SLC Society of Political and English Academic Rapiers

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇! 🌈

JUNE is a colorful month full of rays and shades where every flag of society is raised. A month not only to celebrate but to advocate for every member of the community, enclosed or exposed by the walls of expectations and limitations. We lift our voices to call for equal space at every table, equal respect in every hallway, and equal safety on every street because dignity is not earned, it is owed.

Let this month deepen our resolve to uproot prejudice, to unlearn assumptions, and to rebuild traditions that honor every identity. Spearfolks, stand with us in making room for all expressions of love and selfhood, and turn solidarity into action where empowerment becomes habit—not just a slogan, committing to amplify marginalized voices, challenge unjust norms, and mold a campus where every gender and sexuality can thrive without apology.

𝙀𝙢𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧.
𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙜𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧.
𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙𝙚𝙧.
𝘽𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙, 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙!



𝙇𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙂𝙖𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙡 𝙍𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖

“𝘽𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙑𝙞𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙠𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙤𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩.”

The Immaculate Heart of Mary signifies the great purity and humility of the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her heart remained sinless and devoted to God amidst the challenges and sorrows she had experienced on earth. a

As we commemorate the Immaculate Heart of Mary, may we strive to open our hearts to God's grace and follow Mary's example to respond to these trials with love and faith. In a world filled with struggles and uncertainties, her heart reminds us that love, faith, humility, forgiveness, and hope can overcome even the greatest challenges. With hearts filled with compassion and kindness, we can bring hope to others and make the world a better place, one act of love at a time.

𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀.

𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙮 𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙤, 𝙎𝙋𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧

𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐖 𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐀𝐍 | 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟏𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Maligayang ika-128 na Taon na Araw ng Kasarinlan!
Ngayong ika - labindalawang araw ng Hunyo, ating ginugunita ang pag-alala't pagbalik tanaw sa pagkamit ng sariling kapangyarihan, soberanya, at kalayaan bilang isang bansa sa kabila ng sinapit sa kamay ng mga banyaga.

Sa araw na ito ay ating bigyang kahalagahan ang tinatamasang karapatan, gamitin ang nakaukit na kasaysayan upang magbigay daan sa kasalukuyan, at 'di makaligtaan ang dinanas ng inang bayan—simbolo ng sakripisyong inilaan upang magsungkit ang kasarinlan. Alalahaning sa panahon ng kaguluhan, hindi tayo ang magkakalaban pagkat ang Pilipinas ay para sa Pilipino.

Ang Society of Political and English Academic Rapiers (SPEAR) ay nakikiisa sa pagdiriwang ito, tatak ng pagkakaisa ng bawat Pilipino upang maisagisag ang watawat ng Pilipinas.

𝙆𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙖𝙣 • 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙣 • 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟎 | 𝐁𝐚𝐏𝐨𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐮𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 - 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Students from Bachelor of Arts in Political Science of Saint Louis College (SLC) actively participated in the 𝐏𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐮𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 - 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐌𝐌𝐌𝐒𝐔 - 𝐏𝐏𝐒A 𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 held at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) - Open University System (OUS) Multipurpose Hall, San Fernando City, La Union on June 10, 2026.

With the theme “𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙄𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨: 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨, 𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣," the lecture caravan serves as a platform for meaningful academic discourse on emerging issues in the Philippines particularly on electoral politics and democratic representation.

Prof. Jazztin Jairum Manalo of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) delivered a thorough lecture on "Sectoral Endorsements and Electoral Candidates" where he tackled the role of endorsement in influencing electoral outcomes. Further, the lecture highlighted the factors to consider before endorsing candidates, including their values and practices, genuine representation of sectoral interest and electoral viability.

Meanwhile, Dr. Reynold D. Agnes of Far Eastern University (FEU) and President of the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA), comprehensively discussed "How Oligarchs Seized the Philippine Partylist System and What It Means for Democracy." He examined the idea of oligarchy, which is government by few, and explored how the Party-List System, intended to provide representation for marginalized sectors, has evolved in democratic governance.

The Lecture Caravan was further enriched by insightful reactions and discussions from Mr. Jocel R. Opeña, Liberal Arts Program Head of Saint Louis College of San Fernando City, La Union and Mr. Jefferson M. Delmendo, Asst. Professor of Political Science at the University of Cordilleras.

The BAPoS Students, together with the Liberal Arts Head of SLC-SFLU, extend their appreciation to the PPSA (Luzon Cluster), DMMMSU-OUS, and Lam-ang Institute for organizing this meaningful event. SLC and PPSA are also partners by virtue of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on February 18, 2025.

𝐒𝐀𝐎 𝐓𝐈 𝐃𝐈𝐎𝐒 | 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦.”

As human beings, we are constantly searching for something more. We pursue success, wealth, recognition, and pleasure, hoping that each new achievement will finally satisfy us. Yet no matter how much we gain, the longing remains. We find ourselves reaching for the next thing, then the next, as if there is a hunger within us that nothing in this world can fully satisfy. This restlessness reveals a deeper truth: our hearts were created for more than what is temporary.

In our search for fulfillment, we often turn to things that promise happiness but cannot sustain it. The joy they give is real, yet fleeting. Sooner or later, we are left wanting again.

It is here that Jesus enters the story of our lives—not as another temporary solution, but as the One who understands our deepest hunger and offers Himself as its answer. He does not merely give us blessings; He gives us His presence. In Him, we find a love that does not fade, a peace that does not depend on circumstances, and a purpose that reaches beyond our earthly existence.

When we allow Jesus to fill the emptiness within us, our endless searching begins to find its rest. The hunger may remind us of our weakness, but it also points us toward the One who alone can satisfy the soul. What we truly seek has never been a thing, but a Person. The fulfillment we long for is found not in what the world can offer, but in a relationship with Christ. In the end, we must say.

“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩.”

𝘼 𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙮 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙤, 𝘽𝘼 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 1

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘 | 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙪𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙨- 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨, 𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨, 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨, 𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙨. “

As we celebrate World Environment Day 2026 with the theme, “𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞", we are called to listen to these urgent warnings from the Earth and take immediate action.

This day serves as a reminder that every action we take - no matter how small or big can make an impact on the environment. As environmental challenges continue to grow, awareness and responsibility become more important than ever. Together, let us make conscious choices that help protect nature and promote a sustainable future for generations to come.

𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, we are encouraged to preserve the environment that sustains life - 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.

𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙮: 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙨

𝐇𝐔𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐀!!

𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐬, as we officially culminate this academic year, let us take a look back on everything we’ve been through this year. We’ve been through moments of self doubt, constant pressures, sleepless nights, and other prevailing challenges that made our journey a bit harder but filled with significant lessons.

As we take on this final examination, make sure to ready yourself, as it will be physically, mentally, and even emotionally exhausting. But, every tough question answered, is an achievement. Every correct answer is a fruit of your labor—which naturally paves your way towards success.

𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙫𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨.

#𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦
#𝐄𝐱𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
#𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡

𝙎𝙋𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙞𝙧𝙘𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙋𝙎𝘼, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮

The Society of Political and English Academic Rapiers (SPEAR) held its second General Assembly on 16 May 2026, 8:30 AM, via Google Meet featuring a Special Learning Circle (SLC): A Webinar on Special Political Topics In collaboration with the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA). The election of new set of officers of SPEAR followed by 10:30 AM.

The SLC served as a concluding learning activity among all BA Political Science and BA English Language Studies for the Second Semester of the current Academic Year and was realized in an online learning session with Associate Professor Francis Simonh M. Bries, PhD with his topic “Democracy” Toward a just and caring society.” The learning session was made possible with the kind assistance of Prof. Ciela Marie Pacopia, the Luzon Representative of the Board of Trustees of the PPSA, who, too, was present during the learning session.

It was highlighted in Dr. Bries’ presentation that for a good democracy to be manifested, the country needs good citizens – that in times of decay in democracy, the citizens continue to work for democracy to function; and to justice and ‘ginhawa’. Dr. Bries is currently affiliated with the Department of Psychology of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

There after, at 10:30 AM, the incumbent president of SPEAR, Zairylle Trixie Nicole C. Garcinez, presided over the election. The members of the organization actively participated in the nomination and voting proper. Rules in Parliamentary Procedures were adopted to ensure proper decorum throughout the meeting.

And to mark the end of the online event, Mr. Jocel R. Opena, SPEAR Adviser and the Liberal Arts Department Head, expressed his heartwarming closing remarks to the Professor Pacopia, Dr. Bries, to the members of SPEAR organization, and to the outgoing and incoming SPEAR officers. Monica Trixie Bravo, BAPoS 3 student, served as the host of the SPEAR General Assembly.

𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒: 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝

The Society of Political and English Academic Rapiers (SPEAR) held a successful Accountability and Voters’ Education Session last Sunday, May 3, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Bishop’s Chapel of Saint William the Hermit Cathedral in San Fernando, La Union.

SPEAR has demonstrated once again that education extends beyond the four-cornered classroom through its initiatives, off-campus programs, and partnerships with other organizations.

The seminar went smoothly through interactive discussions by our first speaker, 𝙈𝙧. 𝘼𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙞 𝘽. 𝙂𝙤𝙣𝙯𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 who shared his insights on corruption and its ramifications, calling us to take action on our responsibilities for our country’s development through initiatives and fulfillment of civic duties. Followed by our second speaker 𝙈𝙨. 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙮𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙉𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙨, a 4th year political science student at SLC, who delivered an informative discussion about elections through thought-provoking questions and lessons emphasizing our roles and responsibilities.

This extension activity brought together committed Parish Youth Ministry members and Spearfolks to reflect on accountability and the fundamentals of voters’ education, enduring values of stewardship, moral courage and service to the common good; turning ballots into acts of faithful responsibility.

SPEAR would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to 𝙈𝙧. 𝘼𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙞 𝘽. 𝙂𝙤𝙣𝙯𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙨. 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙮𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙉𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙨 for their meaningful discussion and insights; our dedicated SPEAR officers for their planning and implementation; our SPEAR adviser 𝙈𝙧. 𝙅𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙡 𝙍. 𝙊𝙥𝙚ñ𝙖 for his support and guidance; and the Parish Youth Ministry for graciously hosting us and providing complete cooperation. Your combined effort made this event's success.

As the curtains of SPEAR Week 2026 come to a close, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winners of our 𝐹𝑅𝒜𝑀𝐸𝒮 𝒪𝐹 𝒞𝐻𝒜𝒩𝒢𝐸: 𝒫𝒽𝑜𝓉𝑜 𝐸𝓈𝓈𝒶𝓎 𝒞𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓈𝓉 themed “Lens of Truth: Voices Behind the Filipino Struggle.”

𝓟𝓱𝓸𝓽𝓸 𝓔𝓼𝓼𝓪𝔂 𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓦𝓲𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓻𝓼
Winner: Entry 1 (27 points) – Andrei Justin Hernando (BA Political Science – 2nd Year)
1st Runner Up: Entry 7 (25 points) – Nicole Angeline Cacayan (BA Political Science – 3rd Year)
2nd Runner Up: Entry 3 (24.5 points) – Gabriel Angelo Rivera (BA Political Science – 1st Year)

Through your creativity and storytelling, you were able to highlight the realities, struggles, and voices of the Filipino people in meaningful and inspiring ways. ‘

We also proudly congratulate the winners of the following competitions:

𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓭 𝓠𝓾𝓮𝓼𝓽: 𝓔𝓷𝓰𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓱 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝔃 𝓑𝓮𝓮
1st Place: Mark Zaldy Domalanta (BA Political Science – 4th Year)
2nd Place: Zhamira Renion (BA Political Science – 1st Year)
3rd Place: Chloie Irish Morillo (BA Political Science – 1st Year)

4 𝓟𝓲𝓬𝓼 1 𝓦𝓸𝔀: 𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓽𝓾 𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓮𝓬𝓱
1st Place: Zhamira Renion (BA Political Science – 1st Year)
2nd Place: Dandexter Emmanuel Teñido (BA Political Science – 2nd Year)
3rd Place: Monica Trixie Bravo (BA Political Science – 3rd Year)

We also extend our gratitude to all participants, organizers, and students who became part of this year’s SPEAR Week 2026 celebration. Your participation, passion, and support made the event successful, meaningful, and truly memorable.

May this celebration continue to inspire awareness, creativity, and unity among students as we carry forward the spirit of SPEAR beyond this week.