Pagbutlak

BREAK OF DAY. A 6:13 AM landscape featuring what’s inside UPV—its greenery, the road along the Executive House, and the early morning rays of the sun. | Ruperto Quitag/Facebook

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By the time you finish scrolling, you feel as if you’ve walked through UPV’s pathways yourself—basked in its sunrises, heard the rustle of leaves, and felt the cool breeze by the seashore. Each photo becomes a gift, a reminder of how beauty surrounds us, waiting to be noticed.

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It begins like any other moment of idle scrolling through your Facebook feed—a blur of updates, shared memes, and snippets of life from friends and family. Then, suddenly, a photo stops you mid-scroll, pulling you in. A vivid golden sunrise unfurls over the roads of the University of the Philippines Visayas, with the silhouette of the Executive House greenery. A gentle mist hugs the view, and the campus pathways glow under soft light. The hashtag #InsideUPV sits humbly in the caption, yet it speaks volumes. In an instant, your mind shifts from passive scrolling to full immersion. You’re no longer just looking—you’re feeling, remembering, longing. This isn’t just another post; it’s an invitation to experience something truly magical.

Scrolling through the vibrant photos tagged with #InsideUPV, you’re transported to scenic corners of the university—breathtaking landscapes bathed in golden sunlight, intricate details of everyday life, and candid campus moments. Even the smallest details demand attention: the soft golden glow on the treetops, the gentle curve of the road through a sea of green, and the lone car moving with quiet purpose. Here, amidst nature’s grandeur, time seems to slow, inviting you to pause and take it all in.

Photo courtesy of Ruperto Quitag/Facebook.

These are just some of the many masterpieces captured by Ruperto Quitag, the UP artist behind these breathtaking shots. As a dedicated UPV staff member, he sees the campus through a perspective few take time to notice, where everyday scenes become striking compositions. His photos are more than just still images; they immerse you in the beauty of a place shaped by light, landscape, and life. Each frame tells a story—not just of the campus itself, but of the deep connection he holds with it.

As you scroll further, the series unfolds like a curated exhibit. There’s the lush greenery of the campus trails after a morning rain, with every droplet glistening as if nature itself posed for the perfect frame. Swipe again, and you’ll find a candid shot of tricycles roaming the road, their movements frozen in time under the sprawling canopy of an acacia tree. Each post pulses with the steady, unspoken rhythm of life in UPV, seen through the devoted lens of Nong Rupert, as he is fondly called by students and professors alike.

But beyond the striking visuals, the #InsideUPV series carries something deeper; it is Nong Rupert’s way of giving back. For him, UPV is more than a workplace—it’s a muse, a home, a story worth telling. Through his photographs, he extends an invitation to students, alumni, and even those who have never set foot on campus to connect with the place that has given so much to them.

“Daw… ano lang, kinanglan ko mag-tribute sa UPV, sa campus, kay ‘te, diri ko naga-istar sa sulod, sa staff house. So, amo na, ang mga beauty nga makita ko, gusto ko lang i-share,”

Nong Rupert shared that his shots are all instantaneous,

“Kung ano lang makita ko, wala sang kung ano nga subject, basta kung ano lang makita ko nga gusto ko i-share.”

He also narrated that this hobby started about four years ago, during the pandemic—a time when the world slowed down, allowing him to see UPV through a different perspective. Ever playful that he is, when asked how he feels about the overwhelming amount of support his work receives, he said with menacing humor that he knows that netizens eagerly awaits his his #InsideUPV posts. But kidding aside, as he reflected on the flood of reactions, comments, and shares, Nong Rupert humbly acknowledged how his little passion project has grown into something much bigger—he sees it as a way to bring the beauty of UPV, shaped by nature, history, and its people, to be seen, celebrated, and remembered more.  

BEHOLD. A portrait of the artist behind the masterpieces. | Ruperto Quitag /Facebook.

Scrolling further, you notice a pattern—not just in Nong Rupert’s photos, but in the people they inspire. Comments flood his posts: “Beautiful morning sunbeams! Thanks Pert for sharing!” “Tahum guid ya.” Among the likes and shares, there’s another thread of creativity blooming. Students, alumni, and even fellow staff begin tagging their own images with #InsideUPV, along with other hashtags Nong Rupert has been flourishing, including #miagaosunsets and #birdsofUPV. The same paths and landmarks he photographs now appear from different perspectives, each snapshot carrying its own story.

This ripple of inspiration extends to the likes of Michael, a second-year student at UPV, and his improving knack for photography, as inspired by Nong Rupert’s work. Since last year, he’s been adding his own takes to #miagaosunsets in his snapshots drawing inspiration from Nong Rupert, “Having an amazing artist as a part of our division makes me very proud! Lalo na’t when his postings ay nae-enjoy not only ones from our community, but also sa buong university. Pero hindi yung kasikatan o pagkakakilala sa kanya ang nakakapagpa-inspire sa akin, kundi ang kahusayan niya sa pagkwento gamit ang mga litrato.”

For many, Nong Rupert’s work rekindles a connection to the campus. Students rediscover the beauty of their daily walks, alumni are drawn back to their cherished memories, and budding photographers find the courage to pick up their own cameras.

A colleague of Nong Rupert summed it up in his proud remark on Facebook, “If you’re looking for a true definition of success, meet Ruperto Quitag, the Technical In-Charge (Laboratory Personnel) of the Division of Humanities at UP Visayas since 1999. An autodidact with expertise in various fields, Rupert has taught himself photography, filmmaking, sound mixing, audio engineering, video editing, color grading, drone operation, and more.” He further emphasized Nong Rupert’s dedication as extending far beyond his job description, assisting countless university professors on projects and supporting numerous university events, often lending his expertise without expecting anything in return.

This dedication shines through in every photograph, inviting you to pause and truly experience the campus because by the time you finish scrolling, you feel as if you’ve walked through UPV’s pathways yourself—basked in its sunrises, heard the rustle of leaves, and felt the cool breeze by the seashore. It’s a gift, each photo a little reminder of how beauty surrounds us, waiting to be noticed.

Then, a Messenger notification appeared on your screen: “Kadto ta sa first ever solo exhibit ni Nong Rupert—Pag-Ilig! As part of the 77th Anniversary celebration of UP Presence in Iloilo!” with an attachment stating its location schedule, at the second floor of the College of Arts and Sciences building, waiting for you until next week.

And just like that,  you realize #InsideUPV is more than a hashtag. It’s a movement, a shared vision of the beauty that surrounds us. In the hands of Ruperto Quitag, it becomes something even greater—an art form that doesn’t just capture life but inspires others to see it through a different outlook.

So, the next time you scroll past a post tagged with #InsideUPV, pause for a moment. Take it in. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to capture your own story, too. After all, as Nong Rupert has shown, every moment, when seen through the right lens, can be extraordinary.

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