Student organizations and formations convene for WIN PUP Recognition Day

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines Student Commission on Student Organizations and Accreditation (PUP SC COSOA), along with the Office of Student Services (OSS), kicked-off another WIN PUP Recognition Day for the term 2023-2024 as they hosted and highlighted the efforts and roles of the accredited and revalidated student organizations in uptaking leadership and pursuing social change in the inperson event at PUP Theater, College of Communication on May 12.

With the theme “Student Formations as Catalysts of Social Change through Dynamic, Transformational, and Responsible Leadership” that aimed to unite all accredited and revalited student organizations, Hon. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel and Mr. John Mark C. Jacinto emphasized the significance of studentled formations in creating social change and shed light on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through student leadership, respectively, to further boost the event’s objective.

Manuel shared the history of studentled formations as he lived and witnessed it and discussed the roles and responsibilities of the youth, relating with the current student formations pointing out their optimism and how it makes them think critically which helps them to stand for what is right, leading become more progressive.

“Ang right to organize ng ating mga estudyante ay inherit right natin ‘yan bilang mga mamamayan ng ating bansa kaya mainam na panghawakan natin ‘yon at magamit natin ‘yung gano’ng democratic right to form or join organizations para sa greater good,” Manuel said.

In relation to Manuel’s discussion, Jacinto made his talk about the five interrelated components that comprise SDG: people, prosperity, peace, partnership, planet; and despite the existing threat of COVID, culture of corruption, and global challenges, Jacinto added that SDG is possible to achieve through the collective effort of the mass. He also highlighted that the experience of being a student-leader is the catalyst that will lead a society into greater things and further advancements.

After the fruitful talk of the guest speakers, the recognition proper for 122 student organizations of PUP Sta. Mesa campus, commenced. For the term 20222023, 39 university-wide formations which 28 are revalidated and 11 are accredited, along with 67 revalidation and 16 accreditation with the tally of 83 from local colleges organizations are thereby recognized for their efforts and shared objectives of guiding the studentry and the masses to social change.

After the recognition proper, a lightning rally took place to amplify the voice of the Iskolars, mainly for academic freedom, which symbolized the continuation of student-led organizations and formation as the catalysts of change in the society through the growth of their causes, their hunger for knowledge, and devotion for masses.

ACCREDITED ORGS REVALIDATED ORGS

TOTAL NO OF PARTICIPATING ORGS

Prominent speakers appeal for grounded journalism over worsening red tagging, busting

at Dalon, an indigenous official of the UP-Diliman Student Council, shares the experiences of her community versus red tagging and union-busting during the seminar entitled, “Red Alert: Dangers of Red Tagging and Union-Busting to Press Freedom,” on May 8 at the PUP AVR.

Together with Community Pantry PH founder Patreng Non and the Bulatlat Editorin-Chief Ronalyn Olea, Dalon shed light on the issues entangling responsible journalism as they celebrate World Press Freedom Day.

Sub(merge) in Reality

Dalon shared the struggles of the Lumad community she belongs in, which includes the forcibly shutting down of their indigenous schools, coercion to sign blank papers, and blatant red tagging from armed forces which threatened their lives.

“Hindi naman ang akademiko at klasrum ang labanan e, pinapatay ang mga guro sa amin, kinukulong ang iba sa amin kaya bakit kami magpapakulong sa akademiko?

Ito dapat ang panahon na maging matatag tayo at mag-aral nang mabuti para sa komunidad natin. Ito ang panahon na dapat lulubog tayo para sa mga komunidad natin. Kailangan nating maging matatag kasi kolektibo natin haharapin ito,” She pleaded to student-journalists.

On the other hand, Olea expounded on the effects of red tagging on freedom of the press in the Philippines as state-sponsored “digital authoritarianism” takes place, denying alternative mediums within the country rights to criticize the government.

“Kapag gusto nila tayo takutin, matatakot talaga tayo, hindi natin iiwan iyon pero lalakas ang loob mo kapag tayo ay marami, kapag tayo ay collective action. Kailangang lahat tayo nagsasalita,” Bulatlat EIC emphasized.

Non discussed the impact of community-based initiatives on the fight against red tagging and union-busting, sharing her own experience and success on leading Community Pantry PH which also faced challenges from being tagged as communist.

Before concluding the event, the PUP COC-SC also conducted a demonstration of “Atin ang Malayang Espasyo: World Press Freedom Day Mobilization” at the PUP COC Building Parking Lot Area.

COLLEGE NEWS

Winning Momentum

COCian bags PJRC Photo Essay trophy ; PUP shines at Lagerwey Awards

Labbao & Kriza Sumang

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ College of Communication (PUP COC) lives up to their famous nickname, “College of Champions” once more, as they notched multiple awards during the Philippine Journalism Research Conference (PJRC) 2023 and the 3rd Lagerwey Awards for Communication Excellence on May 5.