Splat: SPEED's Official Newsletter Issue 2

This SPLAT Belongs To:

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Ilang araw na lamang ang binibilang ko, bago ko tuluyang lisanin ang Ateneo,

at ilang araw na lamang ang aking inaabangan hanggang sa tuluyan na

akong magpaalam sa SPEED.

This. Is. The BEST. College experience. Ever.

At dahil diyan, nais kong ipamahagi, sa huling pagkakataon, ang mahika ng

SPEED, through Splat.

Sa huling pag-lundag ko para sa aking organisasyon, hayaan ninyong ipakita

NAMIN sa INYO ang tunay na kulay ng SPEED.

man o maliit ang kontribusyon). Mula sa members, sa spalumni, sa project

heads, at hanggang sa mga bata, lahat ng ito patunay kung ano nga ba at

para saan ang SPEED.

Pumasok ako sa SPEED nang walang kamuang-muang and I came out a

Maraming maraming salamat.

Mahal ko kayo at Mabuhay kayong lahat.

organization’s existence.I would like to personally thank Irene May Cruz who gave

that any aspiration can be led towards reality.

Hanggang sa muli,MAYERZ POGIEVP/SEC-GEN 2012

SPLAT staff 2011-2012

Editor-in-Chief: JJ Jabines

Layout Artists: Aly Aganon and Mikko Ona

News Editor: Sam Gabriel

SpKiddie Corner Editors: Chanchan Carrillo and Lean Daguio

SpAlumni Page Editor: May Cruz

Speederman’s Corner Editors: Ram Ilagan, Benjhoe Empedrado, and Ohne Lopez

Contributors:Nico GarciaNico Cadiz

Tasha GalbraithLianne TarucTantan Doroin

SpAlumni

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEWSGet the scoop on SPEED’s latest projects & happenings

PHOTO COLLAGETake a trip down memory lane with a collection of photos from this semester

SpALUMNI SECTIONA peek at what our beloved SpAlumni have inside their hearts and minds

KIDS’ CORNERCheck out artwork from the talented kids at EC, SOC, TCW, SH, Cottolengo, and Bridges

SPEEDERMAN’S CORNERHave some fun with the comics, puzzles, jokes & advice Speederman has in store

1 - 5

6 - 8

9 - 10

11 - 14

15 - 18

I w e r e

asked how I can describe the

Spcaroling experience, it would probably take

me an hour to recount the most distinguished phenomenon

Trick or Treat, Sparkle, No SPEED Limit and Splendour.

The third part was, obviously, the most anticipated part--the caroling proper.

I guess just like in any other thing one could go through, I was very excited, nervous and pressured

partly because the Spcaroling in the past years earned

It made me all sweaty but determined to achieve those

how charitable your Taekwondo coach is, are just some

a hard day’s work, is knowing you’ve done your part

to make a great

the Christmas season. And

training your voice and sharing your talent to houses around the region. The

When it comes down to the real deal, I guess what really made our caroling experience memorable

and the extremely random things we did together --as

joy and sadness. Joy, because everything went so much better than expected. Every night was just so

along the way. The whole team’s hardwork made it

goodbye to the group you’ve spent almost your whole Christmas season with. It was time to say “I’ll just see you guys around” to the team whom you used to joke

it all is that Spcaroling 2011 was an experience we

MERRY Christmas.

In this part, I would like to thank everyone

lost his awesome-ness and patience in teaching the

who guided us and constantly supported us, thank

rehearsed and showed interest, thank you very much.

made their Christmas worth remembering.

1

T h e r e ’ s nothing like spending a major holiday with the special people

i n

SPEEDs biggest productions, it wasn’t an easy task to get

Mother Nature just wouldn’t let up as she went all crazy

sprakalation nation on campus. So there was a need to

Speple, everything panned out as smoothly as could be

the classroom sessions. There was also huge help that

non-Ateneo based) that participated through propping

proper. And not only did the other orgs participate

the Wushu club, even went on to display their many

bringing that crazy carnival experience to the kids. It was

and the kids really enjoyed themselves, and at the end

avenues that connect these two together. But more than this, I believe that Sparkle was a huge success because it was a testament to the work a speple is willing to

who matter to us.

breakthrough projects this year is “Convergence: A SPEED Symposium”. Convergence is

the project held last November 19, 2011 at MVP 217.

very anxious because I didn’t know what to expect.

with each other during our advocacy projects, such as SpFiesta, Trick or Treat, Sparkle and Splendour.

SPED programs and services. Imagine what would

and passion that these teachers and administrators

the directors do not agree on their practices and

approaches? W h a t reluctant to share their programs in the

as the area directors began to eagerly share about

happened that morning, but because the event was

dearest Sec-Gen described it, Convergence was like

moment they were struggling to set-up their schools

helping special children. What really touched me was that everyone was so enthusiastic and willing to share during the whole process. It was also an eye-opening

positive, in the SPED community.

SpEED Symposium by tasha galbraith

2

BIG.

Assembly. And he wasn’t kidding.

volunteers didn’t waste a single minute doing their

stretching and exercises led by the Ateneo Swimming

Once all the runners have returned, the hosts continued to master the program. There were various

where runners could take their souvenir pictures. Various

had a dougie contest was held to give away a

Galbraith, thanked everyone those who

Batino Elementary School went onstage along

School through interaction with them and teaching them

two tunnels. Participant number exponentially increased as

The most awesome org ever

strut that new debutante look than by applying some nostalgia to the social scene? Cashmere and cardi’s were going to have to wait because

the school year by employing a high-school theme in its 2nd GA.

From the bright, high-end Southridge boys clad in blazers to the vicious and sporty

good, old high school lives.

3

The programs began with the challenging

to the other Speple, one could not help but remember

old high school, without having to worry about how

Black leather shoes used to be enough, and the sound

could not be cut but hair had to be, when romance was

NSL, SpCaroling, Sparkle, and Splendour. Dynamic

newer Speple. The results were rewarding, with the

GA showed that, just like how the old high-school

SPEED smiley could do the same, just by smiling back at it and remembering those amazing times with

orgmates.

Truth be told, the entire election process was

and interesting people anyone would be ever so blessed to meet. We’ve been through a lot over a

people, about SPEED, about the Ateneo system and

is swamped with academic work, and the school year is coming to a close. On January 13, during the leadership talk, I

FROM THIS? We didn’t, cause we got 16, 16 new

the new council was elected, it was

have worked with you. Secondly, to the new council, once again, congratulations and I really am looking

SPEED this year. Last, but not least, to the Speple, a big thank

us your support. You are what

years and counting.

COUNCIL OFFICERS

OF

BY Andy Siy

...cont. of 2nd GA

4

SPLENDOURSplendour, a collaborative project with DLSU-CGE and UST-GuTS

was truly a magical evening. Upon meeting each other, the college

students and special kids proceeded to their couple pictorials, followed by

entrance to the clubhouse where they were serenaded by the Sp’Carolers.

Fashion Show batch 1 began wherein the college students proudly walked

arm in arm with their dates on stage, presenting them with origami roses.!

Dinner became livelier with musical talents shared by volunteers from the three

universities. The resumption of Fashion Show batch 2 showed the couples to be more

pumped up as seen in their vivacious walks and poses. Andy Siy’s special date,

in a white suit, even went down on one knee for her! !Afterwards, the college

students gave their special dates thank you cards displaying the couple’s

photobooth picture. The prom reached its climax when the hosts asked the

college students to stand up and present their special dates with a teddy bear

and a sash written with an award uniquely thought of by the college student for

their special date. Every special child in that room looked so spirited with their

personalized awards. Sp’roove then danced to Love on Top where Speederman gave a

spectacular performance that got the whole audience cheering. This opened the

dance floor where soon enough a conga line was forming and the room was

bursting with energy. It was so touching to see the special kids enjoy and

dance their hearts out, not just among themselves, but with their college

dates! It was apparent that a bond had formed between the college

students and their special dates. One of the most memorable moments

for me happened when the kids were leaving. Molly from Bridges,

despite of her disabilities, threw flying kisses to her two prom dates who

were true gentlemen to her throughout the night. Her

mom, watching all of this, was moved with happiness. I

told the two guys how fortunate Molly was to have them as her

dates. !They replied by saying: “No, we are fortunate to have Molly

as our date”. !Witnessing these kinds of exchanges between the

kids and their college dates, being surrounded with true joy in the

giving of selves, feeling the excitement from everyone, especially

from the special kids, made the whole event more than worthwhile.

Every organizer's heart that night was blessed with awe and gratitude.

by Lianne Taruc

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the splat

photo collage

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Si Joyce, sa tuwing nakikita ko siya! Chos! Bwahahaha!-Joaqui Manahan, Speple Batch 2011

Kinilig ako sa CRUSH KO (daming gwapo sa SPEED eh)! Hahaha, pero mas kinilig ako at kinikilig pa din hanggang ngayon kay Yvonne ng TCW. Naaalala pa rin niya ako

(kahit minsan lang ako nag-TCW dahil never ko naman naging area ‘yun!)-Tiffy Ang, Speple Batch 2010

Kinikilig ako sa bawat meeting naming Spoffs at sa bawat area na ina-attend-an ko!-Homie Beltran, Speple Batch 2011

Ang corny nang totoo! Kinilig ako kay Jen Magno (SpAlumni 2010) at Steve Medalle! Bagay sila eh! Nung nakita ko si King, first time mag-mime!

-Fatty Go, Speple Batch 2011

Itago na lang natin sa ating dating minamahal na pangulo-Sam Bautista, Speple Batch 2011

Rands Soriano Batch 2009-Glen Coquia, Speple Batch 2010

Steph Sia Batch 2000 (joke lang hahaha), Batch 2009-Dom Del Rosario Batch 2011

Dom Del Rosario Batch 2011-Steph Sia, Speple Batch 2009

Si Bing at si Jumbo! Kinilig ako sa kanila.-Tantan Doroin, Speple Batch 2007

Mainly, yung kids talaga.. iba yung feeling tuwing magla-light up yung mga mukha nila tuwing darating ka sa area. More so pag naaalala na nila yung name

mo. Namiss ko tuloy si Rojan, the human calendar... hehe-Alden Baleva, Speple Batch 2008

May Cruz Batch 2012! ;) Haha. Seryoso yan ah! Lagay mo yan. Sabi ni Sarah Sarmiento, 2011 yan!

-Sarah Sarmiento, Speple Batch 2011

SpAlumni Page

Sino o Ano ang Nagpakilig Sa’yo sa SPEED?

9

Sad.

Everyone goes through life looking for a source of fulfillment, something you will go back to for years to come. Not everyone finds it though. The sad part is, it’s usually right in front of you. You’re just not grabbing the opportunity.

SPEED offered me that opportunity and this is the abridged version of how.

As an officer of Special Olympics Philippines back in 2003, SPEED coordinated with me in making Special Olympics as one of its areas. As a Speple, I opted not to make SO my primary area as I wanted to spend more time with special kids. I was going to SO no matter what anyway. I went to every area schedule I could, from Cupertino, Child’s World, Children’s Hospital, Servants of Charity, St. Mary’s of Providence, Eucharistiana, and even Saturday Specials. I probably spent a fourth of my entire college life going to area.

Every visit was full of learning, from listening to each person’s quirks, language, and analyzing their mannerisms. It enhanced my knowledge on the different disabilities as well as developing my skills in handling persons with disability (PWD).

Before I knew it, I became a member of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Philippines. I was sent to Brunei twice, Shanghai, Malaysia, and Greece. SPEED was a large part of that.

SPEED showed me what I had to do, the role I had to fill, the person I had to be.

I always found SPEED to have a tragic flaw: following through. It is rare to find a good number (and by good I mean more than four) of Speples hanging around to say goodbye and escort the kids. It is not often enough that I see Speples taking care of the older kids, the not-so-cute (or the not-at-all). Speples tend to stick to the small cute kids, the cuddly and chubby ones, rarely the quiet and difficult ones. I wanted to change that. I had to. It is what SPEED stands for. It is the basis of the foundation of SPEED. No differences, no segregation, no preferences, no discrimination. And SPEED was doing exactly what it stood against.

I’m not saying that the cute ones don’t deserve attention. It’s just those that are difficult, not so attractive, unfriendly, and even violent are those that require our help the most. Truth is, it is with

OF BITES AND A BLOODY NOSE

them that you can really make a difference. It is with them that you can truly be touched and grow.

So I did. I started with the violent ones. I received a punch or two, bites, and blessed with a couple of bloody noses. Then I moved on to the silent ones, then the drooling ones, and so on. You’re probably asking yourself why you’d want bites and bloodied noses. Here’s the thing: the “puncher” is now in 2nd year college taking IT, “biter” is now working as a Petron gas boy, and the “noser” has just finished college in Information Design at AMA, without anyone knowing he was special.

It takes time and effort to make a difference. It’s not just by being cute, playing, and hugging them. You need to reach out to them, spend time, effort, and embrace the fear and at times, the humiliation. You don’t stop. You don’t give up. You just keep going.

Not everyone’s as lucky to experience what I have. You won’t feel the difference you’ve made most of the time. You’ll ask yourself, “What good am I doing for them?” Arts and crafts? Singing? Dancing? What does that do for them?” The answer is simple. Don’t ask. Let them answer. But it’s not just by the activities you plan that difference is made. It’s what’s behind them: the care and concern you have for them. Not much concern when you don’t escort them to their jeeps or cars, is there? Not much care when you don’t say and wave goodbye to them, is there? Not much love when you’re hanging around with your friends and fellow Speples while they just sit and do nothing, waiting for the program to start or when they’re just bored and inattentive.

You want to make a difference to the different? Follow through. Stand by what you believe. Stand by SPEED and embrace the opportunity AND difficulty it offers. SPEED is for the kids. Not just for you, not just for the members, not just for the friends. You put them first and they will take care of the rest. Trust me. I’ve had thirteen years of experience.

So the next time you’re afraid of a bloody nose? Bring it on.

Be the difference. - Christian Doroin

Speple Batch 2007

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KIDS’ CORNER!

Clockwise from Left: Arnel, Andrei, Anonymous, Matt

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Clockwise from Left: Emman, RR, Raffy, Anonymous

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Top to Bottom: Rorschack, Ronah, Alex, Roy

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Clockwise from Left: Jeofrey. Lomi, Vernice, Sally and Mark

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ISSUE # 2sy 2011 - 2012