It's been two days since my stay in my mother's hometown. Nothing much has happened. Facebook. DotA AI Fun (which isn't really fun). Lie down. Do nothing. Really.
Anyway here's my personal review of my first dormitory in UP, which is Kalayaan Residence Hall:
Kalayaan Residence Hall, also known as Kalai or Kalay, is the best place, the best dorm, for freshman students in University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. It holds up to a total of 500 (more or less) residents and upcoming freshies from all around the Philippines who studies there. That's why you'll have roommates, corridormates, or co-residents who live in different regions.
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| Kalai Logo 10-11 |
About the Place
Every room consists of 2 residents. Every corridor contains 1-2 comfort rooms (I don't know with the centerfold). There are 12 corridors (6-6 boys-girls), each with their own resident assistant. Girls' corridor is separated from boys'. Boys' wing is on the right from the entrance, girls' is on the left. Straight from the entrance is the TV Area and straight up ahead after going down the stairs is the canteen and on the left is the basketball area.
About the Location
Kalai is located near Mang Larry's, the Commercial Center or Shopping Center(SC), Lutong Bahay(LB), and Sanggumay, Molave and Yakal Residence Halls. All UP jeeps pass through Kalai, so you won't have a problem if ever you get lost. Kalai is in A. Roces Sr. Avenue, the road to Eng'g(Melchor Hall), AS(Palma Hall), Faculty Center(FC), CAL, EEE, and to Math Building.
Rules
Just like other dormitories in UP, there are rules to be followed. First of all, curfew time in Kalai is 9pm (applies to Kalai only). Going beyond that should give you a violation, but if ever you do need to go beyond, you can take a Late Night Permit wherein you can enter Kalai up to 11:59pm, but don't abuse (I'm just making sure you don't violate so much). Other rules can be found in the dorm application website.
Violation, violation, violation. Most people don't care about getting violation, which is also the reason why it's harder for them to apply next year. Bed check is bed check (I'll explain more of these later.)
Payment
Food is 85 Php/day (subject to change), board is 500 Php/month (also subject to change). Make you get to pay every month else you might get a violation. Write a promisory note to the Dormitory Manager if ever you can't pay at the right time to prevent yourself from getting a violation.
Food
This is subject to change depending on who's handling the food. They serve food every Monday to Saturday, three meals a day. Usually the time schedule is as follows:
Breakfast 5:30-7:30. Lunch 10:30-13:30. Dinner 17:30-19:30.
Every Sunday you have to eat outside. In case you'll get hungry (which usually happens at night) you may order at fastfoods which includes BogChi, Ate Vicky's, etc. You just need to text them and then wait for them to text you that your order has arrived. You may also order online for Jollibee, McDonald's, Chowking, etc.
By the way, make sure that you eat enough else you'll lose weight. You're bound to lose weight in a dorm like this.
Activities
Bed Check. This happens every 9pm usually on weekdays. All residents should be on their rooms so the RAs can check who are and who aren't there.
Corridor Assembly. General Assembly. Corridor Assembly just happens in your corridor while the General Assembly can happen at the TV Area or in your corridors. You have to be present since attendance is checked. Usually takes about rules to be followed, some important things to know, and others. Getting to know your corridormates for starters.
General Inspection. Welfare committees come and inspect your rooms.
Election. This is to elect your Executive Committee (VC for each committee: Welfare, Food, Sports, Academic, Socio-Cultural, Publicity, I don't remember if there's more; and the Chairperson of Kalai)
SportsFest. Handled by the Sports Committee. The sports in sportsfest will vary depending on your VC for Sports Committee. Usually each boy corridor will be partnered to a girl corridor.
Christmas Party. The usual. Depends on how it was handled.
PasaFest. Pasalubong Festival. Residents from every region will unite and produce something for PasaFest. Usually they'll have pasalubong(I forgot the english word, lol) and performance.
Kalay Week. Stuffs like Wacky Day and Open House happen here. Wacky Day is the when all residents in Kalay will dress wacky for a day. Open House is when visitors can come and enter Kalai without the guard stopping them.
And much more.
Personal Review
Before you have read this review you would see how boring and unfun Kalai is. Unfortunately it is the opposite. I'm just not spoiling the much fun and enjoyment you'll be experiencing when you're inside Kalayaan Residence Hall. Since everyone there is a freshman you'll have no worries talking to each other. You'll find many people sharing a common interest. Like DotA. :))
Try to be friendly and to communicate with lots of people. That way you'll have a longer and bigger circle of friendship. Just make sure you don't give them the full trust else you'll have a chance of getting your things stolen. Unlike me I don't have that big circle of friendship because I stay at my room frequently. I have one best friend to which I visit their room frequently also. (What?!?)
Befriend the maintenance men and women, the guards, the dormitory manager, and the RAs. Though not proven, you'll have less chances of getting a violation in case you committed one. Also they'll be able to help you faster.
Kalai is full of influences. Make sure you keep your studying habits else you'll have trouble with it. Know when to stand ground.
I remembered my times in Kalai. I enjoyed every moment of it. If you ask each person who stayed at Kalai they'll surely tell you it's the best. Cause in Kalai, there's fun, there's love, there are moments, there's experience, and there's everything. Your stay in UP Diliman won't be *insert something related to great* without Kalai.
Update April 11, 2011:
Pictures of A Typical "Boys" Room
Yes this is a typical boys room in Kalai, but every room is the same. The difference is the vandalism and the paint. Usually girls' rooms are pink and clean on the outside.
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| My room is pretty "damaged" |
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| There's a foam for the bed but I (and my roommate) am not using it. |
This is my personal review and it is subject to change with time. It is not really a guide for dormers in Kalai. But it should give you enough knowledge on your stay. Keep away from violations, they're your enemy to apply for your next dorm. You can only stay in Kalai once, because it is for freshies only.
You may ask questions. Put them in the comments below.
Read about another SmartBro boost here.
What are the rooms basically like? Are there fans provided for the rooms? What size is the bed?
ReplyDeleteThe rooms are perfectly fit for just two people. You'll have two cabinets (face-to-face) which are nearest to the door, beside them are the beds, then beside each bed is table with study lights, above that is a shelf(or two). See pictures uploaded above.
ReplyDeleteFans are not provided so you'll have to bring one. When you do bring electric fans you'll have to pay more for the electricity. (For every appliance(except those that aren't allowed (e.g. iron, heaters)) you'll have to pay additional fee.)
I can't tell how big the bed is but what I know is it's the regular "single" bed. The dorm provides you with the foam but it's way too old now.
Hello po. Nakakapili po ba ng roommate or sila ang mag-aassign kung sinong magkakasama?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello my comfort room po ba sa loob? If wala po saan po maliligo?
ReplyDeleteAng alam ko po merong cr per floor tapos maraming cubicles per cr. (2018 freshie here 👋)
DeleteHow about the laudry??
DeleteIt is a great website.. The Design looks very good.. Keep working like that!. avenue south residence showflat
ReplyDelete