By Vanessa Therese T. Ledesma, Centralian Link Intern
Students gather at the Rose Memorial Auditorium during the Kasanagan Alternative Classes 2026.
In place of regular classes, Central Philippine University conducted its Kasanagan Alternative Classes 2026 on February 13, offering special interest lectures and public discussions aimed at expanding students’ perspectives beyond the traditional classroom setting.
The initiative was organized by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in partnership with the CPU Republic (CPUR), CPU Republic Local Government Units (LGUs), the CPU College of Law Clinical Legal Education Program, and CPU religious organizations.
A highlight of the event was Bantay Kabataan, a series of public lectures prepared by the CPU Republic and open to all college students.
At the Rose Memorial Auditorium (RMA), the lecture “Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence” was conducted from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by “Sex: Whose Idea Is It?” from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Simultaneously, two public discussions were held at the Educational Media Center (EMC). “Introduction to Philippine Biodiversity and the Conservation of the Critically Endangered Rufous-Headed Hornbill and Agriculture” took place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., while “Agriculture and Food Security” was conducted from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The public forums tackled relevant issues such as ethical technology use, responsible decision-making, biodiversity conservation, and food security.
Students attend the public discussion on “Introduction to Philippine Biodiversity” at the Educational Media Center as part of Kasanagan Alternative Classes 2026.
Aside from the public lectures, various colleges organized specialized alternative classes aligned with their respective fields.
The College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences conducted “Amlig sa Kalikasan (Caring for the Environment: A Shared Responsibility)”
The College of Arts and Sciences offered five topics: “Clicks to Cause: Smart Social Media Use,” “Pen to Power: Basic Journalism,” “Innotegrity: Where Science Meets Responsibility,” “Hangul to Hello! Let Your K-Journey Begin!” and “Sprechen Sie Deutsch? An Introduction to Basic German.”
The College of Computer Studies featured “Synch, Share, Secure,” “Prompt, Plan, Pass: Using AI as a College Student,” and “Using Digital Creative Tools for Schoolwork.”
The College of Hospitality Management presented “Lakbay Wisely: Travel Abroad Tips,” while the College of Medical Laboratory Science organized “RESET: Sterile Mind, Stable Mind.”
Four sessions were prepared by the College of Engineering: “Calc-U-Later!,” “Start-Up Roadmap,” “From Streets to Streams: Understanding Plastic Transport in River Systems,” and “‘Pro’ in Progress: Enhancing Study Skills.”
The College of Education conducted “Threads to Humanity” and “Once Upon a Classroom.” The College of Medicine – Respiratory Therapy held “Inhale Your Vibe, Exhale Your Health.”
The College of Law facilitated four lectures: “Beyond Initiation: Legal Liabilities and Consequences of Hazing,” “VAW-Free Community Starts with Me: A Lecture on Rights and Protection,” “Respect in Action: The Safe Spaces Act,” and “CyberSafe: A Citizen’s Guide to Preventing Digital Threats.”
Meanwhile, the College of Nursing offered “Pixels or People?,” “MHalaga Ka! Istorya Ta: Mental Health First Aid 101,” and “The Survival Script,” and the College of Pharmacy conducted the “Rx Awareness Drive.”
Moving way beyond the structure of regular lectures, Kasanagan Alternative Classes 2026 exposed the Centralians to subjects not typically discussed in everyday classes. The program offered a different yet beneficial learning experience that expanded students’ understanding of real-world issues and practical skills.