STEP-TSU presents GPOA, kindles ‘25 general assembly with CASS alumni

Report by Joaquin Umali | Photo by JM Magday

Socio-political organization Striving Towards Empowerment and Progress (STEP-TSU) equipped students and various organizations with essential political and leadership knowledge, held during their annual general assembly, at the College of Engineering-AVR on September 18.

Embodying the theme “KINDLE: The Empowerment Kick-Off,” Organization President Iris Dacayo shared the organization’s objectives citing “progressive advocacies,” strengthening the voices of students in terms of government issue, education equalities, and sustainable development.

Executive Director on Trainings Mary Jhien Angeles presented the organization’s General Plan of Action (GPOA) as well as seminars titled “FLAME” spanning for the whole year, tackling different societal issues such as drug awareness, VAWC, and law awareness empowerment.

The assembly also featured Alexander Adrian Ong, Outstanding Student Leader of the Philippines and former two-termer CASS Governor, served as the guest speaker for the said assembly, sharing his leadership journey into three sections.

“Naka-divide ang aking leadership journey sa tatlo; Finding your spark, taking up the space, and Marking your Legacy…Hindi kailangan na magsimula ka sa malaki. Kahit gaano kaliit ‘yung role na mayroon tayo ngayon, leader tayo. At mayroon tayong kapangyarihan para maging boses ng ating kapwa kabataan at estudyante,” Ong emphasized.

He also recalled his legacy during his administration in the council, sharing various achievements, partnerships, projects, and events participated, tallying an estimate of 400 accomplishments.

“Nakakapagod sya, pero the fulfillment that you will get, knowing that you will impact others’ lives is something na walang kapalit. It’s priceless…Leader is not a straight route, it is a journey filled with lessons, failures, victories, and growth,” Ong added

Furthermore, for his motivational message, CASS Lecturer and former STEP-TSU VP Dale Calvin Castañeda highlighted the assembly’s theme, comparing his experience like a tiny flame, that when nurtured, can light up communities.

“If we tried to kindle it, the spark that we have, can actually light up more likely the room we have, a whole community, or the generation that we have. And iyon po ang ginawa ng STEP sa’kin,” Mr. Castañeda shared.

Mr. Castañeda also commended students who stayed inside the organization despite past issues, and encouraged student-leaders to widen their thinking and judgement.

“Sana in the near future, hindi lang tayo maging progresibo, dapat maging kritikal din tayo, especially on the surroundings that we have within the university, and outside.”

Additionally, STEP-TSU introduced their College Ambassadors and Executive Directors who formally took pledge in the said assembly.

Dacayo also expressed appreciation for the members of the organization, and reminded everyone that STEP-TSU is more than an organization but also a movement, and a family.