Echoes September 2016 by Echoes

E CE HC OH EOSE S|

S| EAPUT GE UM SB TE R2 021 06 1 6

14 20 24 28 34

The Small Bang by Kenneth Reyes

Kicking Off Ecosoc Month by Chino Vitriolo

The Grand Caravan by Angel Gando

Ms. Universe 2016 by Paul Rondario

Cover Story: The Empress by Katie Abrenica

44 48

LIV by the Hour by Thirdy Santos

EM Galleries Through The Years by Fau Manzanilla

50 56

The Economics of Media by Lyon Leus

Meeting the Scholars by S. Yao, C. Balindong, C. Albay, R. Dayao, L. Jose

Change Has Come by Marte CaronoĂągan

W H O

W E

A R E

ECHOE S 58B PUBLICAT ION S e l e n a Ya o Ke l s e y M a r i a n o Dominic Carreon Bianca Ranola Katrielle Abrenica Patricia Isabelle Perez Maxine Capili Maya Paraguya Roland Oliquino L AYO U T E DITO R A l f o n s o P a n i s EDITOR IAL S TAFF G u s t a v o V i t r i o l o Maria Pilar Ochave Antonio Castillo Anna Pagdanganan Vilmar Gayutin III Faulene Manzanilla

EDITOR -IN -CHIE F ASSOCIAT E E DITO R MA NAG IN G E DITO R CREAT IV E DIR E CTO R FE ATUR E S E DITO R CULT U R E E DITO R NEW S E DITO R PHOTO E DITO R S Echoes is the official publication of the UP Economics Society (UP Ecosoc), a nonstock, non-profit, student organization based in the University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics. Echoes is released four times a semester and eight times in a year on the months of February, March, April, May, August, September, October, and November. It draws its funding from a subsidy from UP Ecosoc, subscription revenue, and small fundraisers. For this semester, 30 subscription copies, one tambayan copy, one archive copy, and a complimentary copy for our featured member are produced. This publication is printed by Yza Copy Systems and Trading, located at Stall 22 at the Shopping Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. contact us

upecosoc@gmail.com ecosoc.echoes@gmail.com for more information, visit:

upecosoc.org echoes.ph issuu.com/echoes

All errors are corrected when uploaded on issuu.com/echoes. If you spot an error, please email us.

NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION.

WE B E DITO R C a r l o C a b a t o EDITOR IAL S TAFF R a m o n T i m o t h y B a n t a

TV EXECUT IV E P R O DU CE R K e n R e c a s a t a P R O DU CE R P a o l o Te j a n o DIR E CTO R A l i B a l i n d o n g I I I

E VE NT S DIR E CTO R S A l v a r S a n t o s Miguel Juico Paul Rondario Maxinne Mendiola

CONT RIBUTORS Ly o n L e u s Angel Gando Thirdy Santos Luis Jose Rio Dayao Carlo Albay

Sam Nepomuceno Cyril Cornelio Rodrigo Monzon Marte Caronongan UP Optics Elain Balderas

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

ME SSAGE F R O M T HE EDI TOR Happy Ecosoc Month to all! It’s my fourth and last Ecosoc Month already. How quickly time flies! I guess that’s how it is when one loves something as much as I love Ecosoc. It’s an undeniably huge part of my life. Practically my whole stay in college was devoted to this organization. And why not? Ecosoc is the best org in UP. Personally, Ecosoc’s breadth and diversity is what makes it so interesting to be a part of. I’ve always been amazed at how an organization exclusively for UP School of Economics students has a member base numerically at par with those that are university-wide. Not to mention that majority of the members are active too! Thanks to all 278 of us, Ecooc continues to do wonderful things 58 years after its inception. The events and services cater to all sorts of tastes and needs, and that’s something we should take pride in. What other organization has Foodgasm, National Youth Congress, Musikapella, National Economics Summit, and LIV all in one semester? (To the events I did not mention, please don’t be offended. LOL.) Who else has an Acad Worm or a CDC giraffe named Giffy? How many other organizations run a regular publication like Echoes? My point is this: Ecosoc is f*cking special; a precious gem that shines brighter than others similar to it. When you think you’ve had enough of the organization, remember that you didn’t join Ecosoc for nothing. You applied and you stayed for a reason. Never forget the reason why. And always remember this: Love Ecosoc and it will love you back. Cheers, Sel 5

C O M M I T T E E

N E W S

C H A S U R DA R L I N GA M ECOSOC MONTH Heya! ECOSOC MONTH IS DONE! To my co-chairs, Ana and Raffy, mahal ko kayo. EM 58 Core, Blej, Julia, Thirds, Danes, Jay, Ken, Marianne, thank you for stepping up and being super galing! Sobrang kapagod pero we did it! EM #12, Fati, Lean, Nika, Chesca, Poncho, Nikuo, THANK YOU GUYS FOR SOLID EVENTS AND INITIATIVES. EM Team, TY for pulling off a great 58th anniversary! Thank you everyone for supporting all events and initiaves of the entire EM Team #RememberSeptember! OMG tagal kong pinag-isipan ano yung fave Ecosoc memory ko like simula app ako pero GUYS legit iba talaga yung pagbbridge HAHAHA. Iniisip ko life after college, tapos feel ko pinakamamimiss ko sa Ecosoc, aside sa mga tao like you reading this, is BRIDGE. Sarap iwasan ng responsibilities in general pag may bridge. Yung tipong last game kasi aaral ka na pero after 2 hours nandun ka pa rin naglalaro, or like one game lang balik na sa class but umabot ng mga 5 games! BRIDGE IS LIFE. P.S. HI #12, LAST 2.5 MONTHS WE CAN DO THIS! <3 Love you UP Ecosoc! FAVORITE ECOSOC MEMORY: Playing Bridge

JJ SALLIMAN TASK FORCE We like to make a lot of noise. It may be the cheers during genmeet, the tambayan filled with laughter, or the freshies showing off their “bibo-ness”. Amidst this noise, there are pleasant notes readying to take over once again. There will be Musik. Much is expected out of Task Force, the sole committee providing for the ESSF (arguably the biggest priority for this socio-civic organization). That’s why Musikapella is my favorite Ecosoc event of all-time. Every semester, members are given the opportunity to step up, work together, and serve as beacons of light for the scholars. We may be faced with different commitments and problems, but I’m confident the team won’t be crumbling under pressure any time soon. With November 26 a little less than two months away, it is only a matter of time before the stage is set and the very best high school choirs will bring with them their own Musik. Shout out to the Carnival apps interning for TF this semester! Along with the rest of TF, may the force be with you all! FAVORITE ECOSOC EVENT: Musikapella

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

T R I C I A C A N AV E R A L ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Ecosoc has made our college lives so much more fun and colorful! All the events and projects that we do, big or small, and all the people we meet and work with have impacted us in a way that we never would have experienced elsewhere. My favorite Ecosoc memory of all time is organizing The Rundown 2016 because it’s definitely one for the books! Looking back, it’s unbelievable how we were able to pull off what seemed to be an impossible task – crafting an event that turned out to be bigger and better than what any of us in the team imagined. We made history on that night of January 29 and I’m more than proud to be part of that! Truly, Ecosoc never stops. There is almost never a day that we’re not busy working on events and projects, especially in Acad, which is why I would like to commend all of my fab mems and apps for being such an amazing group of people! Congrats to the Book-A-Likes, Tutorials, RD, ACDC and Acad Provisions Teams for your successful projects. Finally, thank you and congrats to the best VCs ever, Rose, Louis, and Allen! FAVORITE ECOSOC MEMORY: Organizing The Rundown 2016

CA R LO S JAC I N TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A happy Ecosoc Month to us all! This month, I’d like to thank everybody who volunteered in this year’s Service Project! Thanks to you, we were able to brighten up the days of 104 kids! Thank you to my wonderful committee for making the event possible, and special thanks goes to my directors Angel, Jose, Ryan, and Sylina! Shoutout as well to my bibbo CDC apps! You’re all doing great! Special shoutout as well to Benju, for being first runner up in this year’s GT! You should be really proud of yourself, and the same goes for all of you in CDC! You know, ever since my introverted app days, I’ve been searching for an avenue of expression in Ecosoc. I wanted to find an outlet that meant gaining confidence in myself. Now, as an introverted execommer, I have to say, year after year, I’ve been in awe of how Litnight can be that avenue of expression, not only for me, but for members and apps alike. Litnight’s always been my favorite event, and one that holds some of my most memorable Ecosoc memories. FAVORITE ECOSOC EVENT: Litnight

C O M M I T T E E

N E W S

S E L E N A YA O ECHOES Hello Ecosoc! HAPPY ECOSOC MONTH! The org just turned 58 and holy shit that’s old. I’d like to thank Ecosoc for giving life to my college years. It’s been a constant source of great memories and fun times. I can say with certainty that I found family in this organization, especially in my committee, Echoes. It’s difficult to put into words how great the people are. Dear Echoes, thank you for making this issue complete. I owe you so much and I heart you guys! Congratulations to the entire EM team (especially the Ec-HOES who are part of it) for the successful celebration, and to Spechoes’ superstar Justin Villas for winning the GT crown! Though I’m still on that EM high, it’s time to move on to other things, such as: the gig on November 11 at Mow’s! Make sure you swing by; it’s going to be eargasmic. The gig fills the hole in my heart that exists because Roots isn’t happening this semester. LOL. I’ll #NeverForget the first one we organized in 2014. It’ll always be my favorite Ecosoc memory. <3 Hehe. Happy Ecosoc Month! FAVORITE ECOSOC MEMORY: Ecosoc’s first Roots (2014)

CHESCA ALBA EXTERNAL AFFAIRS September has always been a special month for me. As a kid, I would always look forward to it because it marked the beginning of Christmas. Ecosoc, however, gave it a whole new meaning. For Ecosocers, September signals the start of Ecosoc Month—a celebration of all that this organization has achieved. National Economics Summit, an EM event and undoubtedly my favorite Ecosoc event, has always been close to my heart. It was the first event I organized as an applicant, and is ultimately the reason I fell in love with Externals and Ecosoc. Just a couple of weeks ago, we concluded NES 2016! Shoutout to my BOD: thank you for the sleepless nights and hardwork! thank you to my VC’s for taking care of Externals while simultaneously working on NES. Jetoms, you were the prettiest Sandara Ecosoc has ever seen! To Externals, it was very heartwarming to see all of you step-up during this very busy month! Thank you so much for the hardwork and love! Y’all exceeded my expectations. <3 On to greater things! Happy Ecosoc Month, everyone! FAVORITE ECOSOC EVENT: National Economics Summit

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

N I K U O TA I FINANCE Food has stirred and provoked each of our senses making it an undeniably big part of our lives. That’s why there’s Foodgasm — the ultimate food trip experience, an avenue for up and coming food businesses, chefs, and foodies to celebrate our love for FOOD, and also my favorite Ecosoc event. Foodgasm has grown bigger over the years, reaching its peak last year. This year we plan to bring it to even greater heights! Expect new and exciting PR initiatives, 3 sets of food businesses, and a bigger and better Foodgasm (#ClaimingIt) as we bring you Foodgasm Goes 2 Maginhawa on October 15, 2016! This would not be possible without the hardworking and bibo Foodgasm Team! Shout out to my co-chair, Lean; our BOD, Aina, Erin, Jericho, Kristine, Lino, Nica, Rizel, and Theresa; and last but not the least, our officers and interns! It’s exactly 10 days before Foodgasm. Let’s all pray for a good weather. Hoping for your continuous support, Ecosoc! #Foodgasm2016 FAVORITE ECOSOC EVENT: Foodgasm

L E A N C A C AT I A N LIAISON Hi Ecosocers! My favourite Ecosoc memory is when I passed the application process. We had an Econ 11 exam during that day. Immediately after the exam, my batchmates and I went to the tambayan to see if whether we passed or not the Ecosoc application process since it was supposed to be posted 6pm during that same day. When I saw my name… joy overflowed through my veins. I said to myself that it was worth it. Ecosoc is worth it. Shout outs: To my Liaison family, you guys are the best! To Fatima, Ann, and Harriet, thank you for making EM Launch x RELIV a success! To JCL (especially Benju), you guys made this Grand Tradition all worth it! I really had fun. Thank you so much! To my Foodgasm BOD and Team, few more weeks left! Let’s make this dream into a reality! #BestFoodgasmEver #EcosocNeverStops :)

FAVORITE ECOSOC MEMORY: Passing the application process

C O M M I T T E E

N E W S

ALFONSO ROCES MEMBERSHIP My favorite Ecosoc memory would be all of the Grand Traditions. Not only is the event entertaining, but it is a chance for all the members to bond and get to know each other better through fun and friendly competition. It’s also a good way to introduce Ecosoc to the apps, that our organization is more than just work. I would like to say it was an honor to head my last GT ever and I am very grateful to our Ecosoc members for giving it all in making the presentations of such high quality. It’s truly an event I will miss. Thank you so much to my Membership Committee for all the work - with the prod work, the program, the finances, everything! So glad to have you guys. :)

FAVORITE ECOSOC EVENT: Grand Tradition

NIKA ESPIRITU SECRETARIAT Hi Ecosoc! One of my favorite Ecosoc memories was probably when the Creatives 57B team released the first sigsheet, and the first creatives project I headed: the Lego Apps Sigsheet. It’s special to me because prior to being Creatives VC for 57B, I had completely no knowledge of working with Illustrator. The Lego theme proved to be difficult to work with because why Lego my god it’s so ugly. Making the sigsheet was really a lot of work for someone like me who had 2 months of experience working with video tutorials, but that’s what you call #determination chos. It was truly a labor of love. Throwback to the 57B Creatives Team! :) Shoutout to the ever so solid VCs (Pat, Rella, and Alyssa), our members, and the newest addition to our family: Gail, Belle, Shai, Ivanna, Kerr, and Dave. <3

FAVORITE ECOSOC MEMORY: Making the Lego 57 sigsheet

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

F AT I M A D E PA N O SPECIAL EVENTS Hey Ecosoc! How are you guys? I hope you guys are still on that EM high! My favorite Ecosoc memory would have to be my first ever LIV, where I was a Programs Intern. It’s my favorite not only was it my first time to experience going to an open party, but because it was my first time to witness how great Ecosoc is. If you who don’t know, LIV 55 wasn’t supposed to push through because there was a storm that week, but the team believed in miracles and didn’t cancel hoping it would stop for the event. Unfortunately, it didn’t. At around 6PM, it was practically 10-20% visibility in BGC. The Chairs were so close to postponing, but good thing they didn’t. It was the rain that made LIV such a great event. The midnight reveal was perfect: paint, foam, booze, music and rain – imagine that! It made me realize that not even a freaking storm can stop this org. To my Spevies, thanks for always having my back. You guys are the TRUE MVP’s of GT 2016 (with Echoes). ILY all very much. :) Hugs and squishies, Fati. FAVORITE ECOSOC MEMORY: LIV 55

BENJIE GANA SPORTS Happy Ecosoc Month! My favorite Ecosoc event is Members Bersus Applicants. My first MBA was when I was an applicant when we were only 30 in the app batch. It was a struggle for me because I had to participate in all the sports, but in the end I had a lot of fun. The MBA’s I attended as a member and sports chairperson was not as tiring but just as enjoyable because I was able to interact with members from different committees. I hope MBA would be further improved and continued even in the future. Sports recently had its first workshop and it was huge success! I would like to thank alumnus Timmy Jacob for once again being the instructor and I want to especially thank my VC Dianne Sibayan and her team for making it all possible. As always, our Jogger’s club has started this September and I hope to see even more members and apps join! There is a lot in store for Ecosoc in October! We will be having the biggest Sports tournament and our main event, Ecosoc Cup. Another workshop will be held also, so watch out for that! FAVORITE ECOSOC EVENT: Members Bersus Applicants

CHEERS TO SERVICE, EXCEL TRADITI ON.

YEARS OF LLENCE AND

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

THE SMALL BANG by Kenneth Reyes

The sprawling Society we know today began almost as an afterthought. IT MIGHT COME AS A SHOCK FOR MOST TO learn that September is not actually Ecosoc’s anniversary month. Or at least, we can’t be sure. Godofredo Bamba himself isn’t sure, and as you will learn in the article on Grand Tradition’s beginning, September was chosen as Ecosoc Month for convenience’s sake. The origins of the U.P. Economics Society is shrouded inuncertainty. Few documents from the Society’s pre-history exist, and those involved in its creation over fifty years ago have, understandably, forgotten the precise details. Who was the student who first pushed for its founding? Who chose the name? What conversations did the earliest members have with each other? Nevertheless, we can piece together this much from the facts we do know: The year is 1958. The College of Business Administration building did not yet exist, and its students took their classes in the Liberal Arts building (presently Palma Hall). There was no School of Economics either, and the subject of economics was merely a minor within the Business Administration undergraduate degree. Among the CBA-based organizations of the day were the Business Guild, the Pan Xenia Fraternity, and the Phi Chi Theta Sorority. During the first semester of the academic year 1958-1959, a group of CBA seniors realized that no organization existed that focused on the

subject of economics, so they moved for the creation of one—an act strongly sup- ported by the director of the Institute of Economic Development and Research, Dr. Amado Castro. Thus, with little fanfare and with no inkling of the fateful act they had just committed, a group of college seniors formed the U.P. Economics Society. Their first adviser was Dr. Castro, who called for an elec tion of officers. The Society’s charter members gathered in a classroom in the L.A. building one afternoon for this historic affair (though it would be unsurprising if they viewed this as a chore at that time). Among those nominated was a 21-year-old transferee named Godof-redo Bamba, who, as you may have read from an earlier Echoes article, was an excelling student hailing from Caloocan. The elections, like everything else, were informal; a show of hands determined the First Execomm, where Godofredo closely defeated rival candidate Nick Poblador to bag the presidency. Teresita de Guzman won as his vice-president, and Amelia Abello, Alice Sandoval, and Genaro Ciriaco were elected as secretary, treasurer, and public relations officer, respectively. Of these five, only Alice is known to be deceased, a tragic victim of the 1990 Baguio City earthquake. Ecosoc had no committees then, and most of the members were seniors who were busy preparing for their graduation.

TERESITA DE GUZMAN FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT

GENARO CIRIACO FIRST PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

CAROLINA GOZON CHARTER MEMBER

MILAGROS FUENTES CHARTER MEMBER

MA. TERESITA GUEVARA CHARTER MEMBER

E C H O E S

GODOFREDO BAMBA FIRST PRESIDENT

we can be pretty sure that 1958 is our birth year based on two clues. Firstly, Godo¬fredo Bamba graduated on 1959, and his yearbook page credits him and his batchmates as ‘charter members.’ This puts the Society’s birth within the 1958-1959 academic year. Second, the first event of the Society, the convocation with Hon. Osmefia, occured on January 22, 1959. Since it is highly doubtful the members managed to found the Society and organize a convocation in 22 days, Ecosoc must have been founded in the previous year. This was the Society at

2 0 1 6

being that their ‘outing’ was only to the resort next door. The seniors graduated on 1959, which leaves the transition of officers a bit unclear. It appears Godofredo and his co-Execommers served from the first semester to the second semester of the same school year, unlike today where our officers start in the second semester and end on the first semester of the next school year. All these are relayed here without dates, for the simple reason that no one remembers them. But though we can’t be sure of our anniversary month,

S E P T E M B E R

Consequently, the Society only organized one event: a convocation of congressman Sergio Osmefia, Jr. held in the LA Theater on. January 22, 1959 at in the morning. P.R.O. Genaro Ciriaco served as the master of ceremonies. After the program, the Ecosoc members had a luncheon with the congressman at the U.P. Canteen, a spacious nippa structure where the nowdefunct University Prom was usually held. Camaraderie was present even in those early times as members would often kid that they should embark on an outing at Balara, the joke

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

its infancy: no constitution, no CDC, no publication, no tambayan, no song, no thrusts. It was made not for some grand ideological aspiration, but merely to fill a void, and it was no doubt founded with low expectations. In filet, as you read further to the other articles, you will notice that low expectations is a recurring theme in the creation of Ecosoc’s most enduring franchises. The pioneers this issue pays tribute to were just trying to fill a void, or supplying a need. The Big Bang started the universe, but a small bang started Ecosoc. Nevertheless, the whisper of our origins is a never-ending crescendo that continuously echoes through the years. Perhaps now we can believe that genius, indeed, can be found even in the Nina Hest things.

I S S U E

When Kenneth Reyes approached me to write a short message to you wonderful people, I could not help but feel humbled and endlessly thankful for the privilege, for in truth I am just a regular alumnus, with no significant achievement, intellectually or otherwise, and now a plain citizen who no longer works. That unforgettable episode of having been elected the first president of the association makes it my singular honor and weighs heavily in my heart far above and beyond those obtained elsewhere. That’s how I value my alma mater and that’s how much I love you people. School year 1958-1959 is a lost time, forever gone to the dust bin of history, a time when most of you were not yet born, when the minimum wage was a measly P120 a month, when—oh you will envy this—one ikot fare around the campus cost only P0.05 and the bus fare to Quiapo via JD Bus was only P0.15, and at the then-Little Quiapo, an isolated off-road eatery row, a lunch of unlimited rice with soup and two viands and a banana for des¬sert cost only P0.70. At the time, the College of Business Administration was yet homeless—a squatter at the third floor of what was then the LA, now AS, Building. The members of the class, almost all active in campus affairs, fraternities and sororities, felt the need for that important sector of Economics to have its own organization, and thus founded and established the UP Economics Society under the advisory of our venerable professor Dr. Amado Castro. From that simple beginning, crude and still groping in the dark as any beginning organization experiences, with subdued fun-fare and devoid of media exposure, that seed we planted has germinated and matured into this strong, well-knit organization it is today. UP is providing you with the essential tools and knowledge by which to set order in the turbulent chaos confronting you. Later, with a sad heart, as you leave the hallowed halls to face the dark cobwebs and treacherous quick sands along the way, just bear in mind that mastering adversity is not just facing the enemy and pulling the trigger; it is also doing negligible things, those littlest of actions, in righting what is wrong, with compassion in your heart.

GODOFREDO CORTES BAMBA, JR. SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 This article was published in the September 2011 issue of Echoes. Kenneth Reyes was the Editor-in-Chief from 20102011. As for Godofredo Bamba, he is now retired and resides at his home in Marikina City with his family.

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

ECOSOC BY THE NUMBERS by MAXINE CAPILI

7,000

89.5%

Record-breaking foot traffic at Foodgasm Goes to Maginhawa in 2015.

Years since Ecosoc gained independence from the College of Business Administration.

of the current SESC is comprised of Ecosocers. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 17 out of 19 councilors.

111

1977

Applicants in 1988. In comparison, there were around 170 members that year.

Pesos is what members would pay in 2005 to get a one-liner message published in Echoes.

The year CDC was created.

LIV Roman numerals for the number 54 and the name of Ecosocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first paint party back in 2012 to celebrate the orgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 54th anniversary.

E C H O E S |

N90

S E P T E M B E R

The Nokia phone model which served as the grand prize of a Task Force raffle back in October 2006.

2 0 1 6

1,323

Estimated number of Ecosoc alumni.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

KICKING OFF THE MOST WONDERFUL MONTH OF THE YEAR by CHINO VITRIOLO

SEPTEMBER HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE MOST AWAITED MONTH FOR ALL ECOSOCERS BECAUSE OF THE VIBRANT COLORS ECOSOC MONTH BRINGS. With an amazing line-up of events each year, Ecosoc Month gets better and better every time. It is only right then to welcome September with an equally stunning Ecosoc Month Launch that truly describes the colorful events ahead. September 3, 2016 marked the official launch of Ecosoc Month. This internal event catered to both resident members and alumni alike, as it also served as the alumni homecoming of the organization, which over the course of its 58 years has seen more than 1,000 alumni. The Ecosoc Month team brought life to the launch night, creating a pleasant yet vibrant atmosphere by turning the garden of the UP Executive House into a semi-formal gala filled with intricate details,

E C H O E S |

the members whose baby pictures were flashed on screen. The program ended with a speech from the Ecosoc Month Chairperson Cha Surdarlingam and a final toast with the members old and new. A same-day video edit produced by Jeremy Gemzontan was also shown to recap the happenings of the night. The dance floor was then opened to Ecosocers as they danced the night away and/or created memories at the photobooth. This Launch truly welcomed September as the month for Ecosocers!

2 0 1 6

Afterwards, Ecosoc 54 President Cocoy Vargas was invited to the stage to share his own experience as the first Ecosoc Month chair. After all, it was during his term that the organization’s main Ad Hoc event — then just a party — became a package of staple events branded as “Ecosoc Month”, including the first LIV. Through his sharing of the EM history, new members were able to put into context the importance of Ecosoc Month and how, from its conception, it got to where it is today. The events of the Ecosoc Month were also shown on screen to hype up by Ecosocers for the month ahead. Members did not disappoint in showing their enthusiasm and energy for the events to come. Members of each batch then participated in a game, wherein they had to guess

S E P T E M B E R

such as the tables with sweet treats, an Ecosoc Month stage and the Gallery, a photobooth, and of course, sets filled with Ecosoc Month colors. The dress code was strictly no black or white to represent the colors and feel of the colorful launch of the UP Ecosoc Month. The program was hosted by sophomores Benju Evardone and Karla Tuplano, who gleefully pleased the Ecosoc crowd with their wit and antics. As dinner commenced, the Ecosoc community was entertained by musical performances, including a song number by sophomore Benju Evardone, a jazz ensemble from junior Emil Apostol, and a memorable lyric game from the host himself, Jolo Zagala. Ecosoc members and alumni were treated to a hearty dinner and sweet cookies and mallows provided by the EM team.

>> Chino Vitriolo, the resident tito of Echoes, is currently scourging the desert for an oasis in the hopes of ending his drought.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

The fabulous set-up.

Ecosocers came in their best attire for the launch of Ecosoc Month.

E C H O E S | S E P T E M B E R

Madame President Cha Surdarlingam delivering her closing remarks.

2 0 1 6

Top to bottom: #8 posing with the Launch letters. Ecosoc juniors performing for the crowd. Some of Ecosocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most active members enjoying the night. 23

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

G R A N D C A R AVA N A T T H E T O Y L I B R A R Y by ANGEL GANDO STARTING THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2016-2017, THE UP ECONOMICS SOCIETY CONTINUED TO LIVE UP TO ITS CAUSE-ORIENTED ENDEAVORS. Aside from the usual ACDC services held at Pook Ricarte, the Community Development Committee continued to dedicate their time and efforts to helping the society through its Service Project. Last September 10, 2016, in partnership with Philippine Toy Library, the UP Ecosoc visited their compound at Payatas, Quezon City. The members together with applicants, spent a heartwarming day with over 100 sweet and adorable kids.

Revolving around the theme of financial literacy, the Service Project aims to inform and teach the kids the importance of saving money at a young age. They were all divided into 10 groups. Hosted by the energetic Marte Caronoñgan and Ann Geron, they get to know each other in the first activity of the day, a storytelling of “The Ant and the Grasshopper”. All the members and the applicants had fun as they impart their talents with the kids. Kids and Ecosocers happily bonded as they played “Bahay”, “Baboy”, “Bagyo” and Hep Hep Hooray. Giggles and laughter filled the entire venue. The next part of the program was the painting of the piggybanks. These recycled p i g g y b a n k s were made out of 1.5L bottles, newspapers dip into mixtures of flour and water, sealed with love of the members and applicants of Ecosoc. The kids painted them and showed their creativity as they mix and played with colors. They enjoyed making their own piggybanks as they chat along with their ates and kuyas regarding on what will they

E C H O E S |

kids’ mischief, everyone had fun. It was a very fulfilling for everybody. We didn’t only impart the importance of saving but we also gave a part of ourselves with the kids and learned from their experiences. This interaction showed the true purpose of Ecosoc. It is not everyday that we are given this chance to change lives through these simple activities but every moment will surely be treasured and cherished.

2 0 1 6

time. Kids enjoyed “palabok” served by Ecosoc. As the program ended, our very own CDC Chairperson, Carlos Jacinto delivered his closing remarks; he thanked everyone for sharing their time and efforts to make the event possible. Lootbags filled with food and school supplies were also given to the kids. You can see their genuine happiness as they exited the venue bringing their own piggybanks on one hand and lootbag on the other as they bid their ates and kuyas goodbye. Overall, it was a very successful event despite the very hot weather together with

S E P T E M B E R

save up for. They shared that they will be saving for clothes and toys, some for their own house and many more. A few of them were so excited they’ve started putting coins in their piggy bank while decorating it. It is great to hear of their goals and aspirations. The kids were definitely artistic. Some had colorful stripes decorating their bottles, others had their favorite colors. Many had animals and flowers, each showing their own diverse personalities. What happened after the piggybank painting was everyone’s favorite, eating

>> Angel Gando can kick your ass with her Taekwndo skills.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

Kids from Payatas, all smiles from the morningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event.

Some of the finished products from the piggy bank-making activity.

The kids painting their piggy banks after learning about the importance of saving money.

E C H O E S | S E P T E M B E R

Everyone who made Grand Caravan a success this year. CDC Chair Carlos Jacinto delivering his speech.

2 0 1 6

Caravan volunteers and their kids enjoying the activityies.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

GRAND TRADITION 2016 SEARCHES FOR THE NEW MISS UNIVERSE by PAUL RONDARIO ALL THE GLITZ. ALL THE GLAMOUR. THE RUNWAY IS SET. THE CROWN CALLS FOR A NEW VICTOR. The annual celebration, Grand Tradition, is one of the UP Economics Society’s Memership Committees’ bombshells for the month of September (as part of the UP Ecosoc Month). Held on September 23, it was gathering of the most beautiful people in world, all witnesses to the birth of a new queen. The theme of this year’s Grand Trad was “Miss Universe”, the ultimate title befitting the future queen. 5 candidates from all over the globe were chosen to represent their home nations: Maria Sharapova of Russia (Paulo Soller - Fin/Cha), Liza Soberano of the Philippines ( Justin Villas - Special Events/Echoes), Candice Swanepoel of South Africa (Miggy Parinas - Acads/Sports), Sandara Park of South Korea ( Jeremiah Tomas - Externals/Secretariat), and Kim

Kardashian of the United States of America (Benju Evardone - Community Development/ Liaison/JJ). Which of them dazzled the crowd?

E C H O E S

The humble hall that is the SE Audi has been transformed countless times through the years. Last year’s Grand Tradition recalled the fantastical nature of Disney’s creation and accentuated the magical essence of the night. This year, however, summoned the fierce, competitive aura all to set up the stage for the battle of beauty that took place. The event was hosted by Marte Caronongan, whose flashy attire and calm demeanor complemented that of the returning President of Ecosoc, Lorenzo Canaria. This dynamic duo powered through the stage as the event heated up. Event participants were also preparing for the big showdown between the five teams, each with their own unique style to showcase the countries they represent.

| S E P T E M B E R

After that, teams battled it out on the stage, showcasing their countries’ special flavor through song, dance, and acting. The battle was heated (may kasamang pandesal), and the competition was intense. Everyone was exhausted by the end of the night. The votes were tallied, and the crown claimed its owner. Miss Russia, Paolo Soller, got the highest scoring introduction video while Miss Korea, Jeremiah Tomas, claimed the People’s Choice Award.

2 0 1 6

The first part was the runway portion. Each contestant had to flaunt themselves along the runway before introducing themselves to the people. Russia’s candidate was modest, Philippines’ was reminiscent of the past, South Africa was a vision from head to toe, South Korea’s revealed plenty of personality and USA lived up to it’s name. Miss South Africa, Miggy Pariñas, won Best National Costume and was the 2nd RunnerUp while Miss USA Benju Evardone won 1st Runner-Up. Miss Philippines Justin Villas won Best in Talent and the title of “Miss Universe” and was named Ms. Grand Tradition 2016. This event was one of the highlights of the UP Ecosoc Month, brought to us by the Membership Committee, headed by Poncho Roces. It was a spectacle of September which was definitely worth remembering.

>> Paul Rondario has the deepest voice in Ecosoc — yes, it’s even deeper than Ken Recasata’s.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

T H E C O N T E S TA N T S O F GRAND TRADITION 2016: NAME: Justin Villas ALSO KNOWN AS: Liza Soberano TEAM: Special Events + Echoes REPRESENTING: The Philippines WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT GRAND TRAD: “I never planned on becoming the representative, but it was well worth it in the end.”

NAME: Benju Evardone ALSO KNOWN AS: Kim Kardashian TEAM: CDC + Liaison + JJ REPRESENTING: USA WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT GRAND TRAD: “Fabulous.”

NAME: Miggy Pariñas ALSO KNOWN AS: Candice Swanepoel TEAM: Academic Affairs + Sports REPRESENTING: South Africa WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT GRAND TRAD: “GT gave me the chance to bond with the two best committees in Ecosoc despite everyone’s busy sched.” E C H O E S |

NAME: Paulo Soller ALSO KNOWN AS: Maria Sharapova TEAM: Finance + Cha REPRESENTING: Russia

S E P T E M B E R

WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT GRAND TRAD: “Unexpected and definitely unforgettable.”

2 0 1 6

NAME: Jeremiah Tomas ALSO KNOWN AS: Sandara Park TEAM: External Affairs + Secretariat REPRESENTING: South Korea WHAT HE HAS TO SAY ABOUT GRAND TRAD: “Siguro I’ve come to realize that my GT experience is an epitome of how I would want to live my life, that no one can stop me from doing the craziest things for the stuff I’m most passionate about.”

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

Justin Villas as Ms. Liza Soberano of the Philippines, foretelling his/her future win.

Left to right: Benju Evardone as Kim Kardashian representing the United States of America. Paulo Soller as Maria Sharapova representing Russia.

E C H O E S |

Clockwise from top to bottom: The contestants and the hosts after the crowning. Miggy PariĂąas as Candice Swanepoel representing South Africa. Jeremiah Tomas as Sandara Park representing Korea.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 33

THE

EMPRESS P h o t o s b y M AYA PA R AG U YA Wo r d s b y K AT I E A B R E N I C A

“I’M SUCH A BORING PERSON!” claims this year’s Ecosoc Month co-chairperson. However, with a killer smize, an excellent eye for design, and a love for food – no one has set herself apart from others more than Ana Buban herself. This year, Ana was once again at the center of Ecosoc’s activity, this time as the Ecosoc Month 58 co-chairperson. Taking everything she has learned from her Ecosoc journey in her fourth and final Ecosoc Month, she successfully lead the EM 58 organizing body together with chairperson Cha Surdarlingam and co-chairperson Raffy Arcilla. Luckily enough, I was able to have a chat with her in the midst of a very busy Ecosoc Month where I learned about all sorts of things – read on to find out! 35

ON HER ECOSOC JOURNEY “I want to become an Outstanding Applicant.” This is what Ana told her final interviewer during her application process. True enough, that’s exactly what happened – from designing the props for Grand Trad, working for Foodgasm, and of course, interning for her very first Ecosoc Month, Ana’s Ecosoc journey kicked off with a bang. After officially being inducted as a member of Ecosoc, the work did not stop for Ana. How could it? The girl was overflowing with potential from the very beginning. Although she’s been a loyal member of the Finance committee, Ana’s taken up many positions for the organization’s ad hoc committees. Her first ad hoc stint was for Roots 2013, where she served as a creatives officer. She then went on to become the assistant director for creatives in Ecosoc Month 56, followed by being one of the vice chairpersons of the Finance Committee 57A, and then took on the role of Ecosoc Month 57 creatives director after that. Last semester, she simultaneously served as creatives director for The Rundown 2016 and Sunika MNL. This year, Ana is the Ecosoc Month 58 co-chairperson that we celebrate on the cover. You can see how Ana’s bloomed from a follower to a leader, taking all that she’s learned from her past directors and applying it to the teams she’s handled. Having worked under Ana in the past for Rundown 2016, I’d say that Ana is a strong leader. She is a leader whose vision is as solid as her execution, and her ability to support her officers under any circumstances is admirable. Now take all of that, packaged under a sweet personality, and you’ve got yourself a force to be reckoned with. At the end of the day, Ana says that the organization gives her a purpose aside from academics and graduating. Ecosoc gives Ana her well-deserved sense of fulfillment.

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

ON PUBLICITY AND CREATIVES

ON ECOSOC MONTH

When it comes to publicity and creatives work, you’d definitely want Ana on your team. Would you have guessed that she did not even know much about creatives work before she got into college? According to her, her affair with creatives started way back with Foodgasm in 2013, when she was made to help with the creatives aspect of the event, which she enjoyed doing. However, Ana made a name for herself when she became the assistant director for creatives of Ecosoc Month 56. “This was when I realized that people thought that I was going to take the creatives track, so I really embraced that.” However, despite her undebatable skill, Ana still claims to be selfconscious when it comes to releasing publicity materials. “Pub is scary! Don’t you get scared of what people think?” Ana says that there are a lot of difficulties when it comes to creatives, such as the need to keep brainstorming new ideas, staying original, keeping up with various design trends, and so on. But even then, Ana continues to produce some of the most eye-catching publicity materials and elevating the visuals of every event she works for.

For Ana, the best thing about Ecosoc Month is the people that you get to work with, since you really only have each other. Ana says that her favorite Ecosoc Month was EM 57, since she was working with a lot of happy people, which made it a rejuvenating experience. Moreover, she says that there’s also a feeling of accomplishing something bigger than yourself when it comes to working for Ecosoc Month. “That’s what amazes me about Ecosoc in general. The events we come up with are bigger than we expect. I love seeing ideas get fulfilled. It thrills my heart.” Of course, working for Ecosoc Month comes with a lot of stress. Stress is inevitable when you have to ensure the smooth flow of many events, all happening in the month of September. But according to Ana, stress means that everyone’s working really hard – that’s how you know that you’re really doing something grand. At some point, you stop thinking about the stress, and just notice that people are happy. So how exactly did Ana get her stint as this year’s Ecosoc Month co-chairperson? “I’ve been EM since first year, I know EM inside and out. I was the first person on Cha’s mind to be EM co-chairperson. Sabi lang sa akin ni Cha, ‘O, ikaw na co-chair ko, ah.’ So pumayag ako. Si Raffy yung medyo niligawan pa ni Cha.” When it comes to the difference of being a director to being the co-chairperson of the monthlong celebration, Ana says that as co-chairperson, you get to see everything. A few responsibilities Ana had to undertake this year include being made in charge of getting updates, solving problems, and making major decisions. When before she could get away with not minding the other departments’ business so much, this year’s Ecosoc Month put her in charge of the advertising and creatives, public relations and corporate partnerships departments. Although she wasn’t too literate with the other departments outside of advertising and creatives, Ana still says she had fun doing it. Ana admits that she faced some difficulties as the co-chairperson of Ecosoc Month 58, especially when it comes to dealing with people and keeping the team motivated for an entire month. “At some point,” she says, “people start losing their energy.” When I asked Ana what she thinks should be done for future Ecosoc Months, she says that maybe a revamp is in order. “We need to make people fall in love with Ecosoc Month again.”

“WE NEED TO MAKE PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE WITH ECOSOC MONTH AGAIN.”

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

“I LIVE FOR MY FUTURE. “I LIVE FOR THAT MY FUTURE. THE FUTURE I TH E FUTURE THAT I IMAGINE IMAGINE EVERY DAY. EVERY DAY. I LIVE TO FIND MY I DREAM.” LIVE TO FIND MY DREAM.”

E C H O E S

S E P T E M B E R

2 0 1 6

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

LIV BY THE HOUR by THIRDY SANTOS LIV WAS A REAL FUN NIGHT LAST OCTOBER 1ST. If you remember it. Yup, if you were there and you are reading this article, half of you probably don’t have the slightest idea what happened and more importantly, how you got home. Even if you don’t remember, I hope you guys still had fun one way or another! HAHA. I thought I was the only one, but a lot of other people also wondered the same thing: What made this year particularly rowdier than the previous LIVs? Is it because of the amount of alcohol that was present? Or was it that Ecosocers generally just had a YOLO mentality for one night and for a few hours most people chose to be part of #EcWASAK (Zagala, 2016)? So let’s go through the party by the hour and hopefully this can help those who went to #RememberSeptember.

S E P T E M B E R

12 AM: For the midnight reveal, holi powder was blasted towards the crowd and the team used up its remaining confetti and let the crowd enjoy the music and the remaining effects. The last few gallons of foam were sprayed to let the crowd enjoy even more and when all these effects were used up, spraying them with water from a power cleaner was enough for them. HAHA.

2 0 1 6

10 PM: The first reveal began. Paint was first sprayed at the crowd followed by a solid three minutes of being sprayed with water from an actual fire truck! The foam was still on and the crowd still loved it. After the first reveal, DJ Travis Monsod was up next. His set was a solid 50 minutes of pure fire accompanied by his exceptional hypeman. The foam stopped, but since the crowd got bigger and more into the party, beach balls were thrown to the crowd and it was being thrown around for a while. (At this point a lot of people were starting to get really wasted. HAHA.)

11 PM: Second reveal. The crowd went crazy when the confetti blizzard went off. Two whole minutes of confetti going around the party grounds and the view from the front was simply amazing. Marc Marasigan was up next. His set was nothing less than spectacular, and as expected, he put up a great show and the crowd absolutely loved him. (At this point, I’m pretty sure the amount of drunk people doubled from the last hour HAHA.)

9 PM: DJ Rico Arce started out his set with a simple song to warm the crowd up and Ecosoc’s homegrown hypeman, MR. JOLO “SPEAKEASY” ZAGALA, introduced him to the crowd and got them starting their party game. The foam canons started spraying and the crowd started to move forward nearer to the stage. The party has officially started.

E C H O E S

8 PM: Doors opened exactly at 8 pm. The first thirty minutes were nonchalant and the LIV team was still relaxed yet anticipating the crazy night that was about to unfold. The giant beer pong was all set, the drinks all set to be distributed, the lights and sounds perfectly placed to illuminate the whole party grounds, and the beautiful backdrop video (shout out to my man, Jem for making them!) displaying the Ecosoc Month logo all ready. Around 8:30 more people started coming in and slowly the venue started to fill with different party goers, both Ecosocers and non-Ecosocers alike.

1 AM – 3 AM: EGRESS WAS WILD. A lot of people puking, a bunch of people passed out, drunk Ecosocers and non-Ecosocers roaming around Megatent as if they were zombies. For those who got drunk during LIV, SOLID KAYO. For those who didn’t, SOLID DIN KAYO. Thank you all so much for going and we hope you enjoyed!

>> Thirdy Santos loves watching LIV goers go HAM from the hours of 12 AM to 3 AM.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

Confetti party. Apps getting a taste of how awesome Ecosoc is.

As the EDM song goes: Put your fucking hands up. 46

E C H O E S | S E P T E M B E R

The calm before the storm.

Better than a bubble bath.

2 0 1 6

Ecosoc seniors enjoy their fourth consecutive LIV together.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

EM GALLERIES THROUGH THE YEARS by FAU MANZANILLA

The Ecosoc Month Gallery is just one of the many things people look forward to as soon as Ecosoc Month #RememberSeptember approaches. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice about the concept of a gallery is how it could serve as a glimpse of what is yet to come, but at the same time is a reminder of how wonderful the past Ecosoc Months have been. Feels nostalgic, right? Here is the EM gallery over the years to give you even more of that nostalgia!

EM 55 GALLERY (2013)

EM 57 GALLERY (2015)

The one consistent thing about EM galleries is its colorful theme. Ecosoc gives color to our lives in every opportunity and challenge it presents, motivating us to do things beyond what we think we can do.

EM 58 GALLERY (2016) This year’s gallery continues the colorful theme from the past galleries, but elevates it to a whole new level with a fresh perspective. According to Nika Espiritu, the EM team used paint splashes instead of geometric triangles this year to reflect the dynamic movement of paint during LIV, and at the same time represent how our members give a splash of color to this month.

Did you know that the gallery team really used physics to create the one for this year? The blend of dynamism and structure makes this EM gallery even more eyecatching. EE CC HH OO EE SS | | Ss Ee Pp Tt e E m M b B eE rR 22 00 11 66

The hexagonal shapes are inspired by honeycombs. According to theory, the hexagonal shape of honeycombs simply results from the process of individual bees putting cells together. Don’t you think it’s so much like every Ecosoc member contributing in more ways than one?

But beyond that, the Gallery team decided to pay homage to what Ecosoc Month has always been: sleek and structured.

In writing this article, I realized how the Ecosoc Month galleries are so much more than meets the eye. EM galleries have always looked beautiful because they carry our brand as an organization. But it’s not just their design that makes them beautiful, it’s what they represent. The gallery is more than just spreading the word out there that it is UP Ecosoc Month. EM galleries fully embrace what UP Ecosoc is all about—helping people find color and meaning to their lives through service, excellence, and tradition. Having said all that, I hope we always look forward to the next EM gallery just as much as we look forward to any other Ecosoc event!

>> Fau Manzanilla is an extreme morning person. She’d rather wake up early to study than stay up late at night. 49

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

N AT I O N A L E C O N O M I C S S U M M I T 2 0 1 6 : THE ECONOMICS OF MEDIA by Ly on Le u s “WE, THE DELEGATES OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMICS SUMMIT 2016, BELIEVE THAT MOBILIZING THE YOUTH FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF MEDIA USAGE WILL BE CRITICAL IN THE PHILIPPINES’ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.” That was the opening of the statement created by the delegates of this year’s National Economics Summit from the UP Economics Society, held last September 16-18 at the Sequoia Hotel. Tackling the Economics of Media, the Summit featured talks from veritable speakers coming from various areas in the media industry.

With around 170 delegates from different areas in the Philippines, the fifth iteration of the National Economics Summit had gargantuan shoes to fill, which they did very well. The three-day summit capped things off with a talk about Economics and the Communication Revolution by Dr. Alexander G. Flor from the Asian Congress for Media and

Communication. With an engaging clip from the Money Monster, the talk focused on how media influenced economics and vice versa. This was followed by dinner, and a series of icebreakers that introduced the delegates to the groups they’ll be working with for the next day. E C H O E S

After that, the delegates of the National Economics Summit split into groups to discuss what they have learned so far, as they tried to answer the central question: “What is the role of the youth in the improvement of the usage of media in the Philippines?” While simultaneously, some delegates participated in a video shoot where they were asked: “As an economics student, what can you personally do to ensure the proper use of media in society and the economy?” Delegates answered the question in numerous ways, such as verifying what they see and read in social media before spreading it, applying what they learned fundamentally in economics which is the power of choice – to weigh whether we should post things on social media or not, to stay vigilant in assessing what they see in social media.

| S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6

The next day featured more talks – Mr. John Nery, Editorin-Chief of Inquirer.net on the Challenges of Good Journalism in the Philippines, who talked about the threats he’d receive as part of the media; Dr. Luis Teodoro from the Center of Media Freedom and Responsibility on the Political Economy of Media who talked about his experiences as a prisoner during the Martial Law. After a quick lunch break, Ms. Beata Carolino, Vice Chairperson of the UP Diliman University Student Council, took the helm to talk about the Role of the Youth in Media and the Economy. This was followed by a quiz bee with prizes from the sponsors of the National Economics Summit, with questions coming from the previous talks. After that, Dr. Walter Yudelmo arrived to talk about Pornography and Violence in Philippine Media: Reflections and Implications in Economics. He went into detail about discrimination in tabloid headlines and their economic implications.

On the third day, Ms. Rebecca Lee, Senior Columnist of WhenInManila.com, gave a talk on How The Filipino Youth Could Maximize Social Media, followed by the presentation of the statement formulated by the delegates. In their statement, they called on the youth to “advocate media literacy, and engage in active social participation,” as well as “engage in discourse, utilize even non-mainstream media, participate in youth-initiated journalism and disseminate information creatively.” In the end, the delegates believed that in achieving meaningful media usage, they will cultivate an inclusive economy that serves the best interests of the Filipino people.

>> Lyon Leus is a rare member. Seriously, you can try finding him in Econ. You never will.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

E C H O E S | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Clockwise beginning from the top left on the opposite page: The NES organizing body. Editor-in-Chief of Inquirer.net John Nery kicks off the second day of the summit with a talk. NES IDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Day one registration featuring a very happy Martin Suarez. Luis Teodoro recounts his experiences as a member of the media during Martial Law. Carolina Beata giving a talk on the youthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in the media.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

T H AT E C O S O C T H I N G by ELEANOR TAN

“ALL RIGHT, I ADMIT IT. I DIDN’T REALLY GIVE MUCH THOUGHT TO WHY I AM JOINING ECOSOC. Some Ecosoc members invited me, they seemed nice enough, and so I went right ahead and applied. Now, I’m being asked to write an article about “that Ecosoc thing” - that special something the org has that attracts so many apps. Jeez, uh... what is it? Proximity? Popularity? Populousness?

productive, active organization. In the sigsheet Sinta wrote, “...you don’t just feel needed, you know you’re needed... part of the purpose.” This probably means that we are all asked to work our butts off (pardon the expression). But when you include your membership in Ecosoc in your resume, you will be confident that that entry means something. It won’t be some vague, meaningless reference to a fruitless association with some ineffectual organization.

Some apps join because they find all their blockmates there. As Hanzel put it, “Everybody’s in Ecosoc.” Or maybe Ecosoc actually has a lot of faculty support.

And it’s also impressive how Ecosoc manages to...uh...keep a finger stuck in every pie. Ecosoc is into everything! I mean, it isn’t just an academic org. People who want to sing can join the choir, the lawyering-inclined can debate, the writers have Echoes, the sporty ones have their outlet too. One could go on and on about the various committees and their activities, but that wouldn’t fit in this 750word essay. Point is, there seems to be a place for everybody here, so many venues to hone skills and let econ people enjoy what other stuff they love to do. Jeannie told me once that during their freshman orientation, when the School of Economics was called, practically no one cheered. The emcee joked, “Ah, nag-aaral siguro sila.” Well, I’d say Ecosoc shows that Econ people can be well balanced and well-rounded individuals. When you’re tired of your graphs and math and academic whatnot, ecosoc can give you the opportunities to explore and exercise other interests and gifts you may have.

Members might be thrilled to know that Ma’am Carlos (yep, the Ma’am Carlos) recommended Ecosoc to her 101 students last sem. “It’s a multi-awarded [organization],” she smiled wide-eyed at us. But seriously (and this is where you still reading and skip to the last paragraph), I’d say one of the most important reasons for Ecosoc’s being an app’s top choice is in its strong, go-getter attitude. Ecosoc is always up to something. The members are participating in competitions, organizing fundraisers, parties, and outreach activities. In spite of its rather large membership of more than 150, I still get the impression that everyone has something to do. It’s not just the execomm or the committee heads who feel they are part of a dynamic,

E C H O E S | 2 0 1 6

For those of you who did skip to these last paragraphs after reading the first two, you might be confused when you read my conclusion that I’m not really sure about everything I’ve written up there (the paragraphs that you skipped). After all, I am just an applicant as of yet, a shiftee who admittedly did not do serious contemplation on this matter of joining Ecosoc. I could be wrong about my Ecosoc impressions and expectations - (gulp!) Well, I hope I’m not. After the application process, perhaps when I myself am (hopefully) a member, I hope I’ll be vindicated about what I’ve written here. Then I’d be proud and happy to say that I had rightly judged Ecosoc. And I’d feel good knowing that I had written truthfully when I wrote all these good things regarding --that Ecosoc thing.”

S E P T E M B E R

But, most importantly, beyond org activities, underneath whatever pragmatic, utilitarian purposes one may have for joining Ecosoc, I’d say it really is the people, the Ecosoc people who are the deciding factor. I mean, if you can’t get along with your potential fellow org members, what’s the use? Well, Ecosoc people are very nice. They genuinely welcome their apps and help them along the (rather rigorous application process). It reassures us to know that we aren’t doing all these tasks merely for their amusement or to satisfy someone’s sadistic pleasure. We are actually getting a taste of what Ecosoc is all about. The ready smiles, the encouragement and the generally warm, relaxed (occasionally rowdy) atmosphere among the Ecosoc people make us apps feel that hey, this’ll all be good.

This article was published in the January 2001 issue of Echoes. Reading it 15 years later, the sentiment largely remains the same. Eleanor Tan graduated Magna Cum Laude from the School of Economics in 2002.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

MEETING THE SCHOLARS b y SELENA YAO, C H I TO B A L I ND O NG , RI O DAYAO, C ARLO A LB AY, LU I S J O S E

MANY TIMES THROUGHOUT OUR STAY IN ECOSOC, WE ARE TOLD THAT SCHOLARS LAY AT THE CORE OF THE ORGANIZATION. Unfortunately, this is often lost in the flurry of activity that never seems to end. If it’s been years since your final interview and you still remember the scholars’ names, then good for you. A lot forget after one semester. It’s hard to put the blame on Ecosocers though. With five out of the seven scholars studying outside UP, it has proven difficult to expect frequent interaction. Organizing bonding sessions with them every so often is an effort initiated by the Task Force and Community Development committees in order to address this. Still, one may argue that this is not enough. For those who may have forgotten, there is a greater purpose to serve by being in Ecosoc, and we want to remind you of what that is, or rather, who they are: our beloved scholars, the people at the heart of this organization. Here we feature the five whom we were lucky enough to sit down and have a chat with. Our only regret is that were unable to feature all seven of them due to unfortunate circumstances. We hope you take the time to get to know these very lovely and very real people a little better.

E C H O E S | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6

FUN FACT: Trisha almost became a Jehovah’s Witness. Then she moved houses, and going to service just became too difficult.

TRISHA MAE EDONGAN is a timid girl at first sight. But once you get to know her story, you will meet a quiet girl with a big heart. She is a sixteen-year-old girl who was born on July 13, 2000. Currently a Grade 10 student at Krus na Ligas High School, she became an Ecosoc scholar in August 2013 when she was in seventh grade. Trisha has a very inspiring story. The eldest among three siblings, it’s been over a decade since Trisha has lived with her parents back in Batangas. Because of financial challenges, she moved here to Manila and has been living with her grandmother ever since she was four. Unsurprisingly, her role model in life is her grandmother — a positive motivating force in her life, and the one who was there when everyone else wasn’t. She shares that her grandmother still works just to be able to support Trisha’s studies. When asked about her dream course, Trisha says that she has yet to think of one. But one thing is for sure: she wants to become successful someday. Trisha wants to build a house for her family so that they don’t have to live separately anymore. She also wants to be able to send her other siblings to school. Trisha firmly believes that everything in this world changes, and that eventually, she will be able to make a difference too. On a lighter note, when asked about her interests, Trisha said she loves Kathniel, taking selfies, doing make-up, and hanging out with her friends, especially on food escapades.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

Introducing ANGEL DERRICKVHEL “DERRICK” QUEJADA, one of Ecosoc’s newest scholars! Born on August 8, 1999, Derrick is a transferee from the Economics program of UP Baguio and is currently a sophomore taking up Business Economics here at UP Diliman. He hails from Subic, but goes home every weekend so he doesn’t get too homesick. Derrick considers himself close to his family, especially his mom, who imbibed in him resilience, optimism and a desire to pursue excellence. Speaking of excellence, back in high school, Derrick was actually the student council president and a recipient of the Vice Presidential Award for Leadership Excellence. Moreover, he studied in the company of monkeys and insects, since his school, Regional Science High School III, is located in the middle of a national protected rainforest. Derrick considers himself an extrovert who’s always up for a quick chat. He would be glad to talk to you about the Harry Potter series, or his favorite subject, History. He’s a traveller at heart as well, having travelled to South Korea and most of Luzon. He plans to visit all the countries in Europe someday. Currently, Derrick is also applying for Ecosoc with the Academic Affairs as his home committee. He says he’s taking it easy and just having fun meeting new friends at the various Ecosoc events, which he says is really the best part of the application process. Derrick plans on becoming a lawyer after his stay here in UPSE.

I S S U E

FUN FACT: Derrick loves beef and is single and ready to mingle.

FUN FACT: Tin has a crush on Gong Yoo who plays Seok-woo in Train to Busan.

E C H O E S | S E P T E M B E R

together. She strives to be able to give back to her parents by helping her siblings finish their studies and earning enough to move them into a more comfortable home. Tin prioritizes her goal to support her family of four siblings (herself included) over everything else, including her own personal ambitions. In addition to being driven and familyoriented, Tin is also well-rounded. She engages in various hobbies and creative pursuits, such as poetry, writing, and music. In particular, she enjoys turning up to Taylor Swift and calls herself a Swiftie. Much like Taylor, she considers herself to be a strong, independent woman, even accidentally revealing some man-hating tendencies during the interview. Besides these, she enjoys eating adobo flakes and wants to learn how to play the guitar or drums in the future.

2 0 1 6

Ambitious and smart, CHRISTINE “TIN” WAGAS has been one of Ecosoc’s beloved scholars since 2013, diligently undergoing her college studies at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). An economics major with a penchant for writing, her intense drive to succeed academically and later on in life is second only to her desire to provide for her family. She dreams big, and one of her greatest goals is to become a successful stockbroker or corporate professional in the future – not impossible for someone as driven as her. For Tin, family is the most important aspect of one’s life and can keep a person going in the face of any hardship. For this reason, she looks up to her parents very much. Constantly working to provide, her parents are the role models who have showed her the importance of family and sticking

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

Among the group of scholars that we interviewed, MICHAELLA “MICHA” GORDULAN BORROMEO was arguably the quietest one of the bunch. Nonetheless, she was still able to comfortably talk to us about her family and herself, and that is when we came to realize that there is certainly more to her than what her demeanor implies. This 16-year old in Grade 11 from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Senior High School (PUP-SHS) was born on November 7, 1999 and has been a beneficiary of the Economics Society Scholarship Fund since she was an 8th grader back in 2013. Now, with college fast approaching, she says wants to take up education at the Philippine Normal University. Micha, the eldest of 3 siblings, considers her mom as her idol. Ever since her parents

I S S U E

separated in 2009, her mother has taken the sole responsibility of providing for them by working as a domestic helper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Her mother’s sacrifices and undeniable love for Micah and her siblings is a big reason for why she dreams of earning enough to be able to buy a house and to bring her mother home. As for the things she loves, Micha mentioned Enrique Gil, sinigang, Austin Mahone, and All Time Low. She also fancies taking selfies with her siblings in her spare time. Like most of us, Micha enjoys eating a lot and frequently experiments in the kitchen. She’s proud of her fried Oreos and homemade fudge bar cake. FUN FACT: Micha wants to be a math teacher.

E C H O E S | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6

The sweet and soft-spoken ANDREA FORTALEZA SUIZO, or just Andrea, was born on July 14, 1999. An Ecosoc scholar since 2013 when she was just in Grade 8, the 17-year old is currently an eleventh grade student at PUPSHS along with Micha. While high school is fun, Andrea says she can hardly wait to finish her education so she can find a stable job, send her younger siblings to school, and help her parents support the family. For she and her three siblings, life at home hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always been smooth. Familial and financial problems were things they had to deal with growing up. However, she mentions her idol and source of strength that got her through all the tough times: her mother, who she describes as the kindest and most understanding person in this world. Andrea shares with us how being the eldest sibling puts the pressure on her to be the breadwinner once she graduates. Coincidentally, her dream job is to be a chef, so this goal is not far from reach (breadwinner, get it?). According to Andrea, kare-kare is the yummiest Filipino dish ever, while James Reid may very well be the yummiest Filipino man. Andrea also loves Jesus (she is a Born-Again Christian), listening to Christina Grimmieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music (may she rest in peace), and watching Descendants of the Sun.

FUN FACT: Andrea loves to sing, but her dad tells her she has no talent in that department.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

STA FF PI C KS : FAVOR I T E ECOS O C EV E N TS c omp i l e d by C H I L I P E R E Z

LITNIGHT “As an app, it was my first taste of how talented Ecosoc is! Interning for it was one of my favorite parts of the app process because I got to watch my future orgmates spill their hearts out. And I got introduced to my first love, Echoes’ tuna nori sandwiches.” —Bianca R.

LIV “Because duh.” —Vim G.

ROOTS “I’ve never had as much fun working for an Ecosoc event as I did with Roots. The fact that I was assigned to social media duty for two straight years was a bonus because it didn’t feel like work at all. I love the energy of the crowd whenever the best of OPM get up on that stage. The best part of Roots, though, is the reason why we do it in the first place: for the scholars.” —Sel Y.

GRAND TRADITION “It’s a show of the members, for the members, and by the members. Tapos medyo funny din.” —Paolo T.

E C H O E S

S P E C H O E S C U LT U R E C L U B

“Culture hopping, laughs, and lots of dumplings!” —Pita O.

S E P T E M B E R

S C AV E N G E R H U N T

2 0 1 6

“I’ve actually never missed one since I applied for Ecosoc three years ago because I’ve always had lots of fun. Back when it was my first time, I was a freshie, and I got shocked by all the tasks we had to do. But I ended up meeting some of the people I grew to love in Ecosoc (special mention to my Scav Hunt buddy Marte!!!) and people I never knew I’d have fun with. The adventure is legit out of this world, but the bonds you’ll create can also be ‘till the end. Looking forward to my last Scav Hunt next year!!!” —Fau M.

MUSIKAPELLA “Musikapella has always been my favorite Ecosoc event for a lot of reasons. As an applicant, it was the reason I applied for Ecosoc in the first place. I figured if I could never actually compete in it, then I might as well join the organizing body instead. Up to now, Musikapella still brings out the best in me as a pub person (LOL), as an officer and now as a director.” —Anna P. 63

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

(Editor’s note: Do you see that tambayan circa 2013? It is glorious. It was home. I miss it loads.)

CHANGE HAS COME by M ar t e C ar on o ñ g a n IN THE FIRST SEMESTER OF THE 2011-2012 ACADEMIC YEAR, a meek, simple boy hailing from the hills of Loyola made a decision he would never ever regret: he joined the UP Economics Society. Initially reluctant to dedicate himself to another time-consuming commitment (wewerts), he soon learned to love the environment, the process, and most especially the people. It was in Ecosoc where he has met his bestest of friends, his closest peers, his family. Ecosoc is home. And right now, even after more than 10 semesters after he first applied, Ecosoc continues to be home. This is a story of Ecosoc through the years. This is the story of Marte Caronoñgan, Ecosoc’s oldest member (BY APP BATCH, NOT BY AGE. 18 PA LANG AKO!). (Ayoko na magsulat in third person because it feels so weird.) (Also the next paragraph will be #AllAboutMe.)

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6

It is through change which has challenged Ecosoc time and time again. The academic calendar shift from June to August has brought many adjustments in our calendar, most notably preparations for September’s Ecosoc Month. Standing unfazed, the Ecosoc Month team has accepted the challenge year

But change is not the only thing constant. Ecosocers as a whole still have that drive to become movers and shakers in society. Our ode to service, excellence, and tradition still remains strong nearly 60 years since the organization’s inception. Nais nating lahat na makarating sa mga bituin upang mamasdan ang ganda ng kanilang ningning. The tambayan may be different, but the home still remains intact. No amount of administrative pressure, not even a student activity center erected by Union Bank, can uproot us. Faces change, but the people stay the same. In this batch of applicants alone we have the next Jolo Zagala, Lyon Leus, Ann Geron, Anton Manotok, Lean Cacatian, and many other hidden gems. (No Marte Caronongans as he is a unique individual who cannot be matched in any form.) Tita Ging and her motley crew have been a constant in the history of Ecosoc. Her fish fillet, Cebu lechon, and Friday monggo feeding Ecosocers for years, supplementing Ate Leony’s cat siomai, pizza rolls, and 5-peso coffee as staples in every Ecosocer’s diet.

Comparing Ecosoc in the present day to Ecosoc when I was an applicant, the changes are quite obvious. From a safe and secure tambayan in SE 121, we have become nomads traversing the hallowed grounds of UPSE, doomed from finding a permanent home. We have lost the luster of our momol-friendly black leather couches, instead getting benches Erin Cheng can easily break. Gone are the days when the Ecosoc cat, Minerva, would roam free in and around the tambayan. (However, we still feel her presence in the form of Ate Leony’s siomai—in other words, food blessed by the nutritious meat of her descendants.)

in and year out in delivering a September to remember. It is through change which has brought conflict between the members and the administration, whether it be rules on playing cards, storage space, or tambayan issues. Each year a new challenger rises to battle Ecosoc, and each year Ecosoc remains unscathed.

E C H O E S

I won’t deny the fact that I’m one of the most senior members of Ecosoc. Applicant na ako ng Ecosoc nasa grade school pa yung current freshies natin, wew. In my eleven semesters as an Ecosocer (whether applicant or member), I can honestly say that no one has literally lasted more than me in my continuous service for the organization that I love. Zero semesters as an inactive member. Five semesters as part of the Ecosoc Leadership Council. Seven semesters as part of either Ecosoc Month or Task Force. Eight semesters as a guardian. (Side note: my tenure as a guardian should be a record, it’s longer than most members being actual members!!!) It has been my personal ambition to meet and befriend every single applicant and member, being the constant face in the tambayan every semester. I have experienced Ecosoc in its darkest days (i.e. Porn and Boz era) but also at its brightest. I have seen Ecosoc grow, falter, and rise. Ecosoc is like the 58-year-old child I have been watching over for nearly six years.

Ecosoc has been different, but is still very much the same. Like me, many others have shared similar experiences. From the time of Godofredo Bamba up until the generation of Benn Sinugbuhan XVIII and beyond, they will all echo the same sentiment: love Ecosoc and it will love you back. That is the one thing that will never ever change, and I think that is beautiful.

>> Marte Caronongan wants a jowa before graduating. Please contact him to apply.

T H E

A N N I V E R S A R Y

I S S U E

T W E E TA B L E T W E E T S compiled by PITA OCHAVE

@benj_evar: buti pa wallet ko marunong magdiet

@miggyjuix: i miss my friends #freshiebarkada

@roliquino: Late night thoughts with @roliquino

@akometry: Shoes are just shirts for toes

@3Dsuntoast: I think I need a haircut @theroyalspice: me: wala daw pasok sa bulacan bukas nacho: malapit ba yun sa xavier @shinySABmarine: So we’re in Hong Kong because my brother wants to buy shoes... Wtf @lyonceknowles: if i could go back in time and do something differently @booyanca: 2 out of 3 of my crushes have liked my DP pwede na ako matulog

i’d go back to my birth and stay in my mother’s womb fuck the world man

@juanchosantosss: Malala yung at the end of #LIV may narinig ako bigla na “Tara bridge!!!” #gameover #wasak

@JoseEricta: a Fuckin douche in Econ right now. Don’t give a fuck about your money!! :)) lol did I ask for shit?? fkin shorty. Yo shawty dont like you

@pmorada: By the end of this sem, my face will be just one big eye bag.

@benngggg: anong nangyari @kazelxx: how to be a bro

@charlotteamante: Me: *lists down all the things I need to do* Me: ... Me: *goes to sleep*

@TheKelseeey: OH MY GOD my guy theatre classmate did a split for his monologue AND HIS SHORTS RIPPED!! He said: “Good thing i wore underwear” @bealejano: Huwalah bumili ng dalawang liv tickets yung tatay ko................... .................................... .................... ............ @humajaplos: To everyone who is stressed: when you want to give up, remember to always bring someone with you @theroyalspice: what if magic mike XXL was 4D @prenchpries: “did you buy cheap alcohol? baka malasing friends mo...” mother i believe that is the point @jermracela: Miss ko na si Kris Aquino di ako makapaniwala

@david_balmes: Was walking in Town and saw a guy wearing a Ralph Lauren cap, a RL shirt, RL shorts, and RL shoes Kulang nalang maging kabayo si gago eh

@ZoCanaria: Nagbibisaya siya pakshet I am amazed like WTF GUYS WHO DIS GUY LOST N FOUND

Me: TANG INA MO BIGAY MO NA SA’MIN YUNG POINT! @puchangina: Ninang Cha in da hauz

EE CC HH OO EE SS | | Ss Ee Pp Tt e E m M b B eE rR 22 00 11 66

@neenaame: nung sinabi kong “if you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us” pls don’t be fooled, i didn’t really mean that

@bambonsol: Prof: I need you to offend me in anyway you can. The group who does that most gets a point.

@_pltejano: Sbux matcha espresso tastes like shit! @vimpromptu: MY PHONE IS READY FOR #LIV #waterproof

@_alba_: Bitches be trippin’ on me

@JustVillas: Dear my 101 probset, Please be a strong, independent probset, and accomplish yourself. Thank you @kristaadelacruz: Acads bago........ acads #RakOn #20UnitsPaMore @mynameistimothy: Familiarity breeds contempt. That’s why I believe muting buddies on Twitter can save friendships lol @ADRIkewlture: I’m not into tv series but then I realized I follow Philippine politics

@juliefrann: Just called my dad “bes” ang awkward puchangina @unodosTRYSH: Watches any baduy Filipino movie Still cries every time...

@jandmagpantay: months of being uhaw finally quenched ILY ECOSOC HUBAD PA <3 <3 @marthANNA: i hate u so much,,,,,,shet!!!!!!!!! (subtweeting is immature pero shet i hate u)