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Written by Aliyah Nicole L. Villostas Visuals by Miriam Ruano Recently, the amount of reported COVID-19 cases has gone up due to the spread of new variants such as Beta, Delta, and Lambda. In the past three months, the Philippines recorded the highest number of confirmed cases of more than a shocking 27,000 last September 9th, 2021. In response to this, the government has issued a new quarantine classification system for the National Capital Region, narrowing everything down to the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). In addition to this, a four-level alert system has been added, with the strictest level only allowing those above 18 and under 65 to be permitted to go out. The effects of the pandemic on students’ education are still being felt even after nearly two years since the spread of the virus started, although arguably not in the same magnitude in every country. Due to recent cases, the Philippines has yet to allow a nationwide implementation of face-to-face classes, especially in the last three months. The surge leaves the Philippines as the only country in the world that has still not allowed students back in the classroom. Despite new variants of the virus spreading, other countries have already started returning to classroom learning. Indonesia, which currently has the highest number of cases in Southeast Asia, already started opening schools back in early August. With the third-highest number of cases, Malaysia has pushed back its opening of classes from the initial date of September 1st to October 3rd. Thailand, recently ranking fourth in the number of cases, has resumed face-to-face learning in July under strict precautionary measures. Thai students commented that they felt limited due to the number of safety measures being put in place, yet still grateful that they can once again return to school. The second academic year under the effects of the pandemic has just recently started, and not everyone is happy about it. Students and parents of an elementary school in Quezon City held up boards and signs protesting against another year of online learning, asking to bring back classroom learning in the Philippines. “Mabuti pa ang mga sugalan bukas na, mga paaralan sarado pa rin,” reads a sign being held up by a student. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has also been prodding for the implementation of face-to-face classes to resume in the country. UNICEF Philippines’ head of education work, Isy Faingold, cited different approaches that other countries have used to carry out the gradual return to face-to-face classes safely. Faingold remarked that in order to advance, the Philippines must learn from other countries' experiences and apply these to the current situation while also making sure to adapt to the country’s challenges. While classes remain conducted online, the government has already prepared a final list of 129 schools, a mixture of private and public, for a pilot face-to-face class run to be conducted in minimal-risk areas. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) has already approved the joint DepEd-DOH face-to-face guidelines for the said pilot run, and everything else is set for the pilot run to start. Students’ participation is entirely voluntary, and consent from guardians will be required. The president’s pilot run, which was recently approved, will last for two months, with classroom meetings only being held for half a day, every other week. Duterte has already commented on returning face-to-face learning, however, stating that he does not want to risk the safety of children with these matters. Is the Philippines truly ready to return to a classroom setup given the rigorous organizing and planning? It can be observed that the various precautions and improvements being implemented daily to minimize the effects of the pandemic have been coming to effect. The number of vaccinations have been slowly rising, the alert level for different regions including the NCR have been lowering, and the amount of reported COVID-19 cases have also been in decline since the end of September. This supports the hopeful idea that many students, parents, and educators alike hold: that gradually bringing back face-to-face learning seems plausible, and may come into effect sooner than expected.

Written by Patricia Nikole Valdecañas Say the name, Seventeen! South Korean boy group, Seventeen, just came back with their 9th Mini Album, ‘Attacca’ with the theme, ‘Rush of Love’. This is part of Seventeen’s 2021 Power of Love concept following Seventeen members Wonwoo and Mingyu’s digital single, ‘Bittersweet’ and their 8th Mini Album, ‘Your Choice’. From their album, ‘An Ode’ to Heng;garæ’s DIY album and Semicolon’s weaving kit, Seventeen is known to exceed expectations with every comeback promotion and album inclusions. At midnight on October 16th, Seventeen once again surprised their fans (Carats) with an audio kit of their newest song, ‘Rock with you’. This includes various sound samples that one can use to produce music. The kit has 3 basses, 3 drums, 3 FXs, 2 keys, a string, 2 synths, and 12 vocal tracks. It was posted on their Twitter account (@pledis_17) and can be accessed through Google Drive. The members of Seventeen are also known as ‘self-producing idols’ due to their active participation in composing, arranging, and producing their songs. Through this audio kit, Seventeen lets its fans experiment and have a glimpse into creating music. It lets Carats enjoy producing music as much as Seventeen does. It’s a fun way to engage and interact with fans all over the world as well as a unique way to promote their new album. In an Instagram post created by Bumzu (@bumzu91), he shared NMore’s take of the audio kit. Although the track sounds complicated to produce, it’s actually just a combination of a drum and a key, and a play of vocal tracks! He said that if you got an audio kit, make sure to enjoy it your way. Bumzu and NMore from Prismfilter are known to be one of the group’s producers. Seventeen members also shared their amazing creations on their Twitter account. First to share was Seungkwan who told fans to look forward to their new song. The track is catchy and has a feel-good melody. This is followed by a post from Dino which includes a photo of their member Woozi creating his track in their studio. Shortly after Dino’s post, Woozi then shared his output which served as a guide for Carats to create their medley. It is a play of various vocal tracks and a blend of different sound samples. It starts softly then slowly builds up to a lively tune. Vernon also shared his music with the caption “rave with you?” If you listen carefully, it somewhat sounds similar to their song, ‘GAM3 BO1’, a track from their recent mini-album, ‘Your Choice’. He said that he couldn't help it since he’s a “GAM3 BO1”. Your Choice was released last June 2021 with the title track, ‘Ready to love’. The last to share his music is Dino. When you listen to his track, you can certainly say that “Ah! This one is made by Dino.” It has a hip-hop feel that fits freestyle dancing. Definitely a DIN😎 feeling! In a Weverse post, member Wonwoo said that there is no right or wrong way to use the kit; it is for you to create your music. Now, how do you use the audio kit? The process is simple. Start with an application or website where you can layer and blend audio tracks such as BandLab or even CapCut. Using your creative mind, add, layer, and blend sound samples from the kit, and your track is done! Easy, right? And oh! Just a little reminder, enjoy and let your music be your joy. Carats as well as non-carats worldwide have tried using it and shared their music on various platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, SoundCloud, and YouTube. Since the audio kit was not part of the promotion scheduler, fans were shocked and curious about the sudden release. Some had difficulty accessing the audio kit during the first few minutes because of multiple entries and downloads. Eventually, it was made accessible for everyone. If you’re hesitant to try since you have no background in music production or don’t know what application or website to use, don’t worry! This might push you to create your track; Some Carats shared that like others, they also do not know music production. But when you listen to their tracks, it sounds incredible! The samples are diversely made and sound exceptional when put together, so you’ll definitely have fun using the audio kit. It would feel like a creative side of you, that you didn’t know you had, has sprung. Even those with no prior experience or knowledge in music production will surely enjoy using this. It would also be great if they release a kit for their other tracks, especially, ‘Crush’. Again, there is no right or wrong way to use it. The sound samples already sound great, so just be imaginative and enjoy making music. Regardless of how you put the samples together, your track will surely sound exceptional! Undoubtedly, Seventeen did not disappoint. The promotion for this comeback was unique and well thought of. The audio kit was done with great artistry and was a great activity and interaction for producers, fans, and non-fans. Seventeen went all out. Be creative and play with Seventeen’s Audio Kit! You can access it for free through this link, and don’t forget to share your creations using the tags #SVT_AUDIO_KIT and #SVT_Rockwithyou Watch Seventeen’s newest music video ‘Rock with you’' here:

Written By Patricia Nikole Valdecañas Photo By Ray Baltazar Alunen Why don’t you say so? Didn’t even notice, no punches left to roll with. You got to keep me focused; you want it, say so. Break time, mobile phones by the window, just you and your friends filming a TikTok video with the music of Say So by Doja Cat and Tala by Sarah Geronimo. Don’t you miss it? After a long day at school, you got home and saw the news, “NO CLASSES TOMORROW DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK.” One day of class suspension turned into weeks and months until you never got to go physically back to school. Who would’ve thought that would be the last time you’ll get to do a TikTok video with your friends at campus? We’ve been in quarantine for nearly two years now, and ever since, Filipinos have tried to find ways to feed their boredom. Let’s go back in time and reminisce about the moments we enjoyed during quarantine. Dalgona Coffee Number one on the list is the very famous dalgona coffee or whipped coffee that everyone was eager to try. “How to make dalgona coffee” is the most searched ‘how to’ during 2020. You only need coffee, sugar, hot water, and milk, and you’re ready to make your own dalgona creation. TikTok, Facebook Story, and Instagram Story were filled with photos and videos of people doing it, trying it, and even coming up with their versions using Milo and matcha. It was a really nice twist to our usual drinks especially in summertime. TikTok Next on the list is TikTok. Before quarantine, a lot of people are saying “hindi ako magda-download ng TikTok.” Guess what? Because of boredom and curiosity, a lot of people tried downloading and signing up on TikTok. And they ended up enjoying it! Now, they even join different trends and challenges such as the Cannibal, Sunday Best, Cream n Frosting dance challenge, My Heart Went Oops, Something New, and many more. Cooking and Baking Due to the lockdown, many people are devastated by the fact that they can’t visit their favorite fast-food restaurants and pastry shops. These catalyzed different food companies to launch a ready-to-cook version of their famous dishes, such as everyone’s favorite, Jollibee’s Chickenjoy. Another thing that most Filipinos enjoyed is this big food trend, Ube Cheese Pandesal where many people (including myself) savored these purple yam flavored soft buns that are stuffed with ube halaya and cheese—another perfect way to satisfy your pandesal cravings. Becoming Plantitos and Plantitas The pandemic also became the uprising era of plantitos and plantitas, which are people who love to take care of their plant babies. Collecting and growing different types of plants became therapeutic for most Filipinos during this stressful time. A few popular plants for new plantitos and plantitas are Pothos, Rubber Plant, and Monstera Deliciosa. Seedibles, the beginner’s best planting companion, said in an interview with Philstar Global that watching your plant grow from a humble seed to an abundant plant and serving it for dinner while saying ‘I grew that’ is an experience in a full circle. Binge-watching One of the most used streaming applications today is Netflix. Watching movies and series on Netflix during the pandemic served as our daily dose of entertainment. In an Esquire article written by Justin Kirkland, Lauren Kranc, and Adrienne Westenfeld, a few of the best 2020 Netflix series were named. The list includes The Crown, which follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century (Netflix); and Anne with an E that talks about the story about a young orphan who is seeking love, acceptance and her place in the world (Netflix). Aside from this, a lot of Filipinos got hooked on KDramas or Korean dramas. A few of these most-watched dramas are Start-Up, which tells the story of young entrepreneurs aspiring to launch virtual dreams into reality, compete for success and love in the cutthroat world of Korea's high-tech industry (IMDb), and It’s Okay to Not be Okay that tells the story of a community health worker at a psychiatric ward who doesn't have time for love, and a successful children's book author with antisocial behavior who seems to have never known love (IMDb). Who couldn’t resist watching these dramas when Nam Joo Hyuk and Kim Soo-hyun are the male leads? Online Shopping During the quarantine, more people became aware of online shopping, specifically Shopee and Lazada. Everything that you need and want (for a much lower price) can be found in these applications, and with just a few clicks, your order will be delivered straight to your doorsteps. The efficiency of using these applications made Filipinos addicted to online shopping. (Are your wallets ready for the 11.11 sale?) We enjoyed these things, thinking that eventually, everything would go back to normal. ECQ turned into MECQ, GCQ, NCR plus Bubble, and Alert Levels. But it has been more than a year since our country has implemented the first lockdown and here we are still stuck in our homes with COVID-19 cases increasing every day. I guess we’ll keep on finding ways to feed our boredom with no idea when we’ll get back to our usual routine of physical activities. But hey! More trends are sure to come! So now, let’s hop on the current trends and remember that the best way to predict the future is to create it.

Written by Jamie Franchesca Lopez Photo by Alex Miguel Tacderas Shifting to an online school called for changes in the overall learning environment, affecting students and educators alike. Academic integrity, an essential part of the classroom, was kept intact through the use of anti-cheating software. These are third-party entities that use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor test-takers’ movements, and upon detecting any activities presumed to be cheating, a report shall be sent to the teacher. Depending on the facilitator, they may ask to open the students’ camera. Although relatively new to be considered reliable, due to the lack of surveillance under the online setup, institutions see this as the best option to minimize any violations against academic honesty. But multiple issues have begun to emerge upon the use of such software. One can agree that its implementation is effective in instilling academic integrity, but it is definitely not a foolproof solution. Considering the arising problem of individual privacy, delay in system activities of gadgets, and the increase of the internet data requirement, does the intention really outweigh the obstructive effects? Initially, the compulsory use of webcams may be invasive to some students. Even if that is not the case, not every student has an available area in their household fit to be an ideal study setup with good lighting and a stable internet connection. So, such factors can affect their overall experience with these programs. Additionally, the AI-based facial recognition feature of the software flags even the smallest body and eye movements if recognized as cheating, too stringent, since during face-to-face classes, people tend to shift to a comfortable position while taking a test, which does not necessarily equate to cheating. Furthermore, the use of cameras during exams creates more stress for students as it causes unstable internet connection to some. Due to such requirements, more problems may arise during the test, such as completely disconnecting from the course site, leading to the inability to take the exam. This is a major problem since some facilitators do not allow makeup tests, putting the students in a predicament. From a technical point of view, these software can bring operational difficulty to the students' gadgets as these are recognized as malware by antivirus applications. Professionals at Microsoft have vouched for the negative effects caused by installing the Respondus Lockdown Browser, which is used by the university as the main proctoring software during exams. It is coded to streamline the device’s basic tasks, allowing it to block the user from opening additional tabs and overlay your screen to maximize its tracking processes. After its operation, it abandons the blocked paths, which means that your computer has additional barriers to go through, slowing down its initial productivity. Naturally, the continuous usage of this software will pile up the scattered jams, making your device completely unusable in the future. Since gadgets and the internet are the lifelines of online learning, losing it, even at the stake of preserving academic honesty, would be detrimental to one’s education. Finally, since tightened surveillance is aimed by these software, students might develop a performance freight. A study has proven that test anxiety negatively affects student performance in an exam. In a study conducted by Alemu and Feyssa (2020), students who had a test anxiety score of 65 to 74, which is considered severe, were more prone to having lower scores in exams. Looking into the possible complications that may arise during the exam, test-takers are prone to experiencing anxiety, creating tension among students who may not be able to focus and exert their best with the elevated presence of these emotional factors. All these cons aside, the use of such software is able to achieve its goal. Most of their developers promise and deliver a 90% above accuracy in detecting any malpractice. But requiring cameras and using destructive software is seen more as a problem than a solution by the majority of its audience. It has been proven that students cheat due to the lack of surveillance in exams (Starovoytova & Namango, 2016; Wade & Stinson, 1993), which are done for two things: to gauge the students’ understanding and the instructor’s effectiveness. Thus, resorting to cheating is caused by the shortcomings of either or both. With this increase in technical requirements, the gap caused by online learning becomes wider and bigger, almost unreachable. Education becomes more exclusive than it already is. More importantly, we see a systemic flaw in the continuous failure of imposing academic integrity. Using anti-cheating software does not offer a long-term solution. Yes, it minimizes cheating, but to what extent? Students are incessantly cheating, and this tells more about the defects of the current education system and how it only focuses on numerical results, not on individual growth or improving its overall quality. Although the act of cheating must not be condoned, educators and curriculum authors should revisit their approach during this time of distressful survival. Given the sudden adjustment demanded by online classes, educators were forced to employ the use of anti-cheating software during exams to minimize cheating. As it consistently carries out the necessary processes to support its cause, I concur with its implementation. However, it should be in the institution’s best interest to find a software that is non-invasive, does not degrade the gadget’s performance, does not require additional data, nor turning on one's camera. A better teacher-student relationship must be developed to establish effective communication to address issues properly and transparently. Respecting one another builds a better dynamic in the online classroom, maximizing class’ productivity and academic integrity.Most importantly, empathizing with everyone’s individual circumstances creates a safe space that fosters and prioritizes learning and growth in all aspects.

Written by: Justine Keith Moises Photo by: Christian Mungcal EDITOR'S NOTE: An erratum was released regarding UST programming team's initial ranking last October 19, 2021 at 7:35 p.m. Ten UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) students participated in the academic festival entitled “The ECEptionals: Showdown of the Minds” via Zoom and Facebook live on October 17, 2021. The event was initiated by the Institute of Electronics Engineers in the Philippines - Manila Students Chapter (IECEP-MSC), in partnership with Makarius Smart Learning and Cauld & Clark Information Technology Solutions to produce more quality Filipino developers through free training and collaborations. The festival had two segments: a programming competition and an interscholastic quiz show. For the programming competition, six universities participated: De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU), Far Eastern University Institute of Technology (FEU Tech), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Technological Institute of the Philippines - Manila (TIP), Technological University of the Philippines - Manila (TUP), and University of Santo Tomas (UST). Meanwhile, the interscholastic quiz show hosted 12 universities: Asia Pacific College (APC), Bulacan State University (BSU), DLSU, FEU Tech, MAPUA University (MU), National University-Manila (NU), PLM, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig (PUP), TIP, TUP, Unibersidad de Manila (UDM), and UST. UST’s programming team, composed of Luke Eleazar Paner, Akira Ryodji Tagura, and Mark Jasper Gutierrez, was initially able to rank within the top 5 of the programming competition. Engr. Ma. Madecheen S. Pangaliman, MS, a faculty member of the ECE department, trained the team as their coach. UST Team A consisted of Marc Michael Nitro, Aliah Nicole Brillante, Anton Jude Seki Reburiano, and John Patrick Villa, finished fifth in the ranking of the interscholastic quiz show. UST Team B, composed of Leighla Louisse Sto. Tomas, John Earl Patrick Sandoval, Jamie Valdon, and Luke Eleazar Paner also competed in the same segment. Both teams are under the guidance of Engr. Raymond Serafica, of the ECE department. Engr. Serafica mentioned in an interview with Thomasian Engineer that it was challenging to train students in an online set-up as it hinders the profound formation of camaraderie and understanding among the team members. “Number one issue talaga 'yong internet connectivity kaya na-delay ‘yong quiz show...Syempre hindi lahat ng students may access sa magandang internet connectivity”, he added when asked about the significant challenges they have experienced during the competition. The final results of the programming competition are set to be announced on October 23-24, 2021.

Written by: Jeffrey Alfonso Former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Philipina A. Marcelo, Ph.D., was selected by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as the Outstanding Professional of the Year in Chemical Engineering. PRC Commissioner Hon. Yolanda Reyes has confirmed through a letter that Prof. Marcelo, who is currently on leave to pursue her Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in the United States, is among the recipients of the said award. According to PRC, the annual prestigious Outstanding Professional of the Year award is the highest recognition given to an individual who excelled and has significantly contributed to society in their respective field. The fields of expertise in which the awardees were divided into the following clusters: Business, Education, and Social Work Cluster; Engineering Cluster; Health and Allied Cluster; and Technology Cluster. Prof. Marcelo is the sixth Thomasian to receive this award by the PRC, joining the likes of Academician Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D. (2020, in Chemistry), Asst. Prof. Donald G. Manlapaz, Ph.D. (2020, in Physical Therapy), Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, Ph.D. (2018 in Pharmacy), Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH (2010, in Physical Therapy), and the late Asst. Prof. Jacinta B. Cruz (2009, in Medical Technology). The conferment of the award was said to be scheduled for November 12, 2021.

Written by: Doroteo Prudenciano II and Justine Keith Moises Photo by: Sophia Andrea Sonthithai The annual Engineering Recruitment Fair once again kicked off as different organizations from the Faculty of Engineering highlighted the one-week fair with their promotional videos and posters from September 23-30, 2021. Organized by the UST Engineering Student Council (UST-ESC), the fair started with an opening program presenting the 16 interest and mother organizations in the Faculty of Engineering, and their respective presidents last September 23, via Facebook Live. UST Association of Civil Engineering Students (ACES), UST Chemical Engineering Society (ChES), UST Mechanical Engineering Club (MEC), UST Electrical Engineering Circuit (EEC), UST Industrial Engineering Circle (IEC), UST Network of Electronics Engineering Students (NECES), UST One Voice Engineering Chorale (OV), Thomasian Engineer (TE), UST Pax Romana – Engineering Unit, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers- UST (ASHRAE), Rotaract Club – Engineering Unit, UST Engineering Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Engineering Dance Troupe (EDT), Cisco Networking Academy Gateway (CNAG), Operations Research Society of the Philippines – UST Chapter (ORSP), and UST Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch took part in the program. A short interview with the presidents was then conducted after each of the presentations. UST One Voice and Engineering Dance Troupe graced the event with their intermission number performing song and dance covers. Kenneth Allen Albeda, President of UST-ChES and SOCC Board of Director, concluded the first day of the Recruitment Fair Week with his closing remarks. The 16 organizations decked the second and third day of the recruitment fair to post their promotional videos on their respective Facebook pages to encourage applicants on September 24 - 25, 2021. The promotional videos highlighted the organization's mission, vision, and excellence throughout the years, as exhibited by its recognitions and projects, including seminars, webinars, assistance programs, and tutorial sessions. The recruitment fair ended with the announcements of the Best Audio Visual Presentation (AVP), Best Poster, and Most Recruited Members, wherein UST-EDT, UST-ChES, and ORSP-UST garnered the said awards, respectively.

Written by: Carl Tristan Gile Photo Courtesy of the UST Department of Industrial Engineering and Engr. Angelito A. Silverio, PhD Professors and alumni researchers from the Faculty of Engineering were recognized in the Nagoya City University (NCU) Contact Points in Asia Symposium held virtually last August 25-26, 2021. The symposium, with the theme "Think about SDGs - Designing Healthy Work Environment," showcased various research topics related to the “Hub for Work Environment Design” of the NCU. The Industrial Engineering (IE) Department exhibited two studies in the event. Winning the Excellence Poster Award (Audience Choice) is the research, entitled “A Comparative Study on the Human preference and the Nutritional Value between Mung Bean Chips and Common Commercial Snack Food” by IE alumni Adonis Clet, David Lorenz Dometita, Fredric Go, and Ericson Niones. The team’s adviser, Assoc. Prof. Carlos Ignacio P. Lugay, Jr, PhD, PIE, ASEAN Engineer, presented the said research. Meanwhile, the study, entitled “Establishing a Procurement Model in Philippine Barangay Health Centers using Integer Linear Programming” by IE alumni Glenn Gerald Castañeda, Keziah Marella Cueto, Clara Franchesca Mendoza, and Angeline Nicole Regalado, was presented by their adviser, Engr. Gabriel C. Bucu, CIE, AAE, and won fourth place for the Excellence Poster Award. Engr. Angelito A. Silverio, PhD of the Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department, also participated in the poster session and garnered second place in the Best Poster Award. His presentation focused on the opportunities, deployment, and challenges of wearable technologies for chronic health care monitoring. Engr. Silverio led the exhibition of the following on-going studies funded by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD): “Design of a Wearable Sweat Rate Sensor using Calorimetric Flow on a Microfluidic Patch,” co-authored by Kiara S. Esguerra, Jerard Vincent R. Ang, and Ho Tatt Wei; and “Development of a Wearable System for Fall Detection and Physiological Signs Monitoring,” co-authored by Mhar Ian Estayan, Edgardo Giuseppe G. Catambing, and Carl Anderson Lei Yee. When asked about his experience in joining the symposium, he expressed that it was a great honor and privilege for him to be one of the representatives of the University of Santo Tomas in the event. Aside from the participants mentioned above, Asst. Prof. Ruth Marie I. Equipaje, MS, and Assoc. Prof. Lilia C. de Jesus, PhD of the UST Research Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities (RCCAH), also partook in the event.

Written by: Jejomar Laab Visuals by: Jeremy Edera It is highly unlikely that the usual classroom set-up would go back very soon. The question now stands as to whether virtual labs and other off-campus activities precipitate the required technical skills of the new “breed” of engineering graduates. Can the next generation of learners be on an equal footing with the previous graduates? The most basic definition of engineering is the application of science and mathematics to solve complex problems. Traditionally, engineering education pivots on content-centered, lab-based, hands-on, and design-oriented approaches. However, the current global health crisis compelled academic institutions to explore online learning. This means no real lab activities, actual data gathering, and immersive experiential learning. Given its application-based nature, online instruction raises the concern of the possible erosion of the quality of education. Even in the earliest engineering schools in the US and France, concepts and theories were deemed to be best taught through apprenticeship programs. It took full aim at practice, so students were required to design and create their innovations. This application-based education goes beyond the theoretical understanding of scholars. Hence, to gear up the students in the professional setting, they must acquire useful practical knowledge. Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) looks into the graduates’ ability to demonstrate the following: Design and conduct experiments as well as analyze and interpret data Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs Use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. Classroom, laboratories, and associated equipment must be adequate to accomplish the program objectives and provide an atmosphere conducive to learning The program includes college-level mathematics and basic science (with experimental experience) appropriate to the discipline. Programs should be consistent with the aforementioned. Obviously, some of these may not be met on a remote set-up. Hence, schools must be able to adapt and find new solutions to acquire a good portion of these target outcomes, at the very least. ABET also has 13 learning objectives, which deal primarily with the cognitive and affective domains. Mental cognition goals (e.g., instrumentation, data analysis, and design) can be accomplished even in an online setting. However, meeting the psychomotor and sensory awareness is a challenge in remote teaching, especially in lab-based activities as they require appropriate engineering tools and resources. Virtual Labs Online lab instruction can be done either by simulations or remote labs. Simulations have been regarded as the nearest way to reinforce concepts commonly taught in physical labs. Be that as it may, it has limitations since it uses mathematical models, which do not give authentic results. The latter facilitates working on equipment and instrumentation via software but does not give a feeling of real presence in the lab, leaving out some objectives. The challenge now is carrying out experiments in such a way that is closer to “real” lab experience. Virtual labs can be created through multimedia tools and editors such as HTML, SMIL, and XML that can generate courseware. In the UST Faculty of Engineering, students use various software and online virtual labs—MATLAB, PSpice, LTspice, Quartus Prime, and Polymath, to name a few. These tools are used in different courses, such as General Chemistry Lab for freshmen, Unit Operations Lab and Chemical Process Lab for ChE, Hydraulics Lab and Surveying Lab for CE, and Electric Circuit Theory Lab for ECE. The faculty supplements these with Youtube videos, pre-recorded clips in actual labs, pre-existing datasheets, do-it-yourself experiments, and home distribution of toolkits. Hands-on experience with lab equipment, instruments, and materials is an inherent and integral part of engineering education. Hence, the current learning format may curtail the quality of education. For example, students may neglect the safety procedures and lab ethics since these are not emphasized in virtual labs. Oversimplifications of an experiment may also overlook significant aspects of the actual process. With simulations being unreal, students may struggle in handling real equipment and instruments in the industry. What’s more is that it restricts excitement and learning curiosity, leading to confined inputs and parameters. The worst case is the possibility of educational gaps, which may reflect in the professional setting later on. Despite being slammed for not presenting real experience, simulation labs are advantageous over actual labs in terms of flexibility, theoretical understanding, and repetition. It is also easy to use, non-maintenance, and cost-effective. Internet-assisted labs also offer good exposure to conceptual learning, and the safety of students is not a major issue. More so, it overcomes time, price, pace, and place. Many studies also revealed that virtual experiments better improve the practical skills of the students. But it all boils down to the authenticity, constraints, and capabilities of the software. Research Another significant pillar that would receive a blow from this distance learning is the research experience of the students. Labs and research facilities are shut down or limited to urgent studies. For this reason, undergrad research and theses were converted to an intensive literature review and finding solutions to address the needs raised due to the pandemic. Others modified their methodologies from using lab equipment to software simulations. It is a missed opportunity to learn characterization tools, work on real equipment, perform surveys, create prototypes, and arrive with a very conclusive output. But at the same time, it reduces the cost of empirical research, gives quick access to information, and allows convenient data collection. Internship Onsite industry immersion was also halted, as per the COVID-19 advisory of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This took away the opportunity to leverage the critical skills and to train the students in an actual workplace. Certain equipment and processes may appear to be alien to the new graduates since there is no real, up-close experience. They may also be missing out on important aspects and qualities that employers look for. Be that as it may, resilience and adaptability in the face of adversities are traits that many companies hunt for in new employees. A variety of virtual internships is still available to cater to students. And since it is output-based rather than time-bounded, a longer free time can be used to learn a new skill or to hone a new one, championing flexibility and resourcefulness. Limited F2F Classes Last May, CHED announced that it might consider holding another batch of limited face-to-face classes, should the first batch of medical schools record zero transmission of COVID-19. This second set includes engineering, information technology, industrial technology, and maritime programs. Currently, the commission has permitted 64 medical schools to hold limited face-to-face classes, among them are the Medicine, Medical Technology, Physical Therapy, and Nursing Programs of UST. “Doing” is crucial in engineering education. In the same way as medical schools, engineering also needs face-to-face classes to gauge the required skills and to effectively assess academic learning. Lab classes stitch together significant concepts, experiential learning, research, data gathering, and design fundamentals. Getting the hands dirty imitates the actual work set-up, teaching students essential skills. In doing so, students learn to succeed—and sometimes fail—in a productive learning environment. Knowing that the country is in no way near curbing the pandemic, the best alternative is still conducting experiments and other activities on online platforms. Although virtual labs are only temporary measures and stopgap solutions, they do not neglect to prioritize safety and to provide the best possible learning experience that meets the needs of students. In engineering, it is imperative to tailor the skills, methods, and qualities to the ever-changing world. Changing needs call for adaptive innovations and problem-solving abilities. Extraordinary times require flexibility to new tools and approaches. The new batch of learners must psych themselves up for the “next normal” as the world they would step into is much different in many ways.

Written by: Levanza, Sarte, & Castillo Visuals by: Jayvee Fulgencio ECQ Season 3 is now waving while another semester of online classes is just around the corner. True enough, building connections with others seems to be a hindrance during this setting, but getting to know your blockmates isn’t that hard as it sounds with a few ice breaker games and activities. Here are some fun and interactive things to do with your friends and classmates to keep you safe and sane at home through Discord. Discord is the Revolution Discord was released back in 2015 for gamers, but this social media platform gained popularity during the initial phases of the pandemic—as its users were raised by 47% since February 2020, according to CNN Business. What makes Discord stand out with other voice call apps such as Zoom and Google Meet are its features. It is an ored messaging, voice and video call aganizpp—all in one. It also supports a multiple screen sharing option. It’s way easier to form connections with people who have common interests within the application as well, as it allows people to be part of servers or communities. These “servers” are a combination of text channels and voice channels, all organized into categories. Lastly, what makes it more unique is the ability of server moderators to add and utilize Discord bots on their servers. To top it all off, it offers low data cost usage so bandwidth wouldn’t really be a major issue for you and for your friends. Do you want to know the comparison of other video conferencing apps to Discord? Read more here. Perfect for Group Studies Since Discord allows multiple server creation, it can be very useful for bonding with friends! So why not create the opportunity to use discord to study with them as well? We all may have different study habits but this does not change the fact that having study buddies helps in holding each other accountable for staying focused. Having company can encourage people a lot, especially when there’s content that doesn’t add up, you can always ask the other for help. There are loads of different Discord bots that you can add to your servers to help with studying. These bots can range from server rewards for people who clock in during their study sessions, gaining levels by doing different study techniques and even calendars and scheduling bots to help organize your day and keep track of deadlines for your academics. Bots like Productovo, Studybot and even Classcord, are all useful bots to help manage your study time when inside Discord. Stream music together After a tiring studying session with your friends at Discord, you can also try to relax by listening to music with your friends on a voice channel. Stream your tropa anthems, suggest new songs, and marvel at the thought of “Kailan kaya tayo magkikita-kita?” as you sing your hearts out with your friends. Here are some music bots you can try at Discord: Groovy, Octave, Hydra, Chip, and MEE6. Just make sure to know how to control them using chat keywords depending on the bot you choose. Hosting movie nights Now that cinemas are closed due to the pandemic, surely many of you miss the vibe of watching movies with your loved ones at a popcorn-smelling theater. Invite your friends and assign someone to be the designated streamer, turn on your cams, and watch the most thrilling movies and see your friends’ reactions in real time! Start a Book Club For avid readers, starting a book club in Discord can be one way to meet other enthusiastic readers from around the world and be encouraged to read even more. Since Discord also supports file sharing, it would be easier for like-minded readers to share their favorite reads within the group. Finding people who read a lot was always a daunting task, so this is one of the easiest ways to find bookworm friends! Play games As previously mentioned, multiple screen sharing is available in Discord. This allows not only browsers and screens to be shared, but also games to people inside of the server you are included in. With that, there are a lot of cool games that you can play with your friends while you are all in one channel for faster communications. Discord has servers in multiple countries which lessens the lag between parties compared to communications built into games. A huge list of games can be streamed and below are just some of the games we think you might enjoy whilst spending time with your friends on mic. Among Us Stuck in a spaceship with 9 other people, two random roles can be assigned to you: Becoming an innocent player whose job is to survive and finish the tasks in the lobby or find out who the impostor is. The impostor’s job is to assassinate and hide amongst the innocent players until there are 2 or less innocent players left in the lobby. The free to play game is available for PC and it is also available for Android and iOS. No charges, just install and play! So why not try it out with your friends and see who amongst you is the real impostor. Skribbl Assemble your friends and get ready to show off your dazzling illustrative prowess as you fight your way to the first rank through sheer determination, or just by writing the word down on the board. This game was designed for friends to hang out and get some laughs and giggles while admiring the art that each person can offer to the table. One game can hold 8 players and you have plenty of freedom to express yourselves as there is a plethora of art utilities to choose from and different colors that can be used easily. The free to play game can be played in any browser, but can also be played on mobile devices. Stream it online or just play for fun, share the experience and bond with friends to your heart’s content. TETR.IO Compete with your friends by trying the ‘Multiplayer’ mode or dominate the leaderboards by playing ‘Solo’ in TETR.IO. It has user-friendly configuration and its setting is easily tweakable to match your PC or laptop performance. It comprises various game modes in both solo and multiplayer modes. Experience its sleek and nostalgic gameplay as you play the modern take of the classic game we all loved growing up. Gartic Phone Similar to Skribbl, prepare your drawing skills with this one. People think of quirky sentences, then other players try to draw the sentence. They get a weird sentence in return and they try to describe what they see in the most realistic way possible. At the end of every round, the players get to see the hilarious drawings and responses each of them did. The game is way better on call with friends. Covidopoly Covidopoly has no limit to how many friends can join in. The game is pretty much like Monopoly Deal, but instead of the usual Monopoly properties, it uses Covid as its theme. Dealing with masks instead of money, the goal is to get 3 colored properties to a full set whilst also keeping other player’s mask count low so they go bankrupt. All Bad Cards In the likeliness of Cards Against Humanity, All Bad Cards is a party game for people who are into dark humor. Players are presented with a fill-in-the-blanks phrase or sentence, and others are required to pick the most suitable and funniest card for that given phrase. The first player to reach 12 points wins the game. There are a lot of missed opportunities taken away by the pandemic. For sure, we all miss going out with our friends. As the virus continues to spread and evolve into various variants, it is highly encouraged to stay at home and do our part in keeping the virus contained. Online learning will stay for a while and as we wait for the time when we are all mask-free, let us utilize alternative means of connecting with people. Because as cliche as it sounds, if there’s a will, there's a way. Discord literally means “disagreement with people” and has a negative connotation. Ironic it is, who would have thought that through Discord, we can gain connections, socialize and even bond with people given the large distances between us all? Send this to your newfound blockmates, friends, and loved ones so you can Discord with them!

Written by: Jeff Alfonso, Miguel Ballecer, Aliah Brillante, Mary Andrew Dalogdog, and Carl Gile Photos by: Mary Andrew Dalogdog, Joaquin Campos, and Jeremy Edera The engineering freshmen officially embarked on their college journey through the EXCITE 2021 series held last August 4 to 6, 2021. With the Disney-inspired theme “Where the Magic Starts,” the celebration was spearheaded by the UST Engineering Student Council (ESC), and broadcasted via Facebook live and Zoom conference. To start the annual occasion, the ESC released a preview of the set of activities in store throughout the week, and an audio-visual presentation (AVP) showing the different ESC committees in-charge of the event. Only asynchronous activities were conducted on the second day to give way to the university-wide Thomasian Welcome Walk and ROARientation. Furthermore, student organizations of the faculty introduced themselves to the freshmen students through AVPs and publication materials. Games, such as "Stop the GIF," "Guess that Disney Movie," and "Word Search," were also hosted during the first two days. The interactive hangout, the last activity and highlight of the celebration, happened earlier today. For the morning session, the faculty’s administrators, department chairs, and ESC executive board were introduced first to the freshmen participants. Subsequently, Prof. Angelo R. Dela Cruz, PhD, PECE, new acting dean of the faculty, officially started the third day of EXCITE 2021 with his opening remarks. He congratulated the freshmen and hoped that they would become a “Thomasian engineer, not just an engineer.” Audrey Consul, a UST Faculty of Engineering alumna and former ESC Public Relations Officer, also shared an inspirational talk about her engineering journey. At the end of her discussion, she reminded the freshmen students that whatever decisions they make, they should make sure that they “enjoy, learn, and grow from their experiences.” Pre-recorded presentations of the following interest and mother organizations, along with their assigned Disney movies, were shown in the morning session: Rotaract Club of UST - Engineering Unit, Moana; UST Pax Romana - Engineering Unit, Toy Story; American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) - UST Student Branch, Monsters Inc.; UST One Voice Engineering Chorale, The Incredibles; UST Engineering Dance Troupe (UST-EDT), Hawaiian theme; Operations Research Society of the Philippines - UST Chapter (ORSP-UST), Up; UST Cisco Networking Academy Gateway Engineering (UST CNAG), Frozen; UST Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (UST-IEEE Student Branch), Meet the Robinsons; UST Association of Civil Engineering Students (UST-ACES), Big Hero 6; UST Chemical Engineering Society (UST ChES), Wall-E; UST Network of Electronics Engineering Students (UST NECES), Cars; UST Mechanical Engineering Club (UST MEC), Soul; UST Electrical Engineering Circuit (UST EEC), Coco; and UST Industrial Engineering Circle (UST-IEC), Tangled. Perking the event were intermission numbers from the UST Engineering Dance Troupe, and UST One Voice Engineering Chorale. Winners of each game played during the freshmen week were announced before the end of the program. Kyla Christine A. Sarcos, the ESC president, then concluded the morning session with her closing remarks. For the afternoon interactive Zoom hangout, the freshmen were assigned into 30 different meeting rooms based on their class sections. Each room was facilitated by three representatives from the faculty’s student organizations. Facilitators engaged with the participants through an introduction, and sharing of college experiences and expectations. For an increased interaction within the section, a game of “Kahoot”, “Guess the Disney Song” played in reverse, and “Complete the Iconic Disney lines” were played. The EXCITE 2021 series officially capped off today with a photo opportunity with the participants for each room.

Written by: Miguel Ballecer and Mary Andrew Dalogdog Photos by: Niña Eblamo and Christian Mungcal The university welcomed 11,335 freshmen, the first batch of USTAR passers, through a virtual welcome walk, and ROARientation earlier today. These events, including a eucharistic celebration, were live streamed at the UST official, and UST Tiger TV Facebook page. Eucharistic Celebration Opening today’s celebration was a mass presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., the university rector. In his homily, he discussed the importance of focusing on one’s goals whatever situation a student is in. "Every beginner like you holds a chance to become a master in his chosen field," Very Rev. Fr. Ang said. At the end of the mass, the freshmen received the Thomasian welcome rites, and made a Thomasian petition for blessing. The mass was followed by a welcome message for the freshmen from Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., UST secretary-general. Along with his speech, he gave a teaser of the events in store for the freshmen’s ROARientation. Welcome Walk The virtual Thomasian Welcome Walk immediately commenced after the mass, wherein the freshmen walked through the Arch of the Centuries via the university’s Minecraft server. This signified the start of the students’ journey in the university. The Faculty of Engineering welcomed 1,076 engineering freshmen this academic year. Bettina Erquieza of the UST Tiger TV hosted the event. ROARientation With the hashtags #ROARWelcomeFreshies, and #USTROARientation2021, this year’s ROARientation started off with an opening performance by the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, and UST Sinag Ballroom Dance Company. A virtual amazing race, entitled “Thomazing Race” was then played via the Minecraft server, with Eya Laurel, UST Growling Tigers outside hitter, and Ivan Gordola, Student Organization Coordinating Council (SOCC) president, emerging as winners. The race was hosted by Hans Galeria, UST - Communication Arts Students' Association (CASA) interim sports committee head for Academic Year 2020-2021; UST Yellow Jackets for the second station; and Marymon Reyes, UST Tiger TV anchor, for the third station. A virtual tour of the university’s Central Library was shown afterwards with the following guests: Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P., prefect of libraries; Ms. Ma. Cecilia D. Labo, chief librarian; and Ms. Raquel B. Lontoc, head librarian of General Reference and Information. The tour was hosted by Bettina Erquieza, social media correspondent of the event. The following games were also held to maximize interaction with the audience: “Tomasino Says” which allowed Thomasian TikTok content creators Sofia Donato, Abram Reyes, and Irish Vistan to answer questions on the Thomasian student life; and “Where to G?” which let the freshmen audience guess the venues inside the university. Abram Reyes from the College of Science, and Hanna Marie Hernandez from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management won each game, respectively. The traditional storytelling of the life of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Dominic de Guzman was then portrayed by Mr. Leo-Martin Angelo R. Ocampo, O.P. as “Kuya Tom” or St. Thomas, and Rev. Fr. Christopher Jeffrey L. Aytona O.P. as “Papa Dom” or St. Dominic. Following this were performances about online classes by the Thomasian Media Circle and Talents (TOMCAT), and Teatro Tomasino. The batch dance was taught afterwards by the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe using the song “Levitating” by Dua Lipa. The best performance of this dance via TikTok will be given a free cake from Wadough’s Cafe. The event ended with the announcement of the following winners for the Thomasian Challenge: Emmanuel Ebreo, Best “GO USTE!” Cheer; Regina Montero, Best Creative Photo with a Yellow Shirt; and Edward Sta. Ana, Best in Writing the Name of their College with the non-dominant hand. The ROARientation was hosted by Hans Kho, UST Tiger TV talents pool head, and Gayle Resubal, UST Tiger Radio disc jockey.