ARMED with the passion to eradicate the prevailing culture of apathy and ignorance in the Faculty, candidates for the position of vice president for internal affairs are ready to take a leap for leadership.
The three hopefuls are challenging the leadership styles of the present council and are ready to implement change in the Faculty and bring about the kind of governance and direction that they think it needs.
Harnessing potential
His appreciation for interdisciplinary studies heightened the interest of Students’ Democratic Party’s Remar Paulo Panganiban in pushing forward cultural awareness and appreciation—a goal he wishes to achieve through running for the council.
“It takes a lot of mental fortitude, it takes a lot of courage and bravery to run a council; one must have a strong mindset and the intention is all for the students,” he says. “I can bring the capabilities that I have.”
The Asian studies freshman is driven to respond to the issues that beset the incumbent council, which is composed of students from his own political party.
Inclusivity and promoting the common good of the Artlet community will be Panganiban’s focus should he win in the elections. However, he acknowledges that he still has a lot to learn.
“I am not a perfect leader; I’m flawed. I think this is the best way to improve and re-evaluate myself,” he says.
Leading with vision and passion
Equipped with leadership experience from his high school years, DEKADA’s Gerald Matthew Dela Cruz sees himself fit to serve the Artlet community.
The legal management freshman strives to promote appreciation of students and their work through his platforms.
Gerald wishes to create an avenue for Artlets to air their grievances as well as get them involved in social issues such as those faced by the farmers and laborers in the country.
The aspiring lawyer is empowered by his passionate desire to champion justice and exemplify servant leadership. He says he is ready to battle old political traditions and mediocrity and that his decision to run is not only a way of turning his visions into actions but also his tool for change.
“I have the vision, passion, and the heart,” he says. “[Ito ang] pagbabago para hindi na maranasan ang nararanasan natin ngayon.”
Filling the gap
Pushing for the unity of the studentry, Grand Alliance for Progress bet Rona Alondra Agulto believes that having a reason and vision for service every day is what leaders need to become effective.
“If you are not gonna do your best, might as well don’t do the job at all,” she says.
Rona’s leadership experiences include her involvement in activist movements, advocacy groups, and debates that pushed her to improve her skills.
“Ano bang maibibigay sa’kin ng council na hindi mabibigay sa’kin ng ibang organizations? ‘Yun ay growth,” she says.
Running for the vice presidency is her way of pushing for action rather than simply uttering empathetic words of support.
“Being vocal about something helps—it helps influence a lot of people, but it does not stop there,” she says. F LORRAINE B. LAZARO
