By: Dr. Mark Ray P. Sioson
The 356 student leaders and officers of 24 accredited student organizations in the University of Rizal System (URS) Pililla Campus formally swore on September 14 to begin their new terms.
The ceremony was led by Prof. Ivench Percival Pugong, Head of the Student Organization Office, alongside Prof. Nery Vivas, Coordinator of the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS). The different organizations’ student leaders and advisers participated in this event.
Dr. Ariel Plantilla, Campus Director, opened the ceremony with remarks, “I challenge all of you to become the administration’s partners in promoting student welfare. I hope your enthusiasm and commitment to serving your fellow URS Pililla students will be sustained throughout your term.” He also emphasized that their peers saw leadership potential in them, and they now must prove that they deserved the trust placed in them.
The deans of the three colleges also delivered inspiring messages. Dr. Julieta Fulgado, Dean of the College of Education (COE), acknowledged the difficulty of balancing academics and leadership responsibilities. She encouraged the officers to focus on proper communication and address concerns through the appropriate channels within the campus. Prof. Loida Masinsin, Dean of the College of Business (COB), emphasized serving fellow students and contributing to the campus’s vibrant activities. “Your journey as a student leader begins now,” she said, reminding those with prior experience to continue their service with renewed commitment. Dr. Maria Salome Desoloc, Dean of the College of Social Sciences (CSS), urged the leaders to collaborate with the administration to ensure the smooth conduct of student activities. She called for unity and vision to positively impact the campus and the wider community.
In his speech, Dancel Encinares, the incumbent president of the URSP Supreme Student Government (USSG), reminded his fellow leaders to remember always who they serve—the students. He highlighted the importance of empathetic leadership, recognizing that each student faces different challenges and situations.
The President-elect of USSG for Academic Year 2024-2025, Matthew Gabriel Mateo, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science student, thanked his fellow officers for their support and Encinares for encouraging him to step up as the new president.
Dr. Plantilla led the oath-taking of the USSG officers, followed by Mateo, who administered the oath to the officers of the other student organizations. Representatives from the three colleges and campus-wide organizations pledged to perform their duties to the best of their abilities.
The ceremony also included the recitation of the Journalist’s Creed by the editorial boards of the campus student publications, led by Hubert Ranis, Editor-in-Chief of Dampol Dyorno, Inc. Certificates of recognition were then awarded to the student organizations, acknowledging their compliance with reaccreditation requirements.
In her closing remarks, Prof. Vivas reminded the newly inducted leaders that their commitment goes beyond serving the university and students. “You accepted this responsibility to also contribute to the development of the campus and the entire student body,” she said.
In an interview, Stephanie Andre Almeñe, External Vice-President of USSG, shared, “The oathtaking ceremony symbolizes more than just the induction of new leaders; it marks the start of a new era in leadership and a renewed dedication to public service. It highlights our shared effort to empower one another and foster future leaders.”
Similarly, Ranis expressed, “It’s great to be here again! Since my first year, I’ve looked forward to this event. In my final year, I can proudly say our student leaders at URSP continue to enhance their skills, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead and recite the Journalist’s Creed with my fellow campus journalists, especially now that all four campus publications are ready to serve with passion.”
The ceremony concluded with a strong sense of purpose and dedication as the new batch of student leaders vowed to uphold their duties and work toward improving URSP, which has a population of 2,110 students this First Semester of Academic Year 2024-2025.
Photo by: Marc Gienel SA Jalimbawa
