13/08/2026
๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ก | ๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ
The proposed revisions of the school administration on GAP 2026 left a literal gap between the students and the administration.
The cancellation of the General Acquaintance Party (GAP) 2026 at Marinersโ Polytechnic Colleges, Inc. has sparked widespread disappointment among students who were looking forward to the annual event.
As an annual initiative of the Supreme Student Council (SSC), GAP has become more than just a social eventโit provides freshmen and upperclassmen an opportunity to meet, interact, and build connections beyond the classroom.
However, the cancellation was not a decision imposed by the administration. SSC President Kim Andrea Quinones said that the decision came after consultations between the school administration, the SSC, and the 11 participating student organizations.
To address institutional risk management, campus security, and student welfare, the administration proposed several changes to the original GAP plan: moving the event to a 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. schedule, removing the live band, DJ, and mocktail bar, requiring all participating organizations to build booths, and adding faculty and staff performances.
On the surface, these changes may appear manageable. But for the student organizers, they significantly change the character and purpose of the event.
The daytime schedule raised concerns about heat and the lack of sufficient shaded areas, while additional tents would have increased expenses. Requiring 11 organizations to prepare booths during examination season would also demand additional time, manpower, and financial resources from students. Meanwhile, removing major entertainment components stripped GAP of much of the energy and experience it was originally designed to provide.
There was also the issue of preparation. Initial arrangements had already been made, including supplier contracts. Implementing the proposed changes would have required the project head and co-project head to essentially start planning from scratch.
Given these circumstances, the SSC and representatives of the 11 organizations collectively decided not to proceed.
The decision, however, does not erase the impact the cancellation has on students. Many had already anticipated the event, set aside their time, purchased tickets, and prepared outfits specifically for GAP 2026.
While full refunds will be provided to students who purchased tickets, the financial cost of outfits and other preparations cannot simply be undone.
One SSC Volunteer who was directly involved in the planning and organizing of GAP 2026 shared their disappointment over the cancellation, stating,
"We invested significant time, effort, and commitment into preparing the event, and as student representatives, we hoped that our perspectives and the plans we developed would be genuinely heard and considered.โ
Another student shared a similar sentiment. โI was honestly disappointed when I learned that GAP was cancelled, especially since it was an event that many students were looking forward to,โ they noted.
Student activities are not merely entries on a school calendar. They are experiences that students actively prepare for, invest in, and look forward to. For freshmen in particular, activities like GAP can be an important first step toward finding friends, meeting seniors, joining organizations, and developing a sense of belonging within the school community.
At the same time, student organizations must recognize the responsibility that comes with organizing large-scale events. Safety, finances, academic schedules, and institutional policies must be taken seriously. The administration also has a legitimate responsibility to ensure that school activities are safe, feasible, and aligned with institutional standards.
The goal, therefore, should never be choosing between institutional policy and student initiative, but creating a relationship where both can function in harmony. When safety or any concerns arise, early dialogueโnot last-minute revisionsโcan help identify practical compromises without destroying an eventโs core purpose.
Fortunately, the cancellation does not mean that student activities will end. The SSC has announced that students who purchased tickets will receive full refunds, while alternative activities are being planned for the academic year.
Moving forward, the administration and student leaders must strengthen consultation and communicate earlier to protect both institutional responsibilities and the student experience.
Via | Franchesca Marie Guisic
Artwork | Marianne Venice Laรฑada
Layout | Michael John Baliber
