Amid pandemic, 2018 mems take on org leadership
Notwithstanding the challenges posed by the Coronavirus Pandemic, UP Circuit braves Academic Year ‘20-’21 with a new set of officers, all elected in the Executive Board Election last August 28–29 and the ensuing Special Election for President last September 14–15.
Helmed by John Michael “JM” San Diego as President, much of this year’s Executive Board’s agenda is focused on internal assessment and reforms — to “lay the foundations that will allow UP Circuit to continuously improve and be able to provide a home for academic excellence and camaraderie for EEE students.”
“At the end of our term, we hope that we will [be] able to establish all the necessary policies and guidelines to ensure the organization will live on and run efficiently,” San Diego added.
The new Exeboard also presents a shift in leadership from one generation to another, as all officers hail from Batch 2018 — the first of the six-year high school program under K-12. For Executive Vice President Priscilla Denise “Cess” Pigao, the generational shift provides for a shift in perspective, especially in terms of issues like mental health and member-applicant relations.
“Because of the two-year gap present, there was a buffer wherein the culture of higher batches was not fully transferred to 2018 and above… it’s a fresh start, wherein we have the chance to rebrand the organization,” Pigao noted.
UP and other schools remain closed, however, due to the nationwide community quarantine. According to Finance VP Maria Jasmine “Iya” Verocel, the move to online learning and reduced physical interaction requires a recalibration in leadership, particularly in work distribution and communication.
“We as the Executive Board of UP Circuit have to understand that the home environment of each member is different and we have to adjust accordingly. I also plan to provide more regular updates to members and post and [send] messages through different means,” said Verocel.
Regardless of the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Exeboard remains optimistic in its prospects. “While we’re still in this remote learning setup, we hope to be able to make the members experience the fun moments and the bond we share whenever we’re together on the campus,” San Diego emphasized.
(Co-written with Nicolas Faller, Jr.)
