The cagers of the College of HRIM managed to come from behind and clutch a narrow victory over the College of Computer Studies Knights 97-96 to secure this year’s Palarong Wesleyan basketball title in a match dubbed as one of the most exciting and heart-stopping games ever played in Wesleyan at the University Gym last August 13.

The HRIM Jaguars, who went past the preliminary rounds by four successive wins by default, trailed by as much as 23 points during the first half, a gap filled by silence among CHRIM bleachers.

During the half-time break, Jaguars Coach Darwin Morfe held a brief heart to heart talk with his players.

“Go hard, play hard, play with your heart, one team!” Morfe told his players, urging them to focus on the game to reduce the lead.

The Jaguars rallied on the second half with Nicholas Claudio firing away consecutive three-pointers that helped cut CCS lead to five.

They finally took their first lead in the match during the last three minutes of the fourth quarter, which was soon bolstered to a five-point lead with just a minute and 47 seconds remaining in the game.

The CCS Knights managed to level the game to 96, only to commit a foul which sent John Lord Germino to the free-throw line with just 6.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Germino missed the first throw, but made the second one which became the winning shot of the game as the Knights failed their attempt to field a buzzer beater.
The team unanimously commented that they prayed and worked hard as a team, and according to them it was the secret to their victory.

Last year the combined colleges of CHRIM and CBAA (the College of Management and Accountancy or CMA) also won the title in the men’s basketball tournament of the Palaro.###

Students from the College of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management once more excelled in the Annual Toque-Off Culinary Competition held at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club last September 15-17.

The Wesleyan team brought home a total of seven medals from the competition themed “Kapampangan Gastronomique,” signifying preparation of a festive meal for a holiday or gala celebration.

The awardees from Wesleyan were Rhea Joy D. C. Sumaguio, gold medallist in the One Pot Stage Cookery; Gino Carlo S. Simbillo, also gold medallist in Bartending and Flairtending; Wildelyn R. Fernandez and Ronna Mae S. Gamoso, silver medallists in Patisserie, Modern Cake Decorating Freestyle; and Sherilyn S. Dicen and Marvin N. Santos, bronze medallists in Fruit and Vegetable Carving.

The organizers expanded the categories especially in cookery to showcase the various culinary skills and talents of students enrolled in HRM courses. The Toque Off competition is jointly sponsored by the Department of Tourism and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Pampanga.

The trainor and coaches of the HRM team were Mr. Jess Eslao, Prof. Michelle E. Tangonan and Prof. Phylbert Radyl G. Bello. ###

Thirty eight participants from the College of HRIM competed last September 2-4 in the culinary skills competition held at the Baguio Country Club, Camp John Hay and SM Baguio.

This competition highlighted the 7th Annual Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Weekend, with 37 schools and universities participating in the student category, 18 in the professional division coming from different hotel and restaurant establishments and 49 observers from different schools nationwide.

For the past four years, the college of HRIM consistently brought home awards for the university. This year, Wesleyan got four gold medals with two distinctions, both in the Fruit and Vegetable Carving categories.

In all 32 categories, it was only in the Fruit and Vegetable Carving category where Wesleyan was awarded the Gold with Distinction medals. It means that our students got a perfect score of 100% for the rendition of their artwork using tropical fruits and vegetables.

In addition to the four gold medals, Wesleyan also got six silver, eight bronze and two diplomas during the awarding ceremonies held at Camp John Hay.
WUP ranked Top 4 over-all in the said culinary competition. ###