Faces Archives - The Flame

Nov182018 No Comments

Copyworld is ready to rise from the ashes

NOT a day goes by when the streets outside the University of Santo Tomas are not filled with the diverse sounds of the chattering students, the blaring horns of vehicles, and the roarings of distant passersby. Antonio St. is a place where students take time to breathe fresh air—a break from the commotion and raucous caused by the pressures and demanding deadlines of the four corners of the classroom. It is a place where time stops while the world continues moving, with booming food stalls and student-related businesses like computer shops and photocopying centers being the heart and soul of the street. Quite unusual as it may seem, Antonio St. was hushed and the surroundings that were commonly filled with people were suddenly emptied out as there were no classes due to a national

Nov162018 No Comments

Noelle Capili brings the people’s battle to social media

Faces

IN THE eyes of many, Noelle Capili is naturally high-spirited and a classic class clown. Little do they know, she is also a social media-savvy activist fighting the good fight and tearing down stereotypes. Born in the era of advanced technology, Noelle can always be found on social media documenting her daily experiences and expressing her thoughts one tweet at a time. Even with her fascination with the said medium, the activist never thought of using social media as a platform to air out her sentiments and give voice to the people who cannot speak up on their frustrations in society. Eventually, Noelle used social media to express her sentiments and beliefs. She helped bring the battle on the streets into the pixels of the four-cornered screen. “[P]arang makikita mo kasi

Oct312018 No Comments

Timothy Bernardino and Stephen Fortes tune-up to the rhythm of their dreams

Faces

Having always been musicians at heart, two Artlet alumni have found a home in their band, Where’s Ramona?. When their simple dream of becoming musicians was born inside Room 4N of the Tan Yan Kee building, Timothy “Moti” Bernardino and Stephen “Tep” Fortes, with the encouragement of their bandmates, began to treat music as their other half in life during and after college. Pursuing a dream may sometimes contradict with one’s customary routine; however, this did not apply to the two friends who both pursued their passion, which made them who they are now: musicians. Behavioral science alumnus Moti and journalism graduate Tep made their way into the world of music and found friends for keeps along the way. Dream chasing Despite being new to the OPM scene, Moti (drummer) and Tep

Oct172018 No Comments

Christine Francisco brings passion to the court

Faces

By JOY THERESE C. GOMEZ and SYRAH VIVIEN J. INOCENCIO KNOWN FOR her knack for going the extra mile in the volleyball court, the ferocious middle blocker Christine Dianne Francisco has emerged as the new team captain of the UST Golden Tigresses. Tin, as she is fondly called, followed the sports legacies of her brother and grandparents, former Thomasian volleyball player Justin Francisco, former UST athletic director Felicitas Francisco, and member of the 1954 Philippine team for the World Basketball Championship (now FIBA World Cup) Ben Francisco. She began her career as a Thomasian volleyball player during her sophomore high school year. Tin shares that the start of her volleyball journey was not a walk in the park as she joined her first volleyball team without even knowin

Sep242018 No Comments

Elmer Ligon is redefining public service

Faces

REBELLIOUS and a nonconformist in his college years, who would have thought that Elmer Timothy “Timmy” Ligon had a knack for serving people other than himself? During his years in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, Timmy was not one to adhere to the confining rules of the University. However, he eventually realized the importance of these rules later in his life. “Syempre nung una ‘di mo ma-a-appreciate ‘yung kung ano ‘yung binibigay sayo ng school. [...] Very traditional ang UST [...] and dapat mag-follow ka ng rules. [...] Well, na-apply ko ‘yun nung nagtrabaho ako, ‘yung later part na lang actually. ‘Oo nga pala, tama pala,’ pero dati ‘di ko na-appreciate ‘yun,” he expresses. Despite being a political science major, Timmy never really expected to end up in the realm of public

Sep32018 No Comments

Makyla Chavez is ready to roar

Faces

BEAUTY, brains, and charm. These are the words that first come to mind when one meets Makyla Chavez—a prim, soft-spoken lass with a bubbly personality. Her picture-perfect smile makes it no wonder why she bagged the title of courtside reporter for UAAP Season 81 despite being a freshman. Made for the spotlight Used to being in the limelight from television to print advertisements since the age of three, Makyla was never known to be shy. Whether on or off camera, she exudes warmth and displays poise that captivates everyone who meets her. For Makyla, courtside reporting is her way of expressing her gratitude and love for the University that served as her training ground for hosting and her second home. “Public speaking has always been my passion; hosting has always been my f

Sep12018 No Comments

Arnold Azurin is changing the conversation on culture

Faces

By SYRAH VIVIEN J. INOCENCIO and MARK JOSEPH B. FERNANDEZ ONE fortunate evening in the 1980s, some rising poets were given the chance to showcase their creative mettle inside none other than the grand Cultural Center of the Philippines. One of them was a middle-aged man wearing a black tuxedo on top of a patterned polo shirt, complemented by a cowboy hat that he proudly placed on top of his head. Just by looking at the way he walked toward the stage, it was evident that this man was someone who came from outside the city—a man of a place rich with the native cultures of the north. The spotlight beamed brightly on him, as though welcoming him to the stage. He then proceeded to recite his poem that boasted of the colorful traditions of Ilocos. Now 71 years old, Arnold A

Aug182018 No Comments

The rollercoaster life of Janna Pablo

Faces

By SYRAH VIVIEN J. INOCENCIO THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters honed the imaginative and talented Janna Pablo. Her stay within the walls of the St. Raymund de Peñafort Building as a behavioral science major helped shape the many things she has become: an artist, a teacher, and a businesswoman. The young Pabys, as she is fondly referred to by many, is not a stranger to the limelight. In 2006, she played a fashionista teenager in “Let’s Go,” an ABS-CBN television series. However, she eventually needed to give up show business to finish her studies. “I only lasted [in] showbiz for a year or two because I was 20. [M]y main priority was finishing school [...] I really wanted to graduate in four years. In my fourth year, I was taking up 49 to 52 units,” she shares. Quitting showbiz

May312018 No Comments

Joselito Delos Reyes: Education with a dose of laughter

Faces

By MARK JOSEPH B. FERNANDEZ and JULIA MARI T. ORNEDO HIS NAME had probably popped up on your Facebook feed at least once. Joselito Delos Reyes’ posts are hard to scroll past as they often contain witty jokes, nuggets of wisdom, or heartwarming stories about his family, which had easily earned him over 16,000 followers on the platform. Contrary to what his profile indicates, however, Delos Reyes does not work at “E di sa poso mo, beyb,” nor does he teach “rihgt and ferpect grammers.” When he is not online, the Department of Literature chairperson is either shaping the minds of young writers or crafting another literary piece to add to his award-winning body of work. Kindling lifelong passions Before venturing into the vast world of literature, Delos Reyes was first an avid r

Apr162018 No Comments

Aleia Anies: Conquering battles through words

Faces

By SYRAH VIVIEN J. INOCENCIO AT FIRST glance, Aleia Anies may seem like she’s a tough nut to crack, but as her plum-painted lips turn into a smile, people will think otherwise. Despite being diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder, a mental illness that causes episodes of depression and abnormally elevated mood or mania, the Communication Arts senior proves that nothing can stop her from achieving her goal. In her childhood years, she already considered herself an artist. Her vivid imagination brought her into the arts of painting, drawing, and writing stories. “Generally, I was a very artistic person, ever since pa talaga. So, growing up, I had this outlet. That’s what I was drawn to— arts,” she shared. The young artist took most of her inspiration from the books she read and l