(Last of four parts)

OMI CASTAÑAR (IV AB DS)
Independent

Why run?

Last year ko pa napag-isipan mag-run. I was part of the Board of Commissioners for Comelec, and I was next in line for the chairmanship. During the latter part of the first semester, I resigned, because I realized na small ‘yung scope at mandate ng Comelec for the changes that I want to pursue.

On the current Sanggu

There are no systems between the coordination of Sanggu and the other sectors and groups like COA. There are also no student calendars, for admin activities.

You never think of the Sanggu as the best leadership in the University. Maybe, after Boyet Dy, the Sanggunian had been managers of the student council, and not leaders. But I’m not saying na all of them are like that.

Is he a member of Gadfly Society?

Hindi talaga ako si Gadfly. Pero nag-a-agree ako sa kanya in terms of student activism.

As an anonymous group, Gadfly has been trying to stir up national issues. But they sparked disunity between Ateneans, and I’m against anything that sparkes disunity. For me, any movements on the Ateneo should be centered on unity. Gadfly took it a bit too far.

People arrive at the conclusion that I am part of Gadfly because I’m into student activism. If that’s the case, then I perceive it as a compliment.

The big switch

The switch in my tagline, “the big switch,” means a paradigm switch. Independents don’t usually win, that’s the paradigm. It’s the first time may independent na tumatakbo for the top four versus the two parties. There should be a switch of mindset about Sanggunian. This is not just an Agila Sanggunian or an Ignacio Sanggunian. This is our Sanggunian.

I believe that someone outside the Sanggu can lead the student body. As of now, our Sanggunian is the political parties’ Sanggunian. I plan to change the system, to make it simpler. For me, you don’t make a system that’s complex, one that won’t be understood by the students.

The power button [as seen in my campaign materials] means to turn on the Sanggu. Kasi ngayon parang nasa standby mode siya. Cabrei herself admits that there’s no clear-cut leadership in the Sanggunian.

On campaigning as an independent candidate

I’ve been banking on word-of-the-mouth for my campaign. My strongest point would be my connection to the orgs-I was a member of ASLA and I know many leaders of the orgs.

…It’s very hard to be an independent candidate. It’s hard to ask people to give you donations, kahit supporters mo sila. Campaigning alone is difficult; I can’t cover all the classes for room-to-room.

People support me, but it’s hard to make them commit to campaigning, because we’re all busy.

There’s a common notion na ‘yung independent, hindi kinuha ng parties. Pero what I want is a different perception-that’s what I’m hoping for.

First thing he’ll do when elected

I’ll talk to the orgs and sectors. I’ll make sure we’re on the same page. During the summer, we’ll have the strategic planning. I’ll also talk sense to some Sanggu officers. I’m not joining the Sanggu to be part of a barkada. I’m here to serve.

I’m running for students to have hope in the Sanggu. For me, a good Sanggu does not put its name in things, but rather, it makes a system that makes students’ lives better.

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JAURO CASTRO (II AB Meco)
Ang IBIG-Agila

Why run?

I am running because I feel that I am at, if not reaching my prime in wanting to do something for the student government. I have been in the Sanggunian even during my high school days and I want to bring what I have learned through all these years to the student government next year. It’s not about pride or proving something. It’s about bringing what I can contribute to the table and share that.

On this year’s Sanggu

Contrary to what people would say, Sanggu has done a lot this year. If I could just stress on how the representatives were given so much importance through leadership seminars, plenaries for discussion and having them head projects, I think that would be a huge improvement in itself. However, these things are but internal. We know inside that we have been working so much; the problem is that we have not been able to show the students how we have done that, or how these could affect them.

His vision

[I have] a vision for the Sanggunian, not thought about overnight or for the purpose of having one. I have seen what worked and what didn’t work over the past years, and the main direction I want to aim is that:
1) Sanggunian is for everyone; we are a student government and that entails a big responsibility to be well-off yourself, at the same time reach out to the simplest of students.
2) Change cannot happen overnight. My vision is not a 100-day plan; it’s shaping leaders and students that can course through continuity Sanggunian batch by Sanggunian batch. My vision is just part of a big vision for a shaping ground for student leaders.
3) Vision has to be set to action. I want to see results, even at the minimal levels because,
4) I believe in the process, not just the end goal. If a project fails quantitatively, and if you ask the students or those who took part in the effort if they grew as persons with the experience, I would say that the project was a success in changing people.
5) The student government is not simply about work and influence; it’s about formation and inspiration.

On rumors about his academic status

I did fail my Accounting during the 1st semester, and that’s about it. I’m not a floating student and I’m not a course-quitter. I choose not to get affected because I for one know that I am not a bad student. I don’t go around cutting my classes, I don’t cheat, I try hard not to cram and I try to get the job done as always. I’m a regular student going through the same things that other students go through. It’s a weakness and a strength because I know where they’re coming from.

On why academics is important

Oh, it’s [academics] very important. That I learned especially this year. I can’t go out to people saying you have to do better if I can’t show that myself, and this semester I’ve been working really hard on that. I’ve been better because I realized that you’ve got to walk your talk. Academics is just as important as practice, as practice is as important as academics.

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GAB PEREZ (III AB Meco)
Partido Ignacio

Priorities

This is something close to my heart. I started out as a block rep, I didn’t start out as an executive right away. I started out as a block rep. I ran for executive, I did executive work, I worked very closely to the reps, and they knew how I felt because I was a block rep prior to that. I’m a central board rep and chair of STRAW. I really believe in the Sanggunian and it’s really sad to see how it has greatly declined. I know that there can be so much more, that we can bring it back once more but we really need to do hard work. In terms of priorities, I don’t feel that I have to, it’s a given that academics are there, I think that I have gained enough training to not put one over the other but to put them side by side. I can still do well in my academics side but at the same time never ever, ever neglect my Sanggunian duties.

On rumors on his abilities as a leader

I think that I’d be a hypocrite if I said that I didn’t get affected. But at the same time, I just respect whatever opinion or judgment people may have of me. It’s also encouraging for me that I get a lot of texts when people tell me, “Gab, you don’t have to join the play, just let your work speak for yourself.” So, I’ll just let my work speak for myself. People can say whatever they want. Hopefully, with basis but then if they just want to hurl whatever against me, I can’t do anything about it. It’s beyond my control.

First thing he’ll do when elected

I feel that my first goal is to activate all the institutions that can render student services. Because that’s the fastest way for students to feel their Sanggunian. I don’t think that statements make a student feel that they have their Sanggunian to back them up. I don’t feel that press releases or interviews make them feel that they have a Sanggunian. It has to be concrete. For example, again for the Magna Carta cases, the sample long tests, also with the projects, I don’t want to say I’m proud kasi parang ang yabang, I feel that it helps me that I have walked that talk. That I have went through the ranks, as a block rep, and then as executive, and as central board. So, while Monique will be calendaring the activities. I want to be there in the planning, not just in approving the projects but actually helping them with concrete input … if Pepi and Westin will be doing the house cleaning, I’ll be the one … If they’re bringing it inside, I’ll be the one bringing the Sanggunian to the students.

[We] should also pinpoint sectors that up until now don’t have proper representation … for example, the scholars. Until now, they don’t have a Constitution representation. With representation, I don’t just mean an avenue for their needs to be heard but an avenue for their needs to be acted upon concretely. Resulta. And also I feel that we should strengthen our seats in the school councils and the school council in the different committees.

On Gadfly

Personally, Gadfly has very valid points. But to Gadfly, if you really want concrete change, come out, come out wherever you are.

[Criticism] is very good but then there’s a difference between criticizing and criticizing and then acting on it. If you just criticize and criticize, no statue was ever built for a critic. You have to stand up and do something.

With a report from Sandie B. Gadia