ECHOES March 2011 by Echoes

CONTENTS March 2011

4 5 6

PREVIOUS ISSUE/CORRECTIONS

FEATURED ALUMNA Inez Reyes, CEO of Reyes Barbecue—by Raphael Dantes

Editor-in-Chief

ONE BIG JOKE Something lurks in the Aw residence—by Dean Dulay and Aaron Aw

Associate Editor

TRIUMPH BID3 lets Finance end on a high note—by Beatriz Bayudan

benedict bismark

BAND IN DEMAND by Ica Ducanes

GALA The victims of the underbelly —by Kenneth Reyes

beatriz bayudan

TAMBAY WEEK by Matt Dailisan & Yasmin Sehob

FAREWELL An exclusive interview with the SAD trio—by Cid Campos

raphael dantes

REFLECTION The Imprint application process—by Karlo Elamparo

kevin estopace

COMMITTEE NEWS

HAPINOY SEMINAR by Hannah Manalili PHILCES DEBATES by Avril Bries

AH-TF LAUNCH by Rehi Dimayuga

ACAD SYMPOSIUM by Dhiren Karnani MEDICAL MISSION by Nathan Legacion

CULTURE

FI WEEK by Cyril Tablante

AH-TF PARTY by Leus Punsalan TRIBUTE GENMEET by Ayla Reyes CDC ELECTIVES by XP Damian

Editors

FEATURED MEMBER Dean Dulay, talker and brainiac—by Cocoy Vargas

EDITORIAL

NEWS 12

FEATURES 18

ALAY SA PERSONNEL by Benedict Bismark

FASHION Some final fashion tips before the summer—by Lia Lontoc

MUSIC A humble band called Fiona —by Benedict Bismark

FILM Indie favorite Senior Year —by Irene Arzadon

LITERATURE Smashed: Growing Up a Drunk Girl reviewed—by Avril Bries

FRISBEE GAMES by Dominic Garcia CDC WITH ALUMNI by Mark Matibag

Contributors

kenneth reyes

avril bries

Managing Editor News Editor Features Editor Layout & Art Editor irene arzadon

Photos Editor joseph “matt” dailisan

Webmaster

GOSSIP by Gossip G

REPORT CARD by Chiara Cokieng

Irene Arzadon / Aaron Aw / Camille “Cams” Bayhon / Beatriz Bayudan / Benedict Bismark / Avril Bries / Jerome “Cid” Campos / Chiara Cokieng / Joseph “Matt” Dailisan / Paulo “XP” Damian / Raphael Dantes / Ma. Regina “Rehi” Dimayuga / Dean Dulay / Karlo Elamparo / Gossip G / Dominic Garcia / Patricia “Georgina” Gonzales / Dhiren Karnani / Nathan Legacion / Ma. Cecilia “Lia” Lontoc / Arsenio Lukban / Hannah Manalili / Mark Matibag / Leandro “Leus” Punsalan / Regina Reinoso / Ayla Reyes / Kenneth Reyes / Yasmin Sehob / Hazel Sumampong / Caesar “Cyril” Tablante / Dana Tan / Jose “Cocoy” Vargas ABOVE Inez Reyes, photographed at her Mandaluyong home on March 19 by Kenneth Reyes cover photograph by arsenio lukban

previous issue

February 2011

corrections Our mistakes in the February issue In Report Card, “January 2010” should be “January 2011.”

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 UP Shopping Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. contact us

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

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.

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

4 TheEchoes.net

EDITORIAL

our reputation as an org has haunted us for many years.

It seems apparent that despite only having exactly one party each semester, we are known by outsiders as a party org, and possibly stemming from that, our membership is homogenized as a large group of elitist, arrogant snobs. In reaction to this, the Execom has pioneered events that further exhibit our civic nature, such as UPfront, a forum for the candidates of the University Student Council, and Internet Exploiter, a symposia tackling economics and the Internet. Even this publication has tried to give greater emphasis on the greatness of our altruistic undertakings and the people behind them. Nevertheless, as a new batch of freshmen enter the School of Economics next sem, it is all but inevitable that a student, responding to his friends’ invitation to join Ecosoc, would say, “No thanks. I don’t think I’ll belong in a party org.” Is this kind of reputation desirable? Given our nature, it is not. While there is nothing wrong with being a Society that organizes fun events (yes, like parties), it is a tragic waste that Ecosoc is not known as the life-changing body it truly is. Because we do change lives, not just our members’ but also the children’s, parents’, and students’ who we organize our events for. How then do we change our image? Events like the USC forum are very effective. Hopefully, the UPfront brand keeps on going strong in the years to come, moulding our reputation in the University as vanguards of informed voting. The Academic Sympsium is likewise a great help. However, you might notice that the similarity between the approaches of these events is that it aims to change our image to University students. There is an alternate route that targets the issue at its roots, where instead of changing mindsets, we ourselves set them. This is what Echoes feels should be strengthened. What are we talking about? These are the events that cater to high school students—yes, the very students who may one day enter the UP School of Economics and, like the many thousands before them, ponder whether to join the UP Ecoart by georgina gonzales

nomics Society. But these younglings will be different, for their lives would have already been touched by Ecosoc. Currently, the most note-worthy events we have that are tailor-made for high school students are Musikapella, a chorale competition, and the National Youth Congress, an economics seminar. These are excellent events whose latest installments were executed magnificently. Musikapella’s prestige is starting to match that of Voices in Harmony, and NYC 2010’s decision to lengthen its seminar to two days is an indication of its growing relevance. The important point to consider here is that these events now have a brand. The ball has begun rolling, and the Ecosocers who will carry on after the seniors graduate must keep it rolling. We must build upon the relationships we ignited and progressively aim for a bigger and better installment as the years go by. Because besides the goals that each event was created to attain, their existence is also an investment on new membership—one that shall hopefully carry the Ecosoc passion to keep this org alive long after we’re gone. It’s the same principle as the Career Assistance Program’s relationship with its sponsors: corporations give CAP a ton of cash because it invests on CAP’s events, which bring potential employees closer to the companies. Moreover, we shouldn’t be satisfied with these two events. As we work to strengthen them, let us simultaneously explore new ways to make our presence more felt in the high school circuit. Inkling, an on-the-spot essay writing contest started last year, is a promising venture. More imaginative projects may be undertaken, from a showcase of talents (dance, filmmaking, and songwriting competitions) to a relevant service (UPCAT reviews, career talks). The possibilities are endless. The best way to tackle difficult things is to approach them systematically, breaking them down to smaller, more manageable parts. Attuning our image to what Ecosoc really is would no doubt be difficult, but through this editorial, we hope that we have broken down the problem enough to illuminate the area we ought to be focusing on. For so long, our R&R focused on SE freshmen. Maybe it’s about time we gave an early invite to high schoolers as well.  5

COMMITTEE NEWS

PAOLO TAMASE PRESIDENT

there is no way i can describe this past sem in 400 words!

Personally, this sem has been my most challenging in Ecosoc. The difficulties in leading an organization as diverse, storied, and high-powered as ours are not sufficiently described in my official job specifications. And as if that weren’t enough, we also embarked on an effort to change Ecosoc for the better; convincing people that this is the opportune time to revisit our fundamentals and rethink our structure has, admittedly, left me quite exhausted. Yet my tenth commnews is no MMK letter. Not to sound masochist, but I am actually thankful that the past months. What is best is, most often, what is difficult. The main points in the change platform I promised will take shape over the summer, and I’ll outline these, Ecosoc’s accomplishments, and even the lessons we (I) learned from our (my) mistakes this sem in a President’s Report in April. For now, allow me to thank my fellow leaders in Ecosoc for a sem well done. I’m sure none of them found the past sem easy, but I hope that it has been an incredible learning experience. Sel, Cocoy, Gilbert, Reg, Reuel, Faye, Kenneth, Mads, Enzo, Jason, and Myk: again, I’m sorry for the times I expected the impossible. I’m very happy that you’ve all adjusted to the Execom lifestyle, and I hope that as we cross our midterm, we all make a commitment to be better commheads and leaders for Ecosoc. I look forward to a more enjoyable semester! I’d also like to thank the Scholarship Committee, especially our guardians Jay, Lia, Hannah, Angeli, David, Car, and Kat, for helping revive our small but important group. The SE Admin is excited for our UP Ecosoc Scholarship, so let’s work extra hard to find the most deserving SE student out there. Thank you also to Ad Hoc-Task Force! I’ve consciously played a smaller role in the committee than past Presidents, but I am grateful for everything I’ve learned as co-chair. Janna and I are excited to meet our Ad Hoc directors and ADs (we promise to get the application running as soon as we can), so WATCH OUT FOR SEPTEMBER! Finally, to the seniors (especially to Cliquish!), I hope that when the real world tests you, you will be even better exemplars of service, excellence, and tradition. We are proud of and thankful for all of you!  6

SELENA ORTIGA

VICE PRESIDENT hello ecosoc! I can’t believe it’s induction ball once again! How fast time flies. If you’re extra lucky, summer is already here! Or if you’re unfortunate like me, summer is still a week away. :( Despite the stress that we all encountered throughout the sem, I’m glad I went through this experience. It had its ups and downs but hey, everyone has their ups and downs! I’m just glad that I had a three great great teams to go through the ups and downs with! To the Special Projects Team, I don’t know how I can apologize enough for not pushing through with our main fundraiser. I know that I lacked so much in motivating you guys to work but please do know I appreciate all the things you’ve done. What you did was not easy, so please congratulate yourselves for the work you’ve done for the Scholars and CDC. :) To Team Party, I’m sorry that I had more panic moments than calm ones. I don’t think I would’ve made it through the night happy without all of you. Thank you for making up for what I lacked and being part of one great great team. Thank you so much for all your efforts to make our event successful and it was all worth it in the end! To Frawesome, this sem has probably been the sem with the most mood swings and I think I took it all out on you guys. Thank you so much for always being there and I really do look forward to working with you guys for one more sem. I’m writing this a week before Induction Ball but I really don’t want it to come. (Don’t worry Memcom, I’m sure it’ll be great!) But I know that if tonight’s the night, I’d probably be saying goodbye to the people that kept me in this org in the first place. The seniors, especially to those I’ve grown to love so much—I still can’t imagine how college life will be without you. :( To cliquish seniors (Ogie, Laurence, Dean, Jay, Ella, Lia, Maiko, and A), Jeanne and Misha :( Huhu. I’m really sad! Thank you sooo much for always being there, to comfort me when I’m sad or to laugh with me (or at me) when I’m confused. Thank you thank you thank you for everything! But to end on a lighter note, I’m happy that this isn’t my last commnews just yet. I’m happy that you gave me another sem to serve you, Ecosoc! Have a great summer! See you in plansem! :)  photographs by irene arzadon and kenneth reyes

andres "cocoy" licaros iii secretary

hello once more ecosoc! this certain batch of commnews

feels sort of special for me in the sense that it’s my last for this sem and the first that signifies that I’m going to be doing this for another blessed sem as your Seccom chair. I can’t say enough times how thankful I am to everyone who voted for me and supported me throughout my first sem as Execom. So before anything else I’d like to thank Ecosoc and all the Ecosocers who have given me this opportunity. Thanksies! The last commnews I wrote, I decided to dedicate to my members. Here I am cramming once more—now with even more stuff to say about how Spartan-growlingly awesome my Seccom members are. Mia (who was the first person I ever heard Monopoly Deal from. Appreciate her indie card game cred!), Bianca (who I hope will continue to remind me of our Psych 150 requirements), Geoff (who will hopefully still make crazy sigsheets next sem), Thea (whose contributions to Ecosoc and her sorority are truly invaluable), Cams (whose photography prowess Seccom will surely miss), Janine (who can apparently clone herself! Ninja! See FB haha), Mareca (another very capable ninja—hindi nakikita haha), Dom (master of the “no card played dealbreaker everything” monopoly deal strategy), RJ (whose rage tendencies were crucial in tambayan cleanliness maintenance), Jeanne (I hope I lived up to expectations in both Ecosoc and CAP!), Totoy (whom I hope will finally be found by his parents), Jes (who has given up her CR sleeping ways), Karlo (cloud watching and poetry writing maestro: you are Spartan Club), Bing (big guy, bigger ad hoc dance moves, biggest Seccom-hearted guy of them all), Gab (crazy smart), Yasmin (who can run Seccom on her own—with or without talking), Tong (arguably the craziest Seccom member ever), Shelly (who has no penis), and Van (thesis na next sem!). This sem’s seccom has been nothing short of fantastic and it pains me to see eight of my members graduate and leave Ecosoc. Know that I loved every prodwork, commeet, and meeting we’ve ever had. To the people of my other committee, Frawesome, I love all of you to death. Here’s to another sem of working with all of you. Asses shall be kicked, names shall be taken. Let’s rock the socks off of next semester.  TheEchoes.net

gilbert bueno

treasurer it’s been a rollercoaster ride semester for me. i’m still new to this leadership thing but I was already faced with different challenges and pressures. Huge loss here, then add some leadership problems, mix with super demanding and stressful subjects—what do I get? A rollercoaster going downhill. But what made the ride go up? Answer: GREAT FRIENDS! Friends who taught me lessons I can never learn inside the classroom, who told me it isn’t the end of the world when an event fails, and friends who I always hang-out with to relieve stress and pressures. I’m lucky to have you guys! So, who am I referring to? Of course, one is FRAWESOME! Thanks for being always there in our events, for the sabaw execommeet, and my fave of all, PLANSEM! Wooh! Super fun! Let’s do it again this summer. Game? Baguio? WOOHOO! FINANCE! Thank you for this wonderful semester. I super enjoyed my first term as Finance chair because of you. It wasn’t a really nice start for us, but with each other’s help and contribution, we made it through. I will miss you all. *tear* FINANCE ANGELS (Bettina, Ica, and Simone), thank you for being great VCs. You did your tasks more than what I expected, and with that, I’m so proud of you. (Ganda nyo pa HAHA). Kevin and Georgina, thank you for making BID3 super successful. Thank you for everything Paul, JYA, Niña, Hazel, and Ate Tin. Thank you din to the seniors who will be graduating this April. I hope you had fun in your last semester here in Ecosoc. Hendrick, Ate Lia, Carl, Kenna, Reine, AC, Trishka, Lianne, Kim, Yka, Chase, Joy, and Nikki. (Yes! Finance has 14 seniors. Haha) Goodluck with your after-college lives. I know you’ll become successful one day (so don’t forget to give solicitations HAHA). To the Finance apps, Nathan and Janeen, I hope you liked your stay here. I’m so proud of you two. Congrats and I believe you’ll be great Ecosocers. To my “hatak” Ben and Jes, thanks din for helping us out with BID. Finance, I can’t thank you all enough with 400 words, so just read again my FB messages to you. :) Lastly, I’d like to thank my friends (you know who you are. Katams ienumerate. Haha). Thanks for the random hangouts, spontaneous dinners and lunches, wild roadtrips, and even the simple kwentuhan lang. You made my life oh-so fun. I love you guys! HAHA!  7

COMMITTEE NEWS

regina reinoso

public relations officer this time, it’s all about you. :) To Externals, I cannot believe what a wonderfully talented group you are. Alex, thanks for still sticking around despite your JMA position. Ars, thank you for being one of the most loyal Externals members ever. Cheska, thank you for being early during commeets and for still being active despite Street. Love you! Gab, thank you for doing a good job during Eventology and for attending all Externals events! Hannah, kahit strict yung parents mo, thank you so much for being there when you can. Karla Kay, we miss you! You really shined when we were looking for partner orgs. Idol talaga kita! Miko, thanks for being a big help during the forum! Please tambay ka na! Kiele, Ms. Actress! Where’s the movie? Haha. It’s refreshing to have someone like you in the Externals family! Leus, ikaw na ang bibbo! Love you! Quek, thank you for being there sa genmeet and other events. Smile okay! I hope you all have found the joy in External Affairs! And I do hope you all stay because I love you guys very much :) To the Externals apps, Jade and Raya, I’m very proud to have been your commhead. You’ve impressed not only me but the whole organization as well. I hope you guys find your niche here in this lovable org. Congrats! To the Externals seniors, you are all amazing. Ella, Annika, and Darrel, thank you so much for being so active despite the “senioritis” thing. You guys are great role models! Wil-J and Zim, sayang we weren’t able to see you much but we do wish you luck in all your future endeavors! Keep in touch! And vote for Externals when you can! Hahaha. To my VCs: Dhiren, I admire your great leadership potential. The success of Internet Exploiter is due to you. :) Chila, I am amazed at how much you’ve grown. Eventology 101 was awesome ‘cause of you! Love you both x infinity! To the PhilCES Debate Team: Kenneth, Maan, and Avril, thank you for bringing pride to our organization. I’m glad I found new and exceptional talent, especially in you, Ave! To the PhilCES and JPES reps: Thank you for doing a good job of keeping us informed. Next year din ha! :) To Frawesome, I love you crazy monkeys! :* More bonding! To Ecosoc, we’re doing our best to change the image of the org. Without your support, we wouldn’t be successful! TY!!  8

reuel realin

academic affairs chairperson as a semester of ups and downs comes to a close, let me

take this opportunity to give recognition to the people who made my first semester as your Academic Affairs Chairperson memorable and very freakin’ awesome! Dean Dulay, thank you for your much useful guidance. I appreciate that you never fail to give me valuable insights and advice. Good luck in graduate school! Cathy and Diana, congratulations and welcome to Ecosoc! Whether you choose to remain in Acad or another committee, always remember that more than being members of your chosen committee, you are members of Ecosoc and I hope that you strive to do what’s best for the organization. USC Forum and Symposium Teams, I am so proud that we were able to pull off these two events. Thank you for your unwavering dedication in establishing the brand of Ecosoc. Chiara Cokieng, thanks for pushing through with the alliance even in your last semester. I appreciate the close ties that Ecosoc has forged with the council through this endeavor. Acad, by the time you read this comnews, I may have said my messages to each of you but I would like to tell you guys one other thing. Being the Academic Affairs chairperson for this semester would not have been possible if not for your support. I know that I may have had a few slip-ups, but knowing that all of you are there to support me helps me gain the strength I need to recover. Thank you for supporting our events and giving substantial inputs during planning. I could never have finished this semester without you guys. Frawesome, I know we started slow, but I’m really glad how things have turned out. I am very lucky to be part of this execom. Words can’t express how much I feel about our execom kaya…. buju bujuuuu! HAHAHA! Since I’m writing this comnews with three other word windows open (Thank you Polsci, Polsci, and Econ), there’s a big chance that I might have forgotten to thank YOU. So, dear reader, if you are one of the people who have made this semester freakin’ awesome for me, my committee, and most importantly for Ecosoc, THANK YOU. Ecosoc, I look forward to another semester of working to fulfill your academic needs. Have a safe and remarkable summer everyone! See you at Plansem! :)  photographs by avril bries, kenneth reyes, and hazel sumampong

felichie "faye" ferrer

community development chairperson woooow! i didn’t notice the sem’s about to end! that was fast! :o But before we wrap up things let me thank you for a sem that we had together :) First of all, thank you God for giving me ideas, wisdom and heart to serve. I wouldn’t have done all of it if you did not guide me. I give back all the glory to you! :) To my family, thank you for supporting me and for understanding my situation and circumstances. To execom, we’re halfway done! Thank you for being part of this sem, for all the critiques and encouragement you gave, it means so much :) I really am looking forward to another sem with you guys and I can feel it’s going to be better! :D To cdc, THANK YOUUUUU! I am so proud of you! I know our task isn’t easy and I am grateful for what you invested and shared in our committee. I hope that you’re not yet tired and are still excited for another sem! I love you guys >:D< and of course to you Ecosoc! CDC’s success is everyone’s success :D everything would not be great if you did not support it. Thank you thank you for welcoming the changes, for seeing cdc in another light and for investing time and love to the people we’ve helped. You have no idea how happy I am when I see you enjoy what you’re doing, when you ask what else will happen or ask what else you can do to help. If I’m already happy, what more the people you help :) The hardest thing about my job is that I interact with different people! You deal with different personalities, different expectations, different preferences, etc. inside and outside the org. But the best thing about my job is also because I interact with different people! You get to see different perspectives, you learn continuously, and you are just able to share what you’re blessed with! :) I treasure relationships and with what I experienced this sem, I appreciate more the relationships I have, relationships with God, my family, friends, the org, the nanays and to the others I’ve shared my life with because really, in the end it’s the relationship that’s important! So take care of your relationships, love and be loved :) Have a great summer everyone! ‘Til our next adventure :D 

TheEchoes.net

kenneth reyes

echoes editor-in-chief another brave batch takes the plunge. armed with their

diplomas, cum laudes, credentials, and high-octane brains, the class of 2011 is taking their first step into a dog-eat-dog world of ruthlessness and corporate attires. To mark this parting of ways, the Execom share their pictorials with the seniors they will be saying goodbye to. (Sadly, my committee has no seniors. Oh well!) But you know that trite saying that each ending spawns a new beginning? Ecosoc, may I present to you my spawns: Cyril and Dave. Congratulations guys! You Ecosocers now. You real cool. Don’t let us down! This semester has been a real thrill. I have experienced Ecosoc as a wide-eyed app, as a cynical member, and now as an idealistic Execommer. Believe me when I say that no matter where you stand in Ecosoc, I feel you. Have faith that Echoes will always try to give you a voice, made possible by my supremely cultured committee. We’re a family guys, didn’t you know? Avril, my older sister, you bully me but you never fail me. Thank you for making time for Echoes despite your budding career in BA. Ralph, my bohemian uncle, you give and give for Echoes not just because I tell you to, but because you believe in what we’re doing. I’m extremely grateful for that. Irene, my twin sister, we pulled off the things we only dreamed about under Leslie. Look at you now, Edres of Ekon! Kevin, my twin brother, from Musikapella to 11:11—we’re an unstoppable partnership. Let’s shoot the finale for that serial someday! Bea, my little sister, I think I’m guilty of doubling the stress in your life. But you still stand by me. Stop getting sick alright? Matt, my little brother, html coding was never your forte, but thank you for being so open to learning. Tell me when you stumble upon a cool riddle! Ben, our creepy neighbor, I may not hug you, but my gratitude does. Thank you for being perky despite my fascist cruelty to you. Oh, and I love your stories! To all of you: despite your hectic and eventful lives, despite the high demand for your skills from other committees, despite my neurotic tyranny of a leadership, you still made time for this little publication called Echoes. Thanks to you, Echoes—four releases, one website, one Litnight, and one album later—isn’t so little anymore. Thank you.  9

COMMITTEE NEWS

madelene "mads" salazar liaison chairperson

the sem is almost over!! i cannot believe that these

three-and-a-half months have gone by so fast. There has been so much stress but also a lot of really good times. I’m thankful for all of them. I wanna thank Ayla and Mark. You two have worked so hard and I don’t think people know just how much you’ve put into making Liai what it was this semester. Thank you for your dedication! Thank you to Dean, Patrick, Ate Maiko, and Kat for still helping out even if senioritis may have been such a tempting excuse. I’m so glad to have gotten to know you all! Goodluck :) To John Gan, Henry, Justin, and Avery, thank you for moving to Liai and being so helpful in so many of our projects. I’m so lucky to have you guys. Chrissie, Pai, Lesley, Nadine, Elwin, Carrie, and Jorell, thank you for staying in Liai and still supporting me and the rest of the team! I don’t know how we would have done well without you :) To the Liai apps Karla, Dana, and CJ, I hope you enjoyed your sem with us! I’m so proud of you three and I’m thankful for the work you put into the committee. Thank you also to Frawesome for allowing me to learn from you all and from teaching me when I make mistakes. Still so glad to have you as my friends! I love you all :) The sem won’t be as awesome without AROUND THE WORLD: CDC CULMINATING WITH ALUMNI ON SATURDAY! 9 am-12 nn here at the SE grounds :) It’ll be a good way to end the semester with all the people that matter to Ecosoc! We hope to see you there! Get ready for the next semester, Ecoscoc! I still have a lot planned! I’m sorry for my shortcomings. I know they were there but I will try my best to make my second sem as the Liai chair an amazing and service-filled one. I still really enjoy getting to know you all and being friends with you all. Staying at the tambayan becomes so much more interesting with all of you there. I hope I get to make more friends! Seniors, we will miss you! Applicants, thank you for the time you gave to Ecosoc! See you at the Seniors Send Off/ Induction Ball :) 

vicente "enzo" clemente

membership chairperson hi ecosoc! it’s summer time! it’s the time of the year again where we part ways and are given the chance to leave UP Diliman premises to be able to rest and relax from the very haggard academic year that has just passed. I know everyone have had their up and down moments. Take time to relax— everyone needs it at some point. I would just like to thank all of you for this semester. If it weren’t for all of our collective efforts, we wouldn’t have been able to have the semester we have had so far. I am really looking forward for the next semester, and hoping that all of you are refreshed so that we will have the best semester as Ecosoc as a whole. But before we part our ways, there’s one thing that surely should not be missed. 3.22.11! Save the date! Return to Neverland: The Senior Sendoff 2011! Let us not miss this opportunity to show the seniors how much we love them and how much we will miss them. This is surely one of the best experiences one will ever have as an Ecosocer. To Memcom, one semester has passed. It seems yesterday that we had our first commeet. I really didn’t notice that time just passed by so fast. We had our ups and downs, but I really want to thank you for sticking with me the whole semester. To my VC’s (Cocoy and JR), thank you! This semester wouldn’t be the same without you guys. I really appreciate every effort and time you gave to Memcom. To Angel, Camille, Janna, Pat A, Trixie, Ryan, and Rehi, words can’t express how much I value everything you did this semester. If it weren’t for all of our combined efforts, Memcom wouldn’t have been the same. To the seniors (Carlo, Chesca, Pat G, Laurence, Misha, Ogie), I hope you enjoyed your last semester especially in Memcom. You are all an important part of Memcom and we will really miss you guys a lot. I wish the best for all of you guys! I hope you’ll still be able to visit us after you graduate. :) And yeah, one last request from all of you, let’s have one final bonding after Senior Sendoff? Inuman! Haha Frawesome, one semester has finished. It has been so fast! This semester wouldn’t have been as great without you guys. In this one semester, we have learned about each other and bonded with each other. For me, we have become a family. I hope this wouldn’t change. We have one semester left. Let’s all give our best and show how much we love Ecosoc :)  photographs by kenneth reyes

jason tayawa

special events chairperson It has been a wild semester. I would like to start in a notso-traditional way by saying goodbye. T*ng*n*! Lungkot ko lang kasi karamihan ng mga kaibigan ko ay gagraduate na. It’s bittersweet to see someone you’ve known for a while, with all the smiles and frowns, and leave you for a better place in this world (work place). Sabi nga ni The Script, “What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you?” Kilala niyo na sarili niyo and I don’t have to name names. I love you and this is coming from the bottom of my heart. Para sa mga natira, ito ang para sa inyo! Isang liham :) Para sa aking pinakamamahal na SPEV, Oh aking irog, sayo ako ay nagkasala. Minsan na kitang sinaktan, pinaiyak, at pinagtaksilan. Patawarin mo ako sa aking pagkakasala at papatunayan ko muli ang aking wagas na pagmamahal. Malungkot man o masaya, naghihinagpis man at natutulala, patuloy na mamahalin kita. Kalahating taon na rin tayong nagsasama ngunit pakiramdam ko ay habangbuhay na. Kulang ang mga salita para ipahayag ang aking pasasalamat (at dahil 400 words lang pwede) sa pagtitiis mo sakin. Maihahambing ko ito sa langaw at tae. Kahit anong baho ko ay hindi mo ako maiwan ;) Sabi nga ng Sugarfree (R.I.P.), “Tinatawag kita, sinsuyo kita... oh kay tagal kitang mamahalin, oh kay tagal kitang mamahalin...” at gagawin ko ang lahat para “makapiling ka sa una’t huling pagkakataon.” Pakatandaan mo na kahit anong mangyari sa atin ay hindi magbabago ang ating pinagsamahan. XOXO, Sunsun Jacques and Jiggy: Congratulations and job well done! Jovy and Steves: You guys don’t need luck, you’re good! Chrissa and Kat: Do well in life and eat more, nothing SPEV in being thin! Noreen and Lia: Good job in upholding the SPEVness in you! Peter, Tagnipz, Angelica, Rick and Sol: batchmates, two more years of retardedness! Jaya, Miguel, Risa, Romano, Ryna: Be good boys and girls! Don’t forget to sleep early and study :) Andre and Myra: *speechless* *standing ovation* A: I GOT THIS SH*T. Thanks for believin’.  TheEchoes.net

michael "myk" narciso sports chairperson

you want to happen, the next day they just did. Looking back, I never imagined that this would be a fast drive. I never realized that this can pass by just so fast that blinking for a second will leave me clueless the next minute. What a journey it has been. To Sports, thank you very much for really believing in me. We made things happen. At first, I was anxious and uneasy handling a team I’ve never worked with before. Every commeet back then was a challenge for me. It’s as if I’m trying to be the best Sports Chairperson you can ever hope for, when at the back of my mind, all I wanted was to gain your trust and respect. And today, I am sure, I just did. Thank you for giving me a chance to build good relationship with you guys. To my senior members Josh, Dave, Regi, Kacel and Reyneil, good luck! Thank you for all the things you’ve given and done for the org. Ecosoc will always be your home. To my apps Karl, Kevin, and Chi, congratulations for making it this far! I am truly proud that you are now members of Ecosoc. I hope that you become good members of the org. You all really deserve a place in Ecosoc. See you around! You know I’ll be watching over you guys. To Tobie, Junjie, and Issay, thank you! You all helped me in ways you just know how to. Let’s enjoy our last year in Econ and Ecosoc. To Tikay, Patty, and Juliet, thank you for giving what you can. I was never wrong on getting the three of you in Sports. To Kevin and Mik, Sports all the way! Thank you for staying and being patient with the committee. To Lars, Louie, and Topy, there’s a lot ahead of you guys. Never lose that spark and always trust that Ecosoc will bring out the best in you. Ecosoc is our home. To Hari, thank you! I know that you went off the course along the way but I’m still confident. Step up. I know you’ll deliver. To Chello, super thank you! You’re just always there to remind me on things I usually forget and you’re never afraid to take charge. You have grown so much and that’s what I’m proud of. To Frawesome, thank you. We have grown so much and I am excited for the next semester. I know that next sem will be our glory sem and all will remember us and say the we’re Freakin’ Awesome!  time flies so fast that one day you dream on things

NEWS

HAPINOY GOES TO POOK RICARTE

finance rocks their way to the top

BY HANNAH MANALILI

BY ICA DUCANES

last february 19, 2011, the community

Development Committee conducted a budgeting and entrepreneurial seminar for the parents of Pook Ricarte. Twenty parents and some Ecosocers attended the event, which was held in the house of one of the parents, Nanay Alice. The speakers were Mr. TJ Agulto from Hapinoy and Ms. Delia Malinao, one of the community store owners under Hapinoy. The event started with an introduction of what Hapinoy is all about and what it does to help sari-sari store owners. The nanays were given handouts to guide them through the seminar. They were taught the Prayer of the Millionaire and were asked to write all their income and put it against their expenses to find out whether they are able to save money. Additionally, they were taught about building good relationships with customers, how to place their goods to be more attractive for buying, and how to handle obstacles such as bankruptcy, debts, and calamities. An icebreaker game was held, which tested the nanays’ ability to decide whether they are going to issue debt to the person or not. This budgeting seminar is a first-time event for Ecosoc. This was in partnership with Hapinoy, which supports sarisari stores around the Philippines. It is managed by Micro Ventures Inc., which uses micro-financing as a powerful tool to empower socially and economically challenged families. 

ECOSOC WINS PHILCES DEBATE TOURNAMENT place in Last Man Standing, a two-day PhilCES debate tournament held last February 13 and 20 at the University of Santo Tomas. The team, composed of Ecosocers Kenneth Reyes and Avril Bries along with guest debater Maan Espinosa, edged out their competition with an undefeated 6-0 record after facing three teams in the eliminations and another three in the break rounds. Espinosa was also judged as the 2nd best speaker, Reyes as 4th, and Bries as 6th of the entire tournament. The final round, which had them going against the UST Ecosoc team, had the motion, “This house would force private industries to give a portion of their inventory to victims of natural disasters.” UP Ecosoc, arguing for the affirmative, won by a 5-2 decision and Reyes was named the best speaker of the round. The PhilCES debate tournament is an annual event organized by PhilCES, inviting members of various economics organizations in different universities to compete. This is the first time Ecosoc has won a PhilCES debate tournament and the first time in 17 years it has won any debate tournament. 

400 people attended last February 24, 2011 when the Finance Committee held Band in Demand 3: Rock Your Way to the Top at Technowave Celebrity Bar, Il Terrazo Mall, Tomas Morato. The theme for this year’s Band in Demand was the Billboard’s top 100 songs of 2010. Each band were asked to play three songs: a song from the top 100, an original composition, and any song of their choice. The event was hosted by Finance Committee member Trishka Echiverri and Ecosoc friend Erick Habijan. The bands were judged by Ryan Villena, member of the Techy Romantics and a professor in the Ateneo de Manila University, Viola Fule, member of Sheep Sarah Sleep and the UP Music Circle, and Paolo Tamase, UP Ecosoc’s own president. Guest band, Archipelago, added excitement to the successful event. The champion of the night was Egg White Project, who garnered an average score of 91%. First and second runnersup went to Project and Fiona, who got 87% and 86%, respectively. Profits of the event are estimated at P39,500, excluding accounts receivables. Band in Demand is one of the two major fundraisers of the Finance Committee for the second semester. It’s open to bands not only from UP but also to other universities in Metro Manila. 

2/19/11 HAPINOY SEMINAR

2/13+20/11 PHILCES DEBATES

2/24/11 BAND IN DEMAND

BY AVRIL BRIES

the up ecosoc debate team took first

more than

photographs by (l-r) hannah manalili, regina reinoso, irene arzadon

ad hoc-task force launches chrome

ecosoc celebrates tambay week

BY REHI DIMAYUGA

last february 22-26, 2011, ecosoc cel-

ebrated its jam-packed Tambay Week, a semestral event organized and hosted by the Special Events Committee. The week was jumpstarted with Pinoy Tuesday and its Bingo Night, which served as a mini-fundraiser for the Financa Committee. This was followed by Jap Wednesday, which featured the Ad Hoc-Task Force launch of Chrome: Visual Intensity, as well as FitHop: Fitness Day Goes Hip Hop, where Ecosocers learned basic hip hop moves at the back parking, care of Guiller Realin, Academic Affairs Chairperson Reuel Realin’s brother. Euro Thursday on the other hand had two quiz bees hosted by the Academic Affair Committee: the Jologs Quiz Bee, where committees had to call host Cathy Bucay’s cell phone to answer the question, and Worldwide Warfare, the preevent of the Academic Sympsium. Band in Demand followed later that evening. Chicken-eating contests were held everyday, while PS3 and Wii consoles were left in the tambayan for everyone to enjoy. An airbed was also placed near the windows to serve the comfort needs of Ecosocers. The Secretariat Committee also made sure to decorate the tambayan accordingly. In line with their theme of ‘brands,’ they designed a bulletin board

2/22-26/11 TAMBAY WEEK photographs by irene arzadon

23, 2011, the ad hocTask Force Committee, headed by the Society’s president Paolo Tamase and vice-president Sel Ortiga, launched the semestral fundraising party, Chrome: Visual Intensity, at SE 125 from 12 nn to 1 pm. The program, hosted by Janna Ong and Cocoy Vargas, started with a game entitled, “The Ad Hoc- Task Force Quizbee,” which tested the members’ knowledge of past parties organized by the committees. The Externals-Echoes team won at the end of the three-level game. This was followed by a video introducing the committee’s members, headed by its five directors: Regina Dimayuga, Aaron Aw, Jeanne Limgenco, Angel Espiritu, and Carissa Sta. Maria. A message from the committee’s chairpersons followed. Paolo Tamase and Sel Ortiga talked about the preparations of Chrome and they highlighted the event’s beneficiaries to encourage members to attend the event. To close the program, the official launch video was released, showing the time, date, and venue of Chrome. The semestral fundraising party is organized by the Ad Hoc-Task Force Committee in order to raise funds for the UP Economics Society Scholarship Fund, which starting next semester will support the education of three high school scholars and one BS Economics/Business Economics student from the UP School of Economics.  last february

BY MATT DAILISAN & YASMIN SEHOB

filled with branded paper bags and they set up a gallery along the School of Economics hallway that introduced Ecosoc to outsiders, which featured a mock billboard for each committee. Since Friday was a national holiday, Tambay Week resumed on Saturday, February 26, as the Sports and Secretariat Committees in line with the Community Development Committee held ThundArt: CDC Art Workshop of Thunder, from 10 am to 12 nn in the School of Economics. The kids were briefed on the race mechanics and some safety measures. Then they, along with the members, were divided into four teams. The teams were required to finish a challenge in four stations. Challenges included performing exercises, playing patintero, soccer, and basketball. In every challenge finished, they were rewarded a totem piece. They colored the totem pieces after collecting all four. Finally, the kids were served snacks and driven home. The Tambay Week is an event organized by the Special Events Committee every semester. It invites members to tambay by making SE 121 a fun and exciting place to stay in. Contrary to tradition, the Tambay Week this semester was not capped off by the Literary Night. 

3/2/11 AD HOC-TASK FORCE LAUNCH 13

NEWS

ACAD AND EXTERNALS EXPLOIT THE INTERNET BY DHIREN KARNANI

4, 2011, the academic and External Affairs Committees co-organized Internet Exploiter: Exploring the Effects of Social Media on Society, an academic symposium, at SE 111. Three speakers participated. The first was Prof. Desiree Desierto, who talked about how economics can explain the use of the Internet. Next came Prof. Cherrie Joy Billedo from the Department of Psychology, one of the five professors recognized by Great Ideas, who discussed how social network affects the human being or how it changes the way we interact. The last speaker was Mr. Ramon Bautista, an Internet sensation who teaches at the College of Mass Communication. Aaron Aw and Dean Dulay served as the comedic hosts for the event. Roughly 90 people attended. To hype up the symposium, the team organized a pre-event quiz bee entitled Worldwide Warfare: Battle of the [Internet] Exploiters. University students formed groups of thre and were subjected to a quiz bee of three levels of difficulty. The easy round featured questions about anything under the sun. The average round had teams solving puzzles. Finally, the top 3 teams advanced to the final round and answered ten riddles. UP Ecosoc’s Kenneth Reyes, Hazel Sumampoing. and Ralph Dantes won the competition. The team was led by Dhiren Karnani, Marian Trespeses, Jessica Bodo, Leus Punsalan, and Nads Tongco.  last march

3/4/11 ACADEMIC SYMPOSIUM 14

MED MISSION GOES TO DAGOHOY RESIDENTS BY NATHAN LEGACION

5, 2011, 40 members and applicants, along with seven doctors, barangay health workers and volunteers, were able to successfully pull off the semestral CDC Medical Mission at Pook Dagohoy, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City. The event, designed to cater to the medical needs of the residents of the said area, started at around 9:30 am, with the registration starting earlier than expected to accommodate ailing residents, and ended at around 1:00 pm. Patients who were willing to have a consultation must first register themselves, have their temperature and/ or blood pressure noted, then wait for their turn for consultation with a doctor. After consultation, they must proceed to the pharmacy to get the appropriate medicine, and get their free Jollibee Yum Burger from the burger table. The medicines used for the program were from the pharmaceutical companies Unilab, Merck, Getz, GSK, and Lloyd, and from those donated by both members and applicants of Ecosoc. Jolibee gave gift certificates which were then used to provide burgers to the first 150 patients. It is the first time for Ecosoc to tie up an event with Mu Sigma Phi, who provided seven doctors for the medical mission. The said event was also able to accommodate around 200 residents.  last march

3/5/11 MEDICAL MISSION

memcom holds fi week BY CYRIL TABLANTE

last monday, march

7, 2011, the membership Committee held the Final Interview for the applicants of the UP Economics Society at SE 121 from March 7 until March 11. The interviewers were composed of the Executive Committee. All of the applicants were nervous because of the stories they heard in the past. However, after the interviews, some proved these stories wrong. As one applicant said, “Akala ko I will never see happiness in Paolo’s face during the interview, but it was just like a rainbow.” The Final Interview Week ended with the applicants anticipating the results for it will be a major factor in their final grade, which will determine whether they will pass or fail. All of the applicants each semester take the Final Interview as the final step to their applicant process. It is composed of two parts: the written part and the oral part. The written part is used to measure the applicant’s knowledge of the organization’s constitution, while the oral part is used to measure how the applicant has integrated the values of service, excellence and tradition with the organization. 

3/7-11/11 FINAL INTERVIEW WEEK

photographs by (l-r) arsenio lukban, cams bayhon, irene arzadon

ah-tf hold visually intense party

ecosoc thanks leaders at tribute genmeet BY AYLA REYES

cdc electives abound the semester BY XP DAMIAN

all throughout the semester, the

party-goers celebrated at Seventh High, Bonifacio High Street last March 11 during Chrome: Visual Intensity, this semester’s party. Held to raise funds for the Economics Society Scholarship Fund (ESSF), the event drove in hundreds of people from the different areas of the metropolis. Beats from DJ Paco and DJ Mike-e, the club’s scheduled disc jockeys for Friday, filled the entire party area as alcoholic drinks were served. This semester’s Ad Hoc-Task Force Committee organized the event hosted by Deejay Faustino and Arya Herrera. The event was able to raise about P40,000, excluding the liquidation of x-deals. Chrome was co-presented by Seventh High, San Miguel Beer, Pulse Yoga, John Robert Powers, Netopia, El Hombre Tequila, R18 Vodka Knockers, Old Captain Rum, Toska Vodka and Orchids Cordials and Syrups. Sponsors included Del Monte, Lights, Camera, Click! Photobooth, Chupa Chups, Vitress, Hygienix and Skin White. Media sponsors were The Radio Partners Inc., The Manila Times, Lifestyle Network, Clickthecity.com, Pulp Magazine, Spot. ph, Cosmo.ph, Business World Online, Media Magnet, Digipost Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, 103.5 Wow FM, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT and DZUP 1602. 

16, 2011, the Ecosoc Leadership Council (ELC) held TIME: 12 Most Influential People in Ecosoc, a Tribute Genmeet inspired by Time Magazine’s annual 100 Most Influential People feature, at the SE 125 from 12 nn to 1 pm. The program was hosted by ELC chairperson Cocoy Vargas. The committees were each given 3 minutes to present their tribute videos, live performances, and give their tokens to their respective committee heads. The tributes were filled with messages of thanks and a recollection of what happened that semester. In keeping with the theme, each member of the Execom was assigned by his/her committee an influential character or person which the committee felt best represented their committee head. Paolo Tamase was Noynoy Aquino, Selena Ortiga, was Agnes from Despicable Me, Cocoy Licaros was Shin Chan, Reuel Realin was Vic Sotto, Faye Ferrer was Nanny McPhee, Kenneth Reyes was Nicolas Sarkozy, Regina Reinoso was Madonna, Mads Salazar was Heidi Klum, Gilbert Bueno was Charlie from Charlie’s Angels, Enzo Clemente was Derek Ramsey, Jason Tayawa was Doraemon and Myk Narciso was Phil Younghusband. The Tribute Genmeet is a semestral event organized by the committees to show their appreciation to their committee heads. 

Community Development Committee, headed by Team Electives, introduced more CDC Electives for Ecosocers. The committee exposed the members to the different people in the UP community with Vendors Electives (all Mondays of February and 1st Monday of March), the Lounge Experience (all Thursdays and Fridays of February) and Pook Ricarte Immersion (Feb. 7). More inter-org tie-ups were made such as Ibang Klase (Nov. 13 & 14) with UP IE Club, Clean 4 UP (Dec. 4) with UP Haring Ibon and Dreamworks (Feb. 19) with UP JMA. CDC also had partnerships with organizations outside UP during CDC with Paws (Dec. 6) and Budgeting and Entrepreneurial Seminar (Feb. 19) with Hapinoy. Finally, other Ecosoc activities that were socio-civic in nature were also considered Electives like A Date to Donate, the App Project (Feb. 12) and Alay sa Personnel (Mar. 17). According to CDC Chair, Faye Ferrer, the committee will continue to offer more creative and effective electives. She also mentioned that other members can help by suggesting more activities to CDC. The CDC Electives started during the term of former CDC Chair, Jay Tolentino. Electives aim to give members more choices to fulfill their CDC requirements through innovative ways that live out Ecosoc’s vision of being prime movers of youth dynamism. 

3/11/11 AD HOC-TASK FORCE PARTY

3/16/11 TRIBUTE GENMEET

2-3/11 CDC ELECTIVES

BY LEUS PUNSALAN

lights of different colors flashed as

last wednesday, march

photographs by (l-r) arsenio lukban, arsenio lukban, irene arzadon

NEWS

seac gives back to se personnel BY BENEDICT BISMARK

17, in SE 105, seac (school of Economics Advisory Council) coordinated Alay Sa Personnel with a Hawaiian theme. Lead by Kenn Chua and John Gan, the alliance of organizations within SE divided the labor between the orgs. Ecosoc, council, and CAP were in charge of food, tables, and chairs. OBEM and ETC handled the tokens of appreciation. RVC, Sidhi, and Debsoc managed the invitations. Preparations began with the guest list. With over 80 faculty and staff members, making sure that each one got their invitation was no easy task. Attendance was at over half of the total faculty and staff invited. Fortunately, Council, Ecosoc, and CAP prepared more than enough food: a ton of pasta and two monster pizzas. Moreover, Tita Juliet, along with several others, brought home pineapples and coconuts as prizes from OBEM and ETC. Each organization also performed at least one number for them. The audience was so amused such that Tita Odi even commented saying, “Ang galing talaga ng blending nung mga nag-perform.” They also played games such as Pinoy Henyo and Limbo. Alay didn’t end in SE 105. For the whole day, each personnel had a student assistant, who were able to dive into the life of the staff and feel what it was like serving SE.  last march

3/17/11 ALAY SA PERSONNEL 16

seccom-memcom-sel win frisbee games BY DOM GARCIA

ecosoc started the summer right by

having the first ever inter-committee Frisbee competition on March 11, 2011 at the UP Sunken Garden. The teams were Acad-Cdc-Sports, Externals-Spev-Pao, Echoes-Liai-Fin, and Seccom-Memcom-Sel, with the games starting at around 4 pm in the afternoon. Members who played in the inter-org competition also played for their respective committees in the hopes of winning this competition. The event came to a close when Echoes-Liai-Fin and Seccom-MemcomSel battled it out in the finals on Friday, March 18, 2011 with Seccom-MemcomSel emerging victorious. The members displayed their skill and love for the sport during the course of the competition. The members displayed a heartwarming sense of camaraderie as they cheered for their committees and even played for the other teams. All the members who participated really had a great time in this event even if some of them were only touching the disc for the very first time. All showed great enthusiasm and interest in this growing sport that is now slowly gaining popularity in the university. This was a great avenue for Ecosoc to bond together, have exercise and enjoy at the same time. 

3/11-18/11 FRISBEE GAMES

cdc culminates with alumni BY MARK MATIBAG

the liaison committee held around

the World, its semestral CDC with Alumni and Ecosoc’s CDC Culminating Activity, last March 19, 2011, Saturday, from 10 am to 12 nn. The CDC Culminating Activity, hosted by Henry Tan and Bea dela Torre, began with a prayer led by Liai new member Karla Ruiz. This was followed by entertaining games that let the kids, alumni, and members get along with each other. Several alumni went to the event, including former president, Raymond Zabala and former PRO Maui Rabuco. After the games, foods and drinks were served to the kids. The Culminating Activity ended with closing remarks from the CDC chairperson Faye Ferrer. Goods from the Mu Sigma Phi fraternity were also given away. The CDC Culminating Activity with Alumni is organized by the Liaison Committee to bring back alumni together and let them interact with the CDC kids again. 

3/19/11 CDC WITH ALUMNI

photographs by (l-r) irene arzadon, kenneth reyes, hannah alipio

Features

This month, our cover bears the face of Manhunt winner Dean Dulay. Listen to this self-described talkative nerd one last time before he graduates. Inez Reyes, CEO of Reyes Barbecue, then follows as our Featured Alumna. Dean and A overnight at the Aw residence, but is there a demon lurking among them? Read their experience at One Big Joke. Bea then writes a follow-up to her December article; this time, Finance comes out on top. We then take a look at Gabay ng Landas, the location of this semâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s app project, before saying goodbye to the SAD band. Finally, app head Karl reflects on his application process. ABOVE Children from the medical mission at Pook Dagohoy. Photograph by Cams Bayhon

FEATURED MEMBER

the dean of ecosoc Achiever, talker, body builder, and economics enthusiast: here’s a primer on all things Dean Dulay BY COCOY VARGAS

nknown to many, dean gerard claro cabana

Dulay was born on the feast of Saint Clare. “That’s why I was named Claro,” Dean says. He usually omits ‘Claro’ when writing his full name however, and has expressed his desire to legally remove his saintly namesake. Dean grew up as the eldest of four boys in their ancestral home situated along Taft Avenue before moving to his current home in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig. It was very amusing to find out that Dean, who is particularly known in Ecosoc for his loquaciousness, was not very talkative during his childhood. “I didn’t talk a lot when I was younger,” he shares. “I almost didn’t speak. In fact, I was at the bottom in recitation about until I reached Grade 5.” Apart from that, Dean did not really find anything else too significant about his elementary years. “I never saw grade school as very eventful.” He was quite blunt about another thing though: “I was fat,” he says as he feasts on his two sticks of Beach House barbecue. If there is something that Dean claims to be naturally good at, it’s working hard to achieve his goals. Looking at the things that he enjoys now, like basketball or weight lifting, he never really saw himself as naturally excellent at those. He willingly shared how he used to be always picked last in the drafts in basketball games during their PE classes. “I took it as motivation to be good at it, and show people how capable I am at exceeding what they expect from me.” “However,” he adds, “academics is something that is comparably more natural to me.” During his high school years in La Salle Greenhills, he was in their batch’s honors section where he was classmates with Ecosocers Ogie Enriquez, Jay 18

Tolentino, Josh Baquiran, Patrick Santos, and Chase Suguitan. He was also part of the honors’ society—the top twenty students of his batch, a feat he shared with his now thesis partner, Patrick. Ironically, the award Dean is most proud of receiving was the Filipino medal. “That is the most undeserving award for me,” says the fluent English speaker, who uses the national language only on very rare occasions. Dean claims to have received the award because it was all based on written exams. Nevertheless, he still is more proud of that distinction than anything else he received back then. After high school, Dean chose to go to the University of the Philippines instead of Ateneo, where Economics-Honors was his course. Not a lot of people know, however, that he was not originally from the School of Economics. Dean started college as a Political Science major, along with Ecosocers Kim Orticio and Mia Astudillo, before shifting to his current course in Economics. He chose PolSci with the plan of pursuing law. This did not last however, and he decided to shift to Econ in his sophomore year. “I already liked economics in high school. It’s a social science, but it’s different because it’s better. You can do business with it. It’s more useful. “I’m more satisfied with Econ more that I could have ever been with political science,” he says. For someone like Dean, reading books and memorizing concepts just would not cut it—he needed something that would be able to stimulate his intellect. It was not hard for him to adjust to his new college as well, since his classmates in high school were already there. But certainly, Dean needed a surefire way to fit in. photographs by arsenio lukban

Dean had his own reasons for joining Ecosoc. “I wanted to do something different. I didn’t join Ecosoc because it was socio-civic. It wasn’t much of a selfless decision; it was rather a convenient decision.” Ecosoc was a popular org, and people he knew were already there. So for this burgeoning shiftee, Ecosoc was the way to go. This decision paved the way for the career of who would eventually be one of the organization’s most well-loved members. After finishing his application process during the Golden semester as an outstanding applicant, Dean served as the vice-chairperson for the committee that was practically tailor fit for him—Academic Affairs. He has also had stints as a member of the Ad HocTask Force and Task Force Committees, where Dean describes himself as “not a very good member.” The case was quite the contrary when it came to the committee he loved, Acad: He was awarded Most Outstanding Member during his term as VC. It was quite inevitable for him to reach the top post of Acad, and he did. Dean won the position of Academic Affairs Committee Chairperson after running unopposed, with a tagline proclaiming him to be the “Dean of Ecosoc.” Since then, he has pulled off an ACLE (“What Drives You,” which featured Illac Diaz and Nick Perlas; this event he gave much credit to his then vicechairperson Cheenie Quirante), a Senatoriables Forum, and the 7th National Youth Congress, which recently won first runner-up as Best Organizational Activity at JPES Excellence Night). Of all the events he was able to organize, he finds NYC to be the most memorable. “The satisfaction I got from it came from the fact that it was a hard activity to pull off.” He also shares how the students he worked with were able to touch him. “These kids show you how they appreciate the stuff you do. It’s a really touching thing when the people thank you for what you’ve accomplished.” His team up with the School of Economics Student Council played a big part in the success of NYC, which he was very grateful for. “To be able to succeed with a big team is fulfilling because you share your success with them.” TheEchoes.net

I then asked Dean how much Ecosoc has changed since he was an applicant. “That’s a difficult question,” he begins. “I first came in as an app, and then later I became Execom. Over the past few years, things did change. Being sociocivic is more emphasized now than ever. Before, things were just about making events really, really well. People have also said members were more active before. Also, there has been some who have said that Ecosoc isn’t as fun as it used to be.” Then I asked if the changes being done now are necessary. “Maybe they are, but there’s a need to inspire people to work. It’s very important that we should not forget our members. “There are people who are more motivated, and there are people who are less motivated. My gut instinct is that the motivation is waning a little bit. The quality of our events is still there, but motivation can potentially be a prob-

lem. We have to look at why people are or are not motivated; we have to look at it case by case and bundle their reasons. “We always emphasize what’s wrong with us or what we don’t have. We must also learn to look at the positive. Criticizing each other is good but it also holds us back. Let’s try to be together and achieve our goals together.” Dean reiterated how important it is for all members to be able to take part in the organization. “We’re part of a really, really good org. Ecosoc is a good place to be in. Not a lot of orgs can do what we do. If you want to be part of that experience, you have to be willing to try.” Despite all his remarkable achievements in the organization, Dean continues to keep his two feet firmly planted on the ground. He says that he doesn’t really want to be remembered in a particular way. “It’s not about my legacy. I don’t need to be remembered. That’s okay.” 

YADA YADA YADA Dean considers himself quite talkative 19

FEATURED ALUMNA

21st century everywoman The jovial Inez Reyes talks about her eventful life, from being a film critic to working in Reyes Barbecue BY RAPHAEL DANTES

urning up to the reyes household in mandaluyong, we were welcomed at once by the jovial and ac-

commodating presence of Ms. Inez Reyes. It’s been a long day for her and her family; they were swept by a whirlwind of activities and engagements that had them preoccupied throughout the entire day. Despite this, she radiated geniality—as we settled in her beautiful dining room, she gushed right away about her interesting day, which involved her son Patrick’s pictorial and press preparations for his participation in an upcoming reality cooking show in GMA 7. This day parallels the multifaceted modern life that she and her family proudly lead. Carolina Inez Angela Silva Reyes was born on October 1, 1961. As I asked for her birthday, she quipped that she doesn’t mind her age for she still looks younger and better than her parents did in their time. Inez’s parents were, like her, both intelligent individuals: Romeo Recio Silva, her father, was a judge, while Ella Gomba Silva, her mother, was a UP professor who taught speech pathology. She shared that her mom was possibly the very first speech pathologist in the Philippines, studying the subject in the US during the early 50’s before coming back here to teach in UP. Inez grew up in San Juan and she studied in Poveda (then known as Teresiana) all the way through elementary and high school. She had, as she would describe it, “a typical, conservative, traditional” upbringing. Poveda during her time was quite progressive: individualized instruction, Spanish lessons beginning as early as kindergarten, and no homeworks. Extra-curricular activities were unheard of since academics, religion, and family were the paramount values espoused by the school during the era. She formed a tight bond with her 20

family members and extended relatives. She would spend weekends in get-togethers at her grandparents’ house, while she would enjoy the summer vacationing in the beach houses of her richer relatives. “That’s how our lives were. It was so simple,” she laughs. The relative plainness of life back then somewhat contrasted Inez’s varied interests. She took to reading as a beloved hobby—her love for books flourishing at an early age owing to her father, who gave her many books to read. By age 12, she was already reading books like The Godfather and she was thoroughly engrossed by Agatha Christie’s classic mystery novels. On the other hand, she was also an avid fan of basketball, both as a player and as an enthusiast. She got into the team rivalries and watched games devotedly. Inez was also taken by history, particularly British culture. She couldn’t explain why exactly, but she was fascinated by it, even citing Colin Firth as an idol. “Everything British, I love,” she dotingly remarked, although she maintained that she could never live like them as they were too different from us Filipinos. When college came, the only choice for Inez and her parents was UP. Seeing as she graduated from Poveda with honors, she was accepted into the University with ease, and they were very happy with this. Selecting Economics as her major was actually her dad’s idea; she had a stronger propensity for Political Science and History. Ultimately, she chose Economics for its practicality and because it also presented a balanced curriculum. Her predilection for the social sciences was kept alive though, and even if she was grateful for the functional economic courses, she admitted that she enjoyed her electives of Anthropology, History, and Political Science more. photographs by kenneth reyes

Joining an organization was something Inez was very eager to do. Before college, she was mostly confined to just academics, so when the opportunity to join an organization presented itself, she gladly grabbed it. This came in the form of UP Ecosoc, where she belonged to the Echoes Committee by preference. Her job in Echoes was a familiar one, for she also served as the editor-in-chief of the school paper and the yearbook during her years in Poveda. Her years in Ecosoc and in the School of Economics were made vivid by the people she met and the friends she gained. Regardless of her introverted tendencies, Inez still found the organization to be fun, and this is what she remembers from it the most. The batch ’83 graduates entered the professional scene during the decline of the Marcos regime, so finding a job proved to be difficult. Inez, however, really wanted to work to earn money, so she took the first offer she received, which was a job in a now-defunct government agency dedicated to stimulating local filmmakers called the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines. She relished working in this agency, even calling it to be the funnest job she had. “For your info, the golden age of the cinema was during the 80’s,” she proudly affirms. Here, she was surrounded by reputable intellectuals and elite personages of the industry. The three years that she spent working there left an enduring impression on her—she absolutely adored Philippine films and art, and it roused her appreciation for the language. After the Aquino administration abolished the government agency in which she worked, she joined Urban Bank as a marketing officer for two years, then a consumer-related company afterwards. While she was working for the agency, she felt the urge to challenge herself further by deciding to take-up an MBA in DLSU. At this juncture, she took night classes after her day job. A fortuitous opportunity came when one of her professors in marketing, who was assigned to La Tondeña, a subsidiary of San Miguel, invited her to apply for the company. She got in, of course, and she spent twelve enjoyable years in the company. When she left in 1999 to work TheEchoes.net

for Coca-Cola, she was already the VP for Marketing. “It seems like my life became better at that point,” she said with a laugh. In Coca-Cola, she learned a great deal about brand management and marketing. Inez met her husband, Francisco, in La Salle during her MBA years. They married in the year 1990, and they have two kids, Patrick and Pablo. Inez and Francis complement each other very well, and they get along well too. They both share an interest in reading and food, and she refers to him as a “thinker” and a “visionary,” while she considers herself more of the “executive” type. Her husband’s family owns the Aristocrat restaurant brand, and he grew up with food as a prominent interest. This

‘Unless you get exposed to the world’s standards, how can you aim high?’ —inez reyes, explaining her philosophies on learning

background in the restaurant business was what helped him conceive the Reyes Barbecue chain of restaurants in 2002, which they both nurtured and eventually expanded. Inez left her job in Jollibee at 2007 to help her husband run Reyes Barbecue, and through their industry, the business grew exponentially. They now have over sixty stores in Luzon. She and her husband very much embrace the zeitgeists of the 21st century. They try to keep a balance between their business and their family—they want to keep enjoying time with their kids and operating their business. Furthermore, they endeavor to expose their kids to different undertakings and knowledge, and they very much believe in aiming for international standards and success. Acquainting themselves with the culture of the world is of prime significance. Their ultimate goal is to leave some form of a legacy, and they found their advocacy in the promotion of education, especially college. Thus, they offer a scholarship program to their exemplary employees. Inez Reyes is a woman who very much soaks up the present and looks forward to creating her and her family’s future. She is a citizen of the world, believing that there are always greater heights to be reached and that the scope of life is perpetually expanding. 

THE READER Inez is an avid fan of books, especially Agatha Christie’s novels 21

FEATURES

one big joke: paranormal gabtivity Featuring Gab Sollano BY DEAN DULAY AND AARON AW

so dean and a are back, having braved

the wilderness, cholesterol, and a sitdown with Ralph Dantes: three of the things that statistics say were the leading causes of death in 2009. But we at One Big Joke can tell you right now that these things have never scared us two awesome columnists. There are only three things that scare Dean and A. The first is the fear of never being published again. Right now, they are terrified as they write (possibly) their last article. Second are fat chicks. (We cannot hide the truth. It must be said.) The last is ugly people. And for this last installment, we’ll get a firsthand account of what they did when faced with such people… in the dark. Our last adventure begins in A’s house, on a night like any other, with Dean and A doing awesome, manly, un-gay things. (But we love gay people! Chos!) It was really late and they had all these requirements and papers and projects to do after spending time doing too much awesome stuff, so they decided to go to sleep. Upon waking, Dean and A realized that something was terribly wrong. The teddy bear, I mean, barbell in their room had moved! And their wallets were missing! Dean and A were furious (but still awesome), and decided to set up a hidden camera that night in order to catch the bitch who decided to figuratively fuck with them. Day 2 with more

“awesome” things to be

done, Dean and A just went on with what they had to do but with a hidden camera twist. This move was inspired by a well-known but now-infamous celebrity whose hidden camera videos depict him having sex with multiple partners. So Dean and A decided to go along with what they would call Operation Jason Tayawa and record themselves as they slept. The first hour of the video went along with nothing weird happening. It would be good to note here that people naturally move about in bed. There’s nothing gay about waking up in a compromising position beside another man. Later into the night came a dark apparition. Lord knows the only dark things welcome in this room are Beyonce and chocolate cake. But this thing was so black that the camera was only able to capture its smile. It was so black that its phone was just a berry. It was so black that its butthole sucked things in. From then on, we knew… the young Michael Jackson’s shit had come to life! So they hunt this piece of shit down... and guess what they saw? Mind blowing statistics from One Big Joke • Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are 50 years or older. Dean and A have had two (each) since they were born. • 98% of the population don’t know which seat to take but 100% would sit wherever Dean and A are sitting. • It took Leo Tolstoy six years to write War & Peace. One Big Joke writes itself. • Average number of Americans killed annually by vending machines

falling on them: 13—the same number of vending machines Dean and A have killed this year. • “Goodbye” came from “God bye” which came from “God be with you.” “Awesome” came from “Dean and A”. • It is believed that Shakespeare was 46 around the time that the King James Version of the Bible was written. In Psalms 46, the 46th word from the first word is shake and the 46th word from the last word is spear. Dean and A don’t care. • If you counted for 24 hours a day, it would take over 31,000 years to reach one trillion. Dean and A are not stupid enough to do this. • The most money ever paid for a cow in an auction was $1.3 million. We just had to tell you this ‘cause it’s so stupid. • The Neanderthal’s brain was bigger than ours. Dean and A accept this. They have bigger d**** anyway. • If you fart consistently for six years and nine months, enough gas would be produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb. This has no connection to One Big Joke. It just sounded cool. • Cats sleep 16 to 18 hours per day. Dean and A don’t mind eating cats. • Boys with unusual first names are more likely to have mental problems than boys with conventional names. Girls (and Dean & A) don’t seem to have this problem. • The average person spends three years of his/her life on the toilet. It’s gotta be more for us! theEchoes.net/onebigjoke

What did they see? Witness their horrifying experience online march 28

photograph by kenneth reyes, photo-illustration by kenneth reyes

LET THE FLAMES BEGIN Aaron Lara, Fiona’s bassist, performs onstage

vindicated How Band in Demand 3 saved Gilbert, Finance, and Ecosoc BY BEATRIZ BAYUDAN

photograph by dana tan

hey’re back, and better than

ever. The Finance Committee had two major fundraisers slated this past semester, the first of which was the Harry Potter movie screenings, and the second one was Band in Demand, a battle-of-the-band competition. Unfortunately, the movie screenings netted a loss, so pressure was felt to make up for it. An interview with Finance Chairperson Gilbert Bueno revealed a lot of things. Band in Demand, apparently, is a continuing legacy. “This is the third Band in Demand, actually,” he says. “The first one was during Ate Lia Ame’s time when she was an app. They did it for Challenge Night, if I remember correctly. She liked the idea of Band in Demand as a fundraiser, so when she became Finance chair, that was what she did. I saw its potential, too, so I wanted to make it an annual thing.” Of course, that idea has blossomed into something bigger, but not without difficulty. Skepticism points out a risky factor: how many people are willing to go to a band competition virtually featuring

unknowns, as opposed to a party, which appeals to many more than band competitions do? Gilbert answers this thoughtfully. “Well, not everyone are party people— it’s just that I think there are more of those. [But] there are ‘band people’ as well, so what we required was that each band had to pick a song from the 2010 Billboard Charts and basically cover it. Iba kasi yung hatak ng party and band competition, so we combined them to essentially make the best out of it.” Sounds very reasonable, what with more and more people appreciating cover versions. With format taken care of, which venue would be used was also a bit of a problem. The previous Band in Demand was held in Katips Bar and Grill along Katipunan, and the committee felt it was too small for what they wanted. “We looked at Technowave Bar in Tomas Morato,” Gilbert shares. “I knew that it was a good venue, so I tried to convince the Execom to approve that venue. They were hesitant, though, since it was significantly larger than Katips—how would we fill that space daw—in addition to the Tomas Morato area, which was risky.”

Indeed, the Execom was reportedly very hard on Gilbert, and reasonably so: with a shrinking Ecosoc bank balance, they valued a sure profit over a risky yet potentially lucrative endeavor. “By December we agreed on holding Band in Demand in Katips Bar,” recalls Gilbert, “just like before, you know, for the sake of the fundraiser.” Succumbing to their wishes, he cancelled his reservation in Technowave. But Gilbert still wasn’t sure. He knew the stakes: this event would make or break him. Thus, Ecosoc’s treasurer remained persistent, possibly even to the point of being stubborn. “By January, I thought that it was possible to get four hundred people and twelve bands, so pinilit ko yung Execom.” It paid off—they eventually acquiesced to Technowave. However, all was not yet well. Another party had reserved Technowave Celebrity Bar just as Gilbert had canceled the potential reservation. As luck would have it though, this other party bowed out and moved their event earlier. “The manager called me up,” says Gilbert. “Sabi niya ang suwerte daw kasi nilipat yung nagpa-reserve.” With the venue set, bands were then

PASS ME THE WINE Free-flowing drinks were provided by liquor sponsors 24

photographs by dana tan, infographic by kenneth reyes

“We really were lucky to pull it off,” he says. “We even got a discount with the venue—half the price—and even the manager was excited about our event, since minsan lang daw mapuno yung lugarnang ganoon. He was also very helpful, like with the little things like ice for the drinks, naasikaso pa niya. I’m extremely grateful to everyone, really. I can’t stop thanking people enough!” Band in Demand was a huge hit with the crowd, and everyone else in general. Gilbert himself was most especially proud of it, having redeemed the loss that they suffered. They profited P57,000, and the loss they offset with sales, so a surplus is now present. “I have one more sem left as Finance

chair, and maybe it’s too early to say, but I want to leave a bank account with a substantial amount to the next chairperson, para hindi naman siya mahirapan. Harry Potter was a good learning experience, and with the next movie screenings, I know what not to do.” At about 1 am, as Archipelago was finishing their six-song set, vocalist Yan Yuzon addressed the competing bands: “Not everything has to be a battle—only tonight is a battle. But keep making music no matter what, because that’s what you love to do.” He might as well have been talking to Gilbert. HP7 was a battle, and BID was a battle. But win or lose, he’s not about to give up just yet. 

BABY YOU’RE A RICH MAN

Pitting BID 3’s profits against other notable Ecosoc fundraisers

ECLIPSE SPROJ

P14,000 P17,000

BID 2

P28,000

CHROME*

P40,000

BID 3

P58,300

SISFIRE 7

P65,000

CAROLING ‘10

P100,850

MUSIKAPELLA V

P350,000 100,000

75,000

*does not include x-deals

50,000

TheEchoes.net

SUPERGROUP Archipelago performed as the event’s guest band

25,000

gathered. They put up announcements on Facebook, citing it as an effective medium. Meanwhile, Finance members and other Ecosocers used their connections to reel in more participants. Fifteen bands sent entries, and the committee picked twelve, initially, but three bands from the original twelve backed out, so the remaining three that weren’t picked were called up. These bands were (in alphabetical order): Ars Moriendis, Builtlikespaceships, Chandeliers, Daydream, Egg White Project, Fiona, Hedra, Lucida, Pedroslumber, Pilsen Radio, Project, and Under White Noise. Hendra backed out the Monday before the actual event, leaving eleven bands in total. A clever tactic was employed to boost audience attendance: no registration fee was asked from competitors, but they were required to sell fifteen tickets. Besides this, Finance wanted to hire a professional band to make BID more attractive to fans of rock music. They managed to get Archipelago, an acclaimed indie band, for a minimal fee; it was said that it was the group who was actually highly enthusiastic about playing in the event. Everything was set; and all that was left was the event itself. February 24th, 8 pm—that was crunch time for Gilbert and the rest of the Finance Committee. That was the call time, and they were getting a little antsy since there were no people yet. However, true to the proverbial concept of ‘Filipino time,’ thirty minutes later, people started trickling in and filling the place. Soon, audience members were coming up to Gilbert and saying that all the seats were filled. “Honestly, gusto ko nang maiyak nun,” he says. “The place was super full, and I saw that it wasn’t the usual Ateneo and UP crowd. There were people from farther schools like Adamson. I loved the fact that it was a diverse crowd.” Sure enough, the marriage of rock and party songs proved to be very appealing and effective; not only was the seating capacity of the Technowave Bar filled, it was packed. It’s a little uncharacteristic of Gilbert, but remembering the night, he actually gushes about the successful event.

FEATURES

waiting on the world to change Through the eyes of its teachers, Echoes is acquainted to Gabay ng Landas,where dead ends are traded for hope—one child at a time BY KENNETH REYES

ALL GIGGLES Four-year-old Aira Mae, the youngest girl under the care of Gala

3, applicant head karl Elamparo was online, searching frantically for an institution—any institution—that could serve as the venue for their batch’s App Project. The task was to undertake any socio-civic activity, but having exhausted other hospitals and orphanages, Karl was starting to worry. It was then that he ran across a particular picture in Google Images: a girl was wearing a shirt that read “Gabay ng Landas.” A quick search led him to their site; from there, it wasn’t long before the funfair-themed Date to Donate had Ecosocers, grouped with the kids from Gabay ng Landas, enjoying the different booths the applicants had prepared. For most of Ecosoc, the encounter with those neglected children in Gabay ng Landas, or Gala, ended that February 12. We didn’t ask about the horrors they’ve experienced because it was rude to, but we all know the deeper reason: we don’t want to know. Yes, we sympathize for the children, but we don’t want to bring home the baggage. It’s understandable: as students, we ought to worry about exams and job interviews, not the fate of an orphaned nine-year-old. So when the day ends, we say our goodbyes and we don’t look back. For Gala however, the fight goes on. n the night of february

emmanuel zuniga is a kind man with tired eyes. known to

the kids as Teacher Manny, he handles the students in Grade 2 and above. As he introduces me to the children, he talks about Aldrin, Gala’s newest resident. Born Aldrisun, he formerly belonged to the Dumagat, a tribe settled in the mountains of Sierra Madre, located in Brgy. Paglitaw, Antipolo 26

City, whom the Youth Ministry medical mission team visited in 2005. Manny exhibits an intense love for the children—a love that is best understood if one knew his story before becoming a teacher at Gala. Born on January 5, 1960 at Fort Bonifacio, Manny was fifth of nine children. At 10, their father, a Korean War veteran and a man Manny hardly knew, left the family. He and his siblings were repeatedly told by their mother not to ask why, that their father was a bad man and they will only get hurt. With their mom too sickly to take any job, the Zuniga children learned to sell trash at junk shops and to steal. Just before Manny entered high school, the family had relocated to the province of Catanduanes. Discontent with the simplicity of rural life and sick of how his mother periodically abandoned them for long stretches of time, Manny himself left the family at age 17 to go back to Manila, bringing with him his dreams of gaining a proper education. Forced to provide for himself, he took on a number of jobs, becoming a house boy, a construction worker, a water boy, and a conductor before finally earning contractual employment at Philippine Airlines in 1978. Having been a sheltered child, Manny enjoyed his newfound independence tremendously. Backed by a steady pay, he quickly found friends and went out drinking and partying “from Friday to Sunday.” However, as time went on, Manny’s circle grew to include shadier people, from alcoholics and addicts to thieves and killers. His money went to vices instead of the education he so longed for. Before long, he contracted tuberculosis. As his friends distanced themselves from him, he photograph by raphael dantes

TheEchoes.netâ&#x20AC;

FEATURES

realized then that what he wanted more than anything was a mother to take care of him. At the height of his misery, he began to blame God, not just for his sickness but for his broken family. Looking for companionship, he sought out his old friend from Fort Bonifacio, and from him, Manny learned the teachings of the Bible and the many mistakes he had made not just against his family and himself, but against God as well. A week later, he was baptized, and after much prayer and abstinence from vices, his condition, luckily, got better. Drawing inspiration from his religious intervention, he tried to bring 28â&#x20AC;

his friends to Bible studies, hoping it would change them the way it changed him. Unfortunately, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. In fact, his enthusiasm for spirituality became grounds for terminating his contract when the management felt he was no longer productive in work. It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry Manny that much though. He felt a higher calling. Thanks to a friend, Manny was given accommodations in a Fort Bonifacio church. Having only completed his first year in high school, he naturally found it difficult to land another job. In the meantime, he sat in on Bible classes and helped out in the work of the church. In 1981, he began to empathize with the

theEchoes.net/gala

See the complete set of pictures in full color at our online gallery march 30

photographs by raphael dantes and kenneth reyes

children from the impoverished neighborhoods whose parents, he felt, weren’t showing them enough love. As he began to teach them, it dawned on him that he may have just found his life calling. In 1982, Manny’s hopes of an education were rekindled when he met the director of a Bible school. Despite being a high school dropout, he buried himself in studies and came out second highest in the entrance exam. From there, he alternated between studies and missionary work with different NGOs in several provinces, which led him to reunite with his mother. In 1996, at the age of 36, he was able to enter the Polytechnic University of the TheEchoes.net

ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES Gala looks after 51 children in its Marikina division. Here are some of them. OPPOSITE PAGE (L-R)—Carlo, 9; Jerome, 14; Roselyn, 13; Celma, 15; Ian, 16; Arniño, 8; Rico, 5; Edleen, 7; Ruth Joy, 6; Rammy Ann, 16; Nathaniel, 9; Carlo, 14 ABOVE (L-R)—Melanie, 9; Daian, 14; Edison, 16; Joseph, 7; Kevin, 9; Killua, 8; May Ann, 13; McJill, 7; Mark Christian, 4; Marie, 11; Mark, 13; Maricris, 21 29

FEATURES

NEW KID IN TOWN Aldrisun, the latest addition to the Gala family

Philippines. Drawing from her deceased husband’s pension, his mother assisted him financially, and after much painstaking dilligence, Manny Zuniga graduated with a Bachelor in Cooperatives at the age of 42. Despite his seniority, he secured a job as a project assistant at a lending firm from 2002 to 2004. However, the stress caught up with him and his tuberculosis manifested again, so he resigned and pursued a post-baccalaureate course in teaching. Unfortunately, budget constraints impelled him to drop out after one sem. Manny continued to work with NGOs until September 2010, when one Pastor Danny invited him to teach in an institution called Gabay ng Landas. It is here where Manny now resides, acting as teacher and father figure to the fifty-one children under Gala’s care. “When I see the kids,” Manny says, “I see something of myself in them.” His eyes water, and I understand: Manny Zuniga has been to hell and back, and seeing children doomed to endure the same fate is enough to make a grown man cry. there are two teachers in the gala

A CHANGED MAN Teacher Manny, a former street urchin

compound. The other is Ms. Merrylin Silvela, who teaches Grade 1 and below and is known to the children as Teacher Merry. Like Manny, she entered Gala last September, though her background is a bit different. Merry was born in Taytay, Rizal in 1979 two days before Christmas (hence her name). She graduated as a Motortrade scholar from the Jose Rizal University with a degree in business administration, after which she served her loyalty clause at the said company for three months. The directress of the scholarship, Shirlyn Ko, introduced Merry to Pastor Danny, who from then on included her in missions. Merry, having been a product of Sunday schooling, immediately felt the draw of service to the Church. She eventually accepted Pastor Danny’s invitation to teach in Gala, though she admits it was (and continues to be) a difficult decision. Having been the only one in her family to finish college, she

knows they are relying on her for support. But as much as it racks her with guilt, she just can’t turn her back on the children who need her—literally because they have no one else. Merry’s life isn’t all sunny, however. She admits to having been a rebel once. But just as she experienced a transformation under her directress, so too does she want to see that change in children with similar problems. the

gabay

landas

association

Incorporated is a Catholic institution managed by a board of trustees, which includes founder Pastor Danilo Urquico of Christ Commission Fellowship. Working under them are Administrator Catherine Alenton and Logistical Director Lyn Bernales. They currently have two branches, one in Marikina and one in Taytay. The institution began in 2007 not as an orphanage but as an outreach program for juvenile inmates in Marikina. They later found out that when parents are incarcerated, their children are either left to abusive relatives or are virtually abandoned. Gala then took the initiative to feed, shelter, and educate these children. Beginning with ten kids, Gala expanded to include scholars and teachers, eventually renting the house it operates in today. Gala draws its funding from donations from individuals and companies, though as of the moment, it isn’t enough—their base in Taytay, for instance, still has no physical structure to house the children. But Ms. Cathy Alenton is hopeful. Their dream, she says, is to one day set up a school. At the moment, the children under Manny and Merry are being taught in preparation for formal schooling. Some appear to be desperate cases, such as Maricris, a 21-year-old Grade 3 student, but the people of Gala continue to encourage them, telling them one is never too old to earn an education. Teacher Manny is a living example. Cathy also speaks of establishing a Gala in each major city in the country. In lieu of that however, they have pioneered the Mobile Gala program last

photographs by raphael dantes and kenneth reyes

HUMBLE ABODE The remodeled house that serves as the Gala’s Marikina base year, which, with the help of volunteers Marlon Estrella, Jayrald Cantor, and May Cantor, travels to places like Antipolo to aid in the effort of curing “rugby boys,” a term used to describe the young boys and girls addicted to a type of industrial glue known as “rugby.” The team was successful in rehabilitating four kids—Carlo, Jerome, Roselyn, and Rammy Ann—and they now reside at the Gala compound. There is still much work to be done though, and the program continues in Taytay. combined, gabay ng landas has

107 children under its watch. That’s 107 lives that have changed—and continue to change—all thanks to a group of individuals who stopped and cared. They are the ones who, at the end of the day, said goodbye and looked back. They haven’t stopped looking back since. Let the world lose hope, but Gala will always believe that there is no such thing as a dead end future. They just might be right.  gabaynglandas.org

To find out how you can help, call the Marikina branch at 980.7250 or text Lyn Bernales at 0916.394.2288

TheEchoes.net

‘We are probably expanding at a rate of 20-30% in terms of the number of kids and scholars in the shelter’ —catherine alenton, administrator of gabay ng landas association inc.

FEATURES

A SAD FAREWELL Ecosoc bids goodbye to its premiere crooning trio, Steven, A, and Dom, also known as SAD BY CID CAMPOS

this is sad. no, this is not about some

morose event or a disappointing fact about reality. This is about a combo of two things that have always made us smile from ear to ear: music and friends. Yes dear reader, I am talking about the mestizo boyband-ish sensation comprised of Steven Hotchkiss, Aaron Aw, and Dom Garcia. This is S.A.D. We all know them as the trio that has graced our events with their renditions of songs ranging from classics to modern hits. Many of us also know them as friends who we jovially talk, noisily play games, and warmly eat with. So I guess it’s high time we got to know the men behind the story behind the music. I had the luck of being able to interview these three just recently and all I could say was that it was loads of fun even though it was hard to squeeze a clear answer from them. So here’s a raw transcript of that interview including the many pauses we had just laughing our heads off. echoes: Hey guys! The three of you are pretty well-known for your unique brand of entertainment that oozes with comic charisma. What was the inspiration behind SAD? A & D: None, there was no inspiration. echoes: Fine, what got things started? Did Hotchkiss just start singing and you felt like singing along? A: Kasi before, si Steven kumakanta siya. It’s just that when we were apps, we were going to play sa Litnight, so ako nagguitar and siya yung kumanta. So nung malapit na he kept on saying, 32

“Practice, practice even after Litnight. Tara practice for next year.” echoes: What came first, Litnight or Harana? A: Litnight. D: Wala pa ako nung Litnight. A: Kami pa lang ni Steves nun. echoes: So things started really started in Harana? A: Yes. So nung Harana, si Steves kumakanta pa rin ta’s ako naggi-guitar. Sometimes kung wala si Steves, ako kakanta and maggi-guitar. At the time, and even hangang ngayon, Steves is Dom’s housemate. S: So there was a time na we needed to sing and I asked Dom if he could. A: Yun, may time na somebody asked if we could sing in one event ta’s kailangan namin ng mataas na voice. Si Dom yun. D: Ah! Yun yung “I’ve Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day.” S: Grand Trad! A: Grand Trad, mo [Cid]! D: Oo nga Grand Trad! S: Jamoy asked if we could sing “One in a Million”... A: Or something like that. Tinanong ko kung kakanta ba si Steven tapos sabi niya isasali raw niya si Dom. So nung night na yon right before Grand Trad wala pa kaming song, nandun kami sa house ko. D: We stayed in A’s house until midnight. S: And then we had an epiphany to sing— A: To sing something easy. S: “My Girl.”

A: We chose “My Girl” kasi two minutes lang ata siya, and we did choreography pa with mic stands and simple steps. echoes: And that’s when it started? A: Yeah, super galing pero super simple lang. Um, pero may drama ‘to. Steven went to Russia and nagkaroon ng— D: Nagkaroon ng hiatus for one sem. A: I guess we were just waiting for him, ‘cause siya naman yung leader. He does the arrangements, the blending, the voices. I do the instruments sometimes. Pero actually, the song comes before the band; kung may bagong song, that’s when we come together. At the time he came back, the song was “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” D: Yung Hawaiian version. A: Si Steven wanted to do an arrangement. Nasa tambayan kami nun and he kept on saying, “Practice, practice.” Then we performed nung Induction Ball and medyo fail siya. S: And since we’re all comfortable with each other, since we’re appmates and batchmates— A: And we’re all mestizo if you’ve noticed. S: Whenever we’re in the tambayan and we have the courage to sing, we just say, “A, pick up the guitar” or something like that. Or we could go to A’s house. echoes: So have you noticed any big fans out there? D: Wala. A: No fans, not even small fans. S: Not even from Spev. D: Okay lang kahit walang fans, you know. We just do our best. photograph by kenneth reyes

A: We just give it our one hundred ten percent. D: Wala pa nga kaming Facebook page. A: If we get a Facebook page, as of the moment, Reg Reinoso would kick our butts. S: Ang dami niya ngang likes eh. A: Oo, ang dami pa niyang videos and she has a home studio. All we have is a guitar. S: I think we just lack the funds. A: So if there are any producers out there... [awkward pause] echoes: Okay, so let’s talk about each one of you. What are your individual plans and your plans for your music? D: Uh, so magsosolo career na tayo. S: Are you going to go Justin Timberlake on us? D: No. Well if ever, I’m going out of the country to work and study, maybe study economics since I can handle it. Musical career—yeah maybe, if the three of us get together again. echoes: What about you A? A: Go out of econ to study. I’ll go to law school and then—I don’t know, I also plan to drop out after one year when narealize ko na di ko na kaya. As for music, I’m taking up the ukulele now kasi it’s my belief na the guitar is for sexy people and kung medyo mataba ka na dapat ukulele na. There’s a certain waistline where you have to switch to the ukulele. echoes: Hotchkiss, what about you? S: Work in like a bank or something like that. For now, I’m applying in a bank. As for singing, I’m steady with my music ministry in Church and I’m still available for weddings— D: And children’s parties! A: And for ballroom dancing! S: I’m still with the Madeline Cookie Company, which has performances. A: Ah, it’s a singing company. Akala ko bakery siya. S: And then I plan on forming a wedding group so that when I do weddings, I’m not alone. As of now, the plan was to form the group with my churchmates ‘cause it’s just a small group and we know church songs already together. echoes: What do you think is the future of boybands in Ecosoc? Are there some you want to pass the torch to? TheEchoes.net

THE MESTIZO BOYBAND (L-R) Dom Garcia, Steven Hotchkiss, Aaron Aw A: No. S: Parang walang may kaya. echoes: So walang may talent? A: Hindi hindi, kasi sa tingin ko ngayon mas may emphasis on the individual. S: May emphasis on real talent. A: ‘Di gaya namin na posers lang. S: Hanggang ngayon manufactures lang kami. echoes: Kung may prospects kayo, sino since you say it’s more about individual talent? A: Well I think it’s gonna be Reg Reinoso. Just look sa likes niya sa Facebook D: Ilan na ba likes niya? A: I don’t know. 500? 1000? S: Well there’s always Tamase on the keyboards. Oh, Miguel Andres! A: Miguel Andres, Grand Trad champion, manufactured by the best. echoes: Suppose it’s your last chance to perform for the org, what would you most likely sing to us? A: It’s... secret. We just planned it kanina. But if we’re to dedicate a song to the org... D: “UP Naming Mahal”? S: Ano yun—yung Ecosoc song! A: Well if you had to sing a song to Ecosoc, it has to be the Ecosoc song. S: [singing] Mangako ka’t mangarap. Gampanan ang tungkuling ganap. echoes: So what do you think is your lasting impact on all of us?

D: That people can get together even though it may be so random. Uy go, parting words! A: Ah okay, I’d like to think of us as medyo indie. D: Ano ba ginagawa natin? A: Actually super mainstream natin. D: Mainstream? Nung first akala ko revival tayo. S: Well first of all, we do our music to have fun, but if ever we inspire some people along the way, then that’s good news for us. D: That’s a positive externality for us. S: Yeah, it’s more of just sharing joy. I mean, we all are UP students here and we all get stressed out so for us, performing de-stresses us and we hope that through our playing, we also help our audience de-stress, even for the slightest time. echoes: Do you have anything to say or sing to the readers? SAD: [singing] All you have to do is dreeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaam! Dream, dream, dreeeeeam! So there you have it. As the year draws to a close, we all can’t help but miss these three, as well as the music and fun they create when they come together. So I suggest you hit the tambayan more often. Who knows, they just might have an extemporaneous performance in store for all of us to enjoy.  33

ESSAY

here we are now The Imprint batch enters a changing Ecosoc BY KARLO ELAMPARO

ecosoc is on the brink of change. the

constitution is being reformed, as you may well know by now (all that memorization down the drain!); there is debate about its committees merging, and we are looking forward to become a more socially relevant organization. Even our image is changing. Yes, even our identity. Heck, even the Application Process revamped—talent nights, for instance, are now extinct. I’ve heard people become skeptic about the alterations, and many are wary of them. So I’m here to share a story about our App Project, and how I think the experience is linked with Ecosoc’s current changes. Two weeks before the app project, our choice of venues was narrowed down into two: one is just by SM North, but could only be visited by a maximum of 30 people. Yes that’s 24 apps, and 6 lucky execom. The other had 3,000 children, and could fit as many that could visit, but it was all the way out at Cavite. You would be surprised how hard it was to find a sizeable orphanage that caters mostly to children 0 to 6 years old—one that’s big enough, near enough, had a lot of children, and was available for visit. Sometimes the best intentions are muddled by circumstance, and when desperation set in, we almost picked one of the two. But thank God for Google. There, we found an orphanage that wasn’t too well known, in a location relatively near UP, and had everything we wanted.

The visit was one of the best experiences of my life, and I certainly hope that this was also true for everyone else who visited. Truth be told, the “journey” to Gabay ng Landas reminded me exactly why people choose Ecosoc instead of other organizations. Ecosoc is one of the few organizations that was big enough, near enough, had a lot of connections, and was always available for a tambay. More than a social organization, it reminded me that Ecosoc was becoming a social-civic organization. By the end of the day, it was an organization that helped you help people help themselves. I hope my fellow applicants feel the same way. The time is near, and by the time you read this article, most of the applicants will have been inducted into new members. In their new committees, they will learn much, and hopefully change for the better. We accept this change. We

We found an orphanage that had everything we wanted. Thank God for Google

accept this full entrance and commitment into this organization, even when we know that our little clan of 24, our teams of Logistics, Finance, and Publicity, will be scattered into Memcom, Seccom, Acad, and so on. But just as it is with all applicant batches, Imprint will remain strong with ties that endure semesters (hopefully not in the cliquish way). In this way, I can see that the whole of Ecosoc is just one giant applicant batch. We are made of people who come from many different committees, with our own little cliques, niches, and batches. Think of it as an enormous applicant batch of 150 people trying to get into an idealized organization. This future organization is big enough, near enough, has a lot of connections, and is always available for a tambay with just about anyone. More than an organization of social people, it is an organization of social and civic citizens. Just as applicant batches are faced with choices, sometimes all unpleasant, Ecosoc should be willing to take a bitter pill of compromise. Whatever alterations in the constitution happen, remember that we are still Ecosoc, and it is not the laws which define us but the members. In the end, we can never foresee that there just might be that one instance of luck or divine providence that edges us out into the right direction. Never be afraid of change.  photo-illustration by kenneth reyes

CULTURE

Our fashion guru bids us to a stylish summer in her end-of-school fashion tips. Ben then writes about Fiona, Band in Demand’s biggest surprise. Ever wondered where they got their name? Read on to find out. On the other hand, Irene tackles Jerrold Tarog’s Senior Year in the film column. The indie movie has been garnering a lot of buzz. Just what is it about? This is followed by Avril’s review of Koren Zailckas’ Smashed, an autobiographical account of her battle with alcoholism. Gossip G returns to dish out some more gossip, showing that even the Execome are not safe, while Chiara closes with Report Card. ABOVE Randy, Otep, and Mikki of Fiona. Photograph by Irene Arzadon

CULTURE

Fashion Say hello to summer! BY LIA LONTOC

t was the best of times; it was

the worst of times. Seems like Dickens knew a thing or two about life in Ecosoc. Another year is at last coming to a close, and everyone knows that the campus empties out in April. After all the sleepless nights studying, you still manage to get up and do it all over again, in style of course. For that, dear Ecosocer, you deserve a much needed R&R. But before the curtains close and the lights go down, let me give you my parting gift: complete artillery of fashion know-how and words of wisdom. Just because we won’t be seeing each other for the break doesn’t mean I don’t care about your well-being!

1. White shirt keep cool in the heat as the timeless

white shirt makes a strong comeback. Extremely versatile and practical, this simple piece adds style and elegance to your overall aspect allowing you to create different outfits, whether it is something casual and effortless or, on the contrary, a more chic and sophisticated look.

2. Maxi dress The already famous maxi dress became a fashion favorite not just for this specific season, but also for every summer, as it is comfortable and versatile. Breezy, with different prints, casual or, on the contrary, extremely glamorous, maxi dresses were seen all over the runways.

3. Color block this summer get ready to play with

extremes! Designers used a wide palette of fruity, energizing colors that make you stand out in the crowd. However, a lot of attention should be paid when matching bright colors and go for neutrals, such as white, beige or black. Still, 36

this season you are allowed to break some of the unwritten fashion rules and try bolder combinations of colors.

4. Nude at the other extreme we have sub-

tle, soft, second-skin nude shades that perfectly complement a sun-kissed skin, but also a lighter one adding a fresh touch. Pale tones can look sexy and elegant as long as you know how to choose them based on your skin complexion and hair color.

5. Espadrilles the season’s scene-stealers, they’re

cute and comfy—definitely what summer is all about. Need I say more? unlike the rest of us, fashion never

takes a vacation. So get out there and work, work, work it! A bientôt! 

TheEchoes.net

CULTURE

MUSIC Echoes sits in on one of Fiona’s jam sessions to talk about their band BY BENEDICT BISMARK

THE MUSIC ROOM We hang out with Fiona in KNR Studio, where the band usually holds jams and practices

t’s a little past

12 am, february 25, 2011, and it’s been a long night. After hearing almost ten hardcore rock bands perform, everyone’s expecting that the next one won’t be much different. Aaron gets set on the guitar along with Rigil and Otep. Mark gets set on the bass. Randy prepares to play the drums. Mikki runs the lyrics in her head one last time. They’re ready to go, and the MCs give them the spotlight. The crowd braces itself for another round of crashing guitar riffs and maniacal drumming. To everyone’s surprise though, it’s not rock nor a rock version of a pop song. It was “Breakeven” by The Script, a mellow ballad, and it wasn’t loud at all. As the melodious plucking and steady percussion gave way to Mikki’s soaring vocals during the chorus, everyone couldn’t help but

cheer and applaud. Their next song, an original, was entitled “Umaga.” It was written by bassist Mark Rodriguez for a friend of theirs suffering from cancer. There aren’t that many blues or soul bands out there anymore, let alone ones that performs both these genres. The trend in mainstream music, with a few exceptions, is that it keeps on moving towards a fusion of styles with electronica in the center. Keisha, the Black-Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift—all of whom have dominated the charts at one point or another—all exhibit this pattern. The more mellow styles tend to be drowned out. Lyrics take a back seat as the beat takes the center; indeed, some songs even have unintelligible or nonsensical lyrics. That’s the main strength of Fiona. With influences such as Up

Dharma Down and Imago (among others), the lyrics, along with the meaning behind the song, become more important. The night didn’t end with Fiona bagging first place, but that’s not the point. Yan Yuzon of Archipelago, who took the stage after Fiona, announced to the crowd, “That last band was pretty awesome.” With a complement like that, need you require anything more? In a way, Fiona has BID 3 to thank for its strengthened existence. Before it, the band never really got to practice much. They were never pressured to compose an original song either. But for some reason, they felt that BID was the moment to start taking their humble group seriously. They began practicing weekly in KNR, a studio in Cubao managed by a man who vaguely looks like Steve photographs by irene arzadon

Buscemi. They also managed to compose their first original song. True to the ‘nice guy’ band they were, they made sure to arrive early at BID to comply with the call time. Aaron even recounts how they provided the hi hat on the drum kit for all contestants to use, as the one from the venue broke. In an era of bad boy rock ‘n’ roll, those deeds were a pleasant surprise, and for those, Fiona was rewarded: not only did they win second runner-up, they got the attention of a previously indifferent audience (including this publication). Weeks after that eventful night, Fiona continues to go strong. It’s always difficult to start a practice session though, since everyone has a life outside the band: Mark teaches in Montesorri, Aaron works in IBM, Randy in Sound Essentials, and Mikki and Otep are still in school. In fact, these five people are rather dissimilar, with their only common factor being that they’re all from YFC (but even then, Mikki is from another sector). Nevertheless, they are friends—friends who are dedicated to

making their little band work. Fiona was hastily formed sometime in May 2010 for a band competition. Taking their name from Fiona Apple, they played together and started the long process of consolidating themselves. Individually, they’re all very different. For instance, their favorite songs vary from Rage Against the Machine to Cris Tomlin. However, they work well as a group because they all give way for one another. Aaron shares that they always

‘Actually, that last band was pretty awesome’ —yan yuzon, vocalist of archipelago, referring to fiona

think of whether or not Mikki’s voice is suited for the song before they try anything out. Indeed, this is what makes this band so special. Most of them are part of other bands, but it is only at Fiona when they feel like they’re at home. It’s not clear where Fiona is going from here. They’ve been playing for a while now and will probably continue to do so assuming their day jobs allow. Soon after BID, they played in Rayburn Productions’ Jam Knights, an event put together for a cause, though it felt different because they were the youngest band in the event. They’ll probably still be jamming in YFC and future events, but Aaron admits that even if it’s their passion, their parents will always object to it being a permanent occupation. Nevertheless, no matter what the future holds for this band, they will always be BID 3’s surprising showstoppers.  theEchoes.net/fiona

Watch Fiona perform Up Dharma Down’s “Oo” and their original song “Umaga” april 3

FIONA (L-R) Guitarist Aaron Lara, drummer Randy Gomez, vocalist Mikki Macasadia, bassist Mark Rodriguez, guitarist Otep Guerrero. Not included above is guitarist Rigil Borromeo TheEchoes.net

CULTURE

FILM Senior Year reviewed BY IRENE ARZADON

when we watch movies like mean

Girls or High School Musical, we enjoy it only because it’s entertaining. Empathy doesn’t enter the picture because the real experience of high school in the Philippines is quite different—a lot can attest to that. Sex remains taboo (unless, of course, in smaller groups), and students aren’t much affected by emerging cliques. It’s a matter of having one’s own social group, doing fairly well in class, and the realization that studying in high school is the hardest and most important part of life. Good thing Jerrold Tarog, a Filipino filmmaker, decided to portray that very experience through his latest independent film Senior Year. The story is based on ten students from St. Frederick’s Academy, a co-ed school located in the south of Metro Manila. One character is the Valedictorian, who is figuring out how to make a big impact on his batchmates through his valedictory speech. He is also attracted to a girl in his class who is struggling to shake off her insecurities. Then there’s this group of three friends who help each other in their own problems: one is labeled effeminate because of his love for Lady Gaga, and so is constantly bullied by a group of boys; another is a girl who struggles with her family problems; and the last is a closet homosexual. Elsewhere are a couple who get intimately related and a queen bee who claims to have a lot of haters because of her personality. One might note that the set-up is normal in high schools around the Philippines, which actually wins the purpose of the whole film. And I think that the non-fiction element of the movie makes it very special—a Filipino must feel empathetic and nostalgic while watching this. It shows how petty conflicts could 40

HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA Scenes from Jerrold Tarog’s film Senior Year actually be big things to the lives of the characters, just like the part where they lose against the junior batch during the Intramurals of their school. And then there were the significant things to their lives as senior students, like when the result of college examinations are released, and, of course, graduation. I personally enjoyed every minute of the movie, how original it was from the scenes to the soundtrack. It made me remember my own experiences back

‘Tarog concocts stories that fluently communicate the hardships of that stage in life’ —oggs cruz, film critic

in high school, those trivial things that meant so much back then, and how every student in our class played a special role no matter how unrecognized they were. it is amazing that jerrold tarog was

able to make this movie play in SM Cinemas for almost a week, though he faced problems with tickets sales and pressure from SM for the film to generate more revenue. Indeed, SM almost stopped the showing of Senior Year after the first day because there weren’t enough people who watched. But this is characteristic of an independent film; without the backing of a major film studio, the filmmaker can neither embark on massive publicity nor hire A-listers to draw in the audience for his movie. Nevertheless, the fact that SM screened it at all is already a big achievement, considering how there has never been an independent film that has done that before. 

stills taken from the senior year facebook page

Literature

Gossip

i remember writing in a poem the line

they say time flies when you’re having fun. i say, time

“We’re dancing in the Amber Lounge as bottles shatter/and heads bend over porcelain seats, like worship.” Alcohol is a way of life in college. With the frequency of parties, the stress we need to unwind from, and the social compulsion to let loose, drinking is a fact—Ecosoc’s ‘free-flowing’ events are certainly enough proof of that. But drinking is not only a fact; sometimes it becomes a problem. There are those of us who have blacked out or found ourselves throwing up all night. Some end up on crying jags while others have found themselves doing the wrong things with the wrong people. A few of us have even spilled our deepest, darkest secrets while under the influence. Koren Zailckas’s book Smashed: Growing Up a Drunk Girl is a sharp, painful autobiographical account of living with alcohol. Beginning with her first gulp of Southern Comfort at 14 (taken under peer pressure from her friend Natalie) to her last sip ten years later, drinking becomes a major part of Zailckas’s life. Told in a two-perspective format—one set in the present and the other in the past—Zailckas confesses how alcohol becomes the way to feel good, to become a person other people would want to be with—particularly those of the opposite sex. It soon embodies all the positive aspects of her life. But with it all abruptly come downsides: days when she can’t remember what she’s done, the loss of her virginity (or at least, she thinks so), and getting her stomach pumped in the hospital. Friends are lost, whether it was Natalie, who vanished one drunken night and came back different, or others whom she lost through inebriated arguments. The book does tend to drag in some parts, which detracts from the impact of the story overall. And the setting is solidly American; despite the general theme that many can relate to, certain aspects of the Westernized background may have readers struggling to accept the context. But despite these flaws, Smashed is still an excellent read that knows how to put its finger on the pulse of social problems today, comparing favorably against other tell-all memoirs such as Prozac Nation or Girl, Interrupted. In a sense, it is even more relatable: few of us have actually indulged in pill-popping and even fewer have been sent to mental institutions, but almost all of us have had a drink. The novel also looks at other features of growing up, such as depression and awkwardness, how parents react to the issue of their child drinking (often denial, apparently), and so forth, ultimately connecting them to the problem of alcohol. In the preface, for example, Zailckas describes binge drinking as “an expression of unhappiness,” going on to state that girls who drink are not simply “masculine, sloppy, or sexually available,” the way society labels them. Smashed totally captures teenage life. —avril bries

just flies! And my, that semester passed by so fast. Here we are again on the verge of another ending—endings that are always oh-so bittersweet. But worry not my loyal followers, I’m still the same gossip animal I’m known for. You didn’t think we’d be ending without any scandals, did you? So, if you didn’t know, I was the featured member last issue. Yes, I don’t really care if you think that the things I put here are too much for you to handle. Just don’t read the damn column, alright? To pay homage to all the recent elections we’ve been having these past few months, I’ve decided to make this column all about Dirty Politics (Politicians)!

novel cover from bookswim.com

SPOTTED! Mr. Husband of Anne Boleyn dissed by “newly little” Mr. Opera House! The latter was allegedly blackproping the former in an election very close to our hearts! This was just speculation until Mr. House all but confirmed it in a party last week. Apparently, the two got into some eye contact, and Mr. Husband gave Mr. House an evil glare. Frightened, Mr. House retreated to the comfort of his friends and discussed the matter. I guess he failed to realize that a party is a public place, and people (especially my burnbookkeepers) are just lurking around the corners. He spilled the information himself! To Mr. Husband, don’t worry—it didn’t work anyway. To Mr. Opera House, better be careful next time. You know I’m always just beside you. SPOTTED! Miss Antonio Banderas’ Partner hooking up wildly on the dance floor! I was a personal witness to how she rocked it and rolled it! I know this isn’t a new thing (laughs!) but we can’t blame her: after her momentous victory in a “worldwide” election, she deserves to celebrate. I don’t even know why I’m putting her here when in fact everybody knows about her scandalous moments in parties, if yah know what I mean. To you, go gettem girl! It’s about time girls started to play guys. *Pus pus* (Gaga, 2009) SPOTTED! The Executive Committee not working well as a group, and minimally as individuals as well. Yes, I said it. Seems like I’m the only one with enough courage to tell them (laughs again!). Everyone’s talking about how we don’t like how things are being done, how they are not who we thought they were. Some think we should just impeach those who aren’t making the cut. Execom, wake the hell up. Open your eyes to the reality that people are not satisfied. It’s not your entire fault, but of course, it largely is. Maybe we should just stop trying to instill change or whatever in the people, in the organization. Is it even necessary? Well, that’s all for now. To the seniors, your backs are now safe since I never attack alumni. To everyone else, keep a tight watch! You’ll never know who to trust. *wink* You know you love me. —gossip g 41

CULTURE

grade

1.75

Report card February 2011 BY CHIARA COKIENG

january—inc

we continue the saga of our nation’s ups and downs

in this month’s Report Card. What were the events that made us proud to be Filipino, and what events made us bow our heads in disgrace? Read on to find out.

december—2.75 november—2.5

Pride

shame

FORMER COS AUDITOR HEIDI MENDOZAT FEBRUARY 2 She came out in the open to narrate what she knew about the controversial plea bargain reached by Garcia and the Ombudsman, when she was already retired and not obliged to appear in hearings; at the risk of being pilloried and ostracized by her former co-workers at the COA, and of exposing her three children, losing her job and giving up her private life. To her bravery and honesty, we owe our renewed faith in government and hope in the president we are more and more starting to regret voting for.

SENATOR ANTONIO TRILLIANES IV FEBRUARY 1 & 10 Last February 1, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV named former Defense secretary Angelo Reyes as the “powerful person” behind alleged plunderer and ex-AFP comptroller Carlos Garcia, accused of amassing P303.27 million in ill-gotten wealth. Nine days later, he changed his mind and said it wasn’t Reyes after all. The Professional Heckler asks, “Geez, who do you think are? Hosni Mubarak?” Ha ha ha.

THE PHILIPPINE AZKALS FEBRUARY 9 After their victory over Vietnam in the AFF Suzuki Cup last December, which will go down as the biggest win in Philippine football history, the Philippine Azkals continued to deliver by winning 2-0 over the Mongolian Blue Wolves in the AFC Challenge Cup qualifier. This not only brought Filipinos together; it also marked the beginning of huge waves of attention and support from an otherwise football-illiterate Filipino government and people for the sport. Rather than to spend it on government and congress and other shit that bring about nothing other than stuff for me to write under “Shame,” President Aquino III released P3 million from his Social Fund for the Azkal’s organizational needs. Money spent wisely, I must say.

THE DEATH OF ANGELO REYES FEBRUARY 8 He shot himself in the chest while visiting his mother’s grave at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. The last word he said was “Sorry.” His suicide may have been a desperately attempt to bestow upon his family what remains of his honor. He might have proven that he had more kahihiyan than Arroyo’s other cohorts who got more than him and who had less capacity for shame than him. He might have brought back the stigma to corruption, and he might have significantly contributed to reviving this country’s sense of propriety and of right and wrong. But Catholic or not, suicide is a shameful way of escaping the consequences of one’s transgressions. Angelo Reyes is not a hero, just as self-destruction is not a natural claim to heroism. And we should stop treating him, and all other dead people, as so. UST AND THE RH BILL FEBRUARY 22 I don’t know if this is the place to write this but a UST professor gave bonus points to his students in class for posting anti-RH bill comments on the Facebook page of party-list group Akbayan, which is an RH bill proponent. I know UST students need all the incentives they can get but... or maybe they truly are against the RH-bill. Regardless, I must agree that it is alarming to think that it has come down to this echoing of opinions as an enterprise of the academe. Can I just say, I’m glad I didn’t go to UST. (Not that I ever had any plans to.)

Conclusion Trillanes made me laugh. Angelo Reyes is a dead man whose guilt is unfounded. And UST is... well, it’s UST. I will ignore them and focus on Heidi Mendoza and the Azkals who were victorious in unifying Filipinos from all over the country and abroad, from the athletes, the netizens, the church, the legislators, to the president, to the judiciary and to the common Filipino. 42

photograph by irene arzadon