The GUIDON

Now 54 years since the declaration of Martial Law, the Philippines stands at a crossroads between remembrance and distortion. As historical revisionism and propaganda fortify the Marcos family’s power to the present day, Filipinos remain plagued by the continued hold of the dictatorship. The GUIDON stands thus firm in its pledge to critical, community-centered reportage—not losing sight of the regime’s atrocities, and staying cognizant of how its injustices permeate today. Read The GUIDON’s Martial Law Special and Issue No. 1 for AY 2026–2027 here: tgdn.co/IssueOne2627

OBF UPDATE: Kirk Del Mundo (4 BS BIO) and Gerald Mamauag (4 BS BIO) were recognized with the Best Poster Award at the 10th National Conference on Natural Products, Health, and Beauty (NATPRO10) held last November 4 to 6 at Jeju National University in Jeju City, South Korea. Notably, Del Mundo also bagged the Best Oral Presentation Award. They were guided by Biology Department Instructor Edward Kevin B. Bragais, MSc, who also mentored other participating Atenean researchers and was previously lauded with the Outstanding Young Scientist Award. Annually organized by the Asian Society of Natural Products, NATPRO10 facilitates significant discussions around the advancements in natural products worldwide through keynote speeches and presentations of groundbreaking research.

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: The Ateneans, Resist Pax Silica (APRAX) coalition urged the Ateneo community to participate in a walkout on November 13 at the Red Brick Road to oppose the construction of Pax Silica. The protest aims to condemn United States (US) President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Philippines on November 16 for the ASEAN Summit, where he is expected to formally sign the agreement. Pax Silica has raised concerns over the potential displacement of Indigenous Peoples and its implications for their ancestral land rights, livelihoods, and access to natural resources. The US and Philippine governments have described the initiative as an effort to strengthen global supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and Artificial Intelligence technology. Its proposed projects include an industrial hub in New Clark City, Tarlac. ARPAX also encouraged the community to read the coalition’s statement on Pax Silica and support its campaign by signing the petition, joining the ARPAX Network, and participating in upcoming mobilizations, including the One Katipunan rally also on November 13. Read the full signatory statement here: tinyurl.com/ARPAXPetition

NATIONAL UPDATE: Employees of Diwata Pares Overload and other establishments along J.W. Diokno Boulevard in the City of Pasay have appealed for financial assistance following the city government’s order to temporarily close their workplaces from October 29 to November 18, a period of nearly three weeks, in preparation for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The Pasay City Government ordered the establishments to suspend operations due to road obstructions caused by customers parking along Diokno Boulevard. Employees of Diwata Pares Overload reportedly earn a daily wage of Php 500, while their employer has provided each employee with Php 2,000 to cover basic needs during the nearly three-week closure. Under Proclamation No. 1447, Malacañang declared November 16 to 18 as special non-working days in the National Capital Region in connection with the Summit. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) stated that the “no work, no pay” principle will apply to employees who do not report for work on these dates. #BeyondLoyola

OPINION: Education should give us the freedom to imagine lives we could love without first asking whether we could afford them. tgdn.co/4zE3UTS

OBF UPDATE: Ian Gabriel T. Hong (1 BS AMDSc) finished third at the National Championship Finals of the 30th Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) as the National Capital Region (NCR) representative, held last November 6 at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Headquarters in Quezon City. He previously won the NCR Regional Championship Finals for the 30th PSQ last October 14th, under the guidance of Department of Mathematics Assistant Professor Christian Paul Chan O. Shio, PhD. Organized by the PSA and Philippine Statistical Association Inc. (PSAI), the PSQ is an annual competition open to all first-time, first-year Filipino college students aiming to evaluate the statistical knowledge of freshman university students across all 18 regions. They cover questions in topics such as descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and sampling techniques, among others.

MULTIMEDIA: Same old storm, same old story Typhoon Haiyan, more locally known as Yolanda, revealed not just the poor local and national disaster risk management in the Philippines, but the tragedy also brought to light the resilience of the Filipino. Thirteen years later, as more calamities strike the country, how much longer will this narrative of resilience be sensationalized while the government continues to fail its own people? Illustration by Lakam Hoo

NATIONAL UPDATE: Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Ernesto Perez said on Friday, November 6, that presenting one valid ID, particularly the national ID, is sufficient for transactions with government agencies. He added that requiring two valid IDs for such transactions is no longer allowed. Perez cited Section 12 of Republic Act No. 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, which recognizes the Philippine Identification Card or Philippine Identification System Number as sufficient proof of identity, subject to authentication. He added that this is consistent with Republic Act No. 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business Law, which prohibits unnecessary, excessive, and redundant requirements unless required by law or indicated in an agency’s Citizen’s Charter. However, agencies may still require additional documents for purposes other than identity verification, such as proof of authority or eligibility. The policy also covers local government units. Perez urged the public to report agencies that continue to require two valid IDs. Complaints may be filed through ARTA’s Electronic Complaint Management System at ecms.arta.gov.ph or sent to [email protected]. #BeyondLoyola

NATIONAL UPDATE: Anti-mining advocate Jesus Cabias Jr. was shot inside his home in Barangay Liwayway, MacArthur, Leyte, at around 8 PM yesterday, November 6. Cabias serves as the spokesperson of a group of MacArthur farmers opposing iron sand mining. In a petition letter dated February 4, the group called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to issue an Executive Order to halt mining operations in the area. Cabias has raised concerns over MacArthur Ironsand Mining Corp.'s compliance with its mining permit, particularly its unfulfilled obligation to rehabilitate mining areas. The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers Tacloban Law Students (NUPL-TAC) said Cabias is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Tacloban City. Investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and determine the possible motive behind the attack. NUPL-TAC condemned the shooting, saying that there can be no real climate justice while environmental defenders continue to be harmed. #BeyondLoyola

NEWS: The Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality held the One Big Pride 2026 under the theme “Tungo Abot-Tanaw” featuring events from October to November that promoted LGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusion. tgdn.co/4enMTVu

IN PHOTOS: Student and youth leaders from various organizations launched the Youth Against Pax Silica (YAPAX) alliance announcing the National Day of Action on November 13 against the US-led Pax Silica initiative. The event was held earlier today during a press conference at Vinzons Hall in the University of the Philippines Diliman. The alliance aims to mobilize 10,000 students and youth nationwide through campus demonstrations and collective actions ahead of United States President Donald Trump's visit for the 49th ASEAN Summit. Citing concerns over threats to Indigenous communities, national sovereignty, and the country's natural resources, YAPAX called for an end to negotiations on the proposed framework agreement, and urged the government to prioritize public education, agrarian reform, and national industrialization. Photos by Rhian Herrera

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: Enlistment for the second semester of AY 2026–2027 is scheduled to start on November 12, as per an announcement by the Ateneo Registration Committee today, November 6. Enlistment for third- to fifth-year students and international exchange students will take place from 9 AM to 12 PM on November 12, while first-year, second-year, and transfer students will follow from 1 PM to 4 PM. Meanwhile, free-for-all enlistment will begin at 6 PM on the same day. A 24/7 free-for-all enlistment period for all undergraduate students will then run from November 13 to December 15. ADDENDUM: The Ateneo Registration Committee (RegCom) has taken down its initial announcement detailing the AY 2026–2027 second semester enlistment schedule. A representative from RegCom reached out to The GUIDON clarifying that the schedule will be updated. As of writing, RegCom has yet to issue a new announcement.

NATIONAL UPDATE: The Senate impeachment court has admitted bank, insurance, investment, tax, and procurement records, along with Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, as prosecution evidence in her impeachment trial. The ruling was issued in an order signed by Presiding Officer Senator Chiz Escudero today, November 5. The court also admitted most of the report by financial forensic analyst Atty. Alex Cabrera, which estimated the unexplained wealth of Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, at Php 817 million to Php 1.5 billion. However, it excluded records and computations related to JTC Group of Companies Philippines, Inc. and Pikimong Pikimong Philippines Corporation. The court rejected the defense’s argument that the request amounted to a "fishing expedition," saying documents subpoenaed during trial may provide evidence relevant to Article II of the impeachment complaint. The article accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth, prohibited business interests, and failure to disclose all her assets in her SALNs. It clarified that admitting the documents does not establish the truth of the allegations, with the senator-judges set to determine the evidentiary weight of each exhibit at the end of the trial. Notably, the court rejected the Commission on Audit documents as evidence, noting that they had originally been offered in support of Article I, which the prosecution has withdrawn, and therefore could not be submitted for Article II. The prosecution has formally rested its case, while the defense is set to begin presenting its evidence on Monday, November 9, at 10 AM. #BeyondLoyola

NEWS: With the Leopard Security and Investigation Agency returning as the Ateneo’s security service provider last November 1, security guards from the Megaforce Security Services Corporation (Megaforce) Ateneo Detachment look back on their years of service and bid farewell to a community they have come to call a family.

WATCH: Student activists held a lightning rally at the Gonzaga Cafeteria today, November 6, to call for stronger opposition against the proposed Pax Silica project. Together, they criticized the Philippine government’s ties with the United States (US) and the agreement’s implications on national sovereignty. The students also denounced the anticipated visit of US President Donald Trump for the ASEAN Summit and criticized the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration for prioritizing foreign interests over the needs of Filipinos, particularly at the expense of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the country’s natural resources. Video by RJ Hernandez

LOOK: Student activists convened at the Gonzaga Cafeteria today, November 6, to stage a lightning rally protesting the proposed Pax Silica project and the upcoming visit of United States (US) President Donald Trump to the Philippines. Participants condemned the economic agreement as a surrender of national sovereignty and natural resources to US imperialist interests under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Organizers also urged the student body to strengthen their solidarity with local communities and join upcoming mobilizations ahead of the ASEAN Summit on November 16. Photos by RJ Hernandez

IN PHOTOS: In recognition of individuals embodying the University’s values across various disciplines, the 2026 Traditional University Awards was held today, November 5, in the Hyundai Hall in Areté. This year's awardees include Cesar Villanueva and Josefina Villareal Villanueva, Nicolas Deocampo, Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto, Atty. Robert “Bobby” Chan, as well as the late Sr. Anita Miranda, FMA and late Aniceto “Chito” Sobrepeña Additionally, Gregory Boyle, SJ, will receive an honorary degree at the Higher Education Commencement Ceremonies in June 2027. Photos by Bea Pador

At the beginning of November, the community often looks forward to Undas, which serves as an opportunity to return home to provinces, celebrate the lives of those who have passed, and enjoy quality family time. For Filipinos, it is a tradition that is uniquely Filipino, characterized by overnight vigils and bright, festive atmospheres. However, many in the Ateneo community are foreign to these practices. This Undas season, The GUIDON’s Features and Vantage Magazine spotlights foreign exchange students and third-culture kids who, in their own unique cultures, express remembrance for their departed in ways different from Filipino traditions. Through their accounts, we highlight the diversity of the Ateneo community, and recognize that grief, although expressed differently, is both shared and shown together. Photos by Adrienne Rozal Graphic by Robert Emman Tupas

VOYAGER: On November 4, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that a “very strong El Niño” is now present in the tropical Pacific. The phenomenon is expected to persist until the first half of 2027, with hotter temperatures and a significant reduction in rainfall projected to peak by the end of 2026. This November, PAGASA forecasts below-normal to way below-normal rainfall conditions, up to 60% reduction of average rainfall, across most parts of the country for November. Moreover, the intensification of El Niño may also lessen the cooling effect of winds from the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and warmer air temperatures are also expected. As such, several provinces are likely to experience drought or dry spells by the end of the month. As of October, Albay, Catanduanes, Negros Oriental, Samar, and Siquijor have already experienced drought after five consecutive months of significantly reduced average rainfall of up to 60%. Despite the projected rainfall deficits, heavy rainfall may still occur due to tropical cyclones and other rain-bearing weather systems, such as the Amihan, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and localized thunderstorms. To minimize the impacts of El Niño, PAGASA urged the public and affected government agencies to conserve water efficiently. #Voyager