The Neo-centennial edition of the USTv Students’ Choice Awards have been concluded last night (February 16) at the UST Medicine Auditorium. And here are the winners of the 8th USTv Students’ Choice Awards with this year’s theme “Promoting Positive Values in Pop Culture on Television”.

Special Citation on a Catholic Program – Banal (ABS-CBN ]]>

The Neo-centennial edition of the USTv Students’ Choice Awards have been concluded last night (February 16) at the UST Medicine Auditorium. And here are the winners of the 8th USTv Students’ Choice Awards with this year’s theme “Promoting Positive Values in Pop Culture on Television”.

Special Citation on a Catholic Program – Banal (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Full Animated Program – Spongebob Squarepants (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Foreign Soap Opera – My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Sports Program – Sports Unlimited (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Educational Program – Matanglawin (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Magazine Show – Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (GMA 7)
Best Documentary Program – I Witness (GMA 7)
Best Public Affairs Talk Show – The Bottomline with Boy Abunda (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Value Laden Theme/Storyline TV Advertisement – Lucky Me (Tunay na Lalaki)
Best Entertainment News Program – The Buzz (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Male News and Current Affairs Host – Anthony Taberna (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Female News and Current Affairs Host – Jessica Soho (GMA News TV)
Best Local News and Current Affairs Program – 24 Oras (GMA 7)
Best Public Service Program – Wish Ko Lang (GMA 7)
Best Music Channel – MYX (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Local Music Video – Walang Natira (Gloc 9 feat. Sheng Belmonte)
Best Local Music Video Artist – Sarah Geronimo (Sino Nga Ba Siya)
Best Talk Variety Program – Gandang Gabi Vice (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Game Show – Who Wants to be a Millionaire (TV5)
Best Reality Show – Showtime (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Gag Show – Bubble Gang (GMA 7)
Best Variety Show – Eat Bulaga (GMA 7)
Best Situational Comedy – Pepito Manoloto (GMA 7)
Best Daily Local Soap Opera – 100 Days to Heaven (ABS-CBN 2)
Special Citation on a Catholic Program – 100 Days to Heaven (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Supporting Actress in a Daily Local Soap Opera – Jodi Sta. Maria (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Supporting Actor in a Daily Local Soap Opera – Jhong Hilario (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Actress in a Daily Soap Opera – Xyriel Manabat (100 Days to Heaven) (ABS-CBN 2)
Best Actor in a Daily Soap Opera – Coco Martin (Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin) (ABS-CBN 2)

 “Paano kami mananalo? Paano kami ulit mag-chachampion?” These were the words that Leah Mary Gonzales asked herself after she was elected as Team Captain of the Cheermania powerhouse, the Commerce Cheering Squad.

                Despite the ]]>  “Walang natatalo sa pusong hindi napapagod” Commerce Cheering Squad Team Captain Leah Marie Gonzales shares the team’s secret to three-peat!

 “Paano kami mananalo? Paano kami ulit mag-chachampion?” These were the words that Leah Mary Gonzales asked herself after she was elected as Team Captain of the Cheermania powerhouse, the Commerce Cheering Squad.

                Despite the pressure of taking over the squad with a championship tradition, the fourth year BS Marketing student knew from the very start what she wanted: to make their team the champion in the yearly cheermaking competition “Cheermania XVII: Saga” and post a rare 3-peat for her squad.

She was able to pull this off and more; but this year proved to be a tough journey for her and for the team.

The Challenge

                They say every routine has a hidden story to tell. With their flawless performance, no one would think that the team encountered any problems along the way. This, however, was not the case.

“Never kaming naging complete sa mga trainings namin ever since we started training for the Cheermania last November,” Leah shared. “But I know I have to control the situation and do my part as the captain.”

                Since Commerce Cheering Squad is not considered as an organization, Leah shared that they cannot push their members to attend every training session because they are not excused from their academic duties. But Leah believes that’s one thing every member of the squad should imbibe: to take the extra mile because this is their passion.

                “I never considered joining the squad as a burden for my academic responsibilities” Leah pointed out. Ever since she joined the squad when she was still in her first year, she knew that it was a personal choice and should not be considered as a distraction to her studies.

                Their regular trainings, especially during the last weeks before the Cheermania, proved to be another obstacle for the squad. Leah shares that it was a double challenge for her to see her team physically, emotionally and mentally tired. But being the leader meant being the source of strength for the whole team. “I know that they are tired but as their captain, hindi ko pwedeng ipakitang nalulungkot ako or pagod” Leah said.

                But all of the struggling paid off as they emerged victorious in the Cheermania 2012, besting seven other squads who participated.

The man behind their success

                When asked if there was one person responsible for her maturity as a cheerleader, Leah said that all of her seniors prepared her to be what she is now but there was this man who took her under his tutelage.  “Lahat naman sila ay may naituro sa akin pero kung meron talagang malaki ang naitulong sa akin at sa buong squad, siguro si coach Ajjie yun.”

                It was no other than the team’s coach, Ajjie Mendelebar, whom she believes played a significant role in the success of the squad. Leah also proudly shared that coach Ajjie was a member of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe during its famous five-peat run in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition.

                Leah divulged that Coach Ajjie kept reminding them to work hard and keep their eyes on the goal. Their secret source of power was Coach Ajjie’s motto: “Walang natatalo sa pusong hindi napapagod.”

                Leah also shared that everything is in order in the hands of Coach Ajjie, “planado kasi siya and yun yung maganda sa kanya.”

Going for Fourth?

                Although Leah is ending her days with the squad as she will be graduating this March, she still remains positive that the squad can bag another title. “Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga batang members ng squad na huwag makokontento na magaling lang, kailangan nilang magsikap para maging mas magaling” Leah said. They are not competing against other teams, but against themselves. Every year the group must level up to battle out the status quo.

During the announcement of winners, where for a split second Leah was disheartened due to a close fight with another team, she remembered the words of Father Senen Ecleo, the College of Commerce and Business Administration regent. At the mass held for the squad and the Commerce Cantemus Chorale, Father Cleo told them “huwag mawawalan ng pagasa hanggang hindi pa nasasabi ang panalo.”

When she leaves the team, her legacy would be:  “lakas ng loob, isiping meron tayong  mga bagay na wala sila at huwag mawawalan ng pagasa.” 

By: Peevi Jannsen N. Juan and Anna Bettina Pangalangan 

The Lady Tigresses were floored in the first set, 22-25, by the Lady Maroons, but became ]]> The University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, coming from a slow start, thrashed the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons via four-set triumph  in the 74th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament held Sunday afternoon at the Fil Oil Flying V Arena.

The Lady Tigresses were floored in the first set, 22-25, by the Lady Maroons, but became resilient to finish the game victorious, 22-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-18.

UST spiker Maika Ortiz, showered UP with killer spikes, and finished the game  with 16 markers, 14 of those came from attacks.

Maru Banaticla and Ma. Carmela Tunay also stepped up and scored 14 and 11 points for UST.

UP had a chance to grab the win via their 16-12 lead in the fourth set, but fell a little short towards the end.

The Lady Maroons now has 0-4  record after their defeat against De La Salle University last Wednesday.

The Espana-based team, on the other hand, already have a two-game winning skid, and they are now in the fourth place with the Far Eastern University.

Bianca Bernardo

Last year, the 1st place in the poetry category of Ustetika was changed to the Ophelia Dimalanta Award in Poetry in honor of the late writer’s legacy in ]]> Third year AB Literature student Patricia Mariya Shishikura won the Ophelia Dimalanta Award in Poetry at the 27th Gawad Ustetika Awards held at the Quadricentennial Park, Saturday.

Last year, the 1st place in the poetry category of Ustetika was changed to the Ophelia Dimalanta Award in Poetry in honor of the late writer’s legacy in Literature. Twenty two entries were chosen as the winners in eight different categories in English and in Filipino including poetry, fiction, essay, one act play, tula, katha, sanaysay, and dulaang may yugto. 

Here are the winners:

>>DULANG MAY YUGTO

Honorable Mention:

- Kung Hindi Man Kundiman by John Andrew del Prado (4Literature)

- Pula, Berde, Asul at Dilaw na mga Lobo by Ma. Kristina Magno (2Asian studies)

3^rd place:

- Comfort Zone by Francisco Gian Paulo Cabuena (3Communication Arts)

2^nd place:

- Bunyi by Renz Lyndon Paguio (3Journalism)

1st Place: no winner/s

>>SANAYSAY

3^rd Place:

- Dahil Ubos Na Naman Ang Gravy by Laira Cuntueras (4Journalism)

2^nd place:

- Resume by April Ann Dizon (4Political Science)

1^st place: no winner/s

>>KATHA

Honorable Mention:

- On The Way by Melody Rose Apple Marquen (4Accountancy)

3^rd place:

- Kagawaran ng mga nawawalang Pagkatao by April Anne Dizon (4Political Science)

2^nd place:

- Ang Pagtaba ni Lala M. Payat by Abbygail Estrella (4Financial Management)

1^st place (Ustetika Tomasinong Kwentista ng Taon)

- Liham by John Carlo Pacala (3Political Science)

>>TULA

Honorable Mention:

- Platonic Ugong by Jeremiah Agustin (3Literature)

- Pagluwas by Bernadette Anilo (3Architecture)

- Lupa by Alyssa Romielle Manalo (3Communication Arts)

 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st place: no winner/s

>>ONE ACT PLAY

Honorable Mention:

- Monologue in the Dark by John Andrew del Prado (4Literature)

3^rd, 2^nd, 1^st place: no winner/s

>>ESSAY

Honorable Mention:

- Closing Door by Bernadine Sytiong (4Literature)

3^rd place:

- Road Warrior by Edmark Tan (4Literature)

2^nd place:

- X-sight by Zendy Victoria Sue Valencia (4Literature)

1^st place (Ustetika Essayist of the year)

- My Father Was a Poet Once by Micah Andres (3Literature)

>>FICTION – (no winner/s)

>>POETRY

Honorable Mention:

- Barefoot and Other Poet by Gabriel Edilberto Cruz (5Music)

3^rd place:

- Poets’ Cookbook by Jerry Balantucas (4Painting)

- All This Talk Of Souls That Have Sailed On by Zendy Victoria Sue Valencia (4Literature)

2^nd place : no winner/s

1^st place (Ophelia Dimalanta Award)

- Going South by Patricia Mariya Shishikura (3Literature)

>>PARANGAL HAGBONG AWARDEES:

- Florentino Hornedo and Federico Licsi Espino Jr.

By Nicole B. Guevarra and Maiqui Rome Francis Sta. Ana

**Errata:

It has come to the attention of TomasinoWeb that the writer mistakenly identified Patricia Shishikura as a senior AB Literature student instead of being a junior when this article was first published last December 3, 2011. The winner for the Katha category was misspelled as Liha instead of “Liham” and the highest place in poetry was changed to its present name during 2010′s Gawad Ustetika Awards.

Our Apologies.

© TW ’11-’12

Rajiv Eldon Abdullah, the Faculty of Engineering’s 2011 class valedictorian (magna cum laude) and Rector’s Awardee got a percentage score of 96.30 (6th place), while Loreto Cruz ]]> Two Thomasians landed on the top ten list of the 1,770 who passed the Civil Engineer Licensure Examination given this month, the Professional Regulation Commission has announced Wednesday.

Rajiv Eldon Abdullah, the Faculty of Engineering’s 2011 class valedictorian (magna cum laude) and Rector’s Awardee got a percentage score of 96.30 (6th place), while Loreto Cruz Paz got 94.90 percentage (10th place).

The University of Santo Tomas posted a 79.57 percent passing rate higher than its 72 percent passing rate last May.