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HAPPENING NOW | UP Cebu demands arrest of Bato Dela Rosa, justice for Toboso 19 Heeding the call of the UP Office of the Student Regent (OSR), students joined the systemwide day of action on May 14 demanding justice for the Toboso 19 and the immediate arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa following tensions in the Philippine Senate yesterday evening. Gunshots were fired in the Senate complex shortly following the adjournment of yesterday's session, leading to an abrupt lockdown trapping senators, journalists, and state forces inside the main building. On May 12, Dela Rosa was placed under Senate protective custody following the International Crime Court’s (ICC) confirmation of the arrest warrant against him alleging him of conspiring in crimes against humanity under former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign. Notably, Dela Rosa had been absent in Senate sessions for six months prior. The articles of impeachment for Vice President Sara Duterte were also formally received by the Senate shortly before the gunshots were heard. The gathered students demand the immediate arrest of Dela Rosa, pointing to the recent escalation in the Senate as a manifestation of the state's protection of its own coming before the needs of the people. They also decry the murder of the Toboso 19, drawing comparisons between the state's violence against community organizers and activists and its resort to violence to defend the likes of Bato who face legitimate accusations against them. #BatoArestuhin

IN PHOTOS | UP Cebu Design Program launches DES/INYO 2026, highlights design as rebuilding Under the theme "Reporma", this year's annual UP Cebu Design Week takes inspiration from the rebuilding experiences of Cebuanos in the wake of disasters that hit the province in the last quarter of 2025. The upcoming event and exhibition will be held at the SM City North Wing on June 5-7. Leading up to the official launch, members of the media were given an exclusive guided tour of the program's design facilities, including snippets of the upcoming exhibit. The tour was followed by a panel discussion featuring Design program faculty and DES/INYO 2026 festival curator Diane Sumalinog. Design program coordinator Asst. Prof. Jay Nathan Jore forefronted the emphasis on service-oriented design embedded in UP Cebu's Product Design program. Faculty members Inst. Kriztel Nicole Camalongay and Asst. Prof. AJ Mallari affirmed this, underscoring the importance of molding holistic designers bringing firsthand experiences with existing crafting communities. Outlining the coming exhibit's theme, Sumalinog likened design to an act of resistance against structures that no longer serve. "Artists recreate new meanings and effect new change through reimagination and reorientation to produce with more care and intention fit for the needs of our times," Sumalinog said. Established in 2023, DES/INYO is the annual week-long event and exhibition organized by the UP Cebu Design Program which showcases works by students of the BA Product Design program. | Report and photos by Raiza Amolo #DESINYO #UPCebuDesignWeek

WATCH | Heavy police presence observed beside protest action following People’s Alternative Forum to the ASEAN Summit Over 50 uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were seen stationed around the protest action following the People’s Alternative Forum to the ASEAN Summit held by progressive groups in UP Cebu today, May 8. Officers were observed in groups around the campus gates and inside the university premises since before the forum started. Leading up to the conduct of the protest action, several police transport vehicles, including a SWAT van, were spotted in the area. Some uniformed personnel were seen carrying long-arm rifles. Upon questioning, authorities stated that the deployment formed part of the convoy security of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who is in attendance at the ASEAN Summit 2026.

IN PHOTOS | Final day of DukiTuki 2026 highlights holistic approaches to disaster communication The second and final day of the 6th DukiTuki featured afternoon plenary sessions centered on the theme, “Communicating Risk, Living with Disaster: Voices, Vulnerabilities, and Futures in Cebu.” Ms. Sarah Queblatin, a permaculturist, artist, psychosocial support practitioner, and a regenerative design specialist, unpacked lessons from her work on an ecosystem-based approach to disaster and preparedness, giving restoring a new meaning through resilience, and re-storying through regeneration. To conclude the session, Dr. Johnrev Guilaran, professor of Psychology at the University of the Philippines Visayas, looked at disaster communication through its psychological dimension, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the mental implications of dealing with disasters. These plenary discussions aimed to give the audience a different lens of communication as a tool for disasters through a holistic view of nature, design, and psychology. | Report by Joie Rhianne Villar | Photos by Alex Leonard and Joie Rhianne Villar

IN PHOTOS | UP Cebu Communication program hosts 6th DukiTuki Research Forum, highlights disaster risk communication To recognize the efforts of Communication students and faculty, their course works took center stage in the 6th DukiTuki Communication Program Research Forum from May 6 to 7, 2025. With the theme “Communicating Risk, Living with Disaster: Voices, Vulnerabilities, and Futures in Cebu", the event featured plenary talks and panel presentations. Guests of the forum’s first day included keynote speakers namely UP Cebu physics professor, Dr. Jonnifer Sinogaya, Cebu Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office head (PDRRMO) head, Ret. Col. Dennis Pastor, and municipal mayor of San Francisco, Camotes, Hon. Alfredo Arquillano, who each shared valuable insights as field experts. In the afternoon, students participated in simultaneous parallel sessions and a film screening which discussed recent disasters that struck Cebu. Meanwhile, presenters in parallel session D consisted of selected first year Communication students presenting studies made for their COMM 101: Communication for Development course. The audience shared their insights and comments after the presentations. Plenary and parallel sessions continue today, including the book launch of ‘Jamico Boys’, a poetry collection by CCAD faculty member Asst. Prof. Ton Daposala. DukiTuki—which comes from the Cebuano terms ‘duki’, to investigate, and ‘tuki’, to discuss—is an annual activity that celebrates the works of Communication students and faculty. | Report by Cheska Recopilacion | Contributed photos by Kenneth Bendol, Cris Alvarez, Megan Estillore #DukiTuki2026

HAPPENING NOW | UP Cebu Communication Program Opens 6th Annual DukiTuki Research Forum The UP Cebu Communication Program officially kicks off its 6th Annual DukiTuki Research Forum today, May 6, at the Performing Arts Hall. To start the series of plenary talks, the first keynote speaker, Dr. Jonnifer Sinogaya, a physics professor in UP Cebu, delivers a speech on Understanding Cebu's Environmental Vulnerabilities: Climate Systems, Data, and Hazard Projections. This two-day event brings together students and educators for plenary talks by keynote speakers, panel presentations, workshops, class exhibitions, and parallel sessions. With the theme “Communicating Risk, Living with Disaster: Voices, Vulnerabilities, and Futures in Cebu", this year’s forum explores how communication plays a crucial role in Disaster Risk Reduction. It highlights innovative research and creative projects rooted in local experiences while engaging with global transformations. “DukiTuki,” which combines the Cebuano words ‘duki’, to investigate, and ‘tuki’, to discuss, is an annual initiative that celebrates the work of Communication students and faculty. | Report by Cheska Recopilacion | Photos by Angel Sajulga and Joie Villar #DukiTuki2026

EDITORIAL | The Forces That Bind To celebrate World Press Freedom Day is not a hollow commemoration, it is a firm vow to fulfill the obligation of fearlessness that many before us have already done and to be unceasing despite all the forces that bind us. Read our full editorial on Facebook. #WorldPressFreedomDay #JusticeforRJLedesma #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio

IN PHOTOS | Groups decry US-Israel global aggressions, state repression amidst ‘deepening’ socioeconomic crisis for #MayoUno2026 Commemorating the 124th Labor Day in the Philippines, sectoral groups denounced deeply rooted state neglect, greed, and impunity, resulting in rising costs and rights violations. Last May 1, the groups marched from Fuente Circle to P. Del Rosario with various local labor organizations, as well as allied youth collectives. Following the brief program in P. Del Rosario, a broader action took place in Colon featuring cultural performances. “Si Marcos, wala nagpakabana sa panginabuhi sa katawhang Pilipino. Ang gi atiman ni Marcos Jr., ang paghawk sa sampot ni Donald Trump,” said Howell Villacrusis of Alyansa sa Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA Sugbo-KMU). Along with demands to enact House Bill 2599 or the National Minimum Wage Act and House Bill 202 for a P1,200 living wage, the groups also urge the junking of 12% VAT and excise tax. Anakbayan Cebu representative Cassandra Kisteria also criticized private institutions for imposing tuition fee increases without prior consultations, especially amid the rising costs of basic goods and services, which forces students to work while studying just to continue their education. The Bonbon Aloguinsan Youth Association (BOYA) delivered a cultural performance at the mobilization, recognizing the peasant sector as a vital part of the workforce urging for genuine agrarian reform and prioritization of the national agricultural sector. The performers are children of farmers under the San Roque Farmers' Association (SRFA), who have long been subject to state intimidation and militarization. Closing the action, protesters destroyed a cardboard caricature of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and President Bongbong Marcos. The symbolic action represented their denouncement of the ongoing US-Israel aggressions in West Asia, which have greatly contributed to rising prices for essential goods domestically. | Photos by Nixie Pepito, Jana Raphaella Puerto, Van Guevara

#MayoUno2026 | Marking the 124th Labor Day in the Philippines representatives of various groups shared the realities of their respective sectors and their urgent demands amid global crises and rising costs. Among these was Prof. Regletto Imbong, dean of the College of Social Sciences of UP Cebu. He reflected on how contractualization within the academic sector affects the ability of faculty members to fulfill their academic roles, “Masabtan nato nga makamugna lang ta og mga maayo nga graduates, mga maayo nga scholars kung sufficient pud ang ihap sa atong mga faculty members, sa atong staff, ug sa atong REPS.” Imbong explained further, “Daghan mga committee works pero gamay ra mga faculty members magdistribute niini tungod kasagaran mga contractual employees nga dili pud pwede magaan og committee works kay contractual sila. So dako na disadvantage sa akademya in general, ug sa UP in particular, ang padayon nga schema sa nagkataas nga contractualization.” During the mobilization, participants urgently pushed for systemic responses to ongoing crises affecting workers from different industries, including the Oil Price Hike (OPH) and the lasting effects of last September’s 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

WATCH | Drag performers mount cultural performance at #MayoUno2026 mobilization Andromeda and Ka-Victoria, drag performers under the Concerned Artists of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, portray the labor sector with a street performance of “Sandaang Taon” in Colon. A cardboard caricature of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and President Bongbong Marcos as a three-headed creature representing the intertwined interests of imperialism was seen in the background of their performance. Capping their performance, banners, placards, and chants denouncing imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism as the roots of workers’ plights crowded around the performers.

’URING MANGGAGAWA, HUKBONG MAPAGPALAYA’ HAPPENING NOW | Labor groups, allied sectors demand P1200 living wage, junking of VAT, excise tax amid crises Stationed at P. Del Rosario Street, the groups express difficulties due to ongoing issues of contractualization and job insecurity, forwarding demands for livable wages and a systemic response to calls for national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform. They also criticize the Binaliw landfill collapse in January, which led to the deaths of 35 people, including workers at the site. Earlier this week, April 28, labor groups staged a picket protest in front of the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office VII (DOLE-7) following wage hike delays by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 (RTWPB)-7. The proposed wage hike, filed in March, aimed for a P100 increase from the current minimum wage figures; P540 for Metro Cebu and P500 for other parts of Central Visayas. | Photos by Nixie Pepito #MayoUno2026

WATCH | Progressive groups convene at Fuente Osmena Circle to commemorate 124th Labor Day Spearheaded by Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo – Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA Sugbo–KMU), multi-sectoral organizations are gathered today, May 1, to denounce unlivable wages amidst worsening labor conditions and global crises. The mobilization will march towards P. Del Rosario, where a program will be held with other convening labor groups. #MayoUno2026