𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫; 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬

The BUChella: The University Welcome Party 2025 once again failed to launch due to multiple weather complications, initially being rescheduled from August 22-23 to August 26-27, 2025, and is now delayed indefinitely.

After multiple announcements by disaster risk and weather agencies, the Bicol University-University Student Council (BU-USC) issued an official statement asserting that the event is delayed until further notice.

“The rescheduled dates of BUChella shall be announced in due course, following consultations with competent weather authorities and upon confirmation from the appropriate government agencies, to ensure that the event is conducted under safe and favorable conditions,.” the USC said.

According to the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the heavy rains caused by a low- pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon are statistically considered a persisting threat and therefore, raised a warning to suspend face-to-face classes at all levels on August 22, in both public and private schools.

The PDRRMO memorandum was then reinstated on August 26, extending the suspension on similar grounds of weather conditions and causes.

Entrepreneur's challenges

The welcome party has invited many external businesses, university-based organizations, college-based organizations, merchants, and student entrepreneurs.

Despite the extreme weather, many are still seen in the campus commencement grounds preparing their tents, merchandise, food, activities, and labor in anticipation of the event.

Princess Diana Pearl Tuscano, a student entrepreneur of one of the invited businesses named Illustrianne, said, “As a merchant, double ended yung postponement. More time sana to prep[are], pero nakakain rin yung time na supposedly for other things na. Kasi habang tumatagal, nadadagdagan rin yung isipin other than the selling itself,”

(As a merchant, the postponement is double-ended. It would have given more time to prepare, but it also eats up time that was supposedly for other things. Because as time goes on, there are more things to think about other than the selling itself.)

Sofia Kim Madara, a student merchant with multiple businesses involved in the event such as Mariha, Kcrochets, Ukay-ukay, and Fruit Soda, also shared her sentiments.

“Things happen, yet the resilience of business owners is not enough,” she said.

Madara is also worried that the support she had during the initial postponement would not be the same in the succeeding schedule changes.

BU student-led organizations and merchants, particularly those directly involved in the conduct of the event, are at risk of losing their momentum and budget spent in the pursuit of participating in BUChella.

Food for thought

Frances Racquel Punzalan, the founder of a small home bakery, Kelzimakes, shared challenges she faced in preparation for the event.

“As a food business, I allotted a week's worth of preparation. Including buying the ingredients, portioning it out, and dough prepping na super time consuming and dapat maglaan ng whole day for it para sure ang stocks sa mismong baking day,” she said.

(As a food business, I allotted a week’s worth of preparation. Including buying the ingredients, portioning it out, and dough prepping, which is time- consuming and you have to set it aside for a whole day to ensure the stocks on the baking day itself.)

Punzalan also recalled that she had already spent an estimated amount of P6,000 in expenses, as it was used for the ingredients, displays, and designs appropriate for the booth.

Fortunately, the packed baked goods that she prepared for BUChella were circumvented and dispatched online, upon the surprising demand of many students.

As a solo entrepreneur of Miss U Musubi, Shiela Guardian also recalled her experience upon hearing the announcement.

“When I first heard the news, I was honestly disappointed and even cried. I had just finished frying a big batch of luncheon meat and was preparing everything so I could finally rest—kasi kailangan ko rin gumising ng 2 a.m. to continue the rest of the preparation,” she said.

(When I first heard the news, I was honestly disappointed and even cried. I had just finished frying a big batch of luncheon meat and was preparing everything so I could finally rest—because I also had to wake up at 2 a.m. to continue the rest of the preparation.)

“It was my first time handling that much work on my own, so the stress really hit me. I felt overwhelmed, but may mga di talaga expected na mangyayari and safety din naman dapat ipriority,” she added.

(It was my first time handling that much work on my own, so the stress really hit me. I felt overwhelmed, but there are things that are not really expected to happen, and safety should also be prioritized.)

Food-based student business was the most affected by the multiple rescheduling arrangements.

Council's view

Izel Manata, the BU-USC External Vice Chairperson and the head executive of BUChella, clarified in an interview that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was consulted during preparations and early coordination stages.

“This situation reminds us that no amount of preparation can outmatch forces beyond our control,” she remarked.

Manata regretted that she became too reliant on the assumption that the weather would cooperate because of the protocols and coordination met.

“Unfortunately, nature has other plans,” she said.

“First and foremost, we want to assure our student merchants and organizations that there will be no changes to the floor plan or assigned booths. The physical arrangements will remain intact, and only slight adjustments will be made to the program flow to accommodate the availability of some performers,” Manata said.

She also optimistically mentioned that the affected merchants would be the first to receive updates once the final date for the event is confirmed.

“Above all else, the welfare and well-being of our students will always be the top priority,” Manata affirmed.

via Joanne Princess Joson, Unibê Senior Editor

Layout by Rens Fernandez, Layout Editor

Photos | Kay Lisaba & BUCET 2025-2026 Facebook Group