Programmed for Leading: Jinjer Rianne I. Arante

Article by: Shaina Camille F. Macaranas

Graphics by: Cassius Klai C. Francisco and Vaughn Kyle V. Ostan

The Council of Organizations (COO) oversees all the student organizations at Mapúa University. With her reign coinciding with the University's centennial year, Jinjer Rianne I. Arante rose to the challenge as she took the seat as the COO President.

Arante is a first-year Computer Engineering (CpE) major hailing from the School of Electrical, Electronics, & Computer Engineering (EECE), currently serving her second consecutive year with the organization.

Booting Operating system

Arante initially ran for a different position before she chose to step in as the council president. Her biggest inspiration for this is her predecessor, former COO President Hannah Tan. “She actually inspired me to step up [...] she led by example through multiple events, multiple times and during the whole tenure talaga namin, lagi syang nag-s-step up and that, ‘yung actions nya na ‘yon, that inspired me.” With Ms. Tan’s guidance, JR found herself taking on the task of handling COO.

Albeit being in her freshman year, Arante did not let the pressure get to her. In an interview with The New Builder, she shared that starting out in Mapúa in senior high school (SHS) helped her adjust to the collegiate life much faster.    

Calibration of Goals

Arante aspires to be a good leader for the advancement of Mapúa University. When asked about her plans for her tenure as the COO President, she stated, “‘yung biggest vision ko for the tenure itself is changing a lot of the things that I saw were flawed from the past tenure.”

Recalling about the challenges that came along with the job, JR said that the accreditation process of the past tenure was laborious. “the accreditation process, siguro […] very madugo talaga ‘yung accreditation process sa dinanas sa lahat ng orgs. […] bilang council [member] kasi one of the things na responsibility kasi ng council is to further improve yung mga constituents, so what I want in organizations is for them to grow.”

When further asked about her plans, she stated that all annual events will still be held—with more activities, focusing on leadership, to be added on the lineup. “We’re gonna be adding more events…tulad na lang ng mga events for leadership,” Arante disclosed.“Mga leadership trainings, mga training ng mga officers kasi we plan to have a leadership masterclass series na tinatrain yung mga specific officers,” Over the question of her expectations for Mapúa in its next 100 years, she hoped that in the future, MU will be more inclusive and have a healthier student environment.

While inspired and driven to pursue the goals she set, Arante admits that doubts linger about her capability as the leader as she was only in her first year of college. “...yung biggest problem na I had to overcome, ‘yung hindi ko pagtiwala sa sarili ko. […] and siyempre ako, naniniwala naman ako sa sarili ko, pero ‘yung iba, do they really trust me enough para makapag-lead?" Recognizing the weight of her responsibilities, she assured that she is committed to her work. “Nandito talaga ‘yung puso ko para sa kanila.”

Encrypted Values

The legacy of Mapúa lies in the students that it helped grow, so when JR was asked about what legacy she wants to leave for the next student leaders, she stated the following, “The legacy that I want to leave for the future leaders […] I want a more streamlined process for all of the events, katulad n’ung sa engage and everything. We want to improve everything.” In her words, she wants the next set of student leaders to focus on things to improve things rather than repeat.

As a governing student leader, she is an inspiring figure that perseveres even through tough times. As she said, “If you want something…basta mahal mo yung ginagawa mo at laanan mo siya ng tamang oras…dadating din ‘yan sa ‘yo kung para sa ’yo talaga.” 

She has a goal in mind. And that goal, she will achieve.