The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University
SECOND SEMESTER A.Y. 2024-2025
VOLUME 44 ISSUE 06
General Santos
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Nakakalungkot isiping imbes na nakahain na sa hapag na ang inaasam-asam na solusyon–mainit, bago, at handa nang pagsaluhan–hinahanaphanap pa rin ng nakararami ang bulok at napaglumaang sistema
Mainit pa sa nagbabagang apoy kung pagpiyestahan ang mga namumuong debate ukol sa isyu kaugnay ng pagpapatupad ng Saligang Batas Blg. 1979, o kilala sa tawag na Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP)
Bill. Kaliwa’t kanan ang pagtutol ng mga nakararami, kung saan ipinipilit ng mga ito ang mga negatibong kahihinatnan ng pagpapatupad ng panukalang ito sa kaisipan ng mga batang Pilipino. Subalit, sa likod ng mga pangongontra ay ang katotohanang ang kumbinasyon ng kakulangan sa tamang pag-intindi ng panukala at ang saradong pag-iisip ang siyang sanhi ng paglobo ng kaso ng teenage pregnancy at siya ring pumipigil sa bansa tungo sa kaunlaran.
Teenage pregnancy sa Pilipinas
Ayon sa datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), tumaas ang bilang ng panganganak sa mga batang may edad 10 hanggang 14 mula 2,411 noong 2019 hanggang 3,343 noong 2023—isang pagtaas na 6.6% sa loob lamang ng limang taon. Mas nakakabahala pa, 38 batang babae na may edad 15 pababa ang nakaranas ng paulit-ulit na pagbubuntis noong 2023, habang 17 kababaihang wala pang 20 taong gulang ang nanganak nang lima o higit pang beses.
Kung pag-uusapan naman ang lokal na datos, tumaas ng 5% ang kaso ng teenage pregnancy sa Lungsod ng Heneral Santos noong 2024 kumpara noong 2023, ayon sa City Population Office (CPO). Batay sa tala ng naturang tanggapan, nangunguna sa bilang ang Barangay Fatima, Calumpang, Labangal, Apopong, Lagao, at ang maliit na barangay ng San Jose. Higit na nakakaalarma ang naitalang pinakabatang kaso—isang 13-anyos na dalagita.
Base naman sa United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines, kabilang ang mga katutubong tribo sa mga may pinakamalalang kaso ng teenage pregnancy sa bansa, tulad ng tribong Dibabawon. Kadalasan, ang mga kabataang babae ay ipinapakasal sa mga lalaking mas matanda pa sa kanila, at ang masaklap pa, ito ay mga menor de edad. Nakakapanlumo mang isipin, ngunit
hanggang ngayon, ang mga kababaihan sa ilang komunidad ay nakakadena pa rin sa mga kulturang at tradisyong hindi nila pinili at naglilimita sa kanilang mga karapatan at pagkakataon sa buhay.
Paglihis sa tunay na layunin ng PAP Bill
Upang matugunan ang lumalalang kaso ng teenage pregnancy sa bansa, isinulong ni Senador Risa Hontiveros ang PAP Bill. Layunin ng batas na maiwasan ang maagang pagbubuntis, magbigay ng proteksyong panlipunan sa mga kabataan, at gawing aksesible ang Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) para sa lahat ng kabataang Pilipino. Binibigyang-diin nito pagsulong sa mga programang pangkalusugan at mga interbensyon na layong bawasan ang panganib na may kaugnayan sa pagbubuntis ng kabataan. Kinikilala rin nito ang papel ng mga magulang at guro sa paggabay sa mga kabataan upang matulungan silang makamit ang kanilang potensyal at maiwasan ang mga negatibong epekto ng teenage pregnancy.
Sa kabila ng klaro at malinis na layunin ng PAP Bill, iilan sa mga kasamahan ni Hontiveros sa senado ay nagpahayag ng mariing pagtutol sa SB 1979. Ultimong si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos ay tutol sa mismong batas, kung saan tinawag niya itong “woke”, “ridiculous” at “abhorrent”. Pinabulaanan naman nito ni Hontiveros at ipinaliwanag na ang tanging nakapaloob lamang sa batas ay ang pagututuro sa mga bata ng anatomiya sa tamang edad at ang mga kahihinatnan ng maagang pagbubuntis.
Sumabay pa sa usaping ito ang samu’t saring pekeng balita na kumalat sa social media na siyang lumihis sa tunay na layunin ng PAP Bill. Kabilang dito ang isang post mula sa Facebook page na ‘Saan may mura?’, na iginiit na tinuturuan ng batas ang mga batang edad anim hanggang siyam na maging sexually active. Kaakibat din nito ang pangunguna ni Dating Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno sa mga mali-maling interpretasyon ukol sa bahagi ng batas na nagsasabing, “It shall be integrated in the school curriculum, guided by DEPED and international standards”. Ngunit nilinaw ng kampo ni Senador Hontiveros na
walang ganitong nilalaman ang PAP Bill. Paliwanag pa nila, hindi nangangahulugang susundin agad ang mga panukala ng mga internasyonal na organisasyon tulad ng UNESCO at WHO, dahil kailangan pa ring isaalang-alang ang mga lokal na konteksto at kultura ng Pilipinas.
Dahil sa ingay na inilikha ng batas, pitong senador—kasama sina JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Bong Go, at Cynthia Villar—ang nagbawi ng kanilang pirma sa committee report noong ika-21 ng Enero. Kung una pa lamang ay mayroon palang sariling pagtutol, nakapagtataka lamang na kung kailan naging matunog ang isyu ay saka pa lamang nila ito ibinahagi. Sila ba ay naglagda nang walang lubos na pag-unawa o sadyang natakot sa alingawngaw ng madla, lalo na’t malapit na ang eleksyon? Gayunpaman, nakakadismayang isipin na ang mga inaasahan nating manguna sa pagbabago at pagsusulong ng kalagayan ng kabataan, sila pa ang naging mahina sa kanilang paninindigan at madaling matangay sa hangin ng opinyon ng nakararami.
Samakatuwid, isa sa pinakamabigat na hamong kinakaharap ng PAP Bill ay ang mga mali-maling impormasyong nakakalat na hindi lamang nakasisira sa tunay na layunin ng batas, kundi ang makapangyarihang kakayahan nitong manipulahin ang pag-iisip ng mga mamamayang Pilipino. Base sa mga komento, tunay ngang naimpluwensyahan ng mga ito ang kritikal na pag-iisip ng mga madaling maloko, dahil na rin sa masaklap na reyalidad na walang kakayahan ang mga itong magsaliksik ng katotohanan. Sa halip na unahin ang kapakanan ng mga kabataang biktima ng kakulangan ng tamang edukasyon hinggil sa paksang ito, inuuna pa ng iilan ang kalabisan sa pagiging konserbatibo at pagpapairal sa pansariling interes, bagay na hindi nakatutulong upang mapababa ang kaso ng teenage pregnancy.
SB 1979 tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas
Ilang pangarap na ang natupok nang dahil sa maagang pagbubuntis sanhi ng kakulangan ng angkop na edukasyon mula sa paaralan, tamang gabay ng mga magulang, at sapat na proteksyon mula sa kinauukulan. Simula’t sapul, ang isyung ito ay hindi pa rin napuputol sa kadahilanang
mayroon pa ring mga nananatiling mangmang pagdating sa usaping pakikipagtalik, pag-iral ng kuryosidad, at sa pagpapanatili sa paniniwala na ang sex education ay hindi angkop para sa lahat.
Isang malaking sampal ang katotohanang mahilig ang mga Pilipinong magkunwaring ang katahimikan at pagtanggap sa tinaguriang biyaya ay ang sagot sa suliraning ito. Ito ay isang walang katapusang siklo–iniiwan ng mga magulang at ng gobyerno ang kabataan sa dilim ng kakulangan ng kaalaman, at kapag sila ay naging biktima ng teenage pregnancy, patuloy silang umaasa sa mga magulang at nakatambay sa mga pila ng ayuda. Sa huli, ang tunay na nagdurusa ay ang mga kabataang napagkaitan ng pagkakataong maging bata dahil mas pinili ng mga nakatatandang ituring na imoral at nakakahiya ang mga paksang sana’y magliligtas sa kanila.
Nakakalungkot isiping imbes na nakahain na sa hapag na ang inaasam-asam na solusyon–mainit, bago, at handa nang pagsaluhan–hinahanap-hanap parin ng nakararami ang bulok at napaglumaang sistema. Hindi tuturuan ng PAP Bill ang mga kabataang maging sexually active, bagkus tuturuan nitong maging mapagmatyag at proteksyunan ang sarili laban sa mga mapagsamantala. Hindi tuturuan ng PAP Bill ang mga kabataang galawin ang sarili, bagkus tuturuan nitong maging maalam sa sariling katawan sa paraang akma sa kanilang edad.
Kung tunay ngang Bagong Pilipinas ang nais makamtan ng mga pulitikong inihalal sa puwesto ng mayorya, panahon na upang isulong ang mga batas kagaya ng PAP Bill na siyang babago sa dinamiko ng pagtalakay ng mga sensitibong isyu gaya nito. Isa sa mga unang hakbang na nararapat gawin ng napag-iwanang Pilipinas ay ang pagtanggap sa mga usaping ito nang may bukas na isip. Panahon na upang ilagak sa reyalidad ang isang masistemang pagbalangkas sa paparating na pagbabagong hindi lulugmok, bagkus iaahon tayo para sa katinuang inaakala ng iba na nanlilinlang.
Overcrowded CNSM science bldg to be renovated in two phases
Last January 7, Chancellor Shidik Zed T. Abantas of Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC) conducted his first on-site inspection of different campus facilities in the university.
In one of his inspections, Abantas stopped by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) and discovered 22 faculty members of the Science Department in the college huddled together in one room.
Abantas immediately laid down his plans to solve the problem in the college.
According to Dr. Jay D. Buscano,
CNSM Dean, the chancellor plans to redevelop two facilities in the Science Building.
Buscano referred to it as “a great step in preparation for a big change in the CNSM ground.”
“There’s a plan to retrofit two classrooms in the Science Building to be converted into Chem Labs/Lecture Rooms. As for the exact amount ng budget, di pa namin alam kasi ipapaassess pa sa taga-Physical Projects and Development (PPD) office.”
The CNSM Dean explained that this will be done in two phases, focusing on one laboratory per phase.
Buscano pointed out that this aligns with the proposed offering of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program.
Moreover, he also mentioned the separation of different faculties upon opening a new program in the college.
“There’s a plan to split the Science Department into two departments once magstart na ang offering ng BS Chemistry. In that case, ‘di na sila magsisiksikan sa isang office,” he stated.
Abantas also commended the newly renovated office of the CNSM Dean.
SSC ‘kapehan’ project wins over MSUans after successful pilot, secures funding for second semester
JOHN PAUL SIAPEL
General Santos City, January 20 – Following the triumph of ‘Project Kapehan para sa MSUans’ last semester despite zero budget, MSUans acceded to funding the project proposal during the 2nd Semester General Assembly Meeting of the Supreme Student Council (SSC), acknowledging the relevance and significance of the project.
“Makahilak gid siya kay finally may [allocated] na budget na gid,” Alken Rober Daquio, SSC Senator under the Committee on Project and Physical Development enthusiastically said, expressing happiness and gratitude for the budget granted for its implementation
Then and now
In an interview with Bagwis, Hon. Daquio explained how the project progressed, from the voiced criticism and judgment during the 1st Semester General Assembly until its enactment.
“The implementation of this project last semester [was] so difficult given the project kay zero budget. Ikapila mi gi-reject sa mga business owner na pangayuan unta namog sponsorship,” he said.
Moreover, Hon. Daquio stated that with the budgetary requirement presented, the project was ensured to raise the bar, proving its significance for programs intended for the welfare of MSUans.
“Now, I’m so happy gid kay the students saw the potential and relevance of the project. Also, thankful pud sa mga students nga nag defend gaina sa GA na ma-pursue ang kapehan this sem. Mixed emotions as of this moment jud,” he expressed.
According to Daquio, he is still looking for possible sponsors for the second semester. However, he said that the allocated budget will provide assurance that the project will be fulfilled.
*We will consider all the suggestions and recommendations of the students. Such as, we will create another station [for] other colleges if the sponsorship we will gather kay maka cater og more students para more students maka avail,” he shared.
With the budgetary requirement provided, Hon. Daquio said that it is enough to administer the project.
“The allotted budget of Project Kapehan para sa MSUan for this semester is PhP 8,338.00. If we will talk technically, it is enough. However, nakaya gani na zero budget last time, how
much more karun na may allotted budget na plus sponsorships?” he quipped. According to Daquio, the budget will help the committee sustain the project without only depending on sponsorships, ensuring its conduct for the semester.
“We will not be dependent only for sponsorships. If the project Kapehan will be allocated plus the sponsorship we gather, then we can have more supplies of coffee and the number of students that can avail this project will also increase,” Daquio expressed.
Daquio also pointed out the hardships that they encountered in finding sponsorships.
“Lisod kaayo maka-pangitag sponsors. So if we will depend na sad for sponsorship this time, limited gihapon ang supplies since maka depende ra siya sa sponsorship na ma gather,” he explained.
What’s
new?
After the post-evaluation of the project, constituents suggested the dissemination of the project implementation a week ahead such as the provision of table cloths, table wipes, and a wider table.
“It can affect these viewpoints or insights in a way na we will use to improve our quality of service and use our lapses before as a guide for better implementation this sem,” Daquio said.
In addition, the constituents requested more supplies, especially non-coffee choices such as milk and chocolate drinks for students who want to acquire a free drink.
Daquio expressed his appreciation to all MSUans and sponsors for making the project possible with limited to no resources from the last semester, making it a challenge for him to serve the MSUans in any way possible.
“It gives me hope bitaw na despite everything, if you truly want to serve the studentry you will do something na abi nimo dili nimo makaya mahimo. Thankful ko sa MSUans and sponsors gid kay through this project, ning gi challenge ko nila mas na strengthened akong leadership skills and how to overcome this type of circum as a leader,” he shared
Project Kapehan para sa MSUans was an initiative by the Supreme Student Council of MSU-Gensan, providing free coffee and drinks for students before and after hectic schedules and reviews for upcoming examinations.
Democracy is a two-way street, so is the SSC General Assembly
“The public must be enlightened, must be made to see…the truth.”
Thomas Jefferson
Whether in its grandest scheme or in its smallest manifestation, democracy has always been an apparatus of any authority to facilitate community deliberation—an exercise which only works when the public that forms its body actively participates in its processes. In Mindanao State University–General Santos City (MSUGSC), general assemblies, held by the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and college and department student councils at every start of term, sit at the prime and central tenet of these democratic processes. It is an avenue for both the Council and the student body to directly and jointly engage in the highest student policy making body of the university.
The SSC’s recently held general assembly on January 20, however, saw a notably low turnout of students at the University Gymnasium. It also started at 1:30 p.m., half an hour past the supposed beginning of the said assembly. In an interview with Bagwis, SSC President Leonard Tucjayao said that this was because they had to wait for the students from the College of Engineering (COE) whose bleachers assigned to them in the University Gymnasium were not occupied at all. President Tucjayao further stated that, “The reason being is that, even with the released memo from the [O]VCAA, there had been still a lot of faculty members, a few of the faculty members from the College of Engineering who held their classes.” This issue has also been raised to Chancellor Shidik Abantas, he added.
Participation in the SSC’s general assembly is both a right and a duty. One cannot stress enough how integral it is for MSUans during their duration of enjoying public education from the university: general assemblies allow for the dissemination of what the university student council has accomplished and shall have in store
for the institution’s constituents, and it provides a direct avenue for the said constituents through which they can express their sentiments and receive immediate correspondence in return. This exchange on the part of either side is an essential pursuit that shall help both the SSC execute good governance, and for the students, to take part in the development and promote accountability for the student government—the beauty of participatory democracy.
The current status quo illustrates an alarming trend of attacks on academic freedoms and the restrictions imposed on student movements in academic spaces across universities in the country. Inside MSU-GSC, however, the SSC along with their counterparts in the college and department levels arguably enjoy a degree of freedom from intrusive adminmeddling. Even Bagwis, as the university’s official student publication, as well as college-wide student publications, receive funding support from the students and write critical articles for their interests. Despite being critical, Bagwis and other student publications in MSU-GSC have not been met with defunding and forced shut down. A stark contrast can be drawn, for example, from the latest attack on campus press in the University of San Carlos in its Talamban campus. Its official student publication, Today’s Carolinian, has not only been defunded, it was also not given official recognition by USC’s administration in light of their coverage over its tuition fee increase. Instead, they got an eviction notice to vacate their office—a heavy blow and grave offense against the rights of students to freedom of expression and of a free press.
It is worth lamenting that the rights that are presently safeguarded by the SSC’s commitment to defending student rights might only be appreciated by other students once they become restricted with an iron grip. With this, MSUans ought to
not forfeit their right to be directly heard by their elected-at-large student leaders. The decision making process, opened through general assemblies, could only do so much to be genuinely a collaborative process— not when something important to make it work is amiss: students’ participation.
It is of utmost regrettable concern that what determines the student body’s willing participation, more often than not, would be the decree for attendance that comes with major affairs such as the SSC general assembly. Mandatory participation with fining systems in place (and perhaps free lunch and snacks) get better turnout numbers, but this fact is eclipsed by the truth that even a quintessential student government elected into place cannot force uninterested students to turn up. The latter thus points to a loss in the enactment of a basic right, carelessly cast aside by the beneficiaries themselves, as well as a gap in the necessity for active participation that will obstruct the SSC’s effective performance of their duty.
Granted, it is virtually impossible to cram all of the student population of MSUGSC in the University Gymnasium, but even minimum student representation faced scant turnout. It is also worth acknowledging that even the willing can be unable—some faculty members reportedly still held classes despite the university-wide memo released by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) specifically stating that students are excused from their classes so as to join the assembly. In the face of a bad matchup between encouragement to join and the initiative to be present, it is in the best interest of any MSUan to, at the very least, become aware and concerned for their future in the educational institution and not treat assemblies meant to show exactly what’s in store for them as a minor inconvenience or a tedious event to attend.
The SSC can only go as far as encouraging
JEROMELEE PIANA, DANIELLA DOCE
students and mobilizing the ex-officios to secure the participation of its constituents from the seven colleges of MSU-GSC, as its Constitution and by-laws provides for the stipulation of the attendance of at least five (5) over seven (7) colleges to form a quorum. This is because it has been, as President Tucjayao stressed, the SSC’s long standing practice to not impose fines on students who are unable to attend the general assembly. As the circumstances with the relatively low capacity of the University Gymnasium to host students in their thousands would prove, it is only right a course of action as much as it is impossible to have them all in the gym. Nevertheless, the problem remains: students are far more likely to attend if some sort of sanction mechanism is put in place—which would be a problematic policy as it is not pragmatic for the reasons that it is impossible and unsafe to thrust students into the gymnasium. However, at the end of the day, the way towards representation in the assembly is a two-way street: the SSC and the students’ presence. Now, here lies the question of representation. It can be argued that the presence of the college presidents as ex-officios during the semestral planning of the SSC up to its general assembly would suffice. It does not—because how can the voices of many be well-represented by one person, especially on matters that relate to the Council’s proposed projects, financial
concerns, i.e. report of the Commission on Audit (COA) on SSC’s financial records, its policies, and whatnots?
It now becomes clear that an underlying issue springs from the abyss: the matter of representation. When asked if it would be possible to require college council officers to attend as official representatives of their constituents in the assembly and impose fines as a consequence if they appear to be absent, President Tucjayao stated that the SSC cannot do so as they are not directly answerable to the Council—a reminder of who’s who. While it is true that they are not under the direct jurisdiction of the SSC, they are, however, directly answerable to their respective constituents in their colleges. Therefore, it must be the college council itself that must pursue this action. In a way, the college is able to duly represent MSUans and continuously show that their commitment to public service is bounded by genuine care
for the public they serve, thereby protecting one of the many celebrated fundamental rights in democracy: representation.
Scrutiny by the public is a strong manifestation of accountability, a practice of community deliberation that must be instilled in MSUans not only as iskolars ng bayan, but also as future leaders of this country. Looking at the bigger picture of this issue, one will see that this practice is what is absent in most of the Filipino public when dealing with the country’s elected officials; and the morally corrupt politicians feast on this lack of critical evaluation from the majority of the public. This underscores the importance of student participation in the SSC’s general assembly or even in their own colleges and departments.
True enough, democracy is a twoway street, as is the SSC General Assembly—both the students and SSC’s officers and senators are important actors, one of either party simply cannot go missing in action.
Photo by Ashley loyloy
At the start of every year, it has been a tradition for people to wish and aim for something new yet familiar—new beginnings, fresh starts, and gleaming hope for a profound change. This has been an endless cycle of exploring a dense forest without a guided path for some. However, for others, breaking new grounds is one way or another. It will always be challenging to venture into the uncharted forest, but these notable individuals become the pioneers, taking bold steps with their promising plans and initiatives. Amid the thick trees, unclear path, and no map to follow, they blaze a trail to create a visible path that no one has seen before—mapping out a track and discovering greater possibilities and opportunities for others.
A Thorny Path Ahead
In a move to address one of the Philippines’ long faced problems over family planning, specifically, teenage pregnancy, lawmakers have already taken a step forward, which may be one of the keys to kick off the year with a good start. Senate Bill 1979, better known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention bill, has recently gone through the wringer for one of its provisions regarding CSE, or Comprehensive Sexuality Education. CSE will be teaching age and development appropriate lessons on sexuality, consent, the use of contraception, sexuallytransmitted infections, sexual violence and abuse, among others.
The latter bill received significant opposition, mainly for the reason which current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. quotes as, “teaching children about masturbation and different sexualities.” Ignorance is bliss, so long as one does not lie at the receiving end of the consequences for foolishness. Despite the current President later supporting a new version of the controversial bill, much attention needs to be paid towards refusal to even mention ‘sensitive’ yet highly important topics within the country, which holds back the chances of the country to propel itself into a future with unbarred development.
Multiple studies have long shown how sex education, in general, lowers teenage birth rates by giving them the appropriate information that not only can teach about proper contraception, but also awareness that can directly impact potentially harmful
tendencies and practices when it comes to human reproduction. The year has barely started, but we need not lose hope: while this step is akin to approaching a thorny path, we have a fresh year to start with walking down this path.
Change is a team effort
With a fresh semester ahead, it is just about the right time for the Supreme Student Council (SSC) to set the tone for the rest of the academic year. In a recently concluded general assembly, however, the SSC of Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos City (MSU-GSC) saw a low turnout rate of constituent attendance. While the task of encouraging students to attend the assembly and to attend for representation falls to the individual colleges of the university, there were also other causes such as the fact that some faculty members still held classes despite a university-wide memorandum straight from the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) excusing students from classes to encourage attending the assembly.
General assemblies are the epitome of participatory democracy; the university student government goes into direct correspondence with students such that their past accomplishments and plans for the next academic year are laid out for input, enabling students to give out their sentiments in real time for the SSC to receive, thus facilitating an exchange that gives freedom for different colleges to benefit from fair representation.
While it is not feasible for the whole student body of MSU-GSC to be present, the next best thing, that is, having a fair amount of representatives per college, still suffered bad reception. MSUans are given a right they can exercise, especially including the process that shall affect us in the foreseeable future of our education within the institution. With a new year must come a new, revitalized drive to actively advocate for the rights and privileges we are enjoined to relish– welcoming change, making it work, is a team effort.
Transformative resolutions come from passionate leaders
In the hope for a smooth and progressive endeavor for every MSUan, having a new administration alone will not bring impactful developments to the institution. A fresh start not only demands spoken
promises but also passionate leaders with vision. The newly-elected chancellor of MSU-GenSan, Atty. Shidik T. Abantas, MDM, LLM, has committed himself to creating a transparent, consultative, collaborative, and accountable leadership that is adaptive to the challenges of the status quo.
Chancellor Atty. Abantas expressed that in 2025, he will be focusing on sustaining the progress achieved by the previous leaders. He is bound to dedicate himself to improving the infrastructure, upgrading classrooms, and making essential repairs to the various areas inside the campus. Since the start of his administration, he has already visited and examined particular areas with certain conditions, including the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) classrooms, SSC office, Bagwis Office, and other facilities.
The new chancellor is indeed passionate enough in creating transformative resolutions even for the tiniest matters that have been existing inside the campus. However, despite the bright plans ahead, Chancellor Atty. Abantas and the whole MSU-GenSan community hope that these necessary enhancements can be sustained by the limiting budget of the university.
Trekking on the right track
Despite the inevitable obstacles such as dimmed routes, vague visions, and unfeasible plans due to budget constraints, let there be innovative solutions to address the issues facing the nation, the institution, and the community. Whether these hurdles that are coming from national or local levels may seem to never end, every MSUan yearns for a miracle to happen: to have leaders that will not waste the votes of their people and bring light amid unending darkness. This 2025, breaking new grounds offers everybody not just a chance to make a change—it is another way of making an impactful progress in the society, notwithstanding the thorny path ahead. By incorporating a team effort and leaders with great visions, it is not impossible to create resolutions that could transform the lives of everyone as they trek ambitiously on the right track and humble grounds for the next successive generations.
I-SKOLASTIC FOR THE
New year, new me, or next year na lang? resounding NO!
For an MSUan, New Year’s resolutions are as intense and unwavering as the campus heat—a constant flame driving us toward self-improvement and academic excellence.
Resolutions, made every January, are an acquainted and long-standing tradition, accompanied by hope and self-promise—a moment that is very dear to us. The freshmen, sophomores, and seniors of MSU may be at different stages of their academic lives, but they all share the same spectacle: achievements, failures, and moments only experienced in college. Making resolutions for the long year ahead is crucial, and January is the right time to start your goals while things are still taking a fresh turn. Getting something started will fill your drive in the long run. It’s a reminder that even the most ambitious dreams begin with a single step, a single resolution made in the quiet moments of a new beginning.
Freshmen - Finding Your Ground
Stepping into the first year your college life is a new feeling
LASTIC GRIND THE FUTURE
incredibly rewarding. It takes a proactive approach to navigate academics, adjust to your newfound independence, adjust to your environment, and integrate socially. This is a pivotal time to make friends and get accustomed to new surroundings and traditions. A freshman’s resolution kit might include mastering time management, building strong study habits, seeking academic support, adapting to new environments, and improving communication skills, all of which can be accomplished in a variety of ways depending on one’s personal preference, as long as you remain true to your core and committed to becoming a better version of yourself.
Sophomores - Refining Your Path
While the freshmen are just beginning to find their footing, sophomores are already refining their path. Despite only being in their second year of college, the weight of time feels overwhelming. Well, sophomores find themselves in a cycle of questions, whether they regret or would rather be grateful. These are not just worries; they are real anxieties that come with more challenging coursework, balancing academics, extracurriculars, and personal lives. These are some of their challenges, but at every fresh start, they
come with persistence and hope to achieve improved grades, not just for the numbers themselves, but for the validation of their hard work and the confidence it brings. They may also explore other opportunities, take different roles that broaden their horizons, and have a grasp on the balance of life—a time of refining their path and learning not just from textbooks, but from life itself. And just like everyone else, their spectacle is quite a sight, too.
Seniors - Charting Your Course
focus. Effective time management and seeking support are essential for managing the demands of academic life. This includes reaching out to professors, mentors, or peers when needed for guidance and creating a supportive learning environment. Self-care and stress management should also be a priority in 2025, because at the end of the day, holistic wellness is the pillar on which success is built.
And the transition to senior year is an exciting time, yet simultaneously a whirlwind of pressure. Each day stretches from dawn till dusk, which is full of urgency to secure a passing grade, complete requirements, plan for post-graduation life, and the like. To chart your course means weighing your options, being reasonable, and prioritizing what matters at the moment. While eating grapes under the table on New Year’s Eve may bring a sense of hope and nostalgia to MSUans in their third and fourth years, it is not a sufficient or a reliable solution. Setting a goal and remaining consistent is key to achieving a resolution. It’s also about recognizing that setbacks are inevitable but refusing to let them derail the bigger dreams. Indeed, despite what they go through, they’ve come too far to give up
Students across all year levels, from freshmen to seniors, have different ways to either start over or continue postponed resolutions, but they all have common goals that make them no different but rather united. Whether starting fresh or revisiting postponed resolutions, the common goals of ambition, perseverance, and selfimprovement unite the MSU community together. So whatever 2025 may seem like in the academe and in your personal life, claim it and make it a reality that this is your year to shine.
Sideline whisper: MSU-GenSan, Prof. Lavente hints 2025 MASTS Games berth amid possible MSUSAA format shift
Following its successful run last year on home soil in General Santos City, the Mindanao State University Athletic Association (MSUSAA) Unity Games is rumored to face postponement this year, with aim to transition to a biennial format in light of budget constraints, prompting MSU-GenSan’s Sports Development Office (SDO) to focus on higher-level tournaments with the support of the present administration.
Originally planned to continue its annual celebration of inter-campus sporting talents at the Sulu grounds, the event faces uncertainty in the current year, potentially restricting athletes from competing as anticipated.
Strong Likelihood of Adjustment
Aspiring to secure its sixth consecutive overall championship in the meet, SDO Director, Professor Sammielyn Lavente, shared the ‘probability’ of the MSUSAA being held every two years. This suggestion emerged from discussions with the newly appointed Chancellor of MSU-GenSan campus, Attorney Shidik Abantas.
“As initial pronouncement by our dearest Chancellor, the matrix of MSUSAA is changed [to] biennial, [it is] every other two years,” said Prof. Lavente. She then elaborated on the changes in her office’s calendar following the statement.
“That is why as of the moment the SDO is trying to change the matrix of calendarization when it comes to our program.” The Director also expressed concern about player recruitment and the potential impact of the changes on the playing years of senior athletes.
Chance Despite Unclear Future
If the proposed changes are approved by the Board of Regents and the MSUSAA Committee, the future of the student-athletes remains uncertain. However, Prof. Lavente is optimistic about the new administration’s plans on redirecting the athletes toward more competitive opportunities.
the chance to compete, the institution has guaranteed the SDO’s involvement in this year’s Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Games.
“Luckily our Chancellor is very supportive in a way that there would be another possible avenue that we can have [participation] every year, which is the MASTS,” shared the encouraged Director. She further added, “Even so na wala tayong MSUSAA for the coming years, ‘yung track record namin ng SDO every year will be the MASTS.”
Prof. Lavente outlined the university’s participation in 18 sporting events which are still under evaluation, including both individual and team competitions, with qualifications based on past MSUSAA results that highlight athletes who earned gold and silver medals.
Fueling Games Participation
Keeping the student competitors on the right track has been made possible through the green light of Chancellor Abantas, a gesture that has deeply overwhelmed the Sports Director, who expressed gratitude for the continued encouragement as part of their initiative.
“On his [Chancellor] part hindi niya talaga na-reject ‘yung support niya sa student development in a way of supporting our athletes,” remarked
Prof. Lavente. “Very supportive and realistic siya kasi he is giving us a direction on what to do, tapos kung ano ‘yung possible changes.”
In his second year as SDO Director, Prof. Lavente revealed that the current administration has allocated half a million pesos as ‘startup funding’ for the participation in this year’s Mindanao-wide contest among State Universities and Colleges, ensuring the institution’s involvement and highlighting MASTS participation as the top priority of their office this year.
By launching its journey to the regionals, the SDO directed efforts to commence intensive preparation and training by March, although some of the participating events have already begun their training earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the sports office intends to invite neighboring universities to further measure the performance of selected events and provide a shot for those not initially selected.
“Possible na ‘yung top one and two ng local PRISAA ang ita-tap to evaluate the readiness of our team for the MASTS competition, sa mga hindi naselect na events this year,” mentioned Prof. Lavente. She then clarified that they would only participate in the Games if there is no MSUSAA scheduled for the calendar year, due to the annual budget requirement.
