MAC - Vision Quest

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐧
By Maria Kyla Joy Magno

“𝓕𝓲𝓵𝓲𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓸𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱 𝓭𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻.”

But when resilience meets the grave, who is resilient?
Those who wait in patience?
Those who hide their faces?
Or those who dare to change?

Once, a man answered oppression
with an empty plate,
while freedom stood knocking at a nation’s gate.
He swallowed his hunger so truth could speak,
while those in power mistook silence for weakness.
But silence speaks volumes, and the writing was clear: a nation may tremble, but it does not disappear.

Let us bite the bullet and face what we fear.
Let us pull back the curtain and make the truth clear.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing may fool the crowd,
but the truth has a way of speaking aloud.
Let those behind desks remember who opened the door.
Let them remember the hands that lifted them from the floor.

For those who wield such power may forget to be kind, and somehow fail to hear the cries of the land.
For power is borrowed, not something to own;
a crown without conscience is a kingdom of stone.
And every stolen peso, every promise betrayed,
is another brick in the wall we have made.

But corruption is only the tip of the iceberg.
Beneath polished speeches lie stories unheard.
And when those in power turn a blind eye,
the forests grow silent, the rivers run dry.

So let us hunger.

Let us hunger for mountains that greed cannot claim, for oceans not auctioned in somebody’s name.
For our land is not loot, and our seas are not gold;
our forests are stories our children should hold.

Do not sell the future
to pay for today.
Do not trade tomorrow
for a handful of prey.

And perhaps,
when the people have had enough,
when patience wears thin and the road becomes rough,
the tables will turn.
Not through hatred, not through flame,
but through voices that refuse to be tamed.

For a man who hunger-struck himself for change, remember him not as a trophy of resilience, but as a fire that continues to ignite
what we should strive for, even after many years of his death.
Remember that corruption is not our country’s end.

Today, as we commemorate the 43rd Ninoy Aquino Day,, on his 43rd death anniversary, remember not just a father, but a hero who fought for his country. Decades have passed since your voice was silenced, but the courage you stood for continues to speak
through every Filipino who dares to hope, question, and fight for a better nation.

Ninoy reminded us that loving our country means standing up for what is right, even when the path is narrow.

43 years later, may we continue to hunger for a Philippines worth living and fighting for.

✍️ Maria Kyla Joy Magno
🎨 Joyce Navarro

𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 ‼️

We regret to inform everyone that, due to the inclement weather experienced over the past weeks, the 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒈: 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑬𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑩𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑺𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 2026, scheduled for tomorrow, is hereby postponed.

The Vision Quest Editorial Board understands that everyone needs adequate time to prepare for an event that requires focus, creativity, and commitment. With this, we encourage everyone to take this opportunity to stay safe, rest, and remain informed while we await further announcements regarding the rescheduled date of the screening.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this postponement may cause and truly appreciate your patience and understanding.

While waiting for the new screening schedule, applications remain open.

Thank you very much, and please stay safe, Auristas!

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑩𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕, 𝑲𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒏!🥳

Behind every great shot is an even greater eye, and we're grateful to have yours on the team. Thank you for capturing moments that tell stories words sometimes can't. May this year bring you picture-perfect memories, brighter opportunities, and plenty of reasons to smile. Keep capturing life one frame at a time. Enjoy your day, Kath! ✨

𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕘𝕠𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝕃𝔸𝔾𝔸𝕃𝔸𝔾?

Aspiring journalists, it's time to make your move! Grab your pen, camera, sketchbook, or gadget, and show us your journalistic skills in the upcoming 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒈: 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑬𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑩𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑺𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 on August 15, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. We are looking for writers, photojournalists, and multimedia artists ready to take action.

Simply scan the QR code or click on the link provided to submit your application.

https://forms.gle/oaWbRX9G5xGZEq1Q7

Things to Bring:

For Writers:
Short bond paper
Black ballpen

For Traditional Artists:
Oslo paper
Mongol Pencil No. 2
Coloring and other art materials

For Digital Artists:
Any gadget capable of digital drawing

For Photojournalists:
Own DSLR camera
Short bond paper
Black ballpen

For Layout Artists:
Laptop with Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or any layout/editing software
Any gadget for additional editing

For more details, please feel free to message our page or inquire at the VQ office at Beta-207A. See you there, Campus Journalist!

✍🏻 Maria Kyla Joy Magno
🎨 Joyce Navarro
Lanah Aspero

SBMA-LED equips MAC community with life-saving emergency response skills

Students, faculty, and staff of Mondriaan Aura College (MAC) strengthened their readiness for potential security emergencies after participating in a one-day target Hardening Training Program conducted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority-Law Enforcement Department (SBMA-LED) on July 7, 2026 at the MAC Amphitheater.

Led by Lt. Roderic C. Grueso, SBMA-LED Focal Person, the training covered Tsunami Response, Active Shooter Preparedness, and Bomb/IED Familiarization and Detection, emphasizing situational awareness, threat recognition, and proper emergency response procedures.

✍🏻 Maria Kyla Joy M. Magno
📸 Kathleen Aquino
Maria Kyla Joy M. Magno

MAC ushers in new ‘Aura sons, daughters’

"Aura students are not only Aura students; they're Aura sons and daughters.”

With this message, College President Dr. Edgar G. Geniza officially welcomed incoming freshmen, transferees, returnees, and shifters of Mondriaan Aura College (MAC) during its two-day General and Program Orientation held on July 2 and 3 at the MAC Delta Hall.

The orientation introduced students to the institution's academic programs, campus services, policies, and college life as they began their journey in higher education.

In his speech, Geniza assured students that MAC remains committed to supporting them beyond academics, promising open doors when students encounter tuition problems.

After the general orientation, the students proceeded to their respective program orientations to meet with their respective department heads and organizations.

Freshman Kent Daynel D. Capundag, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Major in English, shared that the orientation helped him better prepare for college life.

"Nakatulong ito sa akin bilang freshman dahil mas naunawaan ko ang bagong curriculum, ang mga subjects, at kung paano namin haharapin ang mga challenges sa college," Capundag said.

In support, Arton Jeiscee L. Ruiz, Bachelor in Aircraft Maintenance Technology-1, also found the orientation helpful in introducing the faculty and system as a new Aurista.‎

“‎Nakatulong ang orientation sa akin sa pagpapakilala nito ng faculty members at sa pagbanggit ng sistema sa paggawa ng kanilang grado. Ipinapahalagahan ko ito dahil nawala ang aking anxiety na nakuha dahil hindi ako masyadong pamilyar sa sistema ng institusyong ito, Ruiz said.

The General and Program Orientation featured presentations from key offices and departments of the college. Among the speakers were College President Dr. Edgar G. Geniza, Guidance Department Head Ludivina Lopez Carballo, RJ Bautista De Leon, Accounting Representative Mackenzie Heart S. Obien, and Communication and Media.

✍🏻 Maria Kyla Joy M. Magno
📷 Kathleen Aquino
Lanah Krizten Aspero

Happiest Birthday to our Photojournalist, Markus!🎉

Thank you for sharing your talent and commitment with the publication. May this special day bring you happiness, fulfillment, and the appreciation you truly deserve. Enjoy your day, Markus! 📷✨

Happiest Birthday to our Editor-in-Chief, Nicolette!🎉

Thank you for sharing your talent and commitment with the publication. May this special day bring you happiness, fulfillment, and the appreciation you truly deserve. Enjoy your day, Nicolette! 🖋️✨