70 Years of Dedicated Campus Press

The oldest surviving publication in the province of Bohol has now come to a 70 faithful years of student service in unwavering fortitude as a campus media. Being the voice of the students against disorder, strife and pressures in the mid and late ‘80s. Courageously faced the stealthy, gloomy skies of the ‘90s. Spoiled with censorship and restrictions that the writer’s original point of view and opinions were significantly distorted and toned down.

After heaps of trials and tribulations, on that momentous year in 1984. The Varsitarian earned its autonomy. A freedom that was desired for so many years.

The time Philippines granted its independence in 1946 and Rafael Palma College (now, University of Bohol) was founded, the student publication was born. Overgone competitive exams to organize the pioneer staff of the school publication. Cesario Balintag, a native from Baclayon, Bohol who was appointed to be the first editor-in-chief, led the ten of them  to run the paper.

Bearing the official name RP COLLEGIAN, came off its very first issue to the press in January the following year. Expressive of the role it must play which the Varsitarian continually preserved at present; to serve and inform the studentry and the administration. The publication was recognized as an organ of information. Moreover, its editors and staff members who became successful in the field of journalism and in their chosen career, established the RP COLLEGIAN.

THE NEW NAME, THE NAME THAT STANDS: 

October 16, 1970 when the Secretary of Education granted a university charter to Rafael Palma College, followed by the December 11, 1970 inauguration with Atty. Victoriano B. Tirol Sr. as its first president bearing the name, University of Bohol.

The publication has done more than merely keeping a record of students, activities and achievements. It captured precious moments in the life of every UBian with great joy and pride.

Since the former Rafael Palma College already became a University of Bohol, the name RP COLLEGIAN had to give way to a brand new name. Several names were submitted and proposed by different sectors of the school until the name VARSITARIAN was finally adopted. At that moment, the student publication of the University of Bohol has established an acknowledged identity that it has never claimed before.

The new staff under the new name, VARSITARIAN, placed the student publication in equal level with ranking contemporaries in Visayas and in Mindanao, when it won honor, when it was cited best in editorial, best in feature and excellence in layout by the College Editors of the Philippines.

Now in its 70 years of existence, seven decades of trials at all levels and  high gaiety. The Varsitarian keeps up to a tradition that dates back to 1946 - a tradition of student service and information. A student publication that obtained a great transition that dates back to the year Rafael Palma College was founded.