Compared to the deafening chaos in the first months of 2023, April seemed to pale in comparison. Was it the momentary peace in EDSA during Holy Week? Was it the no-cancellable person of the month?

We might have become accustomed to episodic dystopian events every month. But no amount of heat can melt the latent victories, misfits, and miseries of April. Here are this month’s top stories.

1. UST Halalan proclaims student council for 2024

(Artwork by Graceteen Buado/TomasinoWeb)

Results for the University's next set of student leaders in the Central Student Council for the next academic year were released on April 1 by the University's Central Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

Legal management student Ierathel "Uno" Tabuno was declared president, with 22,172 votes. Aiah Karylle Jacinto is the vice president with 20,150 votes. LEAPMED student John Harrold Peralta won 20,497 as secretary. Marketing management student Rafael Luis Pesueña earned 20,210 votes as treasurer. Commerce and business administration student James Arrenkiel Cenido was named auditor with 19,687 votes, while advertising arts major Maxine Javier received 20,332 votes as PRO.

2. UST Tigresses breaks La Salle Lady Spikers’ nine-game streak, clinch final four berth

(Photo by Miguel Angelo Sumalinog/TomasinoWeb)

The UST Golden Tigresses emerged victorious after breaking the La Salle Lady Spikers' unbeaten nine-game streak in the climactic fourth-set blowout, 25–18, 14–25, 25–18, 25–12 last April 2, just after snapping NU's streak. Although the third set initially started with a series of deadlocks, UST regained their momentum in the 25–18 third set runaway.

Team captain Eya Laure and Milena Alessandrini carried as a power duo, securing 49 points, 29 and 20 markers respectively. Attacks, hits, and digs from Bernadett Pepito, Janna Torres, also opened the path for UST's victory, alongside Regina Jurado who finished it off with an off-the-block hit in the 20–9 frame.

On April 23, Sunday, UST delivered a final spike off, beating FEU and officially sending them to the Final Four cast in women's volleyball.

However, they lost to the NU Lady Bulldogs on April 26, Wednesday (10–3) in four sets, placing them in a risky position to steadily move up to the top two finals.

The Tigresses ended their Season 85 campaign with a five-set win over the free-falling UP Fighting Maroons, 25–21, 25–20, 22–25, 19–25, 15–6.

With the win, UST secured the fourth seed and will face the twice-to-beat equipped DLSU Lady Archers in the final four set to begin on Wednesday, May 3, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

3. Tropical Depression Amang

(Photo from PAGASA website)

Several classes and work in the provinces were suspended due to Tropical Depression Amang, the country's first tropical cyclone of 2023.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported in its forecast that expected rain showers, flash floods, and thunderstorms will affect the following areas: Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Camarines Norte.

Its direction and speed were headed west-northwest at 10 kilometers per hour. On April 12, local government units (LGUs) announced the suspension of classes for all levels, public and private in areas of Bicol, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon.

4. Summer MMMF Awards

(Photo from Mark Demayo/ABS-CBN News)

The stars aligned in the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival awards ceremony that was held on April 11 at the New Frontier Theater.

Jun Lana's psychological drama About Us But Not About Us swept nine awards including best director, best lead actor (Romnick Sarmenta), best screenplay, and best picture. Gladys Reyes took home the best lead actress award for her role in Apag.

Kaladkaren marked a historic feat as the first transgender to be awarded the best supporting actress in Here Comes the Groom, accompanied by castmate Keempee de Leon who was also the best supporting actor.

5. UST is the fifth top-performing law school in 2022 bar exam

(Photo by Ricardo Magpoc Jr./TomasinoWeb)

The 2022 bar examination results were released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on April 14. The University ranked fifth among the top-performing law schools with 127 passers out of 169 applicants or 79.87 percent.

San Beda University had the highest passing percent rate of 97.58, followed by Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines, and the University of San Carlos.

UST alumnus Louis-Mari Opina earned the 19th spot with an average of 86.42 percent. The national passing rate was 43.47 for the bar exams. This translates to 3,992 new lawyers out of 9,183 law aspirants.

6. Three Thomasians place in Top 10 of pharmacy boards

(Photo by Ricardo Magpoc Jr./TomasinoWeb)

It's not just new lawyers who slayed on the same day but new pharmacists. The PRC also released the Pharmacist Licensure Examinations (PhLE) on April 14. Three Thomasians clinched ranks among the top 10 pharmacists. Securing the third spot with 93.20 percent, UST alumna Laisa Marian De Guzman led the fresh and victorious batch of Thomasian pharmacists.

Thomasians Prinz Noel Angelo Archangel came in fifth with 93.05 percent and Meann Claire Mendoza who earned a score of 92.78 percent in ninth place. In contrast to last year's PhLE held on November 2022 with 306 examinees from UST, fewer Thomasians took the exam as only 58 out of 68 passed.

Meanwhile, Saint Louis University remained the top-performing school for the pharmacy boards with a percent average of 97.14. Out of 2,275 national examinees, 1,420 passed.

7. China sends more warships to Taiwan’s waters

(Photo from AFP)

China has increasingly deployed more navy and military personnel encircling Taiwan.

The former remains firm in imposing the One China principle for the self-ruled island. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said three Chinese warships, jets, and anti-submarine helicopter trespassed their air defense zone.

This is in line with hostility in Beijing regarding pro-independence meetings between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

8. Youth and progressive groups protest against joint Balikatan exercises

(Photo from Anakbayan/Twitter)

Police arrested two activists after protests were held in front of the US Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.

Progressive groups clamored against the opening ceremonies of the joint Balikatan exercises. The exercise was an annual military exercise between the US and the Philippines, one of the most billed projects this year with numerous troops joining.

Police personnel chased after the involved activists who ran away after the protest and arrested the two.

9. Google Cloud reduces storage usage

(Photo by Sarah Tew/CNET)

Thomasians are encouraged to start decluttering their Google Cloud storage. In a memorandum issued on April 15 by the acting assistant to the Rector for ICT, Fr. Wenifredo Padilla, O.P. advised students, staff, and stakeholders to log in to their University email and manage their storage usage. This is in accordance with Google’s policy on cloud storage for educational institutions.

Thomasians are also encouraged to retain the necessary academic files while transferring and deleting personal and non-academic tasks to save space.

The newly allocated storage limits for Thomasians have been trimmed to:

• Offices — 30 GB
• Academic Staff — 30 GB
• Students and Student Organizations — 20 GB
• Support Staff 20 — GB
• Alumni and Guests 5 GB

Furthermore, the two-factor authentication will be effective on June 1, 2023 to strengthen security measures on the email accounts.

10. ASTRO all-rounder Moonbin passes away

(Photo from Fantagio Entertainment and New Frontier Theater)

Singer and actor Moonbin was found dead Wednesday evening at his home in Seoul.

K-pop idol, singer, and actor Moonbin was found dead on Wednesday evening by his manager at his home in Seoul on April 19. Local media reported the 25-year-old "took his own life" while police declined to comment and are still awaiting the autopsy results.

His label Fantagio confirmed his death the following day in an official statement. The K-pop community, his members, colleagues, and employees continue to mourn his untimely passing. His only sister, Moon Sua from K-pop group Billie was the chief mourner at the funeral. Promotions and events in South Korea were also postponed and cancelled to grieve.

He debuted as the main dancer, center, and lead vocalist of Astro, and was a child actor prior to becoming a beloved popstar in 2016. To AROHAS, the group's fandom, he is known to be a kind and strong member who always thought of his fans.

Filipino fans also set up a memorial space in New Frontier Theater to honor the life of Moonbin, where he and fellow member Sanha recently held a fan meet back in March.

11. DepEd says no budget for aircons in classrooms amid heat waves

(Photo by Grig C. MonteGrande/Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Although students and teachers have been experiencing more ailments such as dizziness, high blood pressure, asthma, and nose bleeding due to the intense heat, DepEd has rejected the proposal to install air conditioners in public classrooms due to insufficient budget.

Online users criticized this, citing the proper usage of confidentiality funds. Sen. Aquilino Martin "Koko" Pimentel III also urged DepEd to use the funds to buy electric fans.

Vladimer Quetua, chair of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, said it would be favorable to adjust the school calendar and add more classrooms and improve ventilation systems.

12. Thomasian ranks fourth in electronic engineer boards

Thomasian alumnus Brian Aguilar made it to the top 10 of the April 2023 electronic engineering (ECE) licensure exam released by the PRC. He scored 87.20 percent, leading 21 new Thomasian electronic engineers.

Only 58 Thomasians took the exam, translating into a 36.21 percent passing rate for UST. The University failed to be listed among the top-performing schools, given the small number of takers and passers.

13. Student leaders protest against tuition fee hike

(Photo by Ina Yabut/TomasinoWeb)

Students and progressive groups protested against the tuition fee increase for the next academic year, in front of the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) office on Friday, April 28.

UST's proposal is to implement a 7 percent increase in school fees while the down payment scheme shall be at 40 percent for next school year. Outgoing Conservatory of Music president Benedict Sibley Kawi remarked on the University's lack of transparency of the proposed breakdown of the tuition fee hike to their student bodies. He also pointed out the hike came off as a notice when it was meant to be a consultation, especially amidst the country's current economic climate.

The University's Central Student Council of 2023 to 2024 also opposed the proposed tuition fee increase in a statement, citing the lack of consultations and time to process the proposal's information. Moreover, they emphasized that they were burdensome fees for students who are already struggling to make ends meet.

From tuition, temperature, and storage — things increased and decreased here and there. But one thing is certain: the fluctuations won't simmer down so quickly in the incoming months.

Compared to the deafening chaos in the first months of 2023, April seemed to pale in comparison. Was it the momentary peace in EDSA during Holy Week? Was it the no-cancellable person of the month?

We might have become accustomed to episodic dystopian events every month. But no amount of heat can melt the latent victories, misfits, and miseries of April. Here are this month's top stories.