Tourism candidates dominate MMCAS 2023

by Terenz Dave L. Silverio & Patricia Deenise L. Samodio

MATTHEW Ray Marasigan and Eunjung Park, both of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management program, were crowned Mr. and Ms. College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) 2023 on February 10 at the University of the East (UE) Manila Briefing Room.

The BS Tourism students defeated candidates from other CAS programs and received special awards. Marasigan and Park won the Popularity Award after garnering approximately 1,300 Facebook reactions to their respective headshots.

Marasigan also bagged the Mr. Photogenic Award from Photo X Media, as well as the Best in Advocacy recognition. His advocacy is centered on the lack of inclusivity for the queer community.

“It has always been an issue if a girl runs for the position, but how about a man who portrays himself as a gay that will run for a position?” he asked in his speech.

“Today, we will change history. I will use this platform to raise awareness and inclusivity— that no matter who you are or whatever you are, as long as you have a good heart and leadership, you will succeed,” the tourism student added.

Marasigan was asked about his most impactful service and volunteer experience during the question-and-answer portion.

Mr. CAS 2023 described joining student organizations as one of the challenges he faced during his senior high school (SHS) years, especially while serving as a Public Relations Officer (PRO) in UE’s SHS student council.

“I need to easily communicate with different people regardless of their age, gender, identity, [and] ethnicity. If you want to do something; if you want to make an impact on everybody, you should inspire them. You need to influence them,” Marasigan answered.

“Because today, I am not joining this pageant as a person who had a lot of struggles, but by bringing and raising the flag of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and

ENSC slams UE’s ‘underperforming’ computers, broken ACs, projectors

added.

Meanwhile, when asked how she could encourage civic engagement in today’s generation, Park gave the answer that earned her the crown.

She said that inspiring others to help themselves is a good way to help them realize potential that they may have overlooked due to lack of selfconfidence.

“I have been encountering this situation when I was interacting with people. However, they weren’t able to socialize with me or other people because they weren’t confident about themselves,” she attested.

“And I believe that one way to help them is to help them trust in themselves. Sometimes, they get to overlook their potential. And I believe that one way to inspire them to help themselves is to encourage them,” Ms. CAS 2023

Mr. Francis Louis Babon and Ms. Marian Grace Gonzales of BS Psychology were named first runnersup. Mr. Skin Sense and Best in Talent went to Babon, while Ms. Skin Sense, Ms. Photogenic, and Best in Advocacy Margareth Divino, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science student, was named second runner-up and Best in Talent. Meanwhile, CASSC Vice President Queenie Leal revealed that the Legal Management candidates did not compete due to health issues.

Following the pandemic, the CASSC’s returned to in-person pageants with this year’s MMCAS.

THE UNIVERSITY of the East (UE)-Caloocan Engineering Student Council (ENSC), led by President Jemina Geronimo and Vice President Angelica Eleazar, has urged the University administration to address and resolve issues concerning its equipment and facilities.

The ENSC claimed in a letter sent to Officerin-Charge Dean Angelita Guia that many students and professors are dissatisfied with UE’s “capacity to provide quality education.” According to the council, computers in the College of Engineering’s laboratories are “slow, unresponsive, outdated, and lacking essential software.”

The ENSC also slammed UE for failing to respond to students’ needs, claiming that the issue had been raised last semester but no action had been taken.

“This concern was already raised in the first semester of A.Y. 2022-2023 but still remains unaddressed to date, despite the fact [that] the engineering courses require the use of computer laboratories to carry out various activities,” the letter read.

UE-OCA fires up ‘Arts Month’ with big production

by Angela Mae H. Mupada & Kimberly Jane A. Bacani

THE UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) offered the UE community a series of cultural group performances in February 2023 to commemorate National Arts Month.

The OCA collaborated with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to present “DulaYaWitAn sa Silangan,” a performance that included acting, singing, and dancing. The theme of these presentations was “Ani ng Sining, Bunga ng Galing.”

On February 1, the Office kicked off the celebration with a presentation of its cultural groups at UE Manila’s Dalupan Lobby.

The UE Drama Company and the UE Band set theatrical and musical performances at the Dalupan Lobby for “TANGHALian sa Silangan” on February 6.

The UE Band, conducted by Daniel Quianzon, performed songs by Filipino alternative rock bands Eraserheads and Mayonnaise. A clarinet duet of “Toreador March,” an aria from the French opera “Carmen,” was also performed by the group.

Students also saw the band’s brass choir perform songs from the hit musical drama film “The Greatest Showman,” and a majorette performed a dance number while jiving to Maymay Entrata’s “Amakabogera.”

Meanwhile, members of the UE Drama Company demonstrated their skills with a spoken poetry performance. The theater group also held an open stage for the audience to showcase their talents.

Another performance took place in the Dalupan Lobby on March 3 at 4:00 p.m., that is “Alab UE” by the worldrenowned UE Chorale.

According to OCA Director Gener Caringal, the month-long celebration aims to expose students to various types of arts. In an interview with The Dawn, he emphasized the students’ lack of interest in the arts.

“With the technology now, lagi na lang silang naglalaro ng game sa kanilang cellphone. Kung anoano nalang pinapanood nila kaya nawawala ang artistry nila which is very important, especially sa academics,” Caringal pointed out.

The OCA director also discussed the significance of National Arts Month, emphasizing how the arts contribute to people’s well-being.

“If you have no arts in your body, you will have a hard time passing your academic subjects because ang art, nagbi-build ng emotion ng tao; how to express themselves. By expressing, it’s already an art,” he explained. Meanwhile, due to the transportation strike, the UE Silanganan Dance Troupe’s “Indak sa Silangan,” which was scheduled for March 9 and 10 at the UE Theatre, was postponed to a later date.

As a result, the signatories have urged UE to buy “new, up-to-date computers” and secure software licenses, claiming that these would benefit students and professors during laboratory activities.

“This solution would provide a much better learning experience for them, as they would no longer have to deal with hardware and software issues,” the council underscored.

In addition, the ENSC requested the defective projectors and air conditioners in some rooms be replaced or repaired.

“The air conditioner has been malfunctioning in some of the rooms, and teachers and students cannot use it during classes as it disrupts their teaching,” the council said.

“Furthermore, the projectors present in some of the rooms are not working properly, making it impossible for teachers to use them during lessons,” it added.

In A.Y. 2020–2021, at least 20% of the incremental proceeds of tuition fee increases were used to improve facilities, including laboratories.