HUMSS CONGRESS 2025: Woven Legacies in the Truths of Reality

Written by: Mischa Tiglao

The seeds of injustice have long been planted, taking deep roots in our history. As we strive to bring positive change in the future, it is of equal importance that we take the time to understand and learn from the realities of our past. This was the central message shared by the Grade 12 Students of the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand at this year’s HUMSS Congress entitled, “MOIRAI: Weaving the Threads of Society,” held last February 26, 2025 at the St. Paul Activity Center for Excellence (S.P.A.C.E.).

Through engaging talks and activities, MOIRAI provided an avenue for students to engage in public discourse, shedding light on the most pressing issues that our nation has struggled with both in the past and present. In addition to Paulinian guests, the HUMSS 12 students also opened the discussions to invited participants from Colegio San Agustin Makati.

The event began with an invocation and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem led by the SPCP HS Chorale. Afterward, Matthea Corpuz, one of the Overall heads, set off the audience in high spirits as she delivered her opening remarks. “History‬‭ is‬‭ not‬‭ just‬‭ a‬‭ relic‬‭ of‬‭ the‬‭ past — ‬‭ it‬‭ is‬‭ alive‬‭ today.‬‭ It‬‭ is‬‭ alive‬‭ in‬‭ the‬‭ change‬‭ driven‬‭ by‬‭ people‬‭ who‬‭ dare to act. So, are we merely observers of the past, or are we the weavers of our nation’s destiny?” she says as she welcomes attendees through describing the relevance of this year’s HUMSS Congress theme.

Following a short introductory game, the plenary talks commenced with the invited speaker, Ms. Kaia Catacutan, who delivered her talk on ‘The Future of the Philippines in the Hands of Today’s Youth’. Her presentation thoroughly covered the role of the youth in sparking various social movements, innovations, and tackling local issues through immersion and community projects.

Before proceeding to the second talk, the program smoothly segued to a booth-hopping activity, which allowed participants to view the previous works and projects of the HUMSS 12 students.

• Philippine Politics and Governance (PPG) Booth: This featured the previous works of the HUMSS 12 students, including documentation from a class performance task covering social and political issues under the post-martial law existentialist political systems and ideologies, as well as an educational game entitled ‘Magkano ang Nasa Alkansya?’
• Creative Writing/Creative Non-Fiction (CW/CNF) Booth: This highlighted the literary works of the HUMSS students, including the previous HUMSS 11 HerStory presentations.
• Cresente Per Memoriam (CPM) Booth: This featured the joint project organized by HUMSS and the Guidance Center, Cresente Per Memoriam: Navigating Academic and Personal Growth, which aimed to address academic and emotional development to support students’ well-being.
• Inquiries, Investigation, and Immersion (I.I.I.) Booth: This featured the research outputs of the HUMSS 12 students, which they had accomplished earlier in the school year.
• Freedom Wall: This booth invited attendees to answer the question, “What’s your story?” through sub-questions on the past (“Recall a time in your past you wish you could change and why?”), present (“Say you did change something in the past about your life, how would it affect the present you today?”) and future (“With your present self, what do you think fate has in store for your future?”).
• Merchandise Booth: The HUMSS 12 students reopened their onsite merchandise selling booth during the event, featuring shirts, pins, and stickers, from their catalogue.

After this segment, Mr. JC Punongbayan, the second invited speaker, gave a comprehensive discussion on the topic, ‘Behind the Curtains of the Marcos Era’, wherein he highlighted the concept of false nostalgia and revealed the economic crisis faced by our country during the Marcos ‘Golden Age’.

This was then followed by a lunch break where Paulinian band “Crazy,” composed of Rami Cabral, Calx Golingay, Lars Ursua, and Dan Villaflores, gave thrilling performances, lifting the crowd’s energy and adding more excitement to the event.

For the third and final talk, invited speaker Atty. Luke Espiritu addressed ‘The Relevance of the People Power Revolution in Current Society.’ “It was a revolution that had advanced people’s struggles for a better society, but hindi natin natapos ang revolution na ‘yan,” Atty. Espiritu emphasized that the revolution remains unfinished and urged the advancement of a social justice agenda, championing social reform for a society that truly caters to the masses.

Following the plenary talks, the event moved forward with its final segment–a venue rotation activity that showcased profound perspectives on various advocacies and personal experiences through creative means.

• AETERNUS: Held at the LRC Hall, this session featured speeches that shed light on 3 pressing topics: Political Dynasties and The Importance of Informed Voting, Domestic Abuse, and Drug Addiction and Alienation delivered by Ieka Rigor, Bless Lovendino, and Ramya Espiritu respectively.
• HERSTORY: This segment gave the audience a glimpse of this year’s HerStory: Ardent, featuring live performances by Riri Arcangel as Florence Nightingale and Elleian Remoreras as Sylvia Plath, as well as a recorded performance by Sofi Ceñido as Malala Yousafzai.
• HUSTISYA: In the form of a short film viewing at the SPCP Library, the HUMSS 12 students highlighted the issue of vote buying and its impact on democracy.

To wrap up MOIRAI, Riri Arcangel, the Grade 12 HUMSS Track Representative, delivered her closing remarks, expressing her gratitude to the participants, fellow HUMSS students, and Overall heads Bea Siena and Matthea Corpuz for their hard work leading up to a successful event.

‘MOIRAI: Weaving the Threads of Society’ served as a testament to the passion and unwavering commitment of the HUMSS students in fostering productive discussions, addressing critical issues, and driving substantial endeavors that bring our community to a collective understanding of our society today. Through this year’s HUMSS Congress, they have woven a lasting legacy rooted in the ideals of advocacy, consciousness, and proactive action for a future where true justice may conquer.