Colleges are opening their doors to a fresh wave of students, we call the freshies! They’re finally starting campus life, returning as students with new goals and a desire for fresh perspectives. Boxes are being unpacked in dorm rooms, and buses are filled with nervous but excited students, all eager to see what campus life has in store.

Universities across the Philippines have their traditions to welcome freshmen to college life, and one of them might leave you soaked.

Soaked but Official

MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran made waves yesterday, August 5, 2025, as it welcomed its newest batch of students through Binyag Arriba—a signature tradition that blends school spirit, heritage, and a whole lot of water.

The day-long event brought together freshmen and transferees for symbolic rites to mark the start of their Letran journey. Highlights included a trust walk, orientation sessions, and a formal knighting ceremony, and the most anticipated part: a good-humored baptism using fire hoses—Letran’s playful way of giving newly full-fledged Letranites their first literal and figurative taste of the Arriba spirit. Freshmen also got to witness performances from the Letran Cheer Squad and Letran Filipiñana Dance Company.

Rooted in tradition but resonating with today’s youth, Binyag Arriba isn’t just an orientation—it’s an initiation into the values that shape a Letranite: resilience, grit, and community. It’s also a reminder that while Letran may not have been every student’s first choice, the experience, friendships, and support they gain make it their best one yet.

To the new college students across the country, may you thrive and enjoy your first year of college. May it be filled with new friendships, unforgettable memories, and lessons that go beyond the classroom.

Soak it all in — the chaos, the freedom, the growth. This is just the beginning.