By Kin F. Sabala
| Dr. Ricardo addresses the concern of a student during the student assembly.
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“Kinaya, kinakaya, at kakayanin.”
This was the statement by the outgoing Supreme Student Council (SSC) President Charlene L. Arendaying during her President's Hour at the Student Assembly Meeting held at the CAPSU Mambusao Gymnasium, May 5.
SSC held this event to present its accomplishments, financial report, and future projects, while promoting transparency and student engagement.
The assembly began with welcome remarks from outgoing Senate President Allgin O. Dueño, who shared his insights on leadership.
“Let us be honest—when most people hear the word ‘leadership,’ it often brings to mind speeches, deadlines, being active in school events, and a lot of responsibility," Dueno said.
“But at its core, leadership is much simpler—and much more human. It is about stepping forward when it would be easier to step back. It is about listening before speaking,” he added.
Student Affairs and Services Chairperson Dr. Lalaine E. Ricardo also addressed the students, stressing the relevance of the Student Assembly.
“This student assembly is one of the major activities of a student organization in every academic year. It's a very important part of showing transparency in a public service,” Ricardo stated.
She added that the event allows students to understand how their organization is managed and participate in addressing issues.
During the meeting proper, Arendaying shared her experiences leading the SSC.
“This school year is a term full of changes within our campus and the university as a whole, with the introduction of our Satellite College Director,” Arendaying shared.
“It has been also a very busy one, activities being conducted back-to-back, and with almost no breaks in between especially in the first semester. Projects, activities, and responsibilities all piled up, resulting to me being sleep deprived for the most part, kay siyempre ginalagas ang deadline,” she added.
She continued, “I have also a lot of problems and challenges that I dealt with in my personal life during this year that made me wonder ‘kaya ko pa ba?’ But after 10 months of anxiety and self-doubt, I can now say na kinaya ko.”
Agenda items included the reading of the agenda and the minutes of the 2024 assembly, financial report presentation, and the report on accomplishments and upcoming SSC activities.
Meanwhile, SSC Adviser Olga L. Llanera and FLP Adviser Regine B. Aller officially proclaimed the newly elected SSC and FLP officers for Academic Year 2025–2026.
An open forum followed, allowing students to raise questions and suggestions to the incoming administration.
“There are three main reasons as to why we conduct this activity,” Arendaying said in an interview. “First, for transparency. We want to show the students how SSC utilizes the funds. Second, it is also a way to showcase the activities and projects that SSC was able to conduct and accomplish during the academic year. Lastly, the students are given the opportunity to voice out their questions, concerns, and clarifications during the open forum.”
For Matthew Allan Miguel Toledo, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student, “Need mag-attend Student Assembly para mabal-an ko kon ano gakalatabo sa sulod sang organization kag mabal-an ko kon diin gakadto ang akon balayran like sa penalty, and also to know kon ano ang future plans sang administration before sila mag step down.”
Moreover, Mariedan Olorisisimo, a first-year Bachelor of Arts in English Language student, added, “Personally, as a student nga gusto permi informed sa mga happenings sa school, Student Assembly meeting is necessary para aware man kami nga mga freshmen kung paano ga-work or kon ano ang mga processes sang mga events, projects, and everything that is being implemented or conducted para man sa amon. Ako, if wala ko nag-attend kagina, wa gid ako kasayod nga may mga projects gali ang SSC such as atong microphones and wall fans. Wa gid ako kasayud nga amo yato kajagko ang contribution it penalties sa fund it SSC. So, important gid ang Student Assembly Meeting for us, freshmen, for our information and awareness. Duro kami mabuol idto (kung naga-pay attention gidman), maliban pa sa mga nasa student handbook.”
The event concluded with closing remarks from SSC Senator Marlita Mae O. Tolentino, who reminded the students that leadership is not done in private but is carried out together—openly and transparently.