photos by
Margaret Dong-e and Daryl Pangod
Debates heat up Elections ‘17 COMELEC: “It was disappointing at a certain level” by
Hannah Jane Gutay, Alessandra Dalabajan, Jude Thaddeus Damian
Standard bearers, together with their executive committee, discuss about their party’s platforms, student concerns, and social issues in the annual Presidential Debates at Fr. Gevers Hall last October 6. This event aims to create an understanding and to provide knowledge regarding the party lists’ course of action and stand on issues such as Tuition Fee Increase, Marcos Martial Law and student activism. The debate has eight panelists which consist of representatives from the legislative and judiciary body of the student government, Debate Society, Commission on Audit, and Commission on Elections.
photo by
Marco Antonio Ilagan
Before the debate proper, outgoing KASAMA/SSC President Jeremy Rimando stated the accomplished projects of his administration through the Student Council Address. He mentioned some of the activities and projects implemented in the school assemblies, the total expenditures and the top performing school assemblies. He stated that School of Medicine (SOM), the first top-performing school assembly, was able to utilize most of their budget into projects. Second in ranking is the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) followed by School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) and lastly
School of Nursing (SON). He also expressed his gratitude to the organization’s advisers, his party, RIGHTS, and his constituents for the continued support and trust in him. The parties introduced their roster for the executive committee and their platforms for the student body before each party raised questions for their rivals. REPORMA-ACS President Noel Fermin asked DASIG regarding their specific plans for the students with the exemption of student activism. DASIG President Shirley Bonilla responded that “student activism is the concrete action” and that
“it is the system that pushes us [students] to be activists.” Fermin then inquired RIGHTS of the relevance of the SLU Movie Day, a continuation of the past project of the current KASAMA/SSC administration. RIGHTS standard bearer Shaira Ausena answered that the movie day will be a ground for students to be aware of the social issues in the country and will be an avenue for cultural appreciation. DASIG, on the other hand, questioned REPORMAACS about their party’s stand regarding the statement released by White & Blue condemning the killings during the Martial Law considering the fact that the organization is non-partisan. REPORMA-ACS declared that they “tolerate” the statement issued by the publication and that such organizations are entitled to campus press freedom. Consequently, DASIG inquired RIGHTS if the KASAMA/ SSC can be biased when conflicts of interest arise. In response to this, RIGHTS reiterated that the organization should not be biased and that it should serve as a mediator between the administration and the students. Ausena stated, “Kaya nga dalawa ang tainga ng isang tao, yung isa sa mga estudyante at yung isa, sa administration.” RIGHTS asked REPORMAACS’ capacity in implementing their platforms since they only have 8 months to accomplish their proposed plans and activities. The latter referenced their answer from the performance of STELA.
Fermin proudly said that 8 out of 10 proposed projects were accomplished and reiterated that KASAMA/SSC is composed of 53 officers and each one of those should be working and implementing their projects. RIGHTS raised a question about how DASIG will utilize the KASAMA/SSC fee of P20.00 in connection to their leadership style which is activism. Bonilla answered that, “KASAMA/SSC is not a sabon, a salamin, or an orasan.” They will give it back to the students through their activities and actions. For the next part, the rest of the aspiring EXECOM candidates were asked about their opinion regarding various social issues such as United States as international police, ecological inheritance, gender discrimination and bigotry, and gun control. Commission on Elections chairperson Lance Layugan commented afterwards that the debates and candidates did not meet his expectations especially regarding the arguments and issues that should have been discussed. He further stated that some school debates were better; however, this could have been contributed by the varied questions asked by the panelists. Overall, he commended the presidential debates for proceeding smoothly even with the tension from the party lists and the audience. This activity is in line with the upcoming KASAMA/SSC Election on October 13.
Where the gap lies Editorial Board 2017 - 2018 working staff for this issue
Editor-in-Chief Internal Associate Editor External Associate Editor Managing Editor Exchange Editor News Editor Features Editor Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Editorial Cartoonist Chief Photojournalist Chief Layout Artist
Jude Thaddeus Damian Sheena Mae Bangibang Diwata Donato Anisha Myrdell Liwas Shairalene Guerrero Hannah Jane Gutay Ryanne Aina Unarce Ralph Dollaga Jennifer Lawangen Char Bianca Sab-it Hiromi Kenan Uematsu Jeremy Joshua Dupli
Senior Staffwriters Janric Bayao, Zyra Grace Binwag, Hazleih Casabar, Melrose dela Cruz, Joyce Angella Joves, Irish Jobelle Rafael, King Ceasar Reclusado, Lyca Orfiano, Denise Ann Manzano Senior Layout Artists Princess Lyka Dacapias, Jastine Christer Kabigting, Jhen Rose Sison Senior Photojournalists Chickle Kate dela Rosa, Daryl Pangod Senior Cartoonists Theo Ardsjiel Astudillo, Nobelio Mataag Junior Staffwriters Jonas Angelo Catubay, Gretchen Joy Cayetano, Alessandra Dalabajan, Christine Mora, Jose Karlo Mari Tottoc Junior Layout Artists Alison Kisha Tandoc, Tricia Violeta Candelario, Anthony Alferes, Karen Ivy Titiwa Junior Photojournalists Amir Bolinto, Danielle Herman, Marco Ilagan Junior Cartoonists Sharmaine Alejo, Khenley Joe Batton, Katherine Carla Binan, Cristel Ramos Advisers Mr. Miel Albert Laoyan, Engr. Jeffrey-Des Binwag White & Blue is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines Editorial Office: Rm. 06 Student Center, Saint Louis University, Assumption Rd., Baguio City 2600 Printed by Magicus Junctra Corporation, 1722 Pres. Quirino Avenue, Pandacan, Manila
The Center for the Culture and the Arts, in collaboration with White & Blue, presents the SLU Dance Troupe in
Alpas
PAGBIBIGAY GALAW SA BAWAT PAHINA NG KUWADERNO
FREE ADMISSION| October 19, 2017 | 6:15 PM | CCA Theatre
The gap always lies where there is no effort to take action and give solution. The results last year marked an evident decrease in voter’s turnout during the Supreme Student Council elections. With only 35.32 percent of the total 25,076 enrolees in the university casting their votes, this represents a concerning and gradual diminish of students willing to be involved with their right to elect officials. By virtue, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) are delegated with the task of facilitating the elections and assuring that the results are clear and relevant to the majority. However, there is disagreement towards the clarity of the outcomes if less than half of the population casted their votes. This was obvious when the turnouts did not meet half of the enrolled number the previous year. A possible reason for this would be that there was no stable action that reassured the voting of the majority last year. Even with the implementation of the e-elections and scarce social media posts, the COMELEC failed to improve the turnout. This is supported by the fact that no school assembly succeeded to involve the bulk of their constituents. The School of Accountancy and Business Management, which ranked highest on the turnout, only recorded 2, 755 participants (46.28%) while 3,198 chose to abstain. In response to this, the present year’s COMELEC strengthened their social media presence notably through the help of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) volunteers making promotional videos for the elections. The COMELEC also requested for the allowance of room-to-room campaigns enabling representatives to disseminate information about their party lists. Furthermore, changes have been implemented to the e-elections directed in the coding and interface of the voting medium. The question now arises if these actions would be more sufficient than last year to truly exemplify the choice of the many. With a government that should be “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” the COMELEC must assure that these candidates who are elected are integrally by the “people,” with “people” defined as a bigger portion of the population. As long as there is no proactive and undeterred stance executed to encourage students to give value to their student-political rights and councils, each election we undertake is never praiseworthy. The continuation of a resigned and non-caring community is a result of not only ineffective leaders and campaign lies; it is also the effect of a commission that does not do enough for the benefit of the students and constituents. This is a blatant threat towards students’ rights to representation of ideals and opinion, organization and association, education, and the protection of these privileges. Student council elections conducted today are indicative of the political ideologies that students would practice in the future. It is significant that COMELEC must provide permanent strokes that will establish the rapport of students and elections. It is relevant especially with the current circumstances in the nation and in the university. This should be motivation enough for the Commission on Elections to strengthen the procedures undertaken to encourage students to vote. With the emergence of threats towards the youth and students, the choice of a capable and authentic leader is highly needed.
W&B editorial
PROFILES PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE Name: John Noel E. Fermin Course & Year: Bachelor of Science in Psychology 4 School: School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts STRENGTHS AS A LEADER I am a very goal-oriented person with methodical and strategic techniques to arrive at a collective goal. I am the type of leader that is very keen on delegating tasks to my subordinates; I efficiently do this by tactically capitalizing on their strengths. I aim to be a striking epitome of a leader who leads with both compassion and excellence. I give issues deep thoughts, and even ask guidance from mentors and colleagues to make sure that the choice I am about to make is devoid of all probable flaws and faults that can be pro-actively corrected.
REPORMA-ACS “Leadership that Matters.”
PARTYLIST BACKGROUND Partido Reporma ng mga Mag-aaral ng San Luis - Alliance of Concerned Students (REPORMA-ACS) The party started serving the community of SLU starting 2003 founded by Arthur Odsey. PRIMARY GOALS In its existence for more than 14 years, it has been in the forefront of the efforts to forward significant reforms in
PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE Name: Shirley Jane Bonilla Course & Year: BA Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies 4 School: School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts STRENGTHS AS A LEADER My best asset which also differentiates me from other parties is my willingness to take a stand with my fellow students, because all of us share a common burden - oppression. DASIG and I aspire to uphold that which is good and just. If there is injustice about, then we’ll be there and fight for the vindication of injustice’s victims. PARTYLIST BACKGROUND Democratic Alliance of Students for Integrated Governance. Further, our party also stands for the rights and welfare of the students and the people. It was founded this year, specifically on June 2017. It was founded by a group of people: I, Shirley Bonilla, Joshua Dangadang, Louis Batulan, Gregorie Timango, Julius Baquiran, Akiva Mariano, and Christyne Gengos, who have assessed the past student council and its campaigns and found nothing but mere events and “creative” projects. PRIMARY GOALS We believe, considering the student council’s history, that the student council
must be at the frontline of the students in advancing their rights and welfare. We recognize that the studentry is one of the most decisive sectors in an educational institution which can deliver a significant change for the advancement of the student’s rights and welfare. Thus, we commit to forge student leaders who will be vigilant and persevering in uniting the Louisian studentry for a common cause advancing the student’s rights and welfare. PARTY PLATFORM WE ARE a democratic alliance of students coming from Saint Louis University, Baguio City and an alternative political party. We bear the principle of democracy and nationalism at our political line. WE BELIEVE that, in order for student leaders to be inclusive on creating and implementing their policies as a manifestation and adherence to democratic principles, they should be deeply integrated with the students and be aware of advancing their democratic demands. We also believe that the integral democratic role of student leaders is to serve the students by advancing their democratic rights and welfare. WE RECOGNIZE that the students, as one body, bear the role of being one of the most decisive sectors in an educational institution and in the society. They can deliver a significant change for
Generally, Reporma-ACS stands for: the provision of sufficient Academic Freedom to further the students’ growth, the strengthening of Student Engagement to achieve active involvement among Louisians, and the overall basic right of the youth towards Quality and Accessible Education. REPORMA-ACS believes that it is the moral obligation of every student leader to safeguard these rights. PARTY PLATFORM Student and Community Support REPORMA-ACS continues to believe in the plans and projects of the universitywide and school-based organizations that aim to foster to the academic needs and curricular activities of the students. As such, REPORMA-ACS comes in for the realization of student participation and the furtherance of learning through better information dissemination, collaboration of organization activities, and moral support to students, including athletes and leaders.
the advancement of student’s rights and welfare and can be in solidarity with the marginalized sectors in the society. WE COMMIT to forge student leaders who will be vigilant and persevering in uniting the students for the common cause of advancing the student’s rights and welfare. Our general platform revolves at our campaign line: Integrated, Relevant, and Decisive. We aim to have an integrated council: A council that will directly talk and know the students’ concerns and create immediate venues and actions to answer them – student consultations, surveys, dialogues, etc. We aim to make the student council relevant, again: A council that is not a mere event-organizer. Rather, a council that holds events that is socially relevant within and outside the university. We aim to have internal discussions on social issues, events reaching to marginalized communities and groups, and events within SLU that always hold a cause and advocacy. It is all because we strongly believe that the issues of the students are never and can never be separated with the issues of the people. We aim to have a council that is decisive: A council that never compromises, a council that stands. We aim to make a stand on issues and be decisive on making these stands concrete.
PRESIDENTIAL PROFILE Name: Shaira Angelica R. Ausena Course & Year: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management Major in Travel and Tours Management Minor in Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Management (BSHTM TTM 4) School: School of Accountancy and Business Management STRENGTHS AS A LEADER Being sociable, I like talking to people and asking questions about certain topics. Composure, grace under pressure: it is not only a principle given by my party but I also consider it as a personal asset because being a student leader is not easy. We should balance both academics and extra-curricular, and we should be able to handle stress and pressure given by events and circumstances.
RIGHTS
the university and in the educational system as a whole. It recognizes that there are existing problems within and outside the University that hinder the holistic development and learning of Louisians and the youth in general. Thus, reforms are necessary.
“One Louisian Community working as one family to serve the studentry”
Talent and Pride - Reporma - ACS brings to the Louisian community the opportunity to showcase the wide scope of talents that each individual possesses. Accessibility and Transparency - As REPORMA-ACS believes in honest leadership, accessibility and transparency are two of the top priorities.. It is highly important that students and beneficiaries know where their money go. Aside from that, information dissemination regarding suspension of classes, breakdown of tuition fee and other fees, schedule of examinations and statements on social issues will be provided to the students, as such is part of the aims of the party to link the school administration and the students. Reliable Linkages - This aims to promote inter-university programs and activities for leaders. The executive committee will be opening its door to other universities in order to make everyone aware of the issues being experienced in every university and to come up with better solutions. Sustainable Environment Programs - This program aims to address the present and pressing concern on climate change and waste disposal. This will serve as a wakeup call for the students to maintain ecofriendly campuses conducive for learning.
DASIG
“Integrated, Relevant, Decisive”
PARTYLIST BACKGROUND Responsible and Intelligent Governance Highlighting Transparency and Studentry. It was founded on 2008 by Atty. Bosantog. PRIMARY GOALS To make an active KASAMA/SSC that every Louisian will be involved. To provide feasible projects that can be implemented within the given time. PARTY PLATFORMS Speak Out - Lobbying students’ concerns, there’s always room for improvement and for students’ concerns. Endorsing Research Projects – If you have researches, inventions that you want to be endorsed, we (RIGHTS) can make exhibits that feature the researches and inventions of the students. Mental Health Awareness – Talks and seminars about mental health problems
by professional speakers that could really help the students. Measurable Activities Tested and measured activities done and implemented by the past administration like Louisian Got Talent, SLU Movie Day, and partnerships with the different assemblies to implement their projects. Realistic Tangibles - Realistic and Feasible Projects for the welfare of the students. Examples are the “shades” for the Abortion Steps in the Main Campus, and for the eighth floor bridge to Gate 2 Bridge and Gate 1 pathway in Maryheights Campus. The shade will decrease student difficulties when it rains. Info-graphics - as proposed by the past administration, concerned with the information about what is the allowed dress code in SLU, rules and policies regarding the allowance of external food in canteens, and others of the like.