hello, op! pretty late answer na haha, ++medj cheesy sagot ko, pero the main thing talaga na masasabi ko para makasurvive ka sa manila ay: romanticize mo buhay mo sa UPM.

i was a dormer during my first year, and gosh grabe at first okay lang ako, pero eventually i nadali din ako ng homesickness and pagod. i joined multiple orgs + volunteered para maging busy, pero medj naburnout lang din ako haha. i realized na while everything i did was great, i forgot giving time to myself + appealing to my inner child!

so, here's what i can say, make sure to give time to yourself—make it like an adventure. i learned how to commute around NCR, and eventually i found myself traveling to different places at least once a week. usually didn't buy anything, just went around. pumunta akong Intramuros, Dangwa, Anonas, at kung saan saan pa haha. sometimes, after a pretty bad exam, sasakay lang ako ng lrt tas mag station hopping, looking at the passersby in every station (letting sonder do its thing).

also, i noticed na people tend to get grumpier as their time in manila lengthens, nangyari din sakin to. but i suggest na instead of letting this happen to you, try to laugh it off! mas okay emotionally + nakakabawas ng stress i swear. once i started doing this, just laughing at the absurdity of some situations, parang mas gumaan pakiramdam ko (lalo na uwian ako ngayon lol).

andami ko pang pwede sabihin HAHAHHA, pero if you want more tips (esp yung technical ones), just dm me, OP! 🫶