The Louisian Torch, metro manila (2026)

03/06/2026

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 | 𝐋𝐔𝐋𝐋

There are times when the world lets go of its sense of urgency and the incessant buzz of demands becomes softer. We find ourselves in a state of suspension between motion and silence during these peaceful moments, when time finally settles into a rhythm we can follow rather than racing ahead. The silence that permeates our surroundings feels more like a companion than an absence, the horizon stretches without requesting to be reached, and the currents flow without needing to be chased.

What the soul yearns does not always rest within the deafening tides of thrill; its fingertips reach for the clement melodies of the world—to be loved and lulled—caught in the margins of a wager; torn between facing tomorrow’s battles or enjoying a simple walk in the park. In a world that demands us to be constantly vigilant while holding our brittle parts together, to be warmly cradled by a lullaby—blurring the fine line between consciousness and a sweet dream—becomes the greatest dream of all time.

Like a soft, everduring lull, the Louisian Torch captures tranquility through the lens of our photojournalists—reminding us that a gentle stop gives the exhausted soul time to gather itself before moving forward, rather than the end of motion.

Words by Maxene Malatag and Althea Joyce Fangon
Photos by Angel Baltazar, Allen Benz Bermejo, Chaste Ann Lorica, Nicole Kate Megallon, Shaynie Molina, Glaiza Tria, and Ma. Selin Bito

27/05/2026

𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟕 | 𝐄𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐥-𝐀𝐝𝐡𝐚

On this day, we commemorate a story of faith that never wavered; one that stood firm in the face of sacrifice and surrender. Eid al-Adha whispers that we are all connected, and that blessings deepen and multiply when they are freely given rather than quietly kept.

As the festivities fade, may the meaning of this day remain in our hearts. May we learn to see the world with kinder eyes, practicing generosity and compassion in our everyday lives, and sharing peace with everyone we encounter.

Eid al-Adha Mubarak!

by Anikka Rojas
Layout by Kyle Christian Soriano

20/05/2026

𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 | 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑’𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐈

Drawn in the stars are the constancy of the love and warmth of a mother. Even if the boundlessness of stars may conspire to condense the profound meaning of a mother into a single facet, it will continue to evolve in the hands of the souls they have shaped.

Their unconditional care, resilience, and kindness have been immortalized and painted through the lens of the children. A mother’s enduring and persisting legacy of love will continue to grow, prosper, and live so long as the core of their being is held and celebrated in every space.

The call on what truly defines a mother remains to echo in between halls. There may be no single definition to attach with it because of a love so profound that its abstract nature is cherished beyond logic.

Words by Althea Joyce Fangon
Poems by backseat, Solveig, and Lianna
Graphic Arts by Angel Juliana Ominga, Dariell Nuesca, and Janella Shaira Caasi
Layout by Kyle Christian Soriano

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19/05/2026

𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

This is it! After months of lectures, projects, and academic hurdles, we have arrived at the ultimate chapter of the school year. Louisians, this final week is where it all comes together. One last push. One last effort. One unforgettable ending. Make it count.

𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸
• 𝘼𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚: Don't just re-read your notes. Test yourself early by trying to explain complex concepts from memory or creating quick summary sheets. If you can teach it, you know it.
• 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙮𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙪𝙨: Break your subjects down into high-priority concepts. Instead of trying to review everything at once, master one core topic at a time, moving from your weakest areas to your strongest.
• 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣: Burnout is the enemy of retention. Work in high-focus blocks of 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a hard break where you step away from all screens to let your mind reset.
• 𝙊𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: Clear physical clutter to clear mental clutter. Find a dedicated workspace, put your phone in another room, and let those around you know that you are in deep-focus mode.
• 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚: Take time for quiet prayer and meditation. Realign your focus, ask for clarity of mind, and let peace replace exam anxiety as you do your absolute best.

𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀:
📌𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙮: A sleep-deprived brain cannot recall information efficiently. Prioritize a full night's sleep before a major test over a midnight cram session.
📌𝙁𝙞𝙭 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙠: Eliminate morning panic. Lay out your student ID, permit, bluebooks, and writing materials the evening before so you can walk into campus calm and collected.
📌𝙋𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧: When the clock starts, scan the entire exam first. Secure your easy points by answering what you know instantly, then budget your remaining time for the trickier, high-weight sections.
📌𝙍𝙪𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚: Don't let the rustle of a classmate turning their page early rattle your focus.

Walk into finals grounded in integrity, fueled by determination, and backed by the confidence you’ve earned through your hard work. Louisians, keep that standard of excellence burning all the way to the final page.

Good luck and God bless!

By Krizel Anne Walian
Layout by Kyle Christian Soriano

15/05/2026

𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟏𝟓 | 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly established through Resolution (A/RES/47/237) that May 15 would be observed annually as the International Day of Families. This global observance provides a critical opportunity to promote awareness of family-related issues and to evaluate the social, economic, and demographic processes impacting this foundational unit of society.

While Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the family as the "natural and fundamental group unit of society," confining the term to a singular definition overlooks the diverse ways in which individuals find a sense of belonging. Modern experience suggests that family is not merely a biological fact, but a lived reality found within groups that offer unconditional support and shared purpose.

These units—often formed within academic cohorts, professional organizations, or dedicated circles of friendship—provide the sense of belonging and security historically attributed only to the traditional household.

The pursuit of family, whether through tradition or choice, remains a central human aspiration. By acknowledging these diverse forms of connection, the International Day of Families celebrates the unity and adaptability of the bonds that sustain the collective spirit of humanity.

Words by Hannah Veronica Sibayan
Layout by Nikolai Cabrera
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12/05/2026

𝟒𝟐𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐋 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄, 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄. 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒.

This day marks a pivotal moment in shaping student life for the Academic Year 2026–2027. In the Louisian spirit of excellence, service, and leadership, the student body is encouraged to exercise the right to select the next council representatives.

Voting is conducted via the official secure Google Form. Access is restricted to authorized GSuite accounts to ensure the integrity and security of the electoral process.

Official Voting Portal:
https://forms.gle/8KUD21yySsSxmMv19
https://forms.gle/8KUD21yySsSxmMv19
https://forms.gle/8KUD21yySsSxmMv19

The selection of the next council leadership is a shared responsibility that shapes the trajectory of campus life and student advocacy. Active participation is essential to uphold the democratic traditions of the institution and to ensure the election of leaders dedicated to the welfare of the student body.

COMPLIANCE REMINDERS:
Voting is a constitutional requirement for all enrolled students under Article IV of the CSC Constitution.

Non-participation results in a ₱50.00 fine per CSC Resolution No. 3.

11/05/2026

𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 | 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑’𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈

If the boundless sea of stars may reach to our lands one day, one that would dare to reframe the meaning of our earthly gifts, would there be a single definition that would immortalize the ones who birthed and nurtured this very life?

The definition of motherhood is vast; no single experience could encapsulate its meaning. There may be notes or manuals written on whatnot steps that someone must take to embody the becoming of a mother, but at the end of the day, abundance of new meanings would only be generated from every child—and even after reading each of them, we would still be left wondering of its true unifying definition.

If there could be one picture that would paint the definition of motherhood, it would be in the illustrations of children—a preservation of its abstract nature. No one could truly interpret the complexity of a mother except for the eyes of the children who had witnessed them, and immortalized them through their thoughtful, clumsy drawings.

The Louisian Torch presents the pieces of evidence for the complex and vast definition of motherhood, traced by our writers and colored by our artists who continue to immortalize words beyond a single meaning.

Words by Althea Joyce Fangon
Poems by Juna, july, Batchoy, and Jio
Graphic Arts by Cyrel Lopez, John Henry Padilla, and Emelia Buenavista
Layout by Kyle Christian Soriano

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10/05/2026

𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟏𝟎 | 𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑’𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐘

Behind every success, every lesson, and every cherished memory, there is a mother whose love and support never fades.

Today, we celebrate the women who give endlessly, love fearlessly, and stand as pillars of strength through every season of life. Their sacrifices may often go unseen, but their impact is felt in every heart they nurture.

As we cherish this day, we extend our deepest gratitude to all mothers and mother figures who continue to inspire us with kindness, courage, and unconditional support. Thank you for being the light that guides us and the warmth that keeps us going. To all the incredible moms out there—today and every day, you are appreciated beyond words and actions.

To all our mother figures—Mama, Nanay, Inang, Mommy, Lola, Ate, Mowm, Mhiema, and Nhay’eds—Happy Mother’s Day!

by Gabriel Rivera
Layout by Jan Lester Rivera
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05/05/2026

𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐘𝐎𝐍 | 𝐓𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝐋𝐢𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐚!

Kasabay ng umaarangkadang hidwaan sa internasyonal na entablado ng mga bansang Estados Unidos, Israel, at Iran ay ang humaharurot na pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina, diesel, at langis sa merkado ng Pilipinas. Kahit milya-milya ang layo ng pinagmulan ng sigalot, ramdam ang lubak nito sa araw-araw na biyahe: sa kada komyuter na dinaig pa ang sardinas sa siksikan sa mga pampublikong sasakyan, mga presyo ng bilihing sabay-sabay na walang preno, at higit sa lahat, ang mga tsuper na araw-araw na nakikipagsapalaran sa kalsada.

Sa bawat pagpihit ng mga susi, sa pagtakbo ng makina, at sa paggulong ng gulong sa 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐋𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧, ramdam ang umiinit at lumalalim na kahirapang dulot ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina. Sa nakabibinging busina at nakasusulasok na usok sa kalsada, umaalingawngaw ang ugong ng tinig ng mga tsuper. Sa lungsod na umaasa sa jeep bilang ugat ng araw-araw na biyahe, unti-unting nalulugi ang mga taong siyang nagpapagalaw rito. Ang kalsada, na dati’y simbolo ng hanapbuhay, ngayo’y mistulang ruta papunta sa pagkalugmok.

Ang suliraning ito ay hindi lamang suliranin ng mga tsuper ng jeepney, ito ay salamin ng malawakang problema sa ekonomiya ng bansa. Ang mga tsuper ang tumutulong sa mga tao upang sila ay magkaroon ng maginhawang biyahe pauwi sa kanilang mga tahanan. Ngayon na sila naman ang nangangailangan ng saklolo sa daan, sana ay hindi busina ng galit ang kanilang marinig, kung hindi busina ng mahabang pang-unawa at agarang aksyon. Sana sa patuloy na pag-andar ng kanilang makina at pag-ikot ng mga gulong ay magkaroon ng mabilis, konkreto, at may direksiyong hakbang ang gobyerno. Nawa ay hindi tuluyang pumarada ang pangarap ng bawat tsuper na minsang naging bahagi ng kwento ng tagumpay ng bawat Pilipinong pasahero.

𝑻𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒌𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒌𝒔𝒕𝒐.

ni Lira Mae Macanas
Kuha ni Clint Harvey Garcillan
Pagsasaayos ni Kyle Christian Soriano

The Louisian Torch

03/06/2026

27/05/2026

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

15/05/2026

12/05/2026

11/05/2026

10/05/2026

05/05/2026

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