By Deorafe Basong & Kaela Aidelynne Orcullo
The vibrant energy of Silliman University’s (SU) Intramurals 2026 is fueled by the participation of its student body. However, with the exclusion of the Senior High School (SHS) students in this year’s games, questions about the value of student representation arise.
Due to scheduling conflicts and administrative decisions, SHS was not allowed to join this year’s Intramural Games.
Although they were unable to formally compete, they still made a statement with a surprise dance performance, highlighting their passion despite their exclusion.
SHS cheer captain Maria Thacia Arcamo shared the team’s initial reaction to the exclusion, stating, “When we first heard about the removal of [SHS] days before [the] Intramurals proper, we felt dismayed, hurt, and unheard.”
Despite not being able to join this year’s Cheer-pop competition, the team was given the opportunity by the SU Cheering Committee to perform, aiming to convey a powerful message of resilience.
“We wanted to show that we are resilient. That [SHS] may be young, but we are not weak,” Arcamo added.
However, the team also had to face significant challenges in preparing for this performance, particularly in rebuilding morale after the announcement.
Arcamo explained, “The hardest part was rebuilding the spark. After the announcement, motivation dropped.”
The team credited their coaches for their unwavering support, stating, “When our spirits were low, they reminded us of our worth.” Looking back, Arcano reflected that the team felt their performance was well-received, earning respect even without a competitive title.
For future Intramural events, the captain hopes the team will continue to “fight, not with anger, but with excellence,” and advocates for an administration that values student representation, ensuring student sentiments are highly considered in decisions affecting them.
Moreover, the call for greater student representation resonated deeply at the SU Gymnasium during the competition.
As SUSG President Grylle Adrian Malala said in a brief message, “Student representation is important here in this university, and it’s very imperative that we value [and] listen to all of our students.”
His sentiment highlights the student government’s continued advocacy to amplify student voices, ensuring that any administrative decisions reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of the student body.
Teal on the court
Amid the controversies surrounding SHS’s exclusion, student-athletes from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) found a way to recognize them. Members of their men’s volleyball team wore jerseys with a teal detail as a tribute to SHS students.
As one of the team’s players, CAS Council Secretary Kent Jhassiah Albon shared that the gesture carried a personal meaning rooted in the early experiences of many college athletes who began their sports journey during their senior high school years.
For the CAS team, wearing teal was a way to acknowledge those beginnings and recognize the role SHS played in shaping their passion for the sport.
“The inspiration stems from a deep sense of inclusivity and legacy. For many of us in [the] CAS men’s volleyball team, [SHS] was the foundational period of our athletic lives. It’s where we first stepped onto the court, discovered our passion for volleyball, and built the friendships that still support us today,” Albon said.
He also explained that the small detail on their jerseys represented the presence of students who could not compete in the games this year.
“This symbolizes a voice for those who struggle to speak up. It’s our way of bringing their colors into the Intramurals arena when they cannot be there themselves. This isn’t a gesture of mockery, but a tribute of honor,” he stated.
And even without a place on the scoreboard, the teal detail on CAS jerseys reminded not just spectators but the university community that the spirit of SHS remained present throughout the games.
