Of offerings...

This is home. 

Oblation: The act of surrendering or offering. 

Yes, I agree that no symbol profoundly represents UP more than the naked figure of a man offering himself with open arms. This statue is seriously moving, but even more so after you have gone through and out the University. 

But what do you offer? and to whom? I believe the Oblation is there to remind us UP alumni and students of that wonderful experience we had in UP.  I also think the answer therein is deeply personal. It depends on one's experiences in UP and how UP molded the individual. To some, this is like the meeting place whenever there is a protest; to some still, the Oblation means offering of knowledge; further, for some who went to the economics class of Winnie Monsod, offering of knowledge back--or rather giving back t the country. 

For me, I think UP taught me so much more. UP taught me to have pride in my work and to do my damned best. UP taught me to think and to ask difficult questions. UP taught me to seek and love knowledge. UP taught me to find solutions in everything and that I should not accept dead ends. UP taught me that yes, there are other brighter, smarter, prettier people in the universe but it doesn't mean I am less than them. UP taught me the infinite possibilities of everything and that to accept limitations is the lousiest thing.  

So I guess that is what UP and the Oblation means to me. UP has become me.