CEBU, Philippines - University days are reminiscent of a carefree sunlit time of fun, laughter, and learning within and beyond the four walls of a classroom. It is a collection of memories one would wish to travel back in time to, from the fierce campus competition, frantic cramming, to the solid friendships made and the good times that ensued.
It's times like these that hold a special place in everyone's hearts. In celebration of Havaianas collaboration with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, or UAAP, and its seven member institutions, three Cebuanos proudly belonging to #HavaianasSquad share their fondest memories from their college years.
Fonso Martinez
The gastronome behind the wildly popular Jafar's, Fonso Martinez entered the industry with a strong passion for the culinary arts and mainly because he is an ultimate foodie.
This gourmand entered college at Ateneo de Manila University, which he chose mainly because of its campus environment. Surrounded by lush greenery, he liked the fact that in a school that bled blue, it had a lot more greens compared to other institutions.
In his freshman year, Fonso made new friends and created lifetime bonds. He relished the break-times he had with friends, which included his now all-time favorite athlete Ateneo football player James Arco, over a beer or two at a bar along Katipunan.
A true-blooded Atenean, Fonso Martinez lives by the mantra "Win or lose it's the school we choose!" Shouting this with pride and loyalty is more than a chant - it's a testament to what makes him a proud Blue Eagle.
Hannah Cusi
With a background in Advertising Management, Hannah Cusi is currently enrolled in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) under its international Marketing program.
Hannah studied Business at De La Salle University (DLSU) before she went to UCLA. Coming from a line of hardcore Lasallians, it was instinct for her to choose DLSU. Not getting to experience being in a block section until her second year, it was an interesting journey for Hannah as she came out of her shell and made new friends along the way.
With such positive outcome, Hannah is a proud Green Archer , especially for the people from DLSU whom she describes as fun-loving people but who can be serious when the time calls for it.
Kate Torralba
A petite seamstress-songstress from the Queen City of the South, Kate Torralba is making ripples around the world through her music and fashion designs.
Coming from a family of hardcore
Iskolars ng Bayan, Kate is proud to have chosen the University of the Philippines (UP) - Cebu as her alma mater. Her beloved grandfather, a member of the Sigma
Rho fraternity, went on to become one of the most excellent lawyers in the country.
With a new Honda City given by her grandfather during her freshman year, she considered herself as a horrible driver. Thus, she was constantly late and was given the nickname "Late Torralba". Kate ran down the hallways in cute little outfits and absurd footwear, but nonetheless made the cut expected from any Isko. Amidst this constant haste, she loved her college 'amigas' so much that every break was an opportunity to pig out, gossip, and cram.
For having rescued her from a failing grade in P.E. - Ballroom Dancing, a school requisite - she considers Former Chairman and CEO of the National Youth Commission Leon Flores III, her favorite athlete, for sharing with her his skills in the field. With her Fighting Maroon spirit, Kate Torralba continues to always put up a fight in everything she does.
Like them, everyone may show off his or her school pride by stepping into a pair of the limited edition Havaianas + UAAP 2016 Collection, available in Cebu at All Flip Flops, The Northwing, SM City Cebu. More details are at www.facebook.com/havaianasphilippines, and @havaianasphils on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. (FREEMAN)