UP AGUMAN

AguELECTIONS 2010

2010-03-04T17:39:26Z

Final List of Candidates for the Election of the Executive Council 2010-2011.

For President

Gerard de Padua (Lakatan 06A)

Denesse Handumon (Langgotsi 06B)

For Internals Vice President:

Trisha Nacpil (Baskal 07A)

Ferdinand Mallari (Lakatan 06A)

For Externals Vice President:

Lawrence Manalo (Pinanari 08)

Rex Roque (Lakatan 06A)

For Secretary:

Neicy Ann Nicdao (Baskal 07A)

John Carl Gozun (Baskal 07A)

For Treasurer:

Justin Dungca (Lakatan 06A)

Mark Isip (Sulu 09)

For Educational Chairperson:

Ruby Mamangun (Pinanari 08)

Abigail Sunga (Pinanari 08)

For Socio-cultural Chairperson:

Bencio David (Pinanari 08)

Hil Vargas (Sulu 09)

AguELECTIONS 2010: Important Dates
*Thursday, March 11 - Elections

Love Stories

2010-02-28T05:08:38Z

by: Nic Nicdao

The Chemistry of Love

One of the best classes I’ve ever had the fortune to get enlisted in is Fidel Nemenzo’s STS. Besides the fact that I totally adore Fidel Nemenzo, the lectures I got to listen to were really very interesting. One of them is a lecture entitled “The Chemistry of Love”.

If I tell you about the lecture in detail, you might need half a day to read this entry, so for brevity’s sake I will just enumerate six cool things I learned from the lecture. Enjoy!

A 20-second hug is said to release the love drug oxytocin, which bonds humans at a chemical level. (So next time you see your crush, bear-hug for 20 seconds! ^_^)
The male body produces the cocktail of love more readily than women because of their visual nature. (Is that why they watch a lot of porn?)
The 34 Minute Experiment: Find a complete stranger, reveal to each other intimate details about your lives for half an hour and stare at each other deeply for 4 minutes without talking. York Professor Arthur Arun did the experiment and 74% of his subjects felt attracted to each other after 34 minutes. Three couples eventually got married. (Look at me, Solis, look at me!)
Facial Morphing Experiment: Morph a digitized photo of a male subject into a female. Ask the male subject to select from a series of female photos which one he finds attractive. Dr. James Perret did the experiment and 86% of the time, the subject chose his own morphed picture but did not recognize himself as the female in the picture. (Can you say vain? ^_^)
Studies show that people tend to be attracted to people with whom they share the same tastes and preferences. (Gaya-gaya much?)
The ideal date is doing heart-racing activities such as active sports or a roller-coaster ride. That way your date will think that his or her heart is racing because of you.

As Told by Bong

You thought Binibining Bangs was the only person who could give love advice? Well, I learned somewhere along the way that our very own Kuya Bong can do that too. During a casual YM chat, he enumerated a list of effective and ineffective relationships based on college courses.

Arki + Arki = Boring. They’ll just talk about houses. (I personally contest this one because my brother is an architect and his wife is an architect too but they’re not boring! ^_^)

Arki + Civil Eng’g = Boring din. They’ll just talk about houses and building them. (So stick to the Math major, okay Abi? ^_^)

Arki + Philo = Disaster. One would talk about design and aesthetics, the other will debate on the sensibility of aesthetics. (So no Arki people for you, Boss Mike!)

Arki + Econ = One would struggle to talk about relating Economics with Architecture, the other will just talk about something more interesting. (So no Arki people for me either. ^_^)

Econ + Philo = One would talk about Economics, the other would try to prove the other wrong. (So I should not end up with Andrew Santiago. Haha! ^_^)

Econ + Civil Eng’g = One would talk about budgeting, the other would talk about exaggerating the budget. (No Arki people, no Philo people, ngayon no Civil Eng’g people for me? But Architects tend to have nice, big houses, Philo majors become rich lawyers and Civil Engineers are future millionaires! Nauubusan nako ng kabuhayan showcase. ^_^)

Econ + Pol Sci = One would talk about fixing the government to fix the country, the other would talk about fixing with the government then getting fixed with by the country. (Di ko to maxadong gets. Di ko tuloy alam kung kami ni Hil ay meant to be.)

Kayo na ang bahalang humusga. ^_^

Almost a Love Story

His name is Jan.

We’ve been corresponding for almost a week now, but I got to meet him just this afternoon. He’s a friendly-looking guy in his early twenties and he reminds me of Bryan and Basil – except that Jan has fairer skin and his eyes open a bit more than the slits that Basil has under his eyebrows. (Peace, Ruby!)

For a complete stranger, he affected me strongly. I was careful with the messages I sent to him; I would type them down on Word and read them over and over again to make sure that my messages contain no grammatical errors. I looked forward to receiving his replies and I would cringe miserably at the thought that he would not send any. When he asked “Are you available on Monday…?” I could have jumped all the way back to Pampanga in joy.

I rescheduled to Wednesday because there was an event that I had to attend on Monday, but more than that, I wanted to be prepared for our meeting. On Sunday I spent a ridiculous amount of money for the clothes and shoes that I was going to wear. On Monday I read about the things I expected Jan to talk about so I’d know what to say if he asked something. On Tuesday I cut a class so I could go to Makati and familiarize myself with the place where we were going to meet. For me, Wednesday had to be perfect – I had to make Jan think that I’m smart, I’m genial and most of all, I’m the girl he’s looking for.

Unfortunately, the day was anything but perfect because I was so nervous. I didn’t know what to say, I was always tongue-tied, I forgot about everything that I read about and I couldn’t find the right words to tell Jan what I wanted to. In fact I often ended up blurting out something that sounded wrong. I was so disappointed with myself because the real Nic is confident, spontaneous and coherent.

I know I sound exactly like the heroine of another romantic chic lit, the needy-nerdy girl who falls for the nice guy and embarks on the journey of a lifetime to snag him. Except that I’m not needy or nerdy and I’m not in love with anybody. Actually, I’m looking for an internship, and I want Jan to hire me.

It’s almost a love story.

Kapampangan Creativity Jazzed Up to the Next Level!

2010-03-07T05:07:03Z

Sining 2010 Overall Champion - Don Bosco Academy

With the theme “Jazzing up Kapampangan Creativity to the Next Level”, UP Aguman held Sining 2010 on February 6 and 12, in Don Bosco Academy and The Event Centre in SM Clark, respectively.

Sining is UP Aguman’s annual inter-high school arts competition. It gathers Kapampangan students with talents in the literary, communication, visual and performing arts to share their artistic gifts and celebrate what the Kapampangan youth has to offer.

This year, two new contest categories, Junk Art Fashion and Music Art Illustration, were added to the usual roster of events. Junk Art Fashion required contestants to create clothing out of recycled materials such as cans and candy wrappers, while Music Art Illustration was conducted by continuously playing a musical piece and asking the participants to interpret it through painting.

Ten high schools competed in this year’s Sining: Brightwoods School, CCEMI Academy, Holy Angel University, Holy Family Academy, Jose C. Feliciano College, Mary Help of Christians School, New Era University, School of Infant Jesus, Don Bosco Academy and Philippine Science High School – Central Luzon Campus.

The first day of the event consisted of Art Photography, Impromptu Speech in English and Filipino, Essay Writing in English and Filipino, Music Art Illustration, Still-Life Drawing, Poetry Writing in English and Filipino, and Crisotan. Winners for Impromptu Speech in English and Filipino and Crisotan were announced the same day.

The second day was a showcase for the following events: Solo Singing Competition, Interpretative Dance, Modern Street Dance, Acoustic Band Competition, and Junk Art Modeling. The winners from all events were announced after.

UP Aguman alumni, namely Frida Chia Galban (Bucayo 2005B), Dennis Rey Manabat (Salagpi 2001A), Michael Rick Penalba (Sampelut 2003A),Eleaze Valerie Santos (Kaputul 2004A), Andre Galang (Salagpi 2001A), Joeven Rex Dizon (Salagpi 2001A), and Krystel Cruz (Sampelut 2003 A) graced the event.

Sining 2010 Winners:

POETRY WRITING in FILIPINO
Champion: Keith Joven (DBA)
2nd: Jeanne Maureen Arono (MHCS)
3rd: Jessica Joyce Deguia (CCEMI)

POETRY WRITING in ENGLISH
Champion: Kris Simbillo (DBA)
2nd: BJ Bondoc (BWS)
3rd: Pamela Faith Musni (MHCS)

ESSAY WRITING in FILIPINO
Champion: Eunica Danica Fe (HFA)
2nd: Emmanuel Fernandez Jr. (DBA)
3rd: Samantha Beatrice de Guzman (PSHS)

ESSAY WRITING in ENGLISH
Champion: Inno Pineda (DBA)
2nd: Jessica Ann Estacio (MHCS)
3rd: Mica Bautista (BWS)

IMPROMPTU SPEECH in FILIPINO
Champion: Cyril John Bernardo (PSHS)
2nd: Vilson Vidallon (NEU)
3rd: Jeanne Claudeen Arona (MHCS)

IMPROMPTU SPEECH in ENGLISH
Champion: Francis Panganiban (DBA)
2nd: Justin Apostol (BWS)
3rd: Cyril John Bernardo (PSHS)

DECLAMATION in KAPAMPANGAN
CHAMPION: Angely May Aguilar (BWS)
2nd: Francis Panganiban (DBA)
3rd: Julian Anunciacion (MHCS)

CRISOTAN
Champion: Jonah Mary Mutuc, Elaine Sunga, Kathreen Sunga (MHCS)
2nd: Archie Dela Cruz, Gian Infante and James Mercado (DBA)
3rd: Lianne Cuaresma, Loren Soriano and Joshua Nacpil (NEU)

STILL LIFE DRAWING
Champion: Adrian Liangco (DBA)
2nd: Crystal Tranquilino (BWS)
3rd: JR Santos (BWS)

MUSIC ART ILLUSTRATION
Champion: Alejandro Naguit (NEU)
2nd: Inno Pineda (DBA)
3rd: Claudette Pangilinan (HFA)

ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Champion: Katrina Lim (BWS)
2nd: Bienvenido Naguit III (DBA)
3rd: Ellen Miole (MHCS)

SOLO SINGING
Champion: Miguel Rivera (DBA)
2nd: Jenus Jan Gabriel (CCEMI)
3rd: Regina Martha Lumongsod (PSHS)

INTERPRETATIVE DANCE
Champion: DBA
2nd: PSHS
3rd: NEU

MODERN STREETDANCE
Champion: DBA
2nd: NEU
3rd: MHCS

ROCKOUSTIC BAND
Champion: Free To Play (BWS)
2nd: Choey Rockers (DBA)
3rd: The Rush Band (NEU)

JUNK ART FASHION SHOW
Champion: PSHS
2nd: CCEMI
3rd: DBA

OVERALL CHAMPION: Don Bosco Academy, 210 points
2nd: Brightwoods School, 90 points
3rd: Mary Help of Christians School & New Era University, 70 points

Again, to all winners and participants, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT WITH US. Kapampangan tamu, mayARTi tamu! Yeah! Haha! (^^,)

Number One With A Bullet

2010-02-20T16:47:00Z

by Neicy Nicdao

When I was younger, I desperately wanted to be good at Math. But since this is Aslag-Sining that I’m currently writing for, I’ll tell you about the other thing I desperately wanted to be good at – the arts.

Not just any kind of art, mind you. (I mean, I wasn’t exactly bent on becoming the world’s number one bonsai or hairstyling artist, no offense to anyone.) For some unexplained and probably illogical reason, I wanted to be good at singing or dancing or drawing, which I guess were nthe more ‘glamorous’ arts for me then. Looking back, maybe it was because those were the popular ‘talents’ for little kids – well, have you ever heard of a six-year old who was asked what his talent was and answered “I’m good at making digital pop art”?

My childhood saw too many days of me destroying every clean sheet of paper I could find in our house by spattering various watercolor paints on it. I’d show them to my brother, who’s really great at drawing (he’s now an architect) and I’d ask him to try to guess what I ‘drew’. He’d squint, pretend to think hard and say “Are those pretzels in the sky?”

And I’d cry, because I drew fishes in the sea.

*****

They say that fate has a funny way of giving you what you want to get. As I grew up I eventually became affiliated with an art – two, actually – although both were not one of those arts that I really wanted to be good at. I ended up becoming the editor-in-chief of the Blue Quill, my school’s (St. Scholastica’s Academy) official publication and the resident ‘speecher’ (speaker, debater, emcee, anything that had anything to do with speaking); somehow I managed to put my name on various trophies, medals and certificates as among the winners of numerous writing and speaking competitions.

But that didn’t mean that I gave up my wanting to be a singer, dancer or visual artist. I tried hard – I sang like tomorrow was doomsday every Music class, I bought the 64-piece box of colored pencils even if my Arts teacher said that 12 colors was fine, I even became friends with the class dancers who taught me how to do splits and jumps.

The story’s almost the same, except that the setting and characters are different. I was no longer a kid in grade school; I was a teen and I was in high school. My brother had gone off to college and so I found another guy who I could show off my talents to. One time I let him watch me practice the interpretative dance my group was doing for our P.E. class.

He struggled to keep a straight face and mumbled something along the lines of “I’ve never seen anything like that in Don Bosco.”

And I cringed. That was the guy who was supposed to make me feel good about myself, and that was all he could manage to say about my dancing.

*****

When I joined the UP Aguman, I had no freakin’ idea what Sining was. It wasn’t my fault, SSA started joining Sining just last year and I stopped wearing the blue and white uniform two years ago. Hence, when I got my first taste of the annual event, my nerves were wracked – Sining was practically a gathering of the people I wanted to be like all my life.

I remember it as if it was just yesterday. I was given the task of proctoring the Essay Writing – English category, which meant that I had to watch a dozen or so high school students jot down a thousand or so words and make sure that everything went on smoothly. Writing was a craft that I was already very familiar with, so it didn’t take long for me to get bored. (Yeah, proctors get bored too, ya know.)

When I learned that the still-life drawing was held on the room next door, however, there was a twinkle in my eyes.

“Kuya Jer!” I called the first Agupip who happened to pass by my assigned room.

Because Kuya Jer is an absolute sweetheart, he smiled and went in.

“Bakit, Nic?”

“Kuya, pwede ikaw muna magbantay ng Essay Writing? Gusto ko lang puntahan yung Still Life.”

Because Kuya Jer used to be affiliated with the College of Architecture (meaning he was used to drawing the way I was used to writing), he said yes. I basically ran to the next room, which was, to me, a whole new world. And when I saw the participants of the Still Life Drawing and what they were drawing, I had to summon every ounce of self control I had in me, because I desperately wanted to scream “Why are you so good at drawing and why do I freakin’ s*ck at it?”

They participants were simply so good at what they did.

*****

It goes without saying that the second day of Sining, the one dedicated to the performing arts, was another love-hate day for me. I loved watching the participants because the best of them defined what talent really was. I hated watching the them because I envied them for being so good at what I want to be good at.

But past the admiration and envy, being at Sining just really makes me proud of my fellow Capampangans who are able to show the world two important things: what a Capampangan is innately capable of doing and what a Capampangan can be capable of doing with industry.

Sining is a talent competition. If you have been chosen by your school to represent it in this tilt, then you must really have the knack for doing what you are here to do for. You have to have talent – the innate ability to do something, and more than that, the innate love for doing it.

I met Bencio David and Basil Dungo when they applied to be members of the UP Aguman in 2008 and in 2009 respectively. They have their similarities, a shining example of which is that they both had the chance to participate in Sining during high school – Bencio in Poetry Writing and Basil in the Rock Band category. Both of them were champions in their respective fields. Through the course of our friendships I had grown to learn just how passionate these men are about their crafts.

Out of the blue, Bencio would decorate his Aguman shirts with glitter glue, making everyone ask him if he could decorate their shirts too. On the way home, Basil would sing along the Hoobastank hit being played on the bus, inspiring every other Agupip to sing along and make the bus ride a jamming session. Bencio and Basil aren’t really ‘required’ to do what they do, but it comes instinctively, naturally to them. That’s talent.

At the same time, sheer talent is rarely ever enough to bring someone to great heights; for one to really make the most out of what he or she has been given, one must develop his or her talent through hard work and practice. Every song rendition, dance performance and manual rendering that is showcased in Sining is a product of long days or hard practice. That’s industry.

Talent plus industry equals you can never go wrong with that.

*****

“Munta ka Sining?” Kenn, my orgmate slash PI 100 classmate asks me as our professor continues to say something about how emo Jose Rizal is.

Do I want to go to Sining to torment myself again, seeing all those people who are great at everything I’ve always wanted to be good at but never will be? It’s the ultimate Envy Event for a wannabe like me.

I laugh. Why am I even pretending to have second thoughts? I know what the answer would be anyway. It’s simply too hard to pass up.

“Wa naman.”

A Battle between Buttons and Strings

2010-02-20T16:43:47Z

By: Abby Sunga

It will always be an aspiration of mine to learn how to play a musical instrument. Back in fourth grade, I was given the opportunity to learn the basics of playing a piano. Sadly, I wasn’t able to enhance the skill I have acquired after the lessons had been conducted. Now each time I try to play the instrument again, I’m having a difficult time to read the notes and interpret the symbols imprinted on the staffs.

From piano, my interest shifted to guitars. The problem is that I do not have enough time to study it given my busy schedule as a college student. This pursuit only intensified when I got to learn how to play some music simulation games.

Timezone, Quantum, Worlds of Fun and other arcades have these games, namely: Guitar Hero, Guitar Freaks, Drum Freaks, Percussion Master and the like. These machines are big hits especially to music enthusiasts. However in playing these machines, questions arise. Which is more enjoyable, engaging to these music video games or learning to play the real instrument? Which is more practical, or better perhaps? Can you equate the skills acquired in playing these games with the skills gained while learning to play the actual guitar or drum?

The Buttons

Many people are getting addicted to simulation games related to music. A personal favorite is the Rock Band. This music video game which allows up to four members to simulate rock band performances using controllers modeled after real instruments. The scores depend on the player’s ability to match the notes scrolled on the screen with the strumming or beating of the player’s chosen instrument. This game somehow creates the feeling of being in a band given that there are guitarists, drummers and even singers. In comparison to playing the real instrument, the game is much easier to learn and to master.

One advantage of this game is that musical background is not a requirement. This game is great even for people who do not know how to play musical instruments. The key to getting a high score is a good eye and hand coordination with the vocals as an exception. The songs are already preprogrammed and are patterned from the real musical scoring of international rock and pop songs. The notes needed for the guitars and drums are being shown and mistakes in strumming or beating can mess up the group’s performance as a whole.

On the darker side, songs are limited on those which are already available. You will not be able to compose and create songs unless you have the expertise in programming the songs for the game. Creativity and self-expression are not being enhanced by this game. It’s all about getting the beat and hitting the right buttons.

The Strings

Learning how to play an instrument takes a lot of time, effort, patience and determination both from the student and the mentor. The skills needed cannot be acquired overnight or from one trial only. Everything takes practice. It’s really hard to study and practice but once you get hold of it, it’s a big achievement and fulfillment on your part.

When playing the actual instrument, there is a big room for creativity and self-expression. You can compose songs about what you want to say then give it an original tone. There are no actual limits on the songs you can make. You are free to generate the kind of music you want. You can explore and experiment until you’re satisfied with your composition. There are no combination counters to monitor your mistakes while playing. Some even find the notes of a song easier to play with a real guitar than a video game instrument.

* * *

Facts state that the sales on musical instruments greatly increased when these musical video games have been released. Kids who become addicted to these simulations actually develop an interest on learning the real instruments. This implies that games such as the Rock Band make their users appreciate real life musicians and the actual musical instruments. They aren’t trapped on the illusion that they belong to a band but something inside them actually urges them to be like real life rock stars.

Music video gaming cannot be at par with the actual learning of an instrument. However, this doesn’t automatically suggest that these two are completely opposite things. In reality, one can bridge out to the other. It’s better if you acquire skills from both. It doesn’t matter much if the buttons were just pressed or the real strings being strummed. What is important is that we enjoy the music we create. Music is something we naturally love, whether it is only simulated or actually played.

Snag that Sining 2010 trophy!

2010-02-20T16:36:00Z

5 secrets to sneaky victory

By Clarisse Dacusin

The mere fact that you are reading this means you are raring to achieve that metallic victory. And who wouldn’t? Just a year ago, I also joined Sining in the Essay Writing category. Trust me, I know the jittery feeling. And I know how you’d love to walk to the stage and have a medal gloriously hung upon your neck. You’d want to return to school with your friends carrying you on their backs as they hail their hero and your beloved mentors weeping sappily as they tell you how they always knew you had the makings of a genius…. aah… heavenly victory. And it will be with you in a few sneezes.

But before I bestow you the golden secrets of victory excavated in 300 B.C. from the farthest caves of Mesopotamia, let me just ask you: are you in your right mind?!?

Are you sure you want to join this contest?

To tell you the truth, I hate Sining. I mean, I HATE it. And I advise you not to continue to this contest, unless you want to suffer the vile things that I went through because of Sining:

Sining yanked me out of my serene high school days

My last year in high school was awful. Though not many people knew about it, I was crying most of the time; I felt angst thicker than an emo’s eyeliner. On the last quarter of my fourth year, I was diligently growing my bangs so I can turn into a real emo- until Sining came.

Sining was a whirlwind of ecstasy that blew me away. After a period of hopelessness, it gave me a chance to seriously redeem my pride, but at the same time, to enjoy. In Sining, I was a giddy kid eating a puffed-up cotton candy all to myself; I was a carefree child again.

So, for depriving me the chance to maximize my bangs and be an authentic emo, I loathe Sining. *goes emo *

Sining recognizes my lack of talent and slams it to my face

What is the square root of 1637/94x*(81.976x-72)/ 22*!^%$!#@?

I almost failed my mathematic subjects in high school. Deficient in academics, you’d think I would be blessed with many artistic talents, but no. I can’t sing do a mean headstand, imitate Rufa Mae Quinto, Gary Granada songs in a big, flowery skirt, or declaim “alms-alms-alms-spare-me-a-piece-of-bread-spare-me-your-mercy” while wagging my tongue at an innocent bystander. I envy people like them because I don’t have talents that I can perform to be appreciated by the crowd.

There are many diverse kinds of talents, and Sining is the perfect contest to showcase these. Sining reminds us that no skill is too outrageous or insignificant. If you have talents, even those not mentioned in the contest’s categories, you can definitely share it for the enjoyment of others.

Can cook the most mouth-watering fried chicken in gastronomic history? My taste buds will eternally thank you, friend. Can devour an entire bucket of chicken in one sitting? That’s a choice between living healthy and dying happily (*dies*). Love snacking on live chickens? Maybe you are an advocate against global warming who saves fuel by not cooking.

If you can eat chickens alive, that’s a matchless skill indeed. But if you stop being a chicken and have the courage to bring your ingenuity alive, then, Sining awaits you.

Sining encourages many shy but talented people to impart their art. For being a great avenue of numerous talents that I can’t help to envy, I detest Sining.

Sining makes me lost for words in the middle of my article; though I hate to admit it, its awesomeness just astounds me that I can’t remember the third reason why I hate it – it’s pretty frustrating when your mind goes blank like this, and it also happens in essay writing competitions when, in the middle of being so engrossed in your work you’ll realize what you just wrote is the purest crap or you can’t think of anything to be able to continue the essay, and it makes me hate contests even more but I can’t find the words to convey it here, unlike in Sining events where you have the freedom and the drive to really express yourself in the best way you can.

. . .

Yeah. Sining sucks.

Sining stole a big chunk of my sanity

Sining 2010 was one of the first moments I met UP Aguman. Never in my insane enough life did I imagine that someday, existing in this planet would get just a tad crazier as I become a part of their mischievous family.

As a freshman college student, I had to adjust to the madness- the culture, the environment, and the people. I was raring to venture into new things, yet I’m afraid to make mistakes and mess up. College life can drain the little left of my sanity sometimes. I am very thankful I joined UP Aguman; if not their friendship that serves as my Prozac in sad moments or tranquilizer in frantic days, I might be locked up in a mental asylum now.

I love the tingling warmth I feel whenever I walk towards the tambayan, knowing that when I get there, I would instantly have a friend to talk to. I have ates to guide me, kuyas to look after me like real gentlemen, and batch mates to fool around with; how more chaotic can life get?

For making my everyday frenzied by filling it with (wonderfully) crazy people, I abhor Sining.

Sining made hold on to something I tried so damn hard to forget

When I first realized I love writing, I tried to deny it to myself. Writing eats you up- it consumes your mind, it devours the soul. It tortures the heart in ways unimaginable.

I was mostly depressed in my senior year in high school as I said a while ago. One of the things that distressed me was my defeat in a writing contest. All four years of high school, I worked hard to win a particular contest, but in just a flick, I lost.

I was deeply demoralized. I felt so stupid. And miserably emo.

I was not happy when Sining came. I just want to exit high school as unscathed as possible; why participate in another writing contest when I might just lose once more? I didn’t want another shot at failure.

I wasn’t ready to pick up my pen again, but Sining revived my love for writing. And I hate it.

I hate how my heart pounds with every sensuous press of the keyboard.

I hate how my spirit radiates with every rich release of ink.

I hate how I cannot despise the spice of my life.

I hate how I can’t hate writing.

And I hate how I can’t even begin to do so.

I should end this now, lest I exceed the pages allotted for this article. These tangible pages conclude, but a life of imagination has no limits. Your book never ends. Fill it up with the wisest words, the most brilliant brush strokes, the most vibrant of all voices.

Don’t hold your talents back; set them free, until it sets you free.

P.S.: ‘Sining’ is like ‘sinning’. Sining is a sinful indulgence of your passions. But unlike sinning, Sining never hurts anyone. It never hurts to express who you are. Good luck, and enjoy!
P.S. Jr.: Sorry I wasn’t able to give you any tips on how to win in Sining. But with this elusive chance of doing what you love and imparting it with others, does it really matter if you win or not? ; )

What if I wanted to break?

2010-02-20T16:21:33Z

by: John Basil Dungo

(Sining 2009 Rockoustic Champion)

It all started late January of 2009 when the performing arts director of our school informed our group that we were chosen to represent Bright Woods School in a band competition for Sining 09.

Our school did not have an elaborate history in joining band competitions, so this was a new experience for our band. Being in the Rockoustic category was remarkably challenging, since added to it was an uncommon stipulation. We were tasked to take a couple of rock songs and create acoustic renditions of them. We had a lot of songs in mind. This made it more difficult for us. The end result having been that we chose the song “Rest in Pieces” by Saliva together with “The Kill” of 30 Seconds to Mars.

Then came two weeks of brutally arduous practice. We faced long nights in trying to find a way to work around the songs, long hours spent on trial and error, figuring which instruments would fit and what progressions and notes had to be changed. Weeks withered into days and then to minutes until the two weeks of preparation were finally exhausted. It was time to see if our hard work would pay off. At long last, it was time to perform.

“What if I wanted to break?” these were the last of the lyrics in our songs. And as I drew the microphone away from my lips, I felt relief. As I listened to the crowd’s uproar, I felt satisfaction; and as I stepped down the stage, with my heart pouncing incessantly, I felt the greatest feeling of joy.

The moment I left the podium, I knew we had a good chance of winning. We gave it our all and indeed, our hard work paid of. And when the announcement of the winners took place, only one name, one band was given the right to be called the best.

“And the winner is, Free to Play!” Nothing sounded sweeter, modesty aside. It was the biggest moment of my life.

Being a part of Rockoustic was like a dream and so I could have never imagined myself being a part of a band that would be hailed as the best. And now that I have the honor to be part of the organization that holds this annual event, I only wish to be part of the fulfillment of the dreams of my Cabalen as Aguman has in mine and that the next batch of winners too become part of other aspiring Kapampangan bands.

THIS is SINING!

2010-02-20T16:15:58Z

by: Ian Bencio David

(Sining 2008 Poetry Writing in Filipino Champion)

Looking through the misted glasspane, I sit comfortably as I wait for my professor to come. A new semester has just started and i bet that this class will be as exciting as I expect it to be. I guess, i’ve finally found the perfect spot within the busy academe to go back to my first love…writing.

It is my first day for my Creative Writing class. It has been a long time since I’ve let the ink from my pen to rush and create poems and new stories. Now, I am thrilled to let new characters breath to a new life.

This moment certainly reminds me of that feeling upon writing one of those little child’s innocent stories. I was just about eight or nine when I wrote the adventures of a little boy and his magical pen that he found from an old house’s attic. That story indeed brings me back to my childhood, when I thought that everything is just simply about magic!

No wonder, writing is my first love and “to be a writer” is one of those on top of “the story of my one hundred dreams”. I know it has always been a grown-up dream.

In achieving such, I understand that big steps begin with small ones and I shall say that Sining provided me those first few staircases that would lead to my dream of becoming a great writer.

I know that those treasured chances led me to experiences which are enough for me to say, that I can be the one I want to be someday.

It teaches a lesson to never be tired of pursuing the talent that sets me apart from the rest. Passion kept within a heart. Truly, art is a haven where I am kept on the hands of my enchanting muse. It freely allows my pen to dance to the music that a youthful heart sings.

In Sining, there is more than words. There is life. I am creating life! I own an eye that the rest of the world couldn’t look through. I have that sensitivity. I can fabricate masterpieces like a well woven cloth. The world will always be beautiful as long as we have the most magical pens to write a beautiful story; as long as we own the most precious insights with the way we see the earth; as long as we are free to voice out the ideas, to compose the most enchanting songs and to get our feet to the beat. World will be beautiful. In every single stroke of a brush, in every poem written, in every word spoken, in every string strummed and in every hand freely thrown in the air, life is given its best meaning.

This is life. This is Art. This is Sining.

Talentadong Agu

2010-01-18T04:55:36Z

In 2008, it was a geographic beauty battle that saw what Agu-guys can do with skirts. For 2009, the Agupips proved that they can make the T in TFK stand for something other than truth – Talent.

Resident members and supportive alumni gathered on the eve of December 17, 2009 at Casa Pura’s Deck Garden for Aguman’s Got Talent, the talent competition-themed festivity that marked the Capampangan flag-bearing organization’s 37^th year anniversary. Preparations for the event were spearheaded by Denesse Handumon and Erika Pagapong in cooperation with the Executive Council.

Denesse and Erika

The night’s highlight was Aguman’s Got Talent, a friendly talent competition that saw the members of the org’s six committees perform various numbers for the alumni audience. The Educational Committee, headed by Ruth Henson claimed the first performance of the night with a song number sparked up by Jona Salvador’s solo rendition of the song Mabuti Pa Sila. They were followed by Mike Gulapa’s Records and Publications Committee who performed their versions of the hit TV show Glee’s Crazy in Love and Hair mash-up and sign language Imagine, ending their turn with an ethnic-inspired Jingle Bell Rock number.

Finance Committee

The third committee was the Bryan Quizon-led Finance Committee which treated the audience to a retro dance number, succeeded by Aries Viray’s Externals Committee which presented a Jabbawockeez inspired street hiphop dance medley. Next on the stage was Trish Nacpil’s Membership Committee which challenged Exte’s number with a dance explosion of their own. The curtain closer was Minsky Goce’s Socio-cultural Committee which trio of Minsky and members Bencio David and Ruby Mamangun entertained with a vintage dance number.

Winner, Externals Committee

In the end, Socio bagged the third place while the deadlock between Memcom and Exte was broken when the Externals committee was awarded top honors of the night. Scorecards were filled by alumni judges Rex Dizon, Loree Sicat, Yek Santos and Al Rivera. Jen Castro was awarded the title of Most Congenial Member while Bencio David won the Best Costume and Best Performer honors.

UP Aguman Alumni

Among the alumni present were Aguman’s Alumni Association President Powie David, Argel Casupanan, Marco Lansangan, Natasha Tabucal, Ghie Utanes, Edmund Castro and Joyce Dela Cruz.

A Flight from Light’s Plight

2010-01-18T13:03:03Z

The journey of Sulu ‘09

by Clarisse Dacusin and Hil Vargas

For more than a semester, we have witnessed how the youngest batch of new members struggle through rigorous stages of the application process. Now, let us adjust our eyes to the brightness as we unveil the radiant personalities shining in Sulu ’09.

Agnes, Jane

Course: BS Industrial Engineering

High School: Megabyte College

Birthday: June 05, 1990

The big sister of Sulu, Jane is a determined girl who utilizes her stern discipline in achieving what she wants for the batch. She prances in grace in her talent in dancing and in battling the challenges of the application process. Though she might give a first impression of being snobbish, when you get to know her you will learn that she is simply a strong-willed person who will do everything for what she aspires for. Firm yet flexible, unyielding yet understanding, this girl proves she’s definitely no plain Jane.

Dacusin, Clarisse Katrin

Course: BA Comparative Literature

High School: St. Scholastica’s Academy

Birthday: April 21, 1992

“Undergoing this application process made me realize a lot of things about myself and the people around me… chos. Yak andrama, di bagay sa ‘kin! Haha. Basta ang astig lang na member na kami. Grabe, pasayawin ba naman ako di ba? Ako, na laging nasa likod ng line pag field demo?!? Haha! XD Pero wala naman akong pinagsisisihan dahil kung hindi ako sumayaw at umarte ng parang tanga, gumawa ng sangkaterbang trivia, magpractice hanggang madaling araw, e di sana hindi ako masaya ngayon. ”

One thing you can notice about Clarisse is the way she dresses, which speaks of her love for the Korean pop culture. In one way or another, her passion for this also equated with her passion for every endeavour she was tasked to do. Although a palpable introvert, she sometimes cracks up jokes that make her peers laugh. Throughout the application process, Clarisse is well known for always pushing everything to the limits, and sometimes, even exceeding the expectations she has under her belt.

Dungo, John Basil

Course: BS Business Administration and Accoutancy

High School: Bright Woods School

Birthday: December 6, 1992

The versatile and overly talented guy with the natural charm is no other than Basil. John Basil Dungo is known to be the performer of the group; with his talent for singing, he can melt away the people who ever hear his voice. Also being athletic, he is somewhat one of the physical ‘frontiers’ who seem to make out every strenuous activity become a piece of cake. Throughout the application process, he is considered to be an active part of every activity, taking in every opportunity to fill up and hasten the completion of every challenge pressed on the batch. He exhibits empathy quite well, and always there when someone needs his back.

Facal, Maria Carmela

Course: Computer Engineering

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: April 25, 1992

“Yung app process made me realize na hindi basta-basta ang pagsali sa isang org.. Pinaghihirapan pala siya.. Yung mga tambay hours, makikilala mo talaga yung mga mems at co-apps, yung buddy get-up, talents night, workshop, final interview, final rites, at yung induction, lahat sila may lessons para maintindihan mo talaga ang pagiging member ng org.”

The resident otaku of the batch, Carmela is always present to feed your curiosity of things involving her ultimate interest: anime. Then she can sometimes conquer you with her sudden strong bursts of seemingly angry emotions, she proves to be a calm girl and uses this to her advantage as she sails through the application process with her steady soul. She can be aloof at first, but once she reveals who she really is, you will learn how candid and wacky she can be. “Pika Pika Chuuuuuu!” Carmela, we choose you! Arigatou gozaimasu, Carmela!

Isip, Mark Joseph

Course: BS Electronics and Communications Engineering

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: May 31, 1992

Isip, as we often call him, is the diligent batch head of Sulu ’09-A. We all know that undergoing UP Aguman’s application process is a tedious task especially if you are the batch head, but Isip proves that he can do it- while maintaining his University Scholar status, no less. Isip proves that he is a true batch head by being easy to get along with and strict if he needs to be. Always looking out for his batch mates even when the application process is long over, you can always rely on Isip when you have problems; either they are of a mathematical nature or you just need to learn how to do a decent headstand.

Maniago, Sarah Jean

Course: BA Broadcast Communication

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: July 15, 1992

“Induction – This is it pancit sabi nga ni Kuya Kebs. The sem-long app process finally paid off. Kumbaga, konting tiis na lang magiging official part na kami ng AguFamily. Right after that night, I was smiling the whole time. Para akong sira. Syempre! Sino ba namang di sasaya. It was indeed a dream come true ”

Perky is the first word that comes to mind when you meet the ever energetic Sajea. Sarah Jean Maniago, ‘Sajea’ for short, is a brilliant public speaker and really speaks for what she acts. She is quite a natural leader, with always the initiative to support and guide her co-applicants. She finds comfort in helping with every crucial detail in each activity, so everything may appear to be perfect. With her confidence and undeniable vigour, she appears to be a woman of all trades.

Pineda, Shara Vanessa

Course: BS Business Administration

High School: St. Scholastica’s Academy

Birthday: November 22, 1990

“Dahil sa app process natutunan ko na sobrang mas mamahalin mo ang isang bagay kapag naghirap ka para makuha ito.”

In the year 2009, we have two explosive discoveries. First, Ruffa Mae is studying in UP. Second, she is joining UP Aguman.

If Ruffa Mae, errr, Shara, will be a color, undoubtedly it will be pink. True enough, she is as feminine and spunky as this color. If you’ll invite her to a videoke session, never let go of the microphone- for if you do, you will be condemned to an eternity of Lady Gaga songs. Shara can croon to these songs while eating, sleeping, or under torture. But there is more to this lady than her kikay ways, as she proves to be a genuine friend for her batch mates, cheering them on when they lose all hope and energy. Whenever you are down, expect her to come over to encourage you with her three magic words-“ Go, go, gooooo!”

Santos, Justinne Marie

Course: BA Linguistics

High School: St. Scholastica’s Academy

Birthday: May 10, 1991

“The whole app process was a roller coaster ride. There are mixed emotions and unpredictable situations… We’ve shared laughter and tears. We’ve experienced strength and shortcomings. All these have contributed to the triumph of Sulû. Ate Jane, Shara, Kim, Clarisse, Mela, Isip, Saji, Hil, Basil (By age ‘yan ah. Hahaha!) – I’m glad we’ve made it! Congratulations and may God bless us as we all take new responsibilities as full-fledged mems. I love you all! J”

Like a butterfly softly emerging from her cocoon, delicate Justinne is a naïve young lady raring to explore this beautiful world. Loving and lovely, this damsel-in-distress is wistfully and wishfully waiting for her own Knight-in-shining-armor (Ehem, ehem). But whether he comes or not, we are certain that Tinne will battle hardships with all the strength she can muster, like she did in the application process. By being a sweet friend and cooperative comrade, we can be certain that we will never be failed by Super Tinne.

Tupe, Kimberly Anne

Course: BS Mathematics

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: August 20, 1991

The famous line, “It’s always better the second time around,” applies for the second-time applicant, Kimberly Tupe. With her applying again, after not finishing her first application process due to an unexpected incident, shows how Kim has the ardour and determination to become a member of Aguman. Being one of the officers, she has shown what she could do for the org – give her best in everything that she does. She is often admired because of her strength, as she also has the dream to enter the Philippine Military Academy.

Vargas, Hil Petersen

Course: BA Political Science

High School: Don Bosco Academy

Birthday: August 02, 1992

Alms, alms, alms… Tanggalin nyo sapatos ko! Do you know my mother? Do you know my father?!? *licks* Five years ago…

Five years ago, no one could have imagined that UP Aguman would have the most confident member it has ever had. With his perverted ways and hilarious antics, Hil is definitely a lively and spirited guy. He fuels the batch with energy in trying (and tiring) times. With all the ruckus caused by his humor, you can easily brand Hil as just another shallow, happy-go-lucky guy but deep down, Hil can be a really good friend and team player… just make sure there aren’t any frogs in sight. Ribit. :O