A Living Conclusion

By John Carl Gozun

“It’s over.”

This was the first thought that popped in my mind when the members signified the end of the special Final Rites (FR). My warm tears and sweat messed up my cute Tigger-designed face paint. My lament turned into gladness.

Not Just an Ordinary Morning

A blurred image of the brown ceiling was the first figure my eyes saw at 5:30 one Tuesday morning. I twitched on my bed as I was feeling something weird inside me. I closed my eyes, trying to sleep again, but something was really bothering me.

“Oh God, FR na,” I said in my mind as I was jerking and stretching my lazy body.

I went to the bathroom to take a bath. After which, I prepared the things that I would bring that day, and while I was getting ready, annoyance was shrouding every fiber of me as thoughts in my mind were running. Will I be just all right when this day ends? Or should I ask myself if I could make it to the end?

I asked Dad if he could set his wheels for me. While we were in the high way, I couldn’t help myself but stare afar. After a half of an hour, we arrived at McDonald’s.

Baskal’s Final Four

Don, Jewel, Mae and I were on the same table trying to relax our minds. We even broke some silly jokes to remove the depression linking our psyches. Then, I decided to order breakfast at the counter. Don helped me.

“One apple pie and a glass of orange juice,” I ordered. “Don, kakarug ku ata.”

“Ah ok mu yan. Aku nandin abac, aramdaman ku rin iyan.”

We chose to join Ate Daphne on her table obliquely opposite the table of our co-apps. My mobile beeped several times, and when I opened my inbox, I read the messages of our Baskalmates who already attended the first FR. They were all worrying about us remaining four. They sent us words of encouragement, wisdom, and trust.

I called up one of them.

“Jill?” I said.

“Hello.”

“Tsk. Mangapaluha ku. Eku na balu ing gawan ku.”

“Basta agyu yu yan. Uhm, kakarug naku rin para kekayu.”

“Eku expect, analang karakal ring mems na atsu keni.”

“Edi masanting. Basta trust the mems, ok?”

“Ok. Thanks Jill. Sige, bye,” I hung up.

I drank some juice and ate some pie.

Don asked me, “Y Jill ita?”

“Wa.”

“Ok kamu John?” One of his eyebrows rose.

“Kakarug ku sh*t,” I said. I felt like all the negative energies were in me.

“Aku pin kagising ku eh. Basta emu masyadu isipan. Agyu tamu ini.”

I wrapped up our conversation with a sigh.

Crawl for Aguman

“I believe in truth, and in truth I will walk this earth…” The four of us were reciting the UP Aguman creed as we were immersed, like toddlers in their cribs, in the khaki hay and squashy mud.

It was already afternoon. Every stroke of my arms and legs was about to trigger my asthma, but I had to continue. Also, it was extremely hot because the sun was directly on us. I was catching my breath because I was already dog-tired. Even the Tigger-designed face paint created by Allandail was about to make a hodgepodge with my sweat.

I stood up when I was done. I felt that I was about to collapse. I could feel the blood rushing in my head, the food turning around in my stomach, and the pain on my elbows and knees.

I heard that Don had a fall out, and he was just right beside me. I understood him because I felt the same way, but I just thought of being strong.

Tests of Trust

My index finger was trembling as Allandail let me get hold of something. My finger suddenly shuddered. I spanked it with fear created by my gruesome nerves. Sadly, he told me that I failed.

“Ali da naka man paburen diba? Bakit ya mayna? Nanu wari ing aramdaman mu?” he sincerely asked like a brother.

“Fear,” I disappointedly answered back.

“Nanu ing ala patse ating fear?”

“Trust.”

With that answer of mine, I felt failure and disappointment. Moreover, his approach to me was inexplicable. It was not hatred or intimidation. Then, I started to cry.

Ate Cyrille approached me. “Ati pa namang aliwang stations. Bumawi ka kareta.”

“Gewa ku naman ing pepagawa na diba?” I said while mourning over stupid me.

I learned my lesson with that experience.

Let Go Of Me!

“Jewel, Mae, Don! Nokarin kayu?!” We were in the lawn searching for each other. I had to shrug the mems away in order for me to find and grasp my co-apps. I had to bite some of the hands of those who clasped me harshly. There was even a big guy who really didn’t release me until I said, “Let go of me!” I heard the mems reacted: “Wow. Sosyal!” and I just laughed in mind. Ha ha!

This was my favorite part of the FR. I mean, there is a vivid message or lesson that can be gotten from this. That is no matter how difficult, how painful, and how impossible it is to find each other, we should not surrender taking each step; the sense of sight is a just mere instrument to see each other, and the most important thing is to feel each other – this is the way towards understanding and unity.

Is it already Goodbye?

The four of us were asked to sit on the grass and to form a compact circle.

The mems asked, “Finally, tapos na ang FR!”

There came joy in my heart, it immediately faded away when one gave a bad news – a bad news that turned my joyful heart in deep somber.

It was just like what I felt in the morning. I knew that it was already dusk for the cold breeze was already penetrating my neck. I felt the gloomy twilight that formed in my mind. There’s really no chance for me now, I thought. I have to honor their decision. I said before that it doesn’t matter if I would pass or fail. What matters most is that I didn’t surrender, and I continued ‘til the end. It’s really time to say good bye.

All that ourselves required was unity, and in the end, it was more than enough.

WOOSH!

“CONGRATULATIONS!!!” All the mems said.

For a second, everything was explained.

“It’s over,” I murmured.

The Tigger-designed face paint was then completely messed up. Tears of grievance turned into tears of joy. At last, we are now uninducted members!

We, the new mems, embraced everyone we saw as everybody was running to avoid being embraced by our dingy and wet bodies! Ha ha! Unfortunately, Ate Daphne was cornered by us four. We made a group hug! I can’t stop laughing while she was shouting and shouting.

The Living Conclusion

During a breakdown, there still exists a hope – a hope that requires sacrifice. And sacrifice means love.

I will never forget this experience. I learned a lot of lessons from the start of the application process up to the final rites. I will always treasure this momentous event right in my heart for it will forever be a living conclusion as it may be.

*Photos courtesy of Elaida Castro

Will it be worth it?

By Jill

I don’t know when it started, but lately (or maybe not so) the word emo has been used repeatedly to describe our batch, Baskal. It may be from the fact that on most activities, someone always ends up in tears. There were also a several times when some of us went through “deferring points.” Are AguActivities for apps really that hard? Or are we just really emo?

Well, it may be a bit of both. The application process in UP Aguman is not easy, and it never claimed to be. As Minsky said in our AVP, “becoming part of a big time group requires big time ways to prove you are deserving.” The kind of kinship within Aguman can only result from people who really exert efforts for the org, and if the application process was easier, then kinship wouldn’t be as strong. If no big time ways were required for one to become part of Aguman, then the bond wouldn’t be as tight.

The activities, though at times hard, are really just right. But even with this knowledge, frustration sometimes still gets the better of us; clouding our views and making us at times wonder if our efforts will eventually pay off in the end. Most of what happened in the application process was unexpected. I’m sure it was not just me who was taken by surprise. From Talents Night to FR, we apps (fomer pala, yehey!) did not know what exactly to anticipate, because although guidelines were given, nothing can really prepare us for the real thing.

Will it be worth it? That is a question we always asked ourselves, each other, as well as some of the mems. And the answer from mems would always be a resounding “YES”. Yes, they said, you’ll all see why in the end. And though it was hard at times, especially when we had to compromise some things for the application process, we still held on because we trusted the people in the org who told us to just keep on.

I’m not sure if Baskal is the most emo batch to ever apply in Aguman, but though often perceived as a negative trait, our being emo can actually be a good thing. We immerse ourselves totally in the tasks given to us that our investment in this org is really something we won’t put to waste.

The question “Will it be worth it?” shouldn’t even be asked, because the journey itself is part of the destination. The application process in Aguman is not just a way for apps to prove their worth, or for mems to have fun. As Ate Daph told me before she signed my sigsheet, “in the org we want members who are trained to be leaders.” Every step in the app process has a reason. And the answer to the question of whether it will be worth it or not, lies not only in the end when an app becomes a mem, but also in the lessons that an app learns through the tasks.

Baskal 2007A Aguman Write-ups

The following are Aguman write-ups submitted by batch Baskal 2007A prior to their Formal Interview. These are not necessarily the best three, but they are worth sharing nonetheless.

_____________
ALONE NO MORE
By Khen

First of all, the UP Aguman made my adjusting to UP Diliman a whole lot easier. I first became aware of the UP Aguman when I was still in the 6^th Grade when Holy Angel University, Lab School first joined the PAUTAKAN. (Tingnan niyo man sa yearbook, sa 29^th Pautakan 2002 Elementary Level. Haha! Kami yun! That was the only medal I ever got from the UP Aguman, hehe!) Anyway, from the moment I set foot on the UP Diliman soil, I felt so alone. Every time I made a friend, she would always see some former classmates and bid me goodbye. Then I’d be alone again. Sad no? Hehe! Well, I really looked for the org. Long story of how I found it. So anyway, when I finally found the tambayan, the members were so intimidating! Even so, I saw how bonded they really were. The UP Aguman isn't only an org; I realized it was a family. And I wanted, and still do, want to be a part of that family. I gained friends within the org, and life at the university wasn’t so lonely anymore.

Secondly, the UP Aguman helped build my self-confidence and helped develop my social skills. It made me a stronger and a better person. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, right? Haha!

Lastly, I saw that the UP Aguman is not just some organization ‘na pasosyalan lang’. It really seeks to serve, especially our Cabalens. Even though there maybe budget constraints, it doesn’t stop them from achieving its goals. There really is a strong bond within the org that keeps them going. And of course, I saw that the residents really do live by faith, truth and kinship.

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JOURNEY TO THE WORLD OF TRUTH, FAITH & KINSHIP
By Jewel

I can note that there are lots of things in me that have changed in my 4 months of stay in UP. My view on joining an organization is one of the biggest. Back in high school, simply signing the membership form followed by paying the P20 fee already makes you a licensed member. Meeting twice is at most in a month. The peak of the club is during its assigned month wherein it sponsors activities for the whole department and launches contests to each year level. Then after all those, the club keeps its silent existence almost the rest of the school year. In UP, it is way too different. Playing with my curiosity, I even asked Ms Daphne-Dominique Villanueva if they ever run out of topics to discuss on Genmeets. Her answer was clear, that with so much to do and lots to plan on, they always have matters to discuss and even debate about. With the org having different committees, works are divided so as to let the members work and contribute to their specialized field. This is a significant fact the workshops taught me. Being a member, doesn’t mean owning the privilege of having a ‘tambayan’. It’s a lot more than that!

Every major activity in the app process is worth noting. The talent’s night being horrifying, it became an effective way on making an applicant learn many things. First, on your road to work on some thing, you can never get away with failure and criticisms but the power in you to struggle more and stay strong. Never let those put you down, or else you end up the loser! And second, you should learn the value of doing a job and dedicating your whole attention to it. Distractions will be there. Voices from everywhere will come, but you must learn to work on one at a time, know whom to listen to and where to specialize.

I believe that the advantages you gain when you become part of an organization are more than enough to compensate for the effort and hardships you’ve spent in its application process. Being a part of a FAMILY is its best prize!

On my reflection paper for the Indoctrination Week I had the chance to ponder on the whole app process. It summarizes the thoughts running through my inquisitive mind regarding the organization itself.

“Taking this road was my choice and I will stand with it. Let the route be rough and bumpy, but in me, it will not be enough to lay me off this trip. In the UP Aguman, respectfully speaking, I will forever belong!”

_______
TO UP AGUMAN
By Neicy

I will not sugarcoat what this application has been. It’s been tough. It’s been difficult and many times it has made me and my coapps want to break down. Many times we went home with swollen eyes and hurt feelings. Many times we went to sleep asking why we had to go through so much. For the last three months of my life, I've been through so much of what I used to particularly avoid during high school – apprehension, frustration, trepidation.

And thus I did not expect that this is where I would learn one of the most important lessons in life: that the finest sword is the one that makes it through the hottest flames.

Because of my application, my definition of the words patience, confidence and bravery changed. I thought you were patient if nothing could rile you up. I thought you were confident if you weren’t nervous. I thought you were brave if you did not feel fear. Now I know where I went wrong. You are patient, not if nothing could rile you up, but if you feel frustration but continue to be diligent and dedicated. You are confident, not if you do not feel fear but if you are nervous and embarrassed but continue to do what you are doing for your conviction. You are brace, not if you do not feel trepidation but if you are dead scared of what can happen but continue to go on.

I'm a better person now. Patient, confident, and brave because I have been frustrated, nervous and scared, but I did not let any of these stop me from going on. Nor do I have the intention of letting these stop me in the future.

There were unpleasant memories and there is a fear for what may happen in the future, but my application has not always been dreadful. I will not forget that it is also here where I met people I now hold dear and lessons that rose from wonderful reminiscences. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my coapps, who taught me that you don’t need to know someone’s biography to be able to trust him or her. They became my barkada, my brothers and sisters and my advisers, never leaving me in times I needed them and otherwise. My Budd Jen, Aguman’s resident gorgeous, for being a buddy to the truest sense of the word – taking care and looking after me, helping and supporting me to the best of her abilities, and trusting me with her personal thoughts even though we have not known each other long. Thank you for teaching me that there are no shortcuts in life – and that no matter what happens, I always have to be strong.

Finally, to Ruth, Mike and Buduy, the first Aguman members I got to know, thank you for convincing me to join the organization this semester – if it weren’t for you, I would have never been here and experienced all these things – and for taking me under your wing, not just during Hum 1 but all throughout.

To the rest of the mems, thank you for making this application memorable.

“Shinji kareru utare tsuyosa yo”
“Strength gained from hurt is unbelievable”
(Heart of a Sword, Samurai X)

Baskal 2007A Buddy Write-ups

The following are buddy write-ups submitted by batch Baskal 2007A prior to their Formal Interview. These are not necessarily the best, but they are worth sharing nonetheless. Den aliwa kasi, super creative la pero ela in narrative form kaya medyu masakit lang ipost keti, hehe! Deng aliwa naman, masyadu lang madrama, haha!

_______________
MY BUDDY, THE GIFT
By Jill Te

The buddy-mem of an app is a crucial part of the app process – for even if the obligations are on the hands of the app, it is the buddy mem’s role to assist the app through the process. The buddy-mem is the one an app relies on for guidance and support, and a good buddy relationship is, in my opinion, essential for an app to fully enjoy the process.
If there is one word to describe my relationship with my buddy, it would be the word, ‘gift’. Gift because it was freely given (I paid but not to her) and gift because I don’t think I deserve it.

Honestly, I know that my efforts as an app do not match Ate Fergie’s efforts as a buddy-mem. She has way more tambay hours than me, and I give her credit to a lot of the signatures that I got. She encouraged me through my ‘deferring points’, explained to me things I couldn’t understand about the org, and helped me through every step of the process (even picking out an outfit for the FI!). But more than that, more than all the help for the app process that she gave me was the friendship that was built in the two-month long app process.

When I lacked the initiative, she was the one who reminded me: “Budz pa-sign naka oh, ala ya mang gagawan… Sige na sign mu ne y buddy ku oh..”
When I lacked mission points: “Uy dinan mo ne oh!” Although it was quite tiring, but I'm not complaining, mission points are mission points!
When I lacked tambay hours: “Budz, mag-cut naka mu!” Haha! BI ever.
When I was on the verge of quitting: “Sagli namu yan..”
When I badly needed to have things explained: “Tara Starbucks!”
When I had nothing to wear for the FI: “Sige Trinoma tamu!”
And the list goes on and on…

As I have written in the buddy page of my sigsheet, if I was to repeat the app process (I pray I won't have to, it’s fun and all, but I really want to pass..) I will still want Ate Ferg to be my buddy. I'm not sure if there’s anything that I can do to repay her for what she’s done for me, but all I can think as of now is that I should do my best in the Final Interview, so that she may be proud to call me her buddy! Justin, her previous buddy, was the best app in his batch and I'm in no way close to being that in our batch, but I do hope I can still make her proud.

I hope that if/when I become a mem, I can be like her – from what I see, she’s one of the mems who love the org the most, and she takes her obligations seriously. And if do become a buddy-mem someday, I hope I can take on the role as properly as she has.

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BUDDY CHEVER*
ByTrish Nacpil

Balu ye ba ing buddy ko? Ali yu sasabyang ali ye kilala? Kadagul nang tau na imposibleng ali me apansin. A baka kasi aparisyun ya paminsan-minsan, joke!

Y Jowie Brent Timog Garcia ing kakung buddy! And I'm proud of it kasi yaku ing first and last buddy na! Whoo! Kaya pala pinakaditak ya ing Violet family eh. Makanano, pangatlu ne y Buddy kareng henerasyun na ning pamilya na na mangwang first and last buddy. Sadyang matamad kami ba? Ali neh! Sabi na ping buddy na ning buddy na ning buddy ku na y Kuya Rye, “Very rare tamung Violet Family. Ikatamu itang tipung potang lage daka tamu keng metung a ‘crowd’ lagi da katamung apapansin kasi ikatamu lagi deng mag-stand out or mag-shine ketang grupung ayta. Nyahaha!” Sinabi na rin kaku na, “Ikatamu itang tipung mumuna mahinhin kaybat kayari na ning Talents Night ala tanang marine, ehehe, tabalu na mu keng buddy mu na palage ku ala neng marine simula’t sapul, ahaha! Pero ikatamu deng pinakamasayahing pamilya, adyang ditak tamu mu.” Well, meg-enjoy ku nyang mikwentuhan kami kasi abalu ku ing ditak a background na ning hopefully maging family ku keng UP Aguman. Pero syempre ing buong family tamu pa rin ing org.

Ay wait, y Buddy pala, akalingwan ke, hehe! Y Buddy ing pinamakurang buddy kareng ngang buddies ngeni. Anyang minuna pin alang bisang mag-bid kaya eh. Kaya binid ku ne tutal pareho na kami man sched. Pero ali ku mag-sisi na ya ing meging buddy ku. Dyang ali kami laging miyayabe, we always keep it a point to know the state of the other. Y Buddy ing pinaka-sweet ampong caring and ‘touchy’ na buddy ever (yata!). obvious naman nyang ali ya pa busy. Ing pamang-wang buddy pic para keng Buddy Get-up ing pinaka-bonding session mi na siguro kasi within just a few hours nang karakal mengyari kekami, balamu meg-joyride kmai, ehehe!

Maswerte ku talaga kening buddy kung ayni. Biru mo masasakat ya lagi kako. Kaya siguro ali na naku lalapitan kasi tatakut neng masakat (karok ko talaga keng buddy ko!) =P

Dyang ali kami laging misasabing buddy, balu ming atsu kami para keng metung at metung. Miss danaka Budz!

*Charming Heartthrob of the Externals committee and the only Violet family Existing in our Race

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KUNG ATIN MANG METUNG A TAU
A BURI KUNG PASALAMATAN, IKAY TA, BUDDY
By Dondon Dy

Atin metung tau king Aguman
Buri ke talagang lubhan pasalamatan
Kasi andyang asne karakal gagawan
Paburen ing buddy na, ena man minsan depatan

Mag-umpisa king pamag-pirma
Angga king pamag-pasikan kaladwa
Dots to Dots maski pa Buddy Que Yan
Mangatmu ke ena talagang pehintulutan

Eku man pin inisip na makanini ya karesponsabli
Uling king samu’t sari nang pekyabayang aktibiti
Metung ya kareng tatalnan kung dahilan
Pamag-defer eku na makaying isipan

Makapagmulala ya ping tutu
Kung eyu man balu graduating ne pu
Andyang rugu atin yang feasib
Pane ya pa rin atsu para kaku, ita ing makabilib

Anyang bidding rugu a-bid ke mung tupipti
Pero grabi, ing ulaga na talaga namang dobli dobli
Anyang kanaku ating meng-api
Siguran ne at kanaku ya kinampi

Ing amanung ‘salamat’ kulang ya pa
Para asabi ku ing lugud ku keya
Buddy Cy anti kamong anghel a menibat king langit
Nung ala ka baka eku la ayagyu rening pasakit

Dakal a salamat keka! Ala kung asabi king kekang pamag-suporta!


Nung epa naman obvious, y Fergie ing buddy ng Jill, y Jowie ing kang Trisha and y Cyrille ing kang Dondon. (",)

The Krassables 2007A

Who's the member that makes you weak in the knees? That makes your heart skip a beat? That unleashes butterflies in your stomach? We surveyed the applicants of Batch Baskal 2007A to find out!

The Krassables - Apps Edition

The Krassables - Mems Edition

Genmeet highlights: September 27, 2007

*Formal Interviews of Baskal 2007A were concluded last September 26 (pictures below). The Final Rites for the qualified applicants will have their Final Rites on September 30 at San Pablo, Lubao. Meeting Place is at the McDonald's Dolores Junction. Time of departure for the FR site is at 8AM.

LEFT: Angelica Herico (Applicant) is interviewed by Felipe Pablo IV (Langgotsi 2006B) and Kath Gatchalian (Bucayo 2005B)
RIGHT: Trisha Nacpil (Applicant) is interviewed by Michael Gulapa (Lakatan 2006A) and Thea Lising Kadaya 2005B. Other members look on.


*There's less than a month left before Pautakan 2007 (October 25-27), so the EducComm gave updates for the said project. Members are urged to submit their assigned questions as soon as possible and search for sponsors. The venue for Questions Nights (October 18-24) is still pending.

*It was the grand draw for the Harry Potter Book Raffle by FinComm. FinComm members Lea Dizon, RJ Esguerra and Justin Dungca were there to pick the one and only winner. The winner of hardbound copies of Harry Potter Books 6 & 7 was Trisha Nacpil, an Aguman applicant.

Most Intimidating Members

in·tim·i·dat·ing [in tímmi dàyting]

adjective daunting: instilling fear, awe, or a sense of inadequacy

For Baskal 2007A, it was defined as "tumipun ka pang dakal a lakas ampo sikan lub bayu mo lapitan para papirma". Haha!

Aslag Online surveyed the applicants and asked them to name the 3 most intimidating members for them. Here's what we found out. Mems, alang pikun at personalan!

Baskal Buddy Activites on its final stretch

Who will win the P250 worth of Cerealicious Gift Certificates? We will find out soon when the dust settles after the Buddy Que Yan Finals featuring the Top 3 buddy pairs left -- Fergie & Jill, Felipe & John Carl and Ruth & Jann.

The winning pairs for the Buddy Getup are the following:


For the rest of the pictures, click here.

12 surviving Baskal applicants hurdle their Talents Night

August 23, 2007 - It was the moment of truth for the 12 remaining applicants of batch Baskal 2007A as they finally face the members in a closed-door variety show of talent.. and more, haha!

The Vinzons Rooftop was jampacked with members and young alumni. One of the UP Aguman application process' most famous activities was attended by 40 of the 46 registered members and 5 alumnae (Leah Salta, Celine Dagadag and Krystel Cruz (Sampelut 2003A), Hazel Tobias (Kaputul 2004A) and Zen Galban (Bucayo 2005B).

Here's the list of the performances:
*I'll Be There For You (by The Rembrandts and the Friends theme sone) and Kembot of ASAP's UD4 by the batch as their batch song and batch presentation
*Fleximoves (the Kim Chiu Whisper commercial) by Khen, Anj, Trish, Jill and Nic
*Mosquito (the dance popularized by Starstruck 4 Finalists) by Jill, J.Carl, Mae & Jann
*Wow Paksiw (the Wowowee Girls commercial) by Jewel, Minsky, Mare, Khen and Trish
*Pop! Goes My Heart (sung by Hugh Grant on the movie Music & Lyrics) by Jerome and Dondon
*Quit Playing Games Transformers Remix (by the Backstreet Boys) by Jerome, Dondon, J.Carl and Jann
*Alang Kalibe (Kapampangan version of Beyonce Knowles' Irreplaceable) by Anj on vocals and guitar
*Rush Rush (by Paula Abdul) by Nic
*Margarita VS Marimar Dance Showdown by Jewel and Minsky

The respective buddy-members of the applicants and the Membership Committee members were all present in full force in helping out the applicants get through this nerve-racking night of their application process and make sure they learn the right lessons from the experience.

As for the mems, they definitely played the part, haha! Special mention to Fergie (Kadaya 2005A) for her unparalleled performance and energy level that night (meg-donate ya pang blood king datang a ita ah!). With distinction: Kevin, Felipe and Kitchie. :)





For more pictures, click here.

Baskal Gets Set for Talents Night

By John Carl Tan Gozun

August 16 -- The new set of applicants marked this day as their first practice for the upcoming Talents’ Night on the 23^rd of August. The preparation was immediately held after the strenuous Scavenger Hunt. Vinzons Hall served as the perfect place to put everything into scratch.

Baskal decided to make the dance hit Kembot their official batch production number for the previous jives everyone’s enjoyment. It was originally requested to be performed by Jann, Jill, Mae, and John Carl who were to imitate ASAP’s Ultimate Dance Four (UD4). Jewel was the one who choreographed the whole dance.

“Nakakasakit pala ng appendix ito!” Trish murmured jokingly.

Then, the guys chose to have their dinner be delivered. After the eating the great meals, they had a spin-the-bottle game. Most answers weren’t expected as humorous secrets were unveiled.

August 18 -- The second practice day coincided with Minsky’s 17^th birthday. Even though the there were heavy rains, Neicy, Jerome, Anj, Trish, Mae, Jann, Minsky, John Carl, and Jewel managed to go to Jill’s house in Balibago, Angeles City. There, the batch production number was polished. The other requests were also practiced like the “Do the Whisper Move” and the “Chicken Noodle Soup” (the recourse for Kembot).

To celebrate Mi’s birthday, pizza, beverages, ice cream, and rum cake were bought. They all had a great time as Jill served glasses of soda with cookies and cream ice cream on top.



August 21 -- Baskal continued their preparation at Don Don’s place in Hardin ng Rosas. The four boys got ready for the request “Quit Playing Games by the Transformers.” The girls, on the other hand, rehearsed on their “Do the Whisper Move.” After which, Kembot was taught to Don and Khersien who weren’t around during the past two practices for certain reasons. Anj had a dry run of her “Irreplaceable (Capampangan version).” “Pop Goes My Heart” was also run through by Jerome and Don. After all the practices had been done that night, it was wondering why Baskal loves giling steps.

That same night, the batch gave Don a birthday card for the next rise of the sun was already his 18^th birthday. He read all the messages aloud as all seemed to have smiles on their faces.



August 22 -- the applicants met at the so-called grand stand at the Sunken Garden to polish everything they had to practice and to finalize everything they had to finalize. Excitement, tremor, and pressure wrapped them up for the imminent and intimidating Talents’ Night.



BASKAL 2007A TALENTS NIGHT
6PM, AUGUST 23, Vinzon's Rooftop
See you there!

Talkback: Scavenger Hunt Aguman-style

August 1, 2007 - After being canceled a number of times due to unpredictable weather, MemComm's Scavenger Hunt for Baskal 2007A pushed through! It was quite ironic thought, because classes that day were suspended due to impending wrath of typhoon Egay. But apparently, Egay was nowhere to be seen in the Diliman campus, so mems and apps were finally able to play.

1ST PLACE: BLUE Team - Mems Loree, Kath, Felipe, Denesse and apps Jewel, Minsky, Jann, Jerome
2nd Place: GREEN Team - Mems Jen, Aries, Buduy and apps Don, John, Trish, Jill
3rd Place: PINK Team - Mems Andrew, Thea, Jer and apps Anj, Nic, Mae, Khen

The Scavenger Hunt clues were written and prepared by MemComm members Kevin, Elai, Yek and Marco.

Sobrang enjoy. Our energy was endless that time. We worked so hard as a team, hehe. Go Blue Team! Royal winners.
~Jewel, applicant

Galing da reng clues, the best. Mipaisip ka talaga. Kaya mu sobrang ikli, makabitin. Sana next time halfday! Ehe. Makapayat.
~Aries, Lakatan 2006A

I wish more mems came so that they too can experience the fun and exhaustion we felt last Thursday. Blue team: the best!
~Kath, Bucayo 2005B

Wow, astig ing experience though makapagal mu pin. And the clues were really well thought of, and meging bonding ya rin between the groupmates.
~Jerome, applicant, batch head

Okay naman po yung game. Actually madali lang siya compared daw sa dati sabi nina Ate THea kasi may pattern. Kaso yung ibang clues mejo nakaka-nosebleed lang talaga kasi di familiar. Tapos po yun, masaya naman magtakbo-takbo kahit nakakapagod. And kahit talo kami, the experience was good. It was fun.
~Mae, applicant

Masasabi ko sobrang enjoy, syempre. Buti natuloy siya at last! After many time na nadelay! Haha! Sana maulit pa yun! Next time sana next level na. Mas malayuan at mas mahirap na challenges. Hahaha! Kung pwede outside UP pa, yahahay!
~Minsky, applicant

D'best Scav Hunt! Kahit mesakit ku buong katawan pangabengi. At in fairness kareng apps, magaling and mabilis la! Masaya pupulayi! After masagutan reng nosebleed clues. Go blue!
~Loree, Kadaya 2005A

We should've won! Haha! Bilib ku kareng long cuts nang Ate Jen! Woo!
~Buduy, Lakatan 2006A

So far, eto yun pinaka-enjoy na AguActivity na naattendan ko. Medyo nagiguilty ako nung una kasi feeling ko wala akong mako-contribute sa team so nagdecide na lang ako na maging scout/runner. Hehe! Buti na lang magaling mga teammates ko. Enjoy, as in!
~Jann, Applicant

Sobrang sayang experience noong Scav Hunt. Sayang wala kaming ganun nung apps pa lang kami. We really didn't expect to win. Everyone sa team namin helped kaya din kami nanalo. We were looking after each other din. Todo teamwork talaga. Sana maulit! Haha!
~Denesse, Langgotsi 2006B

It was a total fun experience! ANswers to clues were really difficult to figure out. We wished we had a vehicle to easily segue to the next destination. Albeit it was so tiring, the freshies said that at least they've gone to places they haven't been to. About our team: Jen and Trish got on the brink of an accident: a car nearly hit them. We all did long cuts when we were searching for the final clue in Balay Kalinaw. It was funny though, at first we thought that the 2nd-to-the-last clue was referring to fruit shakes for the previous stated 'smiles of yellow, shades of green;. Even if we are in the 2nd place, the Scav Hunt built teamwork, unity and trust in our team -- hurray Green Team!
~John Carl, applicant

Our team was nagtutulungan to solve nosebleed clues. Maliliksi ang mga apps, kakabilib! Si Kath nga lumipat sa amin kasi feel niya na blue ang winner. Well, it was meant to be! Congrats blue! It was nice playing withh go-na-go teammates. We reached destinations with fun and laughter. Galing natin guys! Congrats din sa ibang teams, pampalubag loob, haha!
~Felipe, Langgotsi 2006B

Me-stuck kami ketang clue papuntang Vinzon's! Masaya yung game kasi nakapagbonding kami with each other.
~Khen, applicant

Parang Amazing Race ang Scav Hunt. Tinakbo namin ang mala-Ikot route ng UP jeep sa UP, hehe! Tapos ibang klase yung mga clues, in fairness kailangan talaga pag-isipan. Napatext pa nga kami para sa 1st clue eh. Haha! Kaya pala ako sa Pink Team dahil sa draw lots na ginawa sa tambayan. At last kami nakaalis kasi last kami dun sa text challenge, hehe! Nakakapagod pero masaya at worth it naman talaga kasi nakausap at nakabonding ko yung mems tulad ni Ate Thea, Kuya Andrew na birthday boy at si Kuya Jer. Tas puro babae kaming coapps, sina Khen, Nic at Mae. Salamat sa isang masayang activity by the MemComm. Pure fun and enjoyment po ang hinandog ninyo.
~Anj, applicant

Oita first time! Kasaya ing Scav Hunt kaya lang nakakapgod! Grabe. Whew! Tricky ang mgaquestions pero syempre magaling kami, haha! Joke! Nagtagal kami dun sa second to the last clue, aha. Naabutan nga namin ang blue teame, may partida lang silang 5 minutes. Bitter? Anyway, win or lose, winners pa rin kami! Why? Because we savored every experience and we finished as a team! Buti na lang at walang nagcollapse sa amin, haha! Next year make sure na mauulit to ne?
~Jen, Lakatan 2006A

The clues, manisip ka talaga, e la basta basta. Kailanang eka ob-ob. Bigtime la reng clues. My team, simap atsu kekami y genius Buduy, pero aliwa mu ya ing meging genius, egana gana pati di Aries, John, Jen Jill, Trish, asno kagaling mantun clues pati magdecipher clues, mangasipag ngan and everybody wanted to win. Though e pa man sinabi ing prize, everyone was so eager. The destinations, well enoman something new deng destinations pero the fact na talagang pedurutan dakami UP eh talagang makapagal. Actually, aku first time ku milub Arki, hehe! The experience, wa, syempre worth it, masakit man e masaya talaga. Makasakit mu ping katawan, hehe. At least mekapagbonding kami, hehe.
~Dondon, applicant

The 10 Destinations were:
Arki
Balay Kalinaw
Beach house
Film Institute
NISMED
Oblation
Melchor Hall
Sundial
Vinzon's Hall
AguTambayan

Baskal Serves First Point for Batch Unity

By Neicy Nicdao

UP Aguman’s current batch of applicants, Baskal 2007A, finally opened the game for batch unity after having their first official batch bonding on August 7, 2007 (Tuesday) at SM North EDSA. Lead by Batch Head Jerome Ocampo and Assistant Batch Head Diogenes Dy, the members of Baskal braved the rather unpleasant weather to hit SM North EDSA for a dinner together and to watch Ouija.

Bereft of the leisure of time, the batch spent their three-hour bonding buying takeout dinner, which they shared while watching the big screen. Viewing the movie, half of the time scared of the ghost antagonist and the other half of the clock laughing about their batch mates’ scared expressions, and chatting with each other in between trivial activities.

In the end, Baskal decided to have another batch bonding gimmick in the near future, this time with more time together for more activities. It was suggested that the next outing would be done in Pampanga.

Ace
The batch bonding’s aim was to nurture a closer relationship between the members of Baskal, something I think me and my batch mates were able to accomplish. While in the past, there used to be times when it felt awkward to open conversations and keep them going, everyone was engaging that day. We were more expressive, and the end result left us finding it easier to approach each other almost anytime, begin a sensible conversation and keep it going almost effortlessly.

More comfortable talks allowed us to know each other better. This time, our conversations were no longer just about bio-data information. We had more personal sharings of experiences, feelings, opinions and advices. My fellow freshie Trish and I will keep in mind what sophie co-apps Don and John Carl shared to us about their experiences in shifting courses.

The best proof that the batch bonding did bring us closer? We want to do it again.

Fault
It is unfortunate that the activity that should be a momentous milestone in Baskal’s journey to true unity could only be attended by nine of the batch’s fourteen members (Jerome, Don, Jill, Jewel, John Carl, Nic, Anj, Minsky and Trish). Others reasoned out that they had tests or other academic activities to do.

Aguman Members have been very particular with the fact that we have never been completed in any of the organization’s activities. It’s disheartening that we had to spend our first official batch bonding incomplete.

It is impossible to bind rice stalks if you do not have all of them in your hand. I guess that in that sense, we are not truly united yet. But we’ve taken the first step, and we’re not stopping until live up to our batch’s name.




For the rest of the pictures, click here.

Baskal 2007A enjoys their Unity Night

July 19, 2007 -- The Aguman members and the applicants of Batch Baskal 2007A held the traditional Unity Night at the Vinzon's Rooftop. As always, it was a night of fun, games and free food! Aside from the mini-dinner the apps prepared, the Unity Night coincided with the birthdays of member Acey Duarte and applicant Migz Esguerra so a number of Domino's Pizzas were served as well. Alumna Zen Galban (Bucayo 2005B) and Di Sarmiento (Kasaup 2002A) also graced the event.

The members were grouped into three and played a number of games.
*Eggplant and egg relay -- players had to push the eggs with the eggplants tied hanging from their waists.
*Toothpick and Polo relay -- using only the toothpicks on their mouths, players had to pass around a Polo candy.
*Exhaust -- the favorite 'padakalan-balu' game! The winning moment was when member Jen Castro pointed out in frantic motion that Loree's answer of "Jeanie In A Bottle" to the category Judy Ann movies should've been "Jeanie, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang".
After the group games came the mem VS apps battle of charades and the name-the-person-behind-the-blanket. Naturally and as expected, the members won. (As if naman pasambut tamu, diba? Haha!)

A genmeet for the final preparations for the first day of CEER 2007 preceded the Unity Night activities.

For pictures, click here!