Article by: Pia Alyssa R. Bonagua and Frances Qarl M. Tolosa
Photo by: Maurine Claire F. Kim
With the theme, “Great at 98: Vision Realized,” Mapúa University (MU) celebrated its 98th foundation week, last January 22 to 28, with most events held at the Intramuros Campus. The week-long event highlighted the triumphs and achievements of the University over the past 98 years, Mapúan excellence, academic competitions hosted by different departments and schools, and the return of in-person events such as Mr. and Ms. Cardinals Preliminary Competition and Auto Principi.
Continuing the Road to 100
Last January 22, MU kicked off the foundation week with its 5th Fitness Run hosted by the Department of Physical Education and Athletics. However, the official opening ceremony was held two days later, which began with a Eucharistic Mass and the traditional parade of schools and departments together with their representatives for the Mr. and Ms. Cardinals 2023 pageant that would be held in February. The parade also held a contest for the Best Costume where the School of Information Technology was hailed as a champion for their robot mascot. Meanwhile, the Department of Liberal Arts (DLA) and the Senior High School (SHS) Department placed second and third in the contest, respectively.
As there are only two years away from its centennial celebration, MU launched activities in line with the Road to 100 campaign. Among the events was the Centennial Lecture Series that focused on various topics related to the growth and feats of the University, such as digital transformation, geographic expansion, university rankings, online education and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) experience, and internationalization, among others. MU President and CEO, Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, Executive Vice President for International Alliances and Cintana Partnership Executive Director Dr. Bonifacio T. Doma Jr., Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao President and CEO Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, Office of International Research and Development Head Dr. Delia B. Senoro, OPED Content Team Manager Engr. Mary Christine A. Tomas, Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) – Digital Director Engr. Ericson D. Dimaunahan, CTL – OBE Director Dr. Edward Jay Quinto, School of Civil, Environmental & Sanitary and Geological Engineering Dean Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy, Engr. Rosette Eira Camus, Directive Research for Innovation and Value Enhancement Office Director and School of Graduate Studies Dean Dr. Jonathan Salvacion, and Engr. Dennis H. Tablante were the speakers of the 10-part lecture series throughout the week-long celebration.
Celebrating another founding anniversary, a new centennial logo was unveiled last January 24 as the University anticipates its 100th year in 2025. The logo presented the institution’s old logo pixels, globe, people, and infinity. The theme “Always Building the Future” signifies the institution’s image of being locally and globally competitive as well as providing innovative and reliable people for as long as they continue to aim to develop the Philippines’ quality of education, including their and others’ quality of life.
“Mapúa has been anticipative of the future and has striven not only to keep pace with the fast-changing times but has sought to help conceive, invent, engineer, and build the future,” Dr. Vea added.
Mapping out Mapúan excellence
The following day, faculty members and students who excelled academically and showed their full potential to represent the institution in local and global competitions and conferences were recognized through the Cardinal Excellence Awards 2023.
“Here [at Mapúa University], we endeavor to recognize and honor faculty members and students who dedicated themselves in pursuing their passion and perfecting themselves, making a mark in their respective areas and disciplines,” DLA Chairperson, Prof. Ma. Eliza Torres, said. In return for their contribution to the university’s honor and pride, the Cardinals’ greatness is celebrated to show recognition by rewarding their hard work.
Exploring beyond the engineering realm
On the same day, the DLA also hosted an Ethics Bowl, a debate contest that tackled controversial topics that affect ethical beliefs and practices. There were two teams: Team A and Team B, that shared their insights and dilemmas on Bull Fighting and Extrajudicial Killing. The declared winners were Chelsea Dumogho, Angelica Mance, Mark Angeles, Inigo Abcedo, and Sheffield Maravilla from Team B. Mark Angeles from Team B also won an individual award for being the Best Speaker in the competition.
Last January 26, the University honored dedicated and long-serving employees with this year’s Service Awards. Continuing with the second iPeople Best Practice OBE and Blended Learning contest, the event brought together educators from iPeople schools, including Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, to discuss ideas and programs to achieve quality education at the Makati Campus.
To test the mathematical skills of Mapúan students from different year levels, the Mathematics Department began its search for this year's Math Wizard through a competition. Justin Teng Soon Khoo, a first-year civil engineering and environmental & sanitary engineering student, was hailed as the champion. Following Khoo, Emphraim Sales, a second-year civil engineering student, was named the first runner-up. Paul Nino Rodriguez (ChE-1), Shawn Benedict Santua (ME-1), were recognized as the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.
Subsequently, DLA held its annual TC Flash Talks wherein contestants explained the assigned topic in simpler terms at the Intramuros Campus Seminar Room. Monette Rose Tenmatay emerged as the champion while Reone Maniquiz and Tashia Ligueran placed as first and second runners-up, correspondingly. DLA held two more contests, Pagsulat at Pagbigkas ng Tula and an Essay Writing Contest.
For the fifth day of the week-long event, January 27, the School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management hosted the 3rd Technopreneurship Competition. The participants were drawn from sections undertaking the course Technopreneurship 101 – where teams presented their innovations. The team ScrapIt, composed of Aliah Marie Delos Santos, Timothy Orda, and Rafaela Pangalangan, was proclaimed the champion of the competition. Meanwhile, LifeTable, which was presented by Waldo Elias Dioquino, Kyle Hanz Andaya, Miguel Sancho Mendoza, and Andreah Faye Lapinid, placed second. As for the third place, the group that came up with SustainabiliTree, namely Ashley Alongsay, John Paul Jose, Jenzen Beatriz Judit, Kian Lester Quiben, and Paul Reinier Tabo, secured the spot.
Additionally, the Physics Society of Mapúa hosted this year’s Physics Olympics. The competition was divided into three categories,. First, in “Motion Against the Wind Vehicle,” wherein students raced miniature vehicles to withstand the wind and make it into the finish line, Daniell Drek M. Gutierrez, Mark Joshue Gamalog, Joshua Nunez, and Robbie Galinato were declared as the winners, with a final time of 0.01 seconds. The second category was the "Unnecessary Inventions" wherein students designed and made products that addressed some issues in the real world. David M. Lagasca and Karl Philippe A. Descalzo claimed the title of champions for their Multi-Purpose Mirror. The invention of Window Pants by Patrick Andrey T. Bao and Kassandra Ghake C. Dionisio were awarded second place. Via Lauren R. Escandor and Raigeki Kalel M. Maximo came in third with Slap A Ketchup.
The "Physics Short Clips" was the third and last category wherein students except Physics Majors submitted short video clips about a specific Physics topic. Tackling Thermodynamics, first-year civil engineering students, Sean Adrian Lim and Jego Serrano, were proclaimed as winners with a score of 92.96.
Reintroducing the campus grounds
On the same day, the Admissions Office also organized an Open Campus at the Intramuros Campus for aspiring Mapúans to be familiarized with the institution’s programs, community, system, and student opportunities. Meanwhile, the Center for Continuing Education and Special Competencies (CCESC) conducted a webinar entitled, “Mapúa's 98th Foundation and Cisco's 25th Anniversary,” which featured keynote speakers, namely alumnus Mr. Marloun P. Sejera who discussed Networking Essentials 2.0, and School of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering Professor Ms. Rosemarie V. Pellegrino who talked about the Python Essentials for Clustering.
Another event at the Intramuros Campus was the preliminary round of the Lakan at Lakambini ng Cardinal, also known as the Mr. and Ms. Cardinals. The pageant consisted of SHS and college students from different departments as its candidates. This year’s theme was inspired by Filipino culture, as the participants dressed up according to their assigned Philippine region. The Cardinals showcased their cultural costumes, talents, and brains in the question-and-answer portion. For the preliminary awarding, representatives from the School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and the Built Environment (ARIDBE), Mr. Paolo Miguel T. Almodovar and Ms. Patricia Anne F. De Guzman, took home the Best in Cultural Wear award. As for the Talent portion, School of Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering (CEGE) candidates, Mr. Raphael Mardicas and Ms. Erika Mae Alfaro, earned the Best in Talent title. For the last portion, School of Media Studies (SMS)' Mr. Paolo Apacible won the Best in Q&A award.
The next day, basketball exhibition games, with alumni and Mapúa Cardinals' coaching staff as the attendees, were held. Simultaneously, the Mapúa University Collegiate Chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) hosted a car and motor show entitled “Auto Principi 5” featuring the Cardinals’ custom-built cars, pickups, and motorcycles at the Intramuros Grounds.
Ending the week-long celebration, the National Association of Mapúa Alumni (NAMA), Inc., an organization of proud Mapúans, hosted an Alumni Night to celebrate and reminisce about their Cardinal journey at the Intramuros Campus Gymnasium. Aside from honoring their Alma Mater with glory and pride for its contribution to their great success, they also conducted an oath-taking and induction ceremony for the Association of Mapúa High School (AMHSAI) and Sword and Castle Officers and recognized the student council members and affiliates, raffles, and games.
With a new year dawning upon the institution, President and CEO Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea looked back on the defining moments of the past year, such as breaking through the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, partnerships with prestigious international universities such as the Arizona State University (ASU) and University of Cambridge, and the onset of health science and business programs together with ASU, “So, I think without fear of contradiction, we are now among the best universities in the world, thus vision realized.”
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