NEVER SAY DIE! PRIDE, PUSO, PALABAN!
Back from the grave, we never say die!
NEVER SAY DIE! PRIDE, PUSO, PALABAN!
Starting tomorrow, the series of dates for the USTET (University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test) begins. Aside from tomorrow August 26, other USTET exam dates will be on September 30, November 4 and December 9.
The USTET has been interpreted by some people as “easy” as compared other major college entrance examinations like the UPCAT of the University of the Philippines in which applies not only to the campuses in Diliman and Manila but also to other campuses of the UP System across the country, the ACET of the Ateneo de Manila University and the DLSU-CET of the De La Salle University. Despite that label, the fact remains that each year, only 25% of the USTET takers will enter the university as students.
Three years ago, I took the USTET. I remember it was on October 25, 2009 in the morning at Room 405 of the St. Raymund’s Building. Home to the Faculty of Arts and Letters and the College of Commerce and Business Administration.
Once the results came out, among the three college entrance examinations I took, I failed to pass the UPCAT (It was my goal to be a UP student.) and the ACET, and the USTET was the only exam I passed.
However, before I became a Thomasian taking up Travel Management, there was interview conducted by College of Tourism and Hospitality Management to all aspiring students of both Travel Management and Hotel & Restaurant Management programs. Unfortunately, I failed the interview the first time around.
So that’s one tip for those aspiring to get into Travel Management and HRM. You may have passed the exam, but you still have to get through the interview before you can be a full-pledged CTHM student. So on the day of your interview next year, look good and be smart in answering questions. Competition will be tough as there are limited slots.
Knowing that Travel Management was my dream course I went for a reconsideration. I was still going to be a UST student, even if I failed the reconsideration. I would have been a Engineering student taking up Computer Science which was my second choice. Fortunately, I made it through the reconsideration and now I’m in my third year taking up Travel Management, and that’s another tip, if you fail the interview in CTHM, you can reconsider, however slots are limited and of course the 1st time passers of the interview will be given top priority.
Of course, if you’re taking up CFAD and/or Architecture, there is a drawing part at the end of the written exam as it will also be used to getting into these colleges.
Each college of the university has its own limits and set of rules in accommodating aspiring students. Some, would accept students right away. While others have extra tests for aspiring students just like I said in CTHM.
All I can say is, don’t be complacent when taking up the USTET, and don’t forget your test permits and Mongol #2 pencils and get to know early where are you going to take up your exams.
I would like to give a special mentionto all the USTET takers coming from my high school Alma Mater of Claret School of Quezon City. I wish you guys all the best and I hope to see you in campus next school year.
Good luck and God bless to all aspiring Thomasians.
We hope to see you inside the UST campus next year.
K-Smoove
So, I’m blogging just days after I wrote a blog on UST’s hot streak in UAAP basketball, and just last Thursday, the UST Growling Tigers suffered a blowout loss at the hands of the team that gave them their only defeat in the 1st round, the FEU Tamaraws with the score of 60-87 which snapped the Tigers’ 6 game winning streak and sent them down into 3rd place right now at the standings.
It was a painful loss for the Tigers, as the Tamaraws took them out early in the game by the performance of Terrence Romeo in the first half scoring 16 of his 19 points during the half. The Tamaraws’ did not just rely on Romeo, but other players stepped up as well, Roger Pogoy and Anthony Hargrove each scored 13 points. The Bringas brothers Arvie and Mark gave bonus points for the Tamaraws scoring 10 and 8 respectively. The Tamaraws led by as many as 31 points and never looked back.
MVP candidate Karim Abdul was held to 11 points and 9 rebounds, thanks to the imposing defense the Tamaraws big men gave on him which took him out of his usual performance and wore him out of the game. Aljon Mariano led the Tigers with 15 points while Jeric Fortuna added 12 points and 6 assists. UST’s three point shooting which has been their forte all season long deserted them against FEU as they shot only 6 of 30 from 3 point range (20%). In the first half, they never made a single three pointer on 14 attempts.
I remember I was pumped of getting home early to watch the whole game on TV. However, I had to settle some things at school which would make me miss the start of the game. As soon as I came home from school, I checked the TV screen for the game and I was shocked, the score was UST 19 FEU 47, and it was like “Oh wow.” I never expected that the Tigers would be down big on the early part of the game. But as with many Thomasians who watched the game, I never lost hope and faith until the final buzzer when aTamarawvictory was well secured.
Next up for the Tigers are the NU Bulldogs led by another MVP candidate in Ray Ray Parks tomorrow at 4pm at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as they would look to bounce back after this devastating defeat.
As with the poster of Coach Pido Jarencio shown at the half in that game, there were the words NEVER SAY DIE! and WE STILL BELIEVE!
Go USTe! One for UST! VIVA SANTO TOMAS!
K-Smoove
The first round of basketball in UAAP Season 75 has come to an end, and as many people know right now. The UST Growling Tigers finished the 1st round in 1st place at 6-1. Though they are tied with the Ateneo Blue Eagles who also finished the 1st round at 6-1, the Tigers are on top by virtue of their 71-70 victory against the Blue Eagles last July 19. The Tigers’ only defeat in the first round came at the hands of the FEU Tamaraws on opening day last July 14, 72-73 on a RR Garcia layup off the steal. But after that setback, they went on a tear and won the last six games of the 1st round.
They are also dubbed the “Comeback Team” of the UAAP, as most of their victories came off large deficits. In the game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, the Tigers trailed by as many as 19 points in the 1st half, but the Tigers led by returning forward Aljon Mariano came alive in the 3rd quarter and manage to pull off the victory and snap a 12 game losing streak against the Eagles dating back from 2007. Then in the game against the NU Bulldogs, the Tigers trailed by as many as 14 points, but the Tigers led by Jeric Teng were able to grabe a 77-71 victory over the Bulldogs. Then in the final game of the first round against Adamson Soaring Falcons, the Tigers struggled and trailed by as many as 9 thanks in part to the Faclons’ suffocating defense, and were down by 6, 54-60 with 3:22 left in the game. But the Tigers came back on a basket by sophomore Kevin Ferrer, a three by veteran point guard Jeric Fortuna and a basket by big man Karim Abdul to escape with a 61-60 victory over the Falcons.
Of all the games in the first round, there was one game that I was able to watch live at the venue, and that was the game against the De La Salle Green Archers on August 4 at the new Mall of Asia Arena which featured the battle of the Teng brothers. As UST’s Jeric faced off against his younger brother DLSU’s Jeron. The game was a treat, both teams battled neck-to-neck in the 1st half. UST made their run in the 3rd quarter on Clark Bautista’s triples to give them a 56-48 lead at the end of 3. But La Salle made their run in the 4th taking a 71-69 lead against the Tigers in the final moments of the 4th, but Aljon Mariano scored a basket which tied the game at 71. La Salle’s veteran point guard L.A. Revilla scored a basket at the buzzer, but the replay showed that his shot came after time expired. So the game went into overtime and once again both teams were neck-to-neck. With the game tied at 80, UST had a chance to win but they failed to do so. So the game went into another overtime period. La Salle scored first on a Revilla jumper, but Mariano responded with 2 baskets to give them a 84-82 lead. The Archers had two chances, the first one was Yutien Andrada inside shot which was blocked by Karim Abdul, and the second one was Revilla’s last second three which came up short as the Tigers held on for the win 84-82 in double-overtime.
It will be a challenge for these Tigers to finish the eliminations strong and get a better positioning for the Final Four, but as they say. The sky is the limit for this team and it’s up to them if they are going to bring the title back to España for the first time since 2006 during Coach Pido Jarencio’s rookie season as the coach of the Tigers and featured players like Dylan Ababou, Jojo Duncil, Jervy Cruz, Japs Cuan, Anthony Espiritu, Allan Evangelista, Mark Canlas and Jun Cortez.
VIVA SANTO TOMAS!
ONE FOR UST!
GO USTe! Go! Go! Go! Go!
K-Smoove
I am also writing this blog in honor to the late Secretary of Interior and Local Government Hon. Jesse M. Robredo. He is one man in the cabinet of President Noynoy Aquino with whom I have a lot of respect for he was one man who proved to everyone that good governance is possible and canbe achieved. He was an inspiration not only to the Bicolanos, not only to all Filipinos, but also the entire world.
Sec. Robredo passed away last August 18 after his chartered plane carrying him, his aide and the 2 pilots crashed off the coast of Masbate City on a afternoon flight from Cebu City to the secretary’s home town of Naga City. His body was found this morning after almost 3 days underwater. His aide survived the crash.
Salamat Sec. Robredo.
Thank You Multiply.
K-Smoove
This has been a compelling week in the Philippines. As torrential rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon or Hanging Habagat battered Luzon for the past couple of days sending most areas around the island in deep flooding especially here in Metro Manila, from La Mesa Dam overspilling towards the Tullahan River, to the water level at Marikina River rising almost to a point when Typhoon Ondoy struck the country in 2009 sending most of the riverside in floods as high as the 2nd floor, to tunnels submerged in very deep water, even a landslide just a couple of kilometers from our home. Even in provinces around Luzon like Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan to name a few were submerged in deep flooding.
The bad weather also affected classes in many schools, colleges and universities scattered across Luzon as well as work in offices. The bad weather also happened at a time when we are taking our major examinations at the university. Thus, causing the postponement of exam schedules for next week as UST was submerged in deep flooding over the past few days. As of the time I’m writing this blog. The university is not flooded anymore, which is good news as cleaning operations can push through over the weekend.
Despite this tragedy that struck our nation. There is “light at the end of the tunnel” as the title of this blog entry states. Stories of hope and camaraderie in this time of challenges in our country. As rescuers stepped out putting their own lives on the line to save a lot of people in this time of tragedy. Ordinary Filipinos, stepping out and donating food, clothing, and cash to help the victims of this challenging time in our nation. The “bayanihan” spirit we Filipinos have been known for came out in full force as people came together and helped each other get through this tragic time.
These turn of events will serve as a lesson for the Filipino nation to rise up from this tragedy and rise as one. As I finish this blog entry, I leave this photo.
As the song by the band Hale goes “There’s a BLUE SKY waiting tomorrow, waiting tomorrow, shining and shimmering…” There is hope that our nation will rise again from this challenging time in our history. Let this also serve as a lesson, that we don’t need to wait for tragic events to show our “bayanihan” spirit, but we must continue doing it each and every day.
We will rise as one nation.
K-Smoove
As the title of this blog entry states. It has been a long time since I last wrote an entry here, and a lot of things has happened since.
After the victory I had in the middle of July, I went back to work and focus on all the subjects I have right now. The feeling of victory gave me the boost and inspiration I needed as I
July has passed and now we’re in the month of August. Right now, we are smacked in the middle of the Preliminary Examinations. So I have been busy lately studying and preparing for the exams that will come starting tomorrow until Friday (with a break on Wednesday as it is a holiday at the university.) Apparently, we had two examinations that were finished last Friday. We still have 6 exams to finish.
Another thing that kept me busy from writing is the event we are preparing and going to execute soon. I know I played the role of a “leftist” since I showed my doubts and concerns about the concept. But now, I’m all in and ready to make this work. 3T5, we know this won’t be a smooth sail, but let’s enjoy the ride and we can put up a great event.
Also, I went for a new haircut during this stretch. Because I always believe, that it’s a new beginning in a new haircut. Sounds weird, but that’s my belief. I really pushed for a comeback this time and give out a strong commitment on my craft.
But of course, despite of the busy schedule I had. I found time to do something for myself. As yesterday, I watched the game between UST and DLSU at the new Mall of Asia Arena. It was my second time watching a UAAP game live at the game venue, and my very first time inside the new arena which is similar to arenas that can be found in the United States on NBA games with the marquees on the sides, the state-of-the-art jumbotron on top and the deluxe suites between the lower box and the upper box sections of the arena.
The battle between UST and DLSU is very much anticipated as it was the battle of the Teng brothers. Jeric, UST’s 4th year gun-slinging veteran going up against his younger brother, rookie slasher Jeron of DLSU. The game was a treat for the people who watched the game at the arena, both teams battled with true grit and will. It was a up-and-down game with both teams trading baskets and runs. At the end of two quarters, UST was trailing DLSU 29-30.
At halftime it was a great sight as the UST Yellow Jackets and Salinggawi Dance Troupe together with the DLSU Animo Squad put up a great halftime show as both cheering squads went together and did each others school cheers which showed that despite the intense battle. Both the Thomasian and Lasallian communities can co-exist in the spirit of sports.