lo stil a C ña eza i u N d by z Bal vas ol r u a es t ue stri Pa by L mi C e Rey u g A i i y h al s tin ife dre iki ie L t by C y Jaym ori new u t h A i rio by : C Fresh ect fi ies b ego y Ed omms r r s e p G b p bina a rn ors perf a a 3 C ew A k i o G B e n h yn 4 N C C Col for New or t th by A arel Dayag f l s D i C l 0 s y l c C un 1 ca me log mon jera andby Kim agat Co g fair Welco vento cosoc Ove rkshop nica M 11 Or soc s E for E m i d l o Ja K o Eco soc h epares Off! by shop W rum by arcia 12 Eco oc pr ks Photo In Quo G c l i e K s h t ith Adh rce Mic ts duc 13 Taskfo m Con s sem w lCES by dgemen ia e l ac in hi co Sec ES beg ook at P Acknow aren Cap apacia K JP rl nC and t 14 A Close ements guerra by by Kare theme aingle Anday Pua c s C o n t This semester’s theme will E a r u d e r l o enable us to look back with ? by Go nn th Si Desi pride to those past years of C by bout ecosoc D 15 AQ&A wi Ma’am C solid accomplishments, as we oreno embark on another term on ith esday assionate a n holo M 18 w J d y e b A the eve of our golden year aners ras Q& are p the W niversary. f Play Yla Pa 20 ving ay that you o On this significant milestone, y o b d r o g p o n m let us re-affirm our commitment Br essi 22 I w can you s for Service, Excellence and TradiNew r A Bl A o ; tion, as we continue to transform e s o s e r i H our vision into reality as set forth ook 23 A Cu by our founding members. opez nate R f the Peso: t e Ace L S The society’s undertakings in y b o o 4 e y 2 e n community development, scholarle Balu e Thro he Ris ships, more specifically its socio-civic 26 T esis by Bryl y of the Blu causes for the Pook Ricarte Kids and San Vicente grade six students, have s cabe earned for it a distinguished mark. UP 27 Th enomenolog nn Imu lo and Justin Bato A y b ECOSOC has touched lives, created ? il h r impact and lasting legacy upon many 28 P ambay ba ako life by Inna Mo of its scholars then and now. r t The UP ECOSOC shows no signs 29 Ta me E into you of restraint in striving for improvement in all aspects of its endeavors. But much more must be accomplished to meet the bigger challenges of the future. It must not rest upon its laurels, but instead remain steadfast in its commitments. Our desire for change can’t settle under the glass.
so 30 Put
Ask P i by Tivol Portrait Hermogenes h sz ri T y b e in Kikay Mach cope Madame Jaja’s Horos Tambayan Photolog by Cel Javelosa Silip sa Lumang Logbook 39 Tsimis Corner 40 Ecrossocword Comics by Enteng 32 34 36 37 38
KWWKContents
EDITORIALWWK
Welcome back, Ecosocers!
It is the start of a new semester and of a new school year, and as beginnings can mean various things to different people, for us Ecosocers and Econ students in general, it’s no different. For some, a new start signifies an onslaught of changes. The seniors will take on the task of thesis-writing, their last hurdle before graduation. The juniors will have to face solving linear regressions in Econometrics. The sophies will finally be introduced to the infamous Cobb-Douglas function. And those who are experiencing the biggest change among us all: the freshies who are undoubtedly excited about the transition from the structured curriculum of high school to the academically- free grounds of the university. Each change becomes a challenge, a chance for us to stretch our limits and discover our true capacity to cope with an ever-evolving world. This beginning gives us the option to explore that possibility. For us Ecosocers, this new semester is also an opportunity for the reaffirmation and renewal of commitment to our thrusts of service, excellence, and tradition. As this is so, we strengthen the efforts to re-establish Ecosoc as a socio-civic organization. There is emphasis through intensifying our CDCs, on the belief that belonging to Ecosoc is more than the prestige. It is about using that prestige in service of those who need it. Our roster of activities this sem also reflect a renewed sense of vigour, one geared towards a new level of excellence. And, now more than ever, we highlight the glory of tradition that has brought us to where we are now. This start is also extra special for us because it marks the start of our preparations for Ecosoc’s golden anniversary next year hence the theme, “Bubbling Up”. We are ready to celebrate 50 years of camaraderie and fraternity keeping in mind how those years have cemented Ecosoc‘s identity as one of the most respected organizations in the university. For most, there is a general feeling of fear of a new start simply because it is akin to venturing into the unknown. For us though, we say we bravely embrace beginnings for it opens the door to a new journey that we are anxious to face. Let’s start fresh. Let’s start determined. Let’s start strong.
.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .
What makes me bubbly? Coffee, strawberry ice cream and happy moments! Yay! Welcome to Bubbling Up! 49 and still rising! Like I said during the first genmeet, Ecosoc as an organization should no be stagnant and we as members should not settle for mediocrity. This semester’s theme calls for all of us to be consistent in upholding Ecosoc’s grand tradition of service and excellence. Lalo na ngayon na we’re celebrating our 49th year and next year na ang golden anniversary. Now’s really the time to level up and feel the hype! Kaya naman, as we turn 49 this September, the Ad Hoc Committee presents you the Ecosoc Month: 49 and still rising! Watch out for the many activities, events and treats na inihanda ng Ad Hoc for all of you! Among these events are the 4th Kabataan Caravan, the National Youth Summit, a possible Movie Re-run and of course, SENSATION! The Ecosoc anniversary party! Woohoo! All these events and more this coming September! Shempre, all these events will not be possible without the members of the Ad Hoc Committee. Kaya naman, gusto ko i-welcome ang lahat ng members ko for this semester. Welcome to Minay, Jaymie, Pia, Mariel, Goldy, Pakaye, Monique, Cel, Aiko, Nathan, Gel, Mocca, Karen, Nandz, Janica, Mica, Frances, Kim, Maui, Jopee, Chevy and Michel! Let’s Go
Ad Hoc! Thank you din sa Execom! Tel, Anday, Marj, Gigi, Patis, Jared, Czar, Katz, Aries, Ida and Mico: Thank you so much for being open and understanding and for always giving your best for Ecosoc. We can do this! :) And of course, welcome to all the members and applicants! For the mems, thank you for renewing and for being active as early as now and for the apps, thank you for choosing Ecosoc! :) Enjoy the semester! Kada! I love you! :) Again, welcome back everyone! Let’s join hands and rise together this semester! GO ECOSOC! Happy 49th Year!
ADHOC a Anika
What makes me bubbly? TASKFORCE! Tinatanong pa ba yun? <oh yeah> Kering-keri, susunod sa aking galaw. Kering-keri, laging nangingibabaw… Woohoo!!! WELCOME BACK ECOSOCERS! Manigong Bagong Semestre!!! Nawa’y maging masaya at matagumpay tayong lahat sa sem na ito. Let’s all BUBBLE UP (hehe, talagang siningit) Kering-keri natin tong sem na to!!!! (wahehe, corny) Minsan lang kitang iibigin… minsan lang kitang mamahalin… [disclaimer: contest piece yan] TASKFORCE! Wala akong masabe.. Galing niyong lahat! The best team EVER! [walang stir yan..pero may halong pressure.. *hehehe*]. Malayo-layo pa tayo sa dulo pero kayang kaya nating lahat to! Mahal ko kayo =)
Sa mga dakilang DIRECTORS: [Lucy, Mykel, Neo, Cherish, Lia] Salamat sa lahat lahat kasama na dun ang mga ngarag moments. Wala na akong mahihiling pang iba {yuck, ang drama) dahil sa matinding dedikasyon at kasipagan na pinapamalas niyo. Abangan ang TASKFORCE: TRILOGY (Coming soon!!!!) : Update (the university planner), DIYES (the ULTIMATE raffle, at syempre pa ang MUSIKAPELLA: Himig ng Pag-Ibig, Noon at Ngayon. Pero syempre pa, patuloy nating suportahan ang Chicharap na Masarap! Oha! Oha!!!
Sa mga dakilang KELOT at BEBOT ng TF [ayooonnn]: Roda, Jholo, Mariane R., Aby, Chimi, Raymond, Jasper, Kate, Floyd, Care, Inna, Kat, Josteen, Angie, Kash, Len, Vina, Jes, Enteng, Cole, Neri, Kim, Miko mouse, Niña, Brylle, Ael, Les, Billie bee, Ace, Jean, Kar.
Hataw na, wag kang mapagod.. Hataw at galaw… [can’t get over e noh…] EXECOM: Let’s continue to be strong for each other. Last term na natin to, let’s give our very best shot. Mahal ko kayo =)
Woohoo!!! Ok pa ba kayo?Hehe. Grabe, salamat sa pagpayag kahet na ang iba sa inyo e hinarass ko lng or nablackmail. Naaamaze talga ako sa inyo. Galing! <clap> <clap>. Nawa’y hindi magbago ang inyong suporta at commitment.
[Hay, this is would be my third to the last commnews, second to the last sem and my last term. *Emo*]
TASKFORCE a Tetel
I am bubbly because I always find something good in each new day. Um…Also, because of water retention. (Huh?) Last summer I swore I’d manage my time more efficiently in the coming school year, so that I wouldn’t be under pressure all the time. Yet here I am again, barely managing to squeeze in this Comm News in my To-Do List. At this very moment that I’m typing this, I’m down with post-viral asthmatic bronchitis. Yes, I’m sick, there’s still a pending BA 141 case in my PC, and I have to finalize my lecture for the ADOBE PHOTOSHOP WORKSHOP on Wednesday! That and a lot more that I’d rather not mention, as it would only increase my word count. (EIC Czar is very strict with the word count, y’know.) By the time you’re reading this, that event will have taken place already. I am typing this in the past; you are reading it in the future. (Did that sound Sci-Fi? Haha.) I hope everyone learns/learned something from the workshop I’ll be conducting/I conducted on July 11. Because at the end of the day, it is the fulfillment of achieving something for Ecosoc that outweighs all the blood, sweat and tears of the creative process.
upper-batch bud), Billie (Bully ka! Haha!), Jopee (pumapalakpak tenga ko when you comment on my drawings, hehe), Jamoy (laging bumabawi kahit late, hehe), Jes (thanks for being very reliable), Monica (still there kahit BAA na), Ria (can be counted on since the beginning of Seccom), Joy (maaasahan pa rin despite her thesis), and Yen (Throwing lines was actually fun!). As well as the apps who chose this committee, thank you! I believe Ecosoc is the most visuallychic Econ org because of what Seccom does. We Create. We Communicate. :D
I wanna thank my awesome committee members for their enthusiasm: My Vice-chairs: Triszh (Good luck kay ***! Yihiii!), Jean (OC and highly-organized); Anne (my best
SECCOM a Anday What makes me bubbly? Though it sounds earthly, money really makes me bubbly… ‘coz whenever Ecosoc’s wealth is plenty, that would mean less problem for me…:) Haha, trying hard to be a poet, huh? Pagbigyan nyo na.. commnews ko naman ‘to… hehe Welcome back Ecosocers!! Welcome Apps!! Thanks so much sa: • aking masisipag at magagandang Vice Chairs: Lia & CJ, bear with me..=p sorry kung marami akong inuutos.. don’t worry, mas marami pa next time!=p • super loyal Senior members ng Finance: Neo & Kim, thank you talaga!! Finance forever!! • Isang (sige na nga.. =p) medyo cute at nagagandahang Sophies: Justin Batocabe, Kat dV, Monique & Aira, thanks dahil pinili nyo talaga ang committee natin.. Justin, peace!=p Kat, super thanks talaga kasi kahit honorary member ka,super active ka pa rin!! Monique, Aira, hehe kahit tinarayan ko ang apps last sem, thanks sa pagstay sa committee natin =p • nagagandahang Juniors: Jane, April & Pinay.. Jane, thanks sa pagpili pa rin sa Finance.. April & Pinay, welcome!! • bagong Senior members: Eunice, Kat S, Imee.. Thank you talaga! I hope ma-enjoy nyo ang committee na ‘to…=p • new babies: Alveen, Jerold, Lia, Marc, Niki, Pat, Sieg,
Totoy.. magpakabibo! i-enjoy ang app process & sana maging members kayong lahat… sana rin mahalin ninyo ang Ecosoc gaya ng pagmamahal sa inyong sarili.. (kanina poet, ngayon preacher na ako!=p) isapuso ang motto ng Finance: Lack of money is the root of all evil! Yay! Alam n’yo ba, nafi-feel kong mas exciting ang sem na ‘to.. Aside from the fact that Ecosoc’s bubbling up & still rising, the Finance Committee is also bubbling up with events, especially made for you! • Continue supporting the ECOSOC LOAD (09154170755).. Abangan ang ECOSOC LOAD GOES SMART!! • UPCAT Food Sale!! August 4-5, tapat ng Econ & Law.. • Mischief Managed! The Harry Potter Quiz Bee, August 7 • Bingo! September 4 • National Youth Summit on Microfinance, September 22
FINANCE a Marj
.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .
.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .
What makes me bubbly? The people around me! Yehey!!! :) To the members: Welcome back to Ecosoc! To the applicants: Welcome to Ecosoc! To the alumni: You’re very welcome! To the Execom: Anika(Choquita/ the boss), Tetel(Tetels), (ate)Anday, (Cousin)Marj, Fatima(Patis), Jared(Joy), Czar(Czor), Kat(z)rina, Aries(Carlos), Ida(rose), at Micoy(the new Mike A. daw) – Maraming salamat sa lahat. Sorry din sa lahat. Kaya nyo yan! Anuman pagsubok ang ating pagdaanan, Ay kayang-kaya nating malampasan. Kabiguan man o kalungkutan Ay hindi magiging hadlang. Sa pag-abot ng ating mga pangarap (para sa Ecosoc) Gagawin natin ang lahat! To the Liaison Committee:
Karen & Care – the Vice Chairs Jaymie, Mariel, Aileen, Mel, May, Ruby, Neri – the Batchmates Miko Tiu & Daryl – the Boys of Liai Camille, Roda, Luz, Cel, Marian – the Young Blood Earl, Timmy, Trisha, Lian, Waileen – the Fresher Blood (apps) Laging handa at laging maaasahan. Ang mga tungkulin ay kayang gampanan. Maipagmamalaki kahit kanino man. Be proud that you’re in Liai, the future depends on you. Haha! :) ABANGAN ang LIAI Events this sem! July 18, 1:00 pm – Seminar on CAREER OPPORTUNITIES for Economics Majors! Speakers will be Ecosoc ALUMNI. August 18, 9:00 am – Saturday CDC with ALUMNI. September 1, 9:00 am – Members Bersus Apps Bersus ALUMNI! September 6, 4:00 pm – ALUMNI Talk. Liai event for the Tambay Week.
Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang Collection of Ecosoc Memorabilia at Alumni Fund for the 50th Anniversary of Ecosoc! Kaya sa may relatives na alumni, sabihin ang agad sa akin…….
Yehey!!! :) ***
“The LIAISON COMMITTEE is Ecosoc’s TIME MACHINE. When we talk to alumni, we travel to the PAST to discover Ecosoc’s history. When we invite alumni to our events, we travel back to the PRESENT and continue our job of CONNECTING PEOPLE. When we organize events that will help you in your careers, we travel to the FUTURE and try to make it better. “
LIAI a Glai
What makes me bubbly? The simple feeling of being loved. Thus, Ecosoc is one of such that makes me bubbly. Because Ecosoc makes me feel loved. And I hope that it goes the same for all of you. If in case it doesn’t (as much), just continue loving the org (the people, the tambayan, the kids, the events), and as Kuya Lags once said, it will surely love you back. Before anything else, gusto ko munang sabihin na: Welcome back Ecosocers! I hope excited tayong lahat to celebrate the 49th year of Ecosoc’s SERVICE, EXCELLENCE, and TRADITION! Yeeeey! Watch out for the ACAD events in store for this sem: Debate Workshop (especially for Ecosoc apps and mems), National Youth Congress 2007 – Leaving for a Living: The Economics of Labor Migration (for HS students), ACLE – Eventology 101 (univ-wide, ating tangkilikin), Jologs Quiz Show (woohoo tambay week!), Summit on Microfinance (tie-up with other committees), and Alay sa Personnel (perfect way to end the sem). Additional reminders: Keep posted for tutorials, feel free to borrow sample exams (with proper permission, please), and we are still renting out books.
Acad and for Ecosoc. Thanks for staying with me for this sem and i-welcome natin si Ria (dahil natatanging new blood sa Acad hehe) Kung nagtataray or masungit man ako minsan, sorry naman. Mabait pa din ako deep inside. Epekto lang ng stress. Execom, I’m sooo looking forward to this sem with you guys. Konti na lang! Haha. Seniors, let’s make the most out of our senior year. Sa mga nag-thethesis na, aja lang! To the apps, welcome. We hope you’ll find in Ecosoc.
home
To the Acad people: my VCs Nandz and Archie, Chimi, Abby, Tin, Jances, Marian, Nikka, Frances, Pao, Rachel, Philip, Ria S, let’s help each other in making this sem a success for
ACAD a Patis
What makes me bubbly? Mga cute na CDC kids, mga cute pamangkins na si baby Joelle & baby Jaire at si Baby!:) Yay! Welcome back ecosocers!:) Let’s all be bubbly, because Ecosoc is bubbling up..yes!hehe Patuloy nating suportahan ang Ecosoc sa pamamagitan ng pagattend ng Ecosoc events. Siyempre hindi ko makakalimutang iwelcome ang aking pinakamamahal na members! Wohoo! Solid CDC talaga!:) di mawawala ang mga beterano ng CDC, sina lola Niña, lolo Michel ( kahit busy sa council work ay nanjan parin), lola Golda (nagti-thesis pero di-nawawala):); complete pa rin ang powerpuff girls na sina Goldy, Sherri and my VC Cherish (kahit madaming work,laging may time for CDC):); si Carlo-BA na pero active parin!:); sina Josh at Cole-may mga lovelife pero mahal pa rin ang CDC!:); sina Gel at Kris-mga CDC babies, wow nasa CDC parin!:); si Kim-ang nagbabalik,wow active na!:); newbies: Brylle (ang henyo, may dugong cdc talaga), at ang bagong trio ng CDC sina Darlene, KP at Carla(nakakatuwa active na kayo!):)…
friends!:) Goodluck sa mga nagte-thesis!:) Dahil new sem, dapat magbagong buhay na tayo! Ayusin mo ang buhay mo!hehe At dahil mahilig tayo sa bago, may pagbabago sa CDC ngayong sem.. Kung nakulitan kayo sa grade 6 students natin dati, mas makukulitan kayo sa mga bagong wed cdc kids-grade 3.. ok lang yan, mas cute sila at for sure mas mamahalin mo sila dahil aalagaan natin sila hanggang grade 6..:) Attend CDC events and learn to share your blessings to the needy.. Huwag hanapan ng mali o kakulangan ang ating pagtulong, mas mabuting gumawa ng paraan upang mas mapabuti ito.:)
Welcome din to my beloved apps: Jau, Gene, Jo, Darrel, Regi, Menay & Jay.:) Walang magdedefer okie?:) Executies!:) kaya natin ang mga problema basta sama sama..(drama..hehe) Isang sem nalang natitira..aww..:( Hello honorary mems, my family,and all other my
CDC a Jared What makes me bubbly? This thing you’re reading, and… ;) (weh) HULLO, ECOSOCERS! Welcome back! We’re almost done with the first leg of the sem. Pero parang finals week na sa dami ng gawain. Pero anong ginagawa mo? Eto, nagbabasa lang ng dabes org publication lang naman. Hahaha. First off, I want to sincerely thank the people who helped materialize this thing. Thank you to all the writers and layoutists who willingly and nobly subjected themselves to deadlines and incessant pangungulits from their editors. Hehehe. Kayo ang lifeblood ng Echoes. Mabuhay kayo! :) At siyempre kung may dugo, may pusong nagppump. Thank you also to Echoes’ core—my Editors, na isinasapuso ang bawat article na ineedit o nilalayout, bawat ideyang ibinabahagi. Carmi, Neil, Cristina, Les and Lucie, ang mga kasama ko through thick and thin, early submissions and late, money and no money (haha labo), mahal ko kayo. <3 Ma, Dad and Eunice, salamat sa mahabang pasensya at pagmamahal, at pagsundo’t hatid kahit na mahal ang gas, at sa masarap na pagkain sa bahay. <3 Execom, kayang kayang kayang kaya natin ito! Naniniwala ako sa ating kapabilidad. WE CAN CONQUER THIS. SOLID TAYO.
Bubbling Apps! Tambay lang. ENJOY the app process while it lasts dahil kakaibang experience ito. (Para kang hinihigop sa Ecosoc vortex. Bahahaha.) We’re also inviting you and your friends to join our very own photojournalism contest – Snapshots: Take a Shot. Make a Statement. Ilabas na ang SLRs and shoot with the theme Filipino Happiness Amidst Adversity. AND Ecosocers, let us b u b b l e up with Ecosoc! Malapit na ang 50th year, and we should give no less than our best to our beloved org. P.S. While taking a break from thesis/ case-making/ Wooldridge/ Danao/ Varian/ Math17, visit our spankin’ newly laidout Ecosoc website – <http:// upeconomicssociety.ph>. And while you’re at it, drop by narin our multiply account – <http://ecosoc. multiply.com>. Tag! Sign our guestbook! Comment! Tapos balik sa aral. Hahaha.
ECHOES a Czar
.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .
.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .
What makes me bubbly? Everybody makes me bubbly! (kamusta naman sa creativity) HELLO ECOSOCERS! Welcome to another semester of fun and happiness! :) Una sa lahat, gusto kong batiin ang aking nagagandahang vice chairs na sila Sab at Kar pati narin ang aking mga cute na cute na mga members (oh my, don’t kill me guys!) na sila Audrey, Gelain, Janica, Jholo, Jinky, Josteen, Kate, Len, Maui, Noel at Pat! Welcome din sa mga EXTERNALS BABIES na sila lazo, demet, faith, kaye, kenn, kris, malou, pael, pam at vince! Tuloy tuloy lang sa Ecosoc at walang magdedefer ha! Sobrang proud namin sa inyo ni Papi Aries nung Eventology 101! We are really looking forward to working with you guys! Hindi kayo magsisisi na nandito kayo sa Ecosoc! :) Hello din sa ating JPES Reps na sila Jinky and Janica at PhilCES Reps na sila Michel at Josteen. Kung gusto nyo maging junior officers (or volcorps) ng JPES or PhilCES, just approach me or one of the reps.
Vital Campus Issues Newsletter. Suportahan din natin ang SNAPSHOTS: Take a Shot. Make a Statement. Please encourage your friends or any photo-enthusiast (na UP student) to join! :) Also, sana lahat tayo ay magparticipate actively sa lahat ng SEAC events! Let us show our love for the School of Economics! Naks! Punta tayong lahat sa JPES Acquaintance Party on August 4, 2007 sa Capones Biztro! Ok? Head ng event na yun ng ating JPES Special Events VP na si Jinky! Yipee! Goodluck sa lahat ng events for this semester! Sana maging masaya at okay tayong lahat! Labyu execom!! Ang mga studies ay wag pabayaan, ok! Labyu all~
Let us all support the Externals Freedom Wall! Syempre ang mga Ecosocers ay mga taong matatalino at may paninindigan diba! So show it and express yourself! Hindi tayo party org lang noh! Also, wait for the first ever release of the EXTERNALity: The Ecosoc Current Events and
EXTERNALS a Katz What makes me bubbly? ECOSOC! And my EcoSoc Crush! (Kunwari meron -_-) Welcome back EcoSocers! Alam kong excited kayong lahat sa bagong sem dahil a.) Kumukuha ka ngayon E101/102 and/or BA 99.1 kung Sophie ka b.) Kumukuha ka ng E131 and/or Finance kung Junior ka kagaya ka o… c.) Nagtithesis ka o naghahanda ka na para sa thesis mo next sem kung Senior ka. Pero syempre plastic ka kung isa sa mga yan ang sagot mo dahil ang totoong dahilan kung bakit ka excited ay… d.) 49th year na ng EcoSoc!!! YESSS! Kaya naman pala napaka-bubbly niyong lahat lately. :) Syempre, kakalimutan ko ba naming batiin ang pinakabubbly sa lahat ng EcoSocers??? MEMCOM members: Mocca, Minay, Ael, Aiko, Angel, Dennis, Floyd, Mage, Mario, and Ranna! Kung baga sa softdrinks, tayo ang CO2. Tayo ang source ng fizz, ng kilig, ng tamis dahil tayo ang magbibigay ng events na talaga namang swak sa panlasa ng lahat: Acquaintance Party – July 17 Grand Mems’ TBS – July25 Apps’ TBS – August 22 Tambay Week – September 3-7 At higit sa lahat… Grand Trad - September 7 At dahil bago ang sem, may mga bagong apps! Oh yes! Bubbling apps!!! Galingan nyo at nawa’y makasabay kayo
sa patuloy na pag-angat ng ating 49-year-old org. Kumbaga sa softdrinks, kayo na yung straw. (HEHE) higupin niyo lahat ng energy, fun, memories, learning experiences, at new friends na makukuha niyo mula sa EcoSoc. :) Kaya niyo yan! Dahil magaling kayo, alam kong magkikitakita tayo sa… Induction Ball – October 12. At syempre, hindi ko makakalimutan ang bote… ang bote na naghohold sa ating org na punung-puno ng di maawat sa pag-angat na members— EXECUTIES!!! One sem na lang! Kaya ibuhos na natin lahat. Let’s be strong. C’mon EcoSocers! Isapuso natin ang theme. Hindi biro ang 49 years. Hindi biro ang bawat lagok, bawat higop na naibabahagi natin sa mga taong nauuhaw at nangangailangan. At alam kong pagkatapos ng lahat, pagkatapos ng pagsasakripisyo natin para sa mga Grade 3 students ng Balara, para sa 5 scholars na pinapaaral, para sa mga alagang street children ni Nanay Maring sa Pandacan, tayo ang didighay ng malakas na malakas.
MEMCOM a Aries
What makes me bubbly? (Comment: Czar, nahirapan akong sagutan to… sad… it took me days…)
SPEVjuniors – Mykel, Peachy, Nathan, Raya SPEVsophies – Raymond, Marianne, Jasper, Vina, Hazel
What makes me hyper and full of energy? What makes my spirit lively and perky? Where do I get the ability to make things seem pretty?
Now, I wholeheartedly welcome the new addition to our family SPEVers: New Blood Pampi, Mica, Inna, Pakaye My new SPEVbabies: Josh, Kaiser, Moppet, Camia, Alin, Laurence, Misha
It’s funny that the answer to all of these is just in front of me… Clue: It does the teddy dance… hahaha! In my very first comnews article, I had all these questions about the journey that I have to take. Now that I’m halfway there, I realized that the destination doesn’t really matter anymore. It’s not about being able to reach it in the fastest time or in the least amount of gas. It’s about the journey itself. Maybe the destination that we all have to reach is the journey that we took. So far, it’s been quite a sweet ride thanks to all of you: Execom- we all know what to do now, everything’s going to be ok.
TODO PLUG NA TO… GRAND MEMS TBS, JULY 25, 2007. PUNTA TAYONG LAHAT! PUNTA TAYONG LAHAT SA GRAND MEMS TBS! JULY 25, 2007 GRAND MEMBS TBS, JULY 25, 2007. PUNTA TAYONG LAHAT! PUNTA TAYONG LAHAT SA GRAND MEMS TBS! JULY 25, 2007 GRAND MEMBS TBS, JULY 25, 2007. PUNTA TAYONG LAHAT! What to expect next for SPEV activities? SECRET basta its BUBBLING FUN! Hehe :)
SPEVers: Old Blood Ces – BHB! My one and only SPEVsenior!
SPEV a Ida What makes me bubbly? Aba. Siyempre sabon na yan. WEH. Jologs. Yuck tinabla sarili. HAHAHA. Hmmm. Siguro the thought na mamemeet mo ecosocers pag pasok mo sa school. Yuck ang drama. HAHAHA. Oh yes. Let’s get it on! HAHAHA Hello… HAHAHA yuck ang corny. Ayan! Welcome sa lahat ng ecosocers! Maligayang pagbabalik! Una sa lahat, gusto kong magpasalamat sa magaganda’t gwapong members ko na sina Erik, Hannah, Vem, Carleen, Rocky, Adi, Pia, Cams, Yla, Angie, Enteng, at ang dalawa kong naggagandahang lalaking vice chairs na sina Kash at Ace (ehem. Grand trad). Oh yes. Gusto ko nga rin pala iwelcome ang apps ng sports na sina Karlo, Kenna, Dave, Raymond, at Cathy! Galingan niyo sa app process niyo ah? :) kaya niyo yan!
joke. Hehehe. Gusto ko rin pala magpasalamat sa lahat ng tumulong sa amin last sem sa paghahanda ng ecosoc cup! :) salamat sa lahat ng mems ko, pati sa finance! Galing natin HAHAHAHA. ayan. At.. okay.. gusto ko rin igrab tong opportunity na to para takutin lahat ng kalaban namin sa futsal sa schoolympics. HAHA joke lang. ayan. I guess that’s about everything. See all you around :) Galingan nating lahat! Go ECOSOC! :)
Okay okay, para lang malinaw ano, gusto ko lang sabihin na madaming balak ang sports para sa ngayong sem. Puro after ng midterms nga lang. HAHA kaya wag kayo mainip muna ah? :D ika nga nila, save the best for last. HAHAHA paghahandaan namin ang lahat ng gagawin namin ng mabuti, kaya narin sa bandang huli na ng sem nakalagay ang events naming :D okay okay? :D Abangan niyo lahat! Lalo na yung spike it! Sa end of September na! All girls high school volleyball tournament siya, abangan niyo :) Go SPORTS! The best tayo HAHAHAHA no
SPORTS a Mico
.. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. .
of
NEWS l 10
ab CDC corner: co Chikiting
Patrol By: Niña Castillo
CDC begins CDC Tutorials with Diagnostic Test Twenty-three Grade 3 students underwent a diagnostic examination last June 27, 1:00-2:30 pm, at SE 127. It served as an opening for the series of CDC Tutorials for the semester. CDC Chairperson Jared Callueng said there were students who weren’t able to finish the test because they can’t read well. She hoped that by the end of the semester, we would be able to improve their reading and mathematical skills.
CDC kids prepare for their diagnostic test
Mini-Scav Hunt rouses kids’ energy Four spirited teams with three CDC kids each participated in the much-awaited CDC Mini-Scav Hunt last July 4. For one whole hour, the kids and their counterpart Ecosocers played different games in each of the five stops. The race began with the flour-blowing game to get the first clue. From this point, the kids ran with espasol-like faces to the different stations assigned to them. Each stop offered various challenges like spelling quiz on a Deal or No Deal format, piko with pambansang trivia questions, form-aword, math challenge with feet tied, and marking parts of the body with same initial letters. Stars were given to each kid upon completing a challenge. At the end, the yellow team (Finance-Externals) emerged as winners, followed by the orange (CDC-TF), blue (Seccom-Sports), green (Liai), and pink (AcadEchoes-Adhoc) teams respectively. “A star for the little big star!”
Pook Ricarte kids enjoy First Saturday CDC The Econ vicinity was filled with fun and excitement last July 7 as the Pook Ricarte kids were welcomed by the organization. From 8:00-10:00 in the morning, the Community Development, Finance, Adhoc and Taskforce committees organized various games like patintero, touch ball, pico, sipa and Chinese garter/10-20 for the said kids. Tutorial and Faci Workshop CDC members facilitated tutorials as some Ecosoc members and applicants participated in a Faci workshop on July 11, 1:00 to 2:00pm. The seminar aims to inform Ecosocers, especially the applicants, about the proper ways of handling and teaching kids. The org invited a math teacher from NISMED as guest speaker for the event.
CDC Chair Jared explains the mechanics of the games
Council Colors Freshie Life by Luz Baldueza
A pool of colorful shirts, flaglets and bands was a sight to behold at the School of Economics Auditorium as the UPSE Student Council welcomed the freshest batch of UPSE students at the Freshie Orientation held on June 12. The event blended with the Council’s theme for the semester “Kaleidoscope” evident in the bewildering colors that spilled throughout the auditorium. Dean Raul Fabella delivered an opening remark, firing off the event at around 3:00 pm. followed by a short skit presented by College of Mass Communication-based theater organization, Samahan ng Mga Mag-aaral sa Komunikasyon (SAMASKOM). Subsequently, the members of the SE Student Council were introduced via an Audio Visual Presentation. Finally, various organizations residing in the school were given a chance to invite the college newbies to their events and orientations. They were given five minutes each to do this. The UP Economics Society, proud bearers of the orange shirts and ribbons, did a skit and an Audio Visual Presentation which highlighted the organization’s tradition of service and excellence.
The other organizations present were Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC), Organization of Business Economics Majors (OBEM), Debate Society (DEBSOC), School of Economics Registration Volunteer Corps (SE-RVC), Sidhi and Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR). The event was hosted by students from the College of Mass Communication. One of them was Ecosoc’s very own, Major Masa.
NEWS l 11
Pseudo-jeep travels across the stage
Org fair calls for perfect fit by Chimi Cuevas
Participated by the UP Economics Society and other econ-based organizations, this semester’s org fair, themed “The Perfect Fit: Be in Your Best SHAPE” and organized by the School’s Council, was successfully held last June 18-22 at the School of Economics walkway. Current Councilor for Internal Affairs and Ecosocer Cecille Laurora explained that they patterned the theme from the children’s toy, shape sorter. She added that the organizations nonetheless represented the different shapes, and it is up to the student which shape, that best fits his sorter, to pick. U P Debate Society (UP DEBSOC), UP Economics Society (UP ECOSOC), UP Economics Towards Consciousness (UP ETC), Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations (HPAIR), UP Organization of Business Economics Major, and SIDHI were informed about the fair and asked to pick a shape that would represent the organizations in the first week of June.
UP Debate Society (UP DEBSOC) was awarded Most Active Organization and UP Organization of Business Economics Majors (UP OBEM) as this org fair’s Best Booth. Criteria for the best booth were overall appeal, creativity and pagka-swak sa shape. Conditioning to be in Ecosoc’s best shape Originally, Ecosoc picked the heart shape. The initial plan, according to Ecosoc Membership Committee Chairperson Aries Carlos, was to have cartoons in the organization’s booth backdrop which would depict the CDC, dubbed as the heart of the organization, and members. Also, it was supposed to symbolize love for Ecosoc. However, the Executive Committee decided to trade shapes with HPAIR who picked circle. Practically, the fact that Ecosoc’s theme for this semester, Bubbling up and Still Rising is depicted by bubbles rising from a flask, its theme design already sufficed for the fair. With 900 to a thousand peso budget, the Executive and Secretariat Committee were
Ecosoc members man the booth to welcome interested applicants
able to prepare—from the kits to the 20 prizes that were randomly given to those who reaffirmed their membership—for the org fair. Approximately, the backdrop was made half-day. On the one hand, the files were prepared for quite a while. The activity, however, was not marketed because other bigger activities are being marketed. The Perfect Fit During the org fair week, 131 members reaffirmed their membership for Ecosoc and 72 signed up as applicants. However, Carlos reported, “Konti lang ang nag-reaffirm. Marami ang nag-file ng inactivity. Medyo alarming ‘yung sa mems, though nag-purge din naman ang execom ng list of members.” He gave the members a 2.5 (University Grading System) in terms of their participation in the concluded fair. (cont. on page 14)
Ecosoc Welcomes New Babies NEWS l 12
by Jaymie Reyes
ABOVE: Ecosoc applicants watch as the different committees performed their presentations RIGHT: Jaymie and Enteng keep the ball rollin’ throughout the orientation
Ecosoc welcomed its applicants with a whole lot of fun and games as the Membership committee organized Bubbling App, the Applicant’s Orientation, on June 27, 9 am to 12 nn, at SE 125. Each partner committees were assigned to prepare a short presentation. The twist to it was that they had to make use of a song which has the word ‘hot’ in it. Partner committees were Liai-Spev-Echoes, MemcomFinance, Sports-Externals, CDC-Acad-Seccom and Adhoc-TF. Some performed dance numbers and others staged short skits, but what got everyone going was Ecosoc’s favorite game, “Super Manok.” The event was capped off with the elections of the applicants’ batch officers and a prayer, Ecosoc style, led by Membership Committee Chairperson Aries Carlos. Event hosts Enteng Lopez and Jaymie Reyes enlivened the event.
Ecosoc holds Eventology for the apps by Audrey Austria
To fulfill their first application requirement, 35 applicants of the UP Economics Society trooped to SE 123 last July 4 and attended this semester’s Eventology, an events workshop facilitated by the External Affairs committee. Dubbed “Eventology 101: the Basics of Events Management”, the seminar aimed to orient the applicants on the proper handling of events. It started off with an opening prayer lead by Janica Magat, followed by the welcome remarks of Katrina Ross Manzano, External Affairs committee chairperson. Instead of inviting speakers from outside UP, which Ecosoc usually does, the heads of the different committees of the Adhoc-Taskforce served as speakers for the occasion. When asked on why the External Affairs committee opted to choose heads of the Adhoc-TF instead of event directors from outside to do the talk, Manzano answered, “Because we want the apps to know how it is done in Ecosoc and not somewhere else.” Speakers for the seminar were Carmina Martinez and Lucia Lopez, Publicity committee; Lia Veneracion and Jaymie Reyes, Marketing committee; Michael Sampan, Logistics committee and Cherish Olanda and Mariel Bondoc, Sales committee. A workshop followed the talk where the applicants were divided into three groups and were tasked to apply what
they have learned from the seminar. They were asked to think of an event for the 50th year of the organization. The applicants had to write down every detail regarding the event including its publicity, marketing, logistics and sales. The Executive committee critiqued the p r o p o s e d events of the different groups afterwards. Each Execom member gave their closing remarks for the seminar and was impressed with how the applicants fared at the workshop. Apps listen intently as Marketing directors Jaymie and Lia share their strategies Eventology 101 proved to be a success.
month
by Anika Gregorio
Prior to the start of the semester, the Adhoc committee has already lined up its activities and events for the much awaited 49th anniversary celebration of Ecosoc. These events for September include the Ecosoc Month Grand Launching, Kabataan Caravan, a possible movie rerun, and the Ecosoc anniversary party. As early as June, the Sales Committee of Adhoc, headed by Mariel Bondoc, started with several fundraisers for the said events like the sale of chocolates, STATA and E-views CDs. Also, keychains and other Ecosoc merchandise will be available for sale this July. To further raise funds, Adhoc has also scheduled a discount sale on the first week of August. All proceeds from the fundraisers and the Adhoc events this September would go to the alumni fund which is reserved for Ecosoc’s 50th anniversary celebration next year.
Taskforce Kicks Off! aaaaa ccccc by Kim Ovejera and Carelyn Gabinay
This semester’s Taskforce team is up to the challenge of surpassing expectations set by the record of successful Taskforce events for the last couple of years. A mix of old and new, the team members seem to be going along well as was proven by the upshot of its first two minor projects. To start this semester’s line of events and fundraising projects, the Taskforce committee held its customary rummage sale on June 16. Spearheaded by Neo Valerio, Taskforce Logistics B head and supervised by Krystle Anne Ramos, Taskforce chairperson, the event intended not only to raise funds but also to reach out to the communities of Pook Dagohoy and Krus na Ligas. This classic fundraiser’s profits provided the initial capital to fuel the next ones in Taskforce’s list. Next in line is the revival of Math 17, Math 100 and Economics 11 Survival Kits Sale. The said fundraiser which was first organized by last year’s Taskforce committee showed that it has not lost its promise for success as this year’s sale brought in satisfactory level of profit while extending Ecosoc’s commitment to service by reaching out to university students outside the school. By providing up-to-date sample exams and reviewers which were thoroughly compiled and arranged by Taskforce Sales Group headed by Cherish Olanda, the committee wishes to impart to a wider student population the culture of excellence that Ecosoc adheres to while promoting organization awareness to more students especially the freshmen. The series of fundraising projects were organized to support Taskforce’s main event on September. There is more to witness as the Taskforce committee assures to embed the Ecosoc tradition of quality service to its upcoming events.
Seccom Conducts Photoshop Workshop by Kim Dayag
Titled “You can still undo your mistakes”, the Secretariat committee organized a Photoshop workshop last July 11, SE 125. Sixty students attended the said workshop which was divided in two parts. The first part taught participants the technicalities of the computer application including tool functions and their applications. Then, the design basics, style and aesthetic comprised the second part. This allowed making attractive graphics that communicate ideas effectively. After the talks and instructions, participants were asked to make a Photoshop project using all those tools discussed in the earlier part of the program. Andrea Julienne Pua, who is also the chairperson of the said committee, spearheaded the lecture proper of the workshop. Some participants brought their own laptops, aside from eight laptops provided by the host committee. The workshop now runs on its second year to help neophytes master the art of Photoshop.
Seccom Chair Anday shares her digital editing skills to Photoshop newbies
NEWS l 13
Adhoc prepares for Ecosoc
NEWS l 14
JPES begins sem with In Quorum
A Closer Look at PhilCES by Michel Garcia
by Janica Magat
Junior Philippine Economics Society (JPES) conducted In Quorum, a semestral event organized for the officers of member organizations to develop their concern and participation in external affairs, June 23, UPSE Rm 114. Present in the event were presidents and externals vice presidents of UP ECOSOC, Assumption College IBES, UP OBEM, UP ETC, San Beda ES, PLM ECOSOC, Oikonomos Letran, ADMU AEA, and PUP ECONRES. Each of the member organizations presented a special performance. Ms. Pau Tanquieng from the Fair Trade Alliance gave a talk about the role of JPES in the society and its role in promoting an advocacy towards economic development and social awareness among its members. Tanquieng stressed out the responsibility of each JPES member to alleviate poverty and to use economic models to promote awareness, which in turn would help society to progress. She is an alumna of the University of Santo Tomas Economics Society. Participants commented that In Quorum was successful in breaking the ice among members who came from different organizations of different universities and colleges.
Org fair..
(continued from page 11) Despite the relatively low turn out of members who reaffirmed, the number of students enlisted in the applicants’ sheet is overwhelming. Carlos added, “I’m more than happy… Sobrang okay na ako dun sa dami ng nag-sign up.” Quantity vs. Quality When asked about the quantity versus quality issue that the organization faces, the Memcom Chairperson said, “Definitely, [we want] quantity over quality. Pero di naman natin naitatanggi na up to now, asset pa rin ng Ecosoc ang malaking membership base.” As mentioned, he also highlighted that the execom “purged” the list of members this semester. Despite this seemingly detrimental fact, Carlos remains hopeful for the organization. In explaining the theme of the organization and the fair, as well as the link between the two, he said, “The theme of orgfair [also tells of] unity in diversity. Ecosoc’s theme [is] about transcending challenges and past achievements. Sa Ecosoc, to be able to achieve the goal, the members—the bubbles—must rise together kahit gaano pa sila ka-diverse o ano man ang differences nila.” “It’s all about transcending challenges and outdoing past achievements, not resting on laurels. Pero ang key thing dito ay RISING TOGETHER. Parang sa kahit anong effervescent liquid,
Philippine Council for Economic Students (PhilCES) is a nationwide intercollegiate organization of economics students. It envisions competitive and highly competent economics education in institutions for the nation’s progress and growth. First, it aims to unite economics students by having shared resources and coordinate actions that will help in the development of their potentials as future economic leaders without compromising the uniqueness of its members. Second, it aspires to implement academic programs and activities that will enhance their interest on the study of economics so as to contribute to the intellectual enrichment of economics students. Lastly, it promotes awareness and advocacy concerning sociopolitical and economic issues.
Some of the member organizations are: Ateneo Economics Association, Adamson University Society of Economics Students, Assumption College – IBES, De La Salle –Dasmariñas Economics Society, De La Salle – Lipa Economics Society, FEU EcoAssembly, Letran Economics Society, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Economics Society, PhilCES Bicol University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Economics Research Society, San Beda Economics Society, St. Louis University Economics Majors Academics Society, St. Louis University Progressive Economists’ Solidarity, St. Scholastica’s College Economics Organization, University of Asia and the Pacific Business Economics Organization, University of Nueva Caceres Economics Society, University of the Philippines-Diliman Economics Society, University of the Philippines-Diliman Organization of Business Economics Majors, University of Sto. Tomas Artlets Economics Society, University of Sto. Tomas Economics Society, University of St. La Salle Economics Society, Tarlac State University, Jose Rizal University Economics Society. PhilCES Upcoming Events PhilCES Calendar Presentation of Member Organizations - July 28 PhilCES Ecolybrium: An Inter-Organization Sports Competition August 28 PhilCES Econverge: September 30 PhilCES National Ecolympiad: An Inter-Organization Academic Competition - December 1 PhilCES Optimize - December 1 PhilCES National Debate Tournament - January 26 and February 3 PhilCES Summit - around March
lahat kasama sa pagtaas.” With the fair’s end, signaling the real start of forging ties among the applicants, members and the organization, Carlos put forward a challenge to the members and applicants: Sticking to Ecosoc in spite of all the issues and adverse situations encountered by the organization. By sticking, [I] mean active support and participation. Also, getting past judgments against orgmates, so as to achieve a solid, united team.
JULY 20 – Faci Workshop 25 – Grand Members’ TBS 26 – 5th Genmeet 28 – National Youth Congress
and s t n e m e c n Annou l e d g m e n t s A c k n o wPage
AUGUST 1 – CDC Sports Clinic; Snapshots Awards Night 2 – 6th Genmeet 15 – Wednesday CDC 3 – Treasure Hunt 16 – 8th Genmeet, ACLE 4 – JPES Acquaintance party 18 – CDC with Alumni 4-5 – UPCAT Food Sale 22 – Apps’ TBS, Wednesday CDC 6-10 – Adhoc Brand Sale 23 – Taskforce Event Launch 7 – Mischief Managed 25 – Seminar on Fertility Awareness 8 – Wednesday CDC 29 – CDC Art Workshop 9 – 7th Genmeet 30 – Release of Echoes 11 – Medical Mission August issue, Ecosoc Month Launch 13-17 – Midsem Check-up
Taskforce would like to thank
by Karen Capacia
Dr. Emmanuel Esguerra graduated in 1976 as an AB economics major in the university. He got his Masteral degree in the University as well and finished his PhD in Agr. Economics in Ohio State University. He is also one of the many alumni of the UP economics Society and had been the adviser for the last two years. How were you as an Ecosocer? I was an active member. In fact, I was an officer of Ecosoc. I think I was elected committee chair for External Affairs and then when the position of Vice President became vacant because of a graduation, I was appointed. It was just a one semester thing. It was just to complete a term that was not completed. What are your activities back then? Well, mostly it had to do with sponsoring universitywide fora on various issues, like the economic effects of martial law. Like after Senator Diokno was released from prison in 1974, I think Ecosoc was the first on campus to sponsor a symposium with Senator Diokno as the main speaker to talk about the effect of martial law in the Philippine Economy. So the activities were of good balance of serious and fun activities. And there were the usual activities you have today, like the caroling, the challenge day, the sports fest, the fund raising activity. At that time highest fund raising activity was a movie premiere; that was the way most organizations on campus raised money. Those were the regular activities, but then we also had the issue-based activities, which depended on the significant current issues. We would invite speakers from the alma mater or from the
outside, and we had a good interaction or relationship with the other organizations on campus. In fact, in that time there was no student council because of martial law. I think it was not until 1980 when the student council was restored, but during that period, and I’m talking here about my time in Ecosoc, which is about from 1974 to 1976, what we had instead was something like a consultative body to take the place of the student council. Members in this consultative body were mainly from the different academic organization and these bodies also happened to be headed by the students in the School of Economics and also Ecosoc. Any memorable experience? Memorable experience… Well the caroling was always a memorable experience, especially in 1975 or maybe 74, because after the caroling we need to be home to beat the curfew. There was a 1 o’clock curfew and…and I was arrested for curfew violation because, well, to make the long story short we failed to beat the curfew. So we end up spending the night in the military camp and
being detained until 12 noon on the next day, but on the same afternoon going out with Ecosoc to do caroling again. Love life? I met my wife in Ecosoc. My wife was an Ecosocer. Same Batch? Yes Compare Ecosoc then and now? Ah… it is different (laughs). How different? I don’t know. It is not going to be a fair comparison because at that time I was an insider, now I’m more of an outsider looking in. Any comparison will not be fair. Can you cite any difference? Well, just the obvious things like at that time we don’t have direct admission into the college. Ecosoc members would be at least a junior. Have you ever thought that you would be an econ professor? Maybe not when I was an undergraduate, but it came to me slowly or gradually as I was doing my graduate studies. I sort of like the flexibility that it allows me, the freedom to pursue a particular line of interest, so I’m fortunate to be in the school. What is your job before being a professor? My first job after I graduated was an economist at the Department of Finance, and I spent 1976-1978 in the planning service in that department. After that, I decided to quit that job, and came back to do my masters here. What do you do in your free time? I read, I listen to music, I watch sports like basketball and tennis. If not here, where? Teaching…I only teach in UP. If UP is not one of the choices? Ah if UP is not in the choices that is a hard question.
“After the caroling we need to be home and beat the curfew. There was a 1 o’clock curfew and…and I was arrested for curfew violation.”
Only UP? Well I can’t really say that I sort of like UP ...but if I’m not working in UP maybe I’m working at home or probably in a research institution or some other institution where I will be allowed to do research. Did you imagine yourself as an Ecosoc adviser? It is not something you imagine, in the sense that you try to aspire for it. I just thought that it came naturally with my job as a faculty member in the school. When they apply for recognition status they seek out faculty adviser and at that time I was college secretary so actually I supposed that it was just logical to be asked to be an Ecosoc adviser. I mean it can be any other econ-based organization. What does an adviser do? Well, he who advises least advises best, so when students need to consult for anything you try to give them the best advise that you have. We heard that you will be leaving for a Sabbatical leave. Do you mind if we ask why? I’m on sabbatical leave already. Sabbatical leave is something that a professor is entitled to every seven years, and the idea is that a professor periodically must take time out from teaching to catch up on the latest development in the field to do research, to rest, to be energized… I guess there is no particular reason why. Although the point is I have not or this is my…how should I say that…well let us just say that the sabbatical leave is long overdue. But that is the idea of a sabbatical; regularly you are entitled to leave from teaching to do what you want. Message for Ecosoc. Well, two years ago when I met with the Executive committee of Ecosoc, I suggested that the organization should piece together the history of Ecosoc, and it will be doubly significant because Ecosoc will be celebrating its 50th during the centennial of the university. So I think you need to prepare for the event, and what better way to prepare for it than to have something you can pass on to the next generation of the Ecosocer which is, you know, a documentation of how Ecosoc was formed. You have to talk to at least a person who was there when Ecosoc was founded and let him give the talk. Message for the next adviser. Next adviser niyo si Ms. Desierto. Well, I’m glad she’s the adviser; she will do well. I suggested her name. She will make a good adviser.
Dr. Desiree Desierto graduated in 1997 as a BS Business Economics major in the University. She got her Masteral degree in the Macquarie University, Australia, and MSC Development Economics in Oxford University, UK. Just last year, she finished her PhD in Economics in the University of Nottingham, UK.
So how were you as an undergrad? I wasn’t very studious, but I did find economics to be very interesting, and I think I discovered early on that I had a knack for it. So in class, for example – even if I didn’t attend, it wasn’t a loss to me because by reading something, I just understood it. So, yeah, I wasn’t your studious student but I wasn’t behind at all. Did you join any organization? No, I didn’t join any orgs here in the school, because I was into sports. I had a brown belt in karate. Before I had the injury that prevented me to join, I was really serious doing it. Most of my time was spent there. Can you site any memorable experience in your college life? I actually did not attend lectures regularly because the class was early, so usually if I was too sleepy, I would stay in my car and take a nap (laughs) while they were having lectures. And then one time I think, I came in early, but then I went out really early because I just stayed there just to find out what they’re gonna talk about. So after I got the topic, I left almost immediately. And this had been a standard thing for me; if I knew the topic I would leave. (laughs) And then finally, one of my blockmates just announced my name and you know, everybody laughed, including the instructor and knew it was a pattern for me. It was pretty cool. I like my blockmates because everyone was smart in a way. We’re kids and we had fun so we didn’t take things too seriously, although we knew that of course, we had to make certain grades. But yeah, we just laughed and all… so that’s the thing I remember. Do you still keep in contact with them? Good question. No, I haven’t with all my classmates, probably just one or two since we graduated. Maybe because I left and lived abroad for 5-6 years, and when we graduated, some of them went to law school, some of them worked. Did you have any love life in college? Here in college? (smiles and thinks) no! I don’t think I was linked to anyone. No! ahm… No!...ah…No? (laughs) How can you compare college life before and now? My perspective has changed a lot, of course, and I didn’t spend much time here yet; it’s just been a year and I just lectured one class, but it looks the same because it is roughly the same size. The infrastructure is still the same, nothing has changed although most of the classrooms are air-conditioned and stuff. Some of the rooms are nice; the faculty lounge. The students, I would say I cannot make a comparison because that day I was one of the students, you’re young and you think you should be taken seriously and you
“I actually did not attend lectures regularly because the class was early, so usually if I am too sleepy I just stay in my car”
think that you’re so mature and all. I’m sure if that is what you’re feeling. I can’t say that you guys are younger than when we were at that stage, although I really thought that of course, we were more mature. Then I’m sure if I see pictures from back then, I’d see that we were so young. Back then there were already students driving, but we drove old cars, like my cheap old car, which was handed to my brother and then handed to me. But now you see a lot of newer cars now and I guess there are a lot of rich kids in the school, probably in the whole university; I’ve seen the parking lot. Did you ever think that you would become an econ professor? While I was here, no, it never crossed my mind – probably because I did not have any mentor or anything. I wasn’t close to any professor; I actually didn’t have any idea on what they did, apart from teaching. So that option of actually going for further degrees in economics and trying to be a professor – that wasn’t an option to me back then. I think I just tried that after I went out to work for a bit and I didn’t like it because I missed the intellectual rigor in the school. It was hard but you have rewards. I thought the working life was like that but you were just stuck there with a very, very easy thing to do. And I missed that and I said I want to go to grad school, so I went to grad school, and that’s when I figured out that it is really interesting for me to pursue it. Again, I did not know exactly if I want to go to the industry as an economist or as a professor. It was only until I finished my masters and when I got an idea for my PhD thesis that I actually want to pursue it. And of course, once you are there taking your PhD you get involved, and I taught a few classes during my PhD. So then I realized that I want to teach. It was a gradual thing for me. What do you do in your free time if you are not teaching? I love to go to the gym. I like music. I play the piano regularly; before I was into guitar and drums but obviously I don’t have a band, so I play the piano regularly – it keeps me relaxed. Classical music – I used to hate it before, but now it is so stressful without it, and now I really, really like it. And normal things; I watch movies. I am a Harry Potter fan.
If not here, where? I had offers. Well, I had an offer locally – not in this university, and also some offers abroad, but for a number of reasons I decided to come home, for so many things. My family is here, it is just so cold outside living there, just so hard to keep your own flat and you do everything, it is so tiring. And I wanted to learn things, and I could not do that there because I didn’t have time. I worked full-time; full-time professors do so many things. Here, it is so easy to do other things. Of course, when I decided to stay here, UP was my first and only choice, probably because I come from here, and I know the people here they are very good. When you hear the word Ecosoc what comes first to your mind? Ecosoc, really big, I mean, large organization. Even in my time it was the biggest. For me it was just dynamic because of so many activities – I don’t know how you guys do it. So many things lined up, your civic involvement – a lot of civic involvement. So yeah, a very active organization. What are your expectations as an adviser? I expect you guys to not get into any trouble (laughs). Or else it will be my head. I was to sign the paper, I thought it was a huge responsibility but at least it is not a frat or anything. I guess you guys are peace-loving citizens. I want to be at least informed of the activities, if not invited. If I have time, I would like to attend your activities. If there is any sort of difficulty, I would like to know it in advance, and even if it is not yet so big, I want to know. If there is a friction or anything that you can’t excavate, tell me. Message for Ecosoc. I had known you to be good as an organization. Your track record is excellent – at least it’s what I gathered. So basically, just keep up the good work and members joining Ecosoc tell me not only that you are taking your part in the School of Economics or Economics as a topic seriously; you are actually having that responsibility in the society. That shows that you have maturity and at this point you already know what you want more or less. Just keep honing that and do not lose sight of the big picture as well. You get involved in so many activities; think that this is college, this is college life right compartment, I can do this at college, but after that I’m gone. I hope you don’t lose the big picture; that this is the real you; that you do care; that you are using what economics is, for it is for service as well, not just for your own sake. That’s it, dedication in your work, but again not losing the sight of the big picture.
Improving the Wednesday CDC by Golda Cainglet
The biweekly activities of the Community Development Committee (CDC) and the sponsorship of high school scholars are the main channels through which the UP ECOSOC fulfills its socio-civic commitment. In order to facilitate the continued success of these undertakings, constant changes are done when the need arises after the year-end evaluations.
The New Wednesday CDC
years until they graduate, that way, their progress can be monitored. Thirdly, because these kids are younger, This school year in particular, one main they are expected to have more enthusiasm for learnchange is implemented on the Wednesday CDC tu- ing thus making them easier to manage. torials. A new class composed of grade three pupils of Balara Elementary School will be taught instead of The CDC Chair added that with this new grade six students of San Vicente Elementary School. improvement, she hopes that ECOSOC members will According to CDC Chair Jared Callueg, there have been several reasons for this. One is that, through the years, it has been observed that the number of participating students is decreasing as the semester progresses. Secondly, the teacher-student ratio is growing to be disproportionate. This is further due to two more reasons: the large class sizes and, the limited number of ECOSOC members attending due to schedule concerns.
be encouraged to participate more to make the new Wednesday CDC a success. An update on the scholars This school year, ECOSOC has five full highschool scholars namely Algene de los Reyes, Rose Ann Reyes, Roxanne Elumbre, Tecson John Morla and Vernaluz Solangon.
These scholars were chosen based on the scores they have obtained from the qualifying exam given to the Wednesday CDC kids. Each of them receives a monthly stipend of P900. At the beginning of each school year, all of their basic school supplies are provided for as well as either of the three: bag, shoes or uniform. The books they need are also supplied and if they need to buy new ones, these are later reim One class of Grade 3 students were chosen bursed. instead to address the concerns pointed out. For one, a section of about 40 students is easier to handle and The funds raised from the yearly Task Force the teacher-student ratio can be narrowed down en- event are the ones utilized to send these students to abling more efficient means of teaching. Secondly, this school. same group of pupils will be tutored in the succeeding Also, teaching grade six students exhibited some difficulties since they have already established learning foundations which can be very hard to improve. Lastly, a follow-up to gauge whether the tutorials were effective was not easy since the students are graduating by the end of the school year.
Andrea Julienne D. Pua 2005-19898
1st Exam: Essay (50 points)
FEATURES l 23
“HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ECOSOC?” (Note: A recent Execom open forum session allowed me to reflect what I’d done so far. In the process, it rekindled something that I should not have forgotten and should never have to forget.) Rank your priorities from first to third. Where does Ecosoc place? A standard question thrown at candidates running for Execom during convocations. Whichever way you answer the question, the truth is, it never really weighs on you until you are elected and your term begins. I recall answering that question in this manner: Ecosoc and Academics occupy the top two slots with equal bearing. I insisted that it really is possible to juggle both if one practices proper time management. And then for the third slot, I answered, my art. So is it really possible? Well, I am still alive, aren’t I? Although most days you can measure by the depth of my eye bags how many hours of sleep I’ve had the previous night. Even with proper time management, you can’t abide by prioritizing both Ecosoc and Academics and expect to get the healthy standard of eight hours of sleep! I guess those Study Tips conveniently forgot to mention that. My grades took a backseat last semester because more often than not, I only did the Ecosoc half of my To-Do List. The Acads half was usually neglected. Both require considerable effort, but no doubt the former is the more enjoyable work for me. This time, I am trying (which doesn’t necessarily mean that I am able to do it, haha.) to give attention to both Ecosoc and Acads, adhering to how I answered that question at the convocation. Hence, the complete elimination of sleep as an everyday human function. So you wonder, Seccom isn’t an events committee; what’s keeping me busy? Well, the design and creative process isn’t done in a flash, mind you. And even if I assign part of the work to my members, the initial idea comes from me, and drafting that can take a while, especially running Adobe Photoshop on a prehistoric laptop. What a lot of people do not know, as well, is that to be part of the Execom means implies two roles – one as committee head, and one as Execom member, being a leader and inspiration to the organization as a whole, not just for the functioning of one’s committee. Segueing into complaint, let’s not forget my role as Tambayan supervisor. The Secretary ensures its cleanliness. The constitution doesn’t say that the Secretary is a pseudo-janitor in charge of cleaning the Tambayan. No, I believe it is every Ecosocer’s responsibility to keep the Tambayan clean. If everyone just realized that responsibility, then Seccom wouldn’t have to assign cleaners for each day. Sadly, one really has to set accountability to get the work done. On a good note though, I think things are taking a better turn this semester. For the first time, I didn’t need to rant about how Tambayan-Cleanliness is next to Godliness in my Comm News! Pitifully, last semester I always had to sweep each day, which elicited comments that I wasn’t delegating cleaners and was doing all the work by myself. This time, I’m glad to observe that members of different committees (not just the Execom) are actually sweeping the floor and picking up trash. I hope my controversial Cleaners Board this sem is an influencing factor. Also, I can’t deny how the departure (i.e. graduation) of some of the slovenly has contributed to the reduced amount of garbage lying around the Tambayan. Yes, I know they’re our good friends, so I apologize for not being able to help feeling a little relieved at this. But you understand how hard it is to monitor the Tambayan’s decency. :) Going back to stress it is but natural for that. How could I productivity, and not
levels and mental fatigue, at times I can’t help but wish for the year to fast forward to the end of the semester. I guess any perpetually busy individual to anticipate the end of toxic work schedules. Yet I feel bad when I catch myself thinking be thinking that now, when at the start of my term, my mindset was that Academics are a hindrance to my optimal Ecosoc the other way around? Am I growing exasperated? God forbid that I should ever feel that way for Ecosoc!
If not for recent events that transpired all culminating in an Execom bonding and open forum, I probably would have still been in a rut with regards to resolving that inside my head. Therefore, I’d like to answer that convocation question again. The ranking of priorities should have been Ecosoc and my art, respectively, for the top two slots. Why does my art suddenly come into view? Funny that I should realize this now. Ecosoc and my art. Why? Because as Secretary/Seccom Chairperson, I feel a coalescing of passion and purpose. Since I was an app, the type of work entrusted to me always involved the handling of visual media. Now being the Seccom Chairperson has provided me the widest avenue for creative expression and this is something that I realized I should be thankful for. I’m never one to show off, and I just smile to myself when I know I’ve produced a good piece of work. It used to be only for me. But now seeing this art in the context of Ecosoc, nothing beats the emotional high that comes from that. Having a purpose in one’s passion creates fulfillment, and that’s what truly gets me through the drudgery. I should never forget why I’m here in the first place. If for any one person, it seems that I have been underperforming, then from this day hence, let me prove you otherwise. This organization has given me more than I could ever offer in return. My Econ life only truly began when I entered the Tambayan as an applicant three semesters ago. How could I forget the very moment of realization, that feeling for the first time, that I truly had a place in Econ? Ecosoc gave me that opportunity, and so much more. At first it was only the benefit of having a social circle, but later on, it was a higher purpose that drove me to serve the organization. Sure my academics have been relegated to a lower priority (though I’m not saying acads should be entirely neglected; you can’t serve in the Execom if you’re dismissed from Econ!) No matter how much I may complain about the stress levels, the work load, and the pressure of still maintaining an academic honors standing, deep inside I am beaming proud of the fact that the extent of my love for this organization is such that I am able to make decisions compromising other important things for it. With that, allow me this space to say something I haven’t said for a long time with the fullness of my heart: I love Ecosoc!
SENATE ROOKIES: A NEW BROOD OF PLAYERS by Jholo Moreno
Finally, the numbers game is over. And while the last election marked yet another period of political bedlams and electoral controversies, the results have been posted, and those who stand victorious have been proclaimed. However, it’s still unreal to say that this is the end. Surely, it would take weeks, or even months, before the usual post election protests would subside. But I would rather not hash out on that. Having failed to practice my right to cast my vote, I know for myself that I am not in the rightful position to express my own judgments on such issues. But rather, let me focus on the results of the 2007 Senatorial Elections, and why Juan dela Cruz chose them to be the lucky winners. It still amazes me how the Genuine Opposition was able to sweep the elections to a very stunning victory. Not that I am belittling their capabilities in luring the people’s prerogative in their favor; I believe every political party, whether influential or not, has its own chance. And as for the Genuine Opposition, they were able to play the game well, starting off as the team on the losing side and gradually taking hold of the “election game” towards the end. Well, it would take them to have some veteran players like a Loren Legarda, a Ping Lacson, and a Manny Villar to achieve this. But nobody would ever consider that a powerhouse of rookies composed of Chiz Escudero, Noynoy Aquino, Allan Cayetano, and Antonio Trillanes would secure the winning title of GO during the last election. And while independent players Francis Pangilinan and Gringo Honasan were able to grab their seats in the Senate, it still proved a great deal of a challenge for them. In the end, it left only Team Unity senatorial candidates to land on the remaining seats in the Senate: one for Edgardo Angara and for Joker Arroyo. (The proclamation of either Coco Pimentel and Miguel Zubiri has not yet been decided upon during press time) So what does this imply about the people’s vision of the government? They say that the democracy in the country is an indirect one. That while there are three governing bodies in the country, namely the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch, it is the Legislative branch that should ideally represent the people in making decisions in the government’s goings-on.
The Breakpoint Test... (continued from page 27)
It is really tempting to imagine being an R2 guy chatting lively in the couch, celebrating Christmas without thesis apprehension, and basically “doing nothing” but fun, fun, fun (in the rawest sense of the word) while the RRL guys are basically going nuts on their (hopefully) last semester in UPSE undergrad. Moreover, R2 guys have the assurance that their E199 grades will not posed a problem come the graduation “crunch time”, as past experiences of RRL guys had shown. Basically, that’s the heuristics of the CHOICE. And undeniably, each of the alternatives has their own pluses (what is “right”) and weaknesses (what is “easy”). Hence, the decision is and must be rightfully be left to the individual (or more appropriately, the pairs), since it is one’s thesis choices that show what he/she truly is, far more than his/her thesis-making abilities. ■
The only direct way that the people can fully participate in the government is through their election of the persons who will take the seats of the decision makers and represent them in the government. And surely, if these underlying principles hold true, the results of this year’s election reflect the views and preferences the public has for the government. The remarkable minority of Team Unity senators in the roster of winners gives us the first coup d’oeil of how the people have viewed the government recently. Even if it is the party that is very much endorsed and supported by the President last elections, GMA herself being involved in some of the TU’s campaigns, it still did not assure the victory for the said party. Or is it the fact that it is the party supported by the Administration that led to its downfall? In light of the controversies and anomalies that the Arroyo Administration has shed in the recent past, we see a people fed up of what the Arroyo administration bragged about itself but has actually failed to fully realize. And so, by choosing to not to vote for TU senatorial candidates, some of which are very active in their service for the Administration, they are able to express their opposition against the present administration. It, in a way, assures them that GMA cannot have full control even of the Senate knowing that a good number of Opposition senators there are to voice out their concerns against Arroyo’s own political gains. Another observation that can be incurred about the results of this year’s senatorial election is the sudden influx of newcomers who actually made it to the Senate. This is a very striking point to consider since the Senate has been ruled mostly by Methuselahs who have been there for the longest time. Some, I remember, being there ever since I was a kid. The chances of newcomers making it to Senate are very narrow (an average of zero-two newcomers every senatorial elections), and most would need to be veteran politicians before getting the majority of the people’s votes. But this year, four rookies made it to the Senate and I would say that it is the first time that I have seen this happen. What’s more remarkable is the fact that they are not even considered the veterans in politics as most of them are younger than most of their would-be colleagues in the Senate. The flourishing of young blood in the Senate also
leads us to discernment on what the people wants for the government. It somewhat magnifies the people’s want for a change in the government, that it is time for a new breed of leaders who are young and have fresh ideas and thoughts about the government. It tells us that it is time that we have a different approach in our democratic system.
“we have started to become mature in practicing
the right to vote”n
practicing the right to vote
In a speech delivered by Christian Monsod in one of One Voice’s meeting he quoted,”...the 2007 elections are surely a test of our vision for democracy.” And I believe that this is what the Filipino fittingly did – we have started to become mature in practicing the right to vote. I say “we have started” for I believe that it is an ongoing process, and that it would take time before we truly realize the sanctity of suffrage. The results of this year’s elections are clear: the people have become open to new leaders and therefore to a new system of running the country’s democratic system.
FEATURES l 26
The Rise of the Peso: A Curse or A Blessing? by Yla Paras It is common knowledge that one of the biggest markets for which the Philippines is involved in is the OFW remittance market. This ‘trading’ has helped the peso appreciate against the dollar and for which the GMA administration has considered to be a great economic lift (serving as a medium for the lowering of foreign debt). Approximately 8 million Filipinos abroad charged this resurgence – which ironically is hurting them in the longer run, i.e., their families receiving less aid (because of the lower value of these currencies being exchanged for the peso). However, what really is the effect of this re-appraisal of the Philippine peso to the ordinary Filipino or to the biggest industries inherent today? The appreciation of the peso simply means that it has gone stronger against the dollar. The peso to dollar exchange rate has changed from about P56-$1 to about P45-$1 in the last 24 months. This, of course, is also continually being affected by other externalities that are both local and international – in terms of foreign investment, tourism (which is now slowly threatened), the current zenith of the Southeast Asian markets, and the weakening of the dollar worldwide. For the layman, the first question he would ask himself is ‘how has the peso appreciating affects him?’ He does not care about the reasons that caused it. Then he comes into the conclusion that he has not felt much of its effects. Prices are still soaring (especially those of oil - but in most ways contained and controlled - oil prices in the US market have increased by almost 6 per cent but with the strength of the peso, it has disabled prices to skyrocket). His income has not increased as of the last quarter. He cannot understand why the peso appreciation is being dealt with drastically and controversially (or casually) discussed by many experts despite it being a non-factor in his life. He feels the intensity of the EVAT more and the aftermath of the recent senatorial elections. But that of course, that could only be one perspective.
Another issue being held to this regard, or for this matter, is the issue of the Philippine export industries. Philippine production has not become a determinant to raise the standards of the Gross National Product (GNP) or the export market for the past few years. The export industry has declined despite protectionist policies that the nation upholds and the government significantly fails to implement. Exportation of commodities (excluding labor) are greatly affected by the weakness of the other currencies against the peso because of the lower receivable and cheaper selling prices of said commodities when brought out from the country to abroad. It also does not help that Filipinos (both the layman and the big industries) – in actuality and most especially in the greater Manila area, do not support local made products and raw materials, vying instead for imported goods. Conversely, importation of goods and other raw materials has been easier to do. The telecommunications industry, for example, is one industry that takes advantage of this. Most new technologies, materials, and satellites that are being developed come from the West and East Asia. They are able to import these goods in a lower price as compared to before. Payments that they can put forth for these commodities are relatively less and overall transaction costs would surely have decreased. Filipino-Chinese businessmen, especially those who are involved in the food equipment business, have also taken off from this event. In past years, this business was on the verge of falling, barely breaking even and no high liquidity to brag about. Now, with its new installations, equipment coming from more advanced parts of the world, they are gaining more profits, through the equipments they sell, and the rise of multinational companies, such as Starbucks. Furthermore, even the black market economy has benefited from this. Smuggling through lower transportation costs and lower levels of prices have been more dominant. The expansion of shipment and participation contributed greatly because of the lower exchange rates of the dollar (and other foreign currencies). Inconclusively, with all the take-offs and stringencies of the peso, there is still one emergent question, that is, ‘if the peso continues to appreciate, would it be a bigger curse or a bigger blessing to the Philippine economy?’ The uncertainty fits well and the one and only caveat attached to it. Towards the inverse, however, if it (the peso) progresses even more, it might finally be able to save the Philippines and every Filipino from all the havocs it used to have – at least for the economics of it.
The Breakpoint Test: Facing the Inevitable at Econ’s End by Brylle Baluyot
The start of the senior year undeniably carries with it perks for an econ undergrad that have never been as exciting and “powerful” as of those of the previous years. Now on top of UPSE’s student hierarchical pyramid (excluding graduate students), seniors seem to acquire such noble capabilities: for instance, the aura of “seniority” that commands a certain amount of quasi-respect. But the senior year, however apparent a relief it seems to be (what after Econ 131!), spells a much more significant trouble where one faces the risk of losing, well, (almost) “everything”. (Thesis) it. The stage is set. The “Order of the Thesis” will be reborn and the three years spent will be weighed. For dark and difficult times lie ahead, and each one would soon make the choice between what is right and what is easy. However, the most significant question to be asked is, simply, how SOON is that CHOICE? This leads us to a grand division among the ranks of the “Order” based on the timing of their response. On one side lies those who are relatively more momentously driven by the moment (if not pressured to graduate early) and the fearless pioneers of the batch – the so-called R2 group (for Reding-Ready) – who had braved the challenge of a 1st sem thesis stint. On the other side, meanwhile, lies the calculating (if not procrastinating) hopefuls who try to buy more time to prepare (for some, to “delay”) for the great task that needs to be done by choosing the 2nd sem nook – the so-called RRL group (for Reding-Ready Later). Thus, in essence, what motivates these individuals to adopt either one of the responses is in itself an interesting econometric question, at least heuristically; hence, the topic of this informal piece. Economics is essentially a science of incentives; thesisms, meanwhile, serves as one of its battlegrounds, which can be heuristically viewed through some concepts listed below: 1. The Highly-Significant Continuity – Perhaps the principal argument of either side (depending on how one looks at it), thesisms are primarily viewed in the context of continuity. Time must be efficiently controlled, and seamless flow of work must be, at best, maintained. Indeed, as continuous functions have most of the desirable properties in mathematics, so must be continuous time frames
of action in doing the thesis would be economically desirable. R2 proponents typically sight this, since the continuity the 1st sem offers inspires and pressures them to uphold and boost their momentum up to a royal finish. On the other hand, a jump essential discontinuity at the Christmas Break Interval of the 2nd sem, as well as the celebrations of the season (e.g. UP Fair) and the like, may significantly dampen the drive – inducing slack-off portions (assuming one employs temperance in fending off the temptations of the Christmas break and the like, and instead, devoting the time for research – which is admittedly taxing and cold). 2. Taking it Moderately – As Plato had put it, everything must be taken in moderation. And the RRL guys seem to believe him when it comes to these dark times. Preferring to do things little by little, these guys want to be sure that everything must be made ready. They live in the mantra: Ang pagthethesis ay hindi kaning basta isusubo lamang na kapag napaso ka ay pede mong iluwa. Well, not that too literal, but the point they want to establish is that they don’t want to rush headlong into it(or at least, that’s what they want to show other people). The 1st sem offers plenty of time to brainstorm for topics, search for new fields of interests, look for data sources, consult other authorities, learn Stata and Eviews, finish other important duties (e.g. our very own senior Execoms), and yes, procrastinate. 3. Happy Meal Construction – The choice of a thesis adviser is crucial for success, and variety seems to play a role in determining when to do the thesis. Usually, the RRL guys is the sizable chunk of the senior population, hence, a larger demand for E199 must be reciprocated by adequate supply of E199 advisers. The end-result: a more vibrant and varied selection caters the 2nd sem offerings as compared to the limited slots available in the 1st sem. However, a word of caution must be exercised, for variety is not a necessary condition for success (it just makes E199 enlistment relatively physically easier). Destiny is in the fold: some persons and their ideas are inevitably and inseparably a sufficient Happy Meal itself. 4. Pioneering Pressure – It’s always nice to be out there first: you’re able to make a distinct imprint as one of the few who deviated from the “norm”, as one of the firsts who braved and survived. You have the chance to revise and redeem your mistakes and start anew in the process of thesis-making. Econ 131 techniques are still relatively fresher in your mind than the RRL’s case. Indeed, success is definitely much sweeter when achieved in this case. Yet there’s no denying that the stakes are high, the road is long and full of unexpected challenges, and the pressure amidst the views of one’s RRL colleagues mounts. Being a pioneer, hence, is both a glorious blessing and a curse to be trounced. 5. Agglomeration Economies - Likewise, a counter-implication of the above lies in the inherent thesis structure of the 2nd sem timeframe. Inasmuch as firms of the same industry benefit by locating closely along with its colleagues, the sheer number of the RRL guys enable them to mimic and reap the benefits of localization and urbanization economies. Plenty of help and occasional insightful informational spill-overs abound, ensuring light in the “crunched” period such as the 2nd sem. Beneficial also are the relatively lighter academic load prevalent of this time which further harness the effectiveness of this setup. 6. Maximum Utility and the Intertemporal Yabang Effect – But what is most entertaining and convincing among the arsenal of defenses of a 1st sem choice lies in the power of intertemporal economics - sacrifice today’s consumption power for next semester’s grand season of celebrations. (cont. on page 24)
FEATURES l 28 When was the last time you enjoyed kicking back and relaxing in your favorite cushioned seat, holding an ice-cold coke in your hand, and a remote control in the other? Or how about your refreshing nap during that lazy Sunday afternoon, with the cool breeze gently floating you to sleep?
Ah, a couch serves its master like that; but there lies an incongruity. Wiktionary, an online dictionary, says that the couch is “an item of furniture for the comfortable seating of more than one person.” More than one person, it said, more than one person. Since we’re all students of Economics here and have studied maximizing graphs of even the weirdest most complicated kind, it’s safe to say that the aforementioned individual indulgences are not maximizing the function of the sofa. And that’s what makes the heralded Ecosoc blue couch a special one.
Phenomenology of
the Blue Throne by Ace Lopez
Meaning to be shared, the couch, with its leather exterior and cushioned insides signify a whole lot more than just a couch. The wear and tear – they are landmarks of memories shared, of probably some laughter accompanied by a hard fall which caused a gash, of even just a clumsy exhausted heave of the body, but nonetheless, a historic one. Friendships shared, friendships made, moments you recall, and even all those you don’t know of. We have shared all these, whether directly or indirect. It’s an overwhelming experience when you think of it; being part of a legacy of some sort by simply hanging out at the tambayan, waiting for a friend, sharing stories and chismis. We are part of what made this couch what it is by experiencing the couch. We are responsible for the imprint embedded in the life of our own blue sofa. Each one of us adds to the meaning of an inanimate being made for us, designed for us. It provides us respite and relaxation, but more than that, it serves us what we need most in our life, company; in the form of a friend, in the form of your comfort. Next time you get the couch to yourself, unwind, yes, celebrate in joyous wonder even. But let’s not forget our conscientiousness to be ready to relinquish part of that seat, part of that couch, for whom else but God only knows, maybe the next best thing that will happen to your life.
Reprinted article from Echoes December ’98 Issue Hindi ko rin alam. Sa rami ng dahilan para tumambay, mas pinipili ko pa rin ang masmaraming dahilan para hindi tumambay. Wala. Wala naman akong kagalit, kinaaasaran, o kinamumuhian. Nagkakataon lang talaga. Siguro gusto ko lang ang amoy ng canteen (na dumidikit sa t-shirt ‘pag nagtatagal), ang katahimikan ng lib, ang magandang view sa labas ng Econ Audi, o ang bench sa may lobby. Hindi naman ako matakaw, nerd o loner. Hindi rin naman ako anti-tambay. Sa katunayan, natutuwa ako tuwing Tambay Week dahil pare-pareho ang suot ng mga tao sa loob ng SE 121. Dahil alam ko at alam nating lahat na ang tambayan ay nagsisilbing official lungga ng mga taong nabibilang sa isang organisasyon na may iisang mithiin at magkakatulad na prinsipyong itinataguyod, nararapat lang na sa mismong lungga ring ito, nagkakakilanlan ang bawat isa – kumakain, nagkuwekuwentuhan, nag-aaral (kahit kunwari), nagyo-yosi (kahit bawal na under the new tambayan guidelines), nagtetext, at nag-uusap para sa ikagaganda ng org. Sa tambayan nabubuo ang maraming samahan: pagkakaibigan, pagkaka-ibigan, ang pagiging bahagi ng grupo… Kaya dapat lang na ang isang miyembro (at applicant) ay tumambay paminsan-minsan. Kahit gaano pa ito kadalang. At mayroon din namang laging nasa tambayan… Mahal nila ang sofa, ang mesa na natapunan ng glue at naukitan ng kung anu-ano, ang tackboard na puno ng signatures, ang aquarium turned bonsai container, ang mga lockers, ang pigeonholes, ang table sa labas… Ang tambayan to its core. Nakakatuwa dahil may lugar na pwede mong sabihing “where I belong.” Hindi nga lang nasasabi ito. Siguro kulang nga ang kalahating room para sa Ecosoc. Pero sa isang banda, para ring, hindi… Hindi rin naman maiiwasan na maraming grupo ang bumubuo ng Ecosoc. Hindi rin lahat magkakakilala. Bilang tugon sa imbitasyong mamalagi sa tambayan, may iba’t ibang dahilan ang mga “now u see them, now u don’t” na parang mushroom at palitaw. Kesyo may klase, may meeting, mainit, may pupuntahn, may kailangang basahin. At may iba namang pinipiling manahimik na lamang. Siguro nakapanghihinayang (sige, kung gusto mo, kantahin mo) dahil maraming nangyayari sa tambayan na magbibigaylinaw sa katauhan at katayuan ng magaling na organisasyong ito.
“Siguro kulang nga ang kalahating room para sa Ecosoc. Pero sa isang banda, para ring, hindi…” Ngunit, datapwat, subalit, however, BUT hindi rin lang sa oras ng pamamalagi sa SE 121 nasusukat ang pagiging isang miyembro. Ang pagiging Ecosocer ay hindi nagsisimula at nagtatapos sa pagtatambay lamang. Marami ring “unsung heroes” na madalang tumapak sa tambayan na nagtitiyaga at nagpupunyagi para sa ikabubuti ng organisasyon. Salamat na lang po sa mga commheads na nagpapahalaga sa naturang grupo. Mula sa punto de bista ng naturang grupo, maraming alternatibo sa pamamalagi sa SE 121. Mayroon namang commeets at genmeets, pigeonholes, logbook at siyempre, ang walang kamatayang phone brig. Malalaman mo rin naman ang nagaganap sa Ecosoc. At kung gusto mo, makakatulong ka rin sa org, tumambay ka man o hindi. Masasabi mo rin, nang buong yabang, na bahagi ka ng “grand tradition.” Masasabi mo ring “I belong” dahil naniniwala ka sa mga prinsipyo ng Ecosoc, na siyang dapat nagbubuklod sa mga kasapi nito halip ng pagkakaiba. Kahit hindi kayo pareho ng pagiisip, kahit iba-iba ang inyong trip, kahit maingay siya at tahimik ka, kahit BE o Econ (po!), kahit hindi kayo pareho ng scked, kahit iba-iba ang inyong kaibigan, kahit uno ang marka niya at ikaw eksaktong 2.5 (po!)… Ecosocer ka. Gaya nga ng nabanggit nang iilang beses na ng iilang mga tao, your contribution, big or small, is needed in the organization. I believe there are a lot of ways to be active. You just have to want it. Get the motivation – the love, ayon nga kay Dondi. As an Ecosocer, you are part of the success and failure of the organization. Mabuti pang tumulong ka na lang para “success” imbis na “failure”, ‘di ba? Kung sumali ka sa org dahil sa prinsipyo at paninindigan, hindi magiging mahirap maghanap ng paraang makatulong, sa halip ng iyong pagkakaiba, anuman ang iyong katayuan at kakayahan. Yes, I love Ecosoc. Kahit hindi ako madalas tumambay.
tambayan
by Inna Morillo and Justin Batocabe A lot of puzzling, unexpected occurrences come into our everyday lives in the most remarkable way, whether it turns up in a beautiful package of a bright day ahead with your crush seatmate to wake you up in a boring early Monday morning Economics class, or a failure in a long exam still in the same class and still with the same seatmate looking dryly at your not-so-impressive standing. No matter how ready we seem to be to face life’s daily unknowns, what true armor do we have against them and how do we cope – really cope; minus the euphemisms and other such sms quotations as guiding lights? Examine a day in the life of an Ecosocer and how his ordinary lucky day came from effortlessly unfortunate to simply Extra-ordinary with a dose of Ecosoc in sight.
KKKOOKKOOOYYY!! Isang nakakaantok na Monday morning at late na naman si Kokoy sa kanyang Econ 131 class. As usual bulyaw galing sa nanay ang maituturing na alarm clock and he’s all set to school with a munchy tinapay in one hand for breakfast and folded papers sa kabila – hopefully kasama na doon ang problem set due mamaya. Whhhaahht???! Kamusta naman ang pilang ‘to? Matapos ang ilang kabadong pag-check ng relo at paglanghap ng sariwang usok
straight from the tambutso, finally nandyan na…ang maling jeep… haay, what a bad day coming up! And when all hope was lost (at least for that moment), ayan na ang jeep. Feeling lucky ang ating bidang si Kokoy dahil siya lang ang pinalad makapasok at makaupo. Sa trono ng kanyang tagumpay sa upuang katabi ng drayber, nadama niya kung gaano talaga siya kaswerte dahil biglang.. KABBOOMMM! Sumabog ang gulong ng jeep! Haay, no choice si Kokoy kundi lakaran ang walk-in-the-park view ng Balara to Econ. With the School of Economics just a couple of meters away, parang wala na ngang isasama pa ang araw niya. Of course, as usual, mali siya. “One of the assumptions of the classical linear regression model…(biglang nahuli ang isang dugyuting estudyanteng pasimpleng pumapasok) is the inevitable occurrence of sloth and
irresponsibility to its lowest degree. That is the reason why, Mr. Bratuta, I would like you to explain this theory for the remainder of the period as a token of our gratitude that you’ve decided to grace us with your presence.” At ganyan nagdaan ang nalalabing 40 minutes ng Econ 131… Sa isang sulok ng corridor sa tabi ng coop ni Ate Leony, namataan ni Erica ang tulalang Kokoy na nagdadrama ng mga korning pahayag habang kausap ang sarili. “Grabe naman ‘tong araw na ‘to. Wala na ngang E-njoyment at E-xcitement, sa class di pa ako E-xcellent…wala na akong pagasa maging masaya…” Dahil rito, agad na inaya ni Erica si Kokoy sa siguradong makakapagpasaya ng araw niya. “Ano ka ba Kokoy? Alam ko kung anong makabigay sa’yo ng instant good day kahit na ga’no pa kamalas ang morning mo! Ecosoc lang yan! Kaibigan, tambay tayo!” Pagpasok ni Kokoy sa tambayan, agad na nagbago ang kanyang
‘yun!
pakiramdam. Atmosphere pa lang, Enjoy na! Animated kwentuhan sa bawat sulok. From couples enjoying their PT and QT (private time and quality time) to small barkadas chatting about just about anything under the sun, the tambayan is full of life. Numerous his and kamustas from familiar and friendly faces everywhere. And how can we forget the super techie Electronic showcase trademark of the Ecosoc tambayan. From PS2 to television to radio to—wait, haven’t we stressed the PS2 enough?! From the many options of stuff to do inside the tambayan, it’s still an inviting option to just laze around and slump up at a comfy couch. Haay, talaga namang Enjoy ka sa Ecosoc! “Kokoy, sama ka sa Adhoc Party this Saturday!” sigaw ng isang napakacute na Committee Chair. Of course,
Ecosoc is not complete without the actual Experience of Enjoyment and Excitement brought about by a sense of service for others. Ang mga events ng Ecosoc are not only fun but more importantly all are for a good cause. The experience of being part of any event is good enough, pa’no pa kung nalaman mong nakakatulong ka sa iba! “Kokoy, balita ko nahirapan ka sa Econ 131 ah, madali lang yun. Halika, tulungan kita sa lesson natin kanina,” sabi ng beautiful seatmate ni Kokoy. Aba, sinuwerte rin naman pala siya after all… Syempre hindi kumpleto ang Ecosoc kung hindi natin mabanggit and Excellence in all fields. Mapaacademics, sports, debate and public speaking and definitely yung mga non-acad participation as an org or individually, Ecosocers truly stand out. Syempre tatak Ecosoc n a
So matapos ang pagkamalas malas na umaga sa buhay ni Kokoy, uuwi pa rin siyang all smiles as he rode the jeep going home. Himala walang pila at wala pang traffic pauwi. Naalala niya how unlucky his start of the day was and how Ecosoc managed to make it better. Baka dahil sa PS2 o baka dahil sa masayang kwentuhan o baka naman dahil sa pagturo sa kanya ng seatmate niya ng Econ 131, pwede…pero baka dahil sa lahat ng ‘yun. Whatever it was, no matter how terrible the start was, he managed to cope somehow and witnessed how his day brightened up in the end. Still smiling habang patulog, excited sa coming day, he thought happily, “Ganito ang buhay Ecosoc. Ayos!”
FEATURES l 32
Dear P, It may seem like such a happy place for most, but for others, the three walls and the divider of this place they’ve come to know as a second home have much deeper stories. I first saw her as I walked around and about Econ during the first semester of my freshman year. She was beautiful and just absolutely stunning. But when you’re just your average, ordinary, everyday, run-in-themill fellow, you never even dream of getting a chance to know people like her. You just admire from afar and silently curse life’s illconceived plan of making you a nobody. This is why, when I lie down on this couch, no matter how old and battered and insulted it gets by applicants and members (new and old alike), there will always be sentimental value in it for me. I will grieve the day when it gets scrapped and taken out. Through a mutual friend, we ended up talking here in the tambayan. It was almost too good to be true, but the days passed into weeks and I found myself in her constant company. We got to know one another better, shared stories, laughed about things we both thought were amusing. At first it was just play, and then it became genuine, and in the end I fell in love. Hard. I accompanied her when she smoked (lord, she just looked so funny when she did), treated her out, bought her things… made her things. She had a boyfriend, but I didn’t care. I tossed all logic out the window and wrote her a letter. I told her the truth about what I felt with every fiber of my being. And in the end, I only regretted it. It’s a sad and pitiful thing when being honest about one’s feelings drives away the one person one feels anything for. It’s been two years since that day and I miss her very much. When I walk by the lobby, when I enter the tambayan and it’s empty and lonely, when I sit on the couch and stare at the door remembering how she’d walk in, when I think of all the good times we shared together.
I know so many ways to contact her and ask her how she’s doing. But though we left each other civil, we never did go back to the way we were before I spilled my heart out. I know I want to talk to her again, to see her again, but I just don’t know if it would be the best thing to do, or if I could handle it if she still hasn’t forgiven me.
~Vincent Dear Vincent, There are so many things you can do to ‘be normal’ with this girl again. You were once and still is her friend, right? Text, YM, normal conversations. Try bringing up the topics you liked talking about before. Ask her about the common things you share. Be very careful, though, because by the sound of your letter, you still like her and we all know she doesn’t want to have a relationship right now. So, I say take it slow. Good luck! Love, P
Dear P, He thinks I like him. It’s not as if he’s repulsive or painfully disturbing. In fact, he’s the opposite. Girls swoon over his being charming so very much that it’s actually disturbing to watch them spell it out in his face. When we talk, I laugh out like an idiot with all the beautiful funny things we come up with for hours on end. And yes, he isn’t bad to look at. To cut the long story short, he’d top any girl’s wish list any day. We always end up sitting together in the tambayan. It’s actually embarrassing. Whenever he sees me sitting alone like an idiot on the couch, he seems to leave his group immediately just to ask me how the hell I’ve been doing. Kilig moment, I admit. EEWW, I’ve admitted it. As if we don’t talk or chat long enough everyday. And how can I forget one of the best things about him: HE MAKES ME LIBRE during our Fiorgelato cappuccino moments in the afternoon. I feel like a user because he ends up giving so many excuses to leave his committee meetings just so I can waste his money on my yummy merienda. What can I say, I’m shallow. I just love it that he always helps me out – even without me asking. I actually still have his calculator. A friend told me that he actually needed to borrow from someone else for his first quiz the other day. Uh-oh. Hehe. I forgot. I guess I can buy him one ice cream to make up for it. This time, it’s on me. Haha. Isa lang ha.
FEATURES l 33
So maybe there is a big chance for us if ever I finally sum up the courage to face things. But I’m damn scared to start liking him in that way because I’ll turn into a mental case. I know it. I’m not ready for the emotional and psychological pressures of being with someone. Bata pa ako eh. Isip bata ata. But I think the main reason for it is that: If we don’t last forever, I’m dead scared to lose him. To top it all off, I don’t like the idea of being with just one person at the moment. He’s told me things that I haven’t really said back to him because I don’t want to piss him off when he realizes I don’t really like him in that way. Teka. Do I like him? Sh!t. How do I continue being close to him without sending the wrong signals? Do guys read into your actions and misinterpret them easily?
Thanks, Me
Dear You, I still believe in the saying “Honesty is the best policy.” No matter how awfully cliché that sounds, it actually pays to be honest with someone you care about. Tell him that you don’t like him that way but you want to stay friends. At least this way, both of you know where you stand in each other’s lives. Be prepared for the possibility of being ignored for a couple of weeks, though. We all have the tendency to disappear when our egos are bruised. But at the end of the day, the important thing is that you were honest with him. And if your friendship had a strong foundation to begin with, you shouldn’t worry about jumping right back into the friendship wagon. Love, P Need love counsel? Ecosoc advice? Drobo tips? Ask P. E-mail echoes.editors@gmail.com and see your letter get published in our next issue. ;)
FEATURES l 34 The scent of fresh wood fills his nostrils as he sits down and begins his work. Sharpening pencils has always been a ritual for him. Like all rituals, it is something he simply has to believe in because it connects him with something outside of himself. The scratching sound as the pencil is turned round and round, as well as the scent, helps get him in the mood. For most people, making portraits is just a matter of copying the subject matter in front of you, whether it is a small photograph or a live model. For most, it’s just a matter of the juxtaposition of lines and shades meticulously copied inside a grid. For others, it is a representation of the subject. He does not view it so objectively.
Portraits bring out inner beauty. It captures the inner essence of a person and makes it manifest. The character of a person must jump out at the viewer, holding him captive and saying: this is who I am. It cannot be a representation, for a representation lacks soul. He applies the graphite to the textured paper, making a solid foundation of all the shadows and shapes
What is a representation but a poor imitation foisted of on the weak-minded to serve as a substitute for the real thing? Every aspect of today’s society is filled with cheap representations. Lawyers represent the oppressors and the oppressed. Statesmen represent their districts. Logos represent their respective products. Representations run rampant in today’s society because people no longer have the courage to stand up and show themselves. We keep ourselves huddled, necks bent and faces cast downward, so as to avoid scrutiny. He finds it sad that people can no longer be proud of their own identity. The fear of scrutiny drives many to their own defeat. The heightening of the standard of perfection has driven many to hate themselves. Opening their eyes they see flesh stretched taut over defined muscles, oiled demi-gods basking in the rays of the sun and fair complexions unattainable for the ordinary. In failing to live up to this new standard, they curse their ordinary beauty. The old byline “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” rarely applies anymore, for the eye of the beholder has been standardized by globalization.
“
T
he fear of scrutiny drives many to their own defeat. The heightening of the standard of perfection has driven many to hate themselves.
”
of the face. A solid foundation helps in assigning the tones to be used later in the drawing. It can be adjusted by the use of an eraser or more graphite, depending on the situation. A good, loose foundation helps a person determine where he wants to go with his work. It must be loose lest you make a mistake and find it irreversible. Adaptation after all, is the law of life. He then looks for that certain spark in the person, something that would give him an idea of who she is and how she carries herself. This is one of the most important steps in crafting the work. If he fails in this, all he will come up with is a cold chiaroscuro of her, nothing more. A photograph would’ve been better since it makes no mistakes. It takes time to properly understand a person’s heart. An old man trying to read directions in the middle of a raging snowstorm would have more luck than a person hurrying his expedition into another person’s identity. After placing all the correct characteristics, he breathes life into the portrait, putting in all the little details that make the distinction between merely good and magnificent. He muses for a while, feeling philosophical. Aren’t the little things all we really want to live for? Aren’t they the same things we hold dear to ourselves? He stares intently at his work, focused on getting the eyes right. If the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul, then shouldn’t her portrait capture the same vividness or dullness of her eyes? Sparkling as it is, with a dash of flightiness and a generous amount of optimism. He is captivated, objective observer he might be, by her eyes which exuded an intoxicating beauty and a glint promising adventure. Headiness engulfs him, and a gushing aroma of honeysuckle invades his being. He takes a brief respite, to get away. He needs to get himself under control.
He resumes by giving body to her lips. A slight film of saliva catches his eye and he struggles to continue. His mind wandering, he imagines the smell of honeysuckle coming from her open lips; honeysuckle with a touch of milk. Unconsciously, he draws in a deep breath, hoping to gather in the smell through his own lips. Try as he may, he cannot deny the effect she has on him. In all his days of capturing the embodiments of clients, he had never found one which has so affected him like she has. There were the occasional infatuations he developed with his clients, but none had the overpowering character of this woman before him. Reluctantly, he finishes his work. With its completion ends the free reign his eyes had on her face. He keeps his eyes locked, and oh how locked they had become, to her eyes alone. He dusts off the paper and hands it to her, unconsciously gripping it with his hand. For one last time, he breathes her heady aroma and closed the door as she leaves his office. He closes the blinds and the yellow light in his office and locks himself in. He holds his head in his hands, placing his elbows on his thighs. He stays like this, savoring the lingering traces of her until all are gone and he is ready to open again.
Rainy Day Fashion 101 by Trizsh Hermogenes
In a battle, you can’t attack without any armors and weapons. You’ll surely get killed before you take your first step. It’s the same thing when it rains. If your outfit isn’t well planned and you don’t have the right rain gear, you’re soaked. (And I bet you’d never want to run into your crush looking like that, right?) Here are some Rainy Day Do’s and Don’ts that will not only help in keeping your clothes dry, but will step up your glam factor as well!
Don’t leave home without an umbrella. You can always trust it to protect you from the rain (as long as it’s not busted). Do make sure your umbrella is stylish. If yours has a cute design, standing out in a sea of umbrellas won’t be a problem.
Don’t wear flats or flip-flops if you don’t want to get your shoes ruined or your feet dirty by muddy puddles. Do wear sneakers or better yet, rain boots! This is the best season (the only season for that matter) for wearing plastic-looking knee-high shoes. It serves its purpose of keeping your feet dry. What’s so great about it is that it now comes in cute designs! I used to raise my eyebrows at the sight of rain boots because they were big and plain but now that they come in designs like these, (see photo) who wouldn’t want to wear them? They’ve got fashion and function at the same time!
Don’t go full length unless you want to get your pants dirty with mud or get them heavy with rain water… or both. Do wear shorts or Capri pants (or anything that doesn’t sweep the floor). It’s easier to wipe your legs and feet clean than to walk around in your pants drenched with rain water. Avoid pastels and whites since they get dirty easily.
Don’t wear white or other light-colored clothes if you don’t have an umbrella. We all know what will happen when the raindrops start falling. Hello, transparency! Do wear dark-colored clothes. That way, you don’t have to worry if your top is going to turn transparent or if it’ll look ugly if you catch dirt, because it most probably won’t.
Don’t be afraid to be different. Do try wearing raincoats! I know they sound so grade school but raincoats are different now. They’re more stylish :) Not only will it keep your clothes dry, you’ll look like you just came fresh off the rainy season collection fashion show!
Madame Jaja’s Horoscope acad
memcom
Maswerte ka sa linggong ito! Dalawa sa mga paaralang tinawagan mo ang magcoconfirm sa NYC!
Kalimutang magdala ng payong sa Tuesday. Ishshare sa iyo isang crushable mem/app ang kanyang payong
cdc
seccom
Siguraduhing may dalang band-aid, betadine at cotton balls sa darating na Miyerkules. May isang Ecosoc mem ang madadapa sa kakahabol sa isang CDC kid.
Magdala ng stapler at staple wire. Marami kang isstaple at marami ding maghahanap sa iyo ng stapler sa linggong ito.
echoes
Iwasan ang pagfifeeling special. Instead, make someone feel special today. Give that person three flat tops from Ate Leony and an ice cream from the Econ Lounge.
Magbasa ng newspaper sa araw na ito. Makikita mo ang iyong sarili sa page A13 ng Inquirer. (* uy… ichecheck nga niya. Hahaha!)
externals
Stop being a negative externality to your seatmate in an Econ class! Naiinis na siya at sooner or later ay iiwasan ka na niyang makatabi.
finance
Kapag nag-polka dots ka ngayong linggo, makakapulot ka ng piso sa Ecosoc couch. Bilis! Bago ka maunahan ng co-finance members mo!
liai
Magkakaroon ka ng chance na magde-stress this coming Tuesday with your Commhead. Kakanta kayo ng “Makulaay ang buhay. Makulay ang buhay sa sinabawang gulay.”
spev
sports
Tumataba ka na. Mag-jogging sa Acad Oval ngayong hapon upang ibalik ang dating katawan.
adhoc
Napakamisteryoso mo. Maganda yan. Siguraduhin lamang na ipapaalam mo rin ang iyong balak sa tamang panahon upang hindi sobrang mabigla ang lahat.
taskforce
It’s your lucky day tomorrow! Wala kang makakasabay sa pagfafax sa council room buong araw bukas.
Tambayan Photolog
Silip sa lumang logbook
“Simple pleasures” by Cel Javelosa
An excerpt from the Ecosoc Idol Logbook (AY 2005-2006), 1st Sem
Tsismis corner
Ah, pasukan na naman, at dahil nandito na naman ang schooldays, we at the Echoes would like to welcome back two of our members by saying: [enter drum roll] We know what you did last summer. Our informants tell us that at the last p_____ s_____, two of our members were caught making PDA… sa s_____ p____ _. Actually, hindi talaga PDA kasi hindi naman sila nagpapahalata, pero… huli kayo! Haha! Kayo ha… malayo pa Valentine’s, pero feel na feel na natin ang love tonight! Yahoo! Maganda yan! So, we know. Di ba dapat, [a la John Legend:] “We just don’t care, we just don’t care”? Why hide the loving? And now, onto our next item. Alam ba ninyo na meron tayong [enter music: James Bond theme] Ecosoc Mole No, hindi yan bagong mascot ng Ecosoc. Mole as in… double agent… as in… a spy infiltrating our super advanced intelligence establishment. Oh no! Be very careful who you talk to. You’ll never know when your ideas will be copy-pasted onto… somewhere… else. Trust no-one. This message will probably not self-destruct. Pero siguro pag hindi ninyo inalagaan, masisira din. So guys, alagaan ninyo ang Echoes copy ninyo! Until next month, this is the Echoes Tsismis Resource, signing off.
Czarina F. Carbonel Editor-in-Chief