By Carla Adeline Via and AC Putong
To relive Silliman University’s (SU) longstanding legacy, the 2025 Hibalag Booth Festival will feature various “cultural- and heritage-themed’ segments and events organized by the SU Student Government (SUSG).
Themed “Hinabing Alon: Woven Tide of Heritage,” various student-led events are set to take place, including Silliman Idol, Sillimanians Got Talent, and the 79th Miss Silliman.
The Silliman Idol 2025, an annual campus singing competition organized by the Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators, recently launched its Filipino-centric theme last July 24.
Deorafe Basong, this year’s chairperson, revealed that they incorporated Filipino themes this year in celebration of Buwan ng Wika.
According to Basong, participants are encouraged to perform OPM songs as they aim to set the competition as “a platform to express who we are as Filipinos.”
“We wanted this year’s Silliman Idol to feel more connected to our roots. Through this theme, we hope to inspire others to take pride in their heritage and confidently share it on stage,” she said.
Co-chairperson Audrey Denise Pangan said they also established a point system for student organizations whose members will join the competition.
“The point system was made to encourage organizations to actively support and motivate their members, especially those who are shy or unsure to take the stage and find the right avenue to express themselves,” she noted.
Meanwhile, SUSG Advocacy Committee Chairperson Bianca Ysabel Muñoz shared that this year’s Sillimanians Got Talent will focus more on the participants’ performances and ensure they cater to “diverse and unique talents.”
“This year, we plan to incorporate elements from previous concepts to create an event that is both impactful and true to our identity […] Hopefully, we can invite previous winners to perform during the event,” she said.
Moreover, the Rock Against Youth Apathy (R.A.Y.A) is set to make its comeback after a year-long hiatus with “RAYAOnse.”
With its elimination round slated on Aug. 9, competing bands include Soul to Soul, Vessels, Adoboys, Pathakara, Short Notice, Lunix, and Qaja.
Pageant events
The 79th Miss Silliman formally started its committee applications last July 1 but has yet to release the official theme and guidelines for this year.
A newly established Hibalag King Festival competition is also expected to be staged this year; however, the SUSG has yet to release its official guidelines.
SUSG President Grylle Adrian Malala also mentioned that some activities, which do not directly run under them, are still being reviewed to see if they will continue this year.
This includes the Mister Hibalag competition, annually organized by the Renaissance Youth Leaders Forum, which has yet to formally announce if it will continue this year.
The Weekly Sillimanian has reached out to the former chairpersons of Mister Hibalag 2024 but has yet to respond as of writing.
Environmental guidelines
The SUSG Environmental Committee reinstated the university’s “No Plastic Policy” in its official Hibalag Environmental Guidelines.
The guidelines, separated into the general public, student organizations, and concessionaires, included general policies on waste prevention and management, food waste, and plastics.
All participating concessionaires and student organizations are expected to practice “Clean As You Go” and adhere to SU principles and policies on environmental sustainability.
A three-level penalization system will also be implemented to ensure responsible participation during campus events.
The Hibalag Festival, in celebration of SU’s 124th Founding Anniversary, will take place from Aug. 18 to 28.
