By: Keith Anthony S. Linan
After getting majority votes during the online elections of the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and Future Leaders of the Philippine (FLP) last May12-13, 2022, unopposed candidates Joey O. Luces and Mark John P. Francisco were proclaimed new presidents of the two biggest student organizations, respectively, for Academic Year 2022-2023.
Out of the 900 plus student population, SSC President-elect Luces garnered 520 votes while FLP President-elect Francisco received 556 votes based on the official results posted in the SSC Facebook page.
Most of the SSC positions were unopposed, except for the senatorial position wherein 15 candidates rivaled for the 12 seats available. For the BSCS vice gubernatorial race, two candidates filed candidacy and for BSOA representative position, three students filed candidacy for the two seats, and for governor, two contenders aspired for the position.
Meanwhile, all candidates for the different positions in the FLP were unopposed.
Other newly-elected SSC officers include Joan Arboleda for vice president; Norigay Bayot, Mae Anne Alipusan, Joice Florentino, Charybel Cerezo, Jamaica Narciso, Angeline Ocbeña, Rica Marquez, Elesar Lema, Mary Joy Borbon, Wilma Atanacio, Manilyn Valerio, and Jena Mae Estrella for senators.
The representatives are Jona Mae Berganio, Mary Ann Atanacio, Johnny Andone and Renzel Delfin for Computer Science department; Mercy Llagas for Bachelor of Arts department; Techie Pelongco and Lezalyn Moreno for Office Administration department; and Ronaldo Norico for Food Technology department.
Elected department governors and vice governors comprise Shane Sapinoso and Jerick Olayvar for CS department, Leonel Bolido and Clifford John Caballero for AB department; Ivy Bautista and Cristina Baylador for OA department; and Nikki Lopez and Mialyn Evaristo for the FT department.
Luces had no intention to run for president because he thought he could not handle it but was convinced after receiving encouragement from his teachers, schoolmates and friends.
“Honestly, at first, I was hesitant about running in the election, afraid of committing mistakes and disappointments. However, upon learning that no one wants to be the SSC president and with the overwhelming support of my professors and friends, I realized that this is now or never,” he shared.
“As the elected president, it is my greatest honor to serve and lead. I am not expecting the amount of support that I received and I am just so grateful to everyone who helped and pushed me to be in this position. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will definitely make my college life unforgettable,” he added.
As the new SSC president, Luces vows to perform his duties and responsibilities along with his fellow officers in the organization.
“I swear that I and the other officers will do our very best to perform our duties and responsibilities for the school and for our fellow students. At the end of the day, I would always stick to SSC's battle cry: ‘We aspire to lead, we inspire to serve.’ Like a ray of sun, we will radiate hope and create change for everyone,” he said.
For the FLP, the newly elected officers are Jay Lindo for vice president, Angelica Mee Dalida, secretary; Realyn Luces, treasurer; Loren Olano, auditor; Jonacel Pelongco, business manager; Patrick Villar, P.R.O.; Glen De Asis, sentinel; and Engelyn Cawaling, muse.
Francisco shared that he has mixed emotions as he embarks on a new journey as a student leader.
“I feel excited and at the same time nervous for having been elected president of one of the biggest organizations in the campus. As a leader who is dedicated in public service, I can guarantee that I will fulfill my duties and responsibilities and build a strong relationship with my fellow students and the school as a whole,” he said.
Luces and Francisco are both incoming third year Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Bachelor of Science in Office Administration students, respectively. They are also members of the editorial board of The Courier, the official student publication.
They are set to succeed outgoing SSC President Elcha Mae Villacapa and FLP President Arnel Barquilla.