Alyansa or Liberal? The Letran Student Council Elections 2015 BY RALPH RONALD BANIQUED
THE LIST of the official candidates for the 2015 Letran Student Council (LSC) elections has been officially released last January 26. Running for the top post are Jose Diego Dela Cruz of Aksyon Alyansa Letranista (AAL) and Dominic Padasas of Lakas Lapiang Liberal ng Letran (LLL). “Jigz” (Dela Cruz) is a junior communication student and the incumbent secretary of LSC. Currently a member of Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative and Dominican Network Youth Group, he was the Junior Vice President for Productions of the Letran Integrated Media Organization, A.Y. 20132014 and also the Assistant Creative Director of Knights Cable Television the same school year. He also used to be a member of the Letran band from 2012-2014. On the other side of the pole is junior financial management student, “Nonic” (Padasas). He is currently the president of the Letran Cheering Squad, and was the vice president of the same organization last school year. Also, he is a member of Junior Confederation of Finance Association Philippines and Letran Junior Financial Executives.
Platforms Jigz emphasized that the platforms of AAL for this school year are patterned to the mission and vision of Letran. “We seek for the betterment of not just [for] the student but the Letranites, faculty staff and administration [for] because, we Aksyon Alyansa Letranista believe that trust and equal academic society must be on the one point therefore our platforms are patterned with the mission and vision of the Colegio,” Jigz said, adding, “Bago kami maghain ng projects, nagdaan lahat ng projects na inisip namin from service, from our volunteers, and from random students na [we’re going to] cater projects [that] will boost the interest of the students. Hindi naman [kami] gagawa ng project na alam naming walang pupunta at hindi kami gagawa ng project na alam naming walang makikinabang.” AAL is aiming to establish #ONELetran as their platform of governance which promotes unity and camaraderie amongst Letranites and Letran community. “Development ng bawat letranista is hindi natin makukuha kung hindi tayo magme-meet in one point; yung parang pagkakaaroon ng pagkakaintindihan ang gusto naming mangyari for the next academic year,” said Jigz.
Some of their platforms are One Letran practical learning programs, One Letran Student System C-A-M, One Letran NCAA Spirit and Intramuros Consortium. On the other hand, Nonic and LLL promote the balance between Letran’s academic standard and culture, and aim to develop every Letranite, holistically. “Yun (holistic development of Letranites} yung pinakabanner platform ko. Yung maging angat yung cultural natin sa school kasi trabaho na ng mga [organizations] para mapaganda yung academics ng school natin,” Nonic said, adding, “Bakit hindi natin pagandahin yung culture ng school natin? Like extracurricular [organizations], Te m p l a r, Filipiniana na nagbibigay [ng] awards sa school natin. Bakit hindi na natin i-encourage pa sila (Letranites) para mas sumali doon at mas makilala yung school natin as part of promotion.” The platforms of LLL revolve around their core principles, which are advancing student
Academic - One Letran Practical Learning Programs - Letramind - One Letran StudentTeacher Week Co- Curricular - Intramuros Consortium - One Letran Student System C-A-M - One Letran NCAA Spirit - One Letran Alliance Of RSOs Development - One Letran Evaluation Of Student Services Community Service - One Letran Color Run For The Blind - One Letran Promise Forest
Advancing Student Welfare The Student Council should promote the physical, intellectual, sociocultural, and spiritual well being of every Letranite, through relevant and sustainable programs, which address their universal needs. The LSC serves as a catalyst to maximize and realize the potential of each Letranite. Protecting Students Rights The Student Council should protect and defend the rights of each student to ensure that students are given what is due to them in accordance to the unalienable rights provided by the laws of man and God. In acknowledging and ensuring that these rights are upheld, the students are thereby empowered to become achievers for God, Letran, and Country Catalyst of Social Transformation The Student Council shall engage the student body in an environment that harnesses their diverse knowledge, skill, and values towards social transformation. The Student Council shall reinforce and heighten the students’ sense of pa-
AKSYON ALYANSA LETRANISTA
VOLUME XXXVIII ISSUE 8 SPECIAL ISSUE 4 PAGES
INSIDE: Know the LSC Executive Committee candidates!
#ONELetran • Promote unity to the Letran Community • Provide programs that will stimulate camaraderie amongst Letranites (students, faculty, and staff) • Strengthen bond between LSC & RSOs • Lobby student concerns to the administration • Produce programs that will enhance student wellness • Present innovation to the academic community • Recognize Letranites who excel in their fields • Open opportunities for the students to take part in attaining the Colegio’s mission • Develop health-oriented Letran community • Induce transparency throughout the Colegio
welfare, protecting students’ rights, and being a catalyst of social transformation. They aim to institute platforms such as repeal on ‘No Entry’ policy for students wearing PE uniform, establishment of a LSC scholarship fund, music festival, additional concessionaires in canteen, and affordable lockers, among others. Both parties are given a campaign period, which is on February 11-14. Before the day of elections on February 17, a presidential debate will be held.
LAKAS LAPIANG LIBERAL NG LETRAN triotism to produce more committed and responsive citizenry Platform of Government - Repeal on the ‘No Entry’ policy for students wearing PE Uniform - Student Organization Fair 2015 - Creation of a Student Organization Office - Semestral facility check of the entire campus - Establish a LSC Scholarship Fund / Student Loan Program - Additional Concessionaires in our canteens - Additional and affordable lockers - A much grander Binyag Arriba and Pep Rally - Diversified 2.0 - Feb Fair: Music Festival 2016 - Fund raising programs for the Letran Student Council - Botante sa 2016 - Amendment of the Letran Student Council constitution - Letramind 2016
#TayoangSC – A look back to a year of service BY RISHA FERNANDEZ
THE DAYS are numbered and new candidates have been cast — now that elections are getting nearer, #TayoangSC is back to trend stronger. But before we go out with the old and in with the new, it’s time for The LANCE to offer a little throwback to our current set of officers. The Anfernee Ruanto-led Student Council (SC) is best known for its always up-to-date accounts so within the reach of every Letranite (You can’t be a
Letranite this year if you don’t know their tagline). Featuring the digital works of Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.) Patrick Reyes, the SC’s pages never fail to publish posts — whether it’s an advisory, something Colegiorelated, or just a sweet greeting for an occasion. They also have their stand against some issues, such as stating their support for the rights of natives through releasing an official statement. Their nod-worthy guest-
picking skills are on point too, with Silent Sanctuary having performed their sweet serenades to the crowd for Mr. & Ms. Letran 2014 and Electronic Dance Music Mavens Mars Miranda and Deuce Manila bringing something new to the table as they guested on Diversified 2014 for the yearly Paskong Arriba. Not only that, Yeng Constantino and Joyce Pring were invited to headline the event!
Yet perhaps, what their most sterling moment was the passing of ‘Wash Day Wednesday’. Bringing to fruition the students’ most heard-of request, the current SC’s first yet only resolution prescribed the blue collared Letran shirt on Wednesdays — a stark contrast to the already-abolished corporate attire and no-heels policy back in 2012.