𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 l 𝗖𝗔𝗘 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

There is a lot to take in when you first enter college. New faces. New surroundings. New names to remember. And, somewhere between all of it, the question of where you fit in. For the newest students of the College of Accounting Education (CAE), that first glimpse of college life came through Bayda Adi 2026: Welcome Aboard!, held on August 6 at the University of Mindanao Matina Gymnasium. The event brought freshmen and transferees together, but for CAE students, the experience extended beyond the program itself. It was also an introduction to the people and communities that could become part of their college years. At the organization booths, freshmen approached representatives with questions about the different groups. Officers introduced their organizations, explained what they do, and encouraged the newcomers to take part. Representatives from DYSAS, JPIA, AAA, CAEBA, MASS, ISACA, JIS, and TAP were present to meet the incoming students. For someone who has just left senior high school, approaching an organization booth might seem like a small thing. But sometimes, college begins with small things—a conversation with someone you have never met, an invitation to join, or simply finding a group that makes a new place feel less unfamiliar. The afternoon program brought the freshmen together once more. The gym came alive with music, performances, and lively hosts as students watched and enjoyed the activities. Amid the noise and excitement, they were also getting their first taste of what being part of a university community could feel like. Then came the testimonial from Angel Alicaba. Rather than giving students a formula for getting through college, Alicaba’s message revolved around three ideas: why, what, and how. The why was about remembering the reason behind choosing a program. College, she shared, would test students not only in intelligence but also in patience and consistency. There will be assignments, difficult moments, and times when students may question themselves. Knowing their reason for staying can help them push through. The what opened students to the possibilities beyond academics. Alicaba encouraged them to make connections and discover different versions of themselves. They can be students, athletes, organization members, or simply people willing to explore something new. Then came the how: try, even when you are not ready. For freshmen entering CAE, they may not yet know exactly what their college years will look like. They are still meeting their blockmates, making friends, learning their surroundings, and figuring out which opportunities they want to pursue. And they do not have to know everything yet. College gives them room to change their minds, discover new interests, outgrow old versions of themselves, and find confidence in things they once thought they could not do. For CAE, that growth does not have to happen inside the classroom alone. The organizations introduced during Bayda Adi are part of the spaces where students can build connections, take on responsibilities, and discover what else they can become. Bayda Adi 2026 was, in many ways, a first introduction. Not just to the University of Mindanao, but to the people, opportunities, and experiences waiting beyond the classroom. The freshmen may have arrived knowing which program they chose. The rest—the people they will meet, the things they will discover, and the person they will become—is still unfolding. The event reflects Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, which goes beyond academic learning to support students’ holistic development and meaningful participation in their educational community. ✍ Mishra Julsani 📸Marianne Sayadi, Ann Irizari, Alkyeah Arpon 💻 Aleah Delmo