Samahang Mag-aaral ng Pulitika

𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟏𝟐 | 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟏𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 🇵🇭

One hundred twenty-eight years ago, a flag was raised beneath the June sky in Kawit, Cavite. It fluttered against the wind carrying with it the hopes of a people who had spent generations dreaming of freedom, not as an abstract idea, but as something tangible, something worth fighting for, suffering for, and, if necessary, dying for. Independence was declared, and for a moment, the future seemed to stretch endlessly before a nation finally given the chance to write its own story.

More than a century has passed since that day.

The names of our heroes remain etched in monuments and history books, but time has transformed their sacrifices into something quieter. The battlefields have long fallen silent. The voices that once called for liberty exist only in old photographs, fading letters, and memories carefully preserved by generations who refused to forget. Yet every year, as the flag rises once more, we find ourselves returning to the same moment in history, standing in the shadow of a dream first imagined in 1898.

Perhaps that is what makes Independence Day so compelling.

It is not merely a celebration of what was achieved. It is an invitation to reflect on what became of it.

The Philippines of today is vastly different from the one our forebears knew. Cities have grown where fields once stood. Technology has connected islands that were once separated by distance. Generations have come and gone, each inheriting the same flag, the same anthem, and the same promise of nationhood. Yet beneath the ceremonies and commemorations lies a quieter question, one that lingers long after the festivities end.

What does freedom look like after 128 years?

Perhaps it is found in opportunities created, voices heard, and communities strengthened. Perhaps it is measured by the trust people place in institutions, by the futures young Filipinos imagine for themselves, or by the confidence with which a nation faces its challenges. Or perhaps it reveals itself most clearly in the distance between the country we are and the country we still aspire to become.

History often remembers independence as a singular event, a date marked on calendars and commemorated each year. But nationhood has never been a finished work. It exists in every generation's choices, ambitions, failures, and hopes. The story of the Philippines did not conclude in 1898. It continues to unfold in classrooms, offices, farms, streets, communities, and homes across the archipelago, written daily by millions of Filipinos whose names may never appear in history books, yet whose lives shape the nation all the same.

As we commemorate the 128th Philippine Independence Day, may we remember the past with gratitude, engage with the present with honesty, and approach the future with purpose. For the flag that was raised more than a century ago was never meant to represent a completed journey. It was the beginning of one.

And perhaps the question that remains after all these years is not whether we are free, but what we choose to do with that freedom now that it rests in our hands.

Maligayang ika-128 Araw ng Kalayaan, Pilipinas! 🇵🇭

── Liliana Shedris Sarip, Outgoing Executive Information Officer and Incoming President

𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝟔: 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓 𝐍𝐀 𝐉𝐔𝐃! ⏳📚

There’s something strange about reaching the halfway point of our Political Science OJT/Internship. The days still feel long, the workload remains constant, and deadlines continue to appear when we least expect them. Yet somehow, six weeks have already passed, and we're now closer to the finish line than the starting point.

The days continue to be busy, filled with deadlines, office tasks, meetings, and responsibilities that require both patience and commitment. Still, somewhere between the routine and the pressure, we’ve learned how to navigate challenges with greater confidence and a stronger sense of purpose. More than the work itself, this journey has given us a glimpse of what it means to serve, contribute, and be part of something bigger than ourselves, with every task, no matter how simple, carrying a lesson that constantly reminds us why we chose this field in the first place.

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟔 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐚 𝐣𝐮𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐬𝐚 𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐡𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐤𝐚𝐭-𝐨𝐧.✨


✍️: Justin Faith Sioco
🖼️: Koykoy Atillo
📸: Team Leaders

𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝟓: 𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐀 𝐍𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐆𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀!🎉📚

Midway through our Political Science OJT/Internship feels like a whirlwind of deadlines, paperwork, and nonstop tasks that seem to multiply by the hour. The workplace is undeniably hectic, filled with back-to-back responsibilities, shifting instructions, and schedules that blur breaks into passing moments. Yet in the middle of this controlled chaos, there’s a strange kind of fun that keeps everything moving forward.

It’s in the quick jokes during short breaks, the silent teamwork that makes heavy workloads easier, and the small wins that feel extra rewarding after long hours of effort. More than just a training site, the workplace has become a space of growth, resilience, and unexpected laughter. Week 5 reminds us that while Political Science prepares us to understand systems of governance, it also trains us to adapt, endure, and still find meaning and even enjoyment in the busiest days.



✍️: Anxel Louise Sorrosa
🖼️: Koykoy Atillo
📸: Team Leaders

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗦𝗜𝗥 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗔𝗟𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗘! 🎂🎉

Today we celebrate you, Sir, not only as a professor but as a guiding figure who has become like a father to many of us. Your presence goes beyond the classroom, steady, grounding, and always reminding us to do better even when things get difficult.

Thank you for the patience you give without hesitation, for the wisdom you share in every discussion, and for the way you look after your students not just as learners but as people still finding their way. Your guidance stays with us even outside the four walls of the university.

On your birthday, we wish you good health, peace of mind, and a happiness that feels simple but full. May you continue to inspire, guide, and be that strong support for many more students to come.

We are truly grateful for you, Sir. Padayon and happiest birthday! 🎉

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧
Memo No.: 𝗦𝗠𝗣 𝟭𝟭-𝟮𝟭𝟬𝟱𝟮𝟲
21 May 2026

Following a meaningful and participative election process, these individuals have earned the trust and confidence of the student body. Their willingness to lead reflects not only their competence, but also their commitment to serve with integrity, responsibility, and purpose.

May this new chapter be marked by unity, transparency, and a shared vision for growth and excellence.

Congratulations to our newly elected officers! We look forward to the leadership you will bring in the coming academic year.

𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙨 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙞 𝙀𝙨𝙩 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙭 !

𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐀𝐘 | 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓 🗳️

𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳’𝘴 𝘚𝘔𝘗 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭.

Behind every name on the ballot is a willingness to lead, but behind every vote is something even greater: the trust of the student body.

So vote with discernment. Vote with purpose. And most importantly, vote with the vision of a community that listens, uplifts, and moves forward together.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fzz5TemNFdXoBJKXKchgToAvKnP1P7NsM36OqypGlss/edit?usp=drivesdk

𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥: Only bonafide SMP members have the right to vote as per our Constitution and By-Laws. Use your UMindanao email to access the link. Non-members who cast a vote will automatically be rendered invalid. Voting will end by 8:00 PM of this day.

𝐁𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐁𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐁𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒔 𝑷𝒐𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒊 𝑬𝒔𝒕 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝑳𝒆𝒙! 🖤💛




── Rophe Flores, SMP External Vice President

HEADS UP SMPian!
🗳️ SMP Election 2026 Reminder
The candidates for the SMP Election 2026 are ready to present their platforms. As citizens, it’s our responsibility to take part in shaping the future.

📅 Election Day: May 19, 2026
✅ Exercise your right to suffrage — every vote matters.

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗡𝗔 | 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 “𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗮” 𝘁𝗼 “𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻, 𝗶𝗸𝗮𝘄 𝗻𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗮” 📑😂
Three weeks in, and the Political Science interns of the Samahang Mag-aaral ng Pulitika are no longer just mastering attendance sheets and office directions; they are now confidently taking on tasks and responsibilities in their respective offices. Assigned at the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Dabaw, Office of Councilor Hon. Alberto T. Ungab, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Public Service Employment Office (PESO) under DOLE, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), and the City Mayor’s Office, the interns continue to show growth, professionalism, and dedication in every duty entrusted to them.

From drafting documents to handling office tasks with less "kaba" and more confidence, their progress reflects how much they are learning beyond the four corners of the classroom. Slowly but surely, these interns are proving that Political Science students can do more than recite theories... they can also survive paperwork, deadlines, and the mysterious disappearing ballpen in every office. At this point, the only thing they fear more than deadlines is hearing the words, “Pa-photocopy daw.” 😭
Gamay na lang gyud, Polsay!

✍🏻: Jayvee Bantayan Morales
🖼️: Koykoy Atillo
📸: Team Leaders See less

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧
Memo No.: 𝗦𝗠𝗣 𝟭𝟬-𝟭𝟱𝟬𝟱𝟮𝟲
15 May 2026

After a thorough and careful evaluation, the Samahang Mag-aaral ng Pulitika proudly presents the official list of candidates for the SMP Council Elections for Academic Year 2026-2027.

Each candidate has successfully met the set qualifications, reflecting their commitment to lead and serve our community. This marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with passion, vision, and dedication.

The official campaigning period shall commence henceforth until May 16, 2026.

Congratulations to all who stepped forward and took the challenge! As we move closer to election day, let us continue to foster a spirit of active participation and informed decision-making. Together, we shape the future of our organization.

Let’s help the SMP grow and move forward together.