AFTER HEARING several platforms in the freshman miting de avance, Sanggu Secretary-General Kacci Morales said that she was not sure if the candidates knew what they were getting into.
Morales was a panel member for the SOM and SOH candidates in the miting held today, August 10. “It seemed like the platforms were done for the sake of it,” she said, adding that she wanted to hear ideas that were more quantifiable.
For SOM Chair Daryll Santillan, however, every candidate starts out that way. “It is up to our end to guide them and train them.”
The Sanggunian freshman elections will start tomorrow, August 11, and end August 12. The freshman candidates are vying for the positions of Executive Officer (EO) and Central Board Representative (CB Rep).
Special elections will also be held for the positions of SOH Secretary-Treasurer, third year SOH CB Rep, and third and fourth year SOH EOs.
“There are a lot of promising candidates,” said Sanggu Vice President Jauro Castro. As audience turnout was low in the miting, however, he wished more students attended.
Sanggu President Gio Tingson was happy with the passion evident in the candidates. “I just hope they can channel this greatness into something specific, measurable and indicative of success,” he said.
The candidates
In his presentation, Gavin Chan (I AB Philo), a CB Rep candidate, said that since careers in humanities are limited, he plans to produce “brochure thingies” that would list possible career options for SOH graduates.
He and his fellow SOH candidates intend to promote more SOH activities to help students in their careers. EO candidate Rie Takumi (I BFA CW) said she wants to help her fellow freshmen in “finding their specialization and vocations.”
CB Rep candidate Marco de Leon (III AB Lit-Eng) said that most people in SOH do not care and are unaware of Sanggu activities. “I don’t know why we’re not caring,” said de Leon. “But if there was a time to care, it is now.”
Third year EO candidate Krizia Cureg (AB Lit-Eng) said she plans to organize on-the-job-training and practicum programs for the students.
The SOM candidates said they want to serve by listening to the opinions of their constituents.
“I am an opinions-leader,” said EO candidate Richmond Chiong (I BS CTM). Chiong wants to hear his constituents out before making any plans of action.
Juan Paolo Chua (I BS ME), a CB Rep candidate, thinks the same way. Although he does not have any concrete plans in his platform, he believes that he can serve his constituents. “I trust myself. I know I can be your servant… Trust me, I can bridge the gap between the students and the [Sanggu].”
Outside the Sanggu
For Gabriel Enverga (I BS Mgt), also CB Rep candidate, the Sanggu is a stepping stone towards involvement in national issues. “[It’s] an opportunity for [everyone] to fight child pornography in the Philippines.”
Gio Alejo (I BS HSc), who is running for CB Rep, wants to focus on the unequal distribution of wealth in the Philippine government, linking it to transparent leadership in the Sanggu and in Ateneo. “I also want to develop a system which the government can use to see and verify where the funds are going.”
His opponent, Gian Dapul (I BS Ch-MSE) wishes to address education outside Ateneo. “I want a hands-on way of helping out different public schools.” He also wants to strengthen research and development in schools.
Cast your vote
When Sanggu Finance Officer Rob Roque asked the candidates why they deserved the positions, EO candidate Kiara Chua (I BSM AMF) said, “I am running because I can say that I am the epitome of SOSE.”
Third Fernandez (I AB Comm), an EO candidate said, “Maraming kakayahan ang SOSS para maglingkod at magsilbi sa iba (SOSS has great strength to work for and serve others).” His running mate, May Vizmonte (I AB Eco-H) said, “I am running because I want to be involved in representing the students to the whole community.”
With reports from Lourdes M. Jimenez
The reporters tried to solicit comments from students who are non-members of the Sanggunian after the miting, but those who attended left early or did not finish the program.
“Brochure thingies?” Maybe that was unnecessary to direct quote as it does not exactly shed a good light on the person. Maybe it might be better to focus on him aiming to produce brochures instead of directly quoting “brochure thingies” with a satirical undertone. 🙂
miting ? or meeting?
Anonymous 1 and Anonymous 2,
We try to report as accurately as possible. If the candidate calls them “brochure thingies,” in a formal campaign event like the miting de avance, we quote it as such.
Yes, it’s “miting de avance” not “meeting de avance.”
Thank you.
Raymond Ang
Editor-in-Chief
@Anonymous: I think that if he took the miting de avance more seriously then he would have found a better, more appropriate term than “brochure thingies.”
The moment you file for candidacy, you should be prepared to speak properly and take care of your image more. Newspapers are not the candidate’s press release.
🙂
I was just referring to this : ““There are a lot of promising candidates,” said Sanggu Vice President Jauro Castro. As audience turnout was low in the miting, however, he wished more students attended.”
Hi!
I just noticed that my name was spelled wrongly in the article. It’s gio alejo, not gio alego.
Thanks!
Hi! This is Sasha Lim Uy, the writer of the article. Thank you for reading. However, I can’t seem to find the typo. Where did you see it? 🙂
@Sasha, I edited the article already after I read the comment 😀 Sorry!