The Mathlete: Neil Jordan Chua Goy

Neil Jordan Chua Goy

BSM Applied Mathematical FInance, Block X

Regional Champion and Nationals 4th Placer
(Philippine Statistics Quiz 2011)

Neil grew up with math competitions - whether within the country or somewhere abroad. In the 20th Philippines Statistics Quiz (NCR 2011), Neil won first place with representatives from Mapua Institute of Technology and University of the Philippines Diliman following as second and third respectively.

A true Math champion, he got an A from both Ma21 and AMC21 in the first semester. He graduated from high school with honors from Grace Christian College, got in the top 200 Director's List in the Ateneo, became a Star Scholar candidate (top 100 DLSUcet passers) in La Salle, and passed as a Dean's Lister in the first semester.

But Neil's not all math. He is fond of Chemistry, books, and computer games too. Some of his favorites are Heroes of Newerth and Dota. Plus, he plays basketball!

Here is one random fact: Neil likes sleeping early. Hmm... Could that be his secret?

Why did you choose Ateneo?

I chose the Ateneo for the superb quality of education it offers, and so far, I have not been disappointed.

Favorite hangouts in Ateneo?

Caf, Rizal Library, Matteo

How do you balance your time? 

Don't ask me this question! I'm terrible at balancing my time. I forget my assignments and cram a lot. xD

What fun things do you do in your free time?

I hang out with friends and play computer games.

Do you have a favorite quote?

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifetime attempt to acquire it." -Albert Einstein

Do you have a funny memory from your childhood?

Back in elementary, I was running in the classroom when suddenly a loose nail created a waist-to-ankle sized tear on the side of my pants. I then tried to "fix" it by using masking tape. (Masking tape and elementary pants have the same color)

Favorite Pokemon? Why?

Ampharos, because he is powerful, cute, and has a cool name.

    

Candy Correspondent: Caitlin Jao

Caitlin Jao

AB Communication, Block A2

Candymag.com Correspondent, 
ACOMMpany dancer, Dean's Lister

She gets to cover events, do interviews, and create write-ups for Candymag.com. Does it get intimidating? "Sometimes", she says. "One time, I had to attend an intimate event full of professional bloggers and columnists. I had to be as professional even if I was the youngest press-person in the room."

That's Caitlin's experience as a Candy correspondent in a nutshell. Though it may be challenging, she says it is an ultimately fun experience. Plus, the job gives her the vibes of being a step closer to her dream: to be a travel show host.

But that's not all she does. Caitlin also dances for ACOMM, AB Communication major's home org. She just loves to dance, which is why she even took Dancesports and Ballroom Dancing for PE. She was even a Dean's Lister during the first semester and graduated as 3rd Honorable Mention in High School. Talk about good time management!

And one more thing. Caitlin was a finalist in the Top 5 Garnier Face Search. How cool is that?

Why did you choose Ateneo?

I chose Ateneo simply because I love my course here and I like the Atenean “vibe/environment”.

Favorite hangouts in Ateneo?

caf and library :D

How do you balance your time? And what's your secret to achieving? 

I keep a planner and I try to do stuff in advance so it doesn’t get too crammed up by the end of the sem.

What fun things do you do in your free time?

Eat. Eat more. :))

If given the chance to do a speech, what would you want to be quoted for?

I'd wanna be Samantha Brown and be quoted for traveling the world for more than ten years! “What makes my job so incredible is that I literally get to have a fantasy life. I get to go to these different places and kind of take on an entirely different persona.” –Samantha Brown

Do you have a funny memory from your childhood?

I was jumping rope around my grade school campus then I literally fell flat on my face, so I went home with a huge bump on my forehead. I was so afraid of being scolded, so I pretended to bump my head really hard on our CR door by making a loud "thump" using my fist and told them I got a bukol (lump) on my forehead afterwards. :))

Favorite Pokemon? Why?

Raichu. He's like “fierce Pikachu”. HAHAHA \m/

Look, it's Raichu!

Candy Cutie: Jason Uy

Jason Uy

AB Management Economics, Block H3 

Candy Cutie, dancer, entrepreneur

Rocking the dance floor, smiling from a magazine, and handling a milk tea business with four other friends in the Xavier School Canteen or, sometimes, bazaars. That's Jason Uy in action.

In high school, he was a Dance X member. After high school, he, together with friends, started to provide milk tea products for their school's canteen and became a Candy Cutie in the process. (Candy, which owns the tagline "Every Filipina Teen's Best-est Friend", is a Philippine Teen Magazine under Summit Media.)

"Believe it or not, it was unintentional, yet fortuitous." That was what Jason said when asked about how he ended up on Candy. 

So, here's the story. In Summer 2011, Jason was with a friend at Greenhills Promenade because they needed to have their passport photos taken for a trip to Beijing. They passed by Happy Lemon where they saw Chris Tiu having a press conference with a publication under Summit Media and, well, we'll let Jason tell you the rest. 

"Being fellow Xaverians, we wanted to interview Chris Tiu as well for some tips regarding the trade. But he was just too much to handle! So I ended up ordering a drink at Happy Lemon. That was when someone from Candy approached me and offered me a shot. After that, there was some voting and some campaigning (hahaha) for a couple of months. Eventually, I made it to the top 20! Also went to the Candy Fair 2011 at Megatent where all Candy Girls are said to converge! hahaha! Got to know a lot of people in the process! It was a great and worthwhile experience to say the least!"

Why did you choose Ateneo?

I actually got into UP - Industrial Engineering course, but I decided to go to THE Ateneo (hahaha) because my heart led me to it. Need I say more?

Favorite hangouts in Ateneo?

JSEC - because there's always friends and more importantly, a table (hahaha) to welcome me when I go there. It's pretty convenient because I'm always sure I have some company there.

How do you balance your time? And what's your secret to achieving? 

I have to admit, balancing my time is not actually my strong suit! HAHAHA! But, preparing myself/making myself ready for great opportunities is something I make sure I do. Open mind + good disposition!

What fun things do you do in your free time?

Because I'm not really adept at balancing my time, I don't think I end up with free time! To countermeasure this, I make it a point to enjoy whatever it is that is keeping me busy! 

If given the chance to do a speech, what would you want to be quoted for?

When you are ready for something, it faithfully brings itself to you, but only in shapes and sizes you can take. So why not make yourself ready to take em all?

Do you have a funny memory from your childhood?

Nothing I want to share! hahaha!

Favorite Pokemon? Why?

Hmm. That's a tough one! I knew so much about Pokemon before but not anymore! I'll go with Nidoking cause in Monopoly Pokemon version, his lot charges the most expensive rent! hahahaha!

Nidoking!

Let's keep an open mind and good disposition everyday. Take it from Jason who always makes sure to prepare himself for great opportunities. Who knows, your big break might just be around the corner.

The JSEC Survivor: Sam Sebastian

Sam Sebastian

BS Communications Technology Management, Block R

JSEC Survivor (Sizzlers)

Among the 25 food stalls at last September's JSEC Challenge where participants battled with their cooking and business prowess for a spot in the JSEC (JGSOM Student Enterprise Center), one of the most popular food places in the Ateneo, was Sizzlers. Their menu offered sizzling pork sisig, sizzling cream dory, and sizzling breakfast (or longganisa and egg). And believe it or not, a group of freshmen own this stall -- one of them being Sam Sebastian.

Sam believes that it's the great teamwork that puts her through because her team is "purely awesome". 

True enough, they have survived the challenge! And now, be ready for more of their products starting next school year (summer classes this April and May included)! Be sure to visit Sizzlers at JSEC by then! Read on and find a bit more about Sam.

Why did you choose Ateneo?

I've always seen Ateneo as the amazing school with the beautiful campus, and I guess I've always preferred this university.

Favorite hangouts in Ateneo?

Matteo Up, JSEC, Socsci building, and the library :)

How do you balance your time? And what's your secret to achieving? 

By using teamwork, I guess, because the team I belong to is purely awesome and workload isn't all that much when it's shared equally. :) Cheesy :))

What fun things do you do in your free time?

I love watching movies, dancing, spending time with friends and family, and basically doing anything fun :)

If given the chance to do a speech, what would you want to be quoted for?

Smile as though you have the most beautiful smile. :D

Do you have a funny memory from your childhood?

Asking my driver to drive me around the neighborhood before dropping me off at my nursery, even though the school's right across my house, just to chase away my bad mood. And naming my email "bratzgirlsam", which stuck until high school. :| 

Favorite Pokemon? Why?

I don't know much Pokemon... but I like the one who's always sleeping? Or just Pikachu :))

What were your favorite shows from the 90s?

Rugrats, Sabrina, Art Attack, and Bananas in Pajamas :D

Pikachu, I choose you!