#FEATURE | Igniting The Future: A Year in Review of the Student Council
By Jamaine Gatbonton and Aldrich Ty
“Siklab — the blazing of everyone’s heart and spirit.”
This was the core sentiment left by Siklab, the student council (SC) of S.Y. 2023–2024, in the introduction to their 2023 General Plan of Action (GPoA).
Elected during the last quarter of the previous school year, the party ran on a platform of representing the student body and inspiring them to participate and lead new projects and continued traditions. They pledged to support the various diverse advocacies and interests held by the student body while ensuring student welfare was maintained in all facets of student life–from academic to extracurricular.
The party also swore a safe and accepting school environment for the students, especially as Philippine Science High School — Main Campus (PSHS–MC) was about to enter its second year of face-to-face classes after the pandemic.
Siklab was composed of Karl Gabriel G. Bueser as the president, Anika Beatrize S. Panopio as the vice president, Nickzel John G. Pagayatan as the secretary, Avril Sachi T. Tan as the treasurer, Jose Iñigo P. Falcon as the auditor, Juliene Nissi O. Palada as the business manager, and Nicole Kirsten M. Ebreo as the club coordinating head.
It was on this platform that Siklab got elected, but with the school year coming to a close, it is important that we review Siklab’s performance as a student council and whether or not they accomplished what they pledged.
One thing is certain however: Siklab’s accomplishments as well as their shortcomings can serve as useful lessons for the future student leadership here in PSHS-MC.
Communication platforms
Announcement Platforms
Email and the refurbished Pisay Direct Facebook group were maintained as the principal platforms connecting the SC to the Pisay community.
“I think all possible platforms ay nasakop naman namin, especially emails and Pisay Direct,” said incoming SC president, Nissi Palada.
(“I think we were able to cover all possible platforms, especially emails and Pisay Direct.”)
Monthly Newsletter
A monthly newsletter was to be established for SC-related updates, including budget and allocation of funds, upcoming projects, and project progress reports. However, the SC changed their plans by making the newsletter quarterly, then ultimately shelved it in favor of their social media platforms.
They cited low interaction rates with the newsletter as a reason for preference of social media platforms.
“We already have a big reach with our social media. We explain and announce our events there as well as on our own personal accounts,” explained Nickzel Pagayatan, the outgoing SC secretary.
The council added that through their social media, they could reach students faster and more effectively.
Communication System with Batch and Class Councils
Private group chats and Google Spaces were set up at the beginning of the school year with the members of the Batch Council and the presidents of class councils. General assemblies were also held when any issues would arise, as noted by Palada.
The Batch Council Presidents remarked that their council’s relationship with the SC focused on the exchange of information.
“It’s mostly just disseminating information from them regarding events school-wide,” remarked Sera Mari Antinero, the Batch 2028 Council President.
On the other hand, Batch 2024 Council President, Myka Ylarde, explained that the SC was their main channel to communicate concerns to the ManComm, especially during the heatwave where SYP students still attended face-to-face classes.
Batch 2026 Council President, Chezca Sabino, who worked directly with the SC, maintained that they were quick and clear to respond and easy to work with during the planning and execution of ALAB week.
While a Google Space was made with presidents of class councils, the presidents still observed that the SC focused on reaching out to batch councils. However, they emphasized that the SC would readily address any questions or concerns that were posted.
“There’s not much I’d wish for the SC [to be] more involved with because they did what they could,” shared Antinero. They did what was expected from them.”
Student ad hoc committees
Student Council Staff
The SC staff is an extension of the SC itself and serves as the main manpower for executing their various projects and plans. The management of the SC Staff was based on the necessity of manpower for certain projects.
“We delegate tasks to them if needed. We have chiefs to handle specific sectors of our staff and initiatives,” explained Karl Bueser, the outgoing SC president.
According to Aliyah Diocera, an SC Support Staff member, the council would assign tasks directly to the members and readily address any concerns or questions. The usual tasks given to the members were to procure and create resources for events.
The SC highlighted their aim to involve their staff in their projects, following with their core value of student leadership stated in the plans of action.
“As much as we can, we want to involve the SC Staff to give them experience on how things are executed,” commented Bueser.
In regard to this, the members were said to have participated actively in their projects as well.
“They were very cooperative. May sarili silang initiative. Nakakatuwa na they volunteered and stuck to their responsibilities,” expressed outgoing SC Vice President Bea Panopio.
(“They were very cooperative. They have their own initiative. It’s great that they volunteered and stuck to their responsibilities.”)
Diocera returned this sentiment by saying that despite a heavy workload, being a member of the SC Staff was “[It was] still a fun time, since I do like being able to help the SC to give events or any projects to the Student Body.”
Kandili
Kandili is the mental health organization under the SC, which experienced a period of inactivity during the pandemic and was re-established during the school year.
During its re-establishment, a core member of Kandili, Elden Tan, noted that the working relationship between the two entities was mostly in consultation with the documents and assistance in recruiting new members.
The independence of Kandili as an organization was emphasized by the SC when discussing their interactions.
“Since Kandili is an individual organization, hindi naman kami pwedeng ma-involve na bigla-bigla. They have their own members that they can utilize, and they reach out whenever they needed help or had any concerns… Although they are under the SC, they work independently,” clarified Bueser.
(“Since Kandili is an individual organization, we can’t get involved all of a sudden. They have their own members that they can utilize, and they reach out whenever they needed help or had any concerns… Although they are under the SC, they work independently.”)
“I think they’re more on there to guide us… Overall, I’d say [our interactions are] really positive when we need something from the SC,” stated Tan.
However, they remarked that more check-ins and updates would have been more helpful.
“Siguro, in the coming years, mas kakailanganin ng Kandili yung SC.” added Tan.
(“Perhaps, in the coming years, the SC will be needed more by Kandili.”)
Solace
Solace is the PSHS–MC’s women empowerment and sexual harassment intervention committee.
In their plan of action, the SC stated that they intended to promote the organization and assist in matters of manpower. However, the dynamic of independence from the SC as shown in Kandili was even more so present in Solace.
“I’d say the only involvement our committee has ever had with SC was nung in-e-establish siya. Pero after that, like basically one percent, barely, barely any involvement at all,” said Bianca Espinoza, the Executive Head of the organization.
(“I’d say the only involvement our committee has ever had with SC was when it was established. But after that, like basically one percent, barely, barely any involvement at all.”)
It was noted that the SC did assist in promotions and communications with the student body.
Despite the SC’s overall lack of involvement within the organization, Espinoza clarified that they “personally prefer it that way.”
“I think our system works fine enough as it is. And, we’re made aware that they’re there if we ever need them… It’s not that they’re not active, it’s more like we don’t need them to be that active,” explained Espinoza.
The SC affirmed Solace’s independence as an organization.
“Actually nakakatuwa yung Solace. They’re really independent and they also have a lot of ideas for positive changes on how to help women and even out the playing field… Most of the members are also really passionate about the org. Nakakatulong talaga sa pagiging successful ng projects ng org.” said Panopio.
(“Actually, [what is happening with] Solace is very pleasing. They’re really independent and they also have a lot of ideas for positive changes on how to help women and even out the playing field… Most of the members are also really passionate about the org. It really helps the org’s projects to be successful.”)
However, Espinoza hoped that the SC could’ve been more active in providing manpower for certain tasks and speeding up administrative processes.
“Hopefully by next year, mas ma-streamline yung process and mas madali nang makuha yung help ng SC when we need it.” added Espinoza.
(“Hopefully by next year, the process will be more streamlined and it will be easier to get help from the SC when we need it.”)
Bahaghari
Bahaghari is the upcoming LGBTQIA+ support organization for PSHS–MC under the SC, going through the establishment process during the school year.
The organization was intended to be established by early 2024, however, this did not push through due to “internal delays,” according to Jigs Falcon, the SC auditor and deputy officer of the committee.
However, Falcon clarified that the establishment documents were successfully submitted by the end of the school year.
In terms of the SC’s actual involvement in the writing of those documents, Grandis Frias, the Bahaghari president, indicated their assistance during the initiation of the process.
“Nung una, okay naman siya kasi tumutulong si Jigs sa documents. Sa kanya ko nakuha yung listahan ng documents na kailangan ng Bahaghari. Tapos, siya rin yung nakipag-usap with Sir Monty, [the Division of Student Affairs chief,]” shared Frias.
(“At first, it was okay because Jigs was helping with the documents. From him, I got the list of documents needed by Bahaghari. Then, he also talked with Sir Monty.”)
Frias emphasized that the main active member of the SC and the only officer they worked with during the establishment was Jigs Falcon.
As the establishment progressed, Frias remarked that the SC provided assistance in needed areas of the process, such as in the dissemination of emails and the establishment survey, which were written and created by the members of Bahaghari.
In evaluating the SC’s overall help to the organization, Frias cited a misunderstanding that occurred between the Bahaghari core and the SC.
According to Frias, the SC requested the members of the organization who had applied to recommend more students that would be invited. However, once the list was given to the SC, the core did not hear back about what happened to the students the members recommended.
“Hindi na sila nag-follow-up or hindi na rin kami na-update kung nakasali ba sila, kung ni-reject ba sila, or anything. Or kung na-contact nga ba sila. Di na ‘yon sinabi sa amin.” Frias explained.
(“They didn’t follow up or update us if they were able to join, if they were rejected, or anything. Or if they had been contacted. We were never told that.”)
When asked about this situation, the SC responded with: “Actually, dapat yung ganyan, yung core yung bahala. Once we facilitated core elections, yung core na yung in charge to reach out to potential members and the applications after the core elections.”
(“Actually, when it comes to situations like that, the core should take care of it. Once we facilitated core elections, the core is the one in charge to reach out to potential members and the applications after the core elections.”)
It was clarified by Frias that the recommendations took place before Core elections, meaning at the time, the SC held the responsibility to handle the member invitations.
The SC was contacted about this misunderstanding since then and they apologized that the expectation was not conveyed to the members of the Bahaghari core.
With this, Frias expressed that an improvement on transparency and communication is needed between the SC, Bahaghari, and the student body in general.
“Kasi minsan nagkukulang sa updates. Tsaka when we ask them to send an email on behalf of the committee, medyo delayed yung responses nila,” added Frias.
(“Because sometimes there is a lack of updates. Also, when we ask them to send an email on behalf of the committee, their responses are a little delayed.”)
Additionally, they pointed out that the core’s duty in the matter was not made specific, such as whether the core would be in charge of contacting or following up the students who were invited.
Despite the situation that occurred, Frias ended by saying that the core and members of Bahaghari were able to handle the organization: “Bahaghari worked for its own establishment.”
All in all, the ad hoc committees maintained a certain independence in their operations from the SC. However, it was made clear that how much involvement the SC should and intends to have must be clarified.
“The line is pretty blurry between what is the responsibility of the SC to the committee and the committee to the SC,” as said by Espinoza.
Policies, rearrangements, and procedures
Along with their pledges to support and represent the students of PSHS-MC, the party also listed plans that would help fulfill this representation and support throughout the school year. These primarily placed an emphasis on communication with the PSHS-MC administration to ensure that the school’s policies fully reflect the wants and needs of its community.
Academic Policies
The party stated that they would act as a bridge between the student body and the admin, especially regarding concerns on existing academic policies and guidelines.
Constant channels of communication were open between them and the Curriculum and Instruction Division (CID). The CID and its chief, Sir Efren Paz, were reported to have been accommodating of concerns brought up during correspondences.
Concerns specifically regarding academics, such as those on requirements and curriculum, were rare this school year. According to the council, most of the recent concerns were about the ongoing heatwave instead.
“Mas maganda yung sistema ng CID for this school year.” stated Bueser.
(“The system of the CID is better for this school year.”)
“Halos wala nang complaints around academic issues like overload of requirements and curriculum; the issues are now mainly concerned about the heatwave. “ added Panopio.
(“There are almost no complaints around academic issues like overload of requirements and curriculum; the issues are now mainly concerned about the heatwave. “)
The CID’s current system has also reportedly been working well when it comes to handling the matrix of requirements for each class and batch. Although listed in their GPoA as something the SC would help disseminate, Siklab decided during the school year that the current system the CID has already works well without involvement from the SC.
The most pressing concern the SC had received in relation to student academics was the concern regarding the new schedule due to the ongoing heatwave. This concern and a few other minor issues were conveyed to the admin and other parties, such as the Executive Parent Teacher Council (EPTC). In terms of concerns about requirements, the council acknowledges that these are better brought up with the specific teachers and units instead rather than with the SC.
“We brought up the concerns of the student body as well as the issues per batch.” shared Falcon regarding a recent meeting that was held between the SC and these other parties.
“But in terms of requirements, sa unit at sa teacher talaga iyon.” added Bueser.
(“But in terms of requirements, it is the responsibility of the teachers and [subject] units.”)
General School-Wide Policies
Aside from academic policies, the council also gave importance to ensuring other general school policies were able to accurately satisfy the needs of the students. They ensured this through their communication with the PSHS-MC admin’s various offices, such as the CID and Division of Student Affairs (DSA), through platforms such as group chats.
“If ever we directly need something from [the relevant offices], we can go directly to their office naman.” shared Panopio.
(“If ever we directly need something from [the relevant offices], we can go directly to their office anyway.”)
“Napupuntahan naman sila agad regarding these student input and concerns.” added Bueser.
(“We can always go to them immediately regarding these student input and concerns.”)
Despite this consistent communication with the admin, the council acknowledged that it found difficulty in fully satisfying all parties involved in the decision-making process of these policies and solutions. Although one of Siklab’s main aims was to represent the student body, the concerns of the students ultimately have to be considered with the concerns of other stakeholders within PSHS-MC, such as the admin, teachers, and parents.
Instead of seeing this pushback as a negative, the council sees this as a positive. For them, this varied discussion from the different parties within the school is useful for facilitating constructive change. Although their own concerns and wants may conflict with those of the students, the council believes the arguments of these other parties should still be considered since they still have logic behind them.
“If they see may sense naman yung sinasabi, [the other stakeholders] try to meet us in the middle. May rationale naman din yung sa sinasabi nila.” said Panopio.
(“If they see there is sense in what we are saying, [the other stakeholders] try to meet us in the middle. There is also rationale anyway in what they are saying.”)
As stated by Bueser, “We can’t satisfy everyone. Kailangan talaga ng middle ground.”
(“We can’t satisfy everyone. There really is a need for a middle ground.”)
Club Organization System
In order to better support the diverse interests and hobbies of the students, Siklab gave a particular importance in their GPoA to discuss how they would promote the various clubs and extracurriculars present in PSHS-MC.
They not only promised to provide regular checkups and feedback for every accredited club but to also collaborate with different clubs for the many activities and events planned by the SC for the school year.
Going into the school year, however, the council eventually found its plans and objectives regarding club involvement and support to be different from what was actually needed by the clubs.
“Nung diniscuss ko yung plans ko with Ma’am Mara, more on the technical aspects talaga yung concern… Focus daw on what needs to be disseminated to the students and what needs to be submitted to the DSA, tsaka yung promotion ng club.” said Ebreo, Siklab’s club coordinating head.
(“When I discussed my plans with Ma’am Mara, the concerns [of the clubs] were more on the technical aspects… She said to focus on what needs to be disseminated to the students and what needs to be submitted to the DSA, as well as the promotion of the clubs.”)
With this new information in mind, the council decided not to go through with their plan for monthly meetings with club presidents and instead opt for asynchronous checkups on the clubs’ statuses via group chat. They also decided to cancel their system-wide midyear and end-of-year club evaluation forms as it became clear that these concerns were best handled by the individual club officers for their respective clubs.
For the clubs themselves, many of them expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the SC to reach out and help them with club activities and necessities.
“Whenever we were needed for something related to film, we were always asked by the SC regarding it. They took the initiative to reach out to us, which is well-appreciated,” shared Thandie Aliño, president of Celluloid, PSHS-MC’s film appreciation club.
Events and activities
Along with their proposed initiatives and committees, the council also provided a timeline of the various events and activities they had planned all throughout the year, many of which coincided with holidays, such as Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.
The SC managed to accomplish their planned activities for these events, including the Halloween Party, Paskorus, and Love Month bazaars. Other activities were more aligned with PSHS-MC’s culture and community specifically, such as the Foundation Day celebrations and the school’s annual Salitan where students take on teacher or admin roles. These activities were also implemented by the council this school year in accordance with their plans.
Due to certain logistical issues and unforeseen circumstances however, the planned Intramurals as well as the Pride Month celebrations were not implemented by the end of the school year.
The council admits that the abandonment of some of its projects was unfortunate but that these were largely necessary at the time due to certain important limiting factors such as the budget, the transition between current and future student councils, and the scheduling issues caused by the heatwave.
“Realistically kasi, may problems kasi na mag-a-arise all throughout the year. Sadly, may talagang kailangan na i-sacrifice for projects that needed to be prioritized, such as with our Intrams.” said Bueser.
(“Realistically, there are problems that will arise all throughout the year. Sadly, something really needs to be sacrificed for projects that needed to be prioritized, such as with our Intrams.”)
Reflections
Despite some of the setbacks and challenges they faced throughout the school year, Siklab ultimately believes that they were an effective and diligent SC.
“We have been an effective council based on the feedback by the students. With our ad-hoc committees, they can stand on their own. There were problems that came up, but most of the initiatives were still implemented,” stated Bueser.
Despite this, the council still wishes the communication between them and the student body had been better. Due to the variety of communication platforms, both online and face-to-face, it became hard for the council to truly find the best ones to use for easy and effective communication.
“We admit that medyo inefficient yung communication platforms, but we tried our best to find the best ones talaga… We are still finding ways to more efficiently communicate,” clarified Bueser.
(“We admit that the current communication platforms are somewhat inefficient, but we really tried our best to find the best ones… We are still finding ways to more efficiently communicate.”)
These shortcomings in terms of communication do not only apply to the SC themselves, as input and responses from the wider student body are also needed.
As said by Bueser, “If you want change, it should be a two-way street. Answer the surveys, give feedback. We are not entirely blaming you, but give feedback para stronger yung side ng students na ipapadala sa admin.”
(“If you want change, it should be a two-way street. Answer the surveys, give feedback. We are not entirely blaming you, but give feedback so that the students’ side is stronger, which will be communicated to the admin.”)
The future
In their reflections as SC members for this school year, many members of the party expressed lessons they have learned in their time in these positions, especially since many were re-elected to serve in the SC under the Lingap partylist.
For Pagayatan, vice president of the incoming SC, his experience working with Siklab has given him newfound knowledge on how to plan and manage the various projects under the SC, from organizing events to managing finances.
With this in mind, he believes that the next SC knows what is needed in order to better implement their projects for the next school year.
According to Pagayatan, one thing that could still be improved upon is the communication between the SC and the Management Committee (ManComm), especially as he believes the ManComm itself has improved going into next school year.
“Sana lang, mas involved kami with the policy making. Unfortunately, for most of the meetings I’ve attended, dissemination lang talaga,” remarked Pagayatan.
(“I just hope we get more involved with the policy making. Unfortunately, for most of the meetings I’ve attended, it’s really just dissemination,”)
“Ito yung hina-highlight namin sa party, sa Lingap. Kailangan pa i-heighten yung student representation in policy making. I think kaya naman ma-achieve with the right communication and tamang pakikipag-collaborate lang with the offices,” added Palada, president of the next student council.
(“This is what we are highlighting in the party, in Lingap. Student representation in policy making still needs to be heightened. I think this can be achieved with the right communication and the right collaboration with the offices.”)
This is a sentiment shared by incoming SC Secretary Avril Tan, but aside from improving projects, she also expresses excitement in working with the other future SC members, both new and old.
As for Falcon, the incoming treasurer, the positive experience he has had working together with his fellow SC members as one unit is something that he is looking forward to continuing next school year.
“The SC really worked together as a team… We weren’t limited to our job descriptions in the constitution, especially when it came to planning,” added Falcon.
A call for action
As the SC president for next school year, Palada asserted the SC’s commitment in promoting and aiding student participation and student welfare within the PSHS-MC community.
“As SC, just always know that the SC is here for you, and the SC wants to do things to improve your student life,” Palada stressed.
For Bueser and Panopio, both graduating students, they hope student leadership will continue to grow in the following years.
During their time in PSHS-MC, the SC has recognized a lack of student leadership in the past few years.
“Ilang years na ba na walang laban?” remarked Palada.
(“How many years has it been without a fight [in the student elections]?”)
“I know a lot of students have a lot of ideas to improve our school. If they want to push through with that, go lang,” added Palada.
(“I know a lot of students have a lot of ideas to improve our school. If they want to push through with that, just go,”)
In addition to this, Bueser said: “Tumakbo kayo. Go, go, go lang!”
(“Go run [for leadership positions]. Just go, go, go!”)
They emphasized the importance of student involvement within the community, especially as a means for meaningful change.
“Kasi, we need more leaders in our world today, not just in school, but in the world… Walang mangyayari if nakatunganga lang tayong lahat diyan. Walang mangyayari,” emphasized Panopio.
(“Because, we need more leaders in our world today, not just in school, but in the world… Nothing will happen if we all just stand there. Nothing will happen.”)
As Siklab’s time as the SC draws to a close, they ultimately hope this passionate flame of participation and leadership within the spirits of the student body still remains blazing for years to come.
As Panopio puts it: “Basta, try your best to improve yourself. We urge everyone to step up kahit na hindi kayo confident, matututo kayo. Kung magkakamali kayo, okay lang, matututo kayo.”
(“Just try your best to improve yourself. We urge everyone to step up even if you are not confident, you will learn. If you make mistakes, that’s okay, you’ll learn.”)
