BAND OF THE WEEK
Join the Club: The ‘emo’ kings

Like any other kid of his generation, Paul Roman Santiago, 22, loved to listen to all sorts of music. So much so that he wished to be in a band. Not just any other band, mind you, he wanted to be in one that is exciting and different. Eventually, he got to form his own. Is it exciting? Different? Well, let him tell you their story himself. Kids, Join the Club.


What’s your role in Join the Club?
I’m the drummer.

How did you guys got together?
Migz (Mendoza, guitarist, 24) and I knew each other from school. We always wanted to be in a group. Unknowingly, Chris (Renia, singer, 23) and Congie (Lulu, bassist, 23), both from another school, are dreaming of doing the same thing. In due time, Chris transferred to our school, we met, got to talking music and decided to join forces. And here we are.

What’s with the name?
There’s a funny story behind that. Some of the guys were listening to the band Alkaline Trio one day. They have this song that has a line, ‘bloodied up.’ We were singing along mistaking the lines as, ‘join the club!’ When we found out what the lyrics really were, we laughed so hard it became an inside joke for our group. Later, we decided to call ourselves exactly that: Join the Club.

Who are your musical heroes?
Lots. We all just love listening to different types of music. On top of our list is the E-heads. Next in line, of course, are VST and Company, the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Among the newer bands, we like, Rooney, Yellowcard and the All-American Rejects.

Describe your music.
Basically, we try to incorporate everything that we love in creating our own sound. It’s rooted in punk with a bit of emo (emotional rock) and classic ‘manila sound’ to it. Our music is very Pinoy and very alternative. In short, it’s different and quite exciting.

Currently working on… We are almost done with our Padi’s Point Bar tour. We are now busy working on the repackaging of our album, Nobela. This time it will contain acoustic versions of some of our popular tunes and some videos as well.

Where and when can we catch you live?
Nothing concrete yet but to get updated with what’s happening visit our site at yahoo groups. Just type in groups.yahoo.com/group/jointheclub. For bookings and more info just ring up Redrum Music at 3712322 and 3713734. You should see us live. You will surely love it.

>>NRJ Ramos

SCHOOL WARS: Let the games begin

WHEN it comes to school rivalry, there’s nothing fiercer than the battle between archenemies Ateneo and De La Salle. Some alumi from both schools claim that the La Salle-Ateneo basketball game (National Collegiate Athletic Association) in 1939 might have started the rivalry, a game which allegedly prompted La Salle fans to throw fried chickens at the Padre Faura gate of the old Ateneo campus during the Archers’ victory parade.

Since then, from their storied NCAA encounters to the more recent University Athletic Association of the Philippines clashes, league enthusiasts have anticipated every La Salle-Ateneo match. Spectators are fascinated by the fact that both schools cater to students from affluent families (both were former exclusive colleges for boys). Many of us are even guilty of comparing “blue” versus “green.”

Beyond hardcourt antics
The La Salle-Ateneo rivalry goes beyond basketball. Fans outplay each other in the bleachers—debating which side has the larger crowd, louder cheers, more popular alumni and hotter women. Almost every year, these have been the highlight of the UAAP games, save for the finals and cheering competition.

But there may be none of that this year. The UAAP board has suspended De La Salle for allowing two ineligible players, Mark Benitez and Tim Gatchalian, to play on the basketball team, so the Taft quintet would be sitting out the season.

But the show must go on. Season 69 would just have to live without a La Salle-Ateneo game. Will the UAAP cage wars be as exciting without this fabled rivalry? Or will other rivalries come to the fore? Suffice it to say that scalpers may have to suffer a loss in business.

Luz Sta. Ana, UAAP board representative of the University of the East, which is hosting this year’s festivities, is optimistic about the opening event today at the Big Dome.

“You can expect a beautiful presentation plus the excitement of the game between UE and Adamson,” she assured.

Although the current board is facing issues including the absence of star players like Ateneo’s Japeth Aguilar, they believe the highlight will still be the hardcourt wars, “although other sports like volleyball and football will be promoted.”

There is also the much-awaited cheerdance competition between the University of the Philippines Pep Squad and University of Sto. Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe. Ever since the UAAP cheerdancing competition began, UP and UST have been engaged in an unspoken battle for supremacy of the halftime hardcourt, with UST enjoying a one-win edge over UP at present. That may or may not change on Sept. 9, when the competitions come around. In the NCAA, Perpetual Help has parlayed its hardcourt prowess into halftime excellence. As reigning cheerdancing champs, the Perpetual Pep Squad reigns supreme.

Where has NCAA gone?
One would think that the one that stands to benefit the most from the De La Salle suspension would be the former premier league in the country. As the oldest collegiate league in the country, NCAA has its own set of powerful collegiate teams and charismatic players who could whip up a frenzy among its fans. But without the Ateneo-La Salle rivalry, the league has lost a lot of its glamour. Now, with the absence of DLSU from the UAAP lineup, NCAA stands to regain some measure of status if only it could create a similar matchup between the College of Saint Benilde Blazers (the La Salle franchise’s second team) and the San Beda Lions.

To be sure, NCAA’s opening day registered a record-breaking attendance.

“We intend to give equal exposure and promotion to all the sports, not only basketball but also volleyball, football, swimming, etc.,” says NCAA Season 82 chairman Bernie Atienza of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

True to its promise, this year saw the different volleyball teams joining the traditional parade.

“Volleyball games are also scheduled together with basketball at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. We’d like to put emphasis on other teams.”

Violence or school spirit?

But will NCAA engender as much fanaticism as its younger sister-league? The early signs show otherwise. At least not yet.

“The NCAA doesn’t have the same appeal as UAAP. Maybe NCAA lacks the ‘real’ rivalry among schools. I’ve seen more instances in NCAA where players and fans of competing teams behave violently against each other. It’s nothing like the rivalry in UAAP, where fans cheer their hearts out and await the pep squads’ halftime gimmicks,” says Ferdie Orosa, a Letran fan who would rather have less violence during NCAA games.

Violent student brawls have been part and parcel of the NCAA since the ’70s, when several founding members (including Ateneo, San Beda and La Salle) pulled out of the league. Ateneo moved its franchise to the UAAP, where it was later joined by its rival, De La Salle. San Beda College, on the other hand, has been in and out of the league more times than one cares to remember.

Ateneo broke away from NCAA after a violent match against old rival San Beda in 1978. La Salle, on the other hand, left the league in 1980 to avoid aggressive incidents with Letran. Over the years, organizers and administrators have learned how to handle hot-tempered players and crowds.

Location, location, location

School rivalries also developed based on campus locations. Letran-Mapua games are often called “Battle of Intramuros,” because of the proximity of their campuses to each other within the Walled City.

Diliman campuses Ateneo and UP also fostered an unspoken rivalry which dates back to pre-UAAP days, when UP students and Ateneans would engage in invitational games. This year, UAAP fans may see the renaissance of the “Battle of Diliman,” a matchup that could involve brains and brawn.

In the ’80s and early ’90s, some semblance of a rivalry was fomented between the Letran Knights and the San Sebastian Stags, the two strongest teams in the NCAA at the time. Letran boasted of superlative players like Samboy Lim, while San Sebastian benefited from the migration of Paul Alvarez from the University of Manila Hawks, as well as other spectacular cagers. Their crowd-pleasing antics (which consisted of high-leaping slam dunks and mid-air pirouette shots) “provided several close games in the 1980s” not to mention intense yet highly entertaining finals showdowns.

“Who knows, NCAA might just be lucky this year. It’s time for the league to reclaim its spotlight,” says Orosa.

Whoever wins in the endless battle of strength and wit, school wars are meant to foster team spirit. Students and alumni shouldn’t see leagues as an opportunity to be hostile. As the saying goes, what matters is how you play the game.

>>Adrian Carlo Velasco

CAMPUS HEARTTHROB: Mr. PLM 2006 in a nutshell

DON’T be deceived by looks. But how can’t you be, if you pass by the College of Nursing situated at the Gusaling Katipunan of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and you get to meet a “scholar-cum-heartthrob?” If you see a 5-feet-8 tall guy with a striking resemblance to broadcast journalist JV Villar and Penshoppe model Brad Turvey, then you’ve come across Enrico Pambid de Jesus!

Twenty-year-old “Icko”(his moniker) is the new Mr. PLM! Also named “Male Darling of the Crowd” and “Voter’s Choice,” he bested 10 other guys in a two-hour pageant held last June 24, in celebration of PLM’s 41st anniversary.

Manila Standard Today: Is it difficult for you to be a sudden celebrity here in PLM?
Enrico de Jesus: Yes, because I don’t see myself as such. I’m still the same Icko that everyone knows here in school. I also get strange reactions, like, “Uy, ayan na si Mr. PLM—si Barney oh!,” “Ang taba, pa’no siya nanalo?,” etc. It’s okay… you see, I can’t please everybody (he said with a smile). But I want them to know that I’m friendly and very approachable.

MST: How were you chosen to represent the College of Nursing in Mr. PLM contest?
EdJ: I represented my block in last year’s Mr. College of Nursing but I lost. Apparently, the winner and runners-up have all graduated… since I’m the one who’s “next in line,” the officers of our student council gave me the opportunity.

MST: What were your preparations? Any winning formula?
EdJ: Joining pageants isn’t my cup of tea because I don’t know how it goes… No emotional or physical preparations, I just organized all the clothes I needed to wear for every category of the competition. I wouldn’t know why I won, maybe sheer luck, what do you think (he grinned)?

MST: By the way, how would your parents describe you?
EdJ: Makulit daw ako (he said with a smile).

MST: Any vivid childhood memory?
EdJ: Yes, this happened when I was four… We’d be moving to our new house in Navotas. When we’re packing our things sa house ng lola ko sa Malabon, I told her to give us naman some of her canned goods para may stock kami. While I was getting yung mga de lata sa cabinet niya, nabagsakan ako ng marami! My fingers got hit and one of my nails was removed (he laughed).

MST: Are you a straight-A student? What’s your favorite subject?
EdJ: My general weighted average last sem was 1.84. I’m neither running for honors nor at the dean’s list. I’m not super-intelligent, but I’m extra-diligent when it comes to my studies. Patho-physiology interests me a lot. I’m amazed on the mechanism of diseases—how it works in the body and it’s clinical manifestations.

MST: Why did you take up nursing?
EdJ: …So I could take care of my mom who has a chronic renal failure for years now, she’s admitted for kidney transplant or for dialysis. I want to take care of her the right way—in a hospital setting. My course helped me a lot in explaining to her why she had to take this medicine, why she can’t eat this food, etc. We go to the hospital twice a week for maintenance and checkup. Madalas, ako na rin ang nag-i-inject ng gamot sa kanya.

MST: Do you plan to work abroad in the future?
EdJ: No. I mean, taking care of my mom is my top priority. And I’d like to teach here [in PLM] first. I’d like to return all the good things that PLM had given me. If I weren’t a student-nurse, I would have taken education [major in physics]. Teaching is something that I want to be passionate about.

MST: What are your other interests?
EdJ: I love playing badminton. I used to be a member of the varsity team and had competed in various district meets. If my schedule would permit me, I’d go back to the team this semester. I also love watching documentaries at the National Geographic Channel as well as rock and alternative music videos at MYX music channel during my spare time.

MST: What do you think would other guys envy from you?
EdJ: Hmmm… magaling ako makisama sa mga tao. I’m flexible and above all, I don’t choose friends!

MST: Let’s say, I would spend a day with you, where would you take me?
EdJ: I would take you to the National Library in Kalaw para we could read a lot of books and other stuffs. I read a lot because I believe that, “He who has the knowledge rules the world!”

Spoken like a true “Iskolar ng Pamantasan!”

>> Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon

‘Coach’ in the act

R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the name of the game.

Coach Bert Flores, of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, is definitely the man of the hour. As coach of last season’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball champions, he enjoys bragging rights—for another three months at least.

But with most of his veteran players graduating to more lucrative leagues, Flores is faced with the challenge of defending the title with “younger” players.

With De La Salle University (last year’s runnerup) sitting out the season, the field is left open for other equally dangerous teams to step up. Flores, for his part, is keeping his eye on the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the University of the East Red Warriors.

Flores, whose team will sorely miss the services of key players Arwind Santos, Mark Isip and RJ Rizada, admits the tremendous setback for the Tamaraws, especially in the rebounds department (Santos averages eight rebounds, while Isip, four rebounds). Rebounds and an impenetrable defense were among the many reasons the Tamaraws edged out the Archers last year.

However he assures that the new Tamaraw team—which includes shooting guard Jeffrey Chan, Francis Barcellano, RB Mangahas, Benedict Fernandez, Macmac Baracael, and JR de la Cruz—is as competitive and as strong as the previous one. They have competed off-season in invitational events such as the one in Jakarta and have faced-off against China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

Flores benefits from his long time handling of his players, who have been under his tutelage since their farm team days. He knows each of their capabilities and is sure to use them to the whole team’s advantage.

More than the players’ individual skills on the court, however, Flores sets great store by their respect for each other, and for himself, which goes beyond the hardcourt and locker rooms. With these to keep him going, Flores is confident that FEU will retain the UAAP men’s basketball crown.

Regaining hardcourt pride
In the case of Dindo Pumaren, coach of the UE Red Warriors, the pressure is doubly hard. For one, he has to win the title for UE, with shooting guard Marcy Arellano in the lead, to regain the hardcourt prestige that the Recto franchise once enjoyed. The Warriors have not won a title in the past 21 years (not since the days of Allan Caidic and Jerry Codiñera).

The men’s basketball title would be the perfect icing on the cake, as the school is not only hosting the UAAP games this year, it is also celebrating its 60th anniversary.

To this end, Pumaren, who follows in father Pilo’s footsteps in assuming the reins of the Warriors, is hard at work polishing the team’s defense and rotation. He also recruited seasoned players who could cope with his “system” and complement the team’s trademark quickness inside the court.

The team is still basking in the glow of its victory in the Fr. Martin Cup during the off-season. After the last championship, the Warriors “have gotten the habit of winning,” Pumaren notes wryly.

Which goes to show that the Warriors are up for the fight.

The future’s so bright
On the other hand, coach Norman Black, is also seeing a bright future for his Ateneo Blue Eagles this year.

They’ve been practicing hard the past summer months and have played in a total of three leagues including the Fr. Martin Cup and a lot of exhibition games (the Blue Eagles had just finished slugging it out with some Caucasian visitors in the country just before this interview).

In preparation for the upcoming games, Black has been working on the speed and rebounding abilities of his players.

This is a different team from the one that won the championship in 2002. Gone are stellar veterans like Rich Alvarez, Enrico Villanueva, L.A. Tenorio, Gec Chia and Larry Fonacier. Still, Black can count on the services of Doug Kramer, JC Intal and Eric Salamat.

“Our goal this year is at least try to get into the final two,” says the former San Miguel Beer coach, “We’re hoping that we can finish at least the elimination round and the final two to get us the advantage of going into the next round. And hopefully that would make a difference.”

At the end of the day, the fact remains that De La Salle leaves a big black hole in the UAAP universe, which begs the question, does it change anything at all?

>> Diana Uy

BAND OF THE WEEK
Super club

Every week, The Embassy Supperclub (816-4346) at The Fort becomes a lightning rod of sorts. It is frequented by socialites, expats, celebrities, social climbers, including the spoiled little rich kids who think they're the local Paris Hilton, and other partyphiles who dream of hobnobbing with the famous and moneyed set.

Once in a while, the Embassy Supperclub makes headlines for reasons its owners aren't proud of. Since it opened its doors to the public, the image of the club has been tainted by a number of angry disputes and bloody catfights among its habitues. The most recent is the much-talked about spat between celebrity Alicia Mayer and the lady bouncer, Aslie Aslanian, which left the sexy starlet with a bruised ego and cut lip. It's a good thing the matter has been settled now before it reached the courtroom.

With or without the fighting, Embassy has always been the preferred choice for barkada gimiks. Why? Because Embassy is one-stop party place for all your needs. It has the Embassy Cafeteria, which is open until the wee hours; Embassy Cuisine, a more upscale lounge/restaurant for denizens who want a little more privacy; and the Embassy Club, where all the fun starts and ends. Like upscale nightspots abroad, Embassy Club is divided into several areas: the main hall, the champagne room, and the VIP area.

Occasionally, the club features popular disc jockeys from abroad. On regular nights, it plays hard house, chillout, or '90s music.So, if you want to have fun and taste a little bit of showbiz and scandal, bring out your well-kept voguish outfits and head to Embassy Supperclub every Wednesday to Saturday.

Operating hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Entrance fee: P400
Location: The Fort Strip, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City

CAMPUS CHAT
"Sexy stars in campus"

We made our weekly rounds in major campuses in Manila. Here are the hottest news...

In UST...
>The recruitment week for university-wide organizations ended with a bang; when several organizations such as The Thomasian Writers Guild, Musikat, and when poprock band Join The Club performed.

>When Join The Club performed, several students were shouting profanities at them. However, their detractors were outnumbered by their fan-girls who clicked their cameras away, and screamed loudly for their idol.

>Sexy actress Katrina Halili could be seen ambling through the corridors of St. Raymund’s building that house the Faculty of Arts and Letters before she joined GMA-7’s Startstruck.

In Mapua...
>Last week, the Mapua Cardinals beat PCU in the NCCA.

>Last year, the name “Malayan” brought clamor to Mapuan students when the administrators announced that the college’s name would be changed to Malayan. This wasn’t pushed through since students and professors rallied in front of the school. However, the name “Malayan” was ascribed to Mapua’s new branch located in Laguna, which will open in June 27.

In Adamson...
>When Francine Prieto goes to her classes, she doesn’t wear make-up and always wear her uniform (save for the “wash day”, of course). Nevertheless, stands out among the crowd of students of Adamson, according to a friend.

>>Sandy Miguel