August always heralds new chapters from freshmen beginning their college journey to seniors preparing for their victory lap. Leaving behind the quiet vacation months to enter the busy school days can feel sudden, but it is a journey we must begin anyway.

And into the woods we go, as August 2025 thrusts us back into reality. From iconic pop culture moments to important news, this month was the lively welcome we needed:

1. UST freshmen receive warm welcome despite weather woes

(Photo by Jay Joaquin Balolong/TomasinoWeb)

New students started the academic year on Aug. 6 with the Thomasian Welcome Mass at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, followed by the ROARientation where student organizations presented the University’s talents and traditions.

The freshmen then crossed the Arch of the Centuries to officially begin their journey as Thomasians. The young tigers pushed through in their true Thomasian spirit despite the sudden downpour.

On Aug. 7, the freshmen activities were followed by a Welcome Party, featuring homegrown talents like JYVE! and UST Prime. Filipino indie folk group The Ridleys serenaded the crowd with their hit songs “Aphrodite” and “Be With You.”

2. Into the Woods Philippine adaptation completes its run

(Photo by Mark Alvarez/Theatre Group Asia)

Theatre Group Asia staged the Philippine production of Into the Woods from Aug. 7 to 24 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The Stephen Sondheim musical explores the intertwined stories of classic fairy tale characters with Filipino flair.

Household names dominated the cast, with Lea Salonga playing The Witch and Eugene Domingo playing Jack’s Mother. Beyond the star-studded cast, uniquely Filipino elements were present in the show, like costumes inspired by traditional Filipino attire and the stage’s capiz window backdrop.

3. Regine Velasquez and Vice Ganda’s “Jet2Holiday” parody

(Screengrab from @gibocius81__ on TikTok)

Celebrities Regine Velasquez and Vice Ganda held a concert on Aug. 8, where they performed a parody of the popular “Jet2Holiday” meme. The performance began with Velasquez singing the meme’s “darling hold my hand,” hook, followed by Vice Ganda walking on stage with comedic tarpaulins– most notably, one with the words “jetski holiday.”

Vice Ganda mimicked the viral soundbite, changing the words to “Nothing beats a jet ski holiday, right now from Manila to the West Philippine Sea via jet ski,” and the clip went viral on social media. Some interpreted it as a commentary on former President Duterte’s response to the West Philippine Sea dispute, while some denounced it as disrespectful. The Davao City government later condemned the act.

4. Sunshine grabs national attention

(Photo from Project 8 Projects)

Director Antoinette Jadaone’s film Sunshine garnered attention from local audiences and Filipino legislators. On Aug. 12, several government officials, including Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, Kabataan Partylist Representative Renee Co, and Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, attended a special screening.

The titular character, played by Maris Racal, tells the story of a young gymnast aiming to join the national team when she discovers her pregnancy.

Jadaone stressed the importance of telling stories centered on youth pregnancy and reproductive health.

5. Thomasians triumph over August 2025 licensure exams

(Photos by Jay Joaquin Balolong)

The University produced new food technologists, mechanical engineers, medical technologists, and electrical engineers following this month’s licensure exams.

The Food Technologist Licensure Exam was held on Aug. 14 and 15. Three Thomasians took spots in the Top 10. Nathan Orencia took the number one spot. In total, UST recorded an 87.10 percent passing rate.

Meanwhile, 51 Thomasians passed the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam held on Aug. 10 and 11. Carl Diego Sadie from the University placed fifth overall, sharing the spot with two other examinees.

UST ranked third among the top-performing schools in the Medical Technology Licensure Exams held on Aug. 12 and 13. 215 out of 220 examinees from the University passed, with six Thomasians landing in the Top 10.

41 students from the University passed the Registered Electrical Engineers Licensure Exam held on Aug. 18 and 19. UST ranked third among the top schools with a passing rate of 89.13 percent.

6. DPWH faces flood project controversy

(Photo by John Louie Abrina/Manila Bulletin)

A Senate hearing was held on Aug. 19 to discuss faulty flood control projects. This probe came after President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address last July, where he questioned ineffective projects after the preceding typhoon. The President also questioned why only 15 private contractors bagged P100 billion worth of projects while producing substandard results. Out of 15 invited contractors, only seven attended the hearing.

Allegations of “ghost projects” also surfaced. Senator Jinggoy Estrada shared reports of flood control plans that never materialized. The Department of Public Works and Highways chief, Manuel Bonoan, later confirmed this. Bonoan has since vowed to hold involved DPWH officials accountable.

7. Pasig mayor Vico Sotto criticizes ‘paid’ interviews

(Screengrab from Vico Sotto’s Facebook page)

In a Facebook post on Aug. 21, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto condemned journalists who are paid to interview politicians. He referenced interviews featuring Sarah and Curlee Discaya, who have ties to contractors involved in the latest flood control debacle, calling the practice violative of journalistic ethics.

The two journalists featured in the posts denied Sotto’s claims. Korina Sanchez released a statement arguing that the interview was done for a public purpose, not for payment. Julius Babao rejected the allegations, insisting that his interview was merely a lifestyle piece.

8. TikTok video sparks debate on AI-generated research

(Screengrab from @rynyourthesisbestie on TikTok)

A TikTok video was reposted on X on Aug. 21, leading to heated discussions on using AI for academic research projects. Initially posted on TikTok, the video lists the inclusions of a P5,000 package for a thesis commission.

The business shown in the video claims to use AI prompts to help students finish research papers in a short amount of time.

The post quickly gathered a controversial debate as netizens shared their worries about academic integrity being undermined by such businesses.

9. Alex Eala’s historic win in the U.S. Open

(Photo by Jeenah Moon/Reuters)

Alex Eala continues to make history after her victory on Aug. 25 against Denmark’s Clara Tauson in the U.S. Open. This win makes her the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main draw match in the Open era.

Eala’s win was dramatic as the early rounds of the match led her to a 5-1 deficit. In the end, she made a rousing comeback, winning five straight games and the tie-breaker round. This victory also marks the Filipina’s first time reaching a Grand Slam second round after her early defeat in last July’s Wimbledon Championship.

10. Low-pressure area forces class suspensions

(Photo from DILG Philippines’ official Facebook page)

Classes and government work in multiple areas of Luzon and Visayas were suspended following forecasts of heavy rain on Aug. 26.

PAG-ASA warned the public of scattered showers due to a low-pressure area (LPA). Despite low chances of turning into a tropical depression, PAG-ASA warned that the LPA could cause flooding. The southwest monsoon (habagat) also contributed to heavy rains.

The Department of Interior and Local Government announced on Aug. 26 class suspensions in a Facebook post. Other local government units followed with their own announcements after.

11. UST holds press conference for UAAP Season 88 opening

(Photo by Cielo Capobres/TomasinoWeb)

The opening ceremony for UAAP Season 88 will be held on Sept. 19 in the UST Grandstand and Quadricentennial Pavilion. This was announced by the University, as the host school, in a press conference held on Aug. 27.

Fr. Rodel Cansancio, UAAP Season 88 president and UST-Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director, expressed his vision of giving UAAP’s audience a taste of the Thomasian experience. According to him, the opening ceremony will feature a special fireworks display and a drone show, alongside the traditional athletes’ parade and oath of sportsmanship.

12. Taylor Swift announces new album and engagement

(Photo from Taylor Swift’s Instagram)

On Aug. 12, Swift announced “The Life of a Showgirl,” her newest album to be released in October. The album will have 12 new songs, including a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter.

Two weeks later, on Aug. 27, Swift announced her engagement to football player Travis Kelce. Swift and Kelce shared the news on Instagram, posting their photos to Swift’s song “So High School.” The couple’s announcement comes after two years of dating.