UC Pa-staran 2009

One of the highlights of University of Cebu’s Intramurals is the “PA-STARAN” . It derived from the word “star” which means “to be popular, famous, glamorous, well-known, and exceptionally different from among the rest. The show was happened last Friday, September 11, 2009 at Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Philippines. It was participated by different colleges and department performed by students and teachers. Yes, you hear me loud and clear. “Teachers”.  Unfortunately, I am not one of those performers since I was still on leave. My contribution to our department is just simply to cheer them and took some videos and photos of the memorable events that happens only once in a lifetime.

THE TICKET

The show was started almost 6 p.m. In the tickets it states in there the show time will start at 5pm. It was almost an hour delayed. This is one of the bad habits of Filipino; however, we were good in saying “better late than never!”. Huh! Anyway, when I and my co-teachers namely: Rebecca Aristas, Gloria Sombrano, Marife Canumay and Geraldine Villahermosa were about to enter the said coliseum, the CSU (Civil Security Unit) personnel and staff inspected our ticket. The ticket’s cost is Php50.00. It is quite expensive isn’t? We were claiming that were teachers. They told us, that no one is exempted in paying the ticket. Since we were law abiding citizens, we paid the said amount. I fold the money and the ticket and hand in to the one of the CSU personnel. Then, I entered the gate. I looked back and noticed something fishy. My perception was that money which I gave wasn’t being turned over to the student staff. I didn’t write my name on it, which I should supposedly have to write. The other teachers didn’t also bother writing their names. As we went inside, we settled to sit in front of the stage. We had a conversation that those tickets that we gave can be recycled. This means, if the spectator doesn’t have a ticket, they will resell it. So, I decided to go back to the gate. Before I was allowed to go out, the criminology students who serve as a marshal at the ring area were asking me to leave my identification card. I told that them,” what if my i.d will be lost?” They insisted that it will never be happened. I go back to our area, got my company I.D and gave it to them. Then, I proceed to the entrance gate which I have to settle. When I arrived, I asked the student staff politely. “Can I have my ticket, because I want to write my name on it? I describe to her the color. The ticket is color coded according to the department.  The student staff looked the ticket which I wanted. But then, all the neon green ticket has printed name. The CSU personnel whom I gave my ticket and money approached us. He asked that what was I am looking at? I told him my intention. He helped the student staff, (her family name was SATO). Sato transferred the ticket with the money stapled on it to the other box.

It seems the CSU could not stay where he was. He keeps on transferring from my side to the opposite side. Sato gave me neon green ticket but the money stapled was Php 100. I insisted that I will not accept it because I pay only Php 50.00 bill. Then, the CSU told her to exchange the bills and tickets. The Php 100 bill attached in blank neon green ticket while the Php 50.00 bill attached in white ticket. Sato detached the staple wires. She stapled the Php 50.oo bill and the blank neon green ticket. After this, I wrote my name on it. In this case, he shouldn’t receive the money paid by the audience. He should let the staff do it. I guess his duty is just to make sure the area of responsibility is safe and secure and to scrutinize the people who will coming in and out in the coliseum.

Do you smell something fishy? Or is it me who smells fishy? You decide?

THE PERFORMANCE

The show was started with an opening salvo performed by UC- Cheer and Dance and Theater Workshop Company members. It was indeed nice performance by them.

It was followed in a nerve breaking performance by UC Cheer dance. They have great performance that night though one of the top cheer dancers fell. This must be practiced perfectly so they will have an outstanding performance grade from mellow! Anyways, the lady of ceremony of the event is one of the college faculty members, she is Mrs. Cynthia Abellnosa. A.k.A “Jandi” of Boys over Flower”.  She’s so cute with her attire. Ever since I was hired in UC, I often see her almost all activities organized by UC. She had this guts to face a big crowd like that night. If I was in her place, I couldn’t make it. I don’t have that confidence the same as hers. To Madam Cynthia, Kudos! for a job well done.

Let’s proceed to the contest proper. There are two categories for this contest, student’s category and teacher’s category. It was started with the students’ category and followed by teachers’ category.

STUDENTS CATEGORY:

1. CTS Department.

At first glance, one of the performers look like a female because of protruded breast, his facial profile and the way he dance. Until such I recognized that all of them was wearing a brassiere.  This is part of their show. The selection of music is impressive. It was all popular songs of this year. These are: Beat it; I know you want me, Jai Ho and Nobody. However, their performance is quite boring. It doesn’t have any climax, less choreography and lack of energy. Sorry if this is what I have observed in your show

2. METC Department

This is one of the contestants who were much applauded. METC is well known department especially during Intramural events. This is one of the departments that UCians will look forward due to its uniqueness of concept, extravagant props, and camaraderie of students and of course they were all men. Huh! In this year’s pastaran, their story relies on a BADJAO woman comes from nowhere. She meets the leader of the tribe. They celebrated when the woman gave birth. I like their performances especially the live instrumentation depicting the lives of Badjaos. They were good in terms of striking the drums. Their physical features were out from a civilization but not their music. They embrace the hit music’s of this generation. I really like the concept of this group. One thing that I don’t like is some of their actions are obscene which are not appropriate for young audiences.

3. Commerce and Accountancy Department

One of the performers of this group is my co- dancer in Lumad Basakanon. No wonder that their accessories are from Lumad Bakanon’s property. Well, I know he asked permission from the owners of the accessories and the choreographers of the said group. Nevertheless, their performance’s grade is 6 out of 10. I know they really did their best. The part that I like most is the live singing. He did a great job.

4. Allied Engineering Department – 2nd PLACE WINNER

They have a nice concept which is the”evolution of dance”. I have seen some of this dance and heard this music performed by “Street boys”. I would say that they have a cute lead dancer. I like their concept for it is purely performance and it is continuous. I will not see an empty stage. They dance as a group. The only thing that is missing to this group is the total production. Ops! Sorry, I forgot to take a picture in this group.

5. High School Department.

They are considered as ant among the elephants. It is one of the most cheered participants in the Pastaran 2009. However, the loud cheers gradually receded as the show continues. They showed a typical high school presentation. The concept is absolutely great but they lack an embellishment in production. Production is very necessary when performing in a Pastaran and in a huge place like Coliseum. Looking at them, I know they did their best. Congratulations!  High school students for a job well done!

6. Education Department

Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda invaded the coliseum? Opps, they were just an impersonator. LOL! It was an outstanding performance to those who portrayed Kris and Boy in SNN. Good job girls! The Miss Universe concept was amazing. The ladies , flaunt their stunning beauty and exuberant costume.

7. Hotel and Restuarant Management (H.R.M) Department

They have a nice production with continuous presentation. Their finale is the Sinulog beat.

8. Custom Administration Department

Don’t judge the book buy its cover. This is my first impression to this department. The first thing that you can see is the typical stripe blanket being hold by two students. As the music starts, they unleashed the blanket. It reveals the person behind that blanket. Guess who is he? My God! Michael Jackson is alive! He seems look alike to the late Michael Jackson. He really dances like him especially the moonwalk. The only problem was the compact disc was acting up. But I totally appreciate him, he is a professional performer. He still manages to dance even without accompaniment/music. The presentation of this department is different from the rest because he was the only one who presented unlike the others.

8.  BSICS

The only thing that makes this group catches the attention of the audience is these cute guys.

TEACHERS CATEGORY:

1. LIBERAL ARTS

2. METC

3. EDUCATION

4. HIGH SCHOOL

and the winner is???

Student Category:

2nd Place – Allied Engineering Department

1st Place – METC Department

Champion – Customs and Administration

TEACHERS CATEGORY:

2nd Place – METC Department

1st Place- High School Department

Champion – Education Department

KUDOS! To all winners!

For more photos. Click Here. and videos Click HERE.