ULYSSES KING FOR UST FASHION SHOW

Proudly Batangueno by heart!
Just a few months back, I have featured designer Ulysses King in my blog and once more let us take a look on the talent and extraordinary fashion magic of this exquisite designer.

He's truly one of the more interesting fashion designers of this generation. He has been gaining a lot of accolades and praises ever since his first appearance at the 2010 Holiday Collection of PFW. He then went on to appear on several other shows and made his return to the PFW scene last September for the Spring/Summer Collection. He has been featured in several articles in different newspapers and fashion blogs showing that he really is a star on the rise. This time around he's gonna take part in "STATUS", a UST Fashion Show this Friday. February 11, 2011.

And while waiting for that, we take a look further on Uly's designs based on the eyes of some of his models for the show. Here are some of the notes of the models:

Earvin Aquino takes particular note on how Uly focuses on structure making each design a good fit. It was mentioned by him that the designs have an added twist that makes them stand out. He believes that Uly's designs are statement designs and that he makes sure it is different. He noted that Uly may be grounded with earth tones but he loves the way Uly injects stunning colors to be part of his over-all ensemble. Brown with a spark of pink and a dash of bright shades.

Christian De Los Reyes sees the designs as simple, yet elegant and striking. He noted that most of the designs are distinct and truly Ulysses' own. He loves the way the colors are mixed and matched. He also likes the way Uly makes use of accessories to bring the entire design to life.

Wes Torrejon may be young and new in the biz but he has shown great appreciation with uly's designs. He sees Uly's collection as high fashion and not "pang-masa". He likes it a lot and notes that unlike others, Uly's designs are not boring and really something interesting.

Luis Castillo's take on Uly's design is also plain praises. He specifically like the wearability factor despite the design's uniqueness. He says that Uly may use black and brown on his designs but still make them stunning and stand-out.

Joel Leelin is all praise for Uly's designs. He says Uly is not afraid in taking risks on designs. He notes that the designs are more on the artistic values which makes them really interesting and really noteworthy of attention. He believes the clothes are not generic and really has a Uly trademark on it. He added that visual presentation is what makes Uly really good.

Dheyle Dizon shares that most of Uly's designs are really eye catchers in a very good kind of way. He thinks that Uly's designs are unique and not traditional. He confesses that he has used some of the clothes Uly designed and has grabbed just praises from people who see the designs. He believes that Uly thinks outside the box and has admired how the designer works on his designs and how each of them are presented.

Julius Abanilla says that what he likes with Uly's design is its wearability. He took note on the good fit of the clothes and how comfortable the clothes are. He says that it is definitely something people would love wearing.

All the best on the Fashion Show! I know you'll wow them all once more.

STATUS : UST COMACH FASHION SHOW

This coming Friday, February 11, 2011 prepare to be put in awe once more as 15 very talented designers will showcase their designs in "STATUS", a UST Community Achievers Association (COMACH) Fashion Show.

This is part of the ongoing celebration of University of Sto. Tomas 400 years. Focused on the theme of a mixture of Chinese and Filipino designs, people will be treated to a fashion show spectacle that includes a combination of established designers and up and comers in the fashion biz. Several men's and women's collections will be presented on the said event. Familiar faces will be walking the ramp together with some fresh talents in the modeling world that will surely be to the delight of the audience.

This event is free for all and anyone who is into fashion should not miss this day.

For more inquiries, please contact Jason Ong 09152063104.

WINNIE MONSOD: BE PART OF THE SOLUTION NOT THE PROBLEM

I found this piece in youtube and just could not resist posting it in my blog. Winnie Monsod has always been one of my admired teachers - one of the few women I could say is truthful and honest. This is a video of her saying her last lecture in UP Diliman.

It is a strong piece of reminder to all of the Filipinos specifically the youth even if she solely pertains to students in UP. Her words are universal that one could easily relate. She has encouraged us to be part of the solution rather than be part of the problem. She focused on the integral point on UP's mission/vision: "Honor and Excellence". She's right in reiterating that those words are designed in a way that Honor should always come above excellence. True enough, once people have these, competence and integrity is just automatic.

I hope a lot of people will watch and listen to this video. I also like how she stressed that students should always remember these phrases: "I am only one but I am one." It emphasizes the importance of one soul. An endeavor won't be succesful unless there are people in it. Each one of those individuals are pivotal to the success of whatever is on hand. This is what is needed to have a more successful Philippines. We should start within ourselves and from there we'll see betterment.

ATENEO GRABS RARE THREE-PEAT

It was expected to be intense and so it was. But at the end of Game 2 of the Men's Basketball Finals in the UAAP Season 73, only one team stood above the others and it was Ateneo.

The Blue Eagles capped a wondeful season by twice trouncing the Tamaraws, first trashing them in Game 1 and then nipping FEU by a small margin, 65-62. The Tams led early on the game but fizzled and was not able to contain the championship hungry Ateneo. By doing so, coach Norman Black's troops has accomplished a rare three-peat in the UAAP. They won both the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The FEU was seeded 1 after the elims and has defeated the Blue Eagles twice in the early stages of the season. But it was not to be for the Tamaraws. Good luck next year. For Ateneo, congratulations and I am not too surprised if early on they will be thinking about next season. The possibility of a four-peat is mouth-watering indeed.

Photo Credits: Jerome Aseano/NPPA Images

EXPLOSION AT THE BAR EXAMS STREET REVELRY

It was the usual end to the Bar Exams. Students, teachers and supporters flock the streets of Manila like the area of the De La Salle University-Taft. But this year was a bit different. An explosion has changed to mood from happy to sad.

Based on initial reports, a grenade was thrown by a student that has caused 47 injured in the offset. The explosion was hardly heard because of the usual noise of merry-making as a sign of the end of the Bar Exams. A witness was said to have seen a man pull out a grenade from a paper bag and rolled it on the ground where Alpha Phi Omega and Tau Gamma Phi fraternity and sorority members were gathered. Reports released saw a witness identify the alleged grenade thrower as Jed Carlos Lazaga, a fourth year law student at the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu. Lazaga is member of Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho). After the explosion, several students have told the media that they heard chants of "Akrho, Akrho" in the background.

Most of the injured were from San Beda College.  Joanna Ledda, a student of San Beda College and a member of the Alpha Phi Beta sorority was the one with the most serious of injuries. She sustained sharpnel wounds and her right leg was amputated at the Ospital ng Maynila.

To all the injured students and their loved ones, our prayers are with you. May the truth regarding this event be revealed soon and justive be properly served. After all, justice is what all of these Bar takers are aiming for that's why they took up Law.

ATENEO BLASTS PAST FEU IN GAME 1

The UAAP Men's Basketball Finals has started in a somewhat obscure way. The fans expected a tight match like how Ateneo and FEU have played in the eliminations. On 2 occasions, the Tamaraws both defeated the Blue Eagles with one or two points margin.

But Game 1 last Saturday was not near those two games. Ateneo came out blazing hot. The two-time defending champion have drawn first blood as it treated FEU to a whitewash. Ateneo crushed FEU 72-49.

It was Ateneo's masterful play and great coaching from Norman Black that has pushed them ahead of the Tams.

But coach Black has reiterated that he feels FEU will bounce back so fans might be able to see a big fight on Game 2 this Thursday. Ateneo is gunning for a rare "three-peat" as it has already taken the championships last 2008 and 2009.

UAAP 73: TAMS VS. EAGLES

This season's UAAP Collegiate Basketball tournament is about to end and only the Top 2 best Teams stand in the way of each other as they try to outdo each other in a brutal contest of hoops supremacy. FEU vs. Ateneo would be the battle as the Tamaraws tackle the Blue Eagles.

The Tamaraws trounced the Green Archers in the semis to book themselves a spot in the Finals while the Eagles clobbered the Falcons. Ateneo is trying to get a three-peat as they are defending back-to-back champions. But FEU has something to say about that as they try to wrestle the crown away from the Blue Eagles. They ended the eliminations on top and would really want to end the season with the crown and wanting to erase the stigma of their stunning loss to UE in 2009 when they have the twice-to-beat advantage.

Now who will win this year's crown? Based on talent and determination, I'd say they are dead even. But if you're gonna count in the hunger and desire to take the championship trophy, I guess no one wants it more than the FEU Tamaraws do.

Photo Credits: Jerome Ascano/NPPA Images

ACCOUNTING 1 2 3

Accountancy is one of the more difficult courses to take (I attest to that). Aside from having crunch time with numbers and vocabs, you don't stop with just the college years. After the collegiate years, one will be treated to almost half a year of review of all subjects taken during college and then dive into the dead pool (2 weekends of CPA Board Exam). Mortality rate is often rather low with passers ranging from 15 to 30% of total examinees.

Before one try out getting BS Accountancy as a collegiate course, it is wise to note the top schools one might consider. Here are my top 5 schools with the best Accounting programs. Other notables which did not land in my top 5 are USC-Cebu, San Beda College and FEU.

1. University of the Philippines - Diliman
- UP Diliman has consistently topped its category on any given Board Exams. Passing rate for the Board Exams is anything above 90%. Also, UP boasts of a 5-year program in college in compared to conventional 4-year programs in other campuses. That would seem to be a review already on their side.

2. University of Sto. Tomas
- Thomasians usually don't top the Board Exams but their numbers show of the quantity and quality of their Accounting graduates. They are regular fixtures in the Top 3 of any category any given Board Exam period. And who could not forget to mention that the best known Audit firm in the metro, SGV has Sycip and Velayo, both of which are Thomasians.

3. De La Salle University - Manila
- Never to be outdone is DLSU-Manila. We've seen several names from DLSU topping the Board Exams but unlike UP their passing percentage is a bit lower. Usually on the range of 60-85%. Still consistent showing year in, year out. And still, a lot of companies like Accounting grads coming from DLSU.

4. Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Sta. Mesa
- Quantity is what PUP usually banners in terms of CPA Board Passers. From almost all years, they produce the most number of board passers. Their passing rate may be a bit lower in comparison to others but the quantity of their passers show that their college program is really working and most of the students have good chance of passing.

5. University of San Carlos - Cebu
- Outside the metro, one Cebu-based school was able land on my list is USC-Cebu. Usually placed in Category A (100+ examinees), USC has consistently landed in the Top 3 of that category with passing percentage ranging from 40-75%.

MAKATI WELCOMES FEU

The Far Eastern University unveils its newest campus at the heart of Makati City. Located at Gil Puyat Avenue cor Malugay Street, the new FEU campus is set to house the schools business and accountancy block. Aside from which, graduate schools will also be featured in the said campus. Business courses to be offered are Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology, and Master of Business Administration programs. Despite stiff competition in the area of Makati with schools like Asian Institute Management, University of Makati, Mapua Institute of Technology and Ateneo Professional Schools the management of FEU believes that it will thrive on its own as it has a very well established track record in the field of business and Accountancy. With FEU on the rise, students now has an additional choice of institution to study at in Makati.