Written by: Jose Miguel Ballecer and Mary Andrew Dalogdog
Photos by: Khristel Penoliar, Bea Galvez, Tori Lopez
Tallying all the scores from the start of the Engineering Week, the Chemical Engineering (ChE) Department maintained their three-year streak as they emerged as this year's overall champion at SPARK: The Engineering Broadway Night 2023 last February 18, 2023, at the UST Practice Gym.
After the opening remarks of the Faculty of Engineering Dean, Prof. Angelo R. dela Cruz, PhD, PECE, which marked the start of the Faculty Showdown, Gab Campos, Joanne Almonte, and Danielle Eugenio were introduced as its judges.
First on the stage was the Industrial Engineering (IE) Department, which took inspiration from the musical, “Mamma Mia," followed by the Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department's performance of “Hairspray” and the Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department’s rendition of “The Sound of Music."
After an intermission number by UST Ronins, the Civil Engineering (CE) Department decked the stage with their performance based on the musical "Into the Woods." Finally, the Chemical Engineering (ChE) Department closed the showdown with their musical play "Wicked."
Before announcing the winners for this year’s faculty showdown, the Silver Gear Awards took place where nominations and voting period commenced last February 11 to 13, 2023.
Awardees for the faculty category were recognized as recipients of the “Student’s Choice Award for Outstanding Academic Staff”: Asst. Prof. Dolores S.D. Cleofas, PhD, ASEAN Engr. (CE), Asst. Prof. Noel S. Sabarillo, MSc (ChE), Engr. Michael S. Matias, MEng (ECE), Engr. Mariz A. Chua (EE), Engr. Yoshiki B. Kurata, PhD, CIE, Assoc. ASEAN Engr (IE), and Engr. Ma. Francesca D. De Guzman, RMEE (ME).
"I think bawat professor […] faculty sa engineering deserves this award," Asst. Prof. Sabarillo stated as he received his award.
Afterward, awardees for the student category were acknowledged as well: Allyssa Joy Idio (Fr. Roque Ruaño Leadership Award), Steven Mathew Solis (St. Cecilia Award), Industrial Engineering Circle (St. Martin De Porres Community Development Award), Operations Research Society of the Philippines - UST Branch (St. Aloysius Gonzaga Award), and Martin Alfonso Bonilla (St. Sebastian Award).
For the contest winners, Steven Matthew Solis for Amor: Ang Liyag ng Isang Tomasinong Inhinyero, a vlog fest, and Jeremy Edera for Sinag - Ang Sentimyentong Pagbabalik Sa Ruaño, a photo contest.
The faculty’s student band “Illumina” then covered Eraserheads' “Huling El Bimbo” and Mayonaisse's “Jopay”.
Moments after, the IE department was hailed the winner of the Faculty Showdown as well as Best Poster. They were followed by the ChE and CE Departments, respectively. The ECE department, on the other hand, won the Best AVP Award.
Engineering Student Council (ESC) adviser, Assoc. Prof. Carlos Ignacio Jr. P. Lugay, PhD, PIE, ASEAN Engr., then gave his closing remarks, kicked off the guest bands’ concert, which featured Sunkissed Lola and Orange and Lemons.
Sunkissed Lola opened their set with their latest single, "Makalimutan Ka" and ended with one of their hits, "Pasilyo." Orange and Lemons took the stage next and performed their most memorable hits, a track from their newest album, and a jamming session with the IE Department of Abba's “Dancing Queen”.
