The Defender - Official Student Publication of BPSU-Balanga Campus

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The Defender - Official Student Publication of BPSU-Balanga Campus

The Defender is the Official Student Publication of Bataan Peninsula State University-Balanga Campus Founded in 1971 by then Bataan Colleges Instructor, Mr.

Ben Medina and a group of students, the "The Defender" (TD) was primarily intended to promote students' awareness and to serve as an avenue of discussion of school-related issues. Starting with not more than ten student writers, The Defender has released its pioneering issue in October 1971. After a year, the next batch of the Editorial Board pursued the publication's membership to the College Edi

tors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP). The student publication was smooth sailing until it was closed down during the Martial Law. After the People Power Revolution in 1986 and along with the rekindled freedom and democracy, the publication's normal operations were redeemed. The editorial board during that time adopted this line from Dylan Thomas: "Rage, rage against the dying of the lights!" This has been the publication's battle-cry since then. In 1998, the Bataan Colleges (BC) merged with Bataan National School of Arts and Trades (BNSAT) under Republic Act 8562 to a chartered state college, now known as the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU). Though BC has only become a campus of BPSU, having BNSAT as the main campus or mother unit, The Defender was retained as the Official Student Publication of BPSU-Balanga campus. Now, the Defender has already proven its worth as a vital student institution as it continuously earns awards and citations from different regional and national press conferences as well as from other student organizations. TD has constant advocacy to provide social consciousness through conferences. Having served the students for forty-nine years, The Defender still aims for a higher service to the studentry. The Defender is a proud member of the proactive Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines, the Young Journalists Association of Region III (YJAR-III), and the Luzonwide Association of College Editors (LACE).

08/09/2025

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬
𝗣𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮
by Jade Morales

My child was first baptised
In murky waters outside church doors
And first learned to swim
In knee deep water
In the same room I once did

The coughing started and stayed, months after his birth
I carried him out, arms aching in the cold
Wrapped in the driest cloth I had
Which was still a little damp
The night before

His head rested in the crook of my elbow—
Body pressed against mine
Too small still
To understand that I was shaking
From more than just the wind

We passed the chapel on the corner
The statue inside, untouched by rain
Her son across her lap
Limbs slack, head bowed
As though she had always known.

The flood was faster than the promises
Fingers curled around mine
As if to anchor himself
No more rooms, they said
Next week, he would’ve been nine months

If I had as much as what was spent
He'd have a bed, or didn't need one
We would've spent today blowing my candles
But you learn quickly how paper folds
Only once, when it's thin enough

I do not know
What kind of feast
Asks a mother to bring her son
Into the water
Twice.
__________
Graphics by Jomar Valencia

31/08/2025

𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗞𝗢𝗠
𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗕𝗨𝗞𝗨𝗡: 𝗪𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗯𝘂𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆-𝗪𝗶𝗸𝗮
Sa panulat nina Dahnella Antonio and Saharra Resultay

Ang buwan ng Agosto ay ang pagkilala sa mga natatanging wika sa bansa. Patuloy na inaalala ang mga wikang humubog sa kultura ng bawat tribo at damdamin ng bawat Pilipino. Sa kabila nito, marami na sa mga katutubong wika ang patuloy na nawawala sa takbo ng panahon, unti-unting nalilimot at nilulumot ang pundasyon ng makasaysayang kultura.

Sa paggunita sa buwan ng wika, muling balikan ang kuwento ng wikang dati nang pinaglumaan ng panahon ngunit patuloy na binubuhay, kasama ang makulay na kultura ng mga katutubo. Makalipas ang halos tatlong taon, bisitahing muli ang kalagayan at progreso ng Wikang Magbukun sa bayan ng Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan kung saan ang mga katutubong Ayta Magbukun ay kaisa ng mga salitang namumutawi sa kanilang buhay.

𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆-𝗪𝗶𝗸𝗮, 𝗕𝘂𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗸𝗮

Sa ilang taong paninirahan nananatili ang misyon na mabuhay muli ang pundasyon ng kulturang pinagkakaingatan. Para sa humigit-kumulang 170 na mamamayan sa tribo ng Ayta Magbukun, malaking bahagi ang kanilang wika at kultura sa lahat ng kanilang desisyon. Dahil dito, naitayo ang Bahay-Wika sa lugar– isang institusyong naglalayong maibalik at mapanatili ang paggamit ng wikang Magbukun.

Taong 2018 binuksan ang pintuan ng kauna-unahang Bahay-Wika, sa tulong Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Pamahalaang lalawigan ng Bataan, at Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Abucay. Tahanan para sa wika at kultura na naging pundasyon ng pagkatuto ng Ayta Magbukun. Isa sa layunin nito ay maisalin ang mga kaalaman ng isang master sa kanyang mga apprentice patungkol sa wika at kultura ng tribo.

“Noong panahong wala pang Bahay-Wika, kokonti yung nagsasalita ng wikang Magbukun [dito]. Sa mga tinuturuan kong matatanda, kapag nagkikita kami sa labas, ‘yon na yung ginagamit namin kapag nag-uusap– katutubo. Nagsasalita man silang Tagalog, hindi na tulad noon, mas lamang na ‘yung wikang katutubong ginagamit nila,” paliwanag ni G. Cesar Nojadera, isang Maestro sa Bahay-Wika.

Ayon sa mga masters ng tribo, bago magsimula ang operasyon ng Bahay-Wika 30% lang ng populasyon nila ang nagsasalita sa wikang Magbukun, ngunit sa paglipas ng taon ng pagtuturo, tumaas sa 70% ng populasyon sa lugar ang nakakapagsalita at nakakaintindi sa wikang Magbukun patuloy na rin ang paggamit nito sa araw-araw.

Mapalad ang naging kapalaran ng mga katutubong Ayta Magbukun sa Abucay kung saan suportado ng lokal na pamahalaan at komunidad ang kanilang progreso at pangangalaga sa kultura at wika. Ngunit hindi ito ang kalagayan sa maraming kapulungan ng mga kapwa Ayta Magbukun sa lalawigan ng Bataan, at maging sa iba pang mga katutubo o Indigenous People (IP) sa bansa. Sa mahigit na 120 na wika sa bansa, 35 rito ang nanganganib na mawala ayon sa ulat ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas.

“Hindi lang kasi ito ang Ayta Magbukun, meron po tayo sa Morong, Limay, Bagac– sa halos lahat po na bayan sa Bataan may Ayta Magbukun, kalay-kalat. Ang problema po kasi, halimbawa sa Morong wala ng nagsasalita ng Magbukun halos matatanda na lang ang nagsasalita kaya namamatay. Dito sa Abucay, dahil nga may programang Bahay-Wika tsaka master apprentice nagpapatuloy [ang wika],” saad ni G. Ferdinan Caragay, isa sa umaagapay sa Bahay-Wika.

Sa paglipas ng panahon, maraming pagbabago na ang kinaharap ng tribo, at isa na rito ay ang unit-unting pagkawala ng wikang naging simula ng lahat. Dahil hiwa-hiwalay ang pangkat ng Ayta Magbukun, mahirap ang paglaganap ng kanilang wika at kulang ang isang pangkat upang manatili ang tindig ng wika. Kailangan ng pantay-pantay na kalinga sa mga pangkat upang patuloy ang pananatili ng wikang Magbukun.

𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆-𝗪𝗶𝗸𝗮, 𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗴-𝗮𝘀𝗮

Kasabay ng pag-unlad sa kaalaman sa kanilang kultura at wika ay ang pagtaas din ng kumpiyansa ng mga mamamayan ng tribo. Kumpara noon, ngayon ay mas mataas na ang kumpiyansa nilang tumayo gamit ang minamahal na sariling wika. Maraming matatanda sa unang henerasyon ang nakasubaybay sa pagtuturo ng wikang Magbukun, ngunit sa kasalukuyan mabibilang na lang ang elders na nagtuturo nito sa mga mamamayan ng tribo, lalo na sa mga bata. Hindi naman ito naging hadlang upang magkaroon muli ng buhay ang naturang wika ng tribo. Ang pagtindig muli ng katutubong wika sa bayan ng Abucay ay isang hakbang upang mabuhay ang pagkatao ng tribo sa modernisadong panahon.

Para sa mga matatanda ng tribo, malaki na ang parte ng Bahay-Wika sa pagbabago at pagkatuto ng kanilang mga kabataan. Hindi natatapos sa naturang institusyon ang pagkatuto nila dahil pati sa haligi ng tahanan at silid sa eskwelahan, nahahasa ang karunungan ng mga miyembro ng kanilang komunidad. Dagdag pa nila, dahil sa patuloy na operasyon ng Bahay-Wika, ginagamit na muli ang wikang Magbukun sa pang araw-araw na pakikipag-usap sa tribo.

“Nakakapagsalita na sila ng wika namin, nagagamit na siya sa pang araw-araw. Kasi ang bilin ni Maestro, pagdating sa bahay salitang Magbukun ang gamitin, kahit paglabas sa school para hindi mawala, hindi makalimutan,” paliwanag ni Nanay Bebe*.

“Ituro sa bata ang daang dapat niyang lakaran at hanggang sa paglaki ay hindi niya ito malilimutan,” isang sipi na isinasabuhay ng tribo, dahilan ng pagkakatatag ng Bahay-Wika. Para sa tribo, upang mapanatiling buhay ang kanilang wika, kailangang maisalin ito sa mga batang henerasyon hanggang sa manalaytay na ito hindi lamang bilang karunungan, kung hindi pag-asang mahkokonketa sa kanila sa komunidad at kasaysayan.

Isang malaking parte ng pag-unlad nila ang suportang ibinibigay ng mga lokal na pamahalaan. Mas tumindig ng matatag at malakas ang kanilang kultura kasabay ang muling pagkabuhay ng sariling wika, wikang Magbukun.

“Natutulungan naman [ng LGU], sila yung nagpapadala sa amin ng mga materyales, nagpapasweldo dito, sa amin. Nagpapadala din sila sa mga seminar. No’ng nakaraan nagpunta kami sa Maynila, sila nagbayad, wala kaming ginastos,” saad ni Maestro Cesar.

𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆-𝗪𝗶𝗸𝗮, 𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮

Bahay-Wika, safe space ng mga Ayta Magbukun sa kataasan ng Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan. Mga katutubong nangangalaga ng kalikasan at mahabang kasaysayan ng pamumuhay sa kabundukan. Ngunit higit pa sa pakikibaka sa kanilang mga lupain, sila ay nakikipaglaban din para sa hinaharap ng panibagong henerasyon ng kanilang tribo: ang muling buhayin ang kanilang identidad— wika at kultura.

Matagal nang namumuhay sa kulturang kinagisnan ang tribo at para sa kanila, wika ang siyang pinaghuhugutan ng lahat. Ang paglilingkod sa Bahay-Wika ay hindi lang para sa mga Ayta, layunin din niyo na maturuan ang mga dayuhang Tagalog na nagkaroon ng pamilyang katutubo. Marami na ang naituro rito, at higit sa lahat, marami ng kabataan ang naturuan sa munting silid paaralan.

Mahigit pitong taon na mula nang matatag ang Bahay-Wika, maraming bata na ang dumaan dito upang matuto at mag-aral ng magbukun, isa na rito si Maymay, sampung taong gulang at nasa ikalimang baitang sa Bangkal Resettlement Elementary School. Sa murang edad ay batid niya ang kahalagahan ng kultura at wikang Magbukun.

“Natuto po akong magsalitang Ayta [Magbukun] sobrang halaga po kasi natututunan namin siya sa aming pag-aaral, nasusubaybayan po,” Wika ni Maymay, batang nag-aral sa Bahay-Wika.

Paglabas ng bahay kultura, dumidiretso ang batang Magbukun sa daycare at elementarya. Sa maliit na kwarto sa Bangkal Resettlement Elementary School makikita ang Amak-Kultura, tahanan ng mga Ayta Magbukun. Naririto ang sari-saring kwentong nilikha at dinuhubo ng mga katutubo para sa kabataang Magbukun. Nakaukit sa mga pader nito ang larawan ng kabataang Magbukun na ipinagmamalaki ang kanilang kultura at tribo.

“Nagsimula ito (Amak-Kultura) bakasyon ng 2025. First time magamit ang lesson plan na pure IP, kasi dati ang nangyayari, pati si non-IP, nakakasama sa lesson, ngayon talagang nagkaroon kami ng teaching load intended para sa mga IP,” saad ni Ma’am Rosalie, IPEd teacher mula sa Bangkal Resettlement Elementary School.

***

Sa kabila ng mga hamon, nananatiling mahalaga ang kanilang wika bilang tagapagdala ng kultura at kasaysayan. Tulad ng kasabihang madalas banggitin, “Ang wika ay kaluluwa ng bayan.” Kung mawawala ito, mawawala rin ang bahagi ng ating pagkatao.

Hindi dapat na mahinto sa komunidad ng Ayta Magbukun ang pagpapayaman sa kanilang katutubong wika. Malaki ang maitutulong ng pamahaalan upang mapag-aralan ang programang isinusulong sa mga Ayta ng Abucay, Bataan at nang maipalaganap pa ito sa iba’t ibang katutubong komunidad sa banssa upang masagip rin ang kanilang sariling wika.

Ito ay isang paalala na ang paggamit at pagpapahalaga sa sariling wika ay hindi lamang intelektwal na pagkatuto kundi isang emosyonal na koneksyon sa ating pinagmulan. Maraming wika ang namamatay at kulturang nasasayang, ngunit ito ang patunay na sa suporta at pagmamahal sa pinagmulan, unti-unting mayayakap muli ang kultura at wika.

31/08/2025

𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: 𝗧𝗗 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗝𝗣𝗙𝗖 𝗜𝗩

The Defender, the official student publication of Bataan Peninsula State University - Balanga Campus (BPSU-BC), collected plaques in group and individual categories among the 389 delegates of 37 participating student publications of the recently concluded 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress (YJPFC IV) held at Tarlac State University - Lucinda Campus, August 29.

The Defender’s Graphic Artist Jomar Valencia clinched the first spot in Literary Art Painting, while Correspondent Mariel Perez ranked 4th in the Journalistic Position Paper Writing - English, alongside Developmental Communication Editor Princess Yvanne Rosales who placed 8th in the Filipino medium of the same event.

The following are the awards received by The Defender in group categories:

𝗔-𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
8th Place Overall A-lists Best Social Media
2nd Place Best Editorial Entry
6th Place Best Sports Entry
7th Place Best Devcomm Entry
8th Place Best Opinion Entry
9th Place Best News Entry

𝗔-𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
8th Place Overall A-list News Broadcast Production
8th Place Best News Reporter
8th Place Best News Anchor
10th Place Best Technical Director

Moreover, Prof. Joselito Delos Reyes, Chairperson of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Creative Writing Department and Rappler columnist, gave his speech that revolves around the trends and issues in campus journalism.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jericho De Leon of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) discussed insights inside the newsroom, managing people, and upholding principles.
__________
Report by Marx Ongkingco

30/08/2025

𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟: 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿

In a nation where stories outlive their writers, to defend the truth is to risk being silenced by force.

Under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration from 2016 to 2022, violence shaped the press landscape in the Philippines despite the constitutional law that protects the people’s freedom of expression. Numerous reporters were killed for upholding democracy and keeping power in check during his term, cementing the country’s reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous places for journalists.

Since President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) assumed office, the Philippines has climbed to 116th place from 134th in Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index (WPFI), its highest ranking in the last twenty years. This improvement in numbers is quite notable for the country. Yet, while journalists' fatalities have decreased, the media continues to face red-tagging, cyber-libel suits, and harassment; a testament to how the defenders of truth are still branded as offenders in their own nation.

For decades, Filipino journalists have endured targeted, life-threatening attacks. After the restoration of the Philippines’ democracy in 1986, around 200 members of the media were reported to have been killed, including radio broadcasters Erwin Segovia and Ali Macalintal this year. Compared to the said number, only a fraction of these cases resulted in convictions, revealing how impunity has long shielded perpetrators while leaving journalists unprotected. Such neglect reflects how factual reporting is treated more as a threat to those in power than a pillar of democracy.

This high risk of targeted violence creates a climate of fear among journalists. Even if there are fewer fatalities under PBBM’s regime than during Duterte’s term, the danger has not completely disappeared. Each attack throughout the years was not an isolated case but a part of a recurring pattern that sends a warning message to the press: the price of truth will always be at the cost of one's personal safety.

Journalists here are also constantly branded as enemies of the state, undermining the public trust in the media. During the 2025 elections, red-tagging emerged as the most common violation according to the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP). Campaigns of intimidation targeted reporters online and offline, labeling them as communists simply for doing investigative work on government anomalies, especially those who are running for office. With this constant harassment, critical reporting becomes discouraged and frowned upon by some in the country.

Furthermore, the deliberate mischaracterization waters down the credibility of journalists into mere terrorism. Although reporters might have survived physical attacks, they are still treated as offenders. The current smear campaign highlights that the threat to press freedom is much about perception and reputation than it is about bullets and violence.

This culture of suppression not only weighs on national newsrooms but also trickles down to the student press, where the same intimidation tactics are done subtly. Student publications, generally considered as training grounds for future journalists, face sanctions when the articles they publish dare to reveal uncomfortable truths or challenge authority within the campus grounds. When university administrators or student leaders resort to censorship, warnings, or budget cuts, they mirror the very resistance that pressures the mainstream press.

As a matter of fact, a pre-election poll published by The Spark, the official student publication of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), ignited controversy after enraging the province’s gubernatorial candidate, who trailed behind CSPC’s bets for the 2025 local election race. To appease the anger of the said official, who even rebuked the results online, threats of censorship were made by the school administration against the student press. The Spark is only one of the many campus publications that experience this kind of persecution, showing that fulfilling one’s role of being society’s “watchdog” can provoke resistance from offended parties who will only deny the truth when confronted with facts.

Statistical improvements do not automatically mean that the grim journalistic landscape in the Philippines has changed immensely. Numbers presented on paper do not capture the persistent killings, harassment, and censorship that journalists face on the ground. To truly uphold press freedom, the administration must prioritize passing and strengthening laws that criminalize red-tagging and threats against journalists, not just treat the National Press Freedom Day as a ceremonial activity without any genuine reforms. Accountability must be enforced at every level, from local harassment to national attacks, to ensure that the media is protected by the state and not viewed as an enemy.

Until journalists are treated as offenders rather than defenders, society risks losing the very democracy it relies on for protection.

30/08/2025

𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: 𝗕𝗣𝗦𝗨-𝗕𝗖 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗚 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝟲𝟳.𝟳𝟴% 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁

Bataan Peninsula State University-Balanga Campus (BPSU-BC) formally proclaimed the newly elected student government officers in a ceremony conducted by the Commission on Student Elections (COMSELEC) and Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO) for Academic Year 2025–2026 at the Student Center, August 29.

Only 3,197 of the 4,718 registered voters participated in the recently concluded Student Government Election, yielding a 67.78% turnout, significantly lower than the 84.32% turnout recorded the previous year.

Despite the lower voter turnout this year, the COMSELEC and SASO affirmed that the election was conducted fairly while pointing out the importance of student participation in shaping effective leadership.

𝗨𝗦𝗚, 𝗖𝗦𝗚 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱

With no contender for the position, James Lawrence Suson emerged as the Balanga Campus Representative in the University Student Government with 2,722 votes.

In the Campus Student Government presidential race, outgoing College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS) Governor, Kurt Cobain De Belen of the SINAG Partylist, secured the presidency with 1,600 votes, defeating his opponent, outgoing Institute of Public Administration and Governance (IPAG) Governor, Ramon Luis Jr. of the KA1SA Partylist, who garnered 1,441 votes.

Moreover, the vice presidential bid concluded with Christian Joseph Gatdula of the KA1SA Partylist winning the seat after receiving 1,623 votes, while his opponent, outgoing Senator Christine Joy Bueno, obtained 1,406 votes.

The CSG senatorial lineup under De Belen will be composed of Fhey Santos with 2,182 votes, followed by Kenn Estebar (1,810 votes), Jimwel Landayan (1,777 votes), Dona De Asis (1,627 votes), Jade Carlyn Esguerra (1,541 votes), JC Sucgang (1,501 votes), and Celine Gwynedd Avellana (1,485 votes).

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲

For the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Student Government (CSBS-SG), PARTY Party clinched leadership with Andrey De Villa (715 votes) elected as Governor and Marril Joy Barcelon (696 votes) as Vice Governor, joined by their Board Members, Francine Edallaine Pamintuan (572 votes), Alicia Mae Betero (559 votes), Jhodenz Keith Hilo (529 votes), Yochabel Buencuseso (512 votes), and Mark Andrei Viloria (506 votes).

Leading the charge for the College of Education Student Government (CoEd-SG), Alexis De Mesa claimed the Governor seat with 976 votes alongside Vice Governor Ali Novicio with 866 votes, together with Reiji Blanco (848 votes), James Suerte Felipe (840 votes), Paulo Cabanilla (782 votes), Andrea Del Rosario (752 votes), and Criesha Cabiling (721 votes) on their Board Member roll, all from the KA1SA Partylist.

On the other hand, the lone slate of the College of Business and Accountancy–Student Government (CBA-SG), also from the KA1SA Partylist, will be led by Governor Andrew Tolentino with 842 votes and Vice Governor Juliana Dela Cruz with 820 votes, along with Board Members Kathleen Dimla (803 votes), Joyce Crisostomo (776 votes), Audrei Manalansan (693 votes), Shaina Medina (663 votes), and John Leslie Sanchez (604 votes).

For the Institute of Public Administration and Governance Student Government (IPAG-SG), Elisha Lois Balmeo, with 248 votes, and Franz Alilao, with 234 votes, will take the lead as Governor and Vice Governor, together with the Board Member post, Bernadeth Gatbonton (225 votes), Laurence Anib (222 votes), Poly Ramos (220 votes), Dion Cyrus Reyes (212 votes), and Bea Malig (203 votes).

All College Student Governments ran as lone slates in their respective colleges and secured their seats by surpassing the required 50% + 1 vote threshold.

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱

COMSELEC Chairperson Caesar Amogao stated that he did not expect a significantly lower voter turnout this year compared to the previous year, especially given the increase in enrollees.

“Last year almost 85% yung turnout kaya nag-eexpect ako this year na aabot ‘to ng 90%. Siguro dahil ang CSG Level lang yung may mga naglalaban for the position kaya mababa ang voter’s turnout,” he mentioned.

Sir Amogao also emphasized that SASO has consistently reminded and encouraged students to exercise their right to vote, adding that he also urged faculty and staff to reinforce this reminder among the students.

Meanwhile, Campus Director Prof. Sisenando Masangcap Jr. emphasized that in the election, there were no winners or losers; rather, it was the Balanga Campus that emerged victorious once again.
__________
Report by Ian Paul Caudilla
Photos by Shane Saclao, Xia Cunanan, and Ronnan Maranoc

30/08/2025

𝗞𝗔𝗠𝗙𝗜𝗟 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

Kapisanan ng Mag-aaral sa Filipino (KAMFIL) hosted Buwan ng Wika 2025 with a theme of "Paglinang sa Filipino at Katutubong Wika: Makasaysayan sa Pagkakaisa ng Bansa," to acknowledge different Katutubo languages as a tool for unity at the Bataan Youth Center (BYC), August 29.

College of Education (CoEd) Dean, Dr. Leandro T. Olubia, underscored the profound importance of language, stating it is more than just a means of communication but a symbol and instrument for unity.

"Ang wika ay hindi lamang daluyan ng komunikasyon, bagkus ito ay simbolo ng ating kasaysayan, kultura, at pagkakakilanlan. Sa dami ng nangyayari sa atin, sana ang wika ang maging instrumento ng pagkakaisa," the College Dean said.

Furthermore, KAMFIL Adviser Prof. Klarizza B. Parcon emphasized that language must be used with a clear purpose and intent through communication and all other language use.

"Nawa'y maisabuhay natin ang pribilehiyo na binibigay sa atin ng wika, at gamitin natin ang ating wika ng maka-kabuluhan at may katuturan sa pamamagitan ng komunikasyon at iba pang gamit ng wika," Parcon stated.

The festivities continued in the afternoon, featuring performances by KAMFIL students, RAMPINOY candidates, and the BC Legs, which hyped up the crowd.
__________
Report by Saharra Jade Resultay
Photos by Shane Saclao, Xia Cunanan, and Ronnan Maranoc

29/08/2025

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡: Kasalukuyang kalagayan ng student government election sa BPSU-Balanga Campus, tatlong oras bago ideklara ang susunod na mamumuno sa buong pamantasan.

29/08/2025

𝗢𝗽𝗶𝘀𝘆𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗻.

Sa pagtatapos ng itinakdang oras ng pagboto, pormal nang nakapirmi ang lahat ng balotang inihain.

Hindi dito nagwawakas ang halalan; magsisimula na ang masusing pagbibilang at beripikasyon upang matiyak na bawat boto ay mabibigyan ng tamang bilang at respeto.

Manatiling nakatutok sa page na ito ng The Defender para sa opisyal na resulta ng halalan.

29/08/2025

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪: Student Election at Bataan Peninsula State University-Balanga Campus (BPSU-BC) is underway as BC Peninsulares cast their votes to elect representatives for the University Student Government (USG), Student Government (SG), and College Student Government (CoSG) at the Admin Building until 4 PM today.

To vote, use the login credentials sent by MIS to your BPSU email and access the Student Government Election System through this link: https://studentsgovernmentelection.bpsu.edu.ph/.

Meanwhile, the proclamation of newly elected student leaders of the campus will be conducted at 7 PM at the Student’s Center.
__________
Report by Ian Paul Caudilla
Photos by Shane Saclao and Ronnan Maranoc

29/08/2025

𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗔 𝗡𝗔 𝗕𝗔, 𝗕𝗖 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦?

Apat na oras na lamang ang natitira bago magsara ang botohan. Responsibilidad nating gamitin ang ating karapatang bumoto ng tama, tapat, at nararapat.

Maaari pang bumoto gamit ang log-in credentials na nakapaloob sa ipinadalang email ng MIS sa iyong BPSU account. Matapos, mag-log in sa link na ito: https://studentsgovernmentelection.bpsu.edu.ph/

Mayroon ding mga lugar sa loob ng campus na itinalaga ng Student Affairs and Services (SASO) at BC Commission in Student Elections (COMSELEC) kung saan magiging abot-kamay ang proseso ng inyong pagboto.

Sa araw na ito, hawak natin ang pagkakataong hubugin ang direksyon ng ating pamantasan.

29/08/2025

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪: In celebration of Press Freedom Day, the Association of Tertiary School Paper Advisers of Region III (ATSPAR III) Inc. commences the 4th Young Journalists Press Freedom Congress at Tarlac State University-Lucinda Campus.

With the theme "Burning Ink: Young Journalists as Torchbearers of Truth," the event aims to empower and equip student journalists in upholding ethics in traditional and digital formats, attended by 37 student publications with a total of 389 delegates.

Furthermore, ATSPAR III Inc. will also recognize group category entries, including Best E-magazine, Social Media Entries, News Broadcast, and Mobile Journalism, as well as individual contests in Journalistic Position Paper and Literary Art Painting.
_________
Report by Marx Ongkingco
Photos by Min Del Pilar

28/08/2025

𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗢 𝗡𝗔, 𝗕𝗖 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦!

Pormal nang binuksan ang halalan para sa mga susunod na lider-estudyante ng Balanga Campus ngayong araw, Agosto 29, mula 7:00 AM hanggang 4:00 PM.

Upang makaboto, gamitin ang login credentials na ipinadala ng MIS sa inyong BPSU account at mag-log in sa Student Government Election System sa link na ito: https://studentsgovernmentelection.bpsu.edu.ph/

Magtatalaga rin ang Student Affairs and Services (SASO) at ang BC Commission on Student Elections (COMSELEC) ng mga lugar sa loob ng campus upang higit na maging abot-kamay ang inyong pagboto.

Nasa inyo ang kapangyarihang magluklok ng mga lider na tunay na may malasakit, hindi para sa sariling interes, kundi para sa kapakanan at paglilingkod sa kapwa mag-aaral.

Makialam, maging kritikal, at manindigan para sa maka-estudyanteng pamamahala.

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