RETURNING for its second year, the Human Resource (HR) Carnival, organized by the Junior People Management Association of the Philippines (JPMAP), united the Bedan community yet again. Josephine Alvarez (III-BSBA HRM), JPMAP External Vice President, shared that they wanted to uphold communication, collaboration, and camaraderie amongst Bedan students, leaders, and administrators.

The three-day event, which took place last Oct. 22 to 24 at the Multi-Purpose Hall, was filled with games and prizes fitting into the perya theme. The first two days were centered on engaging students through games and music, while the last day featured the HR Olympics, an annual event that highlights the HR Carnival, and the awarding ceremony.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Andres Ignacio San Mateo Jr., Dean of the School of Business, Accountancy, and Management (SBAM), revisited the time when he was asked by THE BEDAN HERALD about his plan of action for SBAM as he took over the position of dean. 

He recalled not entertaining the question then, stating that he did not see anything that needed change. He then added that the former dean of SBAM and now Director of Tertiary and Graduate Education, Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, JSD, had already planted the seeds, and everything shall remain in place. 

“In fact, if there’s one thing I want to achieve, it is to continue what has been started, making sure that it will elevate to the next level,” he added.

From the usual collaboration between student organizations, JPMAP raised the bar by inviting the Counseling and Career Development Services (CCDS) and by partnering with the institution’s resident concessionaires, Whoopee and ERV. Their partnership with CCDS was timely, as the organization was also celebrating Guidance Month, having the same goal with JPMAP — uniting Bedans. Staying true to their perya theme, this encouraged students to enjoy their lunch breaks at the venue as they played along with the activities arranged by student leaders.

There were arcade video games available imitating how it is in a usual perya, while the other booths led by various organizations had their own creative games, like catch the duck and ring toss, that students could play for just 10 to 20 pesos. Students and faculty were also encouraged to sing karaoke near the stage, allowing all participants to bond with each other.

Atty. Chong praised the spirit of collaboration in the tertiary department as he delivered his special message. He acknowledged the presence of the leaders of the organizations present, reminding them that although healthy competition will always be present, it is “just incidental to the higher purpose of the activities that we plan.” He then shared that he loved witnessing the connection among these students despite coming from different programs.

The last day of the HR Carnival celebrated its HR Olympics, where five contestants per organization raced through different obstacles spread out on the campus. Among the five teams that competed, the Junior Bedan Marketing Association (JBMA), Junior Financial Executives (JFINEX), and the Bedan Psychological Society (BPS) were recognized with their own plaques as the top-performing teams, respectively.

The three-day event concluded with an awarding ceremony, with the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) receiving the Most Innovative Booth award and BPS earning the Most Creative Booth award. Edrish Nitura (III-BSBA HRM), the secretary of JPMAP, stated how this event reminded her what HR Carnival was really about: “ bringing people together, no matter what year or program they come from.”

In an interview with JPMAP President Deo De Vera (III-BSBA HRM), he shared that the event initially aimed to gain recognition for their organization. With the carnival becoming an annual tradition, he proudly stated that it has become one of the biggest collaborative events of the semester. 

De Vera emphasized that its ultimate goal has shifted to fostering unity within the Bedan community. Looking ahead, he expressed his hopes for an even greater collaboration. “I pray that as the years go by, the empty spaces on our stage wall will become fewer, meaning more logos will fill the space, and more organizations will join us in this event,” he said.