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NEWS
July 2021 - November 2021 | Vol. XXIX Issue No. 1
Flames’ Musical Prowess gets Spotlight as SSC Spearheads First Music Fest Roxan Resuello
With the theme "Music: A melody of hope and joy that fuels the heart and soul.", PHINMA-University of Pangasinan's Supreme Student Council (PHINMA-UPANGSSC) held the first music festival during the Flames OctoberFest Music Encore on October 25-30, 2021. The event took place at the PHINMA-UPANG SSC’s Official Facebook page, where winners are chosen based on Facebook interactions, including reactions, shares, and views. Thirty-eight tal-
his musical habits. “I try to get ideas from them and apply them to make my music as well.” Tamilag has his own Youtube channel where he showcases and uploads his cover videos. Although he is not a regular gig performer, he mentions that he sometimes gets an invitation to perform alongside a group called “POSITRIBO.”
Louie B. Coronia (Drummer), Andrey Bryice Calabines (Keys, Pad, and Effects), and Edward Clarence B. Quinto. Ecclesia went on a rigorous 8-day prep time of brainstorming, practicing, and composing. “First, we thought of many ways on how to execute our “Arreglo” on the piece/songs we played. We rehearsed many times until we mastered each part. We prepared the recording equipment and venues where we shot our entry. We gave our best shot on the final recording.” K. Cruz says. When asked about the inspiration behind the song “Sandalan,” K. Cruz shares it is about his emotions and experiences with music. He further explained that the message of the song echoes the power that music holds. “It brings “liwanag at tuwa” in our hearts. Lahat tayo ay napadpad sa kawalan at masasabi kong hindi iyon ganun kadali. May mga bagay na hindi maalis sa isipan, at sa huli, marerealize nating ang musika ay pwede nating maging sandalan.” The band also shared tips for a powerful performance saying, “Just be yourself and of course, be sure that you are prepared, and you know what you are playing. You must be in-tuned with your bandmates and to the song that you are singing/playing.” Winners of both categories expressed their gratitude and delight for this music-centered event. Einjel F. Tamilag, notes
ented students participated in the Song Cover Competition, and nine video entries were posted for the Online Battle of the Bands (OBOTB), respectively. Song Cover Champ Talks Performance and Musical Upbringing
Freshman Nursing student Einjel Tamilag bags 1st place for the Song Cover Competition. Tamilag impressed the Flames community with his one-person band rendition of Ben&Ben’s “Arawaraw," gaining 15k heart reactions on Phinma-UPANG SSC Facebook page. In an interview, he says, "This is the song that I've been wanting to sing for the public," after attending the band's live performance during PHINMA-UPang’s Foundation event in 2020. Tamilag says he spent 14 hours wrapping his performance. “It’s truly difficult for me because I’m already rushing and did everything . . . literally on the spot. I didn’t have any time for prepaMelody of Hope: PHINMA-University of Pangasinan's Supreme Student Council (PHINMA-UPANGSSC) held the first music festival during the Flames OctoberFest Music Encore on October 25-30, 2021. Photo from UPANGSSC Facebook page rations because I’ve also been busy on other activities on acads and outside our school.” Ecclesia: Gathering of those Summoned His video performance, where he sang and played the gui“We, the contestants of this OctoberFest Music Encore event, thank tar and keyboard simultaneously, garnered the most interactions out all of you for supporting us in this event. Without all your support, I 6-person powerhouse band, Ecclesia, rose as the OBOTB of all the entries with approximately 15k love reactions, 1k shares, doubt that this event will be a success. You encouraged us to pursue champion with a solid 6-minute performance. Covering “Umagang and 127k views to date. and give our best shot for this event to be a wonderful event for evKay Ganda,” “Liwanag sa Dilim,” and the band’s Bass Guitarist The 18-year-old, who sings for the Music Ministry of Our eryone." and Vocalist, Keanu N. Cruz’s composition called “Sandalan,” Lady of Purification in Binmaley, carries a substantial musical back In a Facebook post, Ecclesia’s Drummer, Louie B. Coronia, their entry gained 5.8k wow reactions, 392 shares, and 66k views. ground on his plate. When he was eight, he started playing the guitar wrote “Salamat din sa UPang sa ganitong event. Music talaga ang Other members of the band include Alfonso Louise and learned to play the piano with the mentorship of his choirmaster. stress reliver ko. Thank you po sa opportunity na makasama sa ganiLimon (Lead and Rhythm Guitarist), Marisol V. Cruz (Vocalist), He shares that listening to film and game music scores are part of tong event.”
And The Clock Struck Twelve with the Crown on Her Head—Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental Wins 2nd Crown for PH Hannah Angeli F. Mendoza October 31, 2021 - True to her namesake, Cinderella Faye Obeñita won the second crown at the Miss Intercontinental 2021, at the Sunrise Diamond Beach Resort, Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. Pageantry has been considered a beautiful fairytale now more than ever with the victory of Cagayan de Oro's Cinderella Faye Obeñita at the Miss Intercontinental 2021 pageant. A tourism officer in her community and a cervical cancer awareness advocate, Cindy has had her work cut out for her from the beginning. She was once shrouded with doubts when she joined the Bb. Pilipinas pageant last July, as she was only a wildcard contestant, beat the odds by coming out on top and earning the coveted crown that would take her to this year's Miss Intercontinental pageant. On the question and answer round, she was asked the same question that was asked to Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner Up Janine Tugonon on the Miss Intercontinental pageant, "As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English is important for Miss Intercontinental? Why or why not?" to which she delivered her winning answer, “As an ambassador, I don’t think that speaking a specific language is very important here in Miss Intercontinental or any pageant at all." “As long as that woman is a woman of power and grace, commitment, and intelligence, no matter what language she speaks, then she can win any pageant or any endeavor that she is into. Also, it's essential, I have learned here actually in Miss Intercontinental that a woman should be or should possess power of substance, and I believe I am that woman because that is the essence of a modern-day Miss Intercontinental, that we are living in a world wherein it's very hard to survive. And as Miss Intercontinental, I would like to be that source of hope, that source of inspiration on the true power of beauty and that is felt on the kindness of our hearts and definitely on the sincerity of our loving actions." Indeed, she did not let her countrymen down by maintaining her stance as a frontrunner in the competition.
Applying a more student-centered approach to Obeñita’s win, both the Chancellor of the Association of Political Science Students (APSS), Lianne Ruth Pagadian, and the President of the Society of English Writers and Speakers (SEWS), Mary Ruvi Tercero Nicolas, on whether or not they agree on Cindy's winning answer, and what measures should a global ambassadress make if they go to a country with English as a Second Language (ESL) speakers. “In respect to being a global ambassadress, I do not agree with her answer. Although the English language is not really everything to being globally competitive and inclined, the ability to speak the world's language. One of the tasks the winner will acquire is to unite the people of the world. [Of] course, as I believe that linguists and some sociologists will also agree upon, the medium to attain unity among people is through language—on this page, the English language. If the global ambassadress herself cannot communicate to the people with the language that almost everyone uses, she cannot really help in achieving the unity we are aiming to pursue. That is the reason why I do not agree with her answer." Pagadian points out. “English does not have to be a country's primary language to connect to the people from other parts of the world. Communication has a more comprehensive scope and is even becoming broader as time passes by. Regarding putting out advocacies being forwarded by the global ambassadress, there are other mediums of communication that can be used in communicating the advocacies through the English language can be a little challenging. Nowadays, it is not difficult to communicate through nonverbal cues. Pictures and signs can be used if the ambassadress can be really creative. I still presumed that English, though not a primary language for some countries of the world, is being used. So, of course, it can be as material as to forwarding advocacies.” She concluded. Nicolas, however, shares opposite sentiments as an English Education major. "As a President of an English-subject based organization, I serve as one of the people who promote English to
achieve global competency since English is a language that is known and spoken worldwide. However, we live in a country that only embraces English as a Second Language. Not all of us are proficient in English Language communication. Therefore, I definitely agree with the answer of our Miss Intercontinental 2021, as not all of the countries across the globe can speak English fluently.” “English may be known globally, but it cannot erase the fact that most of the people in a non-native English speaking country can speak this language accurately and fluently. It's evident that the number of non-native English speaking countries is larger than those native English speaking countries. In addition, the English language is not the basis of our knowledge. We cannot measure one's intelligence and wit just by speaking in the English language. Among the above, being a global ambassadress does not mean that you only have to know how to speak one specific language. The message you express, your leadership, and the compassion you have for the people will make you a good global ambassador.” She then expounds with an old saying, adding, "There is a proverb that says "action speaks louder than words," which is a helpful belief to all of us in proving ourselves in a small or large audience. If a global ambassador cannot speak English fluently, he/she can express her advocacy through actions. For example, I have the advocacy of taking care of the senior citizens, I will show my community that I am respecting and taking care of the senior citizen inside or outside my community, but it does not have to be posted online to be broadcasted or such. As long as I am putting my advocacy into actions, I can prove the worldwide community that I am doing something good, and I will continue doing it no matter what circumstances may occur." With Cinderella Obeñita’s win, the Philippines now has its second Miss Intercontinental Crown after Karen Gallman, who won the title last 2018.
