IN KAGAY-ANON COLORS. A representative wearing a tribal costume in bold colors holds a statuette of St. Augustine, patron saint of CdeO, as she dances to the beat of her barangay’s entry to the Kagay-an Cultural Street Dancing Competition.
[ A.P. YAO ]
The First 100: The Acabo administration so far By Maria Therese D. Agcopra
E
ven when President Dean Cris Acabo was still running for presidency, he had his goals and visions down pat. Having served for the Central Student Government (CSG) last year, an obvious approach is to correct the mistakes of the past and continue an efficient policy to the present. In his 100th Day Report, Acabo made a conscious effort to address internal setbacks and build a more socially aware CSG at the same time. Shattering myths Very systematically, Acabo began his first few months in office fixing a potential problem that might hinder CSG from functioning well as a government and as a team. Empowerment has never been acted upon despite having been talked about many times in the past. Acabo, however, is intent on furthering the capacities of his constituents through an improved training program. For instance, CSG’s Basic Orientation and Leadership Training Seminar (BOLTS) was transformed into a multiphased system this year to slowly but surely make certain that officers are well identified with their functions and goals.
Not only has the change in system strengthened BOLTS as the core training method for leaders, but it has also eliminated the misconception of the training seminar as mere out-of-town gatherings around the campfire. Aside from BOLTS, eight CSG officers were also selected to join the Summer Leadership Development Program on May 23-27, 2012. In the past years, CSG found its role reduced to being big event organizers instead of being an actual student government. As a result, the Acabo administration thought it fitting to bequeath the responsibility of spearheading events such as the recent University General Assembly (GA) to the Assembly of Extra-Curricular Organizations (AECO). This would hopefully allow the CSG to concentrate more on student-related issues and representation in the Academic Council and the Review and Recognition Committee, to name a few. However, after several mishaps that plagued the production of the University GA and the failure to secure higher audience turnout, AECO might find itself in hot water. CSG on the environment There are probably plenty of items on the CSG agenda, and wasting no time in his term, the
CSG President has begun fulfilling them one by one. During Department of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras’s visit in XU on May 16, 2012, CSG raised concerns regarding the Mindanao Power Crisis. Around the same month, XU was the host campus for the 29th Buklod Atenista where CSG included environmental concerns such as the open-pit mining in Mindanao in the round of discussions to further its environmental advocacies. Buklod was handled by CSG’s Department of Extra-curricular Affairs and Networking and was attended by the five Ateneo institutions from all over the country. Back to basics Perhaps one of the most heard-of complaints from students, even with the previous administrations, is the disorderly management of the enrolment process. While it is not entirely in the CSG’s control, they did their best to ensure speed and fluidity in transactions. The CSG’s Office of Communication and Events Committee prepared informative paraphernalia for the students while volunteers helped facilitate operations at the Registrar and Finance offices.
FLASHBACK. CSG President Dean Cris Acabo, then newly elected, promises a better CSG in his term, during the proclamation of new CSG officers back in March 2, 2012 at the Magis Complex.
Unlike before, very minimal negative comments were received this year. As June kicked in, CSG prepared the traditional activities and services to usher in the
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The Many Motions of Kagay-an Festival 2012 By Ma. Rosetti G. Villamor
“I
would like to organize the elite, most talented young leaders of our city [and] organize social events that show the uniqueness of Kagay-an history, heritage, art, cuisine and most of all our resilliency as citizens of the Philippines,” answered Miss Kagayan 2012 Greanne Trisha T. Mendoza when asked how she will rebuild the city if crowned, during the final round of the city-wide beauty pageant held at the
Limketkai Center Atrium on August 26, 2012. But even before Mendoza could organize the said event, Cagayan de Oro City has long been one step ahead in preparing a series of social activities, gathering people from across the country and demonstrating CdeO’s pride. One of which is the annual month-long Kagay-an Festival in honor of the City Fiesta on August 28, the Feast of the CdeO patron saint, St. Augustine.
The festival is filled with various competitions, parties and showcases to entertain both the locals and tourists, but it was during the climax of the festivities did many Kagay-anons feel the excitement from the many motions of the city fiesta. The core events between August 26 – August 28, 2012 were the Kagay-an Cultural Street Dancing Competition, Kagay-an Festival Parade, Fluvial Procession and Floral Offering, Mass Halad, and the Kagay-an Pyrolympics 2012.
To the streets A stunning display of choreography from 13 contingents danced through CdeO from Rodelsa Hall to Pelaez Sports Center during the Kagay-an Cultural Street Dancing Competition held on August 26. In the end, it was Barangay Kauswagan who was awarded the trophy and PHP 200,000. Barangay Bayabas and Barangay Bugo garnered second, PHP 150,000,
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