The WatchGuild

PECIT WatchGuild Orientation 2026

Welcoming our new members during the WatchGuild Orientation held today at the AVR. This event introduced the organization's mission, responsibilities, and opportunities for growth, preparing members to serve the PECIT community with commitment, teamwork, and excellence.

Here's to new beginnings, meaningful experiences, and a successful journey together!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞
By: Mj Manaya

Every June, cities around the world are painted in a vibrant sea of technicolor. Rainbow flags wave from storefronts, upbeat music echoes through the streets, and crowds gather to celebrate. To the casual observer—and indeed, to much of the majority—Pride Month is viewed simply as a massive festive party, a colorful celebration focused solely on being gay or le***an.
But this surface-level view misses the mark entirely. By reducing Pride to a singular aesthetic of celebration, the majority fails to see what lies at its very core: Pride Month is a celebration of being different, being unique, and above all, being unapologetically real to oneself.

"Pride began as a riot, and it remains a protest for the ultimate human right: the freedom to exist exactly as you are."
As writers, our deepest wish is for people to finally grasp the true essence of why Pride Month exists. It was never intended to be a corporate holiday or just a string of weekend parades. It was born out of survival. It began at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 as a literal riot against police brutality and systemic oppression. It is, and always will be, a call of protest for freedom. It is a protest against the stifling societal expectations that force human beings to hide in the shadows, a protest against the prejudice that treats authenticity as a crime or a sin.

To celebrate Pride is to demand the freedom to live without a mask. It is an acknowledgment of the courage it takes to look at a world demanding conformity and say, "This is who I am."
We must look past the glitter and the music to see the human heart beating beneath it. The ultimate goal of this protest is not division, but a higher form of unity. True freedom is achieved when we no longer require permission to be ourselves.
Ultimately, the hope of Pride is that we can transition from a culture of mere tolerance to one of genuine solidarity. We must strive to thrive together as one people—no matter our preferences, our identities, or who we love. True societal progress is measured by how safely the most unique among us can flourish. When we allow everyone the space to be true to themselves, we don't just liberate a community; we liberate humanity as a whole.

Kindly participate by answering the survey questionnaire honestly. Thank you for your valuable participation.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲

The College Supreme Student Government is conducting this 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐥–𝐁𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐓.

Survey Link:
https://forms.gle/paCJ3KZySXXxyMrQ7

The information gathered will serve as supporting data for a request to the City Government to review the current policy and consider possible measures that could improve access to the campus while maintaining public safety.

𝐖𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬. Your feedback is important in ensuring that any recommendations and proposed actions reflect the actual experiences and needs of the PECIT community.

Different reaction, different experiences but one question remains…

Kumusta ang first week of classes?

Whether it was exciting, stressful, overwhelming, or fun, your feelings are valid. Every student’s journey is unique, and the first week is just the beginning.

Share your first-week experience thru reacting this post.

- Alliah Nicole Garcia
xoxo

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻 | We cannot Ctrl+Alt+Delete Violence

𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆?

Not by itself. While violent games may influence some individuals, they are not the sole reason people commit violent acts.

The recent school shooting in Tacloban City left the nation grieving and searching for answers. In response, authorities temporarily blocked GoreBox while investigating whether the game had influenced one of the suspects. The move immediately sparked public debate. Many viewed it as a necessary step, while others questioned whether banning a single game truly addresses the roots of violence.

There is no denying that violent games can affect thoughts and behavior, particularly among young players without proper guidance. That is why age restrictions, parental supervision, and responsible gaming are important. However, influence is not the same as direct cause.

Millions of people have spent years playing games like Grand Theft Auto or Mortal Kombat. Players commit fictional crimes or engage in fantasy combat, yet the vast majority never imitate those actions in real life. They understand that games are entertainment, not instructions.

The same idea applies to everyday tools. A kitchen knife is made for preparing meals, but it can also be used to harm someone. We do not ban every knife because of a crime. Instead, we hold the person accountable for how it was used. The same principle should guide discussions about video games.

If violent games are to blame, where should the line be drawn? Should violent films, television shows, or books also be banned? Violence existed long before video games, proving that its roots run much deeper than digital entertainment.

More importantly, why do discussions often focus on violent games while other harmful influences, such as online gambling, cyber scams, and harmful digital content, remain widely accessible? If the goal is to protect young people, policies should be consistent and based on evidence, not public pressure.

Real solutions require more than banning a game. Better mental health support, stronger anti-bullying programs, responsible parenting, proper enforcement of age ratings, and preventing unauthorized access to weapons deserve equal attention.

The Tacloban tragedy deserves more than a quick response. It deserves lasting solutions. Violence cannot be eliminated by uninstalling one game. It is prevented by addressing the deeper issues that shape human behavior and by building communities that educate, guide, and protect.

- Mane Monteza Talibong

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of the publication, its editors, the institution, or any affiliated organization.

Education knows no boundaries. Behind bars or beyond, learning continues to inspire hope, transformation, and a brighter future.

Read how this initiative gives PDLs the opportunity to pursue higher education and rebuild their lives.

𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 | How Can Schools Feel Like Home Again?

A school is like our second home—a place where we feel safe, learn, and build our dreams. It is meant to be a space where students grow, create friendships, and prepare for their future. However, the month of June 2026 was marked by several tragic incidents in schools. In General Trias, Cavite, seven students were injured in a knife attack. Days later, a Grade 11 student was stabbed by schoolmates in Cavite City. Then, on June 22, a shooting incident in Tacloban City claimed the lives of three people and left seven others injured.

These incidents have caused fear among students, teachers, and parents. Many now worry about their safety in schools, which are supposed to be places where we feel secure and build our dreams. Behind every victim is a family suffering in pain, and behind every incident is a call for greater understanding, guidance, and mental health support for young people. No student should ever be afraid to enter the classroom, for schools should always be places of hope, learning, and growth—not fear.

As these incidents continue to affect many people, they remind us that schools are more than just buildings where lessons are taught. They are places where students spend their days, create memories, and work toward their dreams. While the pain caused by these tragedies may not easily fade, the hope remains that schools will continue to be safe spaces where every student can learn, grow, and dream without fear.

✍️ | Alliah Nicole Garcia
💻: Shyle Unize Digal