10 Questions with the President

He’s been handed the keys to the kingdom, as the metaphor goes. I’m sure a lot of us is interested in what’s going on in his head right now, so in ten questions, he gives us a peek at his principles, goals, and action plans. Here’s our interview with none other than the new AUSSG President, Mr. William Villegas.

What made you run for office?

I was eyeing that position since my first year in college. Although I can say that I am a bit discouraged since I transferred to UST for my second year, and the rules on residency and eligibility are not very clear to me.

How will you describe the AUSSG Election experience? What points do you think can be improved on?

It was not. Mainit. Medyo na-rush po eh. Siguro, earlier it announcement and better information dissemination to give time to the candidates and voters as well.

What will be your advocacy as the new AUSSG President?

More projects inside the campus. Little things. You know, serve as the voice of the students to the administration.

What projects are you going to implement to achieve this?

One project is the suggestion boxes. We will be updating weekly, and see where we will go from there.

Who do you look up to in terms of leadership?

It has to be Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar. To those who don’t know, she’s the daughter of independence hero Aung San. I think she’s a one of a kind woman. She stood up for her country, helped found the National League for Democracy (NLD) in 1988 amidst the country’s extreme political instability, chaos, and violence. She was put arrest several times and was even offered to leave the country in exchange for freedom, but she refused. I think that’s brave, and a kind of leadership to be followed. To quote her, "It is not power that corrupts, but fear.”

What is your leadership principle?

When I am in a group, the first thing I do is consult the body. Consensus-building. No one can act alone.

What do you think are the things that must be developed in Araullians?

Involvement. kasi po, we have a lot activities na nasasayang dahil kaunti ang sumasali. Also, discipline. Saying po ang programs like ZERO BASURA and CLAYGO kapag hindi tinatangkilik ng mga Araullian.

How will you bridge the gap between the student body and the administration?

I will serve as the voice of Araullians. I will represent them to the administration.

As a student- leader, how are you going to promote AU ? 

My personal experiences. I have a lot of good experiences here. Also, whenever somebody would ask, “why did you study in AU?” I’ll just answer, Why not?

What would you like to say to your constituents?

First of all. I want to thank everybody for their support and involvement. Like we said in our proclamation, we won’t promise anything. After all, we’re just ordinary Araullian. Sama-sama  nating aabutin yun.

So there. He has a year to stand up for us. But he can’t do it by himself. We must stand beside him as well. Dan Kevin Roque

AUSSG reopens FAP

Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG) reopens their Financial Assistance Program (FAP) this school year. The program is envisioned to support financially disadvantaged students.

To avail of the program, the interested student can write a 300-word essay detailing why he needs financial support and why he deserves to be a beneficiary of the program. The said essay can be submitted to the AUSSG office. Dan Kevin Roque

Please Pangulo

President-elect William Villegas, 3rd year AB Political Science student.
(Illustration by Kenneth Garcia)

Eleksyon na naman. Sa wakas, nagka-eleksyon ulit dito sa ating Pamantasan. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nito: umiiral pa rin ang demokrasya. Pero hindi ang eleksyon ang mahalaga, hindi ang pagpili, bagkus ay ang mga magaganap pagkatapos ng pagpili.

Lahat naman ng mag-aaral ay may mga hinaing at mga kahilingan, kaya naman talagang mahirap maupo sa posisyon ng kapangyarihan dahil sa’yo mapupunta ang lundo ng pag-asa at mga hiling nila. Pero magdadagdag lang ako ng kaunti sa’yong mga intindihin.

Sa iyong pag-upo sa pwesto at panunumpa sa katungkulan, tinatanggap mo ang tiwalang ibinigay sa’yo ng mga kapwa mo mag-aral. Hindi ito simpleng seremonyas lamang upang maging pormal ang iyong panunungkulan. Ang unang hiling ko sa’yo ay manumpa ka ng gamit ang iyong puso at hindi ang iyong bibig.

Ang pag-upo sa pwesto ay parang pagtuli lang. Hindi isang pukpok lang ang pagiging pangulo. Mahabang gamutan yan. Sana’y kaya mong manindigan sa mga pangakong binitawan mo at tiisin ang batikos at sakit na ibabato sa’yo Kailangan mo kasing ipakita na matapang ka, sapagkat ikaw ang tutularan nila.

Alam naman naming na may ambisyon ka, kaya ka nga tumakbo, ‘di ba? Ngunit sana, hindi lamang ambisyon ang tingnan mo. Maraming Araullian din ang nag-aambisyon: nag-aambisyong makatapos ng pag-aaral, mapaglingkuran nang tama, tanggapin ang dapat ay sa kanila.

Utang mo sa kanila ang pag-upo sa pwesto, kaya utang na loob, PAKINGGAN MO SILA! Tama na ang pagbubulag-bulagan. Alam nating may mga reklamo ang mga kapwa natin Araullian, bigyan natin sila ng tinig, Palayain mo ang utak mo sa pagkakakulong. Masahol pa sa mangmang ang mangmang na magmamarunong.

Ano nga ulit yung plataporma mo? Kailangan ng Araullo ng mga programang papakinabangan talaga ng mga mag-aaral at hindi yung pampabango lang ng resume mo. Kailangan namin ng mga programang masaya; baka maburyong ang mga mag-aaral. Sabi nga sa English, “All work and no play makes Juan a dull boy.” Pero sana yung kasayahang may katuturan naman.

Huwag mo nang balikan ang pagkakamali ng nakaraan, huwag mo na silang batikusin pa. Huwag ka na rin mag-isip ng dahilan sakaling pumalpak ka; ang pagdadahilan ay para lang sa mga taong ‘di kayang harapin ang katotohanan. Maniwala kang kaya mong baguhin ang sistema, pero huwag umasa sa himala dahil wala pang nananalo sa lotto na hindi tumataya!

Mabuhay sa’yo! Ngunit ngayon pa lamang magsisimula ang iyong tunay na laban. Dan Kevin Roque 

Araullian voters prepare for midterm Elections

Araullians are all geared up for the upcoming May 2013 elections as they took part in the voters’ education seminar organized by the Kaya Natin (KN) Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership last March 5, 2013 at the AU Gymnasium. The program, named R18: Kung Kaya Natin, Kakayanin Mo Rin, aims to change the paradigm of the elections by empowering the youth, according to KN member and AUSSG President Kevin Vidar. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Gerarda Rivera started the program as she tackled the importance of one’s voting power. KN Media Relations Officer and Youth Coordinator Shylynne Castillo emphasized the significant number of youth in the voting population.  KN Core Group member Jess Lorenzo, Poro Point Management President, and KN champ Florante Gerdan also imparted values regarding voting. Finally, participants had the chance to raise their queries about the elections in the forum. Jillian Vergara

Seniors join Look Ahead seminar, jobs fair

Graduating students participated in the Look Ahead Pre-employment Seminar and Jobs Fair conducted by the Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG) and Placement Office from February 27 to 28 at the AU Gym. For the first day, Mr. John Jacob Valino, administrator of Christian Faith Montessori Center, discussed the preparations needed in pursuing a career. Mr. Valino also provided lectures and workshops on resumé writing and job interview. Look Ahead attendees applied what they have learned from the seminar as 20 companies, including AU-PHINMA, offered job opportunities the next day. Ma. Gladys Repollo

AUSSG gives out scholarships this 2nd semester

The Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG) helps underprivileged students by providing monetary assistance worth 3000 per semester for each qualified applicant. As of press time, eight Araullians are being screened to become the next beneficiaries of the said program.

Last semester, AUSSG granted scholarships to Marvin delos Santos, Mhey Guadna, Jocelyn Pagba, Rex Almazan, and Krystel Sahagun.Pauline Joy Gelacio

Viewpoint releases Back-to-Back Issues

Viewpoint releases its first Back-to-Back issues (Regular Issue No. 5, State of Affairs and Special Issue No. 2, Life Can Be Better) as the semester-ender special for Araullians.

State of Affairs

Regular Issue No. 5

Life Can Be Better

Special Issue No. 2

State of Affairs

The first semester has drawn to an end.

For four months, we have made this University our home. Unquestionably, we have learned a lot in our stay. We have met different people: People who changed our lives; people whom to share our lives with; and people whose lives we had changed. Indeed, the end of a semester is the perfect time for reflection, not just for the freshmen and the ordinary students, but also for the seniors and the student-leaders as well.

For four months we have availed the services of the University, it is high time we ask ourselves a few questions. What have we done in service of our fellow students and alma mater? It is the inquiry we wish every student to make, including those in the high echelons of authority. What have we achieved so far?

This case is especially crucial to the AUSSG, the highest policy-making body for the studentry. Aside from the annual organization fair, the flopped concert Rock the Vote, the ill-received flag-raising ceremony, and the contest “Love My AU” which name alone screams rip-off, what has our Supreme Student Government accomplished?

Some people might think it premature to render judgment now, in the middle of their term, and with that, we agree. But as students, we are entitled to know where the thrusts of the AUSSG have led and where it leaves us. What better time to act than now, before things are too late?

The current incarnation of the Executive Council seems to be particularly fond of seminars and workshops, and there is nothing wrong with that. We believe that equipping our student-leaders with the necessary skill set and developing their talents is imperative for a productive academic year. There is no question about that.

However, it is usual that when only a few delegates are sent to attend workshops and seminars, these delegates are either expected to facilitate a transfer of knowledge to the student body, or employ the knowledge they gained to the benefit of their constituents. Spreading the good virus, as the idiom goes. Otherwise, attending the said excursion would be futile.

After attending several trainings, workshops, and fora such as the recently concluded Bayanitaktakan forum, they still lack anything tangible to show the students to prove that as constituents, they do gain something from the said excursions. All we have is a bouquet of posters.

Evidently, no pandemic of the good virus took place. This leads to a series of questions: Is the student activity fund being appropriated properly? Is it being used for personal growth and benefit? Is the fund being used for the advantage of a narrow social circle of the people in power?

These are the issues we must resolve in order to move on to a more fruitful second semester of the academic year; reminders that in every endeavor that student-leaders undertake, the welfare of the students must take primacy. We must ask ourselves whether an activity is beneficial to the general studentry in the end, for it is them that we, student-leaders, have pledged to serve and their money we spend.

Zero Basura, the flagship project of the last AUSSG administration is no longer implemented strictly. Information and communication is still hampered by the same barriers as before. Student involvement in the activities of the AUSSG remains limited to a select few, as evidenced by the “Love My AU” contest which only a handful joined, out of the five-thousand or so students of Araullo. The goods collected last August for relief during the onslaught of the Habagat remains undistributed, lying sessile in their office floor up to this day. To top that off, the bulletin boards, erstwhile repositories of information, are not updated, if not totally neglected.

An entire semester has gone by, where are we now? Dan Kevin Roque

Araullians show love for AU-PHINMA

Araullians showed their love for our school through “Love my AU Campaign” conducted by Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG). Launched last October 1-10 the said activity culminated with an awarding ceremony held last October 18.

Mark Anthony Pineda and Johnson Tiburcio, both 3^rd year BSIT students, garnered 1^st and 2^nd place in the Photo Contest, respectively. Sarah Joy Rivera, a 4^th year Political Science student, clinched the 1^st place while John Jefferson Cristobal acquired the  2^nd place in the Essay Writing Contest. In the Poster Making Contest, Kathleen Sarmiento, 2^nd year, and Kenneth Garcia, 1^st year, both BSA students, took home the 1^st and 2^nd honors, respectively.

Also in line with this activity, a contest for Basic Education students, Slogan Making Contest for a Group, was also held. Mark Joseph Bautista, Lorena Ang, Michaela Javier, and Genesis Valdez ranked 1^st while John Michael Hipolito, Rhoselle Joseph, Mark John Gonzaga, and Daren Enriquez placed 2^nd.

According to AUSSG Vice President Kevin Ceddie Garcia, there should be two other contests, the Film Making and Yell contest but unfortunately, students did not join these contests. Krisia Aira Nicolas

AU-PHINMA joins NGP culmination

Araullo University - PHINMA culminated the Green Project by participating in the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) – Nueva Ecija Chapter’s Oplan Broadcastreeing, as part of the National Greening Project (NGP) of DENR-CENRO. The said undertaking was held at the NGP Site, Sitio Bacao, Doña Josefa, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija last October 13.

Students from various university organizations participated in the said event: Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG), Araullo University Student Assistants Association (AUSAA), Araullo University Political Science Student Organization (AUPSSO), College of Education Student Council (COE-SC), PHINMA Scholars, and Presidential Scholars  comprised the group led by Alexis G. Ramirez, RGC. Nathan Neil Beronio

Araullians celebrate Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa

Araullians gathered last August 28 to commemorate the Buwan Ng Wikang Pambansa at the phinma Avenue Flagpole Rotunda. “Tatag ng Wikang Filipino, Lakas ng Pagka-Filipino” served as the central theme of the program organized by the Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG) under program heads Zynnia Bunag and Aren Siriban.

The program started with a prayer from AUSSGPresident Mark Kevin Vidar, followed by the Entrance of Colors conducted by officers of au-rotc. The national anthem followed, and then the college student council governors lead the “Panatang Makabayan” and “Panunumpa sa Watawat”. Highlighting the event was the performance from Company of Araullian Dancers (CADs). The officers and Basic Education students wore traditional Filipino attire for the event.

According to Bunag, the event was the aussg’s initiative to rekindle patriotism in the Araullian studentry. Laila Jamille Alvarez