The New Builder - November 2017

Mapúa SHS celebrates Buwan ng Wika 2017

byKristinClarisseH.MateoandMaurineClaireF.Kim

In line with Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum number 58 series 2017, Mapúa University marked its Buwan ng Wika festivities last August 31 with the theme “Filipino: Wikang Mapagbago”. The event was highlighted by the Biglaang Pagbigkas and Sabayang Pagbigkas competitions featuring student contestants from the Senior High School (SHS) Department.

The Heart

In collaboration with the School of Languages, Humanities, and Social Sciences (SLHS), the SHS Filipino Club organized a series of events to celebrate the essence of the Filipino language

in line with Proclamation No. 1041 by former president Fidel V. Ramos.

According to SLHS Coordinator Prof. Mary Grace T. Hilario, “Mahalaga ang nasabing pagdiriwang dahil pinapatunayan ng Mapúa ang sistemang OBE [OutcomesBased Education] sa larangan ng Filipino, dahil nagagamit talaga nila ang kanilang natutunan para magpamalas ng mga natatanging kakayahan.”

One of the objectives of Mapúa’s Buwan ng Wika celebration was to entice all Mapúans to be interested in the field of literature and arts. “Ang isang Mapúan ay hindi lang magaling sa teknolohiya. Isang inhinyero, magaling sa sipnayan, dahil ang Mapúan ay isa ring makata at makabayan,” SHS

Auto Principi returns after four-year hiatus

bySheinaMarieI.BorretaandKyrienJewelJaneenaL.Tabucan

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), in cooperation with the student council of the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME), organized the fourth iteration of the car show Auto Principi, which was held at

the Mapúa University, Intramuros campus last August 12.

Auto Principi 4 (AP4) ran under the theme “Reignition. Resurgence. Revival.”, indicative of its return to Mapúa since its last show in January 2013.

Filipino Club President Caleb D. Jalmasco stated.

Jalmasco also stressed that Mapúans must celebrate Buwan ng Wika to honor the national language. “Ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika ay isang pagbibigay-pugay sa kadakilaan ng Wikang Filipino kasaliw ng mga ginawang kaunlaran sa ating bansa. Wika ang naging susi sa kaunlaran at sapat lang na maglaan ng isang buwan o araw sa isang taon para sa pag-aalala nito,” he commented.

The Mind

To kick off the celebration, the coordinators held a “Pistang Nayon”, where students, professors, and Mapúans in general, feasted on a potluck lunch of Filipino dishes, desserts, and fruits.

Immediately after the Pistang Nayon, SHS students competed in a Biglaang Pagbigkas competition, where they exchanged views about the country’s current societal issues, such as the significance of the national language and the administration’s War on Drugs. Winners of the competition were Chevron Colinares, Grade 12, third place; Verrick Sta. Ana, Grade 11, second place; and Justin Hapa, Grade 12, first place.

The Voice

After the Biglaang Pagbigkas contest, 15 groups battled it out to claim a slot in the Top 3 in the Sabayang Pagbigkas competition, with each group being challenged to form their own interpretation of the piece entitled, “Filipino: Wikang Mapagbago” by Poy Aguilar.

In the end, the performers from section G126 were declared the winners. “Lahat ng pagod na pinagdaanan namin ay napawi nang marinig namin ang aming pagkapanalo,” G126 Representative Maria Gabriella Aquino shared.

Sections G215 and G213 followed suit and bagged second and third place, respectively.

“Sana nagbigay ng mensahe ang Buwan ng Wika ngayong taon sa bawat Mapúan na merong natutulog na kakayahan sa larangan ng literatura ang bawat isa, at dapat ay ginigising ito. Maging umpisa ang nangyaring Buwan ng Wika sa pagbubuo ng pangalan nito sa larangan ng sining at literature,” Jalmasco concluded .

Mapúa SHS holds Pistang Nayon 2017

byKristinClarisseH.MateoandBuenaflorChludelAnnM.Tolentino

In line with the celebration of “Buwan ng Wika”, the Mapúa Senior High School (SHS) hosted the second iteration of Pistang Nayon at the Mapúa Gymnasium last August 29.

Pistang Nayon is a fiesta-themed competition where delicacies from different regions of the Philippines are presented. This year, the regions highlighted were CALABARZON, Cebu, Central Luzon, SOCCSKSARGEN, Iloilo, Bicol, Davao, and Ilocos. Under the supervision of their respective Filipino professors, the SHS students were assigned to create a booth for their specific region. Afterwards, each booth was evaluated based on its design and the food that was prepared and served to the panel of judges.

The main objective of the event was to impart to Mapúans that the Philippines is both multi-cultural and multi-lingual. “Sa pistang naganap, ipinapasok natin sa puso na ang pagiging Pilipino ay

pagkakaroon mo ng kamalayan hindi lang sa lugar kundi sa buong bansa, kaakibat ang mga kulturang nandito,” SLHS Coordinator Prof. Mary Grace T. Hilario stated.

Out of the 8 groups, the students under Prof.

who

the

place winner, followed by the Central

booth under Prof.

and the

Princess Joy C. Ragsac

created

Bicol region booth emerged as first

Luzon

Hilario,

SOCCSKSARGEN booth under Prof. Arvin A. Patani, at second and third place, respectively. Consolation prizes were likewise awarded to the Cebu and Iloilo booths.

“Samakatuwid, ito ay simpleng gawaing nais lamang pagbuklurin ang bansa kahit may iba-iba itong kultura at wika,” Hilario concluded.

Opening the gates. Faculty members of the Mapúa Senior High School Department formally begin the University’s Buwan ng Wika celebrations. Photo by Sophia Lorraine U. Estabaya

Mapúa University

Lasang Pinoy. Judges taste-test the delicacies offered in the Pistang Nayon contest.

Photo by Sophia Lorraine U. Estabaya

Motor parade. Mapúans admire and inspect the vehicles displayed in AP4.

Photo by Sophia Lorraine U. Estabaya

Auto Principi returns...

The car show exhibited a variety of automotive vehicles, and catered to the viewing pleasure of Mapúans and non-Mapúans as well.

According to Nathan Villalonga, one of the event’s organizers, AP4 featured different types of vehicles owned by both students and guests.

“The vehicles we showcased ranged from SUVs, sedans, show cars, classics, tuners, muscle cars and exotics,” Villalonga stated. The showcase featured participating cars in a competition, where Cristopher

Ortiz’s Chevrolet Corvette emerged as the champion.

The car show also served as a fund raising event for the upcoming Formula SAE, a competition in which college teams have to design cars that are attuned to the modern demands and limitations of the automotive industry. Auto Principi’s Head Organizer and former SAEMapúa President, Lourdz Miña, likened Formula SAE to “a Shell-Eco Marathon which focuses more on engine build, speed, and power.”

Villalonga further specified that the funds raised from the event would go towards building a viable prototype for Formula SAE.

SAE has been hosting car shows within the Intramuros campus since 2011, and with Auto Principi emerging out of hiatus, the organization plans to make the event an annual tradition again. SAE is also hoping to conduct future editions of Auto Principi during the University’s upcoming Foundation Week.

SMS student, alumna bag awards in 29th Gawad CCP Competition

byNicholleKimT.FontanillaandKristinClarisseH.Mateo

Entries from two students of the University’s School of Media Studies (SMS) won during the 29th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video held last August 5 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Reexamining beauty

Digital Cinema student Tricia Sotaso was awarded third place in the Experimental Film category for her film “Ang Pagkalaglag ng Ginintuang Salamin ng Pagkakilanlan”.

In an interview with The New Builder, Sotaso stated that her desire to integrate fine art with film was what led to the creation of “Ginintuang Salamin”. “I wanted to experiment on the usage of mirrors, performance art, and time and space,” Sotaso said. “I was also inspired by the story of Narcissus when he fell in love with his reflection,” she continued.

As for the film’s focus, Sotaso

SMS to offer three

byKyrienJewelJaneenaL.Tabucan

In line with the transformation of the School of Multimedia and Visual Arts (SMVA) to the School of Media Studies (SMS), the school is planning to offer three new programs starting academic year 2018-2019.

The new program offerings of SMS next year will be Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism, Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Media, and Bachelor of Arts in Advertising Design. According to SMS Dean Prof. Benigno B. Agapito, Jr., the planned program offerings were instituted to allow the school to expand its field of expertise. “One of my visions is to expand the department [SMS]. We want a broad scope so that we can opt for media-related courses,” Agapito explained.

explained that “Ginintuang Salamin” centers on the flawed concept of beauty that leads to the formation of different standards set by today’s society. In addition to that, the film conveys the “power of the female gaze” for people to see women as they are and not merely as objects.

Home is where the heart is

In the Documentary Film category, Digital Cinema alumna Aleia Garcia snagged second place for her OFWcentered film “Spring by the Sea”. The film featured the struggles of OFW families abroad, including that of her own.

According to Garcia, the film was inspired by her life in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, which she considers as her second home. “Growing up in a foreign land, in a huge family, and having OFW parents play a vital role when I write screenplays and shoot my films,” she shared.

Each film that Garcia creates

is about self-identity. She likewise admitted that she tends to produce a character who is searching for his or her home.

Artistry and Commitment as the keys

When asked for advice for other aspiring filmmakers, Sotaso shared that whether good or bad, a filmmaker should not disregard the films that he or she creates. “This is because you’ll get to see your progress or growth as a filmmaker,” she explained.

Sotaso also encouraged her fellow Digital Cinema students to be openminded when it comes to criticism so that they can further hone their skills in film-making. “Several mistakes will occur, yet several lessons will be learned. Accept criticisms wholeheartedly and always believe in yourself,” she advised.

new programs next academic year

The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism program is designed for aspiring writers to learn not only the principles and advanced techniques of journalism, but also how to effectively use the different platforms. Students enrolled in Digital Journalism will be exposed to the traditional platforms, as well as the new platforms present through the internet.

For enrollees interested in radio and television production, the Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Media program will provide prospective students in-depth training in advanced transmission of news information concepts using various media platforms.

On the other hand, those who plan to delve into the world of advertising

Mapúa, DOST push through Smart Bridge project expansion

byNicholleKimT.FontanillaandMaurineClaireF.Kim

One of the many projects highlighted during the research exhibit held during Mapúa’s 1st University Week celebration was the Smart Bridge Project, a joint effort between the School of Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering (SCEGE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The project aimed to further the development on the manner and method of building Philippine Infrastructure.

The Smart Bridge Project is the recently concluded research done by Mapúa University to continue its commitment to the advancement of Philippine infrastructure. In addition, the Smart Bridge Project developed a wireless sensory network system that monitors the structural health of bridges, especially in the event of earthquakes. The project is currently housed at the University’s Research Building and is funded by the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

The research team, led by Dr. Francis Aldrine A. Uy, Dean and professor of SCEGE, developed a wireless sensory network system, called USHER, for structural integrity monitoring of bridges.

Only a handful of other smart bridges across the globe incorporate sensors of various types, including accelerometers, strain gauges, anemometers, weigh-in-motion devices, and temperature sensors.

“The Smart Bridge team made some significant strides in our research. We developed USHER, which stands for Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System,” Uy imparted.

“The system aims to provide an advanced decision support tool to building officials of LGUs and other stakeholders for structural health monitoring and management.”

These sensing technologies were reviewed based on costeffectiveness, practicality, upholding, technical expertise required for acquisition and analysis of data, and stability of the technology in field conditions. Additionally, the central focus of the research was to identify technologies that are economical, low maintenance, and tough for field conditions.

According to Uy, their team unceasingly exerted efforts to further improve Structural Health Monitoring in the country in preparation for earthquakes and other disasters. “We worked to develop, install, and interpret data from weather- and theft-proof devices that authorities can use to remotely monitor the structural condition of bridges,” Uy stated.

Currently, wireless sensor nodes have already been installed at the Padre Jacinto Zamora Bridge in Pandacan, Manila. While finalizing the official requirements, the Smart Bridge Project will serve as catalyst for other research and technological developments that are committed to developing the structural health of Philippine infrastructure.

Accordingly, Mapúa has been consistent in submitting projects highlighting infrastructure. The University has submitted two projects as an expansion of the Smart Bridge project, and these are currently under review with the DOST-PCIEERD. Aside from the Philippine Structural Integrity Management System (PhilSIMS) which will be implemented in coordination with the DPWH, Mapúa University has also begun working with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) for the installation of sensors with an intensity-meter feature.

IEEE Philippines Section hosts lecture series

byNicholleKimT.Fontanilla

As part of the 4th EECE Research Symposium, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Philippines Section organized the IEEE Distinguished Lecture held last August 4 at the University’s Seminar Room.

for On-Shore Receiving Facilities (ORF) and Pipelines”, whereas Dr. Hashimoto lectured on “Social Media Analysis - Technique, Application and Globalization”.

can enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Advertising Design program. This will train students to deliver concepts creatively, while being persuasive to their clients and to promote products or services in all types of media platforms.

Currently, the SMS faculty has begun preparations for the teaching of these programs and is in the process of hiring practitioners of the media-related offerings. “We’re planning to construct laboratories for the three programs. For broadcast media, we will be constructing a television and radio production room. Then for journalism, we will be constructing a newsroom laboratory and facility,” Agapito stated.

The four senior members of the IEEE Philippines who gave talks during the lecture were Dr. Lawrence Wong, professor from the National University of Singapore, 2013 IEEE R10 Director, and 2017 IEEE MGA board member; Dr. Supavadee Aramvith, associate professor from Chulalongkorn University and 2017 IEEE R10 Educational Activities Coordinator; Dr. Michael Ong, senior scientist from the Institute for Infocomm Research (A*STAR) and 2017 IEEE R10 Membership Development Chair; and Dr. Takako Hashimoto, professor from Chiba University and 2017 IEEE Membership Recruitment and Recovery (MRR) Committee Chair.

The four speakers gave lectures about wireless and sensor networks, video and image processing, communication, and data mining.

Dr. Wong talked about “Indoor Localization”, while Dr. Aramvith tackled “Video Processing and Communication Researches”. Dr. Ong, on the other hand, discussed “Electronic Beamforming for Synthetic Aperture Radar Payload on Small Satellite and Millimeter-wave Phased Arrays System for the Inspection of Cracks, Corrosion and Damages

Dr. Jennifer Dela Cruz, research coordinator and associate professor of the School of EECE, and Chairman of IEEE Philippines Section and IEEE Women in Engineering, noted that the four eminent lecturers represent the four technical societies of IEEE.

“They are experts specializing in the fields of interest of their society. They travel to various technical and regional groups to give lectures at events,” Dela Cruz emphasized.

Additionally, Dr. Dela Cruz stated that the distinguished lecture is an activity where engineering professionals help their respective fields by means of the new technical developments that hone the global community. “Research works demonstrated by our lecturers were comprehensive enough for participants to have a take away of the pieces of technical information, updates, techniques and strategies,” Dela Cuz stated.

Apart from the lecture series, an open forum for MS and PhD students was likewise held in the afternoon to allow graduate students to ask questions, and offer comments and suggestions related to their proposed research topics.

Pictures by Sophia Lorraine U. Estabaya

MCS bags silver in 13th Busan Choral Festival and Competition

byMaurineClaireF.Kim

T he Mapúa Cardinal Singers (MCS), the official resident choir of Mapúa University, earned the Silver Prize Award in the Classical Mixed Category at the 13th Busan Choral Festival and Competition (BCFC) held last September 6 in Busan, South Korea.

Story of the Verses

Headed by conductor Prof. Angelito Ayran Jr., the goal of the Mapúa Cardinal Singers was to up the ante of their competition by participating in the 13th BCFC. “We thought about joining this competition a few months back, [because] we wanted to join a competition of a higher caliber compared to our last international competition,” internal program coordinator Lance Roy Adolfo stated.

In preparation for the international competition, the MCS held a send-off concert last August 11-12 entitled “Annyeong”. The concert allowed the group to display their singing repertoire and garner support from their fellow students. “We were able to collect funds, thanks to the sendoff concert and sponsorships,” Adolfo remarked.

Theme of the Chorus

The 13th BCFC saw the participation of 47 teams from seven Asian countries. While the MCS fell short in the Ethnic category, they fared better in the Classical Mixed category, thus earning a Silver Prize Award behind fellow Philippine team University of Mindanao Chorale.

The choir observed that one of the main aspects that contributed to their silver award finish was their ability to effectively relay the message of the song to the listeners. “We were able to perform the songs well and deliver the interpretations of the songs accurately. Filipino choirs really make music from the heart, that’s why I think the MCS and other Filipino choirs are able to win competitions here and abroad,” Adolfo said.

The MCS’s winning performance included a total of four musical pieces: Italian madrigal, Vezzosi Augelli, by Luca Marenzio; O Gloriosa Domina and Canticum Novum, both by Ivo Antognini; and Gloria, laus et honor by Filipino composer, Jude Edgard Balsamo.

For the Ethnic Category, the

group sang and choreographed Intako Mangragragsak by Bienvenido Constantino Jr. and Salidummay by Normita “Bing” Rio-Pablico, going the extra mile by wearing the traditional Cordilleran costume.

Grand Finale in the Coda

The team did not fail to thank their supporters for the continuous reassurances they received. “To the people supporting the Mapúa Cardinal Singers, we would like to thank you for believing in us. We will always be proud to represent our alma mater, Mapúa University, and the Philippines. People like you inspire us to continue singing and make art,” Adolfo imparted.

The Mapúa Cardinal Singers are planning to recruit new members and are already eyeing future competitions for next year. “We’re not closing doors for local competitions since they could also be a source of exposure to the members and for the group as well,” Adolfo stated.

Byte

Physics Dept. hosts “Complexity of Sciences” seminar

byKyrienJewelJaneena L.Tabucan

In coordination with Mapúa University’s Physics Department, Dr. Johnrob Bantang of the National Institute of Physics conducted the “Complexity of Sciences” seminar last July 21 at the Audio Visual Room 2, Intramuros campus.

According to the main coordinator of the event, Prof. Maria Teresa Pulido, the goal of the seminar was to provide a brief review of the foundational principles of scientific thought. The seminar was also designed to let both students and professors see the different

Spotlight on the QS University Ranking System

fields of sciences as a study with regard to their proper objects and topics. According to Pulido, “These topics may be possible directions of research in the University in the spirit of multidisciplinary approach.”

Dr. Johnrob Y. Bantang is a Physics Associate Professor at the National Institute of Physics and is likewise the Instrumentation Physics Laboratory Coordinator. The Physics Laboratory currently hosts researches in optics, microscopy, biological physics, and complex systems .

The QS University Ranking is an annual publication of university rankings by British firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Using a total of 46 different subjects and 5 composite faculty areas, the best universities for a certain career located around the globe are evaluated and ranked. Hence, this can help people to gain additional information to make it easier in choosing an institute or university.

As an example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States obtained the highest possible scores in the 2017 QS World University Rankings: 5+ QS stars on all categories of teaching, research, employability, facilities, innovation, internationalization, specialist criteria, and inclusiveness, thus making MIT the best university for numerous subjects in the world.

Apart from being global in scope, the QS University Ranking rates universities through a strict set of criteria: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty/Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty, International Faculty Ratio, and International Student Ratio. Thus, universities given a place in the QS

rankings is an assurance to the students that these schools have passed international standards designed meticulously to distinguish institutions with exemplary performance.

A spot in the QS Rankings has a profound impact to the evaluations from both local and international accreditors. High QS rankings

are representative of higher education institutions who meet certain standards of growth, innovation, and quality, and as such, getting high marks can help boost local accreditations. This assures accreditors that the university is in a progressive state with regard to how the students and the institution itself engage.

For any participating institution, the system offers an international standard for comparison. This is particularly useful for Mapúa University since the administration is focused on raising its international profile.

Capturing this data is vital because a culture of more informed student decision-making means that autonomous rating become a key branding tool for any accelerative thinking and internationally focused institution.

The coveted feat of getting 3 or more QS stars is becoming an attractive idea for universities that are looking to break into the world rankings, since they provide a framework for universities to follow in order to elevate their

standards to that of their international counterparts.

The QS Stars ratings are grouped into eight categories: infrastructure, internationalization, employability, engagement, research, teaching, innovation, and the institution’s standing in specialist subjects. This can be demonstrated either through QS ranking positions or through internationally recognized accreditation.

Assessments often lead to improvements in data collection across the university. Such are the demands of the audit process. Many of the universities assessed to date have used the process to improve their strategic and operational planning.

Mapúa University President and CEO Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea stated that a higher QS rating will definitely have a positive effect on Mapúans’ chances at employment here and abroad.

“Through the publication of the QS rankings, you get to see the top people in the industry worldwide. So it’s just a matter of building reputation, name of school abroad, and eventually the compensation of graduates should follow,” Vea stated.

Additionally, QS Rankings can also provide additional important information that may be used by prospective students during the early stages of the decision-making process for their university applications.

News Feature

by Nicholle Kim T. Fontanilla, Maurine Claire F. Kim, and Kyrien Jewel Janeena L. Tabucan

Editorial

His Imminence

It is becoming more obvious by the day that our President’s goal is to provoke some sort of violent reaction from the people so that he can get his chance to declare Martial Law over the whole country. While there are those who don’t see it happening at all, many already believe in the strong possibility, or worse, anticipate it with open arms due to delusions brought about by the misinformation being spread by the fanatics of the current administration.

Last December 2016, President Duterte seemed to be aware of the Maute Group’s plan to attack Marawi. He even dared them to carry out their attack. Judging from his speech, Duterte appeared to have a sense of the enemy’s whereabouts “in the forest” and of their plans to “burn Marawi”. However, despite all this intel, it didn’t seem like much was done to prevent the attack. It was almost as if he allowed the conflict to occur so that he could justify the declaration of Martial Law.

When the siege did take place, the distance and size of the attack did not actually seem to require the declaration of Martial Law nationwide. Declaring Martial Law throughout the country could have triggered an immediate reaction from the youth who were, and still are, wary of Duterte’s inclination to such measures. If violent protests would erupt among the masses, the threatening invasion in the far south would be difficult to repress. There would be the danger of losing all control over the people.

It is difficult to not make these dark assumptions while kids get shot on the streets and revisionism takes place in the minds of the masses via fake news.

In the end, the Mindanao Martial Law declaration appeared to have convinced people from all over the political spectrum. It is easy to convince people to fight against such an alarming threat as the Islamic State. However, whether Martial Law is still necessary in Mindanao is debatable. While the Maute Group has since been defeated in Marawi, the number of human rights violations under Martial Law in the area has remained significant. There have already been reports of forced evacuations, EJKs outside of the besieged city, and even misfired military bombings.

Another instance which proved Duterte’s infatuation with Martial Law would be the whole debacle prior to the recent Martial Law anniversary. First, the day was to be declared as a holiday but then was later labeled only as a ‘Day of Protest’. Still, Duterte used the label to call on his own petty protests against “the Yellows”. Then came the assignment of the notorious Caloocan cops to enforce order at the rally, despite being dismissed from active duty due to various dishonorable accusations which surfaced in the past month or so. Finally, there came a warning from the President, “If the left will try to have a massive protest, start fires on the streets, they will disrupt the country, then I might declare martial law.”

The bottom line is: Duterte taunted the anti-Martial Law rallyists last September 21. He may have even hoped for a violent encounter by preparing all these little pieces for the event. He wanted things to fall into place so that the blame would rest solely on the protesters, not on fake news or unverifiable sources which always seem to blow up in the faces of those releasing the misinformation. The people failed Duterte last September 21, and that for him was a good thing.

It is important to remain vigilant when attending protests as deviousness is always in the air these days. Duterte seems to only get more annoyed with every stab that the opposing parties take at him. It is only a matter of time until his temper takes over and some sort of convenient conflict will give him the chance to seize total control over the country.

It is best that we prepare ourselves for another Martial Law declaration while we have the time. Maybe this time, with our knowledge of history and youthful passion for freedom, we would have a better chance at cutting this dictatorship shorter than the last time.

While we stand bickering over bank accounts and national budget distributions, there is an apocalyptic agenda brewing in North Korea, just 3000 kilometers from our nation’s capital. The agenda is armed with a missile named Musudan (BM-25), which has a reach of over 4,000 kilometers and carries a potentially nuclear payload weighing 1,200 kg – more than enough to permanently cripple a country that’s so distracted by something as petty as a “drug war”.

Hard as it may be to accept the sorry state of this country’s short-sighted leadership, it is all we’ve got, and all we’ve had for decades. We have to behave maturely and politely in convincing these leaders to act smartly, even if just for a moment, to make preparations for a possible nuclear attack. Hence, for the remainder of this article, this would be my last jab at our government’s ineptitude.

The first step we should take, as with all issues, is to raise awareness. Everyone seems to be all caught up with the current national drama that it feels as if we aren’t really concerning ourselves enough with more pressing threats. It’s like the rise of the Islamic State in Marawi all over again. A conflict which was allowed to happen, at least to this writer’s opinion,

Time To Bunk

Up

due to three things: denial, distraction, and provocation.

Denial in the form of constant lies from the Philippine Military regarding the IS threat in the Philippines despite warnings from analysts since January 2016. Distraction in the form of the humdrum brought about by the Drug War of our current President. And provocation from the very same source. More specifically, it came with the words, “Go ahead, do it.” These words were part of a speech by President Duterte last December 2016 where he seemingly knew of the Maute group’s plans to attack Marawi.

They did do it. And now Marawi is a levelled city. Say what you will about the impending defeat of IS – I actually think they won the moment they laid siege to the city. Their overtaking revealed how ill-informed our intelligence agencies are, and the ongoing conflict reveals how illequipped and unprepared the military is with their tragically recurring friendly fires and prolonged conflict resolution time.

For once, let’s learn to heed the signs from these repetitive systems of conflict. I find denial in the lack of concern among government officials with regard to the NoKor threat. I see the people distracted by

By the time this piece is published, I will have completed my first month in the Center for Membrane Technology (CMT) under the Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) here in Taoyuan, Taiwan. I feel ecstatic to have been able to take advantage of this opportunity, albeit it wasn’t an easy decision to make at first.

But after many months of deliberation with my school advisers, family, and friends, I decided to go for greener pastures.

The pastures were lusher than I expected.

Since coming to CMT, I have been continually immersed in a learning environment that is disciplined and constructive in nature. Thus, I feel that I am starting to transition into a more independent and more methodical individual. But above all things, I am beginning to understand the benefits of research and the reason why it should be given the highest regard in any institution.

While I do miss the comforts of my home, I remind myself that I am doing this for a good cause. Yet, it does bring me to a question: Would an internship in the Philippines teach me what I have learned here so far?

fake news and the furor of sensationalized personal conflicts between politicians. And if you’re wondering where to find provocation...

“That chubby fool” were among some of the classy words that our beloved President and ASEAN Chairman, Rodrigo Duterte, had to share regarding NoKor’s Kim Jong Un when he recently addressed the regime’s missile tests.

NoKor is after American targets, obviously. Guam is the closest they can get to for now, with the American mainland itself being the ultimate goal. Despite the recent anti-American sentiments from governing parties, the Philippines is just as “American” a target as any, especially considering the presence of US military bases and forces in the country. So brush all that EJK and corruption nonsense off your shoulders and buckle up, kids, because there’s a bigger threat coming our way and, as always, it will be too late before we realize what’s going on. So, national leaders, priorities and long-term survival, please. Let’s do like the movies and band together for the common good. And if you’re a politician like Tito Sotto, who can better understand things via sex-related jokes: treat the issue like an STD – protection is the key.

In Greener Pastures

Let Your Game Speak

Calvin A. Trilles

In the months leading to my Taiwan trip, I got a chance to talk to my fellow students who took their On-the-Job Training (OJT) in the Philippines. I received mixed comments regarding their experiences. While some were satisfied with the training they received, most of them felt that they could have gotten better exposure elsewhere. Some even went as far as to mention that they were only requested to make coffee or to run errands not related in any way to their line of work.

This is an alarming thought since the main purpose of OJTs is to prepare students for reality in the outside world. Trying to gain knowledge in an environment where learning is suppressed would simply be equivalent to teaching and expecting a child to ride a bike right away without wheels.

Not only does culture play an important part in any good OJT, but materials and equipment likewise play a significant role in creating a truly engaging training program. Fortunately, here in CMT, interns like myself can experiment with access to the resources necessary for our research. By the time students finish their internship

here, most of them opt to return for higher degrees because of the level of flexibility and freedom given to them.

In the same light, Mapúa is gearing towards making research a driving tool to be a more established university. The founding of the research building is a symbol of the university’s desire to be one of the most productive and competent research universities in the country. But until MU has completed acquiring the necessary equipment and materials for research, it cannot truly compete with what other established research centers can offer.

Overall, this piece does not aim to shun the prospect of a great On-the-Job Training in the Philippines -- there are several outstanding companies and institutions ready and able to hone students with the discipline and character they need to face the real world. Rather, this article simply aims to open the minds of students to the opportunities abroad that are within their grasp.

For now, I feel only excitement about the things I know I will be experiencing and learning in the next couple of months. Until then, zài lián xì. Let’s keep in touch.

Übermensch

John M. S. Pereira

Once again, the trigger-happy elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have struck terror in an unsuspecting populace after two minors were gunned down and homes were raided under the guise of the administration’s War on Drugs.

The two minors killed by cops of the Caloocan City police force, Kian delos Santos and Carl Arnaiz, were both accused of resisting arrest by the policemen involved, forcing the cops to gun them down in cold blood. However, video footage, as well as the investigations conducted by the Public Attorney’s Office and the National Bureau of Investigation, tell a different story.

In the case of delos Santos, CCTV footage showed the minor being manhandled by policemen hours before delos Santos was found dead in a vacant lot in Caloocan. As for Arnaiz, initial investigations showed that he was killed with excessive force, as evidenced by the four gunshot wounds to his chest and swollen wrists.

Being a part of a student publication, there is always this noble intent to create a ripple of change through words. As such, the “I’m writing for a greater purpose” ideology has always guided me. Releasing your thoughts on ink and paper can be liberating not just for yourself, but likewise for the people who share your sentiments. I remember attending the 11th Hildegarde Awards at St. Scholastica’s College, sitting there among the crowd, waiting to be called to accept an award for Development Communication for an underground publication organized and handled by former Mapúan students. ‘Balawis’ was recognized along with other campus publications who were not silenced by the oppressive regime.

I had a conversation with a friend a few weeks ago and he shared with me his observations on how Mapúans are elusive to “protests”. It made me think of

F ilipinos are known to be resilient people. They never falter easily in times of hardship. No matter what predicament Juan is stuck with, expect him to skillfully stride past it. He can adapt to the situation quickly and create wise decisions to survive. As the old saying goes, “Kapag maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot”.

In this harsh modern society, Filipinos apply their individual street smarts and uncanny knacks to continue living. They apply homemade remedies to alleviate the stress inflicted by various societal issues. Though the blanket may be short, the average Juan will

State of Impunity

Skyclad Observer

River

Arliss M. Lontok

Apart from these “nanlaban” incidents, a more brazen incident involving the Caloocan police force saw a squad of policemen barge into an elderly lady’s home under the guise of an anti-crime raid to steal valuables from the hapless victim. Furthermore, the so-called raid was conducted without a search warrant, causing Police Director Oscar Albayalde to refer to the incident as something resembling “akyat-bahay” activities.

However, despite the overwhelming amount of evidence against the accused, the hand of justice was slow to move against its erring enforcers. While the entire police force of Caloocan City was indeed sacked because of the aforementioned incidents, they will merely undergo “retraining and reorientation” before being assigned to other parts of the country. Even now, more than a month after those cold-blooded murders were committed, none of the police officers involved have been charged in court. In fact, Department of Justice Secretary

Vitaliano Aguirre informed the Senate that it may take up to three months before arrest warrants can be issued against the accused, a snail’s pace considering that it took a mere week for the same department to file charges and arrest an opposition senator for alleged drug-related offenses.

With such a police force responsible for safeguarding our communities, petty criminals are the least of the public’s worries. While the sacking and retraining of the policemen involved in illegal operations is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. As such, instead of solely concentrating on the administration’s bloody War on Drugs, the PNP should also put focus on removing criminal elements within their own organization. After all, even if the PNP’s anti-crime campaign succeeds in bringing most of this country’s criminals to justice, it will be all for naught if their own members are the ones twisting and defying the law that they swore to uphold.

A Copy of a Copy

Synaptic Gaps

Maria Anne Therese C. Fernandez

the current situation we have as Mapúans -- are we too politicallyneutral? But then, is student activism really necessary when we’re bombarded with schoolwork? We have 11 weeks per term, do we really have time to mobilize?

I smirked at my friend and told him not to judge based solely on a person’s composure. Protest isn’t the only political reform we can execute. Just because we don’t hold picket signs or march on the streets, it does not mean we tolerate crimes and all the injustices that surround us.

When I was in high school, I loved dystopian novels -- Nineteen Eighty-Four, Fahrenheit 451, and Brave New World were influential to me. Perhaps resistance isn’t just limited to vocal student activism, so I joked around about throwing molotov cocktails and wearing balaclavas in riots instead, and the point just went over his head.

Last September 21 marked the 45th anniversary of Marcos’ proclamation of martial law, a dark chapter in the history of the Philippines. Progressive youth groups, left-wing parties, and citizens marched on the streets of Manila and other major cities to remind the public of the atrocities brought by martial law.

I feel a pounding on my chest whenever I hear or see passionate youth groups who are proactive in issues like this; millennials like myself weren’t around when Marcos ruled the Philippines with an iron fist, yet here we are -discussing, informing, and crying about it. We listen to stories passed down from tongue to tongue -- stories of courage, resistance, and indignation during that time. Minds were conditioned to follow an autocratic strongman and this has somehow etched a mark on the post-martial law generation. This should never happen again.

Juan’s Blanket Adventures

Antithesis

Norman S. Delos Reyes

surely, with headstrong approach and hardened spirit, find ways to bend his body to fit under it and survive the cold night.

This positive outlook in life is worth commending. However, such virtue can sometimes lead to a hidden room of abuse and helplessness in the extreme end. There are times when people accept the injustices of society and simply live with it. They adapt to the darkness engulfing the region with night vision goggles instead of discovering light sources. They believe overhauling the old ingrained system is almost impossible, therefore the only thing left to do is to swallow the

hard truth as a norm of life. People adjust themselves to the corrupt world just to be able to go on with life.

One of the clear manifestations of this is in the country’s terrible transportation system. Both commuters and vehicle owners are bogged down by the horrendous traffic in the metro. During peak hours, a normal ten-minute drive turns into an hour of agony. Commuters suffer much worse with long waiting lines, polluted and cramped transportation vehicles, and reckless drivers, just to name a few. Many are tired of these crappy conditions, but most Filipinos have just grown

Forgone with the Wind

The Gambit Chaos Jeremy

C. Pichay

Wordssaid with earnest intentions often form the most emphatic of statements. From a friendly promise to worldly opinions, these letters hold much meaning. They resonate through and within a person. However, like anything in this world, words have been subject to abuse. In today’s setting, they are considered to be nothing but air: clusters of scattered particles hoping and failing to hold definite shape.

Speaking one’s mind has never been a bad practice. During the time of Aristotle and Plato, men of knowledge turned to evoking each other’s mind in the form of debate. The Ilustrados in turn marshalled their nationalistic views through intellectual discourse. Learning then took place outside the confines of a classroom.

As people nowadays tend to favor the virtual platform, exchange of ideas has heightened in both intensity and volume. Words have not lost their form in this respect. Rather, they have lost their indicative weight.

It is somewhat disappointing to see people content in doing only that. Hiding behind the arguments of right to free speech, they boldly instigate verbal wars and stop at nothing to validate their point. Some even go to extreme lengths and challenge other netizens’ ideologies in an invasive and rude manner. Albeit they demonstrate passion in this endeavour, people should reflect their views in their lifestyle and refuse to settle with anything else.

Based on one proverb, thoughts yield words that will eventually turn into action. These actions will translate into habits. In this light, keyboard warriors have settled into only talking while proceeding to live life towards the opposite direction. The energy used in throwing words around is wasted and has no proper place to go. These words remain as letters and refuse to power visible

accustomed to the situation. Heavy traffic? It’s normal. Survival games when commuting? Still normal, nothing to worry about.

Experiencing the aforementioned dilemmas has become part of our daily lives, but Filipinos certainly deserve better quality than this poor to mediocre setting.

Sadly, the same thing is happening to our education system. There is an obvious shortage of classrooms, qualified professors, and other school necessities. Students usually rant about these inadequacies, but as time goes by, they eventually just grow accustomed to the situation. Students are simply cornered into forced resiliency.

Filipinos have endured such atrocities even from other sectors in the past decades. And time and time again, authorities continuously play on the naivety

and tangible change in today’s society.

It is only in trying to practice what is preached that the conviction of opinion can be validated. Those who do otherwise are parading hypocrites hoping to ride on the hate while sipping coffee with their feet comfortable on a footstool. The effort to showcase one’s ideologies does not need to be huge enough to affect change immediately. However, it should not be so small as well to let only the words speak for one’s convictions. It is through trying, inch by inch, to move closer in emulating these views physically.

In retrospect to those who tried and got discouraged, the train of intention should not stop halfway. It is particularly frustrating to witness a promising head start only to be ruined because of a few stumbles. Renaissance men and Ilustrados did not stop in their tracks and only speak their minds. They lived the majority of their days validating their opinions. This plain but vital point separates the illuminated ones and the ignited kugon whose ashes have scattered along with the wind.

Expressing views and standpoints is a significant building block of an emerging radical belief. Most may share the same mindset, but it will refuse to be anything else without embodiment. A person who yearns to be more than just a social justice worker online should rethink how he lives his life. A drunkard could never be an effective model of sobriety; a man who often longs for a drag could not fully discourage a fellow belcher to quit for his health’s sake.

Words are merely gusts of wind capable of blowing off only matchstick-thin resolves. A testament further cemented with actions radiates strength not only to withstand well-thought principles full of air. It also suggests fellow neighbours to effect the change they themselves seek first.

and resiliency of the citizens.

But despite the huge mountain of problems and warmongers, people must work together to break such barriers. We must never adapt to such faulty systems when several improvements can actually be implemented. Further apathy and negligence to issues can only make things worse. Citizens should start working on long term solutions and not just band aid quick fixes. The bigger picture should be envisioned where the common good of everyone is promoted.

Even though voices of lament would be initially repulsed, Filipinos should never surrender easily. It may take a lot of time and effort, but what matters is that we try knitting and lengthening the blanket instead of sacrificing our own worth. Our adaptive nature should not in any way suppress our desire and willpower for better change.

After a successful comeback in the past term that attracted over a total of 11,200 listeners, Mapúa Radio Cardinal returns to showcase homegrown talent with a new set of shows and schedules every Monday. The new schedules, dubbed Red and Gold, will air alternately.

SHOWS:

♫ Morning Chill Pill

Struggling with your study habits?

Having a hard time finding the right food to eat to energize you on a Monday morning?

Morning Chill Pill’s got you covered with lifehacks to help jumpstart your day. Returning DJs for the GOLD schedule are Nate Pefianco, Hannah Lucero, Nicole Maca, and Vincent Domingo. Sam Animas and Aljohn Casil, both new to the show, will be handling the RED schedule. Catch Morning Chill Pill at 8:00 AM.

♫ The Mid Morning (GOLD SCHEDULE)

Everyone gives advice to start the day right in the morning, but what about midmorning? Standing out as a tagalog skit show, The Mid Morning promises hearty laughs to lighten the dread and boredom of school work. Sit back, maybe prepare some brunch, and join Carlo and Ynoh in The Mid Morning at

♫ Balitang Mapuan (NEWS)

A day wouldn’t be complete without a dose of news updates. From inside the university to the international setting, Balitang Mapúan recaps the most relevant news in our native tongue. Stay updated by tuning in at 11:20AM.

♫ Kwentong Kaibigan

Life in Mapúa is full of interesting twists and turns. At some point, we all have stories that have stuck with us, and we can’t help but recall them over and over. Kwentong Kaibigan, with DJs Jean Vicente, Justin Aseron, and Roye Serrano, is the show where these stories meet. Through social media, Mapúans and non-Mapúans alike are free to share tales of their own and get a little bit of commentary from the KK trio. Catch them live at 11:35 AM.

♫ GAL Talks (RED SCHEDULE)

What do you think of Beliebers? Gearika, Alexandria, and Llana pitch their

culture trends in GAL Talks. Alternating between light chatter and fun games, GAL Talks will surely take a load off your day on Radio Cardinal’s Red schedule at 12:45 PM.

Get up close with wellestablished professionals and individuals as DJs Billy “Adam” Urrutia and Gifter Villanueva interview on air the likes of Mapúa University President and CEO, Dr. Reynaldo Vea. Tune in at 12:45 PM on the Gold schedule and learn a thing or two about getting the most out of life.

♫ Pop Power Hits

Heard of the latest song taking the top spot in the Last Song Syndrome contest? Listen to the chart-toppers on Pop Power Hits. Flow with the mainstream wave and tap into familiar music invading earphones jacked to a phone, bass-enhanced speakers in a jeepney, and PA systems in the shopping mall. Listen to Power Pop Hits at 1:55 PM with DJs Kim

♫ Art Talks

Awaken the inner artist within you and tune in to Art Talks. Covering topics from cult films such as the Alien franchise, to Mapúa’s own artist community, the radio show caters to each artist, creative, and the artistically inclined. Spend the afternoon listening to DJs Dani, Lance, Gilda, and Red, between 3:05PM-4:15PM.

♫ Mapuan Sessions

No one acknowledges homegrown talent more than Mapúa Radio Cardinal. Featuring guest bands straight from the corridors of Mapúa University, Mapúan Sessions serves as a platform for local bands to show off their craft not only to the Mapúan community, but also to the world. Get to know the local bands with DJs Billy “Adam” Urrutia and Roye Serrano on the RED Schedule at 4:15 PM.

♫ Wanderlust (GOLD SCHEDULE)

Stuck inside the classroom, scribbling away the lesson for the day, wishing to go on a trip where the blue beaches kiss the cloud-sprinkled sky? Allow your mind and imagination to wander by lending your ears to traveling tips and experiences with Wanderlust at 4:15 PM on MRC’s

♫ Hit Rewind (GOLD SCHEDULE)

Take a break from pop music and deep psychedelic hipster music, and ride through the eighties with vintage tunes blasting from the boombox. Hit Rewind, hosted by Richard Vergara, curates a playlist showing off the golden age of new wave and dance music. Listen to Hit Rewind at 5:25 PM on the Gold Schedule.

♫ Of Romance and Men

Join DJ Alexis Guevara at 6:50PM as she explores the residues of romanticism from the rise of its era to its mundane forms today. Laced with notes from Western philosophy, ORM takes the complexity of romance and the humankind to the most familiar permutations any human with a heart may identify with.

♫ Mystery Jukebox

Last but not least, Mystery Jukebox, Radio Cardinal’s show with the most listeners, takes you to the world of tunes. Hosted by DJ Rylo Arel, brand new weekly playlists will surely pique one’s curiosity for fresh music. Catch the ever-exciting playlist show Mystery Jukebox

difficulties, challenges and most importantly, the expectations of the people you work and hardships, but he promises that it will all be worth it in the end. “Remember, a strive for success, strive for excellence and success will follow.”.

Sleep Easy Tips for the Mapúan Insomniac

Time to wake up!

Asmost Mapuans will come to learn sometime around the 10th week of their 1st year, 2nd term stay in the University, or sometime during the 11th Year midterms for SHS, sleep is the most elusive of essential elements required of any student in order to stay mentally and physically fit.

The elusiveness of sleep stems from the tendency of Mapuans to overthink about the stuff they have on their plate, or maybe it's just a simple case of having a ruined body clock. Either way, it's hard to fix these issues by simply closing your eyes and counting sheep. As young adults and future professionals, we have to recognize that this problem is a serious one which requires a thorough investigation to fix. So here are five of the best ways we have found to be effective (through experience and experimentation) at giving us some much-needed Z's.

Unlike its counterpart in Intramuros, the threestorey Mapúa building in Makati can easily be mistaken for being idle due to its small community. But within the four walls of its campus is where you can find a group of musically inclined individuals who help keep the creative spirits of Mapúa Makati alive, along with the other organizations focused on the creative side of its students.

1. Caffeine is overrated

Suck it up. Coffee isn’t as cool you think. The drink provides a reliable boost when performance is down, but it shouldn’t be the default option every time. It’s not even the best option early in the morning so you might want to consider revamping that wake-up ritual of yours.

A 2009 study entitled “Modifiedrelease hydrocortisone to provide circadian cortisol profiles” found that Cortisol, also known as a “stress

2. Body clock reset

According to a 2008 study by the Harvard Medical School entitled “Differential Rescue of Light- and Food-Entrainable Circadian Rhythms”, the best way to reset your ‘body clock’ is to fast for 12 – 16 hours. The study says that the two most important factors which dictate your

3. Bored to sleep

If clearing your mind is something that you find hard to do during a silent night, or if it’s a method that doesn’t work for you; try doing the opposite instead – fill it with information. Learn from the times you fell asleep in class during a boring lecture. Analyze that situation for an experiment (and try not to laugh as you take all this seriously). What were the parameters that led to your drowsiness? Still body – check,

4. find a wordless lullaby

If boring yourself with infoheavy listening material doesn’t work, try a more musical approach. If you’ve ever tried studying while listening to music, you’ll notice that it’s harder to concentrate on your work while listening to pop music, or catchy songs because you always tend to sing along.

5. Induce a food coma

It’s only been 30 minutes since you left the lunch buffet restaurant but you’re already feeling as sleepy as a bear that’s going into hibernation. We’ve all been there. So, as usual, why not recreate the scenario to induce a ‘food coma’? Please only consider this option as a last resort.

hormone”, peaks at around 8 AM every morning and around 2 PM every afternoon. Cortisol is the natural stuff that helps you stay alert and, hence, awake. Caffeine is the stuff that messes with Cortisol by interfering with its production. So, caffeine could be the reason why you already feel stressed in the mornings – an instant caffeine and Cortisol combo burnout. It should make sense too that after a whole night of sleep, you don’t need a caffeine boost right away because your body has recuperated and is ready for another day of work. Increased caffeine intake could also cause you to slowly become

circadian rhythm are sunlight and meal times. So, your first meal after a 12-hour to 16-hour fast (which should ideally end at breakfast time) will trick your mind into thinking that it’s your first meal in the morning. Hence, it must be morning already, and the day should end 12 hours from that first meal – dinner time.

In addition to this, intense and visually engaging lights from screens could be tricking your

slightly cool room temperature –check, Prof’s monotone – check, lecture content is a new topic which you can’t quite understand – check. Now, reapply the parameters before going to bed. You’ll find something to simulate your Prof’s monotone via various free audiobooks on the net which cover far-out topics like advanced biology or quantum mechanics. The content of the audiobook is important because the aim is to overload your brain with information that is hard to comprehend, to the point that your mind just gives up and shuts down.

Sleep also requires a bit of concentration in the ironic sense where you have to focus on ‘nothingness’ in order to clear your mind of distracting thoughts. While the previous method behaves like an overbearing distraction, this method provides a point of focus. The best kind of music to provide this “point of focus” is instrumental music. The absence of distracting lyrics provides space for the mind to thoughtlessly wander.

In such cases of abrupt slumber, the culprit (or ally) is insulin. Blood sugar levels increase after we eat, and a heavier meal would equate to heavier doses of insulin to counteract the increase of sugar levels in the blood. The increased levels of insulin trigger the release of other biochemicals like melatonin, which is known to cause drowsiness. Increased glucose (sugar) levels can also trigger a hormone called Orexin in the brain which, according to the study entitled

Mapúans are known to be a diverse bunch. From arts, to music, to poetic brilliance and what have you, talent can be found in every corner of the campus. The Mapúa Makati Music Association (MMMA) is an organization that gives opportunities to Makati-based Mapúans who are in love with music.

immune to its effects. When your best booster option is ineffective, you’ll look for something stronger to fill its place and this begins a Domino Effect: stronger coffee leads to further Cortisol production defects, bringing more stress and less sleep.

TNB recommends: a caffeine fast for at least 2 weeks. If you have to drink something in the morning, make it a glass each of water and natural orange juice. Stay away from all caffeinerelated products until your sleep pattern returns to normal. Don’t even think about opting for tea. Tea has 50% the amount of caffeine a cup of joe has.

mind into thinking that there’s sunlight and that it’s still daytime so it doesn’t shut the body down properly for sleep when it should.

TNB recommends: Skip dinner and keep your eyes off of TV and mobile screens when you’re about to sleep. Don’t even trust the Night Light option on your device. Lights and information are just going to keep your mind busy when it should be clear and rested.

TNB recommends: Listen to The Fortieth Ascent of Mont Blanc by Jules Verne on Spotify. The story is somewhat interesting but the overload will eventually be achieved despite this. We also recommend science audiobooks, or anything narrated by British voiceovers. Try closing your eyes and listening to Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries. Don’t get us wrong, his work is amazing, but his voice just hits the right spot at night when you’re willing to give in to sleep.

TNB recommends: While classical instrumental music might be a default choice, it can tend to be too intense and random at times for comfort. Contemporary Post-Rock music might just be that cup of chicken soup for your sleep-deprived soul. For starters, try treating yourself to some Oceansize, Plini, or even Studio Ghibli’s Piano Playlist on YouTube. Where you go from there is going to be a musically adventurous pursuit of drowsiness.

‘Debunking a myth: neurohormonal and vagal modulation of sleep centers, not redistribution of blood flow, may account for postprandial somnolence’, is what contributes to the feeling of drowsiness after a meal.

TNB recommends: Steaks, fries, burgers, and a gastronomic experiment to find out which types of food work best at knocking you out. Once again, only consider this as a last resort.

by Inna Mae Joyce A. Lontok

Even if you are not a musician and only an admirer

The MMMA was founded in 2014 with a vision of uniting all musicophiles and instrumentalists of the university. The organization also promotes skill improvement and provides a platform for musicians to express themselves. Ryan Justiniano, current MMMA president, introduced MMMA as “an outlet to help its members develop and improve their musical talents and skills.”

of the arts, the MMMA gives you the opportunity to be a part of a family sharing the same interest. Members usually hold ‘jamming’ sessions with each other to keep the mission and vision of the organization alive. “Mapúans who are part of our organization treat each and every one as family,” added Justiniano. Being a part of the MMMA enables students to unwind from stressful school work, and at the same time, it

gives them the opportunity to gain friends and widen their musical skills.

For this school year, Justiniano stated that the MMMA has plans to conduct a song writing seminar to be held at the Makati campus. Whereas for future events, they are aiming to hold another concert that will feature their association members together with some renowned OPM bands .

A Change of Seasons

Calculuson by Kyle

Sections Gaming

Comic by Renzel, Colors by Mariel

Art Corner

‘Rogue Bakuinawa’ by Rhea

‘Dormant’ by John Ryan S. Sabado

‘Setting Dawn’ by Sophia Lorraine U. Estabaya

‘Raindrops’ by Charlene

by Keith

The Stars Look Brighter Tonight

by Maurine Claire F. Kim

G.K.A

Look how she radiates

Traveling through galaxies

Keeping her beauty a secret

In darkened honesty

Beyond the observable universe

Always finding her place

In the endless lagoon

Of what we call “outer space”

Where shooting stars

Traverse the fields of gold and rye

And illuminate the string of black holes

Shining the brightest as they die

A splendor akin to science fiction

Braving her newfound world

Where she seeks to find answers

To problems unsolved

She captures my eye

As she vacates the Milky Way

Not hesitating to leave behind

The memoirs of yesterday

Perpetually a work of art

A masterpiece taking flight

Complimenting the night sky

The stars look brighter tonight

Para sa taong ako’y nilimutan,

Ako’y kinilala, Lubusang kinabisa. Magdamag kinasama, Ngunit di sumaya.

Kinabukasan, kinabahan.

Baka ako’y malimutan. Kaya inisip, tinandaan, Hanggang di na kinailangan.

Ako’y nawala sa isip mo, Isinantabi, parang trapo. Ngunit lumipas mga linggo, Binalikan mo muli ako.

Panandaliang ginamit, Pagkatapos ay nagalit

Sapagkat sa huling pagsusulit, Ika’y bumagsak ulit.

Iyong minahal, iniwan, at binalikan, CO1

Sports Bytes

Tracksters prep for upcoming NCAA 93 with weekly PATAFA skirmishes

Rhea Mae B. Jacintos

and

by Sheina Marie I. Borreta

The Mapúa Track and Field team continued to participate in the weekly series of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association’s (PATAFA) tournament held at the Phil Sports Complex Ultra in Pasig City.

The PATAFA weekly relays welcomed a variety of competitors from colleges and provincial representatives. The 32nd Season started last July 16 and is scheduled to end on November 19.

According to Tracksters captain Wenard Merin, the team has steadily showed great progress in the ongoing tournament. They are determined to stay ahead of their rivals to be able to advance into the Final round. Merin remarked, “A number of our

Tracksters have now qualified for the finals.”

The athletics squad is taking advantage of the PATAFA tournament to assess their performance for the upcoming NCAA season. They make it a point to study the results of the weekly relays in order to address their specific areas for improvement. Additionally, the Tracksters engage in joint training sessions with the Ateneo Track and Field team. For the last two years, the NCAA 91 and 92 silver medalists have been rivaling the Katipunan-based athletes in order to keep themselves in top shape for the upcoming grand battle in March.

After settling for 2nd place overall finish last season, Merin has this to

say, “The team is working hard for the championship title. We promise that [what happened] last year will not happen again.” For the second straight year, the Intramuros-based players have fallen short against back-to-back champion Arellano University.

As they struggle through another round of blood, sweat, and tears, the Tracksters are more motivated than ever to win with greater leaps and strides this coming NCAA season. In their never-ending dash to bring home the trophy for Mapúa University, Merin and the rest of the team relentlessly continue to apply their collective motto, ‘The better you today than yesterday, and to be the best tomorrow’.

Mapúa Lady Cardinals buckle up for season 93 tourney

by Czarrina Dianne L. Hernandez and Marc Jazer F. Esguerra

Coming off a cellar-dweller finish in season 92, the Mapúa Women’s Volleyball team players are all set to redeem themselves as they take on anew another season of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), set to unfold this November 2017.

Proving that their team has no other way but up, the Muralla-based spikers finished 2nd place in the 10th Viking Cup Open Invitational Volleyball Tournament held last July to August at the World Citi Colleges in Cubao, Quezon City.

According to newly-named team captain Katrina Racelis, finishing the tournament at the top of the standings motivated them more to push and win games. “Yung team naging maayos and mas naging pursigido lahat. Yung pag gusto namin manalo, gugustuhin

talaga” she said then added, “After that league, alam na namin dapat baguhin para mas maging maayos ang team sa paglalaro.”

The Lady Cardinals likewise conduct regular skirmishes against other colleges and teams. Racelis noted that aside from preparing physically for the games, the team must also strengthen their mental toughness, especially during the endgame. “Pag nalalamangan kami, iisipin mo, hala, nalalamangan na kami, ayaw ko na. Dapat maovercome namin yun kasi dun kami natatalo,” Racelis stated.

Mapúa Lady Cardinals’ head coach Clarence Esteban plays a big role in rebuilding the squad for Season 93. “Kahit mahirap training namin, nag e-enjoy kami. Approachable siya, sinasabi niya and ine-explain niya ano dapat

gawin, kaya mas naiintindihan namin,” Racelis shared regarding their head coach.

Apart from good communication with the coaching staff, Racelis noted the improved overall chemistry of the lady spikers. “Walang conflict sa isa’t-isa, bawat teammate ko okay sa isa’t isa. Yung dati kasi, parang nahihirapan magsabi ng nararamdaman sa isa’t-isa,” the open spiker said in comparison to the previous year.

With all the gears set in place, the Cardinals expect to soar higher this time around. “Mas magiging palaban na kami. Although palaban na kami noon, di pa rin namin nabigay yung best as a team. Individually oo, pero as a team kulang pa, so ngayon ibibigay namin lahat,” team captain Racelis concluded as they emerge braver and stronger in Season 93.

There Is No Point by Infinite Resignation

“There is no point in living”

Such a depressing thought

But a point is just an inkblot

And not always the meaning

You live not to read their words

But to write your own paragraphs

You live to be a main idea

And your acts support the thesis

Dash with hype and call on friends

Scream exclamations as you go

Tackle life’s questions and lastly, Don’t forget to rest on your commas

Go out and make life fulfilling

Because there’s no point in living

But the one you put at the end

Mapúa Judo Club holds self-defense seminar

by Marc Jazer F. Esguerra

Promoting countermeasures against harm and abuse, the Mapúa Judo Club (MJC) held a self-defense seminar for their members at the Plenary Room last September 24.

According to MJC president Neyo Ibarra, the workshop aims to prepare their members against constant threats of violence everywhere. “As they are Mapúans themselves, this means that fellow students alike must be capable of standing up confidently, and think for themselves when life or death

situations arise,” he remarked during an interview.

The event was originally slated to take place in the fourth quarter of AY 2016-2017, but the MJC decided to move the seminar to the end of the following term due to conflicting schedules of its members.

The workshop came a day after the orientation of the club’s new applicants.

Philippines lands sixth in 2017 SEA Games

by Marc Jazer F. Esguerra

121

Filipino athletes hauled in numerous medals, propelling the country to a sixth place finish in the recent 29th South East Asian Games at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held from August 14 to 30.

Out of the 497-strong Filipino contingent, the players bagged a total of 24 gold, 33 silver, and 64 bronze medals. This, however, was the lowest gold medal output of the country since 1999 when the delegates garnered only 19 first place awards in Brunei. The results

of the Malaysian campaign fell short of chef-de-mission Cynthia Carrion’s goal of reaping 50 golds this year.

Athletes from 11 countries across the region competed in 404 events in 38 fields of sport. Host country Malaysia dominated the tournaments with 145 gold medals, while runner-up Thailand seized 72. The Philippines will host the next SEA Games in 2019, marking the fourth time it will lead the biennial multi-sport event since its first participation in 1977.

Paris, LA, to host 2024, 2028 Summer Olympics

by

Marc Jazer F. Esguerra

After their meeting at Lima, Peru last September 13, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Paris and Los Angeles the hosting rights for the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics, respectively. Los Angeles’ initial bid was for 2024, but withdrew instead for a clearer chance of hosting the 2028 event.

Budapest, Hamburg, and Rome likewise placed their bids to host the 2024 Olympiad, but the three cities withdrew in the end, owing to

either local opposition or financial challenges.

Paris had previously bid to host the Games thrice, for 1992, 2008, and 2012, but lost to Barcelona, Beijing, and London, respectively. Their hosting of the event in 2024 though would mark the centennial of the French capital’s last Olympic hosting. Paris and Los Angeles will also join London as the only cities to hold the Games thrice since the advent of its modern incarnation in 1896.

NBA

Before going into detail about the biggest and most controversial transactions this offseason, let’s get the whole process worked out first. For the diehard knowit-all fans, let’s give the newbies a quick dime on the NBA trade flowchart.

The trades flashed on the headlines seem like straightforward agreements between the teams involved, but in reality, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes office work that first takes place. The General Manager, with a huge supporting cast advising him, is the person who usually takes care of officiating the trades. Assistant GMs, consultants, capologists, analytics experts, scouts, and coaching staff, all provide insights on which player is really worth recruiting.

Trades are basically a bargaining game between interested parties. Everyone wants the most benefit from each trade, and no one wants to be at a disadvantage, hence a series of back and forth proposals occurs. It becomes highly complicated when GMs consider the salary cap, matching offers of rival teams, next possible trades, and many more. Trades are not exclusive to players alone; they can happen with rookie draft picks as well.

Now that the background scenario is clear, let’s proceed with some of the largest buy-and-sell deals that were recently finalized in the market.

Biggest moves of 2017

In the past years, free agent acquisitions bannered the preseason events with superstars choosing desired teams. However, the wind shifted to a trading scheme as organizations looked to maximize the benefit from departing athletes. Therefore, this year’s preseason trades are

more hectic, chaotic, and surprising. A number of players have opted to voyage into the west, thus weakening the ship to the east.

The buzzing preseason trades include most of the sought-after NBA stars, and the trades have left every diehard fan in shock.

Rockets fans rejoice, as the LA Clippers send Chris Paul to join James Harden in Houston in exchange for Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Darrun Hilliard, DeAndre Liggins, and Kyle Wiltjer.

People view the Chris Paul trade as a major improvement for Clutch City because CP3 can lift some ball handling responsibilities off James Harden’s back. Paul averaged 18.1 points, 9.2 assists, and 5.0 rebounds during the 2016-17 season, a major upgrade over Beverley’s 9.3 point-average in his 5-year tenure with the Rockets.

Paul is competitive, aggressive, and determined to win. Together with the Beard in the back court, the Houston Rockets are expected to launch high again into the playoff rankings.

thuNder clAPs with A New

Westbrook, George, Anthony.

These are three of the league’s premier players and they’ll be leading Oklahoma in the quest to challenge the Golden State’s reign this year.

Earlier in the preseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded off Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to acquire Indiana Pacer Paul George, who averaged 23.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 6.6 rebounds last season.

Months after the PG13 trade, Oklahoma City made another big move by acquiring Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star with career stats of 24.8 points, 3.1 assists, and 6.6 rebounds, from the Knicks. In return, Doug McDermott, Enes Kanter, and a 2018 second-round draft pick were sent over to New York. Anthony, who wanted out of the Big Apple after 7 years, waived his no-trade clause so that other teams

“As a group, we learned many things; patience, discipline and hard work”

After 82 games and a historic 16-1 playoff run, the 2016-2017 season of the National Basketball Association came to an end with the Golden State Warriors bringing home the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy.

As another curtain draws near for a new NBA season, there’s no telling what the management of each team will do to improve the basketball landscape. In the hopes of becoming the next NBA champs, they will trade,

by Sheina Marie I. Borreta,

could chase after him. The Knicks had initially considered sending Anthony to the Cavaliers, but the eastern powerhouse couldn’t let go of Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love.

“This feels like a championship team,” said George to USA Today’s Sam Amick. “It’s pretty impressive that Oklahoma now has three superstars and has given this state a legitimate chance to win a championship.”

In their debut game, Anthony pulled off his sweet revenge against the Knicks with a rubout 105-84 victory. Melo surged for 22 points while Westbrook flaunted another triple-double highlight of 21 points, 10 boards, and 16 dimes. George completed OKC’s Big Three with gamehigh 28 points to open the season with a bang.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves received veteran infusion into its youngblood team with Jimmy Butler’s arrival from the Chicago Bulls. At the expense of Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and 7th overall pick Lauri Markkanen, the Timberwolves acquired the 201415 Most Improved Player, together with rookie big man Justin Patton.

Butler reunites with Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls’ former head coach back in 2014. Coach Thibs believes that Butler, who set a career high of 23.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 6.2 rebounds in his 6th season, is the tough-minded scorer and hard-nosed defender he needs to lead the team. Together with rising stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, the revamped Timberwolves aim for a gutsier bite at the playoffs.

The Cavaliers and the Celtics, two of the East’s powerhouses, swapped premier point guards in a controversial trade. The Cavs traded Kyrie Irving for a huge package that included Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first-round draft pick, and the Miami Heat’s 2020 second-round pick.

Irving will now join a revamped Celtics squad comprising of All-Star wing Gordon Hayward, reliable big man Al Horford and young guns in the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. And while Hayward’s gruesome injury at the home opener seem to haunt the organization still, the Celtics are percolating in the East as they sit atop the standings of writing.Meanwhile, former

they will acquire free agents, they will pick crucial drafts, and test them in the summer league.

Meanwhile, players will spend hours in the gym, driven by their inner fire to conquer the court. Drama will ensue among teammates and management will get into disagreements. But hey, this is the NBA preseason, where every move can result in either triumph or defeat.

MVP Derrick Rose, who averaged 18.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds last year, will march with the Cavaliers for the same purpose, along with LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas.

The two powerhouse squads immediately tested their retooled lineup against each other in NBA’s opening game. However, the dream matchup ended in a nightmare as Hayward incurred a gruesome ankle injury in the first quarter. Hayward’s season-ending accident was even bigger than Boston’s initial loss against Cleveland, 99-102.

When the young guns can’t compete yet with the biggest names in the league, they first duke it out in the NBA Summer League, which consists of three separate leagues – the Orlando Pro Summer League, the Utah Jazz Summer League, and the Las Vegas Summer League.

The tournament in Sin City was the largest of the three with 24 participating teams. Despite landing 15th in the preliminary games, the Los Angeles Lakers clinched the championship. Initially posting a 1-2 record, the Pacific Division team swept the playoff phase against higher-seeded rivals.

Lonzo Ball, selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as the second overall pick of the 2017 draft class, was selected as the league’s Most Valuable Player. However, his teammate, Kyle Kuzma, 27th overall and traded from the Brooklyn Nets, stole the spotlight in the end. With league assists leader Ball and fellow 30th draft pick Josh Hart sidelined due to injuries, Kuzma took up the torch and logged a double-double with 30 points and 10 rebounds in their championship game against the Portland Blazers, 110-98. This paved the way for him to earn the Finals MVP Award.

In the Utah Summer League, host Utah Jazz swept the four-team tournament against the San Antonio Spurs, the Boston Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers. In the Sixers game against the Celtics, first overall pick Markelle Fultz from Philly debuted with 17 points in a 6-of-16 shooting against third overall selection Jayson Tatum from Boston, who netted 21 points, with the Celtics ultimately winning the game, 89-88.

Fultz played only one game in the Las Vegas League as he sprained his ankle during the Sixers’ victory game

against the Golden State Warriors, but not after logging two boards, one dish, and eight markers in fifteen minutes. Tatum flaunted his athleticism and versatility as he averaged near double-doubles in both leagues, posting averages of 18.7 nets and 9.7 boards in the Utah League, and 17.7 markers and 8 rebounds during his three games in the Nevada tournament.

Fultz’s teammate and 2016 first overall pick, Ben Simmons sat out the Summer League, delaying his hardwood debut in preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The older rookie impressed Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale with full stat line of six points, seven rebounds, nine assists, a block, and a turnover.

“That kid, they’re not talking about him enough. He’s a big-time talent,” coach Fizdale said as his troop beat the Sixers’ young core, 110-89.

Meanwhile in Orlando, the Dallas Mavericks swept their opponents clean all throughout the league, securing the title in an overtime win against the Detroit Pistons, 83-81. Undrafted forward Johnathan Motley shone in the Finals as he chipped in 18 points and 10 rebounds, including the game-winning mid-range jumper. Despite the glaring absence of 9th overall pick Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas escaped past the Pistons combo of Luke Kennard and Dwight Buycks. The latter chimed in 28 points and 6 assists, while the former Duke star logged 24 markers, highlighted by three trifectas out of three attempts.

Another young prospect who stood out throughout summer was Utah’s Donovan Mitchell who led the Las Vegas League in scoring with 28 points per contest. Despite the Salt Lake City guard’s height at only 6’ 3”, the combination of his athleticism and his 6-foot-10 wingspan allowed the 13th pick to garner a whopping 37 points during the Jazz’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, though the Grizzlies won with a final score of 84-81.

With the brimming core of talented young players today, the veterans better keep up their strut in every game. With all of the preseason activities, from trades, free agents, and rookie class highlighters, the NBA landscape is sure to heat up further in the coming season.

Human movement is symbolic and holds aesthetic value, with the art of performing sequences through dance. Even the audience can feel the electrifying link that dancers convey. A new Mapúan dance group has emerged to do just this and vows to create history with a new perspective of connecting people with their performances. They go by the name of NEXUS, and they reach out beyond the norm.

NEXUS waltzed their way to the championship of the 29th Reel Dancelebration which was held at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium of De La Salle University-Manila last July 15. The ensemble captured the people’s hearts with their portrayal of the animated film ‘Moana’ in their dance moves.

“As a group, we learned many things -patience, discipline and hard work,” NEXUS member Corleone Jorel Zaldarriaga said. “But the most important thing that we learned was to trust, specifically, God, our coach, the process, our teammates, and ourselves.”

14 days later, NEXUS brought home another victory from Chemisthree, an experimental dance competition held last July 29 at the offices of Estrelle Exclusive Events.

Creative directors, known as the “chemists,” had to choreograph a dance routine for the three best dancers of their respective teams. NEXUS chemist, Paul Jason Carolino handpicked Abel Taboy, Justin Sarangaya, and Beatrice Llana to own the stage.

The dance troupe expected less than their triumphant outcome, shared Llana, revealing that the chosen dancers were still all starters.

“Feeling intimidated against groups who had been in the dance community for a long time, we took it as an advantage to do better,” Llana stated regarding their motivation for winning.

NEXUS coach Carolino believed that their unique mission and vision as a team paved the way towards their success. “We aim to create change and bring out something new every time we would go out there to compete. Bringing home championships would just be secondary to our main agenda, which is

to encourage change in the dance scene and pursue creativity,” Carolino shared.

NEXUS may step onto the stage to communicate through dance, but their series of successes can’t be attributed to a simple expression alone. The dancers go through grueling hours of training, no matter whether it is competition season or not. Angela Mae Petil, secretary and co-founder of NEXUS, stated that the group seeks growth and continues to explore outside their comfort zones. “When it comes to preparation, it is a matter of discipline - how important it is to train consistently and be passionate in what we do,” Petil remarked. “The most important thing about preparation is that we trust and enjoy the process.”

After two championships, NEXUS President Royce John Sy revealed that the group remains focused on developing the team and keeping the passion burning. “In addition to that, we want to share more of our Godgiven talent with our community in Mapúa University, in the hopes of inspiring them to dance and join our growing family,” Sy stated.

by Rhea Mae B. Jacintos & Vincent Andre B. Ramirez

Marc Jazer F. Esguerra, Rhea Mae B. Jacintos, and Vincent Andre B. Ramirez

clevelANd ANd BostoN switch floor geNerAls ANd Bolster their Armies

MU Tennisers smash 3rd place in UiTM International Sports Fiesta

by Czarrina Dianne L. Hernandez and Marc Jazer F. Esguerra

The Mapúan Tennisers brought home fame and the glory not just to the University, but also to the country, after finishing bronze in the recently concluded 12th Universiti Institut Teknologi MARA (UiTM) International Sports Fiesta held last August 1 to 5, 2017 at Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

Team captain Janeo Sanchez, together with co-student athletes, Justin Villaluz and Kim Alcala, represented Mapua University (MU). A total of 31 universities from 7 countries participated in the International Sports Fiesta.

The Tennisers competed in the team event category where they had to win three out of five games. The heart-strong Mapúan athletes were triumphant in defeating Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand, and eventually landed in third place, finishing with the bronze medal.

According to Sanchez, one of their motivations to bring home the glory was to showcase Filipino athletic excellence in international competitions such as the UiTM International Sports Fiesta.

SCEGE defends DTC Basketball crown MME, SCEGE still at war for Volleyball championship

by Sheina Marie I. Borreta and Rhea

Mae B. Jacintos

The School of Civil Engineering and Geological Engineering (SCEGE) emerged once again at the top during the Don Tomas Cup 2017 Basketball Tournament, after defeating Mapúa Makati in the Bestof-Three Finals series. Meanwhile, the Volleyball League is set for a door-die Game 3 between the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME) and SCEGE later this year.

SCEGE concluded the Basketball League with a blowout victory over Makati, 96-76, last September 6 at the Mapúa Gymnasium. The South Building-based cagers refused to extend the series as they seized their back-to-back championship in Game 2.

The SCEGE basketball team expressed their joy after successfully defending their throne in the hardcourt. Veteran players MJ Velasco and CJ dela Cruz conveyed their thrill saying, “Sobrang saya namin. Kami rin yung bumuo ng team last year at nakuha ulit namin yung championship.”

With their lineup still intact from last year, SCEGE’s teamwork and chemistry proved to be a big advantage for the troops. The bond they built during their games and trainings helped them to rise above their competitors, especially during the playoffs.

Dela Cruz provided SCEGE with the lead in Game 2 of the Finals with his fiery shooting from downtown and inside the paint. Entering with a dull start in the first quarter, the marksman heated up the game with several trifectas and nifty slashes. Despite his impressive outing, Dela Cruz remarked, “Teamwork pa rin ang lumabas sa amin, hindi individual skills.”

“Nakasungkit kami ng bronze, masaya na kami, kasi nasuklian lahat ng paghihirap namin,” Sanchez shared on reaping the fruits of their labor despite facing eligibility requirements for the upcoming NCAA Season 93.

With their successful Malaysia stint, the third year captain admitted that the team has gained more self-confidence and is ready to fight harder in this year’s NCAA. “Sa panalo namin, parang tumaas ang tiwala namin sa sarili naming kakayahan na makipaglaban sa NCAA,” Sanchez stated.

Fighting not faltering...

...the red-and-gold cager drained the trifecta on the first try.

Continued from page 12

Losing but learning

Meanwhile, tension remained in the spikers’ turf as SCEGE and MME were at a stalemate in the Finals series, 1-1.

In the first game last September 7, MME lost the opening set, but they whisked the next three, 3-1, proving that their perfect elimination record was no fluke. “3 years na kami dito, wala pa rin kami nakukuha. Kaya ngayong may record na, wish talaga na maging champion kami,” team captain Joshuel Cillo stated regarding their motivation to grab the elusive crown. “Hindi ko naman masasabi na perfect na ang team namin. More improvements pa ang kailangan”.

Just two days after their initial loss, SCEGE put a stop to their rivals’ temporary celebration by pulling off a stunning comeback victory in Game 2. Down by four points in the last set, they clawed their way upwards and forced a deuce. SCEGE eventually nipped MME as the latter committed a service error in the end. Ultimately, they handed MME their first loss in the tournament.

With a stalemate set in place, the volleyball crown is still up for grabs in the decisive Game 3. As of this writing, the schedule for the crucial match is yet to be announced by the chief organizers, the Central Student Council.

After winning back-to-back championships, SCEGE is gearing up for much greater achievement. Current coach Arlene Rodriguez bared that they want to build a longer dynasty in the Don Tomas Cup. The former PBA Shell head coach shared that their greatest ambition is to capture the 5-peat title in the annual tournament.

Freshly coming off a fever in the previous days, Almel Orquina went on fire from downtown to beat Perpetual Help’s Jack Hao on the 3-Point Shootout. The Cardinal sharpshooter scored 15 points in the final round against the Perpetualite sniper’s 10. The two were tied as leaders during the first round with 18 markers apiece.

Unlike the previous All-Star games, teams in the Season 93 event were not divided according to their geographical location. Joining Mapúa in Team Heroes were cagers from Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum of the Philippines University, and Jose Rizal University. Sadly, Team Heroes faltered against Team Saints, 84-80, in the exhibition duel.

Despite major changes and consecutive losses, the Cardinals make it a point to remain optimistic. “We’re trying to look at the positive side of our situation,” co-captain Hesed Gabo stated.

Trotting on the lower end of the score boards may discourage most players, but the Cardinals continue to make the journey a learning process for the team. Progress and corrections are expected to be seen along the way. “We’re trying to take everything constructively,” Gabo remarked.

According to Gabo, the Cardinals have forged a better bond throughout the first round. The team’s flow on and off the court is improving with each passing game. “Mas nagiging solid kami as a team,” the graduating

Mapúan athletes hoist PH pride in Taiwan Universiade

by Czarrina Dianne L. Hernandez and Vincent Andre B. Ramirez

Nine Mapúan athletes represented the country in five fields of sport in the 29th Summer Universiade hosted by the city of Taipei last August 19-30.

The delegates were Ann Janeth Garcia, Gabriel Joshua Ancheta, Erson Macatangay, and Peebles Jerkin Pintucan for Taekwondo; Janeo Sanchez and Justin Villaluz for Tennis; Denisse Estrella for badminton; Aaron Paul Chicano for Table Tennis; and Jonas Magcalayo for Golf.

The Universiade, originating from the words “university” and “Olympiad”, is a biennial multi-sporting event organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) for university athletes. It is the biggest multi-sport event for collegiate players, also holding summer and winter games, similar to the Olympic Games.

In order to compete in the prestigious event, the Mapúan athletes had to pass through qualifying legs across the

leader expressed. He believes that their build-up will strengthen the team’s play for their succeeding games.

Though the team has endured a lot of hardship, they are definitely on their way to improving themselves. The Cardinals continue to work hard every morning, continuously training to refine their strategies and game plays. The players encourage and remind each other to stay in good shape. “Di talaga nawawala yung disiplina sa aming lahat,” Gabo said.

The Mapúa Cardinals may have a heap of training and improvements to do before exiting NCAA Season 93, but they will take on the next chapter with heads held high towards redand-gold redemption.

country. They bested other applicants in a series of national qualifiers set by the organizing committee, the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP).

Though the delegation failed to bring home any medals, the participants were nevertheless honored to be able to represent the country. “For me, it was a dream come true,” Estrella said.

“I never thought that I will be playing internationally, carrying the name of [the] Philippines,” the female Shuttler added.

FESSAP President David Ong lauded all the Filipino representatives in a sendoff ceremony held at the National Press Club in Intramuros. “You are already winners by having this opportunity to represent the country,” Ong remarked.

The next Summer Universiade is scheduled to take place in July 2019 in Naples, Italy.

Game face on for PH. Denisse Estrella (left), Jonas Magcalayo (middle and right) bare their determined stances as they represent the country in Universiade, dubbed as the “Olympics of Collegiate Sports”. Photo credits to Lemon Albaladejo and Joey Reyes

Veterans and youngblood. Senior and rookie Mapúan Tennisers conspire in UiTM 2017 to help Team Philippines covet the bronze accolade in Malaysia. Photo credits to Farah Syuhada Roslan

All-star smiles. JP Nieles (left) and Almel Orquina (right) receive their trophies after besting the Skills Challenge and the ThreePoint Shootout, respectively, at the Season 93 All-Star games. Photos by Czarrina Dianne L. Hernandez

Fighting not faltering, losing but learning: Mapúa Cardinals struggle in Season 93

by Czarrina Dianne L. Hernandez, Marc Jazer F. Esguerra,

The Mapúa Men’s Basketball Team had an undermanned lineup as they took the tough road towards redemption in the 93rd Season of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

The Intramuros-based squad showed big hearts and sharpened talons in the first round and displayed renewed courage despite being held off by injuries. Choosing to look beyond their win-loss record, the Mapúa Cardinals have no other way to go but up, with everyone notably stepping up for the team.

Troubled first round outing

Still on the quest to rebuild the team, the Mapúa Cardinals concluded their first round campaign with a 1-9 win-loss record.

The hopefuls from Intramuros came out with high spirits as they faced season 92 runners-up, the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs, on opening day. Despite losing to the

and

Sheina Marie I. Boretta

Chiefs, 91-82, the Cardinals held AU close, until the Chiefs fended off Mapúa University in the final six minutes of the game.

After their opening day loss, the red-and-gold squad avenged themselves and came out victors in the thriller Battle of Intramuros against the Letran Knights, 78-75. The heroic trey of team captain Andrew Estrella in the last 18.4 seconds led the Cards to their first win since the preseason. Returning stalwart Hesed Gabo also lent a helping hand in the final period with his 3/3 shooting from beyond the arc, with two triples buried in the final two minutes of the game.

Mapúa, however, failed to keep up the momentum to defend their home court against the visiting Perpetual Altas in a tight matchup, 63-60. It was a run-and-gun fourth quarter showdown until Perpetualite AJ Coronel made five huge markers in the crucial frame and sealed the victory for the Las Piñas-based squad.

The Cardinals kept it close in the next three outings but failed to soar past Emilio Aguinaldo

College (EAC), 77-72, San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R), 75-66, and College of St. Benilde (CSB), 74-69. Estrella paced the offensive charge of Mapúa against the SSC-R Stags as he recorded a season-high of 27 points. On the other hand, Gabo led Mapúa with 19 pts, and 4 rebounds and assists apiece against the EAC Generals.

Meanwhile, the undermanned Muralla aspirants faced the defending champs San Beda Red Lions, and closely trailed after a late fourth quarter run, 66-55. SBC led by as much as 25 points late in the third period, but the Cardinals kept up their fighting spirit and chased down the deficit by nine in the final two minutes of regulation.

In addition, injuries bugged the already depleted Mapúa University lineup, with top gunner Estrella inactive and co-captain Gabo severely limited. Sophomore big man Christian Bunag stepped up and held his ground against SBC’s Donald Tankoua and Javee Mocon, and made a huge double-double effort of 20 pts and 18 rebounds.

On their next match, the Lyceum

Pirates held Mapúa at a far distance, 97-74. The Pirates shackled their Intramuros neighbors, and forced the Cards to commit 24 turnovers. LPU capitalized on their tight defense to garner 28 points off Mapúa’s turnovers.

The crimson-and-gold squad refused to end the first round on a low note, and kept within a striking distance against Jose Rizal University (JRU), even with only eight active players. However, due to fatigue brought by the shortened rotation, the Cardinals eventually melted down in the fourth quarter duel, 6859. Nevertheless, head coach Atoy Co was still all smiles and had this to say, “We have to put ourselves into tip-top shape. Kita naman lumalaban tayo in the three quarters.”

The Cardinals look forward to end their losing skid in the second round with braver hearts, and to jump back to the winning column before exiting the 93rd NCAA Season.

Volleyers brace for NCAA 93 action under new mentor

by Czarrina Dianne L. Hernandez and Marc Jazer

A fter landing one spot short of the Final Four last year, the Mapúa Men’s Volleyball Team has set their sights on a bigger prize this coming National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Season 93.

Under new mentor, Paul Jan Doloiras, the Cardinals seek to soar higher into the playoffs and avenge their heartbreaking loss against San Beda. Coach Doloiras, who was with the fourpeat champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) squad from 2008 to 2011, took up the head coach post left by Mario Mia, Jr. in early September.

Doloiras, or “Coach Dolo” as players call him, believes in the vast potential of his players. “Sana umabot kami doon sa minemeet naming expectations sa nakikita ko sa kanila,” Doloiras stated. He wants the red-and-gold spikers to experience the same championship he had before as a player with the

F. Esguerra

UST Growling Tigers. “Ang gusto ko palagi, 1 and 2 lang. 1 and 2 lang, wala nang iba. Kahit sa UST, sinasabi ko sa ibang player ko, ‘Nabasa na tayo ng ulan, maligo na tayo.’ Ibig sabihin, nagsimula ka na mag-training, pumukpok ka na hanggang dulo,” the head coach added.

The former University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Best Receiver vowed to improve the interaction between the players and coaching staff. “Yung treatment na parang barkada. Pagdating sa training, bugbugan kami, pero pagdating sa labas, barkada kami. Pagdating sa may problema o kung anong kailangan mo, kung anong kaya ibigay ko sayo, ibibigay ko ng 100 percent,” Doloiras assured.

Senior player Raje Hizon echoed coach Doloiras’ sentiment, with the team aiming to prove their worth. “Kailangan naming mapatunayan na contender kami

sa Final Four, kasi last year, almost na,” Hizon stated, referring to the crucial match against the Red Lions last year.

Hizon and fellow Volleyer, Anjo Pertierra, are part of the national team’s 25-man training pool and will have a shot at participating in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. With simultaneous training set for both the country and the university, Pertierra remarked, “Sacrifices lang, kasi dream ng every athlete maging part ng National Team. At the same time, part ka rin ng school varsity mo, kaya sobrang laking privilege nito.”

Volleyers captain Pertierra will mark his last playing year, together with Samyr Navera and Raven Evangelista. Rising stalwarts Alfred Pagulong, Mark Jason Egan, and John Mark Espaldon are expected to carry greater roles in their campaign as Pertierra gradually passes the

torch to them. “Sobrang laki ng adjustment na kailangan nila kasi yung tatlo na graduating are core players,” the NCAA 91 Best Blocker noted.

In the preseason, the Cardinals netted third place in the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) National Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship that was held in Baguio City last May. They also participated in the Premier Volleyball Open Conference under their benefactor Gamboa Coffee. These side pocket tournaments have prepared the Intramurosbased spikers for their greater battles in the NCAA.

With high expectations set for the red-and-gold squad, coach Doloiras is determined to replicate his success as a former player. “Gusto naming iparealize dito sa bagong Mapúa, na dapat ganito [championships] ang dapat mangyari sa kanila,” the new head coach imparted .

Red and gold shines on All-Star games

Despite a rather dismal first round finish at 1-9, the Mapúa cagers shone throughout the NCAA Season 93 All-Star games. Guards JP Nieles and Almel Orquina snatched the Skills Challenge and the ThreePoint Shootout crowns, respectively. Likewise, JR Raflores, Christian Buñag, and Laurenz Victoria represented the Cardinals in the AllStar Game, while Cedric Pelayo, Clint Escamis from the Red Robins, and coach Randy Alcantara flew Mapúa’s banner in the Shooting Stars event. Nieles’ triumph marked the Cardinals’ back-to-back victories on the Skills Challenge, with former guard Darrell Menina winning the event last year. The third year playmaker said, “Kahit down kami, at least na-prove ko na kaya pa rin namin mag-step-up at umangat.” He took inspiration from Menina’s performance during the previous stint, where the former Cardinal logged 24.6 seconds. Nieles led the first round with a mark of 20.7 seconds, and outlasted the Benildean rookie, Unique Naboa, when...

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NBA 2017 Preseason Flash and Buzz

NEXUS dance crew

Deafening silence. The Mapúa Cardinals sing the university hymn as they stare at the bleachers of San Juan Arena after a series of heartbreaking losses in NCAA Season 93. Photo by John Ryan S. Sabado