Five Ways the Bearcat Relates to ISM Students

1. They don’t really go by their real name

Though conventionally known as the Bearcat, the species also goes by a variety of other nicknames, such as the Asian Bearcat, Malay Civet Cat, Palawan Bearcat and the Binturong. Similarly, ISM students tend to disregard their actual names and often have to correct their teachers on the first day of school when they call out roll.

(Photograph from: http://tumblr.com/)

(Photographs by: Maxine Alindogan)

2. They exemplify the statement: You can’t judge a book by it’s cover

The bearcat is actually neither a bear nor a cat, but a species of civet that belongs to  the Viverridae family.In a similar manner, you never really know where ISM students are from. They may have one country, such as Switzerland, written on their passport, but in reality, they are of mixed heritage and grew up in another country.

(Photograph from: http://protect.co.vu/ and http://tumblr.com/)

(Photographs by: Maxine Alindogan)

3. They are incredibly cute and charming, but fierce at times

Natives warn that Bearcats appear cute and cuddly, but can become aggressive when cornered. Simply look through the yearbook and you’ll see how extremely cute ISM students appear to be, although they do seem to unleash their inner animal when they are provoked by too many assessments and deadlines.

(Photograph from: http://eatingandcreeping.wordpress.com/)

(Photograph by: Maxine Alindogan)

4. They are most active from late evening to early morning

Although they are active at day and night, Bearcats are dominated by nocturnal tendencies, and peak during the late hours of the night and early morning. Likewise, online activities of ISM students tend to reach their highest point during the wee hours of the night.

(Photograph from: http://cincyontheprowl.com/)

(Photographs by: Maxine Alindogan)

5. They communicate in unconventional ways

Bearcats use the scent glands under their tails to communicate, in the process they emit odors that are reminiscent of warm popcorn or cornbread. Although our methods of communication are not as outlandish as, let’s face it, farting, it isn’t unusual to witness ISM students using interpretive dance or speculative eye-contact to communicate with one another.

(Photograph from: http://tumblr.com/)

(Photographs by: Maxine Alindogan)

While the Bearcat is typically thought of as an odd mascot, the truth is its symbolic of ISM students in more ways than we think.