By: Joy Nicole C. Canutab

On September 20, 2025, Criminology and Forensic Science interns of the University of the Cordilleras (UC), together with one of their practicum advisers, Rico Jay Barcena, participated in the 2nd Battalion Jog at the Baguio City Athletic Bowl. The activity emphasized not only physical fitness but also camaraderie, discipline, and teamwork — values essential in law enforcement and forensic practice.

Interns gathered early in the morning, lacing up their running shoes as they prepared for the jog around the oval. The event, as part of their practicum formation, provided an opportunity to strengthen endurance while reinforcing the importance of unity and cooperation among future professionals in the field of criminal justice.

One intern shared, “The battalion jog challenged us physically, but what mattered most was how we encouraged each other to finish. It showed that teamwork really matters, both in training and in the profession we are preparing for.”

The battalion jog also served as a platform for interns from different groups to bond, interact, and support each other outside the classroom. Many participants expressed that the experience boosted morale and highlighted the role of physical preparedness in their chosen fields.

This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, by promoting physical wellness and healthy lifestyles, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, by cultivating discipline, cooperation, and resilience among future law enforcers and forensic professionals.

By combining fitness with fellowship, the battalion jog demonstrated that the formation of future criminal justice practitioners requires more than academic knowledge—it also demands a healthy body, a strong sense of unity, and a commitment to serve with integrity.

Photos by: Intern Einstein Balan-eg