Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Opening of FUNLARO to Commence

by Jan Marlon S. de Vera

All sports jerseys, shoes, and gears set to shine.

The first ever USC FunLaro will have its opening day the afternoon of July 26, 2013 at the University Gymnasium, jam-packed with students to cheer their respective colleges.

It is the first sports event sponsored by the University Student Council (USC) to at least please the students from the removal of the annual Palarong UPang from the list of institutional activities this academic year due to financial reasons.

The opening day will showcase a parade of players to represent their respective colleges in various sports and games such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, Chess, Scrabble, Word Factory, and the Sports Quiz Bee, and the eventual addition of the Amazing Race.

The students will hear speeches such as the Opening Remarks by the USC President, Danielle Bunquin; Inspirational Message by Chief Operating Officer, Mark Macaventa; and a special message by Dagupan City Councilor Marvin Fabia as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

After the Balloon Soaring by the governors, the presentation of players, and the Students' Pledge lead by USC Vice President Pinky Vasandani, the crowd will witness selected ladies and gentlemen representing their respective colleges in the Mr. and Ms. USC FunLaro 2013 with their own sportswear. But unlike the previous versions of Mr. and Ms. Palarong UPang, this competition will feature a casual interview for their knowledge and candid opinions as UPang Flames.

The schedule of the different sports and games will be posted by the USC as soon as it is ready to be announced. The FunLaro 2013 is anticipated by the USC to have its awarding of winners and closing program on the 27th day of September, 2013.

Saturday, 3 August 2013

The Rush

by Frankie Cortez

Dashed along seashore
Perfectly shaped by the wind
Blue waves' perfect curve

Away From Still Selfies

by Jana Abenojar

Everydays’ itineraries vie for a lot of picture-taking, selfies and whatnots. From places you’ve been to, may it be at home, at school or the all fad mirror shot in the comfort room, to the camera-worthy breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner you had, and of course, down to some pout, smirk, duck face selfies, everybody has a knack for constant and persistent picture taking. It is no question that Instagram has swept the world off its feet.

Instagram puts an extra swag to photos with its significant number of filters to choose from. The easy navigation of the application and its sought-after filters add some dramatic experience to your most memorable still captures with just a few click, tap, and swipe on your phone or computer.

Instagram dug deeper into its technology toolkit to turn still images into moving ones, sprucing it up with the addition of video feature called InstaVid. Some need more than static images to capture moments and share their stories so following the heels of Twitter’s fast growing video-sharing application, Vine, Instagram, which was bought by Facebook last year, is adding the ability to record up to 15 seconds of webcasting. The use of filters to add contrast, saturation and different hues, which IG is loved for will be an option for the users’ recorded video so they can keep sharing beautiful content on IG.

To use this moving image feature, Instagram users must update or download the latest version of IG. Just tap on the same camera icon to snap photos. A new camera icon will appear on the right side. Tapping it, a screen with a red video button will let you record just any of those precious moments you’d like to share to the world. A feature called “cinema’’ adds stabilization to the videos so your freshly caught moment will look like that of a pro’s in just a click.

This new addition will definitely keep IG and Facebook on top of everyday staples list especially that of our tech-savvy folks.

A lot of users have swoon over this upgrade of IG exclaiming they couldn’t ask for anything more. Bye, still selfies. Hell-o InstaVid!

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Comic Relief

by Jana Yvette Abenojar

Out of all the extravagant things in our present life, we should engulf ourselves in the ones we can snag free. Laughter is free commodity and anytime is a good time to laugh.

Life is never a walk in the park. More often than not, it's a walk on the plank. Life is a wave of distress and stress that oftentimes submerges us into so much problems and preoccupations. Everyday, it's the same old thing. Due to this hideous uninviting fact, many of us have forgotten to break a frown into a smile--a good laugh, a comic relief.

We are people of broken hearts, broken dreams, and broken promises gravely in need of audible expression of amusement or that thing called the best medicine to anything--laughter--the sole medicine that is free of charge. Because awkward predicaments are part of life, everyday, I might add, there is no breaking away; we need to find a detour to lighten up our anxieties and nuisances in life with a sprinkle of humor and joy or else we'd be all wrinkly. A person, who hasn't yet experienced the magic that a good and hearty laugh can create, has not yet.

Laughter could be a prevention, too, because it toughens the immune system. It triggers the release of the body's natural pain killer, Endorphin. Also, mirth provides a general sense of well-being and a more positive outlook which sharpens the mind. Today, medical practitioners are intensifying their advocacy for the so-called "laughter therapy".

There are actually so many ways to get yourself in a sunny disposition. All of the things you enjoy doing, find time for it. Make time for it. After all, those things you love doing by heart are usually the things worth the time. Bathe in humor. Exercise your funny bones by watching comedy movies or shows. Learn jokes and share them; nothing beats laughing out loud with friends or family. Laugh when you're at the verge of losing it; it is the only way to rest your mind for a while, an instant and free vacation. And the best and most hearty way to laugh is to laugh at yourself, your mistakes, and those things you don't like about yourself. Nobody is perfect. The magic word is 'smile' and the key to the realm of happiness is laughter. Remember these two and you'll find life a breeze.

Comic relief rejuvenates and vivifies not only the body, but also the mind. It cheers our spirits and helps us exude positive aura. Those people who overwhelm their selves with humor are called channels of blessings. They are good sources of positive energy, showing life that they are the people too blessed to be stressed. So laugh. Why? Because you can and you deserve it. Go ahead, indulge.

Saturday, 27 July 2013

JULIA

by Angelo A. Angeles

Why can't I get her off my mind?

What's so special about her? She's a stranger. I'm a stranger. We're both strangers. That's it and nothing's gonna change.

I seriously have to get rid of her. I am having my exams next week and I can't sacrifice my scholarship. I've been having sleepless nights for days and I'm ending it. I'm done. I'm so done. Tomorrow, I have to talk to her. I have to tell her. I have to see her.