HANGOVER: The Vegas Dream

 

by Heather Simonette Rose M. Intong

On January 20, 2023, MSU-IIT's Kataastaasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA) took IITians to a night in Vegas—a whirlwind of fun, fab, and festivity on the grounds of the dakilang pamantasan.

Despite the gloomy weather, the Acquaintance Party set on the university's Rizal Park pushed through with the Random Dance as the opening activity, followed by the mass dance. People showed up in their best fits, from winged ensembles to drips inspired by the game GTA. I'd say sparkly dresses adorned with fur are the event staple. Nevertheless, this just shows how dual IITians are when it comes to 'slaying', both in academics and in the Vegas photo booth setup beside the stage.

The night is still young when everyone sung along to Dear Maria, Count Me In, and gave in to the nostalgia of Taylor Swift's The Story of Us—a living proof that music never fails to bring people together, be it friends, blockmates, lovers, and even strangers. Local drag superstars Nina Omandam and Fennikusu fired up the crowd with their performances. The games spotlighted how IITians are built–competent and quite competitive in some aspects. Dancers who ruled the stage earlier were given KPOP albums as prizes (I swear I heard someone say “sana all!). But the best part (according to many) was when everyone hit the dance floor as the DJ dropped the beat.

What a way to get acquainted!

As a disheveled damang grappling with the demands of college, I firmly testify that events like this are necessary for us IITians to let loose and break free (at least temporarily) from the shackles of endless readings, reportings, you name it. Especially now that the CASS days are drawing closer and closer, a quick escape from the busy preparations will pump us back on track for the loaded days ahead.

That is, if you're not hungover!

That Night in Vegas still feels like a foggy dream to us attendees. Another morning comes, we open our bags at the guard house then proceed to rush towards our colleges because class is about to begin. But as we pass by the Rizal Park again, nostalgia creeps through the bones, transporting every IITian to the night where their dreams echoed as loud as the beat of the drums and as dazzling as the lights that filled the place.

One could hope to experience it some time again. One could wish that in the next Acquaintance Party, they'd be able to bring the last requirement on the 'ESSENTIALS' list.