To be a training ground of scholars who will become leaders of tomorrow.

     That was the reason of the University of Santo Tomas, along with San Beda College, to create a mother organization for all scholars in the Philippines. In line with this, they held the first Philippine Scholars’ Summit last July 12 -14 at the Audio Visual Room in Tan Yan Kee building.

     It was a collaboration between the Becarios de Santo Tomas, the scholars’ association of UST, and the Bedan Scholars’ Guild, an academic organization under the College of Arts and Sciences in San Beda College. The project was headed by Joanna Luz Magno, Vice President for External Affairs of the Becarios de Santo Tomas.

     Fifteen schools attended: De La Salle University-Taft, Far Eastern University-East Asia College, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Mirriam College, University of the East, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities, Philippine Women’s University, San Beda College, University of Santo Tomas, Batangas State University, Aquinas University of Legaspi, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Adamson University, Angeles University Foundation, and the Manila Tytana Colleges or formerly known as the Manila Doctors College. Each school had two to four representatives.

     Kerwin Rey Mayor, former Bedan Scholars’ Guild President and Chairman of the summit’s Election Committee said that the advocacy of the mother organization is to extend more support to Filipino college students in terms of financial support, social awareness, and leadership training.

     National Youth Commissioner Representing Luzon Georgina P. Nava personally expressed her full support in the objective of the scholars and encouraged them to soon join the search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the Philippines. “It never fails to amaze me how youth organizations contribute to our society. More often than not, they are armed with a simple but bold plan, set to do big things even on a shoestring budget,” she said.

     Speakers invited to talk about Nation Building were Atty. Enrique V. dela Cruz Jr., a graduate of AB Legal Management and Law in UST, and Oliver Tuazon, author of the to-be released book this July 27, “No Holds Barred: Questions Young People Ask.” While Alvin P. Ang, PhD, a professor of Economics in UST, and Edmond Corpuz, founder of Black Pencil Project shared their insights about leadership. Eros Atalia, a Carlos Palanca Awardee for Literature and a professor in the Faculty of Arts and Letters, gave an inspirational talk to the scholars on the last day of the summit.

     The delegates reviewed the drafted constitution for the organization which was based on the constitutions of UST, San Beda College, and Technological Institute of the Philippines. The said constitution included 22 articles and a preamble. They also held an election for the Executive Board. The following are the officers for school year 2012-2013: President, Gregg Tolentino (DLSU-Taft); Vice President, Edward Arriba (San Beda College); Secretary General, Brenda Griffon (UST); Assistant Secretary General, Marinel Mamac (DLSU-Taft); Treasurer, Grant Mesa (UE); Assistant Treasurer, Daniel Salunga (MTC); Auditor, Carmina Barbosa (Mirriam College); Assistant Auditor, Rhodson Rivera (FEU-EAC); and Public Relations Officer, Alessandro Martinez (DLSU-CSB).

     Elected President Gregg Tolentino said that his initial plan was to properly form the constitution and from there, pursue an internal structure for the organization. He also planned to set the Philippine Scholars’ Summit either in year-end or in the first term of the academic year of the member universities.

     According to Aaron Nathaniel Baribar, last year’s president of Becarios de Santo Tomas, the idea of building a mother organization was originally from the alumni of their organization. He said in a message, “Our original plan perhaps would [have been to make it] happen during our time, academic year 2011-2012. I was the president of Becarios de Santo Tomas that year, and I delegated Camille Palma this project since she was our external vice president.”

     The preparation for the event started as early as last year, but was only pursued this year. The collaboration between San Beda College and University of Santo Tomas came only two months before the actual summit.

By Mia Mallari and Chleobel Birginias
Photo taken by Eloize Dayanghirang