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VOL. I NO. 1JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2012

2 - I C O N

MESSAGES

3I C O N -

With the number of accolades St. Paul College Pasig has received this school year alone, we are all left wondering when the scheduled school bonfire will be. What else would we do with the proverbial bacon we keep bringing home?

True enough, the school’s successes have made me a much prouder Paulinian. Not only because of the abundant wins, but also by the unity of the student body in supporting our fellow schoolmates and celebrating their triumphs, as though we were the ones who competed. It’s quite amusing to think how we bystanders end up happier, angrier and bitterer than those who actually participate in the events. It just goes to show how involved the entire school becomes in these events. A contest participant’s gold medal is our gold medal, an athlete’s first place trophy is our trophy, and the choir’s winning song is our winning song.

In this new publication by Pauliworld, the school’s official organ, ICON celebrates the ordinary Paulinian with the monthly themes inspired by the expected outcomes of a Paulinian. This January to February issue, we highlight the expected outcome of self-esteem.

Within these pages, we are again reminded of the number of events that have showed the excellence of the students. We are shown how views on success change as one matures, and how failures are actually successes in disguise.

Many will interpret success in different ways, but it will always mean the sense of accomplishment. “People are trying to bring you down only because you’re high above them,“ as the saying goes.

THERESE ASEOCHEEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

THERESE ASEOCHEEditor-in-Chief

EditorsARIANNA BAUTISTA

REBECCA TANMONSE ALFARO

ROANNE YAPREGINA SICAT

CLARA VICTORINOLOUISE FERRER

KAMILLE AREOPAGITAAMANDA COOPER

WritersELISE SUNGA, JOANNE DE LEON,

ISABEL TAN-PALANCA, BIANCA MAHINAY, AMANDA NAJAR, SHAIRA MARTINEZ, NICOLE CHIONG, MARIA MAHUSAY, CHANEL MIRAFUENTES,

MICHELLE JOAQUIN, RIANNA GARCIA, STELLA PERRERAS,

ANGELU URBANO, JENA TIONGSON, DENISE SANTOS, ANGELA RAYOS

DEL SOL, APRIL OCAMPO, RIANNA CRUZ

ContributorsBETTINA ABAD SANTOS

ArtistsMARTHA QUE

NICOLE FERRAREZ

PhotographersKATERINA GOHHLOUISE SANTOS

Layout ArtistsCAMILLE DUQUEGAEL MORALES

SAMANTHA MEJIAJENNY OCANA

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TAblE of ConTEnTSFEATURES06080910121316

Tell Me What Success IsFib or Fail?Success through the Eyes of the (Pauli)worldPHCT, CES all around attackThe DesiredThe 2012 BucketlistICONS of 2011

NATION11 Where’s the Tipping Point?

FILIPINO182021

Hawak Kamay sa PagbabagoHapag KainanPENTAstik: Ang Limang Bigating Pagsabog sa 2011

POP CULTURE22232425

#PHILIPPINESThe Deal with Monopoly DealReviewsKinse at Kating-kati Parin

SPOTLIGHT2627

-Elisa Aquino

FUN PAGEFEATURED OBJECT

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6 - I C O N

Bible Quiz Bee

CMLI Voices in Harmony

Teenpreneur

WHAT IS success? Is it, as dictionary.com defines it, just the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors? Is it the attainment of wealth, position and honors? Is it failing nine times and getting it right on the tenth time? SPCP made waves in different

competitions this year—academics,

writing, sports, music and dance, you

name it—proving that Pasig Paulinians

really do have what it takes. We’ve held

numerous plays like Lie of the Mind

and Klasiko, an interschool one-act play

competition, a guitar quartet competition,

short story writing contests, and the like.

Although we do all deserve a

round of applause for all the shiny, gold

trophies and medals we have received

that are now locked up in the long case

along the administration lane, I’d say the

true success was in showing more talent

and perseverance than one could ever

Tell Me What Success Is

by Elise Sunga

“True success was in showing more talent and perseverance than one could ever imagine.”

imagine. Success was in being focused and

committed. Success was in overcoming

obstacles. Success was in never quitting

and having fun while you did what you did.

Success was in having faith in yourself and

those you were working with. Success was

in the long hours of reviewing and editing

and training and rehearsing and getting

better at the things you need to work on. It

was in shaking hands with your opponents

at the end of the game, and maybe making

a new friend. Success was in having a love

for whatever you were doing, and having

that feeling of accomplishment—those

moments when you can truly say you did

your best.

As former professional tennis

player Arthur Ashe once said, “Success is

a journey, not a destination. The doing is

often more important than the outcome.”

By this definition, and with the ride that

was 2011, I’m sure we can all say that

Paulinians had a definitely successful year.

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

Photos by Katerina Gohh, Samantha Balboa, Louise Santos and Hannah Marquez

FEATURES

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DepEd Cross-Examination Debate

DSSPC

Miss Elective 2011 Pet Famous

Lactacyd Confidance

PHASES

Talas ni Balagtas Skechers Streetdance Battle Year 7

WNCAA

PAPRISA

PAPRISA

Failur is not always necessarily the devil. Sometimes, it is our way of dealing with them that becomes the source

of our problems. These times, what we fail at is seeing how things truly are. They say the worst mistakes are those

we don’t learn from. In the same way, our greatest successes come from what you’ve picked up from

rock bottom. But how, exactly, do you do that? Here’s a helpful list based

on your day-to-day experiences:

Failures in

our lives say, ‘stop, you’ve made this

mistake before and you wouldn’t want to go there again’. Whatever

it may be, consider it as a gain rather than a loss. Each one has a value; not necessarily the

ones you solve for in Math class, but the kind you’d learn after reading a fable. As frustrating as it may be,

you can’t just stop once you hit that wall. To carry on, you’d have to go around it first.

by Joanne de Leon and Isabel Tan-Palanca

• Losing your favorite G-tec“I just bought that pen and

now I have to buy another

one. This is terrible.”

Next time, buy something

cheaper, longer-lasting and

less appealing to the klepto

eye.

• Failing at Angry Birds“@!#%$&! Hate. Those.

Pigs.”

Maybe it’s time to take a

break, do some homework,

and return to the game once

you’ve cooled down.

• Can’t dougie“Paano na Terp?!”

Time to ask someone to teach

you how to dougie!

• “I’m broke.”“No milk tea for me?”

Water na lang! Healthier pa!

• Failing a quiz

“It’s the end of the world.

I’m a failure.”

It’s time for you to hit the

books!

• Forgetting to save your

1200-word essay on Word“NOOOOOOOOO—“

It’s a sign; there’s room for

improvement.

• No prom date?“Time to die a social death.”

Prom is the best time to hang

out with your friends! Who

cares about dates?

• Losing a contest“Time to be bitter about eve-

ryone and everything.”

There’s always a next time,

so you’ve gotta train harder to

win it!

• Getting dumped

“I’ll never find another one

again. I’m going to grow old

with 27 cats and die alone.”

Man says: “There are plenty

of fish in the sea.” Fish says:

“There are plenty of men on

land.”

THE SITUATION THE REACTION THE MEANING

Fib or Fail?Fib or Fail?

8 - I C O N

FEATURES

As another promising year starts, you can’t help but to look back on all the events that had transpired in your life thus far. All your triumphs, accomplishments, and successes are laid out on the table. As you revel in them, you try to figure what makes them so.

For a young one, success may simply mean passing a requirement on time. For grade-schoolers and even some high school students, knowing that you have accomplished an assignment you have worked hard on is enough to reward oneself with a pat on the back.

As one matures and takes on more responsibilities, the feeling that people look up to you and admire what you have accomplished becomes the more suitable

SUCCESS SUCCESS

definition of success. For others, success is more focused on doing and being your best. “Success isn’t meeting the expectations of others, but exceeding your own,” points out Ria Tagulinao, a high school Senior.

Leaving the familiar halls of high school and exploring what the rest of the world has to offer is a big adjustment. With the major changes in your environment and life, your views on success are affected too. Mr. Timothy Decano, a Journalism and Research teacher, sees success as “the degree and manner with which you have touched and affected lives of your fellowmen for their betterment.” Migee Ringler, another Senior, shares this sentiment saying “success makes people look up to you and your achievements.”

When one finally begins to settle in their niche in the world, attaining happiness in whatever you are doing is pretty much all you need to feel accomplished; “being happy with what you’re doing” as Mrs. Magda Victorino, a parent, puts it. Amusing, this definition is not limited to those who have already settled down. In fact, it is one of the most common views of success among high school students.

What you consider as your own personal successes may vary from those of another or even of your successes five years ago but the one thing that would always be considered is the effort you put into achieving these. No matter how or when you define it, success cannot be attained and truly enjoyed without doing the work first.

The World View on

by Bianca Mahinay

FINISHING YOUR THESIS

doing CL homework

passing College Entrance Exams

passing projects on time

winning contests being happy with what you do

sleeping early

waking up the next day

getting up when you fall down

getting an award

making other people smile

being admired 9I C O N -

10 - I C O N

PHCT,CES all-around attackBy Amanda Najar and Shaira Martinez

The students aren’t the only ones helping out in St. Paul, Pasig. The Parent Homeroom Collaboration Team (PHCT) comprised of volunteering parents, has been working in tandem with St. Paul’s Community Extension Services (CES), in hopes of inspiring their daughters and students to be able to do the same. The PHCT is divided by year level, and each batch of parents has been working with the CES in executing various program and activities with each year level they are assigned in. The PHCT of the Freshmen will concentrate on the livelihood of the mothers. They have yet to host any official programs but activities like baking demonstrations, sewing tutorials and soap-making are being eyeballed. The Sophomore PHCT focuses on the Spiritual development, in relation to the Sophomore’s confirmation, and will hold a recollection for the mothers in February. The Senior’s PHCT project is centered on health. They hosted a medical mission last December 10 and were able to help more than 60 families. Medical and dental missions, free medicine and gift bags filled with snacks and games to spread the Christmas cheer were given to the participants. The first year, second year and fourth year PHCT programs were all aimed to help the Fr. Louis Chauvet Foundation Incorporated. The foundation consists of a school offering Kinder until Grade 5 and adopted communities. Unlike the batches mentioned above, the Junior PHCT will give help to another foundation – the Our Lady of Peace Foundation located in Gala, Zambales. This is in relation to the immersion that the Juniors underwent throughout the school year, they will be visiting the same location. The Our Lady of Peace of Foundation is an Aeta Resettlement, and it is headed by Sr. Eva Maamo, SPC. With all these projects, the CES and PHCT hope that the students of SPCP will be encouraged to be truly socially responsible. After all, “Monkey see, Monkey do”.

FEATURES

11I C O N -

By Nicole Chiong

Every year, the Philippines is hit by an average of twenty typhoons. And every other typhoon that comes, washes away hundreds of lives, destroys homes and rescinds families. Still, as we must learn from our mistakes, is our country now ready for the next Ondoy or Milenyo?

Fact: we aren’t. It is only when the rains do come and the water starts to rise that we realize the situation we are in once again. As we turn on our televisions, we are met by images of our countrymen being pulled by the river and children crying as they wade through the floods. But after a few days, when the water has receded and the sun is shining, news programs are finished with the water works. As if in a routine, we find ourselves shuffle back into our complacency. We become oblivious to the deterrent aftermath of the storm. And, after all these years, there still seems to be no tipping point.

Even Christmas time was not a deterrent for the typhoon Sendong, which hit Mindanao on December 17, 2011. Putting the dead count at 1,200, many professionals concluded that typhoon Sendong was deadlier than Ondoy and Pepeng whose dead counts were only in the hundreds. In total, 143,000 people were affected by Sendong and it was estimated that half of those were children. Enormous floods rampaged through many barangays and towns at midnight – the worst possible hour of the day. The floods literally enveloped most of the residents in their sleep. Most of the damage fell on Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.

Because of the tragedy in Mindanao, the government has established the Technical Working Group (TWG) that will be comprised of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center and the Humanitarian Country Team. Their main aim is to increase disaster preparedness; hopefully, this will lead to a significant change in our society and the effects of the next storms.

Our countrymen in the affected areas need as much help as they can get. In the spirit of the season, many institutions and groups have put up donation centers for Sendong’s victims. Let us support their cause. The ABS-CBN foundation accepts in-kind donations at Mother Ignacia cor. Eugenio Lopez St.,Diliman, Quezon City. UP Diliman also accepts material donations at the UP Diliman, Vinzons Hall. You can also phone The Ateneo de Manila University at (02)426-6001, Citizens’ Disaster Response Center at (02)929-9822, DLSU at (02)524-4611 or the Philippine Red Cross at 527-0000 for more inquires about donations.

Where’s the tipping point?

Taken from negros-occ.gov.com Taken from news.mindanao.com

NATION

12 - I C O N

The 2012 Bucketlist

If I were to tell you about success – what it means and what it is – I can only offer one answer, my own. But as you’re probably reading this to try and learn something, I have taken the liberty of asking other people as well for reference. So, as back-up and basis to this evaluation of an abstract element, I’ve promptly taken the time of kind and random strangers of all ages to I ask them “What is success to you? When do you know that you are successful?” Now, you’ve probably seen where this introduction is going; and I will obligingly follow the reading train-of-expectant-thought into the body of an article that will tell you, simply, about success.

“Success means accomplishing or meeting your goals; you are successful when you’ve achieved something. It’s victory, when you’ve won something.” Sound familiar? This view of success would be the summed up answers of every student asked, from kindergarten to high school. We, students, seem to view the idea of being successful as something of an achievement: the result of what we’ve been able to do. No surprise there, seeing as we’ve been trained all our lives to put great value in what we are able to show for our efforts, which, concretely, are our grades and performance. Admit it, you feel most triumphant when there is concrete evidence that you did well; whether it be your report card, a compliment, praise, or whatever else – anything that confirms that you did a good job. So what’s wrong with that? Nothing, really. After all, this kind of reward and glory system we’ve gotten used to is the best way to train young, inexperienced minds. It taught us that hard work and effort pays off; and what better motivation is there than the promise of a trophy at the end of the grueling race? This is success to most of us, to students: the lollipop promised to a well-behaved, outstanding, and hungry child. The reward.

Now you’d think adults, would have the same description for the 7-letter word. Actually, they sort of do; there’s just an outstanding difference, an addition. “Happiness. Being

successful is achieving happiness with what you’ve fulfilled in life,” and that would be the collective answer of every adult, middle-aged and onwards, asked. Considering that these rational and responsible grown-people were once children too, it seems reasonable enough that their “success” is based on the description we, too, believe in. After all, these are the same minds that once wanted so very badly to play outside after a study period, just more experienced. Ironically though, with their age came a childlike feature to their way of thinking: the inclusion of the timeless, overrated, and humble emotion of contentment – happiness. As inexperienced as our number of living years would allow, we’d expect to hear that adults measure their success in the number of cars they have, the income they earn, the position they hold, and other typical, realistic ideas; because this is the perspective of the life we prepare for as trainees. And they are, for the most part, important factors; but, apparently, they aren’t everything. With all that these grown-ups have been through, they’ve done what we’re about to do, got over what we’re going through, and are facing things we’ve yet to see. And what do they want after all that? Just happiness.

‘They’ve got to be kidding. That’s way too shallow for a goal. Besides, it’s easy to be happy.’ Well, for now, this may be true for us. But then, if we can look back at our lives and think “I’ve been through so much,” in that span of time, just imagine how much more we’d see after half a lifetime. What would we have been able to do then? What mistakes could we have tried to correct? What other things could we have accomplished? I could multiply my whole life by 3 (I’m 16, so that would be 48), and still, I’d only be middle-aged. It’s a lot of time to go through, and a good deal of life to experience too. And if I were to live so long, I wouldn’t want to spend it wallowing in regret. I guess this is why a simple emotion could mean so much to our elders, enough to define it as success; because to a mature mind, it doesn’t seem to matter whether you win or lose, as long as you enjoyed your race.

CONTRIBUTION

Confessions of a Champion

by Bettina Abad Santos

13I C O N -

When the clock strikes 12 on the first of January, celebration ensues for another year has begun. What better way is there than to start 2012 off with all things new and fresh? Start the new year with a bang by:

Starting a new hobby

It’s time to dip your toes into and explore the wide variety of interests bubbling up inside you.

Creating a “Dream Mural”

Let your inner Picasso shine by turning all your goals into a one of a kind artwork that will be a constant reminder of all the things you want to achieve by the year’s end.

Growing a caterpillar into a butterfly

Nothing says “change” better than a butterfly’s metamorphosis! Besides, now you can finally understand what your 2nd grade science teacher was talking about.

From the Latin “februum” (purification), February may be the

shortest month of the year, but a lot can still be done during this month of love!

Show your love for your language!

International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on February 21. Why not learn a phrase or two in your family’s dialect or a foreign language? Or try going an entire day speaking with an accent?

Act out a dramatic scene from your favorite romantic comedy!

Unleash your inner drama queen and live out one of cinema’s most compelling scenes ever: “She had me at my worst. You had me at my best. Pero binaliwala mo ang lahat... and you chose to break my heart.”

Send someone an anonymous Valentine!

Take FGFs (Feel Good Friends) beyond the months leading to Christmas and make someone’s day with a simple card. If you’re feeling gutsy, send an anonymous card to your crush. If you’re feeling even gutsier, sign your name! Don’t make it about getting one in return, but making someone feel the love. (But hey, who knows what might happen?)

Named after Mars, the Roman god of war, this month is perfect for easing into the

activities you might have placed on hold since class started:

Join an advocacy!

Many organizations are in need of volunteers to achieve their goals. Find the right cause for you and help make a difference in this world.

Organize a water gun fight!

Summer’s so close you could almost smell it. Heck, you can probably feel it already. Beat the heat and have some fun by gathering friends into teams and picking your choice of water artillery and getting yourselves soaked to the skin.

Geek out on Pi Day!

March 14 is the perfect day to show off your math prowess. Make this day a mentally challenging one and when you’re all Math-ed out, treat yourself to a great slice of pie. Apple, pizza, mango, it’s up to you.

The 2012 Bucketlist

By Rianna Garcia, Bianca Mahinay,

Rianna Cruz and april Ocampo

JANUARY

FEBRUARY MARCH

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard all these speculations of the world ending in the year 2012. May it come from way back during the time of the Mayans, or from the predicted magical planetary alignment, no one really knows. But it’s never a bad thing to make the most of your days. After all, it’s best to live like it’s the end of the world. (Maybe a little bit too literally this time around…)

So whether you’re just chilling around and watching the world end in HD, or building an ark and pairing your pets up for the next great flood, here’s Pauliworld’s list of the top thirty-six things to do before the apocalypse comes rolling by.

14 - I C O N

Several countries celebrate their independence during this month; perhaps you should try doing the same. Here are a few activities that could get you feeling more confident and self-assured:

Belt out a song on the public karaoke machine!

If you think about it, it won’t matter if you get off-key or croak, what are the odds of you running into those people again anyway? Just give in to your inner diva and sing it out! Mariah Carey, anyone?

Lose yourself!

It’s counterintuitive but you could have the time of your life in a place where you can’t even tell your right from your left. Succumb to the wanderlust!

Find your go-to confidence booster!

Take the time to comb the aisles of your favorite shopping area to discover that one item that would never fail to perk you up.

The hottest time of the year is finally here and summer vacation is in full swing! Make this summer be the one you’ll remember the most by:

Choosing your “2012 Summer Anthem” and creating choreography for it...

Your neigbors may not be too thrilled about it but at least you’ll have a blast belting out song lyrics like the diva you are deep inside.

Ordering an exotic cupcake flavor, like Lobster...

Red velvet cupcakes are a crowd favorite. Chocolate cupcakes with sugar icing are a classic combination. If the world is really going to end, why not treat your tongue to a taste to remember by taking a bite out of a Tomato Soup Cupcake or a Margarita Cupcake?

Making a 4-feet long sand castle...

Grab your “construction” materials, pick the perfect spot on the beach (one that’s moist but not too soft) and start working on your masterpiece. When you’re done, take pictures of it from a worm’s eye view and a bird’s eye view.

APRIL

Don’t spend the last month of summer vacation mulling over how much fun you’ve had the past two

months. With impending doom, I mean school, fast approaching, make each day

count by:

Going on an “all kids” road trip with your barkada

A road trip? Keep talking. A road trip plus my best friends? Seems exciting. A road trip with my barkada and no adults? Perfect.

Making up your own ice cream flavour/s

The possibilities are literally endless with this one. Combine anything you actually find appetizing with some cream and freeze it for at least 2 hours. You might just end up hitting jackpot with your own winning flavour.

Having a Nerf fight with your siblings

This is probablyone of the few times you and your siblings will have fun fighting.

Just because summer’s over it doesn’t mean that the fun also has to stop. Rainy days may keep you inside the house but

there are still plenty of things to keep you happy. Warm up the June chill by:

Sharing an umbrella with the person you like

One good thing about the rainy season? It gives you a legitimate reason to walk up to your crush, offer your umbrella and spend the walk cuddled close. Can anything get sweeter than that?

Taking a snapshot of a double rainbow

Ordinary rainbows are already awesome. Double rainbows? Awesome beyond comprehension.

Doing a puddle race with your friends

Put on your rubber boats and jump to one puddle after the other as fast as you can without falling. The winner gets bragging rites and a warm cup of hot chocolate as a prize.

MAY JUNE

JULY

FEATURES

15I C O N -

Taking its name from Augustus, one of the greatest Roman emperors, this month was a month of many

triumphs for the ruler; could it be yours too?

Enter a contest!

Whether it’s one that requires months of preparation or simply scratching off the shiny surface of a lottery card, participating in any type of contest gets you feeling a different type of thrill.

Find joy in the little things!

Even if it’s just as simple as not pressing the snooze button a gazillion times before getting up in the morning.

Save up!

Tuck away a small portion of your allowance each day and at the end of the month give yourself a little treat for being so diligent and thrifty!

It’s the middle of the year and things are getting a little too routine. Break the monotomy and get closer to your family

with these activities:

Putting up a “Family Wish Tree” A Wish tree is similar to a Christmas tree, the main difference is that instead of using Christmas ornaments, each family member writes down a wish per day and hangs it on the tree. When the tree gets filled up, sit in the living room and take turns reading each wish out loud.

Splitting up into 2 teams and doing the “Amazing Race: House Chore Edition”

A series of household chores are set-up all over the house and each team’s goal is to finish as many chores as possible. Make it even more fun by creating detours, such as family trivia questions or additional tasks, along the way.

Have a family slumber party

Camp in your parents’ bedroom and bring all the ammunition you need to have the perfect slumber party. Fluff up the pillows, spread out the blankets, prepare the sweets and have one amazing bonding night with your family.

AUGUST SEPTEMBER

Halloween’s in town and all things mysterious are lurking in the shadows. It’s the perfect time to man up and face your fears. Make this month more fun rather than scary by:

Having a horror movie marathon by yourself

Armed with bowls of popcorn, cans of soda, a thick warm blanket and your most huggable pillows, curl up in front of the entertainment showcase and watch at least 3 horror movies alone. If you manage

to survive it then you can face anything else.

Set up a tent in your village park and tell ghost stories with your best friend

Spend one Saturday night with your closest pal inside a tent swapping the most heart-stopping, toe-curling and scream-worthy stories. The catch is, no one leaves the tent until the next day.

Go trick or treating in out of this world costumes

Blow everyone away by donning on your dream Halloween costume. You can go as the Corpse’s Bride or Dolores Umbridge, what matters is you’re wearing your DREAM Halloween costume.

OCTOBER

This month is chock-full of disease awareness campaigns. To commemorate these advocacies,

you could take these activities in consideration:

Get a check-up!

Medical, dental, even mental health check ups. Remember: an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Start an exercise regimen!

It’s never too late. Even just some brisk walking daily can do wonders!

Try a new dish!

Get your taste buds associated with more exotic flavors in Indian cuisine or go organic for a day. Gastronomic delights await you (and your stomach).

It’s the final month of the year; anything can happen in the last 31 days of 2012:

Treat yourself to an all-you-can-eat ice cream day!

Invite your friends and find out who can consume the most ice cream during one of the coldest days of the year.

Write a letter to Santa!

Indulge your inner kid and send your wishlist and send it to the North Pole! Who knows what might be waiting beneath your Christmas tree on the 25th? (You could even leave out some milk and cookies for him!)

Go around in a Santa suit and give people candy canes!

“Four for you, Glen Coco! You go Glen Coco!”

DECEMBERNOVEMBER

16 - I C O N

ICO

NS

OF

While entertainers like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj come in an endless parade of larger-than-life costumes and heaps of glitter, British singer and songwriter Adele bares more soul than skin, capturing the hearts of many both in the US and the UK. It was her first single, “Chasing Pavements” that introduced her to mainstream consciousness and won her two Grammy awards. Since then, her second album 21 has spent a total of thirteen weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 (the longest since 1998), and has sold over 3.4 million copies in the UK and 5.6 million digital copies in the US, becoming the biggest-selling album of the 21st century. Whether performing “Someone Like You,” or, “Rolling in the Deep,” Adele needs no more than a microphone and an accompanying piano to remind the industry what it’s been missing.

With the Year of the Dragon rolling in, a new energy fills the air as people seize the days of the alleged apocalypse. In 2011, the world revelled in the thrill of a royal wedding, as well as the bittersweet finale to every childhood’s magic. We witnessed the birth of the Philippines’ seven billionth baby and the death of thousands from Mother Nature’s wrath. As the tragedies and failures of the past year make way for fresh resolutions, it is only fitting to applaud those have risen above and found success in 2011. More than all the hype and awards, they are icons because of their indelible mark in their respective fields. Here are the women with the passion, brains and beauty to conquer anything, and the man who did.

Receiving the same honor as fellowman Efren Penaflorida in 2009, Filipino-American midwife Robin Lim is named 2011 CNN Hero of the Year for her work in helping thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth. Through her Yayasan Bumi Sehat (Heavenly Mother Earth Foundation) health clinic, “Ibu Robin” offers birthing services and medical aid to locals free of charge.

“Every baby’s first breath on Earth could be one of peace and love. Every mother should be healthy and strong. Every birth could be safe and loving. But our world is not there yet,” Lim said upon accepting her award.

Where the daily family income averages $8 and many families cannot afford care, Mother Robin has found a commitment to service and health. Meanwhile, Filipinos still have the tiresome debates over the RH bill.

ROBIN LIM

HUMANITARIAN

ADELEMUSIC

BY A

RIANNA B

AUTI

STA

2011

FEATURES

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In the year 2011, Eugene Domingo starred in eight different films. That’s right. Not only is she an exceptionally talented actress, she is probably the most hardworking too. Most notable is her performance in Marlon Rivera’s “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” Cinemalaya’s Best Film, and currently the Philippines’ bid for the Best Foreign Language Film in the 84th Academy Awards.

She also reigns in the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival by starring in three entries: the fantasy-comedy “Enteng ng Ina Mo,” as the bestfriend; the last episode of the horror trilogy, “Shake, Rattle & Roll 13,” entitled Rain, Rain Go Away; and finally, “My House Husband: Ikaw Na!” which earned her the award for Best Supporting Actress.

INNOVATION

EUGENE DOMINGOFILM

STEVE JOBS“There are three apples that changed the world: One seduced Eve, one awakened Newton and one was

in the hands of Steve Jobs.”

At the death of any public personality, there are two stages that follow. First, people mourn and pay respect to the kind, wonderful deceased. Then, people dissect each and all faults. When Steve Jobs lost the battle against pancreatic cancer at the age of 56, every gadget buzzed, Apple or not. Soon after biographies came out with what everyone already knew: Steve Jobs was a perfectionist. Malcolm Gladwell from the New Yorker describes his genius not as a visionary inventor, but instead as a “tweaker…resourceful and creative men who took the signature inventions of the industrial age and tweaked them—refined and perfected them, and made them work.”

If so, his ultimate contribution isn’t the iPod, iTunes, the iPhone, or even the iPad. It is nothing but Apple itself, and the successful remaking of the organization as the most valuable technology company in the world. Even past his death he continues to perfect an industry that thrives on evolution and tweaking with just two words: Think Different.

JUSTICE

LEILA DE LIMAAt last, a victory against impunity. While President Aquino’s first year resulted in less than satisfactory

ratings, 2011 certainly makes high promises, especially with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in office. She made headlines when she defied the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court in barring former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving the country. A bold move followed by another as she stood against accusations from the Supreme Court of acting “like you are more powerful than the court.”

BEAUTY QUEENS

Gwendolyn Ruais, Shamcey Supsup,

Dianne Necio, and Athena Imperial

When it rains, it pours. It seems as if the whole world (and the rest of the universe) has finally fallen for the natural charm and beauty of the Filipina, with the four representatives bringing home crowns. In September, Architecture magna cum laude Shamcey Supsup placed fourth in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant, making waves with her ‘Tsunami Walk.’ In November, half Filipino-half French Gwendolyn Ruais bagged first runner-up in the 2011 Miss World while Dianne Necio landed in the Top 15 of Miss International, also winning the People’s Choice Award. Finally, UP Diliman graduate Athena Imperial snagged the Miss Earth-Water title at the 2011 Miss Earth pageant, closing the year and raising the bar for women everywhere to not only look good, but also be good and do good. Damn.

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HAWAK KAMAY PARA SA PAGBABAGOSa kasalukuyan, ang ating bansa ay humaharap sa iba’t ibang suliranin at pagsubok. Kaya naman bilang mapagpunyaging mga Pilipino, ang ating mga kababayan ay patuloy na gumagawa ng paraan upang lutasin ang mga ito. Isa na rito ang pagtatag ng mga organisasyon.

Yabang PinoyAng Yabang Pinoy ay isang organisasyong naglalayong

makapagtanim ng nasyonalismo sa puso ng bawat Pilipino. Mula nang maitatag ito noong 2005, nakapaglunsad na ito ng mga proyektong nakatulong sa pagpapalaganap ng makabayang pag-iisip.

Kabilang na rito ang Global Pinoy Bazaar, isang paraan upang mahikayat ang mga mamamayang tumangkilik sa ating mga produkto, at ang Yabang Goes to School, kung saan naipararating sa kabataan ang kahulugan ng pagmamahal sa bansa. Kilala rin ang organisasyon sa kanilang “abaca band,” na sagisag ng pagmamalaki ng Pinoy sa sariling lahi’t kultura. Sa kabuuan, ang Yabang Pinoy ay naniniwalang ang pagkakaroon ng nasyonalismo ang makapagdadala ng pagbabago at pag-unlad sa bansa.

We Can Be Anything CampaignIsa sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng bansa ang

kakulangan ng suporta ng gobyerno para sa edukasyon ng mga kabataan. Ayon sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, higit kumulang 66,800 na silid-aralan at 100,000 na guro ang kinailangan noong taong pampanuruang 2010-2011. Upang matugunan ang suliraning ito, nagtutulungan ang Apl.de.Ap Foundation (AdAF) at Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).

Si Apl.de.Ap, isang miyembro ng sikat na bandang Black Eyed Peas ang nag-udyok sa pagsasama ng dalawang organisasyon, na pinangalanang We Can Be Anything Campaign. Gumagawa sila ng mga hakbang upang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng edukasyon para sa mga kapus-palad. Isa rito ang pagsuporta nila sa Bayanihang Pampaaralan sa ilalim ng 57-75 Movement na naglalayong makagawa ng karagdagang 10,000 na silid-aralan sa loob ng dalawang taon.

Ni Michelle Joaquin at Camille Hari

FILIPINO

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RockEd

Ang RockEd: Rocking Society Thorugh Alternative Education ay isa pang organisasyong nagsusulong ng pagbabago sa edukasyon sa Pilipinas. Ito’y isang grupo ng volunteer workers na nagpapalaganap ng edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng musika, panitikan, palakasan, sayaw, at iba pang uri ng sining. Kaugnay

nito, mga artista, musikero, manunulat at iba pa ang nagsisilbing mga guro.

Tulad ng We Can Be Anything Campaign, may mga programang pang-edukasyon din ang RockEd tulad ng Rock the Riles, kung saan iba-ibang gimik ang isinasagawa upang maiparating sa publiko ang kahalagahan ng pag-aaral. Sa ika-6 na anibersaryo nito, nakipagtulungan din sila sa mga radio stations upang magpatugtog ng musikang inaasahan nilang babago sa pagtingin natin sa ating mga karapatan bilang tao.

Ang mga nabanggit ay iilan lamang sa napakaraming organisasyon sa bansa. Kasama rin dito ang World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF – Philippines), na itinatag upang mapangalagaan ang kalikasan at likas na yaman ng bansa. Nariyan din ang Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), na naglalayong maipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga hayop, at ang Princess Bato Inc., na nagtataguyod ng pagkakaisa at pagkakawanggawa sa pamamagitan ng mga kakayahan ng Pinoy sa sining.

Sa pamamagitan ng mga organisasyong tulad ng nabanggit, unti-unting nabibigyang lunas ang mga suliranin ng Pilipinas. Tayo ay umaasa na dumami pa ang mga organisasyong ito upang patuloy na matulungan ang ating bayan at kapwa Pilipino.

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HAPAGKAINANni Denise Santos

Noong bata pa si Ineng,

paborito niya ang Marie, isang biskwit na patok sa mga chikiting. Madalas din siyang bumibili sa tindahan ni Aling Nena ng White Rabbit; tatlo-dalawa lang kasi ang bentahan. Para tuluyang kabagin, sasamahan pa niya ito ng RC na sa supot ng yelo nakalagay. Ngunit ngayong malaki na si Ineng, tila nagbago na ang kaniyang mga hilig pati na rin ang panlasa nito.

Pagmulat pa lamang ng mga mata ng ating dalagita’y hindi pagpapasalamat sa Panginoon para sa panibagong araw na kaniyang masisilayan ang aatupagin nito. Bagkus, dalian niyang titgnan kung may panibagong notification sa kaniyang Facebook account. Kung sa tingin mo pagkaraan ng panandaliang pagsulyap sa kaniyang telepono’y liligpitin na niya ang higaang ginulo ng gabing lumipas ay nagkakamali ka.

Sisimulan na ang salu-salo at malugod kang iniimbitahan sa pagtitipong ito. Ayan na! Maghanda ka na! Si Ineng ay kumukuha na ng bangko’t tuluyang bubuksan ang kaniyang kompyuter.

Almusal? Sino ang may kailangan ng almusal kung mabuubusog naman ang iyong mga mata sa mga panibagong post ng iyong sinusubaybayang blogger sa Tumblr? Tanghalian? Naku, Tetris

Battle at Car Town ang hinain para sa iyo ng Facebook.

Merienda ba kamo? Hindi na kailangang kumain ng merienda sapagkat mayroon kang panibagong follower sa Twitter at umani naman ng 1, 000, 000 views ang iyong video sa YouTube. Aba, dinag mo na yata si Justin Bieber, ang kinababaliwan ng mga kababaihang nakilala sa nasabing website.

Pagdating ng hapuna’y tiyak kong hindi pa busog si Ineng. Matatakam pa ito sa impormasyon, sa uso, sa kung anuman ang nagyayari ngayon. Hindi na siya kuntento sa simpleng almusal, tanghalian, merienda’t hapunang pinagpagurang maihanda ng kaniyang lipunan. Pagkatapos niyang ubusin ang bateriya ng kaniyang laptop ay lilipat naman ito sa cellphone niyang pinagmumulan na rin ng mabilis at makabagong teknolohiya.

Sa kasalukuyan, marami sa ating mga kabataang Pilipino ang gaya ni Ineng. Napalitan na ng Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube, at iba pa an gating mga prutas at gulay. Patuloy tayong nagugutom at nauuhaw para sa mga tinatawag na social networking sites, ngunit masustansiya pa ba ang ganitong uri ng pamumuhay? Ayos lang bang umikot ang mundo ng isang tao sa internet? Bago lunukin ang iyong kinain, pag-isipan muna nang maigi.

FILIPINO

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Ni Maria Mahusay at Chanel Mirafuentes

PENTAstik: Ang Limang Bigating Pasabog ng 2011

Sinalubong muli ng buong mundo ang isang bagong taon sa nakaraang pagdaraos ng unang araw ng Enero. Ngunit bago tuluyang isantabi ang nakaraang taon ay nararapat lamang na balikan natin ang mga naging uso at ang mga kinahiligan ng mga Paulinians.

ClipboardBitbit na sa pagtakbo sa masalimuot na iskedyul, dala-dala habang kumakain sa canteen, at kung minsan ay nagsilbi ring unan sa pagtulog-- iyan ang clipboard, ang maaasahang P.A. Ang kahalagahan ng clipboards sa pagtapos ng ating mga pang-araw-araw na gawain ay maituturing na katulong sa pagkamit ng tatlong Paulinian thrusts na bahagi na ng pagkatao ng bawat estudyante. Ang minamahal na gamit na ito ay may sari-saring kulay, uri, at itsura na nagpapahayag na “Kaya ko ito, kahit marami!” Asul man o rosas ay tiyak na may clipboard na babagay sa katauhan mo.

Milk TeaTsaa na gatas o gatas na tsaa? Wala nang diet kapag kaharap na ang milk tea. Higop-higop kapag kasama ang barkada sa kwentuhan, o kaya naman ay ginagawang pantawid-gutom ng mga abala sa sangkatutak na tungkulin. Maraming estudyante ang nakikitang may iniinom na milk tea at ngumunguya sa malambot nitong sago. Mula sa taro hanggang sa plain ay maraming mapagpipilian na flavors ng makabagong pampalamig na sasakto sa panlasa at papawi sa uhaw ninuman.

Silly BandsBilog na rubber band pa rin ba ang gamit mo noong nakaraang taon? Kung ganoon, pasiglahin mo ito gamit ang silly bands na talaga namang pumatok sa masa at nagbigay ng bagong kahulugan sa karaniwang lastiko bilang pulseras.

Mabibili ang mga ito kung saan-saan, sa iba’t-ibang anyo, kulay o korte gaya ng mga hayop, titik, numero at iba pa.

PlankingSa lapag, sa bakod, sa bubong, sa tulay at maging sa daan ay naglipana ang mga nakikisali sa tanyag na libangan. Marami na ang mga kumalat na mga litrato na nagpakitang-gilas sa planking sa iba’t ibang lugar. Bagamat tunay nga namang nakakaaliw at kamangha-mangha ito, marami na ang nakaranas ng mga aksidente habang nakikisabay sa uso. Ngunit maski may iilan na bahagyang napahamak sa larangang ito, patuloy pa rin ang mga naeengganyong maki-plank sa uso.

DougieMula nang mailabas ng Cali Swag District ang kanilang “Teach Me How To Dougie”, sunod-sunod na ang mga panggagaya ng iba’t-ibang mga tao, maging ang mga personalidad sa sayaw na nagpasikat nito. Nagkaroon na rin ito ng Filipino translation na nagpapatunay na kawili-wili nga ang nasabing kanta. Hindi matuturo ng kahit anong libro ang tamang paraan sa pagsayaw ng Dougie. Ito ay nadadaan lamang sa sipag, tiyaga at tiwala sa sarili sa pagtanggap ng dakilang hamon na umindak sa kinagiliwang dance move.

Iilan lamang iyan sa mga usong nakalap ng nakaraang taon. Sa pagbukas ng panibagong yugto ngayong 2012 ay siguradong dadagsa muli ang mga sariwang uso.

#PHILIPPINESBY STELLA PERRERAS

Have you ever experienced that moment when you wake up in the morning and instead of energizing yourself with breakfast, you end up sitting in front of your computer to check your Facebook, Twitter or whatever account you have? Or have you sworn to yourself that you’d use the computer for just a couple of minutes, tops, and then find yourself glued to it till you turn blue on the face?

Well, don’t be so hard on yourself about this because now, there is a reason for us to wear our smiles up our sleeves. For spending so much time on different social networking sites, you are helping our country dominate the social networking markets in the world. As revealed by a research from blog 24/7 Wall Street, the Philippines ranks first as the most popular country in Facebook usage with a penetration rate (usage per population) of 93.3% and ranks eighth in Twitter usage with 16.1%. Together with other social networking sites, the Philippines accumulates 95% in social network penetrations, thus, winning the title of being the “Social Networking Capital of the World”.

With this scenario, media then comes into the picture and turns this favorable circumstance into a sound business opportunity. The Philippine media utilizes these social networking sites by creating different ventures that expose and advertize both Philippine-made products and Filipino talent. Luck must be on our side, because the recently launched Youtube Philippines will even help us create new online space for the national community which will give Filipino creators the opportunity to increase their exposure.

POP CULTURE

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POP CULTURE

THE DEAL WITH MONOPOLY DEAL

BY REGINA SICAT AND

ROANNE YAP

Deal Breaker! It’s My Birthday! Just Say No! These are the cards you would want in your hand as you try to best your friends in the newest game that

has been sweeping the country, Monopoly Deal! Gone are the days when Monopoly was a simple (well, not really) board game that you played on Saturday nights with your families as you trudge around the board with game pieces like an iron, dog, or car. Now the well- loved franchise has moved with the times, thanks to Parker Brothers with the help of Hasbro, and added another spin- off to Monopoly in the form of cards.

The goal of the game is simple enough, the player with three different complete sets of cards in his hand wins. Oh, but what adds to the thrill of the game is the ability for other players to steal your cards or collect your properties as rent for the properties they own. Yikes! No wonder the game can go on for quite some time and leaves people hooked to play more. Well aside from that, what else could make a spin- off of the old game become so popular to Paulinians?

For some, it’s lightweight and a hassle- free counterpart to the game. “Monopoly is a classic game that everyone loves but knowing how lazy we are, it›s too much of hassle to bring the board game everywhere and actually play with it,” says Ria Tagulinao, a Senior. “So turning it into a card game was just pure genius because now, you can bring the game everywhere, anytime!”

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HappyLandNi Rebecca Tan at Angelu Urbano

Muling nangibabaw ang talentong Pilipino sa isa na namang obrang gawa ng batikang direktor na si Jim Libiran. Dadalhin tayo ng Indie film na ito sa kaloob-looban ng Tondo kung saan masasaksihan ang pagusbong ng mga batang Futkaleros mula sa lansangan patungo sa tagumpay. Tulad ng mga ‘di matutularang indpendent movies, sinasalamin ng ‘Happyland’ ang tunay na buhay ng mga pangkaraniwang taong dumadaan sa maraming hirap at pagsubok araw-araw.

Ito’y maituturing na isang obra hindi lamang dahil ipinapakita nito ang tunay na kalagayan ng Tondo, sapagkat masasaksihan maging ang kwento ng pagsisikap, pagpupursigi, at higit sa lahat ang pagmamahal sa laro. Kaya naman lahat, mangyari mang isang masugid na tagatangkilik ng laro o hindi, ay tiyak na maantig sa storyang itong nagpapakita ng paghigit pa sa inaasahan at pagbangon mula sa hirap ng buhay.

Kapuri-puring tunay ang paggamit ni Libiran ng iba’t ibang elemento na matagumpay naman ang pagsama-sama upang mabuo ang pelikula.

Dahil nga ito’y hango sa tunay na buhay, ang paggamit sa mga ‘di kaaya-ayang sulok ng Maynila bilang tagpuan ng kweto ay lalo pang ginawang kapanipaniwala ang mga pangyayari. Ngunit hindi nito inilalarawan ang Tondo bilang isang nakakatakot na lugar [tulad ng nakasanayang gawin sa ibang pelikula] kundi ang pagiging maaliwalas at masayahin nito.

Adele:21By Jena Therese R. Tiongson

Deemed 2011’s Album of the Year by Rolling Stones and Associated Press, 21 is a true success for British singer Adele in her twenties. Her striking voice is what makes her so stunning. That soulful, raspy, parched alto that sounds pleasantly aged beyond its years perfectly matched with piano ballads such as “Someone Like You” and foot stomper pop songs like “Rolling in the Deep.” Strange as it may seem, this soulful album is inspired by the heartbreak she has experienced over the years.

Unlike her debut album, 19, Adele in 21 is ready to show the strengths of her beautiful voice. She deviated from her jazzy songs for a go on pop music. Take her Billboard smash hit “Rolling in the Deep” which has a beat that would get you hooked, a sweeping chorus, and a heart pounding climax. It’s a fitting choice for the opening song of her album. “Turning Tables” is also one of her best. It’s a melancholic piano ballad with great vocal moments that really speaks Adele’s feelings for “her ex that kept turning tables.” Living up to the expectations that she had already set is the album’s climax “Set Fire to the Rain.” This song is a radio hit, melodramatic but catchy. Her voice comes out effortless in this song. Her album’s last, “Someone Like You” is described by professional critiques as “sad but beautiful and displays Adele at her best – marking the perfect end to what has been in our eyes, a faultless album.”

Truly, this album is better than her first. Adele is a phenomenon and one of the most talented singers out there. Her songs speak her feelings beautifully. Her listeners would expect more great hits from her and she will be able to deliver. And let’s not forget, she was only 21 years old when she created this album.

Bagamat hindi gumamit ng mga taong may malalaking pangalan sa industriya, ang mga nagsiganap, na kasapi ng Futkal sa tunay na buhay, ay nagpakitang gilas din sa pag-arte gamit ang kanilang mga likas na kakayahan sa larong ito.

Kung mayroon mang kapintasan sa pelikula, masasabing iyo’y matatagpuan sa aspetong ito. Hindi madalas nagkakatugon ang mga tunog (sound effects?) at maging ang camera works at iba pang bagay pangteknikal ay makikitaan din ng ilang problema.

DIREKSYON:

TAGPUAN:

PAGSASATAO:

TEKNIKAL:

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REVIEWS

Kinse at Kating-Kati Pa Rin

Ni Angela Rayos del SolLarawan ni Martha Que

Parang kahapon lamang nang walang sawa ang pagkanta ng mga tao ng “Akin ka na lang, akin ka na lang. Iingatan ko ang puso mo,” na narinig nila mula sa mga komersyal ng KFC at Close-Up. Paulit-ulit rin ang pagkanta at pagsayaw ng mga tao sa “Kabataang Pinoy” na naging theme song ng Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition ng ABS-CBN. Ilan lamang ang mga kantang nabanggit sa mga awiting pinasikat ng bandang Itchyworms.

Labin-limang taon na ang nakalilipas mula nang mabuo ang banda sa pagkakaibigan nina Jugs Jugueta, Jazz Nicolas, Kelvin Yu at Haji Cruz. Nagsimula sila noong 1996 sa pagtugtog ng ilang mga orihinal na kanta at mga kanta ng tanyag na bandang, The Beatles, na isa sa kanilang pinakamalaking inspirasyon hanggang ngayon. Hindi nagtagal, napilitan namang umalis si Haji at siya’y pinalitan ni Chino Singson.

Tatlong full-length album na ang nailabas ng banda: “Little Monsters Under Your Bed,” “Noontime Show,” at “Self-Titled.” Ang mga kanta nilang “Akin Ka Na Lang,” “Beer,” at “Penge Naman Ako Niyan” ay lubos na sumikat sa bansa.

Sa tinagal-tagal ng banda sa industriya ng musika sa ating bansa, hindi mapagkakailang na naging bahagi na sila sa buhay ng mga kanilang tagapakinig. Naging theme song ng buhay ng mga kabataan ang kanilang mga awitin. Mayroon para sa mga sawi, sa mga masasaya, at mayroon din para sa mga gusto lamang talaga makinig ng magaganda at orihinal na musikang Pinoy.

“We want to be remembered for educating the listeners, na hindi na kailangan ng mura para gumanda yung kanta mo. We want to inspire people to play their own music… We can always have our own scene… original Pinoy music, in the real sense of the word,” sabi nga ng banda.

Hindi lahat ng mga banda at musikerong Pilipino ang tumatagal sa industriya at nananatiling marami ang mga tagapakinig. Kaya naman ang labing-limang taon ng Itchyworms ay isang patunay kung gaano sila kamahal ng kanilang mga taga-suporta. At matapos ang labin-limang taon, wala pa ring titigil sa pangangati nina Jugs, Kelvin, Jazz at Chino upang maghandog ng dekalidad na musika sa ating mga Pilipino.

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Mrs. Dolly Fernandez is a force to be reckoned with. Not one graduate leaves the school without getting her snarky comments somehow directed at them. On the first day of class for school year 2011-2012, she told her very fresh senior students that High School would not be complete without her as your teacher at least once. She’s frank and sweet and more than just your first impression of her.

Unfortunately for the undergraduates, this year is the second to the last year before the said teacher-you-can’t-graduate-without retires. It’s not all that bad though. Despite many missing her, it’s for the best as retirement usually means a long resting period; something that Mrs. Fernandez deserves after the year she gone through in 2011.

2011 was not exactly a year filled with luck for the teacher. There were multiple trips to the hospital that involved operations and prolonged stays. Most of these trips began with Mrs. Fernandez voluntarily heading to the hospital and causing a ruckus with her quirky personality. She told the class that on one occasion, she was told that her hospital room was not ready yet so she left her bag at the nurses’ station and went to the market on a whim - a story among many, long others. And in all those stories she tells us she spends every day in the hospital going to mass, reminding us that her strength through these ordeals is not something she procures from simply being boss.

It’s those sort of stories that chew on your one hour of P.E. that make her such a great memory. It must be the intimacy one would feel hearing such, and the impromptu, moral lessons she adds after. She’s the tita that’s too cool for school. She’s not gone yet but she lives on in places she isn’t in.

SPOTLIGHT

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What made you start working on your blog? Are there any instances or experiences that made you do so?

Were there any instances wherein you dislike what you are doing? Does it affect your schooling or time management?

Well, through the years I have learned to deal with one of the greatest disadvantages of blogging which is being judged by everyone around you. It’s inevitable. Even people I know or I talk to on a daily basis do it so I have learned to dismiss it, unless it’s constructive (criticism). I have learned to deal with hate mail as well and understand these people who find so much joy in bashing others because they do not deserve the love that they want. With regards to schooling and time management, it sometimes can be a distraction and a way to procrastinate so I try to just blog when I do have a time or when I’m taking a break. It’s a form of stress reliever for me.

What is it about blogging that makes you love to do it?I love and (sometimes, hate) the fact that blogging can

become so powerful, so influential to many people, especially the young ones. It makes me want to inspire more people. It makes me watch what I say and try to be as optimistic, as encouraging as possible. I try to be a good role model especially to those younger ones who look up to me. I also love how blogging is a means to express yourself although there are many cases wherein we all feel as if we’re obligated to our own opinions that we say it without caring for others.

What inspires you to jot down all your adventures in your blog and post works in the internet for all to see?

It inspires me that I inspire people. I was never the person born with the talent. I had to work for it. I had to practice. Summer of 2011, I would always be shooting about twice a week so that I could learn and practice more. That I tell my readers. You always have to work for things. I get inspired by the fact that people actually appreciate the little things I do, the little things I have to offer the world may it be words of wisdom, a photograph, or a song.

What advantages and disadvantages does blogging offer to you? You learn everyday. You learn from your mistakes, from

others mistakes, from others learnings… It’s a given that you sometimes get free things (choose well), that many people compliment you and that a number of people know you but I never really let that get into my head because my purpose gets lost. I find having the ability to inspire people my greatest privilege and advantage. Also, s many opportunities come your way especially when you make your blog your art portfolio and you get to meet so many amazing, wonderful people.

Elisa Aquinoon

T he Dream Factor y

by Samantha BetiaBlogging – defined as a web site on which an individual or group of users produces an ongoing narrative and numerous students

rely on blogging as a pastime and one’s way of expressing creative emotional output by revealing the simple joys life has to offer mainly because everything with a story is beautiful and worth telling. One of these so-called young bloggers is Elisa Aquino, a 19-year old, who shoots and illustrates for a living, writes out of love and documents her day-to-day blessings and misfortunes on her tiny blog entitled “The Dream Factory.”

Elisa is an art student at the Ateneo De Manila University taking up Information Design and currently an intern for MEGA and Meg magazine and consulting editor of STACHE Magazine Online. Her blog serves as an online ‘diary’, rant platform, art portfolio and style journal of some sort. This is her dream factory where she makes her dreams come true, one step at a time.

Ironically, my blog started out as my “hide-out” place where I get to write about my feelings without people concerned know about it. I never thought that it would actually gain this much attention.The website which I used before (Multiply) had too much people in it, people I knew. I needed a place wherein I could express my emotions and divulge the details of my everyday life without judgment and without people asking me too much. I just went through, surprise! surprise!, a break-up and I needed a place to rant and be emotional. Writing down my feelings made me feel better. Also, knowing that there are other people who go through it too, and who had the exact words for what I was feeling, that made me feel less alone.

As for the aspiring creative youth who wish to start and pursue blogging in the future, Elisa would like to leave a point to ponder on, which is: “Do not lose yourself in the process of it all. This may seem deep but as I said, so many people, especially the young ones, do it for the wrong reasons. And do it not only for yourself. Also, don’t feel too obligated to an opinion especially if it can hurt tother people. Sometimes you have to keep it to yourself.”

Enter the Dragon!Enter the Dragon!

art by Amanda Cooper

FUN PAGE

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List of Firsts

The first big thing you ever bought using your own money .................................................................................

The members of your first barkada ..................................................................................................................

The first friend you’ve ever made in SPCP .........................................................................................................

Your first impression of your closest friends ......................................................................................................

The first idol you’ve ever had ..........................................................................................................................

Your first celebrity crush .................................................................................................................................

The first person you’ve ever stalked on the Internet ............................................................................................

Your first fandom ..........................................................................................................................................

Your first favourite fictional couple ...................................................................................................................

The first Christmas gift you are aware of having ever gotten ................................................................................

The first project you’ve ever pulled an all-nighter for ...........................................................................................

The first contest you’ve ever joined ..................................................................................................................

The first sport you’ve ever tried .......................................................................................................................

The first novel you’ve ever read .......................................................................................................................

Your first outing with your barkada ..................................................................................................................

The height of the first pair of heels you’ve ever worn ...........................................................................................

The first debut you’ve ever gone to ...................................................................................................................

The color of the first nail polish you’ve applied without any help from the manicurist ..............................................

The first Neopet you’ve had ............................................................................................................................

The first chick-flick that made you cry .............................................................................................................

The first Halloween costume you wore ............................................................................................................

The first gift Santa gave you ...........................................................................................................................

The first concert you’ve ever seen ...................................................................................................................

The first time you rode the Space Shuttle .........................................................................................................

The first nickname you had ............................................................................................................................

art by Amanda Cooper

29I C O N -

SPCP TRASHCAN

FEATURED OBJECT:

If you can say anything to the TRASHCAN, what would you tell it?

“Ang hirap ‘no? Na andyan ka naman lagi, pero hindi ka pinapansin, naghihintay lang na iparamdam sayo ang tunay na dahilan ng buhay mo sa mundong ito. ”- Ria Tagulinao

“Alam mo swerte ka pa rin e. Kasi ikaw taga salo lang. E yung mga sinalo mo? Ginamit na nga, binasura pa. O diba bongga? Ikaw pa ang hero! ”- Ashbina Trono

“ It would be cool if you were an endless, bottomless pit, you know. Just saying. ”- Nikki Cadiz

“Dear Trashcan, I wish you were near my classroom, ‘coz you’re four rooms away from mine.”- Nicole Ferrarez “Wag kang mag-aalala, kahit ini-

iSMALL ka ng iba, nandito pa rin ako para iBIGin ka. ”- Camille Hari

“Vi-note mo ba si Villar? Kasi palagi kang nagswiswimming sa dagat ng basura during recess and lunch. ”- Eri Ranchez

30 - I C O N

POLL

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31I C O N -

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St. Paul College, PasigTHE PREMIER CENTER FOR BASIC EDUCATION

St. Paul Road corner Meralco Avenue, Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City 1604, Philippines(+63) 2 631-1835 to 36www.spcpasig.edu.ph