by: Samantha Macabit || Photo Credits: PSHS-EVC Comelec

The Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared the set of newly elected Student Alliance (SA) officers for the upcoming school year on their official Facebook page last Wednesday, June 8.  

For this year’s SAGE, two parties, namely Student Leaders Advocating for Youth Empowerment (SLAY) Party and Well-being, Enrichment, Linkages, Communication, Openness, Management and Empowerment (WELCOME) Party, campaigned over the course of nine days, from May 29 to June 6, as they aspired to be the future student alliance of PSHS-EVC.  

The campaign period concluded with the live presentation of the Miting de Avance and Debate was conducted last June 6 which involved segments such as presentation of platforms, and interviews from the school publications (SciNet and An Pukot), Townhall, Cross-Examination, and Fast Talk.  

The elections were then held virtually the following day, June 7, with the voting open until 5 o’clock in the afternoon.  

Garnering a range of 53% to 67% of the votes, the entire SLAY Party obtained spots in the SA: Kendra Leigh Osias for President, Alchris Marie Ceballos for Vice-President, Ranya Ecaldre for Secretary, Patricia Niña Galapon for Treasurer, Franze Christian Go for Auditor, and Ivory Dawn Castro for P.I.O. 

In an interview, each of the winning candidates expressed their excitement and gratitude to be given the responsibility to become the face and leaders of the student body.  

“The overall experience was nerve-wracking, but at the same time fun, because I knew I was surrounded by people I can trust,” Castro said. 

Go mentioned how it felt like an emotional rollercoaster due to the exhaustion from academic requirements, agitation because it was his first time running, and excitement on account of his desire to serve the student body. 

“I am proud that we were able to overcome all of those despite the tight schedules of campaigning simultaneously with examinations,” Galapon stated. 

Meanwhile, Ecaldre stressed that the whole thing was tiring, but worth it because of the multiple friendships formed and lessons learned.  

“During our term, the students could look forward to a more active academic year,” Ceballos emphasized. 

Osias explained how they want to empower the student body by giving them a voice and to become the type of leader that can accommodate the students’ needs through prioritizing their welfare with everything the SA intends to do. 

“All in all, I think the best way to describe what we’re feeling right now is: ready. Ready for what’s to come, ready for the responsibilities, and ready to serve the student body to the best of our ability,” Osias added.