Biologue October-December 2016

Bedtime Story Specials: Chamber 41 Apps’ Party

by Mavic Melendres

Themed “Bedtime Story Specials,” Chamber 41 applicants organized their Apps’ Party which took place at the Multipurpose Hall of Hobart Homes, Quezon City last November 5, 2016.

The room was illuminated with christmas lights, paper pom poms, paper lanterns and golden stars on cloths draped across the ceiling. Applicants, members and alumni comfortably sat on the floor with blankets, pillows and stuffed toys. Everyone came in their comfiest pajamas with special prizes given to the first five people to arrive wearing onesies.

The event started with a memorable introduction rapped by Chamber 41’s Marco Capistrano which surely hyped the audience, followed by a short speech by the chamber’s batch heads: Terrenz Gigante, Ullma Lindo, Leann Sala, and Dominik Tan. Applicants, members and alumni participated in a series of mini games including a newspaper game with buddies of different chambers, leaving Gaby Mondragon of Chamber 39 and Joey Daya of Chamber 40 the surviving and winning buddy pair.

The program also consisted of varying performances ranging from acting to dancing to singing. A skit was prepared which left everyone bursting into laughter as the performance featured impersonations of the different members as they are joining a pageant. Some of the impersonations include Ullma Lindo as Joshua Olorocisimo, Gelo de Grano as Marc Ong, Joaquin Lacson as Carlo (Bebe) Hernandez, and Pocholo Enriquez as Regina Roncal. The

impersonations were almost accurately depicted, which made it a lot more amusing for everyone.

Dinner took place afterwards and some of the boys namely Jean Ambata, Daniel Co, Mikojie Reyes, Dominik Tan of Chamber 41 graced the food with their very own version of Mean Girls’ “Jingle Bell Rock” with a complete costume of red shirt and skirt.

It was indeed a bright time!

The Chamber 41 applicants capped off the event with a chamber dance followed by a group song performance of “Little Wonders” and “Little Things” by Marco Capistrano, Daniel Co, Isabella Kaw and Anna Rodriguez. The happy and fun-filled atmosphere which welcomed the guests throughout the party slowly transitioned to a solemn and heartfelt mood as they sang and surprised all the members with flowers as a symbol of gratitude and appreciation.

When asked about the experience as a whole, batch head Leann Sala said that “the apps’ party was a great venue for the chamber to share their talents and discover their strengths and weaknesses.

Even though the preparations were rough, we were able to give a good apps’ party through teamwork and patience. This event has proven how phenomen41 we are capable of being and becoming.” Truly, it was a remarkable and unforgettable experience for both the applicants and members, filled with the right mix of fun, laughter and solemnity.

Biologue asks :

Chamber 41 Interviews

UP ABM applicants were in for a ride the moment they finished their ABMAT, the first of the four requirements for induction. Interviews were coming up and applicants found themselves preparing yet again for another round of Q&A, except that this time around, it would be with members and not a piece of paper. Here are what five members of Chamber 41 – Dom, Jean, Joaquin, Sam and Ullma, had to share about their interview experience in a relatively more casual interview with Biologue.

Question: How would you describe your interview preparations?

Dom Tan: “I’d like to think I prepared well naman, and although I didn’t feel ready, I knew that I was.

I was a little bit anxious but not too nervous. Honestly, I was more nervous for the introduction/formalities part rather than interview itself because I might forget something or make a mistake. But, yeah, [I] pulled through naman (laughs).”

Ullma Lindo: “Preparing for the interview was really no joke. Some ABMers told me that it would just be like the ABMAT, and ‘more’. I was super nervous because writing down the answers and reciting them out loud with confidence are two different things, and the latter scared me more because I would need to be more formal and proper in front of the members and the alumni. […] I studied the Constitution over and over again, while keeping in mind that the interview will help me become a better future member of this organization.”

Question: What’s one thing you learned from your interview?

Sam Esquivel: “That sometimes what you expect something to be isn’t always what it is.”

Ullma: “I felt so enlightened and my trust got deeper as I learned what this organization and its members really stand for; and, that I’d be happy to be one of those people who will maintain this organization when I become a member.

Question: Can you compare your pre- and post-interview self?

Joaquin Lacson: “Aside from the scared-notscared phase I went through, I’d say I gained so much more respect and trust for ABM and its members. Before, I guess I used to think that ABM was just another org that I’d simply have to app for and I’m through but after the interview, I realized that it was so much more than that.”

Jean Ambata: Pre-interview me was nervous siyempre and pagod kasi pumunta pang Chem then AS. But prepared naman to an extent. Post interview, IDK, I was relieved it was over and I think I did oks naman. There was much thinking after, pero y’know everything’s all cool.

Question: If you could give yourself one piece of advice for your interview (without any spoilers tho!), what would it be?

Dom: “Ey, you got this fam. Hakuna Matata...

Hakuna Matata.”

Jean: “Just do it, man.”

Joaquin: “Remember why you are here. Remember why you let yourself come this far. Above all else, be really, really, really strong.”

Sam: “Stand by what you believe in.”

Question: Are you ready for the rest of the app process?

Dom: “Yes.” Jean: “Siguro.” (laughs) Joaquin: “ I’m, low-key, still scared of the rest of the app process but I can most probably say that I’m ready for whatever comes my way. I hope I make the cut! “ Sam: “For the most part, yes [...]”

Ullma: “I’m like that battery –always ready (laughs) but YES, I AM! I’m more than excited about what I can still learn during the rest of the app process.”

ABM Partnerships first semester | 2016-2017