#NEWS | PSHS–MC hosts SY ‘22–23 MdAs
by Paris Bereber
Last November 9 and 10, students of Philippine Science High School–Main Campus (PSHS–MC) attended the Miting de Avances (MdAs) for the student council (SC) and their respective batch councils as the student elections for S.Y. 2022–2023 neared.
The PSHS–MC Students’ Electoral Commission (SEC), alongside The Science Scholar and Ang Lagablab — the official English and Filipino publications of the school, respectively — organized the six MdAs of candidates running for the SC and councils of Batches 2028 to 2024.
The MdA of Batch 2023 did not proceed as the majority voted to retain their current batch officers.
On the first day, the SC MdA kicked off at the 2nd floor of the Multi-purpose Gymnasium with the introduction of the Kalachuchi Party. The MdAs of Batches 2027, 2026, and 2025 happened afterward at the 3rd Floor Auditorium.
The MdAs of Batches 2024 and 2028 were held the following day due to conflicts in schedule with activities held the previous day.
The programs began with an introduction of the candidates and their plans of action, where each party was given five minutes and each independent candidate was given three minutes.
Afterwards, each candidate was given 45 seconds to answer pre-prepared questions. The audience was then given a chance to ask questions through an open forum.
According to several students, they were able to gain significant insights on the running parties to help them decide in the upcoming elections.
“It really showed the personality of each party and helped me decide on who to vote for . . . Overall, it was good, and I appreciated the effort put into it,” a student from Batch 2028 commented.
Clarice Chavez from 8-Dahlia expressed her opinion on the Best Friends (BF) Party of Batch 2027: “The candidates were able to sufficiently answer the questions, and they showed nothing but devotion to their projects as batch council.”
Others argued that the MdAs failed to achieve their goal.
“I don[‘]t really think the MdA showed a good representation of the candidates,” a Batch 2025 student added, referring to the Accountability, Solidarity, Keenness, and Ambition through our Leadership (ASKAL) Party and the independent candidate of Batch 2025.
As the MdAs served as the main platform for candidates to campaign, many students expressed their support through showcasing a party’s campaign colors, such as the wearing of blue masks and purple ribbons at the 2024 MdA to endorse Lampara and Tinig, the two running parties for their batch council, respectively.
However, some students felt that there was a lack of communication and preparation with the MdAs.
Mikko Salvador of Batch 2024, transcriber of the SC MdA, stated that, “It [the SC MdA] was very helpful with regards to knowing about the different candidates’ platforms and plans for the school year . . . though I wish more people [attended].”
The MdAs also experienced some technical difficulties, especially with the sound system.
“I think a bunch of people were unaware of it and did not know it was required,” a student from Batch 2025 remarked. “The whole thing was really difficult for the people at the back . . . The microphones were . . . really soft.”
Transcripts of the MdAs were made available through the official social media pages of The Science Scholar last November 12 and 13.
