SANGGUNIAN GENERAL ELECTIONS 2022 Blue Ballot 2022 is The GUIDON’s special coverage of the Sanggunian General Elections. This is a project by the Editorial Board aspirants for AY 2022-2023.
EDITORIAL
Dividing the virtual wall EDITORIAL CARTOON BY SAMANTHA ROSE M. RAGAZA
THE ADMU Freedom Wall (FW) has served as the anonymous haven where Ateneans share their woes and complaints on various matters concerning campus life. Although leaders from the Sanggunian have made steps to increase engagement with the student body, there remains a disconnect between the two parties. COMMUNICATION BARRIERS The multiple posts on FW suggest that Ateneans are aware of school affairs and the role of the Sanggunian in addressing issues. However, due to the FW’s veil of anonymity, the Sanggunian faces the challenge of finding avenues to connect and engage with its constituents. For example, the Commission on Anti-Sexual Misconduct and Violence and the Loyola Schools Office of the Ombudsman responded to a post reaching out to an anonymous victim who was allegedly harassed by a Sanggunian member. “If you’d like to speak with one of our first responders to process this experience or to be connected to the Loyola Schools (LS) Gender Hub, our communication lines are always open and we are ready to listen to you,” a part of the comment reads. While the Sanggunian continues to hear concerns raised
through the FW, the processing of cases are riddled with uncertainty as decisions moving forward must be backed by credible data through consultations with the necessary stakeholders. Without indisputable facts, standard Sanggunian processes may delay the FW users’ pursuit of justice and order. Apart from issues of efficiency, the popularity of the FW is a stark contrast to the low rates of participation during Sanggunian-led projects and surveys. As students continue to use FW to criticize the LS processes and student government response, the Sanggunian General Elections—which will elect leaders who will manage these concerns—sees little engagement from the student body. LACKING INVOLVEMENT Active engagement is the key to making a democracy thrive, more so when it comes to electing a new set of leaders. Despite the significant number of FW posts calling for action in the Sanggunian, there seems to be a lack in student engagement when it comes to participating in student matters. While the Sanggunian General Elections saw a higher voter turnout from 12.6 percent in 2019, the engagement in electing the Sanggunian’s next leaders remained low at 22.24 percent. Furthermore, constitu-
ency checks—such as the One Big Strike LS endorsement in 2020—have received similarly low turnouts with only 20 percent of the student body having casted their vote. Despite these numbers, history has shown that active involvement, while seemingly rare in the online set-up, is possible. In 2019, the Atenean community participated in an on-campus protest to express their indignation towards the sexual harassment case as well as show their support to the victims. Although student engagement has been low in recent years, history has proven that the Atenean is not completely apathetic nor disengaged. REVIVING INTEREST While there are multiple factors that contribute to low engagement, the Sanggunian must continue to find more ways of effectively reaching out to the community. Engaging
with posts in the ADMU Freedom Wall is the first step in the right direction, but it is not enough. As the community slowly shifts to hybrid learning, there is an even bigger challenge for the Sanggunian to engage with the students. At present, the lines of communication and other processes are too saturated, which calls for a more centralized system of communication between the student body and the Sanggunian. Whether it be in hearing the call to action of the community or doing our active part in improving our systems, the responsibility must be shared by both students and the Sanggunian. With the challenges the online setting has brought, Ateneans need to take that leap of faith to achieve a deeper level of trust that would foster better engagement between them and the Sanggunian. Conversely, the Sangguni-
an should be prepared to fight for and represent their student body in conversations, discussions, and decisions. We must remember
that words and actions are both needed when it comes to creating an atmosphere of order and harmony within the LS.
“ Whether it be in
hearing the call to action of the community or doing our active part in improving our systems, the responsibility must be shared by both students and the Sanggunian.
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CANDIDATE PROFILES Tatiana L. Maligro Editor-in-Chief
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
Andrea Mikaela B. Llanes Associate Editor Beatriz Ysabel C. Reyes Managing Editor Neil Christian R. Reyes Design Executive Editor
TJ Alcantara
Kiana R. Altoveros Samantha Onglatco Ann Domingo EDITORS
INDEPENDENT
Ria Tenido LAYOUT AND DESIGN Jose Angelo Buenaventura Aisha C. Said MANAGERS
WRITERS Zoey C. Atillo, Gabrielle Christina A. Cortes, Gap B. Estrella, Yanni Jose S. Francisco, Derick M. Gabrillo, Therese Garcia, Gerard Ignacio, Yves Lazaro, Gabrielle I. Lombos, Lei P. Macaranas, Hannah Mantos, Rina Julia Ortega, Iana Luis Padilla, Anna Pineda, Juris Salvanera, Maegan Sang Tian, Felicity C. Santos, Ryan Suarez, Khaela C. Vijar PHOTOS Stella Arenas ILLUSTRATION Samantha Rose M. Ragaza
A three-act structure BY ZOEY C. ATILLO AS EARLY as freshman year, TJ Alcantara (3 AB POS-MPM) served in the Sanggunian in his pursuit of leadership and service. By advocating for solutions to improve his constituents’ conditions, he offers a brand of service that seeks to build a safer and more inclusive Ateneo community. As the incumbent Sanggunian Vice President, Alcantara implemented the Sanggunian Leadership Journey Program for leadership formation and capacity-building, institutionalized the Safe Spaces Declaration for greater gender sensitivity and social responsibility, and led the first State of the Sanggunian Address for organization transparency and accountability. Alcantara cites how the Atenean value of being men and women for others shaped his sense of service. In crafting his platforms, he asks himself, “What kind of Sanggunian do we really [want to] build?” With this, he identified three major challenges: The shift to on-site classes, COVID-19’s effects on the Loyola Schools, and the 2022 National Election’s impact in and beyond the University.
In response to the transition of learning modes, Alcantara created the Sanggu for the Students to advance student rights and welfare through the Sanggunian Masterplan, which implements certain protocols for on-site and online student operations. The platform also aims to empower accredited sectors like Scholars and Sports and incoming sectors such as Transferees and Students with Disabilities by addressing their needs through involving them in decision-making. Alcantara ideated the Sanggu for the Community to promote University-wide collaboration through community processing sessions that will respond to the Ateneo community’s needs such as addressing COVID-19 concerns and upholding safe spaces. Aside from that, he also plans on creating the Commission on Environment and Sustainability to promote climate action. He further envisions strengthening the Students Rights Commission by training students in policy review and implementation. Lastly, the upcoming 2022 National Elections motivated Alcantara to promote a Sanggunian that participates in nation-building through the Sanggu for the Nation.
By revisiting the Sanggunian Blueprint for Socio-political Engagement, he proposes to build more issue-based coalitions and working groups to strengthen University advocacy implementation. He also aims to establish a Legal and Policy Unit that focuses on re-
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search and policy-making to ensure that Sanggunian legislations are legally compliant. “[My platforms gear towards] a more empowered, inclusive, and compassionate [...] Sanggunian that is for all, a Sanggunian that would fight for our future,” says Alcantara.
[My platforms gear towards] a more empowered, inclusive, and compassionate [...] Sanggunian that is for all, a Sanggunian that would fight for our future.
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2022 Sanggunian General Elections
Rika “RC” Cruz RC-DANI
the Ateneo campus. “The vision would be to cater more to the students, reach out more, [and] know what their demands are. But at the same time, transcend from the nakasanayan na online set up na post lang nang post (usual online setup where we just post)” she emphasizes. Should she be elected as President, Cruz also hopes to
empower students in participating and believing in their ability to effect change. “Let’s not be stuck in the notion that we cannot do anything kasi (because) we’re just students,” she added. For Cruz, only then can a Sanggunian that truly represents the student body be achieved.
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Going the extra mile BY KHAELA C. VIJAR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Rika Cruz (3 BS BIO) envisions a Sanggunian that transcends what the Loyola Schools (LS) has been used to in the online setting. Through her candidacy, she continues on the pursuit of connecting with her constituents by asking: How can she help? As the outgoing School of Science and Engineering (SOSE) Representative, Cruz’s
decision to run for President came from her desire to do more. While her stint as a representative allowed her to address the needs of SOSE students, her love for service pushed her to seek a position wherein she could cater to more people. Cruz believes that interacting with constituents is of utmost importance, hence, there is a need to go the extra mile to connect with everyone. “Let’s try to reach out to the students, let’s strike a con-
versation. What is it that you need? And then we will work towards developing a project or an initiative that can cater to that,” she shared. In line with this, Cruz’s vision for the Sanggunian is hooked on four key components—Responsable, Integridad, Kalidad, at Aksyon (Responsible, Integrity, Quality, and Action). Ultimately, she envisions a responsible Sanggunian that champions integrity to ensure that actions and projects are of the highest quality by meeting the students halfway. To move towards that, the aspiring president’s plans include releasing semestral and budget reports to establish transparency within the student body through the revival
of the OurSanggu website. Furthermore, Cruz hopes to bring in a Sanggunian that further amplifies the students’ voices. To achieve this, her initiatives include formulating a concrete disaster management response that introduces psycho-emotional support services and tuition reprieve for students who are affected by disasters. Cruz shares that some students are not knowledgeable about these services, thus, she plans on properly introducing these options to relieve their concerns. With the gradual return to face-to-face classes, she believes that these components will help ease the transition for a majority of students who have yet to experience
Marco Miguel Mañaol PANATA ATENISTA
Awareness and action BY JURIS SALVANERA AND FELICITY C. SANTOS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE Marco Miguel S. Mañaol (3 BS MGT) started his journey into student leadership when he was just in the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS). Aside from being the Wing Supply and Personnel of the Citizens Advancement Training Cadet Corps, Mañaol was also the head of the ASHS Karate team and the sergeant of arms of the Ateneo High Arnis Society.
Bringing his leadership experience in college, Mañaol is currently the chairperson of Kabataan Partylist Katipunan (KPL-K), serving as its representative to the National Council in the said organization. Though he is not an incumbent Sanggunian elected official, Mañaol chose to run for the Presidency in order to fulfill his vision of having a more proactive Sangguinian. With the
Marcos-Duterte tandem leading in the polls and the recent death of Lumad volunteer teacher Chad Booc, he emphasizes how important it is to raise political awareness and increase student participation. He plans on doing this by bringing the narratives of the masses closer to Ateneans, prioritizing mental health care, and increasing accessibility to services among many others. “We have to show to others that we, as Ateneans, are not for the service of the elites only; we can also serve the people,” Mañaol explains. To Mañaol, serving the people also means serving the student body. After KPL-K, he believes that bridging the gap between “real world politics” and student governance is
the key in order to enable the student body to have an active voice in the University. When asked why he deserves the student body’s trust, he says that due to his experiences in activism, he can give them a “true voice” in school affairs. Moreover, Mañaol believes that if chosen for the presidential post, he would enable the Sanggunian—the main student representation body of the Loyola Schools—to heed the concept of voicing out their opinions to the administration. If elected, Mañaol claims that being Sanggunian President gives him another platform to help the Atenean community. Given his past experience and engagements with the Sanggunian through the KPL-K, he feels that he is well-equipped to take upon
The vision would be to cater more to the students, reach out more, [and] know what their demands are.
the highest post in the student council. “My biggest motto in life is amare et servire which means to love and serve. So, as a person, I actually love serving the people. It’s been a part of me ever since
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I’ve been exposed to that world. Na-ingrain na siya sa akin dahil sa Ateneo (It’s ingrained in me because of Ateneo),” Mañaol states.
We have to show to others that we, as Ateneans, are not for the service of the elites only; we can also serve the people.
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VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
Dani Andres RC-DANI
was the next step to create that change. With Andres targeting long-term changes within the Sanggunian, she reiterates that the work that she does is not for her own benefit, but for the future members of the student government. In all the work that she does, Andres aims to foster the growth of her members and create
efficient systems for future leaders of the Sanggunian, keeping the vision of a better “tomorrow” in mind. “That’s really what drives me. Not only to be able to grow alone, but to flourish with other people,” she asserts. “Leadership is twoway. While you learn from other people, other people also learn from you.”
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Budding brilliance BY GAP B. ESTRELLA AND IANA LUIS PADILLA IN HER third year in the Ateneo, Danielle “Dani” Therese Andres (3 AB-MA POS) has taken up the daunting challenge of running the Vice Presidential race for the Sanggunian. With three full years of service under her belt, Andres has acquired multi-departmental experience that led her
to push for internal reform of the Sanggunian. Apart from being the current Vice Chairperson for the Department of Administrative Affairs (DAA), Andres has also worked under both the Office of the President as Chief of Staff in 2020 and Office of the Vice President (OVP) as Deputy for Secretariat in 2019. Despite her many years in the Sanggunian, Andres remains critical of the faulty bureaucratic systems in place.
Andres explained how the Sanggunian’s Code of Internal Procedures requires fine-tuning to accommodate the needs of member welfare and capacity. “Now that I’m not the one imposing the bureaucracy, but I’m the one experiencing it day-to-day, inisip ko ‘Hindi tama ‘yon,’ (I thought, ‘that isn’t right’),” shares Andres. “The reason why people don’t understand the bureaucracy is that it was too complicated in the first place.” Even beyond the Sanggunian, Andres mentions that her extracurricular activities and academics have played a huge role in building her leadership style. Among all her classes, the aspiring Vice President notes
that her favorite as of late has been Public Management, in which she looks to apply her lessons in the classroom to a much wider context. “[Public Management] gave me a broader sense [that] everything is interconnected,” explains Andres. “So in order for Sanggunian to provide better services to the student body, our own internal systems, budget appropriations and transactions, and members’ skills have to also be of quality.” Equipped with her experience in the Sanggunian and the lessons from her classes, Andres felt the need to improve the systems of the Sanggunian; to her, running the Vice Presidential race
Pere Baricaua PANATA ATENISTA
Reaching out further BY YANNI JOSE S. FRANCISCO VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate Pere Baricaua (2 BS CHMSE) shares the same worries with her fellow schoolmates of being unable to go to school due to the pandemic’s multiple implications on everyday life. Because of this, the former Philippine Science High
School President used these concerns to fuel her campaign for more student centric policies with the gradual return to face-to-face classes. She asserts that the Sanggunian has a large role to play when it comes to easing the transition of Ateneans from online to on-site classes. From ensuring the safe return to faceto-face classes (Ligtas na Balik Eskwela) to constituency checks on students from the provinc-
es, Baraciaua wants to ensure that no Atenean is left behind. “We should pinpoint more issues that should be seen, that should be unpacked, because it doesn’t stop at that memo that says we’re going back to faceto-face classes,” she added. As Vice President, one of her main priorities is assessing the needs and capacities of students as well as communicating these issues to the administration of the University. Furthermore, she wishes to improve communication and student feedback mechanisms through course representatives who can aid in reaching out to more students.
The sophomore also cites her experience as a member of the League of Filipino Students in University of the Philippines Diliman and Anakbayan Katipunan as another driving force behind her run for candidacy. She says that her experience from these organizations prompted a vision of Ateneo as a university that engages with not only the needs of students but also issues beyond it. “We also want to open the Sanggunian [...] to the people outside of Ateneo,” she claims. On improving the student government’s engagement with partner communities, Baricaua says that she wants
That’s really what drives me. Not only to be able to grow alone, but to flourish with other people. Leadership is two-way. While you learn from other people, other people also learn from you.
to align more sector-based student organizations with the Sanggunian’s commissions in order to collectively achieve milestones centered on their advocacies. Should she be elected, Baricua promises that the Sanggunian will provide more opportunities for Ateneans to be people for others and promote the welfare of fellow Filipinos. Beyond the Loyola Schools (LS) Community, Baricaua emphasizes that social issues
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spark action and we need to engage these problems head on. “Crisis generates resistance,” she said, when talking about mobilizing Ateneo’s concerned sectors to defend and uphold the collective human rights of the masses. Ultimately, Baricaua wants the Sanggunian to not only serve the LS community but the nation as a whole.
There is more that the Sanggunian can do outside the Ateneo: [we should] engage with national policies and other sectors because we’re also affected by these things.
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2022 Sanggunian General Elections
SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
Veejay Atienza JGSOM Representative Candidate INDEPENDENT
Vision for adding value BY YVES LAZARO FROM MANAGING partnerships to promoting social entrepreneurship, John Gokongwei School of Management
(JGSOM) Representative candidate Veejay Atienza (2 BS MGT-H) shares that his experiences in various projects and organizations made him inclined to understand people in serving them best.
Atienza reveals that his desire to listen and become more involved with the students catapulted his decision to run as the JGSOM Representative in the Sanggunian General Elections. With his three-point platform, Atienza aims to provide value-adding experiences to empower JGSOM. Through a data-informed approach, Atienza asserts that he will prioritize the improve-
ment of JGSOM Sanggunian’s services by allowing it to address the needs and concerns of its constituents. Aside from creating new programs, restructuring ongoing programs such as the mental health subsidy will also occur under Atienza’s leadership, where data will be used to speed up the subsidy processing. Atienza’s next priority is revamping JGSOM Sanggunian’s internal systems. While he believes that the concept of their current subsidies and programs is comprehensive, they still encounter issues in terms of efficiency due to lack of manpower. For Atienza, improving the execution of JGSOM Sanggunian’s programs would happen by building from within in which members will undergo training that includes project management tools. To maximize efficiency, Atienza’s last point in his platform
focuses on collaborating with JGSOM’s home organizations, Ateneo offices, and Sanggunian commissions to develop a sense of culture and community that is both collaborative and innovative. Apart from improving internal processes and current programs, Atienza acknowledges the importance of preparing for the possible transition to face-to-face classes in the upcoming academic year. He emphasizes the need to fortify JGSOM Sanggunian’s students’ welfare divisions by deviating from common programs— such as webinars and case competitions—and expanding services including but not limited to academic help and subsidies for COVID-19 emergencies. For Atienza, seeing the present is just as important as seeing the future. He envisions an Ateneo that is directly connected to the Sang-
Gabriel Del Rosario
BY ANNA PINEDA THROUGHOUT HIS stay in the Ateneo, Gabriel Del Rosario (3 BS CS-DGDD) served the School of Science and Engineering (SOSE) Sanggunian as the Student Concerns Deputy, Head, and then Chiefof-Staff. After three years, he plans to take it a step further by running for the position of SOSE Representative to champion student concerns, strengthen disaster-response, and heighten representation in decision-making as the Loyola Schools slowly transitions to on-site classes. To champion student concerns and foster closer relations with his constituents, Del Rosario says that communication lines can improve through roundtable discussions and departmental town hall sessions. Additionally, he wants to introduce “SOSE Space”—a communication platform that all SOSE students can access for announcements and events. Moreover, this will serve as an avenue for SOSE students to voice out their concerns. “We effectively eliminate the concern by helping them have a better understanding, by trying
to remove that tension [between student-faculty relations],” he explains. “A lot can be solved when there are no feelings of mistrust and resentment on both ends.” Throughout the years, the SOSE Sanggunian has improved its urgency in responding to disasters experienced by students, such as strong typhoons. However, Del Rosario intends to be more proactive by preparing specialized teams and units for these inevitable calamities. Furthermore, he plans to enhance SOSE’s disaster relief capabilities by streamlining different services of loaning material goods and developing a hotline service. He also wants to develop a system that includes tracking the general location of SOSE students for immediate coordination among students who are known to be affected in these areas. Del Rosario also insists that SOSE students should have an active role in the decision-making for on-site classes by utilizing data gathering procedures and SOSEwide townhalls to identify and address concerns. He mentions that there should be stronger coordination be-
tween the Sanggunian and the Administration. In light of the resumption of on-site classes, he also wants to implement the provision of COVID Care Kits containing a hand sanitizer, face masks, a general COVID-19 protection guide, and a campus map of the Ateneo. Overall, Del Rosario’s objective for these goals is to foster a community that celebrates SOSE. Should Del Rosario be elected, he says that he will keep in mind everything and everyone throughout the planning. “Even a small decision that you think won’t affect anyone else, [...] would affect everyone eventually,” he claims.
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Even a small decision that you think won’t affect anyone else, [...] would affect everyone eventually.
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We fail to capture the individual experiences of JGSOM students because of our one-size-fits-all approaches.
Andrei “Nars” Narciso SOSE Representative Candidate INDEPENDENT
SOSE Representative Candidate INDEPENDENT
One SOSE community
gunian wherein students feel valued. “We fail to capture the individual experiences of JGSOM students because of our one-size-fits-all approaches,” he says. “Having a student body connected to the Sanggunian makes sure that we are true representatives of our community.”
Gearing for the future BY MAEGAN SANG TIAN WHEN ANDREI “Nars” Narciso (3 AB HS) isn’t spending his free time crocheting, you can find him doing what he values the most: Being of service to his fellow Ateneans. The Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) Co-Commissioner turned School of Science and Engineering (SOSE) Representative candidate owes this passion for servitude to student leaders he worked alongside in organizations such as Sanggunian and Health Sciences Society. “[The] same way that other people have helped me, I want to be that to other people,” he says. In the Sanggunian, he is not only the CGE Co-Commissioner but also the Central Assembly’s Public Health Consultant and One Big Pride 2021’s Project Head. Aside from this, he has also worked as Project LAAN’s Associate Vice President for Campaigns and Partnerships before he became the organization’s Vice-President for Research and Discourse. Meanwhile, outside of Ate-
neo, Narciso has worked with Epimetrics, a public health firm. As an active and engaged student leader, Narciso’s experiences have factored in greatly to the three advocacies that he holds close to his heart: Gender justice, health equity, and science communication. These three focal points have become the bloodline of his campaign as he hopes to bag this year’s elections. One of Narciso’s aims is to address sexual harassment issues by pushing for legislative policies that will further ensure safe spaces for students and collaborating with the Office of the Vice President. As a CGE Co-Commissioner, he understands the sensitive nature of the topic and recognizes the importance of pushing forward policies geared towards mechanizing courses of action in the next academic year’s legislative agenda. Aside from this, he also aims to champion a unified first response care manual for SOSE home organizations. Narciso claims he has experienced how information asymmetry in Sanggunian’s processes hinders students from accessing
the help they need effectively and efficiently. Despite the big plans he has boasted in his campaign, Narciso also understands the time and resource constraints that come with the uncertainty of the future. Nevertheless, he trusts that the mere act of setting the foundation for the future generation will spark a fire that will burn for years to come. “What we can do now [is] set up standards, [...] advocacies. Nabigay natin siya nang matino (We were able to give it) to the next generation. We’ll be here to provide advice,” he says. “That trust that you will do better than me matters.”
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[The] same way that other people have helped me, I want to be that to other people.
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SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
Passion for politics BY GERARD IGNACIO
Ryan Magno
SOSS Representative Candidate INDEPENDENT
Vision for adding values BY HANNAH MANTOS MOTIVATED BY her goal to run for School of Social Sciences (SOSS) Representative ever since freshman year, Chloe Oteyza (2 AB PSY) seized the opportunity by filing her candidacy in this year’s elections. She believes she is equipped with the knowledge and capability to serve the student body, especially with her experience as the incumbent Chief-of-Staff of the SOSS Sanggunian. Given her experience of being Deputy Chief-of-Staff during her first year in the Sanggunian, she was able to learn how to effectively deal with constituents. With her continued service in her second year, she explains that her sense of fulfillment when serving the student body led her to run for the position. Despite not fitting the “powerful” SOSS Represen-
tative “stereotype,” Oteyza describes her brand of leadership as authentic, which will allow her to lead her constituents through different initiatives. While she does not claim to be all-knowing about the Sanggunian, Oteyza highlights that she is more than willing to take on the role and learn more while in service. Her tagline for this campaign, CHLOE CARES, underscores the need for an expansion of the possible engagements for the SOSS Sanggunian’s constituents. Taking insight from previous representatives, she wants to uphold continuity in the SOSS processes and initiatives, while also creating change in the department. Oteyza also shares that she intends to bring the Sanggunian closer to the student body through engaging with her constituents.
THE SCHOOL of Social Sciences (SOSS) calls for a representative that can manage the diverse nature of the students under this discipline. For this, SOSS representative candidate Ryan Magno throws his hat into the ring. Currently serving as the 2 AB POS Course Representative, he has decided to aim higher by gunning for one of the Top 6 positions in the Sanggunian. Magno began his leadership journey back in senior high school, holding positions as class officer, Strand Vice-Chair, Strand Secretary, and the Organization Head of the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) Model United Nations. Aside from being a course representative, he is also currently the deputy director for publication and research in the Ateneo Assembly. When asked about his reason for wanting to run for school representative, Magno explains that he learned that
more could be done after being a member exposed to the inner workings of Sanggunian. Reflecting this as part of his campaign thrusts, Magno wishes to make the Sanggunian’s presence more apparent. This is in contrast to the student government being labeled as a faceless organization. “[Sanggu’s] your schoolmates, it’s your coursemates, it’s your classmates, [and] it’s your friends,” he emphasizes. “I want to sort of break that barrier between Sanggu and normal people,” adds Magno. Should he be elected as the SOSS Representative, Magno states that he wants a Sanggunian that is guided by action, inclusivity, and transparency. He hopes for the Sanggunian to always take charge and act when possible. To uphold inclusivity, he aims for a SOSS Sanggunian that taps into the diverse
When asked about possible transition to face-to-face classes and other pressing matters, Oteyza expresses that she plans on catering to students both online and on-site, which falls under her plans on expansion. She elaborated that her plans focus on the grassroots approach of meeting the student body where they’re at through improving their ability to answer concerns and creating assessments even on campus. While she acknowledges that the SOSS Sanggunian cannot reach perfection,
she assures that there will be improvement in her term. She believes that the yearly transition to different administrations comes with the need to adjust systems accordingly. To her, one of the things that matters most is the ability to improve and adapt to these changes. Ultimately, Oteyza promises a SOSS Sanggunian that will be flexible and willing to listen to the student body.
student organizations and groups so that the sectors can move forward together as a community. Transparency is another aspect that Magno considers important to public service and governance as it maintains a certain level of accountability. He believes that when mistakes or miscommunications occur, it is a must that all parties involved should be held to a high level of accountability. Finally, Magno reiterates his vision as the SOSS Sanggunian: Bringing back hope. To bring back the
Ateneo that he grew up with, Magno calls upon the SOSS community to stand together. “As we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel—now, more than ever–it’s important to stand together. Make sure no one is left behind,” Magno concludes.
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As we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel—now, more than ever, it’s important to stand together. Make sure no one is left behind.
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SOSS Sanggu under my term will do its best to serve students as efficiently as possible, and will be focused on them.
Chloe Oteyza
SOSS Representative Candidate INDEPENDENT
Liezel Brito
JGSOM REPRESENTATIVE BY JURIS SALVANERA
COMING INTO her term, John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) Representative Liezel Brito had three main advocacies: strengthening the presence of the Sanggunian in JGSOM, integrating business and community together by way of various initiatives, and being of service to students through building more effective lines of communication. Since her appointment, she was able to bring JGSOM Sangunnian to new heights for its students and home organizations.
Improved the systems of both the Student Academic Subsidy and Research Partnership Program • Resulted in an increase of applicants after expansion of financial assistance Established an automated chatbot, SOMi, that answers academic and general inquiries • Response rate for student inquiries were faster due to the formation of the SOMi chatbot alongside the JGSOM student kit and the JGSOM telegram announcement channel Strengthened the bridge of communication between the JGSOM student body and administration • Released transparency reports such as the semestral feedback and on-campus concerns forms • Held constituency checks for calamities through collaborative efforts with the school’s home organizations Institutionalized the Ateneo Student Business Review (ASBR), JGSOM’s student-led online publication • Launched in November 2021, the ASBR was already able to post four articles in regards to leadership and strategy, big data & systems thinking, and sustainability & inclusive growth. Launched the JGSOM Merchandise Fundraiser, whose proceeds will be donated to the Ateneo Blue Swab • Aims to subsidize JGSOM students when they choose to avail of a swab test
Patrick Capili SOH REPRESENTATIVE
INCUMBENT SCHOOL of Humanities (SOH) Representative Patrick Capili concentrated most of his efforts to aid students and organizations alike. His term prioritized the implementation of financial programs and the creation of collaboration touchpoints between the student body and the administration.
BY THERESE GARCIA Carry out online initiatives that introduce students to the SOH community • Revived SOH Fest, the annual welcoming event for SOH students • Conducted SOH Week, a week-long community-building event for SOH students Offer a platform for freelance student artists • Organize SOHpport the Arts, which hopes to promote both undergraduate and graduate freelance artists through the SOH Sanggunian’s social media pages Coordinate with theater orgs and SOH departments for possible points of collaboration • Set up meetings with the SOH department for theater orgs to present their upcoming productions • Ask professors for permission regarding show promotion in their classes via asynchronous Canvas announcements and synchronous class advertisements Reach out to student organizations • Initiate discussions with SOH home organizations and other humanities-related student groups (e.g. ALAC, AMP, and CADS) regarding future points of collaboration. • Coordinate with student organizations in disseminating constituency checks and reporting student concerns to the SOH Dean
Ivan Nabong
SCHOOL OF Social Sciences (SOSS) Representative Ivan Nabong utilized his term to pursue his vision of a Sanggunian that was not only open and accessible to the student body, but also responsive to the call of the times. The various initiatives implemented throughout his term aided in bringing these goals to fruition.
SOSS REPRESENTATIVE BY GABRIELLE I. LOMBOS
Led the redirection of Salu-salo ng mga Mamboboto, a voter’s registration inquiry deskline for JGSOM students • Partnered with the Ateneo Voter Registration to be able to have a more united helpdesk in order to encourage students to register to vote Update the Academic Database, a spreadsheet where students can learn more about their courses, minors and specializations offered by the School of Management • Said database also contains procedures, processes and FAQs about shifting and advisement period File the JSEC BenTe Bill, a bill aimed to support JSEC employees in the event of calamities and disasters • In the process of being filed in the Central Assembly–Sanggunian’s legislative and official deliberating body Craft the Start-up Subsidy Bill • Aims to further aid the student-led startups of Atenean students through financial support Designing the Scope of the Month Newsletter in partnership with JGSOM’s home organizations • Provide updates to the student body about the events and initiatives happening within JGSOM Continued Negosyong Abogado, a program that aims to help aspiring JGSOM entrepreneurs kick start their businesses • Offer legal advice and mentorship in regards to the legalities that go into a business (i.e. property protection, contract reviews, and the like) • Slowed down because its partner community, the Ateneo Graduate School of Business Student Council, recently transitioned into a new administration Publish the Calculus Midterm Evaluation • Released a feedback form for concerns that students want to raise in regards to their calculus courses in partnership with the Loyola Schools’ Math Department Launch the Katipunan Initiative, a platform envisioned to provide exposure for online businesses in and around the Ateneo campus • Prioritized Negosyong Abogado and SOM merch
Enrich the visual identity of SOH Sanggunian • Launch the SOH Sanggunian mascot and incorporate the mascot’s logo and mark in future publication materials Revising internal processes • Establish and delegate the functions of internal SOH Sanggunian roles • Revive the Events and Formation Divisions, which are responsible for event execution and human resource management respectively • Amend the Sanggunian Code of Financial Procedures to streamline financial processes Provide financial support for students and organizations in need • Distribute and reallocate funds for successful applicants of the Sanggunian Academic Subsidy and Resource Partnership Program • Undertake the execution of the Mental Health Subsidy in coordination with LSOGC and the other School Sanggunians • Conduct theater show buying and distribute the tickets to students for free to boost the sales of Ateneo Blue Repertory, Ateneo ENTABLADO, and Tanghalang Ateneo • Provide and redistribute funds for organizations that applied for the Resource Partnership Program, a financial system that seeks to fund student organization initiatives and events • Propose a Medical Subsidy Bill, that aims to extend financial support for physically-ill students who need to pay for medical assistance Execute more career-building opportunities for SOH students • Lacked manpower and time to create partnerships with companies that fall under any of the humanities disciplines. Provide SOH-initiated legislation • Fell short in time and data to ideate and formulate more bills Achieve the number of target participants for SOH projects • Missed the opportunity to increase student awareness and online reach due to the lack of manpower
Bridged the gap between SOSS students and the LS administration • Conducted #AskSOSS, a forum which allowed students to directly ask the SOSS administration and LS administration their questions Responded to the turbulent socio-political climate in the Philippines • Launched the #MoveWithPower initiative which called for the passage of the SOGIE bill and shed light on the experiences of the LGBTQIA community under the Sanggunian: Commission on Gender Equality’s One Big Pride: Move With Love campaign • Released a #NeverAgain statement about the Marcos and Duterte regimes on the 49th anniversary of Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law declaration • Collaborated with SOSS home organizations on the #Tumindig statement, which called for an improved pandemic response from the government and encouraged Ateneans to participate in the 2022 national elections
Welcomed SOSS freshmen through SOSSalubong • Introduced this year’s batch of SOSS freshmen to the various courses offered by the School of Social Sciences, in partnership with the respective SOSS departments and home organizations
Promote voter awareness for the 2022 national elections • Working on the launch of Tara Na, Atenista! a series of social media posts designed to help voters ahead of the national elections
Improved communication lines between SOSS Sanggunian and its constituents • Launched Sossha the SOSS mascot, who serves as an approachable figure utilized in wellness posts • Conducted Sossha: In Session, a series of focus group discussions to understand the SOSS students’ dispositions during the COVID-19 spike and academic break
Continued the SOSS Sanggunian Resource Partnership Program (RPP) • Offers grants to student organizations in support of their projects that align with SOSS Sanggunian’s vision • Currently accepting applications
Continued the SOSS Sanggunian Academic Subsidy • Provided financial aid to SOSS students for major academic requirements such as their undergraduate thesis or other similar projects • Will be relaunched in the second semester Launched the SOSS Mental Health Subsidy • Offered financial support to students with mental health needs such as access to therapy, counseling and medication • Will be relaunched in the second semester so that more students have the opportunity to avail of the subsidy Ensured transparency between SOSS Sanggunian and its constituents through #SOSSMeets • Served as transparency checks that kept SOSS students updated on SOSS Sanggunian’s meetings and general assemblies
Utilize an automated messaging system for SOSS Sanggunian’s Facebook page • Shorten SOSS Sanggunian’s response time to the student body’s frequently asked questions Opted to scrap the SOSS Career Fair • Prioritized the support of various organizations’ existing career fairs rather than spearheading a new one Failed to hold Itanong kay SOSS Rep • Prioritized long term communication channels, such as the shortening of the SOSS Sanggunian Facebook page’s response time, over a one time question and answer event
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THE INCUMBENTS’ CHECKLIST Kara Angan PRESIDENT BY DERICK M. GABRILLO
THE IMPETUS for Kara Angan to run for Sanggunian President was her belief in the need to bolster the Sanggunian’s capacity to engaging with and meeting the needs of a diverse student body. To this end, Angan’s term saw the overhaul of Sanggunian communication strategy with the creation of new information sharing and stakeholder engagement chanels and improvements to existing frameworks.
Create impact evaluation mechanisms for the Sanggunian’s communication strategy • Created and used impact evaluation mechanisms for Sanggunian communications which improved the number of interactions for official posts and surveys • Provided proposals supported by constituency checks to the University administration. The increased participation of the student body legitimized the studies and recommendations by the student government
LEGENDS: FULFILLED IN PROGRESS UNFULFILLED
Foster closer collaboration with the Confederation of Publications (COP) • Used ties with the COP to promulgate Sanggunian advisories, surveys, and other communications • Augmented existing information channels by utilizing the Ateneo beadle community as well as the ADMU Freedom Wall to disseminate constituency checks and announcements Continue the Sanggunian Blueprint for Sociopolitical Formation • Gave seats to the relevant Commissions in the Sanggunian and the Loyola Schools Committees to engage with and represent active political organizations in the University Formalize communications training for Sanggunian units • Officers who were experienced in communication strategies were recruited to reduce the need for formal training while efficiently and effectively executing their roles. Introduce the Sanggunian Blueprint for Stakeholder Engagement • Stakeholder engagement plans were instead directly implemented through the establishment of the Committee on Online and Blended Learning and the Committee on COVID Care and Recovery. Expand the role of the Sanggunian Student Rights Commissions • Did not continue with initial plans to expand operations but continued previous programs under the relevant commissions
THROUGHOUT HIS term, TJ Alcantara emphasized the value of participatory leadership through active capacity-building efforts and amplified sectoral representation in hopes of strengthening a Sanggunian that empowers the student body and engages in social realities.
Increase sectoral representation and dialogue in the Sanggunian • Created the Sectoral Affairs Division to work with accredited sectors, such as the LIONS and Scholars Sector, and other sectors such as the Transfer Students Sector and Varsity Sector • Held the first Central Assembly Sectoral Dialogue to create programs and policies targeted to the needs of students with disabilities • Launched the Student Needs Survey which guided the creation of a legislative agenda within the Central Assembly
Develop a culture of participatory leadership within the Sanggunian • Built leadership capacities and inter-unit relationships through the Sanggunian Leadership Journey Program, a year-long project with leadership and advocacy-building sessions and skills training • Helped institutionalize the Course Representatives Petition
Develop better operational practices within the Sanggunian • Craft Sanggunian Research and Survey Code with the Research and Strategy Division to institutionalize uniform data gathering processes • Assess the students’ evaluation on the Sanggunian’s presence and performance through the Sanggunian Student Perception Survey • Conduct the Sanggunian Audit, a year-ender evaluation for the whole Sanggunian • Initiate dialogue with other student governments to adopt better internal processes
TJ Alcantara VICE PRESIDENT BY RYAN SUAREZ
Maximize information dissemination in the online learning environment • Pushed for a centralized announcement system integrated in Canvas which redirected students to memos from the administration and the Sanggunian • Released the Magna Carta Refreshed through email blasts, which converts the Magna Carta for Student Rights into a primer that responds to common student concerns Communicate with organizations and universities in aligning advocacies and stances • Convened with Buklod Atenista regarding sociopolitical issues such as climate action and the 2022 National Elections • Led the collection of signatories for statements from willing organizations and coordinated with University Athletic Association of the Philippines schools in releasing political stances Set performance evaluation trackers to assess the effectiveness of initiatives and units • Created a framework of evaluations for teams and projects with the Organizational Development Division, in collaboration with units under the Presidential team • Conducted a midterm evaluation on Sanggunian units
Rika Cruz
SOSE REPRESENTATIVE BY LEI P. MACARANAS
AS A shiftee from the School of Humanities, Rika Cruz took a leap of faith when she ran for School of Sciences and Engineering (SOSE) Representative with the goal of having a more responsible, inclusive, and sustainable Sanggunian. Entering her first term as a leader in the student government, her goal was to empower students by fighting for their rights, welfare, and advocacies both inside and outside the walls of the Loyola Schools (LS).
Create open and more inclusive communication lines for SOSE Sanggunian • Paved the way for a well-represented student body by establishing the General Assembly in which they introduce policies and processes of SOSE Sanggunian • Focused on utilizing the Facebook page of SOSE Sanggunian instead of email blasts in order to have a platform that can foster a more casual approach towards student issues Provide a conducive and safe environment for the SOSE student body • Launched SOSE-wide DP Blasts for selected initiatives like SOSE Camp ‘21 and Pangga Kasangga, which spark a sense of community and awareness among SOSE students • Released SOSE Sanggunian Semestral Reports that serve as transparency checks to keep students informed of the progress of the events and initiatives of the SOSE Sanggunian • Conducted online kamustahans through focus group discussions or interviews every 2 months to check on the well-being of SOSE students which feedback was used to initiate last semester’s academic break
Build advocacy awareness and action within the Ateneo • Partner with the Commission on Disability Inclusion, Commission on Gender Equality, and the School of Science and Engineering Sanggunian to provide awareness for advocacies that are not commonly discussed within the Ateneo
Promote safe spaces in campus by assisting in the implementation of established acts • Review and support the Socio-Political Safeguarding Act as well as the Sanggunian Mental Health Fund Act • Reinforce Safe Spaces Declaration in coordination with the Commission on Anti-Sexual Misconduct and Violence Provide financial assistance to advocacy campaigns and projects as well as students in need of technological resources • Faced financial challenges as limited budget was prioritized for academic and mental health subsidies Initiate the Sanggunian Introduction Program to improve the visibility of projects and initiatives • Opted to prioritize more pressing programs and instead, boosted the promotion of the Sanggunian especially during RecWeek
Lead a SOSE Sanggunian that represents and amplifies the voices of students • Spearheaded the development of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) within the school which is currently being used when handling student concerns and petitions to ensure SOSE’s sense of accountability and responsibility • Released unified statements on local, national, and international issues which are agreed upon by the course representatives inside the SOSE community Execute initiatives that would benefit the SOSE Student Body • Launch Crossroads, a case competition where different courses from all schools in LS can openly discuss social issues through using the lens of their respective disciplines • Launch the Career and Internship Fair to provide an avenue of support for SOSE students to find internships for their required practicum • Manage the applications for Sanggunian Academic Subsidy (SAS), Resource Partnership Program (RPP) and Mental Health subsidy which aim to support SOSE students financially with their academic requirements, organization projects, and personal concerns Create legislative initiatives that cater to the needs of the SOSE student body • Introduce the localized version of the Code of Legislative Procedure to provide course representatives a guide on how to effectively reach out to students • Sponsor the bill of the Code for Surveys and Research that provides a guide on how to conduct research for the initiatives of Sanggunian like their ongoing study about the use of RT-PCR tests in anticipation of the return of face-to-face classes • Create the COVID-19 RT-PCR subsidy that allocates a budget for the testing of SOSE students for limited face-to-face classes Ensure member satisfaction and quality performance through internal initiatives • Conduct Happy T Sessions, a casual kwentuhan for SOSE Sanggunian members to ask the school representatives about the duties of the school and course representatives to aid in their discerning process of running for a position • Conduct a member evaluation survey to checks up on members’ wellbeing at the end of every semester