MU paints new futures at FroSHS Week 2026

Article by: Anessa Denise Grey, Hailey Jade Miranda, and Germagne Verutiao.

Photos by: Gabriella Isobel D. Foronda, Jedidiah Carell E. Guiyab, Luis Iñigo A. Lava, Jerome Ian B. Marcos, Juliana Enjielle O. Mauricio, Jemuel N. Reyes, and Marcus D. Agustin.

The annual FroSHS Week occurs during the first week of the new academic year. It is a tradition that welcomes freshmen and engages them with orientations, events, booths, and activities. This year’s FroSHS Week, “Canvas of Possibilities,” took place last August 3 to 6 and eventually concluding on on August 12, as continuous inclement weather for the rest of the week postponed some events.

Priming the Canvas

The week-long festivities commenced with a Holy Mass in the morning of August 3 at the Sta. Rita Chapel. Students then proceeded to the Intramuros Gymnasium for the opening ceremonies, which were divided into two batches. The morning session was dedicated to the students of SOIT, SOMDA, SCEGE, SOHS, STHM, ETYSB, and SOM.

The ceremony began with a welcome speech by Dr. Lilibeth D. Sabino, the Executive Vice President for Student Affairs, expressing, "We're excited to accompany you on your academic journey and witness the many achievements that lie ahead. Today, you enter not just a school but a community that believes in your potential."

The celebration included performances from the Performing Circle, various student organizations, and student performance groups, as well as this year’s winners of Mr. and Ms. Cardinals. An inspiring address was given by Engr. Mark Pasumbal, who placed first in the March 2026 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination.

The event also featured a friendly Department Competition, during which SCEGE was awarded for the most outstanding cheerleading demonstration. The Torch Lighting tradition was led by representatives from the University Management and Student Government.

The afternoon session was dedicated to the students of SFSE, SHS, MME, CBMES, IE-EMG, ARIDBE, and EECE, following a similar program to the morning session. The inspirational message was instead delivered by March 2026 Electronics Engineers Licensure Examination 10th Placer Engr. Matheiu Adriel Yamson, who spoke to encourage incoming students to face the challenges of their academic journeys head-on.

Sketching First Steps

To give incoming students a glimpse of the culture, environment, and opportunities awaiting them, various local orientations were held on the second day. These sessions served as a guide to help newcomers familiarize themselves with the university and understand the expectations of being a Mapúan.

At the Makati Campus, three departmental orientations took place at the Basement 2 Gymnasium. At the Makati Campus, three departmental orientations took place in the Basement 2 Gymnasium. These orientations ran throughout the day, as the first day of local orientations had been dedicated to students from ETYSB, SOHS, and SOIT.

The freshmen orientation at the Intramuros Campus included all-day sessions for the departments of ARIDBE, SCEGE, EECE, and MME, which took place in the Intramuros Gymnasium. Meanwhile, parallel sessions for students from CBMES, IE-EMG, and SFSE were held in the Seminar Room.

However, due to subsequent class suspensions caused by inclement weather, the second day of local orientations for the Makati Campus departments of SOM, SON, and SOMDA has been postponed until after the main FroSHS Week event.

Blending Ideas

FroSHS Week took an engaging turn on its third day with Episodes 2 and 3 of the “Ano Nga Ba?” Series hosted by the Mapúa Council of Organizations (COO), held at the Intramuros Gymnasium.

The second episode, held in the morning, brought together student leaders from various school organizations for an Organizational Summit to engage them in discussions on leadership responsibilities and the importance of student involvement for both new and returning students.

In the afternoon, Episode 3: Student Engagement and Mobility Activity featured invited speakers who shared different perspectives on organizational leadership. Senior High School alumna Princess Samantha Galang presented a talk titled "Leadership Journey: Senior High School Perspective," where she shared her personal experiences in becoming a student leader. Alumna Engr. Hannah Danniele E. Tan also gave a talk entitled "Leadership Journey: College Perspective," encouraging incoming students to get involved in community initiatives and leadership opportunities to shape their college experiences.

The day also brought students together through the Convocation of Nationalism, “RIZAL 2.0: PAGMULAT,” spearheaded by the School of Foundational Studies and Education in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning. This event examined the ideas and relevance of Dr. Jose Rizal in contemporary society. It was split into two parts: the Faculty Assembly, which featured guest speaker Dr. Ambeth Ocampo, a professor and Filipino historian, and took place in the Seminar Room at the Intramuros Campus. While the GED Convocation for Students featured guest speaker Dr. Xiao Chua, another Filipino historian and professor.

Through interactive student engagement and mobility activities, freshmen were encouraged to step out of the usual orientation setting and experience university life firsthand. Moving, participating, and interacting with their fellow frosh turned the day into an opportunity not only to explore, but also build new connections.

Additionally, the STHM Welcome Activity fostered a welcoming atmosphere for students to engage with the department.

Coloring the Future

Despite continuous heavy rainfall disrupting the celebration, the FroSHS Week Concert ultimately took place after being rescheduled from its original date of August 7 to August 12. This concert served as the culmination of the unexpectedly extended week.

Indie-rock band HEY JUNE! kicked off the event with an energetic performance, followed by Gracenote, who energized the crowd with their hit songs. Singer-songwriter Jayda then took the stage, maintaining the momentum. Off to Neverland followed with their enchanting melodies, while OPM alt-rock band LILY lifted the spirits of the attendees even higher. As the night drew to a close, Amiel Sol serenaded the audience, concluding the event.

The FroSHS Week 2026 welcomed new Mapúans into the University with a vibrant introduction to the new academic year. By giving them a palette of possibilities and a glimpse of Cardinal life, the freshmen are assured that their time at MU provides a canvas for them to paint experiences that will last a lifetime.