(JUNE 13)—Incoming University Student Council (USC) Chairperson Benjie Allen D. Aquino, 12 councilors and 19 college representatives, and Philippine Collegian’s (Kulé/Collegian) new editor-in-chief (EIC) Sanny Boy D. Afable, were affirmed by Chancellor Michael L. Tan on Jun. 8 held at the Vinzons Hall Lobby.

The newly appointed student officials and Kulé EIC serve a 1-year appointment effective Jun. 8 until June 2018.

Aquino succeeds Bryle C. Leaño as USC chairperson.

Beata Regina Carolino, USC Vice Chairperson for Academic Year (AY) 2016-2017, turned over the leadership to Aquino on behalf of Leaño who was at a press conference held on the same day at the College of Mass Communication auditorium.

In her message to the incoming USC and CSC, Carolino said “Truth of the matter is there are more important things that are happening outside the University. But, of course, there are also equally important things that are happening inside. Please don’t use your responsibilities outside the student council as an excuse to miss out on your responsibilities as a student council member.”

Carolino reminded the incoming student council members to “respect each other. You will have a lot of debates.  Never dehumanize your councilmates. Kung feeling mo wala siyang prinsipyo, hindi iyon excuse para insultuhin mo siya. Tao kayong lahat. Lahat kayo may pakiramdam, lahat kayo may pinagdaraanan. Kung hindi ka agree sa mga sinasabi niya, huwag mong alisin ‘yung pagkatao niya.”

For Aquino, “It doesn’t matter if you’re the number one councilor or the number 12 councilor. We’re all just councilors. It doesn’t matter if your college has a population of 2,000 as compared to a college that has a population of 100. We’re all elected. We all have the mandate and we all have responsibility to fulfill that mandate. Let us not forget that.”

He also said “I hope we come out of this term alive. We come out of this term as friends. At the end of the day, the relationships that we build, I really like to cherish that road that I will have with you.”

Meanwhile, Afable, the first School of Statistics student to lead the Collegian, will replace Karen Ann Macalalad as EIC.

According to the Kulé’s report, Afable bested three contenders in the editorial examinations held on Apr. 29 with a total score of 78.8 points. He also earned the highest score in all categories comprising editorial writing, news writing and layout.

Macalalad turned over to Afable a logbook documenting all the activities and issues discussed during her term and the key to Kulé’s office.

She informed the incoming editorial board members about the continuing issues faced by the Collegian when it comes to printing, bureaucratic process in the government, budget and office operations, and in dealing with bashers, harassment and threats from Kulé critics.

“Ngunit kung may maganda mang bagay na naitatangi sa panahon na nasa gitna ng krisis ang Kulé at iba pang pahayagan, ito ay ang lumalakas at sama-samang pagkilos ng mga kabataan na sumuporta sa aming kampanya na kaugnay ng mga problemang ito,” Macalalad said.

Afable acknowledged the challenges and said “Alam kong marami pang tanong at agam-agam ang sinomang maging bahagi ng institusyon. Ngunit ang kasagutan ay nasa pagpapatuloy…At sa kabila ng mga samu’t saring hadlang, galit at tangkang pagbusal sa Philippine Collegian, nagpapatuloy lamang ito sa kanyang muling magpahayag para sa interes ng mga mag-aaral at sambayanan.”

He also said “Sa ika-95 taon ng Philippine Collegian patuloy nitong pakikinggan at isisiwalat ang naratibo ng mga isinasantabing tinig. Patuloy ring titindig para sa kapayapaang nakabase sa katarungan. Mananatili itong kritikal sa anumang polisiyang hahadlang sa ganap na pagkamit ng ating mga karapatan.”

Other members of the Kulé editorial board are: Aldrin Villegas (associate editor), Shiela Ann Abarra (managing editor), Daniel Boone (news editor), John Reczon Calay (online manager), Camille Joyce Lita (business manager), Adrian Kenneth Gutlay (online manager and graphics editor for photography), Guia Abogado (graphics editor for illustration) and Jan Andrei Cobey (graphics editor for layout).

In his message, Tan congratulated the incoming USC and Kulé editorial board and encouraged them to include in their agenda the needs of not only the students but also the staff, faculty and the community.

He asked USC and Kulé’s support in organizing “Lakbayan of National Minorities” to be held again at UP Diliman in August. He also urged the USC to come up with a program that will help students from public high schools around the UPD campus like in Krus Na Ligas and Balara to pass the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT).

“The idea is to get to the students, habang maaga, magmentor, to help them hurdle the UPCAT and once they are in UP, to continue to be with them throughout their four or five years in college,” the chancellor said.

The ceremony was witnessed by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jerwin F. Agpaoa and Dr. Ma. Althea T. Enriquez, Office of Student Activities coordinator, who delivered the welcome and closing remarks, respectively, and Dr. Elena E. Pernia, College of Mass Communication dean.