Student issues, leadership take spotlight in TSU-CG miting de avance

Report by Mandie Asejo | Photos by Diya Nicole Gurung

Candidates for the Tarlac State University-Communicators’ Guild (TSU-CG) elections faced questions on leadership, student concerns, and organizational issues during the miting de avance held May 9 at the Theater Room of the Smith Hall Building.

The activity gathered nine official candidates from the 4 by 4 Partylist and independent slate ahead of the May 11 to 12 elections, which will be conducted through a QR code voting system.

Among the issues raised during the forum was the statement of presidential candidate Alexa Wendy Mañialong regarding the separation of regular and irregular students in the Communication Department.

Mañialong clarified that the statement was connected to scheduling concerns among irregular students and not discrimination.

“I’m fully aware that may mga kumakalat na issues regarding this, but it was taken out of context,” Mañialong said.

“The separation is not just about discriminating them, it’s about the scheduling ng classes nila,” she added.

She explained that some irregular students experience overlapping schedules, transportation expenses, and limited class hours.

Former TSU-CG President Romer Madrid also asked presidential candidates Mañialong and Angel Joy Viray how their experiences prepared them to lead the organization.

Viray emphasized the importance of listening in leadership.

“Being a president naman ng Guild is not only you that’s making decisions,” Viray said.

“I think you deserve a president who listens, who knows what and when to listen,” she added.

Meanwhile, Mañialong said leadership requires openness to criticism and collaboration.

“Right now, I’m an open book. I’m open to criticisms and suggestions, and I don’t decide based on myself or my own opinion,” she said.

The miting de avance was divided into three segments: “Alamin,” “Tanungin,” and “Bantayan.”

During “Alamin,” candidates answered 10 issue-based questions through a “Yes or No” format covering university and national concerns.

The “Tanungin” segment featured panel interviews led by student leaders and faculty members.

Student panelists included Mandie Asejo, Editor in Chief of The Oracle; Charles Wood, Board Member on Ways and Means of the College of Arts and Social Sciences Student Council, together with Ruselle James D. Solomon; Daren Joshua Magante from Firefox Radio; and Francis Paul Austin, head of the TSU-CG Journalism Team.

Faculty panelists were Prof. Derich Bognot and Mr. Madrid, who now works under CASS extension office.

The final segment, “Bantayan,” allowed students to directly ask questions and raise concerns to the candidates.

Candidates from the 4 by 4 Partylist included Wayne Andrew Enriquez for Vice President on Internal Affairs, Erika Rose David for Executive on Finance, Aryc Oardei Aleja for Executive on Audit, and Abegail Lanuza for Executive on Records.

Independent candidates were Mañialong and Viray for president, Romar Bello for Vice President on External Affairs, Bethany Faith Ganido for Executive on Ways and Means, and B-Jay Millo for Executive on Public Information.

The event wrapped up with candidates responding to remaining concerns raised by students during the open forum.