The Technology Advocate (6th STRASUC-CAF Issue 4)

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LSPU ranks 5th in STRASUC-CAF 2022

By Jennis R. Maghirang

LSPU ranks 5th in STRASUCCAF 2022 Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) garnered39pointsintherecently conducted Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and CollegesCulture and the Arts Festival (STRASUC-CAF) 2022, placing the university at 5th place overallamong12participating SUCs, held at Batangas State University-TheNationalEngineering University (BatStateUThe NEU) Pablo Borbon Campus,Nov.18.

LSPU took home the title in vocal solo and contemporary dance, won third place in kundiman, street dance, and search for festival king, fourth in the search for festival queen, and fifth in pencil drawing.

Meanwhile,withatotalof 85 points, Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) re-

claimed theoverall championshiptitlebeing also thechampioninthe2019STRASUC-CAF;BatStateU-TheNEUmanagedto accumulate74pointswhichled them to thesecondrank, and OccidentalMindoroStateCollege(OMSC)rankedthirdwith52 points.***

LSPU defends title in Contempo Dance

By Jennis R. Maghirang

Healing from COVID-19 as their interpretation of the theme"Healing,"dancersof the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) securedthegrandslaminthe contemporary dance competition during the 2022 Southern Tagalog Regional AssociationofStateUniversitiesandColleges-Culture and the Arts Festival (STRASUC - CAF) at BatangasStateUniversity–Pablo BorbonCampus,Nov.17.

Mr. Cris de Leon, coach of LSPU dancers, admitted that they are pressured as LSPU was the champion in contemporary dance for three years; he also said that he is always reminding his dancers that thenamethey arecarrying isnot their campusbut the universityitself.

"We have to display that we are the best, andplus...

LSPU FAMILY. Among 12 participating SUC in Region IV, LSPU top as 5th place with a total of 39 points in 2022 STRASUC- Culture and the Arts Festival. ( Dinglasan)

EDITORIAL

Throneless Monarchs

In the recently held Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (STRASUC) Culture and Arts Festival (CAF), a new set of Festival King and Queen were hailed. It was disappointing however, that the shining crown and dazzling dresses have overshadowed the celebration’s true purpose:cultivatingourculture.

Undeniably, all the contenders and the contest itself is beautiful on its own. There’s no winning candidate with eyebrow-raising moments.Butthecontestislackingtheessenceofcultureinit. If situated at a different setting,thecontestwillbeanother usual beauty contest and

not a culminating event of a culturalcelebration.

With the overhyped sensationoftheFestivalKingand Queen – though reasonable enough – the execution of it sways different to the overall tone of the event. It can be noted that there was not a single culture-related outfit presented among all the contestants’ outfit changes. This alone gives the insinuation that the Festival King and Queencontesthasnosenseof cultural significance in its essence.

This mishap contributes a negative impact on the status of culture and the perceptionofthepublicaboutit.

Firstly,byusingculture

GLASS BREAKER

AERON B. GLORIANE aeronglorianework@gmail.com

Musician’s Eye View

“Musicisamagnificent humanexperiencethat nomediumcanever contain.”

Music is a human experience beyond words. It is a mystical form of art that induces more than just emotion, but creates humansoulaswell.Butjustas howitmakesyoufeelthebliss ofthenotes,heightenedoutput from technological mishap can also make your music experi-

enceatwitchingofthefoot.

As someone who sings and has little knowledge in music,therecentlyconducted Cultureand ArtsFestival was aheaven’smarketplacetome. Here, we can witness and listen to different performances especially those involving music. In fact, when live stream notification popped up on my screen, I was quick to open in the anticipation that I will enjoy

as the front page of a nonculturalevent,cultureitselfis already being exploited. It is already obvious that our culture is facing a lot of challengesin themidst of theever-moving time. From the inevitable marching of progress to the double-edged sword of cultural assimilation, our culture is always a prey of the vultures. And to have an event, that is supposed to promote culture, usecultureasthefrontmask to have a sugar-coated beauty contest is just an insult to theinjury.

Secondly, to ride the populistpreferenceofbeauty contests as festive occasions willgiveadangerousimpression that pageantry is a cynicism. The borderline narcissistic effect of pageants towards the youth have been an avenue for opportunistic predators waiting to prey on the selfish motives of boosting one’s ego thru the accoladesofthecrowd.Pageantry in itself, has a complex dark nature, and to have a schoolbased event overly hype a pageant-like contest is like feeding the dragon piece by piece.

This is a simple note to make a fuss about a simple school beauty contest. But considering the audience reach and standard flaunted by STRASUC, harmless mistakeslikethisisnotaccepted. Should we continue in the complacency of putting the

those music-related contests beingaired.ButIwaswrong.

When the FB Live stream of the singing competitions aired, there was hope in my heart that I will get to hear the best singers of the Southern Tagalog region in thecollegiatelevel.Somemay haveproventhemselvesworthy to be called as such, but the medium of delivering the musical experience failed to doso.

This shows how different of an experience being liveaudienceisthanbeingan audience with only live feed as your material. In this context,itisasituationofon-site vs.FBliveaudience.

When performing live, a lot of factors are considered to produce a nice quality of sound.Onekeyelementisthe acousticsofthelocationitself. Of course, the equipment

enjoyment of people above the essence of the purpose, we will soon see an era of collegiate events founded on populist hype with no academicorsocietalsubstance.

In thiswin of our young FestivalKingandQueen,letit be noted that their crowns are nothing if their reign has no domain. In this sense, the Festival King and Queen is just a throneless monarch with no purpose for ruling. Withoutcultureintheirscepters,theyandthecontestthat put them into their places, willremainasfauxroyalty.***

TECHNOLOGY ADVOCATE

WORKING STAFF

Jennis R. Maghirang

Christian Isaac D. Batralo

John Clarenze F. Becina

John Kirby L. Dinglasan

Aeron John G. Remorin

Jann Lixon T. Lailo

Jyrus Edmark Diaz

Aeron B. Gloriane

Krisha Camille Ciar

Roland James A. Alcayde

Alessandra Vernice Yuson Ley Royo

Julie Fe D. Panoy, PhD Publication Adviser

Eden C. Callo, EdD Publication Consultant

Of course, the equipment used and the preset used at the sound system makes a difference, but the resonance produced by thelocationgivesthe live audience the experience they long for. For example, a singer can “cheat” his way by mumbling words in case he missed some of the lyrics but successfully sang the right tune. Even great artists from Hollywood encounter this situation But because live performancescanbetweakedaccording to the performer and his synchrony to the location, the musical experience will be as epicasyouexpectittobe. Watchingitvialivestream on the other hand, totally flips the table. Here, you can effortlessly notice if a performer is saying the right lyrics or not. On a more technical side, you will hear all the flats, sharps,andtechnique...

Vanessa Belen Copy Editor

Lajara, Barroga hailed as Festival King and Queen runners-up

By Jennis R. Maghirang

The pride of Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) Floriane Jerick Lajaraand Kenneth Jay Barroga were this year's 3rd and 2ndrunners-up,respectively, during the Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and – Culture and the Arts Festival’s (STRASUC CAF) search for Festival KingandQueen2022.

When Barroga was asked how he handled the results, the Siniloan charmer answered that he did not expect anything; instead, he focused more onenjoyingthestage.

ayyungsa Q&A and such, but overall, good naman po,” she

PSU umindak para sa unang pwesto sa Folk Dance

By Christian Isaac D. Batralo

Nakamit ng mga mananayaw ng Palawan State University (PSU) ang unang pwesto sa Dance Competition – Folk Dance ng2022SouthernTagalogAssociationofStateUniversities and Colleges – Culture and the Arts Festival (STRASUC-CAF), Nobyembre 17,saBatangasStateUniversity – Pablo Borbon Campus (BSU-PBC).

Bago pa man maganunsyo ng mga nanalo, nagbigay ng puna ang punong huradong si Dr. Larry Gabao ukol sa naging criteria at pagsasayaw ng mga kalahok sa tugtuging“LaJotaMoncadena”.

“We treat the dance via competition. It is another area or arena because learning (the) folk dance in the classroom is different from the competition,” aniGabao.

“Organizers, the criteria should be highly discussed, should be highly and sensitively placed into it so that the students or participants will not be frustrated,”dagdagniya.

Samantala,nagingemosyonal naman ang coach ng PSU na si Luigi Lauron-Marco tungkol sa naging performance ng kanyang mananayaw sa nasabing patimpalak.

“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, maibigay lang yung dapat, panalo na kami. Bonus nalang yung championship namin, proud ako sa ginawa nila, proud ako sa performance nila and worthit lahat yung pinaghirapan,” wika ni Lauron-Marco.

Nagtapos para sa ikalawang pwesto ang BSU na sinundan ng Southern Luzon State University, Romblon State University, at Cavite State University para sa ikatlo, ikaapat at ikalimang pwesto, ayon sa pagkakasunod-sunod.

Irerepresenta ng PSU angSouthernTagalogparasa FolkDance ng Philippine Association of State University andColleges–Cultureandthe ArtsFestival(PASUC-CAF).***

“Naging masaya ako sa do'n sa naging performance ko,” Barroga added.

“All the girls didtheirbest,”Lajara answered about how she felt after the pageant.

The first-year psychology student also shared her experience throughout the pageant. “’Yong mga kailangan ko pong i-improve

Musician’s Eye View

By Aeron B. Gloriane

...mistakes committed by the performer. Take my word for it, all mistakes. That’s one of the reasons why judges have earpieces to listen to when a contestant Is performing: to have a careful listen to every note, rest, slide, and musical shenanigans. This however, gives an awkward feeling to livestream viewers. Instead of hearing the soul of the song, all they can hear are the mistakes of the performance.

It is nothing but the usual dilemma of audiences withpropermusicears.And it also reflects how technol-

ogy, nomatter how advanced, can never replace the human experience. Sadly enough, theremightbelittletonoway for stay-at-home people to enjoy high-quality viewing without costing the media providers much. But this is not reason for us to keep the musical experience be limited inthefourcornersofthecontest venue. Should the audio inputforthelivestreambeset the same as the venue’s, the awkward direct pick-up of mic-to-fb might have omitted. But nonetheless, it is a harmlessmishapthatonlyaffectsa musician’spickyear.***

Do you want digital copies of these 2022 STRASUC Culture and the Arts Festival issues? You may view the newsletters in high resolution on Issuu through the link below. issuu.com/TechnologyAdvocate

PERFECT INTERPRETATION. PSU folkdancers as they accurately perform and interpret the true meaning of the La Jota Moncadeña, that secure their spot at the upcoming PASUC-CAF. ( Dinglasan)

LITERARY

His Queen

By Roland James A. Alcayde

Crown or no crown, you’ll always be my queen.

10/17/22 6:30 PM | sent

Batangas State University is nearly 60 km away but, I’d soar through heaven and hell just to watch her shine in the spotlight. Today is the day that I will ask her out, Festival Queen or not.

“Ladies and gentlemen, contestant number three!” there she is.

“Stella Avila Marquez, 19, Laguna State Polytechnic University!” a lady in gold, crystals shining in the light, an elegant walk, and an ever so gorgeous face. Stella, soon to be ‘my Stella’.

As she moved away from the microphone, I caught her stealing a glimpse from my side of the audience. We made eye contact. Surprise can be seen in her eyes, I smiled at her, and she smiled back.

The competition went along with how normal pageants would flow. After the casual attire, they switched to swimwear and the formal evening gown. Stella aced the three events and she made it through the question-and-answer portion.

“Contestant number three your question is, if you were to be crowned as STRASUC’s Festival Queen, what would be your advocacy for the culture and the arts?” asked the host.

“Love.” it caught my attention. “Love for the culture and love for the arts.” I was nervous for her.

“The Southern Tagalog Region already has rich manifestations of our culture and arts that can rival many but, I do believe that if we put much love and attention to what we have now, we can be able to not just promote but appreciate how lucky of us to treasure the culture and arts we have. As a Culture and Arts Festival Queen, my advocacy is, and always will be love.” I was amazed, she couldn't have said it better.

After the question-and-answer portion, there was a 30-minute break for the audience and contestants. I went backstage and looked for her just to say a few words of encouragement and give her the flowers I bought. Three stems of sunflowers, her favorite.

“Hey Stella, I saw you lost focus on stage at the introductions. You stared blankly at the crowd for a while, what happened?” I overheard. They must be talking about our eye contact earlier this evening.

“Yeah right, she was looking at some weirdo in the audience HAHAHA!” a male voice. It was Marco, her partner in the competition. “Here, Stella, a bouquet of a dozen Roses for you, my love.” I dropped what I held and decided not to approach them. I went back to my seat and pretended nothing had happened.

The awards preceded and only the Festival Queen title is left. Stella bagged a few special awards earlier and Marco was crowned Festival King.

“State Colleges and Universities of the Southern Tagalog Region, your new Culture and Arts Festival Queen is…” my heart was pumping loud, every beat makes me shiver in hopes that it’d be Stella.

“Your new C&A Festival Queen is from… Laguna State Polytechnic University, Ms. Stella Marquez!” the crowd cheered and rounds of applause were given to the winners. Stella forwarded to the stage and Marco stood beside her.

Confetti and loud bangs distracted the audience but my eyes were locked on the people on stage. Marco crossed the distance between himself and Stella.

They held the kiss for a while and when the crowd saw what happened, they cheered even louder. I wanted to shout. Not of joy, but of anger and sadness.

There I was in the crowd, struck dumbfounded.

And there she was on stage, reigning as His Queen…

LITERARY

Hamon ng Kampeonato

Ni Ley Royo

Paghahanda. Paglalakbay. Pangamba. Pakikipagsapalaran. Pagkilala. Parangal.

Pinagbuklod na mga galing at talento, na hinubog ng panahon. Muling iniharap sa entablado, at tinanggap ang hamon.

Dugo at pawis ay inialay, labis-labis na oras ay binigay. Ang madla ay sumuporta at gumabay, at pamilya ay nagpupugay.

Indayog ng mga kalahok, awiting salit sa musika, iginuhit na mga pangarap, at nabuong litrato ng mga alaala.

Subalit hindi maiwaksi sa isipan, lakad-atras na pag-iisip na binabalot sa anino ng pangamba at takot. Sa nag-aalab na puso ay siyang kalaban.

Daluyong ng pagsubok pilit silang hahagupitin. Hindi dapat magpadaig, muling babangon at titindig.

Kaya bago makamit ang ninanais na bituin, mahabang paglalakbay ang titiisin. Itong hamon ng kampeonato ay haharapin. Bunga nito ay buong pusong tatanggapin.

Ang huling kataga

Ni Alessandra Vernice Yuson

Sinimulan ng dasal, pagbati at pagkilala Kasabay ang malakas na hiyaw ng madla Inumpisahan sa salitang ‘’kaya mo yan!” Pag-udyok sa mga kalahok upang galingan

Bawat pagbati, samahan na nabuo nang di inaasahan Matira matibay tanging sigaw sa paligsahan Buong loob na naniwala sa sarili Ilang araw na pagsasanay at pagpupursigi

Iba’t ibang talento na buong pusong ipinamalas Bawat pagod at pawis ngayo’y muling ipunas Sino kaya ang uuwing tagumpay at wagi?

Mga mukhang makulay at abot langit na ngiti

Pagkilala sa mga takda at bagong pangalan Nagrerepresenta sa iba’t ibang larangan Pagbibigay wakas at tatapusin ang katagang ‘’paalam’’ Hanggang sa muli at sa susunod na laban

Am I Breathing?

By Krisha Camille Ciar

Rapid heartbeats were all I could hear amidst the cheers of the crowd as it raced against the thoughts of my self-doubts of “what ifs?”

“What if I don’t win?”

“What if I just back out?

‘What if I'm not cut out for this?”

It overwhelmed me so much that I think I almost forgot how to breathe!

Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…

I repeated, focusing on my breath attempting to calm myself down.

Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, exhale, inhale?

“Wait– Am I even breathing right?!” I whisper-shouted to myself as I shook my head out of those thoughts.

Spotting my friends through the crowd nodding towards me, assuring me that everything was going to be all right. A faint smile formed.

And it did assure me…

It was now my time to step up to the stage, and soon before I knew it, I was already mid-way into my performance feeling ecstatic as if I wasn’t on the verge of tears earlier.

I came in third place overall. Was I disappointed though? No, not at all.

I came to realize that I would’ve been probably more disappointed if I didn’t allow myself to at least try and it would've just led me to another series of regrets and “What ifs”.

Gladly, I tried. And thankfully, I’m still breathing.

HIGHLIGHTS

John Kirby L. Dinglasan

ELEGANT. After finishing their graceful folkdance performance, LSPU dancers still poised as they receive their certificate of participation during the STRASUC CAF Dance competition.

ON FIRE. Astounding performance and attitude of LSPU dancers made an impact to the whole STRASUC CAF, as they earn the third spot at the street dance competition.

STRONG FINISH. Barroga of LSPU and Barrios of OMSC are the 2nd runner up of the Festival King and Queen of STRASUC CAF 2022.

HEALING. With their own interpretation of the theme, LSPU contemporary dancers performance is inspired by the Covid-19 survivors that enable them to secure their spot to nationals.

LA JOTA MONCADEÑA. With bouncing steps and clicking of castanets, LSPU performers showing off the rich culture while executing this folkdance during the 2022 STRASUC CAF Dance competition.

FEARLESS. Performers of LSPU together with their coach, pose for a photo before owning the dance floor of Street dance competition.

ANSWERED PRAYER. As they announced as the Southern Tagalog representative for contemporary dance category, LSPU performers outburst their emotion while receiving the award.

RUNNER UP. De Leon of SLSU and Lajara of LSPU crowned as the 3rd runner up of the STRASUC CAF Festival King and Queen.

GRAND SLAM. For four consecutive years, LSPU successfully defended their title as the champion of STRASUC CAF contemporary dance category.

OLD SCHOOL. With the 90’s themed dance, OMSC streetdancers dynamics and energy on the dance floor made them represent the Southern Tagalog in national arena.

GREAT POISE. LSPU representatives, Barroga and Lajara during their formal wear category of STRASUC CAF Festival King and Queen coronation night.

HIGHLIGHTS

LOOK FORWARD. As the 2022 STRASUC-CAF concluded, Occidental Mindoro State College accepted the challenge of being the host school for the upcoming 2023 STRASUC Culture and the Arts Festival.

EMOTIONAL. Festival Overall Chairperson, Mr. Mark Emmanuel Magsino delivers his closing remarks in teary eyes, pointing out the efforts of each committee that made this festival outstanding.

VICTORY. As the 2022 STRASUC Culture and the Arts Festival ends, SLSU hailed as the overall champion with a total of 85 points.

MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE. Dr. Elaine Francisco, President of ACADC Region IV as she acknowledge all the efforts of all the committees behind the successful 2022 STRASUC CAF.

A WEEK TO REMEMBER. Jomari Casunuran, one of the LSPU delegates share his experiences and learning during the 5 day stay in BatSU for the 2022 STRASUC CAF.

S A WRAP. President of ACADC Region IV, Dr. Elaine Francisco together with some of the officials from different SUCs during the end of the 2022 STRASUC CAF.

STRASUC QUEEN. SLSU s Cleveris Villapando, the newly crowned Festival Queen as she extends her gratitude to all the organizers behind the 2022 STRASUC CAF, that made this event promising and memorable.

LSPU defends title in Contempo Dance

By Jennis R. Maghirang

01

...powerhouse talaga ang LSPU sa contemporary. Tayo [LSPU] ay champion for three years. So, actually, medyo pressured talaga kami kasi ngayon lang ulit bumalik sa face-toface,”deLeonadded.

“Nakakakaba kasi lahat magagaling,” Jomari Casunuran, one of the contemporary dancers of LSPU answered when askedhowtheyfeelaftertheirperformance.

“But then, huwagtayongtumingin sa piece ngiba,focuson our own concept, which is the healing po and LSPU got that part,togivethemthemessageof,wecanhealattheendofthe

day,”theLosBanosdanceradded.

Meanwhile, Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) clinched the silver medal, and Palawan State University (PSU) baggedthebronzemedal.

Contemporarydancerswerethesecondrepresentativeof LSPUwhowereabletobringhomeagoldmedal,andtheywill represent Southern Tagalog in the Philippines Association of State Universities and Colleges - Culture and the Arts Festival (PASUC-CAF).***

WITH A BANG. Contemporary dancers of LSPU as they end their clean and graceful dance routine with an impact that wowed the whole audience. ( Dinglasan)

By Jyrus Edmark Diaz

LSPU nasungkit ang ikatlong pwesto sa Street Dance

Umindak para sa ikatlong pwesto ang mga mananayaw ng Laguna State Polytechnic University sa 2022 Southern Tagalog Association of State Universities and Colleges Culture and the Arts Festival (STRASUC-CAF) Dance Competition – Street Dance, Nobyembre 17 sa Batangas State University.

Ipinamalasngmgatubong

Sta. Cruz Campus ang kanilang bonggang paghataw at galawsakanilangpasabogna remix ng 90s, sa isang umaatikabong showdown sa

pagpasoksatopfive.

“Hindi lang basta sayaw, dapat may istoryang ibinibigay sa piyesang gagawin para hindi lang madala

State University ang ikalawang pwesto habang nagwagi sa unang pagkakataon ang mga mananayaw mula Occidental Mindoro State College, na si-

SLSU and UPLB crowned as STRASUC King and Queen

By

Cleveris Villapando of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) and Ryan Kristopher Sacopon of the University of the Philippines - Los Banos (UPLB) were crowned as this year's Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges CultureandtheArtsFestival (STRASUC - CAF) Festival QueenandKing,Nov.18.

The newly-hailed queen from SLSU said she opted preservation over development when asked what she'd do if shehad achance to own anancestralhouse.

“In preservation, we couldshow alot through this, especially in history,” lapandoadded.

Sacopon, on the other hand, when asked what OPM song would describe his life

and the Arts Festival (PASUC -CAF).***

SAVAGE. LSPU streetdancers own and heat up the whole gymnasium as they perform their all out during the Dance Competition of 2022 STRASUC-CAF. ( Dinglasan)

Ni Christian Isaac D. Batralo

NEWLY CROWNED. Villapando of SLSU and Sacopon of UPLB as they named as the Southern Tagalog representatives to the PASUC- Culture and the Arts Festival King and Queen. ( Dinglasan )