Blue Ballot 2017 SANGGUNIAN ELECTIONS SPECIAL COVERAGE
Leading the charge ILLUSTRATION BY INYA DE VERA
BY MANUEL M. ALDEGUER AND THEA A. SISCAR
THE COINCIDENCE of the Sanggunian’s post-Constitutional Convention (ConCon) renewal and the Philippine public sphere’s increasing turbulence is not exactly the most ideal turn of events. However, Atenean student activism has indeed enjoyed a resurgence in the past few months, witnessing a significant increase in interest and participation, as well as visibility from both within and without the university. It has become clear that the Ateneo’s student leaders have embraced the role of directing the student body’s political fervor.
student body in protest of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO), the irregularities on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), and the Mamasapano clash. According to Lagonera, the only difference now is that Ateneans are more critical of certain policies of the Duterte administration. He explained that since time immemorial, the Ateneo has placed a premium on the respect for human rights. Given the blatant disregard of these policies for human rights, Ateneans feel the need to respond all the more.
SANGGUNIAN’S RESPONSE
Following the massive antiMarcos burial mobilizations of Ateneans in November, the idea of a task force that would streamline efforts in responding to the national situation was conceived during the Ateneo Student Leaders’ Mid-Year Summit last December 10 to 12. Sanggunian President Carmela Vinzon assigned development studies junior Luis Enriquez as the coordinator of Task Force SIKHAY. Enriquez said that SIKHAY has officially been running since the beginning of the second semester
NEWFOUND ACTIVISM?
Economics lecturer Marvin Lagonera, who served as School of Social Sciences SecretaryTreasurer from 2013 to 2014, believes that the Sanggunian has been successful in representing the student body’s sentiments on certain policies of the Duterte administration. Citing the current administration’s moves on the Marcos burial, the war on drugs, the lowering of minimum age of criminal liability, and the death penalty, Lagonera praises the Sanggunian for how “quickly and passionately” it mobilized the student body to express disapproval. However, he says that the recent development of political consciousness is nothing new. “I believe this activism is a role that Ateneans have been taking, stretching out to the Marcos resistance in the 1980s. And even during my stint in the Sanggunian, there were some constructive opposition against the Aquino administration,” he said. The Sanggunian had mobilized the
“...in this process of actually building itself as an institution, the Sanggunian is actually also reaching out to students and allowing students to actually define and determine the role and the purpose of Sanggunian in the context especially of all these national issues.” — MARVIN LAGONERA ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT LECTURER
last January 18. As of press time, it is focused on lobbying against the bills on death penalty and lowering of minimum age of criminal liability in the legislature; it has also been organizing prayer vigils and rallies against these bills. Having observed that some Ateneans are still acclimatizing to the national situation, Vinzon emphasizes that it is not the intention of the Sanggunian to “pressure” them into attending rallies. For her, it is more of “encouraging and challenging” them to deepen the discussion and step out of their comfort zones. “I’m actually very proud of the student body. I’m very thankful that they’re very open. We, as the Sanggunian, realize that they have their limitations, but we also recognize and applaud their personal efforts in trying to be involved.” Despite the traction SIKHAY has gained from the student body and its gradual consolidation over the past few months, it is undeniable that the task force was met with doubts and objections in the process of its formation. PROBING THE TASK FORCE
Before SIKHAY was launched, the student movement Kilos Kabataan (KK) was established w it h t he sa me pur pose of consolidat ing student engagement in the public sphere. The movement’s formation was met with a fair amount of criticism, with some saying it created a larger divide within the Atenean community as opposed to uniting it. De facto KK leader and Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy (USAD) Premier Lanz Espacio conceded the movement’s “spaces for dialogue and engagement” to the Sanggunian.
Shortly after the Sanggunian proposed the creation of a task force following KK’s concession, the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA) released a Statement of Demands regarding the goals of the task force and how they should be pursued. Enriquez says he replied to COA and outlined their concerns, and hopes they continue to be supportive towards the task force’s efforts like they have been with the mobilizations against the death penalty. Furthermore, Committee on Socio-Political Engagements Head and USAD vice presidential candidate Benjamin Alvero III called out Vinzon through a public memorandum for the “undemocratic process of forming the Task Force and deliberately setting the Sanggunian’s policy.” Alvero questioned the lack of transparency in the formation of the task force’s structure, core values, and priority areas, as well as in the appointment of its Head. While Alvero lamented that Vinzon is guilty of sidelining the transition of KK into the task force, Vinzon nevertheless maintained that SIKHAY was created to dispense her function as President in mobilizing the student body. In the face of all the backlash the student government and its initiatives have received, Lagonera thinks it is still in the middle of reorienting post-ConCon. He sees this transition period as an opportunity to reengage the student body, citing political apathy as a constant issue the Sanggunian has dealt with throughout the years. “I think it’s very important in this process of actually building itself as an institution, the Sanggunian is actually also reaching out to students and allowing students to actually define and de-
termine the role and the purpose of Sanggunian in the context especially of all these national issues.” Regarding the future of SIKHAY, Enriquez points out that all task forces and departments are coterminous with the President. Although he is hoping that next year’s Sanggunian would maintain the task force, he is more concerned that the efforts by the student government to move its constituents to act will not wane. MOVING FORWARD
As the 2017 Sanggunian General Elections draw near, the student government’s capacity to communicate and interact with its constituents regarding national issues is one of the main issues the student body must consider. Vinzon believes that both presidential candidates Regis Andanar and Ia Marañon have the desire to continue nurturing the Atenean community’s concern towards socio-political issues: “I expect the new President to make sure to empower the students with enough knowledge and confidence in asserting what they believe in,” she says. While Vinzon recognizes that the willingness to get involved in the public sphere varies among the student body, she sees how crucial it is for the Sanggunian President “to exhaust all means” to ensure that all students have the means to become more engaged with and aware of the national situation. Ateneans must therefore ensure their future student leaders are capable of performing this constitutionally-delegated duty. Likewise, Ateneo’s student leaders must embrace the uphill battle that is leading their constituents down from the hill.
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Blue Ballot
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
USAD
Ia Marañon BY JAMIE S. KATIGBAK
THE POLITICAL platform of the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy (USAD) seeks to resonate with their promise of reform this electoral season. Leading the charge is the party’s standard-bearer, Ia Marañon. The development studies junior is spearheading a campaign grounded on sectoral representation, in hopes of addressing the needs of a diverse and pluralistic student body. As member of several organizations such as Kythe, the Coalition of Ateneans for Indigenous Peoples, and Ateneo Task Force during her sophomore year, Marañon asserts that any footprints left on the path towards sectoral unity must point to the direction of student interest. As such, she seeks to create the Department of Student Rights and Welfare as the body for effective representation. Part of her agenda
also espouses closer work with the Central Assembly to foster dialogue and grant different groups the opportunity to lobby for, discuss, and resolve specific issues in a fair and democratic environment. “The Sanggunian that USAD envisions is student-centered and empowered, highlighting the needs of students in terms of sectoral representation,” says Marañon. “We want to unite towards a collective action to matters that are going on inside and outside campus.” Understanding that divisions between sectors stem from conditions outside the walls of the classroom, Marañon’s course of action entails a battle plan that goes beyond the hill, as her party pushes to bridge campus politics to the broader national context. USAD’s strategy focuses on breeding awareness in the Atenean by coordinating between sociopolitical working groups, the Sanggunian Vice President and its Committee for Socio-Political Engagements, as well as external organizations to identify specific concerns and points of action.
Beyond this, Marañon and her party also intend not just to advance the welfare of students, but also to defend the rights of workers. She plans opening avenues for dialogue between the Ateneo Employees and Workers Union and Sanggunian units. USAD’s primary tenet this coming election focuses extensively on bridging not just gaps between course and school, but also those among gender, cultures, beliefs, and classes. With this in mind, Marañon and her party encourage the formation and strengthening of sectors for women, scholars, and religious groups, as well as promoting the establishment of student-centered services for mental health care. “I decided to run because I believe in the Sanggunian and what it can do for and with the students,” says Marañon. “I believe in a Sanggunian that not only works, but a Sanggunian that works with the students.”
INDEPENDENT
Regis Andanar BY MAXINE A. BUENAVENTURA
REGIS ANDANAR has taken leaps of faith before. He had one earlier this semester, when he took Adolfo Dacanay, SJ as his Theology 131 professor, someone he now admires for his “wisdom” and the “respect that he commands.” “I don’t want to live my life kasi in a way na I’d always have to ask ‘what if,’” he says. This time, the diplomacy and international relations junior is taking another leap of faith as he runs as an independent candidate for the Sanggunian presidency. For starters, people may associate Andanar with his prolific tweeting, some of which are directed towards the national administration. Some find this interesting to say the least, especially since his brother is Presidential
Communications Secretar y Martin Andanar. “We may not see eye to eye all the time, and I think that has been through my actions both online and offline,” he says. But he assures that this relationship will not affect his role as figurehead of a critical Sanggunian. “It’s a non-issue because my family respects me enough to give me autonomy when it comes to my political views,” he says. Andanar is not new to the Sanggunian. He served as Social Sciences Central Board Representative in his first year, Buklod Atenista Ambassador for Ateneo de Manila in his second, and co-head for the 33rd Buklod Atenista mid-year conference held in his third. He derives his vision of “breaking down” the walls of MVP 200, the Sanggunian’s headquarters, from this experience. To reach out further with the different student sectors, Andanar plans to further maximize the Sanggunian’s subsidy system. Instead of keeping it to thesis and research grants, he proposes
making the subsidy system available to both accredited and emerging organizations, those involved with athletics, and those who have advocacies they want to push for. In light of the national situation, Andanar also calls to attention the need to go beyond the Ateneo. He says that something the current Sanggunian administration could have pushed further was the involvement of the student body regarding national issues. In order to achieve this, he lists the following in his platforms: the release of an Ateneo Youth Agenda, which would be drafted by all Ateneo student governments, and action on the part of the Committee on Socio-Political Affairs, which would include the immediate release of stands regarding socio-political issues as well as fostering continued dialogue and discussion. Driven and firm in his convictions, Andanar describes his journey as one where he takes leaps. The leap in running for Sanggunian President, to him, was one that was needed in order to make his vision a reality.
Candidates on the issues BY VINCENT D. SOLIVEN ILLUSTRATIONS BY MIKA R. MONTAÑO
The GUIDON asked your Sanggunian candidates about their positions regarding some issues in and beyond Loyola. The following are excerpts from the candidates’ Blue Ballot Media Day interviews. Some parts have been edited for space and brevity.
SECTORAL REPRESENTATION Regis Andanar: With sectoral representation, if I’m not mistaken, what happened was there’s actually a need to define even what a sector is. We are pushing for sectoral representation, but we have to define, number one, what a sector is, who can apply for a sector, how you can become a sector. So, if ever given the chance, we’ll work towards concretizing that. Ia Marañon: To really be democratic is to recognize that there are sectors and that there are needs and concerns these sectors have and as a Sanggunian, we need to have areas for these representations.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S RIGHTS Regis Andanar: I believe indigenous people have rights. That’s the reason I’m against mining. That’s the reason I’m against the creation of economic zones especially if there are indigenous people who live there because the problem with that is you’re displacing these people of their own community, number one. Number two, I’m not sure if they’re even provided an opportunity to live elsewhere or even given livelihood afterwards. Ia Marañon: Maraming bagay na hindi natutugunan ng administration na ito ukol sa mga kasama nating katutubo pero marami talagang pagkululang and there is a need to forward indigenous people’s rights na coming from them. Okay lang sa akin na may [Indigenous People’s Rights Act] IPRA, it’s one of the first here, but then, at the same time, ‘yung mismong implementation ng [National Commission on Indigenous Peoples] NCIP, ‘yung paggawa ng NCIP, and ‘yung paggalaw ng NCIP sa mga IPs, very bureaucractic, very top-down na hindi nanggagaling talaga sa kanilang mga IPs. Kailangan talagang may participation. May [IP Mandatory Representation] IPMR na nandoon sa mga communities but then, hindi rin sila napapansin. Hanggang ngayon nilalabanan pa rin nila ‘yung diskriminasyon sa lahat ng aspekto ng buhay nila, education, economic, social, name it.
AGRARIAN REFORM Regis Andanar: Yes to agrarian reform. This is actually proposed by Anakpawis. It’s a genuine agrarian reform bill, which has been supported by [Department of Agrarian Reform] secretary [Rafael] Mariano. This genuine agrarian reform seeks land acquisition and distribution for free. The problem with [Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms or CARPER] was [that, while] it was given to the farmers...they had to pay amortization through the Land Bank. I don’t think that was genuine agrarian reform. Ia Marañon: At the same time, there is a call to have a more contextualized agrarian reform considering that land that the farmers are fighting for is also contested land. There are overlaps with ancestral domains and other land issues, and to view agrarian reform as just a farmer’s problem is also very narrow—it should be viewed as a multi-sectoral problem as well.
CONTRACTUALIZATION OF ATENEO EMPLOYEES Regis Andanar: Contractualization must be stopped. Although, if I’m not mistaken, the reason contractualization can’t be completely stopped as of now is because under our labor code it actually allows for contractualization. I believe that as the Sanggunian, we want to propose convergence between the Sanggunian and the Ateneo labor unions or the employees because it’s cognitive dissonance when you want to fight for contractualization outside of Ateneo and yet, in the very institution we are in, it persists. Ia Marañon: One of our platform points is to actually open dialogues for these contractual workers and also to forward na we lobby for the regularization with the administration. And also, looking into the wages of the labors, and also just opening the dialogue, opening spaces for them to forward these concerns.
TAX REFORM Regis Andanar: Yes to tax reform, but it must be studied very carefully. I’m a firm believer in the fact that the lower classes should receive the bulk of the [services from] the tax [revenues]. I mean, if anything, I think we’re pushing for equity. Ia Marañon: There is a need to be, from a very feminist perspective, na ilagay ang gender sa loob ng tax justice. Maraming ino-overlook ang tax reform and ‘yung overall tax system in the Philippines. It’s already a multi-sectoral issue na hindi natutugunan ‘yung mga concerns ng mga tao.
The GUIDON Sanggunian Elections Special Coverage
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VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
USAD
Benj Alvero BY MIKAELA T. BONA
WITH A grassroots approach that he describes as a mix of “practicality and idealism,” political science junior Benjamin Alvero III has formulated a vision of what the next Sanggunian will be. The Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy vice presidential candidate’s experience in political matters must be translated into concrete solutions, if he is to lay the foundations to the post-transitory government. Alvero identifies himself to be an average student primarily defined by his political convictions. “Sa usapin ng pulitika at prinsipyo, may paninindigan ako...I will not sacrifice principles for the sake of experience (With regards to politics and principle, I have my convictions. I will not sacrifice principles for the sake of experience),” he says. This conviction has made activism a way of life for him. “Activism isn’t just about going
Matcha Uson
Matcha Uson posted a note.
out and protesting. Activism isn’t just about crafting policies. Activism is also studying–reading, reimagining [society],” he says. “If we are to aspire for genuine change and transformation, it involves going outside and immersing ourselves with people who feel the brunt of the issues we want to face.” Alvero has visited communities affected by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone in Casiguran, Aurora. He has also participated in last year’s demonstrations in Mendiola and Rizal Park. These experiences have guided Alvero’s work in Sanggu, where he previously served as block and course representative, and head of the Committee on Socio-Political Engagement. For instance, the resolution on sectoral representation he co-authored with School of Social Sciences representative Christian Dy, was partly urged by the lack of plurality and diversity of thought in the Philippine House of Representatives’ supermajority. In line with his push for sectoral representation, he says his vice presidency will be characterized by democratic governance:
INDEPENDENT
Roxy Trillanes BY CELINE D. NATIVIDAD
WITH HIGH hopes and a strong resolve, biology senior Roxy Trillanes, an independent vice presidential candidate, hopes to make a more interpersonal Sanggunian. “Gusto ko kami talaga ‘yung pumupunta sa mga estudyante…and consult with them (I want us to personally go to the students…and consult with them),” she says. Trillanes says that having a more interactive student government will help the Sanggunian in addressing issues such as sectoral representation. The student government can consult with the students regarding the definition of a sector, the process of how a sector should be defined, and how a sector is chosen. By laying out these foundations and guaranteeing that everyone is in agreement, she envisions
that conflicts will be minimized throughout the process. Trillanes also plans to lobby for more observer seats in the administration committees, wherein students, and not just Sanggunian officers, can take part in knowing what’s happening to their budget, formation, and curriculum review. As she thinks that there is still a lack of proper public spaces, Trillanes plans to lobby for more, to foster a more ideal and comfortable student life on campus. Although there are existing places such as the Rizal Library buildings (First Pacific Hall, Old Rizal Library, and Matteo Ricci Hall) and other spaces where students can rest, study, and eat, she believes that the campus is getting too crowded. To solve this, Trillanes wants to create a technical working group with the school administration that will research on the feasibility of establishing new types of public spaces. The technical working group can also cater to different sectors, such as the LGBTQ+ and the Muslims to address
t hei r conc er n s re g a rd i n g gender neutral restrooms and prayer rooms, respectively. “You have so many resources in the Sanggunian that needs to be given back to the students, kasi nanggagaling din naman kasi sa kanila ‘yon (You have so many resources in the Sanggunian that needs to be given back to the students, since it came from them in the first place),” she explains. She has years-worth of experience working inside the Sanggunian as former course representative, Executive Secretary, Internal Affairs Chairperson, and as the current Chief of Staff. Coupling this with a handful of ideas for the improvement and reform of the student government, Trillanes is coming into this year’s student elections with big dreams and an open mind.
Matcha Uson
Matcha Uson posted a note.
ONLINE TROLLS AND FAKE NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Regis Andanar: We fight fake news. No to fake news. No to alternative facts. At the end of the day, I really think it should be a constant effort, not only within the community, but also to go beyond and to let these people know that things like this persist and we should combat it. Good morning mga ka-DDS!!!!!! Alam niyo ba, noong 1521, kinalaban ng angkan ni Duterte si Magellan pati na rin si Godzilla. Sabi ko na nga ba mga ka-DDS, isa siyang tunay na diyos!!! Hindi tama si VP Leni at mga yellowtards!!
“In the spirit of democracy, there must be no attempt to monopolize discourse. There must no attempt to silence opposing views. It’s just that we must engage these views nonetheless.” His desire for more student involvement doesn’t end there. He says he will push for full transparency and accountability in Sanggu and formulate mechanisms that allow constituents to participate in policy-making. He also plans to establish a University Union that will “open spaces for dialogue” for workers, administration representatives, and the students to allow for social awareness and discourse to proliferate in campus politics. Alvero will also push for the regularization of contractual workers within the university. Overall, Alvero seeks to sustain ideals with concrete enforcement. Borrowing the iconic French slogan painted on the walls of Sorbonne by student activists in the 1960s, he urges everyone to take on the ultimate challenge: “Be realistic; demand the impossible.”
Good morning mga ka-DDS!!!!!! Alam niyo ba, noong 1521, kinalaban ng angkan ni Duterte si Magellan pati na rin si Godzilla. Sabi ko na nga ba mga ka-DDS, isa siyang tunay na diyos!!! Hindi tama si VP Leni at mga yellowtards!!
Ia Marañon: If we call them to use social media [responsibly], there is also a call for us to use social media responsibly in terms of calling them out and the like. I don’t think putting us on a spot of decency is helping [with] anything. It’s not progressing the discourse any further.
LOWERING THE AGE OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY Regis Andanar: No to that because, number one, we have a very flawed justice system, number two, our penitentiary system is also not doing well. There’s so many factors to consider but again at the end of the day, I’m not for the lowering of criminal liability to nine years old. Ia Marañon: Definitely against. It looks into the context of the child as an adult and it’s backed up by research na [lowering] the minimum age is not the answer or at least it’s not the solution. Meron nang existing laws [like the] Juvenile Justice Welfare Act and I think lowering of minimum age is a direct and malicious attempt to veer the discussion away from the proper implementation of this act.
EMERGING OR NON-ACCREDITED ORGS Regis Andanar: I believe they should flourish and I believe the Sanggunian should be working with them hand-in-hand in order to actualize their visions, in order for them to flourish, in order for them to be able to be stronger to stand on their own. Ia Marañon: We need to talk to OSA or at least COA in terms of the accreditation level and also the idea of accreditation as a whole. There has to be dialogues with these organizations kasi [hindi] talaga natutugunan, hindi talaga sila pinapansin.
Blue Ballot 2017 Blue Ballot 2017 is The GUIDON’s special coverage of the Sanggunian elections. This is a project of the Editorial Board aspirants for SY 2017–2018.
Robbin M. Dagle and Dani R. Reyes
POLITICIZATION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND THE STUDENT BODY Regis Andanar: I believe that students should be politicized, but it should not be forced. I think the first step is to really allow them to find themselves, maybe to find that idea in which they want to be politicized, and not prescribe them to a certain idea of politicization because at the end of the day, the Sanggunian will always be there to be their voice with regard to matters internally and externally. Ia Marañon: In terms of politicization of the student body and orgs, I think what we do inherently in orgs—although it’s [a] very unpopular opinion—what we do is...already inherently political. I think it’s a matter of communicating that to the public. What we’re doing is tied to politics though not necessarily na kino-coerce kayo to go into politics. I’m speaking [as] someone who is also a member of COA and other orgs na meron talagang aversion, but then at the same time parang kailangan lang mas magkaroon ng pagkakaintindihan of what we mean by politicization.
EDITORS
Diana F. David and Meg F. Villena DESIGNERS
Adrian M. Goh and Liam C. Lu MANAGERS
SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASES
Regis Andanar: Sexual Harassment Cases should not be tolerated. Personally, I want the Sanggunian to play a more active role and converge with the departments or the university offices in order to put a stop to sexual harassment cases, and also to be able to better address them if given that chance. Ia Marañon : Coming from a standpoint as a student, we need to have a protocol, a system in place in order to tackle these issues. We can’t just say na blindly, that we stand with the victim. It’s admirable, but at the same time, we need to have a layout for these students na paano ninyo masasabi sa amin ‘yung mga concerns na ito, paano ninyo mafo-forward.
WRITERS
Manuel M. Aldeguer, Maxine A. Buenaventura, Gaby N. Baizas, Ching M. Balina, Mikaela T. Bona, Andrew D. Cambri, Luisa C. Jocson, Jamie S. Katigbak, Franco M. Luna, Ashley Martelino, Celine D. Natividad, Thea A. Siscar, and Vincent D. Soliven PHOTOS
Jeff Pascual and Meg F. Villena ILLUSTRATORS
Inya De Vera and Mika R. Montaño EXECUTIVE EDITORS, S.Y. 2016–2017
Frances P. Sayson, Editor-in-Chief Katrina G. Pimentel, Associate Editor Miguel N. Sevidal, Managing Editor Nikki G. Solinap, Design Executive Editor
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Blue Ballot
The GUIDON Sanggunian Elections Special Coverage
SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
BUKÁS, SOH REPRESENTATIVE
Ferdy Acosta BY FRANCO M. LUNA AND GABY N. BAIZAS
“PROCEED WITH passion,” muses interdisciplinary studies junior Ferdy Acosta. It’s a littleknown saying among School of Humanities (SOH) majors that he explains was the foundation of his platform when he first ran for a top officer position just over a year ago. While Acosta mentions that pursuing one’s passions as a SOH student is difficult given the belittlement art majors experience, he still wants students to continue pursuing their own projects. “When you proceed with passion in humanities, it’s really about sacrifice. You know the repercussions, [but] you do it nonetheless,” he says. He dons a black “No to Death Penalty” shirt, and his demeanour is calm and cordial. He is
BUKÁS, SOSE REPRESENTATIVE
Neicy Pilarca BY LUISA C. JOCSON AND FRANCO M. LUNA
“ANO BA talaga ‘yung SOSE for the students? (What exactly is SOSE for the students?)” asks Neicy Pilarca. For her, more than just the academic excellence often associated with School of Science and Engineering (SOSE) majors, it’s all about tracing back the very roots of the school: science and research. A management information systems junior, Pilarca is looking to run for another term as SOSE representative. Pilarca cites the open environment in the school as one factor that encouraged her to run. “I value the environment within SOSE,” she says. “There is no distance between admin and the students.” Pilarca is running under the Bukás coalition. She was a member of the Ignatian Initiative for Transformative Empowerment (IgnITE) before its dissolution in February.
currently running under the Bukás Coalition, after previously running with the Ignatian Initiative for Transformative Empowerment Movement (IgnITE) before its dissolution in late February. Under this partnership, the interdisciplinary studies junior believes he can “[adopt] new ideas that can influence school boards.” Among other things, his plans to “advance arts and humanities in the Ateneo” include efforts to connect students to mentors and provide financial support for student ventures. In order to do this, he plans to expand the Sanggunian Subsidy System to make it more accessible to SOH students, as it is currently limited to thesis and research grants. If elected, he says he intends to lobby for publication subsidies to be opened not just to organizations, but also for individual students looking to publish their work. He also intends to push for the resolution to form a Violence Against Women desk in the university, an initiative he says is mandated by law.
Although he’s been in the Sanggunian for over three years, Acosta stated he “doesn’t really see himself as a student leader,” and sees himself as someone who serves the students instead. “I put the students first, and not me. I think that reflects in my platform; I want the [Sanggunian] to be studentpowered,” he explains. “It’s our job to know the students.” In line with this, Acosta states he is “guided by his experience as a student” when serving the SOH community. “Alam ng mga students ang mga gusto nila (The students know what they want). We listen to them, and that informs our decisions,” he says. In the end, Acosta hopes to serve the SOH community by encouraging them to pursue their individual and communal passions and providing them with a Sanggunian that empowers. For him, it’s all about “[harnessing] the creative energy of [our] students.”
INDEPENDENT, SOM REPRESENTATIVE
It was the need for continuity from last year’s platform that prompted her to go for a repeat as SOSE Representative. “I think the biggest reason why I want to continue is because there are still a lot of things to be done,” she says, citing her plans to engage with the Department of Science and Technology as well as creating a Magna Carta for Scientists on campus. “[Since] last year, I [have] had the same vision of nationbuilding through the sciences [and] advancing it within SOSE,” she says. In true SOSE fashion, Pilarca’s platform is driven by a passion for the advancement of the sciences in the Ateneo and ultimately, the country. “I want an Ateneo that values science and technology,” she says. She adds that promoting the value of research is instrumental for the sustainability of students’ potential. “Not much research [discipline] is instilled within SOSE, so I want to work on promoting that,” she says. For her, one point to improve on is the cultivation of science on campus. “Why isn’t science that big [of] a priority?” she asks.
Her diagnosis of the current SOSE branding is one is that is still unclear, and this is something she hopes to change should she be elected into office by taking into consideration the perspectives of its numerous stakeholders: graduates, undergraduates, professors and the like. By strengthening the cooperation between stakeholders, a culture of reputable and responsible science is honed. Despite her focus on the sciences, Pilarca is careful not to discount the diversity of the school’s core curriculum. “I think the competitive edge of SOSE is that we also have a liberal arts foundation, being in the Ateneo,” she says. She wants to look into “things outside of the sciences, and how the sciences can converge with other disciplines.” With a platform dedicated to the integration of research culture, Pilarca looks to build up her constituents’ perceptions of the sciences, not just within SOSE or the campus— but for the nation as well.
BUKÁS, SOSS REPRESENTATIVE
Alec Lim BY CHING M. BALINA
MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING junior Alec Lim has a challenging situation waiting for him should he be seated as the School of Management (SOM) Representative. The position he is running for was left vacant after the special elections held earlier this year—a manifestation of the growing gap between SOM and the Sanggunian. Although this blank slate seems intimidating, Lim remains excited by its potential. On what inspired him to run for SOM representative, Lim cites a budget hearing he attended. “I went to a budget hearing and I saw that resources weren’t being used as much for SOM. We only had a very small amount budgeted for our school in comparison to the other schools,” he recalls.
Dasha Uy BY ANDREW D. CAMBRI AND ASHLEY MARTELINO
RU N N I NG FOR Scho ol of Social Sciences (SOSS) Representative, Dasha Uy, a senior majoring in communication as well as diplomacy and international relations, hopes to orient SOSS towards a culture which values “discourse, interdisciplinary cooperation, and support” both in and out of the Ateneo community. Uy lists nation-building as one of the main goals in her platform—“to form a nation that we can be proud of, that we can be happy with.” She hopes to do this by giving the students more opportunities to participate in programs “which have a social impact, which uphold advocacies, which may directly improve student formation, education, or life on campus, and which encourage in-
After that, he started envisioning a dream for SOM Sang gunian. Inspired by Bukás coalition candidates and current school representat ives Ferdy Acosta (School of Humanities) and Niecy Pilarca (School of Sciences and Engineering), Lim decided to start making his vision for SOM a reality. His platform revolves around the idea of investing in the Atenean. He believes that the Sanggunian Subsidy System, geared towards funding thesis and research grants, can be expanded to aiding passion projects and student-led projects. He states that he wants “a SOM Sanggunian that’s built on the ideas of students.” “Kasi what I want to happen is I want the students to be the one to drive Sanggunian,” he says. To Lim, SOM is the perfect place to achieve dreams that will eventually grow beyond the campus. He wants to prepare students for the future by partnering with outside institutions
that can offer mentorships and jobs opportunities. In line with this, Lim wants to make the Sanggunian’s presence more visible in SOM. He claims that there are projects and partnerships with various school organizations that the Sanggunian can support. Lim explains, “We [can] forward concerns of any organization that would need institutional support from the admin.” He believes partnerships like these will remind the students that the Sanggunian is ready to extend their services to the student body. Although Lim is not running against anyone, this fact hasn’t made him complacent. “I really want people to believe in what I do,” he claims. “I want people to know my platform talaga, [which is why I’m] extending my platform to people and allowing them to comment on it.”
terdisciplinarity and interorganizational cooperation.” She states that her platform is “for the students, but also for the greater narrative.” However, while she recognizes the potential of the Sanggunian, she also acknowledges its deficiencies. “Sanggu isn’t perfect...[There are] a lot of things still left to be done,” she says. One of the goals stated in her platform is to develop SOSS Sanggunian by increasing transparency in the services it offers and by creating a formation program for its representatives “to instill in them an outwards and future-looking mindset… geared to serve the student body and/or make an impact on the nation.” Uy is currently running with Bukás, a new coalition which “stands for open governance [and] collaborative nation-building.” Her plans, if elected, would be to “do all the housekeeping, and make sure that the house is alright,” that is, to set up necessary policies such as expanding formation programs, giving support to
student groups, and improving communication between the Sanggunian and other organizations. Part of this task is also finding the representatives to execute them. She adds that she looks forward to begin “systematizing and institutionalizing support for different parts of the student body—students at risk (mentally, financially, academically), accredited and emerging organizations, women, minorities, etc.” “There has to be a plan,” Uy says. “There has to be something concrete, and there has to be people willing to work for that. And that’s me.”