Features

A Thomasian is making a name in architecture with bamboos.

With passion and determination, Christian Salandanan, found his big break with the use of bamboos, which he considers as “greener alternative” for architecture.

“There are various materials that are being utilized in our modern era, all of which leaves a significant amount of carbon footprint on the long run. We need to find alternatives for those kinds of construction materials,” he said in an interview.

Like the strength of a sturdy bamboo, Salandanan stood firm and steadfast in passing through the challenges he experienced while working with his bamboo thesis during his stay in the University, which he mentioned as “common for any other artists.”

LIKE A finely tuned instrument that produces wondrous harmonies, Kabaitan Bautista’s unwavering nationalism and strong influence among the youth continue to reverberate like the beat percussions.

Bautista, a Baguio native, acquired his sense of nationalism from his parents who gave their kids unique names reflecting their Filipino identity. Bautista eventually used nationalism and patriotism to create his music. Having heavy metal rock as his favorite genre, Bautista had a rough transition from screams and amplified tones to the melodious classical tunes, as he entered the Conservatory of Music.

“Pumasok ako nang hindi ako marunong mag-notate ng notes, nang hindi ako marunong magbasa ng mga score. Naaliw naman ako, kaya ko naman pala,” Bautista said.

WITH a fan base of almost 9,000 followers in the music website SoundCloud, this Thomasian artist is just waiting to be discovered by a bigger audience.

But Chiara “Chir” Cataran already had her own moment in the spotlight. The Musical Theatre student has her own plethora of awards, recordings and formal training to set her apart from other aspiring artists.

In the recently concluded 19th World Championships of the Performing Arts in California, Cataran bagged one of 32 silver medals won by the Philippine contingent for her victory in the Senior Solo Voice category. The team brought home 47 gold medals, 49 bronze medals, 13 industry medals, and even won second place in national costume.

(Photo from John Sonza)

October 14, 2015, 9:58p.m. - THE CULINARY prowess of two Thomasians won first place in a cooking competition.  

Fourth-year Hotel and Restaurant Management students Jan Reitchelle Atanacio and John Sonza topped the Ham, Sauces and Garnishing category of the seventh ‘QCNA! Kulinarya, Turismo, Talento, Atbp.’ contest held at TriNoma Mall in Quezon City last Oct. 1.

“Marami rin kaming mga batchmates at iyong ibang students na gustong sumali,” Sonza said. “Nine pairs kaming nagcompete from different schools kaya hindi ko ine-expect na kami 'yung mananalo.”

9 October 2015, 5:57 pm - A THOMASIAN was crowned Miss Globe on Oct. 9 at the Rose Theater Brampton in Toronto, Canada, according to the Facebook page of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

Ann Lorraine Colis, a Management Accounting alumnus of the UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy, bested 54 other contestants from countries such as Russia, Mexico and Poland. 

According to the post, Colis' win serves as a "special recognition to the worldwide acclaim and appreciation for true Filipina grace and beauty."

YOU DON’T need a port key, floo powder, Knight Bus, or Hogwarts Express to experience Hogsmeade and have a taste of the famous Butterbeer.

Nicole Guanio, a Business Economics graduate of 2014, came up with a Harry Potter-themed café called The Nook Café on the famous Maginhawa food strip last July which continues to leave Potterheads spell-bound with all of its quirky charms.

Butterbeer, a frothy drink that was adopted from the Three Broomsticks pub in Harry Potter, is the signature drink of the Nook Café, which allowed it to gain the favor of many Harry Potter fans in and out of the metro.

SAAN tayo kakain?

For the College of Commerce and Business Administration, finding the answer to this generic question has been one of the objectives of some Thomasian entrepreneurs.

Students under the entrepreneurship program were required to establish businesses as part of their theses and, true to their objective, were able to hit this sweet spot.

Not ‘just’ a thesis

Thomasian gourmets may start to recognize stores at a glance, and even formulate "food plans" before ever entering their chosen establishments. From a diversity of meals and price ranges, a prospective Thomasian may either try new meals or simply choose their “usual.”

This UST graduate is a world-class bartender.

Kenneth Bandivas, who obtained a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management in 2011, was named winner of the “Around the World” challenge of World Class 2015, the cocktail industry’s most prestigious mixology competition.

Bandivas bested 53 other bartenders with his drinks “Bitter Felipe,” an ampalaya infused cocktail mixed with lime, and “My First Float,” a Marula flavored cocktail with rum and syrup.

Aiming to pay homage to the Filipinos, Bandivas’ “drinks with a twist” relived all-time favorite drinks, but cream liquors provided extra twists to his pieces.

World Class 2015, hosted by Diageo Reserve bar in South Africa, was held last Sept. 4.

10 Agosto 2015, 9:55 p.m. - KINILALA si Ronaldo "Ronnie" del Carmen, alumnus ng dating College of Architecture and Fine Arts, para sa kaniyang kontribusyon sa larangan ng paglikha ng animated films, kabilang na ang pagiging kauna-unahang Filipino na naging co-director ng isang internasyunal na pelikula.

Ginawaran ng parangal ni P. Edgardo Alaurin, O.P., rehente ng College of Fine Arts and Design, si Del Carmen, co-director ng  pelikulang "Inside Out" ng Disney-Pixar, sa Gusaling Beato Angelico noong ika-10 ng Agosto.

(Litrato mula kay Jay Gonzales)

6 Agosto 2015, 09:14 a.m. - AN OSCAR-nominated Thomasian alumnus will have a homecoming at the University on Monday, August 10.

Ronaldo del Carmen, alumnus of the College of Fine Arts and Design, is the co-director of the latest Disney-Pixar film, Inside Out. He will be coming to the University to deliver a lecture on animation before students and local animators.