Ulat nina Reign Faith Arwen Bas (Tanglaw Apprentice) at Denyll Francine Almendras
Isinagawa ang panayam kay Therese Anne Virtucio sa loob ng CDC building noong Lunes, Abril 28.
INTERVIEW GUIDELINES
- Maaaring gawin ang panayam nang face-to-face o online, depende sa mapag-uusapan ng Tanglaw Editorial Board at nangangandidato
- Mayroong sampu (10) na tanong na ihaharap sa partido at independent na kandidato, at apat (4) na bukod na tanong patungkol sa karakter at mga isyu sa kada partido o independent na kandidato.
- Bibigyan ang bawat kandidato ng dalawang (2) minuto upang sagutin ang bawat tanong.
- Ang magiging sagot sa panayam ay pinal at hindi na kikilalanin ng pahayagan ang anumang paglilinaw matapos masagot ang isang tanong.
DAPAT MONG MALAMAN
Pindutin ang tanong upang dumiretso sa buong transcript ng naging sagot ng mga kandidato.
General Questions
Wika ni Virtucio, mahalaga ang agarang tugon sa epekto ng matinding heat index sa kaligtasan at kaginhawaan ng mga estudyante. Aniya, isusulong niya ang pagbubukas ng mga silid bilang study spaces tuwing matinding init, gayundin ang pagtitiyak ng sapat na supply ng inuming tubig sa mga susunod na termino. Dagdag pa niya, hindi dapat council lang ang magdidikta ng mga solusyon, kaya’t magsasagawa sila ng mas malawak na konsultasyon upang marinig ang tunay na pangangailangan ng mga estudyante pagdating sa mode of learning at pag-a-adjust ng requirements.
Aniya, lubhang nakakabahala ang kasalukuyang matinding init ng panahon lalo na’t direktang naaapektuhan ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga estudyante. Dagdag pa niya na bagama’t nauunawaan niya raw ang limitasyon ng mga tagapagturo at ng administrasyon, dapat pa rin daw unahin ang kaginhawaan ng mga mag-aaral, lalo na sa aspeto ng mode of learning kung synchronous o asynchronous ba ang mas angkop. Dagdag niya, kailangang matutong magplano ang UPLB admin nang mas maaga at hindi lamang umasa sa agarang “band-aid solutions” tuwing may krisis, upang mapaghandaan ang mga paulit-ulit na suliraning gaya ng matinding init.
Binanggit niya na mahalaga ang mga espasyo para sa pagkatuto at pag-organisa ng mga estudyante, kaya’t pangunahing isusulong niya raw ay ang pagbibigay ng mas inklusibo at student-friendly na mga lugar sa CDC. Aniya, balak niyang makipagkonsultasyon sa mga lokal na organisasyon upang alamin kung kailangan ba ng renovation sa kanilang mga tambayan, gayundin ang pagsusulong na magamit ang mga hindi nagagamit na silid sa kolehiyo bilang meeting areas o study spaces. Dagdag pa niya, nararapat lamang na magkaroon ng sariling espasyo ang mga publikasyong tulad ng Tanglaw upang mapadali ang kanilang operasyon. Binigyang-diin din niya ang pangangailangang muling igiit sa admin ang paglalaan ng pondo at maagang pagpaplano sa kabila ng epekto ng budget cut.
Wika ni Virtucio, mahalaga ang papel ng mga publikasyon tulad ng Tanglaw bilang boses at watchdog ng mga estudyante sa kolehiyo. Aniya, dapat suportahan ng Student Council ang institusyonalisasyon ng mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpapakilala sa kanila lalo na sa mga bagong estudyante at pagsuporta sa mga petisyon upang mapatunayan ang kanilang kredibilidad at kahalagahan sa unibersidad.
Inihayag ni Virtucio na ang pagpapalakas ng partisipasyon ng mga estudyante sa student council ay nagsisimula sa kasalukuyang mga lider mismo. Aniya, mahalagang makita ng mga estudyante na ang pagiging bahagi ng konseho ay hindi lamang puro trabaho at stress, kundi isang makabuluhang karanasang nagdudulot ng kasiyahan sa paglilingkod at pagbibigay-tinig sa kapwa estudyante. Dagdag pa niya, kailangang mas mapalapit at maging mas present ang konseho sa mga estudyante upang mawala ang disconnect na naramdaman sa mga nakaraang termino. Sa ganitong paraan, mas mahihikayat umano ang mga estudyante na makilahok at sumubok tumakbo sa hinaharap.
Wika ni Virtucio na hindi lamang daw dapat limitado ang CDC Student Council sa loob ng sariling kolehiyo kundi dapat din daw itong kumilos bilang bahagi ng mas malawak na pamayanang pang-unibersidad. Aniya, mahalagang makipag-ugnayan at makipagtulungan sa mga konseho ng iba pang kolehiyo tulad ng CVM at CFNR upang maipahayag ang kolektibong hinaing ng mga estudyante sa administrasyon. Aniya’y may kakayahan ang CDC na tumulong sa pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon, pakikiisa sa mga petisyon, at pagtulong sa pagbabalangkas ng mga panawagan upang mas mapalakas ang boses ng mga estudyanteng higit na apektado.
Aniya, responsibilidad ng konseho na magsimula ng mga aksyon, gaya ng pag-udyok sa admin na buksan ang mga silid-aralan bilang pansamantalang silungan, maglunsad ng konsultasyon at petisyon kasama ang mga estudyante, at makipag-ugnayan sa LGU sa pamamagitan ng publikasyon ng pahayag at social media campaigns. Giit niya, hindi lamang ito isyung pangkalikasan, ito’y usaping pangkalusugan na dapat matugunan.
Ayon kay Virtucio, hindi sapat ang pagpapahayag lamang ng panawagan, dapat itong sabayan ng organisado at makabuluhang aksyon. Bilang parte ng konseho, nais din daw niyang maging bahagi ng mga pahayag, petisyon, at kilos-protesta bilang paraan ng pagpapakita ng pagkakaisa sa mga estudyante. Bagama’t aminado siyang may mga limitasyon ang isang konseho, naniniwala siyang mahalaga ang tuluy-tuloy na pag-e-engganyo sa mga estudyante na makilahok, online man o sa lansangan, ayon sa kanilang kakayanan. Aniya, ang council ay hindi mangunguna para magdikta, kundi para magsilbing kasama at katuwang sa laban ng mga estudyante.
Binanggit ni Virtucio ang papel ng Student Council sa pagpapahayag ng mga alalahanin ng mga estudyante tungkol sa gastos sa production. Ayon sa kanya, mahalaga ang pakikipagtulungan sa administrasyon upang matugunan ang mga isyung ito, itaguyod ang akademikong kalayaan, at magsulong ng mga petisyon upang marinig ang mga pangangailangan ng mga estudyante.
Wika ni Virtucio, nais niyang tutukan ang kakulangan ng koneksyon sa pagitan ng mga estudyante at organisasyon sa CDC. Aniya, wala pang proyekto na tunay na nag-uugnay sa apat na departamento. Iminungkahi niya ang CDC Fair upang mapalakas ang kolaborasyon, ipakita ang kakayahan ng mga estudyante, at maipakilala ang kolehiyo sa iba.
Mga tanong para sa kandidato (Independent)
Q. Ano ang mga konkretong plano mo para mas mapalakas pa ang #EDUKFight campaign sa CDC?
Wika ni Virtucio, mahalagang palakasin ang kampanyang #EDUKFight sa CDC upang maprotektahan ang academic freedom ng mga estudyante, lalo na sa harap ng mga budget cut sa mga unibersidad. Aniya, mahalaga ang partisipasyon ng student council sa mga mobilisasyon, pahayag, at publikasyon upang mapalakas ang boses ng mga estudyante at hikayatin silang makiisa, nang hindi pinipilit, sa mga adbokasiyang ito.
Ayon kay Virtucio, ang pagiging Batch 2022 Representative, kahit sa maikling panahon, ay nagbukas ng kanyang kamalayan sa tunay na gawain at layunin ng konseho. Aniya, nakita niya kung gaano kalayo ang ugnayan ng konseho at ng mga estudyante, at nais niya itong baguhin kung siya’y mahalal bilang Vice Chairperson. Dagdag niya, layunin niyang maging daan para mas marinig ang hinaing ng mga estudyante, sa pamamagitan ng konkreto at makabuluhang tulong gaya ng pagbibigay ng blue books sa panahon ng pangangailangan.
Aniya, mahalagang mapalalim pa ang ugnayan ng Internship at Gender and Development Committees sa mga estudyante. Dagdag pa niya na bagamat maayos ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga komite, kailangan pa ng mas malinaw na impormasyon ukol sa proseso at iskedyul ng internship, tulad ng maagang orientation at dagdag na konsultasyon. Para naman sa GAD, nais niyang mas mailapit ito sa LGBTQ+ community sa kolehiyo, lalo na sa harap ng mga isyung lumalabas sa social media. Iminungkahi rin niyang magkaroon ng kinatawan mula sa parehong BS at AS programs upang mas tunay na maiparating ang boses ng iba’t ibang sektor ng estudyante.
Binanggit ni Virtucio na ang kanyang paninindigan ay hindi lamang daw ang pagtakbo para sa posisyon, kundi ang tunay na pagnanais na maging boses at kaagapay ng mga estudyante. Aniya, bilang kapwa estudyante na rin, nauunawaan niya ang mga suliranin sa kolehiyo at edukasyon, kaya’t layunin niyang makipag-ugnayan, hindi mamuno nang hiwalay. Naninindigan daw siyang ang bawat hakbang ng konseho ay dapat bunga ng konsultasyon at pagkakaisa ng mga estudyante, upang masiguro na ang mga solusyong ilalatag ay tunay na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng nakararami.
TRANSCRIPT NG PANAYAM
GENERAL QUESTIONS
VIRTUCIO: First of all, we do know na as students, alam naman natin kung gaano kahirap ang mga ganitong klase ng crisis, hindi lamang yung heat index, even during storm surge o nagkaroon ng bagyo, is medyo nahihirapan talaga yung mga estudyante. So I would like to urge the admin to open up these spaces like what is happening recently para maging ano to like kwarto ng mga estudyante upang makapag-aral sila freely as alam natin na mahirap mag-aral during this time of heat, lalo na kung sa labas na tayo mag sa-stay.
[And] as part of council, we would like to assure na there would be enough water supply, especially on the next term when this crisis happens again. Kasi hindi naman yung dami ng water stations yung nagiging problem, more on yung water supply natin. So, we would like to assure the students of the next term na there would be enough water supply stocks para during this time na magkakaroon ng heat index ay hindi siya nagiging problema ng mga students.
Secondly, it is important to consolidate with the students, especially with regards dun sa mga requirements nila and mode of learning. Kasi us, as councils, we can’t dictate what the students need. So on our next term, would like to have more consolidations with the students para mas ma-address kung ano ba talaga yung kailangan nila. Lalo na na it’s really hard to take up exams during these heat indexes and we would like to assure the students na we would connect with them and mai-urge namin sa admin what the students do really want as a solution, especially at this time of the year. More on very much consultation lang talaga with the students ‘yung pinaka-bet namin for the council, and we would like din to assure na very freely open naman kami to be approached during our terms, well during my term. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: So ayun, first of all, we do know that this is very alarming na as this is not very more of like sa environmental advocacies na natin. Kasi, yes it is part, kasi very important din na we do know what affects us pero at this type of time, lalo na yung init ng panahon, we do know na madami nang estudyante ang naaapektuhan, lalo na sa health-wise nila.
So, during this time, I think it is important din to know that the admin should know what would be better for the student, especially on their mode of learning and kung ano ba talaga yung mas makakatulong sa kanila sa kung paano sila mas makakapag-aral nang maayos. So, marapat lamang na mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga estudyante kung ano ang mas magiging convenient for them if is it asynchronous or synchronous.
Kasi recently, as we have noticed, na most of the announcements from the admin is always like, it depends on the FICs and all that, and we do understand that. Kasi hindi rin naman natin kontrolado kung ano nga ba talaga ang gagawin natin, lalo na sa lesson plans nila and stuff like that. But, we should also learn to consider what the students need, lalo na na, like, we do know na there’s like, nagkakaroon ng budget cut and stuff like that, and we do lack facilities to accommodate students. But, siguro ang mas magandang magagawa natin, especially to urge the admin to do better plans, and para magplano sila ahead of time, especially at this time of crisis, mostly kasi, they do our like bandage solutions, they just consider solutions on the day na nangyayari na siya, and I think it is important na malaman yung dapat natin gawin ahead of time.
So, ‘yun lang naman, and us, as the students, we’re not staying just in one place, we go to different buildings and colleges kasi. So, I feel like that the university should plan it more out, since we do know naman na may budget cut, and mahirap na mag-adopt ng facilities for that.
But, I feel like na yung mga ganitong bagay is, since naranasan na rin natin ito noong nakaraang taon, ay mas magawa na ng paraan ahead of time for this coming year. So, yun, we would like to address that to the admin, para magbigyan ng solution agad-agad, yun lang. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: So, first of all, we as students do know how important spaces are, lalo na sa learning natin kasi it really do affect our quality of work and stuff like that. So, we would like to, on my term, I would like to help organizations to have a better tambayan, but of course it would be under consolidation din with their needs, especially kung hindi naman sila open with that.
But as we know, as we can see na we have three local orgs in the CDC, and we would like to ask them if they would want any changes or any renovations with their tambayan. As we do know na importante din naman for them as students na magkaroon ng space for them para mas magawa yung mga org activities nila, so that they can accommodate students more, lalo na yung mga mag-apply for them. And added to that is, I would like to be a way for the students, not just organizations, but also a part of them, na makapagpahayag ng mga pangangailangan nila, lalo na sa mga ganitong klase ng issues.
Because as we all know na, we can’t deny naman na one of the reasons that affects this is, yun nga yung budget cut ng university. As I have stated on my last answer, na yun talaga mainly ang nakakaapekto dito, kaya medyo hindi rin tayo sapat sa facilities, and hindi rin siya agad magawa ng admin. But we would like to urge na magawa ng paraan to at least use a couple of rooms or spaces in the CDC that is not frequently used.
If pwede siyang magamit ng organizations for meetings, or, let’s say, yung mismong own publication natin, such as Tanglaw, they do deserve to have their own space to work at, and we would like to urge the admin on our terms to help kung paano ba natin pwedeng mas magamit pa yung mga ganitong klase ng spaces. I mean, we do know that it is made for classes, but since it’s not usually used, so we would like to ask if these rooms can be used ba for meetings, or if these rooms can be used ba for students when they study inside the campus or the college. So, ayun lang naman, so those would be my main call to action, especially at this time. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: So first of all, alam naman natin how important publication organizations are with us, especially hindi lang CDC ang meron, and we would also like to help or connect with other student councils inside the university to help their own publications, na ma-institutionalize na rin yung publications nila.
So as we know na Tanglaw mainly is for CDC, and I feel like as student council, we could help this type of organization such as Tanglaw, na mas mapabilis ang institusyonalisasyon niyo sa unibersidad. Lalo na na alam naman natin na ang pinakapangangailangan ay ang pagiging kilala niyo sa university. So, as a student council, we can help you to be mas known, lalo na sa mga freshies incoming.
And I feel like that every publication in the colleges do deserve to be institutionalized as you are the voices of the students in the council and kayo rin yung nagiging watchdog natin inside the college. So that is very important on our end. And I feel like one of the reasons that can help is to have petitions, so that we can prove to the administration how credible and how worthy it is na ma-institutionalize yung mga publications na kagaya niyo. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: Okay, so first of all, we do know how important it is na meron mga students na nag-step up just like us to be a part of the council. Kasi nga, we are not just a part of the admin. More so, we are the voices of the students. Hindi naman kami nag-stand as mouthguard of the students as some people say. We are mostly here to be heard or to be heard yung mga students and yung mga, let’s say, concerns sila to be addressed it to the admin.
So I feel like na yung magiging burden nito na mas mapalahok ang mga estudyante na maging parte ng council ay nasa amin mismo. Kung sino mismo yung nakaupo sa termino. Dahil kung makikita nila na maganda naman ang kinalabasan ng terms namin, then I feel like it would help encourage more students to come with us.
As we also want to show them na hindi naman all stress talaga ang council. As someone who has been part and is still sitting down in the council bilang a Batch 2022 representative, and I do can say na hindi naman siya… It do have stress, it do have work. It’s part of the responsibilities that we have as a council. But we also want to assure the students na it’s not all that, it’s also fun and it’s also our way of being the voices and speaking up for them.
So, I feel like na there is still satisfaction in serving the students and it’s not just all work na maco-consider namin na mahirap lang. I mean yes it is. But we should also address the fact na we still do enjoy being connected to the students and understanding what they need.
So ayun lang naman, and in my end I feel like mas makakahikayat kami ng mga estudyante being more visible, being more connected to the students as we all know na some terms there has been a disconnect between the students and the council and we would like to assure the students na for this coming term, we would be more connected to them and we would be more approachable to them. As yun naman talaga yung trabaho namin. Isa sa mga trabaho namin bilang council ay maging mas connected sa mga students rather than being disconnected to them and being more superior as that is not what we want in the first place. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: We are not just the council ng CDC. We don’t focus on that. We, ourselves, are also considered to be a council of the university. Even if we focus under our own college, we would also want to help our fellow students, especially with voicing out their needs to the administration.
So we would like to be collaborated with these colleges, especially under CVM and CFNR but also be in connect with our own student councils to talk and plan for further solutions to these issues. So as development communicators, we do know that we are well trained up and are still being educated on how we can address these types of issues. So as a council, we would like to be more connected to them, kasi we would also want to understand what they are going through.
And being connected to their council, it would help us do like, talk and plan out more on our future, on what solutions they would want for the future and how to address these solutions. Kasi we can just help them as development communicators per se and as part of the council on how we can address that to the administration. But at the same time, we’re not the students na mismong naandoon para malaman kung ano ba talaga yung mga hinanaing nila.
So I feel like our role as councils here would just help them to be part of the statements or be a part or help in the dissemination of their petition forms or be a part of their petition forms. Para mas mapalawig natin kung ano ba talaga yung hinanaig ng mga CVM at CFNR. And us as communicators, and I feel like that is where, mas forte natin yun, so feeling ko doon natin sila mas matutulungan.But again, addressing the problems and coming up with the solutions is not within our reach as sila rin talaga yung mas nakakaalam n’on. So we would just be connected to them talk-wise depending on how and what they are going through and then on that point onwards we can help on how to address these kinds of things. Yun lang naman. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: So, we as student council, first of all, to the admin, we can urge them as I said before nga, like opening up classrooms that can be used by the students, even without classes being conducted in their rooms.
But as we know, this is just a bandage solution that we can do especially sa mga ganitong klase ng crisis that the students do experience. But again, also being a part of that is maybe we could have more petitions so that the admin can understand what the students are really going through. But yet again, all of this would be consolidated naman with the students as we can’t decide for them.
Kasi hindi lang naman kami yung estudyante, estudyante tayong lahat, and hindi lang kami ang pwedeng mag-desisyon sa mga ganitong klaseng action, kung ano nga ba ang dapat na gawin ng administrasyon natin.
Secondly for the student body, we would like to consolidate with what they really need, especially at this time sa heat indexes and calamities. As I said, ayun nga, kasi hindi naman kami basta-basta pwede mag-dikta sa kanila.
We’re here more to hear them and to address that or be a bridge to the admin what the students need. So we would also add it up na we should also like i-address sa admin what, for example, let’s say, not just classroom, more on water supply, more, let’s say, electric fans or something na facilities na pwede nalang magamit.
So regarding the LGU, I think it is important to be a part of the statements and be heard. Us, as councils, we can be part of that, especially through social media, whether it be publications or statements na nanggaling sa estudyante. And I think that would help more na mas marinig kami ng LGU or mas marinig tayo ng LGU. Kasi as we have noticed na most of the announcement, they always base it on the decision of the university, of the schools itself.
But at this time of year, people should step up, especially na nakakaapekto na rin siya sa health ng tao at lalo na ng mga estudyante. And as councils, we would like to start and support more of our organizations that focuses on environmental issues, conduct EDs and stuff for students. As this heat index has greatly affected the students, and us, as councils for the next term, would like to start a step with regards to this matter.
So ayun lang naman. So, I feel like we should start na magkaroon na ng mga educational discussions regarding this, lalo na na hindi na to basta environmental issue, this affects our health as students, and it is important to address these types of issues. Lalo na na kalusugan na natin yung mismong naaapektuhan. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: Ako personally, us, as councils, we don’t have that much that we can do, to be honest. But we do understand, and I feel like we are responsible to be a part of specific statements and publications, though it doesn’t do that much, but it is par of importance, as yun din kasi yung nagiging boses natin, being a part of that and urging the higher-ups to know that there are a lot of students being affected by specific issues is important. Kasi mas makikita nila tayo at makikita nila kung ano ba talaga ang pinagdadaanan natin bilang mga estudyante.
Not just on social media and publications, I feel like, we are also here to encourage students to be a part of that, not forcing them to be a part of the mobilizations. Moreover, to also address kung ano lang ba talaga yung kaya and capabilities nila. As we know, we as students are very busy as well and we have our own personal matters, so hindi naman tayo pwede mag-desisyon na at pilitin ang mga estudyante na maging parte ng mobilizations.
Though it is important to be a part of that, kasi mas marami tayo, mas nakikita ang importansya ng issue na ipinaglalaban natin. But at the same time, we can’t be forcing students, more on, we can encourage them to be a part of these types of issues and these types of acts, either it is online or face-to-face, such as mobs, that we can conduct. And us, as councils, we can also be a part of that, especially mobs, so that mas mapakita namin kung ano ba talaga ang stand namin, and we do stand with the students in these issues. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: So, ayun, first of all, ako, as student of the CDC, we do know kung gaano kadami talaga ang production natin na ginagawa, fieldwork, and stuff like that. So I feel like we should be, us, as council, should be the voice of the students, kung ano man yung kailangan nila.
And as council, I feel like na we can help in addressing these issues by consolidation to the students and connecting to the admin in potential solutions for these types of issues. We would like to seek our true free education advantage to students, especially na despite this, ay nakakaranas pa rin tayong gumastos bilang estudyante as part ng pag-aaral natin, especially with fieldworks and stuff like that.
But I feel like we could have more solutions to this. We could urge the admin to do something about this. But we can’t also deny na as much as we want to provide financially, we should also address our academic freedom na free education nga ang UP.
But yet again, we do know that this all boils down to the budget cut na nararanasan natin bilang estudyante na nakaapekto rin dahil ito yung nangyari sa ating university. So personally, I feel like these types of issues should be addressed more and be compromised both on the student side and the admin side. So, us, as councils, we can help with petitions para rin mas malaman ng administration what we do need.
But at the same time, ayun nga, we can also be part of the statement so that this wouldn’t just be under the college, but more so we can also be heard by the higher-ups na mas karapat-dapat na magkaroon ng free education ang mga estudyante. Lalo na sa ating university at kolehiyo, lalo na sa ating college na sobrang daming production na ginagawa.
And we would like this to be addressed and to be heard by the people from the higher-ups to know how critical it is and how it affects students, especially those na hindi naman lahat tayo ay talagang well-off. But every one of us do have the academic freedom and we do have the rights to learn and to be educated. So I feel like these types of issues should be heard by our government or our higher-ups there. Ayun lang naman. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: So, isa na dito is yung pagiging connected ng mga students. As we know, hindi lang naman the disconnect from the council to the students. There have been very, very rare cases, or maybe none so far, I don’t know. But as far as tagal kong nandito sa college, there has never been an event wherein kinonsider na buong CDC talaga.
We do know na the college, our college only has one degree program, Development Communication, both BS and AS. But never nagkaroon ng project that collaborates our four departments, and I feel like this is one of the issues na pwede nating tahakin inside the CDC, especially yung collaborative side of students, both with organizations or without organizations.
As we do know, hindi rin natin madalas na nakikita na may collaboration between our three organizations, and as we have done the consultations of our room-to-room and our org-hoppings, all of the organizations are very open to be more unified. And hence, that is also one of my projects that I am planning, na naiangat ko naman na siya sa admin.
And apparently, thank God, natanggap naman siya na gawin, and we would just be waiting for our positions, and then malatag yung guidelines and plans. And one of it is the CDC Fair, wherein pinaka main reason talaga for having that is to have a collaborative intake for the students and camaraderie for one another. As hindi rin kasi lahat ng students talaga, we do not know each other that much, and I feel like having the CDC Fair would bring us closer.
But at the same time, it would also be a great opportunity for organizations and individual students to showcase what they can do and what they can offer. So this can be a way na rin for the organizations to do their FRAs and show what they do need. Plus, this can also be a marketing na rin for other colleges, as they would know what we offer as college.
So as we know, Devcom can also be taken as technical electives or electives na lang in general by other courses. And I feel like the CDC Fair that I am planning can help more on how we can market our college and how we can encourage more students to join our college itself. But also added to that, isa na rin ito sa mga naisip ko as an FRA for the student, let’s say budget na magagamit natin for student events. Ayun lang naman. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
Mga tanong para sa kandidato (Independent)
TANGLAW: Ano ang mga konkretong plano mo para mas mapalakas pa ang #EDUKFight campaign sa CDC?
VIRTUCIO: So, ayun. We as students do know how important academic freedom is, and yun naman talaga pinaglalaban, isang eduk fight sa mga campaigns na pinapalatag ng CDC. Alam naman natin kung gaano ka-importante na we should have our own freedom, especially with our free education, as I said. And us, as student councils, we can be a part of this by being part of the mobilizations happening, being a part of the statements, having our publications stated, as this is our voices to be heard.
And this can help them in promoting our campaign as CDC students, especially with regards to #EDUKFight. And personally, I feel like kami rin as councils, we should also be encouraging students, but not forcing them to clarify that and to state nang maigi na hindi kami naminigit.But more on, we would like to encourage more to be a part of these types of issues, lalo na hindi tayo basta maririnig if hindi naman ganoong alarming yung dami ng estudenteng naapektuhan.And we all know na kung gaano na karami, lahat tayo ay naapektuhan ng mga ganitong klaseng issues.
Kaya natin pinaglalaban as campaign ang eduk fight. And we would like to encourage students to be a part of these types of campaigns, so that we will be heard not just by the administration, but also by the government itself, especially with the budget cuts that is happening inside our universities.
And this affects our academic freedom and our freedom of learning. So I feel like na encouraging more people to join these types of campaigns can help in resolving these types of issues. So ayun lang naman, again I feel like ang mainly din nakaka-apekto sa academic freedom natin is the budget cut happening, and it won’t be resolved unless we would be heard and the higher-ups would know how we are affected by this. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: So ayun nga, first of all, I have been sitting as a Batch 2022 representative for less than a month. Almost mag-o-one month na actually. But ayun, actually it was never a part of me to be a part of the council. Kasi I know na yun nga, I’m also one of those students na very intimidated with that.But being a Batch 2022 representative have opened my eyes more on what really yung ginagawa ng mga councils. And what really motivated me to run as a Vice Chairperson is gusto kong ituloy yung mga planong nailatag ko as a Batch ‘22 rep. And I also want to be a part of that implementation.
As we do know, I have been a representative din of the GAD, Gender and Development, the Internship Committee. And ever since having that experience, I was motivated more on continuing to helping the students. During my term, napansin ko rin how distant students can be, how they are not very connected with the council.
And we do not want that on the next term, specifically on my term if we’ll be elected. Kasi being a part of the council is not enough. Na hindi naman kami umupo doon para lang magkaroon ng posisyon. Ako personally, I want to be seated in the council as a Vice Chairperson to be more connected with the students. As a Batch ‘22 representative, even if mababa lang yung posisyon na pinanggalingan ko, mas naging connected ako sa mga students lalo na’t nakikita ko yung mga issues nila.May mga lumalapit sa akin yung students, especially with the committees I am handling. And with that, I do want to help them, especially during yung mga crisis na ganito, na isa rin kasi ako sa mga estudyante nakakaranas. So gusto ko magkaroon ng solution yung mga ganitong problema.
Such as, let’s say one of which is, especially during our hell week where students have trouble finding blue books, lalo na’t late na sila. I want to be a part of that, giving a solution to them, na makapag-provide na mga ganitong bagay. Mga simpleng bagay na mas makakatulong sa atin bilang mga estudyante. Yun lang naman. So personally, yun yung mga dadalhin ko bilang Vice Chairperson, dahil yun din yung nakapag-motivate sa akin para tumakbo bilang Vice Chairperson. Na mas maging daan at mas marinig pa ang mga hinahing ng mga estudyante, kasi dito ko kayo mas naiintindihan. And dito mas gusto ko i-promote ang talaga namang konektado na relationship between the students and the councils. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: Okay, so first of all, let’s start with the Internship Committee. That is a very alarming, no not alarming sorry, sorry. That is very, very much a great concern siya ng mga students right now, especially with yung mismong committee.
Not to deny, the committee itself is very approaching naman, especially on my end as someone na nagiging boses sa mga estudyante. So very nakikipag-coordinate naman sila, especially yung Chair nila.
And I feel like based on mga students, sa mga naririnig ko sa mga estudyante, parang they just do want or need more clarifications with the steps, more clarifications with the schedules, and with the earlier actions that they can do. So I think for the internship committee, I can urge na magkaroon ng earlier orientation, especially na hindi rin kaya na mangarag mga estudyante dahil hindi lang naman internship ang nararanasan nila.
But at the same time, since most students are also requesting, based on consultation, na magkaroon ng more orientation to conduct, especially with learning on the process, both as internal and external agency na kinukuha nila. So I feel like medyo importante din kasi yun. So yun yung mga bagay na pwede kong i-up sa kanila sa committee, as it was under consultative discussion naman with the students. But of course, furthermore on my terms, if still be a part of the committee as a representative ng students, I would like to conduct more consultations on the next term para mas magpalawig natin kung ano ba talaga yung kailangan nila. With regards to the Gender and Development, we do know that our college, majority of our college consists of the community of the LGBTQ. So, I believe na pinaka-importante rin na ma-address kung ano man yung mga kailangan nila.
Lalo na with specific issues na nangyayari sa college, as we have known that there was a recent issue in the social media platform, na nagawan naman natin ng paraan na ma-address. So with regards to the Gender and Development, as I have been a part of the committee meeting, very accommodating naman sila and they are very open with student concerns and possible actions to conduct. So if I would remain to be a rep and to be part of the council still on this coming term, I would like na maging parte rin ng mga solusyon na nailatag namin for that. So ayun na naman, with regards to babaguhin or i-improve, I feel like mas kailangan pa na mas connected both committees to the students.Hindi naman din kasi pwede na… I think na hindi rin kasi talaga tangible na isang tao lang or isang student representative lang ang na andun. I do appreciate the fact na ako yung nandun, na ako yung nagiging voices, ako yung nagiging rason kung bakit narinig yung mga hinahing ng students. But at the same time, I feel like na also other programs, such as ASDC, should also have a student na uupo rin sa mga committee na ito. Kasi at the end of the day we can’t deny na me as a BS student, can’t also understand what they are going through, can’t also see what they are having a problem with, even if we will be connected to them as councils, they should also deserve to have a seat there.
So personally, yun lang naman yung naiisip ko na hindi dapat nililimit na isang estudyante lang ang mag-represent. But at the same time, we should also limit the number of course. But I feel like mas okay din na ma-representa ng tama, such as kahit isang AS and isang BS ang uupo. Dahil ayun nga, mas maintindihan natin kung ano ba talaga yung mga kailangan ng estudyante, especially with this type of committees. So ayun lang naman, with both committees, yun na yung nakikita kung pwede natin maayos or ma-improve. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
VIRTUCIO: Nasabi ko rin talaga to, kasi ayun nga as I stated kanina, hindi ako basta tumakbo para lang magkaroon ng posisyon sa council. Ang talagang main reason ko for running is yes, to be a part of the solutions, to hear out people.
Kasi hindi naman, estudyante rin ako, I have my personal issues, I have my personal problems when it comes to the college and sa mismong educational system natin. But hindi lang ako yung dapat na naririnig, hindi lang ako yung dapat na naiintindihan ko. Kailangan ko rin maintindihan yung ibang tao.
And seeing how, as we know, hindi rin ganun kadaming estudyante ang tumatakbo sa council, I, on that point, had decided to step up knowing my experiences and knowing how I can help within the students, within the student body, so that mabigyan natin ng solution yung mga ganitong bagay. So hindi itong simpleng kandidatura lamang. Kagaya nga noong sinabi ko, more on paninindigan ko ito na may patuloy at masagawa lahat ng mga plano na gusto ko.
At kasama na rin dito ay ma-consolidate ang mga students kung ano nga ba ang gusto nilang mangyari nito sa kolehiyo. Hindi naman ito dapat na konseho lang ang talagang nag-de-desiyon. More on hindi kami nakaupo para mag-desisyon sa mga estudyante, nakaupo kami upang makipag-coordinate sa kanila.
Isa yun sa mga reason kung bakit mas gusto kong upo dahil alam ko na gusto kong mapalawig na mas maging connected ang students sa mismong council. Isa ‘to sa pinaka-importanteng action na magagawa namin during our first couple of months during our term if ever elected. Kasi hindi naman kami basta-basta pwedeng gumawa lang, hindi kami basta-basta pwedeng maglatag lang.
All of our actions should be consolidated by the students. Same with the administration na we will be connected with them. So if there would be, as being a student rep inside the committee of the CDC, I feel like na we are also there para rin ma-consolidate namin yung plano ng admin sa mga estudyante.
As we know naman na students din kasi ang makikinabang. And we do have to understand what they do need mainly, rather than putting up bandage solutions or upping projects na hindi naman talaga pina-prioritize ng mga estudyante. As we know we are, pinaka-importante is kung ano man talaga yung mararanasan natin and yung talagang kailangan nating makamit as students.
So yun yung pinaka-binibigyan natin na importansya. So yun, bilang nga, finalizing my answer, hindi siya simpleng kandidatura, ito’y panindigan dahil gusto kong umupo hindi para sa posisyon, more on para sa mga estudyante’t matulungan ko sila na mabigyan natin ang solusyon yung mga problemang pinagdadaanan natin bilang students. (Pindutin ito upang makabalik sa “dapat mong malaman”)
Tanglaw 