ECHOES August 2011 by Echoes

CONTENTS August 2011

PREVIOUS ISSUE/CORRECTIONS

ONE BIG JOKE With special guest MC Tong—by Gab Sollano and Hari Orosco

EDITORIAL

BE GONE Whatever happened to the BS BE curriculum?—by Kenneth Reyes

COMMITTEE NEWS

POWER TRIUMVIRATE The trio leading the Power Apps through the sem—by Jessica Biscocho, Derek Parreñas, Gelo Atienza & Judith Pascual

Editor-in-Chief

OPINION Internal events shouldn’t compete with each other—by Ayla Reyes

hazel sumampong

THE SOCIAL DIVIDE Are more and more Ecosocers coming from wealthier backgrounds?—by Benedict Bismark

raphael dantes

NEWS 12

HP7 SCREENING by Irene Arzadon ACQUAINTANCE PARTY by Iso Garrido CDC MINI-T. HUNT by Chiara Buergo

MBA by Joaquin Ferrer CLEAN APP by Carlo Magsino COMPANY TOUR #1 by Ayla Reyes

MED MISSION by XP Damian INKLING by Judith Pascual MUSIKAPELLA ORSEM by Kevin Estopace

FEATURES 16 20

FEATURED MEMBER Unraveling the mysteries behind Yasmin Sehob —by Beatriz Bayudan FEATURED ALUMNA Aira Franco, teacher’s pet and fashion designer—by Avril Bries

ONE OF A KIND Meet Madz Aloria, our first and only college scholar —by Chiara Cokieng

CULTURE

EDITORS kenneth reyes

avril bries

Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor jessica biscocho

Features Editor beatriz bayudan

Photo Editor

FOOD A taste of Thai at Som’s —by Nadine Eleazar

MUSIC Amy Winehouse’s short, tumultuous life in rock ‘n’ roll—by Raphael Dantes

SPORTS All about the Azkals —by Trixie Garcia

Creatives Director

41 42

GOSSIP by Gossip G

Webmaster

nadine eleazar

Logistics Director joseph “matt” dailisan

kevin estopace

REPORT CARD by Kenneth Reyes

CONTRIBUTORS Irene Arzadon / Michael “Gelo” Atienza / Beatriz Bayudan / Jessica Biscocho / Benedict Bismark / Avril Bries / Chiara Buergo / Chiara Cokieng / Sol Cortes / Samantha “Risa” Crisostomo / Ana Christina “Chrissie” Cruz / Paulo “XP” Damian / Raphael Dantes / Nadine Eleazar / Kevin Estopace / Joaquin Ferrer / Gossip G / Trixie Garcia / John “Iso” Garrido / Andres “Cocoy” Licaros III / Arsenio Lukban / Carlo Magsino / Hari Orosco / Derek Parreñas / Judith Pascual / Ayla Reyes / Kenneth Reyes / Anna Monina Sanchez / Jose “Gab” Sollano / Paolo Tamase / The TV Monster ABOVE Aira Franco, photographed at the UP School of Economics on August 4 by Beatriz Bayudan cover photograph by arsenio lukban

PREVIOUS ISSUE

July 2011

CORRECTIONS

Our mistakes in the July issue In the table of contents, “A Familiar Face” is credited to Cid Campos. Rather, it was written by Beatriz Bayudan. In the corrections, it should be “our mistakes in the March issue,” not the February issue. In the news article “Finance’s Transformers Screening a Success,” the profit was P21,400, not P18,000. On page 17, the Featured Alumnus should be Gian Panganiban, not Gian Pangilinan. In “The Princess of Ecosoc,” Janna Ong’s birthday is August 23, not August 21. Also, the last sentence should read, “I’d like to believe that Janna is the kind of person who won’t stop to look back until she hits the horizon.” All errors are corrected when posting on TheEchoes.net. If you spot any error in this issue, call us on it by sending an email to upecosoc.echoes@gmail.com.

Echoes is the official publication of the UP Economics Society (UP Ecosoc), a non-stock, non-profit, student organization based in the University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics. Since the 2nd semester of the academic year 2010-2011, Echoes is released four times in a sem and eight times in a year, on the months of January, February, March, July, August, September, October, and December. It draws its funding from a subsidy from UP Ecosoc, sponsorships, subscription revenue, and other small funraisers. For this semester, 60 subscription copies, 3 tambayan copies, 1 archive copy, and a complimentary copy for each of our sponsors, featured members, and featured alumni are produced. This publication is printed by Yza Copy Systems and Trading, located at Stall 22 at the Shopping Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. contact us

upecosoc@gmail.com upecosoc.echoes@gmail.com visit for more information

upecosoc.org theechoes.net facebook.com/up.economics.society No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

4 TheEchoes.net

EDITORIAL the enthusiasm of the power apps is very infectious. it’s

easy to forget, especially for the more aged among us, that we were all once bright-eyed applicants lost in the enormity of the Society, whose officers, committees, and events were all mere bulletpoints in our Midsem Interview reviewer. From Paolo Emmanuel Tamase to Michael Joseph Narciso (yes, we’ve all had a phase when we couldn’t separate the Execom from their full names), from the functions of Externals to the functions of Acad, from “we were founded on September 1958” to “my song for Ecosc is...”—all this we learned to memorize and spew when the questions were asked. For the members, these answers need no longer be memorized because (hopefully at least) we’ve come to know them by heart. And in that sense, it becomes deeper: when we talk about the activities for Ecosoc Month, it doesn’t sound so alien anymore because we’ve been there, and some of us have even sweat, toiled, and wept for it. As the semesters go by, we explore more and more of this great organization, and by the time we are sent-off in Induction Ball, we would have perhaps taken a peek at every nook and cranny, every bit of Ecosoc that pervades all our endeavors. However, as we learn more about the Society, we are acquainted too with its secrets and ugliness. We were all once new mems, fresh from the app process, esctatic that we made it, and excited to start working for the Society. But somehow, this fervor never lasts. It begins subtly, when professional disagreements occur between superiors and subordinates. Work relations suffer, tensions escalate, and soon, it gets personal. We uncover tales of bureaucracy, favoritism, and envy, perpetuated by the Jekyll and Hyde’s of the org. We witness unspoken rivalries taking place behind artificial smiles. Ecosoc has always been in a state of war—a war of egos, where gossip is the ammunition, and feelings are the casualties. As we devote more of our time, skills, and emotions to the Society, we too are sucked into the game, espousing our own nepotisms, our own rivalries, and our own bitter feelings. Don’t tell yourself it will never happen to you. You’re not special. You are what you are: human. This isn’t an overtly pessimistic view of the Society. It’s reart by sol cortes

ality—the same reality shared by any group ever formed that was composed of two or more individuals. Humanity is sometimes not very friendly with one another. Live with it. But wait. Live with it, or deal with it? Do we settle for what is, or do we strive for the ideal? Because more than a professional hub, this Society is a family—complete with gruff fathers, neurotic mothers, competitive siblings, annoying relatives, and maybe even a pet that pees on the rug every now and then. Sure, we’re not always proud of our families, and they’re probably responsible for a traumatic experience or two, but it’s a connection you can’t escape from, acting like a rubber band that pulls everything towards a center, no matter how far it is stretched. That rubber band is Ecosoc, and that center is the apex of all we can be. Don’t let the sentimentality turn you off, for it’s anything but. The point here isn’t that we must all love, hug, and cry together. Love and affection are only incidental, and indeed, many families go by without them. Rather, the purpose of our communal Ecosoc bond is to help us grow. That is why we need each other. Through all the arguments, missteps, and disappointments; the camaraderies, triumphs, and surprises—through all these, we learn more about life, people, and ourselves. And what we might fail to see after all this is that trying to grow within a family is like a class discussion on philosophy: there are no right or wrong answers, just those who read the book and know what they are talking about, and those who didn’t. We carry each other’s weight because we see within each other that spark, murmuring, I think I got this, but just in case I don’t, please have my back. The enthusiasm of the Power Apps is infectious, so don’t fight it. Let it infect you. These younglings are applying for our org because they’re looking for a family. Forget what some might say—a family is exactly what we are offering. Amidst the stress of all the many little important things we do, we tend to forget that. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, but not here. In here, we criticize but we should support; we chastise but we should teach; we express our opinions, but we should allow ourselves to be humbled by others. If the apps believe it, why can’t we?  5

COMMITTEE NEWS

PAOLO TAMASE

SELENA ORTIGA

Over beers and books, gossip has shifted from flings to the Ecosoc elections. While I do look forward to a more relaxed semester, I cannot help but be concerned about Ecosoc’s next top leaders. So, to my prospective successors: Before you finalize plans, know what you’re getting yourself into. Enjoy Induction Ball, because you’re in for a year of sacrifices, challenges, and heartbreaks. If you used to get wasted during Vice Night or cheat during exams (not that I ever), buckle up for a lifestyle change; you’re President now, and as head boy/girl/gurl, you’re held to higher standards. Your weekends will be spent attending every event, from Saturday CDC’s to Musikapella, as well as JPES/CES meetings, which are held on Sundays. And about meetings, you’re likely to have at least one everyday. The obvious challenge is wearing four hats—one each as the Chairperson of the Executive, Ad Hoc, and Scholarship Committees, and the last (and heaviest) as President. You’ll have to balance your committee chairmanships with the needs of a larger Society. Because you are President, when a committee head falls short, the buck stops with you—from a disgruntled customer to an angry sponsor. When others push Ecosoc around, you will have to defend your org at all costs. And the heartaches? Against your will, you must discipline your members and officers, including your closest friends. Your personal achievements will never be recognized. More than failed events, the most painful heartbreaks will be caused by hurtful words, or the stubbornness of people you thought were friends; keep your real ones close. Yet despite the above, your year as the President of UP’s best organization will be incredible. As Execom chair, you will get to work with leaders; as Ad Hoc chair, with the best people your org has to offer. You will be deeply involved in shaping the lives of Ecosoc’s scholars. You will see applicants grow to be good people. Being President will allow you to enact changes that will make Ecosoc even better. If you’re running just for personal pride, don’t, not only for Ecosoc’s sake, but also for your own. But if Ecosoc is the reason you’re signing up for this fatal roller-coaster ride, I only pray for your success. Our work and the honor of leading an org like Ecosoc will be worth the downside. Believe me. 

hello ecosoc! we’ve officially arrived at the midpoint

PRESIDENT / AD HOC CHAIR

VICE-PRESIDENT / TASK FORCE CHAIR

mark of the semester and we only have around 10 weeks left before we go on sembreak! WOOHOO! As much as I want this sem and the bundle of stress that comes with it to end, I kind of don’t, too. But while we aren’t quite near the end yet, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the team that helps live the cause of ECOSOC! TO THE MOST AWESOME TASK FORCE TEAM EVER! Super galing ninyong lahat! Congratulations with our first ever event! I hope that we’ll get to work better and have more fun along the way. Thank you so much for participating in meetings kahit sobrang wild ng mga games minsan! HAHA I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you more and more as October 2 comes closer and closer! GO TASK FORCE! :) But as we all focus on October 2 getting nearer and nearer, we shouldn’t forget our scholars, right? That’s why we’re going to have our 2nd ever but so much better GUARDIAN SCHOLAR DAY! YAY! Watch out for this because it’ll be a way for us to get to know our scholars and their guardians more! Lastly, before I end everything, I’m sure you’ve all been seeing teasers for Musikapella as well as September because after all, they are happening soon. BUT! I’d just like to thank KENNETH REYES for such an awesome awesome finale to Musikapella’s serial. Story, cinematography, directing, and of course acting was all on him. GALING! Yay! And of course thank you to those who were a part of it since last year and during the finale: Kevin, Simone, Patty, A, and Jason! Thank you! :) Oh yeah! Also! Please support other Task Force fundraisers, keeping in mind that all we do are for the scholars and all service-oriented events! Please continue to support and share the TF MERCHANDISE PAGE and please help sell all the merchandise that we have to offer for you! :) That’s it! Keep October 2 open, everyone! Hope to see you in Musikapella 2011. :) p.s. Frawesome! Awwww. :( HAHA But thank you so much for all the support so far, you guys are really, really awesome. Not kidding! :)  photographs by beatriz bayudan and kenneth reyes

ANDRES “COCOY” LICAROS III

GILBERT BUENO

whaddup ecosoc?! for the first time in a long time, i

buwan ng wika ngayon, aking isusulat ang aking balitang pangkomite sa wikang Tagalog (at ako’y nakasisiguro na ito’y hindi mauunawaan ng ating EIC haha). Una sa lahat, nais kong lubos na magpasalamat sa mga sumuporta at nanood ng Harry Potter at Transformers kasama ang Ecosoc. Sa tulong niyo, nagawa ng aming komite na kumita ng halagang P34,065. Sa kasalukuyan, ang dalawang ito ang huling malaking proyekto ng Finance, ngunit kami pa ri’y nag-iisip ng iba pang paraan upang kumita ng pera para sa ating organisasyon. Habang wala pa kaming naiisip na iba, patuloy pa rin ang aming pagtitinda ng mga produktong sa amin ay ibingay ng mga isponsors. Ngayon naman ay nais kong pasalamatan ang mga miyembro ng aking komite sa pagtulong nilang gawing matagumpay ang dalawang iskrining namin. Alam kong sa kadahilanang wala na tayong malaking proyekto ay di na tayo masyadong nagpapakita, ako’y umaaasang kayo’y makita pa rin sa mga maliliit ng proyekto natin tulad ng pagtitinda ng pagkain at iba pa. Nais ko ring pasalamat at parangalan ang mga aplikante ng Finance sa matagumpay nilang food sale noong nakaraang MBA. Ipinagmamalaki ko kayo at nawa’y natutunan niyo kung paano talaga magorganisa ng isang fundraiser. Nais ko ring pasalamatan ang mga aplikante na mula sa ibang komite ngunit taospusong tumutulong sa amin. Dalawang buwan na lang ang nalalabi bago tuluyang matapos ang aming termino bilang Execom. Frawesome, gawin nating makabuluhan ang nalalabing oras. Magbonding pa tayo, pakiusap. (Ano Tagalog ng “bonding”? Haha). Sa inyo na may malaking proyekto pa na darating, kaya niyo ‘yan. Punta lang nang punta (go lang nang go HAHA). Ayun lang, dito na nagtatapos ang aking pangkomiteng paguulat. :) 

SECRETARY / SECRETARIAT CHAIR

honestly don’t know what to say for this batch of commnews. Deadline after deadline has been coming up and all this hoopla about this sem and how it’s going to be the best you have ever seen, that I’ve hardly had any time to catch my breath and take a look and appreciate how it’s shaping up. The sheer awesomeness of this semester has left me commnews-less. Since wala na akong masulat, let’s go with… MEMBER ROLLCALL! Hello to my beloved members: Geoff (who is the greatest honorary member ever), Thea (hindi gumana yung ENTM scheme natin but oh well!), Janine (Speaking of ENTM, whaddup beauty and brains?! haha), Lia (I have no brain damage. I thinks :D), Myra (i-app buddy mo na si MJ para tumambay haha), Denise (future librarian!), Henry (solid ng mga hula sa’tin HAHA), Tong (speaking once more of ENTM: you know what it is! XD), Shelly (best PE ever! haha), Van (who will be winning Grand Trad for us HAHA) and Irra! (thank you for being active kahit ‘di na kita nakikita sa tambs gaano haha). Keep up the great work! Kudos as well to my crazy awesome apps: MJ, Carlo, Monina, Bruno, Red, Brian, and James! Good luck sa midsem! FIGHT FIGHT! And to my interns Issa, Sam, Jean, and Ariane, I look forward to working with you guys on the gallery! :D And finally, my ever-so-important vice chairs Bing and Yasmin! I have both of you to thank for still being sane this semester and I hope you guys keep up the energy until we’re done. Konti na lang guys! Fight na natin ‘to! Haha To Frawesome, I’m sorry I missed out on you guys last commnews haha! Here’s to an epic last sem! I love all of you! To the whole of Ecosoc, join Spartan Club, look out for the Crazy-Ass Gallery this September and buy our merchandise when it comes out probably in September, if not earlier. Cheers! p.s.: Do we have an awesome cover for this issue? OR DO WE HAVE AN AWESOME COVER FOR THIS ISSUE? Congrats, Yasmin! HAHA galing talaga ng Seccom! :D 

TheEchoes.net

TREASURER / FINANCE CHAIR

dahil

COMMITTEE NEWS

REGINA REINOSO

REUEL REALIN

seriously, it’s august already???

hello ecosoc! we’re now halfway into the first semester

August rush! (Haha corny.) Anyway how’ve you been Ecosocers? I hope school work’s been treating you guys well. Anyway, so let me tell you about what Externals has been up to! 1) Preparation for the first Youth Economics Summit—This is definitely one of the power events for this semester! Given that in our anniversary month, we are highlighting service, excellence, and tradition (and not just the party), the Execom has decided to create a gathering of students from different Economics organizations in the Metro! 2) Externals Board—I hope you’ve all seen the “Anyare?” Externals board! We really wanted to focus on one of the core functions of Externals, which is to keep all of you informed. It’s right outside the tambayan for your convenience, and it’ll be updated every Monday! I’d like to thank my Externals apps for this: Cel, Nikki, Ines, Stef, Mabel, Vincent and Rino <3 3) Preparation for the JPES PSE Week: Ecosocers, as members of JPES, please please like the PSE Week 2011 Facebook page! All the events will be highlighted there. Let’s be responsible enough to know what’s going on in the organization that we helped found: JPES and CES. As for shoutouts, I’d like to thank the members of External Affairs for being the most hardworking people ever! Keep it up! (Stage mom?) And I’d also like to thank the Externals applicants and the PowerApps in general for being very bibbo and active. Stay that way! Finally, I’d like to thank Frawesome and the rest of the organization for all your birthday greetings/ messages. LOVE YOU <3 Woohoo only half a semester left! Kaya ‘to! :) 

and while most of us are hoping that it’s sembreak already, I hope that everyone’s doing well in their academics. It’s gonna be midterm exam season starting the week of August 7 up until the week of the 22nd so I hope that everyone will be able to prepare adequately for their examinations. • Econ 131 Solon - Aug. 9 • Econ 141 Clarete - Aug 10 • Econ 151 - August 12 • Econ 102 - August 12 • Econ 101 Kraft - Aug 13 • Math 102 - August 13 • Econ 101 Reside - Aug 25 The Academic Affairs committee has tried their best in organizing review sessions and releasing sample exams in order for members to prepare for their exams. With this, I would like to thank Dean Dulay and Neil Ong for giving the review sessions for Econ 131 (Navarro) and Math 17 exams respectively. I would also like to recognize the tutorial team headed by Von. The team is currently preparing for future tutorials and releases. For those who have requested, please send us a copy of the exam coverage and notes (if possible) so we can inform the tutors. The ACDC Tutorials had a rough start due to the recent inclement weather and the need for tweaking some stuff, but the weekday tutorials program has resumed last week! Those interested can sign-up on the sheet posted on the Acad or CDC boards. No need to worry about the materials for the sessions as everything will be provided. Tutorials will be from Monday to Friday at 4pm. The Tambay Week Quiz Bee will be organized by the applicants from the Academic Affairs Committee! Get ready for the 90’s, ‘cause going classic ain’t what it used to be. NYC UPDATE (as of Aug. 7): The 8th National Youth Congress will be on the 26th-27th of August at the School of Economics Auditorium. Currently, we have around 250-280 delegates from 23 high schools; some coming from as far as Dagupan city. 19 days left! Be part of the congress by signingup as a Congress Volunteer Staff! 

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER / EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CHAIR

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS CHAIR

photographs by beatriz bayudan

FELICHIE “FAYE” FERRER

KENNETH REYES

okay so let’s go straight to the point! :) allow me to thank

inaakala ni gilbert sa commnews niya na hindi ako marun-

everyone who has attended our past CDC’s: Saturday CDC’s, tutorials, Mini-Treasure Hunt, and Med Mission! :) Thank you for helping and making all these events possible and successful! Go ahead and sign up already for the remaining CDC’s. We have so much org events coming up so don’t wait ‘til the end of the sem to finish your CDC’s :) Have you ever experienced feeling soooo tired despite the fact that what you’re doing is what you really want to do? You ask yourself: is this really what I want to do? Is it worth it? What if I get too tired and no longer love it? But then… when you stop doing it, you feel lifeless. It feels empty. We all have it and it doesn’t always come easy. That’s the beauty of passion; it’s what keeps you going! Even though it’s tough at times, you still cannot stop because you believe in the power of what it can do! :) The past weeks have been challenging but hearing the stories of our nanay’s (how their children are always excited and keep talking about CDC sessions, how amazed the classmates of our kids are on the additional knowledge they gain, and a looot more!), you are inspired and the more you want to continue! :) The recent success of the Caravan orientation with other orgs was another eye-opener for all of us! Nakakataba ng puso learning about the causes of the different organizations and how they devote much time and attention in all that they do! It’s amazing to discover that you we are not alone in what we’re doing! After 53 successful years of writing our stories… Get Ready! Because on September 3… … We will CELEBRATE! :) 

ong mag-Tagalog. Sa totoo lang, tama siya, so enough with this nonsense. The August issue of Echoes has traditionally been a Tagalog issue, but not this year. I’ve always held the belief that English, ever-adaptive and ever-evolving, is the more functional language, so for now, let’s leave Tagalog to the poets. Guess what, the Echoes team grew bigger since our last release! Say hello to Chiara (kiya-rah), the newest addition to the family. She likes taking pictures. Meanwhile, Derek is now a professional model, Gelo is now married to Jess, and Judith has become Yasmin’s #1 fan. It’s been a busy month. Elsewhere, Nadine brought Hazel, Ralph, and I to a cozy Thai restaurant outside Rockwell, Avril now believes Judith and Chiara exist, Matt has learned the ways of being a human fashion shoot wind generator, Bea discovers she is actually Blair Waldorf, Jess is now Mrs. Atienza, and Kevin bagged a Teen’s Choice Award for Best Leading Man. Oh, and we did Inkling too. Thank you Kit Kwe, Ben Kritz, Wendell Capili, Pats Alcantara, and Bob Ong for sharing your time and wisdom with the attendees! Thank you too to the participants of the contest. Hey Ecosoc! If you happen to pass by any of my colleagues who still have extraordinary projects to accomplish—namely: Paolo and Ecosoc Month, Sel and Musikapella, Cocoy and the Ecosoc Month gallery, Gilbert and the management of Ecosoc’s funds, Reg and the Youth Economics Summit, Reuel and NYC, Faye and the Grand Caravan, Mads and the company tours and talks, Enzo and Grand Tradition, Jason and Treasure Hunt, and Myk and Sports Cup—can you kindly give them a few words of encouragement. You have no idea how much it will help, how great it will make them feel. I’d like to dedicate this issue to the writers, artists, and photographers that are our contributors. I offer no fame, cash, or glory, but you lend your talents anyway. I’d like to think it’s because everyone has a voice, itching to be heard above the noise. The works you have produced within these pages are the result of your battle to be heard. For now, you have done your jobs, and it is time for us to listen. Enjoy the issue! 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CHAIR

TheEchoes.net

ECHOES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

COMMITTEE NEWS

MADELENE “MADS” SALAZAR

VICENTE “ENZO” CLEMENTE

hello ecosoc! i’m about to start rambling so forgive me!

hello ecosoc! it’s the middle of the semester already, and

I do hope you appreciate what I’m going to say though! Okay here it goes haha: After having worked on the TAYO entry with the Pook Ricarte nanay’s and after having met so many random and not-so-random alumni over the course of my term, I’ve come to realize that Ecosoc is based on tradition in such a big way. We have always chosen the same beneficiaries, we have tried to continue some of our greatest events, and we really try to maintain the level of greatness (naks) that our org has achieved. I know a lot of you don’t realize it seeing as to how Ecosoc may just be a small part of your very busy college lives but being an Ecosoc member is being part of something SO MUCH BIGGER than yourself!! We’ve worked with the same communities for so long, produced some really successful names in so many industries and made some really good connections with other organizations. They know and are thankful to Ecosoc because it really is great! I’ll try to type up something to make you realize what I mean and post it on the Liai board but for now, be content knowing that whatever work you put into today’s projects, will contribute to what, hopefully, Ecosoc will be a few years from now! Be proud to be an Ecosocer :) Aside from that, thank you for supporting our career tours and other services! We hope you can let us know if there’s anyone you want to add to the database (complete info please!). Every new name gives a new story! Hello to Liai! Thank you for the persistent work you’ve been putting into making our events and services what they are! I hope you’re proud to be part of our awesome little group!!! Hello to Frawesome! I love you guys, like seeryuzlee. I’m so proud to be part of this execom batch! And to the Power Apps, I hope you’ve enjoyed Ecosoc so far!! Go meet more people and learn more about who we are, you’ll be so happy you applied ;) ‘Til the next one! <3, Mads 

things are about to shake up. This will be a very busy August, guys. I really hope we will all show our support for all the events and projects of the different committees. I, personally, want to thank you for supporting Memcom. Thank you to all those who came and participated in the GMTBS last Monday. I hope all of you enjoyed the fun games and activities we had. Also, watch out for the grandest pageant of them all. MISS GRAND TRADITION 2011 on September 9, 2011. This would be the best Grand Trad ever and I really can’t wait to release the theme to you guys for this year. To the best committee ever, Memcom. Half of the semester has passed I am truly proud of what we have accomplished. I’m really sorry I wasn’t able to thank you guys last Comnews in Echoes. But here it goes: Thank you to Janna and Ria for heading the Welcome Back Members Project. Thank you to Ray and Angel for heading the very fun and exciting Applicants’ Orientation. Kudos to Angelica and Car for bringing back the Applicants’ TBS. I’m sure all the applicants who participated had fun and enjoyed the games. Claps to Ryan, Angelica, and Just for making the Guardians Screening and Bidding a very smooth process. Thank you to Camille, Karla, and Jade for heading the very fun and amazing GMTBS. To my gwaping VC’s Ryan and Jr, we are proving them wrong! (Alam niyo na yan. Haha) Good job guys! One more half to show them what we’ve got. Lastly, to the heads of Miss Grand Tradition 2011, Cocoy and Pat, I’m really excited on how grand the pageant would be. Wooh! To the Power Apps, congratulations on your Acquaintance Party! Half of the semester-long application process has passed already, and I hope all of you are doing well. It’s your Midsem Interview Week. I hope all of you are prepared for your interviews. I know your guardians have been reviewing you the whole week. Good luck! To Frawesome, as each day passes by, we come closer to the end. Let’s make the most out of the remaining time! Let’s do our best! We can do this! 

LIAISON CHAIR

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

photographs by beatriz bayudan

JASON TAYAWA

MICHAEL “MYK” NARCISO

i’d like to start my comnews/kwento with this wonderful

hello ecosoc!

saying from a man whose wisdom exceeds most: “Give a man a match, and he’ll be warm for a minute, but set him on fire, and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life.” You can visit his fan page at facebook.com/pages/ Magsambols-Wisdom-Quotes/312958438357. Life can be so daunting that each step we make is another step back to our lives’ fulfilment. What we really want in life is a question that we may have been asking most of our lives but we are too busy to care. I have this friend that told me that he was living his life by the minute—eat, sleep, work, and study by the moment he realizes he needs to. It seems that he has become a work machine, but aren’t we all? We forget that we have our own passions that we want to pursue. Taking it for granted, we always go for that single instant gratification. Do we only see ourselves for who we are now? The passion you have, that never left you, will push you beyond this—merely the person you are to be. Set your hearts on fire and touch as many people’s lives in the process—in this you will do great. Each member and app of SPEV is what keeps me driven. Everyone—Caesar, Maika, Kelvin, Klaud, Raya, Nicolle, Chrissa, Iso, Jiggy, Andre, Ryna, Issa, Jacques, JP, Wax, Noreen, Lesley, Mark, Miguel, Risa, and Romano—is an individual passion that keeps me moving. You guys are one in a million x21. You have touched my life and I hoped I touched yours (in a good way). You helped me achieve great things while building a strong bond of friendship. Frawesome, kayang-kaya! We are like a dysfunctional family sa isang TV show na super saya. We are so close yet so far but I don’t want it to end yet. And if we are to end, let’s finish it with a bang! TAMBAY WEEK, TREASURE HUNT AND VICE NIGHT NEXT WEEK! SEE YOU! :) 

We’re halfway through with the semester and the energy and enthusiasm remain constant and even greater at some points. The tambayan feels more like a home now than before. It really feels good being an Ecosocer! With that being said, I’m inviting everyone to attend World War Ecosoc: Sports Cup 2011 this Saturday, August 13, 2011! Discover the warrior in you! Whether you’re a Blue Samurai, Golden Spartan, or a Red Gladiator, we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy this upcoming event. I really hope that everyone gives it their all and make this annual event a success! Also, I’m inviting everyone to join Run for 53 on August 31, Wednesday, as we welcome September with a bang. Let’s show UP that Ecosoc still lives true to its thrusts of Service, Excellence, and Tradition. Be proud, Ecosocer! To Sports, we can do this! I’m really proud that everyone is doing his or her job and whole-heartedly contributes to the success and betterment of our beloved committee. Sports has never been this solid and high-powered! Oh yeah! To Hari and Chello, thank you! I was never wrong for choosing you two as my VCs. I can never imagine doing everything without you guys. You keep me sane. Thank you. :) Team MBA (Trixie, Tobie, Junjie, Dave, Topy, and Issay), job well done! Best MBA ever! Thank you! Team Sports Cup (Jorell, Janeen, Mik, Louie, Tikay, and Patty), good luck to our upcoming event! Let’s make this one the best and biggest Sports Cup ever! Wohoo! To the Sports Cup Interns Pito, Lance, Rino and Sarah, I am counting on you guys to deliver. No pressure, just pure fun! To my very active apps Paolo, Jed, CV, Cesca, Paulo, Jana, and Erol, thank you for giving it your all. I know you guys will make it! 100% passing rate! Whaddup! Again, to Sports, thank you! No words can express how happy I am. :) After all this, let’s have a bonding! :) Game? Not my treat, okay? HAHA. Drinkage! Lastly, to Frawesome, this is the last stretch. There’s no stopping us guys ‘coz we’re Freakin’ Awesome! *To everyone, I will miss you all! You all made my college life the best experience I ever have. :) See you all around! Signing out in two months and still with lots of love, Myk Narciso 

SPECIAL EVENTS CHAIR

TheEchoes.net

SPORTS CHAIR

NEWS

HP7.2 ENDS CHILDHOOD OF MANY, ECOSOC SCREENS AT GALLERIA

APPS GIVE MEMS A SUMMER HANGOVER BY ISO GARRIDO

chise ended their anticipation after eight months of waiting for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. The film, a well-touted blockbuster spectacle, is the final movie segment of the series based on the books by J.K. Rowling. Capitalizing on the immense hype surrounding the film, the Finance Committee of the UP Economics Society held a movie screening of HP 7.2 at Robinson’s Galleria Cinema 9 on July 14. This followed the committee’s first movie screening of the semester, Transformers: Dark of the Moon last July 1. The Finance Committee has held Harry Potter movie screenings in the past, but interest for this particular installation was at an all-time high. According to Finance Committee Chairperson Gilbert Bueno, there were around 280 attendees, and the overall profit reached a healthy P24, 500. Sponsoring the event were Nissin Yakisoba, Coffee Twist, Penshoppe, and Neo. The entire Harry Potter film series took ten years to be produced and screened, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001. Many fans have taken to Harry Potter as a touchstone of their youth throughout those ten years, and fan reaction for the last film inundated the web. Those who took to Facebook or Twitter to express their sentiments said that watching HP7.2 was a poignant affair that marked the end of their childhood. 

22nd of july, the power apps threw their much-awaited Applicants’ Acquaintance Party in Room 127 of the School of Economics. This year’s batch of applicants picked a summer theme for their event—a somewhat ironic choice given the recent weather. Nonetheless, there was indeed a festive summer atmosphere present on the night of the party, aptly entitled Summer Hangover. Upon entering the room, guests were met with warm greetings and dressed with hand-made garlands. Twin palm trees flanked the doorway and colorful pennants hung across the ceiling. The program consisted mainly of games through which the applicants could interact with the members. The main event, however, came as a surprise to the hosts rather than the guests: the Guardian Bidding Fundraiser. The guardians came in pairs and were auctioned off to the highest bidder, proceeds of which would go to the scholarship fund. Halfway into the program, the bidding started getting out of hand as offers hit as high as Php 20,000.00. It was at this point that Paolo Tamase, the EcoSoc president, intervened. After reminding the applicants that the money they were offering would come out of their own pockets, the EcoSoc president recalled the last round of bidding and asked the applicants to start over. “I don’t want financial concerns to be a reason for any of you to defer,” Paolo Tamase said to the Power Apps. The festive mood was soon restored, however, as each family of wards met with their new set of guardians. 

7/14/11 HP7 PART 2 SCREENING

7/22/11 ACQUAINTANCE PARTY

BY IRENE ARZADON

avid fans of the harry potter fran-

on the

FINDING THE REAL TREASURE IN FAIRYTALES BY CHIARA BUERGO

members, power up applicants, and a

number of Pook Ricarte kids got together again last July 23, 2011 at the School of Economics for the CDC Mini-Treasure Hunt. This special Saturday CDC was organized by the Special Events Committee applicants. The treasure hunt, which was fairytale-themed (following the general Stories theme of CDC) encouraged the kids to read books by having their favourite characters star in the activities. The event started with the kids divided into groups of members and applicants. Each group was given a fairytale book to complete by going from one station to another. In each station, the group had to finish an activity related to a certain fairytale for them to get what’s missing in their fairytale book. Clues on where to go next were also given upon finishing the game in that station. Each activity was synthesized by having the kids share what they learned from it. After the treasure hunt, the kids were given crayons and coloring books, which they were very eager to use. Members and applicants bonded with the kids and took to heart their role as older ate’s and kuya’s. The Mini-Treasure Hunt was indeed a success. The efforts of SPEV applicants (Iso, Wax, Nicolle, Klaud, Mark, JP, and Issa) paid off after seeing how the kids really enjoyed and learned values from the games they prepared. 

7/23/11 CDC MINI-TREASURE HUNT

photographs by (l-r) chrissie cruz, monina sanchez, risa crisostomo

IT'S TIME TO CLEAN APP! MBA: MEMBERS BURY APPS

BY CARLO MAGSINO

BY JOAQUIN FERRER

after a very tiring encounter with

25, 2011 within the park 9 alley Court, Ecosoc members protected the taMBAyan as they dominated the Applicants in all six sports played during the semesterly Members Bersus Apps (MBA). The members’ domination began with the first event, Volleyball, where members viciously smashed their way to victory, winning 2 sets with final scores, 25-7 and 25-13. Their smashing victory not enough, mems proceeded to overpower the apps in Futsal, kicking-off the first half with a score of 2-0. Though the apps caught up in the second half scoring two sneaky goals, the mems equaled this advance by burying the apps with a final score of 4-2. The mems in the Men’s and Women’s Basketball events faced the same fate in emerging victorious as in the events prior. In the Women’s Basketball event, mems sank in two hoops compared to the Apps single three-pointer, ending the game with a score of 4-3. In the Men’s Basketball event, the apps put up a great fight, with the close game ending with a score of 29-25. In Catching the Dragon’s Tail, Mems, prevailed after 5 rounds of chasing down the Apps suffering only 2 losses, ending with a score of 3-2. In the final event, Agawan Base, mems concluded the game with two sneaky bases. The MBA is held to bond members and applicants through sports. The Members maintain an undefeated streak. 

the members during Members Bersus Apps (MBA) last July 25, the Power Apps had another battle ahead of them. It was a scuffle against the stains, trash, and stench that haunts the Ecosoc tambayan. At two in the afternoon, most of the applicants were already in the tambayan, ready to perform this somewhat tedious task. The Seccom applicants briefed the rest on how they will go about the cleanup. Everyone started to bring out the different boxes, benches, couches, trophies, tables, etc. so that Ate Vangie and her friends can start stripping the floor and doing their stuff. While waiting outside, the applicants cleaned the electric fans and trophies. Other apps checked out the different boxes and tried to eliminate things that aren’t anymore needed. Others fixed the Academic Affairs Committee’s book shelf, arranging the books in such a way that it will be easier for the members and applicants alike to get their needed references. Some did the Executive Committee’s table, replacing the cartolina and torn plastic coverings with new ones. At around five, Ate Vangie and her friends finished and the applicants returned the things they brought out inside a very clean and odorless tambayan. At the end of the day, the applicants had the realization that this Clean App was more than a requirement to get the Secretariat Committee Chairperson Cocoy Licaros’ prized signature on their sigsheets; it was all about taking the responsibility for maintaining and caring for everybody’s second home in the School. 

7/25/11 MBA

7/25/11 CLEAN APP

on july

photographs by (l-r) arsenio lukban, cocoy licaros, arsenio lukban

ECOSOC INVADES RX BY AYLA REYES

last july 18, 2011, 9 members of ecosoc

traveled to the offices of Monster Radio RX 93.1 in Ortigas for a company tour, which was held by the Liaison Committee from 1 pm to 3 pm. The tour was lead by Vincent Gavino, Marketing Officer of RX. There, Ecosocers got a peek at the departments that make up a radio station despite the company’s ongoing renovations. From the transmitters and sound equipment to the recording studio filled with vinyl records, the office is an audiophile’s dream. In the recording studio, the members were able to meet DJ Gino Quillamor of Jumpstart where he showed them what it was like to audition for Radio1, RX’s Campus Radio Show hosted by students. Members were then brought to the DJ booth where the members joked around with Danielle and Louie D., who were on-air at the time. Afterwards, the members had a chat with Jude Rocha about the history of RX and how the company works. They then met former Liaison Chairperson and Monster Radio President Chito Barreiro. Mr. Barreiro explained the various jobs he had in media before he became the president of RX. Mr. Barreiro mentioned the various types of work available in the company and some of the perks of working in their field. This company tour was the first stop in the series of tours that the Liaison Committee held this semester. The goal of the tours is to expose Ecosocers to career paths not normally associated with economics. 

7/25/11 COMPANY TOUR #1 13

NEWS

ECHOES CELEBRATES WRITING IN INKLING BY JUDITH PASCUAL

TF HOLDS MUSIKAPELLA ORIENTATION SEMINAR BY KEVIN ESTOPACE

the task force committee organized

30, 2011, ecosoc, spearheaded by the Community Development Committee, held its Medical Mission at Pook Amorsolo from 8 am to 1 pm. With the help of 8 medical volunteers from the Mu Sigma Phi Fraternity and around 50 apps and mems, the event was able to serve 120 patients of all ages. Aside from sponsorships by Merck, Inc., Morishita-Seggs Pharma and Hizon Labs, members and applicants also brought medicines to help make the event more successful. Although the day started out rainy, the sky eventually cleared up and the event went on smoothly. In the end, th medical volunteers expressed their gratitude for givng them the opportunity to help and in return, they were presented certificates and tokens of appreciation. The Medical Mission is a semestral event organized by the Community Development Committee that aims to cater to the health needs of communities around UP by giving out free check-ups and medicines. 

hall outside of SE 127 was buzzing with aspiring writers, teachers, and enthusiasts alike as the Echoes Committee held Inkling: Finding Answers in Philippine Culture, a high school writing competition and seminar. The program, hosted by Derek Parreñas and Judith Pascual, began at 9:30 am. The first speaker was Mrs. Kit Kwe, who said, “Writing springs from hope, and brings hope.” Hearing such words from a well-established writer brought inspiration to the audience. “We have to tell the stories ourselves. No one will tell it for us.” The next speaker was Ben Kritz. He talked about the difference between culture and cultural dimensions. He said that cultural dimensions gives us an expression of who we are, while culture is who we are. The third and final speaker is Wendell Capili. He talked about finding writing inspiration, how one can discover one’s self through writing. Finally, Pats Alcantara delivered a message from author Bob Ong, who wrote that the youth should not be asking for answers, they must search for the answers themselves. Lunch was served at noon, and the contest proper occured from 1-3 pm at SE 124. 

an orientation seminar for the participants of the most awaited major fundraising event of Ecosoc, Musikapella 2011, last July 30, 2011. The seminar, which was hosted by Patricia Bucao, was held in Room 111 of the UP School of Economics. JB Music, a co-presenter of Musikapella 2011, provided all the sound equipment, such as stereos and microphones, for the orsem. The seminar started at 1:30 pm with a prayer and the Ecosoc Video ID. The Directors then proceeded to explain the contest mechanics, the choice piece, the contest piece, campus tour, photo competition, and other registration requirements. The event ended at 3 pm after the contract signing wherein 10 school choirs signed. Task Force then collected Php 1500 from each school for the registration fee of Musikapella 2011. At least one representative from 15 participating schools attended the event. Only Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, PAREF Woodrose School, and Florentino High School weren’t able to attend. Most of the representatives were the choir masters of each school choir. With the conclusion of the orientation seminar, the time for Musikapella draws ever closer. It’s sure to be a musical spectacle filled with the consonant harmonies of choirs celebrating music. 

7/30/11 MED MISSION

7/30/11 INKLING

7/30/11 MUSIKAPELLA ORSEM

it was the thirtieth of july and the

CDC TIES UP AGAIN WITH MU SIGMA PHI FOR MED MISSION BY XP DAMIAN

last july

photographs by (l-r) paolo tamase, beatriz bayudan, kevin estopace

FEATURES

member • Yasmin Sehob • alumna • Aira Franco • one big joke • Rapping with MC Tong • death of a program • BS BE, I hardly knew ye • app officers • Getting to know

Iso, Cel, and Pau • opinion • Whose org is it anyway? • the social divide • Exploring the claim that Ecosocers are getting richer • college scholar • Madz Aloria ABOVE Hazel Sumampong and Avril Bries preparing Yasmin for her shoot. Photograph by Arsenio Lukban

FEATURED MEMBER

THE QUIET THINGS THAT NO ONE EVER KNOWS Yasmin Sehob is an artist of many mediums, from dancing, to drawing, to painting. But here is a child that causes not a bang but a whisper, which, though soft, contains the secrets of the universe WORDS BY BEATRIZ BAYUDAN PHOTOS BY ARSENIO LUKBAN TheEchoes.netâ&#x20AC;

FEATURES

n the middle of the noise of eco-

soc and the School of Economics, she is a quiet spot. There is something about her, inexplicably, that draws you in. She is an enigma, and we are all curious. It’s like one of those fleeting glances—brief, but it etches a mark on you; it lingers. Forgive the romanticizing, but that is—exactly—what first caught my attention about this issue’s cover girl, sophomore Yasmin Sehob. Finding out what makes this girl tick is something this piece will attempt to do, and we start with the basic facts. She was born Yasmin Zarah Sehob on April 14, 1994 to Liza Sehob and Carlos Mijares, the fifth of six siblings and the youngest girl. Although she was born in Manila, she spent only two years here before moving, spending her childhood five hundred miles away—in Zamboanga City. “I went to grade school in Zamboanga,” she says. “After my parents separated, my mom brought us all there, since our relatives were there.” What was it like living in Zamboanga? She considers this for a moment, but shrugs. “It was a pretty urbanized area there anyway, so I don’t think it’s really different from here.” She cracks a little smile at this. “We didn’t live in the rural province,” she says.

School for the Arts high school was when they all moved

back nearer to the nation’s capital (their current residence is in Marikina), but that was also when she transferred schools. Yasmin interestingly attended high school in the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, something you would not really expect from someone pursuing an undergraduate degree in Economics. 18

KILLING TIME Hanging out with Yasmin at her dad’s home in Filinvest Antipolo Just a little backgrounder: the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) is the only arts school in our country. It’s not like a regular high school—students who attend this school major in their chosen field. In addition, they live on campus. The basic high school curriculum is taken up in the morning, and in the afternoon they work on their concentrations. Yasmin majored in folk dance—hence the display of talent during last year’s Grand Trad—but also dabbled in visual arts, which she took for her electives. “My older sister went to PHSA, so that’s a reason I went there too,” she says, mulling it over. “I’m not sure how she found out about it, but my mom wanted me to go there too, so I did.” She shares what her high school life was like. “Well, it was an arts school, so that was really what was emphasized.

And it was a small community, so it wasn’t very competitive as some of the regular high schools seem.” She pauses. “I can’t really compare it with other high schools though, because I spent mine entirely there. For every year, I had three roommates, and because it was a boarding school and we spent so much time around each other, we were all super bonded. It was five times a week, and we all had the same majors. Plus, when there would be major productions, we’d be up until late at night rehearsing. Sometimes we didn’t even have home leave—where we’d go back to Manila—so yes, we’d be around each other all month long.”

Enter Economics one has to admit though, that after

four years immersed in art disciplines, it is still surprising that she would pursue photographs by arsenio lukban

something very unrelated. “Back in fourth year, I was really confused with what I wanted. I wanted dance, I wanted design, I wanted fine arts and business. It’s like I wanted it all,” she chuckles. “So I took up economics because it afforded me flexibility. It had electives. Also, when you graduate with an Econ degree, your career is already defined. Unlike with dance: let’s say you get even a minor injury, it’s going to be risky already.” Being an economist, though, was not really in her plans. “It was always drawing for me,” she says, and further explains her high school major. “I had a cousin who danced and taught me how to, so I sort of just continued it. But like I said, drawing was really my first love.” Even until now, she still draws. “I doodle in my spare time,” she confesses. “And you know that Facebook application Graffiti? I’m always on that, even if I only use a touch pad to draw. It gets kind of tiring though, but I love it. I haven’t really had formal painting lessons, but I’ve been recently experi-

menting with watercolors. Also, during debuts, I bring portraits I make as gifts.”

Behind the Face yasmin strikes me as a pretty relaxed

person, and having gotten to know her better through this interview just reinforces that. College, as far as I’ve experienced, isn’t as chill in all aspects as people have told me, so I had to ask: what upsets you? “I think I’m just really patient,” she says. “Or I have great anger manage-

‘I can’t handle guilt. I hate that feeling; it will eat you up’

ment techniques. Probably the things that would make me snap would be time and comfort zone. I mean, if you were in public, it would really be awkward if you have an outburst.” Conversely, what would make her happy? “Chocolates,” is her immediate answer. “I love them. And of course when I draw, even when it’s stressful.” This would be very handy when her fears get the better of her. Her own personal dementors are spiders, and guilt. “I can’t handle guilt,” she stresses. “I always want a clear conscience. I hate that feeling; it will eat you up, so I try not to do things that would cause it.” A huge part of her enigmatic and mysterious charm is her habit of silence, probably her distinctive mark, and a way to alleviate her fears. “I’ve always been quiet actually, and in high school I planned to be more talkative. But I do live by this: less talk, less mistakes.” For Yasmin Sehob, silence is easy, yes, but with that, her words are louder than ever. Perhaps we can all take a lesson from her. 

GIRL TALK Yasmin is exceedingly famous for being silent TheEchoes.net

FEATURED ALUMNA

GLAMBITION IN HIGH HEELS Equipped with a bubbly personality and a ferocious sense of style, Aira Franco is set to conquer the world BY AVRIL BRIES

itting with her legs crossed on one of the school

of Economics atrium benches, Alexandria “Aira” Franco looks more party-ready than fresh out of a business meeting in her miniskirt and pink-painted lips. But in reality, the thirty-year-old fashionista’s style acumen forms the core of her career success: In 2007, Franco started her own belt line, Cintura, followed in 2009 by a shoe line, Sinta. “Yes, the shoes I’m wearing are part of my brand,” she says proudly when asked about her sky-high heels. “Have to advertise my business!” Since the founding of her two brands, she has gone on to design accessories for the likes of Rajo Laurel and has been featured in top magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Preview.

A Legacy of Leather franco’s career choices now follow in the footsteps of

her parents, Alex and Elizabeth Franco. “My mom and dad put up their business, which is belts and leather manufacturing,” she explains. “Their main product is called Alexandria, they sell it at SM—yes, they named it after me.” Growing up, she knew from the get-go that she wanted to be just like them. “My mom doesn’t work, and my dad is always there when I need him. He’s always home at a certain hour. I never experienced what other people did, with their parents having eight-to-five working hours and they only get to see each other during dinner. It’s very ideal. I knew since I was seven years old that I wanted that kind of life: either a businessman or a housewife.” From pre-school to high school Franco studied in Assumption Antipolo; an active child, she got excellent grades, was active in the student council, and was a competitive figure20

skater until college, where she applied and got into Business Economics.

Strategic College Life business management’s swot principle is easy enough to

grasp: play to your strengths, fix your weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities and counter threats. Franco smiles wickedly as she relates how she built her college life on this theory. “I used to think I was so smart because my grades in high school were so high,” she muses with a self-deprecating grin. “But then I got to UP and realized I couldn’t beat the kids from the province, I decided to compete with them in extracurriculars and by being a teacher’s pet. I was famous for that, I even got an award for it!” It hardly seems true, given that she managed to graduate as a Dean’s Lister and never failed a single subject, but the strategy certainly seemed to work for her. Franco joined Ecosoc in her first semester of freshman year, starting off in Spev before committee-hopping to Liai and Sports. From there she quickly went on to join CAP and the SE Student Council, becoming Batch Representative for two years before being elected Secretary. While she was never an Ecosoc officer due to her SESC duties, she remained active by serving as Assistant Director and Vice-chairperson. Her amusement is palpable as she name-drops professors who strike fear into the hearts of students: Esguerra, Navarro, Carlos—just to name a few. “I get their coffee, and in return I get away with all my cuts! It’s not just about saying ‘good morning’ to them and walking on. It’s more like, ‘Good morning po! Ma’am, you’re photographs by beatriz bayudan

so cute today!’” she explains, laughing. “When they’re finalizing the grades and think of me, they also think of the effort I put into befriending them. I’m not smart, so I have to stay on their good side… I think I got DL by acting cute.” For all her jokes, however, she seems to genuinely adore her old professors, who even went so far as to land her a muchcoveted internship at the Asian Development Bank.

Working Girl franco relates that her adb experi-

ence shaped her choices after graduation. “I really didn’t like ADB—confined in a small space, doing research, all those numbers,” she confesses, her face puckering into a moue of distaste. Instead of the conventional get-interviewed-get-hired process most of her batchmates chose, she decided to put up her own business. At that point, however, she didn’t yet go into fashion, and picked a rather unexpected field. “I partnered with my uncle who’s a doctor for a company called TransCatheter Therapeutics Enterprises. Initially we were distributing cardiovascular devices—whatever you need when you have a heart attack. We did that for two years, then we expanded to anything

for the liver, then for basic operations, syringes… and then we really took off.” The company operated for four years and was wildly successful. “We started in June. By December, we had three times the original investment.” In the end, she decided that the medical business wasn’t for her, despite all the money and perks. “I wasn’t happy. It was so forced. I hated getting up in the mornings and dealing with suppliers and doctors.” She resigned, though today she hopes to revive the company with her friends within the year. “It would be a waste not to,” she explains. “It’s still listed active on the SEC.” At the time, though, she decided to take a break for her MBA. While reviewing for her GMAT, she tried her hand at helping out the family business and there discovered her true calling. It was hardly kismet in the beginning, though. “My designs wouldn’t sell!” she complains, shaking her head. The mismatch stemmed from the fact that her work was very high-fashion (a by-product of her own sense of style; she claims her friends would freak out if they saw her in sneakers), and SM’s main buyers were more into conventional designs. A friend recommended that she start her own online brand. The move proved

to be the push she needed; her first collection of belts was featured in three different magazines and her brands continue to expand today.

The Future for Franco when asked what move she wants to

make next, she advocates nationalism. “I want to go all-Filipino. I created Sinta to be proud to be Pinoy—we don’t import materials. Design-wise, I wanted to put the full Filipino vibe.” She professes to being inspired by some of the country’s traditional features such as habi, and has even designed modern versions of bakya. These bakya have even been featured on runway shows in London, a fact that makes her glow with satisfaction. Notably absent from her future plans are settling down. When asked, she giggles and says, “I don’t have a boyfriend! Find one for me.” Always though, she cites her roots right here in SE. “My background is Economics, so I can never call myself a designer,” she affirms. “I am a market analyst. I analyze what my market needs and I give them what they want.”  Check out Aira’s brands at cintura.multiply. com and sintashoes.multiply.com. You can also search Cintura by Alexandria and Sinta Shoes on Facebook.

FASHION’S CHILD Aira poses with Echoes Editor-in-Chief Kenneth Reyes and Associate Editor Avril Bries TheEchoes.net

ONE BIG JOKE

ANG PAGTO-TONG-GALI! Gab and Hari challenge rap master Maurice Tong to a FlipTop BY GAB SOLLANO & HARI OROSCO

agkatapos ni gab and hari magpagayot sa one

Big Joke Gym, naisipan nilang bumalik ng UP para maghanap ng inspirasyon sa susunod nilang artikulo sa Echoes. Mataas pa ang araw no’n kaya naglakad kami para malanghap namin ang mga nakakabighaning tanawin at amoy na ibubuga ng Unibersidad. (Buti na lang walang mga jeep nung oras na yon!) Kala namin madali lang maghanap ng inspirasyon sa UP kasi ang dami naming makikita, pero kahit si Gab at Hari nahihirapan rin. (Wag kayong magulat dahil nagkulang ang magagandang tanawin nung araw na iyon.)

Mamaya... napagod rin kami sa ka-

kaikot ng UP at puro karaniwang tao lamang ang nakita namin. Si Gab at Hari ay sawang-sawa na sa mga karaniwang bagay kasi lagi na namin nakikita ito. Gusto namin ng BAGO, EXCITING, at NAKAKAIBA. Tambayan ng mga driver na naghahalikan, luma na! (Nagawa na namin yon.) Umaalog na nakaparadang kotse, mas luma na. (Nagawa na rin namin yon.) Nangangamot ng pwet, kadiri lang. Dahil hindi kami nakuntento sa mga ito, sinundan namin ang isang tao upang malaman kung anong gagawin nito. Noong una, hindi kami napansin ng tao kaya tuloy-tuloy lang ang palihim naming pagsabay hanggang ito’y umikot. Natakot kami dahil ngumiti ito sa amin at tumakbo papalapit sa amin.

Mamaya Pa... nagpasya na lang kaming pumunta sa tambayan at mag-

tago at nagbakasakali na may makita doon. Nang kami’y tumatambay sa tambayan ng minamahal nating organisasyon ay napalinga kami sa direksyon kung saan nakaupo si Tong. (Kala naming may namamatay na daga.) Pero seryoso, kala namin na anong klaseng ingay yon. Si Tong pala! Namangha kaming dalawa sa kanyang gawain na magsalita ng mabilis at itinutugma pa niya! Samakatuwid, nagra-rap si Tong! Ngayon, ano ba yung rap? (Hindi ito yung pagbalot sa mga regalo ah hehehe) Kung naiisip mo na yun yung ginagawa ng mga squatter, pagsasabihan kayo ni Ralph Dantes na “people 22

who say that are the same conceited elitists who have irrelevant classical music instruments stuck so far up their a— holes. Musical expression evolves with the times. A single rotten apple doesn’t ruin the entire basket. Hip-hop has found critical acclaim from various musical publications.” Napakabigat Mr. Dantes. Sobrang bigat ng sinabi ni Dantes na dumugo na lang ang ilong namin (hindi namin ipinakita ito sa kanya para hindi siya mabastos) at ngumiti kami upang gumalang sa angking talino nito tungkol sa rap. San ba nanggaling ito? Mali ang iyong paniniwala kapag iniisip mo na galing ito sa Tsina at sasabihin na namin sa iyo na hindi lahat ng bagay ay galing doon. Sa totoo lang, kahit ang Wikipedia ay hindi alam kung sino nagsimula nito pero hindi kasi sila nagtanong sa amin. Kilala namin kung sino ang mga unang rapper at walang iba ito kundi ang mga ninuno namin. Sila Gabstredamus and Hariscus ang unang nagisip na dapat magkatunog ang hulihan ng salita at dapat tuloytuloy itong sinasabi.

Eto Na! balik tayo sa amin. syempre hindi kami magpapatalo kay

Tong! Hindi dapat siya lang yung mapansin ng mga tao! KAMI RIN DAPAT! Kaya naisip naming dalawa na hamunin si Tong sa isang “showdown,” o mas kilala bilang “FlipTop”. Sa mga hindi nakaaalam kung ano ang FlipTop, ito ay ang tagisan ng dalawang rapper. Sila’y nagtutunggali gamit ang mga salita na kailangan tumutugma. Kumbaga ito ay ang modernong balagtasan. Mga makata lang ang nakakasali rito at si Gab and Hari ang dalawa sa pinakamagagaling na makata ng henerasyon natin. PANOORIN NA LANG ANG VIDEO NAMIN AT MAMANGHA SA AMING GALING! AT LAGING TANDAAN, HINDI LANG INGLES ANG WIKA NG MUNDO.  theechoes.net/pagtotonggali

There will be a video—for real this time august 17

photographs by beatriz bayudan, photo-illustration by kenneth reyes

FEATURES

TO BE OR NOT TO BE How the BS BE curriculum mutated, and all the unanswered questions that came with it BY KENNETH REYES

photograph by kenneth reyesâ&#x20AC;

FEATURES

ONE MAN’S TRASH The new curriculum: absolute junk, blessing in disguise, or a little of both?

2010-2011, the batch 2009 BS Business Economics (BE) students have been experiencing a rollercoaster ride of an undergraduate degree. It all started in the School of Economics (SE) Room 127 back in March 2010, where a consultation of BE students was called by Dr. Fidelina Carlos and then-Department Chair Dr. Gwendolyn Tecson regarding the June 2010 changes in the BS BE curriculum, prompted by the fact that the College of Business Administration (CBA) would no longer be offering BA classes to BE students. The students in attendance agreed that it shouldn’t be applied to the ‘09 batch as we entered the School before the changes were announced. Nevertheless, Dr. Carlos assured us, “Aalagaan namin kayo.” No one knew it then, but we’d be forced to trust in those words eventually. ince the first semester of sy

A Storm Is Breaking 2010. after some minor confusion caused by a delay in obtaining a professor, the SEprovided BA 99.1 was finally born under Ms. Hayde Arandia from the College of Public Administration. At first it seemed all was well, but in truth, things were only patched for the current sem. As second sem was fast approaching, BE students still had no clue what the plan was for their BA 180.1, a required subject that just wasn’t showing up in CRS. It wasn’t until the second round of enlistment when SE finally arranged for Ms. Salma Angkaya from CBA to teach the class. And so even though the entire BE batch had to fast forward to the summer of

cram into the one class SE was able to conjure, the crisis was averted for yet another sem. Most of us thought that all this was temporary, that when it came to the real BA subjects like BA 101, we’d finally get to step foot in the College of Business Administration. After all, we agreed on it back in March right? To our dismay, a letter, addressed to the ‘09 BE batch and signed by the acting-Department Chair Ms. Joy Abrenica, was released on May 6. It read: “Please be clarified that the new BS BE Curriculum that was instituted in June 2010 applies to your batch. The Office apologizes for earlier announcements that may have suggested differently.” Holy double-cross! Our batch representatives Bettina Ramas and Simone Carpio were quick to issue a letter of appeal, citing the March 2010 agreement as well as the difficulties the new curriculum posed to a batch that has been following the old curriculum for two years. It also noted that the deadline for shifting has passed. But it fell on deaf ears. Another batch meeting was held with Undergraduate Committee Head Toby Monsod on May 11 at SE 111, where the new curriculum and how we can cope with it was elucidated. The discussion was akin to taking an Econ 131 exam without a calculator—that is to say, tell me again why we’re making it harder on ourselves? Furthermore, if you look closely at the curriculum, much is still left vague as the question of who will provide the plethora of alternative subjects (like HRIM and IE) is still left unanswered. Will SE do it, or will the respective colleges? Will there be slots allotted for BE students? Oh, what did we do to inherit this mess? Ben Bismark, one of the greatest RVC personnel this School has ever seen, even took to calling Prof. Manuel Manuel III, the CBA College Secretary, hoping to get BE students enlisted in BA subjects. Secretary Manuel simply stated that SE will photograph by kenneth reyes

THE AFTERMATH

A summary of the changes in both undergraduate programs

BS Economics OLD

previously optional BA 101, IE 31

NEW

Econ 198/Math 102 prerequisite for Econ 106

BS Business Economics OLD

BA 99.1, BA 99.2 BA 180.1 BA 101 BA 101, IE 31

BA 141 BA 101, IE 31

BA 115 BA 101, IE 31

previously optional BA 101, IE 31

NEW

Accounting 1 removed Management Elective I BA 101, IE 31

Finance Elective BA 141, Econ 122

Management Elective II BA 115, Econ 162

Econ 198/Math 102 prerequisite for IE 31

Econ 121 prerequisite for Econ 122

previously optional

Econ 132

previously optional

Econ 141

previously optional

Econ 151

previously optional

Econ 163

BA 170, BA 151, BA 142, BA 105, BA 190

3 BE Electives BA 170, BA 151, BA 142, BA 105, BA 190, IE 3, IE 197 (a), IE 197 (b), IE 197 (c), IE 150, IE 141, Math 150.1, Math 180.1, Stat 115, HRIM 112, HRIM 108

4 Econ Electives

2 Econ Electives

3 Free Electives

5 Free Electives

no reply. I checked again the next day, and again, there was no reply. It soon became my daily routine to visit that office for the rest of the week; I left emptyhanded each time. The weekend passed, and first thing Wednesday morning, I again dropped by, asking if Dr. Esguerra has even seen my note. The secretary looked at me. “What note?” My, have you erased all traces of my interview inquiry? Have you notified the guys upstairs that there’s someone here asking questions? Am I going to disappear? Kidding aside, I recounted my purpose, to which she finally suggested I try catching him during his break later in the afternoon. I swung by after class, hoping to finally score an interview and obtain some real answers. Dr. Esguerra was sitting down when I entered his office. My arm stretched for a handshake, I was about to introduce myself when his commanding voice boomed, “You’d better talk to Toby [Monsod] about this.” Okay, now I really am back to where I started. My hand awkwardly retreated, and I stammered that I had already attempted to interview her. He thought for a moment. “Maybe it’s better if you emailed me a list of your questions so I can get back to you.” So I emailed him three weeks ago. He hasn’t replied.

Closed Doors in her reply email to me, toby monsod

provide. When Ben pressed him for the reason why, Manuel insisted, “I’m not at liberty to discuss.” This, my friends, is when it all started to feel like a Dan Brown novel.

The Chase i myself have tried to get to the bot-

tom of what I can only assume to be a massive cover-up involving Bigfoot, aliens, and Elvis. I first tried to schedule an interview with Ms. Toby Monsod, obtaining her email from her secretary. However, she replied that I would be better off talking to Dr. Ma. Joy Abrenica, who was “there from the start.” TheEchoes.net

So I did, passing a note along through Dr. Abrenica’s secretary. I recieved a response a few days later telling me to talk to real Department Chair Dr. Emmanuel Esguerra instead. So again, I did. Funnily enough, Dr. Esguerra’s office was the same room as Prof. Monsod’s secretary’s office, giving me the feeling I was back to where I started. Nevertheless, I again left a note through the third secretary I’ve been acquainted to, who told me that Dr. Esguerra was out of town and would only be able to respond the following week. When the following week came, I checked back to learn that there was still

professed high hopes for the new curriculum. “May I say that while slightly inconvenient,” she wrote, “I think the new curriculum is superior to the old one in design and will surpass what your batch had ‘originally hoped’ for in choosing BS BE.” This could be true. In fact, we’re all hoping it’s true. But regardless, it stands that the undergraduate program we signed up for was changed without any sort of input from us. The School of Economics and the College of Business Administration owes us either an apology or an explanation. If they really wanted to be decent people though, they’d give us both.  25

FEATURES

26â&#x20AC;

photographs and design by chiara buergo

SWEET CHILDREN Leaders of the applicants today; leaders of Ecosoc tomorrow?

THE NEW KIDS IN TOWN Iso, Cel, Pau, and their daunting task: to lead the largest batch of Ecosoc applicants in two years

nce again, we begin a new year.

Simply put, this signifies the beginning of a whole new game, with trickier challenges, tougher foes, and greater encounters. For most if not all of us, this means a new set of majors and academic subjects to strive for. As for extra-curricular and organization-related duties, this would mean a new set of tasks to fulfill or new roles and responsibilities to embrace. While it may seem intimidating, rising up to the challenge of this new match signifies a fresh start, a clean slate. We’re back to square one, holding a new set of re-shuffled chances. This then entitles us to become more hopeful. With our past mistakes no longer tugging us behind, we step forward—and once again, we throw our bets to success. The same perspective is most definitely true for Ecosoc as we welcome our new set

TheEchoes.net

of applicants, the Power Apps. Living up to their name, these applicants have from the very beginning been performing superbly. They continue to impress the current members with their evident zeal and perseverance. Those who witnessed their preparation for the acquaintance party would agree to this: from the food sale to the prodwork, it seems like ‘slack’ is a word unknown to them. Vigorous, hardworking, creative, original, and, admittedly, rich—this app batch definitely stands out. Now the question is: who will lead this great mass of potential forward? That question was answered on the second of July this year—a few days after their application process began—when the Power Apps of the UP Economics Society, held their elections for their very own set of officers. Here they are now. —jessica biscocho 27

FEATURES

FRESH FACES From left to right: Iso Garrido, Cel Hilario, and Paulo Bautista

Iso Garrido by Derek Parreñas “simple,” recalls the head of this semester’s batch of applicants regarding his childhood and his early days at kindergarten. “I don’t remember much from that time. I was clumsy and had a particularly large head. I bumped it on things a lot. I cried a lot for the first few days.” John Rafael “Iso” Garrido, with his serious countenance and playful smile, gathered the trust of his fellow applicants through the multiple applicant assemblies, interactions in the Ecosoc tambayan, and most especially, the highly-praised applicant’s acquaintance party, Summer Hangover. Some may say that his age is the reason why many of the applicants chose to trust him with the affairs of their application; he is a tad older than the rest of the applicants, being born on the day before the Christmas of 1992 in Tacloban, Leyte. He confessed during the applicants’ orientation that he was not really an active leader during his younger years. “I was nobody in grade school and I was hardly a model student in high school.” Pressed for the reason why that was the case, he answered, “I suppose I didn’t find my environment stimulating? Tamad ako,” Iso casually 28

added with a laugh. “First year wasn’t so bad. Second year was uneventful. I started cutting class in third year. By fourth year, I was notorious for it among my classmates. I was sick of high school by then. I just wasn’t into it.” Don’t get him wrong though, he was still an active member of the student body, as shown by his membership at InDAK: Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan, the Ateneo High School’s very own street dance group. But what caused Iso Garrido’s change of heart? What made him want to step up in spite of his previous lack in interest? He reassures Ecosoc that his perspective has changed. He now claims to possess greater enthusiasm. UP is a totally different environment, he says. “I’m not surrounded solely by adolescent males everyday. That’s one of the most obvious and pleasant differences. The people are diverse. You get to be part of something exploding with culture. And I don’t feel cramped. There’s a great deal more freedom of movement and thought. With regards to leadership, I’ve come across many student achievers in the School of Economics alone. It’s inspiring. And honestly, it makes me want to have some glorious experience of it myself.” Indeed, he does. He envisions this semester’s batch of applicants to be a

well-bonded batch, with everyone becoming a major asset to the organization through their special talents while still having fun. “Tactics,” he ponders. “I don’t know about tactics. I grouped them (the applicants) into four committees and assigned each a committee head. Paolo Anoneuvo’s in charge of finances. Ines Pagdanganan is in charge of publicity. Mark Manguera and Brian Cruz are in charge of programs and logistics respectively. Those four work really well. They’re great assets and good people, too.” Finally, time will tell if this responsible and fun-loving former A-boy of the Ateneo High School will stand the test of being a great applicant head and eventually a great member of the UP Economics Society, but for now, he says, “I hope I pass, first of all. If I do, I don’t want to just take up space. I hope they’ll find some use for me. I’d like to lead again. It’s fun.”

Cel Hilario by Gelo Atienza celina marie san jose hilario, also

known as Cel or Celery, is a BS Economic Student from E-1, of which she is also the block head. Celery was born on the 30th of November 1993 to Ginger and Mike Hilario. Her parents sent her to Miriam College for her education photographs by chiara buergo

from pre-elementary up to high school. As a Knoller, Cel grew up as a natural leader ready to serve her fellow students. She was a consistent class officer during her elementary and high school years. During her senior year, Cel was given the opportunity to serve her fellow schoolmates even better when she became a part of their student council as its fourth year batch representative. On their graduation day, she received an award for exemplifying great generosity and she was also a recipient of the Sister Miriam Thomas Award, a leadership recognition. Outside school, Cel too lived an active life. Living the values obtained from her Alma Mater, Cel became dynamic in participating in the activities of her community. With her love and care for unfortunate children who cannot afford to go to school, she joined the group Landas ng Karunungan where she served as a tutor who gives them a helping hand in educating the children. As a Catholic, Cel does not forget her duties to her Lord. She is a God-fearing leader and a member of the group Ligayang Panginoon Young Adults, serving God in her own little ways. She carefully plans how her time will be spent on both academic and extracurricular activities. During her free time, she may be found TheEchoes.net

doing Muay Thai, dancing, or even singing. Serving is indeed a passion for her. Even though she may seem very busy with her activities, she never forgets to spend a part of her time hanging out and bonding with her friends. With that said, there is no doubt that Celina is well-equipped and suited for the position of Power Apps Secretary.

Paulo Bautista by Judith Pascual paulo antonio bautista, or paubau,

is the Treasurer of the applicants. Born on the twenty-fifth of January 1993, this fresh graudate from the Ateneo de Manila High School has a lot of spirit and determination to offer. Having ran five times for five different leadership positions (Block Head, Assistant Block Head, App Head, App Secretary, and App Treasurer) seems to have been a laughing matter, but with this, Paulo has shown many of his coapps and blockmates that being a leader is something one has to work hard for. In the subject of working hard, Paulo has been doing his job as Treasurer in a very unconventional but efficient way. He took part in every financial endeavor but distributed the work with his committee members. (Special thanks to Paolo Añonuevo!)

The application process has been fun according to him. All the members have been really friendly and he tries to talk to all the other applicants as well. “Ecosoc is really all about fun. I mean sure, we get to do cool stuff, helping and meeting people,” Paulo says with a smile. “But at the end of the day, it’s all about having fun.” Having fun may just be Paulo’s middle name. In his free time, he plays basketball, although he says he would not be able to play as well as he does now if it were not for his height. He is also taking classical guitar lessons at the UP College of Music. He was also part of a band in high school, serving as their lead guitar just because it was expected of him to do so. Paulo is a funny and cool guy whose inspiring words are Scientia et Eloquentia, literally meaning knowing what you want to talk about and talking about what you know. “That doesn’t really have anything to do with my life,” he added. Much is expected from someone as promising as Paulo. Let us watch and see what he can do for the UP Economics Society with eyes that can see through the laughs and smiles and discover him for the awesome guy that he is.  29

OPINION

A DIFFERENT ECOSOC When the membership body is spread too thinly, it’s the little events that suffer BY AYLA REYES

ometimes, i believe i was born

into a different Ecosoc. The Ecosoc of the 1980’s—when they were rich enough to buy a car and where “movie premieres” were really movie premieres; back when they had to cross to AIT just to call up alumni for a homecoming, only to have a few of them show up. Nevertheless, it had great member attendance. Times have changed for sure. It’s inevitable, but did we come out of it better than before?

Strories from the Past i frequently hear stories of how

they spent their days playing ping pong or battle-of-the-sexes trivia games in between classes. I also never hear the end of their movie premiere of Rich and Famous, and how it made Ecosoc rich and famous. Admittedly, times haven’t changed as much as we think—their card games used to be Trumps, a game a lot like our version of Bridge, and we still pattern a majority of our events to their events. Up until recently, I hadn’t heard anything deemed as a bad event from the 1980’s. Even with whatever political problems there were at that time, nothing could stop Ecosoc from everything they wanted done. They carolled at the houses of government figures, started Grand Trad in the Econ lobby, and held an alumni homecoming only to have mostly members attend. It really sounds a lot like our Ecosoc to me, minus the numerous house parties Spev would hold in my mom’s house, but that’s another story in Ecosoc’s history. 30

The first time I ever heard of something close to a bad event was their alumni homecoming, where they tried tracking down Godofredo Bamba for an invite. However, it just ended up becoming a huge bash for the number of members in attendance. Contrast that event to the Alumni Dinner Liaison hosted last semester, where the number of alumni almost doubled the number of members in attendance, excluding Execom. In fact, the lack of member attendance forced some members of the Execom and of Liai to take home plastic bags filled with Reyes Barbecue meals after the event.

Where’s the Target Market? member attendance has always been

a problem, but it’s really what’s keeping Ecosoc from moving forward. Each committee pushes members to attend their events to become relevant in Ecosoc, but it just doesn’t seem to work as

much for some committees. With the low attendance of this semester’s company tours—(I’d like to thank the nine people who attend the tour each week)— I’d like to believe the relevance of the event isn’t as important to members as the publicity each event gets. It seems that every week, there is a conflict in the Society’s internal schedule that keeps members from supporting each event. And if that isn’t problematic enough, there’s still the matter of numerous external projects that our members are also involved in. I’m sure each committee has found it difficult to get members to attend when their own committee head conflictingly planned something else for them to do. It’s really difficult to compete with another internal event, and sometimes, it just all boils down to who has better publicity or which event is required more. I’ll even be the first to admit that Liai is weak in both of those aspects, but to every person who supports Ecosoc’s events regardless, you are who each committee works for everyday. from our movie screenings to our

To every person who supports Ecosoc’s events regardless, you are who each committee works for everyday

highly awaited events like Grand Trad and caroling, we’ve just become a more modernized and creative version of our past organization. Of course, membership is down to half (which is excusable since we’re no longer university-wide), but we’re still finding ways to make more of Ecosoc. It just makes me wonder if we’re still as motivated as we were before. Does our uneven event attendance tell another story? That is left for us to prove. 

FEATURES

THE SOCIAL DIVIDE Are more and more Ecosocers coming from wealthier backrgounds, or is it all a myth? BY BENEDICT BISMARK

photo-illustration by kenneth reyesâ&#x20AC;

FEATURES

t was not until the gw bid of this year’s power up

batch did Ecosoc seriously begin to investigate the trend of wealth of its members. Ecosocers have always had a hunch that its members and applicants were getting richer, but no real study has ever been made to verify this— until now. It was July 22, and the Power Up applicants (“Power Apps”) began bidding for their guardians. It started like any other GW bidding, with the first guardian pair sold for P2000—relatively less than Imprint’s first bid of P3000 and a far cry from Blueprint’s 9500. However, the next few bids proved staggering as it quickly rose from 6.5k, to 15.2, to 22k, and it would’ve kept on going had Paolo not intervened and placed a price ceiling. Since auctions always drive the price to every individual consumer’s maximum willingness to pay, it might be easy to assume that this latest app batch is the richest, and the trend is that Ecosocers are getting richer. Now it’s time to debunk this.

Analyzing the Data 81k, 83k, 26k, and 101k, roughly, are the total bids of app batches from Overdrive onwards. At first glance, bids are increasing with Imprint as an exception. In fact, if Imprint is disregarded as an anomaly, linear regression will point out that the best fit line corresponds to the equation y = 10300x + 68200, (the y-axis is price and the x-axis is time), with a 32

PARK MY RIDE The parking lots of the School of Economics can hardly accommodate all the vehicles of its students

correlation coefficient of 0.9162 with time, implying that next year, total bids will reach 120k. This is an average of 10k per GW family, a price that Overdrive did not even hit. Including app batch size into the analysis reverses the trend. 30, 50, 20, and 60, roughly, are the app batch sizes of the Overdrive batch onwards. The total price to app ratio then is 2703, 1672, 1331, and 1695 respectively. Imprint isn’t so much of an anomaly anymore and the regression will make the best fit line y = -336x + 2691, with a correlation coefficient of -0.7334 describing a strong negative correlation between the ratio and time. Perhaps Overdrive needed the intervention more. Wealth perception also affects the analysis. 15, 16, 13, and 3.8% of app batches from sy 2009-10 onwards said that they feel richer than their app batchmates. Clearly, even without regression, there is a negative correlation between time and the perception of wealth. This supports the fact that each applicant chose to bid at a lower price every year, price ceiling this semester ignored. The correlation coefficient in this data set is -0.8465, implying a strong negative relationship between time and wealth perception. The actuality of this perphotograph by beatriz bayudan

ception will be analyzed later. The reverse analysis also works. Zero, 4, 10, and 15% of app batches from SY 2009-10 onwards said that they feel poorer than their app batchmates. There is a clear increase in poverty perception. In fact, the correlation coefficient here is at 0.9966—very close to 1. The percentage of those who feel at par however appears almost stagnant. The ratios are 78, 80, 72, and 80 from the batches already mentioned. R2 is negligible at 0.0051 and the slope of the line miniscule at -0.0021. Interestingly, this is the biggest chunk of the pie for Ecosoc. This implies that we as an organization has a very stable and very large “relative middle class,” or at least people perceive it that way. A more direct approach to analyzing the trend is through the brackets. Consolidated data shows that 42, 56, 48, and 34% of apps from batches sy 2009-10 onwards, respectively, are in bracket A, while 57, 44, 48, and 61%, respectively, are in bracket B. Other data seems negligible. R2 for the trend in bracket A with time is .0169; for B, it is even smaller at 0.00003. Since a 0.25 R2 is generally determined to be the minimum value to

establish a correlation, our data is a far cry from this.

Reading Between the Lines all this may suggest that it is impos-

sible to see the trend over a span of four years. Of course, there are other factors that affect wealth—such as family size, among others—but that is outside of this analysis. Based on this however, it means that a more macro view is necessary to conclude the relationship and that observations that people have made in the short run are, at best, logical leaps. The source of the perception does not seem to originate from within the organization. Data presented during a USC-sponsored talk on the STFAP in Law suggests that the percentage of students in bracket A is actually increasing in the long-run and, of course, those from lower brackets decreasing. Sadly, Echoes could not get a copy of this data, but it is a fair assumption as the presentation has been made in multiple areas and thus reliable. Perhaps Ecosoc is an exemption to the trend, at least in the short-run. Or perhaps the mechanisms used are sim-

ply inadequate to measure the trend. A student with an income of P2 million, for example, would be no different from one with an income of P1 million in assessment. This muddles the analysis as 45% of Ecosoc comes from that very bracket. The range within bracket B is also substantially wide. Notably, 52% of Ecosoc comes from bracket B. This, along with other factors of wealth not included in the system at all, can muddle the analysis. At best, we have our assumptions, and complex models to simplify, but these are assumptions nonetheless. Better gauges of the trend would be simply to ask alumni or gather long-run information. Short-run analysis is easy and simple but sometimes do not reflect the bigger picture. though this long-run effect within

the org is something that we will not experience, an analysis is still worthwhile. The motif for the past few semesters has been change and clearly, we are plotting a course for change. But the road is still being mapped, and we must keep in mind that no path is ever darker than when your eyes are shut. 

EVERY GRAPH TELLS A STORY

Figures 1 and 3 are based on a sample of 101 Ecosocers and applicants. Figure 2 is based on Memcom’s records FIG. 1 BRACKETING Proportion of tuition brackets per app batch, in percent.

FIG. 2 FAMILY COSTS Average guardian bid per GW group, in thousands of pesos. Do higher bids imply higher disposable income?

FIG. 3 MARKET OPTIMISM Ecosocers’ answers when asked, “In your view, what is your economic standing in relation to the rest of Ecosoc?”

100 90

80 70

13% Richer than most

P2420

8% Poorer than most

infographics by kenneth reyes

Up Po we r

nt Im pri

rin t ep Blu

riv e Ov erd

Po we r

rin t

Im pri

riv e

Blu

Ov erd

Liv e

wir e

Tru l

77% More or less the same

P6967

lde

P7373

P8475

1% Among the richest

1% Among the poorest

Others

FEATURES

MAD ABOUT MADZ Ecosoc’s first college-level scholar comes in the form of a shy 18-yearold girl, Madeline Aloria BY CHIARA COKIENG

on the 5th of july

2011, ecosoc president paolo tamase exclaimed, “Oh, happy day. Dream come true for a lot of Ecosocers past and present.” July 5 was indeed a happy day, for that was when the recipient of Ecosoc’s first college scholarship, which amounts to P12,500 for tuition and academic allowances, P2,500 for extra-curricular expenses, in addition to other privileges Ecosoc members enjoy, was decided. 3rd year BS Economics major, graphics editor of Sidhi, active member of the UP Economics Towards Consciousness Externals Committee, DZUP-ETC Coordinator, ETC’S Junior Representative to JPES, Graphics Editor and main cartoonist of Hope Illustwriters Youth Aspirants (HiYa), and currently an applicant of Debsoc: Welcome to the life of 18year old Madeiline Joy Jogno Aloria, known as Madz.

Introductions the youngest of three siblings, madz was born

on January 4, 1993 to parents Diosdado, an arthritisstricken Mindoros farmer, and Jenee Rose, a labandera. The Aloria family currently resides in Marikina. As a child, Madz was discouraged from playing with other children in the neighbourhood. Her mother believed that the environment they lived in, a squatters area near the river where houses are juxtaposed very closely to each other, is not the best place for a child to grow up in. “Araw-araw tuwing umaga may lasing, may nagbi-Bingo, may nag-aaway,” Madz shares. “Kaya dun ka na lang sa bahay mo.” She studied grade school in a local public school and attended high school in St. Scholastica’s through a scholarship. Despite experiencing difficulty transitioning from a public school program to a private one, she was able to graduate with honors. 34

University Girl in up, madz sought employment in part-time jobs to

help her parents. UP apparently recognized this and moved her from bracket E to D, making life even more difficult. Upon the prodding of a friend, she decided to join UP ETC, wherein she was able to meet new people and supplement her Econ education with ETC’s awarnessraising activities. Related to this are two remarkable things to note about Madz. Firstly, during a stand-making session in ETC about the RH Bill, the vote was 20-1 in favour, with Madz being the only one against. Despite feeling strongly about it, she didn’t pursue the matter because she didn’t know how, and thus she joined the Debate Society. Secondly, the reason behind her Facebook aliases, Madz Jackson and Madz Domingo, is because her mother told her to “focus on the unreachable” so that they do not cloud her vision from what is important. These are interesting because here is someone who wants and desires different things, as we all do, but still clearly sees which help her and which don’t, which to pursue and which to ignore. Evidently, Ecosoc has chosen well.

The Next Chapter madz plans to join up ecosoc and

graduate with honors, after which she hopes to earn enough money so that her father can finally retire. She also wishes to join the government, as inspired by ETC. To Ecosoc, Madz wants to say: “Sobrang hulog po kayo ng langit. Galing sa puso ko, maraming salamat po. Alam kong students din lang tayong lahat pero kaya niyo nang magsupport ng scholar. Sana po mapasalamatan ko kayo personally. Pagbubutihan ko po. God bless sa Ecosoc.”  photograph by beatriz bayudan

CULTURE

• The Echoes team embarks on a night out at Som’s • music • Ralph looks back at the life of Amy Winehouse • sports • The football-playing heartthrobs known as the Azkals • gossip • Rivalries! Scandals! You won’t find these events in the news pages • politics • Did someone say electric monorail system? food

ABOVE Amy Winehouse, the newest member of the 27 Club. Photograph taken from celebs101.com

FOOD

n the outskirts of upscale rock-

AUTHENTIC THAI AT SOM’S The Echoes team dines at the humble restaurant at Poblacion BY NADINE ELEAZAR

TRAVELLERS Echoes’ Nadine, Hazel, and Ralph walking outside Rockwell 36

well lies the unassuming authentic Thai restaurant, Som’s Noodle House. A few years ago, a retired chef from Sukhothai, an established Thai restaurant in the Philippines, opened an intimate alfresco eatery (or simply, a carinderia) at his residence in Poblacion, Makati. With a few chairs and tables lined up along the street, a simple menu, and authentic Thai food, Som’s Noodle House came to be. Through word of mouth, the hole-inthe-wall restaurant quickly gained popularity among locals, students, and curious foodies as it boasted of good food that’s easy on the pockets—quite a rarity in a business hub. Its reputation was further solidified when it was featured as one of Manila’s Best Kept Secret Restaurants.

And so, yours truly, together with Kenneth, Ralph, and Hazel, went to Makati, hopeful that Som’s Noodle House would satisfy our craving for delicious and affordable Thai cuisine. With this, we began our gastronomic adventure (the first, of hopefully, many more to come).

First Impressions Som’s is quite hidden and parking space (along the street) is limited, we all conveniently met up in Powerplant Mall Rockwell. This gave us enough time to survey the other Thai restaurants in the mall, which needless to say, were beyond our pooled budget for the evening. So, we headed to our real destination, Som’s, which was a leisurely 10-minute walk away. While Som’s maintained the alfresco set-up, it has also expanded and as

photographs by kenneth reyes

‘Oh shit! How can something that looks so good taste bad?’ CATFISH SALAD P150

—raphael dantes, upon seeing the tom yam soup

PHAD THAI P220

evolved into a slightly more sophisticated eatery, now well-lit and complete with air-conditioning and TV indoors. We arrived a few minutes past six, still early for dinner so the place was not packed and the servers were attentive. Ralph, an avid fan of Thai cuisine, began to order for the group (with People’s Palace in mind).

Appetizers for starters, we had catfish salad—

CHICKEN PANDAN P150

TOM YAM SOUP P220

a medley of shredded green mangoes, crunchy catfish bits, and peanuts tossed in vinaigrette. While I found the mangoes a bit too sour for my taste, I enjoyed the flaky and crunchy texture of the catfish bits. Next up, we had the classic Tom Yam soup, with distinct flavours of lemongrass, kaffir leaves, straw mushrooms, chilli, and fragrant herbs. I ogled with excitement when the waitress served the bowl of vividly red soup as Ralph said, “Oh shit! How can something that looks that good taste bad?” Much to our disappointment however, the soup didn’t match our expectations. It had a confusing blend of sourness, sweetness, and spiciness and lacked the kick that we were looking for.

Entree the pad thai, made of stir-fried egg

GREEN CURRY P180 TheEchoes.net

noodles, bean sprouts, tofu, crushed peanuts, coriander, and calamansi, was unusually pink, probably because of the shrimps. Some of us found the dish tasty and flavourful while the finicky eaters were just lukewarm towards this. Then we had Pandan Chicken, which I found rather ordinary. The meat was neither juicy nor flavourful, unless doused with the soy sauce and sesame

seeds. However, the others seemed to enjoy the simplicity of the dish. Finally, we had Green Chicken Curry with Eggplants. I must say that if appearance is the only basis for judging, this dish would undoubtedly fail. The coconut milk coagulated into a consistency reminiscent of vomit. Stirring it didn’t do any good. Thankfully, Ralph was willing to eat anything Thai while the rest were game to try something new, even just for the sake of this food review. Surprisingly, the dish was good! The chicken was tender and the curry hit the spot. The sweetness of the coconut milk and the mildly hot pepper married into a well-balanced dish. This was probably my favourite dish of the night. We also had a bottle of Thai milk tea to share. Even Hazel, who dislikes tea (yes, even milk tea from Moonleaf), enjoyed Som’s homemade blend.

The Verdict for our group of four, the total

bill amounted to P1045, roughly P260 per head. Considering the location of the restaurant as well as the number of dishes we ordered, this is a reasonable price. However, the dishes served were nothing to rave about and were not comparable with other authentic Thai restaurants in the metro. All that said, we agreed to give Som’s Noodle House a decent rating of 7. To please a group with diverse food preferences is a rather tall order. Thankfully, Som’s met the mark and made the trip to Makati worthwhile. After we had our fill, we then headed back to Rockwell Mall... for some good old donuts.  Som’s Noodle House is located at 5921 A. Alger St., Poblacion, Makati City. They can be reached at 836-0075. 37

MUSIC

TEARS DRY ON THEIR OWN Amy Winhouse was a rare breed of celebrity who was famous for being infamous, and had the talent to back it up BY RAPHAEL DANTES

hen amy winehouse qui-

etly passed away last July 23, the world wailed for this beleaguered artist. However, while the public was nothing short of melancholy, most had grimly anticipated the tragedy. This speaks volumes of her short career—it might have been her personal history of addiction and health scares, but it’s also largely because, in the history of pop culture, the untimely death of a celebrity has become frighteningly frequent. While every artist wants to reach an audience, many fall prey to the celebrity machine. It’s hard to know when the celebrity ends and when the artist begins in this day and age. Sometimes, the distinction is nonexistent altogether—the public has borne witness over the past decade to the growing crop of reality celebrities that refuse to be weeded out of pop culture. As seen from the fastidious, brand image-conscious Kardashians to the fake-tanned libertines of Jersey Shore, people can stake a claim to fame for the simple reason that, well, they can. But unlike reality stars, the tragic Winehouse was made a celebrity due to her undeniable talent. Unfortunately, she became a celebrity when seeking fame for its own sake is a shameful and at times irresistible reality. Though it might be hard to think otherwise, she never seemed like someone secretly proud of her excesses, who wanted her every failing recorded for posterity in tabloids and on YouTube. Still, the cameras adamantly captured her for every time she was being humanly imperfect. 38

BACK IN WHITE Amy Winehouse performing at the 2007 Eurockéennes

‘We can only mourn the child who was born with prodigious gifts but not the personality to use them to create a life worth living for herself’ —bill wyman, slate

Winehouse was one of the first new stars to be exposed to this extreme degree of scrutiny—each personal fault and public blunder relentlessly ripped apart online, in the papers, and on TV. This bedlam of constant criticism really had more to do with schadenfreude than anything resembling journalism. And when a video of Winehouse smoking crack started making the blog rounds in 2008, it marked a doleful turning point in her public profile. She began by being hailed as a breakout star, a trend-setter for soul pop, possessing the voice that launched a thousand torch singers under 25 (one of which is a young woman named Adele, who has been anointed by radio to fill her void with anesthetic photograph taken from wikipedia.org

soul). For millions who never bothered to hear a note of her music, she quickly became just another “entertainingly” self-destructive celebrity. It was like a cruel twist: here was a singer-songwriter of vast musical flair being equated with some talent-free reality TV star found reeling on cocaine outside a Hollywood club. Empathy for self-destructive addicts never did come abundantly. As gruesome as her later life turned out to be, it’s clear that Winehouse did want to turn things around. There were reports she was working on a new album. A “comeback” tour (though she

of classic soul and R&B, was only utilized on the surface: her singles sound buoyant and resolute until the lyrics are unraveled. Then you might realize that “Rehab” is uncommonly blunt in its depiction of someone who knows they’re numbing themselves to compensate for a feeling of intense isolation, that “Tears Dry on Their Own” is nuanced and free of self-pity in the way it explores the weakness of not being able to let go of a relationship, a subject that reduces too many singers into dripping saps.

From Frank to Black winehouse was never one for “light”

It’s the music that made Winehouse a star, and it’s the music that she should be remembered for was “gone” less than three years) was planned. But addiction is not something that can be suppressed on cue in order to fit a schedule. The tour was abandoned after a handful of shows ended roughly. Fans held out hope, but a triumphant return from a clean-and-sober Winehouse never came to be.

Life and Art Intertwine it’s impossible to discuss her life and

work honestly while glossing the selfdestructive parts because those parts took up half of a career that lasted only eight years. But it was the music that first made Winehouse a star, and it’s the music, ultimately, that Winehouse should be remembered for. Nevertheless, one can’t sweep the grime under the rug, for those bleak sentiments are inherent in Winehouse’s songwriting. She possessed an uncanny gift exclusive only to an elite few in contemporary pop: the ability to turn personal despair into songs more pleasurable than painful. This panache, redolent

subject matter. Perhaps if done by other artists, her most self-flagellating moments might have come off as too maudlin, but the songs have a confidence collected from Motown and a swagger picked up from rap that makes all the difference. Born in 1983, Winehouse was a product of the 90’s. She learned not only to appreciate vintage music, but she imbibed an attitude—a way to make the feel of classic soul and jazz resonate with a modern audience. She was swept up into the industry before she was even out of her teens. In her first album Frank, released in 2003, Winehouse was just 20, and her age manifested in its unevenness. Half of the album was a well-realized fusion of modernity and traditional musicianship, while the other half slumped towards an appropriation of various classic styles, all of it a little too genteel. She seemed sculpted by her label to play jazz festivals and upscale night clubs, where the aged 25-50 crowds gathered. But even then, Winehouse found a way to let her developing personality persist. “Fuck Me Pumps,” though neo-soul pleasant in sound, was a sarcastic critique of fashion-and-money-obsessed women. In these moments of strident boldness, she felt closer to contemporary R&B than the classic revivalist mold, albeit her sound completely deviated from Scott Storch and The Neptunes productions prevalent at the time. Three years later, Back to Black hit as an intrepid breakthrough. Winehouse, along with producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson, unified their sound and

vision—ditching the sometimes soft sonic trimmings of Frank for something tougher, richer, and more immediate. Back to Black was so well-constructed that it’s actually hard to guess who brought what to the studio. Remi was the established hip-hop producer; Ronson was the retro-master. It’s only the jolt of the drums on tracks like the “He Can Only Hold Her” that suggests a guy who came up in the world of loops rather than old club-trained bands. Much of that cohesiveness may also be credited to backing band the Dap-Kings (the same band of another first-rate soul artist, Sharon Jones), a group that had already proven their old hands at recreating vintage soul. Still, it’s Winehouse’s songwriting and voice, her point-blank self-recrimination and her slyly withering humor, that defines the album. Droves of retrosoul albums are released every year. The ones without Winehouse’s force of personality and pure skill tend to sink from view immediately. With support from the most sympathetic and skillful collaborators around, Winehouse was both technically more assured and more unrepentantly idiosyncratic than most. it’s hard to imagine any hit-seeking

writer creating the down-but-defiant verses like that in “Rehab,” or trying to sell them with Winehouse’s strange mix of boldness and ambivalence. This is what makes Winehouse’s loss so grave from a musical standpoint, and it’s what the legions of trend-grabbers and American Idol-esque singers could never achieve. She could do a straight, tearful ballad like “Love Is a Losing Game,” something you could imagine some faceless voice adequately singing, but in Winehouse’s best songs, there’s always something odd, pained, and ineluctably personal in lyric and voice alike. Labels and execs will likely be grateful that Winehouse’s brief success opened up a lucrative market for what certain nostalgic enthusiasts might consider “real” music. Listeners can mourn the fact that we lost someone who understood that without the candor and uniqueness to back up the chops, “realness” is a hoax.  39

SPORTS

AZKALS— WE BELIEVE The dream team that taught the Philippines to love football BY TRIXIE GARCIA

asketball,

basketball, and basketball—it seems like it is the only sport in the Philippines. The hot guys in our school were the basketball players, and everyone else was invisible. We are not even aware of the existence of some of the Philippine national teams, or we just don’t even care. That is, until December 2010 when the Azkals made a noise in the Asian football scene. They surprised everyone by qualifying for the semifinals of AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 against Indonesia last year. You may not appreciate what this kind of victory means for us, but just so you know, we defeated the defending champion, Vietnam, during the prelims with a score of 2-0. We were supposed to be the weakest link in the competition but we were still able to qualify for the semis for the first time since we joined the league. Now that’s really something, right? Since the Azkals have already captured the attention and the hearts of football fans and Filipinas everywhere, nothing can stop them now. They don’t want to be a fad, so they are doing their best to make the most out of their exposure and continue the momentum of their success. They actually exemplify the characteristics of a real askal or asong-kalye: a hungry, aggressive underdog. There’s a lot of pressure that is being put on them since they cannot fail us. Yes, we lost in our last game against Kuwait for the World Cup qualifiers, but this doesn’t mean it’s the end of our football journey. Being able to reach

UNDERDOGS The Azkals celebrating their win against Vietnam round 2 of the qualifiers is already a big achievement for us and I believe that this isn’t a failure, but a delayed success for the Philippines. You may not be aware but the Philippine Football Federation has already made a long term plan to achieve its goal of making football big here in the country. There are rumors that the PFF has its sights on “handsome” players— specifically half Filipinos-half foreigner

Life is like a football game—anything is possible and you just have to believe in it

types—just to give football that extra buzz. But no, it’s not what they wanted to do. We’re just lucky that Filipinos have good genes so I consider them a bonus. Rather, this is a strategy that that involves scouting for experienced players, which in our case are the Fil-foreigners. During the time that these Fil-foreigners are playing for the country, pure Filipinos are already being trained. In fact, PFF is now scouting for young football players that will eventually represent the Philippines. For instance, Jinggoy Valmayor, one of the varsity players of UP Diliman, is being eyed by the present coach of Azkals, Michael Weiss. This means greater pride for our alma mater and for us, his schoolmates. I am an admittedly Azkals fanatic, but I didn’t write this article to convince you to become like me. I wrote this in the hopes of helping everyone appreciate the effort that they’re making. Athletic or not, this is not about what sport to love but the realization that life is like a football game—anything is possible and you just have to believe in it. 

photograph by brosi gonzales, taken from bleachersbrew.blogspot.com

GOSSIP

LOVE, WAR, & GOSSIP These being the only three places where all is fair BY GOSSIP G

let’s make this quick, yeah? no hints,

just plain gossip. SPOTTED! I just love an unfriendly rivalry. I hear a certain red-faced collective is Ad<space>Hoc’s number one critique. You see, rumors are spreading that our Ad Hoc Committee is but a mere copycat of the—ehem—“original” creators of the biggest party in the metro. This is just sad. For all the Ecosocers who don’t distinguish one party from another, listen up, or you just might get slapped by Bamba himself: UP Ecosoc’s Ad Hoc is a celebration of what our Society is all about, and the party is just one of the many things that defines us. Remember this, my dears. And for the record, making a Twitter account or having pictures of people posing with signboards don’t make something original. This organization doesn’t need to prove authenticity, because the last time I checked, we’re not the university-based organization that is threatened by a college-based org. Oh, and we thought of the ambassadors thing first. Thanks! SPOTTED! Taking showers in someone else’s condo? Girl, I like your style, but it doesn’t help that you have a clueless beue while you flirt with one of our younglings. Tsk tsk! Be careful B, you might get caught announcing your crap in public. You don’t know who might be listening. It also came to my attention that you’re a bit jealous of a “friend” of yours that seems to have the same taste in guys. I find it funny that both of you photographs by beatriz bayudan

take turns being all so nice to this kid— although he’s tall and charming and all that, he doesn’t quite “excite” me. Nevertheless, here’s a reality check: feelings are not mutual with either of you. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but he likes tall, skinny girls, and well, let’s just say this ideal is a bit off-center from what you both are offering. B, go back to your boy, and to the other chick—better luck next time. Oh, and to the little prince who lets girls take their clothes off in his flat, try to remember that people talk. And yes, I know a third person took a shower in your place as well. SPOTTED! This is something new. I heard that our veteran marketer has spotted a new prospect. After making an attempt to date a social drinker, he’s finally making a move. Talk about a late bloomer! Apparently, he’s keeping things low-key, but not enough it seems! One of my BBK’s caught you outside Econ with a former queen. Oh, how I just love seeing a new relationship blossom. But true or false? Hmm. Afternoon walks of two guys from different cliques is a sign that something’s up. And yes,

both are guys. Oddly enough, they act as if they haven’t gone out. I guess both of them are protecting their reps. Let’s see where this leads to. After all, a lot of things can happen in senior year. SPOTTED! I know it’s a bad thing to predict the future leaders of the organization—what with “skewing the odds” and all that nonsense—but it’s just too juicy of an the issue to let it die. Tell me if I’m wrong, but we all know that committee successors are inevitable; it’s the number of possible candidates that we are dying to know. And mind you, some of them are a shocker. Four candidates for presidents (two of whom are good options—if they run), one for vice-president (I might settle), two for Seccom (one of whom comes from another committee), three to four for Externals (I find this one funny, thanks to Cha-cha), one to two for Finance (one comes from another committee), and one rep for the remaining committees. Don’t forget your GPOA! September is fast approaching. The afterparty is when the real fun begins. p.s. Echoes may not have a successor. Sorry Kenneth. XOXO.  41

POLITICS

grade

4.0

REPORT CARD July 2011 BY THE TV MONSTER a mayor loses her shit on a constituent. farmers

are screwed over by the Supreme Court. A suspect in a massacre trial sucks up to the President. With trivial victories amidst monstrous debacles, July was definitely a bad month for the PHL.

PRIDE

SHAME 1 Davao mayor Sara Duterte pummels a sheriff at a shanty demolition because she wanted to prevent violence

6 QS ranks UP and ADMU 34th and 35th, respectively, in list of world’s best Englishteaching universities

1 PCSO reveals that it had granted SUVs to several bishops in 2009

8 At least 1,040 violators apprehended in first week of smoking ban 10 Bench takes down billboards showing men in briefs, keeps the ones showing women in bikinis 12 CBCP issues a slightly defensive but nevertheless humble apology for the ‘Pajero bishops’ scandal

18 Automated electric monorail transit to be built in UP Diliman

5 Supreme Court rules that Hacienda Luisita farmers must undergo yet another referendum to decide whether they should get a share of the land; Winnie Monsod calls their decision ‘bakla’ 10 Cebu fire affects thousands; firefighters reportedly ran out of water 12 Zaldy Ampatuan says that cheating occurred in the 2007 senatorial elections, forgets that he has his own ongoing massacre trial to worry about 15 Badass bank robbery at BPI Commonwealth leaves cops stunned 15 PETA calls for the closure of Manila Zoo after a blogger posted pictures of its abysmal state on LiveJournal 15 Sen. Francis Escudero revives ‘Hello Garci,’ says not enough time and resources have been wasted yet 21 Human Rights Watch calls on PNoy to please stop letting the military kill people

22 ARMM opens public biddings to journalists, publishes project details on the Internet 27 To celebrate Ramadan, Muslims should give alms instead of firing guns, Muslim cleric says 28 PNoy discovers his balls, warning Abu Sayyaf that they are number one on his “radar” after the group beheaded two Marines

22 PNoy’s first year in office gets a grade of 4.78 out of 10 from the Movement for Good Governance 25 PNoy’s 2nd SONA leaves country perplexed 29 Members of the AFP accused of torturing a Muslim man in Basilan 29 PNoy arbitrarily pardons a cancerstricken political detainee—four days after he died; nominated for World’s Most Useless Pardon Award