AFTER A FIVE-YEAR hiatus and multiple postponements in the previous academic years, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) gears up for the much-anticipated return of Integration in conjunction with the Sportsfest to be held from March 17 to 22 at San Beda University (SBU).

Mari Okol, the Student Council (SC) President and the activity chairperson, noted that the upcoming Integration is a “modern reimagination” of the event, but still keeping with core features of the tradition, saying “what we really expect is matuloy ‘yung basaan and ‘yung Integration Rites.”

Unlike previous iterations of Integration where it had only involved first-year students, the event’s reintroduction will involve the entirety of the whole CAS community. “…malaki talaga itong event, it’s four times the population that we need to integrate,” said Okol. 

Another significant change follows San Beda University’s (SBU) recent proclamation of being a Laudato Si’ University as this would be the first time that the principles of such commitment will be incorporated into the event.  

Okol underscored that it is “definitely a game changer when it comes to planning out this activity. Traditionally, Integration is known for the use of food and excessive use of water so it’s definitely going to be different now,” assuring that all materials used in the event are eco-friendly and sustainable.

Given the simultaneous occurrence of the Integration Week and Sportsfest, she highlighted that both events are about “challenging the Bedan spirit, helping Bedans embrace community and camaraderie with one another.”

On a more practical note, Okol expressed, “These are the last two activities that are in our calendar and in our budget matrix, I don’t think it’s necessary to separate at this point in time ‘yung activities.”

Challenges of integrating

The SC President mentioned numerous key challenges in meeting the event’s success. One of these was “dealing with balancing the expectations of the Bedan alumni, and what they believe should not be removed or is a sacred experience.”

She noted, “as students of the modern generation, hindi tayo fully equipped to plan a traditional activity and we were very consultative when it comes to planning.” 

As such, she cited the pivotal role of the San Beda College Alumni Foundation (SBCAF) in guiding the activity, extending her gratitude to Ryu Policarpio, the administrator of ‘Tunay Kang Bedista’, SBU’s private Facebook group for alumni and students. 

“Sir Ryu was one of the people who actively advocates for an Integration so we decided to reach out to him,” added Okol.

She also underscored the need to balance safety precautions with the administration’s concerns. In this regard, the rising heat index remains a significant challenge, the same issue that led to the event’s cancellation in the previous academic year.

Regardless, Okol assured that plans are being developed with the current climate in mind, stating that, “if ever the heat index does push through, we are in dialogue with the Dean to incorporate last year’s policies to this year’s,” referring to the suspension of classes from 10A.M. to 5P.M. during the event with the permission of wearing proper civilian attire—which are already in effect through a memorandum published by the CAS Dean Prof. Christian Bryan Bustamante, Ph.D.

An earlier call time is also to be expected for the events. “Just in case na it’s really unsafe for the students to be out in the sun,” indicating activities occurring at night. Ultimately, Okol contends that “hindi talaga kami papayag na ma-cancel ‘yung activity na ‘to.”

Precedent for a lasting tradition

Moving closer towards a successful Integration, Okol hopes that it will set the precedent for the complete revival of the long-awaited Bedan tradition, “Ang mahalaga ngayon, kahit ‘di perpekto at hindi sunod na sunod sa tradisyon, babalik ‘yung Integration. Kasi, once mabalik \yun this academic year, tuloy-tuloy na ‘yan for the next years.”

With this, Okol evokes the spirit of the Bedan community, saying that “We’re very tight-knit and one way in ensuring that everyone belonging in this community is to have these universal experiences whenever we enter San Beda.”

Hoping to promote and strengthen the Bedan pride, Okol aspires, “to allow each member of the Bedan community to feel more at home, to feel like they belong even more to the institution they belong to.”

For updates on this year’s Integration, including the program flow, guidelines, and activities, stay tuned to The Bedan’s official Facebook page.