ECHOES March 2012 by Echoes

Now featuring the orgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important members

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 issues will be published in the March 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.

From the Editor I shall sacrifice this much space in honor of the Seniors, who have been my friends, brothers, sisters, love interests and enemies. You are my college life and I hope you find your way after graduation. To the Seniors!

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COMMITTEE NEWS

COCOY

JEREMAE

President

Vice President

TEAM BENEFIT PARTY: We’ve been through a rollercoaster ride of challenges, and upsets and we made it past March 9 alive and better than ever. Thank you to all Officers and Assistant Directors, who made RAGER possible. To my Directors, Noreen, Mads, Ryan, Nads, and Lia: you’ve all been amazing. Thank you so much for not giving up. TEAM SPECIAL PROJECT: Thank you for your understanding. The maturity that all of you showed in our last GA makes me feel so thankful that we have people as dedicated as all of you in the organization. This may not be what we had wanted, but we have a lot to pick up from the whole experience. SENIORS 2012: You’ve been the lifeline of this organization for the past couple of years. Thank you for giving everything you have given to the organization for all the semesters you’ve been part of Ecosoc. It has been amazing seeing your contributions to Ecosoc, and I hope your dedication will take you to wonderful places when you leave. 54TH EXECOM: I mean it when I say that every one of you is as important to me as you are to the organization. Thank you for a semester of hardships, challenges, and triumphs. You amazed me when you showed resilience in the most difficult of times. I will forever be indebted to you for everything that you have sacrificed and accomplished for the love of the Society. OUTBREAK APP BATCH: You may be small in number, but you make up for it in the amount of passion you exhibit. Seeing you go through the application process gives me a comforting feeling that as another batch of great Ecosocers graduates, a new batch of passionate spirits come in. Outbreak, it’s been a pleasure. Now it’s your time to serve in the name of service, excellence, and tradition. ECOSOCERS: Thank you for holding on. We’ve made it this far, so let’s make it all the way. Thank you for loving Ecosoc despite. As I’ve said before, just keep the faith.

HELLO ECOSOC! As we leave this chapter, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have been part of a very memorable semester. First, to the ECOSOC CHOIR and all those who welcomed us, thank you once again for all your time and the efforts you have put in making Caroling a success! It would never be the same without each one of you. To the entire TASK FORCE family, thank you! TEAM PARTY, thank you for the patience and perseverance in pursuing our goals, for all the risks we took, for a very meaningful semester with you. TEAM SPECIAL PROJECT, even though things did not go as planned, I still believe we can do this! Thank you for all the efforts and all the work you have put into this and for always having hope and believing. To the entire Task Force, it may not show, but I am proud of each one of you. I know you have long realized the real cause behind our tasks and I hope you never get tired of the experience. To all those who supported the endeavors of Task Force, thank you! I hope you will never get tired of doing so, because more than supporting Task Force, you are supporting our dear scholars. To the new members, the OUTBREAK applicants, congratulations and thank you for making the semester worthwhile! You have shown great potential. Remember that with great passion for service and undying love for the organization and all its stakeholders, you can bring Ecosoc to greater heights. To the EXECOM, thank you very much for everything! I know we’ve been through a lot of ups and downs but I know these experiences only made us grow into better and stronger individuals. Thank you for all the experiences, and for all the support and understanding you have given me this semester. I will definitely miss each and every one of you (including all the meetings, pictures, sabaw moments and all the kemerloo that comes with it) >:D< To my friends who never failed to make me smile and keep me sane, thank you. :) And although this semester isn’t really the best, I am still very grateful and glad. Ecosoc has been one of the best decisions and one of the best experiences in my college life. I can say that my experiences in Ecosoc greatly influenced my growth as an individual. Without these, I would be living an entirely different life. No regrets, just love. :) Thank you, Ecosoc!

Photographs by GJ Agregado

ANGEL

JESS

Secretariat

Treasurer/Finance

Time really does fly! It feels just like yesterday when I submitted my GPOA to run as Seccom chair, and now, the first half of my term is going to an end already. There may have been a few bumps and glitches throughout this sem, but as what I always believe in, we must learn to move on from these mistakes and focus on moving forward. Before my first term officially ends, I want to mention important people that have made my sem very memorable: Outbreak members, congratulations on your 100-percent passing rate! I do hope your heart for Ecosoc wouldn’t end with your app process. “Puso lang. Puso!” I hope you carry such passion throughout your Ecosoc adventure. Seccom, thank you for a fun-filled semester! I can’t believe we have achieved a lot of great things this sem. I couldn’t have done any of them without all of you. To my graduating members: Rehi, Therese, Cocoy, Sel, Reuel, Gab and Marian, I salute every one of you as you graduate. I hope nothing but the best for all of you! To my non-graduating members: Pat, Chrissie, Angeli, Ryan, Bing, Denise and Irra, I hope you’re as excited as I am for the next sem! To my VCs Ars, Kyla and Yasmin, it was a pleasure working with the three of you. Your great innovations and fresh ideas have contributed a lot to what Seccom is now. Thank you! Raymond, Ryan, Sel, Janna, Hannah, Mt. Olympus, Kemesbar/Renegade, thank you for keeping me sane. :) Ecosoc, cheers to the sem that was! It may not have been perfect for everyone, but I hope we keep an open heart and an open mind for what’s in store for us in the future. See you all next sem!

LOTS OF LOVE, Angel (with invisible wings)

Time flies unbelievably fast! I cannot believe I’m already writing my last commnews for this semester because I admit that I haven’t done anything yet as a Finance Chair. So first of all, I would like to apologize for all my shortcoming. I know I have underperformed in every way and disappointed all those who supported me. Believe me, I really am sorry. WE WILL BOUNCE BACK. To my Fin loves, you are the most talented and most dedicated members in Ecosoc. I really am sorry for not being able to meet all your expectations of me and for putting you in so much pressure. Know that I only pressure those who I think can handle it. Plus, pressure makes diamonds! Thank you for the BEST tribute a commhead can ever wish for… NOT! ;) To Tong, thank you for stepping up – I know applying for VC is a huge step for you! To Cyril, why do you always have to use my pictures? Thank you for your awesome (SPEV-ish) videos and for stepping up during crunch time! To Geli, remember everything I told you. To Shelly, you are amazing, just believe! To Janine, you always make me smile. Stay positive, stay in Finance! To Romano, thank you being my “guardian” this sem! To Topy, you always make me proud! Good luck! To Nikki, thank you for listening to all my frustrations in life. You are my savior! To Brian, pressure makes diamonds! Congratulations! To Donelle, I am super proud, Xian loves us! To Georgina, thank you for always replying to my texts and for helping me whenever I’m lost. To Ate Matel, congratulations! Good luck out there! To Enzo, you are my savior forever, you know that. Thank you for everything! To Ica, you are my sales mentor! I love you forever and ever! To Paul, I admire your determination and persistence! To Pauline, you are one of the most hardworking people I know! Thank you! To the Outbreak apps (new members), especially to Jomac and Justin, welcome to Ecosoc! I’m so proud of you! To Kemesbar, the first half of our term seems to be the most “renegade” semester in Ecosoc’s history, but I am glad that we are still here together. getting stronger and stronger. Cheers to another semester of keme¸ “Oh dear” and “May kwento (or chichi) ako” moments, photo booth sessions, crazy dance steps, stalking, jumps, ADHD tendencies, super long meetings, and more! Lastly, to the gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus, I’d like to apologize for EVERYTHING. I miss hanging out with each one of you. I love you guys! Watch out for the Finer Fresher Fiercer Finance Committee next semester! ;)

Echoes.PH

7 3

CHILA

VON

PRO/External Affairs

Academic Affairs

Hello Ecosoc!

Awww last commnews for the sem! *tears*

I sincerely apologize for not having commnews last month. I’ve been having technical problems. :)

This semester has been amazingly surreal for me so let me thank you all for giving me such a great opportunity.

First of all, I’d like to thank everyone for supporting Externals’ events and projects this semester: ENN, X-Updates, Eventology 101, CineX: Cine Externals, and UPFront! Do look forward to a more exciting semester with Externals!

To Ecosoc: Thank you for believing in me! I promise I won’t let anyone of you down. Amazing things await you next semester!

Also support Start UP. Our very own College Entrance Test Review Center this coming May. Check out www.facebook.com/start. up.now! Tell your families and friends too! :) To UPFront team! (including all the volunteers) Congratulations for a job well done! Congrats to Karla, Alan, Reuel, and Red for being outstanding members of this team! To Externals, thank you for a very lovely tribute :) (sorry I wasn’t there to experience it last Wed) :(. I had fun getting to know and working with all of you. I hope it was the same for you. And, though this sem is over, I hope you’d still stay with me for Start UP. Queenie! Good job with UPFront! Thank you FOR EVERYTHING and good luck :). StefanieCutie! Don’t use your “Sheela” look on me! :) Good job with this sem! Hope you enjoyed being VC! AK forever friends with CHE, I hope you didn’t regret choosing Externals! BenGanda, MikoDiyosa, Reg, and Ria! Congrats with council! Please dont leave me :D. Dana thank you for the documentations and pubmats! Dhiren and Geoff : I need your brains, criticisms, pub skills, and ideas! don’t leave :) Elwin my treasurer and only senior! congrats and happy graduation! HannahLara I support you all the way! :) Jiggy thanks for the awesome video! have fun on your vacation! :) Juliet thank you for giving externals a chance :) KarlaRuiz woohoo! my bibbo kid! great job on everything! Peter thank you for staying in externals! :) please note my message! Redbert I love how passionate and hardworking you are! I need a prodwork guy, please stay :) Dia, Mitch, and Jo! I hope your stay in externals was worth it. Thank you so much for lending all your resources and exerting so much effort in your application process! I know you did well, and good luck! :) To Kemesbar :) Yey! One semester done, one more to go. Hope you are all excited! Also, on a sidenote, please tell me when I’m being “Sheela”/Scary - most of the time, I’m not aware. (So I can adjust) :)

To my AWESOME TEAM: You guys are already family to me! I love you all to bits :) Neil: I knew right from the start that you would never let me down! Thank you so much for being an amazing VC and a friend to me! Monina: You really surprised me this sem and definitely exceeded all of my expectations! I’m glad I have you as my VC. We’ll do great things next sem! Love you so much! Nikki: You crazy person! HAHA. It may not be obvious but I really enjoy talking to you! Oh, and your Recognition Day pencils are stupendous! Cam: I’ve seen you work and do great things this sem! The future is surely bright for you. Topy: You may not know it but you’re the person I’m definitely most proud of! Gab: Hi fake-boyfriend! Thank you for choosing me over Mark Matibs haha. Stay in ACAD, okay? Love youuuu! <3 Louie: Hi there ACAD treasurer (or treasure? NUUKS). Kevin: Bro, I commend you for your work for the Symposium. Lars and Arianne: Stay in ACAD!!! Keith and Gelo: Aww Pub babies! You guys make me proud! The Invisibles- Bryan and Cathy: I still love you both no matter what. My Seniors- Cid and Leus: Awww, can’t believe you two are leaving us already :( I just wish you both the best on your future endeavors. You will be forever loved and will surely be missed! To my lovely apps- Alan, JR, and Vico- I couldn’t be more proud of you three! Thank you for all of your contributions to our committee. I hope you guys stay in ACAD. I love you all J To the Execom: Thank you for all the support! We will be kickass amazing next sem! <3 PS. Jeremae, we will miss you. J PPS. Thank you for all those who went to Stock Up last Friday! Your support was very much appreciated.

Illustrations by Sol Cortes

MHELA

HORACE

Community Development

Echoes

Dearest Ecosoc, Thank you for trusting me and letting me serve for the semester. Thank you for all of you who really worked hard and also those who supported the CDC activities. I also speak for all the beneficiaries for whom our unified efforts are dedicated, but we must also thank them, for they have chosen us to share their lives with. Thank you for supporting the committee despite my inexpert abilities and shortcomings. To my Vice Chairs, Mariel and XP, you, of all people, know the details in and out of the committee. I can say that we have the most solid foundation of all. We understand each other, which is not only the foundation of team work but friendship as well. To my CDC family, I know, we have priorities and I understand all of them. I just want to thank each and every one of you for staying and putting on valuable insights. I appreciate all your effort for the committee. To my graduating members, Karl, Kevin, Jade, Hannah, David, Thea, Diane and Ate Faye, I wish you all the best in your future plans. I know that God will always bless wonderful people like you. To my friends and batchmates, Kevin E, Irene and Alex, we are so proud of you for you continue to find and fight for your passions in and out of Econ. I hope that we will always remain friends and be supportive of each other. To my vibrant members, Anj, Carmel, Cel, Klaud, Loice, Mark and Sarah, may you always be reminded of your purpose, no matter what endeavor you are in and to always search for what you think is right. To the Execom, we knew that this will be a hard sem but we never knew it could be as hard as this. We’ve been through a lot but I’m proud of us, because we never faltered and we held each other’s back. We are the most united and closest Execom ever. We just have to translate this to our members but we are getting there. I’m so happy to have you as friends and colleagues. Expect a better and bigger Mhela in the next sem. Promise.

Echoes.PH

To my Seniors, I love you all. Please don’t forget to give back. Thank you, Hazel. You are amazing. Thanks for attending the last 3 commeets, John Gan. Thank you, Cheenie for being a great friend. Thank you, Avril for being really helpful. Thank you, Issay for sharing your love stories. Thank you, Cheska for...see you next year!

MARK

Liaison

Memcom

I can’t believe I’m writing my last commnews for this semester. These four months have gone by really fast! This was a semester of ups and downs (mostly downs HAHA) for most of us but I’d like to take this opportunity again to thank everyone who made my first semester as your Liaison Chairperson very memorable. Pai and Marte, super thank you for everything! I don’t think people know how much you’ve put into Liai what it was this semester! Thank you for helping me! Chiara C., Car, Jorell, and Carrie, I hope you all enjoyed your last semester in Liai! Thank you for being active with us even though you’re busy with all those seniors’ stuff! I wish all of you the best in life! Visit us next sem and see you in our alumni events! CJ, I’m so grateful you stayed active in Ecosoc despite your other commitments! Sel, thank you for being with us every time! Good job! Cel H., even though you’re busy in your acads, you still find time to do your deliverables. Thank you! Briana, thank you for the efforts and support you gave in Liai! Do well in all your endeavors! Pito, I appreciate your presence and support in our activities and projects! Stay active! Chiara B., even though I know you’ll be building your career in another…ehem (HAHA), you still stayed with us up to the very end! Thank you for the thoughts that you shared with us! Niña, albeit your problems in your you-know-what, you still stepped up here in Liai! I’m really glad you did, and I hope you stay active in Liai and in Ecosoc! Simone, you really are a Finance councilor! Thank you for bringing us money HAHA and determination to do your deliverables! Good luck in SESC! Bea, we already miss you! Thank you for the energy that you gave us! Nathan and Chie, we also miss you! Seniors 2012, see you in our alumni events next sem! Good luck in life! 54th Execom, we still have next sem to improve everything! Ecosoc, get ready for next semester!

Greetings Ecosocers! It is another edition of can-you-tellme-why-you’re-reading-the-commnews-of-Memcom! Unfortunately, this will be my last commnews for the semester. But do not worry! My always boring and hastily written commnews will be back next semester! Thank you for electing me as the Membership Committee Chairperson. I assure you that I will be of service to the organization. I will not let you guys down and that’s for sure! I will once again acknowledge my awesome members! Shout out to Camille, Carlo, Ines, Mads, Henry, Aris, JM, Mabel, Jade, Issa, Bettina, Lesley, Lia, Janna, Gilbert, Reg and Paolo. Thank you for choosing to be part of the most demanding committee in Ecosoc. (Cheesy Spoiler Alert) Words cannot express how happy and grateful I am to be your commhead. It has been one hell of a ride and I cannot help looking back. To the undergraduates, I hope that you guys will still choose Memcom as your first choice next semester. I am honestly looking forward to working with you guys again. Although there are setbacks last semester, I guarantee that we will bounce back stronger than ever next semester and you can all put that into writing. We are going to smell greatness and finish strong! To the seniors, thank you for supporting me all throughout the semester. Good luck in your future endeavors, whatever they might be! I hope to see you in alumni events because I know for sure that you love Ecosoc with all your heart. To cap of my commnews, I would like to share Memcom’s titles for the Outbreak semester, The Arbiters of Taste and The Cultured Committee (Hahahahaha). [From the editor: HERESY!] It has been an honor serving Ecosoc for one full semester. Let us all stay put in Ecosoc and continue spreading Service, Excellence and Tradition all throughout the nation! Here’s to the future and everything in between!

And to You, thank You for the wisdom and passion You gave me to serve other people. I give back all this glory to You! 6

Illustrations by Sol Cortes

MIGUEL

JANEEN Sports

Special Events

Nais kong hawakan ang mga kamay ng oras. Pipigilin ko muna ang pagdating ng bukas upang kahit sa isang huling pagkakataon na lamang, kayo’y aking mayakap at mapasalamatan sa lahat ng mga bagay na naitulong niyo sa akin. Sa huli kong pagbabahagi ng saloobin, aking ilalaan ang mga kwento at mga ala-alang iniwan sa akin ng mga seniors na napalapit na sa aking puso. Alam kong madrama pero lubos ko kayong mamimiss. Hindi lang ako, kung hindi pati na rin ang lahat pa ng inyong maiiwan dito sa ating tambayan. Sa inyong paglisan, sana’y hindi niyo makalimutan ang mga karanasan at mga maliligayang sandali na ating pinagsaluhan bilang isang pamilya. Magkakapatid na tayo rito, nagdadamayan at nagtutulungan sa lahat ng pagkakataong kailangan natin ang isa’t-isa. Mahirap magpaalam, pero kailangan. Sandali na lang at kailangan nang bitawan at pakawalan. Sana’y sa inyong paglisan, ay bitbitin niyo ang ala-ala ng nakaraan. Sana’y hindi niyo malimutan ang mga masisiglang kwentuhan at mga biruan, mga away at pagpapatawad, pati na rin ang pagsibol ng pag-iibigan sa ating munting tahanan. Sana’y hindi niyo malimutan ang mga tagumpay na ating nakamit, ang mga pagkabigong nagturo sa ating bumangon at nagpatibay ng ating pagsasamahan, at lalung-lalo na ang mga matatatag nating pagkakaibigang sinubok na ng panahon. Nawa’y hindi niyo rin malimutan ang mga gabi ng inuman, mga gabing punung-puno ng halakhakan at hagikgikan, mga wagas na pagtatawanan at mga pagbabahagi ng saloobin. Higit sa lahat, sana’y hindi niyo malimutan, na mayroon kayong karamay sa oras na kayo’y nalulumbay at nalulungkot – na mayroon kayong kaibigan na handang mag-abot ng tulong sa oras na kayo’y mangailangan. Para sa mga Spev seniors, Andre, Lia and Chrissa, salamat. Salamat sa lahat ng mga aral na aking napulot mula sa inyo. Naging malaking bahagi na kayo ng aking buhay at habambuhay kong pangangalagaan ang ating samahan. Hindi ako namamaalam, huwag kayong mag-alala – ito’y paraan ko lamang ng pagsabi na mahal ko kayo, mahal namin kayo. Ikaw na nagbabasa nito, sagutin mo ang tanong ko: paano ka nabago ng karanasan mo rito sa Ecosoc?

Hello ECOSOCERS! This is my last commnews for this semester. And I want to dedicate this to my members and to all who supported the Sports events. I just want to thank my VC’s Lance and Anon for helping me with all of our committee’s endeavours. To the rest of my members, Cesca and Chello – thank you for helping me in JPES Sportsfest, CV, Dave, Hari and Raya – I know you guys are busy with school but still thank you for attending commeets and genmeets, Erol, Jed and Mik – thank you for all the help and always taking the initiative to help without being asked, PauBau and Rino – thank you for playing in Slo-Pitch and Frisbee games! To my graduating members, Jana D. – thank you for always being there for me (in terms of committee work and personal life. HAHAHA), Tobie – thank you for helping in ScavHunt and taking the initiative to ask whether we need any help, Trixie – even though busy you still tried to help me in our events, and of course Van – don’t blame yourself for why we didn’t win in ScavHunt (because of the curse.) because I think Sports is lucky to have you. To my apps, Ria – for being so “bibbo” as in! Thank you for sacrificing your time to represent the organization sa different games (Slo-pitch, Frisbee and JPES) and to God – thank you for helping me in MBA and playing in the Diliman CUP. Thank you and hope to see you in the Induction Ball. Thank you guys for a job well done and I can’t imagine what it would be like without you guys. Each of you represents a piece of a puzzle that completes Sports and that completes me. Hope to still work with you guys next semester (if I’ll still be appointed) and hope that you’ll stay active in Ecosoc. <3 To the EXECOM: Thank you for everything for all the trust, help and support that you gave me. I love you guys and super worth it that I had a chance to work with you guys.

Seniors, mahal namin kayo! Maligayang pagtatapos! Gumagalang, Miguel Andres

Echoes.PH

INSIDE ECOSOC Puso lang, puso. BY JOBY GUERRERO

An intriguing event titled Fiestalympics, a couple of people selling stick-os and brownies, a fun video with a cool tag line, “Puso lang Puso” add them all together and what do we get? We get one of the most heartwarming and self-fulfilling app projects ever. The Outbreak Applicants held their app project last March 3, 2012 at the Mother of Mercy Learning Center covered court at Novaliches, Quezon City. Mother of Mercy is a school which is headed by a number of nuns aiming to promote great education coupled with Christian values. The app project is envisioned to extend service to scholars of the said institution. That Saturday morning the covered court was filled with excited kids. Enticed by the festive theme of the place, all of them waited patiently as the event was about to start. They were divided to 4 different teams, Yellow, Blue, Red, and Green. Members were also divided to be incorporated into the different teams. The event was hosted by Justin Cabillos, Migs Dela Cruz and Lara Rapanan. Sports festival Fiestalympics was themed to be a sports festival which showcases classic Filipino games. Different activities such as a sack race, a giant tumbang preso game, caterpillar wars and a relay game with Filipino twists was played by the kids and members. Each team earned

points depending on their rank for that game. The team with the highest points will be the official champion of Fiestalympics. Both the kids and the members actively participated in the activities and enjoyed playing these games. That day they also learned a new danced called “Teach me How to Fiesta.” After everyone had their dose of excitement and fun during playing the games, food was distributed. Adding to the festive feel, the food that was served was also food usually served in Filipino festivals. Everyone enjoyed eating their share. The members bonded more with the kids by getting to know their background while eating. After eating, the host tallied the scores and the red team bagged the championship. Loot bags with school supplies were given out to the kids. After the event, the kids thanked the members for holding the event. Ushering them in meeting their parents, I talked to a group of kids. Everyone said thank you and it was very heartwarming to hear. All of them were grateful that such event was held. Going home, all of them had smiles on their face. It is very self-fulfilling to see that both members and kids had fun in Fiestalympics. Seeing the smiles on their faces definitely made us, the Outbreak applicants, feel that all our efforts, hard work and dedication was totally worth it.

Echoes.PH

CWTS holds culminating activity SPEV sponsors first such activity in SE BY BEATRIZ BAYUDAN Last March 2, 2012, the CWTS 2 class under Sir Agustin Arcenas held their culminating activity, titled Ang Drama Mo: Isang Makabuluhang Tanghalan Para sa Bayan. The said event was held at the School of Economics Auditorium, from 6 to 9 pm. Deviating from the past CWTS 2 format of field work, this activity served as a competition and required the students to come up with a performance with their assigned topics instead. The winning group would then be awarded a cash prize, to be donated to the group’s chosen charity. Emerging first placer was the LGBT group, with their musical number. Runner-up was the Toxic Wastes group, with their short play.

Judges included known personalities in different fields who are also alumni of the School of Economics. Said judges were Prof. Solita Monsod, Jon Santos, Nick Pichay and Popo Suarez. The culminating activity was done in the Showtime format, with one of the judges providing a numerical score after each performance, composing 60% of the overall score, and with 40% coming from audience votes. Hosted by seniors Andre Sarmiento snd Faye Ferrer, with sophomore batch representative Darrell Magsambol as field reporter, the event was done in cooperation with the Special Events committee of the UP Economics Society, spearheaded by chairperson Miguel Andres.

Acad symposium speakers Ecosoc unearths encourage investment in the sound of the stocks underground BY SHELLY UMALI Last March 16, 2012, students, professors, and aspiring stock holders gathered in the Academic Symposium at SE 111. Organized by the Academic Affairs Committee, this semestral symposium’s theme was Stock Up: Building Essential Knowledge on Financial Markets. Speakers Mark Valino of Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. and Noel Del Castillo of UP School of Economics gave an introduction on stock market investments and methods on determining viable investments. The speakers explained why people should not be afraid of investing in stocks and that the earlier people invest in them, the better. They also suggested to look at stocks as long term investments and to apply the concept of Peso Cost Averaging. Peso Cost Averaging involves investing a fixed amount constantly for every period of time. An example is investing P5,000 per month in stocks. They were able to show that long term investments give better results that timing the market.

BY ANGELI JUANI UP Economics Society held its latest benefit party Rager last March 9 at The Tents, Alphaland Southgate Mall. Around 9pm, people started to fill the place. Jets of colorful lights, disassembled car parts, spray-painted dividers, a big LCD screen made up the ‘underground’ ambience of Rager. Party-goers moved to the beats by DJ Jazz Zamora and Arthur Tan and they also savored free flowing drinks provided by the party’s sponsors. The night also witnessed a performance from a dance crew. Notably, many EcoSoc alumni showed their continued support of EcoSoc events by coming at the party. The Ad Hoc- Task Force committee, spearheaded this time by Cocoy Vargas and Jeremae Soliman, organize the UP EcoSoc Benefit Party every second semester with its proceeds going to The Economics Society Scholarship Fund (ESSF).

INSIDE ECOSOC

rs e b m e M w e N

APP STATS BY GJ AGREGADO

Thought you knew everything about the Outbreak apps? Well think again! We may look like a lovely bunch of charming role model students, but there are some of us who deep down have secrets that they’d never tell the world, except of course if it were anonymous. So we gave them a chance to speak their minds through the use of an anonymous survey and we asked them questions you’d never dare ask your mothers! You ready? Here it is: Are you gay/bisexual? Hello LGBT! That’s right we got some representation in our batch! Though majority of the Outbreak batch is undeniably straight, there are 20% of us (do the math) who consider themselves as Bisexuals. Yes that’s right, not only are they into species of the opposite sex, but they’d consider dating just about anyone! Who would’ve known! There’s no telling whether these are girl or boy bisexuals, but the fact of the matter is, they are among us. Do/did you smoke? Though you’ve never seen any of the current Outbreak apps in the back parking puffing a little here and there, there are about 25% of us whose lungs are no longer virgins! However, absolutely none of us are regular smokers so you wouldn’t see any of us holding that white wand in between our fingers anytime soon. Do/did you smoke weed? Quite surprisingly, 12% of the apps have already tried breaking the law (aka smoked weed). Just a friendly reminder, being caught in possession of Marijuana in the Philippines can get you imprisoned for a span of 12 years to a lifetime. I’d think twice if I were you! Are you an alcoholic? Sorry Ecosoc! No alcoholics in our end! However there is one of us who claims that he/she can drink up to 10 bottles of beer. Perhaps we should test this on Culminight? Do you have a PERMANENT tatoo? Where?! YES. Joke. Our bodies are clean and none of us have dared defiled it yet.

12% 20%

have tried

WEED claim they’re

BISEXUALS

FAST STATS Do you have a multiple partners? Big NO to this question. In fact, most of the apps have NO partners to begin with! So if any of you Ecosocers are looking for a loyal partner, you may want to consider considering some Outbreak boys/girls into your lives. But don’t worry guys, patience is a virtue. And don’t forget choose ONE ONLY. Do you take non-medicated pills? Tictac is as far as this question goes. What is your religion/religious affiliation? Just like the demographics of the Philippines, our app batch is majority Roman Catholic. The rest of us range from Baptists, Born-again, and yes even Agnostics. Sorry, no Jews or Muslims. Are you currently in a relationship? Since when? There is only one app who is proud to say that he currently IS in a relationship and is going strong at 13 months! The rest of the batch however is as free as a bird. So like I said Ecosocers, what are you waiting for? We’ve got a whole new batch full of young good-looking talented individuals who are sure to never disappoint! Though please do be gentle. We are quite fragile when it comes to these things. What committee will you choose next semester? Most of us apps are willing to stay in their current committees, which comes to show they may have enjoyed their stay throughout the app process. But hello Jess Bodo! 17% of the apps (the largest percentage in the batch) wish to pursue Finance in the next semester! Do you have a personal liking for someone in Ecosoc? Well of course we HAD to ask this question! Most of the apps either said no, “secret” or “maybe” (which I have no idea why since it was anonymous to begin with). But there were 4 brave apps who dared to give a name. Calling on Gab Roque, Kevin Gavieta, Camille Juco and Kelvin Tagnipez! You have personal admirers from the Outbreak batch! Yiheeee… Well there you go Ecosoc! Hope you learned something new about your new members. If anything I simply hope that you learned, “never judge a book by its cover” you judger…

Echoes.PH

News

NOYNOYING was a term coined by leftist activists to describe the Philippine president’s alleged lack of interest and vigor in doing his job. The term is now so popular, that it has made its way to the Wall Street Journal and Wikipedia. Malacañang, on the other hand, was so annoyed that they released photos of the President apparently carrying lots of paperwork. Seen above is a photo of a protester ‘Noynoying’ in Manila. Photo taken from the Philippine Daily Inquirer

NEWS

NEWS BY

NUMBERS BY JESSICA BISCOCHO

63 6 44 100

percentage of India’s 330 million households are said to have telephone connections, yet only about half, at 47%, of the same population are found to have toilet facilities number of persons killed in the sunk Taiwan gravel ship

percent of the imported weaponries in Stockholm come from Asia and Oceania says Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) making Asia its top weapon importer wounded in the past two bombings in Damascus, capital of Syria where a government crackdown on opposition activities have allegedly killed thousands over the course of one year

$54,000,000 budget allocated for the anti-smoking campaign that was launched by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as its first ever national advertising venture

2.51

meters (8 foot 3) is the height of Turkish, Sultan Kosen, now known as the world’s tallest living man

Echoes.PH

P30 4 20 7 2

per pack will be the new cigarette sin tax (from the current P2.72 per pack) once House Bill No. 5727 is implemented

new witnesses are to testify for the defense team of Chief Justice Corona regarding his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)

reasons why I dislike the Philippines, a video by an American expatriate who lived in Cebu for 3 years, was recently released causing several controversies

endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Malampaya Sound, Palawan die every year according to the studies of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Philippine chapter policemen of the Manila Police Disctrict face charges of homicide and “administrative sanctions” for killing two rape suspects

704

Filipino youth tested positive for HIV this month according to recently released test records of the Department of Health

OPINION

Why does Ecosoc have a bahala na attitude? BY SAMANTHA GONZALES

Warning: this article contains things you might not want to hear. As the end of the Outbreak semester approaches, one cannot help but wonder what the hell happened to Ecosoc. It seems like the fire for excellence has been put out by mediocrity, monotony and a ‘bahala na’ attitude that have consumed everyone’s patience and money and have left the membership burnt out and exhausted by unfulfilling work. With faux pas such as Rager, Band in Demand, Possibly Every CDC Session, ScavHunt and Vice Night, GMTBS, MBA and the discontinued Para Kay Paraluman (Insert Triangle Here) one wonders why it seems like we are contented with events that make us (a term borrowed from outsiders,) jokes. Even GenMeets, convocations and the ever loved CDC Culminating activity had record-breaking low attendance. Granted, there were events to be proud of (see: UPFront), it still puzzles me that almost everything else duffed up. It’s important to ask our Comm Heads and ourselves: why are we satisfied with the unsatisfactory? I’ve been talking with select members about the mystery of this semester and one sentiment is common: we have a ‘bahala na’ attitude. We put so little effort into our tasks and say: ‘bahala sila sa buhay nila’ or ‘pwede na ‘yan’ or worse, ‘tiwala nalang.’ We fool ourselves and have faith that someone else must have the initiative, and in the end, this blind faith becomes the downfall of our projects. We sacrifice the quality of work in order

to meet deadlines and when somebody tells us that our work has flaws, we shrug them off and rationalize that we’re doing the best we can to get through the day. This is where the problem lies: that we commit at first, lose momentum when things seem bad, and ultimately, we give up. We give up on our tasks. We give up on our events. We give up on our org. Then again, it might be the monotony of the events itself that makes us lose our motivation. Another event that no one cares about? Why, let’s do that again! A monotonous session with the kids? Perfect. Let’s do the exact same thing we’ve done since forever! Internal events that are supposed to motivate the membership to attend? Let’s not change a thing. Also, let’s publicize it a day before! We continue the cycle and wonder why no one wants to do the work and why no one wants to attend anything. I mean, do we not know our market at all? With these things in mind, I really do wonder how in the hell we’re going to crawl out of the hole we’ve dug for ourselves and I dream of the day when we do “bounce back” and become the org we were proud of once upon a September. With that said, I do (still) believe that things will be better in the future. Yes, it is important to ask our Comm Heads and ourselves why we are satisfied with the unsatisfactory, but more so to ask: how do we change things?

We just have to stop relying on Batman so much.

Echoes.PH

Echoes

Tribute

TRIBUTE

one class act 16

Echoes.PH

DAVID DE PADUA David is a friend who no matter how long you haven’t seen each other, or how long you haven’t talked to each other, he would gladly greet you with a warm “Hello!” and be with you like his best friend. His friendly demeanor and playful aura has made him a great friend to all the Ecosocers he has interacted with, as well as an instrumental part of the Community Development Committee. During his stint in Ecosoc, he made sure that Ecosocers enjoyed working with him and being with him in the tambayan. He was a great asset to the organization when he was around, and Ecosoc will always welcome him back with open arms. By Cocoy Vargas

GAB ROQUE Gab Roque’s reputation in Ecosoc probably revolves around the fact that he’s a super mad genius and he knows everything about anything (that’s why his hair is so big, it’s full of information.) But what commoners, aka people who aren’t his friends (KIDDING! haha), don’t realize is that he also has his moments of randomness and sheer idiocy that makes him so fun(ny) to be with. One minute he could be relating an econ concept to your study habits, the next, he’s having a ditzy blonde moment and making libre two people. You just never know what to expect with Gab. Dull moments don’t exist in his world and cheek muscle pains and stomach pains from too much laughter are common whenever he’s around. And though some may find him snooty or intimidating to talk to, he’s actually one of the sweetest guys you could ever know and one of the truest friends you could ever have. He’s a gem of a member and he’s honestly one of the best people you could ever meet in Ecosoc. Wouldn’t be surprised if 5 years from now, apps still know him as a famous, successful Ecosocer. Pretty sure great things are going to come from this guy, just you wait and see. P.S. He gives the best hugs! If you’ve never experienced it, you should while you still can! Go, go!! haha (Love you Gabtaba! – Camille J) By Camille Juco

TRIBUTE

LIA PABLO Ad Hoc Logistics Director Ad Hoc Assistant Director CDC Member Forever

Lia has been one of the best members that Ecosoc has produced through. She has been one the anchors of successful ADHOC events working as AD and Director teaching and training younger members to be resourceful. She has shown her heart as she continues to show her participation and love for CDC kids and the Saturday day care sessions. She is a trusted member one willing to represent and fight for Ecosoc in as much ways as she can. She is very competitive and strives to always achieve excellence. She will never settle for anything less. Outside Ecosoc, Lia is a good friend. One you can trust and one you can depend on to be very loyal. She is the type who will fight your enemies and do the smallest things to help you out. She is very caring to her friends and sees to it that she is always there when she is needed. She is beautiful. By Henry Tan

TOBIE REYNES Tobie is the hottest guy in Econ, at least in my line of test. Yet I think you shouldn’t typecast him as such. He has a very deep and colorful personality. You wouldn’t even know that he’s quite different. Nevertheless, he’s still a good guy and we all hope him the best. Thanks Tobie! by Echoes

Echoes.PH

NADINE ELEAZAR Director for Logistics, Echoes I didn’t think that Nadine, with all her socalled cultured air, would actually be such a ditz. One of my best semesters with Echoes was the one with Nadine -- I found out exatly how she is more than what she seems to be. People say that she totally fits a stereotype of a conyo girl, but she is way more than that. Actually, her manner of speaking is quite endearing -- it’s one of the things that I miss about her. Nadine provides a bright spot in one’s day, with her sweet and thoughtful character. By Beatriz Bayudan

CHRISSA MAGAT Vice Chairperson, Secretariat Committee Director, Ad Hoc-Task Force Chrissa is such a gifted person. She’s beautiful, smart and nice. One could say she has everything. She may not be one of those who talk too much, but if it is just about contribution and exquisite ideas, she is definitely not lacking. Those who haven’t gotten the chance to know her are extremely unfortunate people. It is her enlightening words and welcoming smiles that make her special. Having been able to pass LAE, only amazing things would surely come her way. If I were to condense Chrissa in a word, it would definitely have to be “amazing.” By Nicolle Renion

VAN VALDEZ

Sports, Arts and Culture Councilor, UPSE Student Council Sports Committee Chairperon Sports Committee Vice Chairperson When I first met Van back in 2009 he was just another SE student. Immediately after that semester, he became the sports chair of EcoSoc. Right after that, the deputy coordinator general of SE-RVC. This year, he became the Councillor for sports, arts and culture of the School of Economics Student Council. I recently asked Van if he ever thought that he would do so much in college. For someone who has accomplished so much, you’d expect that it was all planned from the start (though perhaps winning second runner up in Grand Trad might not have been planned.) Quoting from his campaign for Sports chair, “Van’s the man with the master plan.” Oddly enough, he answered no. Back in HS, he was the exact opposite of active, just focusing on acads, hanging out with friends, normal things that a HS student would do. I guess college really transformed him. For one reason or another, he just stepped up. It’s really admirable how Van was able to step out of his comfort zone and affect a lot of people in Econ. He even created the FB page for Scholympics himself. They say that “People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.” I’m not exactly sure what or who Van saw that made him strive to be a better man. One things for sure though, Van will always be a shining example of how to improve. He’s definitely made me want to improve myself. By Ben Bismark

Liaison Committee Vice Chairperson UP Football Varsity Player

JORELL GARCIA Jorell, you are a proof that even thin guys can have muscles and that being a varsity player and doing well in academics can happen. You are also one of the people in the so-called “Friday Nights”. “Friday Nights” is one of the reasons that my confidence level grew during the years that I have stayed in UP ECOSOC. Whenever there is a drinking event, it was always you, Van and Cocoy who were there. Jorrell, despite the fact that we are opponents in Fantasy Basketball and I never gave you Nicolas Batum or DeMarcus Cousins or even Marcin Gortat for Gerald Wallace, you remained a sport throughout the whole ordeal and that even if last year you drafted Boozer despite his injury, you have shown that you can bounce back as proven by this season. Jorell, despite out arguments about fantasy basketball or the trades that never happened, despite the frustration, you remained a sport throughout the whole fantasy no trade saga. I hope that we will play again in fantasy basketball next season. You also have shown another side of yours during Valentine’s Day which showed your aggressiveness in another way. I hope that when we play fantasy basketball this season or next season, I will dominate our matchup. But seriously, Jorrell, thank you for being such a sport in that occasion. Lastly, I wish you good luck in all your future endeavors. By Mik Singson

Echoes.PH

JANA DAVID A friend who will always be there for you through ups and downs, that’s what Jana David is. If you have a problem and you need someone to get a good advice from just approach her and she will be there for you. Though she will be there to comfort you, if she knows you’re wrong she’ll be the one who will slap the truth on your face – just the right kind of shaking you need. Bottom line is honesty is her policy. She is a person with a broad mind not very judgemental but rather weighs things justly according to her principles in life. An asset of the organization when it comes to all kinds of sports, may it be Frisbee, Basketball, Volleyball or Softball name it all! A bit of information, she is also the Mother King/Father Queen of our Friday Nights Club – “inuman” / social club composed of Ecosocers. On the whole, she is a fun-loving individual and overflowing with enthusiasm. By Janeen Cayetano

TRIXIE GARCIA Task Force Director for Logistics

If there’s one thing I remember about Trixie is that one time when she said she was fingered. Whatever you think it is, this goes to show that Trixie is unwittingly funny. She and Matel have many things in common but what makes Trixie different is that she has a South Asian demure. That is very rare in Ecosoc. Also, she seems like a very calm person as you can clearly see in her photo. Perhaps, Trixie wants to be remembered to be the one with a big future. She is one who is sure to forge ahead and one who is not afraid to look back. There weren’t a lot of times when I had a long, meaningful conversation with Trixie. However, I know and everybody else knows that she is a good friend. by Horace Cimafranca

FEATURES

MATEL LAZARO Community Development Committee Vice Chairperson

The Businesswoman Matel was probably the most texted person in the entire batch back in first year. And mostly, it was because of constant requests to have her send load for Globe. Since the start of her stay at UP we’ve all known her to be quite the business woman, constantly looking for an affair with money. Although some of us never paid our A/Ps, Matel stayed persistent, selling everything she could – from gift certificates and x-deals for taskforce, to black “Bitch Please” shirts. If you’ve gotten broke within the past years, part of it was probably because of her. The Touchie Who knew Matel loved sprots? And who knew Matel loved to touch? Tuesday and Friday afternoons, you can usually find Matel out in the sunken garden, trainer with her team, the UP Touch Rugby Club, after all she’s Ms. President. And if you’re looking for her on a Monday, try visiting the Track Oval during the Touch PE class, where she’s selling water of course! The Landlady Matel’s home is basically our home as well. Whether it’s for a case, a pre-party fix-up, a post-party sleep-over, or a movie marathon, she’s always welcomed us into her den, or had us welcome ourselves in. Not just because she says this a lot, out loud, but Matel really does bring with her many LOL moments. She may be corny sometimes, but you have to admit, she did make you laugh. By Chrissa Magat

CAR STA. MARIA

Finance Councilor, UPSE Student Council

Finance Committee Vice Chairperson I’ve spent over two years in council with Car and she’s always been able to brighten up my day. She has this irresistible smile that’ll just make you smile, too. She’s what makes you going during those moments that you just want to pull out your hair. Car is also pretty multi-talented. Not that many people know that she was the one that hammered down the bamboo for the Econ lantern. People don’t know that she sings. Most importantly, people don’t know that she more than trippled the balance of the UP SESC bank account. Car could’ve chosen to be a lot of things in college. She could’ve chosen to be the head of so many events and orgs. But in the end, I’m glad she chose to be my friend. By Ben Bismark

Echoes.PH

DIANE VITRIOLO

Marketing Councilor, UPSE Student Council Vice Chairperson, Academic Affairs Committee Diane Vitriolo is the goddess of marketing. Every marketer in dire need of salvation worships her. Truth be told, she is much more than a deity. She is a dancer, once part of a troupe in UP Los Baños, where she once graced the farmlands of Laguna with bountiful harvest! Who knew she took up Mass Communication there? That is perhaps why Diane has a big mouth. Hehe. Kidding aside, she exudes so much talent and determination that she has helped advance some of the most financially-rewarding events ever! Thank you, Diane! You have done so much that we will never forget you. Hang on to your phones, employed seniors! Diane might one day call you up to market. By Horace Cimafranca

JOHN GAN

Internals Councilor, UPSE Student Council Director, Task Force Special Project John Gan revolves around a lot of things Meredith, Badminton, Tilt to Live, Bridge, The Great Stall of China & Jogging just to name a few. From being a student entrepreneur with his food stall in Ateneo and somewhat of a gambler with dares when it comes to card games, this “as seen on his t-shirt” Chinese guy exceeds the expectations of his stereotype. Despite his mostly fun and joking attitude towards everything, he really knows how to draw a crowd. In fact his constant invites and reminders to attend his council events back when he was Internals councillor is why I started to be more active in Econ. It is also with his influence that I became so addicted to cards, even if we didn’t have enough players for Bridge, he invented 2 player bridge and taught me how to play it. From the pub work he used to do for High Five week back then to how he is now dubbed as one of the best Facebook Wall post pub people in Ecosoc, times & events may have changed but John Gan only got better. It was from all those card games we played, events that he made me attend and the never ending push he gave me to aim high and lead that made me have such high respect for John Gan. By Ayla Reyes

CHIARA COKIENG Education and Research Councilor, UPSE Student Council Convenor, National Youth Congress

Chiara is one of the first people I met in Econ. We were doing prodwork at that time and I remember that I couldn’t stop laughing because of the things that she was saying. At first, I only saw her easygoing, comedic side but eventually I got to see that she could also be quite serious when the situation calls for it. I saw how thoughtful and understanding she could be of the people around her, and found these traits very admirable. In the few months that I have been friends with her, it is obvious that she is the type of person that you can always count on. She can easily brighten up your day when you need it and is always ready to take on the challenges that come her way. Not only has she served as an inspiration to me, but I have also realized that Chiara is truly a friend worth keeping. By Stef Go

CHEENIE QUIRANTE Vice Chairperson, Academic Affairs

Cheenie Quirante’s one of the people who really knows how to have a good time. She’s quirky, fun to be around but best of all, she’s game for anything. I’ve worked with her as my partner in crime for SE-RVC and trust me when I say that not all RVC members are stringent and uptight. She knows how to make the stressful registration process fun – even something worth remembering. The list of antics we’ve pulled off for the registration process is simply too long to mention. I can’t imagine handling all that work with anyone else. Without her, I would’ve gone insane. She’ll crack all sorts of jokes, randomly hug you among a ton of other things that’ll make your day. Don’t get me wrong though, Cheenie knows when to get serious. When push comes to shove, she sinks into this work mode and somehow manages to come up with results. What most people don’t know about Cheenie is that she’s really one tough cookie. College life has thrown all sorts of craziness at her and she just keeps coming out on top. That’s just the way Cheenie is, she takes all these problems, handles them one by one and comes up with solutions. She’s more independent and capable than most people give her credit for. Coming out of college and into the real world, the question on my head isn’t if she’s ready to face the world. Instead, is the world ready for her? By Ben Bismark

Photographs by Arsenio Lukban and Tito Pavia

ANDRE SARMIENTO Vice Chairperson, Special Events

“There are only two types of people in the world, the ones that entertain and ones that observe.” These infectious words from the international pop icon, Britney Spears, are very insightful. A star that lost its sparkle then shook the world with intensity, we can learn much in her life that no one can stop her from taking the spotlight. Juxtaposing Britney with our local Diva/Popstar/Icon/the-Queen-ofSpev in Ecosoc shows clear likeness. Andre took the stage like he owns it; he is a force of nature that only a few can measure up to him. A fearless, feerowsh (like Cyril), and fa.. ugh.. fantastic young fellow he is--I can attest to that. Though few people know this, my relationship (friendship <3) with Andre was not always a walk in the park. I, admittedly, was threatened by Andre, like most people. Couple of semesters back, he overshadowed my chairpersonship and, eventually, had taken control of SPEV. Few misunderstanding lead to grievous actions, and grievous actions lead to SPEV’s distraught condition. Andre and I ultimately talked and settled our differences. Our confrontation taught me things--these, I can say, were the things that Andre imparted to me. One of these was that ‘no matter how dysfunctional a family is, it is still family’. SPEV has been my family and so is Andre. We fight and we taunt each other; but at the end of the day, he scratches my back and I scratch his ;) Because of him, I learned not to fight but to cooperate; to accept each others’ differences; and to keep composure at the face of adversity. He brought life into Ecosoc and I know he will never be forgotten! For the greatness you left in the hearts you touched, I salute you, my enemy... my friend! By Jason Tayawa

GILBERT BUENO

Treasurer, UP Economics Society Chairperson, Finance

The first year of my UP life, gone. It’s been this fast, but… memories can’t just fade away. When asked to give one word about college, the word “bond” comes to mind. Why bond? I’m a typical white (or not so white) Chinese guy, and so truth be told, my social life has been dormant for the last 6 or 7 years due to my extracurricular activities and my academics. What made college life different was that aside from the like, I’ve met a lot of new people from different walks of life. The one thing that I learned about “bond” is that people come and go, but friendship will last a lifetime. I met Gilbert when I was still an applicant of the PowerApp batch. It was Grand Trad season, and so, the different committees were busy practicing for our collaborative performance the next day. After a tiring session of practicing my walk, I took a short break for dinner. It was 7 PM, and as I was eating my Chicken Joy, at the other side of the table, there was Gilbert, choreographing what will be the Finance committee’s talent portion. This was the first of the maany times that I got to laugh at and with Gilbert. We weren’t really close that time, but after Grand Trad, let’s just say that a new friendship was formed. My fondest memory of Gilbert was this time when I had to go home late. It was really dark, and so it wouldn’t be the best idea to walk around UP at this hour. Although, we still did as we were hungry, so we planned to eat in Rodic’s. During our walk, we got to talk about a lot of stuff, and what struck me the most was that I learned so much from someone who despite his achievements and challenges would always make it a point to smile at everyone. A whole new school year will be different without this man, and I am thankful that as I started a new chapter in my life, I’ve met this person who has touched a number of lives in and out of UP. To what I said earlier, Gilbert has created a name for himself, and I can vouch that even in the future, he will create more “bonds” to add to his vast collection of memories. Good luck, Gilbert! God Bless! | By Lance Lim

Photographs by GJ Agregado

FEATURES

THEA BAUTISTA Co-Chairperson, Task Force Vice Chairperson, Secretariat

Thea Bautista used to live with nuns in UP Village. That’s a random fact. To be honest, many people look up to Thea because of her sheer patience and determination to get things done. She wasn’t Task Force co-chair for nothing! Also, Thea seems to be very involved with the membership. Although some may say that her other affiliations have taken away some of the time she otherwise could’ve given to Ecosoc, she still managed to be present. She’s always there to help. Thank you, Thea. You gave us not only your selfless service but also a lot of learnings from which the young ones will gain some knowledge. By Horace Cimafranca

CARRIE CRUZ Carrie, despite her absence in most of Ecosoc events, is relatively active in my committee. Whenever I see her work in Liai, I feel a deep sense of pride. She really makes a way to get things done without any complaint. I know she’s very busy dealing with her academics now, and I thank her for still staying with us here in Liai. Thank you and good luck in all your endeavors! By Mark Matibag

Echoes.PH

RAY FRANCISCO Director for Marketing, Ad Hoc

You’ll know it when Ray enters the room. He’s loud, and usually, you’ll see him telling kwentos and sabi ni….s to a group of people. He’s fun and funny. Scary to approach, but you won’t regret it when you do. The intimidating factor lies on his reputable skills. If there would be a deity of Marketing Communications, Ray would be it. He knows the ins and outs of marketing, and he enjoys doing it. One moment, he would be watching YouTube videos of Super Bass, and he’s bargaining with Smart’s VP for marketing on the next. But he’s not selfish with his talents; he shares his experiences and knowledge with everyone. Remember Eventology? But Ray’s bargaining talents doesn’t just stop with marketing. It continues to shopping too. He would find really, really nice shoes for a very low price and he’d wear them in the tambayan asking people to guess the price. And your eyes would widen when you’d hear it. Seriously. He left a legacy in EcoSoc, especially in the Marketing Department. And by just being himself, he inspired a lot of EcoSoccers to love what you do and be great at it. Congratulations! And, we’ll miss you, Ray! By Anj Chua

HAZEL SUMAMPONG Director for Marketing, Task Force Creative Editor, Echoes

In Roman mythology, the hazel tree is attributed to the god Mercury, known not only as the messenger of gods, but also as the god of eloquence, cleverness, and thievery. With this bit of trivia now tucked away in mind, it is perhaps fitting, then, that Hazel Sumampong was named as such – she definitely exhibits those traits. Hazel is a great conversationalist. It’s amazing how she has a commentary to offer on just about anything, possessing this uncanny ability to engage you in lively discussions literally for hours on end with quite a leisurely pace. What she adds to this is her caustic wit, of course, peppering her opinions with feisty one-liners. Of course, it’s not just the words that make Hazel such a force of a person – there is a deceptive kind of charm that she exudes, which she always plays to her advantage. One is simply drawn to her, and while her charm may give you the impression of a normal, nice girl, she is anything but -- she certainly knows what she wants and exactly how to get it. This is a girl with a personality completely a mismatch for her petite stature – sweet, snarky, headstrong, and always fearless.

I can tell you several things about Hazel. She’s an extraordinarily gifted person—in writing, in reasoning, in sartorial design. She’s funny, charming, and talkative—a dangerous combination. She hates bringing an umbrella even if it’s obviously about to rain. She loves basketball. And potatoes. She likes Coldplay, Katy Perry, and she wonders, like me, why there aren’t more people who like “Nothing Else I Can Say” by Lady Gaga. She has no preoccupations about being authentic or unique, and because of that, she’s become quite unlike anyone I’ve ever known. Ordinary people like you and me furrow our brows, obsessing over matters like purpose and providence. Hazel wastes no concern for these things. She is in no rush, yet she is always one step ahead. Forget all those grandiose ideas of self-importance and, as you watch her, learn instead these simple philosophies: to friends, loyalty; to adversaries, forgiveness; and to the harshness of life, unwavering grace. These things I know, but beyond them, she is a mystery. Embarrassing, I admit, to know so little after having known her for so long, but that’s how it is to be: the world may only catch glimpses of the depth hidden within her. She’s a ghost, or some riddle relayed in a language I don’t understand. But it must be French or something because it sounds lovely anyway.

By Bea Bayudan By Kenneth Reyes

JADE CO If I had to make a list of CDCmembers, I would probably write Jade Co first, not because she ranks the highest, but because she’s one of the first things that come into mind when I hear of CDC. She really has the passion and love for the children and for serving in general. Not to mention that she’s one of the most loyal members of the committee, always there when the committee needs her. Every semester, I always hope that more people who have the same character as her would be in the committee because she perfectly embodies what a CDC member should be; dedicated, patient and genuine. She’s one of the members I look up to since I was an applicant up to this very day. She always gives me advices on how to do things better with CDC. She was a big part of CDC and I know that CDC will always be a part of her. By XP Damian

MARIAN TRESPESES Vice Chairperson, Academic Affairs

Marian has a supermodel figure that makes security guards salivate with lustful desires. I kid. On a more serious note, she may be a serial social drinker and all but she’s one of the most organized and professional people you could meet in Ecosoc. Wow, that’s a feat! Aside from being quiet, Marian displays a certain kind of elegance that only she can pulll off. Many may be intimidate by her sharp looks and demureness but deep inside she has a distinct aura that makes her one very interesting person. Thank you, Marian for all the things you have given to Ecosoc. Life is a vast plain and I know your two feet are strong enough to cross it. See you in the real world, Marian! By Horace Cimafranca

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LEUS PUNSALAN

Marketing Councilor, UPSE Student Council Vice Chairperson, Academic Affairs Committee

LEUS PUNSALAN

Leandro Punsalan, finally you had a date. Last 29th of March, the ALFAC(Anti- Leus Forever Alone Campaign) succeeded. Anyway, you are one of the constant faces in the ECOSOC tambayan in recent times. Despite the fact that everytime that I see you, I will always remind you of when will the reward of being chosen as one of the people in In Might Be You, you still had the patience not to really lose your cool from time to time. Leus, you are one of the seniors who gives advise especially of what professors to take in econ from time to time. Leus you are also a member of the second stringers, and that we the second stringers will still remember your contributions to that group. Finally, Leus despite everything thank you for being patient despite being constantly reminded of the It might be you stuff. By Mik Singson

KARL ELAMPARO

Karl loves dogs, but more than the dogs, he loves CDC. We always thought he would be one inactive member, however he proved us wrong. He’d always be that guy to document every CDC event. He was even there during Scav Hunt. My, Karl. How far you have gone! Thank you and we hope you find your way! Congratulations for making it to law school! By Horace Cimafranca

ISSAY VILLANUEVA Issay, you have the sweetest voice in the tambayan. It’s so perfect, just tone it down. You know, you’ve been an awesome friend. Thank you and I hope you close that chapter in your life called boyfriend-searching. I know you really love Ecosoc since you applied twice. In case you get rich, come back here and I will ask you out on a date. :))

By Horace Cimafranca

REHI DIMAYUGA Director for Publicity, Ad Hoc-Task Force

Rehi is a nice girl. She’s not very visible in Ecosoc but she gets her work done. She’s so awesome because she won Brandstorm! It’s the first someone from Econ did! That goes to show that Rehi is smart, talented and hardworking. Her determination brings her to places (in this case, Paris!). As Ad Hoc pub, she was very meticulous. The details were very necessary and she never approved anything mediore. Although a rare Pokemon as they say, she has done a lot for the organization. Thank you, Rehi! Good luck on your endeavors! By Angel Espiritu

ELWIN RAMOS Elwin is one of the very friendly upperclassmen you’ll ever meet. He is very humble and approachable. He may also shy at times and can be clingy when meeting new people, but he is fun to be with. He has displayed exemplary performance from Finance, to Task Force, to Ad Hoc, and especially to Externals. His marketing skills have been assets not only in Ecosoc but also in CAP. He is very hardworking and competent in this aspect, displaying his pride in work such as in Musikapella. Despite the fact that he’s graduating, he has contributed greatly to the organization. He was the committee’s personal treasurer and was able to deliver well. This is in special consideration, knowing he has thesis and most of his classes for this semester are in CBA. In line with this, he is one of those people who truly value education and know how to prioritize their obligations. He may not have been able to “tambay” a lot, but his heart has always belonged with Ecosoc. By Chila Inocencio

Rehi’s photographt by GJ Agregado

AVRIL BRIES Associate Editor, Echoes News Editor, Echoes My dear friend Ave, In the couple of years I’ve known you—a brief period in what will undoubtedly be the grand span of your life—I gained a remarkable friend whose sensibilities in life are uniquely maddening and endearing. The soft but knowing look in your eyes mirrors a soul that breathes for culture and literature—a passion that is never snuffed despite how frustratingly easy it is to succumb to life’s anesthetic ennui. At this juncture where your poetic youth comes to an end, when you discover that you may not be the person you turned out to be, I hope you know you flourished wonderfully. I tend to expect nothing from anyone, but I will always look to you to be my quirky and steadfast comrade. You’ve jolted me to consciousness more times than you might have been led to believe— unraveling tightly wound webs of uncertainty I’ve gratuitously spun. There’s no better poem to describe you than this little verse: My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends— It gives a lovely light. Life changes in an instant, an ordinary instant. But in this instant, I’m grateful to have known you. Cheers! By Ralph Dantes

KEVIN HERRERA Kevin is one cool guy. In fact, he goes to school in his pyjamas. If that’s not cool, what is? I mean that in the most serious way possible. Knowing Kevin, he’d always be himself even if that means he’d be a little different from the norm. I was actually surprised he joined Ecosoc because I know he was pretty silent in college. Thanks, Kevin! CDC will miss you to death. By Horace Cimafranca

BIANCA ALVARO Director for Publicity, Ad Hoc-Task Force

One of Ecosoc’s most creative assets, the organization has benefited from Bianca’s skills in publicity work and graphic design as a member for four years. She has contributed in the publicity team for Cypher, as well as an editor for Echoes; and she also offered her skills and talents as a Vice-Chairperson for the Sports Committee. Her little contributions throughout her stay as a member of Ecosoc have definitely made a great impact for the organization, and Ecosoc is thankful for having someone like her. By Cocoy Vargas

CID CAMPOS

Cid is a silent character. Though his discreteness makes him a covert type, his lovely personality remains to be effervescent. He is a person with a genuine heart. I may have not known you for a very long time but that doesn’t make me less happy because you have shared with me what could have been a rare chance for others. You’re an amazing person, Cid! I wish you all the best. We will miss you in Ecosoc!

WERE YOU INFORMED? Survey reveals Ecosoc to be least informed org in Econ BY BENEDICT BISMARK

By Von Benavidez

THERESE JOSON Director for Sales, Ad Hoc-Task Force

Joson was ‘the’ sexy momma till she stopped going to the tambayan. Nevertheless our memory of her will not falter. After all, she made a lot of Ecosoc boys fall in love with her. Of course, Joson wasn’t only that pretty girl in the tambayan. She was also that mad Sales director who’d curse us in all of her text messages. Demeaning as it sounds, it actually was one way of showing her care for us. Kudos, TJ! Thanks for the many days you spent with us! By Horace Cimafranca

JUNJIE EUSTAQUIO Junjie is one guy who, at first glance, you wouldn’t consider trusting. But when you get to know him, he can be one of the most trusted people you could ever have. He has a critical mind and he gives valuable advice not only on academics but on life in general. Thank you, Junjie! By Reuel Realin

REUEL REALIN Chairperson, Academic Affairs Vice Chairperson, Academic Affairs

“Je m’appelle Reuel” \zhey mah-pel-uh re-ooo-el-uh buju buju\ Who knew this beret-wearing applicant (yes, we all judged him before, still judging him now) and conyo French speaking guy would be one of Ecosoc’s Most Outstanding Member and eventually become an Academics Committee Chairperson? Yeah, neither did I. I kidd. Reuel has always been that energetic and annoyingly crazy guy who greets random friends and orgmates with his high pitched voice which can somehow brighten their day. He knows when people are feeling stressed or under the weather and then he’d crack up jokes, pat them on the back or offer them a hug and all the support he can give. He has always been everyone’s friend. He’s very sociable, being able to hang out with different groups. (daming friends!) He’s very talented also; writes amazing poems, plays Frisbee, and who would have thought he’d be good at making publicity materials? Very holistic this guy is! Reuel’s also the kind of person who takes him time, making sure that he weighs pros and cons of his decisions. He is the “I’m sure” kind of guy. But that doesn’t mean that he isn’t spontaneous. Sometimes he gets caught up in his new experiences and travels that he would plan all these crazy adventures hoping that one day he’d be able to drop everything and just leave; travel the world. He makes things happen especially when he wants it so badly. You’ll definitely miss seeing him greeting you along the hallway, being silly with his thesis partner Gilbert, and planning all these trips to who knows where. He’ll definitely go places (wearing his beret cap) By Noreen Apuhin

HANNAH MANALILI

It’s hard not to notice Hannah Lizette in Econ. She’s the one with the bright smile and arms that are always open for hugs. She is someone who will never hesitate to hear you out, no matter how shallow your story may be. We only got close this school year, but I know that I’ll never forget our CHK and ikot bondings (ehem Mark Matibag). Girl, I might/will break the “tradition” but I’ll always be your soul sister. :) God bless in the real world! See you on stage! By Ica Ducanes

Photographs by Tito Pavia

COCOY LICAROS Secretary, UP Economics Society Chairperson, Secretariat Vice Chairperson, Academic Affairs Affairs

From drawing comics to singing & playing guitar, Manhunt 2012 winner, to RVC, Magna Cum Laude & now Law Student to be. Come to think of it, is there anything Cocoy can’t do? Not a lot know this but Cocoy is one of the best commheads I never had. His hands-on approach to leadership is what pulled seccom & the rest of the Ecosoc volunteers together during his term. He transformed prodwork from the chore it was to the best ways to bond with a committee. His Spartan clubs, especially the first one on Graphic Novels, showed his deep passion for the arts and his favorite art form, Comics. From the graphic novels, to the photography and to the cloud watching & Spartan Haiku writing, Cocoy’s “art appreciation” Spartan Club changed my life & got me addicted to more comics than my usual Archie. Cocoy also is dubbed as one of the founders of bridge in Ecosoc and with that title is intimidation from playing against him from the rest of the players like me when I was still an app. The intimidation may also have been from his competitive nature & constant drive to win. He would sacrifice a lot of his time, effort and do whatever it would take to win or get something done for Ecosoc. Thankfully I’ve been on his committee’s side twice and most importantly the time he won Manhunt & Scavhunt. I don’t think my time in Ecosoc would’ve been as fun and memorable had Cocoy not been there, may it be through the first round of the bridge tournament, the adventures in Scav Hunt, seccom prodworks, the super sulit family & the support he gave me this past semester. On behalf of the ecosocer’s lives that you changed: Thank you Cocoy! | By Ayla Reyes

LIA LONTOC Director for Sales, Task Force

When you think of cultural commentary, you think of Lia Lontoc and her colourful way of describing the membership. One probably enjoys or gets offended by her fashion column in Echoes, which leads us to wonder: why does Lia Lontoc get to say such things? Or, more importantly, why are the things she say, so spot on? Lia Lontoc gets to say such things because she has the courage to say such things. It takes a special kind of spunk, guts and wit to call out the ridiculous goings on in EcoSoc, and admirably, Lia Lontoc has them all. She is not afraid not to sugar coat in a world of frilly euphemisms. She is not afraid to be real. Lia Lontoc says things that are so spot on because she has a unique eye for evaluating the status quo. She is culturally observant and she has a keen ability to distinguish the genius ideas from the not-so-genius ones. This is what makes Lia Lontoc an expert in all things cultural and this translates into spot on commentaries, a spot on take of the market and spot on projects (see: Revolution 9, Gotta Covet) that make us all go: “I want what she’s having.” Lia Lontoc is clever and witty and bold and classy and is able to translate all of these into (clever and witty and bold and classy) projects but it is her ability to share these things to other people that makes her all the more special. By Samantha Gonzales

REG REINOSO

Public Relations Officer, UP Economics Society Chairperson, External Affairs Vice Chairperson, External Affairs Coordinator-General, Registration Volunteer Corps You were my externals head and I was scared of you because I thought you were intimidating. It didn’t take me long to see that more than the numerous accomplishments you’ve had, what amazed me most was how big your heart was for the people you worked with and the things you did. I don’t think you’re aware of how amazing you are. You’ve inspired a lot of people throughout your stay in Ecosoc. I mean, I’ve only known you two semesters and already I’ve seen how many people you’ve inspired- me included. We’ll all miss you. By Ines Pagdanganan

MYK NARCISO Chairperson, Sports Director for Sales, Ad Hoc

Having a friend like MYK is one of a kind for he is sympathetic, solicitous, and passionate when it comes to his friends. He is one of the most exuberant people you’ll ever meet, brimming over with enthusiasm every time you see him. His funny jokes and easy laugh will surely brighten your day whenever you’re feeling down. Everyone would like to spend a moment with him because there has never been a dull moment in his presence. He has many friends, but he makes it a point to always spend time with each of them. He is one of the most competent Sports Chairperson that the UP Economics Society has ever had. He never fails to encourage his members, as well as his friends, whenever they’re down. One thing remarkable about him is that he always finds the good in everyone especially his committee members. He is a person with a broad mind, not very judgemental but rather weighs things justly guided by his values and principles in life. Nonetheless, he taught everyone a great lesson in life, we could regret a thing or two but most of life’s mistakes are mere opportunities for learning. Having fun every step of the way and making the most of every opportunity – Myk is paving the way to a life that he can truly call his own. By Janeen Cayetano 36

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FAYE FERRER

Chairperson, Community Development Vice Chairperson, Community Development If there’s someone I know that never fails to brighten up a room, it’s definitely Ate Faye. She’s always smiling and it makes all the people around her smile. When I apped for Ecosoc, she was my comm head and I will never forget our super kulit commeets with random games and her perky announcement of the

commnews. She made me feel welcome in Ecosoc and part of a family in CDC. Without her guidance, I don’t think I would have been able to pass the app process and fall in love with Ecosoc as much as I have. Thank you Ate Faye and I’m sure you will smile your way to success, just as you always have. >:D<

By AK Mapolon The Ecosoc app process is draining that it can consume all the time and energy a person has. But when you have a comm head like Ate Faye, all the work turns into something you’ll really love. I consider myself blessed when I enter the org as a CDC app. Aside from the fulfillment I gain from the duties and the welcoming members; it was Ate Faye who made everything amazing. She always says that her biggest achievement was that she was able to make CDC more than just a committee, but a true family.

why she is well loved not only by her friends and family but also by the CDC kids, nanays and all the people she has helped in life. But aside from that, what makes Ate Faye beautiful inside and out, is her unmatched sense of humor. Her witty hirits can make anyone feel good which is why her presence in the org will be definitely missed.

It’s sad knowing that a great Ecosocer like her will be graduating and leaving the organization but what she has left behind will not be forgotten. Among that, are all the people she has and There are only a few people in the world who can touch lives the continues to inspire. But with that, we know that she’s going way she does. Her passion and determination are so infectious very far with that big heart and big smile she always has. that she can create a spark in the hearts of everyone. That is By Carmel Baquilod

JANNA ONG

Chairperson, Ad Hoc Chairperson, Membership Vice Chairperson, Membership

Without a doubt, Janna Ong is one of the most amazing members that UP Ecosoc has ever seen. From Most Outstanding Applicant, her Ecosoc career took off as she became Membership Committee Vice-Chairperson, then Marketing Director for Ad Hoc, then Membership Committee Chairperson, and finally Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chairperson. She was able to touch the lives of so many members and stakeholders so dearly. It is because of her that I was inspired to be a leader in this organization, and I am sure that I am not the only wouldn’t reach this far if she hadn’t inspired me so greatly.

up a room when she enters. There is something about her that makes anyone drawn to her instantly. More than that, I found in her a great friend who I can turn to in the worst of times. She is that boost of energy and that jolt of morale that I need to carry on in the most difficult of situations. She is the assurance that I can I get through any hurdle thrown at, no matter how difficult it can get. This woman has been a source of strength and inspiration to me, and to a lot of other people whom she has touched.

I do not know what I have done to deserve a friend who is as Her graduation is a great loss for the organization, yet it signals sweet, hardworking, passionate, and downright amazing as the addition of a great asset to the outside world. Yet I really Janna Ong. It isn’t often that someone like her comes along: would give anything to have her back for just a bit longer. someone who can lift anyone’s spirit when it’s down, or can light By Cocoy Vargas

Photographs by Horace Cimafranca and GJ Agregado

SEL ORTIGA Vice President, UP Economics Society Chairperson, Task Force Secretary, UP Economics Society Chairperson, Secretariat Sel is nothing but extraordinary! Her height may not be a testament of it, but she is a big person with a very big heart. Having worked with her throughout my entire college life, I can surely say that her utmost sincerity and willingness to serve Ecosoc and its entirety has gone a long way. Judging by how well she has performed as Seccom Chair, Vice President and Task Force Chair of this organization, Sel has proven how far a big and pure heart could reach. Her goals and aspirations for Ecosocâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued growth has been well realized in her successful achievements as leader of this organization. Truly, Sel is small but terrible, adorable, memorable and is indeed on a roll! By Angel Espiritu

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PAOLO TAMASE President, UP Economics Society Chairperson, Ad Hoc Editor-in-Chief, Echoes

Beyond his weight loss, his operatic singing, his inexplicable Benjamin Button-like aging trajectory, Paolo is best known for his opinions. He makes a lot of them for sure, but this abundance doesn’t at all diminish their value, for somehow, he always strikes the balance between uninformed ranting and boring truisms—between Internet troll and the Messiah. His thoughts on (politics? economics? life?) everything are altogether bold and well thought-out, which makes conversations with him sharply electrifying. Yes, it may shock you in the wrong way, but I’d like to believe that Paolo is who he is only because some things need saying, and no one else is willing to say them. When you exist in an imperfect world, what good is it to be a sentient being when you won’t attempt to change it for the

better? He might strike some of you as an excessively serious man, bearing a permanent expression one would describe as “pained”, but those who know him can tell you this just isn’t true—at least not all the time. In fact, he swings wildly between stern and flamboyant in a way that would alarm Dr. Jekyll. But regardless of his demeanor, he always displays a genuine concern for others that is warmly father-like. That’s not to deny that interactions with him aren’t always rocky. There is no doubt that Paolo has flaws—a fact that he himself often admits. These admissions are usually followed by a heartfelt expression of gratitude to Ecosoc, from which he, like many of us, draws the inspiration to become a better person. If that isn’t yet enough, you’ll just have to warrant his humanity.

By Kenneth Reyes

Photograph by Tito Pavia

CULTURE

Travel

[PHOTO MEMORIES] BY COURTNEY THE STALKER Second semester is always a nostalgic time. We become sentimental over the year that has passed, all the classes taken, all the events we’ve attended, and such.

Girls just wanna have fun, and by the looks of it, Cheenie Quirante and Marian Trespeses may have had a little too much.

Perhaps, for the graduating seniors, this is more significant. Four years (give or take) in the School of Economics is surely filled with all kinds of memories, and here, we in Echoes spotlight you as you graduate. We dug up some of our investigative skills and found these photos. To see how far you’ve all come, we take you back to where you started. Maybe some people view her as a bully, but cute is the only way to describe Chiara Cokieng here.

You’re a true fan if you recognize this person. Or you’re old.

Resident fashionista Lia Lontoc caught candidly, still with her braces. They may have been the bane of her existence, but a perfect smile wouldn’t have been possible then, right?

Reuel Realin gets literally swept off his feet by Therese Joson. A similar event may happen during the graduation ball; just so things can come sort of full-circle.

Jack of all trades Regina Reinoso, sporting a different hairstyle and an outfit not quite usual for her – but notice the necklace; it’s clear that even with such a formal outfit that is far from her laid-back style, she manages to inject her own brand. Jana David and Trixie Garcia still have similar haircuts. Jana maintains this length, though an updated version of her cut, but Trixie now has really long hair. If that’s an indication of how old this photo is – it must have taken so long for Trixie to grow it – then this is really old!

CULTURE

This is one of the few pictures with a lot of seniors that we have managed to find – it’s quite interesting to note that these people have held various leadership positions in Ecosoc and Econ and have excelled at it.

We think that Andre Sarmiento has always been fabulous!

P.S. We hope you’re not too embarrassed by these old pictures of yours surfacing! Now you know what to do: lock all your online accounts. P.P. S. We’re really going to miss you, seniors! ☹

We’re not quite sure why their hands are in a praying position—maybe this was a retreat they went to.

Again, we’re not sure why their hands are in that position – maybe it’s because Zac Efron is right behind them? In any case, Lia Pablo, Janna Ong, Rehi Dimayuga and Cari Cruz look like they’re having a lot of fun. (Cari looks a little sheepish, though…) 43

The Ecosoc Today BY PAOLO TAMASE

This article is bitter medicine: if you intend to read it, do so until the very end, lest you miss the entire point. Last February, I asked if I could write a “Letter from the Seniors,” a final word that was both personal and on behalf of the graduating class. Since then, certain events have occurred that made many seniors worry about the Ecosoc we were leaving behind. So Horace asked me to write, instead of a harmless letter, a more frank and upfront assessment of what we have become.

roots. CDC was strengthened and given the lion’s share of the budget. Spending was also tightened, financial statements were regularly published, and the anniversary month became more austere. Not all of these reforms were welcomed, but the leaders united behind and stood by our thrusts and their beliefs. Today, three years after the changes began, the renewed focus on the socio-civic nature of the organization continues to be embraced by an overwhelming majority of the membership.

A Recent-History Lesson

The 51st year, for all its successfulness, was without Musikapella—by October 2009, when the 52nd Execom was sworn in, the balance in the ESSF was dangerously near depletion. Laurence Go is a legend

The collective anxiety on the part of the seniors is warranted. When I applied for Ecosoc seven semesters ago, it was the aftermath of the 50th year. At that time, we began to question whether the multiple parties that were the highlight of the golden anniversary were really the heart and soul of Ecosoc. For more practical reasons, we were also in a financial mess, saddled with debt worth tens of thousands of pesos, and left with almost empty accounts. It was a very troubling time for the organization—it would not be an exaggeration to call it a financial and, more significantly, an identity crisis. But it is in crises where strong leaders are formed, and it was this atmosphere of self-examination that gave birth to some of the best leaders of our time. The 51st Execom, led by Raymond Zabala, embarked on an ambitious drive to return to our socio-civic 44

in Ecosoc not only because of his almost-perfect GWA, but also because he was the Vice-President who revived Musikapella into the cash cow that it is today. By the end of Laurence’s term, our ESSF balance was at a very comfortable level of P350,000. My second Execom term, in the 53rd year, began with a promise of revisiting our fundamentals and rebranding the organization. We had a very slow start, and there were many who doubted whether we could meet expectations. By the time we stepped down in October 2011, we exceeded our prospects. Three new events (UPfront, the Grand Caravan, and the National Economics Summit) strengthened our branding as a socio-civic, economics organization, and put prime on the principles of Ecosoc. Ad Hoc was also rebranded as a month-long celebration, and was run as a financially stable operation—a feat considering the scale and number of events organized for September 2011. While the promise of revising the constitution

These three years in Ecosoc are largely regarded as years of growth, and credit goes both to the membership (including the applicants we admitted as members) and the leadership. One cannot blame the seniors for hoping that as we left our organization, we would leave it at a high point. Where we are now But three days before our send-off, I look at an Ecosoc I barely recognize. First, we are in financial turmoil. We have yet to see the financial statements of the centralized account and the ESSF, but it is safe to say that with our fundraisers being characterized by weak revenues and cost overruns, we are in an unsafe position. An accounting still remains in order, but those of us who have been in similar responsibilities have an idea of what is still there. It is difficult to accept that the funds we built over three years were virtually erased and halved, respectively. Second, we are in a low point as far as morale is concerned. Attendance in events, from those as regular as commeets, genmeets, and CDCs to those as special as the benefit party, have dipped. Some members have not even shown their faces in the tambayan for a minute this semester. Each poor event is followed by an even poorer activity. Low morale greases a vicious cycle of decline, and there is no other solution but to cut it at its source. Finally, there is an abject absence of leadership in the organization. On one hand, our current Execom has not been able to successfully motivate the membership to contribute to the great work of our organization. Worse, despite the power play that has almost ruined this organization, some are (or were) in their positions for completely selfish reasons. On the other hand, there is an apparent lack of immediate successors, and the failure to ensure a smooth transition will only exacerbate our current situation. But before we even charge at our Execom,

we must remind ourselves that it is us who elected them; furthermore, those who were groomed and expected to lead but did not rise to the occasion do not have any right to criticize the current leadership. Two things console us. First, that as far as our brand is concerned, we continued to rally behind sociocivic and economics; in fact, the most successful events of the semester—Caroling, UPfront, and to an extent, the Academic Symposium and particular CDC activities—were events that were key to this reshaped identity. Second, there are those who continue to show much love for our organization, and I am glad that they remain in (or have been recently elected to) office. Many of our younger members also show great potential, and above everything else, a genuine concern for our organization. I can only hope that they are elected Execomers in the near future. During my stay in Ecosoc, we took pride in being an organization that aimed to make a difference. We did not fear what was challenging, because it was clear to us that what was difficult was what was best. As Execomers, while there were always differences between us, we (or at least, most of us) never let them seep into the realm of the personal—we fully supported each other’s events and defended each other from unjust criticism because we were in it for a purpose higher than ourselves. Above everything else, we were driven by a spirit of continuing excellence: 45

what we do must always exceed what was done. Sometimes results did not match our intentions, but no one can claim that we did not try. What does it mean to be an Ecosocer today? I apologize for anyone who has been hurt by the preceding paragraphs; my role in Ecosoc has always been to question and criticize, and while I do not enjoy it, it is crucial for us to be honest before we even dream of excellence. The past is the past, and I hope the lessons are now clear to us. There remains the question of where we we go from here. While the answer will be detailed by our Execom in their plansem, there is a question we must all answer: What does it mean to be an Ecosocer today? Understanding our purpose in our university and society should allow us not only to account what we must contribute to our organization and its work, but also how we can sharply reverse the decline. As someone who has devoted most of his college life to Ecosoc and what it does, allow me to end this long critique with my own response. To be an Ecosocer today is to be selfless. When I look back at our last crisis, the only reason we got back on our feet was the membership was willing to make huge sacrifices—during the 51st year, we were required to buy tickets for two movie screenings (for each semester) and the semestral fundraisers for the ESSF. I do not in any way suggest that we return to the business model where our members become our main revenue source, but I do implore our membership, especially the younger ones, to be ready to make difficult personal decisions. Despite the difficulty of these choices, members then had a strong desire to make Ecosoc survive: not only were they afraid to lose their home in college, they were also concerned about the scholars and our other beneficiaries. To be selfless is to put the welfare of 46

society—and our Society—ahead of ours. To be an Ecosocer today is to be a leader. To stop the decline and return to growth, all members need to see themselves as leaders who can transform the organization. There are many opportunities to effect change in Ecosoc, and more than positions, what is lacking is a willingness to “make the first move” and “make the final call.” More importantly, though, we need leaders who will defy convention and look for novel solutions to our problems. This also applies to our top leadership. Leaders put the interests of their constituents ahead of theirs, and this is a challenge our Execomers cannot run away from. I understand the temptation to simply treat a position as a line in a résumé, but comheads in Ecosoc carry heavy responsibilities that affect different stakeholders—our membership, beneficiaries, scholars, and even the school and university. Needless to say, leadership in Ecosoc is an opportunity to make a difference. Finally, this is a call to our youngest members. Our way back to the top is a long and difficult road, and we will need leaders who will take over the steering wheel in the future. I often sell the personal economic benefits of being an Ecosoc Execomer (e.g. companies that people run after will seek you even if you don’t seek them), but more than that, there is a sense of fulfillment in serving Ecosoc as its top leader that I have not found in any other organization.

To be an Ecosocer today is to be persons of hope. If Ecosocers in the past surrendered to the challenges of their time, we would not have an Ecosoc today. The difficulties we experienced as an organization were numerous: the congestion in BA, the Martial Law years (where organizations and student councils were disbanded), the C5 expansion in the 1990’s (where Ecosocers formed a human barricade to defend Pook Ricarte), and the recent post-golden challenge, to name only a number. Very few student organizations, both inside and outside UP, are as old as Ecosoc, because they failed to overcome their own obstacles.

the university and our country. The damage has been done, and we are left with two options: to rue our misfortunes, or to pick up the pieces and rebuild. I say, move forward.

We find hope in the talents and strengths of our membership, which has carried us through each and every hurdle in our long history. We find hope in building a better life for our partner communities, especially Pook Ricarte, which we have served years before any of us current members were born. We find hope in expanding opportunities for our scholars, so that they can get the education they deserve and create a better future for their families and our society. We find hope in the reality that in past crises, we always came on top. Finally, to be an Ecosocer today is to live service, excellence, and tradition. When I was a new Execomer, I articulated our thrust as a “tradition of excellence in service,” and that is truer today than it has ever been. To be an Ecosocer today is to aspire for greatness, just as past batches of Ecosocers have lived up to the challenges of their time, especially in the context of our nature as a socio-civic and economics organization. Particularly today, we must “win back excellence” in the quality of our events, in the effectiveness of our programs for our scholars and our beneficiaries, and in the formation of our membership not only as skilled individuals but also future economists who will create a better society. Despite the difficulties today, I have never lost faith in Ecosoc and the Ecosocer. A year from now I expect to see this year’s juniors graduate from an even better organization, and the sophomores and freshmen leading a Society that is more committed to its role in

Echoes.PH