Ang mga kinatawan ng UPIS Media Center (MC) mula sa kaliwa, James Tolosa, Pam Marquez, Magan Basilio, at Eda White, kasama si Bb. Shari Niña Oliquino, isang tagapagsalita sa Tagisan at dating kasapi ng MC. Photo credits: Bb. Shari Niña Oliquino.

Nakamit ng mga kinatawan ng UPIS Media Center (MC) ang third-runner up sa Tagisan 2019 na ginanap noong ika-9 ng Nobyembre sa Palma Hall, UP Diliman.

Apat na estudyante mula sa MC 2020, 2021, 2022, ang lumahok sa patimpalak na pinamagatang Tagisan 2019: Likha, Lathala, Laya. Kabilang sa pangkat si James Tolosa ng 12-Katatagan, sina Pam Marquez at Magan Basilio ng 11-Barros, at si Eda White ng 10-Apitong. Nagsilbi naman sina Prop. Cathy Atordido at Prop. AC Nadora bilang tagapayo ng kanilang koponan.

Sinalihan ng 27 koponan mula sa iba't ibang paaralan ang naturang workshop at quiz bee. Ang quiz bee ay binubuo ng dalawang bahagi. Ang unang bahagi ay ang elimination na nahahati sa tatlong kategorya: madali, katamtaman, mahirap. Napabilang ang UPIS MC team sa limang koponan na may pinakamataas na score na nakarating sa Final round.

Ang Tagisan ay isang taunang media-workshop seminar at quizbee na inoorganisa ng UP Broadcasters’ Guild. Ngayong taon, ang tema nito ay Tagisan 2019: Likha, Lathala, Laya. Nagpopokus ang seminar-workshop sa alternative media sa porma ng Original Pinoy Music (OPM), street theatre, street art, at poetry.

Ayon kay Tolosa, hindi niya inaasahan ang kanilang nakamit na posisyon dahil unang beses pa lamang nilang sumali sa ganitong klaseng patimpalak at isa pa ay hindi sila nagapaghanda nang masinsinan dahil sa kanilang huling minutong pagsali. Sa kabila nito, napagtagumpayan pa rin ng grupo ang kanilang mga balakid sa pamamagitan ng paghahati ng mga paksa na kailangan aralin.

Bukas ang taunang patimpalak na ito para sa lahat ng mag-aaral ng hayskul, mula grado 7 hanggang 12. //ni Angel Dizon

Blanch (left) and Tom (right) posing after the Batang Pinoy National Championships. Photo Credit: Janelle Blanch

Three UPISVST athletes bagged medals and broke records in the Batang Pinoy National Championships 2019 held last August 26-28 at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Aubrey Tom of 7-Jupiter dominated the competition by swimming to record finishes in the 200m Individual Medley, 100m Freestyle, and 50m Freestyle. Tom smashed previously held records in these events with a time of 2:32.30, 1:03.57, and 28.93, respectively.

Tom also bagged the gold in all of her events including the 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke. Despite arriving the night before the competition, and not being able to train and try out the pool, she maximized the warm-up on the first day to help her perform well.

Fellow freshman Janelle Blanch of 7-Mars took home a silver medal in the 200m Backstroke and a bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke. Despite the heavy feeling of the water in the pool and the hot weather, Blanch chose to just focus on her swims and do her best.

Sophomore Juaqui Arenas of 8-Dragonfly won a bronze medal in the 200m Butterfly. According to him, during his first event, he got overwhelmed by how fast his competitors were and how different the competition is from Luzon. But, he managed to overcome this by focusing on the little things such as his dive, underwaters, turns, and strokes to be able to perform well.

Despite the heavy feeling, harsh weather, and intimidation by other swimmers, the Junior Tankers battled on and did their best to perform well in their events. //by Ria Amano and Angel Dizon

As ‘iskos’ and ‘iskas’ and the ‘pag-asa ng bayan’, we carry a lot on our shoulders. Requirements on top of requirements, pressure from our parents, and extracurricular activities are just a few of the things that can cause stress and headaches. Sadly, we can’t escape these horrors but we’ve got some tips that might bring you some relief.

1. Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to help relieve stress. You may argue that exercising itself is hard and stressful, but it is proven that exerting physical stress on your body helps greatly to combat mental stress.

According to research, people who exercise regularly are less likely to experience anxiety and stress than those who don’t. These are the reasons behind it:

a. Endorphins: Exercise and other physical activities causes the brain to produce endorphins which is the brain’s feel good neurotransmitter and the body’s natural painkillers. It also helps improve an individual’s ability to sleep.

b. Forgetting the frustrations: After a while of concentrating on your body’s movement, you will find yourself forgetting your irritations and stress, to focus on your task which results to in a clear and calm mind that will help you focus on your next task.

c. Optimism: When you exercise regularly you will feel confident and competent which results to in energy and optimism.

2. Write

Writing is one way to cope with stress and anxiety. Note down what causes you stress or things you’re thankful for. This makes you focus more on positive thoughts and things in life. It is also a way to get things off your chest.

In addition, writing will help you clarify thoughts and feelings. This is also a way of clarifying thoughts and feelings, which helps you understand yourself better. It improves cognitive function, strengthens the immune system, and prevents being a host of illness.

Here are some journaling or writing strategies by Elizabeth Scott, a wellness coach and an author, that you can try:

a. Gratitude Journal

In a journal, you list three or more aspects of each day for which you are grateful for. This one’s is a highly effective strategy because it makes you focus more on the things that are already present in your life.

b. Emotional Release

Writing about your emotional response to events throughout the day is also a way of coping with stress. This is a kind of a reflection on your feelings and thoughts. This also helps you explore a solution and more positive responses when facing troubles in life.

c. Bullet Journal or Personal Planning Journal

This is where you keep track of the things to be done each day. It also helps greatly for in goal-setting. This helps you become more organized.

3. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a pretty straight forward word. It means a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. This practice helps to combat anxiety inducing habits like negativity and over thinking.

A recent study suggests that mindfulness helps increase self-esteem which in return, lessens anxiety and depression. Try practicing and increasing your mindfulness you may try with these activities:

a. Yoga: Various styles of yoga combine breathing techniques, physical postures, meditation and relaxation. According to Natalie Nevins, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor in California. “The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body,”.

b. Breathing exercise: Breathing exercises have a lot more benefits than you think. According to Tim Jewell of Health Line It can help lower your blood pressure, helps you to relax, therefore, lowering the harmful effects of the stress hormone cortisol on your body and it also slows your rate of breathing so that it expends less energy.

4. Listen to music

Listening to music can have positive effects on your mind and body. It can help alleviate psychological stress by helping lower blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of stress hormones.

Classical and soft music is usually soothing. Although, listening to music of your own choice can help too. Nature sounds can also be relaxing, these sounds are often incorporated into relaxation and meditation music.

Here are some playlists on Spotify that you can take a look at:

a. Acoustic Favorites by spotify

b.  Chill Hits by spotify

c. Chilled R&B by spotify

5. Spend time with a loved one

While spending time for yourself is good, bonding with a loved one can be better at relieving stress. Being a part of a social network gives you a sense of belongingness and self-worth. You could bond with a special someone, your family, friends, or even your pet!

Physical contact and being with people close to you help increase oxytocin, a brain chemical that promotes a positive mood, and decreases cortisol, a stress hormone released by adrenal glands. It also helps in lowering the blood pressure and heart rate.

Having a pet or someone close keeps you active and provides companionship. which can help reduce anxiety that leads to stress.

6. Use calming scents

Using essential oils or lighting scented candles that has soothing and calming properties may help reduce your stress.

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extract, it is proven to help physical, mental and emotional health by promoting better sleep, managing physical pain, easing discomfort, treating headaches and migraines, etc.

If you want to try aromatherapy, we compiled few of the most popular calming essential oil scents:

a. Lavender

b. Frankincense

c. Citrus

d. Rosemary

e. Geranium

f. Eucalyptus

g. Ylang-ylang

h. Peppermint

i. Lemon grass

j. Tea Tree

We cannot avoid stress in our everyday lives, especially because of our school work. But these are simple ways to relieve you from it. Try these hacks and give yourself a break because you deserve it! //by Ria Amano and Angel Dizon

The Philippines consists of 7,107 marvelous islands that house more than 104 million exceptional people. It is not hard to love the Philippines, with its wonderful beaches and hot tropical weather that is warm and sunny that is just like its people. Filipinos are known to be warm, welcoming, hospitable, and happy people overall but behind the facade are struggling individuals. Many people in our country lives off on a 100 pesos budget daily for everything they need. Some have families that need to support, while some are oppressed. You maybe currently comfortable in your life now but deep in your heart you feel the desire to make the world a little better. And you can definitely do that by reaching out and volunteering! Fortunately for you, we have compiled places you can volunteer in during your free time.

1. Greenpeace Philippines

Filipinos are proud of our rich nature and environment but ironically trash and other forms of pollution is the biggest problem of the country. According to their website campaign to change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve the environment and promote peace by investigating, exposing and confronting environmental abuse, and championing environmentally responsible solutions to stop climate change. If you want to aid the people in Greenpeace who wants to better the state of the environment, try volunteering for them.

Office:30 Scout Tuason Street Room 201 JGS Building, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila

Tel: (02) 332 1807

Website: http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/ph/

2. Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines

Health care for women in the Philippines is lacking in many ways, especially in terms of reproductive health, preconception and pregnancy which lead to birth defects of children. Do you advocate for women’s right to reproductive health? Then be a member of Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health-Philippines!

The Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health- Philippines (VYLH-Philippines), as they put it to words, is a national collaboration of youth leaders of youth organizations in universities and communities in the Philippines. This novel undertaking is part of an international effort to establish the March of Dimes - Global Network for Maternal and Infant Health (GNMIH) participated by youth counterparts in China and Lebanon linked by the common interest of volunteerism and public service, to improve birth outcomes worldwide through advocacy.

Office: Institute of Human Genetics P.O. Box 297 (Manila Central Post Office) Manila

Tel: (02) 310-1780 local 108

Email: vyl_philippines@yahoo.com

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/vylhphilippines/?fbclid=IwAR1doFnKfShlcoa2lI5wMp9ObMqjOJDX7Q_5VSuopERh5GBVa413ZyCpT0o/

3. Gentle Hands

Love taking care of children? Then consider going to Gentle Hands! Gentle Hands is a child youth welfare agency that rescues and provides medical, social, psychological, and educational needs of children and youth at risk. They advocate for the rights of these children and aim to improve the community through the love of Jesus and family-centered care. If you advocate for children’s right to have a proper home, care and education. If you have a desire to help and make their lives better then try volunteering for them!

You can apply for long term and short term volunteering at their website: https://gentlehandsorphanages.com/our-people/#volunteer

Office: 27 F. Castillo Street, Project 4 Cubao, Quezon City

Tel: +6329135540

Email: contact@gentlehandsinc.com

Website: http://www.gentlehandsinc.org/

4. PinoyMe Foundation

Building businesses are essential to get by our society. PinoyMe Foundation helps Filipinos to work their way into enterprise development especially those from the rural areas. PinoyME has evolved over its ten years of existence, from a social consortium to support the growth of Microfinance Institution (MFIs) when it was created by the late former Pres. Cory Aquino in 2006 to a social investment banker for MFIs and microentrepreneurs to its current role as a rural enterprise incubator.

PinoyME Foundation was formally introduced as the consortium’s social investment banking arm. It is a non-stock, non-profit organization that works for both social and financial returns. Today, it strives to continue its founding mission to lift lives through microenterprise through financing, capacity building, and enterprise development in rural areas where majority of the poor in the country reside. If you want to support their cause and keep their organization afloat try volunteering for them.

Office: Unit 202, Manila Luxury Condominium Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Metro Manila 1605

Tel: 02-635-6387; 02-638-2851; 02-470-3197

Fax: 02-634-0249

Email: info@pinoyme.com

Website: www.pinoyme.com

5. Love Yourself

There is a lot of stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and people that have it. This world needs people that are ready to break this stigma. If you want to help this cause volunteer at Love Yourself Inc., Love Yourself Inc. is a volunteer organization for the youth and the LGBT-MSM (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender-Men who have sex with men) that aims to promote loving oneself. Also, it aims to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth through counseling, awareness, and education.

Office: 715A 3/F Room 5 Loveyourself Anglo Building, Taguig

Tel: 0917-628-8743; 0998-563-7307

Email: info@loveyourself.ph

Website: http://www.loveyourself.ph/

Volunteering enriches our society in many ways. It brings our community together, it helps organizations and local businesses stay afloat and it also brings positivity to every individual that participates. Aside those that we mention, there are a lot of other places that needs volunteers for causes! So try to find what fits for you. //by Ria Amano and Angel Dizon

Idinaos ang University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP) Annual Camp 2019 noong Mayo 5-7 sa Quest Adventure Camp, Antipolo.

Ang BSP Annual Camp ngayong taon ay sinalihan ng 90 na scouts na pinamumunuan ng 12 na Phoenix at nina G. Raffy Ibanez, G. Anton Reloj at G. Molave Macapagal.

Ang tema ng camp ngayong taon ay KOMEDYA: Scouts sa Harap ng Madla. Ayon sa Head SCL na si Winter Quiambao, ang temang ito ay napili ng mga Pheonix dahil isa itong paraan para pansamantalang ilayo ang pag-iisip ng kanilang kapwa scout sa mga problemang kanilang kinahaharap sa realidad. Layon ng mga phoenix na pagaanin ang mga gawain at aktibidad na kanilang inihanda sa pamamagitan ng paghahalo ng katatawanan. Sa paraan ding ito, mas tatatak ang mga aral na nakapaloob sa mga aktibidad dahil sa kanilang mga kasiyahang naranasan.

Bukod sa pagsasaya, ang mga scouts na sumali ay inaasahang nahasa kasanayan sa pisikal na aktibidad at mga outdoor activities. Isa sa mga pangunahing gawain dito ay ang Big One Orientation kung saan ipinakita sa mga scout ang mga posibilidad at maaaring tugon sa mga pangyayari na di inaasahan. Bukod pa rito, layon din ng camp na mapaunlad ang pagkakaisa ng bawat batch at pakikisama ng bawat isang indibidwal sa pamamagitan ng mga batch, crew at outfit teambuilding.

Ang biglaang pagpalit ng panahon at malalaking pagbabago ng iskedyul ng mga aktibidad ang ilan sa mga pagsubok na kanilang hinarap. //nina Ria Amano at Angel Dizon

Nilabas ng Senior Council ang resulta ng Halalan 2019 para sa bagong Pamunuan ng Kamag-Aral (pKA) 3-6 at 7-10 at mga Year Level Organizations (YLO) noong ika-9 ng Mayo, Huwebes.

Nanalo ang buong partido ng AWANGGAN para sa pKA 7-10, sa pamumuno nina Danie Cabrera bilang Presidente at Romi Okada, pangalawang pangulo.

Ang nanalong Pangulo ng Sophomore Association (SOA) ay si Anna Dalet at Pangalawang Pangulo si Sophia Dormiendo parehong mula sa partido 8oar. Nanalo ang lahat ng kasapi ng 8oar sa halalan, maliban sa mga posisyong Tagapamahayag (PRO), na nakuha ni Itos Diaz at Tagapamayapang Lalaki (Marshall Boy), na napanalunan naman ni Vince Lagunilla na kapwa kasapi ng partidong United.

Para sa Junior Association (JA), nakuha ng partidong Nin9as na pinamumunuan nina Laica Sitchon bilang Pangulo at Jamiette Ganaden bilang Pangalawang Pangulo ang lahat ng posisyon, maliban sa pwesto ng PRO.

Para naman sa Senior Council (SC), nanalo sina Onise Manas bilang Pangulo at Roczanne Dela Cruz bilang Pangalawang Pangulo at ang mga kasapi nila sa partidong eSCalator. Nakuha ng partidong eSCalator ang lahat ng posisyon sa halalang ito.

Ayon na man sa isang pahayag mula sa Senior Council tunkol sa eleksyon para sa Freshman Association (FA), “Nagkaroon ng kalituhan sa balota dulot ng pagkakapalit ng pangalan ng mga kandidato para sa Auditor at Business Manager. Bagamat nilinaw ng COMELEC at VOLCORPS ang dapat gawin sa partikular na posisyong ito, may mga bata pa rin na hindi sumunod sa panuto. Dahilan upang ma-void ang kanilang boto.”

“Mapupunan ang mga posisyon na walang nanalo sa pamamagitan ng pag pa-approba sa Execom ng appointment ng sino mang mapagkasunduan at irekomenda ng YLO at ng GLC (Grade Level Coordinator) sa susunod na taon.”

Sa eleksyon ng pKA para sa Grado 3-6 ay nanalo ang partidong KAagapay, na pinamumunuhan ni Justice Aguinaldo, liban sa ilang posisyon na hindi umabot sa itinakdang minimun na porsyento ng boto.

Narito ang kabuuang listahan ng mga nanalo sa Halalan 2019:

AWANGGAN (pKA 7-10)	Pangulo: Danie Cabrera Pangalawang Pangulo: Romi Okada Kalihim: Cy Licunan Ingat Yaman: Rafael Alcazar Ikalawang Ingat Yaman: Mary Rodriguez Business Manager: Dean Cabrera Tagasuri: Abbie Cuaresma Tagapamahayag: Isa Biason Tagapamayapang lalaki: Raymond Tingco  Tagapamayapang babae: Cheska Yanga
eSCalator (Senior Council)	Pangulo: Onise Manas Pangalawang Pangulo: Roczanne Dela Cruz Kalihim: Pauline Geronimo Ingat Yaman: Ram Selva Business Manager: EJ Cruz Tagasuri: Rofert Ramos Tagapamahayag: Gian Manalo Tagapamayapang lalaki: Jiboy Oseo
Nin9as (Junior Association)	Pangulo: Laica Sitchon Pangalawang Pangulo: Jamiette Ganaden Kalihim: Klyssa Betito Ingat Yaman: Bianca Baguio Business Manager: Renz Emperador Tagasuri: Parker Rudio Tagapamayapang lalaki: Gio Capili Tagapamayapang babae: Chelo Neri
Sophomore Association	Pangulo: Anna Dalet (8oar) Pangalawang Pangulo: Sophia Dormiendo (8oar) Kalihim: Ria Bautista (8oar) Ingat Yaman: Yuri Bustamante (8oar) Business Manager: Grace Gaerlan (8oar) Tagasuri: Rochelle Torralba (8oar) Tagapamahayag: Itos Diaz (United) Tagapamayapang lalaki: Vince Lagunilla (United) Tagapamayapang babae: Franz Fugaban (8oar)
Freshman  Association	Pangulo: Noelle Ballarta (PAMANA) Pangalawang Pangulo: Jericho Pagulayan (PAMANA) Kalihim: Trisha Legulab (FAmiliarize) Ingat Yaman: Aila Orillaza (PAMANA) Business Manager: Arunee Licerio (FAmiliarize) Tagasuri: Mira Leano (PAMANA) Tagapamahayag: Alyssa Sedurante (PAMANA) Tagapamayapang babae: Faith Fabro (PAMANA)
KAagapay  (pKA 3-6)	Pangulo: Justice Aguinaldo Kalihim: Francine Candido Ingat Yaman: Matthew Sasing Tagasuri: Sofia Tan Tagapamayapang lalaki: Uno Alarcon Grade 5 Representative: Dean Espinosa Grade 4 Representative: Ryann Lakip

Manlalangoy ng UPIS na sumasabak sa Friendship meet. Photo Credit: Francis Halabaso

Nakilahok ang ilang manlalaro ng University of the Philippines Integrated School Varsity Swimming Team (UPISVST) sa isang Friendship meet. Taunang inoorganisa ito ng University of the Philippines Varsity Swimming Team (UPVST) noong pang 2014 bilang isang fund raising activity na naglalayong tulungan ang mga manlalaro ng UPVST sa mga susunod na kompetisyon.

Ginanap ang friendship meet noong Mayo 4-5 2019 sa Sta. Rosa Multipurpose Complex kung saan nakilahok ang mga manlalangoy sa elementary hanggang sa high school ng UPISVST. Nahati sa dalawang araw ang program. Ang unang araw ay para sa babae at ang pangalawa naman ay para sa lalaki. May mga individual events at relay events sa Friendship meet, kung saan ang mga nakilahok ay hinati sa dalawang grupo ayon sa edad: 16-19 taong gulang at 20 taon pataas.

Sina Franchesca Joves, Zerah Ballarta, Lara Tante, Aleah Halabaso, Julia Halabaso, Angelia Torrico, Zuleikarich Monares, Elizabeth Medina, at Achi Reblando ang kumatawan sa UPIS sa programang ito. Nakalaban nila ang iba’t ibang swimming team tulad ng Rising Atlantis Swim Club, LPU Pirates Swim Team, Puma Aquatics Swim Club at marami pang iba.

Sa isang interview na kasama si Franchesca Joves ay sinabi niya na dahil sa Friendship meet ay mas naging handa siya para sa darating na University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 83. Dagdag dito, dahil sa event na ito ay mas naging "mentally at physically prepared" siya para sa UAAP na kanilang pinaghahandaang kompetisyon bawat taon. //nina Angel Dizon at Roel Ramolete

Ginanap ang Annual Camp ng mga University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Girls Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) noong Mayo 3-6 sa Tabing Ilog, Nasugbu, Batangas.

Ang Annual Camp 2019 ay pinamunuan ng 25 UPIS Cadets at ng kanilang tagapayo na si Prop. Margaret Atela. Sinalihan ito ng 55 UPIS girl scouts. Ang tema ngayong taon ng camping ay Katha dahil nais ng cadets na iparating sa mga scouts na kaya nilang makagawa ng sarili nilang kwento. Katha o imahinasyon nila ang inaasahan at kailangan pairalin sa annual camp. Sa bawat gawain nila ay mayroon silang inasahang mapupulot na aral.

Ang apat na araw na camping ay naglalayong mapaunlad at mahasa ang kasanayang sosyal, praktikal, pamumuno, at kakayahang sa kaligtasan ng buhay ng bawat isang scout. Layon din nitong maging responsable at magkaroon ng kasarinlan ang mga scout habang pinapaigting ang samahan ng mga miyembro.

Ilan sa mga aktibidad na isinagawa sa camp ay Patrol Amazing Race, Batch Team Building at Rampa.

Pinarangalan si Anna Dalet ng 7-Neptune bilang Best Camper ngayong taon. //nina Ria Amano at Angel Dizon

Photo credit: Angel Young

Angel Ken Young of 7- Venus took home the championship title for the Innovative and Ball Transporter categories in the International Micro:coding Championship held last April 17-18, 2019 in Singapore. He also won the Performance trophy for the said championship.

Before the competition, Young practiced a lot with his coaches from the Data Science and Technology Corporation (DSTC). According to him, prior to the competition, he practiced a lot because “Programming is mostly trial and error and it takes a long time.“ Despite his preparation, he said that he had a hard time programming the robots and testing them because he is not too familiar with the circuit board prescribed by the competion. Facing these obstacles, he also had to study while training and preparing, which was challenging for him.

Although Young faced these complications, it did not hinder him from performing well and winning the categories he was in. He said that he felt very fortunate and relieved after the competition. Young said, he has a lot of people to thank for his achievements. One is a coach from Thailand who he got help from during the competition. Young said, he is most thankful for his parents. He said that his mom inspires him very much because he wants to give her a better life and help her through his projects.

Young also shared that he felt a bit sad about the competition. He wished he had a team to join him since other categories require a team to participate. He really wanted to have a team that is from the Philippines as he is hoping they (the team) can all come back happy and have represented the country well in an international competition.

In the future, Young hopes to team up with other students in UPIS so that he can join more competitions. He would also be glad to represent our country again. //by Ria Amano and Angel Dizon

Prizmo performing their second song "Narda" by Kamikazee at the UPIS Battle of the Bands. 

Photo credits: Bree Catibog

Various bands from Grades 7 to 10 joined “ALUNIG: Ang Tunog ng Pagbabago”, UPIS Fair 2019’s Battle of the Bands, last February 15 at the University of the Philippines (UPIS) 7-12 grounds.

UPIS Batch 2021 dominated the event this year, making the extravagant effort of their batch mates that cheered worth-it.

Batch 2021’s Prizmo, composed of Keanne Nuevas, Magan Basilio, Diego Sunga, Polo Uera, Pam Marquez, and Justin Polendey, once again won First Place in this year’s Battle of the Bands. Their winning performance included Macklemore’s Can’t Hold Us, Kamikazee’s Narda, and their own original song, Tiwala.

Another two bands that came from Batch 2021, The Wednesdays and Titos, came in second and third place, respectively. The Wednesdays performed Jet Lag by Simple Plan, She Looks So Perfect by 5 Seconds of Summer, and All I Know, their original composition. Ulan by Cueshe, Antukin by Rico Blanco, and an original song entitled Ikaw were performed by Titos.

Bandarito (Grade 7), Sesame Seeds (Grade 8), A CHORD, Band-Aid, Blue Moon (Grade 9), and On the Horizon (Grade 10), also participated in the competition.

After the competition, the bands 4 Jacks (Grade 11), All In (Grade 12), and Tripolar from Batch 2018 also performed to mark the closing of the event. //by Ria Amano and Angel Dizon

Fighting Maroons! The Jr. Fighting Maroons after winning against De La Salle Zobel on their first game of the UAAP season. Photo credit: UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons Facebook Page

The University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Jr. Fighting Maroons competed in the 81st season of the University Athletics Association Philippines (UAAP) Juniors Basketball Division, from January 13 to February 10, 2019, at the San Juan Arena and the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Early in the season, the team started off strong against the De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) Junior Archers last January 13.

Finishing with a 3-point lead against DLSZ in the first quarter scoring 15-12, the UPIS Jr. Fighting Maroons was able to hold a strong defense play, to be caught up in end of the second quarter, one point behind against the opposing team, with a score of 23-24.

The team was able to plow through the third quarter with a 10-point lead against DLSZ. Eventually, pulling off a strong offensive play thanks to the multiple fast-breaks from Polo Labao and Jacob Estrera, ending the quarter at 50-41

The game ended with the team scoring a win against DLSZ with a final score of 64-56, solidifying their opening in this year’s season of UAAP.

As the season progressed, however, the team faced two losses against the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eaglets and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Baby Tamaraws last January 23 and 27, respectively.

The game last January 23 ended with a score of 115-68, in favor of the Blue Eaglets. The game had a rough start for the Jr. Fighting Maroons, with Angelo David and Kai Sotto of Blue Eaglets scoring side by side.

After settling for a 44-15 lead in the opening period, the Blue Eaglets claimed a 26-point lead against the Jr. Fighting Maroons making it difficult for them to catch up. Ultimately, the Blue Eaglets seized complete control of the game making their points 42 ahead on the third quarter and ending the game with the score of 115-68.

On the other hand, the game against FEU ended with the score of 87-65, in favor of the Baby Tamaraws. The Jr. Fighting Maroons had a tight start with their opponent leading only by 3 points. But unfortunately, the gap between the scores only grew despite the efforts of the team especially Labao who scored most at the game with 19 points, followed by King Vergeire and Estrera who both scored 13 points.

Despite receiving minor injuries, limiting their movements in the court, the team was still able to plow through. According to Polo Labao, the things they still needed to improve on was their defense and their focus in each of their games.

Further into the second round of the UAAP, the team faced up against the University of the East (UE) Junior Warriors on Sunday, February 10.

The team, however, lost their last two games this season against the National University (NU) Bullpups and UE Junior Warriors respectively, last February 3 and February 10.

The Junior Fighting Maroons had a hard time keeping up with the NU Bullpups at their game last February 23. The Bullpups scored 29 points in the opening quarter against the Junior Maroons, claiming a 19-point lead. The gap only grew despite the efforts of seniors Vergeire and Labao who scored the most in the game. The Junior Maroons still fought their way until the end but the Bullpups’ defense was too strong and ended the game with 106 points.

On the other hand, the Junior Fighting Maroons started strong in their last game against UE Warriors, scoring 34 points during the first half of the game and at one point, having a 14-point lead. But by the third quarter, the Warriors tightened up their defense and overtook the Junior Maroons, despite Estrera scoring 30 points during the game, consecutively shooting threes. In the end, the UE Warriors finished strong and sealed the game with 80 points, four points away from Junior Maroons’ 76.

Teary-eyed members, especially the seniors, were seen during the UP Naming Mahal. This marked their final game of UAAP Season 81. //by Ria Amano, Angel Dizon, CJ Herrero, Roel Ramolete

Kaiba sa nagdaang dalawang taon, ngayong 2018 ay nagsanib muli ang Sangguniang Pangwika, Kilusang Araling Panlipunan, Departamento ng Sining ng Komunikasyon–Filipino, at Departamento ng Araling Panlipunan sa pangunguna sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika at Kasaysayan sa University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) mula Agosto 14 hanggang Setyembre 21.

Ayon sa Proklamasyon Blg. 1041 na nilagdaan noong 1997 ni dating Pangulong Fidel Ramos, dapat magsagawa ng taunang selebrasyon ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa tuwing Agosto. Pinagtibay ang proklamasyon dahil ang wika ay pangangailangan sa komunikasyon at kaunlaran ng bansa, at nakatalaga sa ating Saligang Batas ang pagpapahalaga sa ating katutubong wika.

Tema ng pagdiriwang ang “Kasaysayan at Wikang Filipino: Paghubog ng Kamalayan para sa Makataong Lipunan” na layuning palaganapin ang pagmulat, panawagan, at pagpapahalaga sa kasaysayan at wika tungo sa pagsiyasat at pag-aksyon sa mga kasalukuyang isyung panlipunan.

Nagkaroon ng samu’t saring gawain at patimpalak sa bawat grado.

Sa K-2, idinaos ang “Pistang Pinoy” na salusalo ng bawat seksyon sa paraan ng potluck. 

Kinilala rin ng mga mag-aaral ang iba’t ibang salitang Filipino na bago para sa kanila sa “Parada ng mga Salitang Pinoy,” kung saan pumili ng isang estudyante kada seksyon na may pinakamagandang gawa na nametag sa Kinder, sash sa Grado 1, at headgear naman sa Grado 2. 

Nanalo sa Kinder sina Jillian Simangan ng Jasmin, Aninaw Velasco ng Kamia, Travis Antonio ng Magnolia, at Jaime Obias ng Sampaguita. Sa Grado 1 naman ay sina Lucian Quinto ng Agila, Mayie Dela Paz ng Lawin, Chelzy Ofrancia ng Loro, at Frances Cablao ng Maya. At sa Grado 2, nagwagi sina Keisha Ong ng Atis, John Maramag ng Chico, Cian Casis ng Lansones, at Ma. Dañelle Mangundayao ng Mangga. 

Kasabay nito, nagbahagi rin ang mga guro ng mga salitang Filipino bawat linggo para lumawak ang bokabularyo ng mga estudyante sa wikang pambansa.

Sa hayskul, nagwagi ang 7-Venus sa “Sabayang Pagbigkas” ng tulang “Wala Kang Karapatan” ni Ligaya Tiamson Rubin. Iginawad ang unang gantimpala sa “Saling-Awitan” ng Grado 8 sa 8-Honeybee na nagsalin sa Filipino ng “Man in the Mirror” ni Michael Jackson. Nanguna naman ang 9-Iron na inirepresenta ang Mindanao sa “Etnikong Tugtugin” ng Grado 9. At 10-Lauan naman ang kampeon sa “Sayawit” ng Grado 10.

Kaiba rin sa mga nagdaang selebrasyon, ngayong taon ay kasali ang senior high school sa mga patimpalak. Nagpakitang-gilas sa larangan ng “Ekstemporaneong Talumpati” ukol sa tema ang mga kinatawan sa Grado 11 na pinagwagian nina Anne Dela Cruz, Bryant Galicia, Elkan Reyes, Eunice Ruivivar, Alyssa Sapatua, at Myrell Sicat ng 11-Washington Z. Sycip.

“Debate” naman ang naganap sa pagitan ng mga kinatawan mula Grado 12 na pinanalunan nina Emerson Ebreo, Jean Sabate, at Alexandra Arugay ng 12-Karunungan na nagsilbing gobyerno (apirmatibong panig) na ipinaglaban ang pederalismo sapagkat mas mapagtutuunan ng mga rehiyon ang mga kailangan nila at hindi na dedepende sa iisang lugar o sentro lamang.

Bukod sa mga talento sa pagtatanghal, nagpamalas din ng pagkamalikhain ang mga seksyon sa kanilang ginawang mga Advocacy Wall ukol sa iba’t ibang paksa o isyu tulad ng pamilya, kultura, globalisasyon, ekonomiya, at misedukasyon ng mga Pilipino. 

Nagwagi sa Kinder sina Eliana Gabud ng Jasmin, Aiden Sarthou ng Kamia, Samantha Estrada ng Magnolia, at Dakila Brito ng Sampaguita. Sa Grado 1 naman ay sina Sean Eting ng Agila, Zayla Tolentino ng Lawin, Briana Asis ng Loro, at Mary Maraviles ng Maya. At sa Grado 2 ay sina Yuuna Jarme ng Atis, Eunice Torres ng Chico, Reen Lopez ng Lansones, at Iahhel Bufete ng Mangga. Nagkaroon din ng freedom wall na pinagbahaginan ng bawat isa ng mga paraan kung paano maging mabuting mamamayan ng Pilipinas.  

Nanalo naman sa Advocacy Wall sa elementarya at hayskul ang 3-Ilog, 4-Malunggay, 5-Samat, 6-Ruby, 7-Neptune, 8-Honeybee, 9-Iron, 10-Lauan, at 11-Julian A. Banzon. 

Nakibahagi rin ang ilang piling mag-aaral mula sa Grado 7-10 sa “Haraya’t Pagbasa.” Ipinabasa sa mga kalahok ang kuwentong “May Gulong na Bahay” ni Genaro R. Gojo Cruz na ang diwa’y ginawan nila ng orihinal na poster. Nagwagi rito sina Amira Llaneta at Sining Guillermo ng 8-Honeybee. 

Kasabay ng pagdiriwang ang pagkakaroon ng Book Fair na nilahukan ng Adarna House, Anvil Publishing, Inc., at Una Morato sa layong hikayatin ang mga mag-aaral sa pagbabasa ng mga aklat sa wikang Filipino at tungkol sa Pilipinas.

Bilang pagtatapos ng pagdiriwang, sa programa sa hayskul ay iniwan ni Prop. Brenson Andres, puno ng Departamento ng Araling Panlipunan, ang mensaheng “Kung ano man ‘yung magagawa natin mula sa ating sarili para sa ating bansa, gawin natin. Hindi lang sana natatapos dito sa mga performances, hindi lang natatapos dito sa paaralan ‘yung ating advocacy, ‘yung mga layunin na baguhin ‘yung ating bansa at magkaroon ng makataong lipunan.”

Sa panig ng mga guro at kawani, kaiba sa mga nagdaang taon, nagdaos ng kauna-unahang “Sing-Piging” noong Setyembre 21 na layong itampok ang mga kantang Pilipino o OPM at ang talento ng mga kalahok. Binuo ang programa ng “The Singing Bee” na kompetisyon, simpleng meryenda, at videoke. //nina Nica Desierto, Alex Yangco, Geraldine Tingco, Marco Sulla, Bea Jacinto, Keio Guzman, at Angel Dizon