The College of Natural Sciences (CNS), with the Bios Logos Society led this week’s flag-raising ceremony.

Following the ceremony, CNS – Department of Biology Faculty Member Melvin G. Magbalita spoke about Earth Month, with its theme “Our Power, Our Planet.” Magbalita emphasized that our planet’s future depends on the choices we make today.

“Our power is in knowledge, discipline, and actions; our planet’s future depends on today’s commitments,” he said.

Next, Mountain Collegian (MC) Adviser, Karen O. Laking and MC staff Armi-Jay R. Paragas announced the winners of the 7th Intercollegiate Press Conference held at the Benguet State University Library from April 13-16.

The Blue Courier of the College of Teacher Education, with 91 points, emerged as the Champion. The Catalyst of the CNS with 90 pts followed at Second Place, The Purple Plume of the College of Human Kinetics with 47 points earned the Third Place, the iTangguyob of the College of Arts and Humanities with 38 points is at Fourth Place, and the Ang Tulay of the BSU-Secondary Laboratory School with 37 points landed at Fifth Place.

Paragas congratulated all participating college and school papers and encouraged fellow students to join next year.

Likewise, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Director Bryant O. Botengan expressed his thanks to the university officials for their support during the Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection held on April 19, 2026. Botengan announced that the university garnered an overall score of 98.7 points, 10 points higher than last year’s score. The BSU ROTC Unit garnered third place among all SUC’s within CAR.

Before closing the program, VP for Administration and Finance Richard H. Kinnud gave updates on a new uniform plan for BSU employees, stricter monitoring, and planned activities for the month of May. Kinnud also recognized the CNS students for joining the FRC.

In his message, Kinnud shared a Cordilleran folktale about Bayayas, the ‘head-only child’ hidden by ashamed parents after a rice wine ritual. Kinnud related it to BSU: complex problems needing clear-eyed solvers, but like Bayayas, those good ideas lack a ‘body’ meaning they are without support, trust, and cooperation. Collective responsibility, as Kinnud stressed, gives structure for environmental and university challenges to resolve.

“The story is simple, but if we put meaning into it, it will have many meanings. In our university, we face many concerns, some complex, some long-standing, and some simple. I know there are people among us who see these problems clearly and have ideas, insights, even solutions, but sometimes, like Bayayas, they feel they have no body, no limbs, no support, no structure to act. If we want solutions, let us provide what is needed for them to take shape,” Kinnud said. //EBawang

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The Flag Raising Ceremony and the short program that follows it usually consisting of announcements, recognition of student and employee achievements, physical exercises, performances and speeches from guests and university officials is a regular activity of BSU that supports and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals specifically #Goal3, #Goal4, #Goal8, #Goal10, #Goal16, and #Goal17. In essence, the activity serves as a regular platform to reinforce values, disseminate information, and celebrate achievements.