Report by Lexter Kian Pamintuan | Photos by Leean Margarette Magat and Leanna Kayle Manuel
Psychology department’s lone representatives Rafael Ross Galamay and Ayessa Santos were crowned as Mr. & Ms. College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) in the screening held last September 12, 2024, at the Theater Room, Smith Hall Building, TSU-Main Campus.
With the advocacy of Mr. Galamay, emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment to address different problems, particularly poverty earned an award as Best in Advocacy together with Ms. Santos which revolved around body positivity and mental health as she narrated her experience on why people need to overcome their insecurities.
Mr. Galamay also took home the Best in Production, Best in Casual Wear, Best in Formal Wear, and the People’s Choice award while Ms. Santos also won the Best in Formal Wear.
Moreover, the Eleven other candidates vied for the title, including Communication department reps Wayne Andrew Enriquez, Marco Silvestre, Christian Justine Tañedo, Jennelyn Sibulboro, Fresel Jane Lanuza, and Thimothy Addelaide Yvonne Perez — Catherine Jamaica Libed from the AB Human Services, and English Language Studies reps Precious Lara L. Cunanan, Jhon Rovie R. Laganzon, Manuel R. Pilares lV, and Exequeil Sambile.
The competition concluded with Mr. Tañedo and Ms. Sibulboro being crowned as Mr. and Ms.CASS First Runners Up, while Mr. Sambile and Ms. Perez, hailed as Mr. and Ms.CASS Second Runners Up.
In addition, Ms. Sibulboro took best in Casual Wear, and Best in Production, Ms. Libed took the People’s Choice award in the female category, while Mr. Silvestre and Ms. Perez took Mr. And Ms. Heybrew Hideout Cafe.
In the Q&A portion, the top 3 candidates were given 90 seconds to answer a question to which both Mr. Galamay and Ms. Santos emphasized the importance of gender equality and inclusivity.
Mr. Galamay mentioned the existing dress code and haircut policy in the university when asked “What problem of the university do you think you can participate in its solution as the next Mr. CASS or Mr. TSU?”
“The problem that I foresee even before here at TSU is the lack of inclusivity and diversity, in terms of our dress code and at the same time doon sa haircut policy na mayroon not just in CASS but also in the whole TSU and I would participate by this in collaborating and of course raising awareness towards this,” he said.
Meanwhile, the top 3 female contestants answered the question, “A 2021 survey by the Commission on Human Rights found that 30% of the LGTBQIA+ community students in the Philippine Universities experience discrimination. What concrete initiatives would you promote to ensure that CASS is a safe and inclusive space for all students regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation?”
“Well, I envision a world where gender equality reigns. But I think that in order for me to achieve this vision, as we stated, we have to take action into making this into reality. I believe that we should start first with cultivating our children and enlightening them about the true value of diversity, may it be gender, race, or sexual identity [...] I believe that if we get to express ourselves without these biases, therefore we can create a more united college where every right of each student are embraced.” Ms. Santos winning answer.
In an interview, Mr. Galamay shared about his experience competing and his upcoming preparations for the Mr. and Ms. TSU.
"I had a bad run doon sa hashtags [segment], but I do think na I answered well naman and I did my best even with the lack of preparation…” he said.
“I think my preparations will definitely be my advocacy and aside from that, sa body, and for Q&A din as well.” he added.
Ms. Santos also remarked on her journey to winning the title and vowed to do her best representing the college.
"During the past few weeks, sobrang hectic nang schedule namin, sobrang daming quizzes since we're in third year na, but I think that I’ve worked hard for this naman, and I’ll do my best for the following events,” Ms. Santos said.
Hosted by Comm freshie Kestan Rafael Oniante — the event saw the following panel of judges: Ms. TSU 2024, Zyra basilio, Mr. CASS 2024 and a lecturer from COMM department, Grayson Tecson, Ms. ACSU-SN, Karen Maniego, CASS-SC Adviser, Dr. Raffy Aganon, Assoc Prof. II from DELS, Dr. Francelle Calub, CASS Cultural Coordinator, Mr. Daniel Dizon, and CASS-SC Governor Alexander Adrian Ong.
Furthermore, Mr. Dizon explained what the judges are looking for as he claimed that the college conducted the CASS screening not only to find representatives for the Mr. and Ms. TSU, but also for other events outside the university.
“Hinahanap namin is yung handa nang isabak lalo na sa sagutan... Hindi lang pang university-wide ang kanilang sasalihan, pati na rin regional at national level,” Mr. Dizon said.
Mr. Galamay and Ms. Santos will represent the college in the upcoming Mr. and Ms. TSU for the celebration of Foundation Week anticipated this October.
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