The Paulinian SPUSM

Dearest valued followers,

We're pleased to announce that you can still get a glimpse of the latest news and activities of the tertiary department of St. Paul University at San Miguel by following these pages: https://www.facebook.com/ThePaulinationOfficial
https://www.facebook.com/spusmalerts
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61555826222931

Let's keep the Pauline spirit soaring high!

Caritas Christi Urget Nos! ⚜

www.facebook.com

To our valued followers

We announce that the appointment of The Paulinian SPUSM, the official tertiary publication of St. Paul University at San Miguel, has not been renewed for the school year 2025-2026.

The Paulinian SPUSM had been an avenue for Paulinian campus journalists from the tertiary department for the past two years. We were able to discover talented editors, writers, photographers, layout artists, and social media managers. In our pursuit of upholding the highest standards of campus journalism, rooted in Pauline Mission-Vision and Core Values, we were able to touch lives by allowing Paulinians with a passion for campus Journalism to hone their skills and share them not only with the Paulinian community but also with a bigger audience.

We are grateful and honored for the opportunity given to us to serve our beloved institution, St. Paul University at San Miguel. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to our Executive Vice President, Sr. Aileen U. Bonifacio, SPC. Our College Coordinator, Mr. Joey Lazaro Jr., and our Activity Coordinator, Mrs. Charmaine Maneja.

Finally, we thank you, our dear followers, for joining us in the past two years. Your unwavering support is something that we’ll keep in our hearts forever. Allow us to quote our dear patron St. Paul the Apostle in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” The Paulinian SPUSM had graciously served our purpose, bringing quality campus journalism in the service of Paulinian and the Holy Catholic Church for the glory of One God.

Caritas Christi Urget Nos! ⚜

The Paulinian SPUSM Editorial Board
Now signing off

St. Paul University at San Miguel a branch of St. Paul University, Quezon City invites you to be part of our community by enrolling in our comprehensive academic programs. From Pre-Elementary to Tertiary Levels, SPUSM guarantees to give you a quality Catholic education rooted in Pauline values.

For more information, please personally visit our Salangan campus or check out our official website.

Be a Paulinian now!!
Caritas Christi Urget Nos! ⚜️

Layout by Jerome Venturina

🎓⚜️ "𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥𝘭𝘺, 𝘢 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘯."

A powerful message from Dr. Ma. Rosario “Charo” Santos-Concio, as she received the Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa from St. Paul University Manila. 💙💛

From playing numerous roles on screen to shaping the Philippine media landscape, Dr. Charo remains grounded in her identity—anchored in faith, family, and her Paulinian roots.

Congratulations, Dr. Charo Santos-Concio! Your story continues to inspire generations. 🌟🎬

In the Philippines, the month of May bursts into a vibrant display of flowers, faith, festivity, and procession of beautiful ladies with the celebration of Flores de Mayo. This deeply rooted tradition is not just a feast for the eyes but also a spiritual journey and a testament to our country’s rich cultural and religious heritage.

But how exactly did Flores de Mayo begin?

The Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) is a Catholic celebration that honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly in her title as the Queen of May. Its roots can be traced back to Spain, where devotion to Mary intensified in the 17th century. Spanish missionaries brought this tradition to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, which lasted for over 300 years.

Here, the devotion was embraced wholeheartedly by the Filipino people, who incorporated their love for celebration and creativity into the event. Resulting in a unique blend of Spanish Catholic tradition and Filipino festivity that continues to bloom today.

One of the most iconic parts of Flores de Mayo is the Santacruzan. This procession symbolizes the search for the Holy Cross by Queen Helena (Reyna Elena) and her son, Emperor Constantine. It is said that Queen Helena found the True Cross in Jerusalem during the 4th century, and this story is reenacted through a grand parade of beautifully dressed young women representing various biblical and allegorical figures.

The Santacruzan is more than just a —it's a way of showing devotion, preserving history, and strengthening community ties. Participants often spend weeks preparing their gowns and floats, turning the streets into colorful avenues of prayer and celebration.

Although flowers are everywhere—adorning churches, processions, and altars—the heart of Flores de Mayo lies in its spiritual meaning. Children and devotees gather in churches to offer flowers to the Virgin Mary, often accompanied by the praying of the rosary, singing of Marian hymns, and sharing of food. It's a tradition that teaches young Filipinos the values of faith, gratitude, and community.

Today, Flores de Mayo continues to be celebrated in both rural towns and urban cities. Despite modern changes, its essence remains: honoring Mary, bringing people together, and showcasing the Philippines’ ability to weave beauty and faith into a lasting tradition.

In a world that’s constantly changing, Flores de Mayo reminds us of the importance of remembering our roots and celebrating the values that have shaped our nation. It’s more than just a festival—it’s a blooming legacy that we, as Filipinos, are proud to keep alive.

Caption by Cristine Satorre
Layout by Gabie Dizon

SPUSM Tertiary Department Concludes Academic Year with Successful Community Outreach

On May 17, 2025, the Tertiary Department of St. Paul University at San Miguel, led by the Good Governance and Social Responsibility (GGSR) in collaboration with the Paulinian Student Government (PSG) student volunteers, and formators successfully carried out its year-end community outreach program in Brgy. Partida, San Miguel, Bulacan.

This meaningful initiative was made possible through the active participation and support of various sectors in the municipality—including the Municipal Rural Health Unit (RHU), the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the Commission on Human Rights, Barangay Partida officials, and the dedicated formators and students of SPUSM.

Through this mission, Paulinians lived out the spirit of servant leadership—committing themselves to service, community, charity, charism, and Christ-centeredness. They embodied the true identity of a Paulinian gleaner: prayerful, humble, and courageously compassionate in action.

To a better and fruitful Academic Year ahead, Paulinians. Caritas Christi urget nos.

Caption by Sarah Gamboa
Photos by Amiel Orteza, Sarah Gamboa, and Charmaine Lei Cato

May 14, 2025 – Paulinians from the tertiary department of St. Paul University at San Miguel gathered at the Msgr. Honorio Resurrección Gymnasium for the final townhall meeting of the academic year.

During the session, Mr. Jose C. Lazaro Jr., our College Coordinator, laid out the upcoming closing activities for A.Y. 2024–2025, including the Paulinian community service initiative set for May 17.

Following the townhall, the spotlight turned to the next generation of student leaders as the Paulinian Student Government held the Miting de Avance. One partylist and an independent candidate stepped forward to present their platforms and vision for the student body in the coming academic year.

Before the program closed, heartfelt messages of thanks and farewell were delivered by outgoing PSG President Ms. Precious Hannah Lei Viudez, EducSoc Governor Ms. Sarah Gamboa, and BMA Governor Mr. Paul Jinsae Mendoza, as they marked the end of their leadership journey.

As we approach the close of another academic year, the Paulinian flame continues to burn bright—grounded in humility, courage, and the call to serve all.

Caption by Sarah Gamboa
Photos by Amiel Orteza and Charmaine Lei Cato

May 13, 2025 – Candidates for the Paulinian Student Government (PSG) School Year 2025–2026 launched their campaigns during the scheduled Room-to-Room campaign period. One partylist and an independent candidate presented their goals, visions, and platforms to their fellow Paulinians in hopes of gaining their hearts, trust, and their votes. The candidates spoke with confidence and sincerity, aiming to inspire student engagement and highlight their readiness to lead. This marked a significant step in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.

Caption by Patrick Earl Jhon Magat
Photos by Sarah Gamboa and Patrick Earl Jhon Magat

🤔IN THE MIND OF🤔

ELECTION: SOMETIMES SERIOUS, USUALLY A JOKE

An Opinion Article by Patrick Earl Magat

Election season is in full swing as the long-awaited national polls draw near, now only a few days away. During this period, we witness diverse voters: those who cast their ballots conscientiously, those swayed by the allure of a brown envelope, and those driven by sheer fanaticism. Beyond the ballots, pens, and indelible ink lie the voters, entrusted with the most significant task of all: to vote wisely.
But who is “Wisely,” anyway? Just kidding. On a serious note, dedicate your votes to candidates who are worthy, credible, and truthful. It's easy to write about this ideal, but persuading the general public to act accordingly? That's a different challenge altogether.
From May 2 to 6, 2025, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted a survey on the leading senatorial candidates. Unsurprisingly, the top twelve favorites are:
• Erwin Tulfo (45%)
• B**g Go (43%)
• Tito Sotto (37%)
• Lito Lapid (34%)
• Ben Tulfo (34%)
• Ping Lacson (32%)
• Abby Binay (31%)
• Bato dela Rosa (31%)
• Camille Villar (30%)
• Pia Cayetano (30%)
• Ramon “B**g” Revilla Jr. (29%)
• Imee Marcos (29%)
Looking at this list, one might frown and ask, “Why?” This is the darker side of democracy: everyone has the free will and the right to choose, yet many make haphazard or fanatical decisions, often favoring unworthy, predatory, and self-serving candidates. How does this happen? Money has its own power. Money can sway someone’s opinion and even make them submit. Money can strip someone of their own dignity, pride, and critical thinking. Thus, with bottomless amount in their disposal, the wealthy candidates can brute force their way into position by throwing money at it.
But it's not just about voters being swayed by “meetings,” acts of goodwill, catchy jingles, empty promises, concerts, sponsorships, and, most notably, wads of cash neatly tucked into unsuspecting brown or white envelopes accompanied by “relief goods” or... t-shirts? These are just part of the vibrant and bustling election season. Then there are the waterproof, sturdy, and often aesthetically displeasing campaign banners of various materials and sizes.
Want to capture a beautiful urban sunset? Your photo is likely to be marred not only by tangled power lines but also by the smiling face of your favorite municipal or senatorial candidate. Instagram story ruined. Yet, this isn't the only issue with these campaign materials — they contribute significantly to waste and pollution.
In 2022, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported that 20 tons of campaign materials were collected daily after the election period. This was just in Manila; provincial candidates were also competing — not only for coveted government seats but seemingly for the most campaign materials produced and displayed. Of course, they rarely take responsibility for cleanup, leaving the general public to deal with the aftermath, which many are unwilling to do.
These campaign materials inevitably end up filling landfills, washing into rivers, remaining plastered on the same branches for decades, or, in the best-case scenario, being repurposed as makeshift covers for tricycles, pedicabs, and worn-down roofs. Still, candidates often neglect to remove and properly dispose of them. If someone does, they deserve praise — it’s as rare as a ruby.
Continuing with pollution, the election period is filled with jolly and festive noise — not from bands or cultural music, but from the constant and unrelenting barrage of campaign jingles blasting from high-powered audio sets mounted on tricycles, trucks, and jeeps wandering the streets every so often. Want to sleep tight until 9 a.m.? Good luck with the noise pollution.
Some jingles are fine, some are average, some are divine, and some are metal grinder music tier — aka cringe-worthy. Many are original compositions, most falling into the divine and fine tiers — pleasant to the ears and catchy. However, a lot are plagiarized in beat and lyrical progression — a quirk that reflects what they might do once in office: steal
Despite the negatives, there's still a glimmer of hope for the Philippines. Not all candidates fit the stereotype of being greedy or incompetent; many possess solid credentials and clean backgrounds, making them more competent than 90% of the field. They represent hope, a fresh start, the change we've all been craving — not the so-called “change” brought by those who have been in office for God knows how long, or the “change” children of well-known political dynasties that used politics for their businesses and for money are parroting around — but actual change driven by individuals who genuinely desire it. Those who are worthy should be given a chance; those who are not, should not.
Vote wisely. Don't let a slip of money sway your decisions. Here's some advice from a fellow voter: take the money, but don't vote for them. Don't let your dignity and your desire for change and better governance be bought out by a 500- or 1,000-peso bill. Vote wisely.
"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters."
- Abraham Lincoln

Layout by Jerome Venturina