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A Different Side of the Head Cheerleader: Jimson Mirador and His YJ Adventures

FOR a cheerleader with a powerful voice that boosts the UST crowd’s drive during games and events, it is very unlikely to have a reserved and shy personality.

Published

12 years ago

September 8, 2013

TomasinoWeb

FOR a cheerleader with a powerful voice that boosts the UST crowd’s drive during games and events, it is very unlikely to have a reserved and shy personality.

It may seem ironic that despite the nature of his craft, UST Yellow Jackets (YJ) head cheerleader Jimson Mirador is the type of person who values peace and quiet. A world of big mighty drums, vigorous cheers, and the noise of the huge crowd has been his home for several years now.

“Sobrang ingay lagi, sobrang gulo, pag nakakaramdam ka ng tahimik talaga, sobrang relaxing,” said the cheerleader.

Getting used to the whole crowd is one thing, while dealing with students asking for photo ops is another. Jimson is still not used to the latter. Though he admitted that he is grateful to the people who appreciate their organization. He still could not believe that he has come this far.

Staying in the organization for five years now, the sound of the beats of the drums and the blare of the crowd became a staple element of his daily routine.

But this was not what he had planned.

Before college, Jimson had already started training for the track and field varsity of another university. Besides the fact that he was wait-listed in his course, he did not feel the warm welcome of the school. This made him decide to give up on sports and took exams in other universities instead.

He got into UST and felt right at home with the way the University has accepted him. “Sa UST, pinaramdam nila sakin yung open-arm welcome dito sa school. So in return, gusto kong maparamdam sa lahat ng pumapasok dito sa UST na welcome kayo dito,” Jimson said.

When he entered the University, his friend in the higher batch introduced him into the Yellow Jackets, the official pep squad of UST. Having been trained as part of the boosters in high school, he tried joining the organization.

The desire to support other athletes was one of his reasons in joining the pep. “I want to make the athletes feel that they are supported, because that’s what we [athletes in high school] needed before,” he said.

‘Proper Welcoming’

Jimson was eliminated from the organization in his first year. But he was determined and tried again, even if it meant being a trainee for two years. His passion and perseverance paid off as he was voted as head cheerleader in his first year as a senior member.

What probably made him stay was the same reason he joined the organization. The “proper welcoming” that the YJ gives the students as they enter the University during the Freshmen Walk and the way they send off the graduates during the Baccalaureate Mass gives him a sense of fulfillment. “Parang ang sarap nung feeling na ganun. Part ka nung pagpasok ng estudyante dito, part ka din ng pag-exit nila.”

Aside from from these events, YJ, as the official pep squad of the University, performs during half-time breaks in the UAAP tournament. The whole Thomasian crowd may feel hopeless in trailing games, but they never can and never will.

“We’re not allowed to watch the game actually,” he said. The members of the YJ are the last to turn their faces down because they do not monitor the score. But even if they realize that the Tigers are already losing, there’s no difference. “Di kami affected [sa] score ever. We’re there to boost the crowd and the morale of the Thomasians,” he said.

Knowing priorities

Leading the University’s pep squad for three consecutive years is no joke, having to balance your time with academics and extracurricular, not to mention your personal life. There are some game schedules that overlap with class days. This gives the notion of athletes about being lazy in attending classes and meeting the requirements because inevitable to skip class for when there are games. But Jimson has drafted a strategy for this conflict.

“If our team is capable for championship, I won’t waste my allowable absences for the whole season but I will save them for the final four or championship,” he said.

Jimson, now in his fifth year in Information Systems, said that one should know his priorities. Their everyday training demands a lot of time and physical strength from them which affects some of their academic duties. What most of them do during their breaks in the practice is study in the least available time possible.

Jimson admitted that there are no special treatments given to them in their respective colleges. If you miss the quiz, you missed it. But as they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way.

Experiences, Lessons, Legacy

Being a member of the pep squad for basically his entire college life, Jimson had a bunch of memorable experiences – from his first half-time performance as a trainee to the joint half-time with La Salle pep squad during the past UAAP season.

His most unforgettable experience is the half-time performance they had with the past Yellow Jackets presidents and head cheerleaders, from 1993. “It’s like you’re looking through history at your organization and you’re hearing the stories straight from them,” he said.

The greatest thing he learned in his stay in the organization is the virtue of respect. He believes that respect ought to be given to everyone, regardless of one’s line of work or state in life. He treats his fellow brothers in YJ as his equals in spite of his position.

Since this is his last year in the organization and in the University as well, Jimson is planning to execute a performance that has never been made in UST. A performance probably for the semi-finals of the UAAP Basketball tournament, or hopefully, for the finals. Thomasians must watch out for the coming major performances that will serve as his legacy as the head cheerleader of the UST Yellow Jackets.

Jimson Mirador is definitely one proud YJ. And even when he leaves the walls of this University, he will never stop cheering and inspiring. He will live on upholding his Thomasian pride.

By Gherrylle Anne R. Ombina
Photo taken by Angelo Jhomer F. Fernandez

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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.