Any Ateneans in the Washington DC/Virginia/Maryland area? If so, please speak up!

I'm heading there mid-2003 and staying for a couple of years. Would be nice to meet fellow Ateneans in the vicinity. =)

DC-Maryland-Virginia is covered by the Ateneo Eastern States foundation w/c is based in New York. PM me your e-mail when you get there so I can include you in our yahoogroup. Some DC-based Ateneans travel to NYC on weekends to join our events. Off the top of my mind, I know Shirley Mollinyawe (BS Mgt 1997) who works for the embassy and Francis Sunaz (BS ME 1997) who works at the World Bank.

I am not aware of any fellow Ateneans in DC. Surprisingly, there were only two of us during my college days at Georgetown. There could be some at the B-school, the law school, GW, or U of Maryland. If you will end up at GU, try looking up Club Filipino, the Filipino organization on-campus. It is largely made up of Fil-Am's with a spattering of born and bred natives.

Unlike NYC, where I will be headed soon, there isn't an alumni association in this city.

Make the most of DC when you get here, though. The outdoors, the monuments, the pubs, the restuarants, the college scene, the theater, and the Wizards. It's a full slate.

Good luck.

Hey, I know Francis! He's in DC right now? Would you know what he does at WB?

I'll PM you my email when I get to Virginia.

I'm actually heading to Virginia, but DC is the nearest major city. I've gone to DC before and I like it a lot. I hear you when you said it's a full slate. That said, thanks for the tips and I hope to catch you in DC if you're in town.

Yup, he's in DC. He used to be based in NYC but has since moved. I don't know what he does for the WB. Is he your college batchmate? If that's the case, then you might know Shirley. BTW, are you enrolling in Darden?

Francis is a family friend and a batch higher than me.

Yup, I'm attending Darden this fall! I'm very excited!

Congrats! Darden has a reputation for being the "MBA Bootcamp" (as if other schools were not bootcamps).

Thanks!

Yup, I've heard that Darden has the most challenging curriculum and learning environment among all the elite b-schools (mostly because the teaching style is almost 100% case method plus there are a lot of extra-curricular activities going on), but Darden students and alumni would say it's not as "bootcamp" tough as it sounds because the school community is extremely supportive and tightly-knit. Of course, the benefit to this is that the learning environment is very enriching and one will most probably learn a lot more at Darden than in other places.

Anyway, if anyone else wants to know more about the Darden MBA program, here's the school website to get you started:
www.darden.edu

BlueChip, congratulations on your admission to Darden! I am sure you are already in touch with Carlo Carrascoso. Would you know how many folks from the Philippines are headed to Darden this year?

You'll want to plan your trips ahead if you're planning to hang out in D.C. -- Charlottesville, VA is a bit of a drive away (although you may want to consider getting a car when you get there, in which case transportation shouldn't be too much of a problem).

Congrats again!

Hi victory_fils! Actually you've already congratulated me through email (hint towards my real identity!)

Aside from me, there are two other Filipino admits at this point. They haven't made a decision yet, but I am quite confident they'll both choose to attend Darden this fall (for one thing, they're both UVA undergrads).

I'm definitely getting a car once I get to Charlottesville, and from what I hear about the area, it's abundant with rolling meadows and breathtaking scenery, with the Blue Ridge mountains in the background. I actually look forward to driving there!

Actually, if anyone needs a car, I am selling mine for a price-busting sum of $500. That's right, only $500. It's a 1989 Peugeot 405S, the 1988 European Car of the Year. It's got about 104,000 miles on it, but it still runs like it's got 90,000. Just kidding. Automatic transmission. leather interior, moon-roof, power locks, heated seats... what a steal! I know! And you'll definitely need wheels at UVA. Trust me, you will not find anything cheaper than this that isn't already in the junk yard.

As stated earlier, I will be moving to NYC and so will have no need for a car. I am looking to get rid of it by June. There are some potential buyers from the World Bank and the Phil. embassy, so respond while the iron is hot. If there are any serious takers out there, just drop me an e-mail.

Rolling meadows, breathtaking scenery, mountains in the background, add to that UVA undergrad coeds and we have the perfect place for...

One thing rarely mentioned in Manila info sessions are the mother university's Filipino clubs. Little do many people know, almost all major US universities have Pinoy orgs. These clubs are predominantly composed of undergrads. If you have the time, seek your school's Pinoy club out and be an active member/officer. It's really lots of fun, ulterior motives aside. Most of the members will probably be Fil-Ams so there's room for you to share some of your home-grown perspectives.

For UVA, here's the website:

UVA-OYFA

[ April 05, 2003: Message edited by: reyesaa ]

hoyadoc, sounds like a great deal! I'm interested! Please PM me your email. Note: I'll be arriving mid-July pa, so will that be a problem?

We have the perfect place for... kodakan? Thanks for the tip, reyesaa!

Hoyadoc, what's the engine on the Peugeot?

We may be able to work on a relatively higher bid here from a collector I work with. I'll check after I hear from you. I'll take the 25% upfront if that's ok.

JG1,

Collector? Serious about this? I was actually thinking about posting my car on e-bay thinking that there would be some Frenchie out there willing to buy a vehicle that reminds him/her of home. Whenever I park the car close to the French Embassy, I sometimes get a note from a passer-by offering kudos for my choice of wheels.

It's a 1.3 L French-made Peugeot. Has a few dings here and there, but in pretty good shape for 104,000 miles.

Hoyadoc,

Let me see what interest this pseudo gas guzzler will get. Sorry about the Hoyas NIT demise. I have to say, Hatten (of the Johnies)has shown shades of A.I.

[ April 08, 2003: Message edited by: jg1 ]

Hi BlueChip,

I'm actually from ME Batch 97 although I am not a very active alumnus. I am currently living in the Courthouse Area of Arlington, VA and my place is about 5 minutes from Georgetown. I would be happy to meet fellow alumni, if I am in town, that is!

Riley

Hi Riley, I would be happy to meet you when I get there (sometime in July at earliest). Send me a private message with your email address so I can send you a note.

By the way, there's a number of Pinoys who also work for my company currently assigned in Arlington, VA . I'll see if I can arrange a visit sometime.

yo Blue Chip,
so you're finally headed for darden? good luck!

Riley,
i'm also ME '97, i think i know you.

Yup, thanks! How about you? Any updates, or are you off to ND already?

Hoyadoc,

No go with the 1.3 engine. I believe my co-worker is indeed seeking a Peugeot, but of a different model and with a slightly larger engine. He encourages you to post it on the web since there are many like him that seek these rarities. BTW, this is the car you mentioned to me last time in tribeca, right?

i'm still waiting for one other school's decision but if i'm not accepted there then i'm off to ND.

I think you mentioned which b-school over in the Businessweek forums. When do you expect the decision, at latest? Best of luck to you!!!

I got accepted in the Worldbank as a JPA. I'm moving to DC in a few weeks, maybe May the latest. I'd like to meet you folks.

DC-VA-MD folks I need a bit of an advise. AS much as I've been asking and snooping around, good info is never enough. I've been on regular TDY (tour-on-duty) in that area for the last 6 years but never on permanent assignment. In other words, my "residential" experience of the area has been in hotels solely.
Currently, I'm considering a position in DC. I don't know if I'm going to take it. This is where you come in.
DC area is known to be expensive. I'm looking for a place that's not too far from DC, safe, and will not go beyond $250 Gs. As much as there is nothing permanent in life, if I go to DC that would be a permanent move( no more overseas), and it would be great to find a place with relative balance (expense, security, distance). Falls Church? Reston? Mclean? Help! Thanks

I guess my clearance took a lot longer, I'll be arriving in June 2004 and if anyone has any information on housing near the Worldbank, I'll be most grateful.

Just sharing this informative reply re. housing in Washington DC for those considering moving there in the future:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Originally Written By hoyadoc of Atenista.net:

In terms of housing, several things should be considered. Are you
interested in owning a car? A car in DC is not a necessity but may afford many advantages (i.e. cheaper though more distant housing, grocery shopping, trips to outlet malls, and so forth). Are you particular about new amenities (laundry, garbage disposal, marble counter tops, etc)?

My two cents:
1. Closest neighborhoods:

a. Foggy Bottom - can be expensive, around GWU students (may be a
plus), easy access to Metro (subway), close to shopping and to the National Mall (monuments), no grocery stores close by, safe in most areas.

b. Georgetown - very expensive though fashionable, close to the
University (definite plus), no Metro access, best shopping in the city, close to the monuments, grocery stores close by depending on location, very safe.

c. Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan - affortable to expensive, very hip
area (emabassy row/gay district), easy access to Metro depending on location, close to shopping, grocery stores close by, best restaurants in the city (cheap too), Dupont safer than Adams Morgan

2. Across the River (VA):

a. Rossylyn - can be expensive, concrete jungle, mostly inhabited by
fresh graduates and transient folk, Metro access, close to nothing but
Georgetown is just a ten-minute walk across the picturesque Key Bridge, grocery close by, generally safe.

b. Court House - cheap to moderately expensive, new and young
community, Metro access, close to good Vietnamese restaurants, close to great organic grocery, generally safe

c. Crystal City - cheap to moderately expensive, transient community Metro access, close to the Penatgon City Mall, close to afforadble restuarants, grocery close by, generally safe.

Expect to pay $700-1000/month (for a studio) to $900-1500/month (for a
one-bedroom). Try the following websites: Craigslist.com, washingtonpost.com, citypages.com.

Enjoy the city. Restaurants to visit: City Lights of China, Thaiphoon,
Raku, KramerBooks and Cafe, Pizza Paradiso (all in Dupont Circle). For Pinoy food, there is Little Quaipo on Route 50.

You should look up my dad's friend, Cesar Totanes, who used to be a Controller of the IFC. I don't know what his position is nowadays. Cesar graduated valedictorian of AHS, BS Mgt Eng Cum Laude, then took up his MBA at Harvard.

Good luck in DC!

I hear former Ateneo chess superstar Paolo del Mundo is living somewhere in Maryland. He was the architect of the four-peat Ateneo High School UAAP chess champions from 1995-1999.

Will do...

Ice Burn... I'm currently taking my grad studies in Virginia, and make my way to DC every once in a while. Will actually be splitting my time between Delaware (where I'm doing my summer internship) and Virginia from June to August, so I'll surely be passing through the DC area quite a few times during that period. Let me know if you want to meet up or something...

Bluechip: Sure thing! I'll be arriving in the DC on June 3. I'll definitely be in touch

I am still homeless in DC
Any suggestions??? I'd like to live outside DC owing to the fact that I've had it with the lousy DC apartments. After a few fruitless days of searching, I realized that the long walk to work is just not worth it, not to mention it just doesn't feel like a safe place to live... I'm looking into something preferably near the metro particularly those on the blue, orange or red line. The problem is my time is limited and I only have time too look after work which is at 4:30 which technically gives me only time to look at 1 or 2 apartments if I am lucky. I've increased my budget a bit because I want to live in a nice apartment, not some place which has seen better days. I'd really appreciate all the help. Thanks!

Ice Burn -- send me an email through the link on this post, maybe I can help you out... I'm back in the US already. Just put a big fat "FROM ICE BURN" on the subject heading, dami ko kasing spam email na nakukuha.

I sent you an email...

ice burn - maybe i can help ... currently living at crystal city ... the metro is literally downstairs ... expensive though ...

Got an apartment na, near the friendship heights metro.

I didn't receive any email... In any case, I'm glad you found a place. Send me a PM so that I can contact you when I'm in the area. I'll probably be in DC on 4th of July weekend.

Hey Bluechip! How is Charlottesville coming along over there? Mainit pa ba, or has it been raining cats and dogs? How's Wilmington also?

Kaledalath aka apartment mate hehehe

Ithacxa - is that you?

I'm not sure about Charlottesville, but it has been raining a bit in Wilmington. I'm actually heading back to Virginia for the weekend to fix my stuff, and I hear its going to be hot there. Wilmington is okay - not much to do, but it's less than a couple hours away from NYC and DC and right next to Philadelphia so at least I get to hang out in those places whenever I can. Was actually in NYC over the weekend.

ok ... enjoy your stay in dc

I do hope to meet up with the people here in DC? EB anyone?

Blue Chip,

Glad to know that someone else gets to spend some time in "Dela-where!" I used to take the train to Wilmington (yep, a pretty jumping and exciting town, all right) and take a 3-hour car trip to southern Delaware (Seaford). I spent some vacation time last month on the Delaware coast (Lewes, Rehoboth) and I suggest you hit these beaches before you head back to Charlottesville.

Heard from a mutual friend that you were up in NYC. I trust you had a great time. Again, you are most welcome to visit our town up north whenever you have the time. Our friend from MIT and I always have a laugh whenever we talk about your last trip here. Maybe next time, we'll steal a better car and manage to get another parking ticket!

Regards.

BlueChip,

When are you coming back to NY? You should've come here to see the July 4th fireworks.


Mav,

How's the studying going? Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to head over to Boston this summer. I wish I could go and see a Red Sox game but I don't have enough time. Instead, I will have to be content with watching a Yanks game together with our mutual friend.

In case you didn't know, Manchester United and AC Milan will be playing an exhibition game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on July 31.

Kaiser,

Thigs are going well here. At the rate the Sox are tanking, I expect the ticket supply to improve. But, don't discount the Sox yet. We've been through worse and these set-backs are just setting the stage for another dramatic come from behind push later in the season. Regards to our mutual friend. Looks like we'll never get to cheer for the same team -- ever.

Maybe if I have some dough, I'll sneak into the Man United game at month's end.

Regards.

Maverick,

I'm glad to hear from you again! Our friend from MIT and I met up while I was vacationing in Manila -- seems like there's another bunch of Pinoys heading your way in the fall (at least 8 that I know of heading to MIT, Boston College, Babson and UMass). I heard of visa denials from the US embassy for the current crop, good thing in our time we had a clean sweep. Would've been nasty if we all had a phenomenal time painting the town red and fabricating the legend of Johnny Air Cargo before leaving for the US, then find out na may sumabit pala sa visa.

Glad to know someone can relate to my adventures (or lack of) in Delaware. Have to head to Reheboth while it's still hot and sunny. Heard the beaches there are great.


Kaiser,

I'm planning to head back to NYC for a weekend on July 17th. Let's plan something and I promise to be there early. As in before midnight, har har. Our Lasalista friend might skin me alive if I make another late entrance. Besides, I don't want to pay $24 for parking any more. I'll give you folks a call before that weekend. If you can reel Bleachers King in as well, that would be great!


Ice Burn,

Yes, let's meet up. I have a bunch of Atenean friends heading to Virginia by August, and I'll most probably give them a tour of DC sometime in September. If you can PM me your contact details, I'll get in touch with you before then.

Blue Chip,

Mabuhay ang Johnny Air Cargo! There are actually some people in Boston who actually still call you "Johnny."

The beach in Rehoboth is not that great. There's a boardwalk and some shops. You should try the funnel cakes and the salt and vinegar fries while you are there. All I remember about Wilmington is that there is a really great and ritzy hotel there. I think it's called the DuPont. Nice rooms!

Cheers!

blue chip and ice burn ... if you guys wanna hang out , let me know ... i know a lot of good places in dc or in va