ECHOES January 2012 by Echoes

January 2012

The Rape Culture in Ecosoc It was all in the Logbook Ecosoc’s End of the World couples and more

TOBIE REYNES

Ecosoc’s most sought-after bachelor tells all

Email your entries to litfolio2012@gmail.com Log on to Echoes.PH/litfolio for more details

CONTENTS October 2011

02 03

From the Editor Committee News

INSIDE ECOSOC

Ecosoc over the last month

NEWS

16 18 20

Photo of the Month News by Numbers No more uploads from Megaupload

Contributors Janina Raymundo JR Nepomuceno Joby Guerrero Vico Ubaldo Matt Dailisan Neil Ong Horace Cimafranca

GJ Agregado Gilbert Bueno Cheenie Quirante Issay Villanueva Monina Sanchez Arsenio Lukban Hazel Sumampong

cover photograph by arsenio lukban

FEATURES Featured Article Rape Culture in Ecosoc Cover Story Y: The Last Man Featured Story It Was All in the Logbook Featured Article Flirty vs Friendly High Definition Swabeng Valeintines Hitlist Ecosoc’s Most Wanted

Editors

CULTURE Film & Travel

HAZEL SUMAMPONG Creative Editor

22 24 30 32 34 36

40 43 48

Fashion

HORACE CIMAFRANCA Editor-in-Chief BEATRIZ BAYUDAN Associate Editor AYLA REYES Managing Editor JESSICA BISCOCHO News Editor DEREK PARRENAS Features Editor JUDITH PASCUAL Photos Editor

MATT DAILISAN Webmaster CHERIE QUIRANTE Logistics Director

Gossip G.

Staff BIANCA ALVARO

Bea Bayusan Avril Bries Derek Parreñas Cheska Joson Ana Gaviola Jessica Biscocho Hazel Sumampong

Reuel Realin Sol Cortes Carrie Cruz Lia Lontoc Marte Caronoñgan Janeen Cayetano Carlo Magsino

AVRIL BRIES JOHN GAN RALPH DANTES FRANCHESKA JOSON PATRICIA VILLANUEVA

ABOVE: Tobie during his interview / Photo: Judith Pascual

Previous Issue

Corrections 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.

A more comprehensive list of corrections from the previous issue will be published in the February issue.

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

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

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

2â&#x20AC;

From the Editor It is February. For some, it’s just another month. But for us who live in blissful insanity, it is the love month. Have you ever tried counting how many of your friends were born on the second or third week of November? The statistics don’t lie. Indeed, many lovers choose to do it on Valentine’s. Not that it is surprising, but it gives us a reason to think about how February contributes to our population growth rate. If I’m not mistaken, the Philippines’ figure stands at 1.9%, the lowest since the Japanese (and the Americas) obliterated thousands, if not millions, of Filipinos during the Second World War. The figures of the post-war years show a frantic attempt by the Philippines to repopulate. That attempt continues up to this day. Now that we’re nearing 100 million, what does it say about us Filipinos? For one, we like people. Back in my Econ 11 days, I’d only remember three things out of the melangerie of different Econ concepts: land, labor, capital. Labor, as you should know, are able people who do work for production. While Japan and Europe spend millions of dollars and gallons of saliva over legislation to revitalize population growth, here we are making babies like we’re making school paper - we do it at night when we feel like it. In fact, one of our largest exports is human capital. Coincidentally, we’re also one of the world’s largest human traffickers.

cramming this issue because then, which was ‘now’, we actually just thought of catching up on sleep. We never thought it’ll take hours just to write and layout everything. Think about it, if you don’t write your litfolio entry now, how would your poem read in the future? If you don’t pay for your subscriptions now, how much would your accumulated debt be when you graduate? How much of your hard-earned P10,000-peso or so salary will you have to let go just to pay this organization? Are you sure you will even find a job right away? Are you even going to graduate? Do you think that while you’re reading this, you could’ve done something more productive? Screw this! But again, we all are humans. Heck, even foretellers don’t get what they want. Why? They may tell about others’ future but I’m sure they lacked foresight on themselves. I mean, while they were off being celebrated slackers in their youth, they didn’t realize that they’d end up as fortune-tellers. Who needs a degree to tell the future?! You only need confidence and a knack for deceptive story-telling! It is February. Yes, it is almost the end of school, but it’s just the start of the year. Do something you know will reward you in the future. Invest in Echoes.

What’s the point? Point is, when we do things, we normally lack foresight. We do it just for the sake of now, without thinking of our actions’ long-term effects. For example, we’re

Graph obtained from the National Statisctics Coordination Board. You don’t have to read it. It’s just there to take up space.

COMMITTEE NEWS

COCOY VARGAS

JEREMAE SOLIMAN

President

Vice President

Allow me to recognize the efforts of everyone who has made the semester significant for the organization: Von and Acad for tirelessly providing samplexes, tutorials, and spearheading the Currency Appreciation Forum; Mhela and CDC for always keeping our Pook Ricarte kids happy, coordinating with other committees for special CDCs, electives, and making the elders at St. Camillus happy; Horace and Echoes for maintaining the excellence of Echoes, and refurbishing upecosoc.org; Chila and Externals for your excellent contribution to the Currency Appreciation Forum, upgrading Eventology, and exploring tie-ups with organizations; Jess and Finance for making A/R collection less of a burden, closing deals with corporate partners, and BID auditions; Mark and Liaison for completing the alumni database (a truly notable feat), constant alumni birthday greetings, CDC with Alumni, and Uniqlo Recruitment Talk; JR and Memcom for a successful R&R, solid GW system, wonderful GMTBS, and bonding our apps through Apps’TBS; Angel and Seccom for new innovations in our tambayan, keeping it clean, excellent publicity materials for all committees, efficient recordkeeping, and Sparkle Club; Miguel and SPEV for keeping members excited through CDC Christmas Party, CDC Scav Hunt, Christmas Party, and Manhunt; Janeen and Sports for keeping the Ecosoc Fight Spirit burning with your support in the Frisbee games, trainings, MBA, and Sports CDC; Jeremae and Ecosoc Choir for the greatest gift you can give the ESSF; Task Force for your unbelievable plans that are unraveling before us; Scholcom for your continued passion for Ecosoc’s scholars; Concom for initiating organized constitutional reforms; Comelec for getting ready for another round of elections. And there’s still a boatload of things to look forward to as we enter the next half-semester: Tambay Week, ScavHunt, Litnight, Acad Symposium, Band in Demand, CWTS Culminating Activity, UPFront, TF Benefit Party, TF Special Project, and Ecosoc Culminight. Ecosocers, we’ve only just begun.

Hello ECOSOC! :) Welcome back! It’s halfway through the semester! I hope you are all still alive and kicking! :)) To all those who made the ESSF richer through serenading people with the sound of Christmas: Miguel, Carmel, Geoff, Von, Jess, Gilbert, Chiara B, Mhela, Simone, Janeen, Horace, Chiara C, Mabel, Chrissie, XP, Jed, Migs, Ica, Angel, Kevin E, Stef, Cocoy L, Lance, Hannah M, AK, Mark, Myk, JR, Pai, Janna, Sel, Leus, Janina, Reuel, Reg, Andre, Yasmin, Paolo, Jason, Tong, Vico, Shelly, Van, Cocoy V, Marte, Celina, Sarah, (also to East Avenue Medical Center, UCPB Gen, Cliquish Execom, Lao Family, Santos Family, Quimbo Family, Roy Taala and company of at least 4 generations of Execom since 1992!!!) You are blessings! Thank you very much for sharing your time, effort and talent! I hope you all realized the real cause behind this, aside from all the fun and the food :)) Your help would surely go a long way. Watch out for the two big events on March and April! Save the dates! March 9 - It’s more than just a party; it’s the UP Ecosoc Benefit Party. Like us on Facebook: UP Ecosoc Benefit Party! Follow us on Twitter: @TFBenefitParty! And April 13… Watch out!!! Meanwhile, continue supporting the mini fundraisers of Task Force! Thanks to those who danced until their payables rose. HAHA fun diba? Also those who bought cookies! Visit http://www.ecosoctfsales.com for more lovely items for sale. More awesome merchandise and projects coming your way! And of course, continue supporting ECOSOC events! See you all in Band in Demand 4, Scav Hunt, Vice Night, Tambay Week, TF Launch, Lit Night, Acad Symposium, UPFront, App Project and many moooore! Now before I end, To Task Force, KAYA! I believe in each one of you. Let’s rock this! :> Illustrations by Sol Cortes

ANGEL ESPIRITU

JESSICA BODO

Secretary

Treasurer

Gong Xi Fa Cai Ecosocers! It’s officially the year of the Water Dragon, and…well, I don’t know much about it anymore. What I do know more about is that another month has passed, and since January ended as well, I’d like to say a few words to a few special people in my heart:

Hello Ecosoc! Time flies so fast and it’s comm news time again!

Outbreak Apps, super duper good job with Clean App! Who ever thought cleaning could be that fun? I hope you were able to bond while cleaning the tambayan! A big thank you to my Seccom babies Shanica, Janina and Lara for helping out with the arrangements and publicity for Clean App! Seccom, thank you for another month! I hope to see more of you in the coming weeks. Let’s show Ecosoc some Seccom lovin’! Cocoy, Denise and Therese, great job with your pubmats! I am most proud. *tears* Angeli, Bing, Chrissie, Gab, Marian, Irra, Pat, Rehi, Reuel, Ryan and Sel, sometime soon you’ll be doing your assigned posters and whatnots. Remember that I’ll always be here whenever you need me. Cocoy, thank youuu for giving your 101% for Manhunt. With a dapper man like you, we gon’ win this thing fosho! Kyla, Ars and Yasmin, two months down, many more to go! No wonder our names acronym as K.A.Y.A. because of all the things we’ve done together. For all my unsaid gratitude, thank you (hugs and kisses included)! Finally, Ecosoc, don’t forget to go to Flash Workshop on Feb. 6, and Ecosoc Gallery Launch on Feb. 7! Also, watch out for more Sparkle Club updates, and a lot more surprises from Seccom! And, as always, please remember to keep the tambayan clean. Keep in mind that cleanliness is second to godliness.

First, I’d like to say hi to my incredible members! Congratulations for the success of the first-ever Band in Demand auditions on January 21. We couldn’t have done it without each one of you. Finals naman! To Marketing, I know how hard it is to get sponsors right now yet I know you guys are still trying! Kaya yan, I believe in each one of you! To IG, thank you so much for always getting things done! Finals na! THIS IS IT! To Sales, we’re sexy and they know it! Let’s go! To my apps, I really admire each one of you! Walang photoshoot kung wala kayo! Good job! Second, I’d like to thank the people who made our auditions possible. To my interns Ana, Dia, Migs and Vico, I’m impressed with your work! Keep it up! To Andee, GJ and most especially Ars, thank you so much for taking those awesome photos! The photoshoot wouldn’t be that great and memorable to the bands if it weren’t because of your super creative minds! Thank you so much! To Cocoy Licaros, thank you so much for your patience! Malapit na and BID! To Miguel, thank you for judging the auditions and for all your help! To Horace, thank you for making the finalist video! You really are the pub god! Lastly, I would like to invite all of you to the biggest Band in Demand yet! You guys are required to buy (or sell) one ticket but because we love you, we’re giving you discounts! Watch out for that! Thank you guys! Hope to see you in Band in Demand 4! Good luck on your exams! J

Wear your lucky colors ‘cause this gon’ be a lucky year. Zai Jian! Love, Angel

Echoes.PH

7 5

COMMITTEE NEWS

CHILA INOCENCIO

VON BENAVIDEZ

Public Relations Officer

Academic Affairs

Kung Hei Fat Choi Everyone! Hey Outbreak Apps! Hope you learned a lot from Eventology 101. Good luck on your midsem interview and app project! To EVERYONE, tambay from January 31 to February 3. We’re hosting a weeklong film showing and we’ll be selling popcorn! Watch out for the biggest USC Elections Forum this year. UPFRONT 2012 is on February 22. Get to know the platforms of the future leaders of this university. Spread the word! To my lovely team: AK , Geoff: yihee… members of the month! Good job with everything. Hannah, AK, Ben, everyone else: congrats on the best Eventology ever. Red, Miko, Reg: I know you’ll do great with next week’s film showing. Karla: thanks for being a bibbo sexy-tary. Elwin: good job on being our treasurer, keep it up! Dana, thanks for supporting all our events. Dhiren, I know you have a lot going on, good luck! Jiggy, I appreciate all your efforts, continue being active! Juliet, good luck with your endeavors. Peter, thanks for attending most events and for the database, I appreciate it. Ria, thanks for always supporting our Manhunt. Dia, thanks for sharing your lovely sound system (and everything else). Mitch, continue to stay active. Hope that both of you just enjoy the whole app process. LAHAT DAPAT GAME NA ON FEB 11: LET’S WIN SCAV HUNT J To my VCs: Quek, I hope you take the challenge/ pressure well. Stef, good job with the X-Updates and ENN! Just tell me if you need anything or if something is too hard, just here to help. To UPFRONT team: LET’S DO THIS! Hello KEMESBAR! Sorry, forgot to mention you before. Congratulations on all your past and ongoing events/ fundraisers. Let’s all bring Ecosoc to a higher level! In the words of Ate janna, “KAYA”. :)

Hello Ecosoc! We are already halfway into the semester and I hope that everyone’s still doing great in their academics despite the hassle brought by the unceasing number of exams and papers. If you may ever find yourself jittery or anxious because of all of these academic requisites, you can always approach any of us in the committee and we will be more than willing to help you! But to keep you from any further hassle and so as to bring ACAD closer to you, we also made ourselves reachable through the ACAD Gmail (upecosoc.acad@ gmail.com) and the ACAD Hotline (09156222051) to where you can send your requests for any type of academic assistance. Econ 106 Sample Probsets are now downloadable via Ecosoc Facebook Group! Good luck to those who will be taking the Midterm Exam! Links to other materials (sample exams, power point lectures, problem sets) of other subjects are available upon request. And watch out for the schedule of Math 100 Tutorial this week! Sign-up sheet will be posted on the ACAD board. Also, check out the new ACADEMIC CALENDAR inside the tambayan! It is by far the newest and coolest project of ACAD!!!! (hahaha). Feel free to put in there your exam schedules without the trouble of messing it up whenever there’s a change in your schedule because this whiteboard provides you the flexibility to edit your entries!!! Lastly, before I end everything, I’d like to commend all of my members and apps for pulling off the recently concluded Recognition Day, and Dean Dulay for teaching Econ 101. Thank you for all your help and efforts, I really appreciated it! PS. I wish my lovely apps: Alan, Vico and JR (and the rest of the outbreak Apps) a good luck with your midsem check-up this week! ☺

PPS. Vote Alan for MANHUNT!!! WOHOOO! GO ACAD! 6

Illustrations by Sol Cortes

MHELA CALUGAY

HORACE CIMAFRANCA

Community Development

Echoes Editor-in-Chief

Hello Ecosoc! Happy (Chinese) New Year to everyone!

A big fat Kung Hei Fat Choi to the omnipresent Chinese people!

The start of the year has been so eventful and festive for various reasons. And just a couple of weeks left, we are yet again to celebrate Love Day on February 14! Valentine’s Day is really near. ☺ As the month of Love closes in, we will experience love and service in a deeper level. We will bond with our institutions once again as we will have our CDC MiniCaravan this coming January 30 and February 27. Our first stop was St. Camillus Medhaven, Marikina-area. We made the elderly feel the love this season! Also, we will have our semestral Medical Mission on February 18! Let’s feel the joy of being in service to others and taking care of the families of Pook Ricarte. Donations will mean a lot to them. We still have a lot to come! Sports CDC with scholars and kids from Pook Ricarte is on Jan. 28! We’ll also have Arts CDC with Seccom! To the Medmission and Caravan team! I knew you are really working hard for this. ☺ I appreciate each and everything you do. Let’s do our best! ☺ Thank you, CDC, for the simple act of volunteering to be CDC Marshalls, it means a lot to me. To our apps, thank you for being so active and being the best model! ;) To the members, congratulations to those who have already finished their CDCs! I hope that you were able to experience the joy of serving through various avenues like our Saturday CDCs, Vendors and Lounge Electives and Tutorials with the Scholars. Hope to see you in more CDC events! Spread the love!

Hello Ecosoc and welcome to a brand new issue of Echoes! Now, let’s get to business. If you’re itching to write for Litfolio, please do. No one is stopping you. If you don’t feel like writing, you can submit a drawing or sing on Litnight. You have to contribute. It’s healthy that you let out that deadly concoction of repressed feelings! Hello applicants! It is Beatriz’s requirement that you submit an entry for Litfolio. Don’t write like you’re being forced to. Speak with your heart. I know that’s crap but maybe watching Midnight in Paris will help you come up with something respectable. Everyone, just so you know, February 17 is Literary Night. Food will be free. The room will be airconditioned and your crush will be serenading you. There’s no reason not to go. Hello Echoes! Thanks for another month of unwavering support! Bea, you are amazing. Ayla, you’re such a money-making machine! Hazel, you got your wish (as did the rest of the women in our committee). Be happy. Derek, I know someone who sincerely thinks you’re a gangster. Avril, judith, Bianca, Cheenie, Issay and Cheska, you women are exceptional. Yay, go women! Matt and John, it was nice seeing you around more often! You latter one better keep it cool with the tikoy, They’re oily! Ralph, we still miss you. As for my two Echoes applicants, I couldn’t ask for anyone else. You guys have been awesome. GJ, thanks for representing us in Manhunt! Remember, all that doesn’t end well, is not bound to end! Joby, I admire your self-initiative. That being thoughtful of you will bring you a long way! Again, see you on Literary Night and enjoy reading! P.S. We will win Scav Hunt. A fortune cookie note says so.

Echoes.PH

COMMITTEE NEWS

MARK MATIBAG

JR YAMBAO

Liaison

Membership

HELLO ECOSOC! Welcome to a new year again! 2011 was an awesome year for most of us, but I know 2012 will be a bigger and brighter year for Ecosoc. This is also the time of the year where we make our new year’s resolution. And Liai, as a committee, commenced working on these “resolutions.” :> We have started to get busier this year working on various projects and services for you, Ecosocers. I’m so thankful to have this bunch of people working all together! Pai, Chiara C., & Car, well done on our entries for Gawad Tandang Sora and JPES Excellence Night! Ecosoc’s next trophy is in your hands. Briana, Pito, Nathan, & Chie, good luck working on the alumni database. You have 2 more months to complete this monumental task. KAYA! ;) Marte, CJ, Liai apps & interns (Ana, Jo, Ramm, Shanica, Gio), you are all so impressive! Now you know how fun it is to converse with our alumni. Carrie & Chiara B., you both never fail me. Super dependable! Sel & Cel, I wish I could give you more fulfilling work other than being the admin of the Liai account and alumni group. Anyway, I really appreciate your dedication, time and effort. Niña, thank you for working on the *toot* project. Simone & Bea, sobrang bibbo niyo! Good luck with our fundraisers. Jorell! I love the competitive spirit! It’s what we need!

Hello Members and Applicants! 2012 treating you okay? Hopefully it is! If not, Ecosoc has so much lined up for you guys this semester that it will turn your 2012 around! Just wait for updates that will make your semester a little bit better! First of all, I would like to thank all the members and applicants who went to Memcom’s event, GMTBS! Although we lacked in number, I am pretty sure we all had a blast. Thank you Master Andres for cooking our lunch! Thank you also to my fellow Execomers for buying Coke and Ice Cream for all the members who attended. And it’s about time we forget about the Manong Guard who was ruining our fun! To my members, I send to you my deepest gratitude! Thank you for making the start of my 2012 worthwhile. Thank you to Gilbert for heading the GATBS and to Aris, Carlo, Ines, Mabel, Mads, Paolo, and Issa for helping out! Thank you Reg for finding the venue for GMTBS and thank you JM and Paolo for providing transpo going to the venue. Aris, Ines, Janna, Paolo, and JM, thank you for being present and helping out in GMTBS. Henry and Lia, thank you for spearheading Manhunt! To my beloved Memcom Seniors, it has been a pleasure working with you! Now you can chill and enjoy your last few months as students as we prepare for your Sendoff.

KEMESBAR EXECOM! Thank you for the help and support! We’re already halfway this sem, kaya pa! Cheers to our more bonding sessions!

To the Culminight team, Camille, Bettina, Jade, Issa, Lesley, and the rest of Memcom, it’s time to work! I assure you we will have fun preparing for the said event. We got this!

Outbreak apps, midsem check-up this week! Do your best and good luck!

Thank you for reading my commnews, I hope I didn’t waste 2 minutes of your life.

Take this new year as an opportunity for us to change and become better individuals. Happy new year, Ecosoc! PS: WE’RE GONNA WIN SCAVHUNT 2012! LIAI, THIS IS OUR YEAR!

Illustrations by Sol Cortes

MIGUEL ANDRES

JANEEN CAYETANO

Special Events

Sports

Happy reading Ecosoc! :) ☺ Everything’s starting to shake up as the academic year reaches its most critical, make or break point – the mid semester. So, what have you guys been up to? I heard some Ecosocers have been playing this game called Dota at least once a week. One even said that “It’s really nice to find some leisure time and play with your friends after a hard day’s work”. I was told that the game works like alcohol – it’s addicting and it’ll make you forget all your worries HAHA just kidding!

Hello again ECOSOC! It’s a brand new year! Hope you’re having a good time this 2012!

Anyway, for the upcoming weeks, make sure to prepare a lot of love, support and some 10-peso coins and vote for your favorite Manhunt models! As you all know, Spev has given birth to the 2nd cycle of Manhunt, and just like before, the winners for each week will be rewarded with bigger and more fabulous prizes. If you promise to continue supporting your committee representatives, we promise you that you will be one step closer to winning the most explosive and most-awaited event of the semester – The Scavenger Hunt 2012!! So what are you waiting for? Put your game faces on and join us on February 11 as we go on a whole new adventure around Metro Manila! I hope you’re all excited and we hope to see you there! Before I end, just a few thank you’s to my ever-so creative and dedicated committee members! Thank you Andre and Sam for spearheading Manhunt and sharing your time and experience in our photoshoots! To my VCs Darrell and Jacques: thank you for always being there to help me! Thank you also to Lia, Noreen, Jason, Myra, Kat, Bruno, Nicolle, Sol, Wax, Kiele, Kelvin, Angelica, Chrissa, Maika, Ryna, Risa, Nads, Iso, Pau, Andee and Pat – LET’S DO THIS!!

Echoes.PH

Thank you to everyone who attended the Member Bersus Apps. It was a blast and I hope everyone had fun. Members took home the crown AGAIN! To the Applicants, you still did a good job trying to get the crown though it was impossible. Also THANK YOU for those who played and supported the ECOSOC Frisbee Team. More than winning, it’s your support that really makes it worth to play for the organization. Watch out for the release of the ECOSOC Jersey this February – get ready all your payments. All of this wouldn’t be possible without my VCs and members! Keep it up guys! Anon thanks for helping me handle MBA and Lance for documenting the event and for taking charge of the members while we prepare. PauBau for doing all the pubmats and Manhunt reprezent! To Raya, Hari and Dave, for being so bibbo during MBA and helping me prepare the games. To CV and Cesca for helping me during Manhunt photo shoot. Chello, Van, Trixie, Rino and Tobie – I know you guys are busy but thanks anyway for being supportive. Mik, Tracy, and Jed super thank you for always taking the initiative to ask if I needed any help. To Jana, my most bibbo member, thanks for all the help and support in ALL the events (kahit nagkakasakit ka na!). And to my applicants God and Ria, thanks for preparing the Agawang Buko game. To <insert whatever name here> EXECOM, THANK YOU for the support and guidance. LOVE YOU GUYS! Support SPORTS-CDC this Saturday (January 28) at the University Pool. Lastly, let’s have our game face on as the JPES Sportsfest is coming this February 19 at the Amoranto Sports Complex.

INSIDE ECOSOC

RECORD-BREAKING ARTISTS: Ecosoc carolers sing before an audience in Quezon City / Photo by Horace Cimafranca

Caroling makes a big comeback BY JANINA RAYMUNDO Once again, Ecosoc held one of its most loved traditions this Christmas. Ecosocers, filled with holiday spirit, were cordially welcomed by families and friends, whose warmth, kindness and generosity made this event a true success. This tradition is the annual Christmas caroling, which is held each year in order to raise funds for the Economics Society Scholarship Fund, or the ESSF. It is organized by the Task Force committee chairperson and Vice President of the society, who this year is Jeremae Soliman. Held from the 19th to the 22nd of December, caroling took place all over Metro Manila—from up North in Quezon City, all the way down to the South, reaching areas like Parañaque and Muntinlupa. Sign-ups were posted as early as the first week of November for members of the society who were interested to take part in the event. Practice sessions—held on weekdays, from 4pm to 6pm—began weeks before December rolled in. A total of 45 members and applicants volunteered to participate this year. They were led by their head conductor, former Ecosoc President Paolo Tamase, who played the piano accompaniment for all the caroling songs.

The Ecosoc Choir is comprised of four voices: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. This year’s line-up was composed of a total of eight songs, including standard Christmas carols like “Angels We Have Heard on High”, and even Filipino Christmas songs, like the classic “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko”. The routine ends with a cheerful tune, “Sleigh Ride”, which served as a thank-you song from the choir to their welcoming audience. Caroling took place in a variety of venues: in the homes of Ecosocers, and School of Economics faculty (namely Ma’am Stella Quimbo); at Christmas parties held by former Execomers and Ecosoc Alumni; and even in institutions like the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, and the UCPB Corporate Office in Makati. At one of the Christmas parties—this one organized by Roy Taala, former CDC Chairperson from batch 1993—there were at least four generations of Execom present! Clearly, caroling served as a way for the society to reach out, to connect with families and alumni, and share the spirit of the holidays with a larger community. Not only did this tradition link members of the society to more people, but it also strengthened the ties of the members with one another. Caroling is a great bonding experience for Ecosocers. All the practices, performances, and even the car rides gave everyone time to get to know one another a little better. And, if you were Echoes.PH

to ask a participant about the caroling experience, you wouldn’t escape the mention of food. Probably one of the things that Ecosoc carolers eagerly looked forward to was the eating. Once finished with the song line-up, the choir would be offered an enticing array of food and drink, courtesy of the hospitable families who were caroled to. And of course, who could resist such an offer? Ecosocers would graciously accept, and were thankful to their kind hosts. The Ecosoc Choir was able to visit a total of twelve houses in the span of four days, averaging at 3 houses/ venues per day. Attendance was at an average of about 28 to 29 choir members per day. The total revenue generated from four days of caroling reached an outstanding Php95,947.00! This amount is more than what has been usually raised in past years, but is a little less than last year’s revenue. Nonetheless, this is still quite an impressive amount. The carolers, and the whole organiza-

tion, must be proud! Raising this much money for the ESSF is no easy feat. It certainly took a lot of dedication, practice, and time, but one can say that this was worth everyone’s efforts. Despite the hurdles along the way (like the immense traffic on the trips to the different houses in the metro, for example), everyone carried onward and managed to perform at their best, even until the very end. Most of all, this whole experience was an exceptional illustration of the society’s three thrusts: service, excellence, and tradition. Caroling would not take place if not for the scholars, and the choir gave much of their time and effort to make all this possible. Everyone prepared rigorously, and delivered superb performances night after night. The spirit of the holidays was manifest, and the tradition lives on.

Two generations of Ecosocers pose for a photo op in Makati after a serenade from the Ecosoc choir / Photo by Horace Cimafranca

Ecosoc’s youth community development beneficiaries from Pook Ricarte take part in a swimming clinic program spearheaded by the Sports Committee chairperson, Janeen Cayetano. Cayetano, along with some members of the UP Swimming Varsity Team, thought the kids the basics of swimming at the UP Swimming Pool. Also attending the program were members of the organization and applicants. Photo: Marte Caronoñgan

INSIDE ECOSOC

Again, Mems sweep MBA BY JR NEPOMUCENO EcoSoc’s members payed tribute to their organization’s tradition of besting the apps in this year’s semiannual Members Bersus Apps, also known as MBA.

highlights how active this sem’s applicants are.” states Ms. Cayetano on the turnout of events. “We are thankful for all who joined, thank you for helping make this event a success.”

Held in the Ayala Heights covered courts last January 16, the competition began at 9 am after the opening remarks by Cocoy Vargas, EcoSoc’s current president, and Janeen Cayetano, this year’s Sports Committee head. The conclusion of Futsal, the first event where the score was 1-0, foreshadowed how the day would end, with EcoSoc’s members dominating the playing field. Albeit the apps succeeded in winning the eggplantgolfball relay event that followed, basketball and agawang-buko ended in favor of the members. Some noteworthy competitors were Mike Singson, who was awarded as the MVP of this sem, as well as Mitch Orendain who played in every event. “ This sem’s MBA

Lady members and applicants fight over an oiled coconut during the MBA in Ayala Heights, Quezon City / Photo: Horace Cimafranca

‘Recess’ called for apps’ party BY VICO UBALDO and JOBY GUERRERO This semester’s applicants, the Outbreak apps, held their acquaintance party last December 9, 2011 at SE 125. The event was planned with a theme of a children’s party. It was entitled Recess: The Total Outbreak. That day, SE 125 was transformed into a Children’s party event place. Balloons and different party designs filled the room.

bers and apps were gathered into several groups. Each app was given one minute to talk to a member, and when given the signal, must start talking to the next member. The applicants also organized different activities which aimed to bond the members with the applicants. Some of the activities were parlor games like the “bring me”. Pizza, hotdogs on stick and pasta were later served.

Migs dela Cruz, an app, and Gilbert Bueno, a member, hosted the show, and entertained everyone with their infectious cheer.

During dinner applicants Joc and Pao took on the guitar as JR Nepomuceno serenaded the members with Bruno Mars’ When I See Your Face. Awards were then given to the “Most Bibbo Mem” and the committee with the best attendance.

First in the program was an icebreaker game called “newspaper dance.” Members paired up with an applicant, and all were required to dance to the music.

Before the party was finished, the applicants were given the chance to bid their Guardians. The highest bid lodged in at P13,000.

Then, GJ Agregado gave the opening remarks, welcoming all members and apps to the party followed by a short video.

GJ Agregado, as App Head, spearheaded the organizers with the rest of the applicants: God Cabrera as head of the programs team, Alan Orquinaza as head of the sales team, Lara Rapanan as head of the logistics team, and Gio Santos as head of the publicity team.

Next there was “speed acquiantancing” where mem12

Echoes.PH

Events seminar held for apps BY MATT DAILISAN The UP Economics Society held Eventology 101 on January 7, 2012, at room 127 of the School of Economics, UP Diliman. Eventology 101 is an events management seminar headed by the Externals Committee. It gives the applicants a look at events planning, and also allows them to experience it for themselves. This semester, the event began at around 9:00 am. This year’s Eventology 101 was hosted by Patty Bucao and Carmel Baquilod. It featured 6 speakers, all members of the organization, namely, Dhiren Karnani for logistics, Sel Ortiga for publicity, Ray Francisco for

Photo: Ria Zapanta Applicants listen intently to a speaker during Eventology

marketing, Von Benavidez for external relations, Thea Bautista for sales, and Janna Ong for events in general. The event was attended by 22 applicants, of which more than 12 are present and former Directors and Assistant Directors (DADs), the Externals Committee members, and the Executive Committee. The applicants participated in an events planning simulation contest during the latter half of the program. The apps went through stations manned by the DADs. The DADs graded the applicants based on their performance in events planning. The event finally ended at around 4:00 pm.

Ecosoc awards top perfomers BY NEIL ONG The UP Economics Society held its fifth Recognition Day last January entitled, “First Class”. The Recognition Day is a semestral event by the UP Economics Society Academic Affairs Committee to honor and congratulate Ecosoc members who have done well academically in the past semester.

December Members of the Month cited During a general meeting this January, the organization awarded each committee’s members of the month. Among the honorees are for Nikki Bondad for Academic Affars, Celina Crisanto for CDC, Ayla Reyes for Echoes, Geoff Bautista for Externals, Shelly Umali for Finance, Briana Campos for Liaison, Reg Reinoso for Memcom, former Academic Affairs chairperson Reuel Realin for Seccom, Andre Sarmiento for Special Events and Jed Daval-Santos for Sports. Every month, Ecosoc recognizes a member of each committee who has shown an outstanding performance and dedication to their responsibilities.

This semester, UP Ecosoc awarded College Scholars and University Scholars with certificates and handcrafted paper pencils signifying their hard work during the first semester of academic year 2011-2012. During the event, Von Benavidez, the Academic Affairs chairperson, gave the opening and closing remarks. Graceful Catherine Bucay performed during the intermission a ballet number to tune of Adele’s “Someone Like You.” Gelo Atienza and Larissa Alivio were the hosts for the event. A special award was also given to top Ecosocers who have the five highest General Weighted Average (GWA) in the whole organization during the past semester. They are, from the one with the highest GWA, Gabriel Roque, Paolo Tamase, Regina Dimayuga, Jessica Biscocho, and Iso Garrido. Another special award was given to the Seniors batch for having the most number of College and University Scholars in the whole organization. At least 60 Ecosocers were awarded during the event. 13

INSIDE ECOSOC

GW families play scav hunt BY JOBY GUERRERO On December 12, 2011, the Special Events Committee held an event for the newly-formed GW families. A mini Scavhunt for the families was organized as an opportunity to bond for the recently acquainted guardians and wards. Each family was given a box filled with riddles and pictures. The goal was to answer each riddle and to decipher the pictures. These were clues to where each family should go to. In each place, the families were asked to do different tasks. Families were also tasked to take a creative picture in each pit stop. A photo of the applicants in the clean tambayan after Clean App Photo: Arsenio Lukban

One of the activities was looking for cloud formations in the sunken garden. Another one was to build a pyramid in the gym. One was to find Rizal’s statue at the back of AS. Furthermore, one is to re-enact a scene from a commercial at the Film institute. Appllicants found that some riddles were quite hard to answer and some pictures were quite mind-boggling. However in the end, with the power of teamwork, each family did decode each riddle. Participants agreed that this event was successful. Everyone apparently had a blast as they had gotten to bond with new friends!

Uniqlo recruitment hits UP Diliman BY CARRIE CRUZ Last November 25, 2011, UNIQLO held a career seminar at the P&G Room, College of Business Administration building from 5pm to 8pm. The event was jointly organized by the UP Economics Society and the UP Career Assistance Program.

Meet up for Clean App BY ANA GAVIOLA The Outbreak Applicants got together at SE 121 last January 16, 2012 after MBA to face yet another challenge: to clean up the Ecosoc tambayan. Twenty-six apps were made to strip the place of everything inside it: the couches and fans, the galactic and Execom tables, the cabinets and boxes, and the trophies. Half of them remained inside to sweep and mop the floors while half went out to wash, wipe, and organize Ecosoc’s precious items. All throughout the event, the apps were guided by the Seccom Vice Chair Arsenio Lukban, who required attendance for his signature. At the end of the day, all their dirt and sweat was well worth it; the applicants gained a sense of responsibility for their new second home in campus, and as a bonus they got even more bonded as a batch! 14

The program, hosted by our very own Faye Ferrer and Cocoy Licaros, began with a raffle and the first 20 guests who arrived were given free UNIQLO shirts. This was followed by the actual program, where our guest speaker, Mr. Tatsuya Mori and Mr. Takayuki Yasumatsu gave us a short background on their company, Top Career International, which handles the human resources department, and the career opportunities at UNIQLO Japan. They laid out all the positions available and explained the entire application process for the benefit of those who were interested. They also elaborated on the different perks they could enjoy as UNIQLO employees, such as being able to live in Japan, the various bonuses and more vacation leaves. The event concluded after about two more raffle draws and after freebies were distributed to lucky guests. The UNIQLO Career Seminar is just one out of the two recruitment seminars the Liaison committee has organized for this semester. It aims to make both members and non-members aware of various career opportunities in reputable companies, both local and international. Echoes.PH

TF gears up publicity campaign BY HORACE CIMAFRANCA The Taskforce Team reved up their promotional campaign with the launch of its official Facebook page this month, This was immediately followed by successive online releases of teasers and a committee photo shoot last January 16. As part of a strategy that will boost ‘likes’ in their Facebook page, Taskforce’s Team Party publicity team is set to release a photo contest featuring contestants from other school organizations. Among the participants are members of the Industrial Engineering Club, the Association of Biology Majors and the Touch Rugby team, all from the University of the Philippines. Several organizations from the University of the Santo

Tomas and the University of the Asia and the Pacific have also joined the competition Team Party’s sales team is also planning a charity bingo that is seen to earn at least a five-digit profit. This is on the back of their continuing fundraiser, the Cookieception cookies. The sales team earlier launched their official website, www.ecosoctfsales.com. Aside from cookies, TF sales is also selling mustache mugs and satchels. The theme for the semestral party has not been publicly released by TF. However, a teaser with the text “The Sound of the Underground” is posted on its official Facebook page, facebook.com/upecosocbenefitparty

Task Force released a variety of different publicity materials online over the last month. From left to right: TF Benefit Party teaser, TF Sales Bingo poster and TF Special Projects teaser

Echoes.PH goes online This January, the Echoes website takes on a new web address, Echoes.PH. This follows a brief interruption of Echoes’ online service in November and December due to a domain allocation problem. The new address was launched during the first general meeting of the year. The former address, theEchoes. net, is now a spam site. Previous articles from last year’s batch of Echoes releases may still be accessed via the new online site. Last month’s issue has also been posted there as

of January. Beginning this month, all articles will be posted online on the week of their release. Some sections, such as Gossip G., will not be published on the new site. However, a full electronic copy of each issue is uploaded to Echoes’ Issuu account. The official website of the UP Economics Society was also simultaneously relaunched. The new website now features easier navigation with less links. It also sports a new minimalist design that is heavy on visuals and displays less texts. Ecosoc’s official website and online accounts are maintaned by Echoes. 15

NEWS PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Thousands welcome the Year of the Water Dragon along the famous Ongpin Street in Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown. President Aquino earlier issued an executive order declaring the Lunar New Year as a nationwide nonworking holiday. Photo by Horace Cimafranca

Echoes.PH

News

RED HEAD CINDERELLA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard leaves one of her shoes in a mad dash to escape an angry mob of aboriginees on Australia Day. Photo: AFP

â&#x20AC;

NEWS

NEWS by NUMB BY JESSICA BISCOCHO

200 3000

alleged value, in millions of pesos of Chief Justice Renato Coronaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s real estate properties protesters joined a march against the balling of more than 200 pine trees for the construction of a parking building in Baguio City

9.2%

growth in value of the Philippine Stock Exchange since the start of the year, the highest recorded in Asia amount in pesos won by a 39-year-old man from Surigao del Norte who is now on a quest to find a wife

55,600,000 100 50,000,000,000

number of homes destroyed in a fire that razed during the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo

worth of a lawsuit, in pesos, filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG) against the Marcoses that was dismissed for lack of evidence

Imelda Marcos / Photo: PBS

1,690,000,000,000,000 estimated nominal value of the Philippine economy by 2050, the 16th largest in the world, according to an HSBC report 18â&#x20AC;

Echoes.PH

BERS 14

years since the last same-sex marriage debate in the US state of Washington, which takes place again this year in the state’s legislature

185 1

number of people killed in sectarian violence in Nigeria, a nation divided between Muslims and Christians

“severed head” of a man found by female dog walked along the trail near the Hollywood sign

balloons carrying 100 kilograms of Choco Pie sent by South Koreans to the North as a gesture of peace and sympathy

12 16

number of injured, including a Filipino, in an apartment collapse in Beirut, Lebanon, which killed 11 others killed in a maritime accident which left a 100-thousand ton cruise ship turned on its side near the coast of Giglio, Italy

The Costa Concordia tipped on its side / Photo: AFP

10,000,000,000 billion of dollars that suddenly appeared on an Indian teacher’s bank account, perhaps due to an accounting error

NEWS

No more downloads from Megaupload Site founder, three others arrested for copyright infringement BY CARLO MAGSINO With over 150 million registered users and 50 million hits daily, Megaupload.com is considered one of the world’s largest file-sharing sites. According to a US indictment, the company earned $42 million last year. This very fact made the Motion Picture Association of America howl out that the site was making money off pirated materials. Though the company is based in Hong Kong and New Zealand, some of the pirated issuances came from a host server in Virginia, thus the action done by the US government. With the site shut down last January 19, Thursday, Kim Dotcom, the founder, former CEO of and current chief innovation officer Megaupload.com together with three other employees were arrested in New Zealand on accusations that the company facilitated illegal distribution of files that caused copyright holders millions of unearned revenue. The police also confiscated guns, artworks, $8 million cash, and $5 million worth of luxury cars. Kim Dotcom, is a 37-year old dual citizen from Finland and Germany and whose real name is Kim Schmitz and is also known as Kim Tim Jim Vestor. The indictment was unsealed the day after Wikipedia and Craigslist was shut down in protest to the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act), which threatened privacy of website owners and as well as pose bigger risks of piracy accusations and charges to web users and website owners. Other sister sites affiliated with Megaupload.com were also shut down including one which is dedicated for sharing pornographic files.

uses. But the Motion Picture Association of America, which has campaigned for a crackdown on piracy, estimated that the vast majority of content being shared on Megaupload was in violation of copyright laws. The website allowed users to download some content for free, but made money by charging subscriptions to people who wanted access to faster download speeds or extra content. The website also earned some amount through advertising. The five-count law suit, which alleges copyright infringement as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering and racketeering, described a site designed specifically to reward users who uploaded pirated content for sharing, and didn’t consider requests from copyright holders to remove copyright-protected files. For instance, users received cash bonuses if they uploaded content popular enough to generate massive numbers of downloads, according to the indictment. Most content were always copyright protected, the indictment said. We always call for change. We all know how much crap is in our government and it’s great that we actively point it out. Change is something we actively look for. But what people don’t realize is that they are the change that they are looking for. Unless people change how they view things, there will really be no change in the system that has flaws we are always well aware of.

Megaupload is considered a “cyberlocker,” in which users can upload and transfer files that are too large to send by email. Such sites can have perfectly legitimate

Echoes.PH

FEATURES

The Rape Culture in Ecosoc BY AVRIL BRIES

“It would be her fault.” The said Ecosocer who uttered those five words—one of us, a ‘good’ guy—was stating them in response to this question: “If a girl was drunk at a party, and you raped her, who’s to blame?” A rape culture exists in UP Ecosoc, and this is only one of many examples attesting to this. Before we immediately jump to the org’s defense (and I do understand the impulse; the org is our ‘family’, as so very many people say at midsem interviews), let’s define what a rape culture is. Rape culture refers to a culture in which rape and sexual violence is commonplace, and prevalent attitudes, norms, practices and media condone, normalize, excuse or tolerate sexual violence. It regards violence as sexy and sexuality as violent. It encourages the idea that the rape victim is at fault for rape (as so aptly uttered, “It was her fault”), and even the idea that the victim may have enjoyed the rape. Thankfully, we haven’t heard of any actual rapes (as far as we know, and we hardly expect either victim or assailant to come forward and speak about it…) in Ecosoc. But there are still major issues that the org should address with regards to rape culture, in par22

ticular these two: slutshaming and rape jokes. Slutshaming. We’ve all done it at least once, and we’ve definitely all heard the statement “OMG, you slut/ whore/bitch” going around the tambayan. It doesn’t even need to use the word ‘slut’; it simply means attacking, insulting or shaming someone for being sexual, having one or more sexual partners, acknowledging sexual feelings, or even being suspected of any of the above. Of course, the basis for such suspicions are usually flimsy (“Ugh, she was talking to so-andso, what a slut” or “Did you she what she was wearing? What a slut.”), but even if such suspicions were well-founded, what’s wrong with having sex, and since when is someone else’s sex life our business? Yes, it’s fun to gossip about, but if you’re bored, play a round of bridge or study some Econ. But not being naïve enough to buy into the idea that people will stop discussing other people’s sex lives, I say at least this: if you’re going to talk about it, at least don’t judge it. I’ve heard people argue that slutshaming is valid because it separates the ‘bad girls’ from the ‘good girls’. Firstly, sex does not equal bad. Second, notice that the distinction is ‘girls’, fostering a double standard. And thirdly, slutshaming can contribute to victim-blaming, because obviously harassment or abuse is okay if it’s done to a slut, and she was just asking for it by wearEchoes.PH

Photo: Horace Cimafranca

ing that top or drinking or, for god’s sake, smiling at you. It can come to the point where even the victim will believe it, because who is he or she to argue when a whole society is backing the assailant by pointing the finger at him or her? One interesting spin that Ecosoc’s put on the slutshaming issue is that unlike some other communities, Ecosoc doesn’t do slutshaming only to girls. That doesn’t mean, however, that slutshaming extends to our gentlemen—at least not the straight ones; instead, slutshaming in Ecosoc seems to apply exclusively to our female and gay members, while the boys are apparently okay to rack up as many bed partners as they want. Rape jokes, meanwhile, might at first glance seem rarer. However, it’s hardly uncommon to hear someone say, “God, that accounting exam raped me” or commenting on an FB picture with, “Haha, you look like a rapist!” And that’s not counting the, “She’s so hot, I would totally rape her” jokes that are far worse. The difficult thing with calling people out on using rape jokes is just that: they will say it’s a joke. Most likely you will get complaints of not having a sense of humor (though excuse me for not finding rape funny). But there are a lot of problems with that kind of black humor. Number one, it’s disrespectful to rape victims

and can trigger them, the same way joking about the Ku Klux Klan or the Holocaust would. Two, it makes rape something normal. It can’t be as heinous as we claim it is if we’re laughing at it, right? And third, it help creates the idea that all men rape, and other men just keep it hushed up better. Virtually all rapists believe this, and people who joke about rape help reaffirm this belief. It’s fairly simple to see when something would not be funny: put yourself/someone you love in the situation. When “She’s so hot, I would totally rape her” becomes “My sister is so hot, someone would totally rape her”, suddenly it’s far less acceptable. Or, as we can see in Ecosoc, when it refers to yourself. Guys suddenly become intensely uncomfortable when it’s turned on them by other guys. Again with the double standard— but rape jokes under any circumstances are unacceptable, regardless of what gender the subject is. I’m not saying that everyone in Ecosoc is misogynistic and a rapist-in-training, but it’s a valid issue that the org should pay attention to, for the safety and health of our members and—do I even need to explain why we need to pay attention to this? Rape is a crime, rape is wrong, and the way we act like it’s okay… is not okay.

FEATURES

Y: THE LAST MAN “Genuine good taste consists in saying much in few words, in choosing among our thoughts, in having order and arrangement in what we say, and in speaking with composure,” describes French theologian and poet François Fénelon. BY HAZEL SUMAMPONG AND CHESKA JOSON

FEATURES

ISN’T HE DREAMY? Tobie during his interview at CASAA Photo: Judith Pascual

Antonio Bonifacio C. Reynes July 29, 1990 Mandaluyong City “Brillo and Boots Reynes,” Tobie straightforwardly replies when asked about the basics in his life. And it is no warm-up or ice left unbroken. It is simply Tobie. You ask, he answers. But take it from Shakespeare: men of few words are the best men. Being a Manhunt Finalist and the star of the Facebook page Tobie Reynes: The Bachelor of Econ, not to mention topping nearly all crush lists ever created, this guy has definitely captured the people of Ecosoc. Some are won over by his handsome appearance, others by his mysterious character, and most by both. But despite this general admiration, Tobie is perceived somewhat differently across the organization. To the ladies, he is the pretty boy who wears crisp polo shirts and an enigmatic smile to school. To the men, he is the tough-looking guy who occasionally visits the tambayan and never fails to steal the girls’ attention. To his batchmates, he is the bright classmate who eagerly volunteers to solve Econ 106 problems on the board. To the young ones, he is the cute senior who randomly shows up in org meetings and events.

Interestingly, Tobie doesn’t quite understand his appeal to people. “’Di ko sila gets,” he says naively. But when asked whether or not he considers himself attractive, he quickly saves himself from false humility, and rhetorically asks, “Ano bang klaseng tanong yan?” The confidence must come from other things. In fact, there are more to this bachelor than his eyecatching looks and fascinating aura. His early achievements include graduating Honorable Mention from Ateneo High School, competing for the UP Men’s Judo Team, and playing lead guitars for the band Oomph. More than these, Tobie is no short of a polymath. His knowledge and taste are educated as much as they are wide-ranging. His interests include Game Theory and “good conversations” from music to math, classic films and graphic novels. A Clockwork Orange and Into the Wild are two of his favorite movies, while the Batman series are some of his top comic books. As for the Game Theory and Math part, he has taken Econ 198, the dreaded Math series (53-55), Math 114 and 197.

Interestingly, Tobie doesn’t quite understand his appeal to people. “’Di ko sila gets,” he says naively.

Echoes.PH

Photographs by Arsenio Lukbanâ&#x20AC;

FEATURES Nonetheless, Tobie also has a down-to-earth, more relaxed side. Apparently he listens to Babyface as much as he does to Weezer, and watches both TV Patrol and Game of Thrones. He plays frisbee, football, and some mahjong. Skyrim and Arkham City take up some of his free time too. Still, there seems to be more to the Tobie magic than all these. Maybe it’s those scars under his eyes which draw more attention to his face when he smiles, or his bald-to-Afro-to-clean cut transformations which make the thought of seeing him so exciting, or some other details that people see uniquely in him. Or perhaps it’s the fact that you can’t really describe what it is. Tobie may not have chosen to be highly active in the organization. But in the future, when we look back at our Ecosoc life, almost all of us will somehow remember Tobie. Some will think of him as the teammate who scored the winning point in that important frisbee match, others will recall his Manhunt photos or his Echoes cover, and a lot will always consider him as the good old crush. As for his own future, Tobie seems to have been inspired by A Clockwork Orange aphorism: when a man cannot choose, he ceases to be man. He shares that he plans to either build a career in the banking industry just like his father has, or pursue a profession in the field of law and be an advocate for children’s rights; but he wants to keep his options open so as to allow for better opportunities.

The title of this article is that of Tobie’s favorite comic book. It’s a series about the only man to survive a plague which simultaneously kills every living mammal possessing a Y chromosome- including embryos, fertilized eggs, and even sperms. It forces humanity to extinction as women are also killed from the disasters of men’s death. The government arranges for Yorick Brown, the lead character, to meet with geneticists and cloning experts with the goal of producing clones of him.

He shares that he plans to...be an advocate for children’s rights Not to worry, Ecosoc is not likely to experience such a disaster now or ever. But it could definitely use a few Tobie clones- charismatic, ideal men. For a more in-depth account of his life, I recommend everyone to visit Tobie’s website http://www.imdb. com/name/nm0000093/, as declared in his Facebook account. It’s a must see!

Echoes.PH

Photograph by Arsenio Lukbanâ&#x20AC;

FEATURES

it was all in the Logbook BY BEA BAYUDAN

We’re not completely sure if these bad Tagalog movie titles are true. In any case, it’s a fun list to read. A baseless graph regarding how Ecosocers tambay is quickly refuted by Paolo Tamase and John Gan! Self-proclaimed and most beloved “goddess” Jessica Bodo (who is also the Finance chairperson) allegedly writes about a “relationship” with now fellow execommer Mark Matibag, only for it to be denied. Apparently, one of their enterprising friends, Dhiren Karnani, wrote that. Whether the statements are true or not is not something we know, but anyone who knows these people will in fact, find it funny. 30

Echoes.PH

Ecosoc may not be a univ-wide org, but if this page is any indication, we’re turning into an international one.

Former president Paolo Tamase mulls over whether a logbook should still be provided. One Ecosocer pokes fun at this being the first topic in the ConCon, which was something significant in Paolo’s term. “Senseful”, indeed. This is one of those pages that you look at like how you do at a very complicated physics equation.

Er... yes. People make noise. More people = more noise.

FEATURES Photo: Horace Cimafranca

Flirty

friendly

BY DEREK PARRENAS

That Flirty Frappuccino It is a well-documented fact that nowadays, that there is confusion between what is and isn’t flirty. For all genders and ages (post-pubescent), there is a growing query between what proper friendly conduct is and what good, old-fashioned flirting is. For starters, guys, that girl that sits beside you in class probably does NOT want you in her bed tonight. And girls, if a guy looks into your eyes and tells you about his newest crush, you’re probably not on his list of attractive girls to date. What is flirting and what is attraction? Generally, nowadays, almost all exchanges between a man and a woman fall under flirting. But wait, wait, let’s constrict that for a moment. If that definition were to be accepted, there wouldn’t be any room for what is friendly. Right now, in this vacuum of an article, restricting flirting to equate to attraction would be best. Attraction is, by all means, a very liberal word. There is faint attraction on the deepest level of our subconscious for every interaction we have, though it may not be sexual in nature. It includes picking out which store to buy from to which professor to choose for a course 32

to picking your friends. Many factors shape attraction, and these factors also shape that attraction to somebody you wish to have a romantic relationship to, plus a few unquantifiable others. The attraction you want to read about is that attraction, and for every instance that attraction mentioned here, those romantic and sexual connotations are to be implied. Being friendly, however, does not imply those two. Friendship offers a certain sense of affection and support, but it doesn’t really extend beyond that. There’s little to no commitment in friendship, as opposed to being with someone. Cynically speaking, friendship is selfish. But almost everything humans do are, in one way or another, selfish. Friendship’s just a bit more selfish than being with someone. Remember that time that you spoke to your seatmate because you either needed help or was bored out of your wits? That’s the start of friendship. Did you date them afterwards? Yup, neither did I. But don’t get too worked up that no flirting ever occurs in school, it happens everywhere. You don’t have to be at a party to meet someone who’ll take you to see the sunrise by the shore. That’s why I’m here! …No,

Echoes.PH

I’m not taking you to see the sunrise but I will tell you some general differences between being flirty and being friendly, although it may not apply to all. Let’s say that seatmate-turned-friend from English 10 talks to you when the professor’s out. He asks you about the paper due in a week. After you answer his question, he goes back to what he’s doing. He’s probably not interested in you. But are you sure? Of course not, you didn’t give him any chance to prove it further. Ask him a follow up question like “How far are you in writing it?”. If he answers it briefly and concise, then there’s a big chance that he really isn’t. But what if he talks about it more vividly and the circumstances surrounding the paper? Then sure, he is interested. Or he might be homosexual, no offense to them out there, yeah? So you think he’s interested and you probably are too. Have you noticed where his body and/or feet are pointed to? Now for the guys, this works both ways too. If that person you’re interested in has their body pointed at you, they’re interested in what you’re saying. At least you have their interest, right? What if they’re, you know, fixing their hair or playing with it in front of you? Those preening activities might be signs of flirting. Maybe you even get away with touching him or her. A light brush on the shoulder, a grasp of the arm to prove a point. And the topic of conversation, is it something light or maybe even leaning into sexual in nature? If yes, then congratulations, you’re flirting! But just flirting. Like I said, every exchange is almost considered flirting, although friendly in nature.

WERE YOU INFORMED?

Now time to weed out the wheat Survey reveals Ecosoc to be least from the chaff. informed org in Econ What’s friendly BISMARK and what’s flirty. So he or she grasps BY BENEDICT your arm as you’re talking and it stays there for quite a time. How long? Well, to be safe, longer than three seconds. That’s no light touch, that’s a signal to stay

and talk some more. And if it’s a firmer touch, that’s literally a stronger way of sharing their sentiments. You and your friends of the other sex, suggesting that you are heterosexual (cause if you aren’t, maybe you can imagine the opposite), do you touch each other longer than that? Probably not, if you really are just friends. When you talk to your friends, you don’t really let your eyes linger too long on him or her, right? Check out how their eyes stay on you, staring into your eyes when you talk. Now this might sound creepy under normal circumstances, ‘cause in normal circumstances, you don’t really make a conscious effort to check for these things as it comes your way. But think back and remember if someone ever looked at you for a long time as you were talking, or maybe even stopped talking. That person was genuinely interested in you. There’s something in the way people look at each other, that’s true. Cue hackneyed phrase, the eyes are the windows to the soul. You can tell something’s up through someone’s eyes. You may not exactly know what that is, but at least there’s something. That person might like you or you could be in trouble, but that’s your problem. Speaking of problems, maybe that person actually opens up about their problems, sensitive ones at that. That means they trust you really well. Well enough that they expect some form of commitment from you. Now if you skipped the two things I mentioned above, then you’re probably great friends! If those two are present, then congratulations, they’re flirting with real romantic interest. No, seriously. I have nothing to say to bring you down at this point. Just, get it out there too that you’re interested, if you are, and if you aren’t, you should cut back. There’s somebody for everybody. Okay, final lesson, do keep in mind that everybody’s different in their each and own way. So this is just a general declaration to tell the difference between the two. The person who looks at you for prolonged periods of time may actually be like that to everyone. This wasn’t written as a religious text meant to be followed throughout. This is just a walkthrough for the uninitiated. There’s always a grey area with love, and you’ll never know what will happen until you make it happen. Seriously, take the risk. 33

HIGH DEFINITION Hanep Dumamoves with Hari and Darrell

Swabeng Valentines BY HARI OROSCO AND DARRELL MAGSAMBOL

alapit na ang araw ng mga puso at marami ring nagsasabi na ang araw daw ng mga puso ay ang pangatlong bagong taon ng mga Pilipino. Ang una, noong Enero 1 kung saan ang mundo ay nagsaya sa pagsapit ng darating na bagong taon. Ang pangalawa ay ang bagong taon ng mga Instik na nangyari noong Enero 23. At ang pangatlo nga ay ang araw ng mga puso. Tinaguriang pangatlong bagong taon ito dahil marami rin daw nagpuputukan sa araw na ito. Alam mo naman, to impress the chicks, kailangan magaling ka magpaputok. ‘Pag nasa date ka, at may order kayong champagne, dapat marunong ka magbukas ng bote ng champagne. ‘Pag tama pagbukas mo, boom, puputok ‘yun. Minsan sasabog pa nga eh. Hindi mo rin maiiwasan magcandy before ng Valentine’s date mo diba? Kailangan mint flavor pa yung candy para swabe sa hininga pero gusto mo rin na medyo matamis at may twist kaya Dynamite ang karamihang binibili ng mga tao. ‘Pag tapos mo kainin ‘yung candy, may sasabog na malabnaw labnaw na filling sa loob na lasang tsokolate. At ‘pag sumabog ito, grabe ang pakiramdam. Parang heaven. Siyempre what’s a Valentines’ date without balloons, diba? Red balloons. After niyo magdate, alangan namang hayaan mo lang

yun. Kailangan mo putukin yun, pag putok nun, boom, sasabog ‘yun. Talagang maraming putukan ‘pag Valentines. Darrell: Ano nga bang kapanapanabik tungkol sa araw na ‘to? Hari: Hindi lang siguro yung putukan kung hindi na rin ang mismong date diba? Darrell: Ah swabe yan. Hari: Swabe talaga *wink wink* Darrell: Swabe kung may gift ka. Hari: Eh kaso kuripot ka diba. Darrell: Pareho lang tayo. Hari: Mas kuripot ka. Darrell: Brad ‘di mo naman kailangan maging mayaman para makapagregalo ng maayos eh!

Echoes.PH

Photo: Horace Cimafranca

Hari: Totoo ‘yan. Kahit nga kiss sabay hug pwede na eh. Darrell: Pero ‘wag ganun agad. Awkward. Eto, isang gabay para sa isang SWABENG VALENTINES. Hari: Gusto ko yan ah. Darrell: Babae man o lalaki. Mahalaga na maghandang mabuti para sa iyong regalo sa Valentines. In short, mag-ipon ka. Or magnakaw. Pero bad yun, hindi advisable yun. So mag-ipon ka nalang. Eto, mga ser at ma’am, mahalaga rin na tanchahin mo

Darrell: Ang regalo na ibibigay mo ay dapat naaayon sa mga hilig at hanap ng mahal mo sa buhay. Hindi cool magbigay ng gift na halatang last minute mo lang binili. Minsan gumagana ‘yon, kaso Valentines ‘to eh. Dapat swabe. Siguro naman alam mo na ang favorite color niya, favorite comfort food, favorite movie house, favorite junk food, favorite chocolate bar, favorite genre of books at favorite position... habang natutulog. Kung hindi pa, alamin mo na asap pls tnx k bye. Nararapat tandaan na kahit hindi kamahalan ang regalong ibibigay mo, matutuwa’t matutuwa pa rin ang bibigyan mo kung mahalata niyang nagresearch kang mabuti para sa once-a-year event na ‘to. Yung tipong

ang lebel o “stage” ng relasyon mo sa taong bibigyan mo ng regalo. Kasi kahit sobrang wow nga ng regalo mo na tipong may surprise effect pa, eh kung friendzoned ka naman... balewala rin. Ikaw lang ang kawawa sa huli. Friendzoned ka na, wala ka pang pera.

ginoogle mo pa yung pangalan niya the night before ka bumili. Para masabing nagresearch ka.

Hari: Kung sigurado ka na kung anong meron kayo, ang susunod mong kailangan gawin ay alamin ang kanyang personalidad o ang kanyang mga hilig.

Anyway, tandaan din natin na hindi ito lahat natatapos sa regalo lamang. Kailangan pa rin natin ipadama ang ating pagmamahal sa ating iniirog araw-araw. Hindi lamang mga bagay ang nagpapasaya sa kanila. Kung hindi rin ang ating oras. Oras. Oras talaga ang kailangan sa isang relasyon dahil nga may kasabihan tayo.... Time is gold.

Makatutulong siguro kung kilalang kilala mo na talaga ang taong pagbibigyan mo ng regalo. Pero kung hindi pa, makabubuti sigurong magtatanong tanong ka sa kanyang mga kaibigan para shuuurbol at swak ang iyong ibibigay. At kung walang wala ka na talagang clue kung ano ang iyong ibibigay, pagkatiwalaan mo na lang ang iyong instincts at magdasal ng mataimtim at sambahin na ang lahat ng diyos para magustuhan ang iyong regalo. Photograph by Horace Cimafranca

Hari: Paano pag wala kang internet the night before? So walang google? hehe joke lang

Hari and Darrell: Kaya bigyan niyo ng relo. THE END. k tnx bye!

FEATURES

HITLIST

The Christmas season may be over, but it seems like Ecosocers’ desires haven’t been fully satisfied, or there wouldn’t be anything on this list. By Beatriz Bayudan MOST WANTED POLITICAL FIGURE

MOST WANTED SERIES

Renato Corona

Sherlock

Our Chief Justice stands trial in an impeachment case, and the very foundation of our democracy and justice system is dependent on this. How can we, indeed, trust our system if the person who supposedly embodies it is accused or found guilty of being against it? As students of the University of the Philippines, this is something definitely worth following.

Pretty Little Liars, Grey’s Anatomy and Gossip Girl episodes may currently occupy our laptops’ disk space but soon enough we’ll find ourselves deleting some episodes of theirs to make way for the BBC’s series, Sherlock. It is top-billed by Benedict Cumberbatch (some enterprising die-hard fans have transformed his name into kind of an indecent sentence of sorts – Google it if you don’t know about it yet). The series also has received critical acclaim, even Photo: PC Gam garnering the BAFTA award for Best Drama Series. The TV series’ second season premiered on January 1, 2012, quite close to the Philippine premiere of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, the sequel to the 2009 Sherlock movie which starred Robert Downey, Jr., and Jude Law. The film was also highly anticipated – evident through its box-office lead.

Photo: AFP

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mes

MOST WANTED GAME

MOST WANTED EXECOM MEMBER

Mass Effect III

Jess Bodo

My gaming experience is limited to Mario Kart and random visits to Timezone (which probably don’t count), so forgive me if I Wikipedia my way here – Mass Effect 3 is apparently a role-playing game by Electronic Arts, and is slated for a March 6th release. This is also the final installment of the game, and possibly, its protagonist Commander Shephard may lose to the enemy.

The one and only goddess of Ecosoc! Over on Twitter, she also dubs herself “bellisima”. But seriously, Finance’s chairperson is certainly a force to be reckoned with – her leadership skills are undoubtedly very good, being able to put a productive team together in various Ecosoc and outside events. She is quite the perky and talkative person, making her one of the bright spots of your day. (Naks!)

MOST WANTED GRADE

Photo: PC Games

UNO Photo: Janeen Cayetano

Everyone definitely wants an uno. There is really no doubt about this. Maybe for GEs or some electives it is quite easy to obtain a grade of flat one, but for our majors, this grade eludes a lot of people. Those gunning for summa cum laude have a lot of these; maybe you (whoever you are, you know yourselves) can share? Please?

MOST WANTED TAMBAYAN SPOT

MOST WANTED NEW MEMBER

Carmel Baquilod I quote: “SABAW KASAMA. Never a dull moment with her! “ Anybody will attest to that, I am certain. This Power app (now mem, of course) caught many Ecosocers’ attention by being her bubbly and funny self. Carmel, according to some, also has quite a distinctive laugh.

Execom Table The Execom table is a sort of sanctuary inside the tambayan. Early in the morning, when the library isn’t open yet, this is where people plop down, open their books, and study, on the opposite end from where the couches and noise are. It also is not uncommon to see a similar sight during lunchtime (and the rest of the day), but you would more likely see laptops instead. Perhaps it’s a strategic place – near electric outlets and the windows (which would provide bright light), and across the rent space where no one exactly hangs out and creates distractions. The long table and benches also accommodate a good number of people, and this cements its position as one of the most wanted.

The most wanted new members hanging out by the most wanted tambayan spot / Photo: Horace Cimafranca

FEATURES

MOST WANTED LIKEABLE GUY

Tobie Reynes This guy really has an undeniable pull with the org (or at least with its female members). He does have quite the charm and good looks – the cover of this issue is a testament to that, isn’t it? He doesn’t drop by the tambayan often, but his reputation precedes him. Maybe for this issue, the Gossip G column won’t be the most read article because of him – just a thought. Likely. Photo: Judith Pascual

Photo: Arsenio Lukban

MOST WANTED GIRL-NEXT-DOOR

Klaud Moreno I quote, again: “Kasi sobrang cute niya kahit matangkad. Tapos ang kulit-kulit pa, pero sobrang sweet ng stature niya. (I can go on forever you know HAHAHAHA)” This towering 5’8”-plus plus something girl does possess a charming aura about her, and judging by this answer, she’s got a fan. Or maybe even an admirer!

Photo: Horace Cimafranca

MOST WANTED SHIFTEE

Noreen Apuhin

MOST WANTED

Gossip G. Gossip G, the most popular unknown Ecosocer. Her identity has remained a mystery for years, and still people have not given up on finding out who she is. Last year she landed herself a cover on one of the issues of Echoes—and still not one of us (except for the current editor-in-chief… and maybe someone else) are certain exactly who she might be. They say that 2012 would be the end of the world – watch out, then, because Gossip G may take this chance to expose everything she knows. XOXO! Bettina Ramas is not Gossip G. Photo: Horace Cimafranca

Although not a student of the School of Economics anymore (she has since transferred to our neighboring college, the College of Business Administration), she remains extremely active in our org! She is often seen around Econ, in and out of the tambayan, and currently serves as a director for the Ad Hoc -Task Force Committee. 38

Echoes.PH

Culture

Film | Travel | Fashion | Entertainment | Gossip

CULTURE

Film Review

3 Idiots BY GJ AGREGADO

Ever watched a Bollywood film? Ever seen a Bollywood dance sequence? Chances are you’ve never even heard of Bollywood. Yes that’s right, Bollywood is India’s informal counterpart to the ever-famous Hollywood in California. But you’re probably saying to yourself, I hardly ever watch local Filipino films, why would I ever want to watch an Indian film?! Well here’s a movie I’d recommend for just about any idiot who’s ever doubted India’s potential to make great films. The name of the movie is ‘3 Idiots’, and the title is quite self-explanatory as to what the movie is about. In essence it’s about three college engineering students and the struggles they go through to survive college life. Here are 3 reasons why you should spend 3 hours of your time to watch it: 1. It’s Indian. Us usual moviegoers are so accustomed to watching Hollywood movies that we’re left to think that the Americans are the gods of the international film industry. Well I’m sorry to break it to you but they’re not the only ones who know how to use a camera. This movie offers an entirely different experience in that it showcases a wide range of Indian culture. From its people, to their traditions, and even to their jokes, watching it will make you feel as if you’re in the midst of India. Yes the accents and mannerisms of the characters may strengthen the stereotype of the usual Indian, but more than anything it helped me see the richness and diversity in Indian culture. It’s a film that acts as a window into the morals and values of the Indian people, and for what I’ve seen I’ve gained more respect for them.

2. Second, it tries to convey a message significant especially to us college students. Rancho, the leading character, questions the method of learning in modern day education. We can admit that we have a flawed educational system; this movie portrays how that’s so. As the 3 idiots go through college, Raju and Farhan are stuck with the mentality that academic grades are what matter most. They study hard by memorizing the many engineering terms, but they fail to understand them. Well to an extent yes, they’re just being practical; they want to achieve high grades to earn a good job to support their families or to meet the expectations of their parents, but sometimes we have to question this the way Rancho did. Learning without understanding can be very dangerous. It hinders creativity and innovation as if putting blinders in students’ eyes. This movie tries to defy status quo and attempts to change society for the better by reminding us that it’s very important to question and understand what it is that we do. 3. Lastly, it’s a movie that serves to inspire. Throughout the movie, the characters go through different life obstacles, more particularly those problems concerning college students. At times it may seem as if it’s easier to give up, sometimes even to the extent of having to commit suicide. Rancho helps remind us that life is worth much more than that, all we have to do is to repeat the constant mantra that ‘aal izz well’. It’s a movie full of surprises complete with drama, comedy, romance and even a musical. Watching it gives you that breath of fresh air and inspires you to chase your dreams no matter how ridiculous it may sound. This movie is definitely worth watching its entire 164 minutes, and you’d be a complete idiot to not even try.

Echoes.PH

Travel

Pampanga Just an hour away BY REUEL REALIN An hour and a half worth’s travel through the North Luzon Expressway from Manila, one can find himself driving in a contrast of endless rice fields with the grays and barrenness of the remnants from the lahar flows brought about by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. The province of Pampanga isn’t the first tourist destination in the north that anyone would have on top of their minds. The overall impression left upon those who frequent the north is that one simply transits through the province to reach prime travel destinations. After all, the province may be a bit bland in comparison to other typical tourist destinations of the north such as the white sands and historical sites of Ilocos or the serene and quaint town of Sagada. Then again, maybe the tall grass which dominated the Pampanga landscape has some secrets to offer to the unwary traveler. Sufficient clicks on the internet and significant searches on Google had to be undertaken in order to find what the point of interests in Pampanga are. Coming from that same group of people who find the province as but a “gateway” to the north, I was actually surprised in the various churches and food spots that Pampanga has. Fortunately, the Giant Lantern Festival in Pampanga presented a chance for us to go on a traveling spree around San Fernando and its surrounding municipalities. Arriving at the capital at 2 in the afternoon was an opportune chance to make a side trip to one of the surrounding municipalities as well as a brief tour of the city before the lantern competition. While the sky was a bit overcast with gray clouds shrouding the sur

roundings, it was apparent that the city was expecting a large volume of tourists for the lantern festival. Traffic enforcers as well as police units loitered around the area, managing security and the increasing volume of cars, and buses. Public transportation such as jeepneys overflowed with passengers alighting near Robinsons Starmills where the program for the lanters would be taking place later on that evening. With enough time to go around, the city of San Fernando called for us to check out one of the well-known food spots in the area, a restaurant named, Everybody’s Café. The restaurant had a carinderia style of serving the food; this involved customers to go up the counter and point at what they would like to have, kind of similar to the small carinderias located around Manila. Most of the food choices were Filipino-Spanish style cuisine such as Calderetang Baka (beef cooked in tomato sauce) and Lechon Kawali (deep fried roasted pork). Their dishes had a distinct taste of being homecooked, a characteristic that most of its clientele would find appealing. Among others, Everybody’s Café is not only popular because of these dishes, but the place is known for serving dishes made from frog meat. There were two frog dishes being served that day, Rellenong Palaka (stuffed frog) and Fried Frog Legs. Not giving up the chance to taste something exotic, our group ordered one of each. Apprehension may be the first thing that grips the mind of a first timer, but the taste of frog meat is quite similar to that of chicken with a twang. The frog legs were quite meaty and compact despite 41

CULTURE

As there was still time to kill before the lantern festival started, the group was still able to check out one of the closer municipalities from the capital. The broad expanse of grasslands with a few scattered houses and commercial buildings separated cities and municipalities from each other; making the travel a bit easy on the eyes. The municipality of Bacolor, situated south from the capital and an hour’s drive away, prides itself with the Parish Church of San Guillermo as one of the dominant historical churches in the country. What makes this church different from others across the country is that it is a byproduct of both the Spanish occupation in the Philippines and the lahar flow in 1995. Unlike other olden churches that were fully restored through reconstruction and substitution of materials, the church technically stands as it was rebuilt after an earthquake roughly 125 years ago, with the significant exception that half of the whole compound is now buried under tons of solidified volcanic rock and debris. Upon arrival, it can be noticed that the church exterior still reflected the grandiosity it had even before its demise. The paint faded walls creates a perfect backdrop for an olden themed picture. This with the red cobblestone floors transports tourists to centuries before, overwhelming with its stories of tragedy and wartime. Entering the church, one cannot help but notice the uniqueness of its doorway. Due to the lahar flow, the original doorway is now underneath the ground. Instead of constructing a new doorway the locals have made the best with what they have and simply transformed the church windows; a transformation that is unnoticeable upon first glance. The church interiors imposed an aura of reverence, its magnificence amplified by the antiquity that the aged wooden beams provide. The illumination originated from the soft light emitted by the overhead chandeliers. An inner archway divided the church into two, the inner area being the altar. Although an ongoing wedding disallowed us from coming closer to the altar, it further highlighted the beauty of the church. It was truly a sight to behold. Driving back from Bacolor, one can notice the nowlit main highway connecting the municipality to the capital. The whole stretch of the Jose Abad Santos Avenue directed cars towards the annual lantern festival. Bell-shaped lanterns adorned the highway lamps with their festive colors of green, blue, red and yellow; all of which glowed in the dark of the night. The province boasts itself, not with the abundance of tourist destinations, but with the different festivities it provides locals and tourists all year round. At this time of the year, when holiday festivities slowly find themselves a 42

spot in everyone’s home, the province of Pampanga unveils one of its most awaited festivals. Tourists flock to the city of San Fernando just to watch and behold the seemingly dancing lantern lights in this year’s Giant Lantern Festival, dubbed as Ligligan Parul 2011. Towering with a height of around 6 meters, the lanterns awaited the program to begin; displaying a neutral color of white with only the names of the barangays they represented glowing above them. 10 gigantic lanterns represented the 10 barangays which took part in this year’s competition. Tickets were priced at 300 pesos each, but onlookers can still view the lanterns from a distance even without entering the premises. The lanterns provided eye candy to the thousands of people who flocked to the grounds, and despite the light drizzle of rain that evening, the mood was as festive as possible. Colors bursts out of the once plain colored lantern shells throughout the three rounds in which the lanterns competed. Despite being stationary, the lanterns danced to the Christmas music which accompanied every round. The lanterns will be on display at Robinsons Starmills, Pampanga until the 21st of December and on the 25th until the 3rd of January with a performance every 7pm. The province of Pampanga truly is a treasure trove of undiscovered festivities and historical sites. It has a potential of being one of the tourist destinations in the north; its characteristic of being a gateway being but a small, yet possibly a catalytic, part in the province’s tourism. The culinary prowess of the Pampanguenos have yet to be savored, as the food from Everybody’s Café is but a tip of the iceberg. The Parish Church of San Guillermo is but one of the historical landmarks scattered around the provinces and its municipalities which offer an exhilarating trip back to the past. Finally, the annual lantern festival provided a vibrant ending to any trip to the province. Food, Antiquity, and Festivities: the three dimensions of Pampanga that makes it worth going back to.

Fashown Fashownan BY LIA LONTOC It’s been said that what you wear tells us about your role in society. With this in mind, I decided to bring my article back to its roots, writing about ecosocers. I presented to a few of them this statement: “Tell me what you wear and I’ll tell you what you are.” Based on what they said, I shall determine their roles in society…the Economics Society!

Ryna Claro: Anything but pants Lars Alivio: Shape ups Her role: The wise one. Girls shouldn’t be wearing pants if they know what’s good for them. I’d list down the reasons why but that’s a whole other article.

Her role: The insecure fatty. There’s only one reason why anyone would resort to wearing such footwear.

Chiara Cokieng: Plunging neck tops Her role: The generous one. What guy needs porn when they got Cokie? Boys, control yourselves, though, especially in the tambs.

Carmel Joe: High waist shorts

Gilbert Bueno: … His role: The developing one. He is at the bottom of the Ecosoc food chain, the untouchable of the caste system, the peasant of the French revolution. Poor Gilbert. You can help him by donating some of your old clothes. Any kind would do. Anything is an improvement already to his wardrobe.

Her role: The village idiot. When you hear people tell you I love your high waist shorts! Where’d you get it? Wake up, honey! They’re pulling a Regina George on you! I hate seeing people laugh at you behind your back but who can blame them? You are clueless and your shorts (among other things) are hilarious! Having trouble with your identity in society (the economics society, at least)? Tell me what you wear and I’ll tell you who you are! À bientôt!

FROM THE EDITOR: This article is not meant to ridicule any member. It merely depicts a satirical approach on fashion trends by using members to simply illustrate the presented ideas.

CULTURE

5 Designer Collections For 2012

rugged nylon and oversized, scruffy hunting jackets; instead, we have impeccable tailoring softened by sexy animal print, delicate shells, and elaborate embroidery. Bonus: femme fatales took center stage last year in fetishist-inspired gear, but many of us were far too faint of heart to don dominatrix gear. For those who want to have just a taste of the power play, McQueen’s repeated use of leather corset belts is a good starting point.

BY AVRIL BRIES

n the past, The Echoes has featured the trendiest Ecosocers in the style du jour. Yet while our resident fashionistas certainly know how to steal a designer look, why wait for your peers to start flaunting them when you could be the first-mover in Ecosoc fashion yourself? People looking for the next big thing should start checking out the big names in fashion and their delicious new looks for 2012. But of course, not all designers are created equal, and we’ve had some big names take brutal nosedives recently, like Tom Ford’s overdone, costume-y women’s spring/summer 2012 collection (honestly, some of the looks seem like they were a.) taken from a bad production of Carmen or b.) created by ripping fur off cats and haphazardly sticking them all over the model’s body). And sometimes, even fabulous looks are definitely not meant for Ecosocers, like the Gucci menswear fall 2012 line, featuring luxurious bohemian-chick in plush velvet, double-breasted jackets and riding boots—makes the chiseled, 6-foot-something models look like Byronic heroes, but would likely make the average Ecosoc male look like hobos. So here are some personal recommendations for five fabulous collections to emulate, in no particular order:

Viktor & Rolf Pre-Autumn/Fall 2012 Viktor & Rolf takes a definite level up from their 2011 autumn collection, which focused on heavy, geometric shapes and bizarre cuts. This year has them transitioning into clean, flowing silhouettes in luxe fabrics and rich jewel/neutral tones. Ranging from ultra-feminine ruffled maxi dresses to androgynous tuxes (with an offbeat sequined color for that outré touch), this collection can easily transition from casual to corporate to a hot date night.

Alexander McQueen Resort 2012 2011 saw the ladies stealing their boyfriends’ clothes— and looking better in them the boys ever will. McQueen’s resort collection gives us menswear heavily influenced by old-world safari, but it’s a far cry from 44

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012 There’s a fine line between ridiculous and whimsical, and most designers end up crossing it—or fearing it so much that they end up boring. De la Renta’s spring collection, thankfully, stays quirky without becoming bizarre. Fresh touches like pairing socks with heels (which I personally think should be done more often… if done correctly) and voluminous silk skirts reminiscent of fairy tale aesthetics make this collection unique, but definitely not for the conservative set.

Nanette Lepore Pre-Autumn/Fall 2012 Last year gave us color-blocking, and the city was taken over by girls pairing aubergine with lime green and fuschia with cerulean. For 2012, on the other hand, most of us are going back to the past with 60’s and 70’s looks. Lepore takes the two and marries them by giving us a wide color palette for the clean, voluminous silhouettes of the 70’s and hints of Bridgette Bardot curves or mod girl graphic prints. Personal collection favorites: bright purple wide leg pants and an orange peacoat with an asymmetric hem.

Roberto Cavalli Autumn / Winter 2012 Men’s While writing this article, someone advised me not to bother putting in a men’s collection. Apparently Ecosoc femmes think that our boys don’t care about clothes. True, perhaps, but newsflash to the gents: 1.) girls adore guys who know how to dress well, 2.) working in the corporate world means power-dressing and 3.) honestly… some of you desperately need some emergency clothes help… not that I would name names, of course. Cavalli’s collection is fairly familiar ground, with suits and leather jackets, but it shows how to take those pieces and do them right, with slim cuts, good layering, and pants that fit properly (I really can’t stress that last one enough)—then adds an extra edge that makes the ordinary fashionable: eschewing ties for cravats or donning tough leather gloves with a double-breasted coat with leather details for a grownup bad boy look.

Roberto Cavalli

Viktor & Rolf

Nanette Lepore

Alexander McQueen

Oscal de la Renta 45â&#x20AC;

CULTURE

Standard Definition From the Girls’ Corner Echoes’ resident relationships experts Cheenie and Issay share tips on how not to get laid. Watch out, boys! Your old, dirty antics might leave you empty-handed (rather, self-handled) on Valentine’s night! BY CHEENIE QUIRANTE AND ISSAY VILLANUEVA

It’s Not Ice Cream Malapit na mag Valentine’s Day. Excited kayo parehas ng boyfriend mo sa inyong date. Isang araw tinanong ka niya kung ano ang favorite flavor mo, Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate, Orange, Banana, Mint, o plain. Aba, sige pili ka naman! May pahabol pa na tanong! Belgian o sugar cone? Belgian malamang, diba? Teka teka, ibang order na ata yan. I-cancel mo na bago dumating ice cream in a cone mo.

Don’t Play Poke-r Mahal mo siya. Mahal ka niya. Natural lang na mag holding hands, kiss, at yakapan kayo. Kaso nga lang sa isang moment niyo, habang yakap yakap mo siya nang mahipit may naramdaman kang third party. And no, hindi ito mistress. He tells you “Sorry, iPhone ko yun.” You look over his shoulder, nasa table yung iPhone niya. Hindi rin niya ito kamay. Alam na! Kung ako sayo, bumitiw ka na sa pagkakayakap mo at mag holding hands nalang ulit kayo. Wag muna kayo mag halikan baka tuluy-tuloy… matuluyan ka niyan.

McDonald’s My Ass Toogs toogs toogs. Nasa isang party kayo ng iyong honeypie. Inuman. Sayawan. Landian. Bigla siya bumulong sayo na naiingayan na raw siya at gusto niya mag “sober up” sa McCafe. He’s really craving na rin kasi for

a Frappuccino with extra whip. Sabi mo naman “me too!” Of course, libre. On the way, you see red and yellow. Sabay geisha! Bago mahuli ang lahat, ilabas mo na Jollibee coupons mo at order ka na ng Peach Mango Pie mo.

No Internet Connection Skype. Tinanong ka ng boyfriend/boylet mo kung may Skype ka. Wag kang gagawa. O pag meron ka, sabihin mo wala kang internet sa bahay. Kung sadya siyang makulit at ’di mo talaga maiwasan at kailangan mo talaga makipag Skype sa kanya, mag-long sleeves ka nalang pag nag-usap na kayo. Tandaan nakikita niyo ang isa’t isa at malamang sa sarili ninyong kwarto kayo nag-uusap. Wag kang maging temptasyon para sakanya. Ikaw din, baka may ipakita siya sa video call niyo na hindi mo magustuhan.

Don’t Park Just to Talk Gabi na. Kakatapos lang ng Litnight. Hindi ka masusundo sa Econ ni Daddy. Meet-up na lang daw sa Petron. Isinabay ka na ng orgmate mo, on the way naman daw. Petron na kayo, aga pa pala. Hintay muna raw kayo sa car while waiting. Simulan mo na mag-“text” at sabihin outloud “on the way na raw si Daddy.” Few minutes later, nasa Dr. Love na ang radyo niyo, wala pa rin si Daddy. Maalarma ka na. Sabihin mo, may na-receive kang “text.” Diyan na raw si Daddy. Baba agad, sabay babay, bago malaman nag-taxi ka na pala.

End of the World Ecosoc Couples Gilbert Bueno lists the most likely would-be couples of 2012. If you believe in the end of the world this 2012, then you better believe this! BY GILBERT BUENO

ime flies by so fast! Just a couple of days ago, it was New Year, and now, we’re nearing Valentine’s Day. I’m supposed to make articles about these two different events but since laziness is kicking in, plus the fact that the January issue of Echoes is released on February, I might as well be hitting two birds with one stone. January was supposed to be about predictions while February is all about love. What do we get when we combine these two, then? Love predictions of Ecosocers! In my last article, I was Santa Claus but now, I’m going to be Cupid and Zenaida Seva at the same time! Let’s get this panghuhula (or what we more commonly call pangeechos) started.

Leus and Jeremae This issue is so 2 years ago but it was only one way, he likes her but she doesn’t like him back. This 2012, it will be different. It started on one January evening, a night before classes resumed, where Leus texted Jeremae with “I can’t wait to see you tomorrow”. It appeared like she just ignored the message but deep inside her, she was kinikilig. And now, I see that on the day of graduation, as Leus walks out of the UP Theater after receiving his diploma, Jeremae will be running towards him. He turns around. She hugs him while saying “Why did I realize I like you the same way you like me sooner?” He answers, “It’s never too late.” She then replies, “I can’t wait to see you again.”

Angel and Aris

Aris, she’ll learn to look beyond the ass, but deeper into his heart. Aris, in turn, will realize that having a girl in Econ is not that bad. How will this relationship bloom, you may ask. What I see in my balls, my crystal balls (Yes! I have two crystal balls – one for first draft of predictions and the other one for proofreading) is that they will get to know each other better during the summer Plansem. Details? Just see for yourself, all I can give you is that there will be some HHWW along the beach and some ass-grabbing too.

Von and Alan The applicant and the execom – seems quite impossible but was proven otherwise by another couple just few months ago. This semester, these two get to know each other and get closer to each other since the guy is an applicant of the committee which the girl heads. It all started in special conversations during and even after commeets and during prodworks. These personal conversations will eventually turn to late night texts and FB chats. And finally, on the night of the Induction Ball, while Von is placing the Ecosoc pin on Alan’s shirt, they will have a 5-second eye-to-eye contact then he will say, “Thank you for being a great committee chairperson. Now, will you be the chairperson of my life?”

Paolo Tamase and Stef Go This year, Pao and Stef will have the greatest epiphanies of their lives! He will realize that he had been liking the wrong Chinese girl. She will realize that she’s been dreaming of the wrong Paolo. These two had started with the lolo-apo relationship, but as time passes by, they realize that they mean so much more to each other. This deeper and more intimate relationship started during the last few weeks of 2011, when Paolo lost his laptop. After this incident, in the backparking, Stef was seen comforting him by hugging him while wiping away his tears. This was then followed by random lunch and dinners in January and then, finally, during the Senior’s Sendoff, she approaches him. “I just want to say goodbye,” she says. “Don’t!” he answers. “But we won’t see each other anymore,” she replies. “I will be taking up law. Law is just beside Econ, so we can still see each other. I will never go far away from you, Stef Go.” And guess what they did after those cheesy lines?

This girl just looks at men’s asses. This guys, on the other hand, doesn’t want to be with an Ecosocer and prefers girls from other colleges. That was in 2011, but this year, they will change each other. As Angel sees 47

CULTURE

Gossip G. Bonjour, mes amis! Oh, look at that! A whole year has passed and once again, the season of hearts is right around the corner. You may be thinking that by saying that, I just made this whole article all about love, couples, and all that shit. Well, you were wrong. SPOTTED! Mister guy-whose-name-flies acting like he’s so cool, feeling like he’s so hot. I heard (and even saw) how hard this guy really tries to make himself look more appealing to others. I have nothing against people with really high confidence levels, in fact, I actually admire them. But sometimes, you need to be able to back-up this ego that you’re trying too hard to project to everybody. How, you may ask? First, fix your act. Facebook and/or Twitter is PUBLIC. Don’t be posting everything (and I mean everything) about your life, ok? Second, don’t treat others as if they’re your personal assistants just because they’re shorter and a bit darker than you. Third, get rid of the piercing, honey, It’s not working, for me at least. But I did hear a bunch of girls from another horizon seem to be taking quite an interest in you. *wink*

It’s not healthy for them! After all, you did ask vice-y people to not do it in front of them, right? Don’t put to waste your reputation as a good leader. SPOTTED! Mister OMG-be-my-friend being all too extra touchy (and pathetic) lately. I don’t know why, I don’t know how, but he just manages to annoy every single person he talks with. Is it the neediness? Is it the fact that he seems to hate soap? It’s a mystery! Aside from these factors, I heard he’s becoming very touchy when it comes to our new people! Just because they’re new here doesn’t mean you can take advantage of them, alright? A bit of advice, CLOSE YOUR MOUTH. Well, I guess that’s all the juice I can spill for this issue! Til next time, people. Au Revoir! PS: THAT MAN WHO’S IN THE COVER OF THIS ISSUE, I WANT HIM, SO FREAKIN’ BAD! Rawr!

SPOTTED! Miss everybody’s favorite model, FRIENDLESS. Yes, it may sound harsh and I’m pretty sure it’s even harsher when you experience it in real life, but I’m positive (about 95%) that it’s her fault. She is, in a way, pretty. But I think that her dead personality and really bad social skills flush out her middle-eastern beauty! I even heard that one time she just went rampaging across the tambayan and just started [lightly] hitting random people’s heads! Thank god I wasn’t there, I could’ve killed her! A little advise (and I hope it helps), don’t hit people in the head, it kind of sends the wrong message, especially for people without any friends. SPOTTED! Miss role playing grandmother [allegedly] being too harsh on our young ones! Now, how do we define harsh? It’s raising your voice on them just because they make little noises whilst on their way out. Why? Do you feel guilty that one [almost] got hit by that passing truck? Well, sister, shouting at them won’t keep them from getting hit so might as well not do it. 48

Echoes.PH

Echoes.PH This issue is now online. 49â&#x20AC;