RECOGNIZING SAN BEDA University’s (SBU) Student Organization Circle (SOC), the Office of the Prefect of Student Activities (OPSA) of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) spearheaded the “Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat” at the Abbot Lopez Hall, June 21.
“The Parangal at Pasasalamat originated way back in the 1980s during the leadership of then-OPSA Mr. Ricardo Palo who was one of the faculty of the Department of Entrepreneurship,” said Prof. Marvin R. Reyes Ph.D., the Prefect of the Student Activities.
The event began with the opening remarks from guest host, Mr. Derrick Monasterio, who reiterated the institutional theme for Academic Year 2023-2024 as “A Synodal Culture Through Prayer and Integral Education” alongside OPSA’s theme, “Pansambayanan at Pansimbahang Pagdarasal sa Edukasyon.”
Next, Mr. Enrique Louise Bonete, former Student Council (SC) Treasurer, and Ms. Liezel D. Rodriguez, RGC, the Director of the Admissions and Placement Center (APC), introduced the rationale of the event, which was to recognize student organizations who have “displayed exemplary performances.”
In line with this, Prof. Reyes stated in an interview that it is “not only an output of the Organization Selection Evaluation (OSE) but also the records of different organizations–how they performed, how they came up with this activity and how it gave a big impact to the University and society.”
Several awards were then given to various student organizations. Notable recognitions included the Best Religious Activity given to “Koinonia: Visita Isglesia Year 2,” spearheaded by the San Beda Red Lens (SBRL) and the Bedan Pastoral Ministry (BPM). BPM was also awarded as the winner for Best Cultural Activity in the Santacruzan 2023
“Katutubong Puno Relaunch Campaign” devised by the San Beda Junior Marketing Association (SBJMA) and Kapisanang Agham ng San Beda (KASB) was recognized as the Most Responsive to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Moreover, the Best Digital Activity was awarded “LM Mo Na Ba: A Podcast” by the Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC).
Finally, the Best Digital Publication Materials were once again awarded to SBJMA through their “The Marketing E-Link Volume 2.”
Then, the awarding of SOC’s best Non-Professional Organizations were ranked order: SBRL, Bedan Business Spectrum (BBS), Bedan Advocacy and Consciousness Enhancement Society (BACES), Social Sciences and Humanities Association (SSHA) and BPM.
Dr. Reyes stated that the criteria used for the awarding was devised seven years ago. However, he expressed his intent to revise it, saying “We will have a meeting first with the Student Council and right after that we will release the new criteria that will be followed by the organizations.”
Aside from Student Organizations, the success of Bedan athletes was also recognized by Assoc. Prof. Diosdado Aler III, PhD, the Head of the Athletics Office, and Ms. Chriselle Tamares, the newly elected Vice President for External Affairs.
The teams were ranked as follows: San Beda Red Lions, Red Booters, Red Sea Lions Men’s Division, Red Sea Lions Women’s Division, Red Smashers Men’s Division and Red Smashers Women’s Division.
Afterwards, the top five Professional Organizations were ranked as follows: SBJMA, San Beda Economics Society (SBES), JBLC, KASB, and Junior Financial Management Association (JFINMA).
Moving forward, for the next “Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat,” Prof. Reyes challenged this year’s SOC that it is “not about the number of trophies that you receive but the quality of how you are being acknowledged by the institution based on your hard work as an organization.”
Additionally, he said that “it is now high time for each organization to heighten and broaden their concept of conducting activities. It is not just the idea of conducting an activity but is more on the idea of having a quality activity.”