THE BEDAN, THE Official student publication of San Beda University’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), unveiled its 83rd Editorial Board for Academic Year 2025-2026 yesterday, July 23, following a careful deliberation process conducted by its selection committee.
Leading the publication as Editor-in-Chief is Political Science senior Thirdy Santonie Pabilico, who previously served as the Associate Editor for Volume 82.
Legal Management junior Manssel Jianne Latonero and Political Science senior Gian Marcel Chiu round out the top three editors, assuming the roles of Associate Editor and Managing Editor, respectively.
For the section editors, Legal Management junior Ma. Samantha Calderon will lead the News section, while Political Science senior Mika Emmanuel Isidro will once again take charge of Sports.
With no appointment made, the Features, Cultures, and Reviews (FCR) Editor position will remain vacant for the second year in a row.
The process of appointing new editors includes written exams, panel interviews, and psychological tests, all of which are collated and assessed by an ad hoc selection committee.
Anne Julia Francisco, former Managing Editor of Volume 81, now one of the panelists in the selection committee, mentioned that the rigorous process was implemented to ensure that precise standards were considered before reaching a determination.
“The long selection process or the application process, I must say, is what upholds the values and principles of The Bedan… You just don’t get to be part of the Editorial Board in a snap. You need to work hard for it,” she told The Bedan in an online interview.
“Dadaan ka talaga sa butas ng karayom,” she added.
Nathaniel Soriano, former Chief Photographer of The Bedan and the acting Chair of the Selection Committee, echoed these sentiments.
“We want to sustain a certain quality when it comes to who will lead the next Volume. We want to see if they uphold that same spirit of journalism…” he emphasized.
For Paul Alexis Arga, former EIC of Volumes 80 to 81, someone who is ethical, has integrity, and has a relentless passion for the truth, has the indicators of a true Bedan student journalist.
“This has become the true identifier of a Bedan student journalist… so we set out to choose people among the applicants who really showcased these qualities,” he said.
The selection committee is comprised of former editors of The Bedan, a member of the Student Council, and representatives from the CAS administration and offices.
Heading into a new volume, Soriano expressed hopes for the Editorial Board to further the publication’s progressive stances, saying, “I hope they carry this practice of stepping out there, of breaking the bounds of comfortability, and covering national issues.”
Finally, Arga expressed confidence that the publication will strengthen its commitment to truth, accountability, and journalistic integrity.
“I hope that this next batch of leaders and movers of The Bedan would do everything that they can to ensure that the publication will always be committed to preserving the truth, holding people to account, and making sure that we will always be ethical in our work as student journalists. I am confident that they will carry out that mandate,” he said.
The appointed editors will carry out their term for a period of one Volume and one summer term.
(with Aliyah Buene D. Aya-ay)