by Andrea Ross Sedero and Maan Deuda
True to CASS’ mantra, the College of Arts and Social Sciences Executive Council (CASS-EC), along with the Psychology Society, Political Science Society (PSS), and the MSU-IIT Historical Society (MIHS) exemplified the embodiment of this principle as they were recognized as recipients of the Gawad Serbisyo Award last August 16, for their exceptional service and initiatives for the student body throughout academic year, 2023-2024.
Through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Services (OVCSS) and the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS), this awarding ceremony was hosted by the Kataastaasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA), led by outgoing President Chester Laurie Tagacay, a fellow CASS Arachnid who also received the Gawad Serbisyo award in recognition of his service and commitment.
“It gave me great pleasure and honor to present CASS EC. I recall the time we spent organizing everything for the CASS students to ensure they had unforgettable experiences, such [as] planning the various events held there, [particularly] the hard labor, sacrifices, effort, and sweat during Palakasan 2024,” Outgoing CASS Governor Arianne Sanchez shared, reflecting on her feelings upon receiving the Gawad Serbisyo Award.
Sanchez expressed her immense joy and pride in her constituency, noting their success in achieving their goal of bringing together the societies. Reflecting on the previous academic year, she cited CASS Days and Palakasan 2024 as pivotal events that tested and demonstrated her council’s leadership and unity.
Moreover, the outgoing CASS Governor acknowledged that, although it was a shame they did not qualify as one of the top-performing organizations due to compliance issues, the true value of their efforts was reflected in the appreciation of CASS students. She stated that this recognition served as a testament to the efforts they showed to strengthen connections within CASS and their commitment as the CASS-EC to support the students throughout their term.
“In all honesty, I don’t really put much importance on Gawad Serbisyo awards nor do I impose them to our society; never in my whole term did I instill in them to be motivated for such an award because I know that our motivation solely came from our own will and passion to serve. Thus, for me, I saw the Award as a bonus,” Former Psychology Society Mayor Geonela Maris Lorenzo underscored, noting her thoughts of receiving the distinction for their society.
Lorenzo pointed out that she felt overjoyed for her society upon receiving the email from OSDS that they were one of the recipients of the award, acknowledging the significant hard work that went into achieving it. Reflecting on the previous academic year, she specified their initiatives during World Mental Health Month, their donation drive for Bahay Pag-Asa, and Camp Psyche as the most memorable events of her term.
Furthermore, the former PsychSoc Mayor expressed her confidence that the first Gawad Serbisyo Award received by their society would positively influence future administrations to engage in more community work and activities aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the criteria set out by the OSDS. She highlighted the award’s importance in recognizing and connecting all MSU-IIT organizations, stressing that valuing both large and small groups is essential for fostering good governance and creating positive change.
“I think this is the first time that the institute conducted this series of events that recognizes the students’ achievements not just in the field of leadership but also in sports and in the academe, most especially. However, aside from being glad about it, I was also expecting that there will be [more] means like announcing the incentivization processes of the student leaders, more so giving the facilities that they need,” Former PSS Prime Minister Mark Shayvin Serrano emphasized, recalling the thoughts he had when he found out their society was a recipient of the Gawad Serbisyo award.
Serrano elaborated that the Gawad Serbisyo Award could serve as a forum for all student leaders. He believed this platform would allow them to not only celebrate successes from past events but also reflect collectively on what has transpired both positively and negatively within their organizations. Furthermore, he stressed that the true value of the award lies in its role as a reality check that acknowledges the need for continued advocacy for better accessibility and support for student councils to perform effectively within the institution.
While recognition is significant for organizations that have put in considerable effort, the former PSS Prime Minister also stated that such recognition serves as a reminder that more needs to be done. He noted that it is not just about the award itself but about using the recognition to drive further impactful events, and create avenues for accessible facilities, accessible resources, and the control of student-generated ideas and topics. “As the first Gawad Serbisyo, I think criteria should really go into not just merely recognizing but really scrutinizing the efficiency of each of the activities, not just for the sake of having an activity but really creating huge impacts,” he added.
PSS’ notable initiatives from the previous academic year included a series of social-related and current events. Under last year’s administration, they aimed to put an example of how activism should be integrated into the academic environment at MSU-IIT, aiming to revive activism not just on social media but also in real-world settings to engage more people in discussions. They organized forums in collaboration with various offices at MSU-IIT, such as the Institute for Policy Innovation and Leadership (IPIL), and other centers like the Center for Human Rights and Sustainable Development, as well as the Leadership Management and Governance and Public Management.
“Truth be told, we are just immensely humbled to be given this recognition. We never really anticipated getting anything in return—MIHS’ goal is to ensure that history has a broader reach and that our country’s unique stories and identity are amplified. We were just striving to be an effective vessel for that goal; and hence, being awarded is just truly humbling,” Former MIHS Mayor Irah Shiene Guiang expressed, noting how it felt when their society received the Gawad Serbisyo award.
Recalling the memorable initiatives during her term, Guiang highlighted their exhibit on Martial Law, titled “MARTIAL LAW AT 51: ASA SILA ATO, ASA TA KARON.” Reflecting on her role as mayor and a history student, she noted that the exhibit allowed them to apply their historical knowledge practically and showcased the unique strengths of their program and society, particularly their commitment to preserving and highlighting the stories and realities of the past.
“Genuinely, I believe that this award empowers members of our society to actively push through more programs. Even though recognition and awards are not exactly the end goal and ultimate reason to execute programs— these, however, nurtures the students’ morale, boost confidence, and validates the hard work and effort given by this society,” the former MIHS Mayor emphasized.
Outgoing KASAMA President Chester Tagacay, a BA Sociology major recognized for his role as the head of the highest governing student body, reflected that his tenure had been characterized by a steadfast commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of students. He viewed receiving the Gawad Serbisyo Award as a testament to this dedication, considering it his foremost contribution to the community.
“Receiving the Gawad Serbisyo award [was] a profoundly fulfilling experience, particularly as it marked the inaugural ceremony organized by the university to honor student-led organizations. Such acknowledgment not only celebrates individual achievements but also fosters a culture of appreciation and motivation within the university community,” he highlighted, reflecting on how he felt upon being one of the recipients of the award.
Furthermore, the outgoing KASAMA President described the inaugural Gawad Serbisyo 2024 as a significant recognition of the outstanding contributions made by student-led organizations and leaders. He pointed out that the award not only celebrates individual and collective achievements but also promotes a culture of excellence and leadership among students. According to Tagacay, such awards are crucial for inspiring ongoing commitment to service and engagement within the academic community, as well as spark collaboration and social responsibility.
The 2024 Gawad Serbisyo was a key part of MSU-IIT’s Welcoming Week 2024, aimed at recognizing the performance, dedication, and contributions of student-led councils, societies, and organizations from the previous academic year. This event was part of a series of recognition ceremonies, including the Gawad Alampat for student-artists, the Outstanding MSU-IIT Athletes Recognition (OMAR) Awards for student-athletes, and the Bantogen Honors Society for students who demonstrated consistent academic excellence.
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