Anong Ginagawa sa BLIS?

Article by Michelle Loreign Sacramento and Antonia Fe Dela Cruz

As I glance at my ID, embossed with the name of a program called Bachelor of Library and Information Science, I ask myself: Why does this matter? Why does November feel so alive for our BLIS community? What is it that we do in BLIS that makes these moments so worth celebrating?

Isuot ang Dangál, Ibahagi ang Kultura.

The month opened with energy and purpose as PUP Library and Information Science Student Organization (LISSO) launched a fundraising initiative. Through the department’s shirts and lanyards, the activity wove together purpose, pride, and the shared spirit of the BLISkolars, carrying the pulse of their stories, passion, and dedication, and embracing the department’s culture and heartbeat. Each stitch seemed to hum with the life of the community, binding past and present, students and mentors, into a living tapestry of camaraderie and shared intent.

In my quiet moments, I saw how every student’s eagerness and determination breathed life into the activity. Every gesture contributed to something bigger than themselves. The splashes of color on the shirts and lanyards became a statement that this is the heart of BLIS, a way for all of us to wear our purpose and belonging.

Pangkalahatang Pagpupulong: Itaas ang maskara, tungo sa pag-angat!

That purpose carried into the core of our community at the General Assembly held in Claro M. Recto Hall. Students, faculty, and guests came together in a morning charged with connection and hope. Under the calm yet firm guidance of Helian Quinito and Jenefa Cuevas, the rituals of welcome and reflection unfolded with genuine warmth.

Dr. Rhodora R. Julian spoke first, offering gratitude for the commitment of her students and reminding us that the growth we celebrate now is proof that BLIS is not just surviving, it is evolving.

 Ms. Kyla Marie Cachila, RL, Top 10 Librarians Computer-Based Licensure Examination (LCBLE) passer and school librarian, shared her journey. Her words landed with impact: she did not claim perfection, but she spoke of perseverance, discovery, and the friends who walked that journey with her.

When Dr. Caroline T. Sumande closed the assembly, she zeroed in on what mattered most: community. She reminded us that gathering together, sharing stories, and mentoring one another are foundational to what BLIS truly means.

It was in that space, in those smiles and nods, that I saw the quiet power of librarianship, the strength to listen, to guide, and to protect stories that might otherwise slip away.

Hapunan ng Tagumpay

Later that afternoon, the tone shifted to something deeply personal and celebratory. At the Silid Lakan Dayang in the University Library, PUP LISSO and the DLIS faculty welcomed back alumni whose dreams have now taken shape, those who passed the LCBLE that took place on September 4-5, 2025. The dinner was more than a ceremony; it was a homecoming.

Speeches were delivered by Dr. Rhodora R. Julian, Chairperson of the Department of Library and Information Science, Dr. Bernice G. Mangabat, College of Education Dean Rosemariebeth R. Dizon, and Professor Kevin Conrad T. Tangsiongco, PUP LISSO adviser. Each shared reflections on pride, encouragement, and the vital role of community in shaping the BLIS experience. Professor Vivian A. Lirio handled the awarding of certificates, ensuring that every achievement was properly recognized.

The alumni shared their journeys, with special focus on Ms. Kyla Marie S. Cachila, RL, whose testimonial inspired the room. Former PUP LISSO officers and BLIS alumni, now registered librarians, including Estell Icalia, RL, and Mikaela Sanchez, RL, shared their stories of perseverance, gratitude, and the milestones that shaped their journeys.

Witnessing their growth, thinking of the same nervous excitement we once carried. The stage they once hesitated to step on is now a space they own with quiet confidence. That “RL cutie” label I once heard is no longer a manifestation; it has grown into a mark of identity, a symbol of dedication, and a living legacy within BLIS. Their stories shimmer with the warmth of persistence and the echo of shared dreams, reminding everyone present that the journey we start here can transform into something far greater than we ever imagined.

Paghubog ng Ligtas na Espasyo

Not all moments in the campus happen under bright lights. Sometimes they unfold quietly, in reflection. During the Safe Spaces Seminar, organized by the Ninoy Aquino Library and Resource Learning Center, spearheaded by PUP LISSO, we were invited to slow down, to really listen, and to show up for each other.

In that room, I realized how even small acts of empathy can ripple outward. Listening deeply to someone’s story, speaking honestly, or simply being present took on a new gravity. That quiet initiative was a reminder that learning isn’t just academic. It is emotional, social, and profoundly human. It isn’t always the loudest voices that shape us. Sometimes it’s the softest, the gentlest, the ones willing to hold space.

Sa bawat laban, may BLISkolar na nagliliwanag.

In harmony with the National Library of the Philippines’ celebration of LIS Month, the BLIS community stepped into November with energy that felt both national and deeply personal. That spirit first shone during the LIS Wizard Competition of the NLP, where two of our own, Maeryl Maglente and Stephanie Dianne Sotelo, secured the Top 2 spots, outperforming representatives from more than fourteen universities. Their feat set the tone for a month marked by excellence and BLISkolar pride.

Moving from the NLP stage back to the home of the BLIS community, PUP LISSO brought its own heartbeat to the month through HiganTalino: Celebrating Knowledge and Culture through Literacy and Creativity. The initiative opened spaces for BLISkolar creativity to take center stage. In the Battle of the Readers (BOTR), students immersed themselves in Ricky Lee’s Para Kay B, lingering on its emotions and ideas, while the Bookmark Making Contest (BMC) transformed ordinary cardstock into small, personal artworks that reflected each student’s imagination.

The month’s momentum circled back to the NLP stage through the Library Feud: Amazing Race, where BLIS teams once again stood out. Dexy Claire Dacumos and Shiella Cantuba claimed Third Runner-Up, while Helian Veronica Quinito and Mia Cassandra Cristobal proudly secured First Runner-Up, showing that teamwork and determination remain at the core of BLIS excellence.

At sa huli, ito ang ipinagmamalaki naming kultura.

Creativity and camaraderie are at the core of our identity. By leaving a part of ourselves behind, we made visible the shared culture and spirit that bind the BLIS community together.

This is what BLIS is all about. With BLIS, I found something unexpected: comfort, purpose, and an invitation to grow at my own pace. That balance between challenge and support is rare, but here, it feels right.

With BLIS, we’re not just students. We’re part of a community that values ideas, cares for people, and builds connections through kindness and conversation. I’ve learned that even small acts, such as a question, a shared story, or a thoughtful moment, can change everything.

BLISkolar pala ako, at ganito kami sa BLIS.