For the past five years, I have spent most of my Saturdays at Instituto Cervantes Manila (ICM). I enrolled at ICM as a form of diversion, so I could stop myself from gallivanting around Luzon and beyond on weekends. What started out as a transient activity turned into a half-decade of mostly-love-sometimes-hate relationship. The love part comes from learning new things every session, participating in stimulating conversations about virtually any topic (football, TV series, economy, love, literature, etc), sharing genuine laughter with like-minded people, and attending some of ICM’s cultural activities. The hate part comes from waking up early on Saturdays, when most sane people sleep in. (For another ICM story, please read this.)
During this period, my Spanish has improved - from not knowing anything about this romantic language (with the exception of Spanish words that are Ilonggo words) to knowing some words and expressions, to say the least - and more importantly, I have encountered some interesting people I would not have had the pleasure of meeting if not for ICM. A handful of whom I now consider friends. 🙂
Last Saturday was eventful because I spent it with some old and current classmates and some other people I met in previous events. I guess this was not really surprising since I was at ICM from 830am until 7pm.
I will start with the Las Brujas photoshoot. Che, Mai and I wore shirts with an image of our favorite characters from the TV series we have watched. Hope wore her eponymous shirt.
Las Brujas and our shirts: Mai has El Príncipe‘s Álex Gonzáles, Hope has La Presidenta, Che has Outlander’s Jamie Fraser, and I have Outlander’s Dougal MacKenzie - the sexiest badass in the series. I know I am biased. 🙂 Photo by SPRDC.
Hope (President), Che (the Girl Scout x Make-Up Guru), Mai (series queen), and I am the fourth member Juan Mata fangirl. Haha. Photo by SPRDC.
Later, Hope and I watched the documentary La Sonrisa Verdadera and DS Duo and the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth Quorum. During the break between the events, we peer pressured other people to pose with us.
Hope, Rainier and Jay. The group of three that was together for years and has formed an easy camaraderie. Photos by SPRDC.
Hope, Me, Rainier, Jay, Kody, Jacob, Ron, and Gem inside the ICM Miguel Hernández Library. Photo by SPRDC.
This might be my last entry about ICM in its present location because ICM will be (officially) moving to a new venue soon. I will miss this place and the memories it holds.
A popular photo background at Instituto Cervantes Manila. “Bahagi ng ating kultura” means part of our culture.
These comics on the walls of Instituto Cervantes Manila change regularly, and students are encouraged to write inside the speech balloons.
Side note: This is how my entry looks like when I have nothing specific in mind, with only photos to guide me to tell a story.
To know more about Instituto Cervantes Manila’s upcoming activities or if you want to learn Spanish, visit its website at http://manila.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm or its facebook page at www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.
Hola Rose, the great experience that you have from ICM it reminds me of my very awesome experience as well like meeting new great people like my classmates, my professors and the ICM staff they are all super friendly and so fun to be with, all of the professors are very good and very patience like Mila, Ana, Abby, Jorge, Eric , Isabel , Benito and of course the very energetic Inma I love them all they are all great and they are the reason ICM is the best spanish school in the country because they teach very well 👍 Rose KUDOS for your Blog it’s very wonderful eres lo mejor y mas poder para ti vale 👏
Hi, Lem! Thank you for reading this entry, for the positive feedback and for the Spanish practice. 🙂
How long have you been studying at ICM? I have to agree that the professors and staff are friendly, and ICM is the best! (Dapat may freebies na tayo nito). The students are also nice. Hahaha. I am also excited to find out how the ICM-Makati looks like. It will be a new environment for all of us.
I hope that Amy has recovered completely. 🙂
I thought they will just lease another place in Makati.. so they will be definitely be moving out in Manila.. When is the tentative date of transfer? So you will be experiencing a new venue/ classroom in Makati… It tags along with Makati’s slogan “Make It Happens”. Hahahaha.. 🙂 Are you going to take the DELE? Is this your level to take the exam for the next higher level? Echo de menos español..
I am not in-the-know, but only the students remain in Kalaw. The admin is already in Makati. Some of the books in the library have been moved somewhere else, too. As far as I know, IC leases the current location (Kalaw), so it will just be moving from one (leased) area to another. As far as the move to Makati being temporary or permanent, I do not know. Hope might be able to answer your question. 🙂
No, I am not going to take the DELE this year. I do not think I have the knowledge nor the confidence to do it. Hehe. We can take C2 DELE na yata.
You can visit us so you will not miss Spanish as much. 🙂