Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ritchie Manalastas
UTA students unwind, let loose during Finals Frenzy
Finals week is approaching, and students had an opportunity to de-stress before the big week. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life hosted Finals Frenzy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday in Brazos Park. Kelli Vincent, Fraternity and Sorority Life director, said they decided to reinvent their resource fair from past events and make it a more entertaining, carnival experience for students.
K-pop fandom’s rise in America
The global phenomenon of K-pop has blazed over America, and the fandom has grown even more throughout the pandemic. From the first-generation K-pop stars in the ’90s to the current generation of rising stars, K-pop separates from other music genres with group concepts, high production, fashion and choreography, according to National Public Radio. Its catchy tune and strong visual presence have slowly taken over the past year, racking up worldwide accolades and hits.
Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore lacks strong relationships, action
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures / Jaap Buitendijk The third installment of the Fantastic Beasts series, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, premiered in theaters Friday, April 15. The movie was entertaining and revealed Albus Dumbledore’s past but was lacking compared to the other films and the Harry Potter series. Eddie Redmayne is back in his role as Newt Scamander, a magizoologist wizard who is the author of the book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Social media breaks can help users heal from online negativity
Taking a break from social media can give people time to focus on themselves and take a breather, psychology freshman Ariel Awuwoloye said. People can get too caught up and don't process what they're seeing and feeling. Internet users spend 147 minutes per day on social media as of 2022, according to Statista.
Students reveal what to look for in a good roommate
Comfort and vulnerability make a relationship grow, so they are important when living with someone else, computer engineering sophomore Jailen Guptin said. When looking for a roommate, students should take time to get to know them before living together because there’s a difference between moving in with a friend versus with a stranger, Guptin said. Mikhaella Tellez, visual communications design freshman, said the biggest thing she looks for in a good roommate is effective communication.
Why stress needs to be addressed
It’s sometimes difficult for people to realize they’re stressed, especially when it’s their new normal, psychology associate professor Angela Liegey-Dougall said. April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to learn how to cope with stress and find healthy ways to deal with it, according to the American Institute of Stress. Stress can affect the mind, body and behavior. It can also lead to health problems if left unchecked, according to Mayo Clinic.
A new way to spark innovation: Tap into creativity
Creativity is associated with activities like storytelling and types of narrative thinking such as coming up with new solutions to problems, said Michael Benveniste, Golden Gate University adjunct professor. Researchers from Ohio State University developed a new method last month to train people to be creative, with results showing better chances of igniting innovation.
Nostalgia drives CDs sales' growth
People assume CDs are going away, but these days, industry manufacturers notice people are leaning toward older forms of music like vinyl, so CDs will continue to be made and sold, said David Eckstrom, Forever Young Records owner. CD sales increased by 20% from $483 million in 2020 to $584 million in 2021, making up for its long decline in sales since 2004, according to the Recording Industry Association of America’s annual sales report.
Stay aware: The dangers of sexual violence and stalking
Karla Arenas-Itotia, social work assistant professor of practice, said feeling safe allows people to be the best person possible and get things done. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It spotlights awareness and the prevention of sexual assault, harassment and abuse, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking can happen to anyone, Arenas-Itotia said.
Storyboard animators strike up Twitter movement for better pay
The hashtags #StoryCraftUnite and #NewDeal4Animation have been trending on Twitter to show support for storyboard artists and animators dealing with unhealthy work environments and needing better pay. A storyboard artist’s responsibility is taking a script or concept and turning it into a visual story, according to the Nashville Film Institute. They control how the production and development teams — who use the storyboard for reference — perceive a project.
From boiling eggs to cooking broth, Maverick Kitchen teaches healthy ramen preparation
Eating instant ramen can be healthy and doesn’t have to be boring. The Maverick Kitchen hosted its second event this semester Thursday at the Central Library, showcasing how to turn instant ramen into a full meal. Maverick Kitchen is a cooking workshop that teaches students food and kitchen skills while learning the cultural significance of different dishes. These events are generally held on the last Thursday of every month.
Surge in technology usage during pandemic impacts daily routines
Technology makes people’s lives convenient, especially during the pandemic’s early stage when everyone was in lockdown, Joel Febo, accounting and finance junior, said. When cities and counties across the country enacted stay-at-home orders two years ago to control the spread of COVID-19, technology allowed people to find ways to spend their time during quarantine. Streaming services surged, food delivery boomed and video games grew in value.
World Music Therapy Day sheds light on the positives of music
Madison Michel, Heart and Harmony Music Therapy education director, said as a music therapist, she’s always learning, adapting and changing what she does as she understands more about brain and human development. March 1 is World Music Therapy Day, shining light on the practice and the positive effects of music, according to the National Day Calendar.
Review: Texas Chainsaw Massacre is filled with gore but lacks character
Courtesy of Yana Blajeva / Netflix Texas Chainsaw Massacre premiered on Netflix on Feb. 18 and is a sequel to 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Leatherface returns after almost 50 years to terrorize a group of friends who disrupted his secluded life in a remote Texas town.
Lack of sleep continues to challenge nurses during pandemic
Nurses are susceptible to insufficient sleep, which can lead to many things impacting mental health and physical performance, said Amy Witkoski Stimpfel, New York University assistant nursing professor.
UTA A Cappella Choir to hold concert in preparation for invitational performance
Baritone Niles Leffall of the UTA A Cappella Choir performs during “A Shakespeare Celebration” on Nov. 4, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington. The Shorthorn: File photo/ Duy Vu UTA’s A Cappella Choir will have a concert Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in Irons Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building.
Heart smart: How to prioritize cardiovascular health
Ignoring the cardiovascular system has negative effects like obesity and depression. But taking care of it can help people improve different aspects of their life, exercise science senior Vaibhav Jaideep said. February is American Heart Month, and the UTA community shared their thoughts on heart health. People take cardiovascular health for granted and with this pandemic, they ended up having more health issues, Jaideep said.
Asia Times Square celebrates year of the tiger with lots of food
Buras, Louisiana, resident Adonijah Caing, 53, grills corn during the 15th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan. 22 at Asia Times Square. There were more than 200 people at the celebration. Photo by Ward Sakeik Carrollton, Texas, resident Allison Ha said it’s her first year in Dallas without her family for Lunar New Year, so she’s at Asia Times Square’s Lunar New Year celebration with her boyfriend to show how it’s celebrated with food and lion dances.
Remembering Betty White: How she inspired fans around UTA
Betty White in a final video shot for her fans for her 100th birthday. Courtesy of Betty White/Instagram Betty White was someone who could unite people despite the differences that divided us in this country, Arlington resident Stefan Powdrill said. Members of the Arlington community shared their thoughts on actress Betty White, who died Dec. 31, 2021, at 99. White was the only Golden Girl still living as of 2021, and she passed away nearly three weeks before her 100th birthday Jan. 17.
Students react with disappointment as semester starts online
Communication technology junior Richmond Okon said he feels disappointed not being able to meet professors and classmates and make new friends in person at the beginning of the spring semester. “I think my expectation is just for us [students] to have the right workload and have time for students to collaborate with each other,” Okon said. Due to the Omicron variant, UTA temporarily moved courses online through Feb. 4, according to previous Shorthorn reporting.
Review: Fifth Scream movie - just as loud as the first
The fifth Scream movie, which takes place 25 years after the original, premiered in theaters Friday. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett revitalized the franchise in the first movie of the series that was not directed by Wes Craven, who passed away in 2015 from brain cancer. Fans should not worry, as the duo are fans of the original and credit Craven for their inspiration as filmmakers, according to past interviews.
Potterheads relive Wizarding World during 20th anniversary of first Harry Potter film
The Harry Potter franchise was something new for the movie industry, and there wasn’t anything like its fantasy world at the time of its release, computer engineering freshman Gavin Ray said. The UTA community shared what made the franchise stand out in the entertainment industry since the first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, released in theaters 20 years ago.
Gaikoku City Pop Band’s free concert fills Rosebud Theatre with funky Japanese pop
Gaikoku City Pop Band performs for a faculty recital Nov. 5 in Rosebud Theatre at the University Center. The band performed 11 City Pop hit songs. Photo by Nicholas Badeaux A lively, upbeat atmosphere filled the room as the crowd applauded the Gaikoku City Pop Band during its free concert in Rosebud Theatre on Friday. The event showcased city pop, an old genre of Japanese pop music that began in the late ‘70s and gained popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s due to its casual nature.
UTA adjunct professor brings city pop to campus
Gaikoku City Pop Band films their promotional video at The Creatives Factory with Ed Rosario Production. Courtesy of Ed Rosario Gaikoku City Pop Band will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Rosebud Theatre. Brian Mulholland, adjunct jazz studies professor, founded the band after discovering the genre in 2020. City pop is an old genre of pop music in Japan that began in the late ‘70s and gained popularity in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
New Maverick Homecoming traditions usher in celebration’s return to campus
Homecoming events Homecoming 5k Run/Walk/Roll: The annual Homecoming 5k Run/Walk/Roll will start at 10 a.m. Nov. 13 at the Maverick Activities Center. All proceeds will go toward the UTA Emergency Assistance Fund, according to the event page. The event is open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Basketball games: Join the UTA men’s, women’s and Movin’ Mavs basketball teams for their Homecoming week games. All students receive free admission.
Scaring is caring: Students share Halloween costume inspirations
Finding a costume is fun, and dressing up for Halloween helps people get into the spirit, nursing freshman McKenna Fisher said. The origin of dressing up for Halloween came from Europe and dates back hundreds of years to when people believed impersonating the dead would offer them protection, according to Metro.
Topical ointments recommended by UTA community
Truc Tran, accounting and business management sophomore, has used Eagle Brand Medicated Oil ever since she was young. She doesn’t really use prescription medicine over the counter because her mother believes the oil cures everything, Tran said. Eagle Brand Medicated Oil has a green color and includes ingredients such as natural eucalyptus oil, rose oil, mint oil and menthol. Just like Tiger Balm, it helps with muscle and joint pain, headaches, stomachaches and motion sickness.
Review: Halloween Kills offers more nostalgia than thrills
Halloween Kills premiered in theaters Friday and continues where things left off in Halloween (2018). Scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis is back to reprise her role as Laurie Strode, who has been traumatized for nearly 40 years since the events of John Carpenter’s 1978 Halloween film. This time, she’s on the rise while recovering from her injury from Michael Myers in Haddonfield Memorial Hospital.
Celebrating Filipino American History Month with the UTA community
Second generation Filipinos raised in the U.S. are Americanized, so they aren’t as in touch with the culture and often can’t speak Tagalog, a major language in the Philippines, said Paolo Chiu, nursing senior and Filipino Student Association cultural chair. In 2009, the U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month, which honors the his- tory and accomplishments of Filipinos.
Follow along as The Shorthorn Life and Entertainment desk journeys through the State Fair of Texas’ New Foods Map
When entering the State Fair of Texas, one can’t help but notice rows of food vendors and concessionaire booths lining both sides of almost every path. The smoky aroma of turkey legs combined with the sweet scent of funnel cakes fills the air. Turkey legs and funnel cakes are fair staples, but the unique fair foods on the 2021 New Foods Map are once in a lifetime. After hosting a socially distanced Fair Food Drive-Thru last year, concessionaires spent the off-season brainstorming food items.
Students’ different coming out stories serve as examples to those who wish to embrace National Coming Out Day
Everybody has a different journey, and National Coming Out Day celebrates the process of a person coming to terms with their sexuality. Still, no one should feel pressure to come out of the closet even on that day, biology senior David Nguyen said. With UTA celebrating Campus Pride Month in October and National Coming Out Day falling on Monday, the LGBTQ+ community at UTA shared their coming out stories.
How to make the most of Halloween this October
Spooky season is right around the corner, and students shared some of their Halloween traditions. Halloween makes people feel excited to dress up out of the ordinary for a night, communications graduate Mikila Salazar said. Halloween traces back to an ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, which is Gaelic for “summer’s end.” It marks the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac website.
From Scratch: Dim sum provides a wide variety of bite-sized dishes
Originating in China, dim sum is a Cantonese tradition that features small plates of food, similar to tapas in Spanish cuisine. Mechanical engineering senior Timmy Nguyen said going for dim sum is a good way to celebrate special occasions because of the wide variety of options offered. “It’s great because it lets everybody have their own choice for what they’d like to eat,” Nguyen said.
UTA community celebrates 20 years of Yu-Gi-Oh since its western release
The UTA community reminisces about their experience with the anime and trading card game “Yu-Gi-Oh” as it marks its 20th year anniversary since the first episode aired in Western countries on Sept. 29, 2001. “Yu-Gi-Oh” is a Japanese anime based on the manga series written and illustrated by Kazuki Takahashi, focusing on the game of Duel Monsters, which is tied to the real-life Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. It has three main series, six spin-offs and four movies.
UTA helps sponsor Mid-Autumn Festival event held in Asia Times Square
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, falls on Tuesday this year. The festival has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years and involves moon worship, lantern making and family gatherings. In ancient times, the emperor would worship and give offerings to the moon to give thanks to the moon goddess for a prosperous year, said Neal Szu-Yen Liang, assistant professor of practice in Chinese.
UTA community reflects on the differences between communicating in-person and virtually
Psychology senior Rebecca Roten said she was close to a classmate before the campus reopened. The two texted regularly and would talk about class. “Now that we’re in person, we haven’t really interacted at all,” Roten said. UTA transitioned to the online format on March 23, 2020, due to the pandemic, according to previous Shorthorn reporting. Now after a month back on campus, the community shared their thoughts on transitioning from virtual to in-person communication.
Venting doesn’t just feel good - research shows it can improve brain health
People faced challenges they’ve never had before, oftentimes with no one to talk to, during the pandemic. Being able to vent and connect with someone is a basic human need, said Marivi Acuña, Counseling and Psychological Services staff psychologist. College students live busy lives. Venting and being listened to isn't on the forefront of everyone's minds, but it's still important. Venting is a vigorous or emotional expression as a means of release, according to Merriam-Webster.
Metroplex events in honor of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
A crowd gathers to watch Micky & The Motorcars perform at the Levitt Pavilion on June 17, 2016. File photo / The Shorthorn Here are some events individuals can attend in the Metroplex to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Stars, Stripes and Remembrance Concert This memorial concert will be held Saturday at the Levitt Pavilion at 6 p.m. It will start with a program paying tribute to Arlington fire responders.
Review: Shang-Chi doubles up with Asian representation, talent
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings premiered in movie theaters Friday and has broken box office records for a U.S. Labor Day weekend opening with an estimated $90 million. Before his role as Shang-Chi, I saw Simu Liu in Kim’s Convenience as Jung working at a car rental shop. This weekend I got to see him fight as a trained assassin in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
UTA community shares thoughts on, expectations for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the first Asian superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is now playing in theaters and will be available to stream on Disney+ on Oct. 18. Members of the UTA community shared their expectations on how the movie will impact the film industry. Bart Weiss, cinema arts associate professor, said when Marvel creates a film, it opens the door for other filmmakers to do similar work.
UTA alumna opens Kung Fu Tea bubble tea shop in downtown Arlington
UTA alumna Ayla Hernandez said when she was a student, she craved boba tea all the time and would drive 10 to 15 minutes from campus to the nearest boba shop. She opened Kung Fu Tea, a bubble tea shop, in downtown Arlington in May after realizing how convenient the location is for students. This location will provide a place for students to venture off campus and escape, Hernandez said. The shop is decorated with lanterns and bright colors.
Pumpkin spice: fall delight or not so nice?
As the seasons change and seasonal items become available at Starbucks, students shared their thoughts on the pumpkin spice latte. The pumpkin spice latte made its return to U.S. Starbucks shops Aug. 24. The drink launched in 2003 and has since inspired many fall flavors and other products, like the pumpkin cream cold brew, the pumpkin cream cheese muffin and the pumpkin scone. Abbi Muyco, architecture junior and Starbucks barista, tried the pumpkin spice latte for the first time two weeks ago.
Being mindful of the effects of alcohol abuse during the pandemic
People coped with mental health challenges and socialized virtually by drinking alcohol during the pandemic, said Latoya Oduniyi, Health Services assistant director. With an increase in alcohol consumption and loosening restrictions amid the pandemic, it’s important to know the effects of alcohol abuse.
What to wear: A guide to expressing yourself this school year through clothing and fashion
With the fall semester starting, students shared where they draw their fashion inspiration from and how they stay comfortable while on campus. Music studies sophomore Rafael Escalera said jazz musicians have a culture of wearing simple clothing. His ideal outfit to wear at school during hot weather is a pair of shorts, a T-shirt and maroon Nikes. During cold weather, he would wear jeans and add a sweater or jacket.
The Metroplex is expected to start off with rainy then mostly sunny weather this week
File illustration by Vivian Santillan The Metroplex is expected to have rainy weather and mild temperatures throughout the week. Sarah Barnes, National Weather Service meteorologist, said the week will start off with some rain, and gradually warm up throughout the week. Monday is expected to have a high near 88 and a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday are expected to have highs between 91 and 98 throughout the day.
National Weather Service in Fort Worth issues flood advisory including the Arlington area
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth issued a flood advisory until 8 p.m. Sunday for poor drainage areas. These areas include Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Euless, Bedford and more. The flood advisory stated that people should turn around when encountered flooded roads as most flood deaths occur in vehicles. A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected Sunday after 1 a.m. Temperatures are expected to reach a low around 74.
Wyl Parker, well-known UTA retiree, dies at 77
The UTA tower sits under the night sky June 24, 2020, on the corner of UTA Boulevard and Cooper Street in Arlington. File photo / Elias Valverde II Wyl Parker, a longtime UTA employee who was instrumental in shifting UTA from a commuter school to a traditional residential campus, died on July 4 after battling lung disease. He was 77. Parker served at UTA for 39 years from 1971 until he retired in 2010 at the age of 66.
UTA professor spearheads research on how government, community organizations respond to disasters
Daniel Sledge, UTA political science associate professor, has begun a yearlong research project to help Texas better prepare for future disasters through studying how government entities responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the extreme winter storm last February. Sledge is a principal investigator of the project, which started in May, and said its goal is to understand how political and nonprofit organizations work and to figure out their strengths and flaws.
Triple digit temperatures to hit the Metroplex this week
The Metroplex is expected to have triple-digit temperatures this week. David Bonnette, National Weather Service meteorologist, said there will be a continuation of hot and rain-free weather all week. The highest temperature will fall on Monday with a high of 102. Heat index values will reach a high of 106. Wednesday is expected to be the only day of the week with a double-digit temperature at 98. Temperatures on Thursday and Friday are expected to be back at a high of 100.
World Health Organization advises the public to follow COVID-19 safety protocols even if vaccinated
The World Health Organization advised the public to continue wearing masks and maintaining social distance in a virtual press conference in June as new variants of COVID-19 continue to spread. The Delta variant is the most transmissible variant of the COVID-19 virus and is spreading rapidly among the unvaccinated population. It has been identified in at least 85 countries and was first detected in the U.S. in March this year.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ritchie
Contact Ritchie, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack