Four Titles, One Event

Today is the day for our speech choir competition. Everyone of us are very nervous because, although we are just doing things over and over again during practice for us to master the choreo and the piece, we didn't had enough time to polish it. That is why, the whole event, we kept in mind that all we need to do is to give our best and enjoy our performance.

As the event started, the host (Sir Nomer Yuzon) called Miss Eliz Reyes as the ERC head for the opening remarks. While Miss Eliz is talking in front, you can feel the emotion of her speech. You can feel how sad she was because this is the last batch for All English Term. Although she is very emotional, she finished her speech with a bright smile. After that, Sir Nomer called Sir Chritian Fruto to walk up to stage and tackle about the Criteria for Judging.

CpE 151 Speech Choir

ECE 151 Speech Choir

Geraldine Bravo delivering her speech

After that, the competition started. First to perform for the Ignite Speech is the representative from CPE 151. After that, it is followed by the first block performer for the Speech Choir Competition which is ABMA 153/155 then followed by all the competitors. Here are the list of the competitors based on the competition order:

IGNITE SPEECH:
CPE 151
ECE 151
ABMA 155
ABMA 154
ABMA 153
ABMA 152
ABMA 151

SPEECH CHOIR:
ABMA 153/155
ABMA 154
ABMA 152
ABMA 151
CPE 151
ECE 151

After the performance of all the competitors, tons of songs are played for us to be entertained and sing along. After that, some of the ERC Faculty Members asked Sir Nomer to sing the song entitled "Love Yourself". Since Sir Nomer don't know the song, us students sing along with him. 

After that, the results are announced. Everyone are cheering for their own Block. Everyone are expecting to win. And guess what?! Our block won 4 titles! Yup! You read it right! Out of 5 titles, we won 4 of it! The titles we won are the following:

Logo Making Competition - Winner - logo created by Manuela Roxas

Public Speaking Competition - Champion - Represented by John David Gulle

Ignite Speech Competition - Champion - Represented by Geraldine Marie Bravo

Speech Choir Competition - 2nd Runner Up - ABMA 151

Finally, we redeem ourselves from the past Float Parade Competition.Also, we finally have a pride for our block. It is rare to win four titles in just one event. We proudly say the ABMA 151 BRING HOME THE BACON.

Me hugging the trophies our block recieved

The trophies!!!!

IT IS A GREAT WAY TO END OUR FIRST SCHOOL YEAR IN ASIA PACIFIC COLLEGE. NOW WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD WHAT COULD HAPPEN DURING OUR SECOND YEAR.

Public Speaking Competition

This morning, we are asked to attend the Public Speaking Competition which is held by the English Resource Center. Each and every blocks that are participating required to have 6 representatives. In our block, the representatives are Kristopher Coquia, Aurora Corong, Amber De Velez, Angela Fariñas, Jod Gulle, and Jerica Valerio.

When we arrived at the auditorium, everyone from the APC Speaks are busy preparing for it. It means that the event haven't started yet. We have to wait for like 1 hour for it to start.

The Contestants preparing themselves for the Elimination Round

At the beginning of the event, Miss Nina Javier - De Leon gives the Opening remarks. Follow by the Criteria for Judging been said by one of the APC Speaks Member. After that, they revealed the room assignments for the Elimination Round then they proceed to it.

While the contestants are having the elimination round at the 6th floor of the APC Building, those who are not contestants remain at the auditorium and had a fun activities held by, again, APC Speaks.

Pau and Frits preparing for the Debate Activity

The first one is the Public Speaking Activity wherein they chose three students to speak in front. It is fun especially because our block mate, Marlou Macalalad, won the activity. Next is the Informal Debate.. Again, it is fun to watch especially when they are getting crazy about the assigned topic to them.

The Top 8 Finalist

After those two activities, the contestant for the real Public Speaking Competition returned to the auditorium. After a while, the top 8 were announced. Here are the list of the top 8 in no particular order:

Jerica Valerio

Stephanie Kung

Joshua Nel Francisco

Chelsea Anne Dave

Tyron Santos

Evgenia Limbaga

John David Gulle

Napoleon Labuson

We are glad that two from our 6 representatives (Jerica Valerio and John David Gulle) made it to the final round. We are very proud of them especially Jerica for being the very first Public Speaker to speak in front of the stage. She did it without any sign of nervousness. Even Jod Gulle did a great job.

 After all the Speakers speak in front, the host informed us that the winners won't be announced until tomorrow. Now, beside from the Speech Choir Competition, I am really looking forward for the result of the Public Speaking Competition.

Mobilizing the Millennials as Social Responsible Prosumers

Photo Credit to: The RAMPage

Last January 29, 2016, the RAMPage produced a seminar entitled "Mobilizing the Millennials as Social Responsible Prosumers". It started with an opening remarks given by the Publication Head and SAO Head, Miss Kareen Gancio. Then, it is followed up by two short films.

The first short film challenges the democracy's motion in our country, the Philippines. This video is produced by someone who claims that he is a concerned citizen.

The second short film suggested that we think again about the previous short film. This short film is done by an organization who advocates for investigative journalism.

After a not so long time, they finally introduced the guest speaker from Subselfie.com, a passion project of Filipino Communication professionals about their stories. The first speaker been introduces is Ms. Hon Sophia Balod. She is the Subselfie.com Visual Arts Manager. During her speech, she gave some ideas and tips on how to become a good writer.

The second speaker is Liam Nami Baan, the associate editor of Subselfie.com and works as the Associate Producer for Segments of the State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

Photo Credit to: The RAMPage

At first, I thought that this is another boring seminar that I won’t give any interest with. What I think is not true. During the seminar, my eyes been opened up to the fact that I still many things to learn to become a good writer. That motivates me to explore more and give myself a chance to develop my writing skills.

Unfortunately, I lost all the files (photo) that are related about this topic. Because of that, I would like to give credit to RAMPage for the article about this topic which includes photos from the event.

It really is a good seminar that inspire each and every students to become a good writer. If I could, I would totally recommend each and every person to ttend this type of seminar.

The CELEBRITY Birthday Boy

March 18, 2016. It was just normal day for us. Attending classes, having lunch, doing our float, and chatting with friends. Everything was so ordinary until we attended an event wherein we celebrate a birthday of a celebrity. What’s great about it? Benjamin himself, the celebrity from the movie “Sana Dati” went to our school and celebrate his birthday with us. Now our day became so extra ordinary.

Photo Credited to Benjamin Alves Account

Photo Credited to Benjamin Alves Account

Photo Credited to Benjamin Alves Account

Photo Credited to Benjamin Alves Account

Photo Credited to Benjamin Alves Account

As we enter the venue, there’s so much cakes that’s been displayed. But we are not excited about those cakes, we are excited about seeing Benjamin Alves in person.

The event started with a short game called “Pinoy Henyo”. The two players came from different school. One from SoMA and the other one from SOE. Everyone are cheering for them. Thou they didn’t won, both of them received a pepero as a reward for participating.

Everyone gone wild the moment he entered the venue. All of us are so star struck by him. We didn’t expected that he would actually came. We welcomed him with a warm smile and an energetic birthday song.

As he was taking in front, all of the audience are focused to him. Not a single person lost its attention. Maybe it’s because he is very inspirational to watch.

The main purpose of this event is for Benjamin to judge the top three of the Slam Poetry Contest. In the end, he appreciated each and every group’s performance. To be fair, as a writer himself, he recited his very own poem composition. As he recite his poem, everyone was touched by him. He was able to express the feeling he want his audience feel. It symbolizes that he’s a very good writer.

After he recited his poem, some students are given a chance to ask him a question. While there’s a Question and Answer Portion happening, there are staffs that are distributing foods to the audiences. After that, Benjamin distributed some humble gifts to each and every one of us. Everyone formed a line for a chance to receive the gift and hold his hand.

After all of those happening, in the end of the event, I was able to take selfie with him.

He is such a very nice humble guy. You won’t determine that he’s a celebrity because if his humbleness.

Who Wants to be a Billionaire

Who wants to be a Billionaire is an event held by the English Resource Center. The participants are those blocks who are taking English Term currently and our block is one of it.

Overall, there are 17 Blocks (Approximately 51 students) are participating. The three students that are representing our block are Kristopher Coquia, Marlou Macalalad, and Jerica Valerio. They are chosen because they got the highest grade in our Technical Writing class.

During the event, all of the blocks who are participating went to the auditorium to give support to their block’s representative. There are some who are shouting the name of the player. Some are silently listening and watching to the game.

During Average Round, only 10 Blocks (Approximately 30 students) are able to proceed namely:

ABPSY 141
ABMA 151 (Our Block)
ABMA 152
ABMA 153
CPE 151
ABMA 132
ABMA 133
CPE 141
AC 131/132
ABMA136

The funny thing about the announcement is that the players for the block of CPE 141 jusd suddenly disappeared for unknown reason.

We are very happy that our block proceeded to the average round. We are shouting their names! Cheering for them o the fullest! Hoping htat they will get to the difficult round. Everyone are getting nervous because the questions are getting harder to answer.

Unfortunately, our block been eliminated during the difficult round. They were not able to answer enough question to do it. Although some are disappointed, we are very proud of them that they were able to go that far.

During the difficult round, only five blocks (approximately 15 students) are able to proceed namely:
ABMA 153
ABMA 152
CPE 151
ABMA 132
ABMA 136

Although our block are not participating anymore, we remain seated in the auditorium to give support to the remaining blocks (Participants). The questions are very hard. I tried to answer it by myself but I answered it wrong.

Supposed to be, after the difficult round, the winner will be announced. But since there’s a tie, there will be 3 clincher questions for ABMA 152 and ABMA 136.

AND THE WINNER IS ABMA 136!

Their blocks gone wild because they are very proud and happy for the result. Even us are happy. We gave them applause as a sign of congratulating them.

The Night We've Gone Wild

BOMBA NIGHT is the highlight of our first ever SoMA Week. After watching the announcement of the winners for the competition been held during SoMA Week, we go straight down to the entrance of the cafeteria and form a line for us to enter first. It’s is not because of we are excited about it, it’s because we wanted to have a free Kopiko 78. YOU READ IT RIGHT! Because of the free Kopiko 78, we waited there in line for almost a half hour.

As you can see in this photograph, I am the first person in line. I was happy because I received a free Kopiko 78. The moment we entered the cafeteria that night, everything was in blast! You can feel the energy of each and every person inside. You can feel the spirit of those people who we called party goers.

Before the performance of the first band start, we are asked to take a sit on the floor. We are like “it’s a party yet we will just sit down here”. Suddenly, they commanded us to stand up. That is when the party started. All of us are jumping with joy. Some of us are looking for their crush. Most of us are starting to be wild. It was really fun!

After the performance of the first two bands, everyone was so sweaty. It is obvious that they were so happy and being active. They dance till their heart contented but they still continue dancing as the rest of the band take up the stage and perform.

Everything about BOMBA Night are fun! Everything are very exciting. Who brings out the fun most? IT’S NOY! OUR FRIEND MONKEY! Almost everyone are entertained by him. We held him up high. Everyone are taking pictures of him. You can see that he brings joy to the party. 

ALL PHOTOS CREDITED TO BAHAY BOMBILYA

The Bear Named After the Train Station: Paddington

A bear that loves marmalade? It can be possible. But a bear that talk?! It’s not. In the deep jungles of darkest Peru, a British geographer named Montgomery Clyde happens upon a previously unknown species of bear. He is about to shoot it to take back a specimen to England when another bear playfully takes his gun away. He learns that this family of bears is intelligent and can learn English, and that they have a deep appetite for marmalade. He names them Lucy and Pastuzo. As he departs, he throws his hat to Pastuzo and tells the bears that they are always welcome should they wish to go to London.

Years have passed, Lucy and Pastuzo are living peacefully with their nephew when an earthquake damaged the forest and destroyed their home, forcing them to seek shelter underground. Distracted and upset at the loss of his home, Pastuzo is unable to reach the shelter in time. He disappears, with his hat being found the next day by his nephew. Aunt Lucy sent her nephew to go and find a new home in London, and stows him away on a cargo ship, after which she says she will move into the Home for Retired Bears.

When the young bear reaches the train station, he had nothing but a marmalade sandwich. The warm welcome the he’s expecting is nothing. He is ignored by everyone until he was saw by the Brown Family. That is when Mrs. Brown named her after the train station, Paddington.

Feeling unwanted at the Browns, Paddington leaves and attempts to track Montgomery Clyde himself. He finally locates the house, only to discover that Clyde died many years ago, and that Millicent is actually his daughter – who resents her father for losing his job and membership with the museum; out of a change of heart, he refused to bring a valuable Peruvian bear specimen home, even though it would have made him the wealthiest man in the world. Millicent is determined to succeed where her father failed and become rich and famous herself. She tranquilises Paddington and prepares to stuff him, but when Mr. Curry discovers her true intentions, he informs the Brown family and they rush to save Paddington. They rescue him, and Paddington subdues Millicent by throwing a marmalade sandwich at her, which attracts a huge flock of pigeons, distracting her as family relative Mrs. Bird opens a roof hatch and inadvertently pushes her off of the roof, trapping her on a flagpole. He is suddenly adopted by the Brown Family.

SANA DATI

Sana Dati (a Filipino Film)

Sana Dati (English: If Only) is a 2013 Filipino romantic drama film written and directed by Jerrold Tarog. The film is about a woman who stalls her big wedding when a guy with a camera shows up and reminds her of a love she once had.  It is the final installment to Tarog's Camera trilogy that includes Confessional (2007) and The Blood Trail (2009). The film competed under the Directors Showcase sidebar of Cinemalaya 2013. The film won Best Film and other technical awards at the festival's awards night.

During our English Enrichment Program subject, our professor command us to go to the Audio Visual Room and watch this movie. At first, I wasn’t that interested because I thought that it is just an Indi Film but while I started to understand the movie, I suddenly gained my interest. I said to myself that “I must watch this movie again from the beginning”.

What I liked about this movie is its plot twist. The part where they already killed one of the main character which is Andrew (Benjamin Alves) which made them focus on how Andrea (Lovi Poe) left with her heartbreak. It shows that she still wasn’t able to move on from Andrew but she is willing to marry Robert (TJ Trinidad).

It is funny when Andrea was interviewed by the brother of Andrew, Dennis (Paulo Avelino), just to know his brothers beloved. He even used the camera of her brother which is recognized by Andrea. That is why Andrea decided to marry Robert and abandon her after the wedding and run with Dennis but Dennis didn’t pick her up so her plan was ruined.

In the end, Andrea learned how to love Robert for real. She finally moved on from Andrew and have a happy life with her husband, Robert.