FPA Muse Heidi Louise Marie Carlson is Hara Sa FU 2026

Foundation University just crowned its newest Hara in Heidi Louise Marie Carlson, a sparkling Grade 11 student from the Foundation Preparatory Academy (FPA).

She clinched the title after a brilliant standoff against eleven other representatives.

The complete roster includes:

Anne May Rizlaine R. Tubog, from the College of Hospitality Management

JM Christine Garcia, from the College of Education 

Shania Katelyn Khan, from the Department of Architecture and Fine Arts

Seashore Marian Pascobello, from the College of Nursing 

Feryal Cheska Cuizon, from the College of Law and Jurisprudence 

Maria Kalmia Fate Reyes, from the College of Business Administration 

Janelle Andrea Sohutado, from the College of Computer Studies

Liezyl Livestre, from the College of Arts and Sciences

Jeah Mitsy Patula, from the School of Industrial Engineering and Technology 

Kyla Don Angel Erme, from the College of Criminology 

Fel Yasmien S. Vilando, from the College of Agriculture

Each candidate is a standout scholar in her own right, serving as key pillars of their campus organizations when they’re not competing for the crown. Arguably, the sixteen-year-old winner stood out as the most poised in her cohort.

As a Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMMS) student, Heidi consistently ranks at the top of her class, serving as a dependable mentor to younger peers while also engaging with the student council’s academic committee. When she isn’t hitting the books, she shoulders the responsibility of a campus journalist, delivering compelling feature stories for the university paper.

A core part of the pageant requires each representative to champion a concrete advocacy platform. This involves a series of outreach projects designed to spotlight their cause and mobilize action around a social issue. For many candidates, these platforms originate from their life experiences or academic programs.

Heidi’s cause, “BLOOM,” is a call for mental health awareness. The proactive development of emotional resilience among students forms the core of her advocacy. “Mental health extends beyond healing,” Heidi stated in her address. “It requires continuous effort to maintain, nurture, and protect the well-being of a person’s mind and heart.”

FPA is beaming with pride over Heidi’s win. There’s a real buzz on campus, as this marks the second straight year a student from their department has taken the crown. The previous Hara, Fralean Ramos Bahandi, was also a Senior High School student when she represented FPA in the 2025 pageant. Continuing the tradition of a meaningful and impactful platform, Fralean championed a program focused on the care and empowerment of people with disabilities (PWD).

The Hara sa FU is a yearly celebration of Foundationite wit, grace, and beauty. This long-standing tradition lights up the historic Sofia Soller Sinco Hall every Kasadyaan Festival. For the entire student body, the pageant is easily the most anticipated event of the first semester, built upon a powerhouse of planning efforts that kick off a full month prior.

Since its origins in the later half of the 20th century, the Hara sa FU has seen many thematic changes. The pageant continues to evolve with the developing vision of the university. A unique tradition is President Dean’s pairing of the Hara theme with the general slogan for the academic year. Last year, for the institution’s Diamond Jubilee celebration, the theme was built around the endemic flowers of the archipelago. This motif highlights the nation’s natural beauty and represents the flourishing of hope for the community. For 2026, President Dean has linked the 76th Foundation Day with the slogan “Your Future Clicks.” Consequently, the Hara and all her court had to embody futuristic attires and performances for their set.

Arguably the boldest production in years, this year’s pageant introduced many new elements, including a cinematic, narrative-driven storyline and the integration of multi-media for the talent competition, which incorporated the large LED screens installed on stage. The Cyber Couture segment was also a welcome addition, replacing the Playwear portion of the previous year. The university’s internal production office for all major events, the Creative Department, was tasked with interpreting the theme and fleshing out President Dean’s vision for a futuristic Hara.

The result was a spectacular stage show that immersed the audience in the quest for a digital future. Hara sa FU 2025 Fralean Bahandi played the protagonist in the storyline. In her attempt to locate the heart of the system, and answer the existential threat posed by the rogue AI FACE—the Federal Algorithmic Control Entity—she uncovered the twelve Haras suspended in a cryogenic capsule.

The two runners-up finishing behind Heidi are Anne May Rizlaine R. Tubog from the College of Hospitality Management, and Seashore Marian Pascobello from the College of Nursing.

Beyond winning the coveted crown, Heidi also secured the Best in Speaker Award for her articulate responses and compelling command of the judges' interviews.