NU Clark - Political Science Society

𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘁. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗙𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘀 | 𝗣𝗵𝗗 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

We proudly congratulate Asst. Prof. Magello Rainer Fenis for being awarded the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship. He will begin his PhD in International Politics program at the University of Pécs, Hungary. His doctoral research will examine how Southeast Asians respond to the ongoing great power competition between the United States and China in the region.

The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme was established by the Hungarian Government to promote the internationalization of Hungarian higher education and attract outstanding students from around the world. Through high-quality academic training and international exchange, the program seeks to foster lasting personal and professional connections between Hungary and participating countries.

At NU Clark PolSci, we celebrate faculty members whose academic pursuits contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the discipline. Asst. Prof. Fenis’s achievement reflects our commitment to fostering a scholarly community that values critical inquiry, international engagement, and the production of knowledge that speaks to both local and global political challenges.

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘆. 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝘂𝗰𝗼 | 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

We proudly congratulate Atty. April Elenor Juco, faculty member of the Department of Political Science, for being recognized by the Angeles University Foundation School of Law as a Distinguished Alumna for her exemplary performance in the 2020/2021 Bar Examinations. This recognition honors her exceptional achievement, academic excellence, perseverance, and commitment to the pursuit of legal knowledge and professional excellence.

The distinction reflects not only her accomplishments in the legal profession, but also her dedication to lifelong learning and service. As an educator and legal practitioner, Atty. Juco continues to inspire students through her expertise, integrity, and commitment to academic and professional development.

At NU Clark PolSci, we take pride in faculty members whose achievements exemplify excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Atty. Juco’s recognition reinforces our commitment to fostering a learning environment guided by scholarship, professionalism, and public service, inspiring our students to pursue excellence in their own academic and professional journeys.

𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗦 | 𝗡𝗨 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

The NU Clark Department of Political Science proudly recognizes the recipients of the Best Thesis Award for AY 2025–2026.

This distinction is annually bestowed upon the students whose undergraduate thesis exemplifies exceptional theoretical depth, methodological rigor, and practical relevance in political science inquiry, while reflecting the intellectual values of the Department as an emerging hub of critical knowledge production and civic engagement in the region.

The winning thesis is selected by the esteemed Thesis Committee from among the students who successfully defended their undergraduate theses as one of the terminal requirements of the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program.

This year, it is awarded to Jaimee Hannah C. Barte, Rachelane Shaina C. Cayanan, Glezette D. Garcia, Michael F. Marbella, and Joellyn Faye G. Ocampo for their study entitled "The Making of a Precariat: Everyday Politics of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Workers in Pampanga." The study was conducted under the advisorship of Asst. Prof. Jessie S. Malibiran Jr., MA.

Their study examines the contradictions between Pampanga's rapid development and the everyday realities of the workers who sustain its expanding BPO industry. Drawing on Marxist political economy, Benedict Kerkvliet's framework of everyday politics, and Guy Standing's concept of the precariat, the study investigates how BPO workers experience, interpret, and negotiate precarious labor conditions within a province widely celebrated as a model of regional development.

Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine narratives generated through in-depth pakikipagkuwentuhan with 24 BPO workers in Pampanga, the researchers reveal how workers simultaneously experience the industry as a source of opportunity and a site of insecurity, exhaustion, and alienation. The study argues that BPO workers constitute an emerging precariat class whose labor drives regional development while remaining socially and politically marginalized. It demonstrates how the material insecurities of precarious labor encourage individualized coping strategies, weaken collective forms of political engagement, and shape the distinctive political orientations of the precariat.

By foregrounding workers' lived experiences, the thesis offers a critical and locally grounded contribution to political science scholarship, challenging conventional measures of development and asking a fundamental question: who truly benefits from economic growth, and at what cost?

We extend our warmest congratulations to our student researchers for this outstanding achievement.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 | 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮

Congratulations to the pioneering students of the NU Clark Department of Political Science on the successful defense of your undergraduate theses.

As an emerging hub of political knowledge production in Central Luzon, we take pride in the scholarship produced by our students and in the emerging intellectual identity and research culture of the NU Clark Department of Political Science—one that values methodological rigor, critical inquiry, and a deep commitment to understanding and transforming society through social science.

Congratulations to our budding political scientists, thesis advisers, panel members, and the entire NU Clark Political Science community on this significant milestone.

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀

Here are some moments captured during the Second Model Congress of the second-year Political Science students, held as the culminating activity for the Parliamentary Practice and Procedures course. Through debates, motions, deliberations, and legislative discussions, students immersed themselves in the realities of parliamentary governance and democratic decision-making.

The culminating activity provided an avenue for our students to translate classroom theories into practice, sharpening their skills in public speaking, critical analysis, negotiation, and policymaking. More than a simulation, the Model Congress served as a platform for students to engage with the processes that shape governance and public policy.

(c) Mark Soriano; Jhylliane Baluyut; Khyel Saluper
Yuan Constantino; Louise Sabado

𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

The second-year Political Science students of NU Clark successfully conducted their Second Model Congress as the culminating activity for PSPPP01X: Parliamentary Practice and Procedures. Designed as an experiential learning exercise, the activity immersed students in the legislative process, allowing them to simulate the proceedings of a parliamentary body and apply concepts learned throughout the course in a practical setting.

Through the simulation, students assumed the roles of legislators and engaged in parliamentary deliberations, debates, motions, and the consideration of proposed measures. The activity provided students with a practical understanding of parliamentary rules, legislative procedures, and democratic decision-making, while strengthening their skills in public speaking, negotiation, critical analysis, and policy discussion.

At NU Clark Political Science, we believe that political learning extends beyond the classroom. By immersing students in simulations of real-world political institutions, we cultivate future leaders who understand not only the theories of governance, but also the processes, challenges, and responsibilities that shape democratic practice.

𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 | 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘂𝗺

As an emerging department, we take particular pride in seeing our students engage in the kind of puzzle-oriented inquiry that lies at the heart of political science.

Even as first-year students, they are already learning how to move beyond opinions and descriptions. They are identifying research puzzles, engaging with theory, translating questions into coherent research designs, and producing studies grounded in issues that matter to local communities and contemporary Philippine society.

The projects recognized in this year's First-Year Research Colloquium demonstrate the values we seek to cultivate at the NU Clark Department of Political Science: intellectual curiosity, analytical rigor, theoretical engagement, and a commitment to socially relevant and critically informed scholarship.

Congratulations to all our awardees and to every student who participated in the colloquium. We look forward to seeing where your questions take you next.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘂𝗺 | 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀

The first-year Political Science students of NU Clark successfully presented and defended their research proposals during the PSPAR01X Research Colloquium, the culminating academic activity of the Introduction to Political Analysis and Research course.

Drawing from diverse traditions within political science, students explored topics ranging from political trust, political behavior, and welfare provision to gender, governance, political economy, public transportation, and social movements. Through the colloquium, students were challenged not only to present their findings but also to defend their theoretical frameworks, methodological choices, and contributions to political inquiry.

At NU Clark Political Science, we train students in the academic rigor expected of social scientists, challenging them to move beyond assumptions and toward evidence-based, theoretically informed explanations of political phenomena.

Congratulations to our first-year Political Science students for successfully completing this milestone.

𝗜𝗸𝗮-𝟭𝟮𝟴 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗮𝗻 🇵🇭

Ngayong ika-12 ng Hunyo, ating ginugunita ang katapangan at sakripisyo ng mga bayaning nag-alay ng kanilang buhay para sa kalayaan ng ating bayan. Higit pa sa pag-alala sa nakaraan, nawa’y magsilbi itong paalala sa ating lahat na ang kalayaan ay isang patuloy na adhikain, ito ay isang panawagan at pakikibaka upang ipagtanggol ang ating soberanya, itaguyod ang katarungang panlipunan, at labanan ang anumang anyo ng panghihimasok, imperyalismo, at pagsasamantala ng mga dayuhang kapangyarihan.

Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 🇵🇭

𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀, 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 | 𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲

The Department of Political Science successfully conducted the Seminar on Diplomatic Protocols, Social Graces, and Tips for Serving as Liaison Officer led by Dr. Stephanie Betariz O. Valera. Organized as part of our Diplomatic and Consular Relations course, the seminar provided students with practical knowledge and essential skills in diplomatic protocol, professional etiquette, and proper decorum in formal engagements. The activity aimed to prepare students for future roles in public service, diplomacy, international relations, and other professional settings that require effective representation and interpersonal competence.

Throughout the session, students explored the fundamental principles of diplomatic protocol, professional etiquette, and social graces in both formal and semi-formal settings. It also highlighted the roles and responsibilities of liaison officers, emphasizing effective communication, cultural sensitivity, stakeholder engagement, and professionalism in handling guests, state officials, and institutional partners. Through these discussions, participants gained valuable insights into the standards and expectations of diplomatic and institutional engagements.

At NU Clark PolSci, we continue to provide learning opportunities that bridge academic knowledge with professional practice. By exposing students to the norms, skills, and responsibilities associated with diplomacy and public service, we cultivate future leaders who are prepared to engage confidently and professionally in local, national, and international settings.