Features

No, Not This Time

Published

14 years ago

August 8, 2011

Another gloomy weather could no longer stop a much-awaited tradition.

After several cancellations and last-minute announcements, the Thomasian community greeted a new breed of tigers as the Thomasian Welcome Walk finally pushed through last August 5 despite uncertain weather conditions.

The Thomasian Welcome Walk, originally scheduled on June 23, is an annual program for the freshmen where students pass through the historical Arc of the Centuries as a symbol of being formally welcomed to the university.

But nature seems to have other ways to welcome the freshmen.

Tropical storm Falcon ‘baptized’ the first year students with water as flood levels rose on the day of the originally scheduled walk, backing up the famous Thomasian saying: “You are not considered a true Thomasian if you have not yet experienced walking past flood waters.”

Several cancellations due to heavy rains continued on for more than a month creating different sets of expectations from the freshmen.

“I feel so excited kasi ang tagal din naming itong hinitay,” said a Pharmacy freshman present at the walk.

Another freshman from the College of Science thought otherwise saying, “For me, nawala na yung excitement, lagi na lang kasi nasususpend kaya yung expectations namin, lowered na.”

A parade composed of 18 colleges and faculties of the University marched along the campus grounds headed by the UST Education High School, followed the UST Pay High School, with their hand clappers and balloons.

The Faculty of Pharmacy followed with their colorful yellow, green, and violet banners bearing the name of their college. The College of Science trailed Pharma, with their party poppers, and mini rattlers.

Civil law and the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery carried on with red themed banners and yellow umbrellas respectively.

“United and proud” was their stand, the College of Rehabilitation and Science emerged with one of the most elaborate props, with CRS freshmen wearing their yellow and blue shades, and ribbons all matching their college’s official colors.

With their different sections having their own gimmicks from the giant thermometer and injection, to yellow and green balloons, to the ribbons and face paint, the College of Nursing took advantage of the Welcome Walk to showcase their creative side.

Following the College of Nursing is the likewise red-themed AMV College of Accountancy and the Faculty of Arts and Letters as they cheered “Let’s go AB, Let’s Go!” on their way past the arch with blue banners and flags.

Another stand out was the College of Commerce as they made their way from the arch to Plaza Mayor headed by two men on stilts. Also noticeable were the tiger paws bearing the name of each section and the yellow balloons that matched their uniforms.

Clad in white props, the College of Engineering made their way through the arch. Following them were the all-orange themed College of Education, all-pink themed College of Music and the Fairytale-themed College of Tourism and Hospitality Management with the attention-grabbing butterfly wings for girls and elf ears for the men.

Nearing the end of the procession, the freshmen from the Beato Angelico Building followed. All in their maroon blazers, the College of Architecture passed through the arch with maroon and white balloons, while the College of Fine Arts and Design followed carried their own balloons with big smiles and tons of energy.

On the tail-end of the walk were the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics freshies in their yellow hats and the reserved freshmen from the Ecclesiastical Faculties.

A mass held in the Plaza Mayor followed shortly after, headed by Fr. Rolando de la Rosa O.P., the University’s Rector.

Dela Rosa said in his homily that by entering the Arch of the centuries, “you are not just Thomasians, you are National Treasures.”

He further urged the freshmen to continue and focus on their studies in the university to be able to excel in different ways. “May you leave a legacy that is worth remembering for another 400 years,” he said.

Ending his sermon with a little prayer, de la Rosa asked God to “help them [the students] realize that studying is not a dance of fools” relating to his earlier expression of dismay to the dances of today saying that modern dances only glorify the movement and not the purpose.

Rain poured after the mass but it did not stop a number of freshmen to attend the after party held, still, at the Plaza Mayor with bands like SpongeCola, Grace Note, Sino Sikat, Tanya Markova and Kiss Jane performing.

“No, the rain is not at all bad, it adds up to the whole new experience,” a freshmen Commerce student said. ###

By Bianca Cuaresma and Carina Maceda

TomasinoWeb

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The lights that will guide you home

Thomasians started to lounge lazily at the ground, watching the night sky and enjoying the cool breeze of the December air.

Published

8 years ago

December 3, 2016

Nhuj Pascua

Photo by Bea Sarmiento

Darkness swallowed Plaza Mayor, as it does every night. Some students could be on their way home, some still in class, while other pass the time studying or socializing inside the campus. But right now, almost every Thomasian huddled up for the upcoming event outside the Main Building, brimming with excitement as they wait for the clock to strike 6.

The crowd fell silent as the Angelus aired, followed up by a reading from the sacred scriptures, imploring everyone to share their light, especially to those who are left in the dark. Silence broke into thousands of pieces as the whole Thomasian community joined in singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful. Emotions flooded the Plaza Mayor, pouring out our feelings as we chanted as one.

“P**** pare, ‘eto na talaga,” a guy beside me exclaimed to his friend. His face is vivid with exhilaration as he looked everywhere, eager to witness the first spark of light.

My heart started beating wildly, the countdown has already begun.

3 They raised their phones to the sky, eagerly waiting for something. Thumbs prepared to record, eyes aimed to wherever there’s a flicker.

2 Excited chatters resonated through the crowd; blood-pounding, heart-stopping. I was frozen, my palms started to get sweaty. 1 Suspense hung heavily on the air—everyone held their breaths, until the University of Santo Tomas glowed with so much brilliance as the Christmas decorations finally lit up. Giggles of delight and sighs of awes echoed throughout the whole university as each and every light bulb sparked to life.

Then something exploded behind me. We all turned up to the sky and everyone cheered—from the UST Grandstand, the entire night sky was illuminated by the thousand sparks the university is known for: its firework display. Although the spectacle did not last longer than a minute, everyone felt the joy in welcoming the yuletide season, the Thomasian way.

After that, the crowd flocked to the field, fervent to see the giant, brightly-lit UST Christmas Tree. People pose for pictures with the outstanding beauty of light work—couples, friends, or even the ones who enjoys their solitude. As the energy started to dwindle down, Thomasians started to lounge lazily at the ground, watching the night sky and enjoying the cool breeze of the December air.

As I watch these events to unfold right before my eyes, something inside me ignited, and like the first sip of coffee in the cold morning, its warmth filled up my numb body; and in that moment, I know that everyone in this awe-struck crowd feels the same: the Thomasian spirit coursing through our veins.

And I know that this is where I belong — this is my home.

Nhuj Pascua

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2 Thomasian short films explore queer narratives

Damiles and Perez decided to make these queer films to offer the youth a twist on internal struggles and to encourage Thomasians to go out of their comfort zones.

Published

8 years ago

November 27, 2016

Nhuj Pascua

The two Thomasian finalists for the Cinema One Minute Student Film Competition missed the mark this year but managed to strengthen the Thomasian film scene with coming-of-age films that tackled LGBT experiences.

“Mot-mot” directed by TomasinoWeb’s Assistant Chief Photographer Johmar Damiles is a story about two friends who were about to have intercourse, but one of them backs out at the last minute as he could not go through with the act because of his sexuality.

While Christen Perez’s “Ikaw/Ako” depicted two friends having the time of their lives but one eventually has to come to terms with his real self.

The entry of Perez may initially leave the audience puzzled as it showed two different people who represent one person.

Perez along with her co-director, Andrea Soriano, explained that they wanted to personify the male protagonist’s real self – a woman.

“Ang dami po kasi closeted gay na judged sila ng society and [for me] kung kaya niyo naman tanggapin sarili niyo ‘di naman kayo mahihirapan lumabas ng closet and isipin na hindi kayo accept ng tao. It’s all about self-acceptance,” Soriano said.

Mike Tan who starred in their film believes that it is relevant for millennials because it urges young members of the LGBT sector to accept themselves. “It’s good to be brave enough to get out of your closet [ayun] tanggapin mo sarili mo kasi paano ka magmamahal ng ibang tao kung hindi mo kayang mahalin sarili mo,” said Tan.

Meanwhile, Damiles wanted to create a film with a lighter mood. He says he saw his protagonist as a normal person dealing with struggles anyone could have. “Tinackle namin siya in a light mood kasi parang ‘di naman lahat ng LGBT ay nagsa-struggle. Normal din naman sila.”

His comic approach towards his film gives the audience a different perspective on queer films.

Damiles and Perez decided to make these queer films to offer the youth a twist on internal struggles and to encourage Thomasians to go out of their comfort zones.

“Gusto ko rin mag-establish ng film culture sa UST na encourage (sic) lahat ng students sa UST kasi ang dami ‘ring talented dito,” said Damiles. He added that he wants to continue making films in the future and urges his fellow filmmakers to release their material to the public.

“Feeling ko rin naging opportunity din siya for us kasi ako, personally, hindi ko in-expect and since nakita ko na madami rin nakakita mas na-inspire ako mag-join ng competition and make more films,” said Perez. –M.L.

Nhuj Pascua

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Blogcon 2016: Making the best out of the things you love

Once again, bloggers from different parts of the Internet sphere were in attendance at BlogCon’s third year last April 30

Published

9 years ago

May 13, 2016

Jem Sagcal

Once again, bloggers from different parts of the Internet sphere were in attendance at BlogCon’s third year last April 30, this time to give their stories on how they started blogging, what made them stay, all the best parts and the hard things they have to endure, and how they reached out to new trends.

At the AMV Auditorium filled with over 70 blogging enthusiasts, fashion and portrait photographer Elisa Aquino (shemakeshimknown.com) recalled how she found fuel in heartbreak to make her first blog. From the sappy ruins of a failed romance, she first stood up as a fashion blogger, providing self-portraits despite her insecurities. Then she began taking photos of other people and sharing their stories. She also shared that our identity must not be defined by a social media fame as she specifically cited Instagram’s biggest lie: that you are as great as your next destination.

The theme shifted from fashion to food as the next speaker is a proud food lover and enthusiast. Jill Bantang (http://www.thefoodscout.net/) shared the fun and satisfying experience of having to write food reviews as blogging is, for her, a way of informing and communicating to people. For Bantang, blogging is a way to actually help and elevate people by giving them something new with every post. She simultaneously satisfies herself whilst giving back the satisfaction to the curious minds of food lovers.

From the gentleness of fashion and food follows the audacity of the next speaker, Andre Arboleda (http://asshulz.com/), also known in the Internet as Asshulz. He emphasized how he personally did not pay attention to blogging trends as the hobby for him provides a wide array of things to do—and it’s basically doing whatever you want. From glorifying underrated movies to making mixtapes about titas to inciting gimmicks, Arboleda sure loves to do away with whatever he wants. He does not consider fame to be one of his fundamental goals for blogging is not a fame game.

Carla Barretto (https://twitter.com/heycarlaaa), a fifth of the PhilippineConcerts.com (http://www.philippineconcerts.com/), shared how she owes what she has today for her love of concerts. From being an avid fan to actually doing it for a living, she encourages her listeners to utilize what they have — in this case, the internet — and let it coincide with what they love.

“Terrible is a great place to start. Take your chances,” she said.

Dipping toes in new water and just go with it seems to be the power couple Anthony and Tippy Go’s (http://www.googlygooeys.com) mantra. They said that knowing your capabilities and embracing your flaws give edge. “There are a lot of things you can’t control but you have to trust yourself in the process.”

“Social Media Princess” Ate Charon (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC32KKtAWv7KLt0wvrEWk8ig) shares that the brand she advocates is authenticity and honesty with substance however light your subject may be. She also shared the dark alleys of Internet fame like followers and like-buying.

“Social media fame is not everything,” she noted.

To RJ Ledesma (http://rjledesma.com/), Philippine Star columnist and Mercato Centrale co-founder (and actually many more!), the Internet is where almost everything happens these days. He elaborated on making one’s irritations to one’s inspirations, and shared how his own Mercato group started with just a realization while he was traveling—that there is no food market in the country.

Mark Anicas (http://markanicas.wordpress.com/), known for his book and Twitter handle Depinisyon, recounts how he started writing for himself and advices others to write for themselves before all else. Moreover, he goes on to break this image of writers only having to choose one platform.

“Explore and be versatile. Hindi pwedeng isang genre lang, at lalong hindi pwede na isang platform lang. It can be Facebook, or it can even be Twitter,” he said.

Alyssa Lapid (http://alyssalapid.com/), Managing Editor for Explore Philippines and Social Media Manager of SoFA Design Institute, shared how she wondered why she was chosen to be an SM ambassador. Eventually, she mustered up the courage to ask and was told that it was because she was different and although she was not as popular as the other models, she was chosen for being herself and for setting her own trend. She encouraged the audience to do the same, to be courageous and a trend-setter.

Student bloggers: from a young blogger to another.

Aside from professional ones, student bloggers also shared their experience, knowledge, and pieces of advice in blogging.

15-year-old Brin Isaac (brinraizulliisaac.wordpress.com) brought the delegates into a journey of self discovery and self-expression as she narrated her five-year blogging pursuit that accidentally began upon unearthing the allure of social media. She also stressed on diverting from strong conformity or trends whenever it comes to updating her own blog posts.

“I realized that I didn’t have to define my specialty, my own specialty is honesty. I didn’t have to stress about updating or what my content should be as dictated by strong conformity or the trends,” she said. “I said to myself that I didn’t have to post about this or that. What I wanted to do is to focus on something that needs attention.”

TomasinoWeb writer and literary blogger Philip Jamilla (http://paperbackriot.tumblr.com/) delved into the anatomy of the recently popularized hugot movement which dominated millennials’ digital realm. He also encouraged bloggers to avoid writing like anyone else.

“It’s not always relatability, it’s not always heartbreak, it’s not always love. Minsan kasi we focus too much on the ‘hugot movement’. We should get out of that as much as possible, try to explore other aspects of poetry,” Jamilla added. The freshman literary student recognized the importance of embracing criticisms as a foundation for improvement.

Her passion for photojournalism and her desire to spark social change through her photos constantly fuelled journalism freshman Jazmin Tabuena’s (https://placidoccult.wordpress.com/) blogging journey.

“Parang kapag ginagawa ko ‘yong blogging, and talk about photography, sobrang nabubuhay ka kahit nasa field ka na hindi mo gusto. When you do something about your passion, it feels so alive.” Tabuena also admitted that some bloggers lack the quality of a storyteller nowadays thus, she emphasized on “finding one’s voice”.

Meanwhile, Roye Serrano emphasized the irony of disconnecting one’s self from technology to produce new and vibrant blogging ideas.

“You only need technology when you need to post. To have a good idea, nasa labas ‘yan,” Serrano affirmed. “Wonder about everything, even the most mundane things.” Having a unique “vantage point” or view on one’s environment was also stressed by Serrano, saying that perceiving things differently sets a blogger apart from tons of similar contents produced by others.

“If you want to have a unique idea, you have to look at things differently. You have to exercise your eyes,” he added. Moreover, Serrano believes that a blogger should narrate a story positively, and learn to differentiate a “rant” from sharing one’s tale.

BlogCon was first launched in September 2013. It focuses on and encourages student bloggers and enthusiasts by inviting professional and renowned bloggers to talk about their Internet experiences and wisdom they have collected throughout the journey.