NEU wins Overall Championship of Sining 2008

A total of 9 high schools participated in the Day 2 of Sining 2008:

Angeles City National High School – Special Science Class (ACNHS-SSC)
Brightwoods School (BS)
Don Bosco Academy (DBA)
Holy Angel University (HAU)
New Era University (NEU)
San Lorenzo Ruiz Center of Studies & Schools (SLRCSS)
St Ann Colleges (SAC)
Systems Plus College Foundation (SPCF)
University of the Assumption (UA)

This brings to 12 the total number of schools who participated in Sining 2008. Pampanga High School (PHS), Mary Help of Christians School (MHCS) and Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trade (DHVCAT) also sent contestants for Day 1 events.

It was indeed a very colorful day for young Capampangan artistry and talent as the different schools battled it out in the 6 different competitions of the day: Declamation (3 participants), Solo Singing (12), Chorale (2), Interpretative Dance (6), Modern Street Dance (6) and Rockoustic Band (10). Sining 2008 proved to be the biggest so far not only in terms of number of events but also in number of contestants. Registered contestants on the dance and band events almost doubled from last year’s turnout.

There were some problems like when DBA’s music stopped for many seconds during their performance in the Interpretative Dance Competition, and when there were some clarifications on the Rockoustic Band Competition rules. But in the end, they were resolved and everyone inside the mall premises enjoyed the kids’ show which truly celebrated Capampangan young talent.

Tarlac-based Capampangan band Mernuts also performed before the Awarding Ceremonies. The band is famous on the Youtube for translating modern Pop-R&B songs and performing them in Capampangan. They delighted the crowd with an unplugged version of their three songs: Alang Kalibe (Irreplaceable), Payung (Umbrella) and Aliwa Kang Talaga (an original).


LEFT: The Sining 2008 Day 2 audience at the SM City Clark Event Centre
RIGHT: Mernuts performs their Capampangan songs

Each Top 3 placement in all events is worth a corresponding number of points that will be tallied to determine the Overall Winners. In the end, New Era University once again emerged as the Overall Champion – their second consecutive championship.

Here’s the final and complete list of winners from all the events, from Day 1 to Day 2:

POETRY WRITING – ENGLISH
“The colors that remind you of your Capampangan heritage”
1st – AJ Lumanlan (BWS)
2nd – Marachele Mendoza (PHS)
3rd – Amy Rose Tayag (NEU)

POETRY WRITING – FILIPINO
“Kulturang Kapampangan na maibabahagi mo sa ibang Pilipino”
1st – Ian Bencio David (PHS)
2nd – Joseph Carlo Vital (DBA)
3rd –Kimberly Castro (NEU)

ESSAY WRITING – ENGLISH
“What makes a Capampangan stand out in a crowd”
1st – Maria Viennina Reyes (BWS)
2nd –Erin Kieshia Manlutac (PHS)
3rd –Kiyoko Francisco (MHCS)

ESSAY WRITING – FILIPINO
“Mga simpleng bagay na pwede kong gawin para mapanatili ang aking pagiging Kapampangan”
1st – Girlen Marie Milleza (MHCS)
2nd – Rhoger John Manalo (DBA)
3rd – Merrygel Siqui (NEU)

IMPROMPTU SPEECH – ENGLISH
“What I want to say to my fellow Kapampangans”
1st – Aeron Salientes (DBA)
2nd – Mikee Mercado (BS)
3rd – Rose Lhyn Gaviola (NEU)

IMPROMPTU SPEECH – FILIPINO
“Sa anong larangan ako sisikat, bilang isang Kapampangan”
1st – Jericko Samson (UA)
2nd – Mikee Mercado (BS)
3rd – Kariza Masangcay (NEU)

POSTER MAKING
“Pampanga: Today and Tomorrow”
1st – Rafael Gatus (DHVCAT)
2nd – Jomarie Lagania (PHS)
3rd – Christian Cunanan (DHVCAT)

STILL LIFE DRAWING
(Relyenung tugak, sizzling sisig, polvoron and turrones de casoy)
1st – Lorena Villareal (PHS)
2nd – Jung Youn Son (BS)
3rd – Charmaine Pinlac (DHVCAT)

ART PHOTOGRAPHY
1st – Carlyn De Guzman (NEU)
2nd – Mel Yza Sunga (NEU)
3rd – Jose Manuel Marcon (BS)

CRISOTAN
1st – Shermaine Delos Santos, John Jervin Torres, Roana Yalung (NEU)
2nd – Marel Rivera, Philip Lorena, Chester Liangco (DBA)

DECLAMATION
“Appreciating one’s own language”
1st – Alyana Marie Bermudo (NEU)
2nd –Hil Vargas (DBA)
3rd – Angelo Mamangun Jr. (HAU)

SOLO-SINGING
1st – Mary Jen Gozun (NEU)
2nd – Leanne Canlas (UA)
3rd – Miguel Rivera (DBA)

CHORALE
1st – Angelic Choir (UA)
2nd – NEU Glee Club (NEU)

INTERPRETATIVE DANCE
“Pinanari: Rediscovering the Colors of Capampangan Artistry”
1st – Teatro Busko (DBA)
2nd – UAHS Dance Troupe (UA)
3rd – San Lorenzo Dance Troupe (SLRCSS)


LEFT: Teatro Busko (DBA) during the Interpretative Dance
RIGHT: Head Turners (ACNHS-SSC) during the Modern Streetdance Competition


MODERN STREETDANCE
1st – Head turners (ACNHS-SSC)
2nd – Intensity X (DBA)
3rd – Eranians (NEU)

ROCKOUSTIC BAND
1st – Akushka (NEU)
2nd – Free To Play (BS)
3rd – String Life (NEU)

OVERALL TALLY
NEU, 180 pts
DBA, 115
BS, 85
UA, 70
PHS, 60
DHVCAT, 25
ACNHS-SSC, 25
MHCS, 20
SLRCSS, 15
HAU, 5

Sining 2008 Day 2 was once again graced by many Aguman alumni:
Powie De Guzman, Siklab 1980A
Frank Madlangbayan, Bisaclat 1981A
Weng Pangilinan, Diquit-Diquit 1996A
Marc David, Tuglung 1998A
Maan Laud, Ambula 2000A
Melissa Malazarte, Ambula 2000A
Analyn Delos Santos-, Ambula 2000A
Mennen Dicuangco, Ambula 2000A
Argel Joseph Casupanan, Salagpi 2001A
Andre Galang, Salagpi 2001A
Dennis Manabat, Salagpi 2001A
Joman Laxamana, Kasaup 2002A
Diane Sarmiento, Kasaup 2002A
Mike Peñalba, Sampelut 2003A
Celine Dagdag, Sampelut 2003A
Leah Salta, Sampelut 2003A
Hazel Tobias, Kaputul 2004A
April Parilla, Kaputul 2004A
Zenicar Galban, Bucayo 2005B


LEFT: Akushka (NEU) during the Rockoustic Band Competition
RIGHT: UA Angelic Choir (UA) during Chorale Competition


MORE PICTURES COMING SOON!

UP Aguman presents: Sining 2008, Day 2

DAY TWO COMPETITIONS:

Declamation
11.30am




Solo-Sining
12.30pm*




Chorale
1.30pm*



Interpretative Dance
2.30pm*



Modern Street Dance
3.30pm*



Rockoustic Band
4.30pm*


GUEST PERFORMERS! Mernuts, the Capampangan band who popularized Capampangan translations of the latest Pop-R&B hits such as Irreplaceable, Big Girls Don't Cry and Umbrella on Youtube, will perform.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS and the AWARDING CEREMONIES will start at 6pm*.

*Approximate times only. Actual schedule depends on number of participants in competitions before it. There will be 5-10-minute breaks in between competitions for any setup changes.

For last-minute registration and more inquiries, text:
LOREE: 0915 982 4507
DAPHNE: 0927 914 9848

Babarug, Pipitik 3: One More Chance Edition

Amiel & Pax. Joms & Dadai. Phil & Thea. Lang & Pie. Jowie & Hazel.

Who will be the next AguCouple?
(Will they actually be a couple eventually? Haha!)

UP AGUMAN FINCOMM presents

RULES & MECHANICS:

*Open only to SINGLE Aguman members. Straight and heterosexual pairings mu ne.
*Previous winners: Rex, Daphne, Paul & Porshe are not eligible to join. They've had their chance, they didn't take it, sorry, hehe!
*The rule is simple, vote for your favorite AguLoveteams and back-vote for anyone that stands in the way of their blossoming love! Bwahahaha!
*P10 is needed to nominate a pair and place them in the Voting Board. They automatically get 5 votes.
*Each vote or BARUG is worth P1, and each back-vote or PITIK is worth P1 as well. ANYONE (even non-Aguman members) can vote or back-vote.
*There are 2 Elimination Days: February 6 (Wednesday) and February 9 (Saturday). The pair with the lowest net votes (total of barugs and pitiks) will be automatically eliminated.
*For each voting day, a pair must receive 40 net votes to stay in the game. Otherwise, they will also be eliminated.
*On the last 2 voting days, February 11 & 12, secret balloting will be employed.
*Voting starts February 4. Closing of voting period will be on February 12, 6pm. Results will be revealed after.
*Prize for the winning pair is, of course, one more chance at love! Wushu! Edi libreng date, nan pata, pakapata!
*You can vote to Joms, Anj or Buduy. Nung alalu, pwede to any member na makapamye karela. But make sure to text Joms (0905 366 6866), Anj (0915 969 2016) or Buduy (0916 381 9550) about it.


FinComm will send nightly updates on the Loveteam Standings. So come one guys, magpa-vote nakayu kareng kaklase yu! Magpa-pass around nakayung lata kareng classes yu, sabyan yu donation para keng lablayp yu, haha!

DBA and NEU share lead after Day 1 competitions

A total of 8 schools competed in the Day 1 events of Sining 2008 at New Era University.

Brightwoods School (BS)
Don Bosco Academy (DBA)
Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trade (DHVCAT)
Holy Angel University (HAU)
Mary Help of Christians School (MHCS)
New Era University (NEU)
Pampanga High School (PHS)
University of the Assumption (UA)




Impromptu Speech (English) Competition
“What I want to say to my fellow Kapampangans”
CHAMPION: Aeron Salientes, DBA
2nd: Mikee Mercado, BS
3rd: Roselhyn Gaviola, NEU

Impromptu Speech (Filipino) Competition
“Sa anong larangan ako sisikat, bilang isang Kapampangan”
CHAMPION: Jericko Samson, UA
2nd: Mikee Mercado, BS
3rd: Kariza Masangcay, NEU


Crisotan
CHAMPION: Shermaine Delos Santos, John Jervin Torres, Roana Yalung, NEU
2nd: Marel Rivera, Philip Lorena, Chester Liangco, DBA


The Essay Writing Competitions (English and Filipino) were held in morning.
Theme for English: “What makes a Capampangan stand out in a crowd”
Theme for Filipino: “Mga simpleng bagay na pwede kong gawin para mapanatili ang aking pagiging Kapampangan”


The Poetry Writing Competitions (English and Filipino) were held in the afternoon.
Theme for English: “The colors that remind you of your Capampangan heritage”
Theme for Filipino: “Kulturang Kapampangan na maibabahagi mo sa ibang Pilipino”


The Poster Making Competition was also held in the afternoon.
Theme: Pampanga: “Today and Tomorrow”


Similarly, the Still Life Competition was held in the afternoon. The subject for this competition consists of some popular and unique Capampangan delicacies and dishes: sisig, relyenung tugak, polvoron and turrones de casoy.



The winners for these events will be announced on February 9, Day 2.

OVERALL STANDING, as of DAY 1
DBA – 35 pts
NEU – 35 pts
BS – 20 pts
UA – 15 pts

UP Aguman would like to thank the following, for sharing their valuable time and expertise in judging for the Day 1 events:
Mary Ann Laud (Ambula 2000A) for Impromptu Speech – English
Francisco Guinto for Impromptu Speech – Filipino & English
Homer Gallardo for Impromptu Speech – Filipino and Crisotan
Felix Garcia Impromptu Speech – Filipino and Crisotan
Ed Aguilar for Impromptu Speech – English and Crisotan

Sining 2008 Day 1 was also graced by the following alumni:
Mary Ann Laud, Ambula 2000A
Mike Peñalba, Sampelut 2003A
Powie De Guzman, Siklab, 1980A
Weng Pangilinan, Diquit-Diquit 1996A

See you all on the second and final day of Sining 2008 on February 9 at SM City Clark!

For further inquiries and last-minute registrations, kindly text or call:
LOREE 0915 982 4507
DAPHNE 0927 914 9848

UP Aguman presents: Sining 2008, Day 1

DAY ONE COMPETITIONS:

Art Photography
Deadline of Entries



Impromptu Speech - English
10-11.30am



Essay Writing - English
Essay Writing - Filipino
10am-12nn


Impromptu Speech - Filipino
1-2.30pm




Crisotan (Kapampangan Poetry)
2.30-4pm


Poster Making
1-4pm


Still Life Drawing
1-4pm


Poetry Writing - English
Poetry Writing - Filipino
1-4pm


We invite everyone to watch the Impromptu Speech and Crisotan Competitions of SINING 2008 at the NEW ERA UNIVERSITY, City of San Fernando.

For inquiries, text/call:
LOREE 0915 982 4507
DAPHNE 0927 914 9848

The 'Second Place' Champion

By Mike Gulapa

Dragging my way out of bed on a Saturday morning wasn’t easy. But that day, I was forced to do so. It was the first day of my school’s first time in joining Aguman’s Sining. Excited? No! I was displeased rather than being hyped for this competition. Come on! It was scheduled on a weekend, which was my favorite part of the week! How could I be grateful? Moreover, this competition unlike the other ones I joined before didn’t exempt me from class. Sayang! Rather, it consumed my supposedly blissful Saturday just so I could relive like Baltazar for a day and write poetry. Nice. Just nice.

Since I had no choice, I just comforted myself with 5 reasons. First, allowance on a weekend was great, which will be unspent because the school will be shouldering all the expenses. Second, I’ll see my friends and we could hang out after. Third, I’ll be having a ‘Certificate of Participation’ and an ambassador of goodwill recognition which I could add up on my collections. Fourth, I’m doing my school a favor. Lastly, this will be counted on the extra curricular points which would push me closer to becoming the batch’s valedictorian.

But still, these motivations didn’t overshadow my 2^nd place syndrome. Wondering what the hell was this syndrome? Actually I just coined this term, I don’t know if it really exists but I think for me it did. Why? To be honest I never actually won in any inter-school competition. I don’t know why but every time I was so near in bagging the elusive First Place; I always end up being the 1^st runner up. It was like in a beauty pageant where only two ladies are left, holding hands waiting for the announcement of the runner-up, and then winner. In my situation, I was always the one who gets called next. But if I’m to consider 2^nd place as winning, then I could say that I haven't won a lot, really.

These frustrations made me feel a little unenthusiastic in every competition and in different endeavors. I had this nagging feeling that I was never going to be the best at anything at all. Exaggerated as it may sound, but it was these insecurities that always dispirit me. So as I ascended the steps to the threshold of the event, my light head and heavy heart seemed to weigh me down.

The gun was fired, the competition has begun. One by one, the different events were held and I still wasn’t able to match the zeal exemplified by my colleagues. Even more, witnessing my classmate kicked some asses on the Impromptu Speech competition kind of frightened me, ako lang ata ang di nag-prepare. So I just read some poetry from a book I brought while waiting for my turn, so I could at least say that I had preparations for the event in case the hosts would ask, hoping that it would add up fire to my dying flame of confidence. I even took note of some words that might be of good use, but I never thought that these words would save my life minutes later. And then the moment came — the 3-hour Filipino Poetry Writing competition has begun.

The theme was “Sining bilang salamin ng katotohanan”. Oh my God! What was that supposed to mean? I wasn’t even sure of what my definition of sining was and what exactly is katotohanan! And at that specific moment, I pressed my panic button deep inside, because I was asked on-the-spot to write and express my thoughts, in a poem even, on two very ambiguous words — art and truth.

The clock started ticking and my seatmates fired off with their pens as they started scribbling stanzas. It was as if they all had brightly lit light bulbs over their heads. I was practically blinded by them! Damn! They obviously are already on their trail of thoughts while I was still busy squeezing my brain for some creative wisdom.

Only minutes had passed and to my surprise, someone was already done. Wow! Halimaw yun! I suddenly felt the pressure and it became so intense! So I resorted to my survival instinct and wrote something from my own understanding and interpretation. I had no choice so I used the words I memorized because it seems like they were the only ones juggling in my head. An hour has passed and almost half of the contestants were done. “I’m gonna lose again”, I thought to myself. Two hours and fifty minutes after, the last contestant on the table — which by the way was me — finally finished and handed over his piece. At last, the agony was put to an end.

It was over. I didn’t come the day after for the Awarding Ceremonies and I had no plans of coming anyway for I already had a bleak prognosis of a certain defeat. For me, the competition was over even before I ‘held hands with the soon to be proclaimed winner’.

But life can be pretty surprising. At the time when the Awarding Ceremonies were being held at SM City Pampanga, a text message was sent to me with the words “Man, ang galing mo!”

What?! Was that sarcastic? Did I make it to the 2^nd Place yet again? My heartbeat raced as my phone went crazy and started beeping, receiving messages from my coach, friends, and colleagues. Everyone’s congratulating me! I can’t believe it at first, until it was confirmed, that apparently, I won! Yahoo!

That was my first and last 1^st Place win in an inter-school competition and the medal awarded to me was the biggest I ever had. That triumph put an end to my era of drama of not being the best. The feeling of being able to outwit all the delegates from schools all over Pampanga was just priceless. Finally, I was able to taste something that before I only had a glimpse of — I was a champion at last! I even remember one of my colleagues saying “Baka next year niyan isa ka na sa mga organizers nito”. I didn’t entertain the idea, not knowing that her words would amazingly flesh out months after.

The champion feeling didn’t last long because a month after Sining, I graduated as my batch’s Salutatorian. What can I say? Is it really my fault or is it just fate that always places me second? I couldn’t help but think and be bitter about it. Until, I went to college.

UP made me realize a lot of things, one of which is there’s more to life than being obsessed with figures and rankings. In UP, it doesn’t matter whether or not one placed 1^st in competitions back in high school. Awards were merely titles but not privileges. There, you cannot brag nor boast about it, because they won’t care more of what you have become. I have realized that I should’ve just enjoyed every competition back in high school and learned rather than worrying myself for possibilities of humiliation and defeat. I should have trusted my capabilities and be confident of my talents. I should have gone to the awarding ceremony and had a picture of the giant gold medal around my neck with my future orgmates. I should have. These should-haves would have been lessened if only I put more faith in myself more than the desire of winning.

Finally, I learned that in this journey I should have always taken steps despite the fear of falling and having bruised knees because in the end, losing and mistakes won’t count. What will matter is the person we turned out to be — not naïve, but a person who is wise and beautifully molded by experiences.

It was then that I have come to appreciate being a 2^nd Placer. And it is not a discredit to be one, considering that there was only one better than you but you were better than several others was indeed, already something to be proud of. And in my situation, I must be more proud because not everyone reaches as high as second place with such consistency. Haha! Besides, being second gives room for improvement, reminding us that we can’t always be the best but we can always be better. Enjoy the wonderful Sining experience! You’ll never know that you might be one of us months or years after!

______________
Mike represented San Lorenzo Ruiz Center of Studies and Schools in Sining 2006. Back in high school, he was the Vice-President in class (1st to 4th year), Peer Counselor’s Club, and the Associate Editor of the school paper — all positions that are SECOND-in-command. Up to this day, he still complains that in his Certificate of Recognition, his second name and surname were erroneously spelled. He became an Aguman member 7 months after.

Top Commenters for January 2008

1. ANJ, 55.3 points
2. Justin, 54.6
3. Felipe 50.2
4. Rex, 31.4
5. Fergie 18.7
6. Jen, 10.1
7. Loree, 8.8
8. Daphne, 7.9
Kevin, 7.9
10. Michael 7.3

Stats for January 2008:
*103% decrease in comments. Which is best explained by the 50% decrease in posts, hehe.
*87% decrease in tags. Pero y Justin, 47% increase in tags! Mebana ya siguru keng brand new laptop and wifi keng boarding house da, haha!
*16.8% increase in visits! Controversial la reng Poll questions eh, hehe!

Top foreign visitors:
1. USA
2. Hong Kong
3. United Kingdom
4. Canada
5. Ghana


And as always, the top and most intriguing search strings! Tadaaa!
*Mutya Ning Kapampangan 2007
*Melina Tinio
*Diana Angeline Fidellaga
*Baskal sex
*Aguman 35 Anniversary
*Star Magic presents Astigz
*Sex baskal
*Michelle Fabros
*Dates to remember for the Bangsamoro
*"Michael Gualapa"
*Justinne Santos - UP Aguman
*Dormitoryana Katipunan
*Babarug
*Nat Tabucal
*Aris Viray
*Nick Dizon drifting
*Daphne Villanueva
*Fergie Anne Panganiban's Multiply
*Sino ang kilala sa tawag na caligula
*Dianne Sarmiento
*Ginoong Sinukwan
*Metamorphic monologue
*Kevin Ambula
*Aries Viray
*Kins Loree
*Kayo Felipe blog
*Kadenang Kristal
*Wilmer Ong pic
*Tres Loveless
*Chumever ever
*Neicy Nicdao
*Mahiya Kadaya
*Kalamansi relay games mechanics

LURVE MONTH OF FEBRUARY na!
And for that, expect more posts about the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees and the thing called LURVE!
COMING SOON!
*Spotlight on AguCouples
*14 P's king Pamag-Pesus
*Dating 101
*AguPips Favorite Lovesongs!
*Short lovestories featuring your favorite AguLoveteams!

Feel free to contribute ne? Just email to up_aguman_tfk@yahoo.com!

Sining 2008 Updates!

Here's the program of schedule for Sining 2008. Please be guided accordingly.

February 2, FIRST DAY, New Era University
8.00-9.00am -- Registration
9.00-9.30am -- Opening Ceremonies
10-12.00nn -- Essay Writing (Filipino)
10-12.00nn -- Essay Writing (English)
10-11.30am -- Impromptu Speech (English)
LUNCH BREAK
1.00-4.00pm -- Poetry Writing (Filipino)
1.00-4.00pm -- Poetry Writing (English)
1.00-4.00pm -- Poster Making
1.00-4.00pm -- Still Life Drawing
1.00-2.30pm -- Impromptu Speech (Filipino)
2.30-4.00pm* -- Crisotan
4.00pm -- Announcement of Winners

February 9, SECOND DAY, SM City Clark -- The Event Centre
10.00-11.00am -- Registration
11-11.30am -- Opening Ceremonies
11.30am -- Declamation
12.30pm* -- Solo Singing
1.30pm* -- Chorale
2.30pm* -- Interpretative Dance
3.30pm* -- Street Dance
4.30pm* -- Rockoustic Band
INTERMISSION NUMBERS
6.00pm* -- Awarding Ceremonies
*Approximate times only. Actual schedule depends on number of participants in competitions before it. There will be 5-10-minute breaks in between competitions for any setup changes.

SINING 2008 Shirt -- Back Design

Aguman participates in Kalye Kultura

By Mae Sto Domingo

January 25, 2008 -- Joining the International Club of UP's (ICUP) Kalye Kultura event, UP Aguman was proudly able to present the joys of being a Capampangan to the UP community.

This endeavor served as batch Baskal 2007A batch project. With the theme Proud to be Capampangan, they engaged in a cultural presentation by having posters of famous Pampanga trademarks and sceneries as well as free food for the Kalye visitors. Of course, what better food to bring than the famous Capampangan sisig and tocino!

"Masarap," said one of the parokyano, after having a taste of the sisig and tocino. This parokyano was later identified to be MTV Philippines host, Ramon Bautista. He and other guests kept coming back for more serving of the delectable
Capampangan dishes.

LEFT: The guests keep coming back for more sisig ang tocino!
RIGHT: Minsky poses with Ramon Bautista as he savors the tocino he just ate

Being the only provincial organization in the event, Aguman created a good impact to the visitors. Some even asked about the pictures surrounding the booth -- some of which were the reenactment of the crucification of Jesus, the famous lanterns of Pampanga. They were eagerly entertained by Baskal and other members who helped out in the event.

With the participation of numerous cultural organizations, ICUP's Kalye Kultura was a success. Creamed with the great performances of UP Kontra Gapi, UP Samulnori, the UP Repertory Companu, UP Sikat and the UP Singing Ambassadors, everyone enjoyed the event.

LEFT: Baskal 2007A and the rest of the AguPips after the event, in front of the booth
RIGHT: The rest of the cultural booths in Kalye Kultura