With a subject that promises no failing marks, why not take the chance to ace it?
It was just another ordinary week for the Thomasians until the Student Organizations Coordinating Council (SOCC) provided them with a course in student involvement, Recruitment 101.
From corner to corner, the mettle Thomasian spirit filled the UST Plaza Mayor as each of the 36 university-wide organization showcased their best in a five-day fair which started on July 9 and ended on the 13th, a Friday.
“Seeing the Plaza Mayor filled with so many people each day was the best highlight of the event. Recruitment 101 is a project for the different university-wide organizations,” said Paula Diane Benitez, the vice president of the SOCC, who spearheaded the project alongside SOCC Assistant Secretary Rafael Enrico Sy. “Knowing that they were able to recruit new members for this academic year brings joy to us.”
Sy described the project as an avenue for inter-organizational ties that encourages students to partake in extra-curricular events for their holistic development.
As if mimicking the inaugural ceremonies done during the recent visit of Spain’s Queen Sofia, the country’s queen of beauty Ms. Janine Mari Tugonon, then Ms. Ideal Thomasian Personality 2010 and this year’s Ms. Universe-Philippines, cut the ribbon with Rector, Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., PhD; Dr. Augusto Aguila, the Executive Assistant to the Rector; Associate Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla, Public Affairs Office Director; Assoc. Prof. Josefin de Alban Jr., Faculty of Engineering Dean; and Assistant to the Rector for Student Affairs, Prof. Evelyn Songco, PhD.
“Besides the surprise visit of Ms. Tugonon, we prepared a surprise flash mob, which Ms. Tugonon participated in, as a belated birthday gift for Secretary General Fr. Winston Cabading O.P,” said Sy.
This year’s Recruitment 101 was perceived as the grandest of its kind as it was graced by prominent personalities like former Rivermaya vocalist Jayson Fernandez, singer-composer Mike Chan, model Jahziel Manabat, and Pinoy Big Brother Unlimited Big Winner Slater Young, the ostensible reason of the girl-crowd going gaga in the Plaza Mayor.
“The event was a big success and we are thankful for their presence and support,” Sy said.
“I would never have it in any other way because this year’s Recruitment 101 was the biggest bang for a kick-off project,” said SOCC President Benjamin Ravanera to TomasinoWeb.
Although there were no cincos to be given, some organizations received unos from SOCC because of their outstanding ingenuity during the event.
“We divided the organizations into four teams: Faith, Hope, Trust, and Virtue. Each team competed with each other for the different awards,” Benitez said.
The Best Team, Team Trust, had the most number of participants in the parade. They also bagged the Best Team for the Welcoming Parade. Team Faith received the Best Team Performance on the Variety Show award.
Strengthening further the religious pillars of the University, UST CFC-Youth for Christ had the most number of recruits. Emerging to the apex, the UST Mountaineering Club was hailed as this year’s Best Organization.
Meanwhile, two newly established organizations caught the eyes of Thomasians: the UST Filipino Martial Arts and the Wushu Flaming Tigers. Both won the Best Organization Performance in the Variety Show.
“We are encouraging the student body to voice out their opinions, needs and suggestions in order to promote student welfare,” said Sy. “Let us grow, nurture and develop ourselves to be better leaders.”
Article by Jan Eidrienne De Luis
Photo taken by Gelli Javellana
Video edited by Jom Lirios
