A Flight from Light’s Plight

The journey of Sulu ‘09

by Clarisse Dacusin and Hil Vargas

For more than a semester, we have witnessed how the youngest batch of new members struggle through rigorous stages of the application process. Now, let us adjust our eyes to the brightness as we unveil the radiant personalities shining in Sulu ’09.

Agnes, Jane

Course: BS Industrial Engineering

High School: Megabyte College

Birthday: June 05, 1990

The big sister of Sulu, Jane is a determined girl who utilizes her stern discipline in achieving what she wants for the batch. She prances in grace in her talent in dancing and in battling the challenges of the application process. Though she might give a first impression of being snobbish, when you get to know her you will learn that she is simply a strong-willed person who will do everything for what she aspires for. Firm yet flexible, unyielding yet understanding, this girl proves she’s definitely no plain Jane.

Dacusin, Clarisse Katrin

Course: BA Comparative Literature

High School: St. Scholastica’s Academy

Birthday: April 21, 1992

“Undergoing this application process made me realize a lot of things about myself and the people around me… chos. Yak andrama, di bagay sa ‘kin! Haha. Basta ang astig lang na member na kami. Grabe, pasayawin ba naman ako di ba? Ako, na laging nasa likod ng line pag field demo?!? Haha! XD Pero wala naman akong pinagsisisihan dahil kung hindi ako sumayaw at umarte ng parang tanga, gumawa ng sangkaterbang trivia, magpractice hanggang madaling araw, e di sana hindi ako masaya ngayon. ”

One thing you can notice about Clarisse is the way she dresses, which speaks of her love for the Korean pop culture. In one way or another, her passion for this also equated with her passion for every endeavour she was tasked to do. Although a palpable introvert, she sometimes cracks up jokes that make her peers laugh. Throughout the application process, Clarisse is well known for always pushing everything to the limits, and sometimes, even exceeding the expectations she has under her belt.

Dungo, John Basil

Course: BS Business Administration and Accoutancy

High School: Bright Woods School

Birthday: December 6, 1992

The versatile and overly talented guy with the natural charm is no other than Basil. John Basil Dungo is known to be the performer of the group; with his talent for singing, he can melt away the people who ever hear his voice. Also being athletic, he is somewhat one of the physical ‘frontiers’ who seem to make out every strenuous activity become a piece of cake. Throughout the application process, he is considered to be an active part of every activity, taking in every opportunity to fill up and hasten the completion of every challenge pressed on the batch. He exhibits empathy quite well, and always there when someone needs his back.

Facal, Maria Carmela

Course: Computer Engineering

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: April 25, 1992

“Yung app process made me realize na hindi basta-basta ang pagsali sa isang org.. Pinaghihirapan pala siya.. Yung mga tambay hours, makikilala mo talaga yung mga mems at co-apps, yung buddy get-up, talents night, workshop, final interview, final rites, at yung induction, lahat sila may lessons para maintindihan mo talaga ang pagiging member ng org.”

The resident otaku of the batch, Carmela is always present to feed your curiosity of things involving her ultimate interest: anime. Then she can sometimes conquer you with her sudden strong bursts of seemingly angry emotions, she proves to be a calm girl and uses this to her advantage as she sails through the application process with her steady soul. She can be aloof at first, but once she reveals who she really is, you will learn how candid and wacky she can be. “Pika Pika Chuuuuuu!” Carmela, we choose you! Arigatou gozaimasu, Carmela!

Isip, Mark Joseph

Course: BS Electronics and Communications Engineering

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: May 31, 1992

Isip, as we often call him, is the diligent batch head of Sulu ’09-A. We all know that undergoing UP Aguman’s application process is a tedious task especially if you are the batch head, but Isip proves that he can do it- while maintaining his University Scholar status, no less. Isip proves that he is a true batch head by being easy to get along with and strict if he needs to be. Always looking out for his batch mates even when the application process is long over, you can always rely on Isip when you have problems; either they are of a mathematical nature or you just need to learn how to do a decent headstand.

Maniago, Sarah Jean

Course: BA Broadcast Communication

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: July 15, 1992

“Induction – This is it pancit sabi nga ni Kuya Kebs. The sem-long app process finally paid off. Kumbaga, konting tiis na lang magiging official part na kami ng AguFamily. Right after that night, I was smiling the whole time. Para akong sira. Syempre! Sino ba namang di sasaya. It was indeed a dream come true ”

Perky is the first word that comes to mind when you meet the ever energetic Sajea. Sarah Jean Maniago, ‘Sajea’ for short, is a brilliant public speaker and really speaks for what she acts. She is quite a natural leader, with always the initiative to support and guide her co-applicants. She finds comfort in helping with every crucial detail in each activity, so everything may appear to be perfect. With her confidence and undeniable vigour, she appears to be a woman of all trades.

Pineda, Shara Vanessa

Course: BS Business Administration

High School: St. Scholastica’s Academy

Birthday: November 22, 1990

“Dahil sa app process natutunan ko na sobrang mas mamahalin mo ang isang bagay kapag naghirap ka para makuha ito.”

In the year 2009, we have two explosive discoveries. First, Ruffa Mae is studying in UP. Second, she is joining UP Aguman.

If Ruffa Mae, errr, Shara, will be a color, undoubtedly it will be pink. True enough, she is as feminine and spunky as this color. If you’ll invite her to a videoke session, never let go of the microphone- for if you do, you will be condemned to an eternity of Lady Gaga songs. Shara can croon to these songs while eating, sleeping, or under torture. But there is more to this lady than her kikay ways, as she proves to be a genuine friend for her batch mates, cheering them on when they lose all hope and energy. Whenever you are down, expect her to come over to encourage you with her three magic words-“ Go, go, gooooo!”

Santos, Justinne Marie

Course: BA Linguistics

High School: St. Scholastica’s Academy

Birthday: May 10, 1991

“The whole app process was a roller coaster ride. There are mixed emotions and unpredictable situations… We’ve shared laughter and tears. We’ve experienced strength and shortcomings. All these have contributed to the triumph of Sulû. Ate Jane, Shara, Kim, Clarisse, Mela, Isip, Saji, Hil, Basil (By age ‘yan ah. Hahaha!) – I’m glad we’ve made it! Congratulations and may God bless us as we all take new responsibilities as full-fledged mems. I love you all! J”

Like a butterfly softly emerging from her cocoon, delicate Justinne is a naïve young lady raring to explore this beautiful world. Loving and lovely, this damsel-in-distress is wistfully and wishfully waiting for her own Knight-in-shining-armor (Ehem, ehem). But whether he comes or not, we are certain that Tinne will battle hardships with all the strength she can muster, like she did in the application process. By being a sweet friend and cooperative comrade, we can be certain that we will never be failed by Super Tinne.

Tupe, Kimberly Anne

Course: BS Mathematics

High School: Pampanga High School

Birthday: August 20, 1991

The famous line, “It’s always better the second time around,” applies for the second-time applicant, Kimberly Tupe. With her applying again, after not finishing her first application process due to an unexpected incident, shows how Kim has the ardour and determination to become a member of Aguman. Being one of the officers, she has shown what she could do for the org – give her best in everything that she does. She is often admired because of her strength, as she also has the dream to enter the Philippine Military Academy.

Vargas, Hil Petersen

Course: BA Political Science

High School: Don Bosco Academy

Birthday: August 02, 1992

Alms, alms, alms… Tanggalin nyo sapatos ko! Do you know my mother? Do you know my father?!? *licks* Five years ago…

Five years ago, no one could have imagined that UP Aguman would have the most confident member it has ever had. With his perverted ways and hilarious antics, Hil is definitely a lively and spirited guy. He fuels the batch with energy in trying (and tiring) times. With all the ruckus caused by his humor, you can easily brand Hil as just another shallow, happy-go-lucky guy but deep down, Hil can be a really good friend and team player… just make sure there aren’t any frogs in sight. Ribit. :O

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