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CONTENTS
SCIENTIA JUNIOR ISSUE 2009-2010

|NEWS

04 Outstanding Graduates
of College of Science
Leads Class of 2010

07 Three CS Institutes
Commemorate
Centenary of Relaying
Academic Excellence

|FEATURES NEWS 8
12 Tacked: The Third
Millenium of Science

|CULTURE

14 Melting Pot:
There’s No Place Like
Dorm

16 Peer Review:
The Best of the Decade 14
MELTING POT 16 PEER REVIEW
20 Jam Session:
Tough Acts to Follow
12 TACKED

|LITERARY

25 Fire & Ice

30 POKE!
31 From the Horse Mouth
20 JAM SESSION

2 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue

 Editorial

GENERATION NOW
The decade just past has been one
riddled with disasters aplenty. From
tsunamis and hurricanes to economic
downs and commodity price highs, the
past ten years has made worriers and
pessimists out of many of us. More than
darkening views on what is to come,
however, there have arisen grimmer
views on our generation’s capacity to fix
all that has been broken and lost, going so
far as to call us “The Lost Generation.”
Questions have arisen about whether
our generation can rise to the occasion
and take on the challenges and problems
that will be left for us to solve by the
generations and events past. We have been
criticized as being a generation fuelled
by the need for rewards. A professor of
the university once told his class, “You
are the generation needing constant
assurance.” This trait has cast worry upon
whether we will be motivated enough,
if at all, to work towards bettering the
current global situation. They ask if we
would have enough confidence and drive
without their affirmations and rewards to
function well on our own.
Also, with the furthering of technology
and how we use them, the world is truly near constant connection with the international community, has a great
becoming borderless. With that, there is anxiety over the loss of culture and capacity for unified action. We find an even greater motivation knowing that
the loss of tradition, and thus the demise of the values that had come with the things we want and the actions and decisions we choose to make are
them. There is fear that with the loss of culture, there is a loss of belonging and shared and supported by our peers. More importantly, knowing that we share
group identity, and a consequential cultivation of a more selfish individual. the same visions of what the world should be (and shouldn’t be), and the
Are we truly a generation unfocused, needy, cultureless and selfish? knowledge that we would be acting collectively as a generation may be more
than enough to encourage us to push towards a brighter future.
Generation Y, or the Millennial Generation, is composed of the cohort The aforementioned professor had, on the same day, told his class, “You
between 1982 and 1994. We are often described as confident, visual and are the generation who sees the mistakes of the generations before you, and
multitasking learners who are technologically savvy and easily bored. you are determined to not repeat the same mistakes.” We have been witness
Statistics on our generation’s personality tests have pointed to our being to the more obvious consequences of the actions of the past generations.
generally warm, outgoing, and more organized and self disciplined than We have seen where we could go wrong and we would be careful to avoid
Generation X. We have been shown to value balance, especially in our lives, them. The Boston Globe in 2006 reported a decrease in divorce rates because
and we do not take kindly to the thought of having 80 work hour weeks, as of the younger generation, our generation, marrying smarter. This trend
some of parents may have had. Some of the more candid articles have called has been attributed to the Millennials having been witness to the alarming
us “Generation X on steroids.” divorce rates of the previous generation and becoming “more savvy about
The world is quickly becoming borderless but does that truly mean the the likelihood of divorce.” We have felt the consequences of the mistakes of
death of cultures? In an article on preparing for the education of Generation our parents’ and grandparents’ generations and we are wary of committing
Y by Stephanie F. Gardner, PharmD, EdD, in the American Journal of the same errs and inflicting the same consequences on our own children.
Pharmaceutical Education, she states that Generation Y is better educated
and more accepting of multiculturalism. Our exposure to different people No generation has been left untouched by criticism from the generations
from different walks of life has made us more aware of our culture and of the before them. What is important is that we listen to what is being said and
culture of others. Our generation has learned to be more accepting of others, we take what we can from them, moving on to bettering ourselves. We will
perhaps as a consequence of the increasingly connected world we have been continue to study hard and prepare ourselves knowing that, one day, the
growing up in. We have the capacity to take into consideration the possible world will be in our hands and there is a lot of work to be done. Soon, we no
effects of our actions and decisions on others not only from our immediate longer will be Generation Next, but Generation Now. When we do, we will
community but also on those of communities outside our own. Such an rise to the challenge, just as the past generations have, and we will do our
ability, if cultivated, would empower us, as future leaders, to one day make best to ensure that what we leave behind will be better than what we were
decisions that would benefit both our local and global communities. given. The ruler for our accomplishments won’t be what the past generations
The Millennials may need more assurances and rewards to bring us to have done, but what we intend for the world and how far we’ve come to
our full potentials, but do our motivations always need to come from doting achieving it.
elders and cohorts? May we not be motivated by the want of finding solutions
to the crises we face? Positive reinforcement need not come directly from
others for a job well done. Our generation, with our greater exposure and

SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 3

 News
Outstanding Graduates of
College of Science Leads
Class of 2010
A new roster of excellent graduating students of
the College of Science anew proved the never-
ending prowess of the best and brightest stu-
dents of the University of the Philippines.
To know their insights on how they made it to
the top, here are all the outstanding CS students
as they show their brilliance in answering simple
yet important questions.
National Institute of Geological Sciences
Name: Likha Goce Minimo
Age: 19
Course: B.S. Geology
Research Lab: (none yet)
Thesis Topic: Wala naman kaming thesis talaga
sa BS Geology but I’m working on the “Distri-
bution and Geochemistry of Igneous
Why you chose your course: Rocks in Mind-
oro Island ” for my special topic for the Geology
170 (Field Geology) (mahabang kwento)
Before UPCAT, I originally liked Geography
(and FA, Architecture, Linguistics, Journalism,
etc) but since I also planned to take the DOST
Scholarship exam, I had to choose among the
science and engineering courses. I chose BS Ge-
ology, because:
1) I didn’t want courses that are heavy on math
subjects. Therefore, goodbye engineering.
2) It was, I thought, closest to Geography.
3) Among the sciences, Earth Science was my
forte.
To my frustration, I wasn’t able to get the schol-
arship. Only after my interview for admission
did I realize that it isn’t that close to Geography,
and in taking BS Geology, I’d get the same math
series that engineering students would. I told
myself, if I don’t get good grades in Math 17, I’d
shift out. And yes, I didn’t get a good grade in
Math 17. It was my first 3.00. But I chose to stay
at NIGS because I fell in love with Geology 11.
Major probs encountered while studying:
Math. I usually zone out when it comes into the
picture. (hahaha) But, I knew I had to conquer
that wall. I had to see through and know how
important understanding the math part. It was
part of the Science language. I’d say, “Iginapang
ko ang math series ko” (and all the subjects that
entail the knowledge of them).
Fighting for my priorities. I believe learning
isn’t all in the classroom, lab, and field. I want to
be involved in whatever God is doing in my gen-
eration. I juggle acads with family, friends, work,
ENCM, GeoSoc, CSSC, small group, ministry,
sports. I’m GC, but usually only right before
and after exams. So at times I get so drowned
with everything I barely have time to study. But
I know that God wants me to set my priorities
right: Spending quality time with Him and my
family, then acads, then whatever He has called
me to do at that time. I had to learn that I’m
not a one-woman-team. I had to stop doing ev-
erything all at the same time. I had to take only
4 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue
by: Marinell Palangao
what I could do excellently by His Grace.
Study habits:
I’ve tried many. I’ll share what’s effective:
1) At home, declare “acad mode!” 2) Quiet time:
write on my journal to clear my mind of my
worries, and then read my Bible to get a good
perspective. 3) Eat if I’m hungry. If I’m a little
sleepy, I’d set my playlist on. 4) Clear my study
space. Prepare all the stuff I’ll need. Sit comfort-
ably (but not too much), then, aja acad mode! 5a)
If I’m studying, as in studying in advance (not
cramming), I read the references then take notes.
5b) If I’m preparing for an exam, I read my
notes, then the book (if my notes or the prof’s
lecture are insufficient). Draw diagrams and
write important points on an index card/sketch
pad. Practice computations if necessary. 6) If
ever I fall asleep more than thrice, I stop. I ask
my mom/sister/roommate to wake me up (I usu-
ally don’t hear my alarm clock). I sleep, not just
nap. 7) Continue only when I’m honestly awake.
Hobbies:
When nostalgia strikes, I love drawing, doodling
and writing on my journal/sketch pad (creative
non-fiction, poetry, songs), taking pictures and
videos, making AVPs, quoting books and my
friends, then posting all these in my websites.
I’m also in to martial arts (taekwondo and judo).
I spend my free time with family and friends,
chatting (in person, or via text/internet), walk-
ing, eating, singing and dancing, star-gazing,
travelling or watching movies and TV series
with them.
Likes and dislikes:
Likes what honors God. Dislikes the opposite.
What contributed most to your success?
God’s grace and provision. Everything else is
hinged on that, my loving family, supportive
friends and mentors, my faith.
You’re graduating with honors, how do you
feel?
I feel glad, happy, satisfied. I’ve been praying
for it since my freshie year. I’ve grown so much
in keeping that vision of graduating and giving
God the glory and my parents the experience of
putting a medal on me again. It has stretched my
faith, made me believe Him for greater things,
and actually disciplined me. I remember my
parents telling me back in elementary “Grades
are important but are not everything. Do what
makes you happy.” I’m glad that during my col-
lege years what made me happy is realizing the
plans God has for me. Jesus wants me to live a
LIFE of leadership, integrity, faith and excel-
lence. With that I can serve Him, this nation,
and even the next generation.
Name: Glacialle Tiu
Age: 20
Course: BS Geology
Research Lab: Volcano-Tectonics Lab
Thesis Topic: (wala kaming thesis, geol 170
lang ) geology of Northwest Mindoro (probable
special topic) Tsunami Vulnerability of NW
Mindoro
Why you chose your course: Nauto lang ako
nung classmate ko sa Chem 16 kasi nag-shift aq
mula IE tsaka natuwa ako kay Sir CP (Carlos
Primo David)sa NatSci2
Major probs encountered while studying:
Madalas magfieldwork kaya kawawa yung mga
GE subjects ko... panay palyado, daming kak-
abisaduhin, Mas masarap maglakwatsa/umi-
nom/ magparty kaysa mag-aral!!!, Napakaram-
ing distractions
Study habits: Katulad sa Math Series DNE
-does not exist!!! Ay meron din pala: bawal umi-
nom bago mag-exam kasi aantukin ka pwedeng
lumabas bago mag-exam basta mag-overnight ka
para di malate!!! Maging madiskarte lalo na sa
pangongolekta ng mga “lumang babasahin”
Hobbies: matulog, manood, kumain, manood
habang kumakain, manood para makatulog, ku-
main tapos matulog...

Likes and dislikes: gusto ko ng maraming
maraming pahinga at pera
ayaw ko ng beer na may lagnat
What contributed most to your success?
my family, my friends, my mentors, my class-
mates, my detractors, my neighbors, my crush,
my ...
You’re graduating with honors, how do you
feel? shy... hehehe...
May dinagdag pala ako... Mabuti pang magka-3.0
na nakatawa at kasama ang iyong mga kaibigan
kaysa magka-1.0 habang nag-iisa
Name: Erika Blanca R. Callagon
Age: 19 years old
Course: BS Geology
Research Lab: Earth Materials Science Labora-
tory
Thesis Topic: Geology of Northwestern Mind-
oro/Geochemistry of Eocene sedimentary rocks
from the Lasala Formation, Mindoro: Con-
straints on provenance and tectonic environ-
ment
Why you chose your course: I think learn-
ing about our Earth is simply worthwhile and
also practical.
Major problems encountered while studying:
Study habits: regularly attending classes, spend-
ing some time in the library, (then doing work
in the laboratory and having fun with friends!)
Hobbies: Music (singing!), Movies, Nail Polish,
Earrings.. hehe
Likes and dislikes: Likes: 80’s music (classic
rock, slow rock, and everything else!), green,
chocolate, sansrival, sleep, stickers; Dislikes: veg-
etables (hehe) and tardiness
What contributed most to your success? family,
friends and mentors
You’re graduating with honors, how do you feel?
Super!
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Name: Ma. Isabella C. Pamintuan
Age: 20
Course: MBB
Research Lab: Protein Structure and Immunol-
ogy Laboratory
Thesis Topic: Isolation, culturing and charac-
terization of tardigrades in Quezon City
Why you chose your course: “Mahirap daw.”
*laughs* “Tama sila.” *laughs*
Major probs encountered while studying:
“Minsan hindi ko maintindihan yung book.
Hint, hint - Van Holde and Skoog, grrr die.”
*laughs*
Study habits: “Nerd one day, pasaway na video
gamer the next.”
Hobbies: Drawing, video games, reading, Magic
cards, and hula hoops.
Likes: Food and sleeping. And a certain some-
one. *laughs*
Dislikes: I hate roaches!
What contributed most to your success? The
ability to stay awake for long stretches and then
sleep like a log after.
You’re graduating with honors, how do you
feel? Hindi pa tapos ang laban - ten years of
med to go.
Name: Fides Angeli D.C. Zaulda
Age:19
Course: MBB
Research Lab: Plant Molecular Biology and
Plant Virology Laboratory
Thesis Topic: Abaca Bunchy Top Virus
Why you chose your course: “Kasi bago ang
field.”
Major probs encountered while studying:
“Sarili kong katamaran.”
Study habits: Nagca-cram ako.
Hobbies: writing fanfiction
Likes: “I like a lot of things...
Dislikes: “...and I dislike a lot of things.”
What contributed most to your success?
God.
You’re graduating with honors, how do you
feel? It’s great, but it’s not everything. And I
mean that in a good way.
Name: Ma. Azalea Laqui
Age: 21
Course: MBB
Research Lab: Laboratory of Molecular Cell
Biology
Thesis Topic: Cancer photothermal therapy us-
ing single-walled carbon nanotubes
News
Why you chose your course: Like any kid,
I’ve always been fascinated by living things.
What I really liked about MBB is it puts (more
like pushes) you on the edge. Most of the time
we look at the more fundamental processes of
life but at the same time we have to be discern-
ing enough to put these little pieces together and
try to find out how they contribute to the larger
scheme of things. Though it’s quite tricky keep-
ing this balance, being on that edge is one of the
most exciting and thought-provoking experi-
ences ever.
Major probs encountered while studying:
There are just too many distractions. There are
really times when everything else except the task
at hand becomes a distraction.
How did you make it? people around me who
were willing to help and encourage me, an ex-
tra dose of happy thoughts and learning which
battles to fight and which to just let go
Hobbies: reading stuff that’s not required,
watching tv, going to the movies, waveboard-
ing,” pangungulit”
Likes: yummy food, enough sleep, Manila, Bob
Dylan, ice-cold Coke
Dislikes:the sound of tearing paper, ketchup and
mayo the smell of antibiotics
Study habits: I try not to cram.
On graduating with honors: It feels nice to
know that the work I’ve put in is being recog-
nized. I’m happy with it but I’m happier still for
my family.
National Institute of Physics
Name: Miguel P. Sison
Age: 22
Course: BS Applied Physics
Research Lab: Instrumentation Physics Labo-
ratory
Thesis Topic: Optical Feedback Semiconduc-
tor Laser Interferometry of weakly reflecting
samples
(continued on page X)
Sobrang Cheesy!
B: Mahal mo ‘ko?
G: Oo naman.
B: Gaano karami ang pagmamahal mo sa akin?
G: Kasindami niyan! (turo sa langit)
B: Ng stars? Eh wala namang stars eh.
G: Yung air molecules kasi yung tinuro ‘ko.
SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 5
 News
Outstanding Graduates...
(continued from page 5)
Why you chose your course: I thought it
was the most interesting and challenging field
among all the sciences. (coolness factor... geeky
ba pakinggan?)
Major probs encountered while studying:
Difficult subject matter, Difficult teachers,
Study habits: Virtually non-existent... comes and
goes depending on the “exam/project/problem
set season”... cramming, cramming, cramming
Hobbies: aside from solving countless prob-
lem sets... PC, PC games, Movies, Sports (any),
Downloading Animes, Series, Movies (strictly
for personal use only... hehe), Reading various
stuff in the internet
Likes and dislikes: Likes Food, Dislikes Bad
Food
What contributed most to your success?
what success?
You’re graduating with honors, how do you
feel? tired... very tired...
Institute of Mathematics
Name: Victor Manuel Aricheta
Age: 19
Course: BS Math
Research Lab: none
Thesis Topic: Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Over Eisenstein Integers
Why you chose your course: Kasi nung HS,
sa math lang ako magaling. Parang medyo wala
lang akong mapili. Nung nasa math na ako, dun
ko lang nalaman na sobrang…sobrang (n times)
ganda pala ng math. Kaya din a ako umalis.
Major probs encountered while studying:
Yung Eng 12 ko! Medyo kinabahan ako nun kasi
feeling ko talaga pwede ako bumagsak. Aside
from that, parang wala naman academically.
Ang mas nagsu-suffer ay yung mga extra cur-
ricular activities ko. Talagang napapabayaan ko
sila.
Study habits: Kapag nagegets ko yung lesson,
naca-caram ko siya dun sa gabi ng exam. (Kasi
nakakatamad mag-aral, mas masarap pa matu-
log). Kapag hindi, nagpapanic na ako tapos nag-
aaral ako ng mga isang lingo. Tsaka nagpapaturo
madalas yung mga kaibigan ko kaya mas napi-
pilitan akong maintindihan yung lesson. Totoo
yung “the best way to learn something is to
teach it.”
Hobbies: Facebook, video games, books, tulog,
kwentuhan. Seryoso, nauubos yung buhay ko ng
walang ginagawa. Ay, tsaka learning pala. Labo.
Hobby ba ang learning?
Likes and dislikes: Dislikes: Chem!! Sobrang..
6 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue
sobrang…sobrang (n+1 times) bobo ako sa
chem.. Ayoko din ng sapilitang pag-aaral. Ay.
Ayoko pala ng kahit anong sapilitan. Ayoko ta-
lagang napipilitan.
Likes: Learning. Math syempre, physics, philoso-
phy, psychology, tsaka video games, pangarap ko
magkaroon ng nth generation handheld at con-
soles, kung anuman yung latest n.
What contributed most to your success?
Feeling ko yung CS11 ko. Dun ko kasi nafeel na
kaya ko pala eh. Malaking part talaga yata ang
confidence. Kasi kapag mataas yung mga tao sa
first exam, mas nag-eeffort sila eh. Pag naman
mababa, nawawalan na ng gana. Swerte lang ako
kasi maganda yung simula ko. Kung na-down
ako siguro dati, hindi ako magiging successful.
You’re graduating with honors, how do you
feel? Masaya pero hindi dahil parang ang gall-
ing ko. Alam kong hindi sukatan ng katalinuhan
ang grades. Masaya ako dahil ang saya saya ng
parents ko. Eh wala naman akong ibang maibi-
gay sa kanila kaya pag alam kong napapasaya ko
sila, Masaya na talaga ako.
Institute of Chemistry
Name: Miguel Carlos Gonzalez
Age: 22
Course: BS Chemistry
Research Lab: Organometallic and Materials
Chemistry Research Laboratory
Thesis Topic: Harnessine Visible Light with
Ruthenium Sensitized Dye-sensitized solar cells
Why you chose your course: chemistry ang
first choice ko. And since I was a child. I am al-
ways interested in being a scientist. Originally
first plan ko is maging paleontologist. Mahilig
din ako sa dinosaurs..all about science in general.
Masaya yung chemistry ko nung high school so
nung pagdating ng college, chemistry na ang
pnili ko.
Major probs encountered while studying:
Initially yung pag-aadjust in UP’s academic
standard, for example yung chem. 17. Kailangan
mong maglevel up at para maka-adapt in UP’s
way of teaching. At dapat din marunong kang
magbalance ng iyong time. Like nung first and
second year ko, I was in the swimming varsity
team. Kaya nung higher years ko, tinigil ko na
siya para makapagconcentrate sa studies
Study habits: it’s subject dependent. Halimba-
wa, pag mahirap, one week akong magaaral, pag
madali naman, mga 3 days
Hobbies: paitning, playing the flute, swimming,
practicing arnis and poetry
Likes and dislikes: In terms of studying, mas
gusto ang understanding than memorizing, and
I was not happy with memorizing
What contributed most to your success?
My parents, they will let me decide what I want
to do in my life, and my thesis adviser, siya yung
ang-eencourage sa akin to choose my own topic.
Very supportive siya and binibigyan din niya ako
ng freedom.
You’re graduating with honors, how do you
feel? Happy, and I feel fortunate
Name: Martin Ian P. Malgapo
Age: 19
Course: BS Chemistry
Research Lab: Organometallic and Materials
Chemistry Lab
Thesis Topic: Ruthenium Dye-Sensitized Solar
Cells
Why you chose your course: I thought
Chem was the most interesting among the sci-
ences (and I was not mistaken) when I was in
high school.
Major probs encountered while studying:
Unconsciously drowsing off after reading just a
few pages of your readings, distractions of any
kind (I easily get distracted), The need/desire to
eat every hour while studying.
Study habits: Certified crammer, haha, but I
sometimes study with my closest Chem friends.
Hobbies: Watching movies and series, facebook-
ing, listening to my idea of a good music, and
sometimes play some instruments, thinking ran-
dom thoughts, (secretly) writing about anything,
and of course, eating.
Likes and dislikes: Is this supposed to be what
I like and dislike about a person or a thing?
Hmmm… There are no particular attributes that
I like or dislike about a person as long as that
one is cool to be with. When you’re friend with
someone, you get to accept him even though he
has traits you dislike eh.
What contributed most to your success?
The undying support that my family, especially
my mother has been giving me, for allowing me
to choose the path I believe I want to take.
You’re graduating with honors, how do you feel?
I already feel both honored and happy just to
be graduating from UP Diliman as a Chemist.
Making it with distinction, parang bonus na
lang ‘yun.
These truly inspirational students showed that
the combination of hard work, belief in oneself
and trust in God are the stepping stones towards
success.
Earth Day. Let’s do our part in
preserving our home.
http://www.earthday.net/

Three CS Institutes
Commemorate Centenary of
Relaying Academic Excellence
This year, the College of Science (CS) celebrates
a milestone in imparting quality education and
academic excellence as three of its institutes
namely, the Institute of Math, Institute of Chem-
istry and Institute of Biology, observe their 100
years of existence.
Solving through the decades
The Institute of Mathematics, formerly known
as the Department of Mathematics, was estab-
lished on June 3, 1910. It was one of the units
in the College of Liberal Arts in UP and was
approved to be an institute by the Board of Re-
gents on August 22, 2007.
As early as the 1930s, the department produced
notable pioneers in the field of Mathematics
in the Philippines. Vidal A. Tan, Enrique Vi-
rata and Francisco Perez were all graduates of
the University of Chicago, which had the best
mathematics department in the US at that pe-
riod, and the first two being a UP President and
UP Executive Vice President, respectively. After
WWII, they were later joined by Raymundo A.
Favila who joined UP in 1949 and headed the
department for two decades. He was honored
with the rank of Academician by the National
Academy of Science and Technology and was
the first and one of only three mathematicians
who became members of the academy.
During the mid-1970s, the PhD Mathematics
Program was established from its basic BS and
MS degree. It opened a door to producing many
promising PhD’s locally added to the return
of the PhDs from their studies abroad which
brought about the emergence of many young,
dynamic and forward looking faculty members.
The split of the College of Arts and Sciences on
1983 brought about the milestone in the depart-
ment’s history as the University highlighted
the need for research. Teaching being the major
function of the department, it seeks to start re-
search as well. From this decade on, the institute
produces core specialists on important areas of
mathematics and it holds strong collaboration
with the institutes abroad. This period brought
about issues that were resolved by its conversion
into an institute, as it was known this day.
“There will be activities that will highlight
and celebrate the 100 years of Mathematics in
UP. Revolving around the theme: “100 years of
News
by: Ma. Andrea Geneive P. Ocampo and Nelissa S. Marcos
service and scholarship, and still vanced and sophisticated instruments through
counting!” – the Institute will have the support of various research funding agen-
a fun run, exhibits, a centennial cies and the university. IC established a quality
publication, a grand alumni home- system in its Instrument Room and Analytical
coming, the inauguration of the Services Laboratory which gained an ISO ac-
Math Building Annex, and a cen- creditation in 2009. In addition to this, IC has
tennial mathematics conference. established and maintained a functional chemi-
Throughout the year, public fo- cal waste management system. These in-house
rums will be held both inside and systems are in place in order to minimize risk
outside the university to promote and ensure the highest level of safety in its fa-
mathematics and showcase the In- cilities.” said Director del Mundo about the ad-
stitute’s academic achievements.” vancements in instrumentation and facilities.
said the Institute of Mathematics The Director also reiterated the projects and
Director, Jose Maria P. Balmaceda studies being conducted by the institute which
of the Institute of Mathematics. includes: the development of new problem-
based teaching methodology to fittingly pre-
The Institute will also organize a pare its BS Chemistry students for their future
regional school (with young schol- careers in the industry and academia; pursuing
ars from Southeast Asia) as part of collaborative research work and networking
its celebration. with local and foreign scientists and institutions;
improving/upgrading/maintaining teaching
“The Institute is committed to im- and research facilities to world-class standards;
proving its research and publication profile (es- training researchers, students, faculty, and other
pecially in ISI-indexed journals) and to improve future experts through courses and seminars and
the numbers of graduates especially in the PhD workshops offered by the invited experts or sci-
program. Currently, the Institute is the top-pro- entists through the Balik Scientist Program of
ducer of MS graduates in the CS, but we hope DOST and ensuring that the new IC buildings
to increase the graduation rate even more. We construction are completed on schedule and
plan to develop more specialists in some areas within budget through weekly coordination
of mathematics where the Institute is deficient.” meetings on site with designers, contractor and
construction manage-
ment.
There are also a list
of activities scheduled
throughout the whole
year in commemoration
of IC @100 which en-
compasses professorial
chair lectures, IC centen-
nial logo contest, first
aid training, KKP-DAS
1st Graduate Research
Seminar at UP-Ayala
Technohub Conference
Room, fire safety drill,
IC centennial memo-
rabilia sale, Sportsfest,
Polymer P3 Workshop:
Polymers for Packaging,
Director Balmaceda remarked when asked Paints, and Pharmaceuticals. Workshop seminar
about the institute’s plans in pursuing academic to be conducted by Balik Scientist alumnus Dr.
excellence. Rigoberto Advincula, Alumni Homecoming,
photo exhibit and ISACHEM 2010: Internation-
al Symposium on Advances in Chemistry and
Experimenting with the years
Beginning as the Department of Chemistry in Materials.
IC will also have two new buildings located at
1910, it was housed in a building in Padre Faura
St. (where the UP College of Dentistry is now the National Science Complex, UP Diliman.
located). It was eventually reorganized as an in-
stitute in 1987 and is designated by the Commis- Another at
sion on Higher Education (CHED) as a center of 100?
excellence in chemistry and chemical education. The Institute
“As a center of excellence in chemistry and of Biology is
chemical education, the IC-UPD has always also celebrat-
supported research activities and programs that ing their
will advance the frontier of knowledge and ad- 100th year
dress our country’s scientific and technological this 2010.
problems requiring fundamental chemical solu- Read about
tions. IC has maintained excellence in the major the institute
research areas of chemistry.” stressed Institute of and more on
Chemistry Director, Florian del Mundo. Scientia On-
“In keeping pace with the rapid advances in the line (http://
analytical instrumentation and chemical educa- scientiaon-
tion, IC has upgraded its existing analytical and line.multiply.
laboratory equipment by acquiring more ad- com).
SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 7
 News
UP MBS dominates Hexameet 2010
With an overwhelming 10 golds out of a possible
11, The UP Marine Biological Society (MBS)
has cornered the overall championship in this
year’s edition of the Pre-Medical Honour So-
ciety’s Hexameet tournament. MBS was denied
perfection by the UP Zoological Society (ZS),
who scored a satisfying win over their rivals in
the finals of the volleyball competition. With a
scoring system that rewarded 50 points for first
place, and 40, 30 and 10 for the succeeding plac-
es, MBS was able to garner an unassailable 540
point total- A full 210 points ahead of closest
competitors ZS, who had 330 points at the end.
The UP Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Society (MBBS)/Rockhounds tandem finished
third with 310 points, and the UP Association of
Biology Majors (ABM)/EnviSoc settled for last
place with 270 points.
Setting aside MBS’ domination of Hexameet
2010, one of the more interesting storylines that
developed was the tight race for second place
between perennial championship challengers
ZS and the MBBS/Rockhounds duo. The com-
bined MBBS/Rockhounds squad reached the
second spot on the podium a total of four times,
most notably in the popular team sports basket-
ball and football, but settled for last place three
times as well. ZS only notched two silver med-
als, but suffered less fourth place ignominy than
MBBS/Rockhounds. Also crucial in ZS’ success-
ful bid for overall second was their volleyball
triumph over MBS, a single gold that the MBBS/
Rockhounds team was unable to match.
While ABM/EnviSoc may have wound up fourth
in the table, they posed a definite threat to the
No Rules, No Laws, No Shame
by: Prana Pambid and Pia Vega
Last February 18, the University of the Philip-
pines Geological Society, the College of Science
Student Council and University of the Philip-
pines Optics presented Binibining Ba ‘To?, a
cross-dressing competition held annually dur-
ing CS Week. With the theme, “Le Cirque du
Fabuleux: No Rules, No Laws, No Shame,” male
representatives from eight participating organi-
zations dressed up as women a la Moulin Rouge,
a French-style cabaret.
The pageant opened with a dance performance
and the introduction of judges, namely Mr. Jose
Wendell Capili, Dr. Marian Roque, and Mr. Car-
Two CS students
bag BPI-DOST
Science Awards
by: Carlo Castillo
In its 21st year, the BPI-DOST Science Awards
was yet again given to three exceptional under-
graduate researchers of the university for their
achievements in the field of science and technol-
ogy last February 15 at the College of Science
Auditorium.
This year, the recipients of the award are Miguel
Carlos I. Gonzales (BS Chemistry) for his thesis
8 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue
other participants, finishing with as many second
place finishes as MBBS/Rockhounds. The ABM/
EnviSoc partnership was particularly impressive
in the water, finishing second to only MBS in
both swimming contests. Unfortunately, their
challenge was limited to a handful of events and
their squad sputtered to fourth in almost half of
the available competitions, sinking their cham-
pionship aspirations.
lo Lapus. The contestants then went up the stage
and introduced themselves using their creative
aliases: Antoinette Brigitte Pavloveux from the
Pre-Medical Honor Society (PMHS), Elle Vivien
de Vaklavoosh from the Association of Biol-
ogy Majors (ABM), Ferreax Moance from the
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Society
(MBBS), Vin vi L’amour from the Pre-Medical
Society (PMS), Katazyra Dolinsky Sklodowska
du Sacre Coeur from the DOST Scholars Asso-
ciation (DOST-SA), Virginie Jacquot L’quetitia
from the Geology Majors Society (GEMS), and
Marguerite Et Jonquille from the Chemical So-
ciety (ChemSoc).
entitled Harnessing Solar Energy in the Visible
Region with Ruthenium Dye-Sensitized Solar
Cells (Adviser: Dr. Jim Josephus G. Minglana),
Danielle P. Canlas (BS Computer Science) for
her thesis entitled S-URE C.O.U.N.T. Secure
Canvassing for an Open and Urgent National
Tally (Advisers: Dr. Susan Pancho-Festin and
Mr. Philip Christian Zuñiga), and Ma. Isabella
Pamintuan (BS Molecular Biology and Biotech-
nology) for her thesis entitled Isolation, Culture,
and DNA Barcoding of Local Moss Tardigrada
Species Isolated from Quezon City, Philippines
(Adviser: Dr. Denise Noelle Mirano-Bascos).
Each received a cash prize of Php 25,000, a tro-
phy and certificate of recognition, and a job offer
from BPI.
Present in the event were UP Diliman Chancel-
lor Sergio S. Cao, College of Engineering Dean
Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, College of Science
Dean Caesar A. Saloma, College of Science As-
by: Max Gana
The contestants first demonstrated their talents
which ranged from singing and dancing to act-
ing out scenes in French with subtitles. In ad-
dition, the contestants were also given the task
of acting out a scene wherein they had to select
a presidentiable, present a production number
for that presidentiable, and ask for something
in return. The lovely ‘ladies’ also had to tandem
their beauty with brains when answering typical
beauty pageant questions with intelligence and
wittiness. Finally, in a display of creativity and
skill, they danced like professionals and, used
the most unlikely things, such as electric tape, as
garter belts in their presentations and costumes.
The competition ended with Ms. Moance being
the crowd favorite, Ms. Jonquille as the most tal-
ented and best in long gown, Ms. Pavloveux as
the most beautiful in cabaret costume. The title
“Binibini ‘d Panaleux” went to Ms. L’quetitia,
who garnered a score of 85.2%; “Binibini Mon-
tique en Manaleux” to Ms. Pavloveux, who
scored 89.5%; and “Binibini Bateux 2010” to Ms.
Jonquille, who garnered the highest score, 95%.
sociate Dean for Academic Affairs Ronald S.
Banzon, and BPI Senior Vice President, Teresita
B. Tan. College of Science Secretary Evangeline
C. Amor hosted the program.
The BPI-DOST Science Awards began in 1989.
Every year, three undergraduate students from
the leading universities and colleges in the coun-
try are chosen and recognized for their contri-
butions in the fields of mathematics, physics,
engineering, chemistry, biology, and computer
science. This is a joint project by the BPI Foun-
dation, Inc., the Department of Science and
Technology and the University of the Philip-
pines.
Gonzales, Canlas and Pamintuan join 60 other
names in the roster of UP Diliman awardees for
the past 21 years.
 News

Tuition fee hike at 66%

proposed in IC by: Nelissa S. Marcos

In accordance with the redesign of the labora-
tory components into a set of integrated labora-
tory courses, the Institute of Chemistry gathered
the Chemistry majors taking up the new 9-unit
block courses in the CS Auditorium last January
18, 2010 to “conduct a student survey regarding
the institution of new laboratory fee of PhP 500/
unit for the Integrated laboratory courses of the
new BS Chemistry curriculum starting First Se-
mester S.Y. 2009-2010.”
The 9-unit block of integrated laboratory
courses (Chem 101.1, Chem 101.2, Chem 102.1 and
Chem 101.2) is “geared towards a problem-based
learning (PBL) approach in studying chemis-
try where students are required to use several
techniques and nearly all instrumental methods
commonly encountered in modern chemistry.”
Thus, valuable skills and knowledge will be
gained by students for their preparation in their
future employment in the industry or academe.
To keep pace with the rapid advances in analyti-
cal instrumentation and chemical education, the
IC has upgraded its existing analytical and labo-
ratory equipment by “acquiring more advanced
and sophisticated instruments through the sup-
port of various funding agencies.”
The said increase from PhP 300 to PhP 500 per
unit (a 66% increase) is allegedly due to insuf-
ficiency of the current laboratory fee to pay for
the high cost of chemicals and consumables, and
to partially subsidize the use and maintenance
cost of the instruments. The insufficiency is cit-
ed to have its roots on the “Philippine economy
experiencing an average inflation rate of 5% per
year.”
The proposed laboratory fee (see attached side-
bar) was based on the cost analysis of the chemi-
cals and materials to be used by each student for
each integrated laboratory course, and that “the
cost for the use and maintenance of the instru-
ments was not included in the analysis, as the IC
pays for it at PhP 1,200.00 per student.”
The total cost of chemicals was divided between
the estimate 20 students per integrated labora-
tory class to arrive at the actual cost of chemicals
used per student.
The increase is said to be necessary for IC to
“sustain a successful operation of the integrated
laboratory courses to continually provide its stu-
dents the best chemical education which is at par
with the current international standard.”

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SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 9

 Features

FEATURE | Zooming In
UP College of Science Chorale
By Jann Sy

B
eing gifted with intelligence is not exactly
common. Ditto for having talent. Lucky are
those who have both.
The UP College of Science Chorale, or simply the
CS Chorale, is composed of a body of talented and
brilliant students from the College of Science with a
passion for the performing arts, particularly singing.
The group was formalized in 2007 and, ever since,
ballads have been sung more and more vividly, and
arrangements have become more and more daring.
The CS Chorale has proven itself to be a powerhouse
of vocalists, culminating to the declaration of their
victory over eight other colleges in this school year’s
University-wide Karolfest.
Besides joining the annual Karolfest, the CS Chorale
performs just for the sake of singing, participating in
BPI awarding ceremonies, recognition days, ‘CS Idol,’
CS Carolfest, lectures, game quizzes and by request of
various organizations.
We were able to sit with Terrence Teh, the conductor
of CS Chorale, to ask him a few questions about the
group.

SCIENTIA (S): Around when was the group

established?
Terrence Teh (T): Three years ago, nung first year
ako actually. Kasama ako sa mga founding majors.
It was founded by Jana Mier, from MBB, the MBB
representative then.
S: How many members are in the group now?
TT: We have about sixteen members.
S: Are all of you from the College of Science?
TT: Yeah, pero yung vocal coach namin is from the
College of Home Economics, Food Technology.
S: What are the majors of the members?
TT: Tatlo lang eh: from Math, MBB, Bio.
S: How about from the others?
TT: Wala, unfortunately.
S: Do you guys perform always perform a capella, or
do you also perform with accompaniment?
TT: Puro vocals, tapos nung last Karolfest, nagtry
kami with accompaniment.
S: How often do you guys practice in preparation for
an event or gig?
TT: Well, we have practices regularly, every week. In
case of events, nag-iincrease kami ng frequency, like
twice or thrice a week.
S: Does it conflict with your academics?
TT: Minsan, pero magagaling ‘tong mga members ko.
Hindi nagpapabaya ‘yan.
S: You guys were the champions of the University-
wide Karolfest; how did it feel to win the competition?
TT: (Laughs) Well, at first, nung naanounce ‘yung
College of Science, nagkaroon pa ako ng mga two to
three seconds lag time, before I realized, ‘Uy, kami
pala ‘yon.’ And then, I’m like (puts on an expression
of shock). Tuwang-tuwa talaga kami, we were all very
happy and excited!
S: Have you guys won before this school year?
TT: Yeah on our first year, ano kami, we won second
place sa Karolfest.
Doing the college proud. Our Karolfest 2010 Winners: The CS Chorale.
S: Wow, congratulations! Who were your competitors this
year? Kasama ba ‘yung College of Music?
TT: I don’t remember all of them but, College of Engineering,
CSSP, MasComm, Law, NCPAG. Pero wala yung College of
Meet the Brains
Music. Hindi talaga sila kasali.
Behind the Talent
S: Do you guys prefer performing contemporary pieces or
traditional pieces?
TT: Actually, diverse yung mga pinaplay namin, kung anong Biology
magandang piece na maisip namin, from contemporary to Kristine Olisa - Soprano
traditional, meron kami. Anne Marjorie David - Alto
S: How different is it performing in a group? How does it Andrew Torres - Tenor
compare to performing in a band or as a soloist? Lucille Cano - Soprano
TT: Well, magkaibang bagay talaga ‘yon. Kunyari, when Sarah Margaret Chong - Alto
you’re singing solo, iba yung delivery ng voice mo. Because
when you’re singing in a group, kailangan mo pa i-consider MBB
yung sound ng mga fellow singers mo. So you have to adjust Cecille Dungog - Alto
your volume, your pitch and kailangan nagbeblend talaga
Kristine cangas - Soprano
kayo.
Ben Lopez - Tenor
S: What are your plans for the future? Mikael Pura - Bass
TT: I’m hoping na next year sana maka-recruit na kami ng Jalea Coralde - Alto
members from different institutes – sa Chemistry, NIGS,
at sa Physics. Sana talaga. And we’re planning to have this
Math
concert this June. Ayan, plug plug. (Laughs)
Ralph dela Cruz - Bass
S: What message would you like to leave our readers about Terrence Teh - Tenor/Conductor
singing, performing, studies, love or life, in general? Jo-Hannah Guttierez - Soprano
TT: Ang hirap naman niyan! (Laughs) Well, as students of Olga Martinez - Alto
the College of Science, haggard tayo sa mga studies natin.
Kennettee Vargas - Soprano
Ayan ang message ko: don’t let it stop them from singing,
kasi kung passion nila ‘yun, pursue nila. ‘Wag na sa love, wala Vicman Aricheta - Bass
akong alam diyan! Sali rin kayo CS Choral next year! And we
are always open for applications. Wala kaming auditions. So College of Music
wag kayong mahiya kung ‘di maganda boses ninyo. Hindi rin Antonio Rey Manuel - Conductor
maganda boses ko. (Laughs) For Karolfest
Luis Marvin Dizon - Pianist
Catch the CS Chorale during events in the College of Science,
wherein they are often (if not always) asked to perform. If
you’re interested in joining the CS Chorale, you may contact
Terrence (09275008420) or approach anyone from the
group.

10 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue

 Features
The 40 Year Old Graduate
By Jann Sy

C orrection: 43 Year Old.

Mr. Agustin Santos Organista Jr. isn’t

On his choice of a
second degree, he explained
that chemistry is essential
your typical student. Unquestionably, he’s an in everyday life and was
incoming graduate of BS Chemistry who is a lot particularly important in his
older than other students, but that’s not what line of work. Also, it’s possible
makes him unique. Unlike most of us, Agustin that his mother, also a chemist
Organista is an adult. He’s been through it all, and teaching at Adamson, had
college, work abroad, and now, college again. further influenced him to pick
But why? that course.
Why would anyone want to go back
He expressed his
to the stressful experience that college forces
concerns about his initial
down our throats once he or she has “made it”?
Admittedly, college isn’t just about the studies; reservations about enrolling
it’s also about the parties and the fun, or so I’ve at his age – that he might feel
heard. Regardless, isn’t college once enough? out of place because of the
young student body and that
To answer this question, I had to pick the students could be his kids
the brain of Mr. Organista himself, who was given the age difference. Also,
working on his thesis when I came over to do the return to studying itself
an interview. worried him. He explained
that work is a lot different
Looking at Mr. Organista, I had a from studying – where work is
feeling that he was a man that knew a lot of pretty much routine, studying
things – and not just random useless things, is dynamic and taxing.
but the kind of knowledge one acquires with
age and experience. In fact, if you didn’t know When asked whether
he was a student at the University, you would he had any regrets with the
probably mistake him for a professor. decisions he has made, he
responded immediately with
Working on his thesis of Ion Selective a clear and concise, “No.”
Electrodes- the detection of Mg2+ ions, he
For him, neither the training
told me of his dramatic (or not so dramatic)
nor the knowledge he had acquired from the Don’t be selfish with what you
life story. He was a city boy who grew up in
Metro Manila and entered the University two courses he had taken was wasted because have because when you’re older,
of the Philippines for the first time right off he believes that they go hand in hand. In the you’ll become wiser and start to
from high school. Eventually, he graduated work he shall pursue once he has graduated, he see the bigger picture.
with a degree in Electrical and Electronics believes that those two degrees will especially
Engineering in 1989. come in handy.
“Don’t stop learning,” and
Not one to wallow stagnant waters, in He mentioned that he would probably invest in knowledge because the
1990, he moved to the United States and started start his own business in the manufacture
work on pressure sensor designs for Medical of scientific instruments because local technological field is evolving very
Measurements Incorporated in New Jersey. manufacture is nonexistent. Having such an rapidly.
However, while working, he started to take an operation would reduce the price of materials
interest in bioinformatics, the application of because instruments would no longer have to
information technology and computer science be imported. He also has plans to get married
Finally, study and work
to the field of molecular biology. He also saw in July, which is why he would not be returning performance are not correlated, he
the need for knowledge in chemistry in his to the United States for work. did well in work, even though he
career and everyday life. These newfound
interests led him to restructure his career path. was not the best student.
He mentioned that he would probably
start his own business in the manufacture In the end, I finally understood why
In 2007, he finally decided to pursue of scientific instruments because local
a degree in Bioinformatics, but he needed a Mr. Organista came back to college. It was to
manufacture is nonexistent. Having such an learn. He taught me a valuable lesson that day:
background in chemistry or biology to do so.
operation would reduce the price of materials no matter how young or how old you are, as
He opted to return to the University of the
because instruments would no longer have to scientists, we are called to pursue knowledge
Philippines to complete the prerequisites and
be imported. He also has plans to get married and truth. We are students for the rest of our
Dr. Titus Quibuyen assisted him in the tran-
sition into his BS Chemistry course. So in the in July, which is why he would not be returning lives.
summer of 2007, he enrolled for the grueling to the United States for work.
Chemistry 17. Whether we like it or not.
At the end of the interview, Mr.
And three years later, here we are now. Organista left us all with some words of advice:

SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 11

 Features

TACKED| The Third Millenium in Science

By Alex Almocera and Carlo Castillo

F
or two millennia, the body of science has been continuously and limitlessly expanding. Thousands of facts, hypotheses and theories have been
presented by the greatest scientists and thinkers that ever lived, all aiming to improve the quality of human life through the understanding of its
complexities and intricacies. Some of them have remained unchanged in textbooks for hundreds of years. Some of them have been disproved and have
been replaced with new thoughts. Some were even totally eliminated from existence.

This decade, with modern technologies continuously emerging, everything becomes more and more detailed and specific. Devices become smaller and
lighter while allowing the storage of millions and billions of information. Microscopes start to resolve images at the atomic level while telescopes begin to
detect extraterrestrial bodies thousands of light years away.

Here are some of the millennium openers that surely brought gargantuan impact to today’s science.
BIOLOGY Stem cell research
The start of the
The Human Genome Project third millennium
Finally in 2003, the sequence of the human witnessed the rapid
genome was revealed. After 13 years, the 3 billion advancement of
base pairs of the human DNA, coding for 20,000- stem cell research.
25,000 genes, were determined. Diseases and Several papers on
disorders can now be predetermined by looking adult stem cell plas-
at DNA in print. Just with your written adenines, ticity have been
cytosines, guanines and thymines, one can be published including
pre-diagnosed with diseases like cancer. claims of the devel-
opment of artificial
Full article: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_ human cells from Possibilities. Stem cells are predicted to
Genome/home.shtml stem cells. In Octo- one day have the capacity to increase
ber 2007, the No- the human life span to a mind-boggling
bel Prize in Physiol- 150 or more years.
ogy or Medicine was
shared by Mario Capecchi, Martin Evans, and Oliver
Smithies for their discoveries of principles for intro-
ducing specific gene modifications in mice by the
use of embryonic stem cells.

Source: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/
laureates/2007/
Stick figures no more. Pentacene as visualized using a
modified atomic force microscopy technique developed by
PHYSICS IBM.
We are not alone!
Full article: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17699-
microscopes-zoom-in-on-molecules-at-last.html

One trillion bytes

http://www.salisbury.edu/biology/faculty/flerickson/
Human%20Genome%20assignment%20paper%2006.htm
RNAi: RNA Interference
Now, it’s not your simple replication-
transcription-translation scheme in the central
dogma anymore. In 2002, it was discovered that
ribonucleic acids (RNAs) play a vital role in gene
regulation. Certain types of RNA, the microRNA
(miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA),
can bind to other RNAs to regulate (positively
or negatively) their activity in a process called
RNA interference or simply RNAi. Andrew Fire
and Craig Mello shared the 2006 Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine for their work on RNA
interference.
Full article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12110901
From your kilobyte-sized floppy disk, to your
megabyte-sized compact disk, then to your gigabyte-
sized flash disk, and now, here comes a terabyte-
sized storage device! In 2007, Hitachi Global Shared
Technology released its 3.5-inched terabyte hard drive
for desktops. Imagine 330,000 3MB photos (or around
250,000 MP3’s!) literally at the palm of your hand!
Fullarticle:http://news.cnet.com/2100-1041_3-6147409.html
Life beyond earth? Artist David A. Aguilar’s rendition
of the planet GJ 1214b orbiting its own star.
Ever pondered on the possibility that aliens really
do exist? Just in 2009, a literally giant waterworld
was spotted orbiting a red dwarf star in the
constellation Ophiuchus 40 light years away from
our very own Earth. Chances are, life could exist or
may have existed in this planet. Is there really life
out there? If yes, imagine the vast consequences
it would entail to the fields of science, philosophy
and, especially, religion.

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/dec/16/

waterworld-planet-earth-life

Oh, I see benzene!

Microscope resolutions have become finer and finer
since its beginnings in 1590. Now, the chemical
structure of a compound can now be visualized at
the atomic level. Shown in the picture is the organic
molecule pentacene which is formed by fusing five
benzene rings adjacent to each other. With modern One trillion bytes! Do you currently have enough data to
techniques, one can now see the beauty of the tiny need a trillion bytes of storage?
molecules in real life just like as how we see them
in textbooks.

12 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue


CHEMISTRY
Venom as insecticides?
In 2004, Glenn King and his Australian colleagues
mapped out toxins of venom from a Blue Mountains
funnel-web spider (Hadronyche versuta), in the
hopes of creating an organic alternative to the
commercial insecticide.
Source: http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_
id=100676&org=NSF
Harvesting spider venom. Photo credits to Professor Graham
M. Nicholson of the University of Technology,Sydney.
J.J. Thomson’s Problem
This problem asks: how can a layer of particles coat
the surface of a sphere? It has laid dormant for a
century, until the problem was tackled and solved
in 2003 by a team of National Science Foundation
(NSF)-supported scientists. This breakthrough
may give us a better insight in dealing with known
molecular structures, such as those in viruses, or
when creating new ones.
Source: http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_
id=100656&org=NSF
A breakthrough in solar power!
In 2008, a cheap catalyst capable of creating oxy-
gen from water was concocted, eliminating an ob-
stacle in developing artificial photosynthesis: one
that uses solar power to provide useful fuel. Solar
power would provide energy for the catalyst and
water would be converted into a storable form of
chemical energy – hydrogen and oxygen gas. We
may be well on our way to a form of affordable,
clean [renewable] energy!
Source: http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21155/page1/
GEOLOGY
An Inconvenient Truth
After his defeat in the 2000 presidential elec-
tions, Al Gore showed to the world a slide show
of a few (if not many) geological and scientific
examples showing the bad effects of man-made
climate change. Though the film’s contents are
debatable, it still struck some inspiration and
awareness worldwide. Al Gore’s environmental
efforts had led him to garner a Nobel Peace Prize
in 2007.
Source: http://geology.com/news/2007/al-gore-wins-nobel-
peace-prize.shtml
Possible life on Mars?
Here’s a feat in planetary geology: in May 2007,
the Phoenix, soon after landing, found ice in a
trench. This discovery supports the possibility
of Martian life, despite incompatible climates on
the red planet.
Source: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/01/top-10-
scientif/
To the Center of The Earth!
Now we can better understand the inner struc-
ture of the Earth. In March 2007, a team of sci-
entists explained how they can produce high-
resolution 3D images of the Earth’s insides right
down to the core center, utilizing a simple imag-
ing technique used in oil mining, some seismic
arrays, and mathematical work!
Source: http://www.geotimes.org/dec07/article.
html?id=feature_deepearth.html
Features
MATHEMATICS
Love for PI in the 21st century!
Since Egyptian times, π= 3.141592… has caught
mathematicians in a calculation race of increasing
accuracy. In December 2002, it has been
calculated (by π-aficionado Yasumasa Kanada, et
al.) up to 1.24 trillion digits; in April 2009, up to
2.58 trillion digits; and last December, up to 2.7
trillion! Calculating π has amazingly pushed the
envelope of computational capabilities!
Sources:
-Seattle PI: http://www.seattlepi.com/national/98912_pi07.
shtml
-Daisuke’s calculation: http://www.hpcs.is.tsukuba.
ac.jp/~daisuke/pi.html
-Bellard’s calculations: http://bellard.org/pi/pi2700e9/
pipcrecord.pdf
The biggest [Mersenne] prime!
While some look for more accurate π’s, others
look for bigger primes. Currently, the biggest one
is of the form 2n-1, and was found in 2008, at n =
43,112,609. In fact, 9 out of top 10 currently larg-
est primes have been of this form!
Sources:
-The Largest Known Primes: http://primes.utm.edu/largest.htm
-GIMPS: http://www.mersenne.org/
-Time Magazine:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/arti-
cle/0,28804,1852747_1854195_1854157,00.html
Mathematics can help cure cancer!
Strength in Numbers. Who would have thought that
math would be the key to curing leukemia?
Here is an exciting example of math marrying
medicine. In an exciting paper released in 2008,
Doron Levy and his team at the University of
Maryland proposed a model that can aid doctors
in dealing with certain leukemia patients!
Source: http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_
id=112016&org=NSF
SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 13
 Culture
There’s no place like dorm.

The endless line of people waiting in the com-

munal bathroom in the morning sunshine. The
ever-momentous sensation of knowing that
there is no water in the shower. Stray cats rum-
maging the garbage cans in utility rooms. And,
oh! Not to mention, the many “surprises” that
may really take you by surprise once you see
what’s inside that closed toilet bowl.
Ah. Just a few of the everyday-bliss in a dor-
mer’s life – well, that’s if you want the truth to
be served in a plate full of sarcasm, toppled with
fake exuberance.
Now, if you really want to know what it’s like
to be living in a dormitory, be warned. You may
not want to go to your next open-house trip in
a friend’s dorm, or you may want to think twice
in applying for a dormitory this summer or for
the next semester. Not that I’m discouraging
you to do so. I’m just going giving you a glimpse
of what you’re about to get in to.
Let me say that most of the things that I will be
exposing are exclusive to UP dormers – dormers
who share the same sentiments and dramas,
with yours truly.
The Bathroom Problem. Especially to all
you freshmen dormers out there, you may be
able to relate to this. Of course I also spent my
freshman year in a dorm, and I understand that
you’re having daily problems between you and
that toilet seat, or even with the shower. With
the toilet seat, unlike what you have at home,
it’s neither clean nor cleaned at all times. Trust
me. Been there, done that. By now, you should
already be friends with your pail and dipper.
In times of need, they are of extreme help. (If
you know what I mean.) Second, and I need not
explain this very thoroughly, but to those who
are non-dormers, this is the kind of “thing” that
you don’t want to know, at all. It’s the unsightly
thing inside a toilet bowl. There. Almost said
it. *cringes* Anyhow, shower problems are no
biggie once you’re best friends with, again, your
melting pot
There’s No Place LIke Dorm
by Cyndi Bandong
pail and dipper (make veloped this habit of taking a dump anywhere.
sure you don’t use the As in, anywhere. They’re none other than your
same ones inside the friendly neighborhood, Felis domestica. Cats, in
cubicle.) Water faces other words. There was even this one time, just
a rare kind of extinc- recently, I was scratched at my right foot. Be-
tion in UP dormi- ing the paranoid that I am, I washed the area
tories. They become of the scratch with soap, and bathed my foot in
extinct at night, the ethyl alcohol. I was afraid I might have rabies.
time when you need Still not satisfied, I searched through the inter-
it a little less than in net for symptoms, prevention, and possible cure
the morning. I don’t for rabies. I made my mom and my dad call me
know the exact reason to make sure that I really didn’t have it. Even
behind this bizarre my roommates, although laughing their hearts
fiasco. However, here out already, told me I wouldn’t get rabies, un-
in my new dormi- less there was blood. Anyway, up until now, I
tory, I don’t face the am still monitoring and observing myself just to
bathroom problem confirm that I’m totally rabies-free. See? These
as seriously as I used deceptive creatures don’t help one bit in the
to when I was still a
freshman. Times and
lives of us dormers. Just they wait and see until
I’m taking up Bio 101 (or is it Bio 102?). We’ll
experiences have shaped me to be tough and need cats dissected. And I just happen to know
enduring. the right place to find them. HAHAHAHAHA!
Just joking.
PrediCATment. For upperclassmen dor-
mers, including myself, we’ll let pass the bath- Noise Trouble. It’s fun when you set that
room crisis. But this one, never. Sure, they’re boom box with loud, party music once in a
cute. Might be irritating at times, but still cute. while. That at least, for once, being in a dormi-
Nevertheless, looks can be deceiving. They are tory is fun and festive. But, please. Be reminded
creatures lurking in the darkness of every floor’s that it’s not every day your dorm mates won’t
cupboard. Watching and waiting for someone have exams, papers due, or mountains of read-
who may well open the door to the utility ings to go through. In some cases, the ones to
room where they will ransack the garbage bins (continued on page 23)
for leftovers and the like. They have even de-

Tatlong Mariya Tanghalang Pilipino

March 12 to 21, 2010. Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
(Little Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The Philippine adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s
“Three Sisters” promises to breathe new life
into the classic tale of three once-rich sisters
who were forced to relocate to the province
after their aristocratic family’s fall from grace.
The story moves from the original Russia in the
early 1900s to a remote province in Northern
Luzon at the dawn of Martial Law, but the re-
alism, dark humor and utter humanity of the
characters definitely stay the same.
Avenue Q Atlantis Productions
March 12 to 27, 2010. Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium,
RCBC Building, Makati City.
Avenue Q is said to be one of the most popu-
lar musicals ever staged in the Philippines, and
with good reason. The funny, irreverent story
about life in the Real World entertained both
Manila and Singapore audiences who definitely
saw themselves in the characters. It asked some
interesting questions (What CAN you do with
a B.A. in English?) and said things that people
were already secretly thinking (The Internet
= Porn). Also, it has puppets. The production
had its “farewell run” in early 2008. Atlantis is
breaking a promise with this latest restaging of
Avenue Q, but no one’s really complaining.
curtain call
summer stages
Legally Blonde Atlantis Productions
June 25 to July 18, 2010. Meralco Theater, Ortigas Av-
enue cor. Meralco Ave, Pasig City.
Elle Woods goes from screen to stage as the
sorority girl from the 2001 movie “Legally
Blonde” takes on the straight-laced world of
Harvard Law. Seeing the Delta Nu sorority
girls dance and sing lines like “Omigod, you
guys! Omigod!” will make you wonder how ex-
actly their very perky president will fit in with
those “stuffy old men in suits.” See the world
in shades of pink this June as actress Nikki Gil
brings everyone’s favorite blonde lawyer to life.
Cats Lunchbox Productions
July 24 to August 8, 2010. Tanghalang Nicanor Abelar-
do (Main Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines.
To sell a musical to a Pinoy, you don’t have to
do much other than say two words: Lea Salonga.
Seeing as “Cats” is wildly popular by itself, that
may have been unnecessary. The world-famous
by eirish sison
stage actress and singer gets to sing crowd favor-
ite “Memory,” which is possibly one of the most
easily recognized songs from musical theatre. (It
goes “Memory, all alone in the moonlight...”
Yes. That one.) Don’t be fooled by the open-
ing date still being four months away. The CCP
Main Theatre is really big, and tickets for this
show are unusually expensive, so save up now
if you want a seat you can clearly see the actors
from.
There isn’t much to watch on stage between
March and July, unfortunately. However, it
doesn’t mean that your theatre experience has
to be cut short. Lots of companies like Reper-
tory Philippines, Trumpets Playshop, PETA,
and CCP offer courses in acting, singing, and
sometimes even playwriting. So, this summer,
mix it up, step away from the audience seats and
really experience theatre for yourself. It’ll be
something you won’t forget.

14 SCIENTIA: Junior
SCIENTIA: IssueIssue
Junior

CS students’
top ten facebook
groups and pages
Have you joined even at least one Facebook
page or group just because the moment you
read the name, you thought to yourself
“Hey, that’s so me!”? Do you express yourself
through the Facebook groups and pages you
join? Yeah, us too.
As one Facebook page states so aptly, “Idaan sa
“BECOME A FAN” ang TUNAY na NARA-
RAMDAMAN :)))).” For this issue of SCIEN-
TIA, we set out to find which 10 FB pages and
groups are the most popular and relatable to
the CS population.
Pretending to Text in
10 Awkward Situations
Narinig ko sa UP
9 (Overheard at UP)
When I was your age,
8 Pluto was a planet.
Lahat ng bagay parang
7 pag-ibig
When I Was Younger, I Put
6 My Face Close To The Fan
To Hear My Robot Voice
Counting how many hours
5 of sleep I will get right
before I go to bed.
San tayo kakain? Kaw?
4 Kayo? Kaw bahala. Di ko
alam. Kahit saan!
PAPUNTA NA ‘KO! (PERO
3 ‘DI PA UMAALIS NG BA-
HAY)
Sir, partial points. Please.
2 Sa halagang Php 150.00, isang buong araw ka na
Pretending to think when
1 the teacher is looking at
you.
Culture
breaking free
Bakasyon Na! Basaan Na!
by Angel Ramoso
Kakukuha lang ba ng eksam? Kapapasa mo treng ito. :)
lang ba ng iyong formal report o RDR? Pagod
na pagod ka na ba sa mga gabing wala kang tu- PARA MAKAPUNTA DOON MULA UP
log? Tapos dumagdag pa ang init ng araw at ang
uhaw ng El Niño. Ngayong patapos na ang se-
mestre, malamang naiisip mo nang magbababad
Maliban sa paggamit ng NLEX, may mas ma-
daling paraan upang makarating doon gamit
lamang ng isang bus at isang dyip. Sumakay
na lang sa harap ng telebisyon o sa kompyuter. ka ng bus na “Tungko” mula Jollibee Philcoa.
(Maliban na lang kung magsu-summer ka ng Pagkatapos ay bumaba ka sa “Pecson.” Sakay
ilang units. Hay nako, aral na naman.) Mag-
palamig ngayong tag-init! Dito sa Grotto Vista
Resort, tiyak na mararamdaman mo ang sarap
ka naman ng dyip na “Grotto.” Pababa ka sa
Grotto Vista Resort. Nandoon ka na! ‘Di ba
madali lang?
ng bumabad sa tubig. Break time na!
Ang Grotto Vista Resort ay matatagpuan sa
Bulacan. Oo, sa probinsiya nga ito pero ma-
layo man ay malapit din! Sabi nga sa kanilang
OVERNIGHT RATES:
Suite Room (24hrs)
website, kung manggagaling ka ng Maynila, la- 2,200 Php
binlimang (15) minuto lang ay nandoon ka na, good for 5 persons
at malamang North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)
ang daan mo nito. Paliko-liko man ang daan, De Luxe Room (24hrs)
siguradong sulit din ang pagpunta mo. Walo la- 1,500 Php
hat ang kanilang mga swimming pool. Mayroon good for 2 persons
silang pribadong palanguyan para sa mga taong
gusto magmuni-muni o makapag-isa. Mayroon
ding pampublikong palanguyan para sa mga ta-
Standard Room (12hrs)
900 Php
ong nagtitipid at gusto makipag-“friends”. Ang 2-4 persons
Grotto Vista Resort ay hindi lang resort sapag-
kat may sarili silang hotel, sports hall at mga
function hall kung saan pwede rito ganapin ang
isang debut o reception ng kasal. Mayroon din
charges in excess of max capacity
100 Php/head
silang sariling restaurant, gym at souvenir shop. charges in excess of time
100 Php/hour
makakababad sa mga palanguyan nila. Maari
ka ring magbayad ng Php 200 para sa isang
extra mattress
100 Php
umbrella na pwedeng kainan at pag-iwanan ng
gamit. Puwede mo ring upahan ang slide build-
ing nila na kung saan sa inyo ang isang buong
palapag.
Bago bumalik sa UP, daan muna sa Grotto
Para sa mga iba pang detalye puntahan na lang
ang pahinang ito sa web:
www.grottovistaresort.com.ph
Shrine at manalangin na makapasa sa semes-
SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 15
 Peer Review
Maximus Decimus Meridius is appointed the
next ruler by the dying Roman Emperor Mar-
cus Aurelius. When Aurelius informs his son,

flick doppler
Commodus, of this decision, he is overcome
by rage and jealousy, killing his father and tak-
ing the throne. Commodus then gives orders to

feeds effect
have the general executed and Maximus’s family
eliminated. The fight for freedom by Maximus
and Hannibal’s Forces brings out the patriot in-
side every person. Because Gladiator also tack-
les issues of politics and democracy, it is not a
by Kai Brynne Boydon mere action movie, but one that awakens our by Sarah Penir
social consciousness.

5. The Dark Knight “Why so serious? Let’s

the top ten movies
of the past decade
10. Spirited Away Hiyao Miyazaki
was named one of the
most influential people by
TIME magazine in 2005
because of his creation,
Spirited Away, the only
non-English animation
movie to win an Oscar. The
story revolves around a ten-
year-old girl named Chi-
chiro who gets separated
from her parents when they
enter the spirit world acci-
dentally. With the help of a
boy named Haku, she begins
her epic journey to win her
parents back from the evil witch, Yubaba. The
movie rouses the imagination with its dream-
like setting, giving the timeless themes of love,
preservation of nature, and growing-up a fresh
look. It used to be that animation was only for
children but, a movie as excellent as this is, it is
enough even for Isko and Iska.
9. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is a movie
set in China in the Qing Dynasty. Li Mu-Bai,
a master swordsman about to retire, asks his
friend and secret love, Yu Shu-Lien, to take his
prized sword to Sir Te as a gift. However, the
sword is stolen by Jade Fox, the murderer of
Mu Bai’s master. The tree top fight scene and
the roof top chase scene were unforgettable. Lu
Shu-Lien (played by Michelle Yeoh) gave mar-
tial arts a feminine face. Other martial art mov-
ies featured the craft purely as a violent sport
but in this movie, it is like watching a well-
choreographed dance – which of course, later
became the standard for other action movies.
8. Moulin Rouge The Moulin Rouge is a
night club, a dance hall, and a bordello. It is
where the rich and powerful come to play with
the young and the beautiful. Enter Satine, the
star of the Moulin Rouge. The performances
are very compelling so as to make the audience
believe that a jaded night club entertainer could
fall in love with an obscure aspiring writer. It
is one of the few musicals that is exclusively for
mature audiences.
7. Catch Me If You Can In his 19th birth-
day, Frank Abagnale Jr. conned 19 million dol-
lars by posing as a doctor, a pilot, a lawyer, and
a parish prosecutor. Unlike the movies above,
this film does not offer any
heavy themes. Despite the
storyline’s predictability,
we are kept interested from
start to finish because of
how Frank kept FBI Agent
Hanratty perpetually run-
ning after him. Catch Me
If You Can, based on a
true story, is a comedy, a
drama, and a thriller all
rolled into one.
6. Gladiator The year is 180 AD. General
put a smile on your face… ” and proceeds to slit
the mouth from ear to ear. Those expecting to
be entertained by a movie about Batman and his
fight against the usual antagonists are going to
be disappointed. The Dark Knight is a psycho-
logical thriller about a person who was broken
by traumatic childhood experiences. This movie
will leave us a-trembling because we are pre-
sented with a character who does evil things not
for financial gain, not for fame, and not even
for revenge, but simply for want of bad things
to happen.
4. Lord of the Rings Trilogy One ring
to rule them all and in the darkness bind them.
In Middle Earth, a hobbit Frodo Baggins and
the Fellowship of the Ring journey on a quest to
destroy the One Ring and its maker, Dark Lord
Sauron. The trilogy covers this epic adventure
from J.R.R. Tolkien’s master-
piece novel, showing human-
ity and its struggles: the lust
for power, self-sacrifice, and
forgiveness. From the story
to the actors to the set, the
movie is perfect.
3. Avatar Pandora is an
earth-like moon 4.5 light
years from our planet with
reserves of Obtanium, an
invaluable metal. However,
it is inhabited ten-foot blue
creatures called the Na’vi who wor-
ship a goddess, Eywa. Our hero, Jake Sully is
paraplegic ex-marine who arrives on Pandora as
a replacement for his deceased twin brother, a
scientist. Jake takes his brother’s avatar and thus
begins his journey to discover the new world
and himself. Avatar now holds the distinction
of being the box office top grosser (dethroning
Titanic). Combining state-of-the-art filming
and vivid storytelling, this movie is truly one of
the best of our time.
2. WALL-E Disney Pixar brings animation to a
whole new level. A Waste Allocation Load Lift-
er Earth Class (WALL-E) robot has been clean-
ing up an abandoned earth for seven hundred
years. One day, an Extraterrestrial Vegetation
Evaluator (EVE) robot lands on
the planet. The two robots eventu-
ally fall in love. However, EVE is
taken back to space and WALL-E
voyages to bring her back. One may
not expect to find the movie espe-
cially entertaining because the main
characters are just robots. However,
WALL-E proved to be a sweet and
touching love story.
1. Finding Nemo There are 3.7
trillion fish in the ocean. They’re
looking for one. Marlin, a clown
fish (Amphiprion ocellaris) has a
son, Nemo, who was born with one s m a l l
fin. After losing his wife and the rest of their
eggs to a barracuda, Marlin promised that he
would never let anything terrible happen to his
only surviving son. One day, Nemo is captured
by a scuba diver. What’s a father to do? Together
with Dory, a regal tan (Paracanthurus hepatus)
with short term memory loss, Marlin embarks
on a journey to bring his son back.
the top ten artists of
the past decade
Amassing this list from the pool of exceptional
artists is a feat itself and ranking them would
be an even greater feat—unfortunately though,
the latter is pretty difficult and thus, will not
be carried out for obvious reasons. It should be
noted that the eligibility of the following artists
are based on their activity over the yesterdecade
as well as their impact and appeal to the general
public.
Coldplay Nearly every starting musician has
made a cover out of one or other Coldplay song.
Ever since their debut album Parachute has been
put into public distribution, they have become
the touchstone for the subsequent bands that
have adopted the same soft, delicate melody.
Their heartfelt lyrics and song arrangements
have made them evolve from the quiet band
that they used to be to music awards superstars.
Snow Patrol In a span of 15 years, Snow
Patrol has undergone five reformations. So far,
only the group’s front act Gary Lightbody has
stuck around after all these years. It wasn’t un-
til their track Run (2004) that they were able
to receive commercial success and acclamation.
What sets Snow Patrol apart from other bands
out in the market is their lyrical eloquence and
their quiet rhythm that builds up to heavier and
louder verses. Contrary to the “Coldplay clone”
title they got when they were only setting out
in the industry, they now have a sound that is
distinctly Snow Patrol. In case they don’t ring a
bell, Snow Patrol is the artist behind some songs
from the soundtracks of One Tree Hill, Grey’s
Anatomy and Spiderman 3.
Green Day Green Day’s career began in the
1990s when they released under the indepen-
dent record label Lookout!. They were origi-
nally known as the Sweet Children but they
eventually dropped the name for Green Day to
avoid confusion with another local band. Their
popularity declined after they released their
sixth album Warning but it did set out
skyrocketing again in 2003 with Ameri-
can Idiot. This group redefined the
punk rock music scene that was starting
to become stale over the repetition of
the same guitar chords and drum beats.
Their albums American Idiot and 21st
Century Breakdown both garnered the
Best Rock Album Grammy Award for
2005 and 2010, respectively.
John Mayer Though this
fellow missed a shot at Roll-
ing Stone’s Top 100 Guitar-
ists of All Time, his spot
in today’s generation of
guitarists is certainly indisput-
able. His first two albums Room
for Squares and Heavier Things
have already attained multiplati-
num status while his vocal per-
formances for Your Body is a
Wonderland and Waiting on the
World to Change have snatched
the Grammys. His voice, along

16 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue

 Peer Review
with his guitar riffs that explode into richness, Inmates Dance
is the paradigm of good music. to Thriller http://bit.ly/W5Eth

in the
Next to Manny Pacquiao, this is the next thing
BeyoncE From a subset of Destiny’s Child, we’re known for worldwide. Aside from “Bu-
Beyonce has grown to be a lone and prominent tse Kik”, Yoyoy Villame always told us “Mag-

universal set herself by being a staple artist of
every existing R&B playlist. With her exotic
beauty and powerful vocals that is at par with
Mariah Carey’s, she took the world with her
highly catchy tracks like To The Left, If I Were
A Boy, Single Ladies, among others. This wom-
an is the diva of the most recent Grammys,
having beaten her 2004 record
by taking home 6 awards out of
10 nominations in just one night.
Incubus Who can resist Bran-
don Boyd’s chocolate abs – I
mean, music? Rather than blandly
telling the substance of their
songs like what most artists these
days do, they show them and let
the public mull for themselves.
Their multiplatinum albums
prove Incubus worthy of the title
Gods of the Alternative Metal.
Last 2008, they have decided to enter a state of
hibernation for personal reasons; however, it
seems that they’ll be releasing an album in 2010,
as they have hinted in their official blog.
Kelly Clarkson Graduating from her
American Idol stint, Kelly Clarkson has evolved
as one of the most prominent American pop
artists of our day. Each of her album is packed
with discrete attitude and commercial appeal
– a perfect mixture for a record to be profit-
able and be regarded with great favor. Her voice
which is a mash-up of soul, fierceness and pow-
er grants her the title of being highest-selling
American Idol alumna so far.
tube
by jared asuncion
the top ten viral vids
of the past decade
Fighting for airtime used to involve long te-
dious lines at the TV station. Now, everyone can
squeeze out brain farts and artistic juices for the
whole world to see. How? This decade saw the
birth and rapid growth of YouTube. This issue
of In The Tube explores the different va-
rieties of entertaining videos which have
spread like wildfire during YouTube’s first
few years in the World Wide Web. You’ve
probably watched most of the videos here,
but who says you shouldn’t watch these
awesome vids again? And so without fur-
ther ado, here’s a list of some of YouTube’s
widely-spread vids.
Charlie
The Unicorn http://bit.ly/18MSCn
Charlie the Unicorn became a hit because of its
unpredictability. Random missions and obsta-
cles are always in the way. Top it up with annoy-
ingly cute voices for the unicorns, and you’ve
got yourself a viral video.
Exercise Tayo Tuwing Umaga”. These inmates
took “exercising” to a whole new level and in-
stead boogied to the tune of Michael Jackson’s
Thriller.
Related Videos: Jollibee Flash Mob (http://bit.
ly/6okV6), KFC/Jollibee Nobody Showdown
(http://bit.ly/Lq5YJ)
MCDONALD'S
El Bimbo Commercial http://bit.ly/SRbIR
You have to hand it to McDo’s creative team
for these well-conceived commercials that make
you actually want to watch local TV more! This
short but sweet ad shows us a full-length love
story that ends quite differently.
Related Videos: Tween Commercial (http://bit.
ly/8m5lZ8), Nestle Cream (http://bit.ly/cVxn94)
Hot
Tamale
http://bit.ly/7LZuyo
Have you ever had “It’s
a Small World” after
all stuck in your head?
Well, the World Wide
Web already has its
own collection of these
songs, starting from
“Hot Tamale”. This
song basically talks
about how the singer likes hot tamale over other
tamales of different temperature.
Related Videos: You are A Pirate (http://bit.
ly/JPdAR), Badger Badger Badger (http://bit.
ly/3N5osH)

Black Eyed Peas Black Eyed Peas is at the Related Videos: Pokemon (http://bit.ly/9LLkq), Here ItGoes Again http://bit.ly/VutuN
Reuben Alcazaren (http://bit.ly/yZd9X) OK Go has gained popularity by posting a
forefront of the hip-hop music scene and it is not video of themselves dancing to their song in
a wonder why. All the tracks they have decided
to promote became instant worldwide hits and Benjo at ang TREADMILLS. Yes, in treadmills. How cool
party music favorites. They have an incredible Batalyong does that sound? They also have one about wall-
discography compared to most mainstream Pitbull papers, too.
Related Videos: Sorry Sorry (http://bit.ly/
hip-hop groups. They seem to have no sign of http://bit.
ly/6OORTa NS7PU), I Gotta Feeling (http://bit.ly/3omlf)
stopping as they continue to take accolades. Re-
The guys in
cently, their album The E.N.D brought home
the Best Pop Vocal Album title in the Grammy Iloilo who made Math
Awards. Along with these feats, the Philippine this dub obvi- Genius
flag being brandished around the world with ously had a lot http://bit.ly/12LgU3
Allan Pineda Lindo’s (stage name: apl.de.ap) in- of time in their It is not advised to
clusion in the group. hands. Their watch this video
group worked together to dub a new cohesive a few hours be-
Pink Originally an R&B singer, Pink has shift- storyline for the movie 300. If only all group
mates in UP worked as hard as these guys.
fore your Math
17 exam. At some
ed to a more pop rock-oriented musical style
Related Videos: Jaboody’s Shamwow Dub point of the video,
in her sophomore album. It may have been for
(http://bit.ly/1XICAn), Lakas-Uhaw (http://bit. he will declare
the better since Missundaztood is presently her
ly/3iJZ2i) that a triangle has
highest-grossing album. She is one of those rare three sides, right?
artists that talk about reality in a rather creative
and playful manner. Her gorgeously raspy vo- Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka And on the fourth side, there are four sides.
cal cords as well as her jolty live performances K-Brosas http://bit.ly/dyDgz Related Videos: Janina San Miguel (http://bit.ly/
F82xE), Keys Me (http://bit.ly/609si)
do define what a rock star should be. Yet, at the Initially just a routine of K-Brosas, this video
same time, she also manages to create soulful was too funny not to repost in Facebook. It’s
and earnest tracks like Who Knew and Dear Mr. her comedic take of the popular OPM song. Moymoy Palaboy
President. Watch this video and make it your litmus test Papa Omm
on how dirty your mind can get. Mow Mow
Jason Mraz A phrase to describe his music: Related Videos: Torn (http://bit.ly/xNGg), http://bit.ly/
catchy tongue-twisters. He first entered into the This Ain't A Scene It's A Goddamn Arms Race Vp0hY
mainstream with his song The Remedy from his (http://bit.ly/a3r5N2) Moymoy and
album Waiting For My Rocket To Come. His Roadfill are
popularity heightened even further with the Dramatic the perfect ex-
release of Mr. A-Z. This singer-songwriter is Chipmunk ample of how
experienced in handling the guitar, mandolin http://bit.ly/EpvC a lot of cour-
and the keyboard. His international break- According to age can get you
through was initiated by his lead single I’m its users, this somewhere.
Yours from We Sing. We Dance. We Steal must be the best (Parang pag-
Things. He’s Mr. A-Z and he’s all about 5-second video ibig.) Their singing prowess aside, these two are
the wordplay! ever uploaded to brave enough to look stupid for comedy’s sake.
YouTube. Go see Where has it gotten them? Well, they’re now re-
for yourself and curring guests in Bubble Gang.
be amused. Related Videos: Hitmanbreakeroftheye (http://
Related Videos: Suprised Little Kitten (http:// bit.ly/2XnwT) , Numa Numa (http://bit.
bit.ly/h46Wo), Meow Mix (http://bit.ly/ ly/1BD6WN)
RK99Z)

SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 17

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SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 19
 Culture
|At Culture|

Tough Acts to Follow

by Joey Cuayo and Jared Asuncion
TBA is one of the two bands who were named the Ta- Deadline kasi ng registra-
champions of this year’s College of Science Battle of the pos tion form was Friday at
Bands, entitled 3.2.1 BLASTOFF! All of the members are ‘yung 5:30. Hindi pa kasi kami
students of the university and most are members of the second song namin is ‘yung Boston by Augustana. nakapag-decide kung anong
well-known organization, UP Music Circle (MC). Smiling It took a while bago namin na-finalize kasi pinagisipan din panga- lan namin so sabi ko, para safe, “TBA” so
faces greeted me when I first introduced myself as their namin kung ‘yung Maroon 5 ba o ano na. if ever makaisip pa sila ng band name, pwede naming sabihin
‘interrogator’ for the evening. As we got ourselves com- JY: Marami ‘yun eh. Mga five songs ata? sa stage na may excuse kami kung bakit “TBA” ang band
fortable before the interview, they already had me laugh- E: Tapos noong isang gabi, tumingin ako sa Youtube ng name. Pero, since tinamad na rin kaming magisip at okay lang
ing at their antics and exchanges. I felt easily at ease in the mga videos tapos pinakinggan ko ‘yung Boston tapos tipong naman din sila [sa pangalan] di na rin namin pinalitan.
company of such a clearly close-knit and friendly bunch, “aww…” D: So, in short, wala lang talaga kaming naisip na name.
and as I pressed the record button of my tape recorder, All (TBA): Aww… (all laugh) A: Yung super weird na spiel [about what TBA means] na
I knew that the interview would be fun to conduct and E: Tapos naisip ko kung ito kaya tugtugin namin since emo ginawa namin ni Dana while they were setting up was just
maybe a bit challenging to get down on paper. naman si Apri so babagay lang siya. (all laugh) Joke lang joke to kill the dead air.
lang! E: Actually, di pa nila alam na ‘yun na ‘yung naging band
Joey (SCIENTIA): Before anything else, please intro- A: Wow, what a friend! (all laugh) name namin noong pinass ko ‘yung form. Sinulat ko pa nga as
duce yourselves to our readers. E: So ayun, sabi ko game, try natin ‘yung Boston. description ay “to follow.” (all laugh)
Lisa (L): Lisa Marie Ramirez, 2nd year, BS Chemistry, SCIENTIA: How long have you guys been playing SCIENTIA: Do you guys take your inspiration from
and I play the keyboard. together? any particular band, artist or genre?
Josef (JO): Josef Mari Olaybal, 4th year Visual Com- A: We met in Music Circle but we’ve only really been a JO: Tokyo Jihen!
munications sa Fine Arts. I play the triangle (all laugh) band for about a month. E: Medyo weird nga dapat kasi ‘yung gusto naming song noong
Or, uh, guitar. E: Actually, we started jamming together with rock and una Japanese song [by] Tokyo Jihen na more of progres-
Justine (JY): I’m Justine Yapyuco, a 4th year BS Me- roll, di ba? Yung tumugtog tayo nina Josef. sive jazz. Fusion siya.
chanical Engineering student. I play the bass. A: Senior moment! JO: Sobrang jazzy siya.
Dana (D): I’m Dana Michelle Villacorta, fourth year BS E: May isang instance kasi na may nag-request sa Music E: Pero naisip namin na sobrang hirap makahanap ng vocalist
Community Nutrition. I do vocals. Circle kung pwede kami mag-produce ng bands para tumogtog for that so sabi namin tara, hanap na tayo ng pwedeng vocalist
April (A): I’m April Santos, BS Community Nutrition, sa isang rockeoke. Kaming tatlo pa lang nina Josef at Justine para sa battle of the bands. Then sinubukan namin ni Jus-
3rd year, vocals. nagsasasama-sama noon so nag-jam na kami then. Tapos nagusap tine na mag-stick to that genre na punk jazz. Eh¸Jamiroquai
Erik (E): Erik Galvez, BS Applied Physics, 3rd year; I kami ni Josef na,
play the drums. “Tara, gawa na tayo
SCIENTIA: Congratulations on your win! How did it ng band.” Tapos
feel to be named one of the two first placers? nakasama ko si April
D: Shocked! sa isang frat party. Si
A: Lisa, Josef and I were beside the stage and when they Lisa naman… Naisip
called the third placers, we were like, ‘…Okay, we’re not namin na wala kaming
gonna win. We’re not gonna win anymore.’ They [the keyboardist so tinanong
third placers, Ang Bandang Mmm] were really good! namin siya since nagko-
Tapos, nagtinginan na lang kami ng parang, ‘Okay lang! Okay compose na sila nina
lang..’ (all laugh) And then when they called TBA, we just Josef at Justine ng
stared at each other and were just like uh.. mga songs. Si Dana last
E: Actually, noong sinabi na tied ang first place, tiningnan minute nang nasama
ko si Dana tapos sabi ko, “Sana tayo ‘yung isa doon, sana tayo siya samin.
‘yung isa doon.” (pauses) Ewan ko, feeling ko okay naman ‘yung A: Yeah, para may
performance namin with respect doon sa..audience? Kasi second voice.
pumapalakpak naman sila after ng set namin. E: Para maging “thicker”
D: Noong first part kasi, walang pumapalakpak tapos parang ‘yung vocals. So, first time pa
kami parang “aww okay.” Kaunti lang kaibigan ‘yung namin lang talaga naming mag-jam
sa audience. ng sama-sama.
A: After our first song, people were clapping and we A: Basically, Music Circle
were like, “Oh! Hey (grins), this is working!” is approached by a lot of
SCIENTIA: What songs did you play during your set orgs to provide entertain-
and why did you choose those songs? ment for events. A lot of
E: Noong nasa [Music Circle] tambayan kasi kami, nagiisip the time, what happens is
kami [ng pwedeng songs] kasi ang vocalist namin noon ay si April that whoever is available
pa lang. Tapos naguusap kami ni Justine, “Ano bang bagay at the time will just get
sa boses ni April na tingin mong bebenta sa tao?” Tinitingnan together, jam kaunti, tapos
namin ‘yung iPod niya tapos naala ko ‘yung Jamiroquai na song ‘yun na.
na parang (taps a beat out briefly on the table) Tapos na isip SCIENTIA: So, why
ko na heavy bass ‘yung song at magaling si Justine mag-bass. So TBA? I’ve been told there
sinuggest ko ‘yung Virtual Insanity. Umoo naman si Justine, was a long explanation for
tapos tinanong namin si April kung kaya niyang kantahin ‘yun, the name. (All laugh)
tapos okay naman daw. So, ayun, good to go ‘yung Virtual E: Actually, wala siyang
Insanity as first song namin. explanation. (All laugh)

20 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue


is more of acid jazz. So, ayun, it’s really more of fusion.
SCIENTIA: But, individually, what are your tastes and
preferences in music?
A: They’re quite different, actually.
L: I’m more into alternative rock, but because of MC,
napapakinig na rin ako sa jazz.
JO: Iba’t iba ‘yung sa’kin eh. May alternative heavy rock.
Pwede rin akong pop rock, like ‘yung dating All-American
Rejects (the girls giggle).
JY: So medyo kinakabahan kami noong Thursday kasi wala
pang songs.
E: Kinausap ko nga si Garrick [of Run 7] noong morning
of the BotB at sabi nga niya sakin, “Hayaan mo, pag bad
practice naman, good show yan.” (all chuckle)
D: Kinakabahan talaga ako. Kaya di na nga ako masyadong
nagyaya ng bonggang-bongga sa friends ko kasi parang (makes
a pained sound and all laugh)
A: We told our friends about it, but we didn’t really tell
them to come.
E: So, isang run through lang ‘yung nagawa namin. Kaya nung
bago kami mag-perform, feel ko talaga na di pa kami ready
kasi one run through lang… Di talaga comfortable for
me. Hindi pa yan ready.
SCIENTIA: So, you guys didn’t invite many friends to
come watch you perform?
A: We told them, but we didn’t, like, urge them to come.
E: Ako baliktad eh. Sabi ko sa friends ko, nood kayo para
mapagyabang niyo ako. (all laugh) “Nood kayo, please, kailan-
gan ng audience [impact].” (more laughter)
SCIENTIA: What are your plans, as a band, for the
future?
E: Well, may balak naman talaga kasi kami nina Justine to
form a band at may composition na nga sila. Ang problem
lang kasi is with the vocalists, dahil super busy nina Dana
at April. Sinasabi namin ni Justine na, tara, kung pwede,
permanent na sila, pero kung di talaga makuha ¬–
JO: So, can you sing? (at interviewer; all laugh)
A: When we were looking for time to practice, they’d
ask, “Do you have time on Tuesday night?” and we’d be
like “Ohh… We have a paper to finish and an exam.”
Then they’d ask, “Then what about Wednesday?” And
we’d still have something due. “What about Thursday
afternoon?” And we were just like, “…Okay.”
E: But we have plans.
JY: Iba na siguro ‘yung band name. (All laugh and agree)
JO: Pero kung na-establish na gusto na [‘yung TBA], eh di na
kailangan baguhin.
SCIENTIA: If you were to send out a capsule in space
containing three items, what would those three items be?
D: Erik Galvez (all laugh) siya na ‘yung makikita na lang ng
mga alien life forms.
A: Ay, oo nga. Kung ganun, di pala pwede [si Erik]. (all laugh)
D: Oo nga, kasi kung ikaw ‘yung nakuha (addressing Erik),
baka isipin naman nila ang pangit ng human race. (more
laughter)
A semi-long discussion, punctuated by frequent bursts
of laughter, ensued between the members of TBA that,
unfortunately, the word limit for this article can no lon-
ger cover. A memorable suggestion for their time capsule
contribution was a record of a brilliant drum solo, just
in case the alien life forms that would find their capsule
might have plenty of hands and Erik wanted to be able
to show them how much we can do with just two. Finally,
they decided that they’d include a set of movies that best
showcased human nature, a record or iPod full of the best
songs for every genre and time, and a photo album of dif-
ferent people from and places in Earth. It was, however,
very clear to the writer of this article that this band was
also not just gifted in talent, but gifted with a friendship
and chemistry that is undeniably infectious. This writer
left the band positively charmed and hoping to catch the
next gig TBA (or whatever they may opt to call themselves
in the future) may play.
(This writer should probably mention that Erik would
like to thank the judges of the battle of the bands, and
Culture
Dana would like to thank
her yaya for her wardrobe.
Personally, this writer
would like to thank TBA
for being such sports dur-
ing their grilling session.
Thank you and congratu-
lations again!)
Along with TBA, Run7
won this year’s Battle of
the Bands competition.
Half of the band was
formed during their days
in Philippine Science
High School. The initial
group then grew here in
UP Diliman, with new
members from our very
own College of Science.
Before the interview,
they seemed shy
and nervous but as
the discussion pro-
gressed; they eventu-
ally got comfortable
with getting inter-
viewed.
One of their
members, Mikael
André Pura, was un-
fortunately not avail-
able during the time
of the interview.
Jared (SCIEN- Pao at si Mikael, in absencia. So, ‘yun. Basically ako ‘yung
TIA): Please introduce yourselves. naging focal point. Pero si Jerwyn ‘yung nag-invite gumawa ng
Garrick (G): Garrick Bercero, UP Diliman, MBB, Third band. Tapos ako ‘yung nagsama ng other people.
Year, Guitars. SCIENTIA: So, matagal na kayong band? Or just
Cy (C): Cy Tamura. UP, yeah, Third year, Physics, before the contest lang?
Keyboards. C: We just formed to win. (All laugh) …or let’s provide
Janel (JF): Janel Favila, Ateneo de Manila University. BS an alternate answer?
Management Engineering. On vocals. G, JF, P, JY: Ok na ‘yun! (More laughter)
Paolo (P): Paolo Racadio (looks at paper with question), C: But I’m the one who said that.
UP, Second Year, BS MBB, drums. SCIENTIA: So, why Run 7?
Jerwyn (JY): Jerwyn Yao. UP. Fourth Year. Guitar. MBB. P: So, ‘yung unang name namin dapat, unspeakable. ‘Di pwe-
‘Yun. deng sabihin. Upside-down exclamation point at question
SCIENTIA: So, congrats. How does it feel to win [the mark. Yeah. Tapos si Cy nag-send ng recorded na practice
Battle of the Bands]? namin. Tapos ‘yung filename, Run7. Tapos naisip namin ni
JY: It feels great kasi ‘yun ‘yung first Battle of the Bands Jerwyn. Okay na ‘to. For the people. Paano kung ‘yung host
na nanalo kami na kasali ako. I’ve joined some battles in sinabi niya ‘yung name na ... di nga kaya eh. So ‘yun Run7 na
the past, and yeah, bigo. So yeah, it feels nice. ‘Wag mo lang. Pero wala siyang meaning talaga.
gayahin ‘yung sagot ko Pao, ah. SCIENTIA: Who or what bands were able to influence
P: Happy. you?
JF: Happy. G: Mainly sa blues, like si Eric Clapton. Pero usually
C: It’s okay. Yeah, I think it could have been better. when I try to pick songs to cover, usually indie rock. So
SCIENTIA: How? if you’ve noticed sa mga selections namin, mga indie sila.
C: Well, um, maybe, I should have, like, gone on the C: What do I say? Well, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Basically... (All
sound balance thing ‘coz it was really bad. ‘yung sound laugh) I dunno. I guess in picking songs, we keep our in-
balance like the instruments weren’t balanced properly, fluences, y’know on the context of the band. So I guess...
so we had these parts that we planned that weren’t heard yeah. We try to keep it a bit mixed. So... yeah.
properly. Like the drums were really, really loud. Ok, not JF: Ako basically, kinakanta ko lang kung ano pinapakanta
really, really loud, But they were pretty loud compared to nila sa akin. Bigyan akong song, aralin ko, sure! Pero yeah,
the others. Yeah, I think it could have been better. ok naman.
G: Well, bandmates kasi kami ni Janel in high school and P: I listen to metal... Woah! Parang ang layo doon sa pineplay
nanalo na kami before eh. So… (chuckles) Kasi matagal na namin. Pero ‘yung metal pinapakinggan ko. Rock so nung una
eh, it’s like three years since [we last won a contest], so medyo weird para sa akin ‘yung pineplay namin. ‘Di ba soft
masarap ring ma-relive ‘yung feeling. type of music siya? Pero I listen to other songs. Kunwari
C, JF, P, JY: Emo! ballads. Tapos gagawin ko siyang maingay. Kasi fun. Tapos
SCIENTIA: So, what songs did you play? gusto ko maraming pinapalo eh. Sa drums, ‘pag maraming
JY: We played 1, 2, 3, 4 by Feist. Tapos Wade in the Water nakanotes na nakapasok.
by Eva Cassidy. And then we played A Medley of Kids JY: Mainly ang influences ko ay blues and jazz. Pero lately
by MGMT. And then Poker Face by Lady Gaga. more of nagdidiverge ako into progressive rock. So ‘yung
SCIENTIA: Paano kayo nagkakilala? tatlo. Siguro mga bands like Rush, Coheed and Cambria
G: Well kasi friend ko si Cy from high school tapos si and stuff.
Janel, kasama ko rin. Tapos ka-course ko rin si Jerwyn at si continued on page 23
SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 21
 Culture

↑↑↓↓←→←→ BA
Ten years have passed since the year 2000 and
during the past ten years, we’ve all witnessed
the evolution of games and their continuous di-
versification: from the simpler Crash Bandicoot
games to the complex Final Fantasies to the
downright crazy like Katamari Damacy. There
are so many games from just this decade that the
sheer number is enough to kick us out of school.
Out of all these games there are those that stand
a decade defined in games
out, those that define their genre and/or those
that have changed how the genre is viewed as
by gero lumain
a whole by presenting innovative ideas. In this gameplay was simple yet effective. Thanks to it, “King of Iron Fist” on this list.
issue of the Konami Code, we’ll give you, our we now have a ton of MMO games for every
dear reader, a list of five games that defined the kind of gamer; from racing to platform gaming
decade. to standard role-playing.

Warcraft III (DotA)

Counter-Strike
Released at the start of the decade in 2000, this
first-person shooter began as a multiplayer
modification to the single-player Half-Life 2.
Counter-Strike was an innovation not only to
the multiplayer shooting genre but also to com-
puter games in general by promoting the mod-
ding (modification) of a base game and coming
up with a totally different gaming experience.
Modding became a trend in almost all com-
puter games and eventually gave rise to more
and more modifications, content, and original
games from those existing ones; Counter-Strike
included of course.
Ragnarok Online
Ragnarok Online, known also as RO, was first
released in 2001 and is still growing. It was the
very first MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer
Online Role Playing Game) ever to hit Philip-
pine soil and began the trend of MMOs within
the country. The game was presented in a simple
2D-sprites-in-3D-environments style and the
Who hasn’t heard of the Warcraft III modified
map known as Defense of the Ancients, better
known to us as DotA? This is another example
of taking a base game and coming up with an
utterly different gaming experience by modify-
ing it. Its special spin comes from the gameplay
where the player needs only to control a single
unit, or Hero, rather than micromanage an en-
tire base in Warcraft III. DotA is to strategy
games as Counter-Strike is to shooting games,
and is still being continually modified, rebal-
anced, and rewritten to this day.
Tekken
Sure, the Tekken series has been around since
before 2000 but it was in the years of 2000 to
2010 that it became very, very popular. Tekken is
a fighting game and over the ages it has evolved
from its original linear battle system to a more
streamlined three-dimensional system. It makes
this list as it defied fighting game standards by
assigning each button to one of a character’s
limbs instead of having each button dictate the
strength of an attack. This breaking of the fight-
ing game mold has yet to be done well by any
other game and so Tekken remains as the only
Plants VS Zombies
The last game on our list is 2009’s Plants VS
Zombies. We’ve talked about this addictive
tower defense game before in a previous issue
but it finds its way into our list of decade de-
fining games for two reasons: 1) PVZ took the
tower defense genre and made it its own by in-
troducing the left-to-right grid layout, and 2)
The game gave us a casual game that just about
anyone, regardless of age, gender, or interests,
could pick up and get addicted to. Other than
that, PVZ’s crazy premise (defending your lawn
with weaponized plants) and zany designs (who
doesn’t love that cute Sunflower?) help to bring
a truly unique and enjoyable game worthy of
our list.
All these games are some of the most pivotal
works in their respective genres: shooting games
for Counter-Strike, fighting games for Tekken,
strategy games for DotA, MMOs for RO, and
tower defense games for PVZ and many of these
are still growing and evolving as time passes.
Now that we’ve seen the past decade in games,
we can look forward to better games in the fu-
ture. With this, we close this issue of the Kon-
ami Code and as the Counter-Strike announcer
would say: “Counter-Terrorists win!”

The previous decade has left us with a huge

advancement in scientific technology for the
everyday consumer. Although we would like to
reminisce about how life was like ten years ago,
we simply could not imagine how we can con-
go go gadget
tinue to live our lives today without the gadgets
that we got a hold of in past decade. Here are five Gadgets That Shaped a Decade
by joseph cheng
“Snake”. Today, there are multiple brands and on the iPod classic while other versions use flash
over hundreds of different models to choose memory.
from. Furthermore, the capabilities of a cell
phone don’t just end with being able to talk to
the other party. Cell phones are flashlights, ra-
dios, music players, cameras, internet browsers,
and even GPS!

some of them:
Mobile / Cellular Phone
What they have replaced: Pagers and PDAs
Although the cell phone has been around since
the 1980s, it was only in this decade that the cell
phone literally became attached to the Filipino.
For most of us, the first cell phone we could re-
member is the Nokia 5110 and the game called
iPod
What they have replaced: the tape and CD player
Does anyone still remember the Sony Walk-
man which revolutionized portable tape music?
Well, the fact of the matter is that tapes are long
gone and the Apple iPod is now king... for now.
Launched back on October 23, 2001, the iPod’s
market slogan was “1,000 songs in your pock-
et,” yet everyone today now knows that 1,000
songs simply won’t be enough. The original
idea was simple: replace the tape with a 5 GB USB Flash Drive
1.8-inch hard drive. Today, Apple uses the same What they have replaced: 3.5 inch floppy disk and
1.8-inch hard drive but with 160 GB of capacity zip drives

22 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue


Jam Session
(continued from page 21)
SCIENTIA: Future plans? What do you plan next?
G: I don’t know about the others. Wala naman akong
exact plans although baka magplay tayo sa Grad Ball ng
MBB seniors? Not including you [Jerwyn]. (Laughs)
Pero, we’ll see if it works. So I dunno, kung kailan ba
‘yun? Haha. So if schedules work out, siguro ‘yun ‘yung
next one. I don’t know afterwards.
C: Yeah I’m not sure if anything’s gonna happen really.
But y’know, whatever. If something happens, then fine.
SCIENTIA: How about next year’s Battle of the
Bands?
C: I dunno I guess it’s kinda like, um, I don’t wanna
win again. I think, we should... give other people a
chance. (All laugh) Oh yeah. (More laughter)
Run7: Cy Tamura!
C: Yeah. So yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
JF: Yeah. Kasi nga ‘di ba nagsama-sama kami for the event
lang. As a band, di pa namin napagusapan kung ano plano
namin or itutuloy ba namin ito. Pero ako naman, forever
naman akong kumakanta I guess. So ‘pag may dumating na
event or gig na pwede kaming kumanta ulit... sure, why
not? As long as okay naman. And sabi nga ni Garrick,
‘yung schedules namin.
P: ‘Yun nga. Kung may option na magplay kami again…
‘yun, okay lang nga. As long as pwede kaming lahat, pwede
kaming mapractice. Tapos since newly formed pa lang
kami, tingin ko, kahit papano may compromise pa rin sa
pagpeplay ng isa’t isa. I mean, ‘di pa tayo sobrang nagjajive?
I mean we need to work on that. Kung magpoprogress pa
kami as a group. KUNG. Ewan ko.
JY: Sana magkaro’n pa ng future plans. Kasi ako lang ‘yung
aalis kasi magmemed na ako next year. Pero kung kaya
namang i-squeeze sa schedule, sabihin natin may malaking
event na nag-offer magpaplay sa amin, e di why not? I
mean it’s exposure, it’s experience. Tsaka sabi ng mga
bandmates ko pera daw. (Chuckles) If given the chance
na pwede kaming magprogress as a band. Why not? I per-
sonally think maganda ang line up namin. I think we can
bring something new to everyone who wants to listen.
SCIENTIA: Okay, ito medyo essay type na. If you were
to launch a time capsule into space as a band. What
three things would you put in it?
G: Cell samples.
C: They’re gonna die.
There’s a strange eerie sound every time some-
one turns on the SCIENTIA computer: it’s the
sound from a different era, the era of floppy
disks. These guys used to fill the bags of stu-
dents and professors alike, but their 1.44 MB
capacity was no match for the tiny yet mighty
8 MB USB Flash Drive that was first released in
the 15th of December 2000. Riding on the mas-
sive market penetration of the Universal Serial
Bus (USB), the USB Flash Drive promised more
storage on-the-go with a smaller footprint. As
the pace quickened, it became so much cheaper
byte for byte than the floppy disk that it eventu-
ally removed the floppy disk from the market.
These little guys are so strong, stories circulate
that it could survive and still present your data
even after getting washed with your clothes*!
* SCIENTIA discourages its readers for at-
tempting this and will not be responsible for
any memory loss nor anguish on the part of the
reader who decides to experiment.
Netbook
What they have replaced: expensive mini laptops
The two biggest problems with a laptop is that
(1) it’s expensive, and (2) it’s bulky. The net-
book solves these problems because it is not
only smaller, and thus lighter, than their older
brother, but is also cheaper since the hardware
specifications have far left the application soft-
ware requirements behind. How much pro-
cessing power do you need to create your PPT,
G: I mean siyempre, under the right conditions. Tapos
pwede tayong i-resurrect on some other planet.
JF: Ano ulit ‘to?
SCIENTIA: Time capsule to space. Siguro mga after 50
years babalik or something.
G: I dunno. Sound recording. Kung may aliens na
makakuha noon. Dapat physically imprinted siya doon sa
[thing]. Kasi kung CD, kailangan mo ng CD player. Kasi
space capsule, I think ‘di na natin makukuha ‘yan.
C: I mean it’s dangerous what if like, “Ah humans!
Let’s eat them!”. So maybe we don’t want to send a
space capsule in space?
G: Or baka hindi nila maintindihan ‘yun. Kasi sound is a
perception of the mind. So basically wala tayong sinasabi?
(Laughs) Pera.
Run7: Maglalagay kami ng maraming-maraming pera.
G: Pictures.
P: Ilalagay ko ‘yung password ng Facebook ko.
G: Tapos mahahanap ng mga aliens.
C: Aliens are bad!
G: So bale, cells, email/Facebook password ni Pao.
Tsaka ‘yung vinyl recording?
JY: Una magsesend kami ng cell samples namin sa space
tapos para kung... natin... di ba? Para kung pwede tayong ma-i-
clone. Lalo na si Janel. Para pwede kaming maclone ng ibang
aliens. Para pwedeng makaplay in other planets.
Run7: Hindi rin. Kasi walang memory.
JY: So para mabuhay lang ulit kami. Tapos, isang gold vinyl
record na may diagrams ng mga bands na nagpeplay. Para
wala lang. Recording namin? Para ayun. May record-
ing kami in space. (Laughs) Tapos lastly, mga pictures.
Facebook pictures ni Pao Racadio. Para ma-add siya ng
mga sexy alien girls.
Having formed their band just a few weeks prior to
the competition, they already seem to be at ease with
each other. Although they have tight schedules and
heavy academic loads (most of them study in UP, after
all), the band admitted they need more practice in order
to truly perfect their act. With such impeccable talent,
Run7 will surely score a lot of gigs in the future. Who
knows? With their vinyl recording in space, they might
even get one from another planet!
JOKE TIME!
Q: Paano nalaman nung wall na ampon siya?
A: “Anak, iba ang iyong pader.”
type your lab report, or even play Plants versus
Zombies? The answer: not much. That’s the
same with the price of a regular netbook com-
pared to a laptop with enough silicon to battle
a regular desktop.
Digital Cameras
What they have replaced: film cameras
It is sad that the people responsible for creating
the digital light sensors essential to our digital
cameras only got their Nobel Prize last year –
40 years after it was created. This is probably
only because it was in the previous decade that
digital photography took off. Can you imagine
having no pictures at all in your Facebook ac-
count or not being able to picture those last
minute assignments? Neither can I.
Culture
There’s No Place
Like Dorm
(continued from page 14)
be blamed may not be the whopping stereos,
but the owners themselves. When the stereos
are turned off, the owner, together with friends
and roomies are out and about, chatting and
laughing loudly, as if they have the place only to
themselves. I have to admit, though, I’m some-
times guilty of this. Back when I was a fresh-
man, it was usually my room and the people in
it who always received “threats” or scowls from
some of our dorm mates. Even Ate Guard said
she heard our voices all the way down at the first
floor. We thought she was just overreacting, but
truth is, we were really loud. But I know better
now. My roommates and I are still noisy, but
only on special occasions. And we always see to
it that it’s not the hell week or cram night. We
make schedules. XD
Home Sickness. What can I say? Home is
the sweetest place on the planet. And the things
I’ve written above just makes me want to call
my mommy. >_<
Okay, I know I’ve been biased by listing the four
possible worst nightmares of being a (UP) dor-
mer. But, being a dormer brings a number of
benefits as well.
For instance, whenever you need help in your
schoolwork, you can always ask your room-
mates and dorm mates who are halimaw. Hali-
maw in the sense that they know the answer to
almost anything you ask them: Chemistry, Biol-
ogy, Physics, or that Calculus problem that has
kept you up for nights. Sometimes, they’re even
willing to tutor you. All for free and within
comfortable reach.
Another is that you are able to meet other peo-
ple from all over the country. It kind of amazes
me how varied the cultures from the different
Philippine provinces are. But no matter how
many differences there are, there’s still a con-
verging point somewhere. And I think that’s
what’s so wonderful about it.
In the dormitory, you will definitely meet
friends who will be with you for the long haul.
In contrast to your friends in high school and
the four years of strong bond you shared to-
gether, a different kind of bond will develop
between you and your fellow dormers. The mo-
ment you wake up to the time you sleep, and the
things happening in between; you share these
with them. Every day, you get tired of seeing the
same faces, and still be happy doing so. They
will be with you through the course of morning
until night, sometimes without having taken a
bath yet. They will be with you in times when
you haven’t eaten a meal because your ATM ac-
count is still dismal and has yet to be replen-
ished. They will be with you through thick and
thin, simply put.
And the most important of all are the experi-
ences you have when living inside this helluva
dorm. Experiences that will help you pull
through your life as a student, and ultimately,
as a person. It’s not home. But coming from a
far-flung province? You always get a feeling that
it is. Oh, dorm sweet dorm!.
SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 23
 Literary

F eatured Works
Inkblot

Inverse Element Drabbles editor’s

DECADE
Gero Lumain
Ten clocks have struck
The midnight hour
Signaling end of day
Different clocks for different ends
Yet their faces are dyed the same
With lies of change and promises kept
Whose true nature only known to few
With both rising hope and crushing fear
Abundant with death and life anew
NOISE
Gero Lumain
Sides of a Noise Sea
We live in a sea of noise
From sources both normal and mundane:
A roller coaster’s provides the rider excitement
But gives bystanders a pain;
The jackhammer’s nets the worker payment
But annoys the passers-by;
Children’s playing to themselves is fun
But for the studying student a distraction from
on high;
Music to one is noise to another
That much is for sure
But maybe that is and always will be
This sea of noise’s allure

The years have come and gone

All that time is passed
What is left is the future
Where true joy can be found at last?

24 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue

 Literary

F
ire & Ice
Crashed Calculator Knowing a Precious Band
Gero Lumain Richter H. Orpilla

Gah!!! Deserted from the flock of universal complexity,

Five upcoming tests,
Three reports that’re due,
Readings to be read,
There’s too much to do
Feeling a bit crushed.
Finish this later;
Maybe even procrastinate too.
Ba-koom!
The world’s spinning.
The numbers are causing
A pain in my cortex.
Head’s in a vortex.
A countdown’s begun:
Three.
Two.
One.
Ka-boom!
Exploded my brain;
I’m doomed.
Commons are perplexed by the unknown identity
Through time, works are carried out independently;
Deep with in is anonymous of perpetuity.
For the convention that imposed regulations differently,
Comrades’ permanence and steadiness are affected greatly.
Every semester, various faces one can see,
Will these pals of circumstance last eternally?
Desiring for a moment filled with stability,
A group of circle appeared in serendipity
With out enough knowledge regarding their identity,
Being a companion, gave what is worthy.
The plan is to establish their individuality;
To assess who has the admirable quality
With special events that were held joyfully;
Being a friend, discerned their perceptible personality.
Established band must possess strength and flexibility
To perpetuate the fondness that developed affectionately
Fragments of the circle must be trustworthy
For the absolute friendship may grow fruitfully.

Confidence
Clandestina

chill out
breathe in
breathe out
relax
it'll be all right
we'll get this over with
it'll be fine
we'll be okay
i've gone over my speech
gone over my lines
gone over everything
that needs going over
and now it's time
chill out
breathe in
breathe out
relax
it'll be all right
…
and now it's time

SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 25

 Literary
F ire & Ice
From Afar
Marinell Palangao
I’ve perpetually been near you
Expecting the day you’ll like me too
But it seems you don’t seem to recognize
The depth of feeling that never dies.
I’ve followed you always till the end
Siding with you because I was your friend
And at the same time, I was around the corner
You know I’d do anything you prefer.
You search for the one who would love you
forever
And you didn’t seem to care enough
But the girl you’ve been looking for is here
For that girl is me, and I’ve always been near
You never remember how much I tried
Not to let you know what I hid inside
I don’t want to ruin our friendship
To misinterpret and destroy what we keep
It ‘s just that I hate having to feel so helpless
I beg for your love and heart, is it that hard?
If love is easy to give just for me,
Then why can’t you give a little love to me?
26 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue
Lucky Day
Clandestina
Spin three times round and round,
Touch the doorknob; it's safe and sound.
All bracelets and pendants are in place,
All that's left to put on is a smiling face.
Walk down the street; kind faces about,
No black cats, neither thin nor stout.
The horoscope predicted sunshine fair,
Fortune is with me, no matter where.
Scroll within dough tells the tale,
“Stay focused, and you shan't fail.”
Never has it ever been wrong before,
Never, according to local folklore.
Cracks in the concrete I expertly evade,
I step on none; I've got it made!
I clap four times and jump, oh, twice,
This morning sure feels nice!
Cross the lane, head held high,
Watching clouds skim and birds fly.
But there was one thing I did not see,
The light changing from red to green.
It probably was a rather strange sight,
Ah, my sudden feat of flight!
A crash, a fall, and a puddle red,
Everything hurts from my feet to my head.
People shout and sirens scream,
It almost feels like a crazy dream.
Everything turns black, I cannot speak,
Neither can I move, I am too weak.
“She crossed the street a bit too soon,
“Gazing as if looking for the moon.
“The truck came, the truck rolled fast,
“Maybe it's what she'll remember last.”
“She was strolling, smiling as she went,
“Now, that hit is going to leave a dent.
“But my truck fared much better than she,
“Such a poor thing, pretty unlucky.”

Noontime Traffic
Peach Arines
Billions of cars have
passed this point
but none of them returned
The cat that crossed below
has suffered the same fate
Eight more times should he rise
but the pavement owns him now
Flowers should have been offered
but no one remembers his name
so the eulogy was useless
Green light flickers
and a billion more race past
the tin rusting in the sidewalk
and the harmonica that fell silent
Pedestrians,
they bleach their hair
unmindful of the incident
that stored away their brother
Literary
Werwer Kong Bayan
Harriane J. Gasmen
We need responsible mining in the Philippines!
Sabihin na nating malamig: ang pagturing sa mga natutulog na ginto sa
mapulang putik.
Umiidlip ng milyong taon sa suso ng bubot na bundok
bibilangin mo kung ilang tumpok ng barya ang kayang
ibili ng andap-andap na kinang ng maitim na bato.
Sasabihin kong tingnan mo ang bayan ko:
pinapanday ng kalabaw ang kapatagan, ng agila ang himpapawid
ng sangumay at waling-waling ang kagubatan.
Sasabihin mong inaantok: ang bayan kong sangkahig na manok
kaya sabi mo'y pukawin ang himbing at hukayin ang liblib.
Tingnan mo ang bayan mong gising ang mga metal.
Sasabihin kong mahapdi: sa mata ang mga kislap ng neon,
sa lalamunan ang serbesa at sa baga ang usok
Sasabihin kong mawawakwak sa dibdib: ang batang namumulot ang uling,
ang babaing naglalako ng talim, ang amang hindi kumakain,
Sabihin na nating magnanaknak: sa merkuryo ang sugat, sa cyanide ang isda,
sa asupre ang kangkong, sa lason ang gutom.
Heto ang Bayan ko:
Tigib ng pakikihamok at matimpiing bato
sandata ng ilog ang mga kalansay at bungo.
Hayaang humimlay ang natutulog na ginto.
Nakita ko na ang ibang bayan:
Tinipon nila ang bakal na tatagpas sa kanilang mga ulo
Bawat minahang ibubukas at sinasara ay dinilig ng kanilang dugo.
Muli ipapaalala ko sa iyo:
Hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto.
SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 27
 Literary
F ire & Ice
If I Die Before I Wake
Marinell Palangao
If I die before I wake,
and this wasn't a piece of cake,
mustering up the courage to talk to you,
composing myself until I went blue.
 
How I wish to turn back the clock,
and wait for you at the next block,
so that if I may ever talk to you,
you're there to see me and look.
 
A fatal disease can't prevent me from saying,
how much I value you till it rings,
in your ears and accept my vow,
never to let you out of my sight every hour.
 
Looking in your sweet face,
my heartbeat started to race,
I opened my mouth to tell you,
that forevermore I will love you.
 
But it can't come out,
it seems to me that I can't utter a sound,
whenever you're nearby,
my heart beats faster than I can say "aye!"
 
I know that the time is near,
And  finally I swallowed my fear,
And told you how I felt inside,
Surely the truth will abide.
 
I can die now knowing I said how I felt,
And once I looked at my belt,
fastening it securely,
my undying love for you will continue fiercely.
The Wallflower
Peach Arines
the wallflower smiles tonight
and thinks that someone sees her
dressed in grey and pale-hued
splendor, she is graceful in the shadows of the
moon, white dwarves glow
and reveal that coins are aplenty
in the wishing well
where clocks grow old
and long black hair stand still as her
tea-colored eyes
28 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue
Pulang Tula: Para kay Carlos Makata
Harriane J. Gasmen
Umid ang labi
waring pintuan mong nakapinid
binaon ko ang iyong mga salita, ang alaala ng iyong mukha,
mga pantal mula sa 'di kilalang insekto
at ang 'Kwarto o Kwatro' mong libro.
Sa pag-alis ko iiwan ko ang mga dumi ng anay, mga sapot ng gagamba,
at ang tulang hindi ko maisulat, maibigkas, di ko maisuksok sa singit ng iyong pintuan
Kung tutuusin, mumunti ang ating pagkakalapit
noong kumaway ako sa pagdating mo
ganoon, parang matagal nang magkaibigan tayo
gayong hindi mo pala natandaan ang pangalan ko.
Sa aking pagpalaot bumulong ang katig:
Titipunin mo ang alabok ng gunitang ayaw humiwalay sa aking bungo
kung maaring tagpasin ng karit yaong mga gunitang tila agiw.
Upang daragitin ng aliw-iw.
Bumulong ako sa pinto mo ng ganito:
Kung mamarapin mong mong basahin ko ang mga pulang panunuyo ng
isang musmos na makata
kung mamarapatin mo nais kong ilapat sa iyong pisngi ang pulang papel ng
isang bubot na pag-ibig
kung iyong ipahihintulot nais kong maging pulang tinig sa iyong mga akda
yaong mga salitang kaniig ng iyong pagbigkas
yaong mga tula.
Gaano bang humigit sa sampu ang iyong mg sasabihin kung sa harap ng pulang ahas
gaanong bang tumagal ng sampung minuto ang pagtitig mo sa pulang mata ng ahas
gaano bang ang pagsalsal ng bukas na daratal ay pahintuin para sa mapulang sandali
yaong mga sandaling kaniig ko ang iyong tasa, iyong aklat, at iyong tula
yaong mga salitang kaniig ng iyong titik:
Bakit kay lapit ng salitang halika sa halik.1
Banaag na ang agaw rilim
Wala kang muwang sa salitang naninimdim
dahil hindi mo pa rin mabigkas ang ngalan ko.
3 LINES
linya sa tulang Mga Tala sa Balarila: ni Carlos M. Piocos III
1
Harriane J. Gasmen
I search Nakita for your soul then nothingness I stare looking at my own soul outline
of pale yellow reflection.
I find your bile then bittersweet I taste swallowing at my own sweet more of bitter
organ of rejection.
I try to find God within you, then I realize I can only find my own God within me.
Now, I lost my track
 Literary

Deep Thought from a Child Oblation

Gero Lumain Harriane J. Gasmen

I spin around in place three times Sumasalubong siya Siya'y naroon.

I act like such a kid nakadipa Nakadipang tila Hesu-Kristo
Growing up they’ll all leave me behind hubo't hubad subalit walang pako
Because of how I am nakatingala sa langit walang krus
Knowing that makes me feel sad tila nananalangin. walang koronang tinik
And knowing I won’t fit elsewhere walang sugat
makes me sadder Dumarating at umaalis silang Nakatingala
But those thoughts are for when those mga sumasamba sa aklat at dilim nakahubad
days come tumuklas tila nananalangin.
For now let’s enjoy being together namulat
namanata Ipag-adya nawa niya ang lahat
sa loob at labas ng kamangmangan.

The Queen
ng unibersidad.

Subalit naroon pa rin siya

Peach Arines nagbibilad
nananalangin
_O_ sa sinag ng araw at buwan
her majesty is on
the move. Faceless
Cast Unsigned pieces.

your best When I Face the World

men for she
When I Face the World
makes My lies are truths
falling My truths are lies
swords and The mask I hide behind
crumbling towers My lies become true
My truths become lies
look like cozy tea time. The mask becomes my face
My truths shatter
My lies unravel
Computer The mask comes off my head
My truths empty
Gero Lumain My lies worthless
I boot her up Without a mask there is no face
The only one for me
Who keeps all that I have Untitled
My work, my play, my everything
Within the confines of her mind Everyday I watch
I wait while she loads herself As lovers walk hand in hand
With what she needs to work As friends laugh side by side
Suddenly black and white turn blue I do not understand
What’d I do to deserve this? The value of this so called ‘love’
Why’d you crash on me? The value of this so called ‘friendship’
I care for you Maybe because
I clean you There are none who would love
Why would you There are none who would befriend
Do this to me? Such an empty soul as I

SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 29

30 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue
 O ur professors are sources of both dread and
inspiration, a cocktail that can be both amus-
ing and terrifying. They’ve become our Charon
through our hellish journey in this river of sleep-
less nights full of papers and parties ─ our college
life. Like how Yoda pushed Luke into darkness so
that he can find the light, our professors, amidst the
grueling lectures, gave us some lines to ponder on.
For this end of the decade issue of SCIENTIA, we
present to you some of the best of the best lines
Recompiled by: Gamaliel Lysander B. Cabria*
from our beloved mentors over the past few years.
*extracted from the SCIENTIA Archives

"Can you imagine, a footballer

“Women are very difficult
with a broken knee? Di ba pag
kabayo binabaril na lang 'yun?" to live with. BUT they are
Dr. Cynthia Palmes-Saloma on 2008 FIFA World Player more difficult to live
Cristiano Ronaldo
without.”
Prof. Augustus Mamaril, talking about the compli-
“’Thinking about you, cated female hormonal cycle in a Bio 12 class

I lost my mind.’” Dr. Buerano: Anong

tawag sa maliit na
“Ang sarap kaya
Dr. Fidel Nemenzo, quoting Kurt Gödel. “You” ng feeling ng nag-
was the Riemann Continuum Hypothesis. pusit? sespread ng bacteria.
Class: Ano po?
Nakakatanggal ng
Dr. Buerano: Psst.
“I told you not to forget Psst. Psst. stress.”
that [equation]. It can save Dr. Corazon Buerano, Sir Fabini Orata (MBB),
while discussing inverte- demonstrating the Spread
lives.” brate anatomy in a Bio 11 plating technique during a
Dr. Agnes Paras, when the class was not able to recognize an class Microbiology lab class
expression that Dr. Paras assumed anyone who had passed the pre-
requisite of the course she was teaching should know by heart.
“True love has no happy
Student: Ma’am, may partial?
Dr. Arco: No mercy, all or nothing. endings… because true
Dr. Susan Arco, during the announcement
of an upcoming Chem 33 exam love has no-GUESS
end.”WHO?
“Aaay, wag kalimutan, on Monday you are
“Makulay! Ang buhay! … Sa
REQUIRED… no, wait, PRIVILEGED. But
also required… to attend the [thesis] poster kabilang buhay!”
Dr. Corazon Buerano, singing upon hearing her stu-
presentation of the fourth year students.” dents bemoaning that they wanted to die after seeing
-GUESS WHO? their Bio exam results
We dedicate these “quotes” to the graduating students that will surely miss their teachers and professors. As
you walk on and escape from the hell of college life, please bring this issue of SCIENTIA to remind you of the
bitter and funny moments you have with your teachers.
Heard anything that fell from the horse’s mouth? Share it by sending to onlinescientia@gmail.com.
Also, visit scientiaonline.multiply.com for more quotes from the FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH.

SCIENTIA: Junior Issue 31

 One-Liners
Science Pickup
Lines
These lines were submitted to us by various
CS students through an online form and
through random interviews.
• By looking at you I can tell you’re 36-
25-36, which by the way are all perfect
squares.
• I wish I were adenine because then I
could get paired with U.
• You look like you’re 1/sinθ. Cosecant
live without you.
• Alam mo bang 9x-7i > 3(3x-7u)? in
short, i<3u.
• I think of you as the irresistible force
and me the unstoppable motion.
• When you and me get together it’s like
superposition of 2 waves in phase.
• You’re so cute you make my zygomati-
cus muscles contract.
• Our love is like dividing by zero: you
cannot define it.
• You’re so gneiss I’ll never take you for
granite.
• We fit together like the sticky ends of
recombinant DNA.
• If I were a neurotransmitter, I would
be dopamine so I could activate your
reward pathway.
• Like the ideal vacuum, you’re the only
thing in my universe.
• I’m attracted to you like the Earth is
attracted to the Sun - with a large force
inversely proportional to the distance
squared.
• If you were C6, and I were H12, all we
would need is the air we breathe to be
sweeter than sugar.
• I have mass. You have mass. We’re
naturally attracted!
Source: http://www.xkcd.com
32 SCIENTIA: Junior Issue
Intensity 8
As I was looking for a book on the
Inhibition and Thermodynamics
of Escherichia coli Peptide De-
formylase, I stumbled upon this
book. It was about three little pigs
who built houses. I loved how the
first two failed and died. Oh wait,
they didn’t die? Damn it! Chil-
dren’s books always end happily.
After reading the book, I remem-
ber this one time during my child-
hood. It was the day of the Physics
71 exam, some of my classmates
took it for granted. It was just a
multiple choice exam after all. They
went out of the room with a smile
on their faces. They then plan on
going to the mall. They celebrate
too early. I keep it cool. When the
results came out, BAM! 60 per-
cent… 50 percent… 40 percent…
It was truly a wonderful sight!
There was even this guy who I
overheard. “Sayang! One point na
lang pasado na!”. “Sobrang care-
less ko talaga!” Within a few min-
utes of eavesdropping, I deduced
that his biggest mistake was think-
ing a setup in an item was in stable
equilibrium. Everyone else knew
it wasn’t. Or me at least. It
wasn’t that hard to spot.
I love how most students
nowadays get contented
with crummy grades like
3.00 or 2.00. These stu-
dents only study the
night before the exam,
hoping that the pro-
fessor “copy-pastes”
from the handouts
and notes they’ve
memorized. It’s like
building houses made
of straw. A huff and a
puff would certainly blow
the house down! Ha! Ha! Ha!
And these things just don’t hap-
pen during long tests. I once asked
one of my classmates, Jessica, to
our seniors’ prom. She told me she
“wasn’t ready for a relationship”. To
add insult to injury, a few days lat-
er, I see her making out with some
douchebag. It turns out they just
became official. They’d hold hands
and kiss each other a lot! When you
see them do PDA’s, you’re gonna
think they’re as unbreakable as
carbon-flourine bonds. It’s time
to shake things up. After cloning
Megan Fox (back when she wasn’t
slow-mo) and instructing it to flirt
with the douchebag boyfriend, their
relationship started to get hazy. Af-
ter several arguments, they decided
they should “meet other people”.
I win. And that’s all thanks to un-
stable equilibrium. Most people get
contented easily. As long as they
have a house, they’re okay with that.
As long as they’re where they want
to be, they don’t give a damn any-
more. But with just one huff of the
Big Bad Wolf, or just a small shake
of the earth, and these things start to
fall apart. And that’s what pleasures
me most. Failure. Sweet, sweet fail-
ure. And if you think the first quake’s
bad, wait ‘til you see the aftershock.