Editing UP Lagoon and the Academic Oval (section)

==The Lagoon==

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[[Image:UP Lagoon - Fille.jpg|200px|thumb|some vegetation at the UP Lagoon - photo by Erika Fille (www.flickr.com/photos/erikafille)]]

'''The UP Lagoon'''

More inward from the Quezon Hall is the UP Lagoon. The only body, no matter how small, of water found on campus. The lagoon dissects a vast expanse of land where several glades can be found. The area thus serves as a botanical reserve planted to narra, banaba, kapok, mahogany, royal, rubber, acacia and mango trees, and bamboo, among others. There was a time when flocks of sheep and other wild life would graze the area lending it a most pastoral scene on a lazy afternoon on campus.

The lagoon itself is more than a meter deep. It is home to mudfish, catfish, tilapia, and a number of ducks that keeps on dwindling through the years.

The UP Lagoon looked differently decades ago. In the early 1950's, it was just a canal surrounded by tall grasses. Luckily, there was a development in the 1960s; it was modified to be a golf course. Students never dared to go there for fear of snake bites. In the early 1970's the administration started to design plans to develop the lagoon. Concrete steps toward the beautification of the UP Lagoon, however, were not taken until the early 1990's.


'''Beta Epsilon Theatrum'''

Aside from the forest glades that adorn the area, the UP Lagoon is now landscaped with decorative plants complete with benches, tables, wooden bridges, and paved pathways with street lamps. The presence of the Beta Theatrum (courtesy of the Beta Epsilon Fraternity) in the area makes it an ideal activity center for cultural endeavors such as concerts and variety shows throughout the year.

The Theatrum is Beta Epsilon's gift to the University on its Diamond Jubilee in 1983 during the term of MEB Renan Pineda BE 80. The architectural design was done by Dean Geronimo V. Manahan, BE 57, and the structural by Betan Engineers at DMCI. Beta Epsilon has been a second home to the best and brightest from the U.P. College of Engineering.

A ground breaking was held on August 27, 1983, with Chancellor E. G. Tabujara, Dean of Student Affairs Luis Beltran, Roni Manahan, Prof. I.I. Ilio, alumni and residents pitching in. Inauguration of the stage was on December 8, 1984. A capsule containing pertinent date about the frat and the structure was buried with the cornerstone.
[[Image:Lagoon1.JPG|200px|thumb|UP Lagoon at Present (2012)]]
The main stage is situated by the water's edge. Across the lagoon is the audience area to be landscaped with rising steps towards Osmena Avenue. The first function to utilize this outdoor theater stage was the Poetry Reading of the works of Brod Dom I. It has also been used afterwards by the President's Cultural Committee.

[[Image:UP_Lagoon_ca_1950s.jpg|170px|thumb|left|UP Lagoon circa 1950s. Photo from [http://twitter.com/#!/regiesy/status/167249766210732034/photo/1 @regiesy on Twitter]]


'''Tres Marias Plaza'''

Connecting the Amphitheater and the UP Lagoon is the Charter Donor's Garden with a sculpture perched atop a high pedestal at the center. Without propensity to call people or places alternative names, the garden has acquired a nickname on account of the sculptural work:'' Tres Marias Plaza''. Entitled Three Women Sewing the First Philippine Flag, the polychrome work is by Napoleon Veloso Abueva.

Napoleon Abueva is a Filipino artist. He is a sculptor given the distinction as the Philippines' National Artist for scuplture. He is also entitled the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture". He is the only Boholano given the distinction as National Artist of the Philippines in the field of Visual Arts. His works have been executed using almost all kinds of materials, including hard wood like molave, acacia, langka wood, ipil, kamagong, palm wood and bamboo, adobe, metal, stainless steel, cement, marble, bronze, iron, alabaster, coral and brass. He even combines different materials, like wood with metal and stone. He graduated from the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts in 1953 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture. He was mentored by Guillermo Tolentino, the first National Artist for sculpture and creator of the UP Oblation.
[[Image:Tresmarias.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Tres Marias statue found in between the lagoon and amphitheater.]]

<blockquote>
Several of his public art can also be found at UP Diliman:<br />
  -1957: Crucifix with two corpora, at the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice<br />
  -1962: University Gateway (also UP Gates)<br />
  -1967: Tribute to Higher Education, at the entrance of University Avenue<br />
  -1979: The Spirit of Business, in front of the College of Business Administration<br />
  -1992: Diwata, at the Faculty Center<br />
  -1996: Alma Mater, at the lobby of Ang Bahay ng Alumni<br />
  -1996: Three Women Sewing the First Philippine Flag, also known as Tres Marias Plaza, at the UP Donors' Garden, as part of the centennial celebration of the 1986 Philippine Revolution<br />
</blockquote>


The open area, picturesque landscape, and airy atmosphere of the Amphitheater and the UP Lagoon combine tp make them a perfect place for picnics, dates, parties and even aerobics especially during the weekends. For nature lovers, however, the place is simply an oasis essential to contemplation and daydreaming.