editorial board Editor in Chief: Trisha Ortega Internal Managing Editor: Irene Wahab External Managing Editor: John Xyrious Dela Cruz Features Editor: Franco Rivas Cananea News Feature Editor: Kent Kerby Bayona News Editor: Fathima Ahamed Kabeer Deputy Internal Managing Editor: Ciara Mae Obillo Deputy External Managing Editor: Christine Therese Oboy Associate Features Editor: June Karlo Suan Associate News Features Editor: Christianne Dawn Sicat Associate News Editor: Fatima Mandangan Finance Officer: Arjay Jumawan Communications Officer: Jessanell Sevilla Physical Property and Maintenance Officer: Shorwayne Chua Auxiliary Corps: Monique Praico, Joyce Sophia Carpitanos
Associate Editor for Reveille: Aseya Khadija Calo Writers: Keith Joshua Dumpit, Neilson Nick Alinsangan, Mia Falcasantos, Aeon Abad, John Dexter Canda, Leonette Sadioa, Al Asmad, Aisha Ibrahim, Bianca Roma de Leon, Charmine Bannister, Hasmina Alfad, Anne Falcasantos, Candeline Galvan, Abdelaziz Maldisa, Clark Punzalan, Darwin Lacbao, Diego Esperat, Harmony Lucero, Dave Cervas
Associate Editor for SINAG: Pristine Janielle Padua Writers: Jorace Martini Dayrit, Ivon Macapla, Amira Solaiman, Alymrah Anuddin, Gillian Manalo, Loren Justo, Mark Macaso, Irene Wahab, Rizanna Narag, Putli Amilbangsa, Audrie Keith Sepe, Jamila Becca Daud, Charle Kent Lim, Mary Kathereen Cacayan, Nehemiah Araojo, Katleen Tampos, Therese Duterte The BEACON Atelier Creative Director: Bianca Alyana Zamora Head Cartoonist: Ioneebel Garcia Head Photographer: Lea Alessandra Lim Cartoonists: Fahad Alfad, Patricia Denise Apolinario, Hazel Rosie Bayaras, Roderick Mendoza Jr., Christopher Tabula, Jonie Alaban, Alana Lois Alano, Deanna Rose Bucoy, Joshua Cabrezos, Nica Franz Visitacion Photographers: Ivan Emmanuel Bokingkito, Darrylene Clemente, Ryan Covarrubias, Yves Xaviery Valerio, Mark Phillip Ycaza, Roseller Gyle Samong, Mohammad Sarajan Layout Artists: Jamie Catherine Go, Ray Andrew Santiago, Eleazar Torres, Lord John Luza Moderator: Mr. Marion Guerrero
table of
CONTENTS HOW TO GET AWAY WITH HATE
04
pAINT THE TOWN BLUE AND WHITE
05
Debate a la Pia Wurtzbach Dance like the Lions TRASHTALK
06
tHE aTFEST dIET
09 15
oVERHEARD IN LA PURISIMA: ATFEST EDITION
08
INFOGRAPHICS
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LUXLUSTER
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THE ATFEST YES OR NO
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ARTSY ATFEST
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RAY-DEE-OH ATENISTA: tHE ATFEST PLAYLIST
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THE ATFEST STYLE DIARY
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YOUR DEFINITIVE #ATFEST
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bEFORE THE EXIT:EL CONSEJO ATENISTA THUS FAR
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07 21
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Editorial
SNAPSHOTS PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE, ATFEST CREATIVE TEAM LEA ALESSANDRA LIM, IVAN BOKINGKITO & KHADIJA AHAMED KABEER
[Illustration by Jonie Alaban]
E
More than fanfare, social welfare
ach year, the Ateneo Fiesta builds so much anticipation among Ateneans as to what activities are in store for them, what events there will for them to enjoy themselves with and, to a certain extent, who will be declared the overall champion of the week-long celebration.
Even though the event may seem extravagant, scene-stealing and pompous to some people given the parties, parades and booths to spend money on, the Ateneo Fiesta possesses a much deeper sense than meets the eye. Not only does the celebration allow Ateneans to celebrate their identity, but the fiesta also serves as an opportunity for the school to exhibit the much-vaunted ideal of being men and women for others, men and women in service of God and country. This social component is always present in every Ateneo Fiesta; sadly, it does not get the same attention as the other activities as there is a lack of student involvement. Fortunately, this element of the fiesta has received a limelight of interest thanks to its incorporation in the competitions between, and among, the different departments of the Ateneo for two fiestas now. Since last year, each participating department selects a partner charity, which shall benefit from its prize winnings. If, in the past, the main drive for competing in the Ateneo Fiesta’s numerous activities was pride for the victorious department, now the motivation involves being able to help out numerous people beyond the walls of the Ateneo. This new mechanism gave new meaning to winning in the Ateneo Fiesta, for each participating academic organization and unit chose a beneficiary with which they share a close tie and personal resonance with, which, in turn, makes winning a sweeter experience knowing that their collective effort will not only allow them to bag the overall championship, but can also potentially change the lives of other people in more ways than one. Although most activities of the fiesta are concentrated within the bounds of the Ateneo, its impact extends, undoubtedly, beyond its confines. The Ateneo wants to show that not only is it celebrating its culture of oneness throughout the festivities but, also, that its culture of service is not undermined by the abundance of revelries. The challenge, therefore, is to live out this year’s theme: “One Family. One Celebration. One Ateneo.” Once the heat of competition has dissipated, one must realize that, at the end of it all, everyone worked extra hard to make a positive impact in the greater community. The euphoria from winning does not last long, but the altruistic feeling of contributing societal change for the better does. |03
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ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
how to get away with
Hate
BY MIA CARRO FALCASANTOS & ANNE LOUISE FALCASANTOS PHOTO BY KHADIJA AHAMED KABEER
“
There is no such thing as a loser.” If we are proclaimed winners, these words will probably come out of our mouths to soothe and placate the teams we have bested in heated competitions. But taking a look at the entire picture, it is definitely another story if we find ourselves being situated in the position of the ones bested. It is that time of the year again when academic organizations clash, figuratively and literally. Weeks and weeks of practice, hard work, and thousands of pesos spent, for what? Pride or shame, joy or sorrow, gain or loss, victory or defeat: outcomes that we have no control over. During the Ateneo Fiesta, what seems to matter most is winning—and sometimes, at all cost (though most do not say it out loud or simply admit it). This is why when our AO’s do not quite get the ranking we want them to get, we feel sad, and at the same time, filled with hate for those who got the ranking or the better ranking(s).
Lie down. Try not to cry. Cry a lot.
One way to deal with defeat is to forget about it. For some of us, this may sound difficult to do. It takes time, that is a given, but it is an essential step in recovering. We may loathe the winning teams, sure, but we cannot do that forever (because there is no such thing as forever). Though our hate for other AO’s winning mirrors our not being apathetic (unlike other students), as well as the loyalty we have for our own AO, we must not let such strong, negative emotion ruin ourselves from being a good sport. Showing our opponents that we hate them will only make them feel bigger and greater than us. It would be better if we hate them without showing that we actually hate them, it’s like hiding all the evidence from a crime we have committed. Do not take defeat to heart. It projects a sphere where danger is dominant and poses more threats than benefits. Acceptance is the key.
Lie down. Try not to cry. Cry a lot.
As much as we would like to crown ourselves and the team we are rooting for as victors, we cannot always have the guarantee that fate will play on our side. When faced with the reality of defeat, we, admittedly or not, sometimes blame it on others, on the rules, on the winning team’s ‘dirty playing,’ or on anything that we can blame on just to lift what has already |04
fallen—probably our AO’s ranking. Sometimes we get so frustrated and so utterly mad that we’d rant and bash on Twitter, Facebook, real life, or wherever. Sometimes our inner demons slowly creep out due to the cloudiness of our thinking. But, sometimes we are shed with positive light, and we stuff those demons back in, contain them within ourselves, and prevent them from winning the battle, because we know that we are way better than that.
ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
This will raise the accountability and transparency of the ECA into a public and University-wide level wherein the students get to elect qualified candidates who will assure them of the proper utilization and appropriation of ECA funds. In this way, the standards for installing students in positions that hold accountability and financial transparency are calibrated and sustained.
invoke and make her presence and authority felt within and outside the ECA. We hope that the president is not alone in this battle and that the entire ECA will be awaken to the fact that a many students no longer believe in the purpose of having a student government and that will remain as an established fact in the Ateneo and in the years to come.
Lastly, the principle of checks and balances should always be present. The ECA is comprised of three major departments, namely the Executive Department composed of the Offices of the President and of the Vice-President, along with their support staff and committees, the Legislative Department composed of the Board of College of Governors and the Judiciary, which includes the Judicial Council headed by the Chief Justice. These departments should monitor the activities of one another and should not function as a separately independent department that exhibits a no-care attitude. For example, in relation to the issue with Marc Fojas, it has come to our attention that the governors and vicegovernors of each academic organization were aware of the said issue yet they did nothing to address it or to take measures to resolve the conflict. But instead, they have kept their distance and passed on the entire burden and the same time, the blame to the president. Accordingly, the settlement of the said issue was solely borne by the Executive Department through the efforts of the president and the ECA moderator.
At the same time, we have also noticed that the student body has already become apathetic to the happenings within the ECA. Yet they have all the gusto to complain against the student government’s inefficiencies. There is that lack of clamour of support coming from the student body. Running an efficient student government, accordingly, needs a push and pull factor, and that the ECA will not be able to function without the student body to push them to fulfil their responsibilities. Remember that it takes two to tango and that the involvement of the student body is crucial for the ECA to function effectively as well.
The Battle The ECA faces an uphill battle with regards to the tales of their financial dilemmas and we hate to admit it but clearly, they are on the losing end of this battle. It is time for them to take a collective and participative attitude in shaping policies and reforms that will address these financial difficulties. This is also the standing order given by The BEACON Publications to sitting ECA President Emmanuelle Bantay. At the start of her term, we have expressed great optimism for a productive, efficient and redeemed El Consejo Atenista, but it seems that her administration has fell short of our hopes and expectations. At the end of the day, the El Consejo Atenista has become a graveyard of platforms and promises. The challenge for our ECA president is to find her forte and position in her leadership style and to
By February, Ateneans will be electing a new set of El Consejo Atenista and it would be the continuation of a sad cycle if we will just move on and think as if nothing happened.
It is time for them to take a collective and participative attitude in shaping policies and reforms that will address these financial difficulties. Disclaimer: The identities of the concerned individual and our sources within the ECA cannot be disclosed under the condition of confidentiality.
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DAY ONE:
for enrolment for the second semester. The liquidation report submitted by Fojas amounted to approximately P21, 000.00 and that the remaining P7,000.00 of the P30, 000.00 allocated fund was left untouched. Bantay also clarified that Fojas’ subsequent absences without leave was due to some personal difficulties and should not be misunderstood as an attempt to abscond from his responsibilities.
Paint the Town Blue and White BY DAVE CERVAS, DARWIN LACBAO, RIZANNA NARAG AND LEONETTE SADIOA PHOTO BY LEA ALESSANDRA LIM
UNITED. ATENEAN DANCERS MOVED THEIR FEET TO THE RHYTHM IN THEIR INTERMISSION NUMBER. Later that evening, AdZU’s very own towering blue ‘Cakemas’ tree, fronting the Bellarmine-Campion Hall, earned a spotlight a ceremony punctuated with benedictions and Christmas carols. And in a call for unity, the Father President selected representatives from the grade school, high school, college, faculty and staff, alumni and the parents to press the button that lit the blue-and-white status symbol. Simultaneously, entries in the oft-controversial Lantern Contest were put on grand display after three days of craftsmanship. The winning parol came from the Accountancy Academic Organization, with Nursing and Faculty and Staff placing second and third respectively. By that time, beneath Ateneo-themed banderitas and colored bulbs, Camino Loyola was now teeming with booths on both of its sides selling charbroiled dishes in conspicuous abundance. WINNING DANCE. THE AAO ENTRY WITH THEIR SHOW-STOPPING KA MAHARDIKAAN PERFORMANCE IN THE MINDANAO FESTIVAL CONTEST.
A
s has been a much-beloved tradition, a Holy Eucharist was celebrated on December 1, just hours before the formal opening of the 2015 Ateneo Fiesta as a sign of peace and blessing to all the Ateneans who would be participating in the different sports and non-sports events lined up for this event. Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, president of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University serrved as the main presider, concelebrated by Fr. Wilfredo Samson, SJ, Fr. Francisco Bustamante, SJ, Fr. Stephen Abuan, SJ and Fr. Marlito Ocon, SJ. In his homily, Father-President San Juan underscored this year’s theme, reasoning that the university hosts this annual spectacle as a “celebration of our oneness.” A oneness he said extended to AdZU’s social outreach programs. The solemn occasion held at the University Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ended with the blessing of sports equipment and the members of the 2015 AtFest Steering Committee. Moments later, the AdZU community was ushered to the backfield for the giant human formation of the characters “1 ADZU.” The said activity emphasized the carrying theme of the 2015 AtFest: “One Celebration. One Family. One Ateneo.” By half past four in the afternoon, traffic took a standstill in the city proper as the opening parade commenced. As the contingent of competing academic organizations made its way through Zamboanga’s narrow streets, it had stops to present a number from each of the contestants in the Mindanao Festival Dance Contest –prompting one local broadcaster to remark, “[I thought] it was an extension of the Hermosa Festival.”
At the stroke of seven in the evening, the Multi-Purpose Covered Courts was brimming with spectators for the Opening Program. The admission was limited though, only people who bought tickets could enter (earnings were intended for charity) and those who did not, had to contend with a LED propped in the backfield. The program proper began with the raising of the banners of the different academic organizations and units of the university with Kritz Mogan, a member of the Ateneo Men’s Volleyball Team leading the Oath of Sportsmanship. Subsequently, Father-President San Juan together with the 2015 AtFest Steering Committee chair John Mayo Enriquez set the cauldron in flames amidst great applause. AtFest was now “officially open.” Not short of tricks, the 2015 edition saw academic organizations and units with their individual “courtside reporters” who –instead of sports journalism –rallied their members before the performance of their respective entries in the Mindanao Festival Dance Contest. The said segment was dubbed the Yell Competition, which was a first for the AtFest. In anticlimactic fashion, the Accountancy Academic Organization closed the night as victor in the Mindanao Festival Dance tilt. The Yellow Mob staged a pulsating performance of the Kamahardikaan Festival of Tawi-Tawi while the Nursing Academic Organization came in second with a costume extravaganza of the Kadayawan Festival of Davao City. The College of Science and Information Technology rounded the Top 3 with a neon-inspired rendition of Sultan Kudarat’s Kalimudan Festival. The same results were apparent in the Yell Contest.
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Bango also backed the president that no malversation of fund occurred, but admitted to the fact that there was an issue of accountability. Fojas was able to submit a liquidation report regarding the expenses incurred but lacked the necessary documentations and the report about the turn out of the STRAW activities. He also questioned the fact that a huge amount of money was poured into such project but resulted into a poor turn-out in terms of participation from the student body. In relation to the hotel billings that were incurred, Bango also clarified that such billings were in connection to STRAW, in such a way that hotel reservations were made and already paid for by the ECA because they invited guests and speakers from outside Zamboanga City. However, due to the awful weather at that time, their expected guests and speakers had to cancel. As to the status of the said issue, Bango communicated that the issue had already been settled with the parents of Marc Fojas through the efforts of ECA President Emmanuelle Bantay and Engr. Stevan Dimaguila, the Director of Student Affairs. Accordingly, the family paid P20,000.00, probably for the damages caused by Fojas and as reimbursement for the supplies that were donated without permission. Lastly, Bango emphasized that he received a full disclosure of the expenses incurred and disbursements made by the ECA and that the locker collections were distributed as an additional budget for the AtFest preparations of each academic organizations, and for the augmented projects and incidental expenses of the student government. The Real Issues
First, the standards and qualifications needed for appointing finance officers must be regulated and attuned. Ideally, finance officers should have a background on finance to be able to understand the language of fund management, liquidation reports and financial transactions. However, aside from the intellectual capacity, we must also look into the value of magis and the willingness to serve. Take for instance, during the first semester, all members of ECA’s finance committee resigned from their posts, leaving the financial activities of ECA in chaos, such brazen display of abandonment of responsibility is what we are trying to avoid. Any candidate who aspires to be ECA’s finance officer must exhibit the commitment and respect to his or her assigned role and responsibility. Second, the position of the finance committee, particularly the finance officers must be strengthened within the ECA. All financial transactions and activities of the student government should be handled and managed by the finance officers as well as the custody of assets such as cash and various documents such as receipts and invoices. Regarding the allegation involving Marc Fojas, sources within the ECA stated that during the collection of locker payments, Fojas was the one in charge in terms of supervision and custody; such should not be the case. The responsibilities and duties of the finance officers should also be clearly outlined. It is their primary duty to ensure the custody of assets, prepare liquidation reports and furnish a summary or disclosure of expenses incurred by the ECA among others.
...divisions, rivalries and in order to put an end antagonism on Third, the various accusations on the misuse and malversation of fund or are rampant misappropriation of asset, the ECA should prepare and furnish financial and unabated. statements and make it available to the not
The BEACON Publications is trying to shame or bring down the student government with all these strings of allegations and scandals anew. It is the chronicle of ECA’s financial mismanagement and bureaucratic ineptitude that continuously plagues the student government for the longest time. And it is clearly visible that within the ECA itself, divisions, rivalries and antagonism are rampant and unabated. It is best evidenced by the fact that many officers were not aware of the issue, which highlighted the lack of information dissemination and mutual trust in handling sensitive and confidential |28
information. However, it is not too late for incumbent ECA President Emmanuelle Bantay to revolutionize an already stumbling student government. It is not an easy task but it is not impossible either.
public. The BEACON Publications has long sought for a copy of their financial report but up until this moment, no financial report was provided. This task of preparing the financial statements is borne by their finance officers. Among the five Ateneo college student governments, the ECA is the only one who is yet to publicly issue its financial statements.
Fourth, we think that it is time that the positions of treasurer and auditor be included in the list of elected positions. ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
DAY TWO:
Debate a la Pia Wurtzbach Dance like the Lions BY BIANCA ROMA DE LEON, PRISTINE JANIELLE PADUA, MERSZAM SINGKEE AND IRENE WAHAB
Before the Exit:
El Consejo Atenista Thus Far BY SENIOR WRITER JOHN XYRIOUS DELA CRUZ
W
ith barely two months left in office, El Consejo Atenista under the leadership of Emmanuelle Bantay has yet to produce its much-vaunted, much-hyped, much-mystified Magna Carta of Students’ Rights but though we have grown jaded with the ECA-manufactured promises here and there, however what we should never fail to take note is how our student council spends our money. Financial accountability is non-negotiable. We care less about the quality of appointees and friends-of-these-appointees that have made this office into their own personal clubhouse, but it’s another story if some take advantage of its coffers.
STRONG POINTS. AAO DEBATE TEAM GAVE CASUALTIES WITH THEIR KILLING ARGUMENTS [JAKE ANTENERO]
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he second day of AtFest 2015 loomed bright and early, beginning with the elimination rounds of the annual AtFest Debate Cup, hosted by the Ateneo Debate Union. After three elimination rounds, the top eight teams out of 20 proceeded to the semi-finals. The finals round was held the next day, December 3 in the College Garden. With the motion “This house regrets the use of satire in campus journalism,” debaters exchanged arguments on the merits and demerits of satirical writing published in campus organs. As expected, many of the speakers dropped the m-bomb to gasps and giggles. The AAO Tigers, represented by Jake Antenero and Mel Carballo emerged as champions in a 2-1 split decision from the panel of adjudicators. Hans Xavier Wong of HS Falcons Team 1 was hailed the Finals Best Speaker. He was likewise awarded the Best Debater for the entire tournament. Antenero’s win came on his third appearance in the grand finals and on his last year in the university. Later on, at dusk, fronting a stage on which was mounted an LED screen, courtesy of Globe, Ateneans were serenaded by fellow students at the Music Festival, an open mic night performance of sorts which ran from December 2 to 4, Friday. On its first night, the performances were held at the backfield, amid legit strobe and spotlights. In the ensuing nights, the Music Festival was held at the Paseo de Maria facing the University Church. But Day 2 of AtFest belonged to the pop dance ensemble from the Management Academic Organization |06
NIGHT STARS. MAO POP DANCE ENTRY OUTSHONE OTHERS WITH THEIR GROUNDBREAKING MOVES [UCO]
(MAO), who won the AtFest Pop Dance trophy on their nth consecutive year. The MAO troupe came in their usual red and black attire, already in sync before the music even started. They won the hearts of the audience minute by minute, piece by piece, as they glided to hip hop, enticed and charmed to Jesse Mccartney’s Beautiful Soul, and wowed everyone in their ONE ATENEO finale. All eyes were with them from start to finish. The Accountancy Academic Organization pop dancers came in second, proving to be a tough competition as they only lost by a point, scoring an average of 92, next to MAO’s 93. They danced in their yellow frat shirts, sporting Basketball as their choreography theme. Liberal Arts Academic Organization, scoring also with a mere point interval, 91, ranked third. They appeared in their green frat shirts, black face masks and x-striped socks, looking ready for combat. Asked on what made them won, MAO dancer Vin Potot said, “I would say what gave us the edge was the hunger of our members to win. The thought of making our department proud and to give the Ateneo community a good show was our goal, but our strongest weapon was prayer.” In a bid to counter the anticipated results of the Pop Dance Contest, Globe threw in a surprise sanitized rave party right on the grounds of the backfield –too eager perhaps, the DJ already started pumping the crowd even when the results of the said contest was still being announced inside the MPCC. What was originally planned as a street party ended to be anticlimactic to College Night. ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
The BEACON Publications received a complaint from a concerned individual regarding the financial mismanagement within the El Consejo Atenista (ECA), hinting for a possible misuse of the locker payments collected by the ECA from the students. Our sources within ECA also expressed their alarm and worry about the said issue. ECA’s Budget At the start of every academic year, the El Consejo Atenista is given a substantial amount of funds to be utilized for the implementation of its activities and projects for the benefit of the student body. Each and every college student of the Ateneo is paying P75.00 per semester, which is primarily the main source of fund allocated for the ECA. Such collections are under the custody and safekeeping of the Finance Office. So if we try to do the math, given an approximately 3,000 student population, the ECA roughly has an annual budget of P450, 000.00 coming from the student body. Aside from the per semester collections from the student body, the ECA still has another source of fund, which comes from the locker fees that they collect from the locker acquisitions. Accordingly, each locker has an annual rental cost of P250.00, (a P50.00 increase from last year’s P200.00 rental cost). And for this school year, roughly P80,000.00 was collected from the locker acquisitions However, unlike the P75.00 collections, the payments from the lockers are under the direct custody of the ECA and are specifically handled by their finance officers.
The Allegations The complaint against the ECA was centred on the issue regarding the P30, 000.00 allocation given to Marc Fojas, from the Office of the Attorney-general of the ECA. The allocation came from the locker collections and, accordingly, was handed out to him in cold cash. The purpose of the allocation was to fund the implementation of activities for the Students’ Rights and Awareness Week (STRAW), which, consequently, did not have a successful reception. The said fund, with no proper liquidation, was allegedly misused. Sources within the ECA also communicated that some expenses were incurred, which have no connection to the STRAW activities, such as hotel billings where Fojas supposedly checked-in with some ECA officers. Fojas was also accused of donating ECA supplies to Basilan without prior permission coming from the ECA president. ECA’s Response In order to shed some light to the allegations hurled towards the student government, The BEACON Publications sat down, on separate occasions, with ECA President Emmanuelle Bantay and Mr. Bryan Bango, moderator of ECA. Bantay strongly denied that the fund allocated for the STRAW was malversed by Fojas. Accordingly, Fojas was able to submit a liquidation report, after a memo was issued by Mr. Bryan Bango to the Office of Student Affairs, wherein ECA officers who have yet to submit their liquidation reports will not be cleared, thus making them ineligible |27
Atfest gives Back
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e v i t i n i f e D r You
BY HARMONY LUCERO, TRISHA ORTEGA, AUDRIE KEITH SEPE, JUNE KARLO SUAN AND KATLEEN TAMPOS PHOTO BY UCO
century hence, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University remains committed in its pursuit to be a force of positive social change in all its endeavors. As such, the 2015 Ateneo Fiesta –for two years now –has seen competing academic organizations and units dedicating their wins to partner charities. The Accountancy Academic Organization paired with Creche Integrated Studies Center. The Ateneo de Zamboanga Junior High School donated their prize winnings to the victims of the recent fire incident in Tumaga. For its part, the College of Nursing chose as charity partner, the Siu Hua Yu Fund/Pan Cada Dia. Other beneficiaries included the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation of the School of Medicine, the Cornerstone Program of the Ateneo de Zamboanga Grade School, the Home for Women of the Management Academic Organization, and the AdZU Recovery and Assistance Program for IDPs of the Zamboanga Siege of College of Science and Information Technology Academic Organization. The Faculty and Staff on the other hand chose the DSWD-Home for the Elderly while Culianan National High School and the Maria Clara Lobregat National High School were the recipients of the School of Education and the Graduate Schools respectively. The School of Liberal Arts sponsored the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit System while the College of Law had the Atty. Gian Enriquez Legal Assistance Fund. The 2015 edition also featured several events that pitched the social component of the Atfest: Run for RAP On November 30, students, faculty, and Ateneo officials alike all gathered to participate in this year’s Ateneo Fiesta kick-off footrace run dubbed Run for RAP. With its slogan: “A three-kilometer run for a cause: transforming communities of the Zamboanga siege survivors,” Run for RAP is an open-to-all marathon gearing up the AdZU-Recovery Assistance Program (RAP). The AdZU-RAP is a response program to provide assistance for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Masepla and Mampang Transitory Sites. The run was spearheaded by Lucille Camille Bello, the head organizer of the AdZU-RAP along with volunteers from the AdZU IGNITE and a representative from the Zamboanga Runners’ Club. The top three fastest runners of the event were as follows: Mark Glen Falcatan coming in first with a time of 13 minutes and 20 seconds, Christian Perez second (13 minutes and 45 seconds) and Christian Monico third (15 minutes and 2 seconds), all of whom are members of the Zamboanga Runners’ Club. Medical-Dental Mission The Center for Community Extension Services (CCES) arranged a medical and dental outreach clinic for the members of the faculty and staff of AdZU. The said program took place on December 2 at the JMR Hall. According to Loreta Sta. Teresa, CCES Director, the half-day service was especially conducted for the AdZU community. The program was also an opportunity for the Physical Plant Office personnel to have
access to free medical services. The medical and dental outreach provides their clients with free medicines and free consultations. CCES went in partnership with the School of Medicine, with representatives from the said unit giving medical check-ups. “This is an avenue for those personnel who aren’t financially blessed, to be able to have free medical and dental consultations for their families, along with the medicines that are given for free,” added Sta. Teresa
t s e F t A # YANT ARK BR
BY CL
Kids’ Fun Day The Ateneo Peace Institute (API) and Center for Community Services took succession in the recently concluded ‘Children and Nonviolence Kids Fun Day’ activity on December 3 at the Campion Hall. The gathering was attended by 150 children; 100 of which were Ateneo de Zamboanga Grade School students and 50 participants from Angiskul Ma Bangka (AMB) of the Masepla Transitory Site. The activity included dance and cultural presentations by the AdZU GS and the AMB kids. It was followed by a string of games, numbers and some dancing with Jollibee, the event also included a gift-giving between children. The Ateneans shared and gave their little presents to each AMB kid in the group. Together with the Ateneo de Zamboanga Grade School and Social Development Units, the said event highlighted the promotion of nonviolence among children through a series of fun and games in line with the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace. According to Arlene Ledesma, API Director, “The ‘Kids Fun Day’ particularly aims to give fun to children amidst current widespread of violence and struggle to achieve peace and to instill in their young minds that unity should begin within them.” Community Bamboo Planting The Social Awareness and Community Service Involvement (SACSI) Environmental Program, in partnership with Ecowatch, spearheaded a community bamboo planting at Barangay Tumaga, December 3, Thursday. The two environmental organizations chose to plant bamboo instead of the customary trees because it is one of their main advocacies. Bamboo has many functions – it serves as a carbon sink, a thermos controller, it reduces static electricity, and most importantly it helps in preventing soil erosion. It is because of these reasons that Barangay Tumaga was chosen as the planting site since it is identified as one of the barangays prone to soil erosion and flooding and it is also one of the organizations’ community partners. According to Ecowatch moderator, Welma Omboy, “In every year that we celebrate AtFest, we should take note that it is not only about promoting and celebrating camaraderie among the students and faculty and staff, but it is also about promoting our environmental advocacy.” “AtFest serves as an avenue to remind us that we should commune with nature and that we should do something to address the problems that are environment is facing,” she added. The activity was participated by some faculty and staff, Ecowatch and members of the Philippine Marine Corps stationed in Zamboanga City. |07
PUNZA
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LAN
he official hashtag for the 2015 Ateneo Fiesta was #ATFESTOneAteneo and though we never got to agree on which letters should be typed in big caps, as soon as Day 1 commenced, Twitter was soon ablaze with the juiciest AtFest chika in 140 characters or less.
#ThatAAOYell Not a few heads turned when the Accountancy Academic Organization courtside reporter asked her comrades in yellow the provacative question, “Magpapatalo ba kayo ng one point?” It was an obvious reference to last year’s frustrating defeat to Nursing AO. Not a few faces frowned when the yell progressed to “A-A-O Matatalino, A-A-O Magagaling, A-A-O Mananalo!”
#HanggangSaanAabotAng20PesosMo For one, right inside the MPCC to witness the Opening Program.
#AtFestIssue
everyone who’s part of a competition was on full beast mode status. Unfortunately, much to our University Infirmary’s anxiety, some simply found it too hard to bear. tags: #hinimataysigurl #festivaldanceedition #popdanceedition #choraledition
#Rap Nope. This doesn’t refer to AdZU’s Recovery and Assistance Program but to CSITAO’s last minute entry to Ateneo Got Talent –Raphaella Marise “Rap” Albiso. She may not have won the title, Rap surely did earn the loudest cheer with her rendition of the Voltes V theme and her courageous take on Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.”
#PartyPaMore
No AtFest is complete without the gripping and the conspiracy theories from the “revised” results of the Lantern-Making Contest, to getting mysterious demerits for cheering props during College Night, to define-OPM-please during the Choral Singing Competition. Some complaints might be valid, some might be just fueled by bitterness but as to how these were resolved, only God knows.
#Seko
Obviously not so many people know what a legit rave party is, as pointed out by the AtFest Debate Cup winner, “Not everyone in Ateneo is intelligent.” But where there is a party, everybody’s happy. Globe threw a surprise dance party on December 2 and by the next day, El Consejo Atenista’s College Night. For two nights, Ateneans did not seem bothered by the traffic woes and the 7-hour rotational blackouts in the city.
#BieberOnRepeat
No carnival. No Alumni Homecoming in La Purisma. Empty booths. Empty wallets. The street party that never was. Beer pong with juice. December 4, Friday. Enough said.
#AtFestFavorite As the AtFest was nearing to a close, the Twitterverse got flooded with tweets on the Ateneans’ faves during the run of the 9-day event. From the Grape and Strawberry Soda of Zensonita to the chic stall of Kitchen Joes to missing Trixie’s Burger, Ateneans had a so much to say about how fun (or almost fun) this year’s AtFest.
#BeastModeOn
Surely Radyo Atenista had a playlist that could rival Spotify Premium, but for 9 days, the stereo was blasting any of these three Justin Bieber songs in an interval of 30 minutes or so: Sorry, What Do You Mean, and Love Yourself. LSS is fatal.
#OneAteneo By the time the 13-minute long AtFest Closing Film was played, everyone agreed that somehow, someway this was an AtFest that was memorable. Moments later, social media news feed was full of gushing statements on school pride, with the occasional rants punctuated with #ProudToBeAtenean
With all the practices, skipped meals and sleepless nights, |26
ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
Trash Talk
The AtFest
Style Diary A
fter the much anticipated Opening Parade – which you have prepared for, opting for the most comfortable pair of shoes and bottoms (comfort being the operative word, because who wants to look sweaty and haggard AND be in pain whilst walking the streets, right?) – the ultimate dilemma most Ateneans would have would be what to wear during the rest of AtFest. When uniforms are out and the dress code is seemingly nonexistent for the week, you must not let the opportunity pass. You must not wear your past org shirts nor your NSTP/ROTC shirt, and most definitely not your PE shirt. If you may have let the opportunity pass this year, here’s a list of tips you may well use in next year’s AtFest (if you’re still around for it or if there’s even going to be an AtFest *gasp):
BY PUTLI MONAIRA AMILBANGSA II AND MARK JOSHUA MACASO
T
he Ateneo Fiesta –that time of the year again where our minds temporarily wander and forget some things: homework, impending quizzes and requirements, but along with this, we also seem to forget one crucial thing – CLAYGO.
Ecowatch, a non-academic organization in the Ateneo. In order to effectively carry this out, the team handed down warnings and sanctions to each individual and even the Academic Organizations (AOs) through the merit-demerit system.
Along with the chains of booths and cheering crowds, however, the occasion comes an undeniable fact that some things could get messy. After every competition, after every event, and after every celebration, what we are confronted is a great stack of trash. Yes, the Physical Plant Office (PPO) staff is there to save us from the burden of disposing our own trash, but do we always have to depend on them when we can be responsible enough to dispose it ourselves? As we all know, the role of the PPO most especially during AtFest is to keep our community clean should we fail to do this ourselves. Aside from that, they are also the ones responsible for the grand preparations and the decorations we see during special occasions be it in the MPCC, or any part of the campus. In doing so, some have to stay in the campus during late hours. One of the staff revealed that their duty hours range from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and some at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on school days. Meanwhile, they work from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. during AtFest. There actually exists a Php100 fine on littering but on whether the university administration or the student body cares about it, that remains to be a question.
As to how the team undertook their tasks, one member of the SWM team disclosed to us that they patrolled certain areas in the campus and made observations during certain times. During AtFest, in case of any violation on improper segregation, an individual on his first offense was asked to surrender his ID, to be claimed at a later hour at the Social Awareness and Community Service Involvement (SACSI) office. For his second offense, he was then fined Php200 with a corresponding ticket to serve as receipt and proof of his violation. For the AOs, on the other hand, they were given two warnings before their organization will be deducted of 5 points from their total pot, and 1 point for the successive violations. In line with this, dugouts for each AO were prepared during sports and non-sports competition to identify them. However, it was only through these activities where violators and their respective AOs could be identified, and thus, were only carried out effectively during these activities. Noticeably though, the MPCC floor area and bleachers were litter-free right after an event with members even going back to the venue to ensure no trash was left behind.
So this year, in order to minimize the littering in the campus, and at the same time encourage Ateneans to be more responsible in disposing their trash, a part of the 2015 Ateneo Fiesta Steering Committee known as the Solid Waste Management (SWM) team was created and was headed by
By the end of the AtFest, the Ateneo de Zamboanga Junior High School chalked the most demerits, followed by the Nursing Academic Organization and the Accountancy Academic Organization.
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BY PRISTINE JANIELLE PADUA & IRENE WAHAB WITH ILLUSTRATION BY IONEE BEL GARCIA
ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
(December 4)
We must face the fact: No one really comes to school looking ultra-mega-super fashionable on the day College Night is set to happen – not during the day time anyway. At night, for sure, almost everyone shows a notable amount of skin. We’re all out to party, to rave (sans the drugs and alcohol).
Day 1
(December 2) Everyone is in their respective academic organization shirt, as they should be, to participate in the day’s parade and to open AtFest with the right amount of school spirit. But this does not mean you let the shirt wear you. You are not your AO shirt. You are a cool kid. An ultra-mega-super cool kid. You should have faith in jogger jeans and a pair of no-nonsense swooshlabeled runners (see: Nike’s Roshe Run). Notwithstanding the setting sun, you should also have your wayfarers on.
Day 2 (December 3)
From the few who have dared to wear short shorts to campus during the first day, you are emboldened to muster what little courage you have left from being told off by guards before, during non-AtFest days. So Day 2 is officially the day people get confident in shorts. For the men, paired with Sperry (Sebago for those who find Sperry’s too mainstream) Topsiders, you’re good to go. For the ladies, any pair of shoes go well with shorts, really. Although later on in the night, you might have to reconsider your choice of footwear, who knows, an unannounced street party will be held at the backfield. For Globe’s dance party, some came prepared in their almostCoachella-like outfits. When the DJ dropped the beat, the best accessory of the night became evident – smartphones.
Day 3
Day 4 (December 5)
It’s usually around this time when people start whining “I have nothing decent left to wear.” And this is usually the time people wear articles of clothing they really aren’t allowed to wear – not in school, and most definitely not in church. If Day 2 was the start of mustering courage to wear shorts, then Day 4 is the start of siphoning more courage to wear shorter, tighter, smaller shorts. Woe betide you, however, when you encounter a wardrobe malfunction whilst wearing those shorts, ripped jeans, spaghetti tops for women, sandos or tank tops for men, paired with boots, or heels. Woe. Betide. You.
Day 5 (December 6)
The skin show is definitely still a thing. We’re on a roll. It’s nearing the end of AtFest, anyway; sulit-sulitin na. Girls have their hair up and guys look stoic with sunglasses resting atop their nose bridges, looking ultra cool whilst strolling through the main street of the campus, through the scenic ambiance of smoke, all thanks to the barbecue stalls. |25
RAY-DEE-OH ATENISTA:
THE ATFEST PLAYLIST BY PRISTINE JANIELLE PADUA
S
ome psychologists believe that listening to songs can evoke nostalgia, especially when it plays during a very memorable moment. Or not. But the fact still stands that music can be a powerful memory cue. Be it trying to remember that blissful moment you ground against your crush during one of the raves, or trying not to remember that time you tripped, in all your OOTD glory, while shuffling to an upbeat song. If you haven’t moved on from AtFest yet, still wallowing in the blues or having sepanx with all those barbecue stalls you frequented during the week, here is a list of the top 10 songs students have requested be played by Radyo Atenista, and were played all through AtFest on almost a daily basis:
Up in smoke:
“Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne (I Cry When I Laugh)
The AtFest Diet BY FATHIMA AHAMED KABEER AND THERESE DUTERTE PHOTO BY KENDRICK RICO
T
he annual AtFest not only brings about the competition, sportsmanship and camaraderie but also the endless smoke from the barbeque that fills the air and makes it exceptionally hot and hard to breath.
Charred meat has always spelt out carcinogens which in turn cause cancer and cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths among Filipinos yearly. Thus, makes us wonder why Ateneo allows concessionaires to sell out their charred meat to the youth of Ateneo. Studies have shown that mutagens or compounds that can cause genetic mutations, found in meat cooked at high temperatures: either pan fried or grilled, can create carcinogens or commonly known as cancer cells. To emphasis the health risk, the World Health Organization declared that processed meat and red meat can both be carcinogenic. The blackened areas on charred and grilled flesh foods are the source of these carcinogenic chemicals. HCAs (Heterocyclic amines) and PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are two of the most prominent compounds found when meat is either pan fried or grilled. Diets with high exposures to HCAs are correlated with higher rates of cancers of the pancreas, colon and digestive tract. HCAs are chemicals formed when fat and juices from meat grilled directly over an open fire onto the fire, causing flames. The flames contain PAHs that adhere to the surface of the meat. PAHs can also be found during other food preparation processes, such as smoking of meats, as well as in cigarette smoke and car exhaust. Yet this AtFest accounted for 10 booths selling barbeque and pork. What makes barbeque the most common food sold during AtFest? Barbeque in general is one of the easiest ways to cook meat, easily churning out servings that can be sold in numbers and served to many in a shorter span of time. There is no usage of oil and waste generated is at a minimal. Yet why allow these to be sold? Fr. Marlito G. Ocon SJ,
the chair of the booth operations explained that the choice of booth was based on their credibility, kind of food and permit from the government. This can serve as a basis for assurance of good and nutritious food. It is true that charred meat is cancerous yet when businesses are called for, it cannot be helped but for health to be compromised. Then again, for the spectacle that is AtFest to happen, profits have to be generated.
For all the couples who coordinated OOTDs this year, who braved the smoke and stares, but not without HHWW and drawing confidence to werk them outfits and strut as if they were walking on a red carpet. (“‘Cause I don’t wanna walk on my own anymore won’t you understand? ‘Cause I don’t wanna walk alone”)
“Natataranta” by James Reid (Diary ng Pangit: The Movie Soundtrack)
There has been no level of health sanitation efforts taken in the assurance of the food sold. However, by taking the steps of seeing to the proper disposal of the concessionaires waste and seeing their area clean, this can be an indirect way of saying so. In addition, these booths have been selling their gastronomic wares in the past AtFest editions and since there has been no complaint medically, this gives the assurances of proper food handling.
Because cramming is excellence, erm magis, erm survival.
What with all the preparation the few weeks before AtFest, and all the time, money, and effort spent on each academic organizations’ performances and players, indeed, how deep is your love and how willing are you to do anything and everything for your AO, to ensure victory? “Focus” by Ariana Grande (Moonlight) For those who joined the institutional human formation at the backfield, can you find yourself?
“Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd (Beauty Behind the Madness) Were you at the front during the Globe street party? If you were, you would get this song reference, what with all the burning bright lights and smoke up all your faces. “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon (Talking is Hard) This is a requisite to almost any and every rave party, no matter how old in months it is, don’t you agree?
“On My Mind” by Ellie Goulding (Delirium) “Hello” by Adele (25)
The irony was that the Ateneo Master Chef –a cooking competition among academic organizations and units –centered on how the contestants were able to whip up nutritious dishes despite the quality of food available to the community being charred meat and what else. But one should understand that the Ateneo Master Chef and concessionaires’ booths are two different things. James De Los Reyes, head of the Non-sport Competitions stated that the said culinary tilt challenged the participants to make meals using banana blossoms and red squash as main ingredients. The participants also went to the public market to procure vegetables as it was their initiative to cook healthy for the IDP children during the Kids’ Fun Day activity.
This song goes out to those who didn’t get to pay the Php20 entrance fee during the festival dance competition. (“Hello from the outside…”)
You, halfway through AtFest, to your crapload of academic requirements you’re trying not to think about: “And I know I shouldn’t say it, but my heart don’t understand why I got you on my mind.” “Fix You” by Coldplay (X&Y)
“Sorry” by Justin Bieber (Purpose) Remember the AAO’s opening spiel (“Papatalo ba kayo sa one point?”) during the yell competition? This song goes out to those who took offense.
The good news however is that barbeque cooked right can be both nutritious and healthy for the human soul. One can only hope though that the sellers sell for the purpose of feeding the consumer rather than for the accumulation of high profits.
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“How Deep is Your Love” by Calvin Harris and Disciples
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We have reached the end of this playlist; we have reached the end of the AtFest week too. Sad. Now it’s time to get your body clock back to non-AtFest normal school day time, sufficed with the lyrics “When you feel so tired but you can’t sleep...” still thinking about AtFest, hoping it were AtFest errday all day. #sadlyf ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
Artsy AtFest BY ASEYA KHADIJA CALO, AISHA PUY IBRAHIM, PRISTINE JANIELLE PADUA PHOTO BY LEA ALESSANDRA LIM
COMPOSED. NAO MODERN DANCE REPRESENTATIVES WALTZ THEIR WAY TO THE TOP.
L
ong considered to be a showcase of Atenean artistry and creativity, this year’s AtFest did not fail to offer a slew of events catering to the artist-performer in us.
AtFest Sports BY JOHN DEXTER CANDA, JAMILA BECCA DAUD, GILLIAN MANALO, RIZANNA NARAG, CHRISTINE THERESE OBOY, PRISTINE JANIELLE PADUA AND AUDREY KEITH SEPE
ZIP Code 7000: A Cabato Family Exhibit On December 1, the Cabatos opened their family exhibit at the University’s Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago. ZIP Code 7000 features works by Jun, Nene, Rene, Mike, Ja, Neil, Regine, and Lizette Cabato, who are all alumni of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. The works vary in nature and media, ranging from photography, paper quilling, painting, and poetry. “The works inside are diverse in that members of the family have different strengths and different perspectives of Zamboanga as a hometown. If you analyze it though, it also offers a single outlook in a sense that the viewer looks through the lenses of how a middle-class family lives in Zamboanga,” said Ja Cabato,
PHOTO BY KHADIJA AHAMED KABEER, IVAN BOKINGKITO & ATFEST CREATIVE TEAM
Cabato said she drew inspiration from the “No Te Vayas” campaign the government promoted after the 2013 Zamboanga City Siege, when Zamboangueños started to leave the city. “I’ve heard a lot of friends who want to uproot their families and relocate to a safe place outside Zamboanga. Our family is bound to stay because of our business […] and I guess, because it is home. The concept is to bring out the spirit of the place. It is home. It is our comfort zone.”
A
n Ateneo Fiesta will not be a full-fledged AtFest if it were not for the sports events held throughout. These events may in no way be as orchestrated as the other programs and parties held during the week, but the thrill and excitement is still present amid the heat, sweat, and dust. Were it not for the sports events, how else would the competition among the different schools and departments be as challenging in vying for the rank of champion?
The exhibit will run until January 16 of next year.
Choral Singing Competition A staple of the AtFest, this year’s Choral Singing Competition did away with the usual Christmas carols and a contest piece, focusing instead on Original Pilipino Music. Held at the University Multi-Purpose Covered Courts (MPCC) on December 5, eight choirs vied for the title at stake. In the end Management Academic Organization (MAO) placed third, the Faculty and Staff was second and the Nursing Academic Organization (NAO) won with their stirring rendition of “Mindanao.” Dancesports
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ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
Spicing the December 6 evening was the dancesports
competition which was divided into two sections. The Modern Standard Ballroom Category featured showdowns in slow waltz, tango, and quickstep. On the other hand, the Latin American Discipline had chachacha, rhumba, and jive Outdancing eight other couples, defending champions Jeanette Belocura and Ron Xavier Cordero from NAO kept their title in the Modern Standard Ballroom Category with runners-up coming MAO and another pair from NAO. Relegating their competitors to the background, MAO’s Rissalina Lakibul and James Marcial emerged as the golden pair in the Latin American Discipline with two pairs from the Accountancy Academic Organization placing second and third, respectively. Ateneo Got Talent This year’s Ateneo Got Talent had eleven entries, each with a different kind of talent performance. MAO came first with a representative giving her rendition of Adele’s smasher hit Hello. Next came the High School Falcons’ contender and the Graduate School Owls’ ladies-inred as they performed a baton-routine and a Les Miserables-Burlesque number, respectively. The Nursing Angels’ showcase of talent included a blindfolded musician on the piano, a soulful dancer, a painter, and ladies who belted out Les Miserables’ “On My Own” and a piece from The Phantom of the Opera. The College of Science and Information Technology Griffins’ put up a fight next as their contestant sang the famous Voltes 5 theme song and transitioned to Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing. The Knights from the College of Law took the stage with the mash-up duet of Shalini Dalis and Ahmad Rais Undug. Though punctuated with mishaps, the Tigers of the Accountancy Academic Organization, brought to stage a mixture of choir, dance and a daring display of curtain dancing several feet above the ground. The School of Liberal Arts Dragons’ had a guitartotting muse who performed her own soulful original composition. The Education Phoenixes entertained the crowd with big voices, hula hoops and acrobatic skills, and the Faculty and Staff brought to stage a song number. The Huskies of the School of Medicine tied off the list and the competition with a song number medley. The event ended with the judges declaring the Education Academic Organization as third, the Liberal Arts Academic Organization, second and the Graduate Students Academic Organization was crowned as winner. |23
BASKETBALL The School of Liberal Arts (SLA) Green Dragons notched this year’s men’s basketball championship, 64-59 beating the Management Academic Organization (MAO) Red Lions. Meanwhile, for Women’s Basketball, the Nursing Academic Organization (NAO) Angels dethroned MAO Red Lions at 18-19 during the championships. FRISBEE In frisbee, the Accountancy Academic Organization (AAO) Ardent Tigers, with Michael Sescon as captain, defended their title as champions. Winning every game before the championship, the Tigers had the twice-to-beat advantage. A score of 15-12 ended the bloody championship with Tigers still reigning as champions against the Science of Information and Technology Academic Organization (SITAO) Griffins. FUTSAL
The SLA Green Dragons
The AtFest YES or NO
emerged as victors in a tough battle against the Education Academic Organization (EAO) Phoenixes in a 3-1 game in the futsal tournament men’s division. On the other hand, the High School (HS) Falcons women’s futsal team defeated SLA Green Dragons in 4-1 victory. JUDO
BY TRISHA ORTEGA
E
For judo, the HS Falcons emerged victorious in the men’s category, and the NAO Angels for the women’s category. The Falcons garnered a total of three gold and two bronze medals, while the Angels won two gold medals. TAEKWONDO In taekwondo, the Falcons prevailed with nine gold and two silver medals, for both men and women’s divisions. The CSITAO Griffins placed 3rd for men in the tally board and 2nd in the total medal tally with three gold medals and one each for silver and bronze. The NAO Angels placed 2nd for women and 3rd for men, with two gold, seven
veryone’s systems hype up with excitement whenever their calendars mark the end of November, whenever their social media feeds get flooded with photos of blue and white buntings and strings of multicolored light bulbs, and whenever the narrow streets of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University get lined up with most of their food stalls for these signify the start of the most awaited event of the year – the Ateneo Fiesta.
3. Should the sports events be held separate from the AtFest week?
This year’s theme was “One Celebration. One Family. One Ateneo.” It aimed to unite the institution’s academic organizations and units in pursuing a common goal despite their diversity. As customary, all participating organizations and units were encouraged to manifest their best to ensure winning a huge amount of money for their respective chosen beneficiaries.
4. Do you agree with the point system used during the 2015 AtFest, i.e. only first-placers get to be recognized in the tally?
Aside from the social involvement aspects of the fiesta, a slate of sports and non-sports activities were also prepared. To make things interesting, a lot of changes were introduced by this year’s Steering Committee. Most of the evident changes were this year’s 9-day long vacation from schoolwork, the shift from the old point system to the gold count system, and the Alumni Homecoming celebration at the Tumaga Campus. The question is, were these changes favored by the crowd? The BEACON Publications conducted a survey and asked 380 respondents from the different academic organizations regarding their overall comments about the fiesta activities and changes. Here are the results: 1. Were you satisfied with all the activities during AtFest 2015?
2. Should we continue having an AtFest?
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Based on the results of the survey, it revealed a foregone conclusion that a vast majority of Ateneans were satisfied with this year’s celebration of Ateneo Fiesta. Even though there were not as many food stalls as compared last year and paired with the abrupt cancellation of the much anticipated carnival rides, the 2015 Ateneo Fiesta was still able to deliver an outstanding spectacle. Most students enjoyed watching thrilling sports events and awe-inspiring performances as showcased by the Mindanao Festival Dance Competition, Pop Dance Competition, Chorale Competition and Ateneo Got Talent. The only snag for this year’s AtFest, according to the survey, was the dissatisfaction with the implementation of the new AtFest scoring system. Last year’s point system was transitioned into the gold count system, wherein the basis for the overall championship will depend on the most number of gold medals accumulated. This method of scoring system is officially recognized not only in local sporting events but also in the international sporting arena. However, most of the students were not receptive of the new scoring system, probably because it does not reflect the general and collective efforts of each academic organizations and units both in the sports and nonsports events. Maybe this may be taken into consideration by the next members of the Steering Committee, if ever there would still be an Ateneo Fiesta celebration next year.
ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
silver, and four bronze medals in the total medal tally. The AAO Tigers ended 3rd for women in the tally board with one gold, two silver, and three bronze medals. VOLLEYBALL For volleyball, the AAO Tigers are back to take this year’s championship title after defeating the HS Falcons in a do-or-die game in the men’s division. Meanwhile, the HS Falcons swept the women’s volleyball championship title in a sudden death match against the twice-to-beat Grade School. SEPAK TAKRAW In sepak takraw, the CSITAO Griffins managed to conquer the competition single-handedly, clinching first
place. Leading the powerhouse was Gli Christian Egos, with Eduardo Jr. Roda, Joseph Andre Arguelles, John Daniel Magdula and Clint Joseph Rosagaron. The team previously dumped the SLA Green Dragons and the MAO lions en route to a twiceto-beat advantage against four academic organizations and the high school department. The Green Dragons placed second, while the Tigers placed third.
WHY SO XYRIOUS?
BY SENIOR WRITER JOHN XYRIOUS DELA CRUZ PHOTO BY ATFEST CREATIVE TEAM
The Price oF
T
he Ateneo Fiesta brought about the hype and excitement highly anticipated by our respective academic organizations (AOs). That special moment in the academic calendar where rivalries sometimes out-entertain the actual events. That time of the year where most of our AO funds are lavishly spent in jerseys, costumes, props, food and the like. The 2015 AtFest carried the theme: “One Celebration. One Family. One Ateneo.” A celebration that according to some reports, also carried a price tag of more than a million pesos. Thus we should add: “One Celebration. One Family. One Ateneo. One Million.”
SOFTBALL The CSIT Griffins and AAO Ardent Tigers were hailed champions for men’s and women’s softball, respectively, after winning the championships. The Griffins had an unbeaten run throughout the elimination rounds – gaining a twice-to-beat advantage.
Partying
For one entire week, we were all exposed to the fanfare and excesses of the Ateneo Fiesta. It did not matter whether you’re posh or just a struggling vagabond, for at the end of the day, we were still able to find the necessary opportunities and luck to relish the satisfaction of the Fiesta Week. Our academic organizations were the perfect examples of the overindulgence that we all experienced during AtFest and such overindulgence was reflected by their substantial allocation of funds and expenses for the AtFest. According to data gathered, the EAO had an estimated budget of Php51,000, NAO with Php100,000, MAO with Php147,000, CSITAO with Php107,000, AAO with Php120,000 and SLAAO with 108,000 pesos. If we do the math, more than Php633,000 was outlaid to spend over a span of nine days of AtFest. The AOs appear to have spent a combined Php70,000 for each day of the Ateneo Fiesta. No surprise there. As observed, discussions on financial transparency and practical budgeting during the Ateneo Fiesta are exempted from the routine online ballistic outbursts. As it appears, there’s nothing wrong with splurging thousands of pesos for AO glory, nothing wrong with spending Php50,000 for a 10-minute festival dance performance or hanging a Php12,000-priced lantern. Nothing’s too much, too expensive, too excessive for fun. But can we blame them? Of course not, the thirst for glory and over-all championship comes at a great and expensive price and each AO is willing to pay. But accordingly, it’s not all about the exaltation and triumph, because at the end of the day each AO had its own charitable institutions to support and provide, thus a valid excuse for the splurge.
Wait, was it?
The disappointing truth is that the combined budgets of all AOs for their AtFest campaign far overshadowed the amount donated to partner charities –an estimated Php140,000.00 according to the AtFest Steering Committee. If we take a look at the |12
disparity of the figures, it tells us of how at this time of the year we become impractical, superficial and immoderate. We boast of the underlying generosity of the Ateneo Fiesta through our charitable contributions and social involvement, and that are our celebration is for a beneficial cause, yet we have become insensitive and we continue to excessively spend for what is supposed to be the real cause of AtFest –all for the cause of glory and applause. There will always be that sense of extravagance and affluence in the Ateneo name and that is the irony that all of us –admit it or not –exhibit. As we take a look at the figure of charity, can we say that we really did help? Can we say that the amount donated is really charitable, in essence? For me it is not. The substantial gap between the figures highlighted the priority and the underlying purpose of Ateneo Fiesta. That the fiesta that we are celebrating is all about ourselves, our celebration, our Ateneo. This sense of exclusivity is what we are trying to change and mold into the necessary inclusiveness of the community outside the Ateneo, which would truly manifest the values of generosity and cura personalis. It is time that we should reflect what the Ateneo Fiesta is all about. Besides the food, the parties, the competitions and the alumni homecoming, the Ateneo Fiesta is the time of the year that we should be grateful for the abundance and blessings that the entire Ateneo community has experienced. It is during the AtFest that we also celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, who both exemplify the values of simplicity, generosity and empathy, which are fundamental truths that are eclipsed by our hunger for the spotlight. For next year’s Ateneo Fiesta, will there be a sequel for this tale of excesses and charity? Or will there be a new chronicle of a reimagined Ateneo Fiesta? Is the AtFest a party we’re all willing to pay the price? *The figures provided are estimates because as of the writing of this article, respective AOs have yet to liquidate their actual expenses. |21
RIVAS ALONE
BY FRANCO RIVAS CANANEA PHOTO BY LEA ALESSANDRA LIM
LUXluster B
eer pong areas minus the beer, Zamboanga’s finest DJs, strobe lights blasting through foul-smelling smoke and annoying human train partyers—Consejo has yet again hosted another College Night with in-house USA high school party vibes less the sloppy make-outs. This year’s edition went with the theme LUX: Light Up the Night. Needless to say, the officers did all means to raise the excitement of the college Ateneans over the said event. Down from flyers posted all over the campus, up to posting campaign photos (a la Rihanna’s We Found Love music video) on social media, the College Night was one of the biggest fusses for the 2015 Ateneo Fiesta. But with the extravagance for this year’s biggest rave, we can’t help asking, does this year’s College Night live up to the standard set by last year’s?
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College Night was kickstarted by the Ateneo Blue Vigors, followed by a feminist collaboration of the Angels & Femmes and the Booty Junkies. The rave followed immediately right after when the college students’ reluctance to hit the floor was overthrown by the beats to the DJs’ remixes. DJs Alloy and Kenz were some of the guys to throw some of their fresh basses and EDM beats to bring life to the party. Or was it to bring the party to the lives of students? The DJs kept the party interactive, setting aside their elitist Macbook-user faces and going the extra mile to pump the students by screaming through the smoke and lights, “Sa mga gagraduate this March, put your hands up!” and more masa-friendly statements.
kissed the floor and been stepped on, and a vibe of dying-toget-the-most-of-out-of-the-event but we just could not.
LUX: Light Up the Night is obviously up a notch compared to last year’s party when it comes to physical set-up. With a large high-quality LED screen as the DJ’s backdrop, the DJ’s booth, beer pong tables and cups, border-lighted L, U and X occupying the front portion of the MPCC floor, smoke machines and LED lights –much has been invested for the threehour spectacle. But beyond all these bells and whistles is an unsettling craving for something much better. With the amazing Globe Street Party the night before the College Night, we were left to wonder, “Is this all there is to the College Night?” The underrated surely hit its partygoers straight to the core leaving them with the desire to continue awakening the animal within with the LUX the night after. However, we were stuck with smoke having the smell of a twelve-week unrefrigerated mango float blasting right through our faces, edible confetti that have
It was not the music, obviously, as the DJs gave the crowd great music to grind their bodies to. An unfathomable desire for something much better or maybe a little too high an expectation was what made the College Night a semi-turnt night. The LUX seemed like a Nutella bar without Nutella. Maybe two consecutive parties are too much for the Ateneo crowd to handle? Or it’s just that the ECA could not keep up with the Nutella bar the Ateneans have been dying to be served following the hype of last year’s amazing College Night?
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More than that, we were left with the feel of taking more photos instead of really getting into the heat in the dance floor. More iPhones were raised up to take photos to be later on slapped with some overrated VSCO filter and posted on Instagram at 6 p.m. the following night because that’s when most people go online than there were people getting on the annoying mess that is the human caterpillar. Half of the attendees stayed at the back half of the venue to take selfies and try to sneak a friendly touchy feely here and there.
But even with these, we have to give praises to the student council for giving us a party, albeit running short on the spice and sweat. Kudos for pulling off LACKLUSTER: somehow Light Up the Night. ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
During the championships, the Griffins and the MAO Lions faced-off against each other in a hard fought game, but the Griffins emerged victorious for beating the Lions 11-16 in a mercy-rule game. The Griffins are still defending champs, now running 12 years. Meanwhile, on the other part of the field, the AAO Ardent Tigers have taken once again the championship title for women’s division after beating the Faculty and Staff (FS) Wolves. The Ardent Tigers also had an unbeaten run during the elimination rounds – giving them a twice-to-beat advantage for the championship bout. SWIMMING The MAO Lions swam their way to first as they bested nine teams in the feisty swimming competition. The men’s swimming team, comprised of Amir Napii, Imran Jocson and Paolo Ocalinas, defeated the AAO Ardent Tigers in a grueling match, the latter organization finishing second place. The School of Medicine survives, finishing third
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place. While on the women’s side, Rissalina Lakibul and Arielle Atendido led the full-force women’s team, defeating the vigorous HS Falcons and the AAO Tigers, who finished second and third place, respectively. CHESS Lastly, it was a bloody fight between the AAO Tigers, MAO Lions, EAO Phoenix, SITAO Griffins, NAO Angels, LAAO Dragons, Faculty and Staff Wolves, and HS Falcons who fought brain to brain in a chess competition. In the men’s division, the AAO Tigers won first place, followed by the EAO Phoenixes in second, and SITAO Griffins in third. For the female category, EAO Phoenixes bested the AAO Tigers by one point. *Disclaimer: As of writing, validated information on the results of Badminton and Table Tennis were not yet available.
ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
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Tiger
The Year of the
Overheard in La Purisima:
AtFest Edition
BY NEHEMIAH ARAOJO AND CANDELINE GALVAN ILLUSTRATION BY IONEE GARCIA
COMPILED BY FRANCO RIVAS CANANEA AND FATIMA MANDANGAN
I
n a survey conducted by The BEACON, respondents were asked to summarize their AtFest experience and here are some of the thought-provoking, if not off-thecuff remarks.
“Para saan ang 20 pesos?” –on the amount charged for entrance in the Opening Ceremonies held at the MPCC
“Ang tagal kong naghintay para makita kang muli. Umasa ako na darating ka pero ako ang nasawi. Sana sa susunod na AtFest ika’y magpakita dahil ako’y maghihintay aking minamahal na PIAYA.” –last year, a booth sold on-the-spot piaya
“Buti pa ang saging, may puso.”
–on the main ingredient for the AdZU Master Chef, the other one being squash
“Wag puro barbecue kasi amoy barbecue na ang Ateneans.” –on the number of barbeque stalls along Camino Loyola
“Next time if hindi sure sa activities like carnival, ‘wag paasahin. ‘Wag paasa please.” –on the aborted carnival
oneness among Ateneans. Overall, it was wonderful and amazing.” –on the general conduct of the 2015 Ateneo Fiesta
“The organizers should conduct more activities for those people who don’t join sports competitions. Boring kasi, especially ‘pag umaga. Wala, gabi lang ‘yung parang may highlight. If I’ll rate it, from 1 to 10, I would give it a 4.” –on the preference to conduct major crowd-drawing
“No more Ateneo Got Talent. That was stressful *hard laugh* and more street parties!” –on the quality of the performances during the Ateneo Got Talent
“Maganda naman talaga ‘yung AtFest lalo na kung ‘yung mga students nagpaparticipate. Masyado na tayong apathetic sa maraming bagay. Sana kapag AtFest nakakalimutan ang apathy.” –on the seemingly lukewarm reception of some “Homecoming will never be the same if it’s not celebrated in Ateneans to the idea of participating in the AtFest the main campus.” –on the decision to move the staging of the Alumni Homecoming in the Tumaga Campus
“I hope that in the next AtFest, booths will be added and there will be seafood too. I can’t even eat inside the campus. “Sana may couple’s photobooth. Para naman magka-picture #Pescatarian” –on limited food options available among the kami ng crush ko.” –on the lack of opportunity for romance food stalls and booths
“Personally, I was really satisfied and happy of how the AtFest went on. Through this event, I felt the unity and
“I hated this year’s AtFest because my girl broke up with me and it ruined my whole AtFest. *Cusses* pinaasa ako pero k. G lang. Overall ang AAO.” –on consolation |15
T
aking the title as the Overall Champion is never an easy feat and yet the fierce tigers of the Accountancy Academic Organization (AAO) have shown that from being the second place of last year’s AtFest they never backed down nor did they lose any less of their fervent enthusiasm and fiery aggressiveness throughout the eventful week. Before the Pounce, They Strategize Losing their talented and experienced players to their sister department, Management Academic Organization (MAO), the AAO discovered a dilemma. Instead of losing hope for having a loss of possible players, Governor Ray Michael Jose decided to use information sheets and referrals from teachers to identify qualified members. Fortunately, almost all of the students were willing to participate and the resources needed to prepare were easily accessed. They were excited and gladly voiced out their ideas. Although, their biggest problem turned out to be finances, for which Vice- Governor Jewel Louise Familiar was quoted to have described the AAO treasury as ‘salat sa budget.’ Their constant meetings and efficient abilities in negotiations proved to be most beneficial to the organization itself despite the budget constraint. A Challenge to their Preys From among the freshmen to those in their Fifth Year, practically everyone showed passion in all competitions whether through support, playing, leading or coaching. Inevitably, many of their opponents visibly struggled against the AAO Tigers. Their everyday practice in various places were taken to the next level as in to the point that in multiple events there was at least one person who fainted either because of exhaustion or heat. Their one-point defeat to the Nursing Academic Organization (NAO) last year practically fueled their fire to |18
do the very best as they fought tooth and claw for the gold medal. Thus, with the guidance of the previous governor and vice-governor plus the visible support of their professors, the Tigers became a formidable opponent of each competing academic organization. Of course, their competitors proved to be a difficult challenge because of their competitiveness, particularly MAO with its shifters and the defending champion NAO. Eye of the Tiger The AAO Ardent Tigers goal was to display excellence. And indeed they have shown such characteristics with their united front and strong belief in God. They were one with each other especially during the Yell Competition where they were literally in harmony as a community. Cooperation was seen in their willingness to learn, to train and to participate in all competitions. They were a family where their leaders were approachable even to those junior to them. Governor Jose knew that everything that they sacrificed for was truly worth it. His leading of the Daring Tigers was something worthy of pride and emulation. In the end, the Ardent Tigers of the Accountancy Academic Organization never gave any less of their enthusiasm, confidence and consistency when facing any possible competition. And their winning yell says it all, “Fierceness and Supremacy! We are One A-A-O!”
ATFEST 2015 SPECIAL
Hawks Grade school
0 1 0
Knights
Ateneo
Falcons
Fiesta 2015
Junior High School
6 5 2
RESULTS
Angels
college of law
Nursing AO
0 1 0
5 4 4
Huskies Lions
SCHOOL OF MEDicine
Management AO
1 0 1
4 8 7
Owls
TIGERS
Graduate sTudents ao
accountancy AO
1 1 1
12 5 8
Griffins Csit AO
4 4 5
Phoenixes Education Ao
1 2 1 DESIGNED BY LORD JOHN LUZA EMBLEMS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE DATA PROVIDED BY ATFEST AWARDS COMMITTEE
Wolves
Dragons
Faculty & Staff
Liberal Arts AO
1 2 4
2 4 4 |17