By Aslen G. Caharop
| Sabala (third from left on the left photo) and Andrada (first from left on the right photo) with their co-winners receive their certificates of award from an organizer./Photo courtesy of TRAC Philippines, Inc.
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Kin F. Sabala and Angelo L. Andrada emerged victorious in the 4th International Convention on Student Affairs and Services held at the Venus Parkview Hotel, Baguio City, Philippines, Oct. 2-4.
Themed "Navigating the Digital Landscape in SAS for Empowered Leaders," the convention provided a platform for student affairs professionals, educators, and students from a variety of institutions to engage in discussions about the evolving role of technology in student support.
The event featured insightful keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and engaging panel discussions, all focused on harnessing the power of digital tools to empower student leaders and foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
The 4th SAS Convention went beyond academic discourse, showcasing the talents of student participants through a series of competitions.
Sabala snatched second place both in spoken poetry and essay writing, demonstrating his exceptional creativity and communication skills and proving his versatility in both written and spoken expression.
Meanwhile, Andrada captured third place in photography competition, showcasing his keen eye for composition and artistic vision.
Sabala had mixed feelings before and after the competition. His words reflect the journey of every aspiring artist, highlighting the mix of emotions that come with pushing boundaries and striving for excellence.
"Before winning, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. I was eager to showcase my work but also anxious about the competition. After winning, I experienced a rush of happiness and relief. It was fulfilling to see my hard work pay off, and I felt a great sense of pride and accomplishment, which was incredibly rewarding!" he shared.
Andrada found it difficult to find a subject considering that it had to be anchored on the theme.
"Super hard s’ya for me at first, since the venue was at the Burnham Park where there were only people having fun there. It was hard finding a subject related to the theme, even my rivals found it hard, too. But with the help of Ma'am Mitch, Kin and Syvel we combined our opinions to come up with an idea. With the terms "Navigate, "Digital" and "Empowered Leaders," we sailed on a boat and they became my subject,” Andrada said.
The 4th International SAS Convention was a remarkable success, showcasing the transformative power of collaboration and innovation within the student affairs community.
The event brought together diverse perspectives and fostered a spirit of shared learning that will continue to shape the future of student support.
As the field of student affairs continues to evolve, the lessons learned at this convention will serve as a valuable roadmap for future initiatives.