By Princess Sky Quinte |
Photo by Carmel Deligos
As the new school year finally kicks in, the Miting de Avance: Town Hall Forum officially took place at the Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School (AdDU-SHS) gymnasium on September 8, 2023. Organized by the Ateneo de Davao University - SHS Commission on Elections (ASHSCOM), students, teachers, and administrators were invited to attend the commencement of the 2023 PASG General Elections.
In line with our established practice, the program started with an Ecumenical Prayer, followed by the Philippine National Anthem and the university's official hymn, The Blue Knight Song.
To officially proceed with the event, members of the Ateneo Society of Public Speakers (A-Speak), Jethro Miles Ngolab of Grade 12 - Campion and Chloe Constantino of Grade 11 - Garnier, welcomed the guests and hyped up the audience through a form of cluster crowd checking.
Fr. Jboy Gonzales, SJ, held opening remarks, advising students to use their voices through voting—followed by the catchphrase, "You are the candidate you choose."
After Fr. Jboy's encouraging speech, candidates were introduced, starting from the Assistant Secretary-General, Auditor, Grade 11 and 12 representatives, and cluster representatives. Each was given a chance to showcase their leadership achievements and platforms with the given time limit of 1 minute and 45 seconds or 1 minute and 15 seconds, depending on their chosen position in the student body. That said, signals were given by the facilitators once they exceeded.
Beginning with the first stage, a "Fast Talk" was conducted regarding their personal beliefs and views about the school matters, starting with the central board, followed by the cluster representatives. To uphold the nature of the said activity, candidates were only allowed to respond "Yes" or "No" to the question provided.
After the "Fast Talk," the next round was named "Harapan,” hosted by the Debatenista members Matthew Cambangay and Bea Alenton, wherein aspirants were given a specific time frame to explain their answers regarding the flashed prompt.
For the central board, they were given a 1-minute speaking time, followed by a 15-second rebuttal by the opponent or a Debatenista member, a 40-second response, and a 1-minute open discussion where the candidates of the same position were also allowed to voice out their insights.
The Debate Club members who participated in the event include:
KC Fernando - Created the Format, Formulated Prompts, and Created Rebuttals
Feona Balansag - Consultant for Format, Formulated Prompts, and Created Rebuttals
Matthew Cambangay - Created Prompts and MC
Bea Alenton - Created Prompts and MC
Karol Oraiz - Created Rebuttals and Communications
Shaima Oral - Created Rebuttals
Although the cluster representatives were also given the same interval, the 1-minute open discussion was no longer held.
For a quick and thorough review, the aspiring candidates, along with their roles, are as follows:
Assistant Secretary-General:
Ciano, Ellyse Colleen O.
Galope, Honey Clear M.
Uy, Andrei Matthew A.
Auditor:
Bien, Monica Therese A.
Grade 11 Representative:
Fellon, Rikka Mae C.
Fresco, Christeen Nychole L.
Tan Du, Emanuel A.
Grade 12 Representative:
Alcantara, Marian Rijel T.
Rulete, Gian Xander
Barcelona Cluster Representative:
Olivar, Marielle Sophia Flor
Somera, Althea Cassiopeia
Jerusalem Cluster Representative:
Sexcion, Johann Ezra S.
Trocio, Rika Mariv A.
Manresa Cluster Representative:
Colinares, Aleeyah Cassandra C.
Montserrat Cluster Representative:
Cantiga, Gilbert James S.
Pedro, Kimi Yeztine G.
Pamplona Cluster Representative:
Kho, Babe Aurielle T.
Paris Cluster Representative:
Castro, Ramiro Nathaniel
Rome Cluster Representative:
Bacanaya, Sydney Geilean L.
Regidor, Roger Japhet T.
Ytac, Kliench Jay P.
Salamanca Cluster Representative:
Efren, Maria Alexandra G.
Reonal, Janelle D.
Sango, Marxian Lenin B.
Closing remarks were then held by the OLA coordinator, Mx. Paul Loquias. Thanks were also extended to the hosts from A-Speak, ASHSCOM facilitators, the Debatenista participants, and the school's student publications.
However, with time passing by quicker than anticipated, the opportunity for students to address their concerns through Google Forms was still available. That said, the link can be found on ASHSCOM's official page.
With all the candidates back on stage, the program ended with the iconic song, "Seasons of Love."
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, during the Guided Quality Independent Learning Time (QUILT), the official casting of votes shall be held.
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