UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society Turns 51: A Glamorous Throwback to Legacy and Laughter
UPLB MASS @ 51 celebrated legacy and growth from April 7 to 11, 2025, with a weeklong Y2K-inspired festival that united members, alumni, and the UPLB community in a nostalgic yet forward-looking tribute themed “Glitz and Glam: A MASSive Legacy in Retrospect.”
- Legacy in Focus: UPLB MASS commemorated its 51st anniversary through a week-long celebration filled with nostalgia, camaraderie, and vibrant engagement with the UPLB community.
- Creative Community Bonding: Activities like George Hunt, ST Quiz, and IntraMASS brought alumni, students, and faculty together in fun, thoughtful ways that highlighted Filipino culture and tradition.
- Giving Back Through Knowledge: MASSter Tutorials showcased the organization’s commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and empowering students in mathematics, statistics, and computer science.
The UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society (UPLB MASS) didn’t just throw a party for its 51st anniversary. It held a nostalgic, high-energy, and heartwarming celebration from April 7 to 11, 2025, bringing together current members, alumni, faculty, and students of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in a festival of legacy and learning. Themed “Glitz and Glam: A MASSive Legacy in Retrospect”, the event was a successful blend of glimmering history and meaningful engagement.
Revisiting the Past in Style
The celebration kicked off on April 7 at the Mathematics Building Lobby with a thoughtfully curated exhibit that traced the milestones of UPLB MASS through the decades. It was a walk down memory lane that allowed guests and members to appreciate the organization’s roots and continued relevance within and beyond the university.
Throughout the week, the society transformed campus life with “Bites and Blings,” a food and charm fair that kept students coming back for more. Delicious snacks and whimsical DIY bag charms made this booth a favorite hangout spot. It stayed up all week and was a testament to how something simple and sweet could spark joy across generations.
Interactive Activities That Brought Everyone Together
April 8, 10, and 11 marked the return of the crowd-favorite “George Hunt,” a creative scavenger hunt centered on MASS’s mascot, George. Held at the New Math and Physical Sciences Buildings, this activity engaged students in searching for hidden cards of varying rarities, each with its own exciting prize. The hunt not only tested players' observation skills but also served as a playful introduction to MASS’s culture.
Equally entertaining was the “Elbi, UPDATED KPB?” Student-Teacher (ST) Quiz held on April 8. Themed around Filipino social media memes and trends, the quiz gathered 27 enthusiastic teams made up of both students and faculty. Laughter and friendly competition filled the room as teams competed for meme supremacy. Team ‘ShetSharon’ took home the title, while costume awards were given to Trisha Jamie Baldonado and Rovic S. Castro. “It was really fun to see how everyone got creative with their outfits—it brought the memes to life,” said Trisha Jamie Baldonado.
April 9 saw the society heading to Freedom Park for IntraMASS, a bonding event for resident members and alumni. Everyone was divided into teams and engaged in nostalgic Filipino games like Patintero, Tumbang Preso, Charades, Chinese Garter, and a chaotic yet hilarious Water Balloon Fight. This activity was one of the most endearing parts of the week, as it offered a welcome break from academic stress and rekindled the childlike joy of playing outdoor games with friends.
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MASSter Tutorials: Academic Support with a Personal Touch
One of the highlights of the anniversary week was the return of MASSter Tutorials, where members volunteered their time and expertise to support fellow students in difficult subjects.
For MATH 28 students, Samuel Bautista led engaging sessions that broke down complex problems into understandable steps. “We wanted to make sure students don’t feel intimidated by numbers. It’s about understanding, not memorizing,” emphasized Samuel Bautista.
Meanwhile, Erika Leanne Tined and Angelica Mae Licup worked closely with students taking STAT 101, ensuring they were well-equipped for their statistical challenges. “We were once in their shoes, so we knew exactly how to help,” shared Angelica Mae Licup.
Lastly, Terrence de Real facilitated tutorials for CMSC 57, offering insights into Combinatorics and Discrete Probability. “Sharing what we know reinforces not just their learning, but ours as well,” said Terrence de Real.
To wrap up, UPLB MASS @ 51: A Glimmer of Nostalgia and Celebration captured how far the organization has come and gave a glimpse into where it’s headed. Looking back at Y2K nostalgia while embracing today’s trends, UPLB MASS continues to evolve, connect, and empower. Here's to more MASSive milestones in the years to come.
