PBBM Kicks Off School Year 2025–2026 with Bold Education Reforms: A New Era for Learners and Teachers Begins

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a compelling show of commitment to educational transformation, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. led the official opening of School Year 2025–2026 at Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School (EDSES) in Malate, Manila. The return to a June school opening—after years of disruption and adjustment due to the COVID-19 pandemic—signals more than just a shift in the calendar. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Philippine education.

Addressing the nation during a live virtual interaction with principals from across the archipelago, President Marcos declared, “Ang buong pamahalaan, lalo na basta sa edukasyon… ay nakabantay sa inyong lahat para tiyakin na lahat ng mga pangangailangan, lalong-lalo na ng mga kabataan, ay mapaabot namin.”

His message was clear: no Filipino learner should be left behind. The entire government machinery—from health to social welfare, transport to technology—is mobilized in support of students and teachers.

A System Reimagined: Education Reforms Take Center Stage

Under the President’s directive, the Department of Education (DepEd) has launched sweeping reforms aimed at easing the burdens of both learners and educators:

Simplified, cost-efficient enrollment processes

Health checkups for students

Early delivery of digital learning tools such as laptops and smart TVs

Increased allowances for teachers—both medical and instructional

Mass hiring of teaching and non-teaching personnel

Workload rationalization to reduce bureaucratic tasks for educators

Pilot launch of an enhanced Senior High School curriculum to improve college and job readiness

“These are not just band-aid solutions,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “These are systemic interventions. Malaking pasasalamat natin kay Pangulong Marcos sa mga repormang agad niyang itinulak para sa edukasyon. Ramdam ito ng mga guro at mag-aaral.”

A Symbolic Visit, A Nationwide Movement

The President’s symbolic visit to EDSES—a historic institution and one of Manila’s oldest public elementary schools—was filled with meaningful interactions: observing a Grade 1 class, evaluating school safety protocols, and virtually engaging with schools from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

It was a unified national moment, mirroring the government’s push to make every school safe, functional, and inspiring for over 27 million learners returning to roughly 60,000 public and private institutions nationwide.

Back to June: A Return to Academic Normalcy

This school year also marks the long-awaited return to the traditional June school opening—a move supported by teachers, parents, and students alike to avoid learning disruptions caused by heatwaves and typhoons. The transition was no small feat. It followed an intensive nationwide preparation effort under Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela, which rallied local communities, teachers, parents, and agencies in a massive campaign to fix, clean, and equip campuses.

Secretary Angara praised the effort:

"Alam nating mahirap ang paghahanda, pero mas maayos ang pasukan ngayong taon dahil sa tulong-tulong na kilos ng lahat—ni Pangulong Marcos, guro, magulang, LGU, at mga ahensya.”

All Hands on Deck: A Government-Wide Push for Learning

The opening’s success is also thanks to the inter-agency collaboration of nearly every major department: DILG, DOH, PNP, NDRRMC, PAGASA, DICT, Meralco, MWSS, DOE, NTC, DOTr, MMDA, PCO, DTI, DSWD, DPWH, and more.

From traffic decongestion to power and water connections, school safety to psychological support—the opening of classes was a national undertaking, with every hand reaching toward one goal: a better future for the Filipino child.

As of June 14, the Oplan Balik Eskwela Public Assistance Command Center had received 1,690 queries and concerns. Impressively, 1,406 of these were resolved immediately, thanks to DepEd’s coordinated rapid-response efforts.

Looking Ahead: Education with Renewed Purpose

While the first day proceeded smoothly, the mission continues. DepEd will maintain active monitoring via command centers and field offices to ensure timely resolution of school-level issues. The momentum, officials say, must not stop at opening day.

“Now more than ever,” Secretary Angara emphasized, “we must deliver not only access to education, but quality education that prepares every learner for the real world.”

With renewed energy, greater resources, and the full force of the government behind it, School Year 2025–2026 is not just another academic year—it is a national renewal, driven by collective action and bold leadership. Under the Marcos administration, the promise of education as the great equalizer is once again within reach.

Because when the nation builds its classrooms with purpose, it builds a future with hope.

Generational Z Stands on Participating in Social Activism

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

CHANGES in society starts with initiatives followed by continuous action to boost social awareness and achieve a better system. 

It is definitely hard to live in a society where human rights are becoming harder to obtain, and the suppression and greed of the people in power overshadow equality. 

However, social activism is a movement that caters to a collective effort from individuals who have the same mission and vision to change society by means of addressing social, political, environmental, and economic issues. 

For some people, participating in social activism is the key to progressiveness, while some, on the other hand, choose neutrality. 

Regardless, it is true enough that the hope for change will only happen when people start to see deficiency and inaction by the upper-level and start looking for standardized ruling. 

Gen Zs’ perspectives on social activism

Daryn Rivera, 21, a 3rd-year BA Communication Research student, has an exceeding passion, and believes in the ability of Gen Z to spark change.

“Malaki ang potensyal ng Gen Z na magkaroon ng makulay at malalim na partisipasyon sa mga ganitong gawain dahil nakikita nila ang kahalagahan na maiangat ang mga panawagan na dapat naman talagang tinutugunan ng pamahalaan.” Rivera said. 

He also added that participating in social activism contributes to social impact and general consciousness that can encourage people to leave their comfort zones.

“Ang media at ang gobyerno ang humuhubog sa mga tao upang bigyan ng maling interpretasyon ang pakikibaka ngunit ito rin ang dahilan o hamon kaya tayo nakikibaka upang mas lalo pang pataasin ang kamalayan ng mga tao sa lipunan.” Rivera explains when asked about the reason why people have a bad connotation in social activism and how important it is to keep in touch with reality. 

Meanwhile, Rinoa Kate Dela Cruz, 20, a 3rd-year BA Broadcasting, has been actively participating in an organization outside and inside of the school premises because of her advocacy and drive to amplify her platform for social change. 

“I put youth activists in high regards kasi ibang klase yung tapang, enerhiya, at pagmamahal na binubuhos nila para ipanawagan nila ‘yong mga adbokasiya nila.” Dela Cruz shared. 

She also added that youth activism in general holds a big role in societal change. To perform their respective responsibilities and fight for their rights and others as well. 

“Isa sa pinaka esensya ng aktibismo talaga pagdating sa kasalukuyang henerasyon ay yung pagkakaroon ng confrontation sa mga kamaliang nangyayari pagdating sa pamumuno ng ilang mga politiko,” Dela Cruz said. 

She expressed: “Sa panahon kasi ngayon kung saan puno ng propaganda, mahalagang may nananawagan o tumutindig para itama at ilathala ‘yong kasalukuyang lagay ng lipunan natin at ano nga ba ang demands natin para maisaayos ito.” 

After all,  no one wants to settle for a bare minimum treatment by the government or institutions when in the first place they have the competency to exceed their scheme. 

The essence of social activism

People tend to judge social activism and paint it as a mere protest. They say that individuals who join these kinds of movements are just hard-headed kids who only want to oppose the government. 

However, Kimberly Torralba, 22, graduated as BA in Broadcasting, a former chairperson of ‘Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan (SAMASA)—PUP COC, provides her insight about social activism. 

“Mayroong iba't ibang porma ng social activism, pero iisa lang ito ng layunin, ang pagsilbihan ang aping masa. Itinataas ng aktibismo ang ideolohiya at pagkilos ng sangkatauhan para makamtan ang kahingiang hindi mabigay ng naghaharing-uri,” Torralbo said.

She also pointed out that, although misconceptions are still existing, they need to be straightened out with informative information. It is not all about doing rallies all over places but being grounded and open-minded with oppression and inequality. 

She expressed: “Ang tunguhin ng aktibismo ay ang pag-alalay sa pagsibol ng panibagong lipunang maninilbihan sa masa sa pamamagitan ng rebolusyon. Kung saan walang panginoon ang lupa, may sarili na tayong nasyonal na industriya, at malaya ang bawat Pilipino mula sa inhustisya.”

Furthermore, opposing the government or any institutions that are not doing their responsibilities is not wrong as long as there's a reason to do so, and it is also exercising freedom of expression and democracy. 

Roles of social activism 

According to Bill Moyer’s Movement Action Plan, there are four roles of social activism in order to create social change. Each role has its own purposes, skills, styles, and needs that can be played effectively and ineffectively. 

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Photo courtesy: Alfo Medeiros | Pexels

1. Citizen. Social activists must be recognized first as a responsible citizen who has the ability to see diverse perspectives and is able to create unbiased verdict. Effective citizens need to be socially aware to identify fundamental principles and values that are good for the society. 

They must also need to gain the respect and acceptance of the majority of ordinary people in order for the movement to succeed. 

Effective: Foster positive national values, freedom, justice, nonviolence, and democracy. 

 

Ineffective: Super-patriot: Obeys authorities and the nation without question.

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Photo courtesy: Lara Jameson | Pexels

2. Rebel. If there are citizens who know how to say ‘yes’ in each discourse, there must be a rebel who knows how and when to say ‘no’ amidst confrontational discourse. This would help to protest social conditions and institutional policies that are affecting the fundamental core of society.`

Effective: Peaceful direct action; protests, marches, and gatherings, including acts of civil disobedience. The main target is institutions of power, such as the government and companies.

Ineffective: Considers oneself a militant radical and a lone voice on the periphery of society. Self-centered, haughty, and conceited; self needs come before movement needs.

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Photo courtesy: Lara Jameson | Pexels

3. Change Agent. Activists must also be a change agent who has the capability to educate, organize, and involve the general public that can help to filter lapses, provide policies, and present constructive solutions. 

Effective: Educate the general public and whole society on the issue, promote paradigm shift, and organize strategies for long-term movement. 

Ineffective: Advocate single issue. Leadership is based on patriarchy and control rather than participatory democracy.

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Photo courtesy: Werner Pfennig | Pexels 

4. Reformer. Finally, to successfully launched the movement, activists must also be a reformer who can work with the official political and judicial structures to integrate the context of the movement and create a solutions into a new laws and practices 

This phase is significant for the opportunity to get them accepted and the chance to mainstream it to society with a wide audience. 

Effective: Utilizing official mainstream systems and institutions like city hall or legislature to get the movement’s goal.

Ineffective: Organizational maintenance over movement needs. Solely promotes minor reforms rather than social changes. 

These four roles of social activism help to navigate the responsibilities of ordinary people, particularly an activist to achieve the higher regards of becoming an effective representation of hope. 

The power of Gen Z 

Each generation has the ability to create a movement, most especially the Generation Z who has an edge in different fields that can be a sword to sharpen their eagerness and confidence to fight for what is right. 

Here are the power and advantages of Gen Z to create social change in society:

● Digital natives.

Gen Z has a wide variety of knowledge and skills in using technologies that can propagate actions, which can be the type of advantage that allows them to communicate and be innovative constantly. 

● Power to vote.

Young generation is eligible voters who have the ability to decide about their potential candidates and be able to bring unique solicitude and experiences to electorates. Their votes can possibly bring luck and manifest good leadership. It is a kind of right no one could take away from them. 

● Socially  Aware

Gen Z is known as socially and politically active nowadays, through the internet they are able to see various data, issues, and opinions that allows them to be socially, politically, and environmentally conscious to seek potential solutions and actions. Their easy access to information will help them to be open minded and knowledgeable enough to fact-check and find credible sources. 

● Adaptability and resilience.

They have the ability to quickly adapt to ambiguity and translate it to a movement that can possibly resolve negligence. Gen Z has an immense passion and creativity to make an effective project and solution to a certain issue. They can also use their platforms to disseminate advocacies and spread informative reports. 

A Truth to See Beyond Misconception

For some, social activism is viewed as an alliance formed to decimate the established image of an institution, or merely as a collective movement that only rallies and encourages unnecessary disorder.

But is this truly its factual meaning and purpose? Or is this simply how some choose to perceive it?

Perhaps social activism is far from what some people describe it—that it is not a mere protest. Instead, it is a dynamic, multifaceted action undertaken by people fueled by a profound commitment to justice and a vision for a more equitable society.

Indeed, it is the heartbeat of a society striving for progress and equality, refusing to settle for anything less, and hoping to achieve a system that rightfully serves us all.

With reports from Merry Nizza Llanto

Photo by Kelly | Pexels

Does Having Extracurricular Activities Really Matter After College?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

EXTRACURRICULAR activities are pursuits that students engage in outside their regular academic curriculum. While students may have various reasons for joining clubs and organizations, one common motivation often emerges—for résumé or portfolio purposes.

However, beyond that, the true essence of participating in such activities lies in the opportunity to enhance both personal and social skills—attributes that prove invaluable far beyond the classroom. 

These activities allow students to cultivate empathy, learn to navigate diverse perspectives, face challenges, and develop a deeper sense of responsibility.

In essence, extracurricular activities serve as a training ground for students to grow not only academically, but also as well-rounded individuals—prepared to face the world and navigate the complexities of life beyond the classroom. 

Students’ Perspectives on Extracurricular Activities

Alexandra Buenafe, 23, a fourth-year journalism student and current executive committee member of DZMC–Young Communicators’ Guild—the official radio arm of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) College of Communication—shares her deep belief in the value of extracurricular engagement.

“I learned that participating in organizations both outside and inside the campus puts you close to opportunities. My seniors and teachers taught me that there is more than what the classrooms can offer. The practical approach to everything can sometimes be learned in organizations,” Buenafe expressed.

Alex has embraced extracurricular activities since elementary school. For her, it's not just about growth—it's also a way to lighten her financial burden.

“Ugat ng kahirapan ang mayroon ako kaya sumasali ako sa clubs or orgs. Hindi ako mayaman, so might as well upskill without spending much money. Napakaraming libreng oportunidad para matuto so grab ako nang grab, may bonus pa na I get to meet possible mentors and connections.”

Yet the path is not without its challenges.

Marie Ivy Vanzuela, 21, also a fourth-year journalism student, is a member of the PUP Journalism Guild and an opinion writer for The Catalyst. She opens up about the difficulty of balancing extracurriculars with academic demands.

“There are times when the pressure feels intense, especially when deadlines pile up. I’m not perfect, and sometimes, despite my best efforts, I can’t keep everything perfectly balanced,” she said.

Still, Marie is thankful for the support of her fellow members, who serve as a much-needed lifeline in stressful times.

“My orgmates became my support system. That’s when I truly understood the value and essence of being in an organization,” she added.

Meanwhile, James Andrei Arrojo, 22, another fourth-year journalism student and core member of DZMC–Young Communicators’ Guild, offers a different but equally insightful perspective.

“To be honest, I just joined my current organization out of passion. Everything that comes after it is just a bonus to me,” he shared, while also sharing that it can be a strategic move, “I absolutely think that being part of an organization is advantageous for students who are about to start their internship or apply for work. But make sure that the organization you’ll join aligns with what you want to be in the future.”

The Deeper Value of Extracurricular Activities

According to Ronna Manansala, chairperson of the Advertising and Public Relations Department at PUP’s College of Communication and adviser to the PUP Communication Society, extracurriculars play a crucial role in students’ development.

“I think having extracurricular activities helps to mold the students, kasi ang hirap din naman kung puro super aral lang, malaki ‘yong possibility na maapektuhan ‘yong mental health, malaki ‘yong possibility na ma-burnout ‘yong students,” she explained.

She emphasized that while academics are important, learning through fun and interaction is just as vital.

“Extracurricular activities are a ‘fun time’ for students. They learn, they socialize—it’s a form of education that goes beyond books and lectures.”

However, Manansala also warns that commitment is key.

“Alamin niyo kung kakayanin niyo ba ‘yong magiging responsibilidad because joining or having extracurricular activities would mean extra work. But if you are willing to be part of something very good, if you are willing to contribute for the betterment of more people, go for it.”

She believes extracurricular involvement gives students a competitive edge, especially in fields like advertising and public relations.

“It is going to be a big plus if a student joins an organization and does extracurricular activities. Pero importante rin na piliin nila ‘yong organization na sasalihan nila. Ang laking maitutulong kasi noon [extracurricular activities] lalo na kung nasa advertising PR ka. Ang laking plus no’n sa magiging resume mo if the time comes na you apply for a job.”

Why Extracurriculars Matter Beyond College

Manansala also highlighted some key benefits students gain from joining extracurriculars:

● Social Development:

Participating in student organizations helps learners meet new people, build connections, and develop a sense of community. It provides a rich environment for students to cultivate empathy as they work with unfamiliar people and diverse groups, fostering a more compassionate outlook. 

● Active Listening and Teamwork:

Being in a group fosters communication and cooperation. Students learn to listen to others’ ideas, respect different perspectives, and work towards common goals.

● Holistic Growth:

Extracurriculars shape well-rounded individuals—those who are not only academically capable but also empathetic, socially aware, and emotionally resilient.

● Responsibility and Time Management:

 Handling multiple responsibilities teaches discipline, prioritization, and work ethic. Over time, students learn that passion and commitment go hand in hand.

Juggling academics with extracurricular commitments is no easy feat. It demands effort, time, and above all—dedication. But all the long nights, hard choices, and personal sacrifices pay off in ways that last far beyond graduation.

Ultimately, this fosters holistic development for students and builds a robust support network from the people who share the same journey. As students navigate the journey of having extracurricular activities, it isn’t just an option—it is a strategic way of learning beyond the classroom, becoming a more capable person, and developing into a well-adjusted professional.

Beyond resume bullet points of achievements in class, it forges students to discover themselves and develop time management and leadership abilities that are essential in the professional world.

It is an investment that pays dividends for years to come.

With reports from Merry Nizza Llanto

Photo By: Kaboompics.com | Pexels