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The Buds, Lubao (2026)

21/08/2026

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬 | 𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗬 𝗔𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗢 𝗗𝗔𝗬

On August 21, Filipinos commemorate Ninoy Aquino Day in honor of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a prominent figure in the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship. On August 21, 1983, Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport upon his return to the Philippines after years of exile. His death sparked widespread outrage and strengthened the growing movement against authoritarian rule.

Ninoy Aquino Day was established as a special non-working holiday to remember his life, sacrifice, and contribution to the restoration of democracy in the Philippines. His assassination became a turning point in the country’s history, fueling the People Power movement that eventually led to the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and the end of the Marcos dictatorship.

Today, Filipinos observe Ninoy Aquino Day not only to remember a political figure, but also to reflect on the value of courage, freedom, democracy, and standing for what is right. His legacy reminds us that the fight for truth and democracy comes with a responsibility—one that must be carried forward by every generation.

Layout by Franz Jingco

20/08/2026

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗜 | 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝘄

Sa bansang hitik sa panahong tag-init, sino ba naman ang hindi mapapaasam sa malamig na klima? May mga araw na hinihiling nating lumamig na sana, hanggang sa dumating ang panahong ang araw pala ay hahanap-hanapin din natin.

Ang mga ulap na dati’y hinahangad sa tanghaling tapat, ngayo’y tila ayaw nang umalis.

At sa bawat dabog ng ulan sa bubong, isang tanong din ang kumakabog sa puso: “Kailan kaya muling sisikat ang araw?”

Hindi na mabilang kung ilang umaga na ang lumipas na kulay abo ang kalangitan.

Naging iisa na ang tunog ng mga araw—kalabog ng ulan sa bubong, lagaslas ng tubig sa kanal, sipol ng hangin sa pagitan ng mga bahay. Buhat umaga hanggang hapon, iisa lamang ang kulay ng langit: kulay ng paghihintay.

Magtatatlong linggo na ang habagat, at ang araw na dati-rati’y kinaiinisan ay tila isang bisitang matagal nang hindi umuuwi.

Kung noon ay halos sundan natin ang lilim ng puno, ang ihip ng bentilador, ang kapreskuhang hatid ng aircon, at ang anumang sulok na maaaring pagtaguan ng araw, ngayon nama’y bahagyang luminaw lamang ang langit ay daglian tayong napapasulyap sa bintana.

Sa sandaling magpahiram ng sinag ang araw, sinusukat na ng mga tao kung gaano katagal ito mananatili bago muling tabunan ng ulap.

Sa maikling sandali, agad naglalaba ang mga tao. May nagbibilad ng mga damit na ilang araw nang nakasampay sa loob ng bahay.

Itinuturing itong pagsilip ng himala.

Dahil may mga bagay palang hindi natin lubos na nauunawaan ang halaga hangga’t hindi nawawala. Kasama na roon ang sikat ng araw.

At sa gitna ng mahabang ulan, may mga kuwentong hindi nalunod.

May kapitbahay na nagbabahagi ng pagkain.

May pamilyang nagpapagamit ng kuryente sa mga kapitbahay na kailangan ito.

May mga taong nagtutulungan maglinis ng putik at tubig.

May mga kamay na hindi nagtatanong kung sino ang nangangailangan bago tumulong.

At marahil, ito ang isang bagay na hindi kayang lunurin ng kahit gaano katagal na habagat—ang malasakit.

Ngunit sa bawat kuwentong bayanihan, may tanong ding hindi dapat malunod: hanggang kailan kailangang ang ordinaryong mamamayan ang sumalo sa bigat ng sakuna?

Ang bayanihan ay dapat maging lakas ng bayan, hindi panakip-butas sa kahinaan ng pamahalaan. Lalo itong naging malinaw sa gitna ng mga isyu sa flood control at paggamit ng pondo ng bayan. Habang ang mga tao ay nagtutulungan upang makaligtas sa baha, hindi maiiwasang itanong kung bakit kailangan pa ring paulit-ulit na magsakripisyo ang mamamayan gayong may mga pondong inilaan para sana mabawasan ang ganitong panganib.

Nang magdamot ang araw, lalong nahayag ang pagdaramot ng sistemang dapat sana’y nagpoprotekta sa tao. Hindi sapat na purihin ang bayanihan kung ginagamit naman ito upang pagtakpan ang kapabayaan at korapsyon ng mga nasa posisyon.

Sapagkat kapag nagdamot ang araw, natututo tayong maging liwanag para sa isa’t isa.

Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin nito na tayo na lamang palagi ang kailangang maging liwanag. Kaya nating tumulong, kaya nating bumangon, ngunit kaya rin nating magtanong at maningil ng pananagutan.

At habang hinihintay natin ang araw, sana’y huwag nating kalimutang itanong kung bakit kailangang ang ordinaryong mamamayan ang paulit-ulit na sumalo sa pinsala ng baha.

Sapagkat hindi sapat na marunong tayong bumangon pagkatapos ng sakuna. Dapat ding may pamahalaang marunong umaksyon bago pa ito dumating.

Dahil ang baha ay maaaring dulot ng habagat. Ngunit ang paulit-ulit na pagkalunod ng bayan ay hindi na dapat isisi sa ulan lamang.

Nang magdamot ang araw, lalong nahayag ang pagdamot ng gobyerno—sapagkat habang ipinagkait ng langit ang liwanag, ipinagkait naman ng pamahalaan ang kanlungang dapat sana’y matagal nang sumasalo sa bayan.

Isinulat ni Patrick Retuya
Dibuho ni Erashanti Melanio

17/08/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗟𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗴𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀

With continuous rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, several areas across the municipality of Lubao, Pampanga experienced rapidly rising floodwaters, resulting in severe flooding along roads and inside homes on Monday, August 17.

From the collected photos of several barangays in the municipality, including San Pablo 2nd, Prado Saba, Sto. Tomas, and Sta. Cruz, showing floodwaters ranging from six inches to nearly chest level along highways and streets and inside residents’ homes.

In an interview with The Buds, Mark Oliver Paulo, a student from the Pampanga State University – Lubao Campus who resides in a village in Sto. Tomas, said that floodwaters reached knee level inside their apartment, while floodwaters outside rose from hip to chest level.

“Kung may sasakyan po sila kagaya ng kotse, pina-park nalang po nila sa basketball court malapit sa labasan ng subdivision. At kung lilikas naman po sila, nilalakad parin po nila at yung iba may sariling bangka or DIY boat,” Paulo stated.

Floodwaters rose rapidly as water overflowed from fishponds, canals, and farmlands, with residents expecting the floodwaters to take two to three days to subside, leaving many inconvenienced.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Lubao placed under a Red Rainfall Warning, indicating that serious flooding was expected in flood-prone areas due to heavy rainfall.

Other areas in Pampanga placed under the Red Rainfall Warning included Floridablanca, Sasmuan, Macabebe, and Masantol, while Porac, Minalin, Guagua, and Santa Rita were placed under an Orange Rainfall Warning.

Report by Naomi Santos and Chester John Biendo
Photos by Nick Andrew Dabu, Prince John Surla, Kristal Teodoro and Mark Oliver Paulo

16/08/2026

ADVISORY | Municipality of Lubao suspended face-to-face classes for all levels on Monday, August 17. In an advisory released on August 16 by the official page of Mayor Esmie Pineda.

16/08/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗔 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦.

Capture headlines, show stories, document truths. Salimbayan is inviting all photojournalists to join the ride as we unravel narratives and news. Come on, be a Scooby Doo, bring your Shaggy bestie as you use the skills in photography not only in sceneries—but also in real life stories.

The mystery is out there, grab your camera, clean your lens, and uncover truths that bloom. Your point of view matters, because with your camera, no stories go untold. Join Salimbayan 2026 and be a detective of mysteries that brings truth with every shutter.

Your best shot might give light to every mystery.

Application will be closed on August 22, 2026.

Fill out this online form below to formally submit your application and comply with a minimum of three (3) sample works.

https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7

For more inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

You may also contact the following editors:
Chester John Biendo - Editor-in-Chief
Camille Anne Manalang - Associate Editor

Join us on our journalistic journey to understand, inspire, and give voice to the campus community — for the truth that must be heard and for the people who deserve to know it. The Buds is here to deliver the stories that matter.

Illustration by Andre Ion Reyes

This is where the truth starts to bloom.

16/08/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥.

Fred has his traps. Daphne has her style. Velma has her clues. Shaggy and Scooby have their snacks. But who’s going to bring The Buds to life?

We’re looking for a Layout Artist who can turn blank spaces into stories, scattered ideas into striking visuals, and ordinary pages into something worth stopping for.

If you have the eye, the ideas, and the creativity to make a story not only heard, but 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻, this is your sign to join the Salimbayan 2026.

After all, every good mystery needs a Fred. And every good story needs a Layout Artist.

Application will be closed on August 22, 2026.

Applicants must have knowledge of the following:
- Newsletter layout (printed or online)
- Infographics
- Publication materials (pubmats)
- Photo editing, or
- Any form of work that demonstrates skills in photo editing, such as using Canva, Adobe, etc.

Fill out this online form below to formally submit your application and comply with a minimum of three (3) sample works.

https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7

For more inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

You may also contact the following editors:
Chester John Biendo - Editor-in-Chief
Camille Anne Manalang - Associate Editor

Join us on our journalistic journey to understand, inspire, and give voice to the campus community — for the truth that must be heard and for the people who deserve to know it. The Buds is here to deliver the stories that matter.

Illustration by Andre Ion Reyes

This is where the truth starts to bloom.

16/08/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘.

Ideas can be mysterious, but every great story needs someone brave enough to discover them. Salimbayan is inviting all traditional and digital artists to join the crew and bring our publication to life with color, creativity, and imagination. Like the Mystery Inc. gang, your art will help us make sense of the world, reveal stories never told before, and turn each page into an adventure worth exploring.

So grab your sketchbooks, sharpen your digital brushes and come on a creative mystery with us! Let’s make a publication that’s not just read, but felt, seen, and remembered. Join Salimbayan 2026 and let your art be part of the mystery.

Who knows? Your next masterpiece might just be the clue we’ve been looking for.

Application will be closed on August 22, 2026.

Fill out this online form below to formally submit your application and comply with a minimum of three (3) sample works.

https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7

For more inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

You may also contact the following editors:
Chester John Biendo - Editor-in-Chief
Camille Anne Manalang - Associate Editor

Join us on our journalistic journey to understand, inspire, and give voice to the campus community — for the truth that must be heard and for the people who deserve to know it. The Buds is here to deliver the stories that matter.

Illustration by Andre Ion Reyes

This is where the truth starts to bloom.

16/08/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦 𝗔 𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥.

Bring the Velma out in you! Every story leaves a clue, and every voice has a mystery waiting to be uncovered. Aspiring writers, the case is open! Join us this year at Salimbayan 2026, where words become clues, stories become mysteries, and writers come together to uncover truths worth telling. From voices waiting to be heard to stories waiting to be brought to life, your words can reveal what others may have overlooked.

So grab your pen and join us on an adventure of stories, ideas, and discovery. Hone your craft, sharpen your storytelling, and find your own voice among fellow storytellers.

The mystery is waiting, and the story we’ve been looking for just might be yours.

Application will be closed on August 22, 2026.

Interested writers may apply for the following categories:

- News Writing
- Feature Writing
- Opinion/Column Writing
- Sports Writing
- Literary Writing

Fill out this online form below to formally submit your application and comply with a minimum of two (2) sample works.

https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7

For more inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

You may also contact the following editors:
Chester John Biendo - Editor-in-Chief
Camille Anne Manalang - Associate Editor

Join us on our journalistic journey to understand, inspire, and give voice to the campus community — for the truth that must be heard and for the people who deserve to know it. The Buds is here to deliver the stories that matter.

Illustration by Andre Ion Reyes

This is where the truth starts to bloom.

15/08/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘’𝗦 𝗔 𝗠𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗩𝗘—𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨!

Scooby-Dooby-Doo, where are you? We need some help from you now~

Zoinks! The Buds and Mystery Inc. is calling out attention for aspiring campus journalists to join our expanding publication for more mysteries to be solved and stories to be told this year.

Hop on to the Mystery Machine and join The Buds—the official student publication of Pampanga State University – Lubao Campus, in solving mysteries and delivering stories that inspire. Participate in Salimbayan 2026 to be officially part of the gang!

Application will be closed on August 22, 2026.

Interested students may apply for the following positions:

– Writer
– Traditional or Digital Artist
– Photojournalist
– Layout Artist

Fill out this online form below to formally submit your application.

https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7
https://forms.gle/4BpnHQK6cGEsWUKN7

Additional information and announcements will be posted on the official page of The Buds.

For more inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

You may also contact the following editors:
Chester John Biendo - Editor-in-Chief
Camille Anne Manalang - Associate Editor

Join us on our journalistic journey to understand, inspire, and give voice to the campus community — for the truth that must be heard and for the people who deserve to know it. The Buds is here to deliver the stories that matter.

This is where the truth starts to bloom.

Illustration by Andre Ion Reyes

11/08/2026

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗨 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀; 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Due to the inclement weather brought about by the Southwest Monsoon, and in consideration of the safety and welfare of the graduating students, Pampanga State University has decided to postpone the continuation of the scheduled 2026 Commencement Exercises with classes shifting to synchronous online mode from August 12 to 14, not long after posting an advisory three hours earlier, August 11.

According to the university’s official Facebook post, the university understands the challenges faced by students and their families during this difficult time, emphasizing its continued commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its students.

The university released the statement after numerous students expressed their concerns and opinions regarding the advisory announcing the continuation of the commencement ceremonies despite flooding at the venue and in several areas where students reside.

Report by Camille Anne Manalang

The Buds

21/08/2026

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