09/02/2026
Newbie Hangaway finishes confident, reaps gains in PisayMUN-WVC โ26
Despite fielding an all-newbie team for its pioneer venture into the first-ever Model United Nations (MUN) conference at PisayMUN-WVC held from 6-7 February at the Philippine Science High SchoolโWestern Visayas Campus in Bitoon, Jaro, Iloilo City, a team from Hangaway, the UPHSI debate club showcased diplomatic and policy acumen with the inexperienced delegation emerging with newfound confidence after each committee and plenary sessions, and with two delegates clinching top individual awards.
Vince Jaryd Malapad of 12-HUMSS, Hangaway Deputy Prime Minister for Finance and delegate of the Federation of Malaysia, stood out and secured the Best Delegate award after two days of demonstrating skillful representation of his assigned countryโs interest while also negotiating policy analysis and formulation with other member states in the simulated United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Meanwhile, Ryger Binayas, Hangaway 11-STEM Representative and delegate representing Kingdom of Spain, received a Verbal Commendation Award in the same committee after masterfully managing tense and critical segments during the committee proceedings while also engaging in meaningful debate.
Overall, Hangaway delegates expressed a collective sense of enthusiasm and appreciation of the new knowledge and the insights from the crises and gridlocks to be resolved, and generally delivered strong performances in their respective simulated committees.
Geanne Grace Deramas, Hangaway Deputy Prime Minister for Education (Republic of Iceland); Brandon Kan, Hangaway Member (Kingdom of Belgium); Dedrey Labos, Hangaway Grade 10 Representative (Republic of Finland); and Sophia Shin Miado, Hangaway Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) made up the UPHSI delegation assigned to the simulated United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Gedrick Angelo Aliponga, Hangaway Prime Minister (Peopleโs Republic of China), Chriss Angel Amar (State of Israel), and Jessa Belle Silla (Republic of Korea) constituted the UPHSI delegates that worked for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
Participants included students in Junior High School, Senior High School, and tertiary level. Kan, a Grade 7 student of UPHSI, was the youngest delegate in the conference.
Hangaway advisers, Asst. Prof. Donne Jone Sodusta and Asst. Prof. Gerthrode Charlotte Tan-Mabilog served as non-participating observers in the committee and plenary sessions along with the other advisers of the student delegations hailing from Bicol, Central Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, and from Iloilo.
MUN conferences are simulations that require understanding of global policy-making and international relations shown through critical thinking, public speaking, and negotiations skills. These sessions are designed to replicate the processes of diplomacy and global cooperation in actual United Nations proceedings where students take on the roles of UN delegates to discuss and debate policies, explore collaborations, and develop shared solutions.
Written by Ayeisha Shaffiz Pajotagana, Deputy Prime Minister for Education
