Commerce Journal Magazine: 80th Year Special

by Medalynn Esther D. Chua Inspired by @hannahpahl on Instagram

ABOUT THE COVER The Commerce Journal Magazine A.Y. 2019-2020 Uncover and spool back towards your memory lane within the retroflection pages of the 80th- Editor-In-Chief: Xyvel Vincent S. Niez year special of The Commerce Journal (CJ) Managing Editor: Renzo David R. Bañaga Magazine. An invitation to jump right over into the good old times of yesterday’s record. Hit play Features Editor: Arianne Louise M. Gulapa and groove to the beat and color of the gnarly era News Editor: Justin Christopher C. Ramos of the eighties! Creative Chief (Layout & Photography): Design by Medalynn Esther D. Chua Medalynn Esther D. Chua Inspired by VHS Covers Creative Chief (Art): Judel Rei B. Hernandez Senior Writer: Vien Alyza Rose P. Ponciano Senior Artist: Shanaia Faye K. Chua Trainee Writers: Aaron Christian L. Avila Allen Kyle D. Osia Claire Daiynes V. Pama Edelyn T. Tan Jasmine Isabella S. Rogel Joshua Enrick D. Tatlonghari Trainee Artist: Andrea Monique S. Hidalgo Trainee Layout Artists: Jerry D. Gomez Rica C. Paquio Raphael Joseph P. Francisco Stephen M. De Vera Trainee Photographers: Fred Benedict T. Gianan Ma. Jasha Jarmela Quizon Mark Daniel F. Pareño Von Andre V. Vedan Adviser: Atty. Adrian R. Montemayor, LL.M. Dean: Assoc. Prof. Leonardo M. Canoy, Jr., Ph.D. Regent: Rev. Fr. Senen R. Ecleo, O.P.

CONTENTS The Commerce Journal | August 2020 The College 34 Center Page 2 King of Clutch: Warming Up with Subido by Rica C. Paquio by Arianne Louise M. Gulapa & Vien Alyza Rose P. Ponciano 36 Backtracks: The Rhythmic Vibe of The ‘80s by Arianne Louise M. Gulapa 4 Student’s Hustle: The Steadfast Ladies of Commerce by Justin Christopher C. Ramos & Joshua Enrick D. Tatlonghari 39 Encouragement from Professors & Alumni by Editorial Board 7 Untamed Passion: Flourishing Careers of Commerce Alumni by Renzo David R. Bañaga, Justin Christopher C. Ramos & Spotlight Vien Alyza Rose P. Ponciano 42 Movie Reviews,Series Reviews, & Book Reviews The Industry by Claire Daiynes V. Pama & Jasmine Isabella S. Rogel 10 FinTech: New Platforms for Credit Convenience Chill Pill by Aaron Christian L. Avila & Allen Kyle D. Osia 50 Editor-In-Chief 13 Local Uproar: Homegrown Brands To Explore Xyvel Vincent S. Niez by Jasmine Isabella S. Rogel & Edelyn T. Tan 52 Managing Editor 16 Z Factor: Working In the Phygital Era Renzo David R. Banaga by Allen Kyle D. Osia 54 Features Editor 19 Mirrored Vanity: A Reflection Towards Minimalism Arianne Louise M. Gulapa by Renzo David R. Bañaga & Edelyn T. Tan 55 News Editor The Lounge Justin Christopher C. Ramos 22 CJ Outputs 56 Creative Chief by Rica C. Paquio & Andrea Monique S. Hidalgo Medalynn Esther D. Chua 25 Cultural Gourmet: Adventures for the Penny-pincher in the Metro 57 Creative Chief by Aaron Christian L. Avila & Justin Christopher C. Ramos Judel Rei B. Hernandez 28 Retrograde: The Genesis of Video Games Recruitment by Claire Daiynes V. Pama & Joshua Enrick D. Tatlonghari 58 Recruitment Plug: Define your Legacy 31 GhoUSTer: Trailing the Maze to Thomasian Traits by Justin Christopher C. Ramos & Vien Alyza Rose P. Ponciano by Renzo David R. Bañaga

Adviser’s Note “It was marred by COVID-19 and marked by government lockdowns.” This is how I would describe the culmination of my 10th year as publication adviser of the UST Commerce Journal when I look back at the tail-end of Academic Year 2019-2020 months or even years from now. Since I first accepted the designation in A.Y. 2009-2010, I had always experienced the summer months as a productive time with the CJ Staff. They were either having their transitions and turn-overs from one batch to the next— or in the later years (when the Second Term already ended in May), they were still busy publishing their more creative outputs in time for the Baccalaureate Mass and Solemn Investiture. This time, however, much of the Well, business is business, as the saying publication work had to be accomplished online goes. And as the UST Commerce Journal winds up as physical editing and printing simply were not its 80th year — of which I have been the faculty possible. Even the occasional technical-legal adviser for the last 10 — we reaffirm that our primary advising that makes up my main job description business is to deliver not just news but also feature had to be coursed through online channels stories, academic write-ups, and creative works instead of the usual face-to-face interaction. that cater to the various interests of our readers. Much had to be changed to quickly adapt to the And deliver we shall. two-and-a-half-month Enhanced Community Quarantine imposed by the government. And yet we are here. We have Atty. Adrian R. Montemayor, LL.M. endured. This publication has survived Adviser a world war, a national transition to a republic, and a martial law dictatorship. Now it is surviving a global pandemic.

Editor’s Note The real world beckons as we brace ourselves for these uncharted times. We’re almost there at the stage of our lives when we take our first steps into the unknown. To a world where we don’t know which way home is and we choose to move forward even though tomorrow is unsure, unsafe, and full of mystery. But even so, we still choose to take the path we’ve chosen regardless of all the uncertainty that surrounds us. Our friends, our family, and all that we love push us forward to a place beyond the clouds. I, for one, choose to answer this beckoning by standing up, finally, with my own strength because I want to understand what it truly means to be alive. With the astute words of Mary Casanova, “The Every one of us ought to be reminded that we only thing separating wishful and wistful is a single decided to live, to step forward, to smile, to apologize letter. Wishful means feeling hopeful for something and and forgive, to gaze at the rain, the stars, and all the looking to the future. Wistful is feeling nostalgic about leaves that fly with the wind. something and longing for the past.” Both equally important for the journey ahead of us. Let us be known for believing that we could be anything we could possibly be and that nobody else However, in this day and age, being wishful could take that away from us. is knowing that life is definitely most beautiful and is something that ought to be cherished. Being aware of the idea that everything has a meaning; understanding that making mistakes and stumbling on will be worth it in the end. This is why we should make sure to live embracing all our failures, letting all those foreign emotions in as much as we possibly can, because this is what it means to be absolutely human. When the time comes that our generation should Xyvel Vincent S. Niez be wistful, let us take a look back and remind ourselves Editor-In-Chief of how far we’ve come. To look back on the time of how we stood up for ourselves when our rights were being tested. To remember our lost brothers and sisters, and how we survived a global pandemic. To reflect on all the tears that we shed, fighting for change. To be thankful for this life, even if all odds were against us.

Editor’s Note Words can break, form, or hone anyone; and it is up to our resilience how to finish the sentence. It’s undeniable that people have grown more opinionated and reproachful with whatever the situation may be. Whether someone is exercising benevolence or delinquency from their actions, the crowd will always look for holes to sneak into instead of looking at the big picture to appreciate. Nowadays, it takes more than courage to digest the squabbles of the outside and endless murmurs that grow inside of us. Nevertheless, words can be indefinite beings that can pierce our roots as sharp as a sword; but then again, it is in our hands on which side of the weapon we’ll be holding on to. The cutting edge to bleed from grasping on the wrong side, or to brandish onto the direction of the untrue. Choosing which edge takes bravery. Though Within the pages of the 63rd Volume of The it does not only count in doing what is tough; in fact, Commerce Journal (CJ) Magazine, get a glimpse sympathy is also a feature of a rebel in this tainted era. of how the erratic past of the eighties prompted the It is a prevalent view to observe each other whether we students to step-up in The College; the enhancements progress or recess from our personal-paced growth. The of what yesterday had dictated to welcome the modern former can be aided with encouragement to sharpen generation in The Industry; the innovations of The one’s prowess, however, the latter does not assure, in Lounge in the recreational element with the presence a very competitive society, that support can be easily of the gnarly era; the discoveries of the masters of the given. Yellow Room from The Chill Pill; and the flashbacks of the good ol’ days in film or paper in Spotlight. The words that we express is a reflection of how calloused or tender our hearts are. It may have been a It will not always be about the words you hear, rough journey for many, but not all have achieved the but how you will sing it back to others who have sung it status of using their statements like an attuned melody. In out of tune. my case, the ungracious run-ins of the mouths of others were first out of tune in my ears—it gashed and broke me. However, the gaps that it left were filled with seeds of spur and tenacity to use those words of cruelty to be planted and thus flourish into fruits of wisdom. Our judgment determines which path to Arianne Louise M. Gulapa continue after going through the crusades of life. It may Features Editor have been victorious or not, but choosing what legacy to pursue lies within the learnings gathered throughout the hurt and struggle. Life may have treated us heartlessly, yet it is not impossible to take the right step to hone the course of our future.

Bright Out by Medalynn Esther D. Chua The College | 1

King of Clutch Warming Up with Subido by Arianne Louise M. Gulapa and Vien Alyza Rose P. Ponciano Layout by Stephen M. De Vera “Earn more than a three-pointer from this rising star as Subido dribbles and shoots the ball in his final season as a striving student- athlete inside the walls of St. Raymund’s”. As an integral part of the Commerce community, students strive to be the best in our respective fields, and eventually become refined business leaders, swooping over every difficult obstacle there is. Not only does Renzo Subido exhibit this feature, but he also goes further beyond. Despite having the glory of being a known basketball athlete, Subido also carries the weight of facing the destined lunges of academics and life in general. 2 | The College

A Champion’s Bloodline In every quarter within a game, a player actively pours out his blood, sweat, and tears to bring home the pride, but a victor in the court always has their heart firmly committed to bringing glory during his reign as each victory persists. As an eight-year-old kid, Henri Lorenzo P. Subido, or best known as Renzo Subido, had his sights aimed at the basketball ring when his father urged him to dribble the ball, handing over the torch of unlimited possibilities to the young successor even though he pursued Civil Engineering first. “If [I was] not a basketball player, I’d be a Civil Engineer,” he says. Despite him shifting from one course to another, the varsity player lived by his mantra by telling himself that in every negative situation, one should try to make something positive out of it, regardless of circumstance. Before the courts welcomed Renzo, his father used to play for the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons alongside his teammate, Benjie Paras, with his early exposure inside the court it inspired him to instantly follow the steps of his idol. From then on, he said to himself, “Why not [pursue] this sport?” and thus his three-pointer scores have added the playmaker in our roster. This tiger cub, now almost ready to plow into professional Warming up for a games, has relished the perks from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Triumphant Hit despite the remarks of his former class in La Salle Zobel, telling him to play for De La Salle University (DLSU). Nevertheless, the roaring pride of his Tiger blood reached greater heights when UST offered him irresistible opportunities for his academics and ball training, especially during his transition from high school to college. Given the pressure laid down on his plate as a student-athlete, a rapture of enjoyment still kicks in. For our determined point guard does his priorities with the relentlessness from his core as the goals he has set for himself push him to achieve bigger from what is in store. Roaring with Even after the stumbling on the blocks of a student- The Tiger’s Streak athlete, “Never have I thought [about it],” were our champ’s words when asked about letting go of his passion. It is indeed important to endure Who would have thought that the University’s ensemble tough waters before seeing the calm. With this in mind, UST Growling would blast their instruments to the tune of Eye of the Tiger to honor and Tigers’ Coach Aldin Ayo also played an immaculate role in Renzo’s life, recognize the varsities’ hardships after so many years? Their always reminding our star player to set his priorities straight as he strides conquests showed that every Thomasian stands out no matter where they on the courts of his every game and marches to the end-time of his come from and it is also evident among the ball crew that a good team college path. As his term fulfilled his goal, it is Subido’s aim to surpass player should excel in and out of the campus. “A lot of people are looking the education finish line and bid farewell to his previous throne towards up to you when you’re an athlete from UST because athletes from UST the real court of a professional basketball player. With whatever rugged can lead any group of people. They’re good leaders. They know what block rises, even in just a clutch, Renzo is determined to beat the clock. to do in times of trouble or hardships,” Subido said as he expressed the pressure a Thomasian athlete carries. But with just a glimpse towards the “Ibalik ang Korona sa España!” was chanted all around the bleachers, determination fuels him whenever he sees his No. 1 University as Thomasians cheered for the athletes’ courageous match in supporters—his family, cheering him on every shot in every game. their last season. Even if the crown was almost within their reach, the However, behind the UST Growling Tigers on-point winnings in the UST Growling Tigers will never disappoint us in bringing the University previous UAAP season, there hides a number of sacrifices that were back on top. With this kind of moment, Renzo admitted that playing for essential for their success in the court. With his calling to a career in the finals made his heart rush even more and that the beat of his dribble basketball in mind, he still had to juggle his responsibilities in class and was heard by the PBA Team as he successfully signed the contract with his private life. Time with family and friends was cut short to fuel his Northport Batang Pier to pursue a professional career with them. determination for the countless training sessions. Proving this point, Subido remarked, “When you’re [playing] a sport like basketball, you The growling Marketing senior extends his gratitude to those really have to know your priorities.” Fortunately, his struggles paved the who have unwaveringly supported the team as he continues to hope that way to gaining a slot for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after powerful support would rain all over as always, and prays that every his college days would end. Thomasian will work harder to keep our beloved University in its unending glory. Our Ace player has now overcome the academic obstacles and is currently facing the finish line where graduation awaits. Ending his game in Commerce with a favorable set of advancements, the professional basketball scene now awaits for his reign as the King of Clutch. 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Student’s Hustle: The Steadfast Ladies of Commerce by Justin Christopher C. Ramos and Joshua Enrick D. Tatlonghari Layout by Medalynn Esther D. Chua At the peak of their field, these women of sugar, As pilots need a wingman, our artist in Commerce took flight with spice, and everything nice proved that no amount of her artistic flair along with her helping hands who is her blockmate ‘Chemical X’ can outpace their inner force as they make and partner, Christian Santos (4M2), to make sure she reaches for their way to become the College’s trailblazers of tomorrow. potential customers without a hitch. Seeing the positive feedback on her Instagram, this Sticker Diva now plans to introduce Commerce- Constant academic stress and pressure do not withhold the themed t-shirts and keychains to the online market alongside her capacities of the College’s strong-driven and passionate students. trademark Commerce Stickers. Especially, these powerful ladies who had worn their discipline and their innate drive like a badge on their uniforms. They achieved a With our artist in motion finding her way into art, she healthy school-life balance as they hold the banner for females who encourages others to pursue their passions as well. Believing that can thrive more. Salute these fair maidens – adept in their craft and patience is what every aspiring entrepreneur should have. “Make each to their own – and learn to take the lead with these bright and a business where you’re passionate about. If you really love what charming, yet savvy women of Commerce. you’re doing, ’di ka mahihirapan mag-maintain ng business mo. Learn not to give up. Building a business takes time—hindi siya Angela Marallag, Sticker Diva padalos-dalos,” she stated. Monetizing art to the large audience had always been a hard thing to accomplish considering there is a lot of competition between online sellers and their personalized products, but having the fearlessness to create a uniquely sleek style in her stickers and the persistence to build an enterprise that the consumers would want, she was able to turn her appetite for art into a lucrative margin. Marie P. Kadomura, Multisport Extraordinaire “Building a business takes time. One must have the patience “If you’re interested, why not do it? You’re not going to and passion [for] building such [an] enterprise.” lose anything … just put your heart [into it].” Already a prompted artist from a young age, Angela Knowing the daily grind of an Economics major like Marie Denise M. Marallag (2M2) never thought that her casual doodles on P. Kadomura (2E4) periodically takes a step away from the graphs her iPad would soon take flight as a Digital Illustrator. Dipping her and mathematical models to trek the mud and water as a die-hard pen to vectorize the digital landscape, the sophomore Marketista triathlete. Ever since her early days in the high school varsity team, taps into e-commerce by launching ‘Commerce Stickers’, an online this multiplex player has taken part in multiple swimming, cycling, and Commerce-themed sticker store on Instagram. Newcomers to running events in varying weather conditions; our gladiator champions Angela’s online market may notice her distinct minimalist style, as the idea of a life balance between work and play translates to build she credits her smooth line art to Adobe Illustrator Draw. She fondly self-discipline. enjoys seeing her customers genuinely happy with their purchases as she uploads their smiles with their newly-bought self-adhesive characters. “[Masaya ako sa] pag gawa mismo ng designs and [sa] pagbebenta…kasi after ko makapag benta ng stickers, [nakare- receive] ako ng compliments,” she shared. Overseeing an online business’s growth is no easy task as slow sales days and keeping up with academics showed to be a challenge to pursue her passions. As she juggles her profit-making and future building tasks, our Sticker Diva surely spends her free time wisely by delighting her customers with her artistry. 4 | The College

“You may have the money to join a triathlon, but if you As the head of the official team for the College of Commerce don’t have the heart, you can easily give up,” she claimed. Joining in competing in university-wide Pautakan contests, knowing one’s on her journey for greatness is her family and friends who are ever- strengths and weaknesses and that of the team is one ingredient in present to cheer her on. Although Kadomura’s journey had been most becoming effective and efficient in one’s field. She then prevailed of the time eventful, there are still roadblocks in her adventures. As under the guidance of the Marketing Department Chair, Mr. Kadomura recalled, she experienced cycling off-road after being Francis Lawrence B. De Jesus, Ph.D., as their official adviser. rammed by a moving vehicle. Despite being visibly injured and with paramedics urging her to forfeit, her pedals called her to finish what As the hell and high waves curve around her, she dominates she started. Already bruised and beaten from the car’s impact, she the demands of academics and the org-life like a superwoman while manages to bag the first place in the Hunat Sugbo Triathlon. she takes the extra weight on her shoulders to beat up the obstacles in the team as she brings it together. “Giving full effort and sportsmanship After freestyling her way into swimming in high school, this at all times is an important aspect of being a team captain,” she triathlon champ was able to maintain a part of triathletes’ rigorous remarked. One example that shows her unbeatable persistence was routine to train at least two sports a day such as swimming and cycling when she managed to recruit members successfully and headed into and at the same time balance this with her academics. the training season all at once despite being a sophomore. Concepcion quick-wittedly got through them by following the advice of her former As a preacher of Health and Wellness, she has been team captain, team advisers, and other alumni who had guided her spreading the good word around the College of joining triathlons. on how to wear the armor of a Pautakan captain. Being a role model With hopes that multisports get a larger following as these sports herself wasn’t a rosy journey after all, as a student who also signed events—like the Ironman Triathlon—make for a better and happier up in CBASC and the Commerce Volleyball Team, this extraordinaire lifestyle by providing a break from regular routines to avoid burnout. considers herself as someone who is pursuing the track of a “Bachelor Excelling at sports does have its merits, but this thrillseeker shows that of Science major in Student Organizations.” Nevertheless, taking a she can also lead the pack as her block’s class president. She assures planner to jot down every step, plan, and to-do list is a system of a that there’s nothing to lose but there’s everything to gain when you put leader like how Captain Commerce manages her time. Scrambling your wellness first. She finished the conversation with the Commerce around requirements from your professor can be downright tiring Journal (CJ) by encouraging others, “If you’re interested, why not already, however, only a flare-driven leader desires to become do it? You’re not going to lose anything … just put your heart [into it]. part of the Top 5 for her Pautakan team in the university-wide list. It (triathlons) makes you a better person and it makes you fit,” she finished. As the college season lasts for a short time, make sure to enjoy what you have at that moment; grasping all the opportunities to learn Kate Concepcion, and enjoy is a way to be passionate as you finish up. Just like how our Commander of Triumph Pautakan Commander takes this challenge by grounding her principles as an HR student with great efficiency and maximize effectiveness in order to become a step closer to the goal. The Commerce-Pautakan Team is more than the mock tests they take to overpower their weaknesses in every category, they are the brains of the College that are obviously well-suited to win with their hearts strong in the competition. “A team captain should know the strengths and weaknesses of each Being an achiever knows no boundaries whether you are a member. He/she must also know how to pull the team together.” man or a woman. It does not discriminate. The only important thing is to work hard in following your passion just like how Angela Marallag Being the captain of the ship to sail Commerce Pautakan had shown that one could monetize their creative passion for art onto the waves of challenges, Kate Concepcion (2HR2) perfectly and turn it into a lucrative business; she had used her knowledge in understood that being a Human Resource major and a team-leader marketing to create a product that her market wants. Marie Kadomura requires an extra level of responsibility. In her second year, she and Kate Concepcion had shown that they can both balance academic reigned after Lexis Talaue, an alumnus, who had chosen her to take and extracurricular activities without affecting the other. These three the seat of leadership when Concepcion devotedly juggled her duties women had embodied a competent Thomasian and have shown that in the team alongside her obligations outside the organization. they could handle the challenges of a Commerce student victoriously. Illustrations by @bibbididay on Twitter The College | 5

A Day with Nature by Arianne Louise M. Gulapa 6 | The College

by Renzo SDtaevpihdeRn.MBa. ñDaegVae, Vraien Alyza Rose P. Ponciano, and Justin Christopher layout by C. Ramos Chin Ann Count your fruitful days in the University as you thrive and dive Obiedo, through the hoops of future prospects that pass beyond the walls of Commerce. FREELANCE EDITORIAL WRITER With the same set of classrooms, hallways, and some professors, these alumni wandered a similar path towards the big leagues today. What made them distinct among the others in the community will be unraveled through the stories they have partaken within these pages for you to know. Press on with their accounts as you pave your college journey and take notes from these on-the-field Commerce graduates as they help define your path to success. “I never thought I would find something that would marry everything I loved the most: fashion, beauty, and writing. Turns out, my dream job existed, I just didn’t know [it].” TETHERED BEGINNINGS BREWING THE PRO-FASHION Before roaming the vogue and With her interests steering the helm of her sophisticated landscape of the fashion industry, Ms. calling, this trend-setter joined the Commerce Journal Chin Ann Obiedo was an Entrepreneurship student (CJ) back in 2012 as a Features writer, which then chased grappling with the inner platforms of the University. the experience in the editorial field of writing, with Like many other youthful individuals, there comes a magazines as one of her mediums. Marking her by-lines time where doubt overcomes our mindset towards an undertaken college program—Ms. Chin is no in Features writing on the Commerce Journal Magazine exception to that feeling. Just like any other Commerce gave her a distinctive voice and a stalwart direction student who deride Mathematics in their program, the with her current profession. The world of fashion and fashionista-in-the-making wanted to embrace a path that had something to do with writing or beauty opened her senses when her early days vogue, yet she said: “Back then, it really was were exposed to shows like America’s Next Top considered to be a one in a million shot to break Model and the Rachel Zoe Project. As enthusiasm into either [industry], especially for someone is indeed an expressed motivator in chasing one’s like me who grew up in the province.” She dreams, Ms. Chin certainly chased hers in a striking frankly added that her parents were indeed consistency. All these influences marked her sudden reluctant with the idea ofher studying for a comprehensive program related to design realizations valid as she immediately perceived culture. But with a light-hearted compromise from that working for one job is enough to sustain her both parties, she decided to take a business creativity, but her mindset was then transformed program before pursuing her true passion. when she began as an in-house fashion stylist for Stylist in Pocket, then an Editorial Assistant in Star A MAGNIFIED LOOK ON PASSION AND GROWTH Style PH and its partner brand, Beauty Bubble Online. Before glamming up with Star Style PH, Ms. Chin worked briefly for Pili Ani and subsequently, Preview.ph, adding to her continuing experience and growth in the professional world. Mixing all her experiences and learnings from her past works, she astutely remarked that the entire process of conceptualizing for a creative idea, working with a talented team, seeing to the fruition of the effort made, and meeting new and iconic artists will definitely culminate as a remarkable climax to one’s passion for fashion. Nonetheless, her tender affection for writing still exhibits with her current freelancing as Ms. Chin is really a wordsmith at heart. When talking about the overall pressures in traversing towards your “dream profession,” the stylish fashion lassie proved that nothing is impossible in making that happen as Ms. Obiedo expressively proved that being a Commerce student will make you very flexible and knowledgeable on the workarounds of the professional realm. She uttered that working for CJ and being a Commerce student gave her an edge in sustaining her line of work. Individually, we just have to discover what fits our skillset and brings us joy as the path in Commerce can lead us to many versatile opportunities. The College| 7

. The unsureness on our own career path is detrimental to our future when it’s not validated by ourselves and nothing is really set in stone for everyone, Ms. Obiedo then shared the three things that a struggling person should always take at heart: “[First], believe in your talent,” doing things out of passion truly registers on the final product. Believing in oneself can improve self-growth.“[Secondly], work with the best,” working with the experts will definitely set your standards high right off the bat and the incoming experiences won’t be subpar. The freelancing editorial writer then finally concluded the three things with the most important aspect and life advice in general—one should not be afraid of failure. “Failing is as monumental as winning, even more so at times. It shifts your perspective, reminds you to look at the bigger picture, and really tests you as a person. So make your mistakes, as they are inevitable. Just make sure you learn from them.” Carl Chuidian, THE CHUI SHOW “Take a huge leap but make sure that you have a parachute. It means that following your heart and passion is not bad.” #THROWBACK: PAPS CHUI STORY #NOWSTREAMING: THE PAPS CONTENT Within the lenses of a camera, the concepts of management and As free as a bird flying above a sky of opportunities, his marketing were his specs as Carl Chuidian of the Marketing Management passion was the hurricane he strives to surpass. Starting from being a batch 2017 paved his shots to the corporate realm. The world of visual ManagementTraineeinUniqloPhilippines,theChuistarpressedoninthefieldof media welcomed varieties of food and travel vlogs in “The Chui Show” entertainment as a Marketing and Digital Officer at ABS-CBN where he is famously known as “Paps Chui” which also has a number Corporation. Carl then reminisced about his childhood memory of talking of 171,000 followers on Facebook and 12,900 subscribers on YouTube in front of a low-resolution Nokia phone camera and discovered his (as of August 2020). As a Marketista by heart, Paps Chui served the true passion. The then rising YouTuber insisted that he is not the kind of Commerce community as the Vice President Chapters of the Philippine Junior person to stay 8-9 hours stuck inside an office, but he certainly believed that Marketing Association (PJMA). Inevitable trials came but was being an entertainer runs inside his system. In August 2019, Mr. Chuidian soon filtered by memorable battles that molded him to set an joined YouTube and enjoyed the perks of being part of the trend—every opportunity of being part of a national organization for marketing second of it. What made the Chui Show distinct from the rest is the fresh students in the Philippines. These were just some of the early clicks that content that invites the star and his audience in learning new cultures, showcased a vlogger in him. His marketing days weren’t in wonderful lifestyles, and helpful insights. It is undeniable that what we aim for vain as it built a decisive, people-smart, and persistent attitude is what we attract, and Mr. Chui indeed magnetized a lot of passionate and while his connections grew through the vocation. The online influencer hardworking people on hearing their heartfelt stories while picking up mentioned that there is a great edge that Commerce students have, which lessons from it along the way. is strong people skills that make them good listeners and enables them to communicate with anyone. #ASKCHUI: HOW TO TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH Taking the route towards the creative path and driving past the pinned destination, Carl Chuidan left a fruitful message for the Commerce students who want to take on new ventures. “Before doing what you love to do in full time, consider three things: Is it for good faith? Do you really love to [do] that? [I]s it profitable?” His words resounded into a form that advises us to become the best version of ourselves as we follow our calling; that no matter how small or huge the barriers in front, and how many times we fail, we ought to remember that we are humans. “We are designed to fail but we are destined to stand up [and] prove that we are great. As one of my favorite movie characters named Rancho said, ‘Pursue excellence and success will follow.’” he concluded. 8 | The College

Karen “Being a student leader and exposing myself to Daphne, multiple activities outside the four corners of the classroom helped me build my competence and experience THE MARKETING VISIONARY in my position today.” SIGNING UP FOR THE NEW GAME With the soul of an artist that lies within the gold button-up and black skirt & blazer, Karen Daphne Madrigal rolled herself in for the calculated culture of Commerce after originally intending to enroll in the UST-College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) when she was accepted into the University. Having prior exposure in the fine arts since childhood, she sees her creative talent as an edge at her new environment that sweeps through the complexity of digital marketing campaigns today. Just like any artist starting up a new sketch, Ms. Madrigal felt the familiar sense of belongingness from the College’s esteemed faculty where she was assured that she didn’t make a mistake in choosing to take up Marketing Management this time. She recounts that the science of her chosen field has influenced her artistry and has helped her attain a broader understanding of what it takes to keep up with the competition. PREPPING EARLY FOR THE INDUSTRY As the College opens up new doors that lead to whipping up one’s flight of fancy, Ms. Madrigal was appointed as the first Creative Director of the Commerce Journal (CJ) in 2012. Hitting the sweet spot between getting her feet wet in digital marketing, she then prides herself with managing three departments within CJ dedicated to uploading official promotional materials for various College-wide events for social media engagement. The leg- acy carried on as this artsy soul’s aptitude for strategy and creative direction stuck long after college and carried over to her career as a Digital Marketing Officer in the ever-changing and competitive landscape of the Health and Beauty industry. Her digital marketing hustle, coupled with extensive training from the Marketing Management’s finest instructors set this Digital Marketista on course for her career path. “Despite my first choice (Fine Arts), I don’t feel any regrets taking up Marketing in the College of Commerce because I have a broader knowledge in the field of business as it contains all facets of advertising, research, pricing, and monitoring of the performance of all related efforts,” she said. A daunting undertaking not for the faint of heart, for- mulating solutions, and maintaining the quality standards of her company’s successful online marketing campaigns kept this Tiger-bred Marketista ahead of a constantly evolving market. FROM COMMERCE TO THOMASIAN PROFESSIONAL Describing her job as a Digital Marketing Officer, Ms. Madrigal is in-charge of supplying interactive content for their audience and is also responsible for gauging the effectiveness of her company’s digital ad campaigns. The industry is constantly in need of what Thomasian business leaders can deliver in technical know-how and street-smarts. Being grateful to be given a wider career path and qualifications, the now-marketing guru praises the College’s efforts to have given her more opportunities in the corporate world by giving her the chance to be involved with the community as a member of the CJ. Such as every student is in the hopes of exploring life after college, don’t forget to discover (and practice!) what you love doing before setting out for the industry. These Commerce alumni trekked the same trail, but it’s still up to you to discover which path to take. The power to mould a brighter future all the while enjoying what you do lies in your determination and forward-thinking. The challenges to overcome and countless all-nighters will pay off for the opportunities that await! A few years in college will fly by, and next thing you know, you’ll get to what’s beyond the bend. The College | 9

FinTech: Broaden your reach and prepare to invest your resources as the Financial ladder advances you to the growth of 21st-century technology. A sharp shift in financial transactions has been evolving through legal tender. Whether it be online or over the counter, technology has formed a newfangled mode of payment for everyone. With the innovations today, the umbrella of the financial world offering convenient payment options, remittance, investment, and more is within a swipe on a phone. Convenience is just around the corner as Financial Technology or FinTech opens accessible grounds of advanced platforms. These modern techs are being clicked on by companies that use monetary technology consisting of both startups, who are new in the industry, as well as established financial corporations. A new path of enhancement methods invites the enterprise to trace on more systematic and snappier services. Let Paymaya, GCash, Investagrams, and these other upstart fintech companies and applications welcome you to the digital world of finance. Investagram Website: www.investagrams.com Google Play, Apple App Store, App Gallery In just a click on your smartphone, the world’s and the country’s immense stock market is now in the palm of your hand. Co-founded by Airwyn Tin, JM Lapina, and John Christian Bisnar—who’s now the CEO and started trading stocks before the age of 20, Investagrams has been one of the credible exchange platforms in the country since 2015. Now with 100,000 plus downloads in the Google Play, over 11,000 downloads on App Store, and an average user rating of 4.7 stars. Despite its perceived complexities, the elevated realm of stocks will become accessible and understandable with the help of this app. Start your investment journey with their useful tools such as real-time charts on the prices of stocks going up or down, a stock watcher to monitor the movement of prices, trading ground to practice your stock trading skills before going into the real thing, and many more features to connect with beginner or experienced traders in the Philippine stock market. Launch your venture now in the world of stock trading—maybe you might be the next “Wolf of Wallstreet”. 10 | The Industry

Sun Life Financial Location: Makati City, Taguig. Website: www.sunlife.com.ph Financial literacy and preparedness come alongside the advancements of technology in every excellent insurance company. With the ever-expanding economy and improvements of financial systems worldwide, Sun Life Financial Incorporated, founded by Matthew Hamilton Gault, allowed its rays of financial services from Canada to give warmth on the land of the Philippines in 1895. Every clientele of this life insurance company has been enjoying security by educating its customers through its financial literacy program called Brighter Life. Alongside the guidance and planning with financial managers, people are saving and investing wisely as they enjoy the rewards of this company; a variety of plans spread out for every life stage are offered by Sun Life in order to ensure every individual and family members’ security in each generation. Some notable products offered by them are Sunlife Protector, Sun SmartStarter, Sun Secure, and Sun Intensi5, which will surely put a ray of light in your future paths. PawnHero Location: W Global Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Website: pawnhero.ph Have you ever wondered about experiencing online pawnshops? Back in 2014, David Margendorff, Nix Nolledo, and Manny Ayala founded this business for the Filipinos since there was no online presence in the pawnshop business sector at that time. Today, a pioneer in the modernization of the pawnbroking industry laid down its advanced and reliable service with PawnHero. With their easy to follow steps, allow PawnHero to fly you through their website, by clicking “pawn now” as a Pawntrooper is scheduled for an item pick-up and will dash to the given address by the customer and would give the personal loan kit alongside a free cash card to be encashed through any BancNet ATM machine. Some items they accept are gadgets, jewelry, branded clothing, as well as designer bags and would be inspected by an appraisal team for the assessment as the appraisal value is based on the condition of the item and their interest rates go for as low as 2.99% per month. Also, the loan could be extended by applying for an extension on its website and the payment fee should be settled after the approval. With this ISO and BSP-certified pawnshop, claiming your loaned items is a no brainer as long as you have your requirements, and pawning will never be the same again. The Industry | 11

GCash Website: www.gcash.com Google Play & Apple App Store Lining up to pay your bills and waiting for a lengthy period has now been phased out by Globe as they take on a new route of transactions. Handled by the largest mobile network operator, Globe Telecom Inc., GCash has been used by millions of satisfied users and loyal partners. In just a tap of technology, GCash made everything easier with paying bills, money transfers, investing, purchasing, and more. With their numerous banking partners like BPI, Moneygram, etc. cashing-in thousands of pesos through selected stores have never been effortless. To be able to make your account more secure and apply to all GCash services, just fill up the necessary information accompanied by a valid ID photo along with the other requirements asked and you should be good to go!. The shift into cashless transactions would be more attainable thanks to the help of Globe through GCash and the transition to the new age of fintech, and you can be a part of it by downloading their app and signing up for the extraordinary. Beep Sources • Purisima, C. V. (n.d.). PH fintech is ready for Location: Can be purchased from any stations of LRT 1, LRT 2, and MRT 3. Website: www.beeptopay.com its moment. Retrieved from https://business. inquirer.net/265972/ph-fintech-is-ready-for- Mobile phones weren’t the only piece of technology that became smart, but its-moment also the card-based system that people used to swipe is now considered as one. With • Gan, D. (n.d.). Fintech in the Philippines: just a beep from the machine, almost every purchase, ride, or fee is now backed up opportunities, challenges and why global by this stored-value and contactless card by the company AF Payments Incorporation. participation is critical. Retrieved from https:// Beep cards are initially intended to be used for train rides at Light Rail Transit (LRT) and e27.co/fintech-in-the-philippines-opportu- Metro Rail Transit (MRT), the public rail system in Metro Manila. Soon enough, Beep nities-challenges-and-why-global-participa- has also tapped the bus lines in the Metro to join the ever-growing commuters who tion-is-critical-20191018/ use this pass and secured a partnership with GCash to establish a QR code ticketing • The Manila Times. (2019, May 11). The Philip- system for the BGC Bus Line—the primary transport of the country’s up and coming pine fintech landscape. Retrieved from https:// Financial Hub. Other lesser-known uses of this tap-to-pay system are payment for toll www.manilatimes.net/2019/05/11/busi- fees on the CAVITEX and NLEX roads. Also, penetrating some convenient store franchises ness/columnists-business/the-philippine-fin- such as FamilyMart and 7-11, it plans on securing deals with other well-known brands. tech-landscape/552852/ The once niche form of financial technology platform has become an up and coming • About Investagrams. (n.d.). Retrieved May 08, all-around product. With just thirty pesos and a quick pop in an automated reloading 2020, from https://www.investagrams.com/ machine available in every LRT and MRT station, you will finally be part of the crowd About/About that will make a noise—beep!—for the future. • SUN LIFE (n.d.). Retrieved from https:// www.sunlife.com.ph/PH/About+us?vgnLo- Technology is just one tap away from buying food and drinks straight on our cale=en_CA doorstep, online shopping, and even withdrawing or depositing money. Moreover, • Online Pawn Loans, Money Lending, Quick the modes of business are becoming dynamic through time as we usher into a new era Cash Pawn Loans - PawnHero. (n.d.). Retrieved of technology wherein it can be now used in paying for transactions. Some practices from https://pawnhero.ph/cashout-and- might not be viable anymore due to it being slow and inefficient compared to using the payments improved ways of doing your finances, but there would be new ways that would be • Online Pawn Loans, Money Lending, Quick discovered and FinTech can be one of the avenues to further appreciate what our future Cash Pawn Loans - PawnHero. (n.d.). Retrieved endeavors would be as we usher in the new age of commerce and business coupled from https://pawnhero.ph/how-pawnhe- with technology. ro-worksOnline Pawn Loans, Money Lending, Quick Cash Pawn Loans - PawnHero. (n.d.). 12 | The Industry Retrieved from https://pawnhero.ph/ how-pawnhero-works • Online Pawn Loans, Money Lending, Quick Cash Pawn Loans - PawnHero. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pawnhero.ph/about-us

Local Uproar: Homegrown Brands to Explore by Jasmine Isabella S. Rogel & Edelyn T. Tan Layout by: Raphael Joseph P. Francisco & Medalynn Chua Feast your eyes on the colorful produce decorating the pathway to success of these local homegrown industries as they dance to the fiery beat of Pinoy Pride. It might be unknown to many, but Filipinos continuously jive to the rhythm of the global market. Parading premium quality items from stylish motifs to innovative designs, they never cease to dress up their products for the world to see. Indulge yourself in the aesthetic but functional features these visionaries integrate into their locally-made goods. Ready, set, and burst in the colors of the Philippines as its creativity marches to the beat of the country’s cultural roots. Natural Health Location: Suite 1005, The Infinity Tower, 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Website & Instagram: @naturalhealthph With a reputation of honoring precious harvests of the land, Natural Health lets you dine with fresh and organic native produce incorporated into the contemporary foods of today. By promising you of eating and living better since 2010, they let you enjoy its bountiful goods that are minimally-processed. Be lusciously satisfied by the tasty treats offered such as Superfood Trail Mix, Granola, Cacao Nibs, Fruit Jams, Stevia, Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Sap Sugar, and more. Giving you all the best, they teamed up with Summer Farms and The Archipelago Food & Beverage Co. to bring their gourmet jams and snacks flavored in memory of the tropics on the table. Enjoy them for a sweet price range of ₱ 75 to ₱ 450. Not only does it support sustainable methods and local products, but also the Filipino farmers who are responsible for the raw materials and processing of food. Feast like a modern queen with these healthy delectables! Discover The Industry | 13

Brands Dear Self Beauty Deco Art Location: Brandbox Store, 864 Moret Street, Location: Zaril Lifestyle Store, 120 Maginhawa Sampaloc, Manila. Street, Brgy. Teacher’s Village East, Quezon City. Instagram: @dearselfbeauty Instagram: @ddecoartph Travel with Dear Self Beauty as you plunge into the kaleidoscopic Artists, who have the ability to produce something out of world of cosmetics and skincare. A basket full of clay blush, clay nothing with their own hands, are the literal definition of having brow, lip tint, liquid lipstick, makeup bags, and organizers will the world as their oyster; they can create anything they want surely brighten your day. With an attractive 98% positive sellers from the confines of their imagination and make it a reality. For rating in Lazada and a 4.9/5 review on Facebook, pamper stationery enthusiasts, craft supplies give them that same power yourself with these goodies made with natural ingredients. for their personal journals and planners. A former Thomasian From the production to the packaging design, the owners put from the College of Commerce and Business Administration, plenty of effort and attention to details as they are hands-on Ms. Priscilla Sy’s entrepreneurial journey was born out of with every commodity. Follow their journey as they continue to personal love for sharing art with fellow creatives. This one- expand their story and anchor their feet in the industry through stop-shop offers a wide variety of decorative and functional collaborations, bazaars, and future boutique locations. With stationery items that will cater to your planner, journal, and hearts of gold, they also developed the project SinagTala scrapbook needs. From vintage washi tapes and colorful post- limited edition deartints for a humble cause and all proceeds it notes to 12-meter long glue tapes, you can buy all kinds of were given to MBY Pet Rescue and Sanctuary in Rizal. Head decorative items for an affordable price. You will no longer out and get one from ₱ 149 to ₱ 249 and be delighted with have to worry about flipping through dull pages because their bundle of 16 Blurmattes in one pouch only at ₱ 2,899. these craft supplies from Deco Art will give you the means Complement your beauty with the care you deserve as you to turn the ordinary into a vibrant world of color and fun. look in the mirror and say, “Dear Self, you are beautiful!” Discover Discover 14 | The Industry

Rô Nooke Location: Aphro Living Art/Design, The Alley Location: Munimuni Studio, 107 H.V. Dela Costa, St Salcedo, Makati, 1227 Metro Manila. at Karrivin 2316 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati. Website & Instagram: nooke.ph / @nooke.home Website & Instagram: rowearonline.com / @ Style every corner of your home with a soft touch of minimalism through a handful of Nooke’s elegant home decor. Whether rôwearonline you’re looking for an innovative wave bookshelf, half-moon mirror for an irresistible selfie, or unique sculptures to pair up As the popular saying goes, good shoes will take you to good with your boho style, this lifestyle store doesn’t stray from their places. Rô’s footwear will not only bring you to where you need belief that interior pieces add character to any space. Aside from to go but with its soft leather cushioning your feet, it will also designing their own original furniture and homeware designs, guarantee that your trip will be warm and cozy. With a reputation some pre-owned and vintage items are acquired from antique of sticking to traditional methods and handcrafted leather shoes stores and thrift shops. As the owners live by with their words, inspired by the beauty of mother nature, the company truly lives their limited pieces are restored and cleaned to be in the best up to its name as they use authentic materials as well as natural possible condition. Although they will not be perfect, this is markings that are visible on all their products. The founders what makes them unique. With prices ranging from ₱ 590 to of this establishment make it a point “...to create products ₱ 18,000, Nooke offers simple yet, aesthetically-pleasing that stick to traditional methods that are nothing spectacular furniture that is worthy of sharing a space in your homes. or flawless, but more subdued.” They may be considered ordinary, but the toned-down hues and interesting shape of their footwear will surely catch your eye. The stylish twist to their mules, sandals, and glove shoes grants a whole new meaning to a comfortable fashion. Slip into the simplistic beauty of Rô’s footwear as they highlight the overall vibe of your #OOTD. Discover Discover Celebrate the good times as these domestic geniuses showcase their majestic creations and remarkable skills that are worthy of everyone’s recognition. Hang up the banderitas and give a warm welcome for the country’s masterpieces in the different fields of expertise as you witness how these local brands paint their colors for the world to see. Share and support these homegrown industries upon the silent growl of their skills and perseverance into a roaring success as they engrave the Philippines in the international market. Buy Now! The Industry | 15

Z Factor: Working In the Phygital Era by Allen Kyle D. Osia Layout by Raphael Joseph P. Francisco Set your mark in the fierce land of the corporate jungle clawing your way up as the best rookie around with this brief primer to know every pack. The world has advanced in all sectors with the elbow grease of every generation that has come and gone. From the war-torn Silent era, orthodox Baby Boomers, industrious Generation X, standalone Millennials, up until the tech- savvy Generation Z—every step that has been taken left a mark and continues to contribute for the betterment of the life we live. New soles are being replenished in the workplace as the upcoming generation introduces themselves and takes over the economy. With the ever-changing rules and regulations, it is vital to adjust in a new working environment, adapt to the transitioning workforce and its effects on companies, and most importantly, its change in demographics. Once the new normal has been laid out, let us fully maximize the modern world’s performance and exceed expectations as we fully tap into our generation’s potential. 16 | The Industry

Usual Convention to Zealous Convenience Knowing your inner ‘Zelf’ From tedious written letters to instant messages; on-the-spot work As the rise of the internet, social media, and mobile systems meetings to on-screen sessions; and old school business cards to LinkedIn took place, Gen Z from the early 2000s had first-hand experience with business profiles are just the first glance at the surge of alterations that the these online means. Accessible information, both old and new, are readily high-tech generation has been relishing. Now that the digital age enveloped available on a daily basis. This, in turn, made the Net Gens develop the every individual into the internet realm, almost all of our casual queries, habit of cross-referencing different sources of information and integrating instantaneous ideas, and fickle urges are just one click away. Looking back them into their virtual and offline experiences. The added depth of into the grooving days of the ‘80s to early ‘90s, many Millennials danced information gathering comes from the fact that the internet’s convenience around the border between the internet-less and internet-dependent time comes with the risk of misinformation. With this, Net Gens learned how periods. They were the ones that welcomed the spurts of digital technology to check the authenticity of information through repeated trials and into the present service space. The rustic smell of caffeine in the office errors. Efficiency can also be seen with this generation’s practicality and boosts up the collaborative atmosphere of the Generation Y as they interact a more realistic outlook on life. Prioritizing realistic information processing toe to toe, brainstorming until the daylight fades. As advancements carried outcomes not just in daily tasks but also on long-term goals in life. This can on in the mid-90s to prime 2000s alongside a newborn era, Generation be the effect of how they saw the previous generations’ struggle during Z, the tech-savvy made every beat of progressions in-tune with them. economic volatility. Yet, the practicality, flexibility, and pragmatic outlook Collaborative projects can now even be done through the internet without they gained by learning and adapting to the environment can become the need to meet personally. The Phygital lifestyle is the air they breathe liabilities if not used properly. Their affinity to technology can become a where both physical and digital interaction isn’t necessarily different from form of overdependence; the habit of multitasking can result in a shorter each other. attention span, and the practicality can be misinterpreted as cynicism. At the end of the day, it all boils down on how Gen Z manages themselves. Generation Maximi(Z)ation With every new generation entering the workforce, companies will need to fit with a brand new culture. Whether it be arbitrary or supportive means, corporate companies will have to find out how to deal with this inevitable change. A survey[1] was conducted with a staggering 40% of ‘genzers’ in the workforce leaving their jobs due to lack of engagement and feedback from the higher-ups, which shows how companies are having a hard time accommodating this new batch of employees. Transitions can be uneasy at first, given that a lot of adjustments should be done among the set of traditions in a company. Taking the problem by the roots and planting new opportunities for the ‘95 batch to contribute and fully maximize their potential is one big step. With the right drive, and competitive nature, Generation Z or “GenTechs” can be the free-spirited and industrious co-worker they can be. Once these features are showcased, multiple breakthroughs and creative innovations are sure to happen within the companies they work for. Accepting the fact that preparing for the eventual change of work culture will be beneficial for every work environment and acknowledging Gen Z’s quirky characteristics can help to ready them. The Industry | 17

Squeezing the (Z)est The icons of their profiles being posted online made the Zoomers trending among the phygital connections in both expertise and interdependence. In order to fully utilize this skill in the workplace, organizations need to understand that what GenTechs have are built upon experiences from not just their generation of culture, but also a culmination of all the things that are yet to be resolved from the previous demographic. These youngsters in the workplace are wired with technological advancements that can practically do anything online; creative solutions in organizational problems using technology as the focal point. Early GenTechs were in the front lines when online organizers became very popular in recent memory. They are also the ones that popularized a centralized form of operations which monitored employee work process and progress. Work from home culture also became a trend thanks to Generation Z. Clearing Z View Misconceptions about Gen Z’s multitasking capabilities and attention span antics have always been part of describing their behavior. But as it turns out, this short attention span is actually called an “eight- second filter.” This behavior lets the GenTechs focus on the most important parts of a task which then cuts down their attention on unnecessary noise allowing them to finish projects with faster accuracy within a short amount of time. This filter is Gen Z’s version of a target circle if you will. The last trait they have that is often criticized, which is their sense of practicality. This generation is born from independent parents with whom they have similar characteristics. Individuality and resourcefulness are some of those things. They get the job done quickly because they find the most efficient ways without hesitation. One example of this is asking for help from others. Gen Z’s are not afraid to do collaborative work despite their individualistic nature. Being technologically inclined doesn’t stop these youngsters from having face-to-face encounters in everyday lives. On the contrary, Gen Z’s actually prefer them since it’s that part of them that they learned from the best of the past generations. Reflection, misconception, and anticipation for our generation. Now that these things have been sorted out, we should be able to take up a better out- look once we enter the “real world”. But in all of this, we need to remember the radical trait that sets us apart and makes us stand out. Generation Z, the Neo-Digital Native, is the most disruptive group in the best of ways. History made them learn that real and significant change is entirely possible. They are equipped towards fixing, changing, and creating new solutions and opportunities in the hope of finding better ways to do things. Being exposed to the flaws of past generations gave them the ability to understand and fix problems. This new generation is truly skeptical in nature, challenging preconceived notions about the world and its inner workings. So don’t be afraid to give it your all head-on because we should prepare to continuously challenge the norm in order to influence the outcome of our future. After all, our generation doesn’t just read about the news anymore, we actually want to know what we can do about it. Sources: Gartner Says 40% Of Gen Z Employees Regret Accepting Job Offer. (2019, May 14). Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2019-05-14-gartner-says-40--of-gen-z- employees-regret-accepting- Francis T. & Hoefel F. (2018, November). ‘True Gen’: Generation Z and its implications for companies. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/consumer-packaged-goods/our-insights/true- gen-generation-z-and-its-implications-for-companies Jörg M. (2017, June). Introducing: Generation Z. Retrieved from https://www.engarde.net/introducing-generation-z/#.Xj2YMGgzY2x Generation Z LATEST CHARACTERISTICS, RESEARCH, AND FACTS Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/generation-z Kleinschmit M. (2019, October 07). Generation Z Characteristics: 5 Infographics on the Gen Z Lifestyle. Retrieved from https://www.visioncritical.com/blog/generation-z-infographics Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, and Gen Z Explained. (2019, July 29). Retrieved from https://www.kasasa.com/articles/generations/gen-x-gen-y-gen-z The Strengths and Weaknesses of Every Generation in your Workforce (2017, January 18)Retrieved from https://www.getsmarter.com/blog/career-advice/know-your-generationals/ Vector Illustrations designed by pch.vector/Freepik 18 | The Industry

Mirrored Vanity: A RefIection Towards MinimaIism by Renzo David R. Bañaga and Edelyn T. Tan Layout by: Raphael Joseph P. Francisco From an art movement to a lifestyle medium, minimalism holds key outlooks that will benefit one’s impression while engaging in everyday activities. People have numerous lifestyles that they pertain to every day—going to the gym, doing yoga, eating vegan, sleeping early, and more. But, one thing that expresses the so-called “art of living less” is minimalism. This lifestyle is all about living with fewer burdens like excessive material possessions and unnecessary expenses. For many minimalists, the ideology is about ridding lavish things and experiencing life based on natural exploits rather than worldly possessions. Tidy up your clutter and sort these five minimalist hacks that will surely bring you to an organized A+ status. The Industry | 19

1)Sorting Apps to Assorting Life With technology continuing to advance rapidly, people become more reliant on various phone applications for faster communication and personal convenience. But, over- downloading many apps thinking that you could use them, later on, will just batter your smartphone’s memory space. Sorting out your phone screen can save you a lot of time in the future when looking for your favorite apps and games. Just download the ones that you always use and slide the rarely- opened ones to your digital trash bin. This can also save enough memory space for your phone. Even though technology entails a sophisticated usage, we should also sometimes put our phones down for a few hours a day and spend time doing the usual activities manually. Engage with the people around us, meet up with your best friend at a cozy coffee shop, set off on a road trip with your family, or go on a date with that cute guy or gal you’ve been eyeing. Life’s too short to pass the days staring at a screen. (But still, sorting your phone apps could help you also!) 2)Simplicity is Tranquility only help you streamline your finances, but it will also make sure your life doesn’t become cluttered with unneeded They say that the body is the vessel of the soul, and it goes possessions. Buying things in moderation and shopping on a without saying you take extra measures in ensuring that it’s stable budget will definitely give you a positive living regime. always in its best condition. You tend to do anything from following a ten-step skincare routine to subscribing to a diet 4)The Three-month Rule plan. Yet for a while, there is contentment in knowing you are doing everything you can to take care of yourself. However, if at We all own at least one stuff that hasn’t been used or touched some point you realize your actions are excessive and wasteful, for a long time. Maybe you think you’ll need it in the future, or maybe it will be the right time to cut back and keep things simple. maybe you can’t let it go because it holds sentimental value. Maintain a balanced diet by cooking your own meals or wash If this keeps up, everything will keep accumulating until you’ll your face daily and just use the right amount of facial products no longer have room for things you may need in the future. For for your skin to radiate a healthy glow. Complexity is not the the sake of a clutter-free life, adopting the so-called “Three- answer when we can choose to survive on the bare minimum. month rule”, wherein you measure the need and value of the Competing with the over-the-top standards set by other object for the next three months, will help you determine what people will only complicate your necessities for a better living. or what not to throw away. As for objects with sentimental value, consider the option of taking pictures with it to preserve 3)Suppress the Shopping Craze memories instead of leaving them to mess around your room. Decluttering will not only help clean up your surroundings and Whenever something in a store catches your eye, you channel give you peace of mind, but it’s also a surefire way to ensure a certain question like how Rebecca Bloomwood from the 2009 there will be space for the next valuable thing you’ll own. film, Confessions of a Shopaholic, asked herself,: “Do I really need this?” Sometimes you also have that urge to buy the held object and just have it rush to the cashier immediately to get your credit card swiped. This also tends to end in regret after you’ve thought of the entire process. However, we also have that innate strength to maintain our self-control and say the words: “Dear, Self. Not today.” Keeping this mantra in mind will not 20| The Industry

5)Jump Out the Bandwagon In a society ruled by the heat of standards, there is an innate pressure to feel that feeling of belongingness. We follow the recent trends, force ourselves to imbibe on a social gathering, and generally have a hard time saying “no” to things we’re uncomfortable with. We try so hard to fit in that we become just another cookie cut from the same mold, wondering why we never get a sense of self-fulfillment from pleasing other people. While some try to catch up to a fast-paced world, there is still the freezing forgetfulness to slow down. Keeping up with the mania is not always a healthy option to establish your own identity as a person. Though it is an added value if we learn how to control our urges and instill our morals in daily phenomena. Learn how to re-evaluate yourself and determine what you want. It’s been said that art is an expression of the human experience. Possessing dexterity for the said medium can also be a metaphor for life. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that practicing fine craftsmanship mirrors the living of life in many ways. As such it can be used as a tool for self-expression, self-transformation, and self-exploration. The minimalist lifestyle is a reflection of the art expression, one can see through the mirror of vanity who they truly are. We always tend to put on a facade when we buy things that we don’t really need or we join in social gatherings that we don’t really like. It’s high time to step out of other people’s shadows, pursue your own passions, and overcome the sinking feeling of self-doubt. After all, there’s no shame in living by your own set of principles. Always look at your reflection and see the humble minimalist within you. Sources: Becker, J. (2019). What is Minimalism? Retrieved from https://www.becomingminimalist.com/what-is-minimalism/ Carver, C. (2019). 7 Tiny Steps for the Beginner Minimalist. Retrieved from https://bemorewithless.com/begin/ Declutter Your Home and Mind: A Minimalist Approach to a Calm Life. Retrieved from https://pickupplease.org/minimalist-approach/ Galli, A. (2017). The Making of a Minimalist. Retrieved from https://medium.com/the-mission/the-making-of-a-minimalist-100-things-challenge-667415f9a278 Mack, L. (2017). 8 simple steps you can take to make your lifestyle more minimalistic. Retrieved from https://www.insider.com/steps-to-become-more-minimalist-2017-12#enjoy-simple-meals-7 Murray, C. (2020). Minimalist Living: Is Minimalism Just a Fad? Or Can It Really Help You Solve All Your Financial Problems? Retrieved from https://www.moneyunder30.com/minimalist-living (2018). 8 Easy Ways to Become a Minimalist. Retrieved from https://makespace.com/blog/posts/how-to-become-a-minimalist/ Gades, Samantha. My bedroom. Retrieved from: https://unsplash.com/photos/gKjLLN1T8HQ Sincerely Media. Gold Table Lamp. Retreived from: https://unsplash.com/photos/VDPauwJ_sHo Bench Accounting. Minimalist white table. Retrieved from: https://unsplash.com/photos/nvzvOPQW0gc The Industry| 21





Thalassophile by Ma. Jasha Jarmela Quizon 24 | The Lounge





il sentiero by Medalynn Esther D. Chua The Lounge | 27

RETR GRADE THE GENESIS OF VIDEO GAMES BY CLAIRE DAIYNES PAMA & JOSHUA TATLONGHARI LAYOUT BY JERRY GOMEZ The ‘80s may be far gone, but some video games made from this era are now considered a cult classic. These games are the foundation of the games played today. Whether people have played the originals or not, it wouldn’t stop anyone from recognizing these iconic games across various platforms. Take a dive into the 80s and visit the video games that started it all. “From pixels to smoother graphics, these timeless games advance to win the hearts of gamers from every generation.” The Lounge | 28

PAC-MAN (1980) BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT In a neon labyrinth lies a two-dimensional, yellow, puck- NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. shaped sprite that munches his way, escaping his colorful ghostly foes. U DELUXE (2019) The so-called “Pac-Man” navigates its way with the players’ hunches to eat all the yummy little pellets while avoiding the ghosts that roam The franchise’s new addition’s title might be a mouthful to say, around the maze to prevent our yellow muncher from reaching the but it lives up to its name by having an abundance of upgrades for our next level. No wonder when it was released in the US, the game rooms super plumber. It plays with the player’s familiarity with the premise gained endless lines of people trying to get the highest score possible of Mario Bros., yet a Mario transforming into a flying squirrel after a that was first achieved by Billy Mitchel in 1999 with 3,333,360 points. power-up welcomes you into an entirely new game. It introduces 160 It is not far from reality to see someone raging to quit over Pac-man for different levels of fun with no two levels the same, resulting in something each level will greet you with new obstacles that will surely keep you chaotic but enjoyable gameplay. The game introduces Toadette, a new hooked. As the ghosts grow more aggressive and the maze gets crazier playable character in the game, as well as the inclusion of the New than ever, random power-up bullets would roll-in along the muddle to Super Luigi U mode that substantially increases the platformer’s replay help our yellow munch eat up its pellets. value. One moment you are spinning on a screw to move your platform and then the next, the player would be struggling to skate on icy ledges. PAC-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP To sum up, in the New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, everything feels EDITION 2 (2016) fresh and exciting as we jump back into basics in this smashing remake of the classic. It is never easy to revive a beloved classic game into something a little different, but the game masters managed to capture the hearts of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA (1986) a new generation of Pac-man enthusiasts. This time, you are transported NINTENDO into a blazing 3D neon labyrinth, partnered with zestful background music that will effectively boost the adrenaline-filled excitement into the A revolutionizing game in its decade where video games impending mayhem. Feel the burst of sugar-rush as you can’t seem to were commonly positioned for arcade machines. Popular in the United get enough playing it. If normal mode isn’t difficult enough, try and get States, Europe, and Japan, the Legend of Zelda began with a blast the best score possible within the time limit without anyone trying to get outside its walls. It was played on a home console, the Nintendo him from munching to his heart’s content. Munch up with Pac-Man now Entertainment System, that was perfect for playing non-stop at the and defeat his kaleidoscopic enemies with a full belly. comforts of your own home. An adventure of a young boy named Link, and his quest to find the Triforce of Power to rescue Princess Zelda of MARIO BROS. (1983) the Hyrule Kingdom is where the story begins. It gave the player the NINTENDO freedom to explore all 128 maps of the esteemed legend. Each area has a new monster to fight, a new puzzle to solve, or a hidden item and Before Mario became super, he was just a regular plumber. easter egg to find. Endless treasure hunting and monster chasing may Together with his older twin brother, Luigi, they venture below the shake your grip a little, but this game is complete with a never-ending streets to rid its underground of creatures that terrorize the sewage adventure and an amazing video game experience. pipes of the city. Our red plump hero would have to jump on top of the vermins to stun them and to be later kicked off the ledge. Different bugs would also mean that the player has to use different techniques, some that require only two hits to get stunned, and others would need to be hit through the ledge they are on. The controls have a pretty basic up, down, and sideways movement, and to amp up the fun, you can never go wrong with two-player mode. The game also provides a 1v1 feature where you can play against a friend and compete on getting the highest score possible. Bump off more pests, or even bump off your opponent in harm’s way. But fear not, a Super Mario is already on its way to smash their hearts into the hearts of the new generation. 29 | The Lounge

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA MEGAMAN (1987) LINK’S AWAKENING (2019) CAPCOM After 33 years since the release of its first game, our hero was Who would have thought that in a different world we aren’t once again roused from a deep sleep. Nintendo revealed in 2019’s E3 only terrorized with flesh and blood, but also with metals and screws? about a remake of another one of Link’s stories. This time, the valiant Tainted with danger from a doctor named Dr. Wily, only Megaman hero, Link gets washed up on Koholint Island and goes on a mission with his Mega Buster arm can lift the people up from evil robots seeking to find the Triforce of Wisdom to wake the Wind Fish and escape the to destroy the world. In this side-scrolling combat with Dr. Wily’s island. The character model is charmed up with a toy-like makeover in army of androids, the player controls to move into four directions: up, Nintendo Switch console, making him more adorable than his pixelated down, left, and right with its console. The game also allows you to shift predecessor. Becoming more enhanced allowed an entertaining weapons: Mega Buster, Magnet Beam, and Rolling Cutter—which you experience for modern gamers. The player can mark icons like treasure can only gain after you defeat certain bosses in the game. In his two- chests that they may want to get back later in the game—one of the new dimensional domain, it’s not limited to boosting up its comprehensive upgrades from the previous game. In every step twigged by Link with gameplay that made the game box all lined-up in the kingdom of his clam sensor, he marks the map and digs up hidden seashells if the gamers. Capsules continuously fall with minions and bosses preparing gamer is engaged with collecting items. All in all, Link’s Awakening is a to kill, but nothing’s too mega for our man to carry the day with his perfect introduction for the young Zelda fans of today. firepower and restore his health as he fights. SUPER BOMBERMAN R MEGA MAN 11 (2017) (2018) As he takes over a flaming world of terror with his bombs, this The classic jump and shoot gameplay in an old-school setting shot-built robot won’t let anything block his way to become human. With of our 31-year-old video game franchise, now on its 11th installment only a single touch from his enemies, life would lose from his warden in the game series, has significantly progressed with its original plot. despite having those huge fire powers in hand. In order to move on to Retaining a side-scrolling platform feature for the mega junkies, our the next level, the player must use cunning strategies to gain power-ups robot conqueror, Mega Man, has upgraded to a fully 3D character hidden in the rocks. This 35-year-old game played at NES platform that stands out in a 2D environment. As Mega Man evolves, he is aided may sound simple but you need your wits to devise clever strategies to by the latest tech that improves his prime Mega Buster moves against defeat foes without hurting yourself in the process. The enemies will turn the masters like Block Man, Acid Man, and the other robots created more devious as you progress, but don’t let it stop you from bombing by the big bad Dr. Wily. More cyborg head-crushing for the eighties your way to regain your humanity. at heart are exemplified once Mega Man slows downtime through Speed Gear and boosts his weapons’ attack power with Power Gear, BOMBERMAN or do both simultaneously with Double Gear. Mega Man now invites (1985) his team to grab your consoles and bring down the schemes of the evil oppressor, Dr. Wily. The twentieth-century has welcomed an explosive return that As technology advances, gamers constantly find ways to ranks up to a 50-stage story mode that is now granted with a superb improve their gaming experience. No wonder that the likes of Mega name marked with an R. Conversely, a stronger gear of grip on the Man, Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Bomberman, and Pac-man have console is needed to face tough bosses to fight every 9th or 10th round. a mass following because of the evolution of experience given by its One highlight of the game is the Revenge Cart—a special ability to help developers. But as gamers, we must remember that these games were the fallen character attack his opponent outside the maze. Now, Super built above the shoulders of their predecessors no matter how lacking Bomberman can engage in a multiplayer arena and a cooperative the graphics were compared to the present game. If you currently find mode, where the ‘80s kids at heart can either play against or with each the games that you’re playing as dull and boring, try these old and new other. For the letter R at his side hides his ruthless yet resilient might games that had once set the era of gaming. that is underlined in a 3D environment and more stunning graphics compared to its predecessors. Bomberman now steps into a new realm of refined puzzles that will absolutely give its players a blast. References: Retrieved March 26, 2020, from http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/legend_of_zelda_nes D’Aprile, J. (2018, March 1). Pac-Man: Championship Edition 2 Review. Retrieved March 26, 2020, from McFerran, D. (2007, April 13). Review: Pac-Man (Wii Virtual Console / NES). Retrieved March 25, https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pac-man-championship-edition-2-review/1900-6416518/ 2020, from http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/pac_man_nes Dillard, C. (2006, November 20). Review: Mario Bros. (Wii Virtual Console / NES). Retrieved March Ogilvie, T. (2020, April 21). New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Review. Retrieved March 25, 2020, 26, 2020, from http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/vc/mario_bros_nes from https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/01/09/new-super-mario-bros-u-deluxe-review Lane, G. (2019, January 9). Review: New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - Nintendo Plays It Safe With Skrebels, J. (2020, April 21). The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening Review. Retrieved March 25, This Timely Reissue. Retrieved March 25, 2020, from http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo- 2020, from https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/09/19/the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening- switch/new_super_mario_bros_u_deluxe review McFerran, D. (2006, November 20). Review: The Legend of Zelda (Wii Virtual Console / NES). The Lounge | 30

GhoUSTer: Trailing the Maze to Thomasian Traits by Renzo David R. Bañaga Maze Illustration by Judel Rei B. Hernandez Layout by Medalynn Esther D. Chua The Lounge |31

Trace your path through this puzzling labyrinth as you slowly outmaneuver GhoUSTer #3: Jaime the confusing passageways and walk near the exits to your lingering GhoUSTer personality. So you’ve come to a dull place...good! Because Jaime is both intuitive and creative, Uttering the noun “Thomasian,” adds an intense conversation about this GhoUSTer will definitely paint the “dull the students they just met around UST. It is perhaps a comedic duty of room” into his own colorful preference. every non-Thomasian individual to include the word “ghoster” to the An “org maniac” who probably joined known vocabulary. Truth be told, the word “ghosting” is a practice of two or three student organizations, both “disappearing” in all forms of communication without any apparent college-based and University-wide. Jaime justification. This “ghost” comes into play and perhaps, the haunted perseveres on creative innovation when solving problems and can easily aspect of our University is coined through the word. Even so, on this see patterns in a situation. But, the two things that this GhoUSTer caused fun but self-discerning maze, the mixed personalities of the everyday his/her status are first, the figurative expression of Ningas Kugon. It occurs Thomasian are personified on these four “GhoUSTers.” Individually, when one starts something with an upbeat enthusiasm, then after a very these four aims to find your relatable phantom to revive the friendly short time, he/she loses interest and stops whatever it is he/she is doing. GhoUSTer and know its personality. But at the same time, if you find Thus, leaving the started things incomplete. This GhoUSTer is also a master the wrong GhoUSTer—this one will relive their dark “ghosting days.” of immersion in many fields, but he/she always tends to focus on many rather than one discipline. Jaime is a student who is well-focused on his/ GhoUSTer #1: Alexis her academics but dabbles in many extracurriculars. The story of Jaime also varies on several points: some say he/she is a former President of a You’ve reached your GhoUSTer! Alexis student council, others say he/she was a writing or a creative chief in a is a very realistic detail-junkie where the student publication, and some others say Jaime participated in a research momentum never seems to lose its track as competition. But as stories go, this GhoUSTer truly valued the idea of gaining this GhoUSTer is also kind and approachable. enough knowledge and experience on many fronts at his/her own pace. But of course, “kindness” often runs out of juice when it’s overused. Just like in class, GhoUSTer #4: Steph do you need any advice on Calculus homework? Kay Alexis kumapit! How about the latest reminders on the Blackboard? Ask Alexis! How Hey there, friend! Coming to greet you is many are the stars above? Ale-…Want to push that button? As far as Steph. This GhoUSTer is a good Thomasian you have gone with Alexis, this GhoUSTer surely has mustered enough where he/she gives out the best advice to anger to give you that glare of disgust. Perhaps by this time, Alexis has his/her friends and loved ones. Whether already garnered a circle of intelligent friends to hoard their knowledge it be academics or relationships, Steph is and rule the block with an iron fist. Despite this, Alexis is smart and a friend who cares for people and gives ambitious as they always know how to balance their time for academics out those warm hugs. He/she is sometimes and leisure. He/she likes to apply common sense and past experiences personified (and even deified) as a “true Thomasian” because Steph is to find practical solutions to common problems. They surely want to truly pious (attendance checked in every mass at the UST Church). But if graduate with high honors but they always tend to show that shy but you’re a friend of Steph, you have that urge to exploit his/her kindness humble attitude that they can’t admit when they are asked such questions. where sometimes you keep on coming to this GhoUSTer for help whenever you are only in a bad state, emphasizing the negative attitude as a form GhoUSTer #2: Jesse of exploitation. Steph is also rumored to be the ultimate “sawi sa pag- ibig,” where he/she overly exerted the effort for the wrong person and What’s up, kaibigan! Here’s another type of they broke up. With his/her generous demeanor, this GhoUSTer bears GhoUSTer named Jesse who likes to do leisure a somewhat tragic setting where they feel that by being compassionate outside with friends, enjoys the beach after a will bring them back their happiness in love or friendship. However, stressful week from school, and also a tad bit the sad reality of this so-called “life” got the best of Steph as he/she is of “Antonio street’s aroma.” This adventurer now living the rest of his/her days as a GhoUSTer. Even though it is a definitely enjoys the company of all people and sensitive context, this GhoUSTer is still the most pleasant among the four is pretty good at multitasking. Partying hard while also studying hard is his/ phantoms in this maze due to the fact that he/she lived a life of compassion her forté in the Thomasian way of life. Jesse is also delicate to those around (definitely a true Thomasian because of the exertion of one of the C’s). him/her which is a polar element when dealing with friends and jowa. But once Jesse gets to that limit of stress where every aspect of life comes Passing through this labyrinth of Thomasian traits, one may notice tumbling down: low scores to low-grades, family problems, personal issues that each GhoUSTer has lived a life of both the positive and the negative with friends, and also, “that moment” when Spotify played a sad song points while also providing a clear and vivid reflection of what people are that reminds the “ex,” will surely bring this GhoUSTer to your attention. currently facing today in the University. As time truly molds our personalities But out of all this, the emotions and challenges made this GhoUSTer and experiences, the traits of Thomasians are unbounded and not defined a tough spirit when dealing with incoming problems. Wave by wave of by terms such as “ghosters.” But of course, the term itself and other negative worries, Jesse surely knows how to hurdle the muddles. Thus, like a sword qualities will be a constant reminder of what we, as individuals, should avoid through a whetstone, this one comes back sharper and stronger than ever. in our own social circles. We ourselves are our own persons and whatever decisions we make will define our own identities extending from the moment we graduate from UST to our journey in the wide reaches of the real world. 32 | The Lounge

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BY ARIANNE LOUISE M. GULAPA LAYOUT BY JERRY D. GOMEZ Channel your inner superstardom with the beat of yesterday’s groove in this timeless generation of music. May the legends of the eighties bring you back to the new wave! No one can deny the surge of those iconic eighties Destruction enticed every hard rock fans of all ages to choruses that are still tirelessly inviting you to the dance put their bandanas on to this love song inspired by Rose’s floor. From the well-known white sequined glove of girlfriend at that time, Erin Everly. With its lyric artistry Michael Jackson, the blonde crown of Madonna, and and alluring instrument momentums, this hit was GNR’s the glittering outfits of Prince, the art of popular music breakthrough with a smashing one billion views and grew massively even to the stereos and streaming roughly 4.5 million likes reigning after their nine-minute mediums of today’s pop culture. With just a quick tap awesomeness with November Rain (1991) with 1.3 billion on Spotify, you will find yourself dancing to the most- counts. It’s no wonder after three decades, only this streamed songs of that era like Don’t Stop Believin’, band had pulled off their epic riffs in our age unfailingly. Africa, Eye of The Tiger, and many more. Today, the Take On Me by A-ha (1,096,610,972 views as of freshness of these rock stars beat on the countless views August 2020) of this video-sharing platform known as YouTube. Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses (1,110,668,534 Garnering a swift one billion views and views as of August 2020) countless soundtrack staples in films and series since its recording in 1984, Take On Me, indeed seized every Where did they go now? Definitely off the retro enthusiast into its rotoscopic music video until charts of its decade! Guns N’ Roses alongside its lead today. A-ha being the first Scandinavian eighties strip vocalist, Axl Rose, lead guitarist, Saul Hudson (Slash), to reach its peak, after GNR and Queen’s biggest hits, rhythm guitarist, Izzy Stradlin, bassist, Duff McKagan, actually had a couple of takes in the music video before and drummer, Steven Adler, faultlessly strummed their getting its bigshot break. This mighty trio with Morten guitars and beat their drum solos to invade the routes of Harket as lead vocalist, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy as the success after recording their smashing hit Sweet Child O’ guitarist, and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen wrote Mine in 1987. From their six studio albums, Appetite for the song with a ‘not-so-obvious’ meaning behind it. 36 | The Lounge

Take On Me is basically every lover’s desire⁠—to be was his foundation to rock the world even after his time. accepted. The song mirrors the torpe or shy type guy With his greatest singles Thriller (song), Beat It, Heal The who struggles to show his affection to a girl, conversely, World, Rock With You, and more only reminds us of how she was shying away instead. This couple that we’re MJ exceptionally performed as the legendary pop icon talking about was the band’s guitarist, Paul, inspiration throughout history. A true artist who had gone more than to his fresh romance that eventually led to his vows. being a performer but a paragon of every music genre. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley (733,251,985 (831,908,117 views as of August 2020) views as of August 2020) With her vocal repertoire, Cyndi Lauper danced We have to admit that this song by a British around the charts with her album, She’s So Unusual, that singer comes with the meme energy at heart; given the offers her greatest hits since 1983. Her version of her fact that through “Rickrolling” internet memes, it is now 800-million views single was actually first recorded by the Rickrolling Song. For all that, Rick Astley’s ongoing Robert Hazard in 1979; though her voice, up to today, dodginess for three decades was actually his first hit became the anthem forfeminismandequalrightsbetween where it was recorded in 1986. With his dance moves all genders by highlighting the female perspective showing busting around in our area, this debut single of his was that women desire to have the same fun as men. Lauper written by a producing trio of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, was indeed unusual for she extraordinarily embraced and Pete Waterman. The song was basically inspired by the indifference in the social and racial matters with the one of the writers’ love interests where Rick unknowingly first multi-racial video in history with Girls Just Want To said, while on the phone with Waterman, “You’re never Have Fun. Side by side with her ultimate hit songs Time gonna give her up.” This was when his breakthrough After Time, True Colors, She Bop were just some of her started and obviously didn’t stop Astley from giving up unique signature songs present in our eighties playlist. as he topped the charts for placing his first eight singles Billie Jean by Michael Jackson (MJ) (814,428,903 like Whenever You Need Somebody, a cover version of views as of August 2020) the classic When I Fall in Love, Together Forever, and so on. Rick wasn’t only present to the widespread meme At the prime of 1983, the King of Pop moonwalked world, but also became an iconic choice for movies and his way toward an unending sensation that crowned series’ OST. This guy nailed the best of both worlds! him his title. Michael Jackson was an American singer who went over the moon to catch awards of best-selling No matter how unbounded views swell up over album of all time with Thriller and topped with Billie time, it would always be an undeniable truth that this new Jean as one of the best-selling singles of its release. MJ, wave generation blasted the original beats of the music at that time, wrote this song to subtly detail a woman, today. These pop stars from all genres deserve more Billie Jean, who claimed to have his child which Jackson than the likes and streams on YouTube, ‘add to playlist’ sang—She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son. on Spotify, and shares on any social media platform. Having seen MJ with the Jackson 5 in his early days After all, their voices are meant to edify us on how to surf on the surges of fresh taste regardless of our time. Sources: Divelti, L., Published by Luca Divelti Luca Divelti writes stories of music, Most Viewed 80’s Music Videos. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2020, from Divelti, P., Luca Divelti writes stories of music, & View all posts by https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDA2FD6C61C075EC9 Luca Divelti. (2018, December 05). Girls Just Want To Have Fun: The The Top 10 Most Streamed 80s Songs Have Been Revealed! (2019, Au- message of Cindy Lauper’s hit. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https:// gust 13). Retrieved June 18, 2020, from https://www.eightieskids.com/ auralcrave.com/en/2018/12/13/girls-just-want-to-have-fun-the-mes- the-top-10-most-streamed-80s-songs-have-been-revealed/ sage-of-cindy-laupers-hit/ Rolli, B. (2019, October 16). Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ Song Facts (n.d.). Billie Jean by Michael Jackson - Songfacts. Retrieved Becomes First ‘80s Video To Surpass 1 Billion YouTube Views. Re- June 23, 2020, from https://www.songfacts.com/facts/michael-jack- trieved June 19, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryan- son/billie-jean rolli/2019/10/15/guns-n-roses-sweet-child-o-mine-becomes-first-80s- Songfacts. (n.d.). Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley - Songfacts. video-to-surpass-1-billion-youtube-views/ Retrieved June 23, 2020, from https://www.songfacts.com/facts/ Shelton, J. (2020, February 20). A-ha’s “Take On Me” Lyrics Meaning. rick-astley/never-gonna-give-you-up Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://www.songmeaningsandfacts. com/meaning-of-take-on-me-by-a-ha/ The Lounge | 37

Synthetic Beauty by Arianne Louise M. Gulapa 38 | The Lounge

ENCOUPPROOASSGTTEMENT LAYOUT BY JERRRY D. GOMEZ Asst. Prof. Maureen Gelle-Jimenez, MA The health crisis has affected each one of us in varying ways and levels. We were all caught off-guard and have been pushed out of our comfort zones. Problems with the magnitude of a pandemic are not easy to overcome, but keeping the bayanihan spirit alive enables us to hurdle the challenges and difficulties that come our way. We may not be as advanced and as progressive as other countries, but the strength and resilience of Filipinos would always see us through no matter what we are faced with. Love, kindness, and prayers really go a long way. This has been a learning experience for all of us and I am hopeful that whatever it is that we have learned would lead us to become better, stronger, and wiser individuals. Maria Ranja Victoria Porras, UST Economics Society President S.Y. 2019-2020 At times like this when all you could hear about purely revolves on bad news, it’s easy to think that all hope in this universe is extinguished. Everything seems like a hopeless case and that no matter what we do, nothing is going to improve our situation. When everything is falling apart, it’s easy to succumb to the darkness. But just as we reach the darkness, a beam of light would call to us, reminding us that we are strong and that we are not alone in this battle. It won’t be easy for the light to overpower the darkness. But it would prevail. Just like how you would prevail against your battle with negativity. We should always remember that we are stronger than the hardships life throws us. Today we are ravaged by this storm that devastated us all. Let us not forget that after every storm, there will be a rainbow, and a pot of gold will be waiting for us at the end of the rainbow. Asst. Prof. E. Vivien S. Magbata, Ph.D., Department Chair Rewind to December 2019…the world, with us on it, was so different. Things that occupied our minds included preparations for the Christmas/semestral break, worries about 1st term grades, wish lists for gift-giving, plans to take much-needed breaks, and plans for the coming year, to name a few. Meanwhile, on television and social media, there was already news of a death-causing “mysterious” disease in a city called Wuhan, located in one of China’s progressive provinces. We were hardly bothered by what was happening in Wuhan, 1,940 kilometers from Manila, and at least five-hour air travel time. Fast forward to early March, the national government subjected Luzon and other major cities to an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to avert the spread of the Wuhan-originating virus, now called COVID-19. We were all caught unprepared. Our otherwise “normal” existence was stirred and affected beyond what we could have imagined five months ago. We have been forced to deal with a situation that excused and spared no one. In Finance parlance, this is a “market risk”, external to us, therefore we cannot “diversify” nor eliminate. But we can manage our reaction to it, as our self is currently the only thing we can influence. We take care of our physical health, our primary defense. If all that we have are not-so-nutritious food, we offset it by The Lounge | 39

getting the right amount of sleep and rest. Our mental health is to be looked after. People differ in their coping mechanisms, and it is to each one’s unique circumstance. To some, it can be through moments of solitude and reflection, to others, it may be by channeling energy to an activity. Equally significant, check our spiritual health. This crisis will definitely leave us with lessons. No matter which Supreme Being we believe in, we recognize the inadequacy of our achievements as human beings. The world will never be the same again…and someday, we will look back at this time in our [lives] and find meaning in this experience. Emmanuel Tacsagon, Office of the Dean’s Clerk This is the first time in our lives that we have experienced being at home or in dormitories for more than a month. No office work and no face to face classes for students. Very far from what is normal. This pandemic is so unforgettable. It has affected the lives of many. To all the students who are at home with their families, make use of the time for bonding with your family members. Find time also to go over your academics. To those who are far from their families, keep in touch through your gadgets. And most of all, stay safe by staying at home and follow the orders of the government. Together we can defeat CoVid-19 by constant prayer. With God, nothing is impossible. Jhordya M. Soriano, Commerce alumna; Cum Laude - BSBA Major in Financial Management; Editor-in-Chief of the UST- Commerce Journal (Batch 2016-2017) In these trying times, our overall wellness should be above all. I’ve learned this the hard way. A week after ECQ was imposed, I fell ill. The worst part? I’m living alone in the metro. My horrific imagination of getting my family infected with the new virus held me back from going home to the province. Besides, I can still work to sustain myself. However, when fever took over, and when breathing consistently stung my lungs, I was forced to take sick leaves. How I wish that I have my family to take care of me. But reality hits hard and it was so tempting to give up. Then again, I remembered the story of a battle between two wolves in each person’s mind. One is evil while the other is good. When the child asked which wolf wins, the old man replied, “the one you feed.” I decided to feed the good one even if I had to drag myself to the nearest hospital. Upon arriving at an emergency department with the aid of the barangay, I got myself checked and eventually, I became a statistic (to be clear, I was tagged as a PUI). I had sleepless nights because of chest pains and, honestly, there were moments of breaking down. But talking to family and friends helped me stabilize my mood. Before going to bed, I write random things that I’m grateful for and search for ways to pay it forward. Initially, I considered these acts as distractions, but, hey, they worked! And I got the chance to help and reconnect with people. I’m glad to say as well that I have now fully recovered. To anyone who is struggling, it’s okay not to be okay. Take a pause and take things slow. Build positive mental habits along the way. Wake up early and fold those sheets. Breathe in some fresh air (take advantage of the lessened air pollution) and stretch some muscles. Remember that we are at a time when self-preservation has become a privilege. To anyone in the frontlines, we thank you for being on call. May you be free from any harm. To others who are well and healthy, please stay at home, wash your hands, and don’t forget to help others when you can. The only way to beat this pandemic is when we take care of each other. God bless you all! Patrisha Louise Alindogan, 4M4 Class President Keep living your best life, even if it means that you will struggle. Keep living in joy and in pain as yin is to yang. You will realize that you needed whatever you had to go through to get you to where you’re destined to be. It always works out in the end, whether in the way you planned it or not. One day, you will look back and be surprised at how much in life you have survived, and it would be your greatest story to tell. 40 | The Lounge

Synthetic Beauty by Arianne Louise M. Gulapa The Lounge | 41

SPOTLIGHT 42 | Spotlight 80s Illustrations designed by Freepik.com