Second Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders’ Congress 2013

SECOND AUGUSTINIAN RECOLLECT STUDENT LEADERS’ CONGRESS 2013 DELEGATES

Last October 17 – 20, eight (8) student leaders from the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos attended the Second Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders (ARSL) Congress 2013 to be held in San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Manila The official delegates-representatives were UNO-RSSGO President John Floyd Abrico, Vice President John Cyril Abaja, League of Governors Chairman Christian Miran and Senators Kim Valdez, Nichol Malata, Gene Agravante, Kevin Peñaranda and Rodney Bombio.

The said congress gathered student leaders from five Recollect schools in the Philippines: USJ-R (Cebu), UNO-R (Bacolod), SSC-R (Manila), SSC-R (Cavite), SSC-R (Canlubang).

To shed more light on the significance of this Recoletos student leaders’ summit, the UNO-RSSGO President John Floyd Abrico will share to us some of the salient matters taken up during this 3-day gathering.

What is this ARSL all about?

The Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders Congress (ARSL) is an annual gathering of the student leaders from [different] Recollect schools [in the Philippines]. Basically, it aims to foster cooperation, unity and camaraderie among its members and to build linkages among the Recollect schools.

From the conference, what do your respective schools expect from the student-leaders participating in this conference?

John Floyd Abrico

UNO-RSSGO President

Just this congress, we established the Federation of Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders (FARSL) to formally begin ties and connection. This was strengthened by the ratification of the federation's constitution.

To transcend the Augustinian Recollect education, ideals, and practices beyond the portals of Augustinian Recollect institutions, the student leaders coming from the Augustinian Recollect Colleges and Universities formed the Federation of Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders (FARSL) which aims to foster cooperation, unity and camaraderie between its members and to build linkages amongst the Recollect schools in the Philippines. This group was officially introduced and made known during the Second Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders’ Congress at San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila.

In order to promote the FARSL’s sustainability and active involvement in relevant societal issues, the Executive Commission, which is composed of the Supreme Student Council/Government Presidents of the different Recollect Schools, will conduct its first Conference and General Planning on the 22^nd to 24^th of November 2013 at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, Bacolod City.

  

What will the student body of your respective schools benefit from this FARSL?

We expect that every bit of learning that we gained during the congress will be applied when they come back to their respective schools. I also expect that the connection that we establish will continue as we get along with our Second Semester projects and programs in our schools.

Have you elected officers for the newly established Federation of Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders?

Yes. We have created the Executive Commission and Legislative Commission.

A. Executive Commission

President – Jarvin Jarvis Tamayo (SSC-R Manila)

Vice President – John Floyd Abrico (UNO-R)

Secretary – (SSC-R Canlubang)  

Treasurer – Lester Lastimosa (USJ-R)

Auditor – (SSC-R Cavite)

B. Legislative Commission

House Speaker – Christian Miran (UNO-R)

Pro-tempore – Paul (SSC-R Manila)

How would you describe the Second Augustinian Leadership Conference in Manila?

More than being a UNO-Rian, Sebastinian or Josenian, ARSLC taught us a new identity; we are all bounded to be called RECOLLECT. Aside from SSC-R Canlubang joining, ARSLC in Manila is no different from the first. The 3-day congress was participated by exemplary leaders from Recollect Colleges and Universities in the country.

The first day was purposely created to welcome the delegates. A mass at the Basilica of San Sebastian was celebrated and welcome dinner followed to finally kick off the event. The 2nd day was designed to nurture the Recollect identity within each participant.

To finally realize the aspirations of the congress, the core group (in the case of UNO-R, Kim Valdez and John Floyd Abrico) that was elected last year established the 2013 Federation of Augustinian Recollect Student Leaders (FARSL) Constitution. The plenary session on the third day was filled with debates and arguments to scrutinize the provisions of the said constitution. With the unanimous decision of the body, the session ended up ratifying the constitution.

Elections of the Federation Officers then followed and culmination activity was prepared.

Is there any plan for the Third Augustinian Leadership Conference?

This is one thing that I am very proud. UNO-R will be hosting the 3^rd ARSLC.

Your final message as UNO-RSSGO President.

As the National Vice President of the Federation, I look forward on building bridges among the Recoletos schools in the country. My ultimate desire is that the congress be not limited to student leaders alone but to students as well through effective programs of each Recoletos Student Government in the country. I am humbled that our school will be hosting the first action planning of the Student Government Presidents this third week of November. With this step, I am hopeful that best practices and culture will be shared through one another.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos Courtesy of Kim Valdez

ARSL CONGRESS 2013 UNO-R DELEGATES

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS to the organizers, FARSL Officers, host Recollect school and all delegates for the success of the Second ARSLC 2013!

See you all next year in the Third ARSLC in UNO-R, Bacolod City.

Soar high Augustinian Recollect Youth Leaders!