Himati

Himati is the official student publication of the University of the Philippines Mindanao and is one of the student organizations that were launched at the foundation of UPMin on February 1995. It gives critical views on the issues, policies and news affecting the UPMin society through a mix of news, opinion, features and interactive media.
The publication initiated online-based journalism in the UP System in 2003, later integrating and expanding its web services in 2010 as part of the publication itself. The publication also maintains a video channel, being the first student publication in the country to use video documentary and video blogging (vlogging) as a medium of news and opinion delivery.
Himati is a member of UP Solidaridad (UP Alliance of Student Publications and Writers' Organizations) and is one of the first Mindanaoan publications to join the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP).
The word himati means "awakening" in Tausug and "perspective" in Cebuano. The publication was then one of the first student organizations in UPMin to be formally recognized (the other two being the University Student Council and the Society of Math Majors) in 1996. Himati mainly delivered only UPMin news during its early years, with some local and regional news and opinion essays by the staff and those submitted by students.
Shifting their layout to a magazine format, the third issue featured the inauguration of the Elias B. Lopez Student Residence Hall by former President Fidel V. Ramos and the second protest of the Bago Oshiro Farmers’ Association voicing their opposition to the proposed relocation of their residences.
By 1998, the second volume was released, and Balabag succeeded by Bermillion S. Faderan; the first edition featured the transfer of the Oblation statue from Kanluran to its present spot in front of the Administration Building, and the appointment of Prof. Rogelio Cuyno as UPMin’s first chancellor. Faderan was then succeeded by Floreen Anne Batulaba; her first issue headlined the increase of motorcycle accidents in UPMin as well as the construction of the Administration Building and the Kanluran Building Annex, and the first visit of a UP President (Francisco Nemenzo Jr.) to UPMin.
Himati then released its only issue for 2001-2002 in five installments: News, Feature, Opinion, Gibati and Lampoon; these issues highlighted the creation of the National Service Training Program, the issue on high BS Architecture matricula, the murder of a UPMin professor and the suicide of a freshman student.
In 2003, Himati was present in the Internet through its first official website. It was also in this year that it published its thickest issue, which was a literary and culture magazine merged with Gibati, and finalized its brand with its design and typeface, replacing the “T” with a silhouette of the Oblation statue.
In 2006, Himati opened yet another website featuring articles and photos from its print issue, which was also updated with a new ‘standardized’ format with more emphasis on opinion. Also, the first social network account was also opened during this period, giving students direct access to new posts using their personal accounts.
Due to lack of funds, support from the Administration, decreasing student participation, lack of ably-skilled student writiers and increasing student apathy inside the institution, the years 2005-2009 were quite disastrous; one issue was even released as a newsletter and published through photocopying.
Due to this dilemma, the present editor-in-chief Sergei Reyes decided use new forms of media for news delivery, particularly through the online medium, and further strengthening Himati's presence in the Web; these new services were announced during the 2010 Freshman Night and were in operation the following day. The editorial board also commemorated the first year of the Maguindanao Massacre on November with a short program. At present, Himati is present in the Web through their social networking accounts; a new website is also under construction as well as the study of a publication content management system.
Issues
Himati releases at least two issues (except in 2008 and 2009) every academic year in either tabloid or magazine format. Special edition issues are also released during important events/occasions in the UPMin academic calendar.

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