By Ishia Eleanor F. Marquez
Following TamHunt 2026’s two-time postponement, Far Eastern University (FEU) student organizations recounted the setbacks caused by inclement weather and schedule changes as the annual membership drive concluded at the FEU Grounds yesterday, September 18.
TamHunt 2026 was initially scheduled from September 7 to 9, with the first day activities successfully pushing through despite it being cut short due to the inclement weather.
After the issuance of an Orange Rainfall Warning over Metro Manila, FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) announced the rescheduling of the remaining two days of booth operations, moving the event to September 14 and 15.
However, a day before the scheduled resumption, FEU shifted its learning modality to synchronous online classes in anticipation of the nationwide strike by Manibela, further rescheduling the event to September 17 and 18.
During the first day of TamHunt last September 7, organizations faced delays in booth setups and operations due to heavy rainfall before the University suspended the activities.
Among them was the Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance Student Council (IABF SC), which postponed its booth operations before the official suspension, citing difficulties due to inclement weather.
In an online interview with FEU Advocate, IABF SC Treasurer Meri Josh Mogado shared that the student council considered the time and materials needed to set up their booth; thus, the decision to postpone booth operations and continue with online applications instead.
“We also considered what materials would be suitable for our booth and for the theme we had prepared. Most of the procurement was done while it was already raining, so it was quite challenging to get the materials we needed,” she said.
Despite this, the treasurer shared that the postponement gave them enough time for booth preparations before TamHunt activities resumed.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview, FEU Sexuality and Gender Alliance Treasurer Glenn Paul Molina stated that the rescheduling of TamHunt caused delays in their planned organization activities, including their general assembly supposedly scheduled next week.
“We were hoping na at least matapos na siya by last week, kasi medyo mahi-hinder din ‘yung mga further na events na puwede gawin. For example, ‘yung general assembly na supposedly next activity period mangyayari, pero ayun nga, there is a bit of a short ‘yung gap between TamHunt and ‘yung general assembly (We were hoping that it could have at least ended by last week, because it may slightly hinder further events that we could hold. For example, our general assembly supposedly scheduled the next activity period, but there is a bit of a short gap between TamHunt and the general assembly),” he shared.
Molina also highlighted that the new schedule was a lost opportunity to conduct the TamHunt during an activity period, where students are more free to engage with the booths.
“‘Yung activity period last week kasi it was a very good time para ipakilala sa mga students, not only mga first-year [students] but all the way to fourth-year [students], para ma-utilize ‘yung time nila na ibinigay sa atin organizations for TamHunt mismo. Ngayon kasi, wala naman tayo activity period or such, kaya ngayon may mga estudyante na nasa klase (The activity period last week was a very good time to introduce students, not only first-year students but all the way to fourth-year students, so we could utilize the time given to student organizations for TamHunt itself. Now, we don’t have any activity period or such; thus, students are now in class),” he said.
As inclement weather persisted even in the final day, FEUCSO President Jasper Calara eventually issued a postponement of booth activities at 1:30 p.m.
This was followed by FEU’s official suspension of afternoon face-to-face classes, consequently putting TamHunt 2026 activities to an earlier close than intended.
According to the Office of Student Involvement, there are 68 accredited and recognized organizations for the school year 2026–2027; however, only 62 opened membership for this year’s TamHunt.
Among the non-participating organizations was FEUCSO, citing their incapacity to participate amid the ‘institutional environment.’
“After thorough consideration, the FEUCSO has decided not to proceed with the membership drive at this time as we settle matters that must be clarified first and processes that must be allowed to take their course,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the International Studies Society announced last September 15 that it would no longer operate onsite during the rescheduled TamHunt 2026, citing operational challenges such as logistical constraints and limited manpower.
With the theme ‘Cartoons Multiverse,’ student-led organizations incorporated mainstream cartoon media in this year’s recruitment drive, with the awarding ceremony set on September 22.
TamHunt is an annual recruitment drive that provides FEU students the opportunity to join various student-led organizations at its Manila and Makati campuses.
(Photo by Gabriel Matencio/FEU Advocate)