HIGIT SA NUMERO (BEYOND NUMBERS). Circuiteers portray the harsh reality of class divide in the Philippines — of how the disenfranchised are forced to pursue a life of crime just to make ends meet. In this scene, they tell the story of a boy who has resorted to “holdap”, or petty theft, just to pay for his family’s food and medicine — coming home one day to find his brother dead due to hunger and sickness | 📸: Victor Joseph Villafuerte

ICYMI:

Circuit places fourth in Eng’g Week 2020

“Daring to be” — beyond being a motto, it continues to be a testament to UP Circuit’s perseverance and passion as it clinches the Third Runner-Up spot in NEXUS: Engineering Week 2020, a rung up the ladder from Fifth Place last 2016.

Scoring 5,525 EWOC (Engineering Week Overall Champion) points overall with a total of 26 podium places, Circuit proved to be quite a team to beat, with many points coming from back-to-back wins in Night Events; By placing 1st in Smoker Night, 1st in Indakan, 2nd in JammEng’g, 1st in MSK, and 2nd in Drag Race, Circuit’s spot as “Best in Night Events” was never in doubt.

HAPPY EVER AFTER. UP Circuit’s “IndaCKTors”, clad in their costumes and fresh from the stage, strike their signature pose after winning Indakan 2020 | 📸: JM San Diego

Planning for the marathon event started in January, with committees and teams being formed to prepare as usual. There is, however, a clear consensus that the first win of the week — Smoker Night — bolstered everyone’s morale.

“I take pride sa lahat ng achievements ng Circuit during Eng’g Week kasi alam ko all the teams go all out for every event,” said ‘19-’20 Membership VP Ysabela Coronel in reference to the first win. “It definitely boosts morale and personally, it makes me want to serve the org more.”

PEOPLE ARE DYING, RODY. In the finale, Circuit’s contingent exclaims a single powerful reminder to the audience — that underneath all of the statistics are people, many forced into hardship and crime due to gross social inequality | 📸: Victor Joseph Villafuerte

Moreover, the significance of their last Eng’g Week inspired Batch 2015 and beyond to finish strong. “It’s the greatest Engineering Week because of the mindset,” said 2015 member Efraim Aquino, who emphasized that the burden of winning was not directly imposed, which would thus motivate participants through merriment instead of pressure.

On the flip side, the aggressive nature of the event had compelled newly-admitted members to do their best. “Namotivate talaga ako magparticipate sa events kasi nakikita ko yung determination ng upper years (Seeing the determination of the upper years, I was really motivated to participate in the events),” recounted 19A member Kaye Recto on her first Eng’g Week.

Alumni members were also in on the fun, attending practices and cheering for members in their events. Such support is made manifest by the ₱15,000 monetary assistance received by the organization, excluding additional donations given to the Night Event teams.

UP Circuit’s finish in this year’s Eng’g Week was made possible by the cooperation of its various committees and teams, all under the helm of overall heads Aaron Herrera and Samantha Oguing.