Class is in session: What in the world (and sun and moon) is the International State College of the Philippines?
The internet can take you to a world of unknown locations— from deep diving into fictional realms to sight-seeing through satellite maps. But this time, it seems that Filipino netizens just want to head back to school.
Presenting the class of International State College of the Philippines, or ISCP, a virtual satirical university that has amassed popularity in recent days for its use of meme references to promote class curricula, professors, and unreadable list of passers.
The satirical page currently has several social media platforms: the main ISCP Facebook, Twitter, and Discord pages; ISCP - Supreme E-Youth Government Facebook handle; as well as the ISCP Intergalactic Extensions Campuses and ISCP Registrar Twitter accounts, among others.
ISCP first caught the eye of netizens when it began releasing satirical posts to present its programs. One such personality concerned with its posts was broadcaster Kim Atienza after he was dubbed as the dean of their "College of Education."
Atienza expressed concern through his Facebook page, asking for the "scam" post to be taken down. Eventually, the TV host caught on to the joke and thanked ISCP for the "honor" of serving as its supposed educator.
"If you can't beat them, join them. Thank you for the honor. Langya kayo you got me," Atienza wrote. "Kelan face to face, I want to meet my students."
Atienza joins the likes of Jovit Baldivino as the Head Coach of their basketball team (the Blue Aspins), Taylor Swift or "Taylor Mae S. Batumbakal" as their Magna Cum Laude, and an adult film star as their College of Medicine program chair. It's pretty wild.
The fake college has also expanded its lore to its many branches such as the Main Campus, Biringan Campus, Sun and Moon Campus, Planetary Campus, Atlantic Campus, and Galactic Campus.
A particularly inspired netizen by the name of Keen Mayormita went as far as designing the campus grounds, complete with its blue emblem and a giant statue of the school mascot, an Aspin.
Netizens have also flocked to social media to commend ISCP for its detailed online posts and polished website.
I know ISCP is a satire university, but omg, the amount of effort and skill for all the pubs and videos?! They look so much more legit than the ones published by legit unis HAHAHA,
— Karisma🌟🌟🌟 (@charm_estrella) August 7, 2022
IT SHOWS HOW YOUNG FILIPINOS ARE REALLY SO GOOD WITH THEIR CRAFTS!!
not iscp having a better website than real schools nauuurrrr 😭😭😭
— richard 🍩 (@perichardium) August 7, 2022
Meanwhile, the ISCP hasn't gone without controversy. Artist Toni Panagu called the attention of ISCP for allegedly being endorsed by a company called Quick WRITE, which provides writing services such as academic works for students.
"Sa kaso ng ISCP atbp. mga 'news' pages na sponsored ng Quick Write, mahusay mo nga bang mapagtatawanan ang mga institusyong nagpapakalat ng misinformation at inhustisya kung sila mismo ay pinagagalaw ng organisasyon o business na nagpapakalat ng academic dishonesty?" Panagu queried.
QuickWrite has since issued a statement on its affiliation with ISCP, and said that it has pulled out of the partnership with the meme page.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to the ISCP Facebook page and hasn't received reply as of writing.