For the first time in six years, a red candidate is running for College of Business Administration representative to the University Student Council.

The Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) is fielding Business Administration and Accountancy student John Nelvin “Vino” Lucero as its contender for college representative to the USC.

STAND UP Secretary-General RG Tesa said the party had failed to field college representative bets because students interested in running preferred to join the USC councilor races as there is no party system in the local elections.

“Ngayong taon, magandang pagkakataon ang eleksyon hindi lang para manalo kundi para na rin makilala ng BA and STAND UP muli (This year, the election is a good opportunity not only to win, but also to reintroduce STAND UP to BA),” said Tesa.

Lucero will be running against Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran (ALYANSA) bet, incumbent junior representative Jonas Miguelito Cruz .

Reelectionists vie for SC posts

Meanwhile, five other incumbent members of the BA Student Council are hoping for reelection.

Leigh Wade Wong, last year’s number two councilor, is the sole candidate for the council’s highest position. Also running unopposed is John Frederick Angulo, last year’s fourth place councilor who is gunning for vice chairperson.

Current sophomore representatives Nina Gerodias and Fenina Maria de Leon, and incumbent councilor Joaquin Alonzo Narciso are among the 15 candidates hoping to snag a councilor seat.

CBA is a non-partisan college. According to the college election code, only the candidates for college representative to the USC may be affiliated with political parties.

Chairperson:

Leigh Wade Wong

Vice Chairperson:

John Frederick Narciso

CBA Representative to the USC:

Jonas Miguelito “Jonas” Cruz (Alyansa)

John Nelvin “Vino” Lucero (STAND UP)

Councilors:

Marian Concibido

Ian Dazo

Fenina Maria de Leon

Geca Gayo

Nina Gerodias

Marty Gonzaga

Joan Hwang

Michael Cheng Lim

Alfred Mendoza

Ralph Morales

Joaquin Alonzo Narciso

Jet Padernal

Corr Reyes

Nikki Turano

Nic Villasenor

Sophomore Batch Representatives:

Eduardo Luy

Zach See

Biang Sing

Charles Yu

Junior Batch Representatives:

Gio Nucum (BAA)

Senior Batch Representatives:

Grace Erum (BA)

Ramon Vinzon (BAA)

Terminals Batch Representatives:

Michael Magboo

Arthur Operania

Kat Pullante

Lordei Hina, a Political Science student who was stabbed several times by robbers on Wednesday inside the University Student Council office at Vinzons Hall in the University of the Philippines Diliman is still unconscious and remains in “a very critical condition,” her mother said.

In a press conference Saturday, Connie Hina said Lordei’s brain suffered serious damage from the wounds that were most likely inflicted by an ice pick. She added that the next six months would be critical for her daughter, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Capitol Medical Center, in regaining her normal cognitive functions.

“At this point, it’s hard to say if she’ll recover or not, but I always believe in the power of prayers and positive thinking. Nothing is impossible to a willing and determined mind… Alam kong makaka-recover ang anak ko (I know my daughter will recover), and that I claim right now. Di pa tapos ang laban ng anak ko sa buhay (She hasn’t finished her fight in life),” Mrs. Hina said.

Lordei was attacked when she was alone inside the USC office by two men claiming to be members of a tattoo artists’ organization which was interested in renting a booth in the upcoming UP Fair.

The UP Diliman Police were able to arrest one of the suspects, who identified himself as Carlo Pecayo, 35, a few minutes after the crime. A Vinzons Hall security guard had seen Pecayo leave with a bag he did not have with him when he entered the building.

Lordei’s bag, two laptops worth P80,000, an external drive worth P3,000, and an improvised ice pick were recovered from Pecayo. His acccomplice, identified in the police report as Dante Santos, still remains at large as of press time.

Mrs. Hina said Lordei’s brain sustained the greatest amount of damage from the stab wounds to her head, which contrary to the suspect’s claim in earlier reports, was allegedly not caused by hitting her with a trophy but by a “very sharp and blunt object, which can only be… an ice pick.”

“Whatever it is na ginamit na panghampas [kay Lordei], ang na-damage lang sa kanya ay yung nose, at yung sinuses na cause [kung bakit] namamaga pa yung mata niya. Yung sa brain, it was by stabbing, which was caused by more likely an ice pick… kasi tumagos [sa utak],” (Whatever was used to hit Lordei damaged her nose and sinuses, which caused the swelling of her eyes. Her head was stabbed, more likely by an ice pick because it went into the brain) she said.

According to Mrs. Hina, surgery is currently not an option for Lordei as doctors are still waiting for her wounds to heal. She remains positive, however, that her daughter will recover quickly given that she is still young.

Lordei’s mother and her lawyer, Jessica Barun, refused to discuss the legal actions they are planning to take against Pecayo, saying that they have yet study the charges filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

Quoting Superintendent Michael Macapagal of the Quezon City Police District Station 9, the Philippine Star reported that Pecayo underwent inquest proceedings late Thursday for robbery, serious physical injury and illegal possession of a bladed weapon.

In a statement released by the Office of the Chancellor Friday, the UP administration said it is “profoundly affected and deeply saddened” by the attack on Lordei.

The UPD Committee on Security and Welfare recommended the strict checking of IDs and bags by security personnel who will be issued metal detectors at the entrances of all colleges, dormitories and buildings on campus following its emergency meeting with Chancellor Caesar Saloma on Friday.

According to the administration, UPD police visibility around the vicinity where the attack occurred will also be increased “in order to rebuild confidence.”

“As the UP Administration attempts to maintain VH (Vinzons Hall) and UP Diliman (493 hectares, 24,300+ students, 1500+ fulltime faculty members, 1500+ regular staff, tens of thousands of visitors daily) as an open and publicly accessible academic institution, it will continue to develop better ways to ensure the security, safety and well-being of its faculty, staff and students so that UP is able to accomplish its stated mandate as a national university,” the statement said.  With Ardelle Costuna

[UPDATE] The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) released on Monday the official list of candidates for the 2012 University Student Council elections.

The Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) has fielded current councilors Amancio Melad III and Soraya Escandor as their running Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

The Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran (ALYANSA) has Gabriel Diño and Ace Ligsay as their top two contenders while the KAISA – Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (KAISA) has  Maria Shaina Santiago and Ana Alexandria Castro as their standard bearers for the top two positions.

Incumbent STAND UP councilor Jose Martin Loon of the Sigma Rho fraternity is running as independent.

Meanwhile, the University Student Electoral Board  rejected the candidacies of Hanna Keila “Kei” Garcia and  Jeff David “Jeff” Agudelo as STAND UP councilors, Percival “PJ” Tolentino as ALYANSA councilor, and Jimson “Jimson”  Sulit as ALYANSA College of Engineering representative.

Chairperson

(ALYANSA) Diño, Gabriel “Heart”
(Independent) Loon, Jose Martin
(KAISA) Santiago, Maria Shaina
(STAND UP) Melad, Amancio III “Aman”

Vice-chairperson

(ALYANSA) Ligsay, Ace “Ace”
(KAISA) Castro, Ana Alexandra
(STAND UP) Escandor, Soraya Elisse “Aya”

Councilors

ALYANSA
Ayala, Eduard Francis “Lucho”
Bautista, Patricia Isabel “Trisha”
Bringas, Patrick “Pat”
Espinosa, Maria Anna “Maan”
Eva VIII, Jose Emmanuel Micael “Mickey”
Ferrer, Gene Angelo “Gene”
Hernandez, Maria Larissa “Lars”
Rapallo, Genesis “Revee”
Santos, Alexandra Maria Francia “Alex”
Tan, Bea Helene “Bea”
Vicencio, Solomon “Sol”

KAISA
Quinito, Allyssa Joy
Reyes, Carl Anthony
Zipagan, Carla Janine
Clement, Carlos Enrico
Siy, Cheryl
Yutan, Fercival
Villareal, Jermaine
Guiang, Julliano Fernando
Punzalan, Ma. Regina
Bellosillo, Mary Grace
Mendoza, Sarah Louise
Tiu, Simon Stephenson

STAND UP
Abarro, Ghizelle Jane “Ghizelle”
Buergo, Therese Anjelica “Therese”
Canacan, Aryanna “Yanna”
Fungo, John Emmanuel “Fungo”
Guiang, Francisco Jayme Paolo “Jio”
Paris, Garret “Garret”
Roque, Rafael Natal “Raf”
Salvador, Gillian “Gillian”
Salazar, Narcisse Dominique “Nikki”
Solis, Jose Miguel “Mijo”

College Representatives

ALYANSA
Cruz, Jonas Miguelito “Jonas” (CBA)
Macabuhay, Nico “Nico” (FA)
Reyes, Ma. Christina “Tina” (Law)
Poblador, Patricia Erika “Pats” (Cmusic)
Hitosis, Maria Erica “Erica” (CS)
Crescini, Joeric Emil “Joeric” (CSSP)
Magsambol, Darrell John “Darrell” (Econ)
Omega, Christopher “Chris” (Educ)
Villejo, Stephen Jun “Poks” (Stat)
Ang, Sara Gracheooe “Grace” (CSWCD)

INDEPENDENT
Sulit, Leor Jyle (CMC)
Alicer, Nicole Ma. Nimfa (NCPAG)

KAISA
Erro, Erika Mary (AIT)
Gonzalez, Carla Monica (CHE)
Grey, Gayle Krystle (CHK)
Bondad, Serene Ezra (CS)
Obcena, Ma. Beatriz (CSWCD)
Palino, Justin Alfred (Eng’g)
Vicenta, John Karl (Eng’g)
Go, Sara Zemirah (FA)
Santos, Ihna Alyssa Marie (NCPAG)
Ibañez, Allan Michael (Stat)

STAND UP
Paredes, Peter Dominique “Peter” (Archi)
Gabral, Eduardo “Eds” (CAL)
Lucero, John Nelvin “Vino” (BA)
Isidro, Celine Alexis “Celine” (Educ)
Gloria, Enrico “Miko” (Econ)
Cajilig, Alieto Jr. “JR” (Eng’g)
Gonzales, Rejiel “Rage” (Eng’g)
Garvida, Patricia Monica “Pat” (FA)
Pagatpatan, Leonard “Leonard” (CHE)
Cruz, Roscelle “Roscelle” (SLIS)
Torres, Sarah Isabelle “Sarah” (CMC)
Del Castillo, Felipe “Felipe” (CS)
Sicat, Patrick John “Sicat” (CSSP)
Tagala, Mark Joseph “Marky” (CSWCD)

This article was edited on Jan. 31 to reflect the current changes in candidates. 

Not even the rain could end UP’s dry spell in front of a goal.

Tinig ng Plaridel | Michelle Angelica Soriano

The rematch of last year’s final saw multiple chances on goal for either side but neither was able to fully capitalize. Both teams also needed goal-line clearances to preserve a share of the spoils.

“I wanna win. I wanted to win,” said UP coach Anto Gonzales, who was unsatisfied with the draw.

With only minutes to go, the Maroons were denied a first goal in four matches when confusion in the UST defense allowed Jinggoy Valmayor to challenge for a bouncing ball in the UST penalty area.

The UP striker got his header past the UST goalkeeper, but defender Divino Regis recovered just in time to prevent UP’s winning goal.

Minutes earlier, UST’s Shinimar Felongco broke through the UP defense and eventually steered the ball toward goal. Luckily, defender Allen Jose Serna was on hand to punt the ball away.

Valmayor also had an attempt earlier in the second half coming from a well-worked play from the left wing involving Michael Simms and Nii Aryee Ayi, but his shot from an acute angle went just wide.

The UP defense was tested the entire afternoon by Felongco and UST captain Mario Clariño, but they held on to keep a clean sheet. UP has not conceded a goal in over 450 minutes thus far this season.

As for the stuttering UP offense, Coach Anto saw cause for optimism.

“I think attacking-wise, we’re improving. We’re getting more chances,” said Gonzales. He also stressed the importance of his players regaining their confidence, especially in front of goal.

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Photos by Michelle Angelica Soriano

The College Students Electoral Board (CSEB) released yesterday the first official list of candidates for the College of Mass Communication Student Council Elections this year.

Mario Urrutia III of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) is running for Chairperson against Farahnaz Ghodsinia of Interdependent Student-Centered Activism (ISA) and Joaquin Torres, an independent candidate. Urrutia is the incumbent Journalism representative while Ghodsinia is the current Broadcast Communication representative.

Carla Patrice Cucueco (ISA) and Charlotte France (STAND-UP) are gunning for vice-chairperson while Sara Isabelle Torres (STAND-UP) and Leor Jyle Sulit (ISA) are running for College Representative to the University Student Council.

First Official List of Candidates:

Chairperson:

1. Farahnaz Ghodsinia (ISA)
2. Joaquin Torres (Independent)
3. Mario Urrutia III (STAND-UP)

Vice-Chairperson:

1. Carla Patrice Cucueco (ISA)
2. Charlotte France (STAND-UP)

Secretary

1. Maria Fatima Gaw (ISA)
2. Ma. Zarina San Jose (STAND-UP)

Treasurer

1. Serafin Candido Gozon (STAND-UP)
2. Maria Angela Teresa Sebastian (ISA)

BC Representatives (2)

1. Claudine Aldana (STAND-UP)
2. Ella Jane Hermonio (STAND-UP)
3. Macario Manicad III (ISA)
4. Triciah Terada (ISA)

Communication Research Representative (2)

1. Mari Angelyn Arambulo (ISA)
2. Rouenne Camille de Castro (STAND-UP)
3. Angelo Lagman (Independent)
4. Maylene Manzano (ISA)
5. Patricia Ann Morata (STAND-UP)

Film Representative

1. Alberto Gianco Carlo Ante (ISA)
2. Alyssa Mariel Suico (STAND-UP)
3. Earl Joseph Usi (STAND-UP)
4. Marko Yambao (ISA)

Journalism Representative

1. Myra Cabujat (STAND-UP)
2. Ma. Angerica Emmanuelle Hainto (STAND-UP)
3. Chelsea Sullivan (ISA)

CMC Representative to the USC

1. Leor Jyle Sulit (ISA)
2. Sarah Isabelle Torres (STAND-UP)

Photo by Gian Suyat | Tinig ng Plaridel

The University of the Philippines had its goalkeeper to thank for salvaging a second straight scoreless draw in the UAAP men’s football tournament, this time against a scrappy University of the East Sunday at the Ateneo Football Grounds.

UP’s Tyrone Caballes, who has yet to allow a goal this season, made timely stops to foil the Red Warriors’ assault on the Maroons’ goal right at the death.

With minutes left to go, UE’s Gringo Bravo broke with the ball from a UP corner kick. After a slaloming run toward UP’s goal, Bravo slipped the ball across the penalty area to Jimmy Chua, who forced a fine save from Caballes.

Minutes later, Caballes again denied Chua as the goalie charged out of his line and got to the ball ahead of the Red Warrior. Caballes also saved a tame UE free kick with seconds remaining.

UP’s best chance came to Jinggoy Valmayor earlier in the second half. The Maroon challenged the UE goalkeeper for a ball in the air, causing the goalie to fumble.

Valmayor promptly took the shot himself but it was well wide, to the visible dismay of his teammates.

The defending champs has scored two consecutive draws after winning against Ateneo on opening day, while UE also has two draws and one loss to show in their card.

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Photo by Kim Pauig | Tinig ng Plaridel

by Ardelle Costuna

The University of the Philippines and Far Eastern University fought to a rugged 0-0 draw in the second day of the UAAP men’s football  Wednesday at the Ateneo Football Field.

FEU’s goalkeeper posted a sturdy defense over the defending champion’s repeated attempts at the goal mostly during the second half.

“We started out very flat, we weren’t executing sa attack, tapos on defense we were a step slower to the FEU players,” Coach Anto Gonzales of UP said.

“The most difficult part is getting each player work for the common goal… kailangan pareho kami, kailangan magcocommit lahat dun sa goal na yun.”

UP, who trampled upon their Katipunan neighbors Ateneo, 2-0, during the season’s opening last Saturday, now has a victory and a draw in their record. FEU, meanwhile, still has no wins to show, bowing to the season 73 runner-up University of Santo Tomas, 1-0, on the same day.

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Photos by Gian Suyat and Kim Pauig

Nii Aryee Ayi of UP vies for the ball during a football match against Ateneo. UP Men's Football team beat Ateneo with a 2-0 score. JON BENEDIK BUNQUIN

The University of the Philippines kicked off its football crown defense during the opening day of the 74^th UAAP football season with a hard-fought and ill-tempered 2-0 win over the Ateneo de Manila University Saturday at the Ateneo High School Football Field.

Juan Miguel Roy and Nii Aryee Ayi struck for the defending champions either side of halftime to defeat their neighbors from Katipunan, whose goalkeeper was sent off ten minutes from time.

“A win is a win, but I’m far from satisfied,” said UP Coach Anto Gonzales. “Overall the first game is always the most difficult game. I hope things will only get better,” he continued.

The Maroons took the lead in the 24th minute, courtesy of senior Roy. The defender drilled a perfectly executed corner kick taken by last season’s Rookie of the Year Jinggoy Valmayor past the diving Ateneo goalie RS Mantos.

Mantos, who was involved in a couple altercations with UP players during the game, was culpable for the second as he was deemed to have committed an unsportsmanlike foul against a UP attacker inside Ateneo’s penalty area in the 80^th minute.

The referee flashed a red card at Mantos, who had a few choice words towards the UP bench before exiting the field.

After all the commotion, Ayi coolly stepped up to slot the penalty kick past Ateneo’s substitute goalkeeper and secured the Maroons’ winning start to their campaign.

After the game, Coach Gonzales did not hide his displeasure with Mantos’ antics.

“He’s been like that for a very long time already, kaya ako kanina di ko na napigilan. I really approached him, and I told him ‘matututo ka ng respeto’” said Gonzales. Apparently, this wasn’t UP’s first run-in with the Atenean, who was also sent off for spitting on a UP player in a previous match.

“That guy really has a character problem,” added Gonzales.

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Photos by Jon Benedik Bunquin, Loj Guinmapang, Gian Suyat and Joshua Dalupang

FILE PHOTO: UP Men's Football Team wins the 73rd UAAP football championship.

Last year, the UP Men’s Football Team once again reclaimed the championship in the 73rd UAAP season, finishing their campaign with an unbeaten record. With the new season tipping off on Saturday, the Maroon booters, alongside defending their title, will have to endure yet another battle: that is, financial difficulties.

For the past four years, the team’s supplies have been late for the UAAP tournament. Soccer balls supposedly for their championship season only arrived months after the competition, which they now use in training for the new season.

The team receives two sets of uniforms, one pair of soccer shoes and socks for the UAAP. But aside from that, they get no supply of any equipment for the rest of the year. Soccer shoes last around five to six months, so the players should have at least two pairs a year, UP Men’s Football Team Coach Andres Crisanto Gonzales said.

Delayed reports

 According to Varsity Sports Office Head Ariel Juliano, the budget for the equipment and supplies of the varsity teams comes from the athletic fees paid by UP students.

The supplies are delayed because the reporting of the athletic fee was given to the Varsity Office on a later date, Juliano said. They get the first semester report around September, while the second semester report around January. By that time, the tournaments have already started.

The purchasing of supplies is further delayed by the existing rules followed by the university as a government institution, like bidding, he said. 

Being a state university, UP’s athletic fees could not support all the needs of the university’s 28 teams competing in the UAAP, Juliano said. The fee is originally allotted for the PE program only, but the varsity office was forced to get funds from it because they have no allocation in the UP budget.

“The only way is that we should not rely only on what UP gives; we have to get supplies outside,” he said, adding that the varsity office will solicit funds for all the teams for the first time this season.

Aside from the late supplies, the team does not receive equipment such as markers and cones for training as stated in their solicitation letter posted in the social networking site Facebook.

 Solicitations

 Since Gonzales started coaching the team in 2008, the team has been soliciting funds annually. Each member of the team is given copies of the solicitation letter to help in generating funds.

This is their solicitation letter that circulated on Facebook on May last year:

With fifteen (15) championship titles, several Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and other honors under its belt, the University of the Philippines Men’s Football Varsity Team (UP Men’s Football Team) is one of the most successful football teams in the history of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

During the past decade, the team garnered four (4) championship titles and two (2) 2nd place finishes, including the 2010-2011 UAAP Championship. The team produced many past and present members of the Philippine National Team

Despite these achievements, the team does not have major sponsors. Oftentimes, team members are forced to fend for themselves due to lack of funds. The University of the Philippines, through UP Diliman’s College of Human Kinetics (CHK), does not receive adequate support from the national government to finance the operations of its varsity teams. Despite a general lack of basic training equipment and facilities (e.g., balls, vests, goal nets, markers, water to drink, etc.), it is amazing how the UP Men’s Football Team managed to stay on top.

As we continue to strive to bring honor and pride to our country’s national university, while promoting the values we learned from our sport, we would like to ask for your generous support during the 2011-2012 UAAP football season. Your donations will not only help us monetarily. It will also boost team morale as well.

Should you wish to give a monetary donation of any amount, you can arrange for the pickup of your pledges. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Rafael T. Luna III at (63) 917-8635711 or e-mail him at rafael.lunaiii@yahoo.com.

We thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.

Very truly yours,

NATHAN S. OCTAVIO
Team Captain
Mobile: (+63) 915 – 7420617

ANDRES CRISANTO GONZALES
Coach
Mobile: (+63) 915 – 9140740

The team also ventures in other income-generating projects such as selling shirts and organizing events. In fact, proceeds from a party they in 2010 were used for the treatment of Jay Eusebio, a winger who suffered a broken collarbone during an important game against UST in the elimination round.

‘Football University’

 Jaemark Tordecilla, a UP alumnus and sports blogger, said in his award-winning sports blog Firequinito.com that the university should focus more on football because the team has been a perennial contender in the UAAP just like the UP Pep Squad.

“Our football team’s already plenty good – so why don’t we just devote more resources into that? Why can’t we make it so the football team becomes a true juggernaut in the UAAP, the type of program that would rattle off five, six straight championships?” Tordecilla wrote in his blog.

“It will also help the sport of football because if UP decides to own it, then it’ll be a bigger deal; it’s already happened before, with the UP Pep Squad in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition.”

Tordecilla said that the UP Administration could help the football team by encouraging alumni to support the team.

A committee tasked to create marketing programs, clinch sponsorships, and improve the profile of the team could be established to organize the support coming from the football fans and the alumni, he said.

Optimistic

FILE PHOTO: Jinggoy Valmayor

Despite these distractions, plus the loss of some players from the championship team, Gonzales remains optimistic with Up’s chances of defending the crown this season.

“Some of our best players are gone but the backline is intact for the new season,” Gonzales said.

Boasting 15 titles under its belt, the Fighting Maroons will be led by last season’s Rookie of the Year striker Jinggoy Valmayor, who played for the Philippine team in the 26th Southeast Asian Games last year, alongside Deo Segunial and Ayi Ni Aryeenesia.

The UP Booters will be facing Ateneo football team on Saturday at the Ateneo football field to open its campaign.

Photos by Joshua Dalupang