The newly-elected members of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) University Student Council (USC) gathered for their Oath-taking Ceremony on 16 December 2022, in a hybrid setup. Some attendees were present in person at the UPOU Headquarters’ Audio Visual Room, while others attended virtually via Zoom. The UPOU Commission on Elections (CoE) organized the event in coordination with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), Office of Public Affairs (OPA), and Multimedia Center (MC).
The ceremony began with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Mark Ian Corpuz, the event host, introduced the special guests, namely UPOU Chancellor Dr. Melinda dP. Bandalaria, UP Student Regent Siegfred Severino, UPOU OSA Director Dr. Ria Mae Borromeo, and UPOU Committee on Elections Chairperson Alyssa Navarro. The guests were joined by UPOU administrative staff members and volunteers.
The event followed the UPOU General Elections, which took place from 26 November to 6 December 2022, and was organized by the Office of the Student Regent (OSR), OSA, and Information and Communications Technology Development (ICTDO). These elections paved the way for the creation of UPOU USC.
Alyssa Navarro, the UPOU CoE Chairperson, delivered opening remarks. She thanked various individuals and organizations for their role in establishing the UPOU Election Code and overcoming challenges during the election period, such as technical issues, voter turnout, and attendees. She congratulated the newly-elected USC members and mentioned that the 13.43% voter turnout was significant for student representation in UPOU and the UP System.
Dr. Borromeo gave the opening remarks and acknowledged the efforts of those involved in establishing the UPOU Election Code and the first USC in UPOU. She encouraged the members to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Chancellor Bandalaria delivered her opening remarks as well, welcoming attendees in person and online. She congratulated the USC members on their recent election and emphasized the historic significance of establishing the first USC at UPOU. She assured the Council that the UPOU administration would support their endeavors, especially in regard to student representation.
The newly-elected student council members took an oath as official USC members, led by Chancellor Bandalaria, Student Regent Severino, and OSA Director Borromeo. Student Regent Severino and newly-elected USC Chairperson Isaiah Crisanto gave closing remarks, thanking attendees and expressing excitement for the work ahead.
These are the officers of the UPOU University Student Council:
Chairperson: Isaiah Crisanto (He/Him)
Vice Chairperson: Sianne Camporedondo (He/Him)
Councilors:
Wilzen Bermoy (He/Him)
Francelle Bacud (She/Her)
Luna Cañal (They/Them)
Ma. Dangiela Javier (She/Her)
Madellaine Ortea (She/Her)
Raine Tuason (She/Her)
Written by Betina Paula S. Cardenas
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas
#UPOpenUniversity
