VSU Social Studies Interact Society

𝓒𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓲𝓻 𝓔𝔂𝓮𝓼 📸

Here are the official entries from our talented Social Studies students for the 𝘜𝘕 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 2025!
Each photo tells a story of peace, unity, and hope — echoing the essence of the United Nations.🤍💙

𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

This afternoon, the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 proudly opened the celebration of 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 with a meaningful program held at the FTE Quadrangle and Hallway. The event began with an inspiring opening ceremony featuring the national anthem, invocation, and heartfelt messages from our distinguished guest and advisers.

The main program showcased our students’ diverse talents and global awareness through multicultural performances, vocal renditions, and a moving speech choir presentation, all anchored on the spirit of unity and peace.

After the program, participants also had the opportunity to view our Photo Exhibit, one of the featured contests organized by the Interact Society to highlight creativity and advocacy for peace, sustainability, and cultural understanding.

Truly, today’s celebration reminded us that peace begins with education and action within our own communities.



📷 | Yhendell Napari
✍️ | Jessriel Pagangpang

𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗨𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘, 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘

The 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 proudly presents the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, a celebration of global unity, peace, and sustainable progress. Come with us to celebrate diversity, educate for peace and act for sustainability. With one world, one vision join us on October 29, 2025. At FTE Quadrangle & Hallway. Starting at 2:00 – 5:00 PM with the theme "𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦."



🖼: Kyle Jayubo
✍🏻: Mary Janine Flores

UN Month Celebration: A Call to Action and Creativity

This October, the Interact Society proudly presents a vibrant and meaningful celebration of UN Month, anchored on the theme: “Educating for Peace and Sustainability: Empowering Communities, Shaping Our Shared Future.”

Through a series of engaging contests such as impersonation, photo exhibit, extemporaneous speech, essay writing, poster making, and quiz bee. Students are invited to showcase their talents, perspectives, and advocacies. Each activity is designed to spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and highlight the role of education in building peaceful, resilient, and sustainable communities.

Whether you’re channeling the voice of a visionary philosopher, capturing the soul of local culture through photography, or crafting powerful essays and speeches, this celebration is more than a competition this is a movement. A movement that reminds us that every idea, every image, every word has the power to shape our shared future.

Let’s unite in purpose, express with passion, and celebrate the values that make global citizenship meaningful!

✨The wait is finally over! ✨

After being postponed multiple times due to the recent earthquake and memos, our most awaited UN Month Celebration and Social Studies Week is finally happening!

With the theme “Educating for Peace and Sustainability: Empowering Communities, Shaping Our Shared Future,” let’s celebrate unity, learning, and global awareness through a week full of fun and meaningful activities!

Join us this October 29, 2025, at the FTE Quadrangle as we officially open our celebration with vibrant presentations, inspiring messages, and performances that highlight the spirit of global solidarity!

Stay tuned for our exciting lineup of activities leading up to November 5, 2025, the grand culmination of our UN Celebration! Let’s make this celebration a memorable journey of learning and togetherness!

MAG-TUON SIYA!! 🫢
MAG-TUON SIYA!! 😐
MAGGGGGG-TUOOOOOOOONNNN SIYAAAAA!! 🤩

happy midterm week, guys!
(wow may time mag edit, review ayaw?) 🫣

𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝟒 - 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄

"Geography and Life: Exploring Western Europe’s Physical Features"

Western Europe is a region marked by its strategic location, bordered by seas, rivers, and neighboring regions that have shaped its development over time. Countries like the United Kingdom and Ireland are island nations with strong maritime influence, while nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Luxembourg are part of mainland Europe, featuring lowlands, river systems, and fertile plains. Together, these countries share a mix of coastal access, navigable waterways, and varied terrain that support dense populations, economic activity, and cultural exchange.

Rivers like the Seine and Loire in France, the Rhône flowing through southeastern France, and the Thames in England serve as vital lifelines across the region. They provide water for farming, routes for trade, and centers for cities to grow, connecting people and cultures for centuries as they carry the flow of history alongside their currents. These waterways, combined with coastal gateways such as the English Channel, which separates the UK from mainland Europe, and the North Sea, bordering the Netherlands and Belgium, have long supported thriving maritime industries, fostering exploration, commerce, and cultural exchange that link Western Europe to the wider world.

Beyond the rivers and seas, the mountains of the Alps, spanning eastern France and neighboring countries, and the Pyrenees, forming the natural border between France and Spain, stand as natural borders, offering protection and shaping regional identities. These ranges not only shelter unique wildlife but also attract millions for recreation and tourism, blending natural beauty with cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the fertile plains and valleys, especially those along the Loire and Rhine (which flows through the Netherlands), have sustained agriculture and human settlements, nurturing civilizations from ancient times through to the present.

Together, the diverse landscapes of Western Europe—from coasts and rivers to mountains and plains—form an interconnected environment that has been fundamental in shaping the region’s history, economy, and cultural richness.

𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝟓 - 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄

Our map illustrates the physical geography of Northern Europe, which includes Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the Baltic States — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The region is surrounded by major bodies of water such as the Baltic Sea, White Sea, and the Gulf of Bothnia.

🇮🇸 Iceland is known for its glaciers, peaks, and rivers, including the Vatnajökull Glacier, Hvannadalshnúkur Peak, Þingvallavatn Lake, and the Þjórsá River.
🇳🇴 Norway features the Scandinavian Mountains, Galdhøpiggen Mountain, Glomma River, Mjøsa Lake, and the Hardangervidda Plateau, showcasing its rugged terrain and fjords.
🇸🇪 Sweden highlights include Kebnekaise Mountain, Lake Vänern, and Tännforsen Waterfalls, representing its vast forests and lake regions.
🇫🇮 Finland, often called the “Land of a Thousand Lakes,” includes Lake Saimaa, Kemijoki River, Porttipahta Lake, Lokka Reservoir, and Mt. Halti, reflecting its flat and water-rich landscape.
🇩🇰 Denmark is mostly flat and coastal, with Lake Arresø, Gudenå River, Møllehøj Mountain, and Ringkøbing Fjord.

In the Baltic States,
🇪🇪 Estonia features Suur Munamägi (Big Egg Hill) and Lake Peipus (Peipsi järv).
🇱🇻 Latvia is known for the Gauja River, Gauja National Park, and Ventas Rumba (Venta Rapid), the widest waterfall in Europe.
🇱🇹 Lithuania showcases the Curonian Spit (Kuršių Nerija) and the Neman (Nemunas) River, which are among its most important natural landmarks.

Overall, Northern Europe’s geography is shaped by glaciers, rivers, mountains, and coastal plains — from Iceland’s icy peaks to the lowlands of Denmark and the Baltic States — making it one of the most scenic and diverse regions in the world. 🌎✨

𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝟐 - 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄

Europe feels alive through its landscapes, each one carrying stories older than time. Standing between Spain and France, the Pyrenees remind us that some borders are made of mountains, not walls. The Douro River flows gracefully from Spain to Portugal, carrying vineyards and stories along its banks, proof that nature and culture blend beautifully. Down south in Spain, the Sierra Nevada surprises with snow-capped peaks under the warm Andalusian sun, where you can ski in the morning and watch the Mediterranean glow by evening. In Italy, the Apennine Mountains stretch like a backbone across the country, holding centuries of history, from Roman springs to timeless villages. On the island of Sardinia, the Gennargentu Range rises as the island’s rooftop, rugged and wild, home to ancient rocks and rare sheep that guard traditions passed down for generations.

Across Sicily, Mount Etna towers as Europe’s highest active volcano, shaping fertile lands with every eruption and drawing both scientists and dreamers to its fiery heart. In southern Greece, the Peloponnese Peninsula unfolds with olive groves, ancient ruins, and coastlines that whisper tales of Sparta, Mycenae, and the first Olympic Games. Rising above northern Greece is Mount Olympus, once believed to be the home of the gods, now a national park where hikers chase the same clouds that mythology once crowned divine. On the border of North Macedonia and Albania, the crystal waters of Lake Ohrid reflect centuries of history, from Byzantine churches to fishing traditions sustained by one of Europe’s oldest lakes. Along Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, the Bay of Kotor curves like a hidden fjord, its medieval towns and fortresses standing as sentinels of a seafaring past. And across Bulgaria into Serbia, the Balkan Mountains stretch endlessly, shaping borders, battles, and identities across generations.

That’s Southern Europe right there—where mountains, rivers, lakes, and coasts carry not just beauty, but the weight of history, culture, and memory.

𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝟑 - 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄

𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 is known for its rich variety of natural and cultural landmarks.
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝘀, found in the south, are famous for their high snow-covered peaks and serve as a natural barrier between countries like Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀, in the east, stretch through countries like Slovakia and Poland, offering forests and wildlife.
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀, located along the North Sea coast, are known for sandy beaches and unique ecosystems.
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 in Germany is a dense, scenic woodland famous for its dark pine trees, cuckoo clocks, and folk legends.
• 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻 in Hungary is the largest lake in Central Europe, a popular spot for swimming and tourism.
• 𝗟𝗶𝗽𝗻𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗿 in the Czech Republic is a man-made lake used for recreation and hydroelectric power.
• 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 in Germany is a fairy-tale castle that inspired Disney’s design, symbolizing European romantic architecture.
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗮𝘂, shared by Slovenia and Italy, is known for caves, sinkholes, and limestone formations that gave rise to the word “karst.”
• 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝘆𝘀𝗼𝗸é 𝗧𝗮𝘁𝗿𝘆 (𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗧𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀) mountains, on the border of Slovakia and Poland, feature sharp peaks and are a favorite for hiking and skiing.
• 𝗕𝗶𝗮ł𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗲ż𝗮 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁, between Poland and Belarus, is one of Europe’s last and largest remaining primeval forests, home to European bison.

Major rivers like the 𝗥𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 and 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗯𝗲 have long supported trade and transportation, helping cities and cultures flourish.
The 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲, ranging from oceanic to continental, influences how people farm and where they settle—mild areas near rivers and valleys often becoming centers of agriculture and population.

𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝟏 - 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐄𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄

Physical Geography of Eastern Europe: A Simple Reflection

Eastern Europe is a region full of natural beauty and useful resources. Its landforms—like rivers, lakes, mountains, and volcanoes—play an important role in shaping people’s lives, history, and culture. By looking closely at these features, we can better understand how nature helps and affects human life.

Rivers such as the Danube, Dnieper, and Volga are like lifelines. They are not just water routes—they give water for farming, energy for cities, and fish for food. As these rivers flow, they also carry stories from the past, linking old civilizations to modern communities.

Lakes like Lake Balaton and Lake Sniardwy are valuable sources of freshwater. They provide clean water, fish, and places for rest and tourism. These lakes are not just bodies of water—they are part of people’s everyday lives and memories.

Mountains such as the Carpathians and Balkans stand tall like natural walls. They protect forests, animals, and minerals. These mountains have been around for a long time, quietly watching the changes in human history.

Volcanoes are rare in Eastern Europe, but Ciomadul in Romania reminds us that the Earth is still active underneath. Even if it hasn’t erupted in thousands of years, it shows us that nature has hidden power.

When we reflect on Eastern Europe’s geography, we see more than just land and water. We see how nature and people are deeply connected. These rivers, lakes, mountains, and volcanoes are not just shapes on a map—they are part of the story of human life.

Happy Teachers’ Day to our Interact Society advisers,
Ma’am Eunice B. Garcia and Sir Gael Bansale! 🌟

Thank you for your constant guidance, support, and inspiration to all of us. Your dedication truly makes a difference!