Engineering SPECTRUM | June 2014

FINEST FRUITS A LOOK ON FOUR OF ENGINEERING’S BEST SCI-TECH | PAGE 8

NO MORE PUPSAIT NEW SET OF EXAMS IN PUPCET 2014 NEWS | PAGE 2

INSIDE THE LION’S DEN HOW WILL DANIEL CONQUER HIS FEARS? FEATURES | PAGE 7

#SELFIEGENERATION WELCOME TO THE VANITY FAIR CIRCLE | BACK PAGE

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OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF PUP COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Volume XX No. 5 | June 2014

PUPspectrum

PUP artists emerge as 3D paint victor Michelle Ann V. Ramat EMERGING as the winner among the seven finalists, Team PUP, lead by Engineering Spectrum Art Dir. Allan Saleh De Vera (CE V), bagged first place in the 3D Street Painting Contest held at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, April 22.

The contest organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENREMB) is in line with the celebration of Earth day with the theme, “Towards Climate-resilient and Eco-friendly Cities”. Its aim is to draw public support for addressing climate change and other environmental challenges by showcasing the talent and creativity of Filipino youth.

PUP artists / p. 3

Engineering goes global ROAD TO RESILIENCE. Biking and tree planting—activities that could pave a city’s way to resiliency is team PUP’s 3D inspiration.

Kevin Buenaventura/facebook.com

2 student researchers Level III accreditation OK debut in international tilts CE prepares for 2nd phase on December

Edcel B. Artificio and John Carlos M. Critica

SHOWCASING excellence in their respective fields, research teams from the Departments Edcel B. Artificio of Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering competed in different competitions IN line with its vision to be the center of excellence in organized in local and international levels. engineering education, PUP College of Engineering (CE) Flood Detection 24 in Intramuros, Manila.

Asian elimination. passed the level three phase one accreditation for its six For over 1000 entries submitted, Imagine Cup is a premier Although team Dose per unit, programs after a thorough assessment held last March 4-7.

PUP’s team Dose Per Unit composed of Johnver Bautista, Kim Lleno, Katrina Hazel Malagday and Mark Muya (CoE ’14), together with their adviser Engr. Remedios Ado, qualified to present their research, RoadFloodPH in the recently concluded Imagine Cup last April

global competition for technology students organized by Microsoft (MSFT) which is on its 12th year.

However, this is the fifth year for the Philippine competition wherein the winning projects for three categories; innovation, games and world citizenship will compete on

the only team from a state university, failed on winning the championship, MSFT’s Director of Developer and Platform Group Alvin Gendrano and the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office, Engineering goes / p. 2

PUP hosts gov’t call center

and Objective; Faculty; Curriculum and Instruction; Support to Students; Research; Extension and Community Involvement; Library; Physical Plant and Facilities; Laboratories and Administration.

CE conducted different preparations which include the organization of documents, beautification of the building and CE prepares / p. 3

PH breaks India’s record

Jennelyn Mausisa WITH its mission to act as a government assistance center where complains on poor government services can be reported, ‘Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB),’ was unveiled last April 10 at the PUP BPO Center.

Present in the event is Civil Service Commission Chairperson Francisco T. Duque together with the officials of the University headed by PUP president Dr. Emmanuel de Guzman.

In his speech, Duque congratulates PUP for having CCB. He said that this can help in promoting professionalism, PUP hosts / p.2

According to the report submitted by the Aaccup to PUP President Dr. Emmanuel de Guzman, the six programs passed the level III phase one effective for one year.

Evaluators from Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (Aaccup) visited the college to evaluate ten areas of the six departments: Vision, Mission, Goals

PUP organ pledges hit 3,548

Vincent Velez

NOW HIRING. Adjacent to PUP Institute of Technology, Contact Center ng Bayan is looking for agents, especially students who wants to earn an extra income.

Tin Bantigue

ANOTHER world record has made.

Recognized as a Guinness Book of World Records title holder, PUP had set another record after obtaining the most number of organ donation pledges in one hour at one site held at the University Oval, February 28.

PUP, in collaboration with the Department of Health’s (DOH) “I’m A Lifeline” campaign, accumulated a number of 3,548 pledges starting from 9AM to 10AM surpassing India’s record of 2,755, September

17 last year.

DOH selected the University as one of the sign-up sites for its huge number of students and for getting into the Guinness after making 30,365 students, professors and alumni to participate in the Largest Human Rainbow held at Quirino Grandstand last September 18, 2004.

“Past records were done in the university [pertaining to the human rainbow], so we were betting on PUP to break the records. And true PH breaks / p. 3

News

Spectrum

Edcel B. Artificio, Editor

2

Engineering goes global / p. 1

June 2014

CE dominates OSYA 2014 Marvelous Jeffrey Artuz

FOR THE FIRST TIME. (clockwise from top left) Teams PUP Manila and PUP Hygears of ME conducts technical inspection; EE’s Team Intellecticity and Team Dose Per Unit from CpE presents their research vying for the championship of their respective competitions.

Photo composite from (clockwise from left) Tin Bantigue, Jerjohn Tesorio, Kaycee Victorio and Edcel Artificio

however showed appreciation and interest to the project.

Moreover, in a press conference held at Microsoft last March 26; Malagday, who is also the Associate Editor for Internal Affairs of S pectrum , explained that the inspiration of the project is their experience of flooding while going to school wherein she emphasized the importance of early flood detection.

RoadFloodPH is a flood application that measures the depth of flood which then sends information to an application installed in handheld devices like smart phone.

Emergency Response Meanwhile, Jethro B. De Guzman, Ritz Carlo de Guzman (CoE ’14) and Engr. Remedios G. Ado, received an Excellent Oral Presentation Certificate for their research paper entitled “Mobile Emergency Response Application using Geolocation for Command Centers” in the 2014 International Conference on Information Security and Artificial Intelligence (Isai) held last February 27-28 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The paper involves a combination of web and mobile application for emergency requests sent to the

concerned authority.

Isai is organized by the Science and Engineering Institute with participants from several countries around the globe.

Going Green Team Intellectricity has showed the world what PUPians can contribute in the field of energy conservation, in the East Asia finals of Go Green in the City Challenge held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last April 4.

Christina Ordoñez and Rommel Areola (EE IV) together with their adviser Engr. Kristian Carlo Victorio, competed with other Asian teams from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam after championing the Philippine competition last March.

Phantom load blocker was first conceptualized as thesis project in 2010. In 2012, it was developed and won as best research in the annual Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers research design competition.

For the Schneider competition the project title was revised into Universal Phantom Loss Unloading

Gadget (Unplug).

Unplug is a device which helps reduce energy consumption through power disconnection of a certain device to the power outlet.

Although the team failed to win on the East Asia finals, Ordoñez shared her experience after the competition, “Masaya kami kasi napakita naman namin ‘yung best naming kahit ‘di nanalo,” Ordoñez uttered after Singapore wins the championship.

Schneider Electric, a Francebased multinational corporation, sponsored the annual competition which aims to find innovative and revolutionary solutions that the world is facing which regards in sustaining energy.

Fuel Efficient On the other hand, Two ME teams competed for the Shell EcoMarathon (SEM) Asia 2014 held in the streets of Manila, February 6-9.

Teams PUP Manila and PUP Hygears race against 126 student participants throughout Asia.

SEM Asia 2014 is a week-long race event which aims to innovate ideas to address energy issues and to think sustainable solutions to the world’s energy challenge. This

Entrance exam takes new form Vincent Bryan M. Velez

WITH the number of questions and time limit trimmed down, the recently revised PUP College Entrance Test (Pupcet) 2014 welcomed the PUP freshmen aspirants last January and February.

The 175-item questionnaire given to the examinees in the last five years was readjusted to 150 items this year. Thus, shortening the time limit as well from 105 minutes to 75 minutes.

According to Barbara Camacho, Guidance Counselling and Testing Director, the previous Pupcet was used for almost five years until it was replaced by the new exam which was develop just last year.

“Actually, ang entrance test natin ay every three years dapat nade-develop. Kaya lang dahil sa budgetary constraint, hindi tayo nakapagpalit agad. Malaki kasi na amount ang nagagastos diyan,”

Camacho explained.

Questions included in the renewed Pupcet was pre-tested and finely selected by the committee headed by the vice president for student services, Dr. Juan Birion.

In addition to the revision of the examination, the PUP Scholastic Aptitude Interest Test was recently replaced by a psychological examination which consists both an IQ and personality test.

“Kung ikaw ay valedictorian or honorable mention, etc., at kumuha ka ng Pupcet at pumasa [sa exam], ang ibibigay na lang sa iyo ay personality test,” Camacho informed.

Those academic achievers who failed the Pupcet were given a chance to be admitted in the university by taking the psychological test. However, they won’t be regarded as scholars but as regular students.

Moreover, achievers who didn’t take the Pupcet or weren’t able to may also apply for the psychological test costing PhP 750.00 instead of PhP 500.00.

Meanwhile, Admission and Registration Office Head Prof.

Adelio Sulit confirmed that 40, 645 examinees out of 42, 645 applicants took the exam, and only 10, 820 students passed Pupcet.

competition challenges students from different parts of Asia to build and drive a fuel-efficient vehicle that will run farthest in just a liter of fuel.

Both teams represent Philippines together with other entries from Adamson University, De La Salle University, Don Bosco Technical College, Mapua Institute of Te c h n o l o g y, Te c h n o l o g i c a l University of the Philippines and University of Santo Thomas.

Team PUP Manila officially joined the competition in 2013 to race in Kuala Lumpur. Due to heavy haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia, the competition was postponed and moved in Manila last February.

Also, PUP Hygears from ME department joined SEM, making two representatives from a state university to compete in an international event.

Hygears got the chance to race for three laps but fail to reach the 10 lap requirement.

Moreover, Team PUP Manila failed to finish at least one lap.

Engr. Edwin Esperenza and Dr. Dante Gedaria, advisers of Mechanical engineering department said that the experience in Shell-Eco Marathon is just a start “Experience din naman ito, saka masaya pa din naman,” they ended.

COLLEGE of Engineering once again proved its caliber as students top notched in this year’s Outstanding Scholar of the Year Awards (OSYA), organized by Kapatiran ng Talino at Galing on April 7 at Claro M. Recto Hall.

Out of 50 submissions for screening from different departments, Lester John Glign Ignacio (CE III) won as Osya 2014 for track one.

Also, other students from the college received recognition. For track 1, Jhonray Laitan (CE III) won as first runner up and Miko Sorreda (ECE III) on 4th runner up. While for track 2, Teofilo Lorenzo Ongkingco III (ECE ’14) won as first runner up and Patrick Angelo Angeles (CpE ’14) on second.

With the theme, “Enacting Scholars’ Magnanimity through Exemplary Leadership and Outstanding Service”, the event wishes to honor the PUP’s most notable students in the areas of academic excellence, exemplary leadership, outstanding servitude and commendable achievements.

OSYA is divided into two categories, track one for third year standing students and track two for graduating students

PUP hosts gov’t call center / p. 1 outstanding service and better governance.

Meanwhile, Dr. de Guzman expressed his gratefulness concerning the launch of the contact center. He even cited former Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chair Patricia Licuanan, who according to him, asserted the revival of the PUP BPO Center.

It can be recalled that the BPO center was established in 2007 in partnership with CSC to create call center jobs for students who want to earn money wherein PUP was selected as the implementing university. However, irregularity to contract lead to the dismissal of its operation.

CCB will facilitate citizen complaints and client’s queries from different government agencies and offices.

With reports from The Observer

PH breaks India’s record, PUP organ pledges hit 3,548 / p.1 enough, more than 3,000 have signed up here in PUP,” said DOH manager for Philippine Network on Organ Sharing Antonio Paraiso.

“When you donate your organ, you continue to live on somebody else’s life,” Paraiso said in an interview with the press about the essence of organ donation.

Meanwhile, DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag noted that the aim of the event is to eliminate the fear of the consequences brought by organ donation and the dogma people believe regarding it.

Aside from PUP, five other locations were also chosen to

accommodate the event such as Quezon City; San Fernando City, La Union; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Naga City, Camarines Sur and Davao City.

On the other hand, the country also aimed to achieved the most number of organ donation pledges within a span of eight hours beating India’s 10, 450 after attaining almost 6,495 accumulated pledges from different sites in just one hour, according to Lifeline.ph’s unofficial tally.

However, as of press time, the confirmation from the Guiness Book of World Record is still pending.

news

Spectrum June 2014

CE prepares for second phase on December / p. 1

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TERRITORIAL UPDATES ME champs machine design competion STUDENTS from the Department of Mechanical Engineering has won as champion on the recently concluded 2014 Inter-University Machine Design Competition which is organized annually by the University of the Philippines Gear and Pinions, Diliman last March 1.

Team Lab Problem composed of Kenneth Bautista, Romark Monces and Jorge Vinzon Norte (ME IV) battled with different teams from other university like University of the East, Bulacan State University and Technological Institute of the Philippines to build the most efficient and durable mini car powered by rubber band.

On the other hand the other team entry of our university, team PogiProblem ranked 5th on the said competition composed of Ronald Kenneth Ballesteros (ME V), John Carlos Critica (ME III), Jonathan Dignos (ME IV) and Francisco Miguel Mercado.

EE quizzer is most outstanding student BRINGING pride to PUP, Danica Mendoza (EE IV) was awarded as the country’s Most Outstanding Electrical Engineering Student in Academics during the recently concluded 15th Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers-Council of Student Chapters Convention last February 21 held at the National University.

Meanwhile, on the same convention, the Electrical Engineering Quizzer’s Pool ranks third place for three consecutive years at the 11th PEC Quiz Show.

CpE, EE researches join 7th ARAW TWO research teams from the Departments of Computer and Electrical Engineering partake in this year’s 7th Annual Research Award (ARAW) held at Bulwagang Balagtas, June 4.

In line with this year’s theme, “Building and Sustaining Innovation in Higher Education,” both team showcased their researches on innovation in road flood monitoring from CpE researchers and innovation on conventional plugging which used induction from EE researchers.

Meanwhile, researchers from Technological University of the Philippines and Don Bosco Technical School were awarded as top research.

Rafael Oquindo, 51 FORMER chairperson of the Department of Computer Engineering and PUP Network Operations Center head, Engr. Rafael Oquindo passed away last May 22 due to hemorrhagic stroke caused by a sudden burst on the blood vessel in the brain.

Oquindo has survived wife Florinda and daughter Julia.

His remains lied at the La Funeraria Paz in Manila Memorial

Park, Paranaque City and cremated May 26.

Prior to his appointment as Network operations head and chairperson of CpE, Oquindo once served as a faculty member of Electronics Engineering. He was also the founder of the Association of Concerned Computer Engineering Students for Services, CpE’s core student organization.

LAB HOPPING. Prof. Medel Aligan from Aacup (center), accompanied by faculty members Engr. Richmon Pangilinan (CE ‘08) and Engr. Jayson Bryan Mutuc (EE’ 10), visits the Civil Engineering Laboratory as part of the Level III accreditation.

Tin Bantigue capacity building for students to answer queries of accreditors concerning the vision, mission and goals of the college and their respective departments.

In an interview of Spectrum with Engr. Pedrito Tenerife Jr., Chairperson of the Department of Computer Engineering and concurrent accreditation head of the college, he explained that documents compilation consumed most of the preparation, “More on documentation kasi ang phase one ng accreditation, mula 2008 up to present ang inihanda natin kaya medyo madami,” Tenerife uttered.

Ready for Level III On the other hand, the report also cited some suggestions in preparation for the phase two survey which will take place before the expiration of the level three phase one status.

Tenerife told that the phase two of the accreditation is scheduled to happen December of this year in line with the recommendation of the University’s Quality Assurance

office.

In phase two accreditation, the program will be evaluated and must excel in four areas, namely: instruction and extension, which are mandatory; and two more areas to be chosen from among research, performance in licensure examination, faculty development, and linkages. This is according to the conduct of accreditation posted in the website of Aaccup.

“Requirement talaga ng Aaccup [ang] instruction and extension para sa phase two pero ‘yung college focus sa faculty and research,” so said by Tenerife concerning the preparation for level III accreditation in which according to him second phase will focused more on pictures and presentation of activities for every program.

Accreditation Benefits Meanwhile, Tenerife pointed out the importance of accreditation, “Kapag level three na kasi pwede ng mag-apply ang mga programs as Center of Development then Center of Excellence sa CHEd. Kapag

nangyari ‘yun magbibigay ang CHEd ng pondo,” he explained.

Aside from proving the quality of education that a specific university or institution has, accreditation is used as a criterion in the leveling of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); criterion in the selection of schools for foreign students and a factor in selection of institutions which serves as center of development and center of excellence.

He also added the benefits of accreditation for the students, “Magiging madali din para sa mga estuudyante na magtrabaho kasi mababawasan ang certification na dapat nilang kunin gaya ng English proficiency at iba pa.”

The College has been preparing for Level III accreditation since 2007. However, the progress became slow-paced due to insufficient funds and supplies, as well as the documents needed in the accreditation, thus resulted to the expiration of Level III phase one accreditation.

With reports from Vincent Velez

PUP artists emerge as 3D paint victor / p. 1

TUTORIAL 101 Student volunteer Jeaneth Arandilla (CpE V) teaches an elder resident of Barangay Sto. Niño in San Mateo, Rizal the basics of word processing program This is in line with the livelihood program of the college held last May 24 at PUP Engineering and Architecture Building.

Tin Bantigue

EMB provided each team acrylic paints and a 7x10 inch floor area canvass primed with flat white paint to draft their artworks. The contest proper started at 9:00AM of April 19 and ended 2:00PM of April 21.

Along with De Vera are teammates Joe Olivare (IE II), Charles Rafanan (BAPR I), Mary Grace Valdez (BAPR II) and Keith Ibo (BSArch III). Also, visual art veterans Guhit Visual Arts Group joined the contest.

De Vera’s group entry entitled, “People through their Activities”, depicts real-life scenarios featuring concrete steps on how cities in the Philippines can be eco-friendly and climate change resilient.

“Actually, on the spot lang kami nag-conceptualize ng gagawin, wala kaming naka-ready na gawa na pwede sanang pagbasehan,” explained

De Vera. It was the team’s first time to join such contest hence one week before the event they fervently practiced 3D painting all by themselves. Fortunately, their keenness had materialized as they appear to be the contest victor, beating six other teams.

“Ipagpatuloy niyo ang pagguhit!

Tapos sali lang ng sali sa mga contest.

Walang imposible kung desidido at determinado. Hindi kailangan ng kasikatan, ang mahalaga ay kung ano ang gustong sabihin ng artwork mo at kung para saan o kanino ito nagseserve,” told De Vera when asked about his message to fellow PUPians who aspire to be 3D artists.

Meanwhile, Malabon Artist Youth Alliance landed second place and third place went to Guhit Visual Arts Group.

Opinion 4

Spectrum

We want more

JUST recently, engineering students have carried not only the flag and pride of our Sintang Paaralan but the entire country on their shoulders. Definitely, this is not an easy task to accomplish and they deserve more than just congratulations.

For more than three decades, the College of Engineering has proven itself to be one of the most competitive colleges, if not the only one, in the University. It is evident, as we look back at the College’s history, that most of the students participated in various national research competitions have succeeded on their own right.

Last semester, students from CpE, EE, and ME took the challenge to the next level. They have contended against other universities and colleges to vie for the championship gold—this time, in the international arena.

Though unfortunate to bring home the bacon, these researchers got curious of great ideas and innovations that are meant to be explored, and set aside producing an output just to comply with their undergraduate thesis requirements.

These students have shared the vision that every PUPians should know by heart—a vision of an epistemic community.

However, they have also shared the same problem that the past and present researchers are facing—inadequate support and guidance from the University.

Indeed as the largest state university in the country that caters over 60,000 students with the most affordable quality education, the challenge of upholding the culture of research is still overwhelming.

Nonetheless, PUPians, faculties and students, keep on devising concepts that address today’s demands which contribute to our society by utilizing adapted technology from early researches and using indigenous resources.

It is commendable that the University manifests its support in the promotion of a research-inclined community. This year, the University have allocated PhP10 million to fund potential researches of all colleges and branches (College of Engineering received PhP 400,000.00).

More so, PUP is organizing annual research conferences and competitions (e.g. Annual Research Awards, Engineering Research Conference) that is to recognize undergraduate studies and encourage others to conduct innovative ones that adheres to the present demands of the society.

In addition, the campaign of the University to protect the intellectual property of all the researchers has also been evident in hosting Innovation and Technology Support and Intellectual Property and Commercialization offices which will be incharge of copyrighting and patenting the academic works in the University. To date, there are over 200 research works being copyrighted.

Although we can see the efforts of the University in supporting the undergraduate researches, the thing is, the support is insufficient to run Tanglaw and Eco-vee further than 80 km per liter, to even hamper down the phantom losses, and to detect and response when flood rises in the streets of Pureza.

The message is clear: What we need, more than financial support, are good mentoring and collaboration among students of other disciplines to enrich researches. Much better if the University can also allocate funds for student research, aside from focusing on faculty researches and graduate studies that will cement partnership between faculty and students in creating sustainable solutions for the long standing challenges of the country.

With this, it is now time to elevate research education to a whole new level, not only in Engineering but also in PUP. This will surely create adaptive learning and revolutionize projects that serve as catalysts to nation-building—perhaps and ultimately, transforming the University into an epistemic community.

Editorial

The flavor of life Document Nine

Justinberg Bantigue @GastinburgDaGr8

UNDENIABLY, ever yone loves to eat or drink. When hunger strikes, we look for something to eat or we want to try some delicious meal or treat. We eat not because we just want fill in our stomach when we are hungry, we eat because we want a certain flavor that our taste buds desire. We chose what we eat depending on the mood we are in.

For an instance, I look for something sweet whenever I got upset that will lighten my

Volume XX No. 5 June 2014 Editor in chief Associate Editors Managing Editor Graphics Editor Moderator Editorial Consultants

Justinberg F. Bantigue Katrina Hazel R. Malagday Domyson D. Abuan Michelle Ann V. Ramat Allan Saleh F. De Vera Engr. Kaycee B. Victorio Engr. Orland D. Tubola Engr. Regina G. Valenzuela

Staff Marra Diadem Andaya, Patricia Marie Cabral, Jo Irene Mary Colobong, John Carlos Critica, Cedrich Joshua Yllana Delos Santos, John Teddy Garcia, Glendale Joel Jabonillo, Arra Clarize Jose, Genesis Yeshua Lim, Jennelyn Mausisa, Dave Allen Motea, Harvin Reyes, Ria Camille Rivera, Patrick Abiel Roque, Jerjohn Roi Tesorio, Vincent Bryan Velez, Joyce Ann Vicente Contributions, reactions and opinions are accepted in the publication. It should bear contributor’s name, address, course, year and section, and signature. Name may be witheld upon request. Forward your contributions to Engineering SPECTRUM Editorial Office Rm 423, Engineering and Architecture Building, Anonas cor. Pureza Sts., NDC Compound, Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Member: Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag (AKM-PUP)

(While I am in the middle of writing this article, I found myself eating pork adobo which have been left over since dinner. I am not hungry but I am eating it in no particular reason.)

I have encountered different people in Spectrum: different attitude and personality. Most of them we re a l re a dy b e e n i n a publication since they were in high school. I admit that I’ve never been a part of a high school newspaper nor have a background in journalism, but I joined this institution for one reason: I want to try what it feels like to be a campus journalist.

There are lots of things happened in my first two years in Spek. There were the times when my editors got annoyed on me with my late submission of article, or

not hitting the right thought that they want to read, and mostly, got my article “killed”, in which is the worst thing to me because it happened right on my birthday—not once, but twice for two consecutive years.

On the other hand, there were also good opportunities that occurred such as Ispuptrum, which gave not only me, but also my costaffs to be a part of summer editorial board.

The challenges became tougher when I became the Associate Editor for External Affairs on my third year; and to be honest, I really don’t like feature articles. Maybe it’s because I am not a fan of highfaluting words and I want it to be simple and straight to the point. But thanks to my trusty Features and Circle sassdd The flavor / p. 10

Change the world Por ti Sere

Nedgeor Lei Avance @civilengineerme

Official Student Publication of PUP College of Engineering Established May 1993

mood or to lessen the blue feeling, or sometimes when I’m depressed, a bottle of beer would do to make me feel numb. (No, that isn’t enough.

Make it three.)

Just like the food we eat, life may give us the flavor that we could taste for the rest of our lives depending on the mood, feeling or environment that we might been to. It may be sweet, sour, salty, spicy, or bitter. It could be it could be one or two flavors at a time, or maybe all at the same time.

There are lots of flavor that your tongue could ever taste.

Just like all the flavors, you have to complement with it to get the right mix.

Let me share some of my experiences inside the organization that even myself would never thought that I will get into—inside Engineering Spectrum.

June 2014

“I CAN change the world. I would be the sunlight in your universe. You will think my love was really something good. Baby if I could change the world.”

If given a chance, I would change the commercialization that this world simulates. This hinders people from having a good life.

The GOOD LIFE – one that lives to the meaning of contentment – exists only when we stop wanting a better one. It is the state of enjoying what is at hand rather than longing for what is missing.

The craving for earthly things, the greed for more, and the never-ending desires

of the flesh, are eminent holes on ones soul that drains the sense of satisfaction.

Haven’t you observed? A man never earns enough.

A woman is never pretty enough. Food is never tasty enough. Clothes and apparel are never fashionable enough. Gadgets are never high-tech enough. Houses are never homes enough.

Cars are never cool enough.

Relationships are never lasting enough. Life itself is never filled enough.

Admit it or not, that’s how this world takes its turns. What is available seems to be close enough but not quite a fit.

To whatever reasons we keep, we still can’t help the itch. We still find ourselves unsatisfied. The grip of the principle “making use of what we have” seems to slip away as if we never knew it at all when we are lured. We tend to forget such idea of contentment when we jive with the flow.

Satisfaction comes with the detail of fitting into such

standard. We can never be satisfied as long as our standards are not met. With that, satisfaction is a decision to make… something that can pull back our chasings along our journeys… something that says enough.

And it is for each and every one of us to answer. As for me, I get satisfied when I put my hope to God. Hope, not your street cigarette, is a desire that has something to do with anticipation, expectation, and fulfillment. We anticipate our cravings, we expect them to become at hand, and through the time that they are not at hand, we hope.

Hope surpasses the meaning of dreaming and surreal ideas. It is tangible on the effects it can create. It is to seize within ourselves an expectation that one day that desire would be fulfilled.

Hope always look to the things that are yet to come… it is always in the shade of mystery. It targets ones vision and makes life a bit of a thrill.

It keeps our nerves going.

It makes a failure today bearable because it promises a much better tomorrow. It is something we underestimate regarding its power in turning things towards our favor. It makes us close our eyes from all the frustrations that surround us. It may mean being unmindful to all of the things that makes us sad.

For what is worthy, hope is an action word of infinite encouragement.

Without hope, half of our being dies. With hope comes satisfaction.

Having hope is a way of life. It should not be the last resort for dead ends. Hence, a good life begins with a single ray of hope. It is an ever pure fountain we can draw energy from if only we fully understand it. I just feel like writing again and again about hope for as long as I can’t see its full bloom. Well, we’ll never know where this piece of paper can reach. I am making sure I am having a good life on my way in changing the world.

opinion

Spectrum June 2014

5

ありがとう!

Lorem Ipsum

Katrina Hazel Malagday @yabusukidesu

THE journey’s over even before it has started.

Six years ago I already planned what I am going to do for the rest of my life. I’ve prepared enough. I studied harder than before just so I could get to my dream university.

I hated Math and Science so I could just give unconditional time polishing my grammar.

Everything’s almost set. I know I’ve prepared enough for a long journey. But my parents didn’t. They failed to anticipate that the educational plan they spent years saving would be gone in an instant.

Five years ago I was forced to ride on a different train, to go on a five-year journey with uncertainties. I always tell myself that money is not a problem at all. Not until I entered college.

We’re actually not that poor, I just don’t like seeing my parents at their wits end thinking on how we would be able to budget everyday payments. College expenses are no joke. And it would be unfair for my brothers and sister if tatay and mama’s gonna spend most of our savings for my selfish

ambition. I just encountered the biggest atrocity the Philippine government has laid upon the hope of the nation.

Four years ago I still couldn’t take how come I’m studying in this State University. Everyday commute has been a hassle.

I was a very studious person, a geek, a nerd. But it’s all way back in high school when I could still find fun things in the four corners of the classroom and learning new things never fails to brighten up my day.

Then here comes the darkest hour of my life as a student – I never hated studying not until I entered Engineering. It feels like the train I am riding goes inside a very dark tunnel, and a very long one. But there are artificial lights that are guiding me, telling me that I’ll have a stable job after I graduate – a forced future set upon me.

Three years ago I stopped caring. I stopped thinking of the what-if ’s and couldhave-been’s. It took years before I learn how to go with the flow, to enjoy every little lemons life has to offer. It was hard for I don’t usually go on a journey to an uncertain destination.

I’ve always surrounded myself with literature and science and numbers are just unfamiliar and this journey has taken its toll on me. Good thing I got tired and started to let life teach me how to embrace ambiguity. With sleepless

nights completing electronics experiments and coding programs, I discovered something weird yet it feels absolutely fascinating. I am starting to love the course I am taking.

Two years ago I started asking God to show me that all these events have their reasons, that everything – the hardships and joys – will be paid off.

A year ago I started to cherish my last year here in Sintang Paaralan. I dedicated myself on becoming one of the best Computer Engineers this college has molded. And God never failed to amaze me. In my last year of stay, He showed me that even the wrong train could take you in the right place when you just allowed Him to drive.

I never thought that our research could bring pride to the university I once hated.

I never thought that I’ll serve as a student leader of a college I once evaded.I never thought that I could still do the things that I love even if I missed my ride.

Two months ago I signed a contract to a multinational company. A month ago, a week before I graduate, I started working on my very first job as a computer engineer.

On May 13, together with hundreds of fellow Iskolar ng Bayan, we finally marched and got our diplomas (even if it’s a dummy one).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that inspired me to carry on, especially the ones

who never failed to pray for me. To my parents who’re the most amazing people on this planet for giving birth to such an awesome creature, thank you! But honestly you’re the best gift God has given me.

To the Engineering Spectrum, thank you for helping me to become a more responsible person. To Madam and Kuya Land who continuously inspire me to think smart and to not settle for mediocrity, I appreciate every curses and criticisms you’ve given to us. To Engr.

Ado who is not only an adviser but a second mother, thank you for your unending support for students to strive hard in their studies. To my best friend Margie, thanks for always being there. To my classmates and college friends, thank you for this journey would never be this fun and challenging without you.

The journey has surely been worse than a roller coaster ride. And I’m not yet at the end. I may leave the train I’m riding now but my journey, the once I’ve thought have ended even before it started, continues.

I may take detours in the future but the years I’ve spent in college taught me a very crucial thing–to always put my faith in Him for He’s definitely a better driver than I am.

I’m set on another journey and now I carry with me a song I’ll always play in my heart. Mula sa’yo para sa bayan...

Not your ordinary professor Metathoughts

Edcel Artificio @edcelisonline THIS is a eulogy I posted in Facebook in honor to a professor who have inspired me to believe that we are all capable of becoming the best that we can be and I just want to share with you some of my most memorable experiences with him.

I know that we all have that significant person(s) who have at some point in our life touched, not just our mind but our soul. o0o A couple of days ago, I had a nice chat with one of my board mates, who happens to be a computer engineering student just like me. Being a senior, I have become a stereotype (of giving threats) when it comes with sharing stories about the course to the younger students- most of them are stories of hardship on the subject, expensive projects and the professors.

Being a story teller, I love

sharing experiences to others.

One of the most told stories that I share is my life as a computer enginering student.

It is still clear to me that my admission in the department of computer engineering was taking risk. I am not good in math nor do I have any advance knowledge in computer or any related topics. Thus, upon entering I do not know my place in this course. Honestly, I am only thinking that the course will alleviate me and my family from poverty.

During that phase of my student life, I have met this professor, which aside from his paralyzed right arm (which by then I didn't know), seems to be just like another ordinary instructor I have seen.

H e i s E n g r. R a f a e l Oquindo, the professor whom I want to follow since I made a foot in PUP. His style of teaching is such an encouragement which fuels students to do their best despite difficulties. There are three phases when he teachesfirst he inspires, Sir O would give us stories of triumph and a real picture of what he is about to teach; second he teacheswith all mastery he builds in us the foundation of the subject; and lastly he tests us- he is not

a fan of written exam so it is mostly practical exam which runs for five minutes, the fastest but longest five minutes of my life.

He never checked our attendance but we know that our absence in his class is our great loss. It is simply because Sir O's class is an encyclopedia, inspirational book, autobiography and history book combined as one.

During his class, he would always want us to strive our best and be the best since he believes that student's capability is the clear message of a teacher's capacity and effectiveness to teach.

He would even quip, “Kung magaling ako dapat kayo din kasi estudyante ko kayo,” words which prophecy and minister in my heart.

I tried to be the best but sometimes things are not going well. On our final project to his subject, most groups were not able to give a working output and everybody looked frustrated, some were crying while most were keeping their emotion.

We thought that was the end but Sir O addressed the students, “Pagod na kayo, mag pahinga muna kayo,magpalakas at ayusin ang problema [sa project].” Despite

of failure, he knows when and how to lift you up.

After that semester, I went to his office and talked to him personally, I shared to him that I was able to land in a good OJT and told him that he is my inspiration. I have seen his teary eye, a proud teacher to a student who is not that brilliant. Maybe because I am added to the numerous students who said the same thing.

The level of his impact in my life is just immeasurable.

Through him, I understand that there are things that we learn which the four corners of the room can’t give.

He gave me the best roller coaster ride of my engineering life, the ups and mostly downs.

Our adviser in the publication have this impression on me that I idolize Sir O, “Si Oquindo, dyino-Diyos ni Edcel ‘yan.” I think I should take that as a compliment and it is with great honor that he has become my professor.

Hi s l i f e a s a l ov i n g husband, a good father and a brilliant professor will always remain.

To Sir O, “Napagod po kayo, magpahinga na po kayo habang kami ay magpapalakas, patuloy na mabubuhay at aayos ng mga problema.”

Pan de Inhinyerya

Keep on track

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” –Proverbs 19:20 MANY times we just bear decisions based on our capacity and abilities. We contemplate that it’s easier to go through the worldly thing than to take a deep desire on what we intend. The world may deceive you little by little but while receiving the words of God, the light will reveal and the Spirit may guide you constantly.

Believing in oneself is a great combination with having faith in Him. Following Jesus’ steps will be the best choice you ever made. Simple direction needs a firm decision in going into the life of faithfulness. You are wiser than any other if the fire will be on you forever.

Challenging beliefs I WAS a rock-hard Roman New Breed Catholic.

Kapag linggo.

‘Pag patapos na ang sem.

‘Pag nakikipagbreak na si girlfriend.

‘Pag Friday na at wala ka nang pera.

Jerjohn Roi Tesorio I think most of us are. But jerjohn.tesorio@gmail.com since I realized these things, I told myself that I will not be a hypocrite affiliating myself with something that I entirely do not believe in. With all the loopholes of all the years that Catholicism existed—all the scandals, all the wrong-doings and all the things that I cannot specify here.

So I set myself off, drifted from Catholicism and started to find for a new one. Because the society believes that we have to belong in a religion.

When I entered college, I was surrounded by these Christian organization that lingering the august halls of the university, inviting everyone to hear the calling of the Lord.

So, out of peer pressure, I tried one. And I tell you, I did enjoy it, got a peek of what maybe a true religion is. I told myself that, “Hey! This is better than being a Catholic. You can feel a more intimate worship than those of the ancient rituals of the former,” But then one day, I stopped and ask myself if I still am enjoying this, it is becoming more of a burden than a reliever.

So again, I drifted.

But since then, I have been careful choosing. I tried Iglesia ni Cristo, I tried to ‘samba’ for about a month or so, tried Buddhism, even Islam.

Speak your mind. Why not I happened to get cross a Share your young, fresh and mosque, peeked in, removed new ideas about anything my slippers and started to under the sun? This space is ‘hummm’ with all the other then for true- (and warm-) worshipers. It feels good, it blood CEans. -- Ed. really is.

But then I realized on the process of ‘choosing’ that ‘“Hey! why do I need to choose in the first place? Dahil ba sabi ng society na kailangan meron, eh kailangan ko pang ipagsiksikan ang sarili ko sa isang relihiyong minumura ko rin naman sa mga mali nilang gawa?”, I am not saying that I know what’s right, no.

What I’m saying is that all religions are practically the same in purpose and in goal. They all say that if you will be with them, you will be saved. Then their ‘God’ must be selfish enough to just save them and to let all others who believed otherwise to perish.

Religion is just a one big business, the best business in fact because it is tax-free. Run by those people that claim themselves as the earthly representation of ‘God’. Because of those, I just decided to not have a religion at all.

Then you’ll ask, so what do you believe in?

Me having no religion does not follow that I believe that I am the ruler of my life, that I can just manipulate all the things that transpires within and surrounding me to my disposal, no.

I believe that there still is a supreme being up there that guides us and makes us use our brains to find ourselves out in every obstacle a day has to offer.

So plainly said, I have a ‘God’ but I don’t have a religion. I chose not to have one. Because I believe that my God is a fair one. He does not want you to worship him and then threatens you to hell if you’ve done something wrong. He just watches, laughs at us, lets us make sense of our surroundings until we realize what we really truly believe in. o0o Jerjohn Roi Tesorio (EE ‘14) is a former president of Electrical Engineering Network, and a self-proclaimed “super staff” of this publication.

Science

Spectrum 6

and

Tec

Engineering to a Whole Ne Dave Allen Motea, Jo Irene Mary Colobong, Jerjohn Roi Tesorio, Katrina Hazel Malagday and Justinberg Bantigue

SINCE the time former dean, now Vice President for Research, Extension, Planning and Development and concurrent Executive Vice President, Dr. Manue Engineering through his five-point agenda in 2007, the College has rolled up its sleeves and began reforming the guidelines of the undergraduate researches. Ei fruits as four of the researches from our college start to be recognized here and abroad.

Tanglaw and Eco-vee Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) Asia 2014, a week-long race event, which aim to innovate ideas to address energy issues and to think sustainable solutions to the world’s energy problems. This competition challenges students from different parts of Asia to build and drive a fuel-efficient vehicle that will run farthest in just a liter of fuel.

Two Mechanical Engineering teams competed at SEM Asia 2014 held in the heart of Manila. Teams PUP Manila and PUP Hygears raced against 126 teams throughout Asia.

Team PUP Manila officially joined the competition in 2013 to race in Kuala Lumpur. Due to heavy haze caused by forest fires in Indonesia, the competition was postponed, moving the venue from the Malaysia’s capital to the streets of Luneta.

Since the competition was calledoff last year, Team PUP Manila made a major overhaul in the design and other specifications of Tanglaw. The team changed its engine from 5-Hp to 2.5-Hp motor engine for less fuel consumption, and replaced the car’s chassis to aluminum steel alloy to lighten the car’s weight as well as complement to its engine. Its body aesthetics was also re-designed similar to a formula one race car. Its body cover is still made out of abaca fiber, an indigenous material extracted from banana leaves.

With the improved version, Tanglaw could run from 80 to 120km/l.

PUP Hygears, on the other hand, joined the race this year, making two representatives from a state university to compete in this international event.

Hygear’s car Eco-vee is also a prototype car that uses diesel fuel. It has a 5-Hp diesel motor set to run with a maximum speed of 60 km/l. It also has a hand-woven buri mat or banig with aluminum strips for its body cover, fire-retardant wool and insular foam for its interior, and aluminum steel chassis.

The two teams represented the country together with 15 Philippine teams in the race for fuel efficiency and economy.

Unplug Taking the lead in CE’s student researches, the Department of Electrical Engineering proved where quality research can take their students, from notching local research design competitions, now their research reached Ho Chi Minh City at Vietnam.

Earlier this year, out of 50 researches that entered the Schneider Go Green in the City Philippines, the Unplug device of Team Intellectricity from PUP-Electrical Engineering was included as one of the three researches to compete at the finals and later was chosen as the Philippine representative at the Schneider Go Green in the City East Asia Finals at Ho Chi Minh City.

Schneider Electric is considered as the world leader in energy management. They aim for safe, reliable, and efficient energy.

And with this, the company thought of pooling in student researches from all around the world that is in line with their energy management, leading in organizing the Schneider Go Green in the City Challenge.

The research’s main concept was born from a habitual problem that almost all

CHECK-UP. Tanglaw and Eco-vee is set for technical inspection before they go in the racetracks. Both first timers in the race, PUP Manila and Hygears are the only teams who come from a Philippine state university to compete at SEM Asia 2014.

that own an appliance commit negligence in unplugging the devices. Plugged-in appliances, even though not in use, still rakes in energy consumption due to its standby power, those red lights you see near the power button. This element of an appliance is called phantom load.

The research paper cites that the phantom load’s cumulative amount constitutes about 33 percent of the total energy consumption of a local household, according to a study conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, United States. It is then the research’s goal to eliminate, or at the least reduce, the consumption of phantom loads, to help households reduce their electric bills. This is where the device comes in.

Unplug or the Universal Phantom Loss Unloading Gadget is an electronic device that bars phantom load or the stand-by power consumed by the device, preventing an appliance from consuming power when not in use.

The concept of the device is to cut the power supply of the appliance once it detects a sudden variation of power consumption thru a voltage comparator circuit in the device. So when you turn off your appliance, the device will detect the difference in power consumption, it will wait a constant time of 10 seconds before cutting the supply power completely thru a relay circuit.

The device is placed in between the mains, or the power supply, and the appliance.

The research yields approximately 91.76 percent reduction in phantom load once used with the device.

I’LL SHOW YOU HOW. (Top photo, left) Team Intellectricity’s Rommel Areola (EE IV) draws a diagram of how phantom losses occur, and what their device, UnPLUG (below), can do to eliminate those losses. The team is the PH representative at the Schneider Go Green in the City East Asia Finals.

Patrick Roque, Tin Bantigue and Kaycee Victorio

BASED FROM EXPERIENCE. Students often encounter floods ca burdens the public even more, so that CpE students come up wi vicinty of Pureza (right) and anywhere around the metro.

Photo composite from: (

Mobile Emergency Response Application With the current trend on mobile application development, students from the Department of Computer Engineering made an emergency response application that paved way for our Sintang Paaralan to garner another international recognition as they presented their research paper in 2014 International Conference on Information Security and Artificial Intelligence (Icsai) held at Hanoi, Vietnam. The conference aims to deliver a platform for researchers from all over the world to present their papers results and development activities in Information Security and Artificial Intelligence.

Wanting to provide quick response to people experiencing disasters and calamities, Computer Engineering (CpE) researchers created Mobile Emergency Response Application, a smart phone application in which it organizes, coordinates, and directs available resources to respond to emergencies.

For the meantime, this mobile application can run on android phones with Gingerbread 2.3 version or higher.

Using geo-location, the identification of the real-world geographic location of an object, such as radar, mobile phone or an internet-connected computer terminal is made easier. Through this, disaster and risk reduction command centers can automatically identify the approximate location of the request sender.

Since Makati is one of the cities that has a solid campaign for disaster risk reduction, it was chosen as the primary foundation for implementing the application. With the aid of the Makati Command Center (MCC), the city will now adopt the mobile application as their medium for emergency response.

Instead of using conventional landline for emergency calls, sending emergency request in the command center is made more convenient through the mobile

application. Users can on how to make an em First you need to creat makati168.com then v download the applicat can log-in on your acc redirected to the hom internet access, you w location in a map and your location based on users will be prompt w Ambulance, Police an are also hotline tabs fo slow or no connection are landline numbers the command center a numbers to call for he have sufficient cellular The mobile applic MCC to track emerge as they carry out their people’s lives.

RoadFloodPH With Microsoft’s v generation of creators of creating impactful t solutions, ImagineCup young innovators in d to solve world’s toughe the recent Philippine fi Per Unit composed of Department of Compu showcased a smarter s with frequent flood ro Philippines, as per Disaster Report, toppe countries as typhoon Y country last Novembe stuck in a flood on Pu time it rains, the CpE a smarter way to deal Eyeing for an effective that can be accessed e more reliable than any apps, proponents led t RoadFloodPH.

chnology

June 2014

Angelie Grace G. Atol, Editor

7

New Level

el Muhi laid the foundation for a research-oriented ight years later, we can say that it is finally bearing its

TO THE RED PLANET. Elon’s mission by 2026 is to ensure the survival of humanity by getting humans to Mars. Moreover, he wants the carbon dioxide-abundant planet to be his resting place. wonderfulengineering.com

Elon Musk

The real-life Iron Man Angelie Grace G. Atol

aused by heavy rainfall every rainy season. Late advisory of rains ith an effective solution to deal with the frequent flooding in the

(clockwise from left) makati168.com, daybreakembers.blogspot.com, and Katrina Malagday

n follow simple steps mergency request. te an account at verify your email and tion. Thereupon, you count and will be me tab. If you have an will see your current d a written address of n Google maps. The with three buttons: nd Fire Truck. There or those who have n at all. These buttons that are provided by as their alternative elp but be sure you r load. cation also allows ency response units r mission to secure

vision of shaping a s who are capable technological p has gathered again developing apps est problems. In finals, Team Dose f students from the uter Engineering has solution in dealing oads along CEA. r 2013 World ed in the most-prone Yolanda struck the er 2013. Getting ureza road every students thought of with the problem. e flood detector easily and can be y other existing to the concept of

The prototype is composed of Battery Charging Circuit & Power Supply, GSM/ GPRS Module, Battery Bank, and with Ultrasonic Sensor and gizDuino™ (e-Gizmo Mechatronix Central version of Arduino™, an open source computing platform based on simple input/ output board and the use of standard programming language) which processes the sensor’s analog signal into a usable digital value of distance. Flood height is determined by subtracting the sensor’s height with respect to the floor minus the sensed distance between the sensor and the flood water.

The ultrasonic sonar module requires a power input of 3 volts or within the range of 3 to 5 volts. The sound produced by the sensor is in frequency of 40 kilo-Hertz.

The sensor’s range of detection is from 2 centimeters to 350 centimeters (3.5 meters).

The derived data from signal analysis is passed to the web server with the use of GSM/GPRS shield and the Globe Labs API (Application Programming Interface).

The GSM/GPRS shield use Short Message Service (SMS) as the communication protocol of data transfer.

Globe Labs API will serve as the intermediary application to deliver SMS to SMS subscribers. In addition, Globe Labs API is in charge of sending/receiving SMS from the road flood unit sensor to the RoadFloodPH server with the use of call back URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).

If the server already received the data from the Globe Labs API, it will now process the messages and updates to the website, mobile, Facebook app and SMS subscribers.

In order to disseminate information detected by the prototype, proponents had created a web and mobile application. With the use of this app on mobile phones and internet, we can keep track of passable or impassable routes and roadways.

TONY Stark does exist for real.

Just like in the superhero movie, this man sees the future like no one else does, exploring beyond the boundaries of modern technology. Out of passion, he invests on things that he believes will benefit the next generation.

Influenced by his father to embrace the marvels of technology, Elon Musk pursued his deep urge to change the world of technology. Perhaps a drop-out student of applied physics, he became one of the most successful aviation entrepreneur, business magnate, physicist, billionaire, inventor, and philanthropist.

The young Elon Grew up in South Africa, the young Elon was already exposed in the world of technology. He had his first computer when he was 10, and eventually learned programming by the age of 12. In fact, he created a computer game called “Ballaster”. Having a geek wit and a business mindset, he sold the game for USD 500.00.

When he moved to Canada, Musk entered college at Queen’s University and pursued a degree in Economics then he took Physics as his second degree. He acquired his doctor of Philosophy degree in Applied Physics at Stanford University.

Jack of all trades When he dropped in the rolls of doctorate degree in 1995, Musk established his first company, Zip2, together with his brother Kimbal. Zip2 is an online database providing contents for New York Times and Chicago Tribune.

The brothers eventually sold the company to Compaq computers for USD 307 million in cash and USD 34M in stock options.

In 1999, Musk started X.com, presently known as PayPal, and became its largest shareholder commanding 11.7 percent of its shares. He later on sold his shares to eBay amounting to USD 1.5 billion in 2002.

Space exploration and electric cars Musk became the chief executive officer and chief designer of Space Exploration Technologies, also known as

FROM DRIFTING HIGHWAYS TO GALAXY SPACE. Tesla Model S and Space X’s Falcon 9 are Musk’s newest innovations. carltonbale.com and parabolicarc.com SpaceX, in 2002. For him, space shuttles are just ordinary and space rockets are now the new trend. SpaceX’s rocket ships are said to be cheaper and more reliable than the conventional space shuttles. Its first ever dragon capsule called the Falcon 9 marked the history of spaceflight as it landed in the International Space Station in May 22, 2012. Since then, it has already sent five rockets in the Earth’s orbit, costing USD 1.6 billion worth of contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

So far, Falcon 9 is the sole means of the United States for space voyage. There were 2,000 people in charge of designing and building new rockets for future space navigations. The materials used for the rocket’s body is more on extruded aluminum formed in tubes. While inside this rocket is laboratories wrapped with twisting stainless steel.

Musk also launched the first everElectric car in June 2008 in partnership with the Toyota Company. Unlike typical cars which are electric-gasoline hybrid, Tesla cars use pure electricity. It can travel 200-300 miles with just single charge, leaps

zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds and slows down from 60 to a dead stop of 105 feet. It can accommodate up to 5 persons and has a compartment for bags and golf clubs.

Moreover, the company is on the process of developing an efficient four-door electric Seidan.

To minimize climate change and to colonize the red planet- Mars are Elon Musk’s impossible dreams working on its way to wanders of reality. To many, putting life in Mars is as impossible as counting the stars but to this man, who is in his early forties, believes that someday the boundless potential of upgrading or rather expanding the future of human race and space exploration will one day come into pass. With that vision, he founded Musk Foundation, an organization focusing on space exploration and discovering new sources of clean and renewable energy.

“Most people, when they make a lot of money, [they] don’t want to take risk. For me, it was never about money but solving problems for the future of humanity, “Musk quoted.

Features 8

Spectrum

Nedgeor Lei M. Avance, Editor

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

June 2014

This is not the biblical story of a prophet thrown in the lion’s den.

Yes, he is still trapped. But this time, Daniel is the lion.

LOOKING FORWARD. In his stagnant four-hour routine of waiting for his father to fetch him, Daniel looks ahead to the things he is bound to conquer–diploma,career, and health–despite of his muscular disorder that limits his physical capacity.

Domyson Abuan Marra Diadem M. Andaya

HOW can you survive a life when a shadow of fear follows you wherever you go? This is the situation of a lion living in a den, where limits and darkness munch through space. It is the other side of the story – where roars are amplified by the fear and silence is drawn by despair. Daniel is the determined lion, untroubled by any fears in conquering his battles in life.

Fear of death Daniel James Punzalan is born with Spinal Muscular AthropyType Werdnig-Hoffman Disease.

It is a neurological disorder which affects balance and coordination causing muscle weakness and paralysis. He is unable to walk and uses a wheelchair as a mode of immediate transportation.

Daniel’s doctor said that for common cases like his, patients do not live beyond two years of age.

Surprisingly, he broke that yoke of death. His struggle for his life did not end there.

Aside from his illness, he was also diagnosed with scoliosis.

The doctor suggested him to take a surgery that costs more than PhP200,000.00 for the titanium framing alone excluding the operational expenses.

Beyond the lack of sufficient funds, he also took into consideration the pain during the operation and the adjustments thereafter that is why he and his family turned down the intent for surgery. Furthermore, scoliosis is not as deadly as his muscle disease.

Continuing life positively, he encountered another threat for his life. Advanced researches opted to inform him that there is a high chance that he cannot be able to live beyond 21 years old.

“Iisipin ko po iyong family ko na kahit ano pang napagdaanan ko mula pagkabata, pinilit nila

akong kayanin ko. Kung susuko ako ngayon sayang lang yung mga past na nangyari,” Daniel said in faith.

Despite of these problems, he is still positive that God has a plan for him and he is very grateful that God already had given him extra days.

He overcame death at the age of two and he bravely believes he can surpass death again.

Fear of failure He had always dreamt of becoming a computer engineer. He still wanted to see whether there was some life out there beyond the narrow limits of his life. Somehow he always hoped, still, that there was a means to overcoming this limit.

He has that fear of failing in reaching his dream–to be a computer engineer. Being impaired, this is a more difficult test rather than taking tests or exams coming from his professors.

One of the main reasons people do not set high expectations is fear of failure and he is aware of it. These are the hindrances like the fact that he can’t go to school alone, he needs to work harder and spend more hours in studying and completing projects than other students to get the same grade.

sharing, “Nung first year, yung room po namin sa condotel po, [at] wala pang elevator [doon]. Then sa third floor pa kami kaya yung mga classmates ko binubuhat pa po ako.”

Aside from that, class ends at 3:00PM during Tuesdays and he needs to wait for his dad to fetch him until 7:00PM because of their car’s number coding.

“Iyong patience, [at] pagaantay. Sa kalagayan ko po nag-aantay po ako ng ilang oras…

Hindi po kagaya ng iba na pwedeng gumala muna or umuwi mag-isa at mag-commute. Ako, wala po akong magagawa kasi hindi naman ako makapag-commute,” he said.

In crucial schedules, he needs to go to school at 7:30 in the morning and wait for his dad to pick him up at 8:30PM. Withstanding crucial schedules like this is no laughing matter as he waits in a span of hours.

Not just that, he is a sure absent every time his father suffers from arthritis. His dad is the only one who fetches him to school. The life through the eyes of Daniel is not that easy. At times Daniel gets frustrated by not being able to do things other people take for granted such as walking or planning a journey.

Fear of limitations When asked about his notso-good yet beloved experiences in the university so far, he started

Fear of future The fear didn’t stop there. Not being able to get a job in the future is his greatest fear in life. He knows

that because of his inability to walk, the companies will see it as a disadvantage if they will hire him.

This gave him so much pressure because he is a silent type of person and admits that he’s not good during interviews.

The word pity and its attendant practices — especially the puzzlepain-horror look on people’s faces as they stare at him — have been his life’s companion since childhood. In spite of having this fear, Daniel doesn’t want to let it hold him back. He said that he will continue to study hard and he will train and prepare himself until that time comes.

“Kinakabahan po ako pag naiisip ko yung trabaho. Sinasabi ko na lang sa sarili ko na ‘pag dumating yung time na ‘yon dapat ready na ‘ko. Tutal four years pa naman, kaya paghahandaan ko po,” Daniel said with determination.

Getting steady He sets personal, academic, and career goals by knowing where his limits are and working around them. If someone says he can’t do something, and he haven’t tried it before, that just makes him more determined to prove that someone’s wrong. If he fails, at least he tried.

That’s what counts. Knowing and valuing yourself, having dreams and acting on it is required to make your dreams come true. He keeps going when people tells him he can’t. He is not afraid to try things and he doesn’t give up.

During his high school graduation, people were clapping their hands and they were amazed because he graduated despite of his disability. A priceless victory made this a turning point in his life that

he could not let frustrations prevail to avoid learning things. His desire to complete his education had begun.

“Na-inspire akong ipagpatuloy yun and ine-expect din nila na kailangan galingan ko. Kaya pinipilit ko po yung sarili ko, kinakaya ko. Nakakatuwang isipin na nai-inspire ko sila pati yung mga kaklase ko na natutuwa kasi kahit ganito ako, kinakaya ko,” Daniel said.

Despite of the struggles that he needs to face as an engineering student, his determination makes him stronger to face the challenges.

Persons with disabilities could pursue formal education in spite of their conditions. This fact only served to remind him that he needs to do his best for him to achieve his dreams.

Daniel encouraged his fellow PUPians to study harder, to persevere, and to pursue their dreams. He said that education can uplift their lives.

“Yung pag-aaral po na ‘to ay para sa’tin din naman. Kapag pinag-sipagan mo ngayon, ikaw din magbe-benefit sa future. Sabi nga ng mga magulang ko, kung wala mang kayamanan na mapapamana, yung mapapamana lang sayo ay yung mga natutunan mo sa school. Yun yung madadala mo para maging successful sa buhay.”

Moving forward If he will be given a chance to walk again, the first place where he wants to go is to be in the church.

He said that he will go there and pray and thank the Lord.

“Sa simbahan, magpapasalamat ako kay Lord. Kapag nagkaroon Daniel in/ p. 9

features

Spectrum June 2014

9

Inside the Bat Mobile Engineering Spectrum unveils the secrets of PUP Confessions, and its sociological and psychological upshot to PUPians.

Harvin C. Reyes

Rise of the dark knight November 8 of last year is when it all started. TPC made noise to the on-line world specifically to the PUP community accumulating 18,000 Facebook likes in just two days. Here, you can spot various confessions from random people inside and outside PUP. Some streams about love affairs and extraordinary experiences that readers, particularly college students, would get interested to.

In TPC, the admin hides his identity behind the hero movie

character in his ever famous bat mobile.

“Bahala na si Batman” is an expression frequently heard before examinations and when people take risks. It is from this that the administrator chose the super hero as his Facebook ego.

Not your ordinary superhero Sending a confession through the Facebook message button is a thrill to everyone. It is because the senders’ identities are revealed to Batman through the accounts they use.

Some may say it’s unfair compared to other confession pages that provide sites where people can send their confessions without being known. But for Batman, using Google documents will take more process. He said that all we need to have is mutual respect and trust.

Batman has strategies to maintain TPC’s fame. It has different segments to divert people’s attention from one topic to another. Batman has his own ways of making twists and turns in his page such as the Batman Questions wherein he asks random queries to be answered through comments. To add feature to confessions, there is the More Fun in PUP photos that shows caught-in-theact moments in the university. There are also segments for quotations such as the #umiintelektuwaltayo coming from PUP professors, and Batman’s quotes.

Unveiling the mask Who is Batman?

According to the observation of Aga Khan Lavarez, a sociologist from PUP, Batman is inclined to literature and the likes.

“Sino ba ang taong mahilig makinig

SKELETONS IN THE ‘VIRTUAL’ CLOSET. Social media becomes a venue of deep secrets--split-personalities, wild experiences, life frustrations and long-kept emotions--that is for everyone to share. Photo composite from Google Images ng maraming kuwento? Madalas ‘yan yung mga writers, yung mga taong inclined sa ganoong isipin,” he added.

Lavarez also said that Batman enjoys everything he does for the reason that he gets the chance to accommodate youth as more stories unfold in front of him.

Also, he stated that Batman is powerful. He thinks that Batman has the ability to slaughter whoever he wants through the choice of confessions to be posted. He sets the trend by bringing up the topic he wants to buzz. Anyone in Facebook can post comments that could be encouraging or harsh. Thus, Batman also dispersed the power to everyone.

Even if they are not sure with the security of their identities, senders still have the urge to confess.

“Sa dami ng pinoproblema niya, nakakahinga lang siya sa virtual world,” Lavarez said pertaining to the senders.

With this, they get their wide range of audience and more importantly, companions. He also explained that even if some of the commentaries are pointless, at least they would see other people’s sides and opinions.

As to the readers, TPC can be such a benefit.

“Mahalaga kasi ‘yun sa isang tao, na makakita ka ng katulad mo,” said

Daniel in the Lion’s Den / p. 8

“

Lavarez. Most of us react on situations and things we can relate to. If you spotted a confession with the same concerns as yours, you may probably comprehend that you are not alone in this world. More likely, you would read the comments from the readers and take note some of them.

Batman assured that senders can count on him in keeping them anonymous. This shows how aware he is of the trust people give him.

He quoted, “Ano naman ang mapapala ni Batman sa confessions niyo kung ipagkakalat ko ito sa real world, di naman ako yayaman.”

Everyone has his own purpose of doing things. There will always be deeper reasons behind every action. Some may be thinking that Batman’s purpose is just for personal benefits. One thing’s for sure. With what he’s doing, transparency is being established about the way PUPians live.

Free as a bat Batman described PUP as the provider of freedom, justice and the reality of life brought by different tongues that make up the society.

Even if bashers commented that unwholesome posts degrade the image of the university, he believes that it is

the freedom itself that the PUPians should be proud of.

“Ito ang ating identity bilang mga iskolar ng bayan.” he stated.

Rod Lopiga, a psychologist from PUP Department of Psychology, said “Well... [It is] good na may avenue sila to express what they want. Pero mas maganda kung totoo ang kanilang sasabihin” he added.

On the other hand, he advised not to use TPC in trashing a person’s image. He then hopes that the purpose of the people who confess is to help others and themselves as well.

The youth today lives more freely than the past generations. They say what’s on their mind and undress themselves to the society. With an avenue like PUP Confessions, they are fearless.

The PUP Confessions is Batman’s mobile. He is the driver and he has set himself to arrive in his intended destination.

People might have tried riding his spree and enjoyed it. However, it is still better to relish the dash of your personal mobile. Just like Batman, we have our own steering wheels to control. We should learn how to decide what route to take, who will be the significant parts of it, and where we want to go.

“

THERE are things we choose not to let the world know due to certain fears of judgment. We seek for ways on how to break free from this burden. With this, humans have found a way to lighten the load. To cater the issues of life, an online ear has been created.

“Anak ako sa pagkadalaga ni Mama. Napakabata ko pa noong makapag-asawa siya. Pero habang lumalaki ako, hindi naging maganda ang pakikitungo ko sa kanya. Hindi kami magkasundo…”; “May naka-relasyon po akong prof.

Nitong June to October lang tumagal.

Mejo nami-miss ko na nga s’ya e. Iba pala yung pakiramdam…”; “Ayoko nang mag-aral. Hindi, gusto kong mag-aral. Gustong-gusto kong mag-aral at matuto ng maraming bagay. Ang ayoko ay yung sistema sa eskwelahan…”

Posted by anonymous people, these lines are found in a talkedabout Facebook page called The PUP Confessions (TPC). The prime purpose of this page is to make every Iskolar ng Bayan and youth aware of the occurrences in the university.

Iisipin ko po yung family ko na kahit ano pang napagdaanan ko mula pagkabata, pinilit nila akong kayanin ko. Kung susuko ako ngayon, sayang lang yung mga past na nangyari...

PEOPLE COME AND GO. Daniel encounters different people--some CEans walk past him; others stop for a while to take a glance; while his friends talk with him about endless stories.

Domyson Abuan

ng solusyon na makapaglakad ulit ako.

Lahat naman ng bagay galing sa Kanya.

Magpapasalamat ako sa Kanya na binigyan niya ‘ko ng pagkakataon maglakad,” Daniel ended with a smile.

Daniel is a person who is brave enough to fight his disability. To achieve success in his study despite of all the hindrances he is facing is his greatest goal in life. He wants to overcome all the obstacles that may come in his way and never let his disabilities ruin his life. It proves that having a disability is not an excuse to give up.

In everything that disabled persons do,

there is always an extra effort to spare, admit it or not. With that, their lives are like a run for an extra mile.

Their journey is way harder and tougher than the normal ones and they bear it with a strong spirit in order to live another day.

After all, the heart for any fate is always worth the labor and wait.

The limits just make Daniel more determined to see what’s beyond the den.

As for him, he knows that there is a need to leap out with faith to enjoy the vastness of opportunities waiting for his conquering uproar.

Issues

Spectrum

10

June 2014

Change for good InDepth

Arra Clarize M. Jose

CHANGE is the only constant thing in this world and so it applies to different universities in the country as they opt to move the start of their classes from June to August. Top universities like University of the Philippines (UP), University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University already announced the change in school calendar effective for academic year 2015-2016 except UP which will take effect this academic year.

The said institutions adopted the new academic calendar to synchronize with other universities in Southeast Asia in connection to the proposed economic integration of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) due next year.

Meanwhile, state universities and colleges (SUCs), aside from UP which have their own charter, sticked with the current academic calendar since the decision will be coming from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). Thus, PUP as an SUC will have to comply with the decision that the commission will give.

However, on a statement released by CHEd last March it reflected that the idea of academic calendar shift is not advisable. This is after months of review concerning its effects.

Going Global In an interview to UP Vice President for Administration Prospero de Vera, he pointed out that the change would be beneficial for higher institutions in the country for this could create joint programs with international universities especially now that the economic integration of Southeast Asian nations is approaching.

But this was countered by former CHEd Chair Patricia Licuanan saying that the best way to internationalize is for schools to “intensify their quality assurance, capacity-building, and institutional development programs.” As for the coming Asean 2015, Licuanan emphasized that the country should focus more on the quality of the graduates that it is producing.

CHEd also expressed that the government should check whether the country is able to produce graduates with competitive skills in line with Asean Qualifications Reference Framework, a framework that will function as a device to enable comparisons of qualifications across ASEAN Member States.

Weather, Weather Another reason for the change of academic calendar is the weather condition in the country. Months from June to August are rainy seasons specifically in Metro Manila where most universities are located. Heavy rains in the metro resulting to floods cause class suspensions, thus, lessening the total number of school days prescribed by Republic Act No. 7797, which sets the school calendar to a maximum of 220 class days and states that school year should start on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August.

However, Licuanan said that there will be a socio-cultural implication concerning the issue. She cited, farming and fishing communities have financial conflicts on the calendar shift during the month of August since agricultural cycles cause them to run out of financial resources.

Also, the Department of Education is suggesting that start of classes should be retained to June saying that classes on summer will not be convenient due to high temperature. A survey conducted by the department even shows that 90 percent of the respondents support the June-March calendar.

While some universities will start to move their academic calendar, the rest will continue to implement the traditional one. With all the changes that have been presented we can draw a picture of two sides- those who are in favor and not.

We are all bound to experience change. Most of the times, we see the inconvenience of change but at the end of the day we need to think on what are the things that need reforms. The shifting of academic calendar, in some ways, might be helpful but we have to look whether the action will address the current situation of our educational system.

WE would like to take the opportunity to thank all the editors, writers and cartoonists that made this issue possible. To Engr. Remedios Ado for facilitating our disbursments, maraming maraming salamat po. To Procurement Director Juan Publico for facilitating the bidding process of our newspapers. To Aga Khan Lavarez and Rod Lopiga of Credo, and to guard on-duty Virgilio Bequillo for always reminding us every night. Lastly, to the Divine Providence for guiding each and everyone of us, for giving creative juices to every editors and staffers of this publication; and to all CEans for keeping the faith in Spectrum. Maraming, maraming salamat po.

Mian Thank you Ma’am Remy Ado. | Allan Salamat men! digs. | Marvel Thank you DF for making me smile always. Xoxo. A big thanks to all the staffs for the dedication and being responsible on all the activities we conducted. Thanks to all the supporters and contestants of SBION and for peeps out there for the YES of being part of the Selfie Page. ‘Til next time. Kaway to BSCE Struc3 Batch ’16! Leggo do the marching soon. CEans, smile! | Harvin We are all writers of our own stories, yet we have our one great Editor. A million thanks! | Joe maraming maraming thank you po sa mga ka spek ko at mga classmates ko sa bsie 3-2.. Un lng more power sa spek!! :D | Domyson Walang hanggang pasasalamat sa lahat ng tumulong para sa katuparan ng isyung ito.

Great experience ang makatrabaho kayo. | Carlos Salamat kay God sa pagbibigay sakin ng time para mabuhay at makapagsulat dito. Pati na rin sa nanay ko na nagbibigay sakin ng baon. At panghuli, sa babeng nagpapangiti sakin. Labyu ka, kung sino ka man! Salamat din sa’yo dahil isa kang matalinong produkto ng makabagong lipunan dahil nagagawa mo pa ring magbasa ng dyaryo kaysa tumambay sa kanto. | Trisha Salamat dahil naging parte ako ng dyaryong ito. Arigato gozaimasu! Lalo na kay *TOOOOOOOT* | Ram Salamat sa mga iskepapips at sa bagong galit nag galit na EIC mabuhay ka ipaglaban ang katipunan. | Anie Thank you kay God, Brimon Family, ADF Family, CpE 5-Tumal, to my Yobu and to all my friends around the world. Hahaha. And to Spek, it’s nice to be back. Achuchu. | Dave Salamat sa lahat :D sa Spek, sa EYO GG, TRI-TU, hart hart di nyo ko binibigo,. At sa nanay kong walang sawang nagrereklamo pagnakakauwi ako ng bahay :D *ito naba ang part na iiyak ako HAHAHA* | Marlon Salamat sa LG5HS di nyo ako binibigo. Memes pa more | Vincent Sa wakas! Salamat kay God! At sa extended free FB ng TM! Updated lagi e. | Cedrich Dami kong natutunan sa loob at labas ng airconditioned room ng spec! The chills! \m/ | Teddy Salamat sa lahat ng mga karanasan sa loob at labas ng CEA! XD. | Ria Thanks sa lahat (period) Marami akong natutunan. At thank you na rin para sa malalaman ko pa | Edcel Salamat sa mga kapwa Spekapips sa ‘di malilimutang karanasan sa pagbuo ng dyaryong ito. | Tin Salamat sa lahat ng Spekapips na naging parte ng issue na ito. Salamat at kahit papaano, hindi kayo nagsawa. Salamat at kumapit pa rin kayo.

Salamat Madam, Kuya Land, Ate Redge dahil hindi kayo napagod sa akin sa loob ng limang taong pananatili ko sa Spek. Maraming, maraming salamat. Hanggang sa muli. :)

Tiway.doc

Abolishing the culture Bull’s Eye TO promote nationalism and youth involvement both on public and civic affairs are the objectives of National Service Training Program (NSTP).

To achieve these goals, the youth must be motivated, trained and mobilized through military training, literacy, civic welfare and other similar activities.

Tertiar y level students are required to undergo training in one of three NSTP components comprised of Literacy Training Services (LTS), Civic Welfare Training Services, and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

In PUP, incoming freshmen students can choose between CWTS and ROTC for their NSTP. Most of them choose CWTS for there are no extreme training needed. But in the name of nationalism and the call of duty, some freshmen still choose ROTC as their service training course.

Unfortunately, an incident happened, putting ROTC again into hot waters.

The act of hazing A freshman from Institute of Technology named “Sheena”, 18, was allegedly assaulted by two senior cadets inside the armory of the university’s ROTC office afternoon of January 16, after she failed to attend the briefing of applicants for the cadet officers’ candidate course the night before.

She stated in her affidavit that the senior officers have struck her and two other comrades with wooden sticks and a wooden rifle, leaving

Cedrich Joshua Yllana Q. Delos Santos them severely bruised in the hands and on the back of their thighs. The officers told them what they did was to teach them to ‘be responsible’.

An investigation had been made and charges were filed against the two cadet officers which lead to their expulsion from the university.

This incident revived the call to abolish ROTC in the selection of NSTP for its ‘brutal’, ‘sadistic’, and ‘violent’ approach among the cadets.

The goal of ROTC in accordance to section four of NSTP Act of 2001 is to instill patriotism, moral virtues, respect for rights of civilians, and adherence to the Constitution. So, do these goals met by beating the crap out of their own comrade?

New NSTP bill It can be recalled when Mark Welson Chua, a second-year ME student and also an ROTC cadet from the University of Santo Tomas, was murdered and thrown at Pasig River after he revealed the anomalies inside the university’s ROTC in 2001. Chua’s death paved the way to the formation of NSTP Act of 2001, depite of several protests to abolish the said program.

This act added two components in the service training program making ROTC optional and voluntary for students.

Though the said program is no longer mandatory, there are still cases of abuse due to ‘power-tripping’ of few officers, or in some cases, the army commandant to other cadets.

In a press release posted in the House of Representative website, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon

stated that, “What we need as a nation today is not an army of young men and women trained in the ways of military but an army of volunteers and advocates ready to serve and uphold the needs of their communities and the nation as a whole.”

Ridon authored and filed before the Congress the House Bill No. 3143 or the NSTP Reform Act. Through the expansion of mandate in NSTP, students will be able to render services that will strengthen the training service program into more varied courses that will provide more avenues for socio-civic services, in which the government can foster among youth patriotism, nationalism and selfless service to others, as enshrined in the Constitution.

He added that if this bill passed into a law, ROTC will be dissolved, and simultaneously it will institute six new programs such as comprehensive community service, community-based health and nutrition, community immersion, disaster preparedness, ecological service, and human rights education and advocacy programs.

Given the fact that ROTC’s objectives are seemingly pure, the program is not the real problem here but the people who run this program does. In this case, abolishing ROTC may reduce cases of violence inside the campus. The full expansion of community service reforms must be implemented.

After all, this nation needs an army of volunteers and advocates who are ready to serve.

I never stop doing things for Spek until I get back. This time, as the EIC. Though we have setbacks in doing this issue, we hold on and finish what we have started.

For the last five years I’ve been in the publication, I have taste all the flavors of life; and all of that I have to thank these people in the publication.

Despite all the headaches, frustrations and all the happiest memories I cherished with them

since the beginning, I have learned the greatest lesson in life: that is to connect to the people and build a strong rapport between you and to the people around you.

Like what I have said, you have to complement the taste to get the right mix.

Those lesson I have learned, I got them to all of my colleagues in Engineering Spectrum—the one who gave me the flavor of life.

The flavor of life / p. 4 Editors back then who have help me to make it possible with their own style, and besides, mahirap kaya gumawa ng dyaryo na Filipino ang gamit na midiyum? But still we are able to do so in our special issue two years ago.

I have also go through my downfall where I feel I’ve lost everything and only felt bitterness.

Regardless of what happened to me in the remainder of my five-year stay,

circle

Spectrum June 2014

11

Falling in love to my bestfriend Sugar and Spice

Dear Sugar and Spice, Typical story man ito sa iba, pero sa akin hindi. First time kasi nangyari sa akin ang lahat.

I have this guy bestfriend for three years, at halos araw-araw kaming magkasama—sa klase, sa pagkain, sa pag-aaral at kung saan-saan pa. As in magkaibigan lang talaga. Inaasar na nga kami ng lahat ng mga kaibigan namin pati mga prof pero laging sagot lang namin ay “We’re just bestfriends”.

Minsan nga napag-uusapan pa namin ang tungkol sa crushes naming dalawa pero ni minsan hindi pumasok sa isipan ko kung paano kapag kaming dalawa ang pumasok sa isang relationship, iyon bang more than friends?

Dumating ang panahon na sinubukan ang friendship namin.

Dumating sa punto na hindi na kami masyadong nag-uusap. Hindi na rin namin nagagawa ang mga nakasanayan namin marahil dahil pareho kaming officer ng isang org kaya naging busy na kami sa mga kanyakanyang responsibilidad.

Then one night, nag-usap kami ng bestfriend ko. Tinanong ko siya kung bakit lagi siyang umiiwas.

Noong ako na ang tinatanong tungkol sa isa ko pang kaibigan na lagi kong kasama, sinabi ko na lang na crush ko ang kaibigan kong iyon.

Siyempre hindi ko sasabihin ang totoong dahilan. Natatakot kasi ako sa magiging reaksiyon niya kapag sinabi ko ang totoo. Isa pa, ayaw kong mawala ang friendship namin.

Alam niyang hindi ako nagsasabi ng totoo. Hindi daw siya naniniwala at pinipilit ako na umamin. Pinilit niya ako nang pinilit hanggang sa bandang huli, sinabi ko na gusto ko siya, inamin ko na may feelings ako sa kanya na higit pa sa isang bestfriend.

Sinasabi ko pa noon ‘yong iba pang mga dahilan tapos inakbayan na niya ako at sabay sabi ng sorry. Nag-iba ang pakiramdam ko sa kanya noong mga oras na iyon. Hindi ko alam basta ang importante okay na kami.

Nang sumunod na mga araw, kahit busy at maraming ginagawa, okay pa rin kami. Hanggang sa nagkita ulit kami ng bestfriend ko. Nakangiti kaming sumalubong sa isa’t isa, as usual. Pero noong mga oras na iyon, napansin ko na mas iba ang ngiti niya.

Tinawag niya ako mula sa labas ng office namin at dinala niya ako sa fire exit. Nag-iba ang pakiramdam ko at naguluhan ako sa kanya.

Bigla siyang nag-sorry sa akin.

Nabigla lang daw siya sa mga pangyayari dahil matagal na kaming

nagkalayo. Hindi pa daw niya kayang mag-commit sa relationship namin at baka mapabayaan niya lang ito. Iyak ako ng iyak ng mga panahong iyon habang siya ay paulit-ulit na nagsosorry sa akin. Gusto niya pa ding ibalik ang dati naming samahan pero sinabi ko na malabo na mangyari ang hinihiling niya.

Binawi niya iyong kasiyahan na binigay niya sakin. Napakabilis naman.

Ilang araw rin bago kami nakapagusap hanggang sa magkasama ulit kami sa isang activity ng org namin.

Pagkatapos, nag-usap kami kasama ang dalawa pa naming kaibigan.

Casual talk lang. May ikinuwento siya that time about a girl na gusto niya dati.

Ang sabi niya hoping pa din siya na magkagusto sa kanya ang girl.

Nagalit ako nang narinig ko iyon.

Nasaktan ako ng sobra.

Kahit papaano mas mahalaga pa rin ang pagkakaibigan namin kaya bago magpasko naisip ko na ibalik na lang ang pagiging mag-bestfriend namin. Masakit man, pinili ko na tiisin iyon maibalik lang ang lahat sa dati.

Hanggang ngayon may feeling pa rin ako para sa kanya. Siya lang ang nagpadama sa akin ng ganitong pakiramdam.

Ngayong mayroong gustong manligaw sa akin, hindi ko alam kung ang lalaking ito ang makakatulong sa akin upang makalimot at makapagmove on.

Anong sa tingin ninyo, Sugar and Spice? Dapat bang ipagpatuloy pa ako na umasa kay bestfriend o ibukas ko na lamang ang bagong opportunity sa ibang lalaki?

Umaasa, Chabee *** Hi Chabee!

Una sa lahat, maraming salamat at ipinagkatiwala mo ang kwento mo sa amin.

May dalawang bagay kung bakit hindi ka na dapat umasa: Una, kung totoong pinapahalagahan mo ang pagkakaibigan niyo, makukuntento ka na sa kung anumang mayroon kayo.

Sa’yo na rin nanggaling, nasaktan ka na kaya dapat natuto ka na. Move on. Wala na rin namang dahilan para ilagay mo pa ang sarili mo sa isang emotional rollercoaster.

Pangalawa, may mga bagay na kahit anong pilit mo, hindi talaga para sa’yo o kaya naman hindi pa para ngayon. Tulad ng prutas kapag pinitas mo ng hindi pa hinog, kung hindi maasim, ito ay mapakla. Madidismaya ka lang. Parang pag-ibig yan, huwag mo munang gisingin hangga’t hindi pa panahon. Mas pagtuunan mo ng pansin ang pag-aaral mo at ang org na pinagsisilbihan mo.

Kung sakali na mapagdesisyunan mong mag-move on na talaga, learn to set boundaries for yourself. I-deal mo na sa sarili mo na kahit anupamang kabutihan ang ipakita niya, hindi

mo bibigyan ng ibang kahulugan.

Lagi mong paalalahanan ang sarili mong kaibigan mo siya-nothing more, nothing less.

Alam kong hindi magiging madali lalo pa’t madalas kayong nagkakasama.

Pero nasa sa’yo pa rin yan, kung gusto mo talagang makalimot, at the same time i-treasure ang pagkakaibigan niyo, gagawa ka ng paraan. Feelings mo yan. Higit kanino man, ikaw lang ang may kakayanang mag-control n’yan.

Para naman sa nanliligaw sa sa’yo, I have two words for you: not now. Magiging unfair para sa kanya kung ang layunin mo sa pagpasok sa panibagong relasyon ay ang magmove on sa bestfriend mo. Hindi ba’t mas masarap magmahal kung nakatitiyak kang healed ka na at kaya mo ng manindigan. Ang pag-ibig ay nakapaghihintay kaya hindi mo kailangang madaliin ang sarili mo.

I know you’re smart enough para piliin ang tama at i-prioritize ang dapat. Kaya mo yan!

*** Dear Chabee, Didiretsuhin kita. Marami na kayong pinagsamahan ng bestfriend mo. Ang bago mong manliligaw ay bigla nalang sumulpot sa istorya mo. Kaya huwag na huwag mong magagawang piliin ang manliligaw mo.

Hindi masama ang magbigay ng pagkakataon sa isang tao. Pero kung bibigyang pansin mo ang sitwasyon, maling piliin ang bago mong manliligaw para sa kadahilanang gusto mong mag move-on sa nararamdaman mo sa bestfriend mo. Kapag ganoon ang ginawa mo, hindi lang ang manliligaw mo ang lolokohin mo kundi pati ang sarili mo.

Itinuring mo siyang bestfriend dahil espesyal siya. Sigurado ako na ganoon ka din sa kanya. Kayo ang higit na nakakikilala sa isa’t isa. Ngunit tingnan mo ang estado ng pagiging matalik ninyong magkaibigan.

Marahil natatakot siyang magkamali sa relasyon dahil bihasa na siya sa pagiging bestfriend. Ang mga eksenang napapanood niya sa TV, naririnig niya sa kwentuhan sa kanto at nababasa niya sa mga nobela ang maaring nagbigay sa kanya ng takot. Masaya siya sa pagiging magbestfriend niyo at hindi niya kayang isugal ito.

Ngunit kaibigan, hindi ka dapat sumuko. Ikaw na ang nagsabi na ilang ulit man kayong hindi nagpapansinan, tadhana na ang gumagawa ng paraan para kayo magkausap at magkaintindihan. Kailangan niyong intindihin na ang pagmamahal ay makapangyarihan. Unconditional love, ika nga. Partner ng pagmamahal ang destiny. Ano man ang mangyari, mangyayari ang tadhana mo.

BOOM PANES Hay, grabe... ang init sa ‘pinas. tsk!

Your friend, Sugar

Lubos na gumagalang, Spice

Joe Olivare Dapat kasi dumidistansya ka sa’kin. alam mo namang hot ako, eh.

Kaya pala lalong umiinit eh. lakas ng “Air Pollution”!

Dumadagdag sa global warming.

PASADO

Glendale Joel Jabonillo Yes! pasado pa ako. ikaw, dre?

Anong grade mo?

Mababa, dre.

57 over 100. hehe.

over 100?...

HE says...

SHE says...

Marvelous Jeffrey Artuz and Trisha Cabral

WONDERING what is with the hot chicks that drive boys wild? What kind of guys do girls fall in love to? We did a roam-around mission and overheard a conversation of a chic and a hearttrob. The things below give tips that might help you for your next lovapalooza.

Act cool. Do not pretend to be someone else.

Your imperfect originality makes you special. And don’t forget to be yourself.

Closeness to Girls. You’re a guy. Don’t you think being too close with girls can give the inkling that you’re, well, uhm… a gay?

Bashful Smiles. You hate turning red around me but that blushing smile melts my heart every time I see it.

Humor. Every single smile drawn from your jokes counts. So having a good sense of humor could really get my attention.

Be Confident. First impressions are at first meet.

Walk it off like Megan Young. Bur NEVER overdo it and pose it off overplayed just to gain my attention.

The “Prudent” over the “Know-it-all”. Being knowledgeable compels girls. But be humble.

Don’t you think I won’t be telling stories about you to my friends. Right?

Open Up, Cry. Doom and gloom situations might drive you crazy. Shall I tease you for your vulnerability, but remember that I will always be here and offer you my shoulder.

Dependable Shoulder. A terrible day calls out not for a carefree jokester but a comforting shoulder to lean on. Just listen to my story, it makes me feel better.

Be creative! Alas, being hot does not mean going out backless and on miniskirts. Do not dress up like a nun, though. Show a bit of skin but not too much that it looks unrefined and cheap.

Visionary and Responsible. I like a guy who thinks of his directions to make his dreams happen. I want to be with someone ready to assume a greater responsibility in life.

Less Is More. From that chic bag all the way up to those cute little earrings, guys notice that little effort that make you attractive. Opt to the natural make-up. The simpler you look, the more cunning you become.

Gentle and Manly. A laborious day of school is a stressful journey appeased if spent with a gentleman. Giving me respect and sturdy arms to hold on to is what I really wanted.

Be Sensible. When a guy needs to disclose a pissing off event, he isn’t be talking about it with his basketball buddies. Be sensible like Jane Austen. I prefer confessing to you.

Understanding.

Women’s mood are unpredictable. Understand me and know when to talk. I fall for someone who really knows how to touch a girl.

Zip Devil’s Tongue. Mr. Nice Guy prefers to spend time with a decent darling. Sensitivity simply suggests you care for the feelings of others, not being a selfish nagger who tries to put up a scene all the time.

Faithful Follower. A major turn-on about guys is his God-fearing individuality. What is the use of your “diga” if you don’t have strong spiritual being? After all, afterlife is what we must be prepared of.

Circle

Marvelous Jeffrey A. Artuz, Editor

12

Spectrum June 2014

People of all walks of life, accompanied by their pets, foods and feet know how the drill is done and how urgent it is to upload the selfies on social networking sites.

Welcome to the

#SELFIE generation socially modernized Vanity Fair!

Glory Jane Prado, Marvelous Jeffrey Artuz and Domyson Abuan

CEA itself is a venue of selfie diversity. From face down to foot, solo to groupie, witness a gallery of selfies from engineering students.

Here’s the drill: switch the front camera on, ensure a neat face, find the photogenic angle, click the camera button, and do this for over 50 times a day. This is the morning exercise of a Selfie Lord. In fact, the drill is also executed at noon, evening, and in-between meriendas. For them, a click a day makes the dullness away.

Tagged as the Selfie Capital of the world, it is just a normal scenario to see people taking selfies anywhere, anytime and anyhow in the Philippines.

Need to know about SELFIE The first usage of the word #selfie can be found on the post made by #ADrunkenManOnAnAustralianOnlineForum at ABC Online 3:05 PM on September 13, 2002.

According to @AmericanPsychiatricAssociation, the obsessive compulsive desire to take photos of one’s self and post them on social networking sites as a way to make up for the lack of selfesteem and to fill the gap in intimacy is termed as #selfitis. @Hopey is the first man who used the word selfie in description of his swollen lips.

Some of the popular hashtags used were #hairsmile #hairfly #ME #riccing #sparrowface #duckface #unselfie #belfie #healthie #welfie #tongueselfie #delfie #drelfie #carselfie #selfieforpeace #selfielords

What’s with SELFIE-ing With a timely selfie, people will no longer need to carry a #mirror.

Boosts #self-confidence as @selfielords practice proper camera projection.

The answer for the question, #HowCanIKillTime