10 E-FILES
THE LONG ROAD
TO RELEVANCE BY REGINE RODRIGUEZ
I asked some USC members a simple question of “Why USC?” and left it to them for interpretation. Here’s what I got: “Because there’s great opportunity to demonstrate the principles of professionalism, relevance, and quality of work in this historic institution.”
“Because it’s an institution that has to be changed. I don’t know how good my capabilities are, but I can swear I have the sincerest intentions to improve the USC.”
AARON LETABA | USC COUNCILOR
CARLA CUCUECO | CMC REPRESENTATIVE
“I took it as an opportunity to step up and challenge myself to become a socially relevant student leader that serves the entire university, and even reach out to other sectors of society.” CARLA GONZALEZ | USC COUNCILOR
“Dahil ang USC ay isang institusyong ibinunga ng masikhay na pakikipaglaban ng mga naunang Iskolar ng Bayan at pinagtitibay ng mayamang kasaysayan nito ng pakikipagkaisa sa malawak na hanay ng masang anakpawis para sa isang pambansang demokratikong tunguhin.” CHA FRANCE | USC COUNCILOR
“Because you can see! Hahaha!” JP DELAS NIEVES | USC COUNCILOR “Because through the council, we can give a voice to those who are usually unheard, just like the LGBT community.”
“’Cause I believe in the capacity of each Iskolar ng Bayan to step up and change the status quo.”
ARJAY MERCADO | USC COUNCILOR
ALEX CASTRO | USC CHAIRPERSON
Some say one of the most thankless jobs in SESC is the position of being a representative to the USC; participating in two general assembly (GA) meetings a week (one for SESC, another for USC), attending committee meetings of your member committees in USC, USC GAs ending at 2am, leading your SESC auxicorps, leading the committee you chair in USC, and attending both councils’ events – to name some of the position’s core responsibilities. Top that with trying to make sure you do every single one of them well – not just well, but best. 7 months ago, right before the start of the university campaign, I was stuck in a huge dilemma of taking on the challenge or otherwise. I figured it was normal for anyone running in anything to think twice about doing so. But I realized, this wasn’t just any position, this position had a huge potential in taking on two councils – and that scared me. The thought of holding a responsibility greater than myself just haunted me. But then I stumbled upon this;
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IF YOUR DREAMS DON’T SCARE YOU, THEN THEY AREN’T BIG ENOUGH.
“If your dreams don’t scare you, then they aren’t big enough.” Most people have heard me say this a couple of times already, but it never fails to motivate in your lowest of moments. So I trudged on, and here I am. The job is basically 2-pronged, your responsibility in SESC and in USC. Coming back to SESC was easy, it was familiar and it was home. Last year’s experience was inspirational for me, it was actually one of the reasons why I ran again in the first place. Most people elected were those I’ve already worked with before, with the same vision for SESC, so it was a relatively easy click for us. It was different entering into USC, it was a whole new world for me. You have people from different parties in here, people from all courses, and with different backgrounds. It is probably the most diverse set of people I’ve ever seen in one room. Obviously, if you put all 34 people with the entire spectrum of ideas and beliefs, it doesn’t just raise