The Official Newsletter of AIESEC IG University of Santo Tomas March 2014

THE A WORDKeeping the AIESECers On the Loop

AIESEC - UST carries out successful TLXPSBy Dayanara Cudal

AIESEC – UST held its first ever leadership semi-nar titled “Thomasian Leadership Experience Summit” (TLXPS) last 22nd of February at the Beato Angelico Building (BAB). One of the no-table speakers in the event included Niccolo Cosme, world renowned photographer, and founder of Project Head-shot Clinic, who shared with the audience how one can turn dreams into reality. As Cosme noted, confidence and trusting one’s self will always be key elements in success, pointing out he started as a ‘promdi’ smalltime photographer himself. “Don’t keep your ideas to your-self. Cultivate it, share it,” Cosme noted. From ‘Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me’ to ‘It’s Not That Complicated,’ two-time Carlos Palanca

Memorial Awards for Lit-erature winner Eros Ata-lia graced TLXPS with his unending wit and un-sweetened yet truthful advices. The BAB AVR roared with laughter as Atalia delivered his crazy antics but he also hinted a sense of truth to the delegates saying that, ““Hindi mo traba-hong ipakilala ang sarili mo sa kanila. Ang traba-ho mo, gawin ang best mo para sa sarili mo.” Kimberly Tiam-Lee, an Architecture alumna and a budding entre-preneur who founded ‘Pulseras by Kim,’ an on-line shop that custom-izes bracelets, empha-sized the power of the youth especially in this fast-changing world. Lee also noted that being young is a privilege one should maximize in order to develop one’s self; this included embracing

LCONFIDENCE IS KEY. Cosme as he answers questions in the panel dis-cussion. Photo by Dayanara Cudal

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change and learning from mistakes. Advocacy speakers Bodoy Oquiñera of Gawad Kalinga, Ryan Jopia of Greenpeace, and Joseph Dela Cruz of Philippine Red Cross de-livered detailed and engaging dis-cussions on how their own organi-zations are slowly reaching out to Filipino people who are in need. The whole day event, hosted by Towpy Tejano and Mayan Ura, fostered aspiring Thomasian leaders from various fac-ulties and colleges of the University. “Attended #TWonTLXPS! In-spired to serve and be the best leader I could be!” Racel Evange-lista, a Psychology major, tweeted.Behind the Event TLXPS, which was spearheaded by the Organizing Committee (OC) composed of Pauline Uy (OC Presi-dent), Stephanie Yap (OC Vice Presi-dent for Programs), Euel Raza (OC Vice President B2B), Fi Canon (OC Vice President for Finance), Vinny Lamorena (OC for Public Relations), Marc Ching (OC for Technicals), Mavi Villegas (OC and Mimi Apostol (OC Vice President Creatives), engaged

AIESEC - UST carries out successful TLXPS

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LAUGHTER AND TRUTH. Atalia as he discusses the theme of ‘Thinking Outside The Box. Photo by Dayanara Cudal

the nearly 500 delegates in a leadership emersion through the AIESEC way. “I’m happy that TLXPS became a success with the Thomasian delegates. [W]e had speakers having comedic [approaches] and yet a [meaningful] talk to better understand our-selves,” Marc Ching said. “Even if we were delayed a week after the original date, I appreci-ated every Thomasian [who] still came to the summit,” Ching added. OCVP for Finance, Fi Canon, said that, “TLXPS was an avenue for all of us to improve and develop our leadership, social, and

personal skills. We heard stories from various re-spected speakers in their fields to inspire and moti-vate us but it is our deci-sions and our actions that will lead us closer and maybe beyond what they have achieved and one day be an inspiration to others. TLXPS is not just an event but an experience we can all learn from.” The day-long fo-rum immersed Thomasian delegates in real-life ap-plications of the AIESEC way through exposure of platforms motivated by global competence for the betterment of the Philippine society.

MAXIMIZING ONE’S YOUTH. Tiam-Lee as she encourag-es the youth of today to be empowered and do more. Photo by Dayanara Cudal

HELPING HAND. Ryan Jopia of Green-peace engages the delegates in active participation. Photo by Dayanara Cudal

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Summer kick-offBy Giorla Pauline Negre

Brace yourselves a kick-off of your summer! AIESEC in the Philip-pines, hosting this year’s Asia-Pacific Conference, prepares

big time for one of the grand-est celebration of the year! APC, is a week-long eventful feast of leadership. We do hope you signed-

up for all the awesome events prepared by our be-loved OCs and MCEB! Here is the list of the happenings you wouldn’t want to miss:

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1. International Youth Leaders Conference - Friday, March 212. Asia-Pacific Global Vil-lage – Saturday, March 223. Asia-Pacific Youth to Business Forum – Monday, March 244. Asia-Pacific Experience Leadership Summit – Tues-day - Friday, March 25-28 First three events will be held at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier in Taguig City; while APXLDS will be at Island Cove Hotel

and Leisure Park in Cavite. We might have big events bannering in front of you but, our own AIESEC IG UST is having a year-ender Awards Night this coming March 29 at Centerstage To-mas Morato. It is to look back in the term that is about to end and look forward to the incoming greater heights ahead of us. Join us and start your summer right! The Talent Management department is now pre-selling tickets.

AIESEC Phes is also preparing for the annual Strategic Conference. Strat-Con2014, entitled “Ready for Glory,” has an exciting theme organized for every-one! There’s no other way than to start the term this April 10-13 with the national team. What’s more is that it will be in a beach setting, nowhere else but in Matabungkay Beach Hotel, Batangas. Sign-ups are still open until April 6! What are you waiting for?

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AIESEC-UST AWARDS NIGHT

03.29.2014Save the date!

LCEB 14-15 NOW COMPLETE

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LCEB 14-15 NOW COMPLETE

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LCEB 14-15 now completeBy Giorla Pauline Negre

From the proclama-tion of Bernadette Aquino as our Local Committee Presi-dent –elect, she has long been waiting for her team to be complete. As we come nearer to the end of term 2013-2014, we welcome the new set of Executive Board of our Local Committee. Get to know our leaders for the

incoming term 2014-2015! These brave souls en-dured the deadly application kits presented last January 28, nerve-wracking convocations held last February 1 and of course, the ever terrifying selec-tion pool interview. The official announcement of the LCVPs last February 11 was success-ful with the traditional AIESEC

way, the pouring of water. 8 out of the 10 the Vice-Presidential candidates made it into selection pool and only 6 made it into the final cut. Out-going Exchange department made a special exception for their LCVP was appoint-ed after the announcement of the Executive Board.

LCPe, Bernadette Anne P. Aquino, College of Commerce and Business Administration, BS Business Economics

“For our term, I’m looking forward for a bonded EB work-ing towards a common goal, to bring AIESEC IG UST in greater excellence and greater heights. Also, I’m looking forward that we will be able to develop more leaders who strongly deliver the impact of AIESEC in our world. With this ambition in mind, we can expect a better branding and awareness of AIESEC in the Thomasian community.”

LCVPe FLA, Chad Jorel V. Hernandez, College of Com-merce and Business Administration, BS Business Economics

“I'm looking forward to more activities and projects that will help us reach our plans that will make our LC excel in and out of UST and make us a cohesive organization.”

LCVPe MaC, Pauline Anne O. Alarcio, Facul-ty of Arts and Letters, AB English Language Studies

“I am expecting to engage more externals in joining AIESEC as well as to have more events. More importantly, I am look-ing forward to complete participation among members.”

LCVPe TM, Patricia Regina O. Nucum, Fac-ulty of Engineering, BS Industrial Engineering “I’m looking forward to recruiting new members from the UST community.”

“What are you looking forward to your term and what should we expect from the whole EB?

Their answers will let us get a sneak peak of what lies ahead this coming term!

LCVPe iGCDP-TNs, Arianne Francheska S. Moya, Faculty of Engineering, BS Industrial Engineering

“I'm expecting that we would become full member non-voting (at least) by next term and AIESEC org room.”

LCVPe iGCDP-Projects, Anne Kathleen S. Vi-cho, Faculty of Arts and Letters, AB Journalism

“I'm looking forward to working with capable people in creating con-crete and sustainable projects that will leave an impact to the so-ciety and expect that you 14-15 EB will work to-gether as one in trying to achieve a better AIESEC brand in the University.”

Question:

LCVPe OGX, Marie Bea-trice D. Mendoza, Col-lege of Education, BE Pre-School Education

“I'm looking forward to the new experiences I'll be facing whether good or bad. I'm also looking forward to gain-ing knowledge not just from my co-EBs but also from our LC itself.”

Success of the incoming term will not be possible if we don’t do our part as members of the organization. The Executive Board is just a tool to greater heights but doing your part, and get-ting involved, through our little ways, we will leave a remarkable AIESEC IG UST term 2014-2015!

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OPINION

Outside Looking InOPINIONBy Vinz Luanne Lamorena

Being part of AIESEC is not just a privilege. But such prestige membership also en-tails a huge responsibility. Every single member has this unspo-ken accountability to do well in their every endeavour, may it be within the organization or not, simply because the world knows they are part of AIESEC and the world is well aware of how AIESECers should be. Even though the AIESEC brand is yet to be strongly es-tablished in UST, local com-mittee members should have enough knowledge about the organization’s values and vision to be able to rep-resent it well to externals. Inevitably, with such awareness, it will always be a delight when one is able to make stakeholders appreci-ate what AIESEC stands for and its unique capacity to mobilize the youth. It is noth-ing short of fulfilling to witness them see and understand why the organization exists, why you are part of it, and why you want it to be known by the rest of the generation. Working with Nuffnang, the first and largest blogging advertising company in the Asia Pacific region, they have come to know AIESEC in a professional dimension and noted that it is one of the most organized, coordinated, and innovative pioneer of events. “Is everyone in AIESEC as active in corporate and marketing set-ups? I wasn’t exposed to opportunities like this back in college. You’re basically doing jobs that we get paid for,” Commu-nity Director AJ Yabut said This certain regret of not being able to join the organi-zation is something you should be incapable of relating to

because as you read this, it is assumed you are a proactive member, and because the LC is counting on you to be one. You should also be proud of yourself for having availed of an opportunity unknown to oth-ers, so make sure you are able to maximize it symbiotically. The upholding of profes-sionalism as an innate AIESEC value is also important. Every-one else in this organization is a student – which leaves you with no valid excuse not to fulfil the role you have signed up for. Responsibilities in this organization are not the easi-est to live up to but they to sum up to the best learning experiences one could have. In many encounters with GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications Incorporate (GMCI), one of the organiza-tion’s prized national partners, it was always emphasized that AIESECers are admired for their talent and advocacies. Partners have long trusted the organization for developing exemplary individuals who are emphatic to the world’s needs. “Although partner-ing with AIESEC is not a rev-enue generating account, we at GeiserMaclang loveworking with AIESEC be-cause we have the same advocacy blueprint. We do well by doing good; AIESECinitiates youth empower-ment and engagement, emphasizes the importance of leadership and the roleof business in all these,” in-ternationally-awarded co-founder and Marketing Communications innovatorAmor Maclang said. Remember that there is a bigger purpose in what you do. Aside from being the “funnest, bestest, and

smartest” bunch of young-bloods as coined by GMCI, it must be underscored that being part of AIESEC isnot limited to fostering cul-tural and deep relation-ships, self-development and skills-enhancement butthe channelling of one’s im-proved and learned self back to the bigger picture of creating a better worldby delivering experi-ences that shape bet-ter people to lead society. We have often lim-ited ourselves to this no-tion of being a “baby LC,” which means settling forcompromise when goals are not met. But we are ca-pable of becoming more than that – as we believe inhuman potential, mem-bers should have the confi-dence to fully embody their AIESEC identity and submitto its demands of alteration and improvement of personal val-ues, exemplary work ethics andperformance, as well as societal awareness and involvement. Our partners and stakeholders believe in us. It is time for us to believe in ourselves, in our localcommittee, and in this or-ganization as a whole. Ask yourself: Do you think you uphold a good brand as a part of this LC in the Phes community? How canAIESEC be perceived in the Phil-ippines and by the Filipino pub-lic through your performance? Ponder on these ques-tions and bear in mind that in AIESEC, we believe that one person crazy enough tochange the world can ac-tually do; which means one member has the capac-ity to alter or hamper thesuccess of this organization too.

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Will You Ever Learn? ByRey Nicolo M. Marcelo

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I would never have thought that I come to the point in think-ing that “I might have learned more from our foreign exchange participants than how much they have learned in here”. I know it may sound selfish, close-minded,

biased, or simply put ‘wrong’. It sort of delivers this kind of a dou-ble-meaning, which may cause misinterpretations in the public. But why is it here (if ever they al-lowed it to be)? What does it mean? Well, let me tell you a story. Not too long ago in the year of 2013, I was assigned to participate and be included in the Incoming Exchange Depart-ment of AIESEC IG UST. Not mak-ing things too long, this depart-ment handles local projects and exchange participants from oth-er countries to participate in the said projects. And this means that we are tasked to babysit foreign-ers and make sure they are safe and are satisfied with their stay and experience here in our coun-try. Except they are not really ba-bies but are college students. And they can practically live on their own, capable of thinking, dress-ing up, eating, travelling, danc-ing, etc., without a nanny. We just make sure that they can. So, it has become part of my responsi-bility as a member of that depart-ment to help in any way possible of handling our babysitting sub-

jects. I just want to call it babysit-ting, it is not really literal babysit-ting, to those who do not get my ridiculous humour. Anyway, it all started when I met one of the first EP’s I will encounter in our quest to get him from the airport to the

place where he will be staying. I would not like to include names for I might forget some. So to be all fair to every EP’s I’ve met, I shall not include names. So the story started like this. It was such a tragic battle of trying to figure out how to get to the airport with the least expense possible and the fastest way possible. Knowing the awesomeness of the traffic flow and weird public transportation destination information here in the streets of our capital, we were

almost doomed. It was actually my first time going to the airport by commuting and not being with a family member. And it was an extremely tiring, upsetting, stress-ing trip and we couldn’t believe we made it. Though this is not the highlight of the story, I wanted to share that this was my first real-life problem-solving scenario in our department and I totally learned a bunch with it. The trip from the airport to the dormitory made up with all the exhaustion. Since it was quite a long trip, of course we have chatted with our EP from Indonesia. Then just by that simple trip, I have learned a lot about In-donesia and Indonesians as we shared stories about our countries. In my case, talking to him was al-most as if having the experience of being in Indonesia. There were no pictures, no videos, no books, just a guy explaining well his coun-try and I felt like I have gotten a free hour trip in their country. When we arrived in the dorm, I have met the other EP’s from China and another one from Indonesia. And almost instantly, I felt like the lobby of that dorm was an Asian version of the U.N. head-quarters. Forgive my extensive and exaggerated imagination, but I guess that is the reason for all these points. Everything else start-ed from there. I am very guilty for becoming almost too attached to this set of EP’s that we had.

We want to welcome our EP’s almost all the time. And a part of that is touring them inside our university campus in UST. I re-ceived a text from another UST AIESECer asking me if I would do the honour of touring the EP’s. And I said yes. So that day came when I walked them around the university I have been studying for three years. What happened next was a landslide of realizations I never have experienced before inside that campus. For I know some of the facts about struc-tures and history of that campus, there was one thing I didn’t know and I wasn’t prepared for: what the EP’s from other countries think about it. I saw the beauty of UST through the eyes of the EP’s. I was supposed to be en-tertaining that time about the school itself. But I knew that I was doing my job well because they were so amazed, more amazed than how I was back then when it was my first time being inside UST. I see this place almost every day for the past three years and I have not seen it this way be-fore. I realized how elegant the design was, how light and free the atmosphere felt like, and how lucky I was that I am study-ing there. When I brought them inside the UST Museum, their ex-citement and awe is something I have never expected. And one of them, a Chinese, told me that they now wish to study there in UST. Knowing the status of our country, of the relationship be-tween Philippines and China, of the corruption, the weather, and everything else, this statement of him went straight to my core. We have failed looking at the beau-ty of our own country. We have been taking things for granted and only looking at the negative moments it gives us. This is why we pity ourselves too much. But we shouldn’t. We live in an extremely wonderful archipelago with an artistically painted history behind us and is so damn capable of be-ing better. I never would have thought that AIESEC will make me love my country even more. But the story doesn’t end there. Shortly after the campus tour, Chinese New Year will be

happening. And our Chinese EP’s have thoughtlessly arranged a New Year party for all of us. They went through all the trouble in preparing for this small celebra-tion and it was the best Chinese New Year I have experienced in my life yet. We were just a few people, most of the attendees are EP’s as some are from the other local committees. This was not just a normal Chinese New Year. It was a Chinese New Year celebrated by Chinese, Filipinos, Indonesians, and Japanese! It was almost like an ASEAN party! I have met a great number of new friends because of this gathering.

Our Chinese EP’s who have ar-ranged this also have prepared a program. They have taught us how to cook dumplings. Sharing their culture, they also told us sto-ries about their New Year beliefs, traditions, and differences within their country. And since we’re talking about AIESEC, we also had a roll call and we danced a few songs. It was a superbly amazing experience from just a simple party. Then I have been hit yet again by realization. It is about how AIESEC makes the world smaller in a fun way. This is a given fact, of course, but it is miles and miles different from how you really experience noticing dif-ferent people from different cul-tures from different countries who had way different lifestyles be-ing in one room, enjoying each other just because they can. It is unbelievable how this can be possible. But it is and it just hap-pened to me. It doesn’t matter

if our countries are not in good terms (government-ly speaking), we can always enjoy the compa-nies of each other if we want to. I learned how it is all a reality, not just a fantasy of those screaming for world peace. World peace ex-ists. And it was right there on that room where we were all together dancing, eating, and chatting. The bond that I have cre-ated with our EP’s became strong and thick, indeed. But somehow, someway, we have to say good-bye. As one by one, they set off on their flights back to their coun-tries, I have never felt such great deal of separation anxiety. But it is

not really farewell, at all. Knowing that you guys have made a lot of reminisce-worthy memories and that you stay as friends is enough to remember that the world exists as a small yet connected place. Now I may say that somewhere in China, Indonesia, and Japan, I have a friend I have danced with. So what’s my point? Why did I say the statement above saying “I might have learned more from the EP’s than how much they have learned here”? It is because, in AIESEC – wherever you are and whatever your situ-ation is, if you are with someone else and whoever it is, you both learn from each other. One may learn more from the other, one may see more things a greater deal than the other, but one thing is very sure: we teach each other, we understand each other, we can dance with each other, and we can love each other. This, la-dies and gentlemen, is AIESEC.

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"AIESEC? Ano yun?" If this statement is famil-iar with you in any way, I am most certain that you have tried desperately to explain what AIESEC is to a Thomasian. Though some people have already been enlight-ened of what AIESEC gen-erally is, as a whole, a large number of Thomasians still have never heard of AIESEC. And why is that? I remember the time my-self when I was ignorant of what AIESEC is. I remember aimlessly walking in Plaza Mayor during R101, randomly pinpointing at org booths in which I may join. With the stroke of luck, I saw AIESEC's booth. The blue and white shades plus Eddie's laid back haircut attracted my wandering soul. Somehow, without me knowing it that time, I had a purpose to fulfill and that was through AIESEC.

But what if I didn't stop and bother at that booth? What if I just passed by it like the other 20 booths that were there? What if I de-cided to not join AIESEC? Life would be so dif-ferent, I can't begin to start. I can't think of not knowing how to memorize a thousand acro-nyms and not mixing them up. I can't think of not loving danc-ing, although naturally I have two left feet. I can't think of not going to conferences and camps and meeting AIESECers not just from different universi-ties, but from other countries as well. I can't think of not writing and receiving sugar cubes as a cheesy way of treasuring new found friendships. I can't think of a better way to activate lead-ership than through AIESEC. A lot of times, people would dismiss AIESEC as an or-ganization for the 'conyos.' Al-

though around 50% true, that isn't what AIESEC is for. We speak English on a daily basis because we constantly have contact with other nationali-ties, and that means English is our common language. A lot of times, people see AIESEC as an organization that only means being a leader. Al-though it is what AIESEC aims for its members, it also teaches the values of confidence, trust, and youth empowerment. The Thomasian commu-nity is one that prioritizes extra curricular activities as a means to develop just social skills, but also personal enhancement. That exactly is what AIESEC is. We just need to pioneer the change today and help our fellow Thoma-sians discover the leader's path; just as everyone of us started as a wandering soul.

Discovering AIESEC

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By Dayanara Cudal

Vinz Luanne LamorenaAIESEC IG UST Newsletter Writer

Rey Nicolo M. MarceloAIESEC IG UST Newsletter Writer

AIESEC IG UST W R I T E R S ‘ P O O L

Therese Marianne EnriquezAIESEC IG UST Newsletter Manager

Giorla Pauline NegreAIESEC IG UST Newsletter Writer

Dayanara CudalAIESEC IG UST Newsletter Writer

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AIESEC IG University of Santo Tomas

THE A WORD | The official newsletter of AIESEC IG UST

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