#TPNews
“What’s in Store for U?”: PSG Aspirants Reveal Plans and Advocacies in Harapan 2022
By Ella Mae De Asis & Sherly Mae Traifalgar | May 11, 2022
It’s Election Season! Before thinking about whom you should vote for…have you ever wondered, what’s in store for you? Our new batch of aspiring student leaders aim to enlighten us.
The Paulinian Student Government aspirants or also known as the “Adhika Party” had a chance to lay out their plans and their stands on issues to the Paulinian community physically in the first gradual face-to-face Harapan held on April 29, 2022.
The candidates, panelists, their moderator, and some student leaders attended the live event in the Founders Hall while other students watched through Zoom and Youtube Live. The PSG Harapan is an annual event that aims to introduce a new set of aspirant leaders to express their platforms and their take on current issues.
The PSG Harapan began with the opening remarks of Ms. Elmgay Valeriano, Head of the Student Welfare and Development Office. She noted the role of Paulinians in electing the next student leaders.
“After two years, we are back in the Founders Hall for the Harapan [and] this is very crucial because all students in St. Paul University Manila will take part in choosing and electing our student leaders for the coming school year. So, I believe, the Paulinian education enables us to be really critical in choosing our leaders,” she said.
The speech was followed by the presentation of the college councils and extracurricular organizations. The incoming officers and leaders had a chance to share their plans through a short video presentation. Some presenters were the councils from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Management, and College of Business and Management. Organizations such as The Paulinian Psychology Circle, Paulinian Tourism Society, and InfoNursetion were also represented.
Adhika introduces plans and advocacies
The panelists for this year’s Harapan were Ms. Loti Elemia Abad (digital marketing strategist, content creator, and artist) and Mr. Kerwin Fortes (part-time professor in SPU Manila and a senior automation engineer).
The Adhika Party started off by introducing themselves and some of their advocacies. First, Catrina Ann Mendiola, Adhika’s auditor, described herself as passionate, hardworking, and honest. She advocates for mental well-being and believes that no student should be left behind. Next, Carla Mae Toling, Adhika’s treasurer said that she is a transformational leader and that she advocates charism and youth empowerment toward a more competent student body. Edric Lantin, Adhika’s secretary, meanwhile, aims to strengthen the comradery among students. He also wants to have more open and accessible educational materials. Vice President, Angelina De Vera, also the current SSC Secretary, wants to continue and improve their projects and proposed a SOSA or State of the Student Address. Lastly, for President, Earl David Ong expressed his plan to lead by hope, not fear. He also wants to vitalize our Paulinian Identity.
Highlighting the line-up of the party, Mr. Fortes asked “Paano niyo nabuo ang grupo at paano kayo nag-desisyon?” (How did you form your group and how did you decide on it?) Mr. Ong answered that they collectively decided on what positions they will run for. They also considered some of their past leadership experiences and made sure that they are fit for the job.
In a retrospective view, Mr. Fortes then asked them to give examples of “the good and bad things that happened last year,” and “where should we focus today.”
Mr. Ong answered by discussing the hindrances caused by online the set-up such as, the delay of announcements and lack of student interactions. However, the group is glad that despite those hindrances, they were able to pull off major activities, like the University Week. For the things that should be improved, he said that they will strengthen the social interaction and will listen more to students’ suggestions.
A question from the audience was also raised, “What do you think are the worst problems that you may face that will bring out your creativity and problem-solving skills?”
“Mental health struggles are one of the big problems of the past school year. [I] hope that it will disappear in a hybrid setup. Overloaded and overwhelmed, unexpected things. As SSC secretary, para maramdaman nila na kahit nasa four corners tayo (hopefully they will feel that even if we feel boxed at times), SSC is willing to listen, to serve,” Ms. De Vera said.
“Transitional period, a lot of changes that we need to adapt to, like puberty. We have a great adaptability quotient, and we ensure to listen,” Ms. Mendiola added.
PSG candidates take on social issues
A query from one of the panelists, Ms. Loti Abad, was about the prevalence of fake news and disinformation, asking the candidates what programs they have to help their fellow Paulinians combat fake news. Ms. Abad said it is crucial to know this as the school is a training ground, and it is essential for a leader to know and think about what goes on outside.
“Be like St. Paul, the defender of truth. Advocate the Paulinian Identity, [by] wide[ly] fact-checking, [and] utilizing social media.” Mr. Ong responded accordingly.
This was followed up by a situational question from one of the panelists, asking what if they encountered a friend sharing fake news, what would their course of action be?
Mr. Ong replied to that by going through the step-by-step process on how to go about the situation, from verifying the authenticity of news to approaching the person in a non-confrontational manner.
“Bilang Pilipino na may pake sa bayan (As a Filipino who cares), we have to know how to educate,” Mr. Ong added.
Curiosity peaked as one of the panelists asked the candidates if they have encountered this situation in real life and asked them to share their experiences with it.
To this, Ms. De Vera stepped up saying that in the past, her first reaction was to unfriend or block them. However, in recent times she asked herself, “Why should we unfriend them?” She believes that we must educate, influence, and enlighten them by sharing reliable facts and sources. “For the closed-minded, we do not give up in educating them as we all deserve the truth,” she said in her closing statement.
Ms. Dator added to this by mentioning “Paulinian Identity” and integrating our core values, sharing how it is our responsibility to protect our community against fake news.
A question on Zoom was also posed for the candidates. Faye Baldemor a CAS student, asked about how the candidates’ aforementioned events and programs will help the students’ mental health in the midst of another upcoming transition next school year, to which the candidates replied that they will focus on deepening the relationship with the students, hosting interactive workshops and events that strengthen mental health, like the “Virtual Disco” mentioned by Ms. Toling,
“Para sa inyo, how will you handle the transition? Paano niyo ico-convince the students na you have their back?” a live question from Ms. Caela Dychangco the CAS president.
“We assure you that SPUM is a safe place. The school promises to be strict on all vaccinations, social distancing, guidelines and disciplines…Hindi madali (It’s not easy), [but] the school showed that they can handle the situation just fine,” Mr. Edric Lantin said, sharing his own experience regarding the matter.
This was followed by a question from the panelist, Mr. Fortes: “Paano mo kami mako-convince na it’s okay, the virus is always there. What can you do as SSC to address it?”
Mr. Ong responded with a nostalgic approach on the issue, stating that we must “remind them of the spark, the fire within them,” elaborating on what students miss, like the Paulinian go-to’s –Giddy’s, and D’Cream, assuring them that SPU Manila will always be their home away from home.
Ms. Kate Ignacio from PPR inquired about ensuring the consistency of their plans and how they can make sure that they will communicate with all of the students and not just the student leaders.
Mr. Ong replied by reiterating one of his platforms, Aktibong Paulino. He stated that there will be a monthly theme and event, for instance, “Buwan Ng Wika” in August, Math and Science in September, and so on, which will target the holistic development of students. As for communication, he proposed a regular “kumustahan” to cater to the needs of the students.
PSG aspirants on the involvement of the Senior High School Department
As the program progressed, inquiries about the involvement of the Senior High School Department in the student councils and organizations were raised. As Ms. Kate Ignacio, the PPR President, asked: “How do you plan to empower the advocacies of all organizations, co-curricular, extracurricular orgs, kasi may mga ibang students na ‘di aware na it’s existing (some students are not aware that these are existing).”
Mr. Ong replied to this by saying that organizations are what kept him in SPU M, and it would be much better if the student council opened to the Senior High School Department. He described this as a great marketing strategy and that those who took Senior High in St. Paul would know what the SHS students need. He stated that a representation in the department is in order to market different organizations.
Ms. Toling meanwhile added by sharing her story of detachment from the college activities during her senior high school days. She said that this will change during their term and “a seat on the table” will be given, with no one left behind.
The next question came from a Senior High School Student, Ella Mae De Asis from Grade 12-STEM, asking what will be their actions towards the current ‘exclusion’ of the SHS department from other university activities, and how they will handle the transition of these students from the virtual to the face-to-face platform.
“First, we would like to establish a representation muna with the Senior High School, as we don’t want to make an activity na hindi naman kami sure na gusto talaga ng Senior High School (that we are not sure if the Senior High School wants)…The representation will confer with us, and we will help them to make that- kasi medyo controversial ‘yung relationship with Senior High School and then sometimes we have a hard time with proposed activities. But this year we will push through with the representation, we will work on that as it will benefit you, the org, and the community,” Mr. Ong replied.
The final question of the day was given by former 2020 SSC President, Mr. Abcydee Gonzales: “How would you strengthen the ties between the College and Senior High School Department? Given the situation na walang sariling government ang Senior High. How would you reach the students?”
“Nasulat ko na siya (I have written it) last year. My number one goal is to strengthen the relationship of Senior High School students and College through the establishment of the Senior High School Council of Presidents… My goal is to really establish this council para magkaroon sila ng representation and ma-voice out nila kung ano talaga yung gusto nila (so that they will have a representation, and they can voice out what they want). Then ‘yung mga activities (Then the activities) can be self-governing. They have their vested powers upon them, para magkaroon din sila ng activities na makaka-enjoy or magkakaroon ng interaction at active participation ang Senior High School.” Mr. Ong commented.
Adding to what Mr. Ong stated, Vice President aspirant, Ms. De Vera, added: “We encourage the Senior High School students to be part of the organizations, because everyone is welcome…Based on my experience, kapag nilapit mo yung sarili mo, ikaw yung mismo naglagay sa sarili mo sa isang lugar na gusto mo, magiging close din kayo sa isa’t isa (If you bring yourself closer to others and you put yourself in a position where you want to be headed, eventually, you will develop a deeper relationship with others). We need engagement sa isa’t isa- medyo nafi-feel kasi ng Senior High na nale-left behind, pero hindi ‘yon. Hindi namin kayo iniiwan. (Some Senior High feel that they are left behind. But they are not). We are here. We are listening to you guys, and we promise that this school year, narito kami para sa inyo (We are here for you).”
As the question-and-answer portion ended, the awarding of the certificate of appreciation to the guest panelists was done by Mrs. Elmgay Valeriano.
This was followed by Ms. Jasmine Kalaw, the incumbent SSG President, with the announcement of the schedule for the PSG Elections and the reiteration of the role of Paulinians in the upcoming national elections.
“We hope that like our National Elections that will be held on May 9, you will be able to discern the best leaders for our future. The Paulinian community deserves leaders that will prioritize the welfare and the concern of all its students. Don’t forget that good governance starts with us.”
For her closing message, Ms. Kalaw expressed her gratitude to all the individuals and groups who have made the event possible, from the university heads, to the audiences via Zoom and Youtube. The event ended with a community singing of the Paulinian Mission Song.
Now that you know what’s in store for you, would you demand something more? Would never settle for less? Remember, the choice is always yours.
