Cosplay Superstar
returns with formal judging instead of previous
judging approach
With the riddance of the Cosplay Superstar in last year’s Intramurals, its return this year featured a more structured and formal judging, in comparison to previous ‘haphazard’ approach.
This year, 40 cosplayers, each representing their colleges, were judged at the University Library’s Audio-visual Room on October 14.
The new ‘formal approach’ allowed cosplayers to showcase their character individually on stage and be evaluated based on two criteria—50% for character portrayal and 50% for accuracy.
The formal judging was succeeded by an opencategory judging at the University Gymnasium for all cosplayers wishing to participate.
Prof. Norman Ralph Isla, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA), explained the rationale behind this year’s formal judging approach before the judging.
“Maraming comments tayo na re-receive since 2014. ‘Bakit napaka-hazard lang ng judging. Napakadali lang?’ That’s why the committee come up with a new answer na gawin na siyang formal judging. Kaya nandito kayong lahat para mas maayos kayo na ma-iskoran ng ating mga judges which later on, magpapalit pa rin kayo sa gym. Kung saan mas maraming audience na ang nag-aabang sa inyo mamaya,” Prof. Isla explained to cosplayers.
Students’ sentiments on new judging approach, event’s return
Christian Rich Teves, who chose to cosplay Taylor Sheesh this year, expressed a liking
for the new judging approach, recalling their experience on the last Cosplay Superstar.
“Last [time], yung nagsali kasi kami, hindi kami na-judge [nang maayos] because naovershadow kami. Especially sa parade, dahil kami pinaka-last.
May mga tao na nag-siksikan sa gitna. [This time] parang nabigyan kami ng magandang time talaga to showcase ‘yung gina-cosplay namin,” Teves remarked.
As participants celebrated the event’s return, they also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to embody different personalities.
Xinia Amor Dizon, who cosplayed influencer Toni ‘Mommy Oni’ Fowler, explained that she chose Fowler because of her popularity and her representation of women who have faced difficulties in the past but are working to improve their lives.
“Medyo kiat si Mommy Oni at the same time representation siya ng mga babae ngayon na pangit ang past at inaayos na ngayon ang buhay. Daghan siyag issues pero at least gina pakita niya na strong siya as a woman,” Dizon stated.
Further, first-time participant Dave Kenjie Dela Cruz, who cosplayed content creator and social media personality Felixe ‘Sassa Gurl’ Petate, shared his excitement.
“Proud po ako na bading ako. Naging role model sakin si Sassa Gurl. Nagagandahan ako sa mga looks niya na very witty. This is my first time, and I’m happy na naibalik na ang cosplay kasi last year walang ganito,” Dela Cruz shared.
LOURENZ JAY LOREGAS, MARIA NICOLE SILVA
Majority of MSUans observe less waste than previous Intramurals; encourage more trash bins around campus
LYNXTER GYBRIEL LEAN O, IAN PAOLO VILLACENCIO
With the Intramurals 2024 on its fifth day, the majority of MSUans noted seeing less garbage around campus grounds compared to last year, wherein students suggested adding more trash bins around the campus to further minimize these waste materials.
“Compared [to] last year nga intramurals, maingon nako nga mas less ang basura karon since naa na man tong, mas implement tong pa taurpaulin sa SSC. Somehow nakaaffect na dili maglabay kaayo ang tao pero naa gihapon minimal na mga basura,” Dino Lumedsig, third year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Biology student, emphasized.
The tarpaulin Lumedsig referred to was that of the Supreme Student Council (SSC) encouraging students to be responsible for their own trash.
He also recommended putting more trash bins around the campus, especially around the open court, to prevent the overflowing of single trash cans.
“Mas ma-lessen magbutang ta ug mas
daghan ug mga basurahan, food stalls lang ang naa, tapos sa open court ga overflow na kay limited ang space occupied, mas better mas daghan ang basurahan kay para mas daghan butngan sa mga tao,” he stated.
In the same manner, both PV Mhae Alcoran, 4th year Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Student and Princess Apdua, 4th year Bachelor of Science in Economics students agreed that this year’s Intramurals have less garbage cluttered around the campus.
Moreover, Alcoran and Apdua advised to add more trash bins so that the constituents will throw their garbage anywhere inside the trash cans.
“I observed walang basurahan talaga na accessible outside especially sa mga stalls. You have to ask the owners kung saan ilagay. Best way is to put garbage bags sa mga columns diyan sa mga hallway, yung mga column bars, na kahit naglalakad ka lang you can throw your trashes hindi mo bitbitin anywhere,” Alcoran explained.
Furthermore, for his perspective, Rojon Karl
Macapas, a second year AB Fil student, the venue shift, impacted the number of waste that was collected.
“Ang mga events man gud this Intramurals was held in the gymnasium, wala jud kaayo event na ginaheld sa field and wala kaayo gaadto na mga students and all so wala masyado gadala ug basura ganun,” he said.
The same insights were also upheld by Cyd Rian Reyes, also an AB Fil student, suggesting that the admin should impose stricter rules on students in terms of bringing plastics in campus itself.
Meanwhile, for Jade Bryan Ollos, a second year Mechanical Engineering student, he suggested that a designated parking area will be provided, to ensure security for students and proper organization of vehicles.
“Bisag asa ra ka makakita ug motor tapos dili arranged—like diri nga area motor lang then diri is kotse lang para mas limpyo ang palibot ug safety na pud,” Ollos confirmed.
On the other hand, Angel Casildo, a
photo from MSU GenSan Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
mANNING THE SHOW: THREE ACTORS AT PLAY
JEROMELEE PIANA
More than the blinding lights and the deafening sounds of music and cheering crowds, manning a show is nothing less than operating a panel filled with buttons that are dizzying to look at, where each click would redirect the show to either a positive or negative case-run. However, arranging the venue for the Dance Night and Musical Night of Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos City’s Intramurals this year in its gymnasium instead of the much-larger University Quadrangle runs cases of both sides for such shows.
In the previous year, the latter night events were conducted at the University Quadrangle as opposed to this year’s arrangements in which the contestants’ performances were accessible for everyone to see. Unlike last year, students this time faced limitations in getting into the University Gymnasium to watch the Dance Night and Musical Night. With a quota system put in place, students from MSUGSC’s different colleges were only able to come in the numbers set by Ms. Sheila Loable, the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance (VCAF) on a “first come, first served” basis,
significantly reducing the number of students that are able to watch.
In every event organized in MSU-GSC during its Intramurals, there are always three main actors that shape it: the organizers, the performers or players, and the students or viewers. With this year’s dance and musical competitions having been brought inside the premises of the University Gymnasium, further fortified by a college quota system, many students are left outside its gates unable to watch. This is because the gymnasium’s capacity to hold a crowd could not compete
against the thousand-bulks of MSUans. The set quota system was only to make sure that students’ entry to the gymnasium is distributed equitably by the percentage of the student population per college.
Nevertheless, some students still lament the setup. In an interview via Facebook Messenger, Jeyno, a first year BPEd student, expressed his preference for the University Quadrangle as a venue for the Dance Night and Musical Night. According to him, “Limited lang jud pag sa gym, that’s why dapat sa Quadrangle.” He further added that as a contestant, he really wanted his fellow students from the College of Education (COEd) to witness their performance. If held at the Quadrangle, the competitions would have been open for all to see, regardless of how many students flock to watch the shows.
However, at the end of the day, even if it is true that the gym is inaccessible to many students in respect to its minimal capacity, other factors need to be weighed in because this is not a onebullet gun show. From the perspective of Grejie Lou Mercado, a first year BAPOS student and a contestant in the Folk Dance competition, the gym is the more appropriate venue. In an interview with Bagwis, she said that the sound system, the lights, and the stage itself are better off in the gym if compared to the Quadrangle. “Dili sagabal inig magsayaw [sa stage sa gym],” she added. She further stated that the stage in the Quadrangle has a pole in the middle which would have been a hindrance in the flow of their performance.
The issue that arose from the side of the students lies from the gym’s inaccessibility for them. Even so, the
gym remains to be thw e better option. It offers seats to its audience, gathering the cheering crowds from different colleges into designated areas. The gymnasium also mitigates the solid waste issues every Intramurals; not to mention, strengthening the security as MSU Police personnels stand by the three different gates to check the bags of those entering the gym, a measure that will ensure that incidents like the December 2023 bombing in MSU Marawi will not happen again.
Furthermore, the gym offers a better backstage setup for the performing students. Compared to the open Quadrangle, performers can get ready backstage, without being exposed to speculating crowds. With regards to their performing experience, the sound quality can be clearly heard in an enclosed venue and performers can better hear the crowds chanting for them. Apart from these, there are also protruding nails on the stage’s platform in the Quadrangle which pose threats of prospective injury to the performers.
Clearing the fog that blurred the discourse over this matter, VCAF Loable stated that it was actually the representatives from the Supreme Student Council (SSC) in the Steering Committee who suggested that the venue be at the University Gymnasium. The decision was made after listening to students’ gathered evaluations from last year’s Intramurals.
“It was asked really by the students, hindi po iyong admin,” VCAF Loable said in an interview. She disclosed that there is a 1.5 million budget allocation for this year’s Intramurals. “Doon tayo nag-live within the budget,” she added. She also stated that the budget from previous Intramurals is the same as this year, noting that there was an
overspending last year.
When asked as to why there was no live streaming of the Dance Night and Musical Night, VCAF Loable reiterated that the Steering Committee was living within the budget. Live streaming alone would constitute a PHP 500,000.00 expenditure on the sound system and the two cameras that would be used. She also pointed out that even from last year, there was no live streaming of these events either.
Still, student viewers must not be tossed away in the periphery as if they are not important actors of the running show, because at the end of the day, entertainment is also a top deliverable of these events. Perhaps, then, if the gymnasium is the best venue for the performers but not for the student audience, a compromise must be reached: a comprehensive videotaped documentation. Since some students will not be able to watch the performances live, they will have to make do with videos of the performances, to be uploaded on MSU-GSC’s official Facebook page or the SSC. With this, the students’ performances will not only leave a mark on the judges’ and audiences’ minds, but these will also be immortalized digitally.
For MSUans, the Intramurals is a season of witnessing their colleges race for the podium finish and ultimately emerge as victors. This is a time of the academic year where MSUans duel for the championships in sports, literary contests, dance and musical competitions, and the battle for intellectual supremacy in academics. But, whether they like it or not, tradeoffs are necessary compromises that must be made in this three-actor play.
Rasid-led Reapers redeem men’s basketball championship against Anglers; Masters defend last year’s crown in women’s category
Berjan Pagadatan BERJAN PAGADATAN
With Mansor Rasid’s game-long three-point barrage, the College of Agriculture (COA) Reapers proved themselves as they topped the College of Fisheries (COF) Anglers, halting their hopes for gold, in the men’s basketball championship, at the University Gymnasium, October 14.
The Reapers put off an early presence with Khalid Mulod’s defensive stop and fastbreak bucket, 6-4, in the early minutes
Meanwhile, the Reapers were not able to pull through, with Anglers’ Jhon Michael Pacquiao sinking a tight right-handed drive, to cut the lead to one, 12-11, in
As the second quarter started, Brian Jomahali of the COA, joined the shooting party, pummeling another basket as he regained their four-point
lead, 15-11.
It was a tight battle between teams draining bucket after bucket until Allan Jay Manaloto unleashes a tightly contested mid-range floater at the closing seconds of the quarter, 22-23.
The Reapers were not able to contain the Anglers’ Ebrahim Saylon-Ayman Jalil combo, who worked wonders in the third quarter, as they escaped an almost deadlock scoring, sending the COF with a nine-point lead, 23-32, in their favor.
However, Rasid, hoping to close the gap, released three-pointers for the Reapers, cutting the gap to two as the third quarter ended, 39-41.
COA’s Zari Macalangcom, with Rasid’s consistent contribution on the offensive end proved to be more than what the Anglers’ squad could handle, as the COF were not able to keep up to their pace amidst their efforts, to close the game with six, 58-52.
Meanwhile in the women’s category, defending the throne once again, the
School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Masters, with their exceptional floor control, were able to defeat the College of Engineering (COE) ASTEEGS, 4643, afterwards.
The Masters immediately erupted with a bucket at the first quarter, leading by up to four after Jeycel Esnardo’s free throws, 12-8, as the quarter finished. Rubie Rubio of SGS showed up in the second quarter, with her excellent court vision and ball touch, sending the lead to nine, 26-17.
Securing the momentum to their favor, the Masters managed to withstand the ASTEEGS’ late quarter rally, unbothered by the former champions’ dominance, winning 46-43, claiming the game’s title.
Reapers overpower mentors with grit and precision in 6-1 masterclass for lawn tennis singles championship
John Wynne Escolano
With unmatched intensity and accuracy, the College of October 14 2024.
COA ace artist Mel Rhea Anne Narte demonstrated her exceptional skill pushing through a minor injury to overpower COED competitor Christine Enoc. This win adds to the Reapers’ remarkable legacy in lawn tennis during the intramural history. This powerful mantra fueled Narte’s determination, keeping her steadfast in the game and ensuring she found the right spots on the court to achieve championship victory.
She shared that her composed presence on the court gives her an advantage over her opponents, allowing her to set up effectively and create opportunities for success.
This calmness inspires her to work diligently to uphold the dominance their college has established in this event.
With this crucial win secured and the Intramurals winding down, it plays a vital role in helping her college gather essential points and improve their standings. Each match serves as a stepping stone toward the overall championship, and this victory not only boosts the team’s confidence but also establishes a tone of resilience and determination for the upcoming challenges.
ASTEEGS advance to football finals after narrow win over Reapers, set to face Tycoons tomorrow 9
NIEL ZSUN JOHN VEGA
Showing their resilience despite the intense heat on the pitch, reigning champions College of Engineering (COE) ASTEEGS outlasted their archrival, the College of Agriculture, with a narrow 1-0 in the football semifinals, securing their spot in the title defense today, October 15, at the MSU Football Field.
By skillfully maneuvering through the Reapers’ defense, ASTEEGS midfielder Frances Erl Onggo scored the lone goal in the second half with a one-two pass from Jefferson Gabay, who provided the
With everyone eager to secure the last final slot, the game was tightly contested in the first half, as both teams had
Mentors secure bronze with controlling victory rally in softball
Under the scorching sun, the College of Education Mentors blazed their way to a bronze medal with a dominant 15-0 shutout against the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Wizards during the softball bronze-medal match at the University Open Field on October 14.
The Mentors hit the ground running with three early home runs by Jayhan Rothem, Fernilyn Lasawang, and Samantha Saligumba, establishing a commanding lead and leaving the Wizards struggling, unable to even reach first base due to the Mentors’ airtight defense.
Both teams faltered in the second inning, as neither managed to advance to third base, resulting in a scoreless inning and keeping the score locked at 3-0.
The Mentors regained momentum in the third inning, unleashing a relentless series of home runs that demonstrated their teamwork. Most of the runners made it home, extending the score to an
initial attempts but failed to score, resulting in a tie at halftime.
Due to the intense heat of the sun, the match was both important and challenging for both teams, especially in the second half, where ASTEEGS scored in the running minutes to secure their championship ticket, aiming for a four-peat in the finals.
ASTEEGS are set to face the underdog finalist, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy Tycoons, tomorrow following the Tycoons’ 4-2 upset victory over the College of Education Mentors in penalties.
