MANILA — Far Eastern University (FEU) clinched a vital edge in the semifinals with a commanding 25-17, 25-22, 25-22 triumph over the University of the Philippines (UP) in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament held at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday (20 April 2024).

Maintaining their dominance, the Tamaraws extended their winning streak to eight games, solidifying their hold on the top spot with a 12-1 record.

Andrei Delicana led the charge with 11 points, eight of which came from powerful attacks. Zhydryx Saavedra contributed six spikes and two blocks, while Martin Bugaon added seven points, including two crucial blocks, for FEU.

The Tamaraws will conclude their elimination round campaign against defending champions National University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on April 24.

Reflecting on their performance, FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo emphasized the mental aspect, stating, “We are No. 1, which is a very challenging position. Aside from honing our skills, we will place a significant focus on our mental resilience.”

For UP, Louis Gamban led the charge with nine points  and an ace, followed by Daniel Nicolas with six attacks and three blocks.

In another match, NU asserted their dominance by defeating Adamson University 25-19, 25-17, 25-16, reclaiming the second spot with a 10-3 record.

De La Salle, with a 9-3 slate, sits in third place and will square off against archrivals Ateneo de Manila University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

As the race for the remaining semifinal slots intensifies, Ateneo (6-6) and the University of Santo Tomas (7-5) are battling for the last position. A win by UST over University of the East (1-11) will eliminate Ateneo.

Leo Aringo led NU with 12 attacks and two blocks, supported by Angelo Almendras with 13 attacks.

Adamson, led by Ahmed Tahiluddin with eight spikes and John Anthony Yboa with six points, will face Ateneo in their upcoming match.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Patricia Lanzagarita

STUDENT volunteers  from the Far Eastern University bagged the Best Paper award in the ASEAN Youth Week 2023 for their EdukAksyon project.

The team wrote and presented a project proposal that focuses on the needs of students with disabilities. The paper highlighted the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education.

Suzanne Angela Dela Cruz, vice president for External Affairs of Tamaraw Volunteers, stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the issue.

“What sets our work apart is having our resolution address the roots of the issue and not only settle for band-aid solutions,” Dela Cruz said.

She encouraged the youth to avoid limiting themselves and use their creativity and courage to make success stories.

“Actual platforms like the ASEAN Youth Week celebration give us the chance to stimulate intellectual discussions to forge meaningful networks and secure partnerships,” she said.

By Arturo Belano

TWO faculty members of the Far Eastern University joined the 21st AsiaTEFL International Conference held in South Korea.

The professors are Robert John P. Pastera and Faith Edlehn Jovellanos of the Department of Language and Literature.

Pastera physically presented his paper “Narratemes and Binary Oppositions in Philippine Folk Literature.”

Jovellanos, on the other hand, virtually presented her paper “Genre Analysis of Digital Advocacy Infographics: Inputs into a Genre-Based Approach to Purposive Language Education.”

The 21st AsiaTEFL International Conference aimed to suggest visions for and aspirations of ELT in Asian contexts and to foster closer friendships and tighter networks among scholars and practitioners whose work involves ELT policies or practices relevant to Asian contexts or students.

The conference was headed by Prof. Hee-Kyung Lee and Prof. Robert J. Dickey, Conference Chairs of AsiaTEFL.

By Arturo Belano

A FACULTY member from the Far Eastern University bagged the 2022 Gintong Aklat Awards given by the Book Development Association of the Philippines.

Rudolph Valentino Docot was recognized under the Science and Technology category for his book titled ‘A Guide to Gingers of Sorsogon’.

According to FEU Publications, the book is the first guide showcasing the diversity and exquisiteness of the family Zingiberaceae in the Philippines.

Dr. Sandra Yap of FEU edited the book, while Ross Copiaco served as book designer.

Established in 1981, the prestigious Gintong Aklat Awards are given out regularly to outstanding book publishers based on the quality of books they produce year after year.

The awards are meant to recognize excellence in bookmaking in the country today among its members.

The event is held every two years.

By Arturo Belano

FAR Eastern University’s Center for the Arts director Martin Lopez was one of the jurors in the Asia Folk 2023 recently held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The folklore and handicraft festival held in the historic Sukhbaatar Square transported attendees to a realm of artistic expression reminiscent of a peaceful revolution that echoed EDSA 1 in the Philippines during the mid’80s.

Lopez said that he meticulously considered myriad elements from costumes that reflected cultural heritage to the infectious energy radiated by the participants in evaluating the performances.

“Soloists and ensembles, musicians and dancers, the young ones and the ‘young-once’ all competed against each other in several rounds in indoor and outdoor venues,” he said.

“I gave extra points to the enthusiasm and energy of the performers even if their pieces were meant to be challengingly slow and seemingly sad. Of course, the quality of the performance and the level of talent had to be spectacular,” he added.

“Armed with an unforgettable experience, Lopez envisions a future where the Philippines takes its place on the international stage, representing its rich cultural tapestry in similar festivals,” the school said.

Lopez thanked the organizers of the event, particularly the president of the Penang Arts Council Joe Sidek.