Article by: Lea Ysabel Q. Evangelista and Kristin Clarisse H. Mateo
Graphics by: Clark Vincent P. Constantino
In line with the goal to promote unity among student leaders and empower youth movement amidst the pandemic, the Honor Society of Mapúa (HSM) spearheaded the Inter-School Organizations Summit 2020 last November 22 via Zoom.
Organizations from Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), De La Salle University (DLSU), Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL), Mapúa University (MU), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), San Beda University (SBU), University of Nueva Caceres (UNC), and University of Santo Tomas (UST) partook in the recently concluded summit.
Selected individuals from HSM, MCL’s E.T. Yuchengco College of Business - Student Council and Young Entrepreneurs Society, and MU’s Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines - Mapúa University Student Chapter (IECEP – MUSC) discussed their respective organizations’ visions and goals to aid their members and society as a whole. They also talked about coping with the setbacks brought by the pandemic and maintaining connections through different social media platforms.
Sen. Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago participated as guest speakers in the event as well.
Sen. Pangilinan initially elaborated on the impact of student organizations in engaging the youth towards nation-building. Pulling from his experience as a former student leader and activist, the senator shared his fight against misinformation and cruelty during the Martial Law era.
He also highlighted the potential of the students in the current generation and the role of organizations in unifying people. “Bilang ang mga estudyante at kabataan ang mitsa ng pagbabago, ang mga student organizations ay masasabi nating behikulo para yang mitsa na yan ay ma-organisa at maisakatuparan ang pagiging catalysts for change,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Rep. Elago discussed the role of the youth in the country, citing the five important Ks as the key factors in empowering the youth movement. These Ks are Kolektibo (Unity), Kapwa (Fellow), Kasama (Companion), Kabalikat (Personal Relationship), Katungkulan at Kasanayan (Responsibility and Skills), Kaalaman sa Kalagayan ng Lipunan (Knowledge on the State of Society), and Kasaysayan (History).
As an advocate of students’ rights, she stressed the need for a united front. “Now, more than ever, it is important that we recognize the voices of students and other stakeholders in all aspects of the pandemic response and recovery plan,” Rep. Elago claimed. “Hence, it is high time that we ensure that fundamental freedoms and rights of students are promoted and protected in our education institutions,” she followed.
In an interview with HSM President Rey Adrian Vince D. Yao, he conveyed that a primary inspiration of the event was the idleness of most student organizations at the start of the pandemic. “Iyon iyong nag-spark ng idea nung event na ‘to since I thought of the students [who] need their organizations, especially in these trying times,” Yao shared.
Aside from that, we incorporated a goal, which is to connect different organizations among various schools, so this could be a way to create a bond among them and exchange ideas,” he added.
The HSM President further conveyed that they would like to make the Inter-School Organizations Summit an annual event – a trademark of the premier student organization of the University.
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