STI fosters student development through holistic education

Shaping the youth goes beyond classroom learning as academic institutions now offer a wide array of extra-curricular activities to help build character and better prepare students for the real world. As one of the country’s biggest educational institutions, STI has also adopted this mindset as they apply a holistic education approach within its Enrollment to Employment (E2E) System.

With its dedication to produce well-balanced and highly talented graduates, STI has developed specialized extra-curricular programs that allow students to hone and exhibit their talents inside and outside of their respective courses.

One of its student development programs is its long-running STI Talent Search which for School Year 2022-2023 has now returned to its grand physical format. Back from a brief pause during the pandemic, the event showcases the talents and foster collaboration of its students nationwide.

Students from STI campuses in different parts of the country gathered in a whole-day celebration of talents, skills, and achievements that upholds STI’s thrust towards excellence on January 13, 2023, at the Star City and Aliw Theater in Pasay City, Metro Manila. 

Several competitions were held simultaneously at the Aliw Theater and Star City featuring the finest student musicians, dancers, heartthrobs, and darlings to compete in this year's Singing Idol (solo singing competition), Battle of the Bands (band competition), Hataw Sayaw (dance competition), and the much-awaited Search for Mr. and Ms. STI 2022.

Yours truly was able to capture some snaps of Singing Idol and Battle of the Bands held at the Star City performance area. I missed some of the performers showcasing their talent in this competition.

Singing Idol

    

Battle of the Bands

But for for the Hataw Sayaw, I was able to fully watch from the beginning until the awarding ceremonies. The competition was held at the Aliw Theater.

Hataw Sayaw

STI Talent Search - Hataw Sayaw Participants

STI Balayan 4213 Extreme

STI Tagum Naistanera Dance Company

STI Caloocan Break The Rulez

STI Malolos Republika Uno

STI Ormoc Project Atmos

STI Calamba All Out

STI Negros Lil Giants

STI San Jose Damara

 

From the video, you can hear the STIers and the crowd raves as they cheer for their favorite group, and other groups who showed extra moves to impressed the audience and the judges.

They are all talented and already winners as they are represented their school across the country . They have moves and skills that are unique. It is not easy for the us the audience and the judges to determine the champion.  But with the help of the criteria for judging, Judges selected three winners. 

Champion: STI Negros Lil Giants

Second Place: STI Ormoc Project Atmos

Third Place:  STI Calamba All Out

STI Talent Search Hataw Sayaw awarding

Mr. and Ms. STI

Photo from STI Official Facebook

To know about the winners, visit STI Official facebook page https://www.facebook.com/sti.edu

Besides the use of the entire theme park, STIers relished in the whole day of festivity and performances from celebrity guests.

 

The STI Talent Search is only one of the student programs lined-up for the school year as the institution prepares to welcome the upcoming Second Semester with more exciting and network-wide educational activities all geared towards holistic development.

 

“For almost 40 remarkable years of developing students’ potential through academic and extra-curricular activities, STI has always been innovative in providing our students with strong learning experiences to become well-rounded individuals,” said Aisa Hipolito, STI Vice President for Academics.

 

Among the activities for the 2^nd Semester are Tagisan ng Talino and Tagisan ng Sining which include academic competitions like Think Quest (team quiz bee), CodeFest (mobile app development), Mix n’ Flair (flair bartending), Travelogue (tour guiding), Chef Xpress (cooking competition), Shutter’s Best (photography), and Director’s Cut (video making), among others.

Students and publics alike can look back at the best of the STI student development programs and what’s in store this second semester on www.sti.edu.

Samantha Ashley Lo and Sam Ajdani Century Tuna Everybod Superbod 2020 Grand Winners and #StayStrong Champions

A strong finish:  Nursing student and fitness coach hailed as
Century Tuna Everybod Superbod 2020 winners

In a landmark event hailed as a strong and successful finish amid the pandemic, Century Tuna Superbods 2020 named nursing student and ESL instructor Samantha Ashley Lo and fitness coach and professional model Sam Ajdani as the Century Tuna Everybod Superbod title holders. The most anticipated health and fitness event of the year was also a momentous occasion as it set the standards for future online events in the new normal. 

Held at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Quezon City, the finals event followed strict adherence to the FDCP-DOH-DOLE safety protocols for film and audio-visual shoots.

“We needed to rise up to the challenge. We knew it was going to be tough but we stayed focused and if we’re able to pull this off successfully then at least we are able to provide a template for the industry to learn from and use. We soldiered on despite the challenges to show that it can be done,” said Century Pacific Food Inc. EVP & COO Greg Banzon. He also added, “It’s important to stage the event to provide inspiration and a good benchmark for the country to put health, wellness and fitness as the top priority.”

The success of the event amid the pandemic made their victory even more memorable for both Samantha (27) and Sam (30). Sam, who is a professional commercial model, admitted that one of the most challenging part of the competition was trying to stay healthy given the restrictions of the pandemic.   Meanwhile, Samantha, who is a former Miss Grand International Philippines winner, had to strengthen her focus and remain creative in her home workouts, even when she could not go the gym. Their persistence and commitment to stay strong and focused paid off when they were proclaimed winners of the biggest health and fitness competition in the country.

Samantha and Sam bested 25 other Superbods candidates and will each take home Php 500,000 tax-free cash and other amazing prizes. Both winners passed rigorous digital challenges required during the competition to emerge as the new ambassadors of Century Tuna Superbods 2020—health and fitness advocates who are passionate in promoting health and wellness as an everyday commitment especially during these trying times. They are also exceptional individuals who remain optimistic and believe in getting back up again even after falling so many times.

Meanwhile, the runners-up were Superbod 2020 Stunner Candice Ramos and Superbod 2020 Ageless Erie Matic. Other candidates who took home special awards were Shirley Garcia, Zai Ebido, Enzo Bonoan, Samantha Purvor, Philippe Magalona, Nelson Banzuela, Key Trajano, Albert Lorenzo, and Grace Del Rosario.

The 25 finalists were all strong contenders, showcasing inspiring traits and skills to encourage themselves and their fellow Filipinos to keep going, and remain healthy and strong during these trying times.

The finalists were judged by a distinguished panel of judges. Joining Century Pacific Food Inc. EVP & COO Greg Banzon, Century Tuna marketing director Carlo Endaya, triathlete and SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas, GMA Network senior assistant vice president for alternative productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Isabelle Daza, Alice Dixson, Sarah Lahbati, Ina Raymundo, and DJ Toni Tony.

The health and fitness competition was relaunched last July 25 with a more inclusive and relevant #StayStrongPilipinas theme. To signal its resumption, Century Tuna released a rousing video via its official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna), featuring Century Tuna celebrity ambassadors Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards with the Superbods finalists urging everyone to stay strong and to continue pursuing their dreams of a healthier future through proper diet and exercise.

To relive the “Century Tuna EverybodSuperbod 2020” finals, visit and follow Century Tuna’s Facebook page, @centurytuna or Instagram @centurytunasuperbods.

Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) 2020 Calendar of Events

‘Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino’ rocks the new normal with first digital music fest in Philippines 

 

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) continues its commitment to promoting Filipino music in varied forms and functions through its maiden online edition. 

Considered as the first digital music festival in the country, LMP brings the stage at the comforts of your home with an inclusive and diverse programming that fits the new normal setup. 

The virtual festival is slated to take place from August 19 to 28, 2020, featuring a multi-format showcase spanning music performances, busking sessions, single and album launches, concerts, workshops, creative webinars, talks, and more.

Enduring optimism

This year’s celebration sets its sights on the theme, “Musikang Pinoy. Buhay At Ipagpatuloy,” as a response to the Philippine music industry’s enduring power to rise above extraordinary times and hurdle the challenges of the pandemic with the spirit of bayanihan. 

“Now on its 6th year, though it is still in its infancy, LMP is continuously building a strong foundation in the creation of a tradition that would instill in the consciousness of every Filipino to, not only patronize, but embrace, love, and live our own music,” LMP Festival Director and OPM Board Member Noel Cabangon shares in a statement. 

Presented by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), PhilPop Music Foundation, and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), the annual music festival is part of the local government’s ongoing pledge to promote and develop the local music industry through the creation of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP), which was granted by the Presidential Proclamation 933 in 2014.

Multi-format showcase

The music celebration will kick off with #LMP2020Launch, a virtual press conference happening on August 19, and will continue with #TugtuganNewNormal, which will be streamed live on OPM’s Facebook page from August 22 to 28. Under this newly revamped format, up and coming artists are given the opportunity to perform their material, launch their new singles and albums, and interact with a live audience.

Expect a variety of performances with #LMP2020Sessions, a special initiative of LMP to highlight regional music acts from North and South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

LMP will be mounting music workshops and webinars for aspiring music industry professionals, amateur musicians, and music fans. Learn from the top industry figures about different topics like songwriting, history of pop, and many more. Guest speakers include Ebe Dancel and Jazz Nicolas for Songwriting Workshop, Marlon Barnuevo for Home Recording Workshop, Tina Dumlao and Mr. Ryan Cayabyab for History of Pop OPM, Bian Orenciana of Believe Digital and Ian Monson of Warner Music Philippines for Digital Marketing for Music Artists, and PETA for Let's Get Creative Webinar.

A digital press conference for the launch of OPM Archive will also take place on August 26, as well as an open mic competition where anyone can submit OPM covers.

Wrap up your virtual festival experience with world-class performances courtesy of #LMP2020GrandFinaleConcert. The online event will be headlined by some of your favorite Filipino music acts: Christian Bautista, Noel Cabangon, The Itchyworms, This Band, Bayang Barrios at Ang Nilayagan, Clara Benin, Lara Maigue, and Aikee.

For more details about the LMP’s digital music festival, visit its official website.