The MARIAN

The MARIAN The MARIAN is the official student publication of Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Philippines.

The MARIAN | LIVING WHERE THE TRUTH IS

VISION

The MARIAN is envisioned to be an independent publication that serves as eyes and ears of relevant events inside and outside the University, and an agent of responsible journalism among Marians. MISSION

The MARIAN provides opportunities for critical thinking, creativity, development of fundamental skills and appropriate values that promote ethical a

nd legal standards for campus journalism, civic engagement, and social responsibility. BRIEF HISTORY

The MARIAN is the official student publication of Saint Mary’s University and has existed for more than six decades. With the motto: “Living where the truth is,” The MARIAN offers its service to the Marian community and its readers through consistent distribution of publication materials, coverages of University activities, journalism activities, and achievements in press conferences. The MARIAN is a seven consecutive time Best Performing Publication in the Regional Higher Education Press Conference (RHEPC). Despite the pandemic that has changed the situation and has frozen the usual activities and competitions, it did not stop The MARIAN to continue producing its contributions. For comments and suggestions, email us at [email protected]

Ika-12 ng Hunyo, 1898— hindi ito marka ng kasarinlan mula sa kolonyalismo at imperyalismong sumikil sa bawat karapatang ...
12/06/2025

Ika-12 ng Hunyo, 1898— hindi ito marka ng kasarinlan mula sa kolonyalismo at imperyalismong sumikil sa bawat karapatang pantao ng mga Pilipino, kundi sagisag ng kagitingan ng ating mga ninuno na nagbuwis ng buhay upang ipaglaban ang ating kalayaan mula sa pananakop ng Espanya. Pagkalipas ng 333 taon, hindi tayo ganap na pinalaya—sa halip, tayo'y ipinagbili sa Amerika.

Sa Deklarasyon ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas na isinulat ni Ambrosio Bautista, nakasaad na ang Amerika ang magbibigay ng proteksyon na walang pansariling interes. Ngunit kalaunan, hindi ito ganap na nasunod—ang Pilipinas ay sinakop at kinontrol pa rin ng parehong bansang nagsabing tayo'y kanilang poprotektahan.

Ito'y nananatiling isang mahalagang katanungan hanggang sa kasalukuyan: May tunay na kalayaan ba ang Pilipinas? May ganap ba itong awtonomiya sa mga desisyong pampamahalaan?

Mula sa Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), kung saan may mga military sites ang Amerika sa piling lugar sa bansa upang mas paigtingin ang seguridad sa sakuna, hanggang sa mga Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) na isinasagawa kasama ang Pilipinas upang protektahan ang West Philippine Sea (WPS)—ang tanong ay hindi kung ano ang intensyon ng Amerika, bagkus kung may ganap bang kontrol ang Pilipinas sa kanyang mga desisyon?

Ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan, ginugunita natin hindi lamang ang ating demokrasya, kundi ang ating karapatan na bumoses sa mga isyung panlipunan—mga isyung dapat bigyang pansin at ipaglaban. Ipinagdiriwang natin ang ating pangako na patuloy nating pahahalagahan at mamahalin ang ating karapatan bilang mga mamamayan—anuman ang ating estado sa buhay.

Huwag nating sayangin ang ating demokrasya. Ipaglaban natin lagi ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino hanggang sa mga susunod pang dekada.

Ito ay ating kolektibong responsibilidad bilang kasapi ng bayan. Pag-alabin ang pusong makabansa. Payabungin ang diwa ng pagkakaisa. Sapagkat ang kalayaan sa kasalukuyan—hindi na kailangan pang dumanak pa ang dugo, ito'y libre, hindi na ipagbibili. Yakapin, mahalin, at pahalagahan.

Mapagpalayang araw, Marians!


Isinulat ni Wilmar Sevilla
Pubmat ni Arrheya Venish


  | For every office you hold and every position you assume, remember that leadership extends far beyond a title. It is ...
26/05/2025

| For every office you hold and every position you assume, remember that leadership extends far beyond a title. It is an ode—to serve with dedication, lead with empathy, and embody integrity in both word and action.

Marians, here are the final tally of votes of the student leaders for the Academic Year 2025-2026. May they always return to the very essence of leadership and student service—a true embodiment of pilgrims of hope.

May their pilgrimage be fruitful, transcending through and within the Marian community.


Words by Wilmar Sevilla
Pubmat by Arrheya Venish & Josel Sopongco


NEWS | SMU proclaims new SCC, LSC officers; 42 candidates claim seats in unopposed raceSaint Mary's University (SMU) wra...
23/05/2025

NEWS | SMU proclaims new SCC, LSC officers; 42 candidates claim seats in unopposed race

Saint Mary's University (SMU) wraps up the two-day campus-wide elections through proclamation of new student leaders of Student Central Council and Local Central Councils at the Fr. Cornelius Tonus Gymnasium, May 21.

This year’s election showed majority of the elected positions being unopposed with Student Central Council (SCC) having 6 out of 8 unopposed positions and Local Student Council (LSC) with all 36 uncontested positions.

Claiming SCC positions in the unopposed bid are Shevanah Jairah Hernaez as President with 1,773 votes; Ma. Joanna Elaine Calucag as Executive Secretary with 1,591 votes; Dreik Darell Galamay as Secretary of Finance with 1,602 votes; Johanna Delos Santos as Secretary of Audit with 1,652 votes; Kim Zyrelle Lumayas as Secretary of Public Relations with 1,677 votes; and 1,206 votes respectively; and Prince Ryan Bayran as Secretary of Peace Management with 1,480 votes.

Meanwhile, independent Vice President candidate Josiah Policarpio won against Daloy Party's Louise Diaz with 986 total votes earned while Daloy's Secretaries for Business Setrach Mar Navis and Jaydine Panganiban led the race against independent candidate Alex Evangelista.

Furthermore, the elected governors of the LSC are Giorgia Trish Castillo for the School of Accountancy and Business Central Council; Szamyr "Marone" Angelo Tumolva for the Executive Council of School of Teacher Education and Humanities; Lanz Adrianne Bassig for the Student Council of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology; and Bianca Belle Bautista for Health and Natural Sciences Student Council (HNSCC).

In an interview with The MARIAN, Samuel Damayon, Dean of Student Affairs and Services (DSAS) reminded students of their right to vote despite unopposed bids, saying he recognizes the hope for a multi-party system but it all depends on the initiative to serve the Marian community.

“I hoped that they realized that it is their right and it is their duty to be able to participate in the selection of their student leaders. Sana mayro'n tayong multi-party system, pero 'yon nga, it all depends on the students who really want to present their services to the university," he said.

Damayon also explained that the decline in student participation for the campus-wide elections may relate to the students' prioritization of academics.

“During leadership training, we always encourage them to participate but in the end, it is really up to the students who think that they can serve the community. While we see that many students are capable, some are afraid because they would want to focus on their academics, and there are only a few who are able to balance their academics and their curricular activities in the university,” he added.

According to the data provided by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and Services (ODSAS), this year's voter turnout appear higher compared to the two previous Marian Elections, hitting a 43.52% or 2,246 out of 5,161 votes compared to last year's 19% and 29% in 2023.

More so, the DSAS recommends to the election committee that starting midyear 2025, students are required to activate their corporate gmail accounts first before enrolling to ensure the conduct of future Marian Elections.


Report by Marco Gerome Sangbaan
Photos by Avril Rombaoa & Tristan Roa


  | Class and work suspension on May 26 and June 6Saint Mary's University Office of the Vice President for Administratio...
23/05/2025

| Class and work suspension on May 26 and June 6

Saint Mary's University Office of the Vice President for Administration (SMU-OVPA) released a circular suspending classes and office work on May 26 and June 6, in accordance to directives of the Provincial Local Government Unit of Nueva Vizcaya and Office of the President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, respectively.

Pursuant to Executive No. 80, S. 2025 released by the Office of the Governor Atty. Jose 'Jing Gambito', classes on Monday are suspended in all levels in both public and private schools of Nueva Vizcaya to provide a 'rest day' following the Grand Ammungan Festival.

Meanwhile, Proclamation No. 911 of President Marcos declared June 6 as a regular holiday to observe 'Eid'l Adha' or the Feast of Sacrifice in Islamic Faith.

More so, examinations scheduled on May 26 are rescheduled to June 2, on the same time schedule. While the revised advising and enrolment schedules for the mid-year term will be announced by the Registrar on a later date.




  | SMU sets up voting areas for SCC, LSC Elections Volunteers and several laptops are available in different areas arou...
20/05/2025

| SMU sets up voting areas for SCC, LSC Elections

Volunteers and several laptops are available in different areas around SMU to provide convenience as students vote for the two-day campus elections of Saint Mary's University this academic year.

The different voting areas are in Patio Alois, in front of the accounting office; John Van Den Daelen (JVD) Building room 407 and 408; GomBurZa (S) Building Room 202 and 210; and Apo Pilo (AP) Building Room 201 and 303.

The initiative is in collaboration with Saint Mary's University Student Monitoring and Attendance Checking Society (SMU-SMACS), CICT, CETSO, and the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and Services.

The voting will run until 5:30PM today while proclamation of winners and the state of the council address will take place tomorrow, 4PM at Fr. Cornelius Tonus Gymnasium.


Report by Marielle Palado


  | OPEN FORUM The future of each community begins with the questions we dare to ask.During the open forum, students did...
19/05/2025

| OPEN FORUM

The future of each community begins with the questions we dare to ask.

During the open forum, students did more than listen—they spoke up, challenged, and sought clarity. The Local School Councils then responded with their visions and commitments for their community.

Now, let us revisit the dialogue, reflect on what was said, and choose the leaders who will represent us best.


Words by Lorraine Bunagan
Pubmat by Arrheya Venish
Transcribed by Rikha Dumayas, Arjanelle Agustin, Casandrea Aricheta, Zyrille Deus, Earl Benicta, Ahleixis Salvador, Tyra Malab, Athena Tuzon, Janelle Cabanos, & Lorraine Bunagan


  | OPEN FORUMDon't know who's worth your votes yet? We got you! Look back to how our Student Central Council aspirants ...
19/05/2025

| OPEN FORUM

Don't know who's worth your votes yet? We got you! Look back to how our Student Central Council aspirants answered the questions from the Marian community during TM Rountable: Meeting De Avance 2025.

As we end another academic year, we say goodbye to the leaders who guided us throughout it. But as this chapter closes, we now face the responsibility of choosing new leaders who will carry us forward into the next.

Through your hard questions, concerns, and insights, you have engaged the candidates in a dialogue that matters. The aspirants for the Student Central Council seat have responded—now, it’s time to weigh their words and look for who truly cared for the voters.

Be guided and be ensured that we choose right.


Words by Casandrea Aricheta
Pubmat by Arrheya Venish

Transcribed by Rikha Dumayas, Arjanelle Agustin, Casandrea Aricheta, Zyrille Deus, Earl Benicta, Ahleixis Salvador, Tyra Malab, Athena Tuzon, Janelle Cabanos, & Lorraine Bunagan


  | Miting De AvanceA student council is only as strong as each of its members.Featuring the perspectives and stances of...
19/05/2025

| Miting De Avance

A student council is only as strong as each of its members.

Featuring the perspectives and stances of the Local School Council aspirants coming from the Governor to Press Relations Officer (PRO) in the TM Roundtable: Meeting De Avance. Pressed on questions centered on leadership, issues, and their platforms for the Marian community.

Marians, our right to demand something better is inherent, as there will always be higher standards of everything, but our actions must always be guided by this to achieve greater heights and foster progress above all.


Words by Wilmar Sevilla
Pubmat by Arrheya Venish

Transcribed by Rikha Dumayas, Arjanelle Agustin, Casandrea Aricheta, Zyrille Deus, Earl Benicta, Ahleixis Salvador, Tyra Malab, Athena Tuzon, Janelle Cabanos, Lorraine Bunagan

  | Miting De AvanceBefore we cast our votes, let's look back to the thoughts and perspectives of running candidates for...
19/05/2025

| Miting De Avance

Before we cast our votes, let's look back to the thoughts and perspectives of running candidates for the Student Central Council on various questions, centered on leadership, platforms, and issues not only on campus but also on broader concerns, during the TM Roundtable: Meeting De Avance on May 14.

As we strive to maximize the four core values of Saint Mary's University, the Marian community is reminded of the integral role that the student council plays in this mission.

Hand-in-hand, let us all conduct ourselves in a way that the Marian community will benefit most from it. Dive in to their principles and vote wisely!


Words by Wilmar Sevilla
Pubmat by Arrheya Venish
Transcribed by Rikha Dumayas, Arjanelle Agustin, Casandrea Aricheta, Zyrille Deus, Earl Benicta, Ahleixis Salvador, Tyra Malab, Athena Tuzon, Janelle Cabanos, & Lorraine Bunagan


  | VOTING IS NOW OPENMarians, are you ready to cast your votes? Today, we elect for change.Let your voice be heard as w...
18/05/2025

| VOTING IS NOW OPEN

Marians, are you ready to cast your votes?

Today, we elect for change.

Let your voice be heard as we choose the next set of Student Central Council (SCC) and Local School Council (LSC) officers who will represent and serve the Marian community.

Here’s how to vote in the online election via JotForm:

Access your corporate email to vote.

1. Click the JotForm link provided.
2. Use “Sign up with Google” to access the ballot.
3. Input your corporate e-mail.
4. Select your School Council.
5. Vote for your SCC Officers.
6. Vote for your School Student Council Officers.
7. Click “Review and Submit” your ballot.
8. Review your entries.
9. Click Submit.

Cast your votes through scanning the QR Code or access the form with this link:

https://smu.edu.ph/marian-scc-halalan-2025/

Vote wisely, Marians!


Words by Lorraine Bunagan
Pubmat by Arrheya Venish


  | FAST TALKHere is a glimpse into the minds of our aspiring Local School Council officers!Watch as they take a stance ...
18/05/2025

| FAST TALK

Here is a glimpse into the minds of our aspiring Local School Council officers!

Watch as they take a stance on the Fast Talk Segment during the Meeting de Avance, where every answer reflects their readiness to lead.

Marians, it is our responsibility to choose leaders who listen, serve, and have something to stand for.

Be critical. Be informed. Vote wisely!


Words by Lorraine Bunagan
Pubmat by Noej Sopongco


  | FAST TALK Take a moment to know the aspiring Student Central Council for the upcoming campus-wide elections through ...
18/05/2025

| FAST TALK

Take a moment to know the aspiring Student Central Council for the upcoming campus-wide elections through their stances on the fast talk round during the Meeting de Avance.

As constituents of the Marian community, our decision matters. Let us discern what it takes to be a good leader.

Your vote is for you and also for others. Vote wisely, Marians!


Words by Kyle Gannaban
Pubmat by Noej Sopongco


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A220, Fr. Godfrey Lambrecht Building, Saint Mary’s University
Bayombong
3700

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