Perpetualites showcase talents in SSC's Platform Competition

by Jester Ann Jennydhie Dela Cruz

Perpetualites revive their love for performing arts as they exhibit their passion and talents in the Supreme Student Council's (SSC) Platform Competitions held last February 14, 2023, at the Ernesto Palanca Crisostomo Hall.

With the theme of Resurgence, the SSC organized various competitions, such as spoken word poetry, singing, dancing, and battle of the bands, participated in by students from Senior High School (SHS) to different college levels. Bearing their own creative banners, students showed their loudest support as they filled the auditorium with cheers for their own representatives.

"We owe to do all things with passion and appreciation. May we be able to remember this 48th founding anniversary as one of our remarks of Resurgence," said Mark Joshua Mejia, SSC Auditor and chairperson of the event, as he officially opened the competition. He also shared his excitement at seeing the performances, as he believed the event would showcase the excellence of his fellow Perpetualites. The most-awaited battle of the bands made the audiences rock and sing along with the contenders' two arranged songs. The bands executed superb performances through a graceful play of musical instruments, harmonizing with their charismatic vocals. INZECURE bagged the crown as this year's battle of the bands champion, followed by

AMINO and AAH 6050 as first and second runners-up, respectively.

In the singing competition, brave souls shared their talents as they conquered the stage with fiery confidence. Naomi Tiozon (College of Arts and Sciences and Education) was declared the winner, Dickenson Diamante (College of Maritime) was the first runner-up and Andrei Revillo (SHS) was the second runner-up.

Meanwhile, the Spoken Word Poetry competition al- lowed the contestant to exhibit their intelligence and creativity as they performed their original pieces. Obed Barrios (College of Arts and Science and Education) was hailed champion, with Carlo Chua (SHS) and Aaron Manlangit (College of Business Administration and Accountancy) as the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Moreover, students from different colleges have teamed up to create powerful choreographies for the dance competition. Showing their charisma and energy on the dance floor, only three of them made it to the stage. The College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT) won the Championship title, while the Senior High School (SHS) Department received first place and the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) took second place.

John Carlo Pacis, an AB Communication alumnus, hosted the competitions while the Perpetual Dance Company performed an intermission dance number.

Obed Barrios, a representative from CAS-Ed and this year’s Spoken Word Poetry champion, expressed his joy when asked about the program. He said, “sobrang saya ng puso ko, ‘saka ang sarap sa feeling na nakabalik na ulit tayo. Thankful din ako sa organizers dahil nabigyan muli ako ng opportunity na makapag-perform.”

UPHSD – Las Piñas gets splashed for this year’s music festival

The week-long 48th foundation anniversary celebration concluded with a splash as Perpetualites gathered for the Splash Music Festival at the Acacia Drive last February 17, 2023.

Students, employees, and alumni from different departments and colleges filled the crowd as they sang their hearts out, along with the bands who serenaded them the whole night. The enthusiastic crowd raises their hands in unison as lights and loud music surround the Acacia Drive.

The band performers include: Join the Club; Basha; Chansa; Fighterjets; Fidelity; CHNDTR; SUNDAYSPECIAL; and The Viktor Project, who sang both their original songs and some of the well-known Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Throughout the bands' performances, an electric bubble machine bursts lots of bubbles around the venue, amusing the audience.

The Supreme Student Council (SSC) organized the event in partnership with The Perpetualite and Bayang Magiliw Pilipinas. According to the SSC, the purpose of the event is not just to highlight the beauty of OPM but also to unite the Perpetual Community through their love of music.

The students excitedly anticipated the main band's performances. The band, Join the Club, sang their most awaited original song Nobela, as the

Mr. and Ms. University 2023

from page 1 lag from the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management were hailed as this year’s Mr. and Ms. University.

When asked what he has learned during the pandemic, Mr. University 2023, Karl Bonacua, believes that dedication and commitment are significant recipes for people to succeed. “I knew that our enemy is ourselves, and that we have to overcome external factors that try to sink us; I know that dedication and commitment are better than motivation, and that's why keeping our fire burning would keep us forward.”

Meanwhile, Ms. University 2023, Mika Kasilag, talked about self-love during her winning speech, “There is hatred everywhere, but I know for myself that the love within me will be shared not only by the people that I know, but also with people that I may not know and people that I may influence one day.”

The event was attended by Dr. Arnaldo S. De Guzman, School

Director; Ms. Joy Lozano, OIC Dean of the College of Aviation and Chairperson of University Week 2023; deans and faculty from different colleges and the Senior High School department.

Also, Mr. Aaron Perez, Mr. University 2022, and Ms. Princess Mababangloob, Ms. University 2022, attended the event for their farewell walk.

The event ended with a blissful smile on the audience's faces, but it wouldn’t have happened without the help of Department of Communication students who stepped forward to make this event a reality. “Nakasasaya sa puso na iyong gabi na ‘yun, nag-enjoy ang lahat, ‘yung uuwi sila, kami, na masaya kasi

I think sa huli ‘yun pa rin talaga ang mahalaga,” Angeline Pangilinan, Production Director and KAMASKOM President said.

Alta d’ Tagaytay, Pure Glow, and Lolly Skin sponsored Mr. and Ms. University 2023, while

Xamantha Khae Villareal and attendees harmonized with their performance, relishing the band's song. Nobela was supposedly a closing song, but per the crowd's persistent requests, they ended the night with another song entitled Handog.

The band thanked the Perpetualites for their warm welcome and said they really enjoyed performing at the university. “Hindi naman namin ine-expect na magiging ganito ka-saya ‘to sobra ‘no? P’wede kasing masaya lang. Pero ito kasi, sobrang saya. So, ang galing kasi mga music lovers sila and hindi lahat ng universities ganoon. So far, ito ‘yung pinakamalupit,” Join the Club said in an exclusive interview. They also added that the crowd seemed to look like a beautiful scene, and it was an exhilarating experience they would never forget.

One of the members of Fighterjets, Kim Valerie, also expressed their sentiments saying, “Super ecstatic, kasi sobrang cooperative nila. Nakakatuwa na makitang nag-eenjoy sila sa music namin. And that’s the goal.”

Despite long lines, attendees waited patiently at the university lane. “Sobrang saya, alam mo ‘yon, kahit ang haba ng pila kanina, nasa initan kami, pero ngayon na nandito na kami, sobrang surreal ‘yung experience,” said one of the students.

According to the SSC, there were more than a thousand attendees of the said festival. Meanwhile, the College of Criminology also assisted in providing a workforce during the event, ensuring the safety and order of the attendees. The SSC expressed their appreciation to all those who helped in organizing this event. "Nagpapasalamat ako, sa harap at likod ng camera. Hindi magiging posible itong event na ito kundi rin lang dahil sa inyo," said Jaime Erguiza, SSC Secretary and chairperson of Splash Music Fest.

Photos during the Splash Music Festival are found in the hulagway section

Ronn Angelo Pineda hosted the event.

The following are titleholders and special award winners:

MR. UNIVERSITY 2023

Karl Jan Bonacua, College of Education

MS. UNIVERSITY 2023

Mika Ella Kasilag, College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management

1st RUNNERS-UP

Male: Guilliano Aboloc, College of Criminology

Female: Asheley Julianne Manansala, College of Nursing

2nd RUNNERS-UP

Male: Riki Watanabe, College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management

Female: Ana Rhea Pelola, Senior High School Department

Most Photogenic

Male: Joaquin Alejandro Ortiz, Senior High School De- partment

Female: Celeena Jiam Tuazon, College of Pharmacy

Best in Talent Presentation

Male: Zyroll Layo, College of Business Administration and Accountancy

Female: Asheley Julianne Manansala, College of Nursing

Best in Congeniality

Male: James Wendel Decipeda, College of Computer Studies

Female: Asheley Julianne Manansala, College of Nursing

Best in Production Wear

Male: Zyroll Layo, College of Business Administration and Accountancy

Female: Ariana Gundran, School of Aviation

Best in Casual Wear

Male: Riki Watanabe, College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management

Female: Ana Rhea Pelola, Senior High School Department

Best in Sportswear

Male: Zyroll Layo, College of Business Administration and Accountancy

Female: Ariana Gundran, School of Aviation

Best in Evening/Formal Wear

Male: Riki Watanabe, College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management

Female: Ana Rhea Pelola, Senior High School Department

Mr. and Ms. Pure Glow

Male: Joaquin Alejandro Ortiz, Senior High School Department

Female: Celeena Jiam Tuazon, College of Pharmacy

Mr. and Ms. Lolly Skin

Male: John Marie Ramos, College of Nursing

Female: Asheley Julianne Manansala, College of Nursing