Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) logo1
Lifelong learning is an evolving concept, as various institutions start to adapt to the influences of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). 2 Perhaps, an old local word can fairly capture the concept of lifelong learning – Kruhay. It means “long live.” 3 “Long live” to the skills development programs that upskill the human capital in the Philippines, especially to that of TESDA which upskills the grassroot human capital. 4 TESDA can still beef up on strenghtening its alumni network as it try to address: “Skills Training for Drug Dependents; Skills Training for Entrepreneurs and Family Enterprises; Skills Training for Inmates and their Families; OFW’s Reintegration; Special Skills Program for the Indigenous People; Expanded Training Program for Women and PWDs, etc.” 5 Future partnerships of the TESDA Alumni Office with Department of Trade and Industry’s MSMEs Global Academy can be a great boost for the TESDA Alumni Network, especially in the intersection of agro-industrial lifelong learning programs. 6 Additionally, enabling laws for Agricultural Pension Fund may be strengthened by the agro-industrial upskilling projects of the said agencies. 7 Inter-agency partnerships can aid in the eventual internationalization of Philippine human capital, especially for adult lifelong learners (e.g. TESDA Alumni). 8 Kruhay!
The General Assembly of Class Presidents, otherwise known as GACP, is one subordinate arm of the SAMAHAN Central Board, the student government of Ateneo de Davao University.
The SAMAHAN Central Board is composed of the Top 3 Officers, Division Representatives, CCO and GACP.
SAMAHAN Awards 2012
GACP is composed of the Class Presidents of the recognized classes in the Ateneo de Davao. The other arm of SAMAHAN, Campus Clubs Organization (CCO), is composed of the club presidents from the different clubs in Ateneo. As of writing, the GACP is already under the name “General Assembly”.
In 2011, the SAMAHAN, including GACP, welcomed the then new president, Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ. In 2012 of the same academic year, the SAMAHAN Awards 2012 was co-participated by GACP.
At the Padre Pio Home for Children
In the summer of 2012, the GACP Interim Board organized a Feeding Program at Padre Pio Home for Children, Tugbok, Davao City.
The Padre Pio Home for Children is administered by the Apostles of Jesus Crucified Sisters. The patron saint of the sisters is Padre Pio.
The feeding program lasted for 1 day, where activities with the children also had transpired.
By the following academic year 2012-2013, GACP continued to assist SAMAHAN Central Board in its undertakings.
The first installment of Sui Generis Summit was also co-organized by GACP.
Class Presidents and other leaders in the university attended the event, in the hope of creating a brand of leadership that is Ateneo de Davao – Sui Generis.
GACP Re-election Miting de Avance
THE QUASI-ANTI-CLIMAX
In middle of the 1st semester of the same academic year, the GACP Executive Board then composed of Chairperson-Clarice Tiu, Internal Vice President-Jubail Pasia, External Vice President-Anne Erbito, Secretary General-Vincent Cuzon, and Finance Officer-Irvir Dormile, faced a complaint against their election.
After long exchanges of arguments, narratives and position papers, the Ateneo de Davao- Commission on Elections decided for a re-election, under the reason of obscure “technical” undertakings of the first elections. Note that law has two parts: The Technical and The Substantial. Both were considered in the rally for the betterment of GACP.
With respect to the power of the COMELEC, the then GACP Executive Board vacant their positions, and worked for the re-elections.
Later, COMELEC designated times for filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC), Campaign Period, Miting de Avance, and Election Day, for the re-election.
The campaigns were then creeping through social media and other platforms, which the candidates used to entice class presidents to vote for them.
The then relinquished set of officers worked with the tagline “Reaffirm Your Votes!”
Vincent Cuzon during the Miting de Avance
On September 24, 2012, during the Miting de Avance, the candidates presented their platforms for the General Assembly of Class Presidents.
Later, the class presidents were given the chance to address questions to the candidates.
On September 26, 2012, the election of the officers was held. The voting population must reach a 50%+1, for it to be declared in quorum. Otherwise, it’s a failure of elections.
It was declared in quorum.
THE RESULTS
Reinstated.
COMELEC declared that the candidates who would assume office were:
Chairperson – Ma. Elainizelle Clarice Tiu
Internal Vice President – Jubail Pasia
External Vice President – Willien Anne Erbito
Secretary General – Vincent Carlo Cuzon
Finance Officer – Irvir Dormile
Wacky Poses of Basic Leadership Training Participants
With the newly affirmed officers, the GACP continued in the fulfillment of its responsibilities.
In October 2012, GACP co-organized the College Fiesta. It catered the Palarong Pinoy and Karaoke Challenge.
It also organized a Basic Leadership Training (BLT) to its members.
Aside from co-organizing events in the school, GACP had also been active in engaging with the community, which will be presented later.
By 2013 of the same school year, GACP decided to veer from the SAMAHAN Awards Night and made its own, called the GACP Awards Night.
Two most prominent awards were: Most Outstanding Class President Award (1st-5th year) and the Most Outstanding Class (1st-5th year).
The awards night was held at the Finster Auditorium of Ateneo de Davao University.
By the Interim Period of 2013, GACP again organized a community engagement program.
It was entitled “A day with the Children” and was held at Living Stones Orphanage in Matina, Davao City.
The event was made possible in partnership with the Business and Management Division.
GACP prepared learning sessions for the children.
Car Accident
ON CHALLENGES
The GACP Executive Board surpassed some challenges, not just inside the organization but also to other external events.
Once in Bajada, the ExeBoard had a car accident. It happened right after a planning session for an upcoming event.
The board decided to call the CCO President, and luckily he responded in few minutes.
The ExeBoard went home safely that night.
GACP – known as training ground for grassroots leadership in campus – remains challenged especially for its proposed dissolution in the SAMAHAN Constitution.
The Federation of Alumni Associations of RVM School, Inc. (FAARSI) is the umbrella organization of alumni associations of RVM schools in the Philippines. At present, there are 51 schools owned by the Religious of the Virgin Mary.
FAARSI aims to
(1) Foster a closer Ignacian bonding among alumni
(2) Deepen and enhance the alumni’s Ignacian spirituality
(3) Join efforts with the RVM sisters in achieving the vision of the RVM Congregation and to get involved in the RVM missions.
The FAARSI operates a facebook page, which you may view here.
FAARSI organizes National Assemblies, which is a gathering of the various RVM alumni associations in the Philippines. The first few assemblies happened at MICS – Quezon City and Betania Retreat House – Cebu City. The 10th Anniversary of FAARSI was celebrated with the Centennial Anniversary of St. Mary’s College of Baliuag.
In 2013, the 4th National Assembly was held at University of Immaculate Conception in Davao City. In 2014, the 5th National Assembly was held at the Lourdes College in Cagayan de Oro City.
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) is an alliance of tertiary student publications and student journalists nationwide. The CEGP is the oldest and longest-running youth organization in the country, founded in July 25, 1931. It is also the only youth organization of its kind in the entire Asia-pacific.
The Guild was founded on July 25, 1931 by Ernesto Rodriguez of the National University. He invited campus editors in a gathering to discuss common problems. Three other publications responded, namely: The Guidon of the Ateneo de Manila University, the Varsitarian of the University of Sto. Tomas and the Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines. It was the Varsitarian staffers who suggested the name College Editors Guild.
Among the notable alumni of CEGP are Wenceslao Vinzons, Eman Lacaba and Miriam Defensor-Santiago. You can read more of CEGP here.
The Ateneo Society of Industrial Engineering Majors (ASIEM) is the academic club that caters the students of the Industrial Engineering Program of Ateneo de Davao University. It was formerly known as the Industrial Engineering Student Executive Council.
The Pinag-isang Lakas ng Samahan ng mga Progresibong Atenista (PIGLASAPAT) is a socio-civic-political club that pushes for Social Democracy in Ateneo de Davao University.
PIGLASAPAT flourished in a time when political turmoil and societal unrest plagued the country. During the Martial Law years, it was high time for prevalent youth activism and empowerment, rolling down to that of the Ateneo de Davao Community. Progressive Ateneans, who were responsive to the call for greater involvement, established what would now be known as Ateneo’s longest-running and most historic socio-political club. The club was established in 1986 through the convergence of two prominent clubs in Ateneo de Davao University: PIGLAS- political in nature, and SAPAT-a socio-civic club.
PIGLAS, the then political club, was known for its staunch “pagpiglas” or “breaking away” from the conventional impositions of political systems. SAPAT, which was known as SAMAHANG AGHAM NA PAMPULITIKA SA ATENEO (SAPAT), was formed to tap the university administration for the then need to open a Political Science Program in the university. Both clubs were merged in the pursuit of providing a better and more effective service for the students, along with the belief that two heads are better than one. Thereafter, the club was known as PINAG-ISANG LAKAS NG SAMAHAN NG MGA PROGRESIBONG ATENISTA (PIGLASAPAT).
The phoenix logo was made to symbolize the inter-generation passage and nourishment of the legacy of the club. The phoenix is known for its incessant rebirth, from one plumage to a new one.
As expected, it was not smooth-sailing start. It was a tough start for PIGLASAPAT because it was always seen and considered as an opposition. PIGLASAPAT fought and pushed its mission for years. In 1992, other political parties had emerged but PIGLASAPAT remained standing – burning with the fire of the phoenix.
In the year 2000, the club came out stronger than ever and became the dominant socio-political party in the university. In mid-2004, the other political parties have ceased to exist, which made PIGLASAPAT the only surviving socio-political club that time.
By 2005-2006, other independent parties came out and new political parties were established. Nevertheless, PIGLASAPAT has constantly thrived on its mission for student-servant leadership. PIGLASAPAT continues to undergo rebirth – stronger after each challenge it faces.
Today, PIGLASAPAT continually develops its members with Lakas, extending its brand of leadership to the Corporate World, Academe and the Government. PIGLASAPAT believes in each member’s capacities. It is responsive to its purpose of honing Sui Generis Leaders for Mindanao.
The National Secondary Editors Guild of the Philippines is an organization which endeavors for the development of Journalism among high school students in the Philippines.
The members of the organization are drawn from the guilds across the country. Delegates to the annual National Schools Press Conference, the most prestigious competition for high school campus journalists, automatically become members of NSEG-Philippines.
Brigadier General Juanito Malto, Jr., PAF (ret. 1995)
The Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Girls- St. Mary’s Academy of Kidapawan Alumni Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization, dedicated to the alumni and alumnae of the Notre Dame of Kidapawan School that was established in 1948. The school is currently under the management of the Religious of the Virgin Mary.
The association was formally recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the leadership of Brigadier General Juanito Malto, Jr., PAF (ret.1995). He is from Notre Dame of Kidapawan Elementary Batch 1956.
At present, the alumni association still lives up to its ideals. You can see the alumni association seal here.
Aside from Gen. Malto, other members of the association are living in their exemplary work “toward a transformed society.” This includes the incumbent governor of Cotabato Province, Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, and among others.
TO OUR MEMBERS:
The Association Motto, which is the Latin “Dedicatio in Fide, Servire et Excellentia”, better translated as “Dedication in Faith, Service and Excellence” fortifies the three virtues that thrust the association forwards: Faith, Excellence and Service.
TO OUR ALMA MATER:
The monogram “AM” stands for “Ave Maria” which goes in praise of the Blessed Mother Mary, under whose patronage the Association’s Alma Mater was entrusted. The Light Rays signify the association’s growth, light and wisdom from God through Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Both symbols are also present in the Alma Mater’s Seal.
A part of the association’s Articles of Incorporation
TO OUR COMMUNITY:
As a symbol of colorful culture and encompassing history, the Kiram Mansion symbolizes the association’s land of growth, Kidapawan City. The deteriorated Roman- Torogan Mansion houses the Mindanawon identity of the city and perhaps the province, through the Maranao architecture it possesses. The profound background of the mansion as a former pillar of activities of Cotabato Province, as well as Kidapawan, makes it an important symbol of heritage. The alumni association wants to be part of Kiram heritage’s preservation.
TO OUR ENVIRONMENT (AND COUNTRY):
As we pay homage to the Lumads of Kidapawan, we incorporate Apo Sondawa in the seal. Locally known as Apo Sandawa (the name of the great grandparent of the Lumads), Mt. Apo symbolizes the legacy, aspirations and endeavors of the association. As a home to a diverse bunch of flora and fauna, Mt. Apo symbolizes the commitment to environmental preservation. Furthermore, hailed as Philippines’ highest peak, it also symbolizes the oath of the association to defend and to be proud of the country, The Philippines.
The Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Girls- St. Mary’s Academy of Kidapawan Alumni Association Seal was co-created by Kier Carbonell of SMAK Batch 2008 and Vincent Carlo Cuzon of SMAK Batch 2011.
Ateneo de Davao University – Campus Politics?
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) is an alliance of tertiary student publications and student journalists nationwide. The CEGP is the oldest and longest-running youth organization in the country, founded in July 25, 1931. It is also the only youth organization of its kind in the entire Asia-pacific.
The 
Vincent Carlo Duran Cuzon 