The Cipher Lens

𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐀, 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐍𝐀! 𝐀𝐍𝐎, 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐀?

The ultimate “𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵” for Academic Year ’25–’26 has finally begun! You’ve dedicated restless nights, countless cups of coffee, and even a part of your sanity to get this far—proof that there’s no turning back. This is your final push and your last stretch. Trust in everything you’ve learned, give it your all, and finish this academic year strong.

Gamay nalang! 𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗻, 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗸𝗮-𝗜𝗧!



𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕 | Sofia Tamayo

𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗔𝗬 │ This day belongs to every Filipino who has contributed their success, bounced back from downfalls, and made sacrifices for the progress of our beloved nation. It is a strong reminder that without them, we would be a hollow nation—devoid of progress and development.

We honor not just the hands that build, the minds that innovate, and the hearts that persevere—but also the character of honest workers who dedicate themselves despite their unresolved, silent struggles.

𝙏𝙖𝙤𝙨-𝙥𝙪𝙨𝙤 𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙥𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙖 𝙞𝙣𝙮𝙤, 𝙢𝙜𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙬𝙖 𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣!





𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕 | Sofia Tamayo

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 | 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞, 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐌𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐂’𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫

As the need for safer spaces grows, technology is stepping forward to protect and empower. SHERTIFIED 2026: “𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗖𝗢𝗡” became a platform for growth and inspiration—embracing the theme: “𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵.” At the forefront of this movement is 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘈𝘝𝘐𝘊 (Model Assist for Violence Identity-Based Console), a flagship initiative by DEVCON Bukidnon, developed in partnership with the Gender and Development Office of Valencia City, and the College of Information Sciences and Computing of Central Mindanao University (CMU-CISC). The event was more than just a system; MAVIC stands as a secure, survivor-centered digital companion designed to provide immediate guidance and referral pathways for individuals facing identity-based violence. It carries a clear promise: no woman should feel unheard, unseen, or unprotected.

Violence against women remains a pressing issue, often concealed by stigma, fear, and limited access to timely help. Many survivors hesitate to seek assistance due to fear of judgment or uncertainty about response systems. According to the UN Women, in its 2021 report: “𝘔𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤: 𝘝𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘋𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘖𝘝𝘐𝘋-19,” nearly one in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, underscoring the urgency of accessible and responsive systems. MAVIC addresses this critical gap by providing a confidential and accessible digital console that connects survivors directly to the professional help they need. By integrating technology with community response, it strengthens the connection between individuals and essential services, ensuring that support becomes more immediate and coordinated.

Alongside Mavic User Training, the initiative takes center stage in the TECH FOR HER Hackathon, one of the key highlights of Shertified 2026—a comprehensive three-day event dedicated to empowering women in technology. While the hackathon serves as a high-impact platform for innovation, it is only one part of a broader experience that celebrates, equips, and uplifts women across the tech community. Through this event, DEVCON Bukidnon reinforces its commitment to fostering inclusive innovation and creating solutions that directly address real-world challenges faced by women.

As part of this initiative, participants were challenged to design technology-driven solutions to issues of safety, accessibility, and well-being. Among the standout contributors was 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗣𝘂𝗳𝗳 𝗚, composed of students from the College of Information Sciences and Computing at Central Mindanao University and AMA Computer Learning Center. Their project introduced a “one-tap” emergency system, a specialized application that enables real-time communication with trained responders, provides wellness resources, and maps nearby hospitals and police stations. Their innovation reflects MAVIC’s core mission: transforming hesitation into immediate action through accessible technology. The powerful minds behind PowerPuff G are 𝘌𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘳𝘺𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘺𝘢𝘯, 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘪, 𝘑𝘢𝘻𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘪 𝘔𝘪𝘬𝘢𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘰, and 𝘒𝘺𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯.

Equally commendable was 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 (Digital Access and Request Tracking System), which focused on improving access to essential public services. Designed for the 31 barangays of Valencia City, Bukidnon, the platform allows residents to request documents and monitor their status in real time, reducing the need for physical visits. Developed as a Minimum Viable Product under the Tech for Her theme, DARTS supports working women, solo parents, and mothers by offering a more efficient and inclusive system, further aligning with MAVIC’s vision of bridging gaps through innovation. The minds behind Team DARTS are 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘒𝘺𝘭𝘦 𝘝𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘰, 𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘰𝘨, and 𝘑𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘩𝘢𝘺, who made their vision a proactive platform.

Beyond the solutions developed, the true significance of MAVIC lies in its purpose. It represents a shift toward technology that not only informs, but also protects. Not only connects, but empowers. It highlights how innovation, when guided by empathy and collaboration, can become a vital first line of support for those who need it most.

As SHERTIFIED 2026 unfolds, the call extends beyond developers and organizers to communities, leaders, and individuals alike. Ending violence against women is not solely a technological challenge; it is a shared responsibility. Through initiatives like Project MAVIC and platforms like TECH FOR HER, DEVCON Bukidnon continues to champion a future where technology stands as a powerful ally in ensuring safety, dignity, and empowerment for every woman.

𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦:

United Nations Women. (2021). Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women during COVID-19. https://data.unwomen.org/publications/vaw-rga

𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 | Hezel Jadman
𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕 | Sofia Tamayo
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 | Rea Caday and Zeah Ventula

𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 | 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐔𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐀: 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞?

Flashy campaigns,
Gaudy pubmats,
Catchy taglines,
How close do you think we could get to the
Capitol with this much pretentiousness?

With all these candidates volunteering as tributes,
Who is sacrificing gain to give?

This isn’t a beauty pageant where beauty wins,
Where the most flamboyant display of service rules.
This isn’t the Hunger Games where we’re starving for a show,
We crave for leaders who will be catalysts of change:
an attentive public figure, an open ledger, a council that prioritizes competence.
The public does not need to wait for snow to discern
who runs just to attract followers in their bandwagon;
a spectacle of the blind leading the blind.

As they take the stage,
Let us give the spotlight to those who have actual policies,
Not those who are there to perform the next Oscar-winning act.

The winner should realize that the throne
is actually a desk buried in bureaucracy.
In the arena set to test each volunteer,
We shall watch like guard dogs;
Ready to bite, bark, and not tolerate
those who smile for the cameras,
But eat the trust of the public once the curtains are drawn.

To reflect a country we aspire to have,
We must start with our choices within this campus.
Choosing leaders who will choose to serve us,
No despicable motive to hold power,
Only the intention to foster an Academic Paradise of the South;
A campus where students with diverse skills and backgrounds
could seize their ambitions under a probity in service.

𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴!
𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨?



𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 | Echoe.
𝑨𝒓𝒕 | Modesthea Ramiso
𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕 | Sofia Tamayo

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | 𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐂 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

As part of this year’s student college elections, the College of Information Sciences and Computing Student Council Organization (CSCo) held a Miting de Avance at the CISC Training Room on April 7, 2026. The event featured members of the ASCEND Partylist, showcasing their platform and plans they aim to implement under their administration. CSCo members, together with the Election Committee and the student body, then engaged in a question-and-answer portion, during which each candidate was given an opportunity to demonstrate their qualities as a student leader.

In case you missed this year’s Miting de Avance, we have provided you with the highlights to keep you informed. This is your chance to get to know the candidates who are willing to dedicate their service to the CISC community.

[𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳: 𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥.]




𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 | Sofia Tamayo and Devon Dalman
𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 | CJ Limbu
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧s | Asher Dimakuta, Cyrah Bumanglag, Hezel Jadman, Cherrylyn Nguho, Max Torres, and Laureano Tan

Today, we remember their bravery, resilience, and unwavering spirit—symbols of the strength and pride of the Filipino nation. Although we did not experience what they went through, we remember their legacy with eternal gratitude.




𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 | Sofia Tamayo

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | Second-year I.T. students gathered at the College of Engineering Atrium on April 8, 2026, to attend the IT Tracks Seminar 2026. The seminar was specifically designed for these sophomores, providing them with expert-guided insights and advice on the Data Networking, Information Management, and Software Development tracks that will shape their academic and career growth.

Data Networking, Information Management, or Software Development? 𝘐𝘬𝘢𝘸, 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘰?

Drop your stories below!



𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | Rea Caday
𝐋𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 | Trasser Lacano
𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 | CJ Limbu and Rea Caday

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲: 𝗕𝗦𝗜𝗧 𝗦𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗜𝗧 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗖 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿

𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗨𝗠 — With their third year approaching, second-year BSIT students of the College of Information Sciences and Computing (CISC) attended the “IT Tracks 2026” seminar on April 8 to guide them in selecting their specialization.

Carrying the theme “The Next Step: Shaping Your IT Future,” the half-day event gathered students from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., featuring discussions on Software Development, Information Management, and Data Networking tracks.

In his opening remarks, Mindell Rey C. Aguirre urged students to base their decision on three key factors: interest, strength, and mission. “This isn’t about skills. This is about passion, consistency, and growth,” he said, adding that the field of information technology “unlocks your potential.”

Allen Keith A. Aradillos, speaker for the Software Development (SD) track, outlined the core process in building systems: identifying problems, conducting interviews, prototyping, and development. He emphasized that understanding user needs remains central in creating effective solutions.

Meanwhile, Prof. Nathalie Joy G. Casildo presented the Information Management (IM) track through a data science perspective. She introduced the “Data Refinery Pipeline,” which includes data collection, cleaning, analysis, machine learning, and visualization, stressing the importance of transforming raw data into actionable insights.

Casildo also highlighted the skills needed in the field, including programming languages such as Python and R, database management, and critical thinking. She noted that data professionals must not only analyze information but also communicate it effectively to support decision-making.

For the Data Networking (DN) track, Kervy Clyde B. Demegillo discussed the origins of network systems, citing early developments such as ARPANET and contributions from pioneers like Charles Kline. His discussion focused on how foundational technologies evolved into modern networking systems used today.

Open forums were conducted after each session, allowing students to raise questions and clarify their understanding of each track.

The seminar concluded with the awarding of certificates and closing remarks from Ronnel Cabarles, who encouraged students to follow their personal interests. “Choose from your heart when choosing a track,” he said.

The activity served as a preparatory step for BSIT students as they face one of their key academic decisions in the coming school year.



𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔 | Cess Monleon
𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕 | Sofia Tamayo
𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 | CJ Limbu and Rea Caday

𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 | 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞

To me, the audience has always been an afterthought– background noise in the gallery. They have always been this relentless chorus of voices, an amalgamation of curious and fervent onlookers. It was there, in that apparent sea of blank faces, that I saw you.

It was on the second day of Palaro, in some obscure venue, far from the crowd. There were merely a few people in that hall, teammates and opponents, coaches and judges, a marshal, and a few bored spectators. I was going through the motions, performing a routine for a sport I had barely any passion for. The judges looked hawkishly, hoping to find some semblance of flaw in my practiced movements. There, in that tension, the glare of your camera flash disturbed my focus.

You moved with the fluidity of a person in their element, a glint seeping through your gaze. You wore a simple polo shirt, its collar a bit crumpled. Your brows met as you focused, your small nose accompanied by a light smile, your crown adorned by braided hair. My vision swam past you for a millisecond, yet my retinas burned your visage in my mind for what felt like an eternity.

My routine slowed to a stop. A quiet announcement from the referee, followed by a light bow to the judges. I turned towards your direction again, but you were already walking away. My coach called me over and congratulated me. Teammates swarmed me, cheeky grins reaching their eyes. I did well, they told me.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴?

Did you catch me at my best angle? Did my hands blur in your image, forever ruining 5 megabytes of data in your camera’s storage? Did it catch me looking at you? I wondered where I’d find you again.

Thursday, Palaro– back in that same event, this time with you in my mind. I waited for my turn for my grand finals performance, my eyes wandering over the emptier audience. I saw you again, now wearing your publication uniform, holding that same camera, taking shots.

𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢?

With an energy no caffeine could have induced, I decided then and there. I will win, all for that minuscule chance of you approaching me.

My turn came, my teammates cheering me on, my coach tense, the judges hawkishly observing me, and the marshal signaled me to start. I took the first step of my routine, flowing into the next movement with more passion, a light bounce on my feet. I saw you in my periphery, furiously taking photos. A smile escaped my lips, my body remembering the feeling it once chased when it first started this sport. My routine reached a crescendo and then—

𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥.

I stood on the podium, a step below the champion, and you took photos of the winner. I broke into a chuckle as my coach congratulated me, my teammates swarming to tell me I did well.

𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘫𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶?

I looked at your retreat, the answer coming naturally to me. I burned your back into memory.

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 | Pen.
𝑨𝒓𝒕 | Jessa Galarpe
𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕 | Sofia Tamayo