New Beginnings
Introductions
Kumusta! Hello! Welcome to our blog! We’re so excited to debut this new avenue through which the community can gather. As the start of fall quarter looms over our heads, we wanted to debut this little project so that new and current members alike can join us on this new journey - one out of the many that are happening this year. We hope this blog will help bring the community closer together during this time of social distancing. We invite you to share your experiences and relive the events that occur throughout the year right here.
Speaking of events, the first one is just two days away! Cornucopia is a once-yearly event that showcases all of the organizations on campus. This year, Cornucopia will be held online over Zoom. Bayanihan will be a part of the event from 4 - 4:30, so stop by and say hello! If you’re an incoming student, attending Cornucopia is a great way to learn more about Bayanihan and to ask any questions you may have. If you’re a current community member, drop in to see some familiar faces and get to know Bayanihan Core for the 2020 - 2021 term!
If you’re curious about Core right now, however, and don’t want to wait until Cornucopia, then keep reading! We have a ‘Get to Know Core’ section at the end of this post!
We’ve been spending the past 2 months really focusing on getting feedback and input from our community members, as well as onboarding and bonding with our core team of 23 coordinators. We hope that everyone this upcoming school year is able to see and enjoy the newly imagined digital experiences we have planned for the year.
We're so excited to see how this blog will turn out this year and what it can provide for new and current members. Now continue below to meet Bayanihan Core 2020 - 2021!
Brought to you by HAM 2020 - 2021
Historian - historian.ucsc@gmail.com - Samantha Sebandal
Administrative Officer
Media Relations - mediarelations.ucsc@gmail.com - Luna Antazo
Special thanks to Bayanihan Co-Chairs Michael Sim and Julius Abad for their feedback and support <3
Get to Know Core 2020 - 2021
Name and pronouns: Kora Fortun, she/her
Year and major: 3rd year, Legal Studies and Math
Aspect: PCC
What have you been doing over summer? I've spent a lot of time working this summer, but in my time off I'm learning new roller skating tricks, watching TV shows I didn't have time for during the school year, and I figured out how to make ice cream.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I would honestly be doing the same things I'm doing now with maybe a few more beach trips
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I've played piano since I was a kid, and was classically trained but also got paid to play for high school musicals. Now I mostly learn stuff like the Ratatouille theme. I was also in percussion/drum line in high school, so if you give me like a 5-gallon bucket I can hit it with some sticks.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? corners babeyyy
Name and pronouns: Ethan Perlada, he/him
Year and major: 3rd year, Computer Science
Aspect: Tech Crew
What have you been doing over summer? coding, playing video games, watching TV, working out
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I'd probably be doing the same things but also going out with friends.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I used to play piano and violin in elementary/middle school, I wish I knew how to play guitar.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? the edge because it's crispy
Name and pronouns: Markus Faye Portacio, he/him
Year and major: 3rd year, Anthropology (soon to be double major in History hopefully!)
Aspect: ASF
What have you been doing over summer? Mostly watching Asian dramas with my cousins and lil sister. Got back into reading Philippine archaeology and anthropology papers! So I did a lot of reading on boats, mythology, as well as the different death beliefs and practices in the Philippines!
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? Going to San Diego Comic Con and probably the comic convention in the Philippines. Also me and my cousins were planning on going to the beach and having a photo shoot for our tokusatsu figures 😞.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? For a whole school year when I was like 9 I played the clarinet cause I wanted to get out of class since practices were in the middle of the school day. Since then I have never really had a want to play an instrument?
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge since I like the crunchy texture but you still get some more chewy parts too.
Name and pronouns: Michael Sim, he/him
Year and major: 4th year, CS: Game Design
Aspect: Bayanihan Co-Chair
What have you been doing over summer? A lot actually :0 - it's been really busy lol. In terms of work-related stuff, I'm thankful to have been able to continue working for my UCSC internship over this past summer. Other than that, I've mainly been focused on prepping for a new year of Bayanihan and staying in touch with my friends!
For fun stuff - I did some personal/freelance video production, participated in 3 game jams with some high school friends, got really into exercising, started drawing again, and caught up on tons of video games, anime/manga, and series/movies ✌️🎉
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? Pretty much the same as above, but I wish I could've hung out with my friends in-person :/ Discord sessions and Zoom/FB Messenger video calls are still fun though!
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I play piano and guitar (sort of). I make digital music/beats too if that counts :0
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Corner pieces ftw
Name and pronouns: Chelsea Lindayen, she/her
Year and major: 3rd year, Chemistry B.S.
Aspect: Kasama
What have you been doing over summer? I’ve spent the majority of the summer taking classes during summer session and being consistent with a routine since I haven’t left the house in 7 months haha. Other than that, I’ve been playing a lot of Minecraft, learning new songs to play, video calling friends, catching up with old friends, and I’ve gotten into bullet journaling! It’s very therapeutic.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? If not for COVID-19, I would have still been working in Santa Cruz! I also had plans to spend time with friends that I didn’t really get to see during the school year and get my driver's license 😤 Here’s to hoping we get Summer 2021.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I can play the ukulele and I know a bit of guitar and piano! Although, I do wish I knew how to play the drums.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Oh, absolutely the edge piece. That change of texture compared to the rest of the brownie? Astounding.
Name and pronouns: Shane Vidal, he/him
Year and major: 2nd year, Psychology
Aspect: KAMP
What have you been doing over summer? Video Games, Chess, Watching Netflix, Adapting to quarantine life
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? Traveling, meeting up with friends, still playing video games and watching Netflix
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I took piano lessons when I was in middle school, but I don't think I can play piano now. I wish I still knew piano and would like to learn how to play the violin or guitar.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? ALWAYS THE EDGE PIECE
Name and pronouns: Mikayla (Kai) Linis, she/her
Year and major: 2nd year, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Aspect: Pagkakaisa Dance Troupe (PDT)
What have you been doing over summer? Catching up with friends, driving, scrolling through my fyp page on TikTok, playing some Animal Crossing, being sad because I miss everyone :(
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? Probably hanging out with old friends and with people from Bayanihan
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I can play guitar and violin like an amateur (it's been a while lol)
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge because it's crispy
Name and pronouns: Ethan Domingo, he/him
Year and major: 2nd year, Computer Science with minor in statistics
Aspect: KAMP
What have you been doing over summer? Over summer, I've been attending summer classes and going on calls with friends.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I would have been in Santa Cruz taking summer class, but also enjoying my time out with friends.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I don't play any instruments, however, I wish I knew how to play the piano. Piano players always cease to amaze me, and it looks like a really cool instrument to play.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge we love the crunch :)
Name and pronouns: Ella Apuntar, she/her
Year and major: 4th, Art
Aspect: Alay
What have you been doing over summer? I took summer session classes and played a lot of Fire Emblem: Three Houses
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? the same things honestly... probably would have gone to more concerts </3
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I can play the piano, ukulele and clarinet all at very mediocre levels
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? edge
Name and pronouns: Chantel Gee, she/her
Year and major: 3rd year, CS: Game Design
Aspect: Kasama
What have you been doing over summer? lots and lots of drawing
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? hanging out with friends 😔, EATING DINNER OUTSIDE
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? piano and violin!!
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? center!! but all parts are d e l i c i o u s
Name and pronouns: Chino Ray Reyes, he/him
Year and major: 4th, Math major + Music minor
Aspect: Isang Himig
What have you been doing over summer? I was really busy with summer session classes, but I found time to arrange some music for IH and play video games here and there.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I would have gone to my local library! It's one of the things I always miss when I'm down in Santa Cruz so being home but not being able to go is the worst. It's not that I like to spend all my time reading books, I just find the library super cute and relaxing and I get really productive whenever I'm there.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? Other than singing, I can also play the trumpet and euphonium!
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? I would pick edge pieces over center pieces 100% of the time. Corner pieces are even better!
Name and pronouns: Geno Belantes, he/him
Year and major: 3rd year, MCD Biology
Aspect: Haluan
What have you been doing over summer? working, dancing, biking, gaming, and binging
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? traveling, working, partying, and hanging with friends
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? No, it would be cool to be able to play piano or the guitar
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? the center
Name and pronouns: Ryan Loyola, he/him
Year and major: 2nd year, Politics
Aspect: Tech Crew
What have you been doing over summer? Literally nothing! I mean I actually started a passion project of mine in which I started my own podcast and I'm five months into it and I have ten episodes published and that makes me happy. :)
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? Honestly nothing. I used all my trip money for my 18th birthday to go to New York, so I gotta save for the next big number. I don't know if that's going to be 20 or 21. Either way, I'm excited.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? No, fat ooof. Oh god. I wish I knew how to play the piano. I feel like that would make me sophisticated.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge!
Name and pronouns: Genesis Castadena, she/her
Year and major: 2nd year, Intensive psychology
Aspect: Haluan
What have you been doing over summer? Nothing much really- just chilling. I've gotten back to drawing, started working out and trying to slowly get back into dancing because I must admit, it's been a while.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I wouldve been hanging out with my friends and going out everyday!! Maybe even planned a road trip :D
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? Unfortunately no :((( but I would love to learn how to play the guitar!
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Definitely the center piece, unless I'm craving something a little more crunchy.
Name and pronouns: Gamliel Urlanda, he/him
Year and major: 4th year, Mathematics
Aspect: Isang Himig
What have you been doing over summer? I've been taking some summer classes and working on some skills. I learned how to make a website! It was pretty fun and a great creative outlet for me.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? More actual activities LOL. I probably would have done more things like kayaking, ice skating, and road trips with the people I love and care about.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I can sing! (I better know how to sing as co-coordinator of IH hahaha) I can also play the piano and the organ. I'm learning how to play the harmonica for funsies, and I wish I could play the ukulele and the guitar.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge yoooo. It's the crunchy part and I gotta have that cronchhh.
Name and pronouns: Rianne Daria, she/her
Year and major: 4th year, Film and Digital Media
Aspect: Haluan
What have you been doing over summer? I've been discovering new hobbies and working on my spirituality throughout the summer. Working on myself spiritually has helped me become more creative in my hobbies.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? If it wasn't for COVID-19, I most likely would have spent the whole summer working, going to Disneyland, and going to EDM music festivals.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I can play several instruments. I can play clarinet, xylophone, piano, guitar, and ukulele :)
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? The chewy edges are the best!
Name and pronouns: Chloe Lim, she/her
Year and major: 3rd year, Business Economics
Aspect: People Power
What have you been doing over summer? Got my first job and spending time with my little sisters
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? A family trip to Hawaii, worked all summer long, moved up to Santa Cruz early
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I wish I could play the violin or piano
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge piece
Name and pronouns: Luna Antazo, she/her
Year and major: 4th year, Linguistics
Aspect: HAM
What have you been doing over summer? Working and enjoying time with my family
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? Be in Japan for 2 weeks and a possible road trip
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? Not anymore but I've always wanted to learn how to play the violin!
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge because you can eat your way to the center
Name and pronouns: Anfernee Lai, he/him
Year and major: 4th year, CS: Game Design
Aspect: PCC
What have you been doing over summer? I've just been staying connected with friends through video games and tv shows and eating a lot!
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I'd be doing the same things honestly!
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I can play the kazoo decently well, but don't ask for a performance or anything LOL
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? Edge
Name and pronouns: Julius Abad, he/they
Year and major: 4th year, FDM/CRES
Aspect: Bayanihan Co-Chair
What have you been doing over summer? partially doing summer session, working, planning things for bayanihan, and trying to pick up new hobbies such as drumming
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? honestly less
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? barely learning how to play drums
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? edge
Name and pronouns: Mariah Peralta, she/her
Year and major: 3rd year, Environmental Science
Aspect: KAMP
What have you been doing over summer? i have been working ! and planning for KAMP in terms of CUIP and Engaging Education
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I would have been working at the monterey bay aquarium and seen harry styles and nct 127 live. rip.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? no
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? edge
Name and pronouns: Samantha Sebandal, she/her
Year and major: 2nd year, Environmental Studies/Biology combined
Aspect: HAM
What have you been doing over summer? I was learning how to roller skate for the first couple weeks of summer break but then summer classes picked up - and then the weather got super hot and the air quality got bad so I haven’t had the opportunity to go out and skate since then. So I guess my summer has consisted mostly of summer session and endless scrolling on tiktok.
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? I wasn’t planning on taking classes over the summer so I would’ve gone on a roadtrip to Yellowstone with my parents. I was also supposed to do a lil “study abroad” in the Channel Islands for a couple of weeks. Probably would’ve done more roller skating and hanging out with my friends.
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? I can play the guitar and a little bit of the ukulele. I can also play a very, very basic version of the intros of ‘Ode to Joy’ and ‘My Heart Will Go On’ on the piano.
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? edge !
Name and pronouns: Aleia Dela Cuadra, she/her
Year and major: Sociology, anthro minor
Aspect: PHD
What have you been doing over summer? crocheting, watching netflix, painting
What would you been doing over summer if not for COVID-19? traveling around bay area, concerts
Can you play any instruments? If so, what are they? If not, what instruments do you wish you knew how to play? no but i wish i could place acoustic guitar or piano
Do you prefer the edge or center piece of a brownie? edge