ECHOES February 2009 by Echoes

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 24 26 28 29 30 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 42 43 44 45 46 47 48

Editorial Committee news UP Ecosoc’s ACLE: “2009: Bloom or Doom?” by Dean Dulay The Fun Hunt: Search for the New Year by Jessica Yra Entering Techosoc’s Castle by Carlo Go Ecosocers Prepare to Follow-Through by Kris Esgana Monday CDC Gets A Little Bit Creative by Darrel Jimenez Chuvachuchu: Tambay Movie Marathon by Kimmie Lazo Jumping for Jologs by Reuel Realin Not Your Usual Bingo Game by Regina Reinoso Race of Thunder: Making Friends in the Fast Lane by Myra Olaso Litnight: A Success on Friday the 13th by Karen Orticio Members and Applicants into Healthy Living by Jessica Manipon Tambayan Sparkles After Clean App by Paolo Tamase Execom Evaluates the Applicants by Kristine Joy Cunanan Carnival-like Party Welcomes Back Ecosoc in 2009 by Paolo Tamase Detour: The Means to an End by Ella Parel Nothing Sparkles Like the Sparkle Club by Chrissa Magat Part One of A Photoshop Workshop with Econ’s National Artist by Selena Ortiga How Ecosoc Conquered the Generals by Misha de Jesus JPES Holds Lecture Seminar at PSE by Jamoy Jampac PhilCES: Ecosoc Wins in Ecolympiad by Kim Dayag Advertisements No to Hate, No to Prop 8 by Janica Magat Date On A Budget by Peachy Pizarro, Karlo Patron, Patrishia Garcia and Joshua Baquiran Salt & Pepper: Valentine’s Seasonings Ecosoc’s Top 7 Bachelors and Bachelorettes by WYC Cocktales by Chesca dela Cruz Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Hannah Manalili Greatest Lovers of All Time by Mica DJ Love Me, Love Me by Mashee Sy Drobonomics 102 by the jWill Dancing Under a Burning Roof by ThreeKingdomRomancer Triszh and Geoff’s First: Dating spots in UP you may want to visit by Triszh Hermogenes and Geoff Bautista What Chocolates Mean to Me by Jholo Moreno Black/white Eyed by Kimchi and Sisieg Clichés by Raphael Fulgar Reality Bytes by TJ You Know What I Did Last Christmas? by Kenna Barit Q&A with Q&A by Angelo Quintos and Aaron Aw Untitled by Jamoy Jampac Voicebox: What is the cheesiest/cornies/most romantic pick up line you’ve ever heard? Compiled by Kash Salvador Caption this! + Staffbox Ecrossocword + Comics

ERRATA: Echoes apologizes for the following errors in the January 2009 issue: - The typographical errors in the Ecrossocword section: 20 across - golden RVC; 19 down - dance choreographer; 21 down - Volleyball MVP - One of our features staff, Nathan Pico, wasn’t included in the staffbox.

Editorial The love bug crawls swiftly. For Ecosocers, there is a special love that is shared by everyone in a green-colored room numbered SE 121 and that is...love for Ecosoc. Love for this humble organization does not deviate much from romantic love for someone. Here’s a jumpstart. Lost for words? Many felt this before applying for Ecosoc. To apply or not to apply, that is the question. Here is one tip from My Bestfriend’s Wedding. “If you love someone, you say it right there out loud or the moment just passes you by.” Getting into an organization as lovable as Ecosoc needs a great deal of courage. You can only have it by saying it out loud, getting that application form and fulfilling the application requirements, or the moment just passes you by. Well, if you are reading Echoes, whether you are an applicant or a member, you have most probably crossed that bridge of indifference and proclaimed your love out loud. All of this, where you are now, is what you would be missing if you never said it out loud. “When you find that person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start right away.” This memorable quote from When Harry Met Sally has a special translation in Ecosoc: “When you find that organization you want to spend the rest of your UP life with, you want the rest of your UP life to start right away.” In other words, when you find your niche in Ecosoc as you go through your application process, you would want to become a member right away. This is the point where you are already looking forward to everyday mundane academic things because it is also a chance for you to share couple of hours with Ecosocers. After all the tremendous requirements in the application process, unfortunately, some people are still unsuccessful in getting in. This is more or less just like experiencing heartbreak due to unrequited love. This situation calls for a quote from Dawson’s Creek: “If two people are meant for each other, it doesn’t mean that they are meant for each other now.” Application is still open next semester, or the year after, This also goes out to probationary members and those who are still having second thoughts on whether Ecosoc is the one for them. Being at home with the organization takes time, and as you know, time is relative to people. Just take the time to show your love for Ecosoc, and it will embrace you wholeheartedly. And then we have the hailed Ecosocers, people in love with Ecosoc and those who have proven their love for it. Here is the most appropriate quote from The Notebook: “By the time you fall in love, it changes your life forever and no matter how hard you try, the feeling never goes away.” By the time you enter SE 121 as a member, the feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment stays with you your entire life, and even as you graduate, the feeling never goes away. When you know that you can never be complete again without the other, this changes you. For a lot of Ecosocers, Ecosoc has become their second family in UP. And it is in this home where we experience a very special love that is shared in the hallowed halls of SE 121, that is… love for Ecosoc. :)

HELLOOOOOO ECOSOC! First, thank you sa lahat ng nag answer ng midsem evaluation! Though we weren’t able to reach our 70% goal, we have improved. :D The Executive committee have reviewed your feedbacks and we take it seriously. We’ll do everything we can to improve. If you didn’t get a chance to send your query in the midsem evaluation, you can reach us through email at ecosoc.execom@gmail.com. Second, there will be a special election for the secretariat and sports chairperson. On this day, you will also be deciding whether to approve or reject the new constitution. The copy of the updated constitution is now circulating in your respective e-groups. According to the Constitution committee, the only changes they made was moving the function of the PRO from the liaison chairperson to the externals chair, updating the dates and adding a new article for PhilCes. It is your right and duty as members of this organization to vote for the approval of this constitution. Third, we are contemplating in having the reaffirmation period by the end of the semester so as to make the commeets and genmeets early next school year and to lengthen the time for preparations. Also during this time, the graduating members will affirm their affiliation to ECOSOC. The recruitment period on the other hand will still follow the regular date. Finally. Guess what will happen in March? Secret muna. Hindi ko muna sasabihin yung specifics. Just to let you know, Karlo and I, together with the super great members ofAdhoc-TF are working hard for this. In preparation of this secret event, we are going to have a t-shirt design competition! The winning entry will be mass produced and sold. Dun naman sa gumawa ng winning

entry, aside from the cash prize that he/she will be receiving, may cut din sa profit! Join now, for a low registration fee of Php50! Just wait for it until March 13, as we unveil the most awaited event of the semester. It’s only a matter of weeks before the semester ends! This means we only have little time before we know if we have reached our goals for this semester. Please continue your support and full blast activeness! P.S. To those who chose to intern for Adhoc-TF, you will be hearing from us in a while. Welcome to AdhocTF! P.P.S. To the Acad-Finance-Raymond team, we are going to have fun and we are going to win!!!!! First time ko magScavhunt!!!

Raymond / adhoc karlo / taskforce The organization is winning awards left and right. This only goes to show the enormous talent our membership holds. We have garnered awards in the field of academics, arts, sports and various other categories. Our members have grown and will continue to grow as the organization continues to transition itself past its first 50 years. The emphasis on excellence and holistic development for each member readies the organization for the challenges ahead. As tough times get even harder, our members can always have comfort that the organization will innovate itself to cope with the demands of the members—whenever and wherever it is needed. On the other hand, the organization is now also equipped to give back to the community. ECOSOC has been able to forge partnerships with different alumni to enable us to support even more scholars. We are now a step closer to reaching our socio-civic objectives for this semester. The Ad Hoc-Task Force Team has also come up with events and activities that will continue to give the organization opportunities to reach out to the public. We are hard at work as we strive to bring the goals of organization for this semester closer to reality. We cannot, however, do it alone. We need all individuals within ECOSOC to help us in our campaign. The future has already been set. We are looking at an ECOSOC that has grown to its fullest capacity and its members both academically excellent and socially aware. The Ad Hoc-Task Force Team will lead the way. The question is, are you JUAN of us?

Hey Ecosocers! Did cupid hit you with the love bug this happy hearts season? (Ako oo, super lakas nung tama :D)

incredible opportunity! See you there! Ecosocers, prepare to be beaten! SECCOM-SPORTS will kick your asses on Feb. 28! Yay!

Anyway, thank you to everyone who supported Seccom’s super spectacular events: Sparkle Club meetings, Clean app, Photoshop Workshop and CDC Art Workshop. You all deserve a pat on the back!

Kiss! :-*

Love, love, and more love, Princess Triszh

Can I just say, I’m super proud of Seccom for doing a great job in our events (and other committees’ events too!) Seriously, it really put a big smile on my face. Sel and Chrissa, my ever-reliable vice chairs, thank you for taking care of the Photoshop workshop and for being the Super Seccom lovers that you are. Geoff and Mela, you did a great job heading the Ecosoc exhibit prodwork! It’s so amazing! Monique, Gene, Kar, Vem, Pam and Jeanne, thanks for showing extra love and support to the sparkliest committee ever! Lia, Meg, Jau and JM, thank you for being active not only in our events, but in all other Ecosoc events. Good luck with the application process! Noreen, Dom and Sushi, the Tambay week board was so totally awesome! GOOD JOB! Thanks for choosing to be a Seccom intern. Sparkle Clubbers! Thank you for joining the coolest club ever. To those who are not yet part of our club, it’s not late! You can still be cool and hang out with us during our meetings every Wednesdays and Fridays at 4pm. We’re gonna make lots of pretty stuff for the Charity Bazaar on March 7&8! Seccom still has one more event! Photoshop Workshop II on February 19, 4-6 pm. Econ’s National Artist, the one and only Anday Pua will talk about design basics and pub mat making so don’t miss this

Hi Ecosoc! Buon Valentino! And since kakatapos lang ng Valentine’s day, I’ll start with a quote. “You will never know true happiness until you have truly loved, and you will never understand what pain really is until you have lost it.” Wala lang. As for me, you will never know true happiness until you have truly Ecosoc. (--,) Yay! Tapos na Tambay Week pero tuloy lang sa pagtambay. Thank you to all members and apps who participated in the activities. To those who played BINGO! last February 11, thank you so much! Bingo! would like to thank Nissin for the Nissin Cup Noodles for the players, and Kynar Decorative Panel Phil for the cash prizes. The Finance Committee would like to congratulate the following people: • Q (c/o Maui), Q again (but c/o Lazo this time), Raffy for winning 10 Nissin Cup Noodles each • Ria (c/o Audrey), Inna & Noreen (won the same game, ½) for winning Php300 each • Ray & Sushi for winning in the special extended game • Kris Esgana for winning Php500

triszh / secretariat * Let’s do our best in collecting A/R from members. 70% na lang. Yay! SexyCom, I do believe in our team. And yes, we’re doing fine. Thank you, super! Love you guys! One and a half month na lang and this fruitful semester will come to an end. Let’s just enjoy every moment. See you around!

Ecosocers, if you want to see the statement of cash flows of our org, don’t hesitate to approach me. Okay? Members who have accounts payable are highly encouraged to settle their dues. I would like to thank the people who made every event possible: Excellent Vice chairs – Niki and Kenna Productive Members – Jenny, Reg, Gilbert, Lia, Kester, Pat, Archie, Nikko, Mashee, Lianne, Marianne, Bea and Pinay Bibo Apps - Andre, Car, Reg, Dom and Horace

CJ / finance

Happy Valentines ECOSOCERS, taken and single alike! Thank you to all who supported and came to the Career Talk and Literary Night with Alumni, especially to the Liai members, apps and interns; and Echoes people. Hopefully you’ve learned a lot from Ms. Cora Doloroso, Ms. Licaros and Sir Go’s talks and may it help you in your everyday lives. Thank you Kuya Gino at Ate Pong for being there and sharing you love and friendship stories with us. Thank you Kuya UL and Ate Ida for opening your love and lives to us. I would also like to apologize because only few alumni came. Many would have come but because of their late working hours, heavy traffic and unavailability (ahem, valentine dates) they could not. Events are not the only venue for us to meet them, they visit every now and then, so whenever one comes to the tambayan, don’t be shy, get to know them and don’t forget to get their contact details. Ate Sab and Kuya Micoy, happy happy birthday! Micoy, you’re a beast! lol Ate Sab ang hot mo sa Kule! :D

Tuloy-tuloy lang! Reuel, Race and Marian, super thank you for going a great job in your internship. :) Karlo, I loved your poem! Memcom-Liai-Karlo for the win! Memcom-Liai-Karlo for SCAVHUNT! Love you all, RODA PS: Ludacris t h i n g e e e started coz of Justin, Josh and Karlo. Tsk tsk tsk.

Ate Jopee, thank you sa pubmat ng career talk. :) Ate Chevy, thanks for the Liai Logo. Jorell, I’m so proud of you! Justin and Kash, good luck with your candidature. Jes, we’ll show everyone your debut video ah. It was the year-end ‘concert’ that I’ll never ever forget. Maiko, I may not be the first person you’ll run to, but I want you to know that you have me: you can always talk to me anytime. Kris, Elora and Sushi, thank you for being active applicants.

roda / liaison

nandz / academic affairs Happy LOVE month Ecosocers! Musta ang Valentines Day niyo? I know with or without a LOVE partner, may isa pa rin taung LOVE ... ang ECOSOC! Diba diba?! Dahil LOVE month, let me show my LOVE and thanks to everyone who supported all the events of Acad! Una sa lahat, thank you sa nagsupport sa “2009: Bloom or Doom? Envisaging and Grooming the National Economy”. Thank you to our beLOVEd guest speakers (Sen. Pangilinan, Prof Diokno and Prof. Mendoza) and to more than 190 student na nag-attend! Yehy! I hope you really LOVEd all the learnings na nakuha niyo from our ACLE. Super LOVE ko rin ang lahat ng members and applicants na nagbond sa very intellectual na third MiniTBS. I hope through it, mas nakilala niyo pa at niLOVE ang isa’t-isa. I know super nose bleed pero I hope nagenjoy pa rin kayo. Thank you sa lahat ng committees na naglabas ng kajologsan sa “My Jologs Valentines”! Congrats sa nanalo ng special awards and most especially sa SPEV for being the Ultimate Jologs Committee!

Sa lahat ng members ng ACAD, I so LOVE and thank you for all! You’re the best team! I know medyo heavy ung workload natin these past few weeks pero we remained committed to our duties in the organization. Our events won’t be successful without your undying LOVE for our craft! Continue to LOVE Acad okay! To the Execom, good luck sa future events natin and thank you for being there when I need some help. Kaya natin to! Abangan ang mga future events ng Acad! “Alay sa Personnel” na sa March 20. This is a perfect opportunity to extend our LOVE to the personnel and staffs of the School of Econ. Also, watch out for the new bookshelf sa tambayan! The midsemester has passed and I’m really learning a lot from this experience :) Let’s all keep on our LOVE to Ecosoc!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S GUUUYS! It’s the season of love and I hope everyone is happy! Ang bilis ng panahon, parang kahapon lang, plansem pa lang, tapos ngayon tapos na most of the events. I hope

about it, yung maging part ka lang ng development nila sana, into better individuals- hindi ba rewarding to? Kaya I hope all mems and apps take time to sign up for our Monday CDC and help out with the kids. Pag saturday din punta kayo! I know medyo hassle magpunta pa ng school on a saturday, pero kahit once, try to spend time with the kids. Madali lang sila ma-please, super cute pa nila. Pag nakita niyo yung living conditions nila sa Ricarte, you’ll realize how lucky you are to have a comfortable home, and plenty food. I invite you guys to get to know the kids who make Ecosoc, Truly Ecosoc. Thank you sa lahat ng mga nag-aattend ng monday tutorials and saturday daycare! Ang fun diba? Hehe. Med Mission na this coming saturday! It’s going to be held in Pook Amorsolo, from 9-1pm.

everyone is enjoying their Truly Ecosoc sem. Ako kasi nag-eenjoy talaga, super! : ) I know it’s really difficult to handle the kids, especially our grade 3 students from Balara, but when you think

Sa scavhunt humanda na kayo sa ECE: Echoes-CDC-Externaaaals! Go ECE!!!!! : ) Thank you to all the people who have made my three months as execom super enjoyable! Syempre ang CDC! I’m looking forward to more bonding moments with you guys. Bonding tayo after medmission! Go CDC!!! To my VCs! Thank you always, super swerte ko sa inyoooooo. To my friends, Ishies and extended Ishies hahaha. Nasama to? :p Tape friends, 6th ave lahat na. : ) And to my datessss this Valentines, my beloved family, Mat, love you. : ) That’s all for noooow. Happy Valentine’s Ecosoc! Love you!

gel / community development It’s the season of love once again. Semi-favorite ko ang Valentine’s day kasi lahat ng tao may excuse to be extra mushy~ <3 So go on, hug that grumpy Ecosocer. I’m sure that person deserves some good lovin’ too. Speaking of which, let me extend my love and gratitude to everyone who went to the LITERARY NIGHT WITH ALUMNI! :) As in. Dati ko pang iniisip ‘tong event na ‘to. Thank you for making my dream come true wahaha. Thank you super duper lalo na sa mga nagperform at nagbasa that night *refer to Ecrossocword*. You definitely made the ambience more lovey dovey. Also, a big THANK YOU to the Litnight team: Issay, for being my very reliable runner; Menay, for making the place cozy and intimate; Paolo, for taking care of the sound system; Clea, for being patient with me when it came to the serving of the food and Therese, for her very entertaining poem. Salamat ng sobra-sobra. You guys rock! :D Aaand, of course, to my life and blood. To my number one supporters hahaha my EDITORS! Tin, my brownie queen, wag ka ng magshift :( Thank you for always asking about our financial status. Hahaha. Kim, hay nako ang stressful ng printing forever. I appreciate your kaya yan’s more than you know. I must say, your pangungulit is very effective. Reyneil, natouch ako ng super sa pagdala mo ng piano. Thank you! Mica, good luck sa future endeavors. I always look forward to your articles.

Did you notice na 3 pages sila parati? Patrick, you have so much potential. Stop fishing. Mia, I hope your passion for Echoes wouldn’t falter. I know being in charge of the layout is very stressful but once it’s over, it sure is fulfilling. Bianca, member of the month, I’m so proud of youuu. Swear. Sexiest webmaster in the world. Sexycom, I can’t wait for Midsem Eval II. Matitikma niyo na din yung Super Chicken!!! YAHOO (hehe joke lang Gela). Scavhunt time na. WOOT WOO! Mananalo Echoes-CDC-Externals yeaaah. Hintayin niyo lang. ALSO, I love you Ikong and Aprille! :) COOLEST WEBSITES EVER: HTTP://UPECOSOC.ORG HTTP://ECOSOC.MULTIPLY.COM HTTP://UPECOSOC. FORUMOTION.COM

leslie / echoes

Hello Ecosocers! Happy love month and happy midsem! Yes, midsem na, time does fly fast. Next thing we know summer na tapos 1st sem na, then we’re all grown up. But before we fast forward, let’s enjoy the remaining of the sem. Anyway, super thank you to everyone who went to CHUVA CHU CHU Tambay Talk Movie. Hope you enjoyed One More Chance, till next time guys! Congratulations to JAMOY JAMPAC for being the new JPES VP for Administrative Affairs. Of course malapit na ang Charity Bazaar brought to you by Spev and Externals. March 7&8 is the date! Lets GIVE LOVE: Shop for a Cause at Valle Verde 5 basketball courts. This bazaar is for the benefit of Kanlungan ni Maria, a home for the aged located in Antipolo. Since may Taskforce na for the scholars, and may CDC na for the CDC kids, we’ve decided to venture out to other charities to truly feel that we are indeed living the cause. Kanlungan ni Maria is a home for the aged with 17 lolos and lolas who really need good facilities such as mattresses for their beds and good ventilation systems. This bazaar also aims to help 2 other mini charities sell their hand made crafts. Watch out for those and of course, the sparkle club booth! No need to go online and buy stuff there, why not go to Valle Verde 5 on March 7&8 and see all their stuff on display! See you there! Thank you to those who supported LOVE LOCK DOWN, the harana service and Fun Run, the eCAUSE-oc way! To all the runners and pledgers, thank you for helping out! Good job externals interns: car, faye, gelo, q, therese, cheenie, elora and kris! Watch out for more fundraisers from them. Execom, half a sem has gone by and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it with you guys. There’s more to come; more work, but definitely more bonding moments with all of you. Thank you for everything! Externals! One last event guys! We can do this. Go Team Externals! Go CDC-Echoes-Externals! I’m so excited for ScavHunt!

maui / external affairs sieg / membership Hello Ecosocer’s, Whether you are single or not, I hope you all had a great Valentines. Now we’re back to living ordinary lives in extra-ordinary days, how so? Spending quality time in Ecosoc, you silly Ecosocer. Anyhoo, the applicants will have their Challenge Night this February 27. Let’s support them okay. Dearest applicants you are halfway through your application process. Be more active than ever. Participate in Ecosoc events (the operative word is participate). Let’s all tambay and get to know the members more. Do your best and destiny will do the rest. Let me end this by greeting the perky and competitive members of oh my memcomgoodness team. Hullo Madeline, Dennis, John Patrick, Carlo, Laurence Anthony, Francesca, Reginald Siegfrid, Katrina Ross, Jomarlo, Anna Gianina, Andrea Julienne, Noel Ricardo, Jessyka Mae, John Michael, Carlo Emmanuel, and Donna! Danke du sehr! To everyone, thank you so much for supporting the TBS (the Grand Mems and Mini TBS) and all the tambay week events. Won ist liebe? Stay perky everyone! PS: Good luck to Katz, Chase, Carlo and Laur! You have your memcomgoodness family’s support.

Hello ECOSOCERS! :D How was Hearts Day? Sexycom, when’s our next date? Anyway, congrats to the apps who made it until midsem. Good job guys! Continue to enjoy and love ECOSOC, okay? Special mention to my super love apps: (1) Aaron—galing mo nung literary night: “Afternoon Delight”; (2) Noreen—accountable, as always and great prodwork skills; and (3) Jana—for being so active in all the events of Ecosoc. I am so lucky and proud to have all of you in SPEV. To my SPEV members: Yey! Halfway this sem na tayo. Malapit na yung super fun part ng pagiging SPEVERS nyo. Thank you sa lahat and sorry sa mga shortcomings ko. Let’s enjoy the remaining of this sem, okay?

THANK YOUs: • Thank you to those who attended “The Fun Hunt”, sure you guys made the day of our beloved CDC kids. Thanks bigtime :) • Thanks for visiting the Tecoshoc’s Castle. I hope everyone had fun and enjoyed the activities and food we prepared for you. If you have any comments about the new scheme, please feel free to let us know. • Thank you to the Charity Bazaar interns and all the member and applicants who helped in making all the fundraisers—Love Lock Down: Harana service and Fun Run: The e-CAUSE-oc Way—of SPEV and EXTERNALS successful. Please watch out for: • Give Love: Shop for a cause, a charity bazaar for the benefit of the elders in Kanlungan ni Maria, on March 7 and 8 at Valle Verde 5 basketball courts. We still need sellers, if you anyone who’s interested, refer them to Ella Parel or make them visit our website: http://upecosocbazaar. multiply.com • Which team will win this year’s Scavenger Hunt? Will it be the team with Claire’s power of healing fast, or will it be the team who can stop time and space travel like Hiro Nakamura? Don’t miss out the fun and let’s all find out who among (1) Raymond—Acad—Finance, (2) Seccom— Sports, (3) Karlo—Liai—Memcom and (4) Echoes—CDC—Externals will be this year’s HEROES! • To cap off the last day of February, let’s all go to the vice night after the Scav Hunt. Lots of drinks and fun activities await you! Venue: TBA Love, Marianne

marianne / special events Since its valentine’s day, I would like to share this quotation to all ecosocers. “Love is like playing the piano. First you must learn to play by the rules, then you must forget the rules and play from your heart.” The same thing happens every time we undergo the process of learning to love something or someone. In ecosoc, the app process is learning the rules part and at the end of it is that rainbow that is loving and being loved by Ecosoc. Cheesy I know. Haha! First of all I would like to thank the best committee ever! Thank you so much sports! Ace, Ace, Lucy, Erik, Paul, Peachy, Billie, Hannah, Carlo, Jamoy, Josh, Annika, Jessica, Rj, Van, Bianca and Trixe! And of course my apps : Q, Cheenie, Issay, Stone and Chiara! These people are the reason why sports is such a great committee! TEAMWORK. HEART.UNITY.GUTS.SPORTS. These people will be bringing home the bacon in the upcoming scavenger hunt! WOOHOOO!! GO SECCOMSPORTS!! Congratulations to all teams and athletes who participated in the recently concluded JPES SPORTSFEST and BEAST! Champions! Thank you for all those who cheered and supported our teams at DAR! CONGRATULATIONS! I would also like to thank those who attended R.O.T. the most ROTless race ever! Congratulations to Spev and Echoes for winning the race! I hope all the members of the different committees had a great time and were able to bond with each other! Let us not stop loving and showing love just because Valentine’s season is approaching its end. LOVE LOVE AND LOVE SOME MORE!

ogie / sports

up ecosoc’s acle: ‘2009: bloom or doom?’

by dean dulay

Last February 4, students around the university had the chance to leave their classrooms for an afternoon and attend the Alternative Classroom Learning Experience, or ACLE. UP Ecosoc had its very own ACLE entitled “2009: Bloom or Doom? Envisaging and Grooming the National Economy”. Students had the opportunity to learn more about the state of our nation’s economy, the obstacles it will face in the year ahead, and what the government needs to do in order to overcome these obstacles. The speakers at the event were Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan; Dr. Benjamin Diokno, a former Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management; and Dr. Amado Mendoza, a professor at the Department of Political Science. The discussion began with Sen. Pangilinan presenting what he believes are the obstacles that our nation faces. The biggest obstacle, in his mind, is the challenge of good governance. He blames poor governance as the primary reason why our nation has not progressed as much as our neighboring nations. He stressed that attaining good governance is the solution to many of the country’s ills. Prof. Mendoza then talked about the politics behind economic policies. Both discussants then answered several questions from the audience. After the first round of questions was asked, Prof. Benjamin Diokno

the fun hunt: search for the new year by jessica yra

Last January 12, 2009, the third grade students of Balara Elementary School, together with UP Ecosoc’s members and applicants, had fun playing games in the CDC Mini Scav Hunt. The race was entitled, “The Fun Hunt: Search for the New Year” and was headed by the bubbly SPEV applicants. Before the race began, members and applicants were grouped according to their respective committees. The teams formed were the following: Acad-Echoes, Liai-Memcom, SeccomSports, Finance, Externals and CDC. After the grouping was done, the participants went off to face the challenges that awaited them. The Mini Scav Hunt was composed of six stations, with each station requiring some physical and mental strength. Once

gave a forecast of the nation in 2009. His forecast was noticeably bleak, with predictions of low GDP growth and increasing struggles. After Dr. Diokno’s presentation, a second round of questions was asked. The discussion ended with the awarding of tokens to Drs. Diokno and Mendoza. Sen. Pangilinan had received his token earlier in the day since he had to leave to attend a hearing. The ACLE ended with Project Head and Acad Chairperson Ernandi Roxas thanking the speakers and the 190 students who attended and made the event memorable and worthwhile. • the kids were done with the challenges for each station, they were given math problems to be solved correctly so that they could get their clue and be able to know what their next station would be. The Mini Scav Hunt’s main objective was to finish all the stations successfully and get the required clue from each station. Upon completing all the stations, the groups will then have all the pieces to their map. their completed maps will tell them where the hidden treasure key is located. The first team that finishes the race will be declared as the winner. The team that finished first and was declared the winner was the Liai-Memcom team. With their newly found treasure key, they unlocked the treasure box that contained snacks and drinks for all the kids as well as for the members of their team. Although only one winner was declared for the said race, the fun and enjoyment that the kids experienced can be seen in their twinkling eyes and smiling faces. As with the ever-competitive members and applicants of UP Ecosoc, their experience with the kids was worth more than any reward they could get in the race. •

entering techoshoc’s’castle by carlo go

Last January 24, 2009, around fifty Ecosocers headed to Pasig Millenium Gardens Clubhouse for a day of swimming and reflection. Entitled “Techosoc’s Castle,” the TBS was patterned from the famous Japanese game show “Takeshi’s Castle.” Headed by the Membership and Special Events committee, the TBS aimed to promote unification and friendship among Ecosocers. Once they arrived in the clubhouse, the fun-filled festivities officially started. The first game was Forces of Nature. Basically, the game starts off with three groups forming a human castle which has to endure different “forces of nature.” Towards the end, the ultimate goal of this game was to foster patience, teamwork and cooperation amongst Ecosocers. The second game gave the Ecosocers their first taste of the pool. Entitled “Underwater Farm,” the basic mechanics of the game was for the groups to follow paths of string on the pool and imitate the animals on their path. The challenge here was that they needed to follow their leader despite the noise around them. Metaphorically, the game symbolizes how we should stay unified as an organization despite the changing times. The last game for the morning festivities was the “Ultimate Takeshi.” Teams had to go through different stations and act out a video which was shown to them. After they finished the tasks, they had to form the big puzzle in order to form the big picture. As the morning ended, the members pondered over how we can overcome every challenge just by working together and having fun. After lunch, the members waited for the people from Jzone, who facilitated the afternoon reflection. Members had fun playing impromptu parlor games and enjoyed the activities. When the Jzone members arrived, they started talking about how we could live our lives to the fullest. Most of the members were very receptive to the new ideas presented and actively engaged themselves with the discussions. As a whole, Techosoc’s Castle was a success because it enabled the members to get to know each other more and more importantly, know themselves more. •

ecosocers prepare to follow-through by kris esgana

Last February 2, 2009, Ecosocers listened to a seminar about power dressing, personality development and health and wellness that will help them in their future careers in the corporate world.

The first speaker was Ms. Cora Doloroso, CEO of the Cora Doloroso Career Centre, who brought clothing samples to illustrate the impact of power dressing in a corporate workplace.

Next was former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Ms. Ana Theresa Licaros, who opened her discussion by saying that everyone could be a beauty queen with ample training and motvation. She used her being a law student the same time that she was in the pageant as an example of proper time and stress management.

After that, Mr. John Hudson Go, an instructor from the Psychology Department of CSSP, talked about tips to fight stress. He also gave a test which

measures whether a person is at risk of burning out.

Maiko Okada, vice chair of the Liaison committee, gave the closing remarks for the said event. •

TAMBAY WEEK * TAMBAY WEEK * TAMBAY WEEK * TAMBAY monday cdc gets a little bit creative

Jolina Magdangal’s infamous line from the movie “Hey Babe,” and was held in the tambayan at around 4 p.m. The tambayan furniture was rearranged to set a “movie house mood” for the Ecosocers. Since only a projector was used to show the movies, the committee decided to play only one movie to prevent the equipment from overheating.

by darrel jimenez

Synergizing for the first time this semester, the Community Development Committee and the Secretariat Committee organized the CDC Art Workshop on February 9, 2009 at 12 noon.

More than 40 Ecosocers flooded the tambayan to witness the ultimate John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo team-up. There were mixed emotions from the audience—some thought it was jologs, while those who fancied Filipino movies enjoyed watching it even if it was their nth time to see it. The movie ended at around 5:30 p.m. •

jumping for jologs by reuel realin

Held at SE 127, the event was divided into two activities, the fan embellishment and the jewelry-making workshops. In the first activity, the kids were given plain fans for them to design with paints, glitters, etc. with the assistance of Ecosoc members and applicants. The second workshop was mainly comprised of bracelet- and necklace-making activities. With the provisions of multi-colored glass and plastic beads, the kids became extra creative as they mixed and matched different shapes and colors.

It was a day like no other as the atmosphere of “ka-jologsan” manifested itself in one of the much-awaited Tambay Week events, the Jologs Quiz Bee. Organized by the The Art Workshop was then culminated by a fashion show Academic Affairs involving the Monday CDC kids with their fans and jewelry. Committee and themed “My Jologs Valentine,” the contest challenged the committees The CDC kids not only left with their handmade fans and to prove to everyone that they are the most jologs of them all. The jewelry; they also left with big smiles on their faces and memories quiz bee was divided into three parts: Jologs KNB, Singing Jologs, and worth remembering. • the Freestyle Jologs.

chuvachuchu: tambay movie marathon

“Jologs KNB?” was the Q&A portion which tested the committees’ knowledge of everything jologs from Sharon Cuneta’s first single to “Eat Bulaga”’s first TV station. The committees were competitive to the point that they were literally shoving their answers in front. At the end of it, SPEV got the lead after garnering a score of 21.

Last February 11, 2009, the External Affairs Committee organized a Tambay Movie Marathon to jumpstart this semester’s Tambay Week.

In “Singing Jologs,” the committees battled it out for a shot at the finals by guessing the lyrics of songs like “Stupid Love.” Four committees brought it at the dance floor for the final round: Special Events, Membership, Secretariat and Finance.

by kimmie lazo

In celebration of the upcoming Valentine’s Day, the Externals Committee decided to deviate from the traditional Tambay Talk and to present something fresh for the Ecosocers during this week-long celebration. The committee then settled for a Tambay Movie Marathon. The original plan was to show two of the box office hit movies of John Lloyd Cruz: “One More Chance” with Bea Alonzo and “A Very Special Love” with Sarah Geronimo. This movie marathon was entitled “Chuvachuchu,” after

Before the final showdown, special awards were given to the best dressed “April Boy” and “April Girl.” The Academic Affairs Committee granted these to Gilbert Bueno and Cheenie Quirante, who received PHP 50 gift certificates courtesy of Ate Leony. The final round was the “Freestyle Jologs,” where the remaining four committees showed their moves to the tune of “Quit Playing Games” by the Backstreet Boys and the classic “Achy Breaky Heart.” The last four committees jived to the beat and performed their best to gain the title “The Most Jologs of Them All,” but only one won the hearts of the audience and four packs of Flat Tops and Curly Tops. SPEV emerged victorious followed by Memcom. The quiz bee concluded with a smile on the Jologs’ and the Jologs Wannabes’ faces and also left us to realize that in the end, we are all jologs in one way or another. •

WEEK * TAMBAY WEEK * TAMBAY WEEK * TAMBAY WEEK * not your usual bingo game by regina reinoso

race officially started with people running swiftly to their assigned stations. It included eight stations that were all located within the School of Economics grounds. Some stations tested their flexibility; other stations tested strategic skills and even knowledge of sports. Although the tasks presented were quite daunting, the various teams triumphed Last February 11, over the challenges with the help of each other. 2009, UP Ecosoc’s An hour later, everyone finished the race. Everyone rested Finance Committee, together with Nis- while the Sports Committee tallied each team’s official time. At six sin Cup Noodles and in the evening, the winners of the race were declared. The FinanceKynar Decorative Adhoc-Taskforce team came in second to the champions, the SPEVPanel Philippines, Echoes team, trailing behind by only twenty-three seconds. •

brought its members the much-awaited Bingo event. This was a huge success, with over thirty participants in six games. Shouts and laughter filled the tambayan as Andre Sarmiento, the host, announced each lucky number. Who could forget Sel Ortiga’s constant guessing of numbers, most of which were actually correct? That one beat the crap out of any fortune teller. Well, the bingo players were revved up by Nissin’s Chicken Noodles. Served hot and fresh, it gave our participants the energy to fight up to their last bingo card. The prestige of being called a bingo winner was only bestowed upon a lucky few. Applicants like Noreen Apuhin had their chance to get a slice of the privilege one can attain from bingo victory. The mems, namely Maui Rabuco and Ray Francisco, were also not too far behind with their own triumphs. But it was in the last round that the true bingo champion was determined. The final game was different from your ordinary bingo. This time, when a number chosen appears on your card, it is the end of the road for you. True enough, a lot of the players had gone in the blink of an eye. Yet one player, applicant Kris Esgana, held on to her lucky card and became the bingo champion. She brought home Php500 and a bucket of memories that will last for as long as she lives. Other prizes included ten cups of Nissin’s Chicken Noodles and cash prizes of Php300. Proceeds of the event will go to Ecosoc’s funds for its upcoming events and for its scholarship fund. •

race of thunder: making friends in the fast lane by myra olaso

The quote “Individually, we are droplets of water; together, we are an ocean of possibilities” best exemplifies the Race of Thunder offered by the Sport Committee last February 12, 2009. The different teams, consisting of two committees each, assembled in front of the tambayan and were given instructions by Sport Committee chairperson Ogie Enriquez. At four-thirty in the afternoon, the

litnight: a success on friday the 13th by karen orticio

February 13, 2009 was the last day of the Tambay Week for this semester. Falling on a Friday, it is believed to be an ill-fated day. But Ecosocers proved the superstition wrong as they gathered at the romantic and relaxing Treehouse in UP Diliman and made the Literary Night with Alumni a successful event. The Literary Night and Alumni Talk used to be two separate events of the Tambay Week. However, the Echoes and the Liaison Committees agreed to merge it to create one big event for this semester. Aptly so, the event was entitled The Lighter Side of Love, the theme of which was happy love. Led by the Echoes interns Menay Manalo and Issay Villanueva, the event kicked off at around five-thirty in the afternoon with Leslie Octaviano, the Echoes editor-in-chief, delivering the opening remarks. It was followed by the usual poetry reading sessions. Members and applicants also showcased their prowess in the performing arts. A total of six musical presentations lit up the laid-back evening, drawing cheers and eliciting singing from the audience. Being a tie up with Liaison Committee, two alumni couples had their talk at the latter part of the program. Couples Ida Metiam and UL Gallinero, and Gino Batallones and Jayline Balatibat recounted how their love stories blossomed in the UP Economics Society. In the end, they advised the Ecosocers not to rush things and just cherish every moment. The Literary Night with Alumni came to an end at around eight-thirty in the evening as Liaison chairperson Rodanel Cris delivered the closing remarks. •

members and applicants into healthy living by jessica manipon

Not so fresh from MBA, the applicants came with their rags, feather dusters, scrubs, and other cleaning materials and began the semestral cleaning of the Tambayan at one in the afternoon. After clearing the room of its regular furniture, the School of Economics maintenance staff stripped the floor, while the applicants wiped the trophies, cleaned the chairs and couches, sorted the trash, washed the fans, and scrubbed the windows, among others. Other tasks involved the rewrapping of the Execom Table, the reorganizing of the Tall Boy, and the clearing of owner-less lockers. Deciding to maintain the previous arrangement of the tambayan, the applicants returned the furniture to their pre-cleaning positions after the floor was stripped. Ecosoc Secretary Triszh Hermogenes oversaw the apps during the Seccom event. Clean App ended at 5:30 pm to allow the members and apps to attend the AOS and JPES Sportsfest Victory Party held that same evening. •

The air at the Tierra Pura covered courts in Tandang Sora, Quezon City last January 17 was filled with excitement and adrenaline as members and applicants gathered for the semestral Members Bersus Apps, or more commonly known as MBA, which was spearheaded by the Sports Committee.

execom evaluates the applicants by kristine joy d. cunanan

The games were comprised of relays, ball sports, parlor games, a vegetable-eating contest, and a cheerleading competition. The emcees who gave more life to the affair were Billie Cabal and Stone Co. The Sports Ccommittee organized different games for the members and applicants to get to know each other better, to build teamwork and sportsmanship, to remind them to keep a healthy lifestyle and of course, to have fun. Congratulations to the following members and applicants who received the special awards and their gold chocolate medals as prizes: Perky Girl (cheerleading) - Jana David; Best Spiker - Jau Azis; Tsambalera (volleybowling) - CJ Villanueva; Best Thrust (eggplant/calamansi relay) - Josh Baquiran; MVP for Men’s Basketball - Ace Lopez; MVP for Women’s Basketball - Therese Joson; MVP for Futsal - Jorell Garcia; Sole Survivor (dodgeball) - Jes Manipon; Kiti-kiti Award (most active in all the games) - Angelo Quintos; Early Bird - Jau Azis; BestDressed Player - Justin Batocabe. Last but not the least, the over-all winner of MBA was none other than the Ecosoc members themselves. Indeed, the Members Bersus Apps was a successful event to the point that members and applicants paid no attention to the exhaustion at the day’s end because everything was worth it down to the last drop of sweat. •

tambayan sparkles after clean app by paolo tamase

Ignoring allergies and squeamishness, this semester’s Ecosoc Applicants braved dust, grime, and cobwebs during the Clean App held on Saturday, January 17 at the tambayan.

In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Ecosoc application process, the Midsem Checkup graced the applicants in the middle of the semester to check on how far have they gotten to know the organization and its members. The informal interview conducted last January 26-30 was an evaluation of the applicants, a window to see if they have internalized the thrusts of the organization and to know how far can they forge ahead to be a part of it. There are different ways to confront the incoming midsem check up: conducting mock interviews; thinking of strategies to go past the check-up smoothly (and outstandingly); memorization of committee names, chairs, vice-chairs, and other details of the sigsheet; and constant rehearsals of their talents for the fun part. The lucky and hardworking one who gathered all these preps all the way to topping the midsem scores was Jau Azis, a third year applicant. Most of the applicants had the same initial impression on the midsem checkup—they thought it was very hard and scary. Well, that impression is justified because it was their first time to come up close and personal with their interviewers—the Executive committee. To quote applicant Dom Garcia, “I had a first thought that the midsem checkup was scary, but I considered it is a preparation for the final interview. It was a way of knowing if you’ve met people and how well you know the org.” •

numbers as the party’s attendees feasted on pancit, barbeque, and cotton candy, among other carnival food. Reg Reinoso played her guitar while the crowd sang “Sunday Morning” with her, while Steven Hotchkiss was heavily applauded by the attendees after he performed his song numbers. The “Talent Show” ended with a zips dance by Leila Rahnema, who performed while Menay Menalo sang “Circus.” After the program proper, the guardian bidding was conducted. This year’s bidding, hosted by Ecosocers Mykel Sampan and Laurence Go, broke away from the traditional vocal bidding and followed a silent auction format instead. Nathan Pico and Cole Diomampo bagged this semester’s highest bid, with their wards bidding P9000 for their guardianship. Cirque du Soleil ended at 9:00 pm after the bidding for the last two pairs of guardians. This semester’s acquaintance party was organized by the Ecosoc applicants for the AY 2008-2009 second semester, with the assistance of the Membership and Special Events Committees. •

the means to an end carnival-like party welcomes back detour: by ella parel ecosoc in 2009 by paolo tamase

Despite the possibility of bad weather, roughly a hundred members, scholars, and applicants kicked off 2009 with this semester’s Ecosoc acquaintance party, held in the atrium of the School of Economics last January 9, 2009. The carnival-themed party entitled “Cirque du Soleil” began at 6:45 in the evening with an opening prayer led by applicant Hannah Manalili, which was followed by brief welcoming remarks by applicants’ head Paolo Tamase. A short AVP introducing the applicants was then shown before hosts Horace Cimafranca and Faye Ferrer warmed up the crowd for the night’s activities.

With today’s economic challenges, one must learn how to be practical and maximize the resources that they have to reach their desired goal or destination. This semester’s Eventology 101 entitled “Detour: The Means to an End,” aspires to teach the applicants just that and so much more.

Games designed to encourage members and applicants to interact were also played, including party staples like Human Bingo and Newspaper Dance, as well as newer ones such as Car Wash and Broom Dance. Prizes in the form of goodie bags were given away to the members and applicants who won the games. Several applicants entertained the members with talent

Sponsored by the External Affairs Committee, the event happened last January 19, 2009 at SE 105 and was flocked to by the applicants dressed in corporate attire. Host Janica Magat briefed the applicants and explained the program flow for the day. Four speakers were invited to talk about the four components of events management: Mr. Timothy Zarco for Logistics; Mr. Stephen Domingo for External Relations; Mr. Willie Sarmiento Jr. for Marketing; and Ms. Andrea Pua for Publicity and Promotions. After every speaker, the applicants were given 30 minutes to apply the things they have learned from the speaker to their event. At the end of the last brainstorming session, each group presented their event to the entire Executive Committee. The orange group won the competition with their event “P.A.W.S. for a Cause.” Eventology101 was definitely a success. The applicants were great in creating their own events. •

nothing sparkles like the sparkle club by chrissa magat

Hues of blues, greens, yellows, purples, and pinks spread across the Execom table as members and applicants gathered around to participate in Sparkling Seccom’s newest innovation: the Sparkle Club.

zaar this coming March. Not only did the participants get to express their creativity, but they have also helped create better lives for the beneficiaries of the bazaar, and not to mention, add a little sparkle to the future proud owners of their creations. “Something will sparkle this January” and, indeed, something did. •

Headed by Seccom chair, Triszh Hermogenes, the participants carefully chose colorful beads and strung them on pieces of wire to create one-of-a-kind bracelets, earrings, and cell phone charms in different shapes and sizes. Ranging from butterflies to lollipops, ice cream cones, and even G-clefs, the creative designs caught the eyes of many on-lookers who already wanted first-pick with the creations. Contrary to popular belief, the Sparkle Club is not only for girls. They boys enjoyed it just as much, as they were able to let loose their creativity and find that they too have a taste for mixing and matching colors to create the most spectacular designs. And like they learned, beadwork isn’t as easy as it seems, but it sure is fun, especially when you’re bonding with the rest of the Ecosocers while at it.

The crafted works of art are to be sold in the Charity Ba-

part one of a photoshop workshop with econ’s national artist by selena ortiga

Adobe Photoshop. Anday Pua showed the basics in a creative way by showing them how she made one of the pubmats for the Grand Mems’ TBS. She taught the basics of the pen tool, textures, color enhancements and so much more. Both members and applicants were even taught new techniques even on the simple tools such as the eraser tool. By the end of the workshop, some of the listeners got to finish their own version of the TBS pubmat while others decided to practice more on using the pen tool. The day ended with new information on their minds and satisfied bellies from the snacks served. This was only the first installment of the Photoshop Workshop. On February 19, 2009, Anday will continue teaching the members and applicants more about this software. She will focus more on actually making a pubmat. As Anday Pua hopefully exclaimed, “You’ll never know, you can end up making the next pubmat for your committee!” •

“Do you ever feel that at times, you just want to make your own pubmat in a certain way that only you can understand? Yet at the same time, you’re frustrated with using the old Paint canvas and you don’t know a single thing about Photoshop?” Last January 31, 2009, the Secretariat committee sponsored a two-part Photoshop workshop to help solve this problem. They invited Ecosoc’s very own Andrea Pua to be the guest speaker. After all, who can teach Ecosocers better than an Ecosocer? Everyone came prepared with their own laptops ready to learn the basics of the best photo-editing software in the market,

how ecosoc conquered the generals

shouted out, “We’re talking about Ecosoc here. Competitiveness is second nature.” Hence, it took about 20 minutes to keep everything in place.

At around 5 p.m. last January 9, Ecosocers gathered around the back parking lot and came face to face with a chess-like set-up. The game? A life-sized version of Game of the Generals. Each person was to assume the role of a specific piece of the game. The goal? To eliminate or capture the flag of one’s opponent, or to maneuver one’s flag to the other end of the board. Quite simple? We’ll see about that.

After the long hair-pulling, brain-draining strategy making, the game was finally ready to start. Each person stealthily stepped up to his or her own space, trying not to make it obvious who they are, while others shouted out game pieces trying to confuse the opposing team.

by misha de jesus

The group was divided into two teams, Team-ba and Team Winner. Each team huddled to know who was who, each carefully discussing strategies and tactics that may lead

their team to triumph. At first, the time allotted for the said activity was only ten minutes but that was not enough for these “pieces.” As one member

The game started with a piece from Team-ba moving forward. There was about a five-minute play wherein each team just kept moving forward or sideward. The first attack of the day was Team-ba on Team Winner. From that moment, the attacks just kept going and going. While this was happening, each team was already speculating on who the flag of the opposing team may be. One by one, the board diminished in pieces and people started to crowd at the side. Finally, six Ecosocers were left, three on each team. The game got intense as each person moved a block forward or sideward. People on the side screamed and those on the “board” can almost hear each other’s heartbeats. Finally, a piece from team winner tried to catch up on a piece from Team-ba, reassured who the flag was, but missed it by a block and a move away.

Victory! As the flag of Team-ba reached the end of the

board, Team-ba members jumped for joy and the game ended. •

jpes holds lecture seminar at the pse by jamoy jampac

The Junior Philippine Economics Society, together with the Philippine Stock Exchange, held a lecture seminar about investment opportunities last January 24, 2009 at the PSE Tektite Building, Ortigas Centre. The lecture seminar, cleverly entitled “Being Bullish in a Bearish Market” raised awareness to economics students about the know-hows and whatnots in the business world given our current economic status. One of the lecture seminar’s speakers was our very own Professor Cayetano Paderanga, who impressed the students from several universities with his wit and humor. At the end of the seminar, the winners of the JPES-PSE trading game were awarded with Michael Anabo, a fellow ECOSOC member, making it to the top of the list. [Editor’s note: Congratulations to Ms. Jeanne May Jampac for being elected as the VP for Administrative Affairs of the JPES National Council.]

philces: ecosoc wins in ecolympiad by kim dayag

Once again, UP ECOSOC can boast of its well-rounded members as they won and bagged the championship for the group category at the recently concluded Ecolympiad, an inter-high school and college organization quiz competition at the UST TARC Auditorium last January 17, 2009. Ernandi Roxas, Ranna Hao and Nikko Silva showed what it takes to be in the School of Economics after beating more than ten other schools and getting the gold medal. The other team composed of Marianne Sibulo, Marianne Rosario and Ainna Anglim went to the finals and bagged the 4th place. UP OBEM and UST ECOSOC got the 2nd and 3rd places respectively. In the individual round, though the two representatives of the organization, Anglim and Roxas, made their way to the final stage of the competition, where they were bested by PUP Econres and UAP BEA, placing them in the 4th and 5th places respectively.

In the high school competition, Philippine Science High School won both the group and individual categories.

The Finance Committee would like to thank:

The Finance Committee would like to thank: Kynar Decorative Panel Philippines The Liaison Committee would like to thank:

For eight years, California has refused to recognize same-sex marriages with its Proposition 22. June last year, a court ruling overturned Prop 22 legalizing gay marriages. But the battle did not end there. Five months later, with 52% yes votes, a ballot initiative called Proposition 8 was approved. Prop 8 is a measure to amend California’s Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, effectively banning gay marriages. IHT reports more than $83 million were donated by supporters and proponents of the proposition. Chief proponents were the California Catholic Conference of Bishops, Protect Marriage Coalition, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Concerned Women for America. And yes, the Knights of Columbus were among its major donors. Supporters argue that the LGBTs (a term which encompassed practically the entire gay movement: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual) have been moving freely into mainstream society, and as Marvin Perkins, a black Mormon, puts it, gay marriage and alternative sex education in schools are “a recruiting process for homosexual behavior.” (The Economist) Terminator, err, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and director Steven Spielberg among others have been backing the opponents of the proposition. The victory of Prop 8 and similar bans in Arizona and Florida is a heartbreaking setback for the rights movement of gay couples who have been gaining the voice they’ve long been deprived of. The New York Times reports that more than 40 states now have constitutional bans or laws against same-sex marriages.

Something seems to be fundamentally wrong with the poster-child of liberal democracy. How come states, which stand up for stem cell research, assisted suicide, and abortion, are very condemnatory of gay marriages? Is it not counter-intuitive to the entire liberal democratic principles the United States have been forcing down other countries’ throats? Whatever happened to individual liberty? Whatever happened to democracy? It is funny how California, with Prop 8, seems to be retrogressing compared to the rest of the world. The South African parliament has already passed a legislation recognizing gay marriages. South Africa! The home of genocide, affirmative action and apartheid, passing a bill Californians had struck down big time. Thailand has been setting up Transvestite Toilets in schools, recognizing students who consider themselves transgender. These countries are very conservative states and yet the move to push forward gay rights is resonant of a discipline, which respects individuals and their choices, without masquerading liberal democracy. Sources: LA Times International Herald Tribune The Economist New Your Times Photo Source: LA Times

No to Hate, No to Prop 8 By Janica Magat

[ Date on a budget ] Echoes challenged two of ECOSOC’s prominent couples in going on a date, Economics style! With a budget constraint of P200 (sponsored by Paolo Tamase), let’s see which pair of lovebirds got to maximize their utility and reached a higher indifference curve during this season of hearts and economic recession.

Peachy and Karlo – Priceless For everything else, there’s Mastercard.

It was right after we had our big fight. After a week of lonely nights for Karlo and endless Cinema One moments for Peachy, it was a no-brainer decision on how to spend the Php200 given to us. We did what we do best – we ate our hearts out. If there’s one thing you should know about us, it’s that we are big food lovers. Most of our meaningful conversations and memorable moments are born out of our pig out sessions. We find joy in trying out different cuisines and restaurants in different places around the Metro. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. After all, you can’t go wrong just by being with your favorite eating partner. One of our favorite places to eat in is a quaint Indian restaurant on the ground floor of The Columns in Ayala Avenue. It’s called ‘New Bombay’. Right after class, we raced to Makati to order chiapatti and chicken curry. It was easily a Php200 meal, but then again, today was the first time we ate together again. That was priceless.

Josh and Pat – Home is where the heart is Valentine’s Day is the day you’re supposed to show someone how special they are to you. For us, it is the simple gestures that matter especially when faced with today’s “hard times”. A date is not just time to be together but also an opportunity to learn more about each other. After facing weeks of having to deal with other priorities, it was a blessing to finally go out and do something.

First stop: The Park

We went to a hilltop park located at the center of the urban area. We enjoyed watching a kid playing tennis while eating lunch and, of course, talking endlessly. We talked about anything under the sun for it’s been a while since we had a chance to be together and actually hang out.

Second stop: His House

It started to rain so we decided to go to his place and have a DVD marathon. We argued a bit on what to watch and finally decided on Transporter 3 (no surprise who picked that). There was still some time to kill after that movie so we decided to watch another one. The movie was Mamma Mia! (no surprise there as well). At the end of the day, it is not important where we went to or what we did. What’s important is the time spent with each other. Guess where the 200-pesos budget went? Unsurprisingly, we used all of the money for food, of course! :)

# valentines seasonings

It was a dark and chilly night. The cold holiday breeze beckons your spirit along the corridors of Econ, down to Room 121, toward the black tallboy Love abounds this Valentine’s Season. Once again, the tambayan is filled with lover boys closet. Inside, a silent chatter can be heard. It was a murmur between two, unlike any other of their kind.They have stayed in the Ecosoc tambayan their stressing over restaurant reservations, lover girls receiving bouquets of flowers, secret admirers whole lives. Here lies a transcript, of Salt & Pepper’s year-end discussion. contemplating a profession of love, and singles… continuing life. And amidst all this lovemadness, Salt and Pepper quietly sit somewhere* and ponder the economics of love. P: How was your Christmas, Salt? S: I think I ateI too ham. of the most profound thing. Remember our micro lesson on game theory? P: Salt, justmuch thought P: Saltless ham I suppose? Else you’d be eating yourself HA HA HA. S: I remember the basics. ... *tumbleweed* P: Like what? S: Errr. S: Well normally, the game is usually represented by a matrix which shows the players, P: Anyway. I ate too (pepperless) food as well. You can’t be too nourished at this strategies, andmuch payoffs. time of year. P: the Yes! And it can also be used to study a wide variety of human and animal behaviors. S: Wine got me all peppered up, if you know what I mean. S: Aaaaaand? P: Corny mo. Well, tasted the BEST season, leche flanIyesterday baked by P: Well sinceI it’s Valentine’s sort of applied it Lola. to the matter. *wink wink* S: I love leche flan. This had me reminiscing on those little snacks I used to buy at the Ecosoc tambayan. Sugus, Nova, oh S: Uhmm. and you know what the best was? P: Like professing one’s love. Here’s a matrix I constructed. Tadah! P: MANTOU!!! Who could forget all the hard work former Adhoc Sales put into it? *ahem Bhadz* Or the hot mozzarella cheese that melts inside your mouth after stretching into a luscious stringed heaven from the bread to your mouth each bite. Girl M-mhnmmmm. S: *drools* Ah oo, as I remember, It had a discount promo with the Ecosoc Gold Card (a mean feat also in itself). Confess P: Gold Card! Yes, I’ve used it before and availed of the free Iced tea sa Wham! burgers. Wow,Deny the card works pala talaga. Confess 10, 10 -5, -1 P: Alam mo, all those Gold “ECO50C” events were good! Boy S: Oo, nandyan na yung Solstice, Sisfire... Deny -1, -5 0, 0 P: ---WAIT. Wait wait. We can’t let this go by. SOLSTICE: When the day met the night. S: When the sun rose at 8 pm. P: Let player one be Girl, and two be Boy. If both S&P:player Congratulations Ecosoc. :) Boy and Girl confess their love, each gets a payoff of 10. *moment of silent appreciation* S: Yes, because it’s the most optimal situation to be in, guess. Go on. S: And as you said, Valentines dayI 2008, Sisfire. P: Right. However, Boy doesn’t always havefirst the ever gutsUP toFair confess, nor does Girl. We So if they both P: SISFIRE 6—The sponsored by Ecosoc. couldn’t have shy done it away from this feeling, or “deny,” they remain is—without any positive payoffs. without Sigma Beta, ofas course. S: Yan ang napapala pag torpe. S: Oh yeah, galing nga ni usher… este ng mga usher. P: And then it turns out they bothtoliked *points self*each other pala. S: Ack. Tragic. P: Ecosoc bagged the P150,000 from Astring-O-sol, and it sponsored a UP Fair night P: Uh huh. But if one confesses secret and other denies it, confessor for thehis firstdeepest time, alldarkest in the year 2008.love, Would youthe believe? will get a pay off of negative denier get a pay S: 5, Mayand Dark Knightwill screening pa! off of negative 1. S: So ano yun, mas nagingP:awkward pa for You complete me.both? P: Yes, hence the negative sign. S: But what about Iron man, it was one of the best movies as well! S: The classic “I like you too, but only as a friend.” P: Eh, Twilight? Were you able to watch it? Daming sponsors na nakuha ng EcoP: “You’re like a brother to me.” soc. (I can feel CJ and Lia beaming proud at this statement haha) S: “It’s not you, it’s me.” S: Sa Trinoma din yun diba? I’ve got to say. Trinoma is literally the biggest thing P: “I need space.” 2008 gave to us. S: Hahaha. But wait, this is not patterned after the prisoner’s dilemma. Because the equilibrium P: Haha oo, mall of the year! –Where everyone crammed their Kris Kringle shopfor the prisoner’s dilemma is a Pareto-suboptimal solution—that is, rational choice leads the two ping. prisoners to betray each other while hoping that the other stays silent in order for them to get free.

, P: What again? S: Favorite tambayan ng mga Ecosocers din yun. Well, only next to our real tamS: Sa prisoner’s dilemma, they would betray rather than cooperate with each other—i.e. stay bayan, of course. silent together, even if that’s probably the best solution. Here, check the diagram. P: You know what made my day one time? Rockband in the tambayan. Remember when Triszh brought her Guitar Hero and Ecosocers star powered like mad! S: Pro face-off! Prisoner 1 P: Woohoo! PRISONER’S DILEMMA Cooperate Defect Prisoner 2

Cooperate

3, 3

0, 5

Defect

5, 0

1, 1

S: Speaking of the tambayan, do I hear Best Makeover of the Year? New couches, P: Well, thennew I guess this isn’t patterned after that prisoner thing. new wall, new tiles, trophy rack. S: I see. P: Technically not new wall… newly PAINTED wall. And a vivid green at that. P: Actually, to say is that it’s risky to confess because of the chance that the S: According to C2, what green I’m is intrying ;) other P: I love the person “jungle” will feel.deny, but sometimes the (10,10) payoff makes it worth it. Makes sense. S: WeS: also had the bulky platform and bulletin board before. Now it’s gone! P: Love makes looking seem it. P: Probably to make more spacestupid for people whoworth tambay. Wow. I should S: AndS:more space for thequote bags! you on that. P: And you should pay me 10 pesos each time you use it. Kaya 10 kasi... (10,10) PAYoffs. Get it? P: What’s your favorite Ecosoc moment that GET IT??? havetheory yet to mention? S: *ignores joke* Para tayong crash coursewe instill game nito. S: “I Ahlearned NBA Finals Boston LA! P: Oo nga. Well at least the reader can say, that from- S&P!” P: your Whenlove all the were glued thethis. TV. “I like you, and I am telling S: So the next time you confess toboys someone, you to tell Isahighest lang masasabi ko: Grabeeeeeeeeeeee. you this because it gives me S: the payoff!” P: Or, you could turn down a lover saying, but Kasabay I have to deny you even if it is -11 P: by Uso pa ba “I’m yun?sorry Hahaha. harder for me and -15 for you.” niya yung Scrabble phase! S: Ouch. But very geeky, yes? S: Jamoy the self-proclaimed scrabble P: I guess so. This reminds me ofqueen. what Sir Padi discussed in class one time, about the “double coincidence of wants.” It’s sort ofP:applicable barter. You want sachis carabao, he wants your Patrick, thetoMartyr, who willingly chicken, you trade. But you both rificed have to that you want each one to have this sohistell veryeach own other scrabble pieces to called “double coincidence of wants.” the savages of the tambayan. S: Ang dami mo namang alam, Pepper. S: Ano Pusoy dos, Tekkensoc, classic tambayan moments!your love to that someone. P: Of course. So pa theba? same phenomenon is applicable to confessing P: Oo. Yun hindi nawawala sa uso! S: Moral of this story is? S: Parang Ecosoc. P: Take the risk. S&P: Truly the best org. S: Be ready for the negative though. P: Life is exciting like that.

After arriving a pleasant conclusion, Salt & on Pepper back to enjoy They can be seen moving around tambayan *Weatlast left Salt & Pepper thewent cupboard, or the onweather. the trophy rack, or spotted on the shelf. But the they were throughout the semmoved trying to often get the and best seats the house to get a PLEASE better viewRETURN of you. *dun dun dun* The best of year 2008 may have shown us the spice of now inthey are gone. THEM. THANKS. Ecosoc life.This coming year, get your chef-skills up as you cook up your own spice!

TOP

ECOSOC

Bachelor Bac

Being the largest student organization in the UP School of Economics, UP ECOSOC is bound to have quite a number of the visually and personality pleasing members. While some of them may be in a relationship with someone else, majority of the population are part of the elusive “singles club.” But among all the single ladies and single boys, there are a few that stand out from the crowd, a select few that deserve that second look. And now, without further adieu, here’s my list of the top seven bachelor/ettes of ECOSOC.

1 3 2 4

1. Spirals: As one of the younger members in Ecosoc, Spirals has already left his mark because of his athleticism. After classes, he can be seen running around the academic oval or hanging around the tambayan. Most people see him as the down-to-earth type. He’s not really the type to play practical jokes around you, but he knows when to have a good time. Generally, Spirals is your typical serious guy who has his own quirks once in a while. Why he’s still single: Honestly, one of the reasons why I think he’s single is because of the fact that he lacks a certain sense of fun and spontaneity. Spirals should learn to just enjoy, smile, and laugh more. Being serious has a plus, but people also like to see the sense of fun in you. Maybe when you learn to smile more, more women will be smiling at you too.

2. Shutterbug: One thing that’s similar with Spirals and Shutterbug is the fact that they’re both serious when it comes to life. One thing that I’ve noticed about Shutterbug, though, is that he’s very critical and contemplative too. Girls find him shrouded in mystery because he’s not the type to divulge much about his personal life. But overall, when you get to talk to him, he’s very friendly and accommodating. Most of the girls like to get to know the shutterbug behind the camera. Why he’s still single: Like what “The Secret” states, if you want something, you have to attract positive energy and actually want it to happen. I think Shutterbug is not rushing things. He’s got his priorities straight and I think having a “love life” would tend to tip the scales. Having a “love life” would surely change his priorities, but change is good once in a while.

3. El Capitan: This may just be one of the most obvious bachelors yet. Well, better to be obvious than too vague—I did receive complaints from my editors regarding my previous column. So basically, El Capitan is a complete 180 from the two guys up there. He’s very happy-go-lucky, but knows when the time calls for him to be serious. He’s very respectable and laughs a lot. Poking people and bringing smiles to their faces are a few of his talents. Why he’s still single: Basically, this semester (and the sem after) would be very busy for him. Having a person to deal with is one thing, but having a whole organization to deal with is another. So technically, he’s not single. He’s in a relationship with Ecosoc. :) 4. Capman: The last guy in the group, Capman is the oldest among them all, but that doesn’t exclude him from being part of this list. He’s always in the know; he has access on different types of information. Also a sharp dresser, he knows what to wear and what color goes with certain tones. Most girls find him attractive because of his ability to carry himself and stand out from a crowd. He may be grouchy at times, but it’s all part of his personality that makes him a hot commodity. Why he’s still single: Some girls may interpret his assertive and sometimes acerbic attitude as a sign of being snobbish. He may be perennially busy with stuff and thus not have time for the ladies. But then, maybe after his stint here in UPSE, he just might find the one he’s looking for.

P5 77

C’S TOP 7

rs & chelorettes

By WYC

5. Culinary Heiress: The first lady on the list is someone who knows how to look good. Like most of the people here on the list, she can be quite mysterious and sophisticated. People look up to her because of her good looks and great personality. Problem is, we rarely get to see much of her because she usually goes home early. Why she’s still single: Besides the fact that she may be waiting for her “Prince Charming,” Culinary Heiress exudes a shy attitude. She’s not that talkative or outspoken, which some guys might deduce as an “I’m-not-interested” attitude. But sometimes, it just takes the right topic and timing to get Culinary Heiress to talk and share her heart out. Guys out there, just make the right moves and who knows, you just might win her heart. (Don’t try the “heart-through-the-stomach” route though, because I’m sure whatever you have cooked for her pales in comparison to what she usually eats.)

6. Gifted Child: Next up on the list is Gifted Child. Being one of the smarter individuals in Ecosoc, a lot of people look up to her. What makes her really smart is the fact that she doesn’t like to study for long tedious hours, but she still gets good grades. She also knows how to have a good time and can talk a lot of sense to someone who’s stressed to high heavens. Overall, she’s a friendly and outgoing person who’d make a great girlfriend to any lucky guy. Why she’s still single: One thing I’ve noticed about Gifted Child is the fact that she has really high standards. When it comes to guys, your Ordinary Joe just won’t do; she’s looking for someone to sweep her off her feet. But sadly, nowadays most guys don’t fall under that category. But just like what Gifted Child is doing, it pays to wait it out. Hopefully, Cupid will come soon for this little lady.

7. Almost Famous: Last and certainly not the least on this list is Almost Famous. She’s one of the most visually pleasing and outgoing members of Ecosoc. I think one of her dreams is to eventually become a star through whatever means possible. She’s been on the net for quite some time and usually her videos entertain us Ecosocers. Another good thing about her is the fact that she can carry herself and knows her personal boundaries. Why she’s still single: Some guys find her attitude quite intimidating. She’s not your typical Maria Clara. Sadly, most guys prefer the demure and “Oh, save me, I’m weak” type of girl. Fortunately for her, though, there are also tons of guys who like the assertive type. Just give it time and we’ll see how the dice rolls for this hot mamma.

So there you have it, the 7 most eligible bachelor/ettes of Ecosoc. Hopefully when next year’s valentines rolls by, I’d be writing a different list. Anyway, I hope you guys had a wonderful S.A.D! Till next time. Cheers!

Whether it’s on a date, a regular Friday night out, or an impromptu drinking session, the kind of drink that you order will tell something about you and what you are up to for the rest of the time. How to Read a Cosmo: If you’re in for a glass of Cosmopolitan, a bright and fruity martini or a margarita, you give a nod to our girlfriends from Sex and the City. You’re sophisticated but playful (insert flirty somewhere in between). You love the look and feel of a martini glass and you are daring enough to depart from the usual gin tonic or the ever-friendly beer. Though you may appear high maintenance, your date or whoever you are with is up for a witty and fun conversation. Cheers to all the Carrie girls out there who love this kind of drink and their Manolos! The Classics: If you’re more of a wine person, you’re definitely classy and romantic. You always appear sophisticated and put-together. You like a good conversation without having to worry whether your drink will get you wasted or crazy. Just for a trivia, do you know that champagne is supposedly the best alcoholic aphrodisiac? Now that’s something interesting for a drink with a subtle kick. Taking the Shot: If you’re more of the shooters kind of person, whether you like it flaming or just the regular Blowjob or pure tequila, you’re a daredevil (and hopefully you have a high tolerance as well). You’re up for a fun and wild night (plus a hangover in the morning!). You’ve had enough of just sitting down with a glass of cold beer or drinking sweet cocktails. You want to feel the heat of a 40% alcohol. Just take it slow, or else the heat could kill you.

Choosing the Good Stuff: If you’re into Scotch or a premium whisky, you’re someone who has a complex palate. You like a drink that you want to savor every sip of. You give the impression that you know exactly what you want. You are knowledgeable about alcoholic drinks in general. You always bear in mind that “the older the drink is, the better it tastes.” You are over the sugary blend of mixed drinks or the effects of beer to your figure. Being on the Safe Side: If you’re not into beer, nor into hard drinks, you are a steady drinker. You like those infused with tonic water or Sprite in your drinks. You choose those with gin or vodka in the name and screw those what-the-hell-is-this kinds of drinks. You are sophisticated, but you are not a hardcore drinker. You are afraid to try something that you don’t know or something with a different name and color. It’s a good drink to have on a first date though. You don’t want to have something too safe nor something outrageous. You want to be able to talk and get to know each other. First impressions matter, right? Drink for All Seasons: If you’re into beer, you are easy-going and uncomplicated. You like to keep your drink simple and by that, you give the impression that you too are simple. You don’t care how old the drink is. All you care is that you have it cold and pouring. (Or that the horse is smiling and the writings are red.) You enjoy fun and long conversations with friends and not having to talk about crap because all of you are drunk. Most importantly, you want to save yourself from a terrible headache in the morning.

I drink therefore I am by COCKTALES

Chesca dela Cruz

t A Litt u P

Your Heart

ov e In

by Ha

ah n n

lil a an

Ever seen the latest commercial of McDonalds that includes the line: “Di man naging kami sa huli, siya pa rin ang first love ko”? Do you ever wonder who among our CDC kids could share the same story some time in the future?

Question: Nainlove ka na ba? Anong masasabi mo tungkol sa LOVE? Jana Hindi pa. Yung love ko para sa mga kapatid ko saka mga magulang ko.

Danna Hindi. Mga magulang ko love ko.

Daniella Hindi pa. Masasabi ko sa love, love is blind. Love ko ang family ko.

Janicca Hindi po. Love ko sa buhay si mama, si papa, si ate at si kuya.

Kevin Hindi pa. Ang love ko ay sina mama at lahat ng pamilya ko.

Aila

Emil Hindi pa. Wala akong masabi tungkol sa love.

Angelica Hindi pa po. Si mama love ko, si papa rin at mga kapatid ko.

Rizza Hindi pa. Love ko si mama, papa and family.

Mica Hindi pa po. Love ko si mama ko po, si papa po at mga kaibigan ko po.

Danica Hindi pa. Love ko si Tita Cris, si Kevin na kapatid ko at si… JR. :)

Hindi pa. Minamahal ko ang pamilya ko at saka para sa akin yung love hindi nang-aaway ng kapwa tao.

Patricia

Hindi pa po. Ang love para saken, sa magulang at kapatid. Pagmamahal din ay para sa mga kaibigan.

It’s pretty amazing how the kids remind us of the meanings of love that we seem to have forgotten or neglected. When we were their age, love was just a simple concept, but now it had grown a bit complicated. Way back then, our love revolves just within our family and friends, but now it had expanded and sometimes even gone beyond limits. It wouldn’t hurt to bring back that child in each one of us even just for some time, to possess the heart of a child that hasn’t been broken and wounded much, who’s always willing to share and spread the love. Be your own Cupid. Share and spread the love. As the song from one of Coke’s commercial goes: “Give a little love and it all comes back to you.”

The Global Warming phenomenon hides its chilly breeze as it is keenly aware that it cannot stop the impenetrable, warm force of Love this time of year. Even the once grey skies are now a lighter blue, reflecting the universal light-headedness that is so infectious during February. It’s the season where flowers, chocolate and cards are a frenzy as every one seems to be wearing a bigger smile or carrying a happier stride. But before you make grandiose plans for the fourteenth, brush up on the timeline of Love and learn a thing or two from some of the most iconic couples in history.

Toying with Love

This famous couple first met in 1961 under the hands of Fate and the watchful eye of their managers. They have been inseparable since their first on-screen commercial and enjoy travelling around the world, visiting young girls and promoting plastic, non-degradable goodies that exist as a bane to recycling and may end the Green Revolution as we know it. But, hey, they look adorable together! She is blonde, blue-eyed and incredibly quiet in front of an audience - barbie & ken carson

This influential couple enjoys swimming in the Nile and conquering lands across their vast empire. He was eager to please her and let go of his dreams of becoming dictator of the state, blinded by his love for her. At a crucial war, he even abandoned his fleet and rushed to her side. But it wasn’t too cheery of a love story because these star-crossed lovers did not communicate

powerful love

and even seldom speaks to her loving husband, who always stands tall and composed in front of the cameras. But after 43 years of being together, both decided to go their separate ways. Her overwhelming popularity is rumored to be the reason for the split but their managers claim both seek some “quality time alone.” Lesson learned: Talk to each other. And maybe dye your hair blonde.

conquered by love

properly and believed rumours of the other’s death. He received the message of her death and clumsily fell on his own sword. She followed suit not long after his body was rushed to her. Lesson learned: Buy a Sun sim and talk to each other (before making life changing/ ending decisions). anthony & cleopatra -

While working for a downtown law firm, she was tasked to help him out as a summer associate from Harvard. He did not fancy corporate law but thought it worthwhile to spend time with her in the office. Their first official date was spent looking at art, eating at a cafe, watching a movie and having a drink. She fell hard for him after that first date because the compatibility was undeniable. Today, both - Barack & michelle obama

still work on it as he tries to be home on weekends (or does the grocery shopping) and she travels with him frequently. This power couple illustrates why marriage still works. Together, they are an unbelievable life force. And if we’re not careful, they may just rule the universe some day. Lesson learned: Make it work! Or marry a senator instead.

by Mica DJ This couple is not just high on illegal substances but is crazy in love. They first met in 1966 in her art exhibition in London. Although she was blamed for the breakup of his musical group, she made up for it by elevating his song-writing career as they advocated Peace during

the Vietnam war. They also share unconventional interests such as long, greasy hair and posing nude. Regardless of what ever costume they have on, their strong feelings for each other are clearly there.

Attuned to each other

Lesson: Love is a drug. john lennon & yoko ono -

sweetest downfall

samsom & delilah

This unlikely couple first met on an excursion in 1933. She was the typical Broadway actress with a bright future in theatre and he was brimming with raw talent and filled with the zest of adventure. Although he has a rather rough and violent persona, she has the power to calm him down with her sweet singing voice and graceful movements. Although they do not end up together, audiences worldwide definitely root for the duo during climatic scenes of a particular film

These two simpletons enjoy strolling along riverbanks and watching men fight lions in a stadium. Equipped with Herculean strength to win battles against enemy troops, he is some one not to fight with, lest youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested in having a broken skull. She was a pretty woman of her era, running in the right social circles and eating manna from the sky. They were passionate about each other. Their typical date was they shared on screen. Theirs is a story of a natural friendship that is deeply rooted to the earth, no matter how harsh the elements try to tear it apart.

incomplete without wine, lamb and a few bitter herbs or unleavened bread. But she betrayed him by finding his weak spot and revealing it to enemy territory, just for several pieces of silver. They finally split up after he won the epic battle against the Philistines. Lesson: Girls who ask you thrice how to ultimately defeat you are not to be trusted.

love is an instinct

Lesson: Next time you enlarge your social circle, stick to your species. ann & kingkong

fly with me These two depict the perfect office romance. She seems to be on top of her act as an investigative journalist but can never seem to stay away from danger (also can never see through his weak attempt of disguise). And he introduces himself as the surprisingly muscular, nerdy boynext-door. After countless of dates, they finally hit it off and even end up getting married, as some writers

claim. Their relationship soars at another level as he literally and effortlessly sweeps her off her feet. They currently live in the United States and plan to have some kids. Lesson: Push the new guy at the office off a building and remove his glasses. He might be Superman or--he might sue you.

- clark kent & Lois lane

drunk on love This happy couple first met in camp as children where they admit having shared their first kiss. Although years have flown by and he still can’t seem to count properly, their love for each other still stands. He enjoys the television and bottles of fizzy drinks just as much as he loves her--or so he says. And she doesn’t care that his belly is

swelling up because she knows he is always there, whether he’s passed out on the couch or glued to the TV. Their differences complement each other. Lesson: Beer addiction at a balding 40-year-old stage is not cute. marge & homer simpson -

head in the clouds Take a man and a woman, and a mischievous, winged child who is dead accurate with his love arrows and you’ve got Love. But there’s more to this naughty cherub than hearts and clouds. His own love story was a beautiful paradox in itself, a devious plan that backfired and had him madly in love with his initial victim, a mere mortal maiden who - cupid & psyche

ran the risk of losing him unless she fought for it. After failed attempts at testing her, the gods turned her into a goddess and both lived happily ever after. Lesson: If your Valentine flies around naked, something is wrong.

FIRST .......................................................................

(Dating spots in UP you may want to visit)

Again, it’s high time for everyone to witness all the mushyness and emotional breakdowns in the world. Almost everyone is now licensed to PDA, wear red, be happy, kiss, and kiss publicly. The malls, restaurants, concerts, and movie houses will be filled with all sorts of couples: from adorable ten-year-olds, dramatic teenagers, cute oldies, and all the other imaginable unimaginable couples. All the singles that are single-since-birth, who are again planning to reroute their unreciprocated affections towards their friends and family, can be found watching some “A Very Special Love” movie at home eating chocolates, hoping for a shooting star. Where oh where can all the people of different sexual statuses be found? Where could all the wrist-slashing and black-eyelined singles be hiding in this short-lived season of red hearts? Whatever type of person you are this 2009’s red season, or black Valentine as coined by Piolo Pascual and Rain, you could definitely take a time to visit the following sites, with your loved ones or dogs. A reservation in a restaurant or any other kind of date can be a topic of juicy gossip for a couple’s friends, but it can be as equally heart-pounding for the couple. So where in our uniquely diverse campus can the romantic boys and girls find romantic places? There are many to mention but only three are heart-swelling: the Vargas Museum, the Lagoon, and the Bonsai Garden.

Vargas Museum Viewing all sorts of artworks in a gallery is not really going to be your agenda for bringing your date in a museum. The benefit of being there is really all about the unsuspectingly potentially soulful atmosphere that can leave your date’s heart defenseless. Only the curator or some pretending-tobe-tough security guard can ruin your candid moments with your special someone. Setting aside those petty worries, the Vargas Museum can let you and your date escape the busy academic world into the stillness of a reminiscent space. It is just the ideal place for making the both of you feel like the only people alone in a vast, exclusive area. What makes it an amazing date place: Art is inspiring. Art is beautiful. Being inside a museum stimulates your mind. And hey, don’t you find intellectual conversations so f-ing hot? Also, the entrance fee is about P75, but if you go on a Wednesday, entrance is free provided that you show your UP ID. Hot tips: All that walking, talking, and art-adoring will get you tired, so after your museum date, hang out at the café beside it. Eat cake, have coffee, and enjoy each other’s company. If you’re confident enough, then move your feet closer to your date’s and play footsie! *wink*

Bonsai Garden Somewhere inside the UP Diliman campus dwells a hidden Eden. The entrance would not resemble anything of a garden; there are no signs whatsoever. This place is a hideout. What makes this quite exquisite is its isolated appeal, much like that of the Vargas Museum. However, it’s still all so nature-y, something like that of the Lagoon. So, it’s like a two-in-one. There’s nothing much useful to exhaust in describing this place, except that it is spiritawakening. It’s just going to be you and your boy/ girl, and the small conspicuous trees. What makes it the best date place: The Bonsai Garden is open to the public (free of charge) and you can just go there and hang out whenever. Not a lot of people know of this though (until now, I guess), so most likely, only you and your date will be there. Lagoon Ever heard of people say, “Hindi ka taga-UP kung hindi ka pa gumaganyan o gumaganito”? Those are definitely so not true, but this one is—your UP experience is incomplete if you haven’t been in the lagoon area. Whether you’re up for October babies or just amorous moments, the Lagoon is definitely an internationally recognized and licensed PDA area. It’s easy to play the hugging games here—girls usually play defense, and guys can only play offense from the left or from the right in a couch, but the Lagoon’s fields allow offense from the top or anywhere else. Included in this lovely site are the amphitheatre and the nearby Carillon tower. The Carillon tower’s top floor permits a sublime view of the whole UP campus, and the amphitheatre allows you to gaze at the sky while feeding your date with grapes. Since there’s not much privacy, just be UP: use your imagination to isolate yourselves.

Hot tips: There are picnic tables inside, so bring a basket full of food. (Remember: Sexy food is hot, so don’t forget to bring chocolates, strawberries and whipped cream!) Based from experience, the best time to go here is around 4 pm, since the sun’s not shining so brightly. Also, the wind’s cool so the hotness caused by you and your lover will be compensated.

What makes it an amazing date place: It’s UP’s PDA Capital, so you don’t have to worry about being too affectionate. There are also lots of trees you can sit under, or even climb! You can really feel the essence of nature with your lover here.

“

The benefit of being there is really all about the unsuspectingly potentially soulful atmosphere that can leave your date’s heart defenseless

”

Hot tips: This is a nice place for watching the sky, so bring a mat. That way, you and your lover could lie on the lawn without getting itchy from the grass and insects. You and your date could also climb and sit on a tree… okay, what goes after that again? Oh yeah. You know what I’m talking about. *wink wink*

So, which is your favorite date spot?

Oh, They divine choc grind o Beat thee k late! t h e e n And drink withv hand eeling , s pray -Mar co An thee with ing , tonio e y e s Orell t o h ana, 1 8th ce eaven. nt ur y

What

Chocolate

Means To Me Indeed, there is something about chocolates and as what one survey jokingly reveals, nine out of ten people love chocolate… the tenth one lies. However, chocolate has gone far beyond just another confectionery delight. As what literary writer Patrick Skene Catling once said, “Other things are just food. But chocolate’s chocolate.” Anything with chocolate in it becomes chocolate. Even the popular “chocolates” that we are very fond of have been classified as chocolates when they are, according to a chocolate enthusiast, mere candies because of the low cacao and high sugar content they have. It is indeed surprising to know that Hershey’s or Cadbury or even the Ferrerro is nothing but a chocolate-coated candy delight. But because it is brown and it has chocolate, it is, as we call it, chocolate. More than being a gastronomical delight, chocolates have meanings attached to it by different persons. But perhaps the chocolate that most people attach themselves to is a bar of good old milk chocolate. Its sweet and creamy melt-in-your-mouth goodness makes the partaker forget even for a while the most stressful day he has yet. To me, it is a symbol of peace offering for petty fights among friends who can never let a day or two pass without the two or three of them being together. To the more conventional chocolate lover however, there is nothing better than the bittersweet indulgence of the dark chocolate. To some, it is the real chocolate. More cacao butter and less or no milk at all with a considerable amount of sweet, it is the ultimate orgasmic experience

by Jholo Moreno

for the “real chocolate” lover. It is raw and brusque yet it turns into a yielding passionate flavor as it melts in the warmth of your mouth. But besides the chocolate bars, chocolate is more than a bar. It is the very flavor that entices anyone who chances upon anything with it. A warm, fresh baked chocolateflavored cake like Chocolate Kiss’s Devil’s Food Cake or anything from Max Brenner’s is one that is close to a lot of people’s heart. It is the combination of the strong flavor that is the chocolate, and the mildness of the soft moist cake that makes the perfect complimenting recipe that really sends giggles to any two souls sharing a decadent slice. And to complete the ultimate chocolate experience, why not include a warm cup of a classic hot chocolate. I always think of one, no, two things when I hear of hot chocolate: Café Molinari’s premium hot chocolate concoctions and everybody’s favorite, Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow. And yes, which makes it three, Go Nuts Doughnuts’ Hot Hazelnut Chocolate with marshmallows. You see, chocolates were, first and foremost, a hot drink to the people who first discovered this treat and to which many of us owe a lot, the Mayans of the South America. The warmth of hot chocolate brightens up even the coldest day. It is the perfect mediator in any conversation of any topic. To me, it is what I look forward to after a very haggard exam. Hot chocolate is hot chocolate, need I say more?

Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. - Forrest Gump

Film, as an art form, is a reflection of a culture. It is a reflection of society in the form of audiovisual art. A film is an important art form for it is a source of popular entertainment and a powerful medium that influences and challenges one’s way of thinking. A foreign language film, in the Philippine context, is a film with dialogue predominantly not spoken in any of our official languages, English and Filipino, nor our local dialects. So when asked to give three foreign language films worth watching, these are what Kim and Sieg had to say. KIM SAYS: The Place Promised in Our Early Days (Makoto Shinkai, Japan, 2004) You don’t need to be an anime fan to appreciate this masterpiece. Made by a filmmaker who is said to be the next Miyazaki (Spirited Away), Kumo no Mukō, Yakusoku no Basho tells the story of three childhood friends, separated by reality and alternate realities, who descend into fear of living with the truth and waking up from a peaceful dream. This sci-fi fantasy flick can boast of its theme, animation and emotional depth which separate it from other movies of the same genre. Let the Right One In (Tomas Alfredson, Sweden, 2008) Not satisfied with your Twilight vampires? Then abandon your fascination with Edward Cullen and let Oskar in. Follow him as he meets Eli, the new girl in town who only comes out at night, and with her creates the tale of love that we all dreamt of when we were kids, minus the blood. Noted for its superb cinematography and screenplay, Låt den rätte komma in will make you grab that tomato juice in your fridge and play outside at night. Eli: [Standing outside the door] You have to invite me in. Oskar: What happens if I don’t? What happens if you walk in anyway? [Feels the air between himself and Eli] Is there something in the way?

3-Iron (Kim Ki-duk, Korea, 2004) Unusual, yet the ﬁlm’s portrayal of ethereal love goes beyond its minimal

dialogues. Bin-Jip brings two wandering souls into a single journey, to find an empty house where they can stay for a night or two and forget about the feeling of being left out. Though no words between the main roles were delivered, the film conveyed such emotion and sympathy through their actions that it diverts from the regular mainstream romantic movies that Korea delivers. SIEG SAYS: La Vie en Rose (Olivier Dahan, France, 2007) Originally entitled La Môme, which is French for “little girl”, La Vie en Rose tells the story of legendary French singer Édith Piaf. This film has an interesting musical score, cinematography, and costume and makeup design. But what is really captivating in the film, and probably the reason why I chose it, is Marion Cotillard’s performance as Piaf. It is safe to say that I have never seen such a performance where the actor really put herself in the role. It’s a performance one would never forget. El Laberinto del Fauno (Guillermo del Toro, Mexico, 2006) Known in the English speaking world as Pan’s Labyrinth, this film, set in Spain 1944 presents the protagonist Ofelia’s marvelous world centered in an old abandoned labyrinth. Pan’s Labyrinth is a testament to the use of elements of speculative fiction in showing social struggles and the beauty of human experience. Quoting lead actor Ivana Baquero’s thoughts on the film: “At the same time it can bring you pain and sadness and scariness and happiness.” And indeed it does. Not One Less (Yimou Zhang, China, 1999) Yi ge dou bu neng shao, as it is known in China, is a film that shows the societal struggles of a rural town amidst the urbanization in China, told through the experience of a thirteen-year-old substitute teacher. Although the politics behind the film is debatable as it is accused of being a feelgood neorealist film, the austerity of the film is enough for it to be credited for.

Reality Bytes

by TJ

“Aaaaayo, I’m tired of using technology. I need you right in front of me.” – 50 Cent

Despite the true meaning of 50 Cent’s ideally kinky song, he makes a good point with the quoted line. In this day and age, many individuals prefer expressing romantic feelings through technological means such as text, online chat, Facebook, Multiply, and the like. Doing this does lessen the pressure of expressing sincere feelings spontaneously because it gives one time to think of the right words to say and cancels out the anxiety in the person’s voice. This form of expression also complicates the true meaning of words. The way you read a romantic text message may make you feel special but you can never be too sure if the message is authentic and expressed from the depths of the sender’s heart. Maybe this is why many would rather use technology than the old school face-to-face way of courtship. Technology obstructs reality and reality is feared by many. When feelings are expressed, the possibility of being rejected is a reality no one can hide from. Yet the hurt and embarrassment from a rejection can be lessened… through technology. This is another reason why many prefer this method of expression. Using technology may have its benefits but nothing beats the original face-to-face interaction between two people. In this way, things are said more genuinely, feelings are reflected in words and expressions, and somehow everything is just more meaningful. Wouldn’t you prefer to actually hear a person express his or her love for you and sealed with a romantic kiss afterwards? We all know a kiss cannot be felt through a text message. Doing things in person is the way to go. It may feel awkward, scary, and embarrassing but at least when it’s all over and done with, you know you’ve done your best. You gave it your all and made each and every word and gesture real. This generation needs to learn how to be brave enough to face the reality of love and rejection. Technology may seem like the safer road but when it comes to love, risks must be taken. During this season of love, make sure you aren’t one of those people who express their feelings through technology. Make your Valentine’s Day meaningful by seeing that special person, bringing him or her a gift or a card, and make sure you talk. Face-to-face conversation allows people to become closer because through this, in some way, we are able to read the true intentions and character of the person. Using technology sometimes falsifies these things. So step up, take a deep breath, and get ready to express some romantic feelings this month of February. Don’t just send your special someone a romantic text message or e-card. That’s boring and not at all meaningful. See, even 50 Cent gets tired of using technology. Be spontaneous. Be real.

You know what I did last Yuletide break. All are in high spirits—excited, joyous, festive… Until one cold, starry starry night, it all ended. He said it all straight to my face, as if it’s not going to hurt, as if I don’t have a heart capable of loving, and as if nothing happened in the past two years, four months and six days... New Year. New life. New beginnings. Good morning, Little Miss Sunshine. Wake up. Forget about the nightmares. Rinse with the clear, running water and look at the bright, rising sun. Here are the things that you should do to mend your broken heart:

Christmas

By Kenna Barit

Closure. Talk to your partner face-to-face, answer all questions, specify all reasons, clear all spots, and say everything you want to say for the very last time. Leave and don’t look back. GOODBYE. Cry your heart out. Weep as hard as you can, shed all the tears until your tear ducts dried out, and then… stop.

Let time heal the wounds. Enjoy life with or without ‘someone.’ Life goes on. So must you.

Spend time with others. Hang out with your high school barkada, make new friends, cherish the old ones, chat often, share things/do stuff together, enjoy their company, treat them sometimes, drink with them. HELLO TO SINGLEHOOD! Study harder. Think/decide about matters that concerns your present and future. What/who do you want to be? List your dreams/goals and achieve them. Learn from your mistakes. Stay fit, healthy, and beautiful. Exercise. Eat a balanced diet. Sleep more. Drink lots of water. Get pampered. Go to a salon or spa for a haircut or massage. Learn to love yourself first. Do your hobbies. Watch TV or movies, read books, listen to music, play an instrument, write blogs, poems, and stories, update your social networking sites (status: single, haha), indulge your cravings (chocolates, ice cream, cake), play a sport, cook, go to the mall and shop, party! Save money. Now that you don’t have to treat or give a gift to a particular person so frequently, you can budget your own money and buy/ spend it in whatever way you want.

Share the emotion. Converse with your closest friends and rant together. Release all the hate, anger, fear and disgust. Listen to their advice, comprehend and choose what to do and not.

Laugh/smile often. Think of happy/positive thoughts. Learn to appreciate every single blessing that comes along your way. Compliment anyone who deserves it. Be optimistic. Look at the brighter side of life.

Inform your family. Who else loves you the most than your very own family? It is really them that could understand and comfort you in the darkest times of your life. They will do everything just to protect you, much like how they’ve been taking care of you since you were a small kid. And they know what’s best for you especially when the time comes that you are too confused to decide on your own.

Be inspired. Find a new crush/inspiration. Is he the ideal, yet hard-to-reach guy? The love team? The smart guy? The talented guy? The sporty guy? The close friend? It’s up to you. But don’t hope too much so that you won’t get hurt again. Just stay inspired and thrilled especially during kilig moments. He can be the reason to be cheerful again, the reason to fix your life, the reason to go to school early and go home late, the reason to smile every day. But don’t do it for the sake of forgetting your past—be sure that if ever you fall in love again, you don’t love your past anymore.

Memories. Love letters, pictures, gifts, tickets, candy/junk food/chocolate wrappers, notes, dried flowers, bracelet, necklace, ring boxes… What to do: (a.) Throw/burn all those things that will remind you of him, or (b.) keep them all in a “memory box” and bury it in a hidden place, so that when you grow up, you’ll be able to recall how things have changed since then. Move forward. FORGIVE AND FORGET. Avoid all means of communication. Delete him in your Y! mail/messenger, Friendster, Multiply, cell phone, telephone, etc. Don’t stalk him or ask his friends about him. As much as possible, don’t talk about it.

That’s it. If you were able to do all these, then maybe you’re really over him. But if not, it’s ok. Let time heal the wounds. Enjoy life with or without “someone.” Life goes on. So must you. Let the breeze of life take you to wherever you’re supposed to be. Remember: There’s always someone waiting for us, destined for us—the right person that will come in the right time, right place, and right circumstances. Maybe not now, but yeah, it will come.

Photo credit: Ecosoc Multiply Site

During this season of hearts, there are questions that some of us face. Some of these questions, even in their personal nature, are so tough that even we ourselves cannot find the answers (Should I? Should I not? Will I? Will I not?). Why??? It is in these times that we solicit the help of experts, those who are adept in the field of giving advice. Enter Anjelo “Q” Quintos and Aaron “A” Aw, UP ECOSOC apps who have decided to take the burden of answering your questions/problems/desires through this new (and completely serious) segment called Q & A with Q & A. What is the secret to success? A: There are a few things. Sipag at Tiyaga. Changing your first name to Aaron. Q: Well, wala na ako masyadong madadagdag eh. Pero if you decide to change your name to Aaron, then might as well change your nickname to Q. For Q, anong gusto mo kay A? Q: I’d like to answer this question by asking another one. What’s not to like? Tight na rin kami eh. Anong song ang iaaalay mo kay A? Why? Q: Mister DJ by Sharon Cuneta. Galing kumanta yan si A eh. For A, anong gusto mo kay Q? A: Wala lang. Friends na kasi kami eh. Anong song ang iaaalay mo kay Q? Why? A: Nanghihinayang by Jeremiah. Nanghihinayang ako kasi walang tatalo sa Mister DJ e! Why are you cute? A: Can’t help it. Can you ask my mom? Q: Good question. But the answer’s quite obvious. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Look at us, seriously, look at us. *PS: Di parin kasing cute ni Calabs! Bakit nag jjiggle si A pag tumatakbo? A: Hindi ako nagjijigle. Your head is just bobbling! Q: What he said. Will you tap that A: Sure why not! I’m tapping it right now. Q: No, after na ni A. Ayos ba? A: OO naman Q: Hindi.

Describe your dream girl. Have you met her? A: Someone who is confident, smart, funny, caring, has straight hair, long legs, smooth skin, nice eyes and smile. Big bOObs! And NO, she hasn’t met me yet. Q: Hindi talaga yung looks tinitingnan ko eh. I’m attracted to what’s inside. Basta mabait na may big bOObs, smart na may long legs and caring na sexy, super thankful ko na. For A, anong ayaw mo kay Q? A: Kalbo sya eh. Ok na sana pero andaming gumaya. For Q, anong ayaw mo kay A? Q: Hindi siya kalbo. How long? A: Malapad naman eh. Q: Have you seen a meter stick? Just asking. For A, may pag-asa bang magkaroon ng Mrs. J**** Aw? A: Ahhh… I just recently realized that I’m gay. For Q, paano ibe-break ang hindi mo naman gf? Q: Is this some kind of sick joke? Wag mo na i-break! Hindi mo naman pala girlfriend eh! Stop wasting your time. If you were any other letter, what letter would you be and why? Q: I’d be the letter O. Medyo pilyo kasi pag Q eh, may lawit. At least pag O, wholesome diba. Naka brief. A: Q nalang ako, ung boxers may butas sa harap. For A, if you were to choose among the girls of ECOSOC to become the next white castle girl, who would it be and why? A: Si ****** siyempre! Maputi eh. Wait, girl ba? Kala ko horse. HAHAHA. What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t have a date for Valentine’s day? Q&A: Kindly write your name, vital statistics, cell phone number to a piece of paper and attach a full body picture of yourself. You can drop it off to the nearest Q&A drop box or send it to our email, qawithqa@gmail.com If you have more questions or if you think cute ka, please drop your questions or a wallet-sized photo of yourself with dedication in our Q&A with Q&A drop box at the tambayan!

A literary piece by Jamoy Jampac

It has been 41 days, 13 hours and 25 minutes. . .

It has been 41 days, 13 hours and 25 minutes since the day I handed Patty John Benedict Lopez’s notebook. And it has been 41 days, 13 hours and 24 minutes ever since I’ve been regretting such cowardice. I sat speechless once again (as always as a matter of fact) behind JB’s seat on yet another Physics 10 class on a hot Friday afternoon. The topic was all about electroweak interaction, a concept in particle physics which I found quite interesting. The problem though was that it seemed like it was only I who was actually paying attention to class. The back row girls were gossiping, their giggles echoing shamelessly all throughout the auditorium. Half of the boys weren’t even around—maybe they’re out serenading girls. Patty was texting while listening to the Jonas Brothers on her iPod. This entire hullabaloo because of the fact that the love day was tomorrow and everyone just seemed to be bitten by this pest of a love bug. JB, though, was paying attention to class like I was. I theorized that the love bug missed him the way it missed me. I smiled at the thought of it not because misery loves company, but because the idea of him and I having a common ground just simply thrills me. In fact, the very idea of him and I is enough to thrill me. But how is it possible for a “him and I” to happen when I haven’t really said my first “Hi” to him yet? After all these months, yes, I still haven’t talked to John Benedict Lopez. And I really just blame global warming for everything, simply because it has caused the universe to become so hot that the weak force that is my strong but humble desire for JB has merged with an electromagnetic force that is my cowardice to actually talk to him. That’s the concept of electroweak interaction right there, with JB being my sole source of energy, whether it be high or low. The class ended with nothing really memorable to remember, except maybe for my electroweak love. And that was it, my Friday the 13th just concluded like that.

I sat beside Patty on a sunny 14th in this rather funny pink dress she forced me to wear.

“Really, I look stupid. You know I hate pink,” I complained for the nth time.

“Lucia, it looks good on you. Stop being difficult—chillax!”

“Chillax. Right.” I rolled my eyes. “Why is this table for four anyway?”

“Because, my dear, we’re not dateless today!” Before I could even do it she already cut in with, “And do not dare roll your eyes on me again. Seriously, I’m going to have a date, and you will have your own date as well.”

“Wait, what?” My voice jumped two octaves higher, from Mi to So.

“Oh, here they are!”

All of a sudden, I felt all my molecules freeze. Iceman came back, so cold it burned me. Without looking away from one of the guys walking toward us, I hurriedly attempted to reach for my inhaler inside my bag because it damn felt like I was to have an asthma attack any time soon. But my hand and mind coordination failed me. The sight of him made me panic big time, scared out of my wits that I could actually vomit or worse, faint. You could give me a Golden Globe for Best Actress award but I knew what I felt that instant and it felt just like that.

“Hello.” He sat across me and smiled.

And I stuttered trying to utter the two-letter word I’ve been dying to tell him 42 days, 12 hours and 16 minutes ago.

What is the cheesiest/corniest pick-up line you’ve ever heard? Compiled by Kash Salvador

Jaymie Reyes: “Magaling ka ba talaga sa Algebra? Can you substitute my ex?” Ace Lopez: “Excuse me, you've dropped something…your JAW.”

Moppet Claravall: “Pinaglihi ka ba sa toilet bowl? Kasi ako pinaglihi sa tae. Kaya pag nakikita kita, hindi ko mapigilang mahulog sa iyo.”

Ogie Enriquez: “Are you a parking ticket? ‘Coz you’ve got fine written all over you.”

Pat Garcia: “Miss, di ka pa ba natutunaw? Kanina pa kasi ako nakatitig sayo.”

Mel Quintos: “Kung gagawa ako ng alak, pangalan mo lalagay ko…Ang lakas mo sumipa. Kaso sa puso ang tama.”

Demet Meru: “If I'll become a letter, I'll be a ‘T’ so I could stay beside ‘U.’ Marianne Sibulo: “Is your name Justin? Because you’re just-in my mind.”

Cole Diomampo: “Ring ring ring. Sagutin mo naman ako.” RJ Huang: “If I were to rearrange the alphabet, I would put U and I together.”

Sieg Alegado: “You complete me.”

Jamoy Jampac: “Is your father a terrorist? ‘Cause you're the bomb!”

Denise Monica Raymundo: “Magnanakaw ka ba? Because you stole my breath away.” (A Mocca original)

Josh Coquia: “Hey, you come here often?” Kris Esgana (app): “Naiinitan ka ba? Hot mo kasi eh.” Dean Dulay: “Masakit ba, noong nahulog ka sa langit?” Aries Carlos: “You're my own personal brand of heroin.”

Karen Capacia: “Accounts payable ka ba? Nagkakinterest kasi ako sayo.” Raya Bienvenida: (actual conversation) “Ikaw na lang iinterviewhin ko for my CEO paper.” “Bakit? CEO ako ng ano?” “CEO ka ng heart ko.”

Jes Sanchez: “Ningning ng iyong mga mata'y daig pa ang sa mga tala.” Terry Gutierrez: “Miss, I forgot your name. Can I call you mine?”

What is the most romantic line you’ve ever heard? Kris Esgana: “Today is probably the day that you are most beautiful in my eyes and heart and I will continue to cherish it as long as I live. I love you.”

Jes Sanchez: “When God made you, he was showing off.” Pat Garcia: “I’d rather be with you than be with Gregory.”

RJ Huang: “Don't measure life by the breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.” Sieg Alegado: “Love means not ever having to say your sorry.” Marianne Sibulo: “The only way I can hurt you is by hugging you too tight.”

Denise Monica Raymundo: “A girlfriend for now, and a wife forever.” Josh Coquia: “Para sayo, ako'y magbabago kahit mahirap, kakayanin ko.” Raya Bienvenida: “If it isn’t love, I don’t know what this is.”

Aries Carlos: “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Professor Amado Mendoza graced us with their presence during ECOSOC’s ACLE last February 4. But, would you look at that. Looks like they’re not so graceful in the camera after all. What, why, how, where, when? You know the drill. Email us what you think at echoes0809@y! or just approach any Echoes editor/applicant and impress us with your wit and creativity. Congratulations to Trixie for bagging the “Awww yeah bull’s-eye!” award for last issue’s Caption this! The winning caption is: Geoff: Matagal nakong kalbo. Jay: I’m too sexy for my hair. Nathan: Ako na sunod! ... Reg: KALBO RULZ!

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