ART BY CHRISTINE ANGELIE P. ORINES
Page 2
Page 3
Pages 4-5
CSC candidates favor resumption of F2F classes, onsite events
‘University politics a microcosm of national politics’
Meet the candidates Meet the six candidates for this year’s CSC elections
THE VARSITARIAN
APRIL 4, 2022
2
BOTOMASINO TAGISAN 2022 RECAP:
EDITOR’S NOTE
UST Central Student Council (CSC) elections have been fielding fewer and fewer candidates over the past few years. This year, only five candidates—all independent and unopposed—are gunning for five positions: president, secretary, treasurer, auditor and public relations officer. There was no applicant who filed candidacy for vice president. It was three years ago when the UST CSC last operated with a full slate. The past two administrations were without either a vice president or A secretary. It did not help that all campaigns and election-related activities in the past two years have been limited to online only because of the pandemic. There have been no “classroom campaigns.” Add the fact that the most used social media platform in the country, Facebook, uses an algorithm that determines what a user wants to see. Unless a UST student is “friends” or has “mutual friends” with a candidate on Facebook, it is highly unlikely s/he would see any campus election paraphernalia. It is more likely amid the virtual setup that voters are unaware of the candidates’ platforms. The campaign period for this year’s CSC Executive Board elections was split into two, from March 5 to 17 and from March 30 to April 1, which unfortunately are performance task and examination seasons for most students. That is why the Varsitarian, to aid in voter education and help the Thomasian studentry vote wisely for their next leaders, is releasing this issue of Botomasino, its special supplement on the student elections, albeit digitally. Aside from the CSC polls-related content including exclusive stories and interviews we publish on our website, varsitarian. net, and our social media pages, we also deem it necessary to continue releasing Botomasino to reach more people as possible and for Thomasians to have access to information about the elections in as many platforms as possible. We hope that through our coverage, voters will make informed decisions in selecting their candidates. This year’s bets may be running unopposed, but their victories should not be automatic. Having candidates with assured victories takes away the importance of choice. The next CSC will play a huge role in policymaking and coordinating with UST administrators on guidelines for face-to-face classes. The time to make up for lost school time is sooner than later. The Au-
Despite dwindling interest in student politics in UST, Thomasians should realize the importance of being critical in voting. After all, the upcoming CSC elections will be an important prelude to the May national elections. Students must be critical in scrutinizing the candidates for the student elections as they are critical in choosing the country’s next set of leaders. gust 2020 freshman batch, of which students have yet to experience the UST experience at the fullest, will be entering junior year. The first batch of K-12 students is set to exit the Arch in a few months. Despite dwindling interest in student politics in UST, Thomasians should realize the importance of being critical in voting. After all, the upcoming CSC elections will be an important prelude to the May national elections. Students must be critical in scrutinizing the candidates for the student elections as they are critical in choosing the country’s next set of leaders. Thomasians, the future is in our hands. Let’s take this year’s student polls seriously. *** We invite you to read this special issue and visit our social media pages and varsitarian.net/ botomasino to “V informed, V updated” about the CSC elections. We will also be releasing a special issue on the national elections in the coming weeks.
By Faith Yuen Wei N. Ragasa
THE FIVE unopposed candidates seeking Central Student Council (CSC) posts mirrored each other’s stances on several campus issues during the “Tagisan 2022” debate. All five candidates for president, secretary, treasurer, auditor, and public relations officer (PRO) favored the resumption of face-toface (F2F) classes for all programs and levels, onsite events of student organizations, and vaccination of all students. They also supported the improvement of school facilities, strengthening of Catholic teachings and values in the curriculum, promotion of charity drives, religious diversity in the University, provision of financial assistance to students in need, UST’s active involvement in political issues, student protests and rallies, promotion of mental health wellness, leniency in academic deadlines, and implementation of academic breaks. The candidates were also against tuition increase, while secretarial candidate Francisco Mayuyu was the only one who supported the implementation of short intensive courses. The annual mandatory debate was streamed online by the UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Thomasian Media Circle and Talents (Tomcat) on Saturday. Student inclusivity
Presidential candidate Nathan Agustin said students must be included in the discussion of F2F classes to ensure their safety as well as in the policy and decision-making of the University. “Ang sistema sa kasalakuyan ay hindi pumapabor sa estudyante— walang relasyon,” said Agustin. “Imbes na dumadaan ang talakayan sa ating mga konseho, sa ating mga estudyante, nalalaman na lang natin sa mga publikasyon na may polisiya na pala ang admin natin.” “Sa ngayon mahirap sabihin na handa tayo sa ligtas na balik-eskwela. Kailangan natin diskusyon [at] kailangan kasama ang estudyante sa usapan,” he added. Agustin also proposed the creation of ad hoc committees in the CSC, or committees for addressing certain issues, for more equality in
CANDIDATES’ STAND ON ISSUES FOR
Resumption of face-to-face classes for all levels and colleges.
FOR
Vaccination of all students
FOR
Improvement of school facilities and providing financial assistance to students in need
FOR
Leniency in academic deadlines
FOR
Resumption of face-to-face activities of student organizations
FOR
Promotion of charity drives and organizations and empowerment of community development projects
FOR
Strengthening catholic teachings and values in the curriculum
FOR
Implementation of academic breaks
FOR
Promoting mental health wellness
FOR
UST’s active involvement in political issues as well as student protest and rallies
FOR
Student representation in policymaking
FOR
Release of transparency reports of student councils
FOR
Presence of political parties in the University
AGAINST FOR
Tuition increase Raise the age of sexual consent
student services and among the different sectors.
need to ignite it. And I believe the ignition starts in every Thomasian student,” he said.
Internal reform
Internal reform is needed to expedite paperwork processing in the University, said Mayuyu. An improved events calendar was also needed, he said. He pushed for new roles for mental health committees in local student councils. “These committees actually reinforce ‘yung purpose po ng ating [Counseling and Career Center], kung saan mas naiiaabot po ‘yung services ng CCC sa ating students. We will add further roles to these committees,” Mayuyu said. Communication, arts and culture
PRO applicant Rhojen Sianda proposed webinars and training to strengthen the communication skills of the PROs. Sianda, who belongs to Mindanao’s Blaan tribe, said that the CSC also needed to focus on exposing Thomsians to the arts and culture. “Culture and arts [are] present in the heart of the Filipinos. We just
Centralize, institutionalize
Auditor candidate Dale Marollano said that he planned to create a centralized CSC website and dissolve the audit committee. “Sa aking termino, tatanggalin ko po ang audit committee dahil bilang isang auditor dapat ako po mismo ang nangunguna dito at di ko na po iaasa ito sa committee,” he said. Meanwhile, Benjamin Amper IV, the lone candidate for treasurer, pushed for crisis resiliency, transportation in preparation for in-person classes, and tax and job documents education for students. He said he would hold a workshop with the University Crisis Management Committee for students to have a smooth transition should F2F classes resume next academic year. The election period for the CSC polls will begin on April 4. The proclamation of the new officers will be on April 8.
FOUNDED JANUARY 16, 1928
John Ezekiel J. Hirro Editor in Chief Miguel Louis M. Galang Associate Editor Laurd Menhard B. Salen Acting Managing Editor Jacqueline B. Martinez Acting News Editor Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr. Sports Editor Ahmed Khan H. Cayongcat Special Reports and Science & Technology Editor Jiselle Anne C. Casucian Features Editor Mariel Celine L. Serquiña Witness Editor Samantha Nichole G. Magbuhat Patnugot sa Filipino Nolene Beatrice H. Crucillo Circle Editor Renzelle Shayne V. Picar Chief Photographer Jan Kristopher T. Esguerra Art Director
News Jamilah Mae B. Angco, Justin Benedict T. Lim, Christine Joyce A. Paras Faith Yuen Wei N. Ragasa, Joanne Christine P. Ramos Sports Anna Clarissa M. Barlam, Nicole Anne D.G. Bugauisan, James Paul R. Gomez, Jose Ama Alberto B. Rosario, Mark Ernest V. Villeza Special Reports Eduelle Jan T. Macababbad, John Aaron C. Pangilinan Features Judd Ericka Marie F. Crescini, Nina Angela Mikaela Cruz, Faith Nicole S. Gelacio, Jade Veronique V. Yap Literary Samantha Fatima C. Creencia, Alexandra L. Mangasar Witness Ma. Alena O. Castillo, Allyssa Mae C. Cruz Filipino Caitlin Dayne A. Contreras, Matthew G. Gabriel Science and Technology Louise Marie Therese B. Padillo, Adrian L. Parungao Circle Allaine Nicole C. Cruz, Charm Ryanne C. Magpali, Larissa Mae C. Tan
Art Karl Joshua L. Aron, Zymon M. Gailo, Athea Monique Z. Gala, Gwyneth Fiona N. Luga, Jerome Carlo D. Macanaya, Christine Angelie P. Orines Photography Francia Denise M. Arizabal, Joselle Marie B. Reyes, Gillian Kin Q. Robles Camille Abiel H. Torre, Marvin John F. Uy, Arianne Maye D.G. Viri Editorial Assistant Jessica C. Asprer
Felipe F. Salvosa II, Christian V. Esguerra Assistant Publications Advisers
Joselito B. Zulueta Publications Adviser
ART BY JAN KRISTOPHER T. ESGUERRA
No winning by default
CSC candidates favor resumption of F2F classes, onsite events
THE VARSITARIAN
APRIL 4, 2022
BOTOMASINO ‘University politics a microcosm of national politics’ By Eduelle Jan T. Macababbad
THE RESULTS of the 2022 national elections can be hugely influenced by the youth vote, and the Central Student Council (CSC) elections on April 4 to 8 will be a chance for Thomasian voters to exercise their right of suffrage and select leaders based on their stands on issues, a political analyst said. In an interview with the Varsitarian, Asst. Prof. Dennis Coronacion, chair of the UST Department of Political Science, said the youth could serve as “prime movers” in the May polls. According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), 37,015,901 Filipinos aged between 18 and 41 years old, classified as the “youth vote,” had registered for the national elections. The age group accounts for about 56 percent of the total voting population. “[T]hese figures about the youth vote are significant since a lot is at stake for this year’s elections—we’re looking for President Duterte’s successor,” Coronacion said. “If only the youth can speak with one voice, through their right of suffrage, they can be a force to reckon with in this voting event. They can even determine the outcome of the elections and shape the future of this country,” he added. Nearly 81 percent of UST students are registered voters, a Varsitarian survey has found. According to Coronacion, the country’s young voters are more issue-oriented than personality-oriented in choosing their candidates, and they “check the candidates’ respective posi-
‘‘
Our University politics is a microcosm of what is happening outside the four walls of our alma mater [...] Aim for a clean and democratic conduct of the elections. Choose candidates who possess the principles of being ‘makatao,’ ‘maka-Diyos’ and ‘makabayan.’ Robert Dominic Gonzales
FORMER CSC PRESIDENT
portance.” Former CSC president Robert Dominic Gonzales said voting in the student council elections would be an important exercise for Thomasians so they could vote with good judgment in May. “Our University politics is a microcosm of what is happening outside the four walls of our alma mater [...] Aim for a clean and democratic conduct of the elections. Choose candidates who possess the principles of being ‘makatao,’ ‘maka-Diyos’ and ‘makabayan,’” he said. Gonzales said students should not be afraid to constructively criticize student officers as they would be critical of government leaders. “[A]lways be critical and never fear constructively criticizing your student government just like how we constructively criticize the national government when there is a lack of or no response. While doing so, please support your student leaders in their journey of serving all of you to their best potential,” he said. The CSC led by Artlet Krizia Milleny Bricio has endorsed the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan for president and vice president, the overwhelming choice of Thomasians according to a Varsitarian survey. The national elections are slated for May 9, 2022, a month after the CSC polls.
tions on various issues of national im-
What are the issues facing UST student leaders, and how can they address them? By John Aaron Pangilinan
TO IMPROVE their services and make their presence more felt, UST student leaders should focus on improving communication channels, restructuring flawed policies and devising a working grievance system, former and current student council members said. Former UST Central Student Council president Robert Dominic Gonzales emphasized the importance of collaboration and communication between student councils and the faculty and administration in formulating policies and guidelines amid the pandemic. “As student leaders, it has always been a day-to-day challenge for us to make our fellow students feel safer and secure, but because of this pandemic, it has become more challenging than ever,” he told the Varsitarian. “Noting the surges of student concerns during these times, the challenge lies in our acts of constantly voicing out, standing, and fighting for what’s right and best for our fellow students. We are expected to be beacons of hope, confidence, credibility, offering help and catering to those who are in need,” he added. Artlets Student Council vice president-internal Julliana Flores said student concerns should be addressed by the University in policymaking. “The University prefers segmented action because there are different cases per academic unit. [H]owever, this is still subject to nuances. If there were a platform for University stakeholders to decide on distance learning matters, the students [should] henceforth be informed and engaged in
making University-wide policies and plan of action,” she said. She added that the processing of papers, accessing University services online, and communicating with administrative offices had been difficult amid the pandemic. “Representing student’s interests is a huge and heavy responsibility for student leaders and council [...] The bureaucratic ‘glass ceiling’ or red tape in the university has been ever-present. While there are some improvements, new forms have emerged,” she told the Varsitarian. Gonzales said among the significant issues that required strong communication and collaboration between and among student councils, faculty, and administration were student workload, academic health breaks, and revision of some school policies. He also emphasized the need to check and monitor the health status of students under both distance learning and limited face-to-face setups. “Access to a stable internet connection and learning devices is a privilege up to this day. Surveys conducted within our respective universities ascertain that not all students, including members of the faculty, have access to such. This challenges the accessibility and effectiveness of online classes that further place students at a disadvantage,” he said. “Students may find it difficult to devote time, and focus on academic requirements as some of them are currently struggling (physically, mentally, and/or financially) and tending to household preparations during this pandemic. (…) Likewise, teach-
ers may also have trouble addressing each student’s inquiry given the limited resources to do so,” he added. For Kyle Dana Vergara, former vice president of the The Political Science Forum, student councils and student leaders should focus on “areas most needed by the student body.” “For example, ‘yung constituency checks, improved grievance system, and streamlined communication between class officers and the administrators, […] especially as we transition to the limited face-to-face classes,” Vergara told the Varsitarian. Flores cited the problems faced by students with irregular schedules (SWIS) due to the “alienating” tendencies of the pandemic, particularly during enrollment. “Although committees exist to cater [to] the SWIS, [...] there should be an external and University-wide effort for SWIS students. The pandemic is already alienating, and some of our SWIS may feel estranged [from] their own program/faculty. I believe there could still be more efforts to be made to include SWIS, recognize their struggles and aid them,” Flores said. Change of dynamics during the pandemic
Vergara also stressed the challenge brought by the sudden shift to online classes on student councils, especially in making adjustments in implementing their programs and projects while tending to the queries and needs of students. “Mayroon talagang challenges na hindi maiiwasan. […] ‘Yung stringent bureaucracy, mahigpit na process sa UST STUDENT LEADERS PAGE 5
►
3
How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected Thomasians’ interest in campus politics? By Jamilah Mae B. Angco
TWO POLITICAL science experts said the lack of competition in the Central Student Council (CSC) elections this year was a signal of the dwindling interest of Thomasians in student politics, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Asst. Prof. Dennis Coronacion, the UST Political Science Department chair, said most Filipinos have become indifferent to elections during the pandemic, except for the 2022 national elections. “With the exception of the 2022 Philippine elections, most Filipinos have become indifferent to elections during this pandemic, especially those that involve the selection of leaders of organizations such as professional organizations and student councils,” Coronacion told the Varsitarian. “There is a low turnout of voters in these voting events because they don’t see the need to prioritize elections over other basic needs like health, resources, and education,” he added. Coronacion said stringent health protocols and mobility restrictions had made people “isolated and alone,” and made them think they didn’t need to belong to a community and contribute to an organization. Jazztin Jairum Manalo, a political science instructor at UST, said the pandemic has changed the playing field in student politics in the University. “We need to note that there might have been a major change in terms of the rules and regulations in relation to campaigning, and for student-candidates to present their platforms which [are] mostly limited online,” Manalo told the Varsitarian. The online learning setup, the limitations of virtual campaigning, and the “toll” of the pandemic on the students’ mental health and well-being are the three factors that may have contributed to the dwindling interest of Thomasians in student politics, Manalo said. He said the stringent requirements of the UST Central Commission on Elections on candidates should remain to make sure future student leaders would be properly equipped and qualified to hold positions. Only five candidates—all unopposed—are seeking CSC posts in this year’s student elections. Civil Law Student Council President Nathan Agustin is the sole candidate for president, while former UST Senior High School Student Council (SHS SC) secretary Francisco Mayuyu is the lone applicant for secretary. Accountancy junior Benjamin Amper IV and former SHS SC president Dale Marollano are eyeing the positions of treasurer and auditor, respectively. Rhojen Sianda, the chief of staff of the Conservatory of Music Student Council, is running for public relations officer. CSC thinks otherwise For CSC President Krizia Bricio, the Thomasians’ interest in campus politics is not waning. “[B]eing in the student council for the past five years, mas nakita ko pa nga `yung willingness ng mga students na sumali sa mga student councils as long as they can serve
‘‘
There is a low turnout of voters in these voting events because they don’t see the need to prioritize elections over other basic needs like health, resources, and education. Asst. Prof. Dennis Coronacion UST POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
the student body,” Bricio told the Varsitarian. There are still students eager to contribute to the student councils by suggesting and recommending what the student leaders should do despite the Covid-19 pandemic and online learning setup, she added. CSC Public Relations Officer Gabriele de Lara said the health crisis made students prioritize themselves over anything, but “I don’t think the political interest of the Thomasians waned or shrunk in any way during this pandemic.” “It’s really based on the situation that we are in [...] kasi hindi natin maitatanggi that the online set up drains a lot from us to the point na kahit tayo nahihirapan na tayo mismo bumangon para magpatuloy,” he said. CSC chief of staff Gilbert Estropia said student council elections were as important as the national elections because of the University-wide issues and grievances of students that needed to be addressed. “[I] can say na kasing importante ng national elections ang local elections ng UST dahil marami tayong issues na gustong i-solve, kaya nakikita natin dito na, kahit sabihin natin walang tumatakbo sa vice president, talagang nae-engage pa rin natin yung students natin in terms of our elections in the University,” Estropia told the Varsitarian. Manalo also said participating in campus politics was important because it could help students become well-educated voters beyond the University. “Campus politics is a good start for students to exercise their right to vote and choose their student-leaders who will represent and hopefully address their concerns,” he said. The voter turnout for the University-wide elections in 2021 was 72.53 percent or 28,848 students out of 39,773, a significant increase from 55.54 percent or 21,112 students out of 38,032 in 2019. The election period for the CSC polls will run from April 4 to 7, from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., and on April 8, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The proclamation of the new officers is on April 8. WITH REPORTS FROM EDUELLE JAN MACABABBAD AND JACQUELINE MARTINEZ
APRIL 4, 2022
LIST OF OFFICIAL CENTRAL BOARD CANDIDATES
4-5
BOTOMASINO
COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTANCY Shanelle Ann P. Ching
COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE Jasmine Joyce Martinez, Lord Danly Mafe
FACULTY OF ARTS AND LETTERS Cyrille L. Coronado, Kim Czaccei P. Dacanay
FACULTY OF CIVIL LAW The Executive Board agreed upon to arrange the date of Filing of Candidacy from May 1 to 3, 2022
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Peter Angelo T. Estalilla
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING None
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND DESIGN Kaleena Aaryanna A. Tongco
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION AND COMPUTING SCIENCES
None
COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
None
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PRESIDENT
NATHAN AGUSTIN
None
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC None
Who are this year’s candidates for th
COLLEGE OF NURSING Charles Hezekiah Importante
FACULTY OF PHARMACY Harris I. Abu Bakar
INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETICS
Jazmine Esusan
SECRETARY
FRANCISCO MAYUYU
SECRETARY
BENJAMI
COLLEGE OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES Audrey Marie A. Narcelles
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE Angela Justine E. Bautista
COLLEGE OF TOURISM & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT
Kristine Nicole G. Ramos
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
ART BY JAN KRISTOPHER T. ESGUERRA
Van Kenshin T. Mamuad, Joseph Anthony Perez
EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL None
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Franz Alquero, Claui Channelle Calimquium
ADVOCATING for the mental well-being of Thomasians, former UST Senior High School Student Council secretary Francisco Mayuyu is running unopposed for secretary in this year’s universitywide student polls. Through his “RISE Mental Health Alliance” platform, Mayuyu vows to address the mental health concerns of the Thomasian community through legal and particular interventions. “[Sisimulan] natin sa paggawa ng mental health committees kada local student councils and pagkakaroon ng regular wellness reports,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian. He plans on partnering with certified mental health first responders and the University’s Career Center Counseling (CCC). “We’ll work hand-in-hand with the CCC and [directly] i-report natin siya if we really deem it necessary for legal actions,” he said. “Then we can coordinate further kung ano ‘yung
actions na susunod na tatahakin natin.” In addition to his mental health advocacy, Mayuyu wants to create an accessible Universitywide events and activities calendar through his “POLARIS” platform. “Ang layunin is mabigyang access lahat ng students natin sa calendar na ‘to upang sa gayon ay hindi na po sila mahirapan sa pagtingin ng mga iba’t ibang programa na gusto nilang tahakin or mga updates galing mismo sa Unibersidad,” he said. He also vows to work handin-hand with the rest of the Executive Board to push for the approval of the UST Students’ Code. “Isusulong pa rin natin ang pagpapa-approve ng Students’ Code na matagal nang isinusulong ng ilang termino ng student council dahil isa ito sa mga talagang magco-concretize sa rights ng students natin,” he said.
STUDENT assistanc resiliency are what a junior Benjamin Am ing to the Thomasian as he runs for treasu year’s student polls. In an interview w tarian, Amper said th assist students and a finding job opportun as educate them abo job documents throu Jumpstarting Dream “Marami akong n mga Tomasinong na ployed kasi mahirap are really struggling meet,” he said. Amper plans to e “ULAP: Crisis Resilie which aims to create sive crisis managem tee among local stud to improve crisis resi “Meron na ang m tions ng crisis manag sa local student coun ganoon ang case,” he He added that th will also help studen
THE VARSITARIAN
Outgoing Civil Law SC president guns for highest student office FOCUSING on policy-oriented governance while prioritizing the safe return to faceto-face classes, outgoing Civil Law Student Council president Nathan Agustin is running unopposed for the presidency in this year’s student polls. “I believe that we have to evolve our current systems and structures in the [Central Student Council] and in student governance in general if we truly want to adapt to the times, and be fully able to lobby for the policies we have long fought for,” he told the Varsitarian. Agustin said that he wants to reform the University’s student governance system, specifically, how the constitutional bodies—the CSC, the Students’ Organizations Coordinating Council, and the Commission on Elections—interact with one another. “We need more interrelations, especially between councils and organizations, considering that the latter represents different interest groups in the University that needs representation in our student council structure,” he said. As the top priority of his 10-point agenda, Agustin is pushing for the safe resumption of in-person classes, which includes the vaccination of students. “All our students must be given equal opportunity to get vaccinated if we truly want to return to 100 percent face-to-face classes,” he said. “I hope we can tap the assistance of the University in also helping our students secure the requirements needed by law.” Should he win, students can expect a more
vocal student council regarding national and international issues while promising to relax policies on speech and expression for Thomasians. “Many students are discouraged to speak up because they already assume that the University will not allow them or will also sanction them if they do proceed with it,” he said. “How can we then preach Veritas, or truth, and how can we exemplify the youthful charism that has also been characterized with the Dominicans and Thomasians if we cannot speak up?” he added. Being a law student also has its advantages. Agustin, who is a sophomore at the Faculty of Civil Law, said that he would urge the UST Legal Aid Clinic to provide students with free legal aid and consultations as part of his plan for more responsive and equal student services. He also aims to repurpose the Central Judiciary Board which can be tapped to render advisory opinions on student statutes and review local student councils’ performance. “We have to defend our students who are subject to such treatment, and assert the legitimacy of their concerns,” he said. Looking at the national elections, Agustin said that the CSC should lead the Thomasian body in discerning and voting for the right candidates. “Kailangan manindigan ng CSC para sa mga kandidatong talagang makakatulong sa bansa natin,” he said. “Hindi lang dapat pinapakita natin na this is how you vote; we should help Thomasians by showing where we side.” N.A.M. CRUZ
‘‘
I believe that we have to evolve our current systems and structures in the [Central Student Council] and in student governance in general if we truly want to adapt to the times, and be fully able to lobby for the policies we have long fought for. Nathan Agustin
CSC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
UST student leaders ► FROM PAGE 3
pag-iimplement ng projects and other activities; ‘yung less participation from the students dahil na rin siguro sa fatigue na dala ng online meetings; and ‘yung limitations na dala mismo ng online setup lalo na sa creativity ng student councils and ng officers on how they will improve ‘yung mga usual types ng seminars, webinars, and such,” Vergara said. Vergara said these challenges could discourage aspiring student leaders from running in elections, leading to vacancies in student councils. Aside from the emergence of new challenges, Flores also highlighted how student councils adapted to the distance learning setup during the pandemic. “The online setting has certainly changed how councils work. In the case of [the Artlets Student Council], we adapted by forming ad hoc committees responsible for broadcasting our events on social media. (…) We [tried] to exhaust all means to inform students, especially during times of calamity and Covid-19 surges. Additionally, we utilized varying platforms for online conferences, file organization, and tracking of progress to situate our goals,” she said. “I could definitely say that the online setting is both a boon and a bane. […] [T]his circumstance that we’re in has allowed student council officials and staff to be more creative and productive in the sense that working from home helped many to have a life outside work and do the things they can with ease and comfort,” she added..
he CSC Executive Board?
IN AMPER IV
ce and crisis accountancy mper IV is offern community urer in this
with the Varsihat he would alumni in nities as well out tax and ugh his “TALA: ms” platform. na-obserba na aging self-emp na [and] they to make ends
establish ency Protocol” e an all-inclument commitdent councils iliency. mga organizagement pero ncils hindi e said. he platform nts to have a
smooth transition should in-person classes push through next school year. Amper’s third platform, “ARAW: All Aboard UST,” will assist student commuters in accessing student-friendly transportation by featuring new and existing routes as well as a fare guide. He said that the project was born out of his own daily experiences as a commuter going to school. If elected, Amper said that he will abolish the “bureaucracy and red-tape” in the financial department of the CSC through active transparency in implementing projects. “Marami magagandang proyekto ang Central Student Council at nais ko ipagpatuloy yun katulad ng pagpapalaganap ng community development,” he said. “Doon natin nakikita na may kakayahan ‘yung kapwa nating Pilipino na maging part ng nation-building at society-building,” he added.
SECRETARY
DALE MAROLLANO FORMER SHS SC president Dale Marollano vows to advocate for all sectors of the Thomasian community as he guns for the position of treasurer. “[Ang] mga plataporma ko ay hindi lang nakasentro sa mga estudyante kundi sumesentro din ito sa mga iba’t ibang sektor sa ating Unibersidad kagaya ng faculty union, labor union, medical union, support staff, at marami pang iba,” he told the Varsitarian. He has three platforms: “One Thomasian Agenda,” “UST Faceto-Face Code,” and “Centralized Council Website.” Under the One Thomasian Agenda, Marollano aims to have roundtable discussions with various sectors of the University regarding the issues they face and how they can be addressed. “Gusto ko [ng] mas matibay at mas malakas na student representation sa mga sectoral issue dito sa ating Unibersidad at matulungan natin at mabigyan natin sila ng suporta,” he said.
The UST Face-to-Face Code plans to increase student representation and pro-student policies regarding in-person classes. Marollano’s third platform is to integrate a “centralized council website” that focuses on the transparency and accountability of, not only the CSC, but also the local student councils. The website would serve as an online inventory that contains finance and audit reports as well as project tracker to be implemented by the different student councils. Marollano also called on Thomasians to be critical in choosing their next leaders in both the student polls and the national elections. “Kailangan nating maging kritikal sa mga kandidato lalo na kung ano yung mga sentimyento nila ngayong halalan pa lang dahil ‘yun din ang magiging sentimyento na rin nila kung nanalo sila,” he said.
SECRETARY
RHOJEN SIANDA RUNNING unopposed for public relations officer (PRO), music education major Rhojen Sianda is pushing for a better cultural understanding and appreciation of the creative arts among the student body. “Culture and the arts have been close to my field of interest and my experiences enable me to perform and function well in spearheading this advocacy,” Sianda said in an interview with the Varsitarian. His two platforms, “Alab Hiraya” and “Sulaat Dilaab,” aim to recognize and empower the cultural identity of the Thomasian community. Alab Hiraya plans to set up a University-wide celebration of National Arts Month in February and will feature several artadjacent events such as concerts, film productions, workshops and seminars. Sulaat Dilaab, on the other hand, aims to spotlight the academic aspect of the arts through the exhibition of the
creative research projects of Thomasians. “I believe na yung mga research ng mga Thomasians ay hindi lamang hanggang pangpresentation lamang sa apat na sulok ng UST but [they are also] worthy na magkaroon ng publication,” Sianda said. Sianda, who belongs to Mindanao’s Blaan tribe, said that the CSC will give him better opportunities to push for equal representation of different sectors. “I believe running for a position in the Central Student Council could widen my aspect of help not only for the Thomasian musician, but also for the whole student body of the University,” he said. “When you have the power to make a difference, the choice for you is clear and my decision is firm: to cater to student concerns and their welfare,” he added. JADE VERONIQUE V. YAP, JUDD ERICKA MARIE F. CRESCINI, ALEXANDRA L. MANGASAR AND FAITH NICOLE S. GELACIO
THE VARSITARIAN
APRIL 4, 2022
BOTOMASINO How outgoing CSC officers followed through on campaign promises despite online setup
7
TOMSPEAK
What should student leaders prioritize in addressing? By Jiselle Anne C. Casucian, Nolene Beatrice H. Crucillo
What I wish for this 2022 is that all from the graduating batch would pass their thesis! I also wish for safety and good health among my friends and family and also, next year, I wish that those who didn’t get to spend time with their friends or loved ones will be able to have a grand time celebrating and creating new memories this 2022.—Kristal Nocos, College of Fine Arts and Design The priority of student leaders should revolve around the welfare of their constituents particularly when it comes to their studies and campus life. This task is not easy as it comes with a lot of bargaining and comprising with those in authority therefore communication is a key concern to any student leader. —John De Villa, 4th Year, Accountancy Since the University is now gradually opening its doors for limited face-to-face classes, I am raising the concern regarding the toilet facilities in the majority of the buildings in UST. I think that student leaders should prioritize this issue because health and sanitation are the primary concerns here. There are times that privacy is being compromised due to broken locks. Also, the toilet is sometimes unhygienic due to the malfunctioning of toilet flushes. —Hally Ann Magsombol, 3rd Year, Civil Engg Student leaders should prioritize student welfare, they are the voice of normal students and should be most aware of what students feel and experience. They should also deal with problems relating to students’ mental health with approaches that are not overwhelming for concerned students. —John Neil Barrun, 4th Year, Mechanical Engg
► CSC President Krizia Milleny Bricio, CSC Vice President Gerald de la Cruz CSC Secretary Arnet Paguirigan, CSC
public relations officer Gabriele de Lara
By Joanne Christine Ramos
THE FIRST set of UST Central Student Council (CSC) officers elected during the pandemic will end their terms in a few days, with some campaign promises fulfilled and some yet to be completed.
The CSC said they remained in dialogue with the UST administrators for the safe return of face-toface (F2F) classes to the University, which was one of their priority issues. “The council, together with the administration in many open dialogue sessions, has worked handin-hand with the strategic prioritization of each degree program,” CSC Public Relations Officer Gabriele de Lara told the Varsitarian. “Together with the administration, we also looked into the need to address and re-accommodate the room capacities for each degree program along with the maintenance of each to ensure that all equipment and facilities can provide a safe and healthy environment,” he added. CSC Secretary Arnet Paguirigan said the council was consulted by administrators regarding the student concerns on F2F classes. “We have really close communication with the Office of the Secretary General and Office for Student Affairs,” Paguirigan said, “[The administrators] would always help us, and they would also address to us their concerns as administrators, and they would consult us.” CSC President Krizia Milleny Bricio said the council also had to be updated with the guidelines and procedures set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). “Hindi pwedeng isang bagsakan mag-F2F lahat ng programs sa UST because marami ‘yung students natin and hindi possible na we still maintain the protocols and guidelines kapag isang bagsakan na lahat ng students sabay-sabay,” Bricio said. Unified academic breaks In Academic Year 2021-2022, UST implemented several academic breaks. However, some of these breaks lasted only two days—often in the middle of the week—and were criticized by Thomasians for
‘‘
I’m proud to say that we really did our best, the CSC right now, to execute not just policydriven but advocacy-based [programs] Arnet Paguirigan OUTGOING CSC PRESIDENT
being too short. De Lara, who had vowed to make academic breaks “unified,” said the council could only do so much given the guidelines set by CHEd. CHEd implements a certain contact hour requirement for private higher education institutions, which UST needs to meet. The CSC public relations officer said the council did not push for longer breaks as these could lead to an extended academic calendar. “Narinig naman natin yung concerns ng students na maikli `yung time ng academic breaks, but that would have been [better] na rin instead of having none at all,” de Lara said.
“Aminado kami na hindi siya perfect right now, but of course, we hope that the next student council officers who will represent the student body will continue to fight for the implementation of these academic breaks,” he added. Policy, advocacy-driven CSC Bricio said that under her presidency, the CSC officers fulfilled their initial plans of making a more efficient, “policy-driven” student council. She said a lot of petitions addressing the concerns of the student body were forwarded by the executive board to UST administrators, which led to changes in rules and guidelines. Bricio also said the council was about to conduct a student referendum to start revising the CSC Constitution, which was one of her campaign platforms last year. Keeping within her promise of “leading the process” of the constitutional revision, Bricio said she hoped the drafting would start by next academic year. “Regardless na hindi pa man na-start ‘yung constitution revision, I can say that the efficient student council, mas na-improve siya this year because of how the Central Board and Executive Board work efficiently. We were able to do our tasks efficiently,” Bricio said. Paguirigan said that out of the 23 projects of the council this year, the majority were advocacy projects for inclusivity and community development. The CSC conducted several webinars and online projects this year, including the Women’s Month webinar and concert night, “YOUth Decides” campaign for the 2022 national elections, “Safe Spaces,” “AdLikha,” “Take Charge,” and “ADULThings 2.0.” “I’m proud to say that we really did our best, the CSC right now, to execute not just policy-driven but advocacy-based [programs],” Paguirigan said. WITH REPORTS FROM ADRIAN PARUNGAO AND JACQUELINE MARTINEZ
Proper implementation of mental health breaks and actively reaching out to students experiencing problems that hinder their education should be of top priority. They should address student concerns by reaching out actively. Most student leaders in the past are only felt by a small population, I think it is best that they should not be passive about student issues and be the first to know what students feel. —Iris Marie Mortega, 4th Year, Mechanical Engg The top concerns that need to be addressed by student leaders right now are academic freedom, mental health and accessible academic and communication tools. We need to maintain a fair and democratic system running through each faculty and college wherein each grievance, no matter how small, will be heard and justly processed, not shunned. Academic eases/breaks should not serve as mere band-aid solutions for the concerns of overwhelming academic workload, but rather a partner solution in coherence with efficient communication between the students and faculty. Lastly, now that we are accepting freshmen who may have not yet been able to step inside the campus, the students should be provided with spaces online wherein they are free to raise their questions/concerns aside from Facebook or Twitter. They need to feel that their upper years are reaching out to them more than ever. —Leanne Macalalad, 4th Year, Communications One concern that the student leaders should prioritize in addressing is the policy of some instructors to not make their synchronous sessions accessible to students who are not able to attend or have unstable connections and are therefore lagging while in the meeting. This prohibits students from fully comprehending the lesson provided by the instructor. A suggestion to this is the uploading of all synchronous sessions in the course site of the students. —Kristina Gianan, 4th Year, Management Accounting Student leaders must emphasize truth and fact-finding. Nowadays, it is effortless to manipulate people and mislead them because of fake news/information. This problem occurs worldwide, where the value of honesty does not seem to be that essential for a candidate. If we ought to have transparency and accountability in the government, it should start at home and in learning institutions. Now the student leaders have the leverage to use their leadership in order to ensure the prevalence of truth. —Kristian Edsel Santos Amarante, 1st Year, Bachelor of Sacred Theology I hope that the student leaders will help in implementing a seamless transition from the online setting to face-to-face classes. —Miguel Alexandre Baladad, 4th year, Chemistry The student leaders should focus on providing a better system for more effective online classes. Issues like giving academic breaks and the heavy workload given by professors should be addressed. Yes, students are given the time to rest, but some professors assign work amid the academic breaks. I hope that there will be communication between the student leaders and the professors so that there will be proper dissemination of news and proper conduct of synchronous and asynchronous classes. —Paul Baltazar, 4th year, Commerce There are some times that academic breaks are not strictly implemented. With this said, student leaders should prioritize making sure that the students indeed get the break that they need. Let us keep in mind that academic breaks help the students, and it would mean nothing if the students are still expected to create outputs during the said breaks. —Farhan Bongaros, 3rd year, CFAD The student leaders must prioritize addressing the lack of time for some academic requirements. In my perspective, minor courses put up difficult requirements for the students which consume most of their time accomplishing it rather than focusing on the major prerequisites that will really help students in their chosen career. — John Carlo Mauricio, 4th year, CTHM I think it’s vital to prioritize those concerns that’s actually affecting the students personally as well, and not just prioritizing concerns that only focuses on their academic performance. As student leaders, it’s better if they’ll be the ones to voice out what the student body cannot directly converse with the admin. Maybe they can prioritize coming up with suggestions on how to make learning in the university more flexible, not just with what kind of set up they can come up with, but also how to help the students cope in different challenges they may have (not only limited to academic challenges) that can bring positive learning outcomes for them. Another concern they could prioritize in addressing is how to accommodate those students with grievances efficiently and make the process more student-friendly. — Irish Nicole Flores, 4th Year BS Speech-Language Pathology
ART BY ATHEA MONIQUE Z. GALA