadaan, and Elvie's Sweet Empanada stand in the streets of Laoag. Its low prices ranging from Php 35.00-50.00, that even high school students can save budgets! It may be cheap, but it can surprisingly fill you up; and that’s a win-win my friend!