The Phoenix Telegraph (Digital Collaborative Publishing)

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Cutting the Ribbon for A Festive Week

LPU-Davao Inaugurates Annual Foundation Week 5

BYAIRANICOLESEVILLA

Commencing its highly anticipated annual celebration, Lyceum of the Philippines University - Davao

(LPU-Davao) inaugurated its 5th Foundation Week on February 26, 2024, at the LPU-Davao Laurel Field, welcoming students from all college departments along with guests and visitors.

Prior to the main ceremony, all department clusters came together to parade their distinct colors, symbols, and mascots along the Lyceum Way, LPU Drive, culminating at the Laurel Field With fervent enthusiasm, students congregated at the Laurel Field, eager to witness the diverse performances from each cluster, including the College of

Accounting, Business, and Management (CABM) Dragons, College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM) Jaguars, College of Health Sciences (CHS) Vipers, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Warriors, Junior College (JC) Phoenix, and the College of Engineering (COE) Tigers

Addressing the gathering, Dr Felipe G. Balingit, the Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, extended a warm welcome. “On behalf of our President, Dr. Peter P Laurel, I’d like to welcome you all on this first day of our foundation anniversary!”

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As a thrilling preview of the upcoming competitions, cheerdancers from each cluster showcased their skills through a dynamic cheerdance showdown, captivating the audience.

Introducing the esteemed panel of judges, Mr Are Jay M Castro, the Associate Dean of Junior College and Chairman of the Foundation Week, presented each judge tasked with evaluating the competitions.

The highly anticipated cheerdance competition commenced with energetic performances, beginning with the vibrant CABM Dragons, followed by the

mesmerizing CITHM Jaguars, rhythmic CHS Vipers, spirited CAS Warriors, dynamic JC Phoenix, and concluding with the powerful COE Tigers, each showing their strenuous routines that awed the audiences

Following the exhilarating cheerdances, the Avant-Garde costume competition showcased representatives from each cluster, highlighting their mascots with creative flair.

In addition to martial prowess, the LPU Davao Taekwondo and Kendo Club infused their performances with artistic dance elements

Closing the festivities with the award ceremony, the CITHM Jaguars claimed victory in both the cheerdance and AvantGarde competitions, with CHS Vipers securing 1st Runner-Up and JC Phoenix as 2nd Runner-Up in the cheerdance competition, and CAS Warriors as 1st Runner-Up and CABM Dragons as 2nd Runner-Up in the Avant-Garde competition

Overall, the opening ceremony set the stage for a week of festivities, providing a platform for students to showcase their talents and revel in the spirit of LPU-Davao’s Foundation Week 5

Photosby LanceMatthewBalagulan

The Phoenix Telegraph

A Coronation of Brilliance and Resilience

LPU-Davao Crowns the New Mr. and Ms. LPU Davao 2024

BYJENNILYNREGALADO

After months of preparing and practicing, the anticipated highlight of Foundation Week 5

(FW5), the Grand Production and Coronation of Mr and Ms LPU-Davao 2024, commenced its conclusive phase at the SHL Sky Gym of Lyceum of the Philippines Davao (LPU-Davao) on February 26, 2024, as the final 19 candidates from different colleges displayed their poise and wit on the center stage.

Igniting the runway for the candidates, Band R315 rocked the stage with their instruments and vocals, captivating and hyping the audience for the candidates’ grand entrance. Finally, the candidates entered the spotlight as they posed with their production attire, introducing themselves to the public and striking their names

Among them were Junior College Phoenix (JC Phoenix) candidates, Ms. Mc Vine Princess Jambangan, Ms Jamelia Paula Palaganas, Ms Naize Laguna, Mr Greogory Mcgrady Sare, Mr. Aldrin Dupaya Jr , and Mr John Carlo Andrada Continuing the procession were representatives from the College of Accountancy and Business Management Dragons (CABM Dragons), Ms. Cathline Perez, Ms. Trisha Joy Bañez, and Mr. Charles Christian Villanueva Rounding out the ensemble, participants from the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management Jaguars (CITHM Jaguars), Ms. Ayesha Francine Dacquel, Mr Aezhier Tenazas, and Mr Ike Oliverio, stepped forth Then, the College of Health and Sciences Viper's (CHS Vipers) Ms. Kazandra May Abil, Ms Jullan Clare Vildosola, Ms Aaliyah Kyla Pia, Mr Miguel Francisco Royo, Mr. Girwyn Padero, and Mr Jose Louise Vincent Mondalo, walked in. Lastly, Ms. Richieann Gates from the College of Arts and Sciences Warriors (CAS Warriors) completed the lineup Each candidate radiated grace and sophistication in their elegant ensembles

While the candidates readied for the next stage, representatives, alumni, and teachers from the College of Accountancy and Business Management Dragons (CABM Dragons) and Junior College Phoenix (JC Phoenix) engaged the crowd through their variety show as promotional

videos from college departments played on the big screen

After the presentations from stage to video, the Mr. and Ms. LPU Davao candidates strutted the runway in their Creative Futuristic attire, adding their creative flair to the intricate designs, ranging from fantasy and mystical to culturally significant costumes.

They soon arrived dressed in their Formal Attire and Evening Gowns, gliding across the stage with their creative and mesmerizing outfits Their advocacy videos were shown in the background, grounding their drive and commitment to become worthy ambassadors of the institution as they advocated several causes encompassing empowerment among marginalized people, accessible healthcare, quality education, mental health, and sustainable environmental goals With the final lineup in place, the grand production concluded with the announcement of special and minor awards, leading to the next cut of the top five finalists for the upcoming round As Girwyn Padero (CHS Vipers), Jose Louise Vincent Mondalo (CHS Vipers), Adrin Dupaya Jr (JC Phoenix), John Carlo Andrada (JC Phoenix), Charles Christian Villanueva (CABM Dragons), and Ike Oliverio (CITHM Jaguars) made it for the men’s category, while Cathline Perez (CABM Dragons), Trisha Joy Bañez (CABM Dragons), Ayesha Francine Dacquel (CITHM Jaguars), Richieann Gates (CAS Warriors), and Naize Laguna (JC Phoenix) succeeded for the women’s

They were challenged through Intellectual Discourse, demanding their astuteness to interpret and assess the given topics represented by the pictures. Hence, the finalists were further divided into the final cut of the top three

SMILESOFPRIDE.Mr andMs LPUDavaocandidates posedforapictureafterwinningawardsandsecuring placesintheTop3,endingthenightwithsatisfiedgrins (PhotobyJennilynRegalado)

candidates, with Girwyn Padero (CHS Vipers), Aldrin Dupaya Jr (JC Phoenix), and John Carlo Andrada (JC Phoenix) qualifying for the last round for men’s and Cathline Perez (CABM Dragons), Ayesha Francine Dacquel (CITHM Jaguars), and Richieann Gates (CAS Warriors) for women’s

Moving closer to the finishing segment of their competition, they proceeded to the question-and-answer portion where they were asked about their contributions to society if they were to be crowned as Mr LPU and the implications of utilizing Artificial Intelligence in academic areas Their answers varied but focused on building a stronger community and responsible AI usage.

As the deliberation for the 2024 crown continued, the previous reigning Mr. and Ms. LPU Davao 2023 Mr. Francis Edmund Pinili and Ms Chantel Lauren Everett began their final walk, waving goodbye to the legacy they will leave behind and entrusting the responsibility to the future ambassadors of the institution

Soon, after careful deliberation, Girwyn Padero (CHS Vipers) and Ayesha Francine Dacquel (CITHM Jaguars) were crowned as the new Mr and Ms LPU Davao 2024 as Aldrin Dupaya Jr. (JC Phoenix) and Richieann Gates (CAS Warriors) were chosen as 1st-runner up, John Carlo Andrada (JC Phoenix) and Cathline Perez (CABM Dragons) won 2ndrunner up.

In a dazzling display of talent, poise, and intellect, the Mr and Ms LPU Davao pageant concluded with resounding success The contestants have showcased not only their outer beauty but also their inner grace, embodying the values of excellence and integrity that LPU Davao stands for

Igniting the Stage Through Melodies and Music LPU-Davao Roars Foundation Week to Life With Electrifying Clash of the Bands 2024

BYAIRANICOLESEVILLA

In an electrifying kickoff to Foundation Week 5, Lyceum of the PhilippinesDavao (LPU-Davao) reverberates with

the Clash of the Bands 2024 at the Sotero H Laurel (SHL) Sky Gym on February 27, 2024, organized by the Admissions and External Relations Office (AERO), amplifying instruments and pulsating performances, igniting the entire venue with musical fervor.

Gathering bands from diverse schools, alongside guests and the Lycean community, the event is graced by the esteemed presence of Dr Peter P Laurel, President of LPU-Davao.

Opening the act, the Crescendo Band from Arkstone Academy captivates the audience with poignant renditions of "Tatsulok" by Bamboo and "Awit ng Kabataan" by Rivermaya, blindfolding their guitarist to enhance the performance's impact, adding depth to the emotive expression

Following suit, the HCB Band from Holy Cross of Babak takes the stage by storm with classics “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by Eraserheads and “Elesi” by Rivermaya, setting an electrifying tempo for subsequent acts.

Real Laughs Band from Assumption College of Davao evoked emotions with soulful renditions of “Upuan” and “Tatsulok”, and Davao Christian High School’s MightyBand played “Ride Home” by Ben & Ben and “Huling Sayaw” by Kamikazee, prompting an enthusiastic sing-along R315 Band representing Lyceum of the Philippines - Davao follows with Sarah Geronimo’s “Anak” and “Upuan” by Gloc 9.

Before the next set of performances, LPU-Davao’s original The Crimson Band dazzles the audience with an intermission mix, paving the way for Sync band from Philippine Women’s College to unleash a powerful blend of “Tatsulok” and “Queen of the Night” by Whitney Houston

Subsequent performances include CMJ Band from Jose Maria College with “Tatsulok” and KZ Tandingan’s “Rolling in the Deep,” University of Immaculate Conception’s Sound Circus Band with “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey and “Upuan,” Amya Polytechnic College’s

Imagine Dragons and “Martyr Nyebera” by Kamikazee, and finally, Davao City National High School’s D’Untitled with “Yugto” by Rico Blanco and “Royals” by Lorde.

roll, Harmonia Band secures the People’s Choice Award, with Real Laughs Band claiming 2nd Runner-Up, Sync Band as 1st Runner-Up, and Sound Circus Band emerging as the ultimate champion.

ROCKANDROLL Participatingbandselectrifythestage,pouring theirheartswiththeirmusicalprowessinClashoftheBands2024 (PhotosbyLanceMatthewBalagulanandAiraNicoleSevilla)

The Phoenix Telegraph

In pursuit of introducing fun with innovation and excellence, the different colleges, and clubs of the

Lyceum of the Philippines Davao (LPUDavao) set up their game and food booths from February 26 to 28, 2024 at the Laurel Field.

After spending months of preparation and planning, the Laurel field was covered by enthusiastic students setting up their booths, urging visitors to visit them and check out their products and services

Among them was the Negosyantes’ Food Bazaar wherein the Junior College (JC) Lyceans from the Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand showcased their wide array of mouthwatering treats and products

Bejewelled Bites, Foodscape, Frosty Bliss, Potachuro, Tropabitez, and CornHub were the names of the businesses found in the ABM’s stalls as other students flocked their venue to check out their products featuring bracelets, crochets, corn, ice scramble, and many more to peruse from

Interestingly, ABM’s food bazaar is a part of their subject, Organization and Management, requirement, and will be integrated with their Accounting class as they will be making financial statements based on their bazaar

Ms. Chanel Hsu, one of the students behind Bejewelled Bites, explained how this experience in handling the food bazaar affected their learning experience in their chosen strand

“We could learn more tips and tricks on how to get our ROI (Return on Investment) faster,” she said Then, she later added, “For me, the best experience during the food bazaar was the number of people buying in the span of an hour,” when asked about her favorite part about her whole experience at the bazaar

Integrating Fun to Innovative Minds Lyceans Open Games and Food Bazaar at LPU

BYJENNILYNREGALADO

Unlike the Food Bazaar, the game booths from the clubs and colleges started on a later date due to some complications with the weather

Ms Rini Salazar, the secretary of the Junior College Sining de Liceo, commented about their booth’s delay in operations

“When setting up the booth, our main complication was the weather as there was rain and strong winds that damaged some parts of our tent. As of now, we're still in the set-up stage Hence, we will be operating our booth this February 27, 2024 Me and my fellow members agreed to change some of the decorations There was also an instance where we temporarily took it down for that reason,” she informed

Ms. Lovely Mae Logronio, the JC treasurer of the Taekwondo Pirates, detailed some issues with the setting up phase of their booth. “There weren’t many complications that we experienced in regards to setting up our booths. However, our members our sometimes unresponsive so that is why it is hard to consistently contact each other,” she conveyed her grievances

Indeed, with the Foundation Week 5 (FW5) underway and the rest of the student body occupied by their events, the club and council officers find it hard to continuously interact with their peers. However, despite the difficulties, the

operations continued as they pushed to see them through

Salazar shared her best experiences in the booth, “it was the interactions with my fellow members during the set-up Despite the complications that occurred, those simple interactions made it more bearable” Logronio also had a similar answer, “it is when we strive to work together and cooperate, it forms a good bond between the club and the other integrated club which is the Lynel Vestida. Teamwork makes the dream work," she stated

Unlike the ABM Food Bazaar, the clubs and colleges collaborated to form their game booths, offering numerous services and products that would entertain their visitors

Offering numerous services and products that would entertain their visitors, these booths consist of the Sining de Liceo and the Lyceans Innovator's Guild joining forces for their "InnovaFun" booth, the Lynel Vestida and LPU Taekwondo Pirates’ "LV's Archives Carnival" booth, the NasaHuni Club and Library Goers' "Piratapalooza: The Captain's Quest", the Lycean Society of Medtech Students' "Play and Eat", the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)

Local Council and Lycean Debate Union's "HUMA-SAYA" Booth, ABM Local Council and Commission on Student Election's "WorldWiz Frenzy: Unleashing Gibberish Words" booth, the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Local Council and Sci-Pi Varsity's "Fizz Frenzy" booth, the Junior CollegeCommission on Clubs and Associations and College of Engineering's "Quick Draw and Electrio Game" booth, the LPU-Davao College Red Cross Youth and LPU Davao Senior Plus Red Cross Youth's "Eros: Love Booth"

Their services and products range from tarot reading, face painting, multiple games with prizes, clothing selections, and photobooths.

Ranging from foods to games, the Food Bazaar and Game Booths truly highlight the Lyceans’ essence to always strengthen their innovativeness in integrating learning experiences into exciting opportunities, and to reach for excellence beyond borders

BUSYBOOTHS StudentsandTeachersvisittheFood BazaarofABMstudents,fillingthevenueasthey explorethewidevarietyoffoodsandproducts (PhotobyJennilynRegalado)

Recreations Rescheduled: FW5's Unending Uncertainties

BYBIANCAYSABELONOD

Push and pull; writing and erasing Foundation Week 5 is the most awaited event of LPU-D, with

festivities spanning from February 26-28, 2024. But in the happenings leading up to the event's start, it seems like the waiting for FW5 grandeur only got prolonged as the scheduling of recreational events were constantly caught in complications The shifting caused discomfort and as displeasure grew, the fear of FW5 being labeled as a waste of time grew along with it.

The ambitious crafting of Foundation Week 5 caught the attention of many; with car shows and fun runs along with other recreational activities The fact that this event was open for all made it much more looked forward upon. It showed that LPUD was an institution that was ready for big events catering not only the Lyceans' talents and academic pursuits through performance tasks, but the masses' enjoyment as well, no matter the context

From food, music, and art - all these fun things were shared to many, not limiting to Lyceans as Foundation Week 5 was an avenue towards the showcasing of our institution’s capabilities Through our

THESHOWHASGONEON LPU-D'sFifth FoundationWeekDay1commencedsuccessfully, despiteseveralschedulechangesandcancellations thataffectedotherevents

(PhotobyLPU-DavaoJuniorCollegePrimus)

events, we were able to create strong relationships and memories worth looking back upon The plans that were put to place truly raised excitement as it culminated values necessary for growth; something our institution handles best.

LPU - D has always provided adequate resources needed in growth as it gives students the opportunity to go out of their comfort zones, something apparent in the celebration of FW5 But this thought soon began depleting as the festivities that were supposed to take place were rescheduled, and the feeling of disappointment soon replaced the excitement of what once was - of what was supposed to be

It has been seen in the recent announcements stating mishaps within the school plans that the institution does not line up with the motto of staying ahead of the curve, as several numbers of their plans are constantly knifed. The postponement of the car show is one of the examples, with those from outside LPU being bummed out with its indefinite return. The fun run was also said to be moved for later events - but this reassurance did not stop disappointment from sinking in.

During the sports elimination rounds, the time was prolonged and couldn't stay in line with the schedules given Instead, it was rescheduled from time to time, a situation deemed tedious for the athletes who are sometimes unprepared with the sudden changes - or too prepared, only to be hit with sudden cancellations, losing momentum.

In FW5, the issues of schedules has posed threat to the reputation of our school's defining event, more so as it is an open situation It is of utmost importance to see these gaps within our system and point it out, in order for change to actually be applied In addressing these problems, the school should always be mindful of their published plans. The bigger entity should always think of the school's biggest event yet in a thorough manner that ensures it is an affair of fun, while showcasing the glimmering Lycean values For students and the public, it is best to cooperate with what we're given but it is essential to keep in mind what we deserve in this context. The lack of planning can lead to recreations rescheduled, but the uncertainties shall be drawn to an endand it begins with our minds and actions.

Re-Move to Greater Heights e reater

BYXERGIOJOSEBARRIGA

Promises are meant to be broken It is a quote that resonated with many Lyceans with the

string of announcements of the postponement of events like the Car Show and talks of several changes made to the Palaestrica and Foundation Week Many can’t help but ask just what the school is thinking, or do they know what they’re doing at all?

On January 18, 2024, the Lyceum of the Philippines Davao announced on their official Facebook page that a Car Show would be part of their fifth founding anniversary The announcement brought with it a buzz of excitement, the post gaining over two thousand reactions and shares combined The comment section was filled by hundreds tagging others interested in such an event Many students also shared how they were looking forward to the event, and with the opening of registration a week later on the 25th, the hype continued to grow Which only made the fall towards disappointment even harder when the Car Show’s postponement was announced

It is truly questionable how the school announced a well-anticipated event only to announce its postponement a mere week before the Foundation Week Personally I shared the same excitement others had, it was the first in the school’s history after all The sheer disappointment was palpable, exacerbated by the vagueness of the explanation provided. My curiosity had been piqued, only to be greeted by nothing

The Car Show is not the only event that experienced such a fate The Fun Run, meant to kick off Foundation Week, was also postponed, a cosplay event many had already began preparing their costumes for was canceled, a massive bazaar reminiscent of a night market never manifested and even a simple game like Jenga was dropped from the official list of events

Foundation Week should be a time of celebration a respite from the rigors of academic life Yet, events people are looking forward to have been postponed

or canc what ha Ho despite cancella here and running I think its admirable just how resilient the organizing body was in their preparation for such an important event Some have shared the struggles with half of their budget being cut yet they pushed on. It may not be as big as it could’ve been or had what had been canceled, but the Foundation Week remains and people have still been able to enjoy it

Promises were made and they were broken, but what matters is the present. It’s not perfect, there are a few raised eyebrows and questioning of some decisions made, nevertheless, the Foundation Week continues to move smoothly. I believe that the school can do better, but it’s important to understand just how difficult it is to create an event of such a scale and applaud the many committees behind it for a job well done Things that didn’t come to pass shouldn’t impede our present, those broken promises shouldn’t affect the memories we can now create

In the face of adversity and disappointment, the resilience of the organizing body shines through as they navigate the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the Foundation Week Despite budget cuts and unforeseen obstacles, they have persevered to ensure that the spirit of celebration and unity prevails. As we immerse ourselves in the festivities of the Foundation Week, it's crucial to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of those behind the scenes who have worked tirelessly to bring this event to fruition Promised highlights like the Clash of the Bands remain and put up a spectacle that people can enjoy to their heart’s content. While setbacks may have dampened some expectations, let us not forget to appreciate the efforts made and the memories that we can still cherish during this time of communal joy and camaraderie

The Phoenix Telegraph

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SportsmanSHIP in Rough Waters

BYBIANCAYSABELONOD

Tof each gameplay. The implementation of firm rules in the area of sport is of utmost importance considering the effect it brings upon in each performance. Foundation Week 5 of Lyceum of the Philippines - Davao had their sports eliminations around early February 2024, with the said affair being looked forward to with students training for their respective games However, some of the games' rules were changed, an action that raised eyebrows from many students. The said situation gave way to complications and loss of spirit within the sport These adjustments were not of the best interest for the students as the change applied were not notably of a huge help

It is a known fact that the institution does not possess a significant student population, hence the changing of rules in some games were meant to fit with the capabilities of the chosen few to compete This was a change imposed to make the games easier to be played as some - if not most - were usually signed up to the sport for the grades and such. Enjoyment has always been an important factor in sports, and in LPU's understanding, the shift in the rules was a way to ensure that everyone had fun

It is an especially commendable idea considering that the school put inclusivity in the games for Foundation Week 5 The change in the rules made it easier for the majority of players who signed up despite

the lack of experience as it was necessary for the boosting of their academic performances. A win was needed but in the situation where it lacks the proper components, an intervention was neededthus created In this way, the path towards victory was much easier to achieve

One may think that these changes applied were truly a way to help students in grappling the numerous nuances of a sport. But then again, a question forms with the thought - is the bending of the rules in this context a way of creating an individual - a Lycean - that is wellequipped for the realities our future holds, along with other important aspects? One simply cannot help but think that adjusting things to be easier will come out as counterproductive given that those who bask in its ease lose grasp of how harsh life can be, leading to an uneven trade off

"It almost seems as if we're just playing for pure fun and not to actually win It is still a competition at the end of the day" An athlete competing in FW5 said in regards to the change of rules In basketball women, actions such as travelling were given a green card despite it being prohibited in basketball men For badminton, only one set was played with the score of 31 being the roof, as opposed to the usual gameplay rules of having 2 sets with 21 as the roof. In the instance of volleyball, the males and females were not separated and were mixed into one category for FW5. These odd rulings took a toll on the gameplays as they were in contrast to the game's original nuances

With the main concern being the inclusivity of students in the sport, it was unfortunately shifted towards playing just for the sake of playing it, rather than actually going through the correct ways of learning the unique branches of sports The camaraderie, the strategies were lost in the process of making things easierthe facade placed, hiding the fact that the spirit of sport was slowly fading with the changes put in place.

Sports is an affair that requires inclusion of all parties But making things easier is not a way that boosts the proper growth of individuals involved This attempt of handling sports displayed how it disrupted the true essence of sportsand in a way, jeopardized the spirit it possesses.

It should be kept in mind that no matter the context, sports will always have its difficulty. And to bend the rules that are already practiced on the daily only contributes to the need of heightening one's understanding to it, rather than getting to grasp it easier Moving forward, LPU - D should always be open to difficulties faced as sugarcoating things for the sake of the game only refuses the right of growth that a person has. Students should be enthused with the rules set as is, and not rely on changes that can have a facade of being beneficial for them in the short term, but not in the long run

Sports should be a ship manned properly, to set sail in seas adventurous and not to steer into the rough waters

he essence of true sport is the proper camaraderie, but beyond that lies the adequate manning of

IllustrationbyJuliaAntoinetteAñonuevo

Meet the Associate Dean of the Junior College:

Sir Are Jay Castro

BYJUALDIDEUSVIRATA

The 5th Foundation Week celebration of LPU-Davao has been in the works for a long time, rooted in the careful

collaboration of every corner of the Lycean avenue The school faculty, the student council, and the other FW5 event chairpersons exercise diligence and responsibility to make the FW5 festivities possible, this resilience and dedication to the celebration is thanks to the guidance and wisdom of the FW5 overall chair and the associate dean of the Junior College: Sir Are Jay M Castro

Under the wing of Dr Marlyn D Biton the Junior College dean, Sir Are Jay has been overseeing the LPU-Davao campus since its inception in 2019, leading the school as the sole Junior College coordinator and one of the pioneer teachers at the time. Dr. Biton chose him to be the JC coordinator because of his work ethic, his proficiency as a speaker, and his history of being a capable leader.

Even before LPU, Sir Are Jay had always believed in the value of student empowerment, and he sought to form LPUDavao’s culture based on that belief And after considering all the risks, the student council and the different clubs and organizations had formed under his guidance within the first few months of the campus’ operations

The structure that he helped establish still stands as the basis of Lycean leadership to this day; a student-oriented culture In Sir Are Jay’s words, “We really took that risk, because we believe in the holistic development of our students, specifically here in Junior College [ ] One of our core values [in the school] is leadership [and] we really wanted to hone the leadership skills of our students here in LPU-Davao ”

Ever since then, Sir Are Jay has been the Junior College coordinator up until last year in 2023 when he was promoted to the Associate Dean position, when asked about the position, Sir Are Jay had this to say, “There is no difference, in terms of my work when I was JC Coordinator, there’s no difference ”

Years after the establishment of the LPU culture, Sir Are Jay still holds student empowerment in high regard. He believes that in the innovation and holistic

development of students, they can become ready for the hardships of life The best mediums to exercise this empowerment can come in the form of events catered towards certain clubs, athletes, or even regular Lyceans– but the truly best medium for this empowerment, catered to the Lycean experience in general, is Foundation Week 5.

Foundation Week is an annual event that celebrates the founding of the Davao campus of Lyceum of the Philippines, and it was only made possible through the dedication and collaboration of the school faculty, student council, and the event chairpersons all under the guidance of Sir Are Jay, acting as the overall chair for this year’s edition of Foundation Week

“To tell you honestly, it’s my 5th year of handling FW [ ] I could say that throughout the years has been really challenging [to manage], because number one: resources and the available facilities, you really have to be flexible on these things, for example, we had to conduct the cheerdance competition on the Laurel Field instead of the gym, because there is an occupancy capacity and that does not permit us to jump and do tumbling sa gym, and we really need to be flexible on that ”

He later explained the flexibility the Foundation Week chair exercised to ensure the enjoyment of the event, “[As for] the resources, all the time naman, the Laurel family (the owners of LPU) has been very supportive in celebrating the foundation anniversary. They give us ample budget, they gave the students the opportunity to show their talent, and whatnot I could say that over the past yearswestarted FW1[on-campus] in February of 2020, then 2 Foundation Weeks were in the pandemic w h e r e o n l i n e lang kami,

and for FW4 last year and this year was faceto-face, and still it was very challenging, yet very fulfilling ”

FW5 stands as an avenue of opportunity for students to showcase their talents and to improve their skill set, which is aligned with the student empowerment the Sir Are Jay continues to instill into the Lycean culture. He stated that LPU values innovation and is very adaptive in the face of diverse challenges in a new environment

Sir Are Jay believes that there is always strength and stability in the unity of differences, because in this world, nothing is said to be more important than another, because each has a role to perform which is vital to the efficiency of the whole system, “We all have a role to perform for us to become more stable, and that is really, really important in our organization ”

When asked for a message for the students, Sir Are Jay had this to say: “A part of something special

does not makeyou special; something is special because you are a partofit”

To Inspire Action: The Winning Answers of Mr. and Ms. LPU 2024

TRENDSTORY BYJUALDIDEUSVIRATA

On the fateful night of the 26th of February 2024, the other side of the road that was the Mr and Ms LPU-

Davao pageant was glowing brighter, with the finalists only a few questions away from being crownedandtitledasthenewMr andMs LPU

The top 3 finalists for Mr. LPU were Mr. Girwyn Philipp Dion Padero of the CHS, Mr Aldrin Dupaya Jr. of the JC, and Mr. John Carlo Andrada also of the JC; and for Ms LPU, it was Ms. Cathline Perez of the CABM, Ms. Ayesha Francine Dacquel of the CITHM, and Ms RichieannGatesoftheCAS.Thesefinal3hadthe chance to reign as the Mr and Ms LPU-Davao of the Foundation Week 5 and this chance would depend on the words that they would speak in the face of hard-hitting questions, momentsbeforetheconclusionofthepageant

Knowing that the crown was within reach, it was certain to everyone in the venue that all the finalists at that point were eager to do nothing but their best. Truly, the finalists of that nightwerethebestofthebest,butonly“one”of the best could walk home with the Mr. and Ms. LPU-Davaocrownrestingatoptheirhead

As the final question and answer portion of the pageant had commenced, there was but one thought that lived rent free in the heads of not only the Lyceans in the audience, but also the finalists themselves was this: “Who would win the title of Mr and Ms LPU?” And after a

careful deliberation between the judges, it was decided that among the 6 finalists of the pageant, the ones taking the crown as Mr and Ms LPU-Davao‘24wouldbeMr GirwynPhilipp Dion Padero of the CHS and Ms Ayesha FrancineDacqueloftheCITHM

TheirreignasthenewMr.andMs.LPU-Davao would be bound to be splendid The manner in which they carried themselves in the pageant was enough to convince anyone that the school would beingoodhands.Thisprovedespeciallytrueinthe answers they gave in the question and answer portionsoftheMr.andMs.LPU‘24pageant.

In the intellectual discourse portion of the pageant, the Mr. LPU finalists were asked what theirplanswouldbeiftheyweretobecrowned as Mr LPU 2024, so this is part of what Mr LPU ‘24 Girwyn Philipp Dion Padero had this to say “If I were to be crowned as Mr LPU 2024, I will be for the community centeredness of LPU Davao [ ] Now I call upon each and every individual of this institution to be for each other and to fight for each other and to uplift and support for each other. As these times are hard and we need support [ ] And that is my best ontribution to the upcoming institution. To promote it as a community of self or communitycenteredpeople.”

Andinthefinalquestionandanswerportion of W5’s Mr. and Ms. LPU pageant, the rise of artificial intelligence was brought into question,

and the opinions of the finalists were called for, and so, Ms LPU-Davao ‘24 Ayesha Francine Dacquel expressed her opinion, stating that artificial intelligence had changed many things, especially in education, and because of this, it can prove to be a threat However, she believes thatA.I.cannotbetotallydismissedasithelpsin the innovation of tomorrow and that it must be controlled and regulated. “Always remember that artificial intelligence is only a tool to supplement our learning experience, but not as a substitute to our own brilliance” were the exact words that Ms. Dacquel spoke to concludeheranswerandsecurehercrown

Thesewerethewinninganswersthatsecured Mr andMs LPU’svictoryintheMr andMs LPUDavao pageant of 2024 There is no doubt that the answers they expressed stand as the pinnacle of Lyceanexcellenceandstewardship Themannerin which they called upon their fellow Lyceans was a demonstration of their capability to be great student leaders; standing not only to inspire and instill confidence in those under their reign, but to also empower their fellow Lyceans for an everblazingtomorrow

FromthemomentMr.andMs.LPUaddressed those questions, they spoke not for the sole sake of winning,theyspokebecausetheyhadalwayssought out to inspire action within LPU-Davao since the verybeginning,thisisbecauseitwasalwaysintheir intentfortheiranswerstobemorethanjustwords

Photoby BrianSinsuatofBrianFilms

FEATURE 1 1 The Phoenix Telegraph

The Lycean Extraordinaires: Communication and Literary Arts ‘24

SPOTFEATURE

BYJUALDIDEUSVIRATA

Following the first day of Foundation Week 5, the Communication and Literary Arts competition would

shape the day ahead, serving as a testament to the brilliance of Lycean skill From the eloquent speakers of the Impromptu Speaking category to the talented artists of the On-The-Spot Painting category, the epitome of Lycean excellence was set to stand under the spotlight of the stage that was the CommArts event.

In the event’s opening remarks, the Junior College dean Dr. Marlyn D. Biton had this to say to clusters’ chosen competitors, “To be extraordinary, you must part from being ordinary, so ‘wag kayo magpaordinary lang, be special, be extraordinary in terms of what you can do for yourself and what you can do for your school.” And with these words of encouragement, the CommArts competition truly commenced

Before the beginning of the first few categories, the judges of the CommArts competition were introduced After their introduction, it was trusted that the competition would be in safe hands, as each judge had an extensive background that would ensure that only the best would win in the respective categories

The CommArts competition is split into 3 categories: the mono crafts, the dyad crafts, and the multi crafts. The first category to be hosted was the mono crafts, which started with Impromptu Speaking.

The contestants of Impromptu Speaking were given a question that they would answer in under 2 minutes time The competitors would display answers that demanded intrigue, as they yielded in the face of questions regarding philosophical ideas, hypotheticals of difficult situations, and queries about the self

After the impromptu category had passed by, it was time for the Storytelling, Oratorical Speech, and Spoken Poetry categories, which challenged not only the creative writing of the contestants, but also the speech delivery of their own written work. And in classic Lycean fashion, the contestants did not not stop at overcoming their challenges, rather, hey conquered and stayed ahead of them, in correlation with the FW5 theme of “Staying Ahead of the Curve ”

the final dyad category, namely the Asian Parliamentary Debate, the Digital Collaborative Publishing teams, and OnThe-Spot Painting respectively

The multi crafts involved the combined effort and compelling competition of multiple Lyceans to reach the top of their respective crafts as one, unified identity. The Asian Parliamentary Debate entailed a battle of wits in support or opposition of a given topic, while the DigiCollab effort entailed the careful collaboration of multiple journalists to detail the school’s happenings Busy as these Lyceans are, they will not falter as to make their fellow Lyceans proud And soon,

And as that time passed, the most anticipated event of the CommArts competition would soon be upon its contestants and the Lycean audience: the Jazz Chant And as the final multi craft event of that afternoon, the Jazz Chant would ensure that the CommArts competition of Foundation Week 5 would be a spectacle to be remembered.

Similar to its fellow multi craft categories, the competing groups of Jazz accompanied choreography and props to further enhance their performance. The day of the competition would ascertain the amount of creative liberty the competing groups took would create unique and distinct performances that would differentiate itself from the rest

And when the different presentations of the Jazz Chant had been performed, it was then time for the announcement of the winners of the CommArts competitions

Each cluster of the CommArts competition and the FW5– the CABM Dragons, the CITHM-ICI Jaguars, the CHS Vipers, the CAS Warriors, the COE Tigers, and the JC Phoenix– were eager to see who of the clusters’ talented Lyceans would win the different categories of CommArts; as Lyceans, all the clusters may have given their absolute best, but only one cluster can hail as the champion

After the judges’ careful deliberation, they declared the CAS Warriors as the champions of Impromptu Speaking, the CITHM-ICI Jaguars as the champions of Spoken Poetry, and the CABM Dragons the champions of On-The-Spot Painting. It was agreed that these clusters were deserving of the wins in each category. However, it is not to say that they did not fight a good fight in the other categories

Once the mono craft categories had concluded, a brief intermission was called to prepare for what was next to come. But what this intermission was to the majority of Lyceans was an on-going battle for some participants of the multi craft categories and

three rounds of different premises The best interviewers and interviewees of LPU-Davao gathered to represent their respective clusters to prove that they had an excellence that would give them an edge over their fellow competitors. Despite the competitors having barely enough time for their individual interviews, they did not fail to make the most of their time, performing the best show they could put on and making themselves the highlight of many Lyceans’ days It’s like what they say, time passes fast when you’re having fun.

In an unexpected turn of events, the JC Phoenix came out on top as the champions of the Story Telling, Oratorical Speech, Smart Talker, Smart Interviewer, Jazz Chant, and the Asian Parliamentary debate categories, bringing home a total of 5 wins under their belt for this year’s CommArts of Foundation Week 5.

And to add to the excitement, a majority of these competitions took place in the span of a single day and only in the second day of FW5, with only more events to come. The Communication and Literary Arts ‘24 may have just concluded, but this is only the beginning

INTHESPOTLIGHT ACommunicationArts participantemotedthroughspeech,turningwords intoamesmerizingmasterpiece (PhotobyShaneFrancineMedidas)

ALaurelegacy

BYXERGIOJOSEBARRIGA

is the celebration of the Fifth rning the colors of legend and myth ilver, Green, Orange and Gold competition, they show they are bold

irst is the mighty Warrior n of knowledge, a pillar of stre eacon of pride and dedication e the victor of this year’s coron

rides forth the fierce Tiger's gr challenge, they find their plac nd prowess, they defend their In the arena of honor, they seek their fa

Third slithers the Viper, cunning and s

With strategy sharp, they aim high In every move, they plot and schem conquer each trial, fulfill their dre

g from the ashes, behold the Phoe th resilience and passion, they ign

From adversity, they emerge anew In their fiery spirit, victory ensues

ast but not least, the Dragon roars

With power and majesty, they soar presence commands respect and realm of competition, they set th

e Warrior's wisdom to the Dragon petitor leaves their mark, their clai e echoes of triumph, their voices s heart of this school, where dreams

the banners fly, let the cheers res his celebration, where victory is fo or in the tapestry of Laurel’s legac Foundation Week, we carve our s

e Years of Excellence, titude, and Service U-Davao Commemorates Founding Anniversary

NNILYNREGALADO&AIRANICOLESEVILLA

OSBYLANCEMATTHEWBALAGULAN

nering another year of service, the ceum of the Philippines - Davao (LPUavao) celebrates its fifth Founding

fromFebruary26toFebruary29,2024, Davaocampus,honoringtheweek-long byshowcasingthetalentsandingenuity sa testament of the institution’s theme o“stayaheadofthecurve”

arting from the first day, students from r tested their skills in different areas, o the field of arts. To unveil the legacy rative markers, On-the-Spot Painting such as Mr. Jose Cuizon from the ccountancyandBusinessManagement CABM Dragons), carefully painted his on of LPU-Davao’s 2024 theme with efreedom in the evening, Lyceans’ creativity d to performing as teachers and from the Junior College Phoenix (JC sparked the stage with empowering nd dance skills, subsequently placing them mpions under the Variety Show category CABM Dragons as 1st runner-up.

Mixingfashionwith the integrity of LPUDavao,studentsfromthe Association of LPU Ambassadors (ALBA) proudly posed with their respective college school uniformsduringtheMr andMs LPU-Davao2024,as asymbolofloveandcommitmenttotheinstitution

RecognizingthevisualsandpresenceoftheMr. andMs LPU-Davao2024candidates,specialawards were given to those who exceeded the standards with Mr Ike Oliverio of the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management Jaguars (CITHM Jaguars) and Ms Aaliyah Kyla Pia from the CollegeofHealthandSciencesVipers(CHSVipers)as theproclaimedMr andMs Congeniality

Mr JohnCarloAndradaandMs NaizeLagunaof theJuniorCollegePhoenix(JCPhoenix)werechosenas theMr andMs Photogenic AsMr andMs Eloquence wasawardedtoMr Aldrin DupayaJr (JCPhoenix)and MsAyeshaFrancineDacquel(CITHMJaguars)

Lastly, the People’s Choice award went to Mr Miguel Francisco Royo and Ms Aaliyah Kyla Pia Other awards were presented to deserving

candidatessuchastheSponsors’Awardfrom RDL

Showcasingtheirmasteryinmusic,10different school bands across Mindanao gathered at LPUDavao during the Clash of the Bands. Mighty Band from Davao Christian High School rendered the crowd speechless as they sang Ben&Ben’s “Ride Home”andKamikazee’s“HulingSayaw”

In the end, the Sound Circus Band from the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) were crownedastheGrandChampions,withSyncBandfrom the Philippine Women's College placing 1st runner-up andRealLaughsBandfromtheAssumptionCollegeof Davao(ACD)winning2ndrunner-up

Students,teachers,andstaffofLPU-Davaohave repeatedlyproventheirdrivetoaimandsoarhigher beyond their boundaries Through this week-long Founding Anniversary, the displayed talents and dedicationtrulyresoundedwiththeinstitutions’five yearessenceofreachinggreaterheights.

SINGINGINTOTHENIGHT Singersfrom MightyBandputtheirvoicesoutforthe crowdduringtheBattleoftheBands

MR&MSLPUNIGHT Special awardsaregivenouttothe glamorousparticipants,sweeping thestagewiththeirbeamingsmiles attheSoteroH Laurel,SkyGym

DANCESHOW.Thevarietydancerstaketo thestagecaptivatingtheaudiencewith theirenergy,Mondaynight

DELICACYONCANVAS. ArtistforOntheSpot Paintingcarefullybrushes hisworktolife

DAPPERANDSMILING Representativesfortheir collegebeamwithhonorfor thePresentationofLPU Uniforms

STRAIGHT-LEAD

Librero, Banda Clinch Table Tennis Men’ s Championship

BYRIANYZABELLECUNANAN

The Junior College (JC) Phoenix dethrone College of Health and Sciences (CHS) Vipers in Table

Tennis Men’s Singles A and Singles B, last Thursday, February 22, at SHL room 414.

Paddling into the night's championship matches, JC’s Earl Librero walloped through Singles’ A against the reigning Category B champion, CHS’ Yilmaz Ho, 3-2.

Meanwhile, JC’s Lanz Banda looped CHS’ Miguel Royo in Singles’ B, 3-1

In Singles’ A, both players went headto-head in a thrilling match with their goodforehand power, great

defenses, and tricky serves, as they target each other’s weaknesses resulting in back-and-forth points.

But Librero persevered and grabbed the victory 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, and 11-6

Librero said in an interview, “Before the championship match for table tennis, I practiced a lot, focused on my techniques, worked on my physical fitness, and mentally prepared myself for the game ”

“In addition to practicing and focusing on techniques, I also studied my opponent's playing style, strategizedwithmyteammates, visualized success, and made sure to get enough rest and proper nutrition leading up to the match ” , he added

Serving in Singles' B, the

returning Banda played with looping balls along with his switching serve styles, and held up with Royo’s defensive tactics

Determined to claim the title, Banda then seized the Singles’ B victory, 11-8, 118, 5-11, and 11-4

“It was definitely refreshing to get the gold medal for Junior College, but I didn't enter the competition to win, I just wanted to experience good table tennis.”, Banda said when asked about his victory

The Junior College (JC) Phoenix also dominated the Table Tennis Women’s Singles’ A Championship as Pauline Barbadia finished, 3-0, against the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Warriors

APADDLETO

VICTORY Librero andBandafromJC Phoenixproject theirdominance aftertakingthe championshipfrom theCHSVipers duringthefinals (PhotobyLPUDavaoJunior College)

SPORTS 15 The Phoenix Telegraph

DETERMINATIONANDPOWER TriumphantJCPhoenix Women’sBasketballTeamgettheirradiantandjoyous smilestakenafterfinalswinatSHLSkyGym (PhotobyMhielMargaretteUy)

FEATUREGAME BYRIANYZABELLECUNANAN

The Junior College (JC) Phoenix subdue the College of International Tourism and

match with another fiery 3-pointer, 26-22

Hospitality Management (CITHM) Jaguars, in a come-from-behind win, 47-34, during the Palaestrica Women’s Basketball Championship Game, at the SHL Sky Gym, February 23.

Team Captain, Allyn Pechon detonated in the finals match, along with Pauline Barbadia, both with 15 points as booming crowds of both teams’ supporters filled the venue.

Dribbling through the decisive third quarter, CITHM grasped a 3-point lead, 19-22.

However, JC’s Pauline Barbadia was not at it as she made the layup that slimmed the margin, 21-22.

In spite of this, barely holding on to their advantage, CITHM’s Italia made a hesitant jump shot that went in-and-out of the ring

Barbadia, like a woman on a mission, again seized the opportunity and executed the much-needed shot that secured Junior College the advantage in the thrilling match, 23-22

In a post-game interview, team

captain Allyn Pechon said, “Lingaw-lingaw ra man toh, enjoy lang gud ninyo ang dula. [We were just having fun, and enjoying the game]”, when asked about their mindset while playing the game.

The riveting match started as CITHM scored first, 0-1 But, JC was able to keep up, 6-4.

The first quarter drew to a close, with both teams tied, 6-6.

As the nerve-wracking second quarter commenced, CITHM grabbed the lead, with a six-to-nothing run, 6-12.

Despite this, JC’s Pechon hastened with the must-have follow-up and scored, 12-16.

Drawing in more momentum, the soaring Pechon stepped up for her team once more and fired a sizzling trifecta, 1518

The thrilling second quarter ended, 15-20.

In the crucial third quarter, there was a hitch on the Phoenix’s flight as Chanel Hsu and Jamelia Palaganas were forced to exit the match due to injury

Regardless of the circumstance, the Junior College persevered and established their advantage, as Pechon ignited the

The rip-roaring third quarter finished, 30-24

Stirring up the exhilarating fourth quarter, Barbadia’s back shot did not go into the rim, but Nicholas was there with the tip-in, and scored, 32-24.

To top it all off, the Junior College soared even higher as they expanded their lead and sealed a dominating victory over CITHM

“We’ve been practicing since the month of January gyud, and ang bond gyud namo as players is very strong [We’ve been practicing since January and our bond as players is very strong ]”, said Jamelia Palaganas when asked about their preparations.

In addition, one of their coaches, Maica Cesar said, “I am so proud of my team from day one until now, of course, they deserve it ”

JC(47)–Pechon15,Barbadia15,Nicholas 8, Lasala 7, Reyes 2, Darong 0, Verona 0, Tugade 0, Almazan 0, Santiago 0, Braun 0, Rojo0,Torrifiel0,Hsu0,Palaganas0.

CITHM (34) – Italia 14, Jumaway 8, Griño 4, Garcia 4, Manaloto 2, Floresta 2, Paja 0, Juario 0, Gayma 0, Giadian 0, Lim 0.

Equali-Team

BYRIANYZABELLECUNANAN

Equality can be achieved through sports. This year’s Palaestrica has redefined the way LPU-Davao

plays the game by realigning the gender norms, combining the teams for men and women in volleyball and soccer. Thus, turning it into a mixed category But, can we really mix talent and expect a good outcome in the game?

Volleyball is known to be a sport where both men’s and women’s categories excel with different concepts of play. In the case of Palaestrica 2024, two different intensities of play joined together for a school tournament. It may not cater the players from both genders to play at their potential knowing the boundaries the situation may set.

We cannot disregard and turn a blind eye to the inequalities this movement can inflict and impose negative circumstances toward the players Players may struggle in keeping up, like female players cannot

maintain the same pace as male players, and vice versa with other aspects of the game It is not a question of skill, but a recognition of individual capabilities.

Despite this, players in Palaestrica 2024 have been empowered to break barriers by beating the norms Well, even the Olympics believe that sport is one of the most powerful platforms for promoting gender equality

In the volleyball games, it can be observed how each player has found their connection in spite of their gender Also, they provide equal opportunities for each other to score. This may be through setting the ball, and equality in the execution of combination plays

On the other hand, the soccer games have proven how female players can indeed play alongside male players. Each player, when the time favors, gets possession of the ball, then gets the chance to kick for the goal.

As a spectator of these games, I am in awe of the inclusivity the Palaestrica 2024 games have conveyed Likened to birds in the same flock, soaring towards their common objectives They exemplify how to be a good sport by holding no gender biases

Great inspiration can be drawn from this, as to how you can be motivated towards an open society where gender holds no barrier, any sport is an open space for an individual to express and find connections in their craft As it goes beyond its objectives, by endorsing equity for the opportunities of both genders to join forces in recreational and team play

Inclusivity and equality in sports have been one of the goals in LPU Davao. The volleyball and soccer games have truly strived to stay ahead of the curve by promoting fair perspectives in sports Together, they aim to achieve a team of inclusivity and equality.

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