Bigger, Brighter, and Bolder: CASSayuran Welcomes Largest Team To Date in New Term’s Inaugural Gathering

Marking the formal start of Editorial Term 2025-2026, CASSayuran held its Onboarding and Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2025—celebrating not only a new beginning but also a major milestone as the publication welcomed its largest team on record, with 42 returning members and 21 new recruits.

The inaugural gathering at CASS Room E53 featured informative discussions and interactive sessions, giving new and returning members a chance to connect, realign with the publication’s goals, and get oriented on the publication system and editorial term policies.


Hosted by Hannah Valerie Acama, a correspondent of On the Web, the publication’s official broadcasting arm, the program opened with a speech from outgoing Editor-in-Chief John Vincent Balustre, who reflected on his experiences last term and shared words of encouragement that set the tone for the symbolic turning over of responsibility to the new Editor-in-Chief.


“While our society often puts a premium on the rush, let us remember: even in a field as time-sensitive as journalism, there is value in pausing, in reflecting, in giving stories the depth and clarity they deserve. Because behind every byline, there are people you work with and know better along the way,” he affirmed.


Balustre also expressed hope that the new term’s EIC would bring a fresh perspective to the publication and serve as a reminder that time, no matter how early or late, carries with it the full potential of one’s capabilities. He urged new members to savor their time in the publication, emphasizing that their experiences would shape their stories and truth.


In his acceptance speech, Samuel Adrian Guerra, a second-year BA English Language Studies student and the youngest to assume the EIC role in CASSayuran’s history, shared his vision for the term ahead.


Quoting veteran journalist Kara David, he emphasized that journalism is not a path of ease, but a mission of truth-telling and service, reminding the team of their role to not just to report, but to speak out, stand up, and amplify the voices of the voiceless.


“Nipili kamo niini, ug nagpasayud kamo. Salamat, dili lang kay sa pag pili sa CASSayuran, kundili, sa pag pili ninyo na mutindog kauban sa katinuoran. Dili ta mag hilum hilum, dili ta magpadaplin, ug dili ta magpaulahi,” Guerra asserted.


Alongside the event’s formal discussions were engaging activities designed to strengthen camaraderie. Interactive sessions such as the Department Yell and Human Bingo encouraged members to mingle and get to know one another. These not only broke the ice but also fostered the value of collaboration within the team.


As the core of the program, the official onboarding and orientation session was led by Editor-in-Chief Guerra, who walked members through the publication’s workflow and editorial structure, explaining how works are pitched, written, edited, and published. His discussion served as a guide for returning members and newcomers alike, ensuring that everyone was informed of the publication’s systems and practices.


Adding to this, Associate Editor of the Writing Unit Adam Vincent Perez led the discussion on editorial term policies, outlining the rules that guide CASSayuran’s operations. From deadlines and writing ethics to collaboration within and across units, Perez stressed the importance of responsibility, consistency, and accountability, while also opening the floor for suggestions and improvements to the policies.


“Personally, it [onboarding and townhall meeting] gave me a clearer picture of what it means to be part of CASSayuran and how important each of our roles is in giving a voice to the students of CASS. I can say that it was a good stepping-stone that inspired me to commit myself more to the publication and to grow alongside my fellow members,” shared Fame Orong, a first-year BS Philosophy student and a new member of CASSayuran’s Proofreading Department.


For her, the gathering emphasized the importance of balance: contributing meaningfully to the publication while managing other responsibilities. She shared that, through this, she hopes to grow not just as a student, but also as a committed and responsible member of the team.


With fresh ideas and renewed energy, CASSayuran looks ahead to another year of service—always from CASS, for CASS, and by CASS.


Written by Kayrel Madlos
Proofread by Andrea Ross Sedero and Harris Donmoen Iligan
Photos by Andrea Karla Deligero and Sheizel Ann Gomez
Photo Edit by Aiyeesha Abah