WARM, WET AND WILD

MIS freshmen sail uncharted waters in DRENCHED: Jumpstart 2013

With around 90 participants, this years Jumpstart, DRENCHED, was held last June 16,
2013 at C109 (Schmitt Building) and Matteo field. Jumpstart, MISAs first event this school
year, is an annual event that welcomes the Management Information Systems (MIS) freshmen by
preparing them to the life of an MIS major and introducing them to their home organization,
MISA.
DRENCHED revolves around the theme of this years Orsem, Layag. Upon registration,
the freshmen, composed of three blocks (S, S1 and S2), were divided into four groups led by
various upperclassman MISAns. The event officially started with an introduction and a warm
welcome from the hosts, Gerard Marcilla and Fritz Masiglat. The various group dynamics served
as ice breakers for the freshmen as they got to know more about their course mates. Talks were
also given by Sir Andrei Coronel as an MIS professor, Francis Aguilar (MIS sophomore), Ms.
Danica Caynap (MIS alumnus), and Gabriel Santos (MISA President).
Right after the lunch from one of the sponsors, Top Slice, the event moved on to its
second part, Hindi Amazing Race: Outbreak Treasure Hunt (HAROT), in the Matteo Field. The
freshmen, along with upperclassmen were able to bond more while doing the tasks on each of the
five stations. After all the stations were cleared by the freshmen, the highlight of the event
happened next, the Basahan, where a water fight ensued among the freshmen and the present
upperclassmen. The event ended on the Matteo steps as the core team gave their final remarks
and the prizes composed of gift certificates from another sponsor, Cha Dao, were given out.
Led by the Project Director, Chanell Sison, Jumpstart 2013s core team is composed of
Anna Melgar (Deputy Project Director), Janine Laddaran (Secretariat), Zarah Arcega and Francis
Aguilar (Programs), Gio Evidente and Kathrine Chua (Logistics), Toni Garcia (Promotions) and
Jules Lui (Finance). Assigned for this event were also: Alvin Bravo for Promotions; and Tyrone
Co, Janine Laddaran, and Earvin Lao for Marketing. Of course, the event would not have been
as equally successful without the help of the upperclassmen who volunteered as Station
Managers, Captains and Drenchers.
The core team made full use of the power of social media as around a week prior to the
event, the team started releasing promotional materials along with catchy lines and puns. The
promotions were proven effective as MIS freshman, Landamme Vivas, says how he found out
about the event, The different officers of MISA told our block that there was going to be a
Jumpstart and that it was going to be a cool event that would welcome the freshies of MIS.
Vivas commends Jumpstart 2013 as he says, I liked the theme of the program because
its fun and inviting. The basahan was also cool since it has been years since Ive played with
water! He then adds, The event met its goal of welcoming us to our course because it allowed
us to listen to different speakers about the course. Also, the different groupings in the games
allowed each one of us to not only get to know our blockmates but our coursemates as well. My
experience of Jumpstart was memorable since I got to learn more about my course and that it
showed me that I belong to the right course. Also, it was memorable because we all got a chance
to have fun with our blockmates and coursemates.

When asked to describe his experience of Jumpstart, another MIS freshman, Mike Paz,
says, It was a way of MISA and other upperclassmen of welcoming us into college and MIS.
The taking of attendance was really orderly and of course, computerized. The speakers really
gave wonderful speeches and they made me understand what I should know about the course,
what to expect in the coming years, and what I will likely be when I start working after I
graduate. They sent a strong message. Who wouldve known that eating pizza from the store at
the second floor of Matteo Ricci would be able to bond groups of people who barely know each
other? He continues, Jumpstart, all in all, was a success. I had a blast with my block and with
my new friends. Only one question remained unanswered for me and my batchmates, WHAT
HAPPENED TO THE SAILBOATS WE MADE?
-Janine Laddaran