Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his 3rd State of the Nation Address. Among other things, he flexed the implementation of over 5,500 flood control projects, with plans for around 10 more large scale projects amounting to over 500 billion pesos to be implemented over the next 13 years. These projects once promised to alleviate the lives of Filipinos, yet following the recent ravages of various typhoons, the projects that once promised to save lives, are now drowning in corruption.

A world without media, press freedom, or journalists is a world without the freedom to know. Freedom is non-negotiable, it is more than just a lack of restraint; it's the presence of truth—the right to an honest and fulfilling life. At its core, press freedom is the right to speak, inform, and report without fear, serving as society's compass for collective truth and dignity. 

If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT to summarize a reading for class, or used it to “inspire” your research outline, you’re not alone. AI has quietly crept into study habits, classrooms, and laboratories—not just helping students and professionals, but in many cases, doing the actual thinking for them. It’s pitched as a productivity boost, a shortcut, a “study buddy.” But let’s be honest: it’s not studying if a machine does it for you.

The young athletes of the Palarong Pambansa embody qualities we often claim to admire: resilience, determination, and sportsmanship. They train without expecting instant recognition. They compete without the promise of wealth. They represent their regions not for fame, but out of pride. And yet, in a society increasingly driven by clicks, likes, and fleeting digital moments, they are left with mere tokens for their excellence.

The increasing statistics of HIV cases in the Philippines should not be ignored, nor should they induce panic. They are presented to spark action — a clarion call for society to fully choose education over tradition and empathy over stigma.

Penalizing students by not exercising their right to suffrage is not democracy, its coercion. Varied preferences may affect their way of choosing candidates because their ideal candidates may be neither of the choices, and that’s valid. Democracy is having a choice, and that includes the right to say ‘no’.

Patriotism is easy to claim in a state of peace, but what if loving one’s country meant walking straight into the fire of peril for the sake of justice and freedom—with no guarantee that the nation would ever gain independence? Andrés Bonifacio answered that question with his blood and his life, carrying an unwavering devotion to the Philippines even beyond death.

“Rising Through Storms.”  To Juvy, these three words encapsulate her entire journey so far. She has come a long way. From a 14-year-old that had to quickly learn how to find her own footing, to an official degree holder, her story serves as an inspiration for many of us. When storms rage and floodwaters rise, it may feel like you are drowning with no way out. But swim, float, paddle — rise by any means that keeps your dignity intact.

“Unsaon mani, fren? Ma-awkward man ko ani, uy!” Beaming with a cheeky smile that makes her blush even more. It was refreshing to see how one of the jolliest people in Visca could be overwhelmed by a simple interview. 

While others see kamote as a simple root crop, there is one woman who has harnessed its potential and has worked his way up by digging and selling golden sizes of kamote. Her story reflects that, indeed, there is ‘gold’ in farming.

Fiery competition and the drive to dominate ignited the passion within. Yet, here to remind us of the event's true essence is a guild of respectable athletes: Chico Ocampo, Ella Esperanza, Dennis Ibañez, Lara Tulin, and Robney Gatoc. They were this year’s torchbearers—Viscans who literally and figuratively fueled the flame.

And of course, the Filipinos are still going to vote for the corrupt and the convicted because they remember the funny advertisements, and not their stolen tax. That is until they remember to never forget and to never again.

The consequences of our actions are all around us, affecting communities, ecosystems, and the health of our planet. Corruption is one of the main reasons why disasters continue to happen and worsen, allowing harmful practices to go unchecked. The harsh truth is clear: we are losing the natural defenses that once protected us, and the longer we wait to act, the greater the devastation will be.

So now we must ask ourselves: If we see the harm, and we understand the risks, what will we choose to do? How long will we stay silent while our environment suffers?

The fault wasn't in our maps. It was beneath our feet all along. On September 30, 2025, at 9:59 PM, that blind spot proved fatal. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu, killing 71 people, injuring nearly 559, and displacing 77,000 residents in seconds. No one knew the fault existed until it ruptured.

Tarsier sightings within the VSU campus have been made, which is a reminder of the biodiversity that exists within and around the campus. As Viscans and advocates for the environment, it is an integral duty to not only be aware of their presence, but also to value and protect them. 

I saw multiple posts circulating online regarding an illustration on the Highest Ocean Plastic Waste Polluters and in that graphics, the Philippines ranked first as the highest contributor of plastic waste. But is that really the case?

Did you know that Baybay, Leyte is home to a rare and endemic orchid species? It's called the Dendrobium milaniae, or Milan’s Dendrobium, named in honor of Dr. Paciencia Milan, the first female president of Visayas State University (VSU) and a dedicated ecologist. 

Mpox (renamed from its original 'Monkeypox' to reduce stigma on contraction) is a disease caused by the Monkeypox virus. Recorded first in monkeys, it is relative to the more renowned smallpox.

Alexandra Eala, ranked no. 140 in the world, made a remarkable journey through the 2025 Miami Open. Eala’s wildcard run saw her topple formidable opponents, showcasing her resilience and talent in the most prestigious tennis tournament.

Ever wonder why there's been a spike in every hoop junkie's screen time recently? The drama surrounding the recent NBA trade deadline could be to blame. With Adrian Wojnarowski's retirement, Shams Charania is here to break some of the most important news in basketball today.

Despite the fast approaching Closing Ceremony, the last day of Salingkusog did not skimp out on the exhilaration, as the Visayas State University’s Convention Center became a passionate battleground for athletes competing in the multitude tournaments for Arnis.

The Philippines was proudly represented by 22 Filipino athletes in the recently concluded Paris Olympics held last July 26 to August 11, 2024 at Paris, France. While some faced heartbreak, their journey reflected the hard work that brought them to the world’s grandest stage. To commend their effort for bringing pride to the nation, here is a recap of some of the key highlights from the Paris Olympic games.

The largest International Olympic Committee (IOC) Refugee Olympic Team made its way across the Seine with a picturesque floating parade representing the 120 million forcibly displaced people around the globe during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 last Saturday night, July 27 (PH time). 

This marks the third time Paris has hosted the Olympic Games with previous editions occurring in 1900 and 1924. This also marks the centenary of Paris 1924. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games, the opening ceremony was not held in an Olympic Stadium, instead, it was held on the Seine River, the French capital's main river.

The Carless and Wellness Wednesday policy was meant to move VSU toward a cleaner, healthier future. But somewhere between the drafting table and the campus walkways, the conversation missed the very people walking it. The entirety of the Viscan community, from staffs, utilities, and students — the largest and most affected sector — were consulted only after the policy was set in motion.

This silence in the process calls for reflection — and reform. If sustainability is truly the goal, then inclusion must be its first step. Policies that shape the daily life of the Viscan community deserve to be built with, not just students, but the whole community as well.

If a simple policy falters under their hands, what faith remains for the bigger ones ahead?

What was once a platform for Viscans to help one another has now been overrun with degrading posts, ranging from rage-baiting, homophobic comments, and political bickering to other irrelevant content— all of which violate the page’s original rule: to only post lost and found items. 

Just like last year’s edition which was marred by controversies with the surge of disqualification cases among several athletes due to the lack of medical certifications, this year was no different. 

In the academe, milestones often serve as powerful indicators of progress. The approval of the VSU College of Medicine by House Bill 7412 on September 25, 2023, heralds a transformative moment for Visayas State University (VSU). Gratitude is rightfully extended to Hon. Carl Nicolas C. Cari and Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero for their instrumental roles in transforming this visionary endeavor into a tangible reality.

Dean of Students Prof. Loreto addresses the confusion about CHED's one-time grant.

The secretariat’s overall tallies and rankings do not reflect how the schools really performed.

The 2025 Local and National Elections are barely a few days away. With this, the Amaranth held a Mock Election Survey among the Viscan community for the National Elections, aiming to gauge the general trend among students throughout the entire VSU system – drawing out who the Viscan Choice is, and what influenced their decisions.

Sexual harassment constitutes an abuse of power, more so in the academe where power dynamics are more apparent and often encouraged, especially in meritocratic institutions like state universities. It is utilizing the imposing superiority over the inferior to advance selfish acts of a sexual nature that create an environment of hostility. 

On February 5, 2025, the lower house of the 19th Congress of the Philippines passed a measure to formally impeach the sitting Vice President of the Philippines, Sara Duterte-Carpio, on counts of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, bribery, as well as graft and corruption. This makes Sara Duterte the first Philippine Vice President to be impeached.