The Courier

23/01/2025

𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has granted Northwest Samar State University’s appeal, permitting Mechanical Engineering graduates to take the February 2025 Licensure Examination for Mechanical Engineers.

This follows the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) grant on a one-time exemption from the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) requirement for various Engineering programs from several universities, including 565 engineering students from NwSSU. This exemption allows students from Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering (BS ECE), Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BS EE), BS Mechanical Engineering (BS ME), and BS Civil Engineering (BS CE) to process their application and take the Licensure Examinations.

However, CHED has set a non-extendable deadline for COPC compliance until September 9, 2025 only.

Recently, CHED and PRC decided to fully implement its COPC requirements for graduates who opt to take the board exams.

NwSSU is still awaiting the PRC's decision on the remaining three engineering programs as of this writing.

Report via Vivienne Kyla Caber, The Courier

22/01/2025

STAND WITH TODAY’S CAROLINIAN ✊🏻

If you support this call, sign the petition to demand the University of San Carlos Administration to recognize Today’s Carolinian as the University’s official student publication, reinstate TC funding and offices, support the freedom of TC coverage, and waive the traditional and bureaucratic application process of the Office of Student Formation and Activities (OSFA).

Sign the petition here: https://tinyurl.com/4tk8hft5

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22/01/2025

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬’𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗔𝗡 ✊

Series of intimidation against Today’s Carolinian (TC), the progressive and independent official student publication of University of San Carlos (USC), has been observed online.

TC recently lost its remaining office in the Downtown Campus following the university administration's abrupt and unjustified decision to vacate the premises as it will be used by the Alumni Office, effective January 15. Prior to this, the USC’s Talamban Campus also evicted TC from its office in August 2024.

TC, who has been operating autonomously since 2019, without funding from the university, had also faced pressure to undergo accreditation under USC’s Office of Student Formation and Activities (OSFA), a process widely criticized for undue administrative control. However, TC refused to register under OSFA, seeking to preserve its editorial autonomy and safeguard its right to report freely to the student body.

This continued coercion highlights the shameless violation of press freedom and journalistic integrity within academic institutions.
This repression stems from the publication’s fearless and critical reporting on Tuition and Other Fee Increases (TOFI) in 2019, which led to TC being defunded by the USC administration. As a result, TC was forced to transition to a fully online operation.

Student publications, such as TC, are granted with specific rights under the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 (Republic Act 7079), which ensures they can fulfill their responsibilities as journalistic bodies. The law mandates that the state uphold and protect the freedom of the press, including on campus level, recognizing the campus press as a vital expression of students’ democratic rights and press freedom. Stripping TC, an independent student publication, of its office, funding, and journalistic freedom directly undermines its ability to carry out this mandate.

In solidarity with TC, The Courier stands united with all student publications and media organizations facing similar censorship and intimidation.

We call on the USC administration to officially recognize Today’s Carolinian as the university’s rightful student publication, and to immediately reinstate its funding and office. Furthermore, we demand that university administrations across the country eliminate policies that kill campus press freedom.

We intensify our call for the administration to respect the rights and autonomy of Today’s Carolinian and all student press.

Hands off Today’s Carolinian.
Hands off student press.
Defend Press Freedom.





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Photo courtesy of Forward Publications and Today's Carolinian

22/01/2025

𝐍𝐰𝐒𝐒𝐔 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐏𝐇 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄! 👑

Norwesian beauty queens Rose Mae Merencillo and Krisha Abadiano are set to shine once again as they officially represent Calbayog City and San Jorge, respectively, at the Miss Universe Philippines - Samar 2025 pageant.

NwSSU alumna Rose Mae Merencillo is a Magna Cum Laude graduate with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from NwSSU-Main Campus Class of 2024. She holds an impressive track record of titles, including Miss Anyag 2023 Environment, Miss Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) 2022, and Miss Hadang 2019, among others.

Meanwhile, Krisha Abadiano, a 4th-year BTLED student of NwSSU San Jorge Campus, has also gained recognition in the pageant scene. She was crowned Ms. San Jorge 2023 in her first pageant. She also represented San Jorge in the Mutya han Samar 2023, where she earned a spot in the Top 10 Finalists. Krisha is now preparing for her third pageant, the MUPH-Samar 2025, where she will once again represent her hometown, San Jorge.

Merencillo and Abadiano will compete against 10 other stunning Samareñas in the first ever Miss Universe Philippines - Samar Island competition.

Ahead of the event, the Sashing Ceremony and Contract Signing will take place on January 26 at Nana Manuela in Catbalogan City, while the Grand Coronation will be on February 7, 2024.

Additionally, in support of the candidates, online voting is now open, allowing supporters to help their favorite contestants secure a spot in the final six.

Here is the link to the official voting platform: https://tinyurl.com/2ffyy67a

The Miss Universe Philippines-Samar Island is the newly accredited local franchise of the national pageant, which will officially select the first representative from Samar to compete in Miss Universe Philippines 2025. | via Arelyn Ronzon, The Courier

Photo courtesy of Miss Universe Philippines – Samar Official page

20/01/2025

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐔𝐒 💚👩‍🏫

IN PHOTOS: Norwesians are back in the campus as classes officially resumed today, January 20, Monday. This marks the first day of the the second semester of the Academic Year 2024-2025. | via Ariane Somino, 📷: James Nallatan

19/01/2025

Balik eskwela na tayo today, the Mayor Vico Sotto way! 👨🏻‍🏫

Tara, salubungin natin ang second semester ng may sigla at puno ng pag-asa. Welcome back, Norwesians! Let’s make this semester as smooth as Mayor Vico’s manual transition! 😂

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Edited by Mia Ocenar

19/01/2025

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐓𝐢𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 19: 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰

Content creators and influencers of AmericaTok (American Tiktok) have now one by one bid their goodbyes in the online platform.

TikTok, the popular video reel app is banned in the United States effective today Sunday, January 19 leaving some of its users both disappointed and disdained.

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

The was due to the unanimous decision of both the US Supreme Court and the Biden Administration as both have made forced deals with the app’s mother company, ByteDance, to sell its stakes to an American owned company.

Reasons such as posing as both a “personal” and “national” security threat, the previous administration passed a legislation last April 2024 which gave the company its deadline which will be issued today, Jan 19 — the day before a new president comes to office.

According to an article of CBS News, the court’s decision on the app’s ban was based on their justification that, “Countering China's collection of data from TikTok's 170 million U.S. users and its purported ability to manipulate content on the app to further its geopolitical interests.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩’𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Though this may be a critical event, the Biden administration still leaves the enforcement of this law to the newly appointed President Donald Trump which had early on vowed to “save” the app.

Trump, once he sits again in office, is considering to pass on an executive order to uplift the ban-or-sale law for at least 60 to 90 days for further negotiations.

On the other hand, a content creator wants to also join in on the negotiations.
Famous American YouTuber and business man, MrBeast, posted a video last January 16 saying that he plans on buying Tiktok.

“I just got out of a meeting with a bunch of billionaires; TikTok, we mean business,” said MrBeast.

He then shows his lawyer holding a briefcase where inside holds a bunch of documents.

“This is my lawyer right here [and] we have an offer ready for you. We want to buy the platform. America deserves TikTok!,” he affirms.

View the video here: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6qjw5ch/

But, despite all the convincing, the app still has to go on shutdown while the law is still in effect, leaving behind its 170 million American users.

TikTok issued a statement regarding it’s ban on the country, “The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok's availability to over 170 million Americans.”

“Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately TikTok will be forced to go dark on January 19,” read a portion of the statement.

Though this does not pose a great impact here in the Philippines, it still has its effects, as users won’t be seeing some of the favorite influencers of AmericanTok such as Zack King, MrBeast, Bretman Rock, and Geloy Concepcion on the app.

via James Francis Chiquillo, The Courier
Graphics by Mae Elaine Mateo

18/01/2025

𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 | 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 2024 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 an 8-𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲

Eight months after the 45th Commencement Exercises last May 2024, more graduates will now receive their long-awaited diplomas this January 2025.

The delayed release, which left graduates eagerly anticipating the official recognition of their academic achievements, has been addressed by the University Registrar Engr. Ryan Emil Zosa in an interview with The Courier.

“I’d like to apologize for the delay of this but I promise to release all of these documents within this week,” said University Registrar Engr. Ryan Emil Zosa.

This follows the now-deleted Facebook posts where Norwesian graduates expressed frustration over the prolonged wait during the holidays, humorously adding their diplomas to their "wishlist" as a way of hinting at their anticipation for the long-overdue document.

“It’s due to the fact that on our first attempt to procure, usual na procurement process, maiha man gud. San nagsend na san mga request for quotations, panbalik nganhi, an amon gin estimate an kasi kun nano an estimate san last year, amo man la gihapon amon ginhatag based san kuan liwat san previous kay asya man la amon ginbabasehan, so amo amon ginhatag na quotations. Only to find out [after the return], pagbalik ngadi san mga [kuan] quotation, almost all prices increased. So, with that, wara mag-prosper adto nga aton procurement, so nag utro,” Engr. Zosa revealed.

𝐀 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞’𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐲

In a separate interview, one BSEd Science graduate, who requested anonymity, expressed her disappointment in receiving a “diploma holder” and experience in trying to obtain her diploma, highlighting the uncertainty that her fellow graduates dealt with.

“Shocking adto actually during graduation na holder la an ginhatag sa amon tas waray sulod.”

“Pira pa naman kahours an roll call san pag release san diploma during graduation tas [tapos] holder la [ngayan] imo makarawat,” she said.

She also shared that they had repeatedly inquired at the Registrar’s Office about when the diplomas would be available around October and November of 2024, but were told there were ‘no available papers’ for the issuance of the document.

“Nakadamo na kami balik inquire kun sano magiging available an diploma, pero an reason sadto san registrar is wara pa kuno papel,” she shared.

In response, Engr. Zosa further emphasized a bureaucratic process that have hampered the immediate release of the diplomas.

“Pag utro [san quotations] amo gihapon iton... posting, another PPMP, ABC, posting. Nagprosper siya, pero amo iton nadeliver…diri la ako sure kun late part san December or earlier part san December or last part san November. Niyan kay busy gud kita siton na mga times tikang October later part san October, November, December paspasay gudman kit sana activity,” explained Engr. Zosa.

[𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘗𝘗𝘔𝘗 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘉𝘊 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘉𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵, 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴.]

It can be recalled that Northwest Samar State University hosted the 38th Eastern Visayas Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (EVRSCUAA) Meet, the biggest athletic event in the region in December 2024.

Engr. Zosa also noted that the release of diplomas initially started in the same month for the BS Criminilogy and some programs under the College of Engineering and Architecture, as a requirement in taking their licensure examinations.

“Disappointing syempre kay diri maiwasan gihapon mag-compare compare ba. Like if an big schools sa secondary kaya marelease an diploma during the graduation, then why is it na an college diri? Is diploma not a big deal to them? Kay if for them diri, para sa students, big deal iton,” she pointed out, expressing her dismay regarding the process.

When asked about the impact of the delay, she said, “Of course, mayda pag mag-apply work, especially government agencies. [Although mayda] na TOR, diri gihapon masabot if mag-aro sira diploma as requirement. So if that’s the case, possibly magkuri pag apply work sa iba na field.”

“Realistically, kalain la na mafeel ba niyo, as graduates, na [wara] masyado nag prepare an school for you... An purpose san diploma is not solely for applications man, it’s a living proof kasi na nakapagtapos ka. So without it, medyo may kulang,” the Norwesian graduate emphasized.

𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬

General practice among universities in the Philippines is to release diplomas after within a few weeks to a few months subject to the completion of certain administrative clearances, although, some universities commit to release the diplomas along with the Transcript of Records (TOR) on the day of the graduation.

READ: https://tinyurl.com/2y4d3cdj

However, according to Engr. Zosa, there has never been a case at NwSSU where diplomas were given on the same day as graduation.

While there is no explicit law that categorically states “diplomas and TORs must be released on the day of graduation,” the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as the governing body of the higher education in the Philippines through Republic Act 7722 also known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994,” is authorized to set minimum standards and guidelines for educational institutions, including policies relating to the issuance of student records.

As of this writing, the release of the diplomas is ongoing at the Registrar’s Office during regular office hours.

| via Eunice Marsha Alorro, The Courier

16/01/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒. Attended by the students of the Civil Engineering and faculty members, the Civil Engineering (CE) Days kicks off its two-day event held on January 16 at the RSU Socio-Cultural Center.

Spearheaded by the JPICE-NwSSU Student Chapter Officers, the event features a variety of exciting activities, including Banner Racing, a Cheer and Dance Competition, and a God/Goddess Model Representation, with five different teams: Ares Builders, Apollo Masons, Athena Planners, Hermes Mixers, and Perseus Developers.

In an interview with The Courier, JPICE President Kent Joey Dosado shared the goals of the event. “The main goal of this event is to promote camaraderie among CE students and to help alleviate the stress from the recent semester,” he said.

CE Days 2024 is an annual event at NwSSU that brings together civil engineering students to celebrate camaraderie and their passion for the profession. | via Arelyn Ronzon
📷 by Chino Ortiz

15/01/2025

CASHIER CORE ☄️✨

Ano ang kwentong cashier’s office mo? 🤔

Now that the clearance-signing season is about to end, we know you’ve got some stories to share about your experience in the cashier’s office, waiting in line, and snagging your priority numbers!

Drop your wildest cashier stories during clearance signing in the comments below!

Illustration by Jessa Mae Suyo

10/01/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: Aspiring tutors and youth development workers from the College of Education and BS Community Development gathered for an orientation of the Tara, Basa! Tutoring Program, today, January 10, at RSU Socio Cultural Center.

In collaboration between the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Education (DepED), this program aims to help struggling readers in public elementary schools.

Qualified college students will be trained and deployed as tutors and youth development workers to facilitate learning sessions for parents dubbed as “Nanay-Tatay Session”.

The program is tentatively scheduled to run from May 19 to June 14, 2025.| via Carol Perito
📷 by Rona Mae Amoguez

10/01/2025

LOOK: Norwesians line up outside the Cashier’s Office to settle their fees for the first semester of AY: 2024-2025 as a requirement for clearance signing on Thursday, January 9. | 📷: Chino Ortiz

09/01/2025

Eyes here, Norwesians!

The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs released a revised schedule for enrolment for the 2nd Semester of AY: 2024-2025.

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 | UPDATED ENROLLMENT SCHEDULES
Enrollees are advised to follow the updated enrollment schedules for the 2nd Semester of S.Y. 2024-2025.

06/01/2025

Eyes here, Norwesians!

Here are the important dates to remember for the Second Semester of AY: 2024-2025.

01/01/2025

Ikaw anong new year’s resolution mo?

[ by Jimmuel Suarez]

30/12/2024

The Courier joins the Filipino nation in commemorating the 128th Rizal Day today, December 30.

In the morning of December 30, 1896, just two days shy of the new year, Dr. Rizal died a martyr at age 35 at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) in Manila, and left a rich legacy to make him the Philippines' national hero - one worthy of study and emulation for generations.

As we honor his legacy, let’s reflect on his ideals of freedom, education, and progress, which continue to inspire generations of Filipinos. 🇵🇭

[Illustration by Ma. Jessa Mae Suyo]

25/12/2024

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫! 🎄🎁

Wrap yourselves with love and holiday cheer and celebrate not only the gifts but also the happiness of being with one another.

Merry Christmas, Norwesians! From our characters Hermes 🪽, Leon 🦁, and all of us at The Courier!

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Illustration by Mitoh Bedio