Meteor Garden's Ying De University
If you are a Filipino aged 15-50 and do not know Meteor Garden, then you must have been living under a rock.
Meteor Garden is a Taiwanese TV series that defined at least one generation and a lot of demographic cohorts. in the Philippines. I am not exaggerating. I can still remember flashes of events from when I was about 6 years old (the show was aired on ABS-CBN in May 2003) when there were a lot of F4 and Barbie Hsu posters sold everywhere, and people were singing the official soundtrack even when they do not know the exact lyrics (hey, it's in a foreign language). Some of the songs even have their own Filipino versions like Byahe and Ang Hanap Ko ay Iyong Pag-ibig.
Having had the opportunity to visit Taiwan with my friends, of course we would not in any way pass up the chance to visit the university where this phenomenon was shot. Going to the place was not a walk in the park. Literally and figuratively. From Taipei, we had to take a 2-hour ride on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (the cheaper alternative is to endure a 5-hour ordinary MRT ride) + two 30-minute bus rides. The struggle was worth it, though.
We were giddy with excitement on the way and can't help but to jump with joy as we saw the campus arch. Aside from the kilig feels of the place, it as well provided a familiar setting. National Chung Cheng University (a.k.a. Ying De University) is much like my alma matter, UP Diliman. There were lots of trees, the students did not have to wear uniform, and most importantly, visitors are always welcome. The only difference was the noise. Most of the students walked or biked alone, there were no jeeps, there were no people laughing nor chatting loudly inside and outside the buildings. Overall, I'd say Shan Cai and Dao Ming Si (and for the Vic Chou loyalists, Hua Ze Lei) went to a very good university.
Taiwan is now visa-free for Filipinos so if you are a fan of Meteor Garden, take time to visit NCCU. Trust me. IT IS WORTH IT. And by the way, the food inside the university is REALLY CHEAP. Go see for yourself.
