Starlight University Week 2017 Special Vol XXIX No. 1

Vol XXIX No.1

U-WEEK 2017

/unorstarlight

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - RECOLETOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL department

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UNIVERSITY WEEK 2017

I.S. cheer dancers show perseverance as they shout and dance all the way to the top to capture the audience’s attention in the Cheerdance Competion at the University Amphitheatre. Photo by Jan Federick Bantay

I.S. bags major awards in Cheerdance Competition

by Zion-Grace Rosareal and Ricky Juanico

The Integrated School was hailed as this year’s champion in the Cheerdance Competition held at the Opening

Ceremony, September 4.

The IS was also awarded Most Disciplined and Most Participative among other contestants. In addition,

the College of Arts and Sciences got the Best in Songs and Yells award while the Most Colorful Group was awarded to the

College of Engineering.

“I guess [the reason] why we won this competition [is] because of the fact that they are highschoolers

and they’re easy to gather during practices and are disciplined students,” Ronald Alonzo, trainer of the Integrated School, said.

I.S. bet is crowned Ms U-Week 2017

by Nina Aira Villanueva, Rose Coleen Rubio and Maegan Joy Matamoro

Kyla Joemela Carmona (onset) won everybody’s heart as she was crowned Ms U-Week 2017. Photo by Janieross Lamboso

Kyla Joemela Carmona of the Integrated School (IS) and Vicente Deloso III of the College of Engineering were crowned Ms and Mr U-Week 2017 on the search for Mr and Ms U-Week 2017, September 4.

Following suit were Princess Joy Pimentel Ang of the College of Engineering and Andrei John Ea of the IS as Ms and Mr U-Week 2017 first runners-up, and Ciarra

Gendran and Rommel Azucena of the College of Arts and Sciences as Ms and Mr U-Week 2017 second runners-up.

“The victory made us realize that we have so much potentials and that we can be more than what we are right now,” first runner-up Ea said of his experience with Carmona.

Lin-ay Sang Negros 2017 Angelica Esther Portugaleza graced the event as the chairman of

the board of judges.

“I am very proud to be one of the judges and I wish them the best for the upcoming NOPSSCEA [pageant],” Portugaleza said.

Meanwhile, IS representatives Khezia Paula Dumala-os of the Junior High School and Ea of the Senior High School were awarded Best in Sports Attire and Best in Production, respectively.

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news

UNIVERSITY WEEK 2017

Grins emerge from the faces of this year’s litmus champions, The Hands of Matthew, as they celebrate their victory. Photo by Janieross Lamboso

Grade 10, Hands of Matthew: Champions in JHS, SHS LitMus Competition

by Royce Christian Amar, Kent Francis Dalisay and Reychelle Belle Gasataya

Grade 10 and Hands of Matthew were declared as champions for JHS and SHS, respectively, in the 2017 Literary-Musical Contests.

Grade 9, Grade 8 and Grade 7 rested second, third and fourth places, respectively, in the JHS LitMus, whereas Roar of Mark, Wings of John and Rings of Luke placed first, second and third runners-up, respectively, in the SHS LitMus. The winners for the JHS LitMus Competition are as follows: Grade 8 Dancers - 1st Place, Pop Dance Jeric Tan (Grade 10) - 1st Place, Filipino Declamation Hazel Lorraine Herida (Grade 9) - 1st Place, Impromptu Speaking Bracket B Rheinhart Placido (Grade 7) - 1st Place, Impromptu Speaking Bracket A Aliah Abayon (Grade 9) - 1st Place, English Declamation Shawn Marie Montuya (Grade 7) 1st Place, Vocal Solo Grade 10 Dancers - 2nd Place, Pop Dance

John Paul Togado (Grade 10) - 2nd Place, English Declamation Mary Lynel Geronga (Grade 10) - 2nd Place, Vocal Solo Isaiah Villanueva (Grade 10) - 2nd Place, Impromptu Speaking Bracket B Angel John Dungca (Grade 9) - 2nd Place, Filipino Declamation Jeniña Claire Yulo (Grade 8 - 2nd Place, Impromptu Speaking Bracket A Rodan Valenzuela (Grade 10) - 3rd Place, Impromptu Speaking Bracket B Grade 9 Dancers - 3rd Place, Pop Dance Chazlene Crispo (Grade 9) - 3rd Place, Vocal Solo Geamaika Marisse Manderico (Grade 8 - 3rd Place, Impromptu Bracket A Scent Julianne Octavio (Grade 8) 3rd Place, English Declamation Anndy Suarez (Grade 8- 3rd Place, Filipino Declamation On the other hand, the winners for the SHS LitMus Competition are written below: Gretel Haro (Rings of Luke) - 1st place, Impromptu Speaking

Jerry Talite (Roar of Mark) - 1st place, Filipino Declamation Steven Kent Quizon (Wings of John) 1st place, English Declamation Dymme Barerra (Hands of Matthew) - 1st place, Oration Khen Lobaton (Roar of Mark) - 1st place, Vocal Solo Pop Song Hands of Matthew - 1st place, MTV Live and Pop Dance Melle Dionio (Rings of Luke) - 2nd place, I mpromptu Speaking Icah Salo (Wings of John) - 2nd place, Filipino Declamation Kyara Salar (Roar of Mark) - 2nd place, English Declamation Marc Barcoma (Wings of John) - 2nd place, Oration Pamela Joy Almarines (Hands of Matthew) - 2nd place, Vocal Solo Pop Song Wings of John - 2nd place, Pop Dance Rings of Luke - 2nd place, MTV Live Nina Villanueva (Roar of Mark) - 3rd Impromptu Speaking Michelle Ang (Rings of Luke) - 3rd place, Filipino Declamation Shantal Claridad (Hands of Matthew) - 3rd place, English Declamation Charles Gelotin (Roar of Mark) - 3rd place, Oration

Hannah Gonzales (Wings of John) 3rd place, Vocal Solo Pop Song Rings of Luke - 3rd place, Pop Dance Roar of Mark - 3rd place, MTV Live The JHS champions earned the title back after three years.

“Winning is not important if the results are right and with justice because we offer everything to God and to everyone involved,” Reign Carmie Tacadao, Grade 10 Governor, said.

Meanwhile, new cluster names were introduced to the Senior High School with reference to the New Testament books, with Rings of Luke, Hands of Matthew, Wings of John and Roar of Mark for the STEM— Engineering and Technology, STEM— Medicine and Health Sciences, ABM, and HUMSS-TVL Strands, respectively.

“Our cluster, as well as all other clusters, braved through all obstacles, kept optimism high, prayed for His blessings, and served their fellow students unceasingly,” Jude Xerxes Herbolario, one of the advisers of Hands of Matthew (STEM - Medicine and Health Sciences), said.

news

UNIVERSITY WEEK 2017

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Chromosome 21 dominates Bandfest 2017

by Hazel Lorraine Herida

Chromosome 21’s Khia Julian Belmonte (left) and John Ivan Sosas (right) rock their performace to win the crowd during the Band Fest 2017 held in the University Auditorium on September 4.

Photo by Danell Jumayao

Lights colored the atmosphere. There was a reverb, then there was music.

Chromosome 21 won the hearts of the audience with their rendition of Tropical Depression’s “Kapayapaan” and Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” in the High School Student Affairs Organization’s (HSSAO) Bandfest, September 4.

The band is composed of John Ivan Sosas, Roven Innocente, Absalon Sun, Khia Julian Belmonte, Shealtiel John Fajarito and Ma. Theresa Rondinathe of the Senior High School.

“Thankful kay ginpangabudlayan gid namon. Even if 1k lang ang prize, ginalagas namon ang exposure kag ang championship para

mashowcase namon ang amon talent.” John Ivan Sosas, the band’s lead guitarist, said.

(We are thankful [that we won] because we worked hard for it. Even though the prize was only 1000 pesos, we went for the exposure and the championship to showcase our talent.)

Also winning the hearts of the crowd were Gasmic Lads and On Distort, garnering second and third places, respectively. Hexa Madjec won the People’s Choice Award with 250 tickets sold.

“Ang event naging successful because of the people who worked hard to make this happen,” Dustin Ryan Veridiano, HSSAO President, said.

ABM candidate is crowned Mr. SUAVE 2017

by Danell Jumayao Jeryl Castaños of Accountancy, Business and Management was hailed as Mr. Suave 2017 in this year’s HSSAO Night, Lucid, held at the university gymnasium, September 8.

S e r g s Soberano of Grade 8, Mikhael

Bertuso of the Science and Te c h n o l o g y, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Strand, and John David Dela Cruz of Te c h n i c a l Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) Strand rested 1st, 2nd, and 3rd runners-up,

respectively.

“Maybe it’s time for them [UNO-Rians] to take the stage naman kag use their self c o n f i d e n c e ,” Castaños said.

Mr. Suave 2017 was the highlight of the HSSAO Night, Lucid.

Jeryl Castaños (middle) earns the title of Mr Suave in the HSSAO’S U-Week Night, Lucid, with HSSAO adviser Rowena Mider (2nd from the right) and the HSSAO Officers. Photo by Jan Federick Bantay

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FEATURE

UNIVERSITY WEEK 2017

Rooted by Holiness

by Jane Sarmiento and Abbey Gale Cordero

With the theme, “Heeding the Call to Holiness”, participants of both poster-making and essay-writing contests express this theme through vibrant colors and inspiring words.

From the different college departments to the integrated school, representatives all gathered and concreted how they heed towards the call to holiness. Oil pastels, different kinds of paint and such added life to the products of imaginative minds of aspiring artists. A pen, ink, and paper are what it takes to empower

Graphics by Windsor Linus Sumbillo

the writers to share their heart and mind’s contest about how they are summoned to be holy in an AugustinianRecollect way.

“I used the symbol of the dove as the holy spirit... and angels so they lead us to the one true God. Wherein the one true God represents the church as the holiness because it is where the holiness of the holy spirit is presently strong. God invites us to enter his church and kingdom through his word (representing the church inside his mouth) and I drew raging flames

as symbol for the chaotic world of those unfaithful to God.” This was the description given by the artist who lived up to the theme of the U-Week.

To his shock, Windsor Sumbillo garnered first runner up in the poster making contest. He quoted, “I never knew that I was a contestant for the contest until an hour or two before the contest. When the contest began, I panicked not knowing what to do. So instead, I tried to contemplate what the theme means.

I tried to just draw some

random strokes a bit then suddenly I was able to make something out of it. I guess.”

Continuing his passion for the arts, he will continuously prove to the world

that holiness must not only be heeded just because it was some theme for an event, but it is mandatory for Christians to utilize their skills for the greater glory of One God.

Showcasing UNO-Rians’ Passion for Excellence

by Nina Aira Villanueva

Realities being kept inside a small frame, streaks of paint on cardboard and indigenous artworks are displayed in different parts of the campus.

Made to express, inform, and promote awareness are the main purposes of each exhibit, unveiling the UNO-Rians creativity, intelligence and skills.

Honing one’s skills and techniques involves exposure to one’s career of choice.

The different academic strands from Senior High School, namely Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Accountancy and Business Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS),

and Technical-Vocational and Livelihood (TVL), dangled carrots in front of their own faces by giving themselves a glimpse of their future through establishing their own exhibits, interactive rooms, and illusionary offices.

“I am so thrilled about this activity because we were given the opportunity to be in our future selves,” expressed by Krisha Semellano from Humanities and Social Sciences strand.

On a different note, September 7, 2017 served as the genesis for the Academic Exhibits of the High School Department. This was visited by the Integrated School Principal, Father Abraham Latoza, OAR, and Fray Max Omem. Particularly in the “Chemistry Lab High School Exhibit”, the students were asked about the various

displayed experiments, seeing their enthusiasm as they demonstrated said experiments. Teachers joined in on the fun as well.

Right in front of all facilitators was the principal himself. “I’m kinda overwhelmed because I didn’t expect that he [Fr. Latoza] would come here.

But right after demonstrating, I feel really proud of myself,” said Nicole Atima, facilitator of the exhibit.

This event can be considered commendable. Students are able to speak their thoughts in a very creative way, letting students to experience the beauty and gift of each department, telling stories behind pictures and artworks, opening their minds and souls in the reality and diversity of our society, and practicing and embodying the UNO-Rians passion for excellence.

UNIVERSITY WEEK 2017

feature

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The Light at the End

by Jared Victor Llomo

Twelve years ago, I was born into this darkness. I lived with dull walls and blood-stained floors. I also lived with masked people and their rusty, lethal tools. Every night I could hear the panting and the coughing of lethargic people.

Once, I saw them feasting on alien substances that took them to cloud nine.

This place was a slaughterhouse—for people. The butchers were the people themselves and I almost became one. It was during my 13th birthday when I was forced by my uncles, aunts, and cousins to consume the alien substances and take a look at their—false—heaven. I didn’t respond. I stood there with my head down and my mind demanding the resurrection of my parents—my hope.

My body begins to feel numb and my eyes cry a river. Out of the blue, I felt a miraculous energy surge throughout my body.

It pushed me to run as far as I could without knowing my destination.

As I ran, it felt like I was stuck in a maze until a tiny ray of light hit my eyes. It was a doorway—my desired escape. I ran towards the bright light with excitement. I kept on running until I found a house full of happy people. I slowly approached them and my ears danced to their laughter. There were older people who asked about my whereabouts and my lifestyle, but I just managed to give them a weak smile. The following seconds became my heavenly moments. I was taken care of and the elders taught me virtues. Ever since that day, I have been living my life with righteousness. That was the day when my life became enlightened and I believe that it was the will of God to let me live this way; and I believe that He wants everyone in the world to get the happiness that they deserve.

SCHOOL BUZZ What ride or event best describes your U-Week?

Alvin Dagohoy

Dennis Maghupoy

Anya Marie Tanco

“It’s like purge because unpredictable ang mga events kag wala kagid idea kung ano matabo.”

“Para sakon octopus kay for me diba ang octopus ga turn, kung ga turn na ti dara galibot pareho man sa mga adlaw ta nga sa U-Week lang galibot tas isa pagid ga up and down pareho man sa mga performances.”

“It would be vikings because it made me crazy and dizzy. Mind blowing, indeed but in the end it’s still amazing.”

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SJ-04

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Vol XXIX No.1

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/unorstarlight

U-WEEK 2017

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - RECOLETOS INTEGRATED SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY WEEK 2017

UNIVERSITY WEEK 2017

Grade 11 and Grade 12 students ends their Mass Dance presentation with a loud cheer and applause during the Closing Ceremonies at the University Amphitheater.

Photo by Jan Federick Bantay

Mass Demo marks U-Week CAS defeats CEN 2017 Closing 7-year streak

by Charles Gabriel Gelotin

Mass Field Demonstrations of the High School Department marked the Closing Ceremony of the 2017 University Week celebration at the amphitheater, September 10.

This succeeded University President Fr. Eduardo Celiz, Jr., OAR’s declaration of the closing

of the U-Week ceremony and the announcement of winners for the tertiary level LitMus Competition and Sportsfest.

“Continue believing in ourselves. Continue living what we have achieved to continue living. Most important thing is that the source of everything is love and so we must continue loving,” Fr. Louie Gabinete,

OAR, overall chairperson of the U-Week 2017, said.

The U-Week 2017 Closing Ceremony coincided with the feast day of the university’s patron saint, St. Nicholas of Tolentino.

In line with this, Fr. Celiz and Fr. Gabinete released white doves to celenrate the feast and to venerate St. Nicholas of Tolentino.

by Marielle Makilan

It’s the end of a peat for the College of Engineering.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) dethroned the College of Engineering (CEN) from their 7-peat championship in the Sportsfest 2017.

CAS was also hailed champion in the Tertiary Level Literary-Musical Contests (LitMus),

therefore garnering two crowns to the college for the U-Week 2017.

Meanwhile, CEN and the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) placed second and third overall, respectively in the Sportsfest; the College of Allied Health Sciences and the CBA placed second and third overall, in the LitMus.

EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF 2017 Editor-in-Chief

MARIELLE D. MAKILAN Associate Editor

Feature Editor

Jhenny Alvarez Juliet Angeline Alvarez Sydney Bautista Jireh Jhastan Castillo Kent Francis Dalisay John Kenneth Encia

Online Editor

Photojournalists

Graphics Editor

Marvince Labra Jude Gilboy Thea Ebon

DANELL L. JUMAYAO

Managing Editor

Junlene Bless M. Espiso

News Editor Charles Gabriel V. Gelotin Joshua John T. Noble Janieross A. Lamboso Jan Federick L. Bantay Literary Editor

Jared Victor M. Llomo Literary Correspondent

Mariel A. Tinsay

Graphics and Layout Artists Jose Enrique Guimbal Khezia Dumala-os

STAFF WRITERS Ricky Juanico Rose Coleen Rubio Nina Aira Villanueva Zion Grace Rosareal Reychelle Belle Gasataya

Joshua Steven Calvo Hazel Lorraine Herida Royce Christian Amar Hazel Lorraine Herida Jane Marie Sarmiento Geamaika Marisse Manderico

CARTOONISTS

Literary Writers

John Kenneth Encia John Dale Ligna Windsor Linus Sumbillo Edward John Abaring

Maegan Joy Matamoro Ma. Yobhel Lamaton Beya Catrine Garbanzos Lovella Dylin Hechanova