Freshmen-Torch Night 2011

Yesterday, I went to UP to meet up with my beloved batchmates and to attend the most awaited event of the academic year - Freshmen Night spearheaded by the University Student Council with the help of the different student organizations of the university. Every year, UPMin holds this spectacular event to welcome the freshmen students. With a theme, ‎"Iskolar ng Bayan, Paano Ka Naiiba?" student leaders hope that UP students would take part of our goal to serve the people.

The event started with the presentation of the bands. It was great to witness raw talents of some UPMin students! Too bad I didn't have the chance to buy their album.

The event officially started at around 8 PM. It started with the passing down of the responsibilities by the sophomore students as "mga Iskolar ng Bayan" to the freshmen through the traditional and symbolic passing of the Torch.

A dance presentation led by Albert Oponda (a UPMin alumnus, BSCS Batch 2006), an entertaining song number by Katingugan coached by Prof. Dennis Sumaylo and of course, the production number of the Isko and Iska candidates heightened the mood of the audience. The cheers of the crowd inside the atrium was really deafening.

Group Presentation of BA English freshmen students

Nine degree programs battled for the Ultimate Isko and Iska 2011 title. More talents were showcased as each freshman student from different degree programs showed their skills and talents through group presentation.

In the end, Max Echevarria and Klimpol C. Maganaka of BS Biology emerged as the ultimate Isko and Iska 2011 followed by 1st runner ups Charity Grecia and TJ Trex Olandria of BA Communication Arts and 2nd runner ups Aaron Jude Manalang and Henny Ang of BS Computer Science.

Max Echevarria and Klimpol C. Maganaka of BS Biology

Charity Grecia and TJ Trex Olandria of BA Communication Arts

Aaron Jude Manalang and Henny Ang of BS Computer Science

For the group presentation, BA Communication Arts bagged the first prize followed by BS Architecture and BA Anthropology.

The best torch award was awarded to BS Biology.

Klimpol and Max during the Q&A portion

"We were not just looking on the physical characteristics of our candidates, but we also took note of their answers as well. Dito natin malalaman kung sino talaga ang tunay na Iskolar ng Bayan, na handang magbigay ng serbisyo para sa ikauunlad ng ating bansa", quipped Prof. Phoebe S. Nemenzo, the chairman of the board of judges.

The program ended at around 2 AM as the students and the teachers sang UP Hymn solemnly.

(Photo credit: Yours truly and Sam Sanchez)