Erika Gayle Sibucao, journalism student
Interview by Arabella Peñaranda
“I think ‘tong event na ‘to para magkaroon man lang ng break in the middle of the finals”
What are your expectations for this Agape?
“For my expectations for this year’s Agape, ineexpect ko na […] hindi siya masyadong boring and medyo lively naman. Siguro this will come from the host na lang din, na they will make the event lively [hindi ‘yung] literal na kakain lang…upo ka lang dito, kakain lang, hindi ‘yung ganon. At least parang there’s something going on in the background para maging lively ‘yung aura ng event.”
How do you want to spend it with your friends?
“I would want to spend it without stress, na everything will go smoothly and fun lang na parang chill lang talaga. I think ginawa ‘tong event na ‘to para magkaroon man lang ng break in the middle of the finals season. ‘Syempre, parang teaser ng Paskuhan to bring in the spirit of gift giving, Christmas, and [the] upcoming holiday season.
What is the essence of sharing a good meal this Agape season?
“Siguro when it is shared by everyone you would feel na parang ang heartwarming…”
Alfred Alpas, CBASC Secretary
Interview by Yelah Israel
“We will be having a better system ngayon“
As a student volunteer, how does sharing your time in a festivity like this become worthwhile?
“As part of the student leaders din kasi, if you are passionate in serving tapos ‘syempre through volunteering you are exemplifying [your call as a student leader]. And ayon I think it contributes sa maganda and successful na execution ng event which is ‘yung Agape. Ayon, in a sense volunteering would really help us to have a successful event.
What are your expectations for this Agape?
“We will be having a better system ngayon kasi compared last year parang kinapa-kapa pa natin eh. So from that experience I’m expecting na mas magiging better ‘yung flow ng event and mas magiging organized siya. Siguro as part of the volunteers,mas naging aware din kami kung paano iha-handle ‘yung situations na naging lapses from last year.”
Lance Campos, history student
Interview by Yelah Israel
“With Agape, it helps us students to enjoy a moment”
What are your expectations for this Agape?
“As a freshman, ineexpect ko kasi sa Agape is like…the free food. Also to bond with one another kasi very hectic na rin ‘yung mga schedules namin due to the finals. And with Agape, it helps us students to enjoy a moment lang to be together, to bond as a community and just enjoy muna ‘yung moment bago mag finals, calm before the storm. So ‘yun ‘yung ineexpect ko to bond with one another and to just enjoy. Feel ko magiging masaya siya for the first time na makakaexperience [kami] ng Agape.”
Maria Jaezilyne Roson, senior high student
Interview by Yelah Israel
“With Agape, it helps us students to enjoy a moment”
What are your expectations for this Agape?
“To be honest, hindi po ako that informed about Agape. All I know is that magkakaroon ng salo-salo, especially like kakain. So I’m expecting na magiging very welcoming and open event siya for everybody especially for freshies.”
As a Thomasian, how do you embody the spirit of sharing?
“I think ‘yung magiging crucial part of sharing there po hindi ‘yung materialistic things but the memories especially since everybody’s in that event and of course magkakasama tayo mas madaling magshare ng memories especially with friends, probably siguro with loved one kahit wala po ako [noon].
Vincent Lorenzo, city service maintenance staff
Interview by Yelah Israel
“Sama-samang parang pamilya“
What makes Agape unique for you?
“Pagkakaisa po, pagtutulungan, parang magkakapatid na rin po [na] nasa isang building. Sama-samang parang pamilya, ganon. Masaya po [pag] magkakasama talaga.”
What are your expectations for this Agape?
“Parang sama-sama sa iisang building ‘yong community ng UST…para masaya. Ganitong time na happy ang lahat para okay ‘yung araw nila. Para makalimutan nila mga ‘yung mga [gawain] nila sa school…para sumaya lang sila isang araw, ganon.”
Yvette Bala and Lana Mamaril, CFAD students
Interview by Yelah Israel
“Why not?“
Who are you cosplaying? And why that character?
Lana: I’m cosplaying Marin Kitagawa from My Dress Up Darling. She’s my favorite female character kasi and this is my first cosplay and I said na ‘yung first cosplay ko it would be her.
Yvette: I’m cosplaying Hanako from Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun. Actually ‘di ko pa masyadong napapanood pero I heard na maganda siya. And binigay lang po kasi ‘yung cosplay na to sa’kin so like…take the chance.
What made you decide to cosplay during Agape?
Lana: Pwede naman kasi ‘yung outside clothes so napagisipan namin, why not? And last year kasi Agape we saw cosplayers and ‘yon [we were inspired].
Yvette: Naisip ko lang na[…]I thought it would be fun. It will be a fun experience tsaka I think next year din and the coming [Paskuhan concert] magcocosplay ako pero something different naman.
Jolo Coronel, ABSC Auditor
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“Innate dapat sa atin na maging open to sharing our blessings”
As a student volunteer, how does sharing your time in a festivity like this become worthwhile?
“Agape brings out the spirit ng mga students dito sa festivity and it also brings out camaraderie and highlights the importance of friendship kasi these [kind] of events are made to share with friends, so for me as student volunteer, hindi naman nawawala sakin ‘yon kasi most of my friends are from the student organization as well, kaya I am spending time with my friends din while also working to make the event possible; to make the mobilization of the students seamless.”
How do you want to spend your Agape with your friends?
“I am grateful na meron akong opportunity and the wonderful privilege to spend Agape together with my friends while volunteering also. As I have said, kasama ko rin ang friends ko in volunteering, most of my friends are from my organization as well, so I am lucky and thankful that I am spending it with them, and also working while enjoying this festivity.”
As a Thomasian, how do you embody the spirit of sharing?
“As a thomasian, hindi naman mapapagkaila na we are a catholic institution and as one, innate dapat sa atin na maging open to sharing our blessings together with our fellow students. I view [Agape] as a very good opportunity to share, not only our blessings, but also love, care, and affection to other people by mingling and spending time with them.”
Maureen Saguid, architecture student
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“It’s a way for us to bond as one community”
What are your expectations for this Agape?
“Masarap na food, actually. Medyo naging weird lang kasi hindi siya sabay sa christmas lighting pero okay naman.”
For you, what is the essence of sharing a good meal this Agape season?
“Feel ko part kasi siya sa culture natin as Filipinos, part siya ng bonding through food so maganda rin dito is it’s a way for us to bond as one community sa UST ng sama-sama especially this christmas season when it’s all about giving and it’s a nice way for the university to gather us all together and to be in that spirit of thanksgiving.”
Among all the paskuhan festivities, what is your favorite and what makes it special for you?
“[Favorite ko] ‘yung lights kasi architecture [student ako] so [it’s all about] visuals ganyan and mahilig sa pretty things. Eto rin Agape kasi may food and we get to bond with our friends and blockmates from UST.”
As a Thomasian, how do you embody the spirit of sharing?
“[I’m] generous [sa] kung ano mang meron ako at the moment kahit na hindi siya physical, kunwari [sharing] my time.”
Joella Lim & Gen Urbano, student volunteers
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“We’re making the most out of it”
What are your expectations for this Agape?
Joella: To create more memories with my friends and as a student volunteer, ‘syempre parang ine-expect ko rin to help the Thomasian community to make happy memories sa paskuhan and this Agape season.
Gen: As a third year student, gusto ko gumawa ng more memories pa kasi hopefully maka-graduate kami two years from now, and yon we’re making the most out of it.
How do you embody the spirit of sharing?
Joella: Sa section namin [in AB Economics] for example, may tinatawag na noche buena and ang purpose kasi noon is to donate foods to the people who are not privileged enough, and I think that’s one thing that embodies sharing kasi we are able to share our blessings to other people.
Gen: For me, sharing has a lot of kinds. I think part ng pagiging Thomasian is like sharing your talents, thoughts, and sending out good energy to others.
As a student volunteer, how does sharing your time in a festivity like this become worthwhile?
Joella: For me, naging worthwhile siya kasi isa siyang fulfilling experience kasi second year ako nag start akong sumali sa mga organization and ngayong third year, second time ko atang mag o-onsite [event] ngayon. Dati medyo nahihiya pa ko pero ngayon ang saya pala mag volunteer. It is a fulfilling experience to serve the Thomasian community.
Gen: Nagiging worthwhile naman siya, para sa’kin, after enduring the event lalo kapag makikita mo sa [Instagram] story ng ibang tao na they enjoy this event. After non parang mafi-feel mo na part ka ng [memory nila]. Sobrang tiring [mag volunteer] pero worth it sa dulo.
Mark Carlos Yumil, medical technology student
Interview by Yelah Israel
“Nararamdaman ko talaga ‘yung being a Thomasian”
What are your expectations for this year’s Agape?
“Since first year and second year ako, we’ve been isolated and limited. Parang hindi mo nakikita ‘yung spirit of being a Thomasian talaga. I hope this Agape, makita ko na ‘yun at maramdaman. And since the start ng lighting, nararamdaman ko naman talaga ‘yung being a Thomasian.”
Anna Gloria Ward, professor
Interview by Yelah Israel
“Happiness is not based on material things, but it’s to be based on something less tangible and much more meaningful”
With the Agape season highlighting the value of “sharing,” what message can you share to the students?
“I want the young people to share whatever they have. Be good to people. This is the season when we feel most privileged for some of us, and for others really do not have. Being good basically for me is doing what is best for others. As we get older, gone are those times when you are egoistic. Now, it’s about time to think about others.
We remember the children in war-torn areas. This is the season when children are supposed to be happy, and some of them are not. So, we pray for everyone. We pray that we realize that what we have is worth treasuring. And we are one of the lucky people who are able to go around and be happy and celebrate Christmas. I really wish the young people would be less materialistic and value what really needs to be valued in life […] people, relationships, and love for others should be valued, that’s what Christmas is all about.
During Agape, we eat together, we talk and enjoy each other’s company. Let’s all be happy, and happiness is not based on material things, but it’s to be based on something less tangible and much more meaningful.”
Anthony Dapiton, CFAD student
Interview by Yelah Israel
“I want to wear something where I feel like still being a child but more confident”
What inspired your cosplay costume?
“This Super Mario hat was in my wardrobe for a really long time na. Di ko siya nagagamit. Right now, saktuhan lang pala na Super Mario ‘yung theme, and sobra akong excited. I really planned to wear Super Mario talaga para in-line with the theme for me to stand out.”
What was your reaction with the Super Mario theme?
“I literally jumped [out of] excitement na Super Mario ‘yung theme. I was like, “Yes! Finally, Super Mario ‘yung theme!” Nung bata pa ako, I played Super Mario games. It has been an iconic game for me [since] I was a child.”
What made you cosplay during Agape?
“I’m not really a cosplayer. I just like mixing and matching wardrobe to be able to come up with something. Actually, plan ko sana to suotin during Paskuhan, pero I have something more na mas maganda [para] sa Paskuhan. Magliliwanag naman ako. I plan to wear something brighter. I wore this to bring out the inner child in me. Nung bata pa ako kasi I was shy, but now I have more confidence. I want to wear something where I feel like still being a child but more confident.”
Via Luci Ocampo, Jewella Calpito and MJ Briones, student-cosplayers
Interview by Yelah Israel
“I was looking for people who shared the love of VTubers in UST”
What is your cosplay inspiration for Agape?
Via: My cosplay is Hex Haywire from Nisisanji EN’s seven wave ‘XSOLEIL.’ He’s my favorite VTuber.
MJ: I’m cosplaying Selen Tatsuki Nisisanji EN’s second wave ‘OBSYDIA’.”
Jewella: I’m cosplaying as Alban Knox, the Phantom Thief, Nisisanji EN’s fifth wave ‘Noctyx.’ He’s also my favorite VTuber.
Why did you decide to cosplay during Agape?
Via: Ito ‘yung first meet ng friend group namin na nabuo online, and we thought it’d be nice na sulitin ‘yung Agape para mag cosplay at mag enjoy.
Jewella: Our friend group was formed from a post na I was looking for people who shared the love of VTubers in UST, so I found them through that.
Madelaine Ebero, Angelika Alcantara and Angelie Pinzo, pharmacy students
Interview by Yelah Israel
“Magkwentuhan lang and sharing our struggles together“
What food did you get and how would you rate it?
“From Hidden Jade, [it’s a] Singaporean cuisine. It’s a seven, because it’s dry ng konti, pero masarap naman siya, pero medyo dry.”
For you, what is the essence of sharing a good meal this agape season?
“Eating together with your friends, waiting for fireworks with your friends. Magkwentuhan lang and sharing our struggles together […] actually, exam week po namin ngayon eh. Pero ‘yun nga, sharing struggles together and ‘syempre mag-unwind na rin during Agape. Masaya naman siya.”
Mining Comia and Romeo Perez, ice cream vendors
Interview by Yelah Israel
“Napakasaya dito”
How’s your experience during Agape?
Romeo: “Maraming tao, tsaka masaya.”
Minong: “Sa araw-araw, maraming tao diyan, napakasaya dito. Palaging masaya ang mga estudyante. Tulad ngayon, wala na kaming ice cream. Ubos na, kahit may gustong kumuha, wala na kaming maibigay.”
Razi Makipagay, Maylin Angela Tabia and Audrey Mangussad, literature students
Interview by Yelah Israel
“Ang spirit talaga ng Christmas makikita mo”
How is your experience with Agape?
Razi: Since I studied here during senior high school, for me, it’s a very different experience na since it’s my last year as a student to experience Agape. It’s different in a sense po na, ‘yung sentiments ko ng pagdalaw ulit with my friends na a different group of friends. Siguro sinusulit ko rin po ‘yung [last] experience ko sa Agape.
Maylin: Last year, mas madali ‘yung pilahan as compared to this year, pero mas masaya ngayon because I’m with my main besties.
Audrey: For me, it’s very sentimental din, kasi from the pandemic, parang lagi ka nalang sa bahay. This is the first Agape ko, since last year, finals week, so hindi ako nakapunta, pero this time, it’s so nice to see everyone na ang daming Thomasians, tapos ang spirit talaga ng Christmas makikita mo, and you’re with your friends.
Mariane Bustos, student
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
” Naging breather ang Agape talaga”
What did you get among the foods available and rate it according to your liking.
“‘Yung kinuha namin is from Aristocrat and okay naman ‘yung food, I’ll give it a ten out of ten.”
What was the highlight of the event that gave you an energy boost, like finding a power-up?
“‘Yung highlight siguro ng event is ‘yung pagsasama-sama ng mga Thomasians knowing na iba ‘yung culture niya especially when you’re with your schoolmates, and mas masespend mo rin ‘yung time mo with your friends lalo na’t finals season. Nakakastress talaga so parang naging breather [ang Agape] talaga. Ang highlight nito is ‘yung pagsasama-sama nating thomasian pati na rin ang mga free foods like puto bumbong at bibingka.”
For you, what is the essence of sharing a good meal this agape season?
“‘Yung essence ng sharing, ito ‘yung mga memories na mashare niyo together lalo na ngayon na college tayo. ‘Syempre importanteng mag create tayo ng memories with our friends na talagang maaalala natin.”
As a Thomasian, how do you embody the spirit of sharing?
“Nae-embody ko siya by sharing our foods and memories together. In this way nakakapag spend tayo ng time together na nagiging breather siya kahit papaano, na parang it’s the christmas spirit na mamo-motivate ka to do well.”
James Egwaras, student
Interview by Ma. Irish Fery
“ One big family ‘yung Thomasians”
What did you get among the foods available and rate it according to your liking.
“‘Yung pinilahan namin is Aristocrat, different siya ngayon kasi ayon din pinilahan namin last year. From the scale of one to ten, nine siya [for me] which is good naman kasi growing up, Aristocrat talaga ‘yung go-to food namin every Sunday with my family.”
Among all the paskuhan festivities, what is your favorite and what makes it special for you?
“For me, sa lahat ng nata-try ko, ang pinaka favorite ko talaga is itong Agape kasi ‘syempre nagsasama-sama lahat for a meal. Pinapakita nga talaga na one big family ‘yung Thomasians and maganda rin siyang breather sa kalagitnaan ng finals week so ayon.”
For you, what is the essence of sharing a good meal this agape season?
“‘Yung essence niya is napakita doon na kahit na iba-iba ‘yung faculty and colleges [that we] belong to, napapakita pa rin na iisa lang tayo. Kumbaga under one roof tayo ng UST so ayon, kahit na iba-iba ang pinanggalingan natin once na magkaroon ng Agape, [its a] sit down meal ng lahat, pare-parehas na tayong magkakasama.”
As a Thomasian, how do you embody the spirit of sharing?
“Despite the differences, nandoon pa rin ‘yung idea na brothers and sisters pa rin tayo. Kahit na galing tayo sa iba’t ibang colleges and faculties, year level at province, nandoon pa rin idea ng thomasian identity.”
Yasmine Lapitan, Miguel del Castillo and Zymon Sebastian, students
Interview by Arabella Peñaranda
“The highlight of the event…’yung food tas ‘yung Christmas spirit”
What did you get among the foods available and rate it according to your liking.
Yasmine: Ang nakuha ko po ay Chooks to Go and I’ll rate it as 6 out of 10 po.
Miguel: Nakakuha ako ng Chowking tapos meron siyang chicken, siopao, kanin, tapos cracklings. Para sa’kin 8 out of 10 kasi parang compared sa ibang Agape food parang ang dami kong nakuha.”
Zymon: “I got Shakeys and it has chicken, rice, pizza, and mojos. I’ll give it a 6 out of 10 kasi the chicken is a bit cold na tapos it’s not that crispy pero okay naman.”
What was the highlight of the event that gave you an energy boost, like finding a power-up?
Yasmine: “Yung food po.”
Miguel: “Yung libreng pagkain, tsaka ‘yung Christmas spirit…naka-on lahat ng lights. ‘Yun lang, nakaka-enjoy ngayon.”
Zymon: “Probably the highlight of the event…’yung food tas ‘yung Christmas spirit. ‘Yun na rin yung nagpower up.”
Ierathel Tabuno, CSC President
Interview by Arabella Peñaranda
“We are able to help not only those within the four corners of the university but also those that are outside”
As a student leader and volunteer, how does sharing your time in a festivity like this become worthwhile?
“As a student leader, it’s very worthwhile for me because it’s an understatement that a lot of our students get to experience the culture of the university in these kinds of events. Aside from this, we also get to see how our student leaders work together because our foods, our stations are manned by our local student councils so it’s also an opportunity for those that serve the students to give their time and give their best efforts in being able to serve the students on the ground physically and of course sometimes also mentally because it’s also exams time right?”
How were you able to embody the spirit of sharing in this event?
“Actually for the Paskuhan festivities, today as well, we had the first community gift giving: Ningning […] It was one of the opportunities that we were able to do this academic year. Actually from previous years pa naman siya, ngayon lang siya nagbalik. So it’s one of the things that we’re most proud of right now because we are able to help not only those within the four corners of the university but also those that are outside the communities that we are always in […] Even the whole Paskuhan festivities kasi, the spirit of giving is all around eh. So those are the things that I believe [are] very meaningful and we will always remember na it will be improved in the next academic years. So it’s a good start this academic year.”F
