West Visayas Model United Nations

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗦

The West Visayas Model United Nations wouldn’t have been possible without the support of those who believed in our advocacy of championing grassroots diplomacy.

To our beloved sponsors, we are eternally grateful for seeing the future in the youth.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦

The West Visayas Model United Nations wouldn’t have been possible without the support of those who believed in our advocacy of championing grassroots diplomacy.

To our beloved partners, we are eternally grateful for seeing the future in the youth.

NEWS FEATURE: 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝗻𝗱-𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗩𝗠𝗨𝗡

More than 90 student diplomats from across Region VI simulated global negotiations to address pressing international issues during the second West Visayas Model United Nations (WVMUN) conference, March 19 to 21.

Organized by the University’s MUN Society, the three-day summit allowed delegates to engage in rigorous parliamentary debate, negotiate across geopolitical divides, and draft multilateral resolutions to address current threats to global stability.

Adhering to the standard United Nations organizational structure, the conference functioned through four specialized committees.

This included the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development.

WVMUN Secretary-General Alyanna Chiadyne De la Cruz emphasized that the conference was shaped by an "urgent reality" rather than a mere academic exercise.

She noted that when news broke of the joint US-Israeli military strikes against Iran, the team was already bracing for the geopolitical ripple effects.

"The Philippines may be far from the conflict zone, but the closing of major trade routes hit us directly," De la Cruz said in an interview with Forum-Dimensions.

De la Cruz explained how this year's spirit was defined by the realization that diplomacy was no longer just “about suits or speeches.”

"They had to understand that diplomacy is activism. Wars never stay contained; they ripple outward until they reach us,” she added.

𝗔 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿

In a keynote address, Mariomassimo Santoro, ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines, called for maintaining an international rules-based order amidst escalating global volatility.

Drawing from over two decades of diplomatic experience, Santoro highlighted the Philippines as an "essential, non-traditional partner" for the European Union, particularly as the nation chairs ASEAN for the 2026 term.

"The number of like-minded partners that the Philippines has so far is really something rare; we are all supportive of the rules-based international order and the rule of law,” Santoro said.

Santoro also highlighted that the nature of modern trade ensures that local disruptions have immediate worldwide reflections.

He cited the Philippines' heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil as a vulnerability that requires strategic partnership.

"The best tool to avoid [such] kind of events [that] can impact on our economies is to diversify—diversify the economies, diversify the partnerships, and [also diversify] the supply chains," Santoro stated.

𝗢𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

Santoro also turned his attention to the role of international justice, citing the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

Despite WR Numero data suggesting a decline in support for such mechanisms among Filipino youth, Santoro argued that the abandonment of international law leads to a "might defines power" paradigm.

On February 27, the International Criminal Court formally confirmed the charges against Duterte over the brutal war on drugs waged during his term.

Duterte is facing charges for crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder.

According to Felix Ray Van Olandria, UNGA Head Chair and former Secretary-General of WVMUN, the conference serves to prove that global conversations can take root in Western Visayas rather than being confined to major diplomatic hubs like Manila or New York.

As the country continues to vie for a 2027-2028 UN Security Council seat, Olandria emphasized the importance of a generation trained to navigate shifting public opinion and critical negotiation.

"If the Philippines wants a seat at the United Nations Security Council, then it has to be backed by a generation ready to do the work, starting not at the center, but from the regions,” Olandia said.

Following the transition of delegates into their respective committee sessions, the conference culminated in a diplomatic banquet and awarding ceremony held at Casa Real de Iloilo.

Story by Kent Zachary Salcedo
📷 Constantine Miguel Ko and Kent Zachary Salcedo

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟯

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟯

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟯

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗬 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟯

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗬 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.

𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟 | 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟭

A look back at the moments that defined West Visayas Model United Nations Conference 2026. From engaging committee sessions and thoughtful debates to meaningful connections, every moment captured tells a story of growth, leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy.