𝐒𝐏𝐂 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐌𝐒 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀.𝐘. ‘𝟐𝟓-’𝟐𝟔

With efforts to strengthen community engagement among Bachelor of Science in Biology students at San Pedro College (SPC), the SPC Biology Majors Society (BioMS) held its first general assembly for Academic Year (AY) 2025–2026, titled “Buzzing with Growth: A Sweet Start with BioMS,” on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at the Philomene Labrecque (PL) Hall, gathering about 35 second- to fourth-year students across the department.

Usual program preliminaries began the event, followed by the introduction of the board of directors and Club Moderator Genelyn Bao, who also delivered the opening remarks.

“Like bees in a hive, each of us plays a vital role… Alone, a bee can only do so much, but together, they create honey,” Bao said, which proceeded to the opening address from BioMS President Kayleigh Rose Penetrante.

To break the ice among attendees, organizers facilitated a game called “Microbe, Toxin, Frog, Pause,” with Penetrante’s presentation of the tactical plan for the term laid out afterwards.

The presidential report included the general assembly; plans for informative social media posts; upcoming projects such as Tuon Para sa Kaugmaon, a tutorial and study session initiative for BS Biology students; the BIOWebinar and Workshop Series open to all; and preparations for participation in the Alliance of Davao Biology Majors (ADBM) Biolympics.

“Since na-hinder man ng earthquake ang pag-implement namin ng activities, as early as next year January, we are hoping na matuloy na agad ang first [project] like the Tuon Para sa Kaugmaon,” Penetrante said in an interview when asked how the organization plans to ensure the attainment of its goals.

(Since the earthquake hindered our implementation of activities, as early as next year January, we are hoping to immediately continue the first project like the Tuon Para sa Kaugmaon.)
Subsequently, Internal Vice President Reizl Andrea Palomo presented the Constitution and By-Laws (CBL), while External Vice President Sara Jane Aysel Haron discussed the Community Engagement and Extension Services (CEES) activities of BioMS.

These include a sustainable waste disposal management project with the San Antonio Women’s Group and a skills-sharing initiative on microbiology, safe water practices, and food safety in the Marilog District.

Treasurer Maekhyle Caingles then delivered the financial report from the previous academic year, followed by an icebreaker game: Guess the Professor in a “four pictures, one word” format.

Outgoing BioMS President Kruzhen Krieve Gershwin Evangelista delivered a message of encouragement to the younger biology students.

“I hope you guys continue what you’re doing right now, improve, and continue to pick up the pace… Take in as much learning and experience as you can,” Evangelista said.

Concluding the morning session were the presentation of certificates, a photo opportunity, and a closing message from the moderator.

Continuing the afternoon session, attendees joined a team orientation and group presentations, followed by games of charades and Pinoy Henyo to test teamwork and build camaraderie, as well as karaoke sessions.

“One of the objectives of our program is to really hone our students — our graduates — with the necessary lab skills, especially since this program specializes in microbiology,” Bao said in an interview.

She added that because biology students begin working on their “special problem” research early in their academic journey, they are trained for full-scale research projects.

Opportunities to present their work at international conferences are part of the department’s goals for its students.

“We wanted to represent our general assembly as something that is sweet, kasi it’s a sign of the start of something new… like room for growth,” Penetrante said, adding that this academic year marks the highest population in the first year, reaching 40 students per section compared with around 20 students per section in the senior batches.

After two years of being held online, the BioMS general assembly returned to its face-to-face setting to bring biology students together in person, although first-year students were unable to attend due to a schedule conflict involving a curricular activity at the SPC Marine Station.

BioMS aims to focus on strengthening the organization internally and achieving its current projects this term to encourage greater student participation and attract more enrollees to the major.

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