The Anatomy of a Leader: Cyruss James S. Mendoza

Article by: John Marvin A. Corsino

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

The Council of Presidents (COP) is part of Mapúa University’s (MU) University Student Government (USG) trifecta, consisting of the presidents of each local student council. In this pivotal year, Cyruss James S. Mendoza of the School of Health Studies (SoHS) chairs the COP.

Currently in his second term as the president of the SoHS Student Council, as well as his second year in the COP, Cy decided to run for the chairperson position. He shares that “the sheer passion of acting as a catalyst of change in the university” is what pushed him to tackle such a large endeavor, and that this step is exactly what the past tenure has been leading him toward.

Digesting Hardships

As part of the USG, the COP exists to serve all Mapúans; however, with this level of authority also comes a great deal of difficulty.

Of course, a council composed of 12 presidents is bound to encounter certain differences, especially with the group of Mapúans that each president embodies. However, according to Cy, all council members transcend these differences, as they “share a desire to uplift the entire Mapúan community by providing a service that advocates both for the students and the institution itself.”

Cy also shares that it has been “exhausting” for him personally since being inducted early on in the tenure. He admits to having been put in vulnerable positions as a student leader, and has had to swallow being underappreciated.

Fortunately, he retains a “burning desire” to continue leading and make a mark in the university, and claims that it is his determination and unending dedication to lead that he, with the COP, continues to bring the change that the Mapúans need and deserve.

Circulating Ideas

To each their own, as they say—everyone is entitled to their own ideas, preferences, and ways. This holds true for MU’s student leaders, each of whom, despite sharing the collective goal of serving the student body, exhibits different styles of leadership. Cy’s approach, and by extension, this tenure’s COP as a whole, revolves around the students: what they want and what they need.

Building upon the work of the presidents that have come before them, Cy intends to continue the trademarks of the COP, including the Don Tomas Cup and the Advocacy Week. However, Cy states that this tenure’s COP wishes to come up with new and exciting interdepartmental events, and “implement new initiatives that we foresee becoming future staples that can contribute greatly to the institution’s goals.”

Expanding Synapses

Perhaps the single most important characteristic that any leader should have is vision. In this regard, Cy shows no deficiency. This tenure’s COP chairperson has big plans—big enough to kickstart new traditions that will make it through to MU’s next hundred years.

Change is the theme of this tenure’s COP, and Cy’s vision for the rest of the tenure embodies this theme. The COP chair plans to look into the policies, laws, and guidelines of the institution itself—a task he deems should be conducted regularly. He shares that this initiative is intended to “cater more to what the students’ desire, while still being true to the university’s vision.”

After him, Cy wants to leave for his successors the wisdom he gained from his experience as a student leader—that is, to “never lose their passion for leadership.” He hopes that the centennial tenure of the COP serves as a beacon of inspiration to future generations of Mapúan leaders.

Being a leader is not without its challenges—that much is true. And yet, many still put on these very difficult shoes on themselves. For Mapúans, though, this isn’t much of a surprise, because as Cy has demonstrated, those with the mark of red and gold have the ambition, drive, and capability to redefine excellence and transcend.