STI Battle of the Bands 2016

The STI 
Battle of the Bands Champion
SISTEMANG MUSIKAL 
of STI COLLEGE STA. MARIA

 The first group "Bandido Manukan " of STI College Dasmarinas

Representing Northern Mindanao - the Syzygy Band of STI Iligan shows the pre-dominant Luzon crowd a taste of Mindanao music

The Oplan Band of STI College Novaliches defined what pure energy is all about in their performance

The hottest band in this year's competition, the Hot Sauce Jr. of STI College Global City comes out with their version of Freddie Aguilar's ANAK

The Adventure Time Band of STI College Gen. Santos sings "Tuloy pa rin" a song popularized by the Neocolours

STI College Lipa's Red String band performs the song Dukha which was popularized by Freddie Aguilar and revived by Aegis

The Sistemang Musikal of STI College Sta. Maria placed second last year and that experience helped them this year as their rendition of Sinong Baliw gave them the title of 2016 Battle of the Bands champion

STI West Negros University's Pulpy Lemons sings the rock version of Banal na Aso santong kabayo.

Last to perform was the Veritas Band of STI College Malolos that performed to the beat of Adele's Rolling in the deep

2nd Runner-up
The Oplan Band 
of STI College Novaliches

The CHAMPIONS
SISTEMANG MUSIKAL
of STI COLLEGE STA. MARIA

Yours truly sharing some light moments with the judges, Kedy Sanchez, Bimbo Yance and Mcoy Fundales

STI Talent Search 2016 Grand National Finals

The STI 33rd Anniversary celebration had its culminating event with the staging of the National Finals of the STI Talent Search 2016 at the Enchanted Kingdom last September 30, 2016. The local finals of this competition was done the whole month of August networkwide and the Cluster finals during the first week of September. Winners of the cluster finals in nine areas nationwide qualified for the right to compete at the Enchanted Kingdom's Enchanting Events Place.

Twenty Three Thousand STI students trooped to  the Enchanted Kingdom and the picture above was the scene at the Enchanting Events Place where all the competitions were held. Up for grabs were bragging rights to become the Battle of the Bands Champion, STI Singing Idol, Hataw Sayaw Dance Champions and the Mr. and Ms. STI 2016 winners.

The event started with last year's STI Idol 2nd Runner-up Celi rose Ann Torrente singing the Invocation song "You Raise me up"  The battle of the bands immediately followed.

The very energetic Aina Roxas of STI College Sta. Maria  belts out their winning song "Sinong Baliw" as Sistemang Musikal came out as the Battle of the Bands champion. 

Judy Ann Baricaua of STI College Global City came out with the best version of the song "Bukas na lang kita Mamahalin" which was  enough to give her the title of STI Singing Idol of 2016.

Last year, the Balaraw dance group won the Hataw Sayaw title with a new crew at hand. This year, they did it again as more fresh faces replaced last year's winners and their new group still came out as the best dancers of the STI Network. The Balaraw dance group has won four of the last five stagings of the Hataw Sayaw dance competition. 

Leading the powerhouse gallery of Judges is former Filscap Corporate Secretary and former GMA Executive Kedy Sanchez (in Blue), the soul siren NINA and the very first STI singing Idol Anthony Abasolo. Not in picture are the other two judges Bimbo Yance (formerly of True Faith) and Mcoy Fundales (formerly of Orange and Lemons). 

Battle of the Bands Judges Bimbo Yance (left), Kedy Sanchez and Mcoy Fundales (2nd from right) join yours truly in giving the Sistemang Musikal their trophy, medals and prizes as Battle of the Bands Champions. 

The first STI Singing Idol, 2004 winner, Anthony Abasolo (left) joins the other judges, the Master of ceremonies Christopher Maque (right) of the STI Head office,  and yours truly in awarding Ms. Judy Ann Baricaua of STI College Global City her medal, trophy and prizes for being the 2016 STI Singing Idol.

The Balaraw Dance group receive their trophy, medals and prizes as this year's Hataw Sayaw Dance Competition champions. Awarding them their prizes are the judges (L-R) Jhester Vanz Barbaso, Rynee Ruth Aribal, Via Antonio and Bernice Palma.

During the break, STI 's Vice- President for  Academic Services, Lloyd Bautista, is interviewed by  ABS-CBN about the event.

Mr. and Ms. STI candidates pose as they are awarded the first set of awards From left to right:

Jasper Christian Maraggay of STI College Caloocan (Student's Choice Award, Cherry Prepaid Choice Award) Clea Isabel Magnaye of STI College Cubao (Cherry Prepaid Choice Award) Roberto Lopez of STI College ORCA (Maui & Sons choice awardee) Sophia Maria Rocha of STI College Marikina(Student's Choice, Facebook Favorite, Maui & Sons choice awardee) Christer Troy Regis of STI College Dasmarinas (Best in Casual Wear) Aubrey Giezel Mendoza of STI College Baliuag (Best in Casual Wear)) Paul Jibrielle Pilao of STI College San Fernando(Victo Rio Male Discovery of the year) Nicole Ann Caraang (STI College Balagtas (Victo Rio Female Discovery of the year) and Jerson Nolasco of STI College Global City (Facebook Favorite)

Mr. and Ms. STI candidates pose as they are awarded the second set of awards From left to right: 

Jasper Christian Maraggay of STI College Caloocan 
(SOS Face of Confidence Award) 
Aubrey Giezel Mendoza of STI College Baliuag 
(SOS Face of Confidence Award) 
Michio Eusebio of STI College Meycauayan (Best in Sports Wear) and Queen Jubilee Mongcupa of STI Collegte Munoz-EDSA (Best in Sports Wear)

 A welcome treat to all dancers, here is former PBB Guest Mikee Agustin dancing with her boyfriend Yexel Sebastian who surprised the crowd with his cameo appearance on the dance floor.

Roberto Lopez of STI College Ortigas-Cainta and Queen Jubilee Mongcupa of STI College Muñoz-EDSA pose with Formal wear sponsor Robert Zamora as they are presented with the Best in Formal Wear award.

The Top 5 Male Finalists:
From left to right:
Roberto Lopez (STI College Ortigas-Cainta)
Michio Eusebio (STI College Meycauayan)
Jasper Christian Maraggay (STI College Caloocan)
Christer Troy Regis (STI College Dasmariñas)
Paul Jibrielle Pilao (STI College San Fernando)

The Top 5 FEMALE finalists
From Left to right:

Camille Alfonso (STI College Sta. Cruz)

Clea Isabel Magnaye (STI College Cubao)

Jadilyn Morales (STI College Malolos)

Aubrey Giezel of STI College Baliuag

Queen Mongcupa (STI College Muñoz-EDSA) 

Direct from their successful concert a week before the event, ABS-CBN's all male group, the Hashtags, graced the occasion to the delight of the crowd that run berserk the moment they came out.

The Winners (Left to Right)

4th  Runner-up: Roberto Lopez 

3rd Runner-up: Paul Jibrielle Pilao 

2nd Runner-up:  Jasper Christian Maraggay 

1st Runner-up: Michio Eusebio 

MR. STI 2016: CHRISTER TROY REGIS

The Winners (Left to Right)

4th  Runner-up: Queen Jubilee Mongcupa 

3rd Runner-up: Camille Angelica Alfonso 

2nd Runner-up:  Aubrey Giezel Mendoza 

1st Runner-up: Jadilyn Morales

MS. STI 2016: CLEA ISABEL MAGNAYE

Of course the event is not complete without yours truly taking a picture with all the winners. 

Congratulations everyone.

Special thanks to 

Goodshot photography 

and Ian Siongco for the wonderful pictures

Talent Search 2016 Pictorial

Mr. and Ms. STI candidates 

and school officials from

different STI branches pose for one group shot

Thank You Maui and Son's for sponsoring the Casual wear worn by Joseph Fernandez Jr. of STI College Sta. Maria and the rest of the contestants

Jadilyn Morales of STI College Malolos models the STI Originals shirt

 Aubrey Mendoza of STI College Baliuag models this Maui and Sons off shoulder Top

Clea Isabel Magnaye's smile is captured in this Instagram Pose

Sophia Marie Sefarady of STI College Dasmarinas shows her winning smile

Keith Mendoza (STI College Tarlac) Kyle Marasigan (STI College Batangas) and Migi Abadines (STI College Sta. Cruz) showcase their elegance with their hot pink ties in their Robert Zamora Suits

Me I just enjoyed time spent with the new batch of Mr. and Ms. STI candidates

thanks to Good Shot Photography for their wonderful photos

Guimaras Restaurant: The Pitstop Restaurant

If its your first time in Guimaras, or maybe if you are returning and is looking for a good meal, all roads will point you to The Pitstop restaurant for your Pit stop.

I arrived at around 1:00 pm and the place is still packed with customers and it took me another 15 minutes to be seated.

One thing I liked in this restaurant is that there is a tarp on the wall that promotes other places in Guimaras that you can visit. That was where I headed after my lunch.

The specialty of the house, the one that made me go to this restaurant, their famous Mango Pizza. Fortunately it lived up to its billing and I liked it i ate the whole pizza.

Of course what is a good meal without something to drink. A pitcher of this Guimaras Blend is to die for. Luckily I was so parched because of the heat.

You can see on my face the inevitable - another happy tummy!

And wait, there's more - while I was there I also tried their Bangus - Mango Sisig! Honestly it was just sisig with Mango and the taste does not vary from the regular bangus sisig even if they put Mangoes on it.

Finally, the main meal - my source of Protein. Disclaimer - I did not finish this Baby Back Ribs and left some for dinner. A man can only take as much!

When you visit Guimaras go and visit this Restaurant for you to know if their Mango Pizza is really worth it.

Guimaras Activities: Island Hopping

One of the many things that you can do in Guimaras is Island Hopping

At the Alibuhod Beach you can actually rent a boat like this for P 500 for the first hour and an additional P150 per hour to go to different islands

The Islands near the Alibuhod beach have some hidden caves that boats can go to

Just one of the things you can do while stopping on some islands

I was supposed to go to the caves here at the Turtle Islands, unfortunately because of my bad back i did not go through with it since according to the tour guide there are lots of crawling inside. The cave are for thin guys only hahaha.

In this Island there is a grotto on top of the Isle

Another shot of the Turtle Islands, unfortunately the turtles were all gone

Looking at Raymen's Beach from afar

Another look at the Alobijod Cove from the Ocean

Hopefully, when i come back, this resort will be operational