BEEP BEEP! From One Sakay to a Journey of a Lifetime

BEEP BEEP! Kuya, Para po! 

Saglit! Bago ka tuluyang bumaba, halina’t balikan ang biyaheng nagsimula sa isang sakay at nauwi sa sandamakmak na saya’t tagumpay!

Mula July 13 to August 3, Chill Ikot welcomed 300 Engineering Freshies, Shiftees, and Transferees (FSTs) through a series of pre-event online activities, academic bootcamps, and a campus tour designed to make their first steps into UP Diliman more exciting, meaningful, and, of course, a little more chill.

Our Chikot Fams first got to know one another online through interactive activities prepared to bring Chikot Buddies closer together. From playing Bingo, answering questions on the Chill Ikot FB group, to striking the iconic Chikot Pose with your Chikot Fam, these activities turned unfamiliar names into familiar faces and gave each FST a group of new companions to share the journey with.

Para dagdagan ang baon na kaalaman, we rolled into Bootcamp Day 1 and 2 at the Student Union Building’s Alcantara Hall, where FSTs got a first look at Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Circuits. Each session began with insights from speakers specializing in their respective fields, followed by student testimonials that gave participants a glimpse of what it is actually like to take these engineering subjects in UP. Subject-themed games also doubled as refreshing reviews, allowing Chikotings to bond, compete, and have fun learning together.

Then came the much-awaited Tour Day, where FSTs finally got to explore their soon-to-be home. The morning began with a walk to the College of Engineering Library Learning Commons, introducing participants to the buildings and spaces surrounding the route. After lunch, the tour continued with two ways to experience the campus: by foot and by jeep.

The walk tour brought FSTs to the Institute of Mathematics, National Institute of Physics, and the rest of the National Science Complex. Everyone then hopped aboard the iconic UP IKOT Jeep to explore more of the campus, passing through the warm golden hues of Sunken Garden and taking in the sights along the way. At the iconic UP Oblation at Quezon Hall, the UP Varsity Pep Drummers taught the FSTs iconic UP chants that filled the tour with the spirit to keep moving forward.

Finally, everyone gathered for one last picture at Quezon Hall and Melchor Hall to cap off the journey. What began with online activities and unfamiliar faces ended with new friendships, shared memories, and a little more confidence about the road ahead.

The journey may have reached its stop, but it does not end here. May the friendships made, lessons learned, and memories shared during Chill Ikot 2026 be carried into every challenge and new adventure that awaits. Padayon, FSTs!

Chill Ikot 2026 is brought to you by the UP Engineering Radio Guild, co-presented by Canon Calculators Philippines, AquaFlask Philippines, GoSolar Philippines, Chemrez Technologies, Inc., and brought to you by Mogu Mogu Juice Drink Philippines, Alexan Commercial, and Red Bull.

Ano, tara? Tara, Ikot!