KAMALAYAN 2013-2014 2T by KAMALAYAN

KAMALAYAN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE | MALAYAN COLLEGES LAGUNA

2013-2014 2T Volume I, Number 2

WHAT’S INSIDE

INFORMATION WITHIN REACH FACEBOOK

Speak and Serve | ENG026P students conduct personality dev’t workshops

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Light Up, Life Up! | MCL lights up Makati Homeville in Calauan, Laguna

@MCLkamalayan

NUCinema 2013 | ‘HelloGoodbye’ places 2nd in NUVALI short film competition

TWITTER ISSUU

issuu.com/MCLkamalayan EMAIL

MCLkamalayan@gmail.com

MCL reveals new identity

New mascot, moniker also introduced AVEGAIL TOLENTINO

With the full support of Malayan students, professors, and staff, the “MCL reveal” event featuring the launch of the new MCL logos was held last October 4 at MCL’s open grounds.

osted by Zk Guevarra and Ana Katrina Ramsey, the daylong event started with the introduction of MCL Wizards’ mascot, Whizzy. With the encouragement of the hosts, MCL’s new slogan “Proud Malayan, One Malayan” was continuously cheered in unison by the crowd. It was followed by a performance by MAPUA’s Pep Squad. The new logos of each of the institution’s colleges were revealed while I-Excell, CAS, PTC-CMET, ETYCB, CCIS and MITL representatives

paraded respectively. MCL’s basketball and football varsity were also introduced. After the parade was the biggest reveal which was MCL’s newest logo presented through a video. The event also signaled the start of the MCL Wizards Tournament. Part of the event also included the distribution of free MCL Wizards Shirts for early attendees, and the Helix “M” formation that took place at MCL’s track oval. There was also an inspirational talk from Continued on PAGE 4

PROUD MALAYAN, ONE MALAYAN. Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) revealed its new logos last October 4 with a series of events. IMAGES COURTESY OF MCL CORP COMM

6th Commencement Exercises held in PICC

CSCE leads donation drive for ‘Yolanda’ victims

MCL produces 134 new graduates

LAWRENCE ECHAVEZ

alayan Colleges Laguna launched a campaign to gather relief items in response to the recent devastation brought about by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” The donation drive started on November 10 and lasted for two weeks. Professors and students from different colleges collected and organized the relief items. Some brought food and water, while others opted to give clothing and money. The donation drive was spearheaded by professors with the help of the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement Office (CSCE). Not only did the students bring provisions, they also volunteered to help in the effort to hasten the flow of provisions.

RAMON JACKYTONG JACINTO

Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) celebrated its 6th Commencement Exercises at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall, CCP Complex in Pasay City last November 19.

LIVE AND DIRECT. Franco plays for the crowd during the MITL Rock Fest. Story on PAGE 8. PHOTO BY MARK BERRIS

Kulutan Kolektib holds ‘Atong Tabangan’

MMA students mount multimedia arts expo

A group of artists organized a fundraising event for the benefit of ‘Yolanda’ victims last November 29. The event included an art exhibit, band performances, film viewings, booths, and games. It was held at the Southwalk parking space, just beside MCL.

With the theme “Know One’s Art: The Nudity of Mind,” students taking MMA156/L showed off their art portfolios in an exhibit held at Solenad 2, Nuvali last November 24. Check out CULTURE on PAGES 10, 11, and 12 for more works of art.

MARK BERRIS

ttending the event were administrative and academic officers MCL President and CEO Dr. Reynaldo Vea, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, Vice President of Academic Affairs Engr. Dennis H. Tablante, Chief Finance Officer Aloysius Nathaniel S. Costales; Director of Office of Student Services Clarence Darro Del Castillo; Director of Research Dr. Liza B. Patacsil; and Director for

Center of Servicing-Learning and Community Engagement Leopoldo D. Aquino, Jr. The program started with the procession of the graduating class, followed by the faculty members of each college. It was then followed by the entrance of colours and the Philippine National Anthem. Prof. Angelito D. Platino led the invocation. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Joy Hofileña introduced the Continued on PAGE 4

AVEGAIL TOLENTINO

NEWS

KAMALAYAN

ETYCB Week focuses on global business landscape

MCL, PDEA hold drug awareness seminar

DLSU Integrated School hailed as MCL Cup 2013 champ

KP MORALES

NATHANIEL MOLINES

“O

ith the theme “Bringing Business to the World,” friendly competitions and symposiums that would prepare students in the global business landscape were staged to mark this year’s annual E.T. Yuchengco College of Business (ETYCB) Week. Students taking up hotel and restaurant management (HRM), tourism management (TM), accountancy, and entrepreneurship were divided into seven major groups named after the seven continents-North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and Antarctica--as they were pitted against each other. On the first day of the fourday celebration on August 5, the students--dressed in their costumes to best represent the assigned continents--participated in the “Festival of Nations.” Several competitions that showcased MCL students’ talents, including the Cultural Costumes

of the World and the World Talent Battle, were also held. The organizers also invited high school students from nearby areas as well as students from different MCL colleges to participate in the competitions. To widen the students’ perspectives, two symposiums called the “Impact ASEAN 2015 to Global Business Landscapes: Challenges and Opportunities” and “National Parks and Star Cruise” were staged. Wearing their ETYCB’s shirt, the students celebrated the last day of the celebration with games wherein both professors and students alike showcased their talents. ETYCB Dean Maurice C. Sabio said: “I feel very happy that despite a few days of preparation, everyone was cooperative and they all did their best to participate and give their best in the competitions as well as in the ETYCB concert.”

seminar on drug awareness titled “Puffing Thoughts, Huffing Dreams: A Drug Awareness and Prevention Campaign,” was held last September 30 at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium. The seminar was hosted by the Office for Student Service (OSS) and the Center for Guidance and Counselling (CGC) in cooperation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). The aim of the seminar was to raise students’ awareness on illegal drugs, drug abuses, and its effects on an individual’s physical and mental health. The seminar started with opening remarks from OSS Director Mr. Clarence Darro B. del Castillo, followed by a talk by Rudyard Bartolome of the Preventive Education and Community Involvement Section of PDEA Region IV-A. Bartolome discussed PDEA’s objective, the main issues of illegal drugs, their misuse, and drug abuses. The seminar is part of MCL’s continuous efforts to promote excellence and virtue among its students and staff.

COM123 students produce campus paper JANOAH SORIANO

orty-six students from Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) have produced a student paper that aims to inform the members of the community about important issues and events at the school. The students, all taking up BA Communication-Multimedia Arts (MMA) program, launched the maiden issue of KAMALAYAN last August 13 at the Air Well of J. P. Rizal Building. During the launch, 1,000 copies were distributed to the school community. “KAMALAYAN means awareness in Filipino. It is something our publication wishes to give to our readers,” said [last term’s] editor-in-chief Nira Madridejos. “Everyone must be informed for them to

be aware and to make decisions that will benefit themselves as well as the community.” KAMALAYAN though is not the official student publication of MCL. It is a project for the students’ COM123 (Writing for Print) elective course. The COM123 class tapped different business owners and advertisers to fund the production of the paper. Mr. Paeng Palis, KAMALAYAN adviser, said students from MCL’s College of Arts and Science (CAS) are the immediate target audience of the newspaper. “The purpose of this publication is to inform the community about what’s happening here in MCL and to satisfy the awareness instinct

The maiden issue of student paper KAMALAYAN was launched on August 13.

of every individual. We also wanted to apply the outcomesbased education approach with this project,” Palis said. Attending the event were CAS Dean Dr. Joy G. Hofileña, MMA program chair Oliver Carlo T. Castillo, Broadcasting (BAB) program chair Ma. Rovila C. Sudaprasert, and other members of the CAS faculty. “KAMALAYAN is now part of MCL’s history,” said Ezekiel Guevarra, the paper’s operations manager. KAMALAYAN’s team members were happy to note the positive feedback of their professors and fellow students on the publication’s first issue as they expressed their desire to publish more issues in the coming years.

CHRISTIAN BORDO

n Being Equipped: MCL CUP 2013,” the biggest event of the year, successfully came to a close last November 23. Breaking the former record of 64 total number of schools participated and a little over 2000 participants, this year, Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) hosted 74 participant schools with more than 2,900 high school student-participants and roughly 6,000 guests, possibly making this year’s iteration of the annual eventas the largest and most competitive MCL

Cup in its history. Garnering the most points out of the 74 schools that participated, De La Salle University Integrated School was awarded as the Overall Champion of MCL Cup 2013. The 1st-runner up trophy was awarded to South Hill School Los Baños, while Mater Ecclesiae School San Pedro was hailed as 2nd runner-up. Lasting for four days, the event saw each school performing at their best, betting on their representatives to win and give honor to their respective alma maters.

The winners of each event are as follows: DAY 1 MCL Gastronomic Challenge Street Beat Dance Showdown Asian Heritage Quiz Show Brainmasters Inter-Platoon Fancy Drills

South Hill School Southernside Montessori School Pedro Guevarra Memorial NHS Mater Ecclesiae School Christ the King School of Cabuyao

DAY 2 Digital Poster Making Chemistry Quiz Show Battle of the Bands

Muntinlupa Science High School DLSU Integrated School San Lorenzo School

DAY 3 Futsal League Men Futsal League Women Math Wizards I-Tech Ultimate IT Quiz Challenge Eventus Chorale: A Festival of Songs

Canossa Academy Lipa South Hill School Pedro Guevarra Memorial NHS St. Bridget College Batangas City DLSU Integrated School

DAY 4 Fired UP! Cheerdance Competition Southernside Montessori School Sabayang Pagbigkas St. Scholastica’s College Westgrove Cosplay Festival San Lorenzo School

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MCL CORP COMM

2013-2014 2T

NEWS

MCL celebrates National Book Month 2013 KIRSTIN DELA VEGA

n celebration of the National Book Month, the Center for Learning and Information Resources (CLIR) conducted a threeday workshop titled “Lives Change @ Your Resource Center” last November 11-13. This included activities like film showings and online trainings, organized by CLIR Director Maria Paz Collado. Ms. Collado said she was happy and overwhelmed by the support she received from different deans and faculty members from the various colleges of MCL. The idea to conduct the workshop was prompted by Ms. Collado’s wish to upgrade CLIR’s book collection for the upcoming accreditation in

2015 and the faculty’s need in improving their curriculum. Ms. Collado also wants the students and faculty members to be more aware of the materials that are available for use in the library. “Objective ko is for you to enjoy it, you learn, you observe, and then at the same time, appreciate.” said Ms. Collado, adding “Gusto kong matuto kayo.” Ms. Collado wants the students to improve their critical thinking through CLIR’s extra mile of effort. The online training made it possible reach out to the students and faculty, and for them to appreciate the library’s e-resources.

CLIR updates website COM111-B97

he Center for Learning and Information Resources (CLIR) recently updated its websire as par t of the MCL ‘Reveal’ event. According to CLIR Director Maria Paz Collado, their request for the update was long overdue. The new CLIR Web Page allows students and professors to search for t h e libr ar y ’s el e c tr oni c resources. There is also a new feature called “A S K A L I B R A R I A N ” f o r students who seek fur ther assistance. “Updates or revisions are done as needed, which I coordinate with Mapua M a n i l a D O - I T,” M s . C o l l a d o said. She also stated that the facult y members do maximize the use of t h e libr ar y ’s r e s our c e s.

“Facult y members do require their students to use CLIR E-resources which I do appreciate. Our students may request for more assistance using our downloadable form so we can schedule their available time and date and be of ser vice to their n e e d ,” s h e a d d e d . Some students said that the new website is more convenient and more organized compared t o i t s p r e d e c e s s o r. T h e additional filters make s e a r c h i n g f a s t e r, t h u s , making the updated website preferable than the old one. S u r p r i s i n g l y, s o m e o f the individuals at MCL are not aware of the updated website of CLIR. L o g o n t o c l i r. m c l . edu.ph to access the new CLIR website.

Pilak kicks off 2T with assembly, ‘Aninag’ COM111-A97

CL’s film organization Pilak held its general assembly for the second term at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium last October 19 to promote their cause to their fellow students. The program started at about 2:30 in the afternoon, with the introduction of the hosts KP Morales, and Joanna Permito, followed by the opening remarks from the organization’s adviser

Mr. Paeng Palis. As part of the assembly, “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank” was screened to enlighten the attendees of the nature of the Filipino film industry. Founding member Ivan Descartin gave a small commentary on his views based on the film. To help further promote the art of film to both members and non-members at the gathering, Pilak vice president Jake

Ebriega announced “Aninag,” a short film competition. The event was closed by Pilak president Zk Guevarra. He thanked everyone who came and congratulated Pilak’s continuity. Guevarra also gave his expectations for the “Aninag” short film competition. Details regarding the mechanics can be found at the Aninag Facebook page.

New performing arts org holds first GA PIA MARIANO

newly formed performing arts club-S.H.A.P.E.--held its first general assembly last October 10 at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium. Talented young artists, singers, dancers, actors and actresses, and public speakers who survived the auditions on October 7 and 8 attended the said event. Led by one of the club’s officers, Janoah Soriano, the event started off with an icebreaker. With the artistic combination of snaps, claps, slaps, and stomps, the members were able to mimic the sound of the rain. According to Soriano, just like how these different sounds could make something

new, S.H.A.P.E., with all its members’ different gifts, could also create something new and beautiful even if they are all too different from each other. Following this, Levi Miscala, the club’s treasurer, gave a brief introduction of what the organization is truly about. S.H.A.P.E., which stands for Student’s Holistic Approach to Performance and Excellence, aims to hone each other’s skills and help each other out through workshops. Its agenda is to encourage its members to put character and commitment over competence and go out of their comfort zones to try out other skills as well. Roylan Andes, officer for

acting workshops, gave a sample acting workshop for the newly added members afterward. This served as a try out acting activity for the members to see how the workshops will be conducted. With this activity, the members were challenged to bring out their inner creativity and abandon stage fright to execute a mini play with just minutes of preparation. S.H.A.P.E. started their workshops last October 21 and had their first ever play on November 27 and 28. The play was held at Francisco Balagtas Auditorium as a part of the benefit concert for lighting up the streets of Makati Homeville at Calauan, Laguna.

PERFORMERS ALL. S.H.A.P.E. members pose for the camera after their first-ever general assembly last October 10.

NEWS

KAMALAYAN

DesCo holds ‘The Conflux’ AVEGAIL TOLENTINO

ctober 24--The Design Collective (DesCo), a student-organization for designers, held its second general assembly titled ‘The Conflux’ at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium to update its members about their plans for the upcoming school terms. At around 1:00 in the afternoon, different design inspiration videos were played as members starts to gather. By 1:45, DesCo president JD Baylon and vice president Gerald Saavedra welcomed the new and old members who attended the event. The two went straight into updating the attendees about the organization’s

project line-ups and happily announced that Design Collective is now an official organization at MCL and CHED. They also went on about the organization’s fund and the changes in the membership system. For the main update, they presented the organization’s planned activities. It includes the a collaboration with the CSCE, a fundraising activity, and Design Camp. After the updates, they asked for volunteers in every activity, followed by a meeting for each. The members afterward presented the different artworks they’ve made before ending the assembly.

Advanced Speech students conduct ‘Speak and Serve’ JEM HONGERIA

ovember 5-MMA students taking E N G 0 2 6 P (Advanced Speech and Oral Communication), together with the Center for Services and CommunityLearning Education, headed the community service in Makativille Elementary School in Calauan, Laguna. “Speak and Serve” aimed to present 15 seminar workshops on communication and personality development to the elementary pupils of Makativille Elementary School. The objective of the

outreach was to share the importance of the different areas of communication and how to pursue one’s goal in life. According to Ms. Jonnah Belle Valero, ENG026P professor, “Our class believes that being able to communicate one’s goals is important to strengthen the motivation to reach it.” Communication is so dynamic that the pupils of Makativille were not only asked to talk about their dreams but also to present them using drawings, singing, and other forms of art.

‘Aswang Ka Festival’ held anew GENEVA BUENAVENTURA

he “Aswang Ka Festival” is an annual event dating back to 2009. It is often held during the last days of October. Participants, usually students taking Filipino courses, would dress as monsters and carry with them a written slogan of creative tirades directed at politicians. According to Prof. Rogelio Valenzuela, the “Aswang Ka Festival” began four years ago when he came up with a concept to promote awareness on social issues. It is also a form of rallying in a creative way. The event, which has since been included in Filipino course syllabi, aims to develop critical thinking and writing.

This year’s activities were held last October 29-31 and included short skits, dramas, and creative performances, in unity for this year’s theme: “The Anti-Pork Barrel Scam.” The “Aswang Ka Festival” is often misconstrued by many people as the popular “Aswangan Festival.” “Malaki ang pagkakaiba ng ‘aswangan’ sa ‘aswang ka,’ kapag sinabing ‘aswangan’ parang pinopromote ang mga aswang na pumapatay ng tao. Kapag sinabing ‘aswang ka kung…,’ iyon ay ikinukumpara ang mga politiko sa aswang,” Prof. Valenzuela added. Correct pronunciation is strictly observed to avoid confusion between the two said festivals.

MCL reveals new identity Continued from PAGE 1

Engr. Dennis Tablante, Vice President for Academic Affairs. In his talk, he asserted that, “What will be revealed is the next MCL.” A speech of gratitude and rose giving was done for the teachers in celebration of the National Teachers’ Month. Ms. Jonnah Belle Valero represented the teachers and shared inspiring insights about their profession. “Ideascope,” was also launched in the event by Prof. Melchor Morandarte. Afterwards, Mapua’s Cheerping Cardinals performed for the excited MCL crowd.

6th Commencement Exercises held in PICC Continued from PAGE 1

guest speaker University of the Philippines Open University Professor Emeritus Dr. Felix R. Librero. Dr. Vea and Engr. Tablante presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Librero. Engr. Jordan A. Bagamasbad received an award placing 6th in the last licensure examination for Mechanical Engineering. Diplomas and recognitions for top students were distributed after. BS Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) graduate Anna Bernadette C. Gimutao then delivered her valedictory address. The graduating class was inducted as the new members of MCL Alumni Association and took their Pledge of Loyalty. They sang their graduation song followed by the Malayan Hymn. Exit of colours ended the program. A total of 143 students graduated from MCL’s different colleges. Gimutao finished as Gold Medalist and a finished cum laude. Other students who graduated with honors were BS Tourism Management graduate Maria del Cristina R. Arribe (Gold Mdealist) and BS HRM graduate Myra Mertella A. Ladaga (Silver Medalist).

Candidates for graduation strike a pose before the procession. PHOTO BY MARK BERRIS

UPOU Professor Emeritus Felix Librero delivers his commencement speech. PHOTO BY MARK BERRIS

NEW BEGINNINGS. 134 candidates for graduation and MCL officials readies for the 6th Commencement Exercises held at the PICC last November 17.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCL CORP COMM

2013-2014 2T

NEWS

MCL lights up Makati Homeville

COM111-A97

ne of the best ways to celebrate Christmas is to make a lot of people happy. That’s why the CSCE came up with the “Light Up, Life Up” project. The project aims to give electricity, especially lights, to the community of Makati Homeville Resettlement Area in Calauan, Laguna through 50 Solar Street Lights and eighty 80 Liter of Lights which will be constructed and installed by our MITL students in cooperation with the residents of Makati Homeville. The beneficiaries of this project

are the settlers of Makati Homeville in Calauan, Laguna because the said community has been living in that area for five years without any electricity. Other concerns of this project are the safety of the people living in that community and the education of the children. That’s why a Book Drive was conducted in Makativille Elementary School. To start off with the activities, a Christmas Tree Lighting was held at the MCL Rizal Building last Nov. 27. This served as the opening act for the fund raising activities. The “Light

CCIS WEEK 2013:

Compete, Conquer, Inspire and Socialize CHRISTIAN BORDO

he CCIS (College of Computer and Information Science), formerly CIT (College of Information Technology), conducted a series of activities last October 23-26 that showcased the talents of its students. In a span of four days, students were able to witness and experience the excellence of their CCIS brothers and sisters. Tagged as “Compete”, the first day started the CCIS Week by having a Software Exhibit & Quiz Challenge. Different games created by CCIS students themselves were made available for other students to try. The highlight of the day was the DotA Tournament Finals which was conducted at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium. Team Ninjacool fought valiantly against Team Galawan, but the latter eventually prevailed as this year’s champions.

SPLASH!

“Conquer”, the CCIS Sports Fest was held the following day, with events like the CCIS Cup & CCIS All-Stars. There were Volleyball and Basketball games for both men and women, as well as boardgames. “Inspire”: Christmas in October, the third day, served as an opportunity for young students to cater to the elderly. Members of the CCIS student body and its affiliated organizations went to Mary Mother of Mercy, Home for the Elderly and the Abandoned. They catered to the elderly people’s needs, giving them food and special care. A social event held in Splash Island marked the end of the festivities. Fun games and activities were held, together with a dance competition pitting students of different batches against each other.

PHOTO FROM MCL CIT’S FACEBOOK PAGE

MCL’s Light Up, Life Up Project officially opened last Dec. 6.

Up My Christmas Benefit Concert”, a three day concert that showcased the talents of the MCL students, was held at Francisco Balagtas Auditorium on Nov. 27-29, and a theatre production of “A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens” by COM124 and HUM014 students was shown at Francisco Balagtas Auditorium on Nov. 27 &

28. Other than the fund raisers, a livelihood seminar and workshop was conducted for the youth and women of Makati Homeville last Dec. 1. The construction and installation of the Solar Lights were held on Dec. 4-5, and the most awaited part of the event, the Light Up, Life Up was conducted

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCL CORP COMM

on Dec. 6 at Makati Homeville in Calauan, Laguna. On that day, MCL made history by giving lights and life to the community of Makati Homeville. And the most important thing is that MCL will leave a mark on that community, a mark that will surely last.

OPINION

KAMALAYAN

Like glue

iving in a world of fleeting images, shortening attention spans, and glittering inanities, students of communication cannot help but rethink about the significance of journalism—especially with the advent of social media. ‘We’ Generation News about almost anything can be had NEIL CORBADURA with just a click of a mouse, a push of a button, a gesture on a small screen. We have arlier this year, an article called the “Me known of Nelson Mandela’s—as well as Paul Me Me Generation” was Walker’s—death in just about the same time published by Time Magazine. It labeled the people born as the rest of the world. the 1980’s to the The rest of the world, on the other hand, between 2000’s as narcissistic, selfknew about Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and the entitled individuals who just 7.2-magnitude Bohol quake just as quickly might be the greatest generation that ever existed. That may not as we Filipinos did. We have known about be the case after all. Manny Pacquiao’s comeback-kid moves, Janet Today’s generation, or one I like to call the “We” Napoles’ less-than-convincing acting gig at the would generation, could be better. Senate, and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s According to Joel Stein’s equally entertaining manner of questioning article, the entitlement of the “Me” generation has been almost instantaneously as they happened. a great factor to its success, The “Internet of things”—as technology stunted only by one thing: individualism. pioneer Kevin Ashton put it—has made our immense planet a little bit smaller. We can literally talk to another person at the other Cigarette Butts side of the globe in real time. Where once PIA MARIANO physical distance seemed like a deterrent in utts on the floor; butts reaching out to others, we now have countless near the door; butts, butts everywhere! ways of bridging gaps. Paradoxically, we have Don’t misunderstand. I’m not tended to be more alienated despite all these pertaining to human butts. I’m connections. talking about the butts scattered And then just like that, it all seems clear. near the convenience store, the parking areas, and the smoking That’s where our good old friend journalism areas beside MCL--cigarette seems to fit in, much like a missing piece of a butts. Let me be clear, this isn’t an jigsaw puzzle. After all, journalism has been attack against smokers. This is an that one thing that kept societies together. This attack against the irresponsible of cigarette butts. Come glimmering beacon of unity acted like glue—a disposal on, what’s so hard in putting this sort of social adhesive—throughout history small light object in the trash bin? by helping humanity identify the issues that Does it make you cooler if you litter and contribute to the trash need to be resolved, the good that needs to be around the school? It just doesn’t kept and guarded, and the evil that needs to make any sense. be thwarted. In fact, countless despots have realized this very fact that they have thought MCL Instagram of similarly countless ways of how to control, crush, and ultimately stop journalism for PATRICIA DOMINIQUE LAFRADES e are living in a fastgood—with little to no success. paced world filled We humans are known to make use of tools with technology. that would help us live our daily lives more Nowadays, we get to be more with our friends from efficiently. In this age, we need a tool to help updated around the globe with the use us sort through all the clutter of social media of different social networking (sadly dominated by hideous duckfaces and sites. Malayan Colleges “famous stupid people,” as one Internet meme Laguna has been adapting has it), advertising, politics, and all other with current technological by creating an areas of consciousness. That tool, of course, innovations account on Instagram, with is journalism. This social adhesive has helped the official username of “@ us deal with the issues at hand, in good times malayancollegeslaguna”. This is a highly effective way to and bad—and has been equated with the idea get in touch with its students as well as its faculty members, of liberty and freedom numerous times. since many of them are into Let us try to keep it that way. social media.

ILLUSTRATION BY CHRISTIAN BORDO

That’s what the “We” generation has accidentally rectified. While the Millenials (Me generation) would react meekly to their own failure and simply brush it off as a lack of understanding by the world, individuals from the “We” generation will fight for vindication. They will gather those who share their views, channel them against the opposition, and blast away until they either get what they want or they get bored enough to not care anymore. One does not need to search hard for examples of this behavior. Social media dwellers, for example, use hashtags to show others that they support or oppose something, be it a political hullaballoo, a national

crisis, or a celebrity scandal. The power of social media has made it easier for the Millenials to gather under a banner and act upon a situation. It doesn’t even matter if their actions will prove to have an effect or not, it is the feeling of belonging that they actually want. The “We” generation is not really a new generation, rather, they are the Millenials who have learned to group together for a cause. And although most of their collective actions are misguided towards trivial matters, it does garner attention. If t hey ca n gat her enoug h people, fi nd a r ig ht f u l cause, a nd have enoug h conv ict ion; t hen maybe, just maybe, t hey ca n prove to be t he g reatest, most power f u l generat ion of a l l.

Think about it. This little thing as disposing cigarette butts properly can make a big difference. Due to the fact that cigarettes are flammable, fire can easily spread and cause damage. We may not see this as important today but prevention is always better than cure. One cigarette butt can cause some serious damage. How much more would hundreds of cigarette butts cause? These butts are not just an eyesore. It could also contribute to environmental damage. It is therefore the smokers’ responsibility to dispose them properly and be aware of the destruction it can cause. If you want to damage your own system, just do it and be done with it. But don’t let other people and the environment pay for your irresponsible actions.

New Face, Bolder Identity

The institution launched the Instagram account last September, 2013. @ malayancollegeslaguna will serve as the official Instagram account of MCL, where they will be posting pictures of different school events like the recent Reveal of MCL logos, MITL week, and MCL’s annual event: MCL Cup. The account will not only serve as a portal to MCL’s different events but also to show the institution’s different achievements like its 90% 2012 average board and certification passing rate. The Instagram account will also be a means to let people know what the MCL has in store for young students, especially those who wish to study under MCL’s banner.

RAMON JACKYTONG JACINTO

alayan Colleges Laguna strengthens its goal of inculcating its core values to its students by using the new MCL Logo. With its scholastic yet iconic design, the single helix “M” embedded in a shield, now represents the institution as its emblem. After seven years of hard work, MCL already reached beyond expected achievements with its 90% board exam passing rate. The shield represents its glory hence the single helix “M” is the excellence engraved to our identity. The stronger and deeper blue symbolizes intelligence and loyalty. The silver was changed into gray which expresses modern technology. During the “Reveal” of the new face of MCL, the six colleges also launched their new logos in line with MCL’s new logo design language and philosophy. In an article written in MCL’S website, VPAA Engr. Dennis H. Tablante said that, “We are on our seventh year of reaping success. For the next seven years, we hope to achieve greater heights”. The MCL community has already made a mark in this region, and with its performance today, it is not hard to presume that after seven more years, the school will create its own name in the country. And these new logos will serve as a badge of the students that we’ll carry as one and with pride.

2013-2014 2T

PEOPLE

ENGR. DENNIS H. TABLANTE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, MALAYAN COLLEGES LAGUNA

“

TO THE LIMITS WE PUSH ON WORDS BY PIA MARIANO PHOTO BY JEM HONGERIA

e i n g a working student once, Vice President for Ac ade m ic A f fa i r s E ng r. D e n n i s Ta b l a n t e p r e t t y much worked his way out of college on h is ow n. According to him, hard work will be the key to get you t hrough c h a l le nge s. I f you don’t have the skills, work h a r d . I f you don’t h ave the means, work hard to get it. Adolescence will never be an excuse not to be the best you can be.

Balance is key Wh i le in col lege, ha rd work has been h is mea ns to catc h up w it h h is c lassmates who were a l ready good at ma ny t h i ngs. He k new he needed to double up h is ef for t s to be as good as t hey were. A nd si nce he’s a sc hola r a nd a work i ng st udent at t he sa me t i me, he made su re t hat h is work w i l l not col l ide w it h h is c lasses for h i m to keep h is sc hola r sh ip. Ot her w ise, he wou ld n’t have enoug h money to pay for h is educat ion. Always challenge yourself Back t hen, he was too shy a nd t r ied to ma i nt a i n a low profi le. He never d id i mag i ne h i mself to be who he is r ig ht now. He never asked for a ny of it. “Wala man lang akong napanaginipan kahit isa doon; not h i ng t hat I’ve asked for. Wel l, pr i ma r i ly because I’m too

shy,” he laug hed. He wasn’t awa re t hat t he pat h he has c hosen w i l l soon t a ke h i m to become V PA A of a n educat iona l i nst it ut ion. “I’m not t ra i ned to fi l l a ny of t hose ad m i n ist rat ive f u nct ions.” A s a you ng col lege st udent, he wou ld a lways c ha l lenge h i mself to be bet ter t ha n what he was doi ng a nd read lot s of book s to ver if y what h is professor s were teac h i ng i n c lass. “I wou ld go to Recto a nd buy t hese ha nd-me- dow n book s i n order for me to have ot her references.,” he na r rated. “A nd ask myself a quest ion: ‘Wh ic h one of t hese a re t r ue?’ A nd I wou ld ask my professor s. They wou ld hate me for it.” Excellence alone is not enough He had ca r r ied t h is habit of h is to h is job as V PA A a nd wou ld rea l ly push people to do bet ter too. “I rea l ly push people because I bel ieve t hey ca n do somet h i ng bet ter t ha n what t hey’re doi ng now.”

JORDAN BAGAMASBAD, 6TH PLACER IN THE SEPT 2013 MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BOARD EXAM

SHIFTING GEARS

opnotcher Jordan A. Bagamasbad, a mechanical engineering (ME) graduate from Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL), admitted that he took up an engineering program because of his grandfather. “My mom would tell me stories about my grandfather’s works as a mechanical engineer. Those stories had inspired me to pursue the same career. Plus, I am very interested in designs and systems of the machines,” he said. The hardworking 21-year-old, who hails from Camarines Norte, described himself as an average student who tried but failed many times to make it to the Dean’s

Accord i ng to h i m, “Excel lence a nd Vi r t ue” is what is expected of MCL’s st udent s because i n t h is t i me, excel lence i n academ ics is not enoug h for you to su r v ive i n today’s i ndust r y. There a re a lot of excel lent people out t here but cou ld not do t hei r jobs wel l. Vi r t ue is essent ia l to t a ke you f u r t her i n t he i ndust r y. He doesn’t wa nt to set t le for less when he k nows t hat t he st udent s cou ld do a lot bet ter. “ We have to be a lways above t he average. May mga nakakaone hu nd red so why w i l l we not t r y for a hu nd red?” He expla i ned t hat some people, as hu ma n bei ngs, w i l l a lways set t le for t he med ioc re t h i ngs i n l ife. It’s because t hey don’t wa nt to be pressu red. But for h i m, pressu re is act ua l ly a good t h i ng to feel because it w i l l push you to do g reat t h i ngs. Pressure is good “I would always say that pressure is good. There has

I would always say that pressure is good. There has to be that pressure. The pressure is meant to put you in a very inconvenient situation that you would think how you would react. We want that pressure because it is the thing that will really push you to the limits. It is meant for you to learn. to be t hat pressure. I will feel bad if students of MCL will say, ‘Wala akong masyadong pressure na nararamdaman.’ I would really feel bad because I did not design it t hat way. The pressure is meant to put you in a ver y inconvenient situat ion t hat you would t hink how you would react. We want t hat pressure because it is t he t hing t hat will really push you to t he limits. It is meant for you to learn,” he said.

KAMALAYAN got to chat with some of the bands who played at the recent October Rock (story on PAGE 8). Get to know a little bit more about them with their interviews with MARK LASDOCE.

Jupiter

WORDS BY PATRICIA DOMINIQUE LAFRADES PHOTO BY REGINE ANN TOLENTINO

List. This, however, did not dampen his spirit, saying he is not the type who gives up easily. M o n t h s before his graduat ion, Jordan faced the greatest challenge in his life when his mom passed away because of leiomyosarcoma, or malignant cancer on smooth muscle. The MCL student said his mom had great faith in him. “When my mom was still alive, we had a conversation about me being a topnotcher. She said I could do it if I studied hard. She had that faith in my abilities,” he recalled. Thus, Jordan promised to himself that he would give his best to make his mom proud of him. To fulfill this promise, Jordan prepared for the September 2013 Licensure Examination for Mechanical Engineers. He enrolled at the Prime Review Center in Manila where most of his classmates spent the last four months reviewing. The experience wasn’t easy. The ME graduates

were tasked to answer 100 questions per day, and they had to take a pre-board exam. Some questions in the pre-board were not related to what they discussed during the review sessions, making it even more difficult, he recounted. Of the 800 exam takers, Jordan was one of the 40 passers. On the day of the exam, he said he prayed to God for help and asked his late mother for guidance. He said his mother was his inspiration and motivation. When the results came out, Jordan landed in 6th place, garnering a score of 93.75%. He said he achieved his goal because of his unwavering faith in God, perseverance, and the education he received at MCL. Jordan said he knows that his mom was also as proud of his achievement. MCL obtained a 95.24% passing rate in the ME board exam last September 2013. Also in September of this year, MCL received a 100% passing rate in the Registered Electrical Engineer and Registered Master Electrician Licensure Exams.

e were inspired by listening to the song “Gilid” by Moonstar88. We started out with just a casual jamming group. Then we heard of Octoberock auditions. We said to ourselves to give it a try. We invited Michael and Mico to play with us. As for the name, Mico said “Jupiter”. It’s catchy and perhaps everyone’s

favorite planet. We’ve had no conflicts and no “bida-bida” since we started. Since we are a new group, we feel nervous but we keep in mind how great this opportunity is. Jupiter is composed of Priscilla Salvacion (vocals), Rafael Saturno (guitars), Michael Abalon (guitars), JayAr Villarojas (bass), and Mico Bautista (drums).

Turbomouse

t’s not rare for band members to be close friends. In fact, it’s somewhat expected of them. What’s rare is for them to be so closely knit that they’re comfortable in sharing their most intimate experiences and use them as inspirations to create songs. That’s what Turbomouse members Ray Eduard Teodoro (vocals), Anton Carlos (drums), Mac Uy Rollorata (bass), Maki France

(synth), Lery Alamar (guitars), and Jett Ilagan (guitars) have and that’s what defines them. Original songs like “Sabi Mo” and “Fuschiang Dilaw,” both playful reinterpretations of their members’ heartbreaks, are catchy enough to get the audience bob their heads to the beat. When asked about their reasons for playing music, they answered, with wide grins on their faces: “Selfenjoyment.”

NEWS

KAMALAYAN

MITL WEEK 2013:

Franco, Chicosci, Typecast headline MITL Music Fest WORDS BY JEM HONGERIA & MARK LASDOCE | PHOTOS BY RAMON JACKYTONG JACINTO & MARK BERRIS

n keeping with tradition, the MITL Student Council hosted another music festival to cap off the MITL Week at the MCL covered court last November 16. This year’s performers included Heaviator, Segatron, Save Me Hollywood, Chicosci, Typecast, and Franco. “2013, so far, has been great! It’s been hectic, it’s been busy and it’s been fun!” the bands shared when asked about their year. Save Me Hollywood’s Kenneth Aranza said “We just want everyone to have fun.” Chicosci’s Mong Alcaraz said “We also want to have fun and share our music to everyone.” The bands have also dedicated time to help the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” as best as they can. Segatron’s Silver Alcabasa stated “We try our best to help with good music.” Heaviator’s Jeff Octaviano said “In our own way, individually, we do something about it.” Typecast’s Chi Resurrection said “We play at shows that make funds and take part with the auction thing where the proceeds go to the victims of the Typhoon.” “I, we, join benefit concerts and encourage people to donate.” Franco added. The bands wish that next year will be more productive, in terms of music; creating new songs, hopefully releasing a new album, and spreading more good music. Typecast’s Steve Badiola added “We also want to make up for the lost time for the fans who wanted more of our music.”

TYPECAST

SEGATRON

HEAVIATOR

MCL bands perform for October Rock 2013 VINCENT LUMASAC

October 4–Malayan Colleges Laguna reached another milestone, an event called the MCL Reveal. Following this eventful celebration was a prestigious competition of bands known as October Rock. Throughout the years, October Rock has always been one of the most anticipated events by the students of MCL, as the students get to witness and enjoy some of the school’s best bands perform after class. Seven bands, coming from students of different programs, played and participated in this year’s October Rock. Among the seven bands who competed were Foxy E, Comfort Zone, Drymoda, G25, Turbo Mouse, JPTR, and No Choice. There were also intermission bands who performed in the event like Merry Mayhem and Shy Tayo. A special performance of Mr. Pedro Advincula (more popularly known to MCL

SAVE ME HOLLYWOOD

FRANCO

students as “Sir Peds”), helming the microphone as vocalist, brightened and rocked the night, driving the crowd wild. The bands played most of the hit songs which brought to life the night with their performances. The event kicked off with the opening performance of Merry Mayhem performing the song “Daliri” by Kjwan, followed by the competing bands. During the event, MCL students enjoyed watching and supporting their friends perform on stage. As different bands continued to play on stage, dance battles which followed the beats of the music were also held by some of the attending students. As the event drew to a close, the judges proclaimed Jupiter as the winning band, with their vocalist Priscilla Salvacion singing their covers of “Migraine” and “Gilid” by Moonstar88.

CHICOSCI

Cardinals foil hardy Wizards PIA MARIANO & NIKKI-NIKO ROMERO

s a part of the “Reveal” event last October 4, the newly established MCL Wizards basketball varsity had the chance to show off their basketball moves through a game against Mapua Cardinals. It was a tough game for the Wizards as some of their opponents are almost twice their height and could literally destroy basketball rings. But despite all these, the MCL Wizards managed to fight until the end without slacking off. Even when the Cardinals led the game with twenty points, the Wizards still gave their best and

landed amazing three point shots that got the crowd cheering. MCL students united and showed off their school spirit to support the Wizards in every breath-taking lay-up, jump shot, and bank shot. It’s a spectacular sight to see and definitely not an everyday occurrence. Although the Wizards lost, it cannot be denied that they gave the students a great game to watch. The basketball team was created last August and they are currently training with their head coach Prof. Ferdinand Fermin, and assistant coach, Prof. Jerreme Marcelo.

Prof. Fermin admitted that the lack of tall players was the team’s main disadvantage in the game against the Cardinals. According to him, the Wizards have the potential and skill but they still have a lot to improve in order to overcome the height advantage of the Cardinals. The Mapua Cardinals’ coach and former PBA player Atoy Co, on the other hand, noticed how fast the MCL Wizards are and advised that they should improve their ball handling. “What I can say is that they improve their ball handling first, all of them, kasi for me that’s an important thing in basketball” he remarked.

MCL students witness ‘Himala’ adaptation PAOLO WALLACE

tudents enrolled in COM124 (Introduction to Theater Arts) and HUM014 (Philippine Literature in English) went to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila last October 5 to witness the musical adaptation of the highly acclaimed 1982 film “Himala.”

The plot of the story followed the same line as the actual movie. However, music and stage play performances were added to spice it up. They also included several elements of surprise, impact, and extravagance to the musical adaptation. The actors, comprised of both

students and faculty members, were excellent in portraying their characters. And the performers presented their art in a whole different manner. Although the props were simple, the utilization of lights and smoke effects brought the push the production needed.

2013-2014 2T

NEWS

‘HelloGoodbye’ places ‘Ideascope’ launched 2nd in NUCinema film fest rof. Melchor Morandarte, This idea was originally

COM111-A97

REGINE ANN TOLENTINO & PAOLA BIANCA MARIÑAS

ctober 26–Ayala Landowned Nuvali kicked off the night with the culminating activity for its outdoor film festival dubbed “NUCinema.” Joyce Pring hosted the event, which saw moviegoers bringing their blankets to the football field to watch the a variety of films. There were 14 short films that competing in two categories, 11 for the Amateur Category and three for the Novice Category. The grand prize for the winners in both categories included a semester-long scholarship at the Asia Pacific Film Institute and a chance to get their works produced for mainstream cinema, courtesy of actor Piolo Pascual’s production company, Spring Films. A majority of the competing entries were shot at Nuvali to promote Philippine

cinema and Nuvali’s Evoliving advocacy. One of the 14 entries was “HelloGoodbye,” a short film directed by Zoraya Lorena Lua and co-produced by MCL instructor and KAMALAYAN adviser Mr. Paeng Palis. Its cast and crew included students from MCL. The said film placed second in the Novice category, while another entry, “Pare Koi,” won the top prize. Between the intermissions, Joyce conducted some fun games for the audience. After the viewing of and awarding for the short films, two full-length indie films from this year’s Cinemalaya were shown. First was The Philippines’ entry to the 2014 Oscars “Transit” by Hannah Espia, followed by the Vilma Santos-starrer “Ekstra.” Log on to http://youtu. be/rxixn5v4ZM4 to watch “HelloGoodbye.”

BEHIND THE SCENES. The ‘HelloGoodbye’ cast and crew included students from MCL. PHOTO BY PAENG PALIS

program chair of the BS Entrepreneurship program, launched Ideascope last October 4. Ideascope is a mission-driven activity to solve societal problems through the knowledge of the new generation and to help the industry using existing knowledge. It is a contest for the whole MCL community including its faculty members, students, and even the GAIC personnel. According to Prof. Morandarte, the thinking should be “Kikita ba ‘to?” because any idea submitted will be accepted as long as it’s business. The contest will be by pair; for example, professorstudent, student-student, GAICprofessor, etc.

conceptualized by Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, the Executive VicePresident of MCL, with the help of Prof. Morandarte, Prof. Rachelle Villanueva, Prof. Khristian Kikuchi, and Prof. Raymond Monterey. The committee is leaning towards mission-driven activities to fulfill the mission of MCL: “To produce social wealth from the generation of knowledge, and to help solve the industry and society’s problems by the expert application of existing knowledge.” “For the MCL to fulfill their mission, they should have an activity that will help to solve these issues,” Mr. Morandarte said. Ten pairs will be chosen to compete for the finals. The prizes

will be as follows: Gold (96%100%) is Php50,000, Silver (91%95%) is Php30,000 and Bronze (86%-90%) is Php20,000. Each finalist will be given an adviser to help them with their ideas. The judges for the finals will be coming from UST, UP, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The MCL is planning to compete nationally and internationally. Prof. Morandarte mentioned that if the pair are willing to pursue their idea and build their own business, the school will be willing to help. “Kasi diba dapat ang thinking ay kontento ka ba sa nakikita mo? O lagi ka na lang bang pandesal sa umaga? Why not pandesal na may keso?” he said.

HUM014, COM124 students stage ‘A Christmas Carol’ PAOLA BIANCA MARIÑAS

tudents taking HUM014 (Philippine Literature in English) and COM124 (Introduction to Theater Arts) under the guidance of Prof. Christine Desacado performed a theatre adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” last October 27 and 28 at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium. The performances were part of Malayan Colleges Laguna’s “Light Up, Life Up!” event. A story of redemption, “A

Christmas Carol” follows the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a grumpy old miser to a renewed man with a newfound love for the Christmas spirit. Directed by Neil Corbadura, the play was riddled with spectacles, from dance routines by select MDC members, to group carols by HUM014 singers. Scrooge’s character was brought to life by Paolo Wallace. The cast included Elijah Diaz as Marley’s Ghost, Gian Atienza as The Ghost

of Christmas Past, Paola Mariñas as The Ghost of Christmas Present, Justine Alvero as The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Chino Ellemos as Fred, Robyn Tan Mr. Crachit, and Janine Diego Mrs. Crachit. MCL invited some students from Pulo Elementary School to see the premiere of the play. CAS Dean Dr. Joy G. Hofileña was greeted by the whole production team as she celebrated her birthday on the same day, after the second show.

CULTURE

KAMALAYAN ISAIAH SHIH

Hanoi Thursdays

DRAGON RIDER G

itting comfortably on one of the benches overlooking Ho Hoan Kiem made him feel something he hasn’t felt in a long time. At last, some peace and quiet. Then he suddenly remembered. This is the very lake a certain Bobby Chinn—a half Egyptian-half Chinese gastronome born in New Zealand—is making famous for his delightful mix of Western sophisticated flair and Oriental warm lack of pretense. He was thinking of food, of course. I come from a mongrel of a culture myself, being Filipino and all. Heck, I’m a part-Chinese, part-Hispanic Malay trying hard to be American! I should pay him a visit, he thought. At the back of his mind he knew the chef doesn’t know him personally. And he doesn’t really know the chef either. He just saw him on Talk Asia about a week ago on CNN. What the heck, I’d go anyway. The sun was just starting to

set. He arrived in the Vietnamese capital the night before. For no real reason, apparently. He did it out of impulse. In fact, it just hit him like that. I need something new. I should go to Hanoi. For a change. And so he did. He was taking in the marvelous scenery of the lakeside—the magnificent outline of the Jade Mountain Temple to the different hues of a red bridge, the olive-grey waters, the big blue bicycle turning the bend. It was picture perfect, like it was right off a postcard. With his eye following the young pretty woman pedaling her bike, his attention suddenly shifts to a group of children playing by the rowboats near one of the many docks. The kids seem excited. Curious as he was, he came nearer to take a closer look. The children were playing with what looks like a small ovalshaped stone—but with a head, a tail, and limbs. It was soft-shelled turtle. Probably a juvenile like the ones playing with it. He later

Free Fall

found out back at home on one of his Googling expeditions that this particular kind was listed as an endangered species. So that’s why the old man seemed angry with the children, he thought, half-convinced. Whether it was indeed the reason the old man went on what seemed like a litany to those poor kids, he may never really know. He may not even really care. Walking back to his bench, he heard a faint grumble. He realized he has not eaten the whole afternoon. He was hungry all of a sudden. Far from famished, but definitely hungry. Knowing his huge appetite will be answered soon, he took a deep breath and stood up. He then began to walk to that restaurant he saw on cable TV the week before. He put on a grin as he started to tread towards the bright lights ahead. It was a smile of contentment. “I should do this more often,” he told himself aloud as he continued to walk.

KEITH ZARRAGA

RACHEL KATIMBANG

We are two agents in this promenade: You with the boys by the south wall, with hands in the pockets of their dress pants. I with the girls on the opposite side of the hall, clutching totes and staring at manicured feet. No one dares to move and smear the dance floor with cologne and dust and want. No one dares to close the distance between us, Out fate: we cannot overcome this push of gravity as we settle, unmoving. Reflecting each other’s imperfections in our glass eyes.

VIBETHANY ANGELEE ILAGAN

STEVE SY

STAIRS

THOMAS LIM

CHRISTMAS WISH

THOMAS LIM

PAULO ANGELO ESPONILLA

2013-2014 2T

CULTURE

FILM REVIEW

Hannah Espia’s ‘TRANSIT’

IVAN KHALIL DESCARTIN

here's this highly popular and overly-heeded phrase in "The Wizard of Oz" which states that there's no place like home. I, for one, can nonchalantly and confidently say that, indeed, there's no other country that can compare to the Philippines' awe-inspiring, sun-baking, and smoke-belching glory. But here in "Transit", a film directed by Hannah Espia and is shot mostly in Israel, the states of mind of Filipinos who were forced by circumstances to assume a foreign country as their homeland are explored, and the end result is something that validates the claim that Philippine cinema is, yet again, relatively on the rise. Edited in a highly non-linear fashion that's quite reminiscent of Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu's films and whose story was told in a way that makes it a distant kin to Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation", "Transit" effortlessly crisscrosses between its otherwise allencompassing and sensitive subject matter (religion, politics, race) and its smaller, more observant drama without losing a sense of balance. The film, about the Israeli government's decision to deport the children of immigrant workers, could have easily descended into the typical

and highly mechanical territories of a cinematic thriller. After all, "Transit's" story is ripe with racial tension and international intrigue; two themes that most politicallycharged thrillers commonly tread. Even the title, honestly, has steered my guts into expecting a relatively tense arthouse film. Surprisingly, what I got instead, along with all the others who were lucky enough to see the film for free, is a painfully realistic, impressively assured, and unexpectedly lyrical look at the plight of those affected by the said implementation. And as much as the film is about the consequences of politics, "Transit", in terms of characterization and story, is evidently more focused on its human elements rather than the bureaucratic technicalities that truncate them. Even the Israeli characters in the film, which, if we consider Espia's potential bias as a Filipino filmmaker, could have easily been transitory and completely one-dimensional, were fleshed out and were also given their respective hearts. Jasmine Curtis, once known in Philippine showbiz merely as, quote unquote, "Anne Curtis' pretty little sister", has developed into a full-fledged actress,

DRAGON RIDER G

KEVIN DE LUMIN

KEEM ALEXIS TINAMBACAN

thanks of course to Espia's impressive direction. Reliable character actors Ping Medina, Irma Adlawan, and indie nymph Mercedes Cabral, on the other hand, were almost unrecognizable in their roles. Be it through how Medina intentionally 'carabaos' the way he speaks English, how Adlawan, even without doing anything, evokes, through her gestures, facial expressions, and even her slightly hunched posture, the hardships of a typical OFW, or even how Cabral uses her eyes so effectively that they seem to have lives and characters of their own, the cast successfully makes use of dramatic subtlety to finely complement the film's effectively simplistic cinematography (by Ber Cruz and Lyle Sacris). But then again, the emotional center of the film is Marc Justine Alvarez as Joshua: the kid that's in danger of being deported back to the Philippines. Personally, I can sometimes tell that a film is finely-directed by way of how the kids in it act. And here, Alvarez' naturalistic acting just goes to show how promising Hannah Espia really is (I forgot to mention that this is her debut feature) both as a nuanced filmmaker and as an actor's director. And though

ISRAELI DREAMIN’.

IMAGE FROM PAUL SORIANO’S YOUTUBE PAGE

there will always be, at least for a local filmmaker, the temptation to turn a film like this, which was shot in a foreign country, into a travelogue of sorts (eherm, Star Cinema, eherm), Espia never succumbed to it. Instead, she has utilized Israel's quaint beauty and religious traditions to further a sense of cultural insight into the so-called Holy land, to validate the characters' genuine attachment to the place, and to answer just why, aside from financial needs, it's just really hard for them to go. Of course, Dorothy was right when she happily exclaimed that "there's no place like home", but would the meaning of this very naive phrase still apply to people (like the ones in the film) who adhere themselves to the concept of home

not because of sentimental or nationalistic reasons but of simple necessity? "Transit" quietly shakes its head and takes the statement with a grain of salt (Dead Sea pun intended). The way I see it, the film is a highly resonant reminder to the independent film industry here in the Philippines that 'poverty' is not the only topic there is, nor squatter areas and non-redemptive lowlives the only ones that deserve attention from filmmakers. Sometimes, we need to peek outside of our immediate realities and snoop on our more affluent neighbors because, who knows? One of our family members may be hopelessly lost in there, and who are in dire need of help and also of a voice. FINAL RATING: 4.5/5

12 W

CULTURE

e asked our friends for contributions to fill our CULTURE pages, and to say that we are overwhelmed by their more-than-ethusiastic response is an understatement. After all, not all stories are told through words alone. With that said, feast your senses with the images and words by our fellow MCL students. Check out PAGES 10 and 11 for more inspired--and inspiring--works.

KAMALAYAN INFORMATION WITHIN REACH

2013-2014 2T Volume I, Number 2 KAMALAYAN is a news magazine

produced by students taking COM123 (Writing for Print) at the College of Arts and Science, Malayan Colleges Laguna. Materials in this publication do not necessarily reflect the official views of the MMA Cluster, CAS, MCL or any collaborating groups and institutions of the aforementioned.

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EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION TEAM Editor-in-Chief

Pia Mariano

Managing Editor

Avegail Tolentino

Associate Editor

Neil Corbadura

MARK MONTEBON

News Editor

Geneva Buenaventura Features Editor

Patricia Dominique Lafrades Design and Photography

Lawrence Echavez Ramon Jackytong Jacinto Paola Bianca Mari単as Hannah Padua Ads and Promo

Micoh Huertas Kirstin Dela Vega Vincent Lumasac Nikki-Niko Romero Contributors

PAULO DEL PILAR

MARIEL GARCIA

Christian Bordo Jem Hongeria Julius Apigo Mark Lasdoce Nathaniel Molines Paolo Wallace Regine Ann Tolentino Shienna Lynne Mora単a Thomas Lim Isaiah Shih Ivan Khalil Descartin Janoah Soriano Jett Ilagan Keem Alexis Tinambacan Keith Zarraga Kevin De Lumin Kiel Abad KP Morales Kristine Obcena Mariel Garcia Mark Berris Mark Montebon Pauline Alvarez Paulo Angelo Esponilla Paulo del Pilar Rachel Katimbang Steve Sy Vibethany Angelee Ilagan

PAULINE ALVAREZ

Special thanks to

Engr. Dennis Tablante Dr. Joy Hofile単a Prof. Oliver Carlo Castillo Prof. Dennis Lampitoc Prof. Raychelle Artuz Patrick Bayani Mary Gabrielle Bautista MCL Corp Comm MCL CSCE MCL CLIR Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito Laguna Vice Gov. Ramil Hernandez COM111-A97 COM111-B97 MMA141-B98 MMA142-A99 KRISTINE OBCENA

KIEL ABAD

Adviser-Instructor

Paeng Palis