15 - Unpredicted Success

“The free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends,” I know that the SoMa and SoE students are familiar with those phrases as it is the first line in Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” that was selected as the piece for our speech choir competition in this English term that was held today (April 21, 2016).

Ms. Eliz started the event with a very touching opening speech. She stated that this might be the last English term as there will be no upcoming freshmen next school year. She gave gratitude to the ERC faculty for all the memories and experiences that they’ve made through the years in sharing the knowledge and developing the English speaking skills of students in Asia Pacific College. Because of her speech, I have come to a realization that I will miss all of the teachers that guided me this term. 

Moving on, our hopes in grabbing a place in the speech choir competition depletes little by little as we observe the other blocks interpretation of the poem. I was amazed by the performance of all the ABMA students as they put their creative thinking not just in the piece itself but also in their AVPs, each video presentation gave me goosebumps as they were well planned and developed. There were also ignite speakers that presented their magnificent speeches every other performance of each blocks presentation. 

After seeing all of the other blocks performance, we’ve thought that we will not be able to grab a place in the competition. With our mindset, we’ve had no choice but to give our best shot in our interpretation of Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird.” After we performed, the program proceeded with the awarding of the winners. 

The ABMA151 was able to achieve the 3^rd place as they really put their emotions and creativeness in their performance and we, ECE151, was able to get the 2^nd place. Lastly, The CPE151 grabbed the 1^st place in this year’s competition. I still can’t believe that we won the 2^nd place because we’ve thought that our presentation was not that deep compared to the other blocks but hey, I guess our calculations were incorrect. Both the Electronics and Computer Engineers have once again raised the flag of the School of Engineering.

As I put this blogpost into an end, I would like to thank the English Resource Center faculty members especially Ms. Nina for giving us the chance to experience these kind of events. Because of them, we were able to develop our block’s cohesiveness. As this term ends, I will really miss our professors for the different memories and experiences that we’ve shared with them. Once again, Thank you teachers! 

Photo Source:

 RAMpage

14 - "Integrity has no need of rules"

My public speaking skill was once again put to a test in this term’s Public Speaking competition last April 20, 2016.

I was chosen as one of the participants who will represent our block for the said competition. Each participant must present a speech related to Albert Camus’ famous quotation “Integrity has no need of rules.” We were given enough time to construct and practice our speeches in preparation for the event but I’ve had a hard time in constructing my speech because I am not satisfied with the drafts that I created. When I ran out of ideas for my speech, I consulted my block mates and asked what is the meaning of integrity for them. I received many ideas from them and because of that I have finally created a speech that I can present. 

I also had a hard time making my speech long enough to reach the minimum required time to be qualified in the competition. But thanks to God I was able to make it long enough as I kept on revising and adding other words in my speech. I was really pressured that time because I saw my other block mates who are also part of the competition have already perfected presenting their speech. I didn’t sleep the night before the event in order for me to catch up with my block mates who are ready for the competition. 

As the competition starts the next day, I can’t help it but get nervous because first of all this is my first time that I will be presenting alone in a large number of crowd. But it turns out that there will be an elimination round that will be held in different rooms first in order to filter out the participants who will perform on stage. 

After the elimination round, the judges now announced the participants who were qualified and will perform on stage and fortunately I was one of participants who were given the chance to perform. 

Photo Source:

Jem Yucoco, RAM page

13 - The Bear with a British Accent

SPOILER ALERT! If you don’t want to be spoiled, then I suggest you immediately skip this blogpost.

What would you do if you encounter a bear? You would probably scream your lungs out and run away. But what if the bear is talking and adorable? Well that’s what the movie Paddington is all about. 

The movie Paddington was directed by Paul King. The story starts with a flashback on an explorer who encountered 2 friendly bears. He gave the bears Marmalade which they really enjoyed. After a few moments, the bears suddenly learned how to speak little by little. Before the explorer leaves, he gave his hat to the bears as a souvenir for them. Then the story goes back to the present wherein there is a young bear accompanied by his aunt and auntie who happens to be the bears who met the explorer. With their knowledge, they’ve managed to make a Goldberg machine that automates the process of making marmalade.  But one day, an earthquake hit their place leading to the death of his aunt. Because of this incident he had no choice but to search for a new home in London where he meets the Brown Family.

The movie is definitely worth watching as it gives many lessons to the audience. Including accepting others regardless of their appearance, and learning to be patient and understanding to each other. If you have a time to spare, then I suggest you to watch this movie!

Photo Source:

Telegraph, iMdb