The assembly commenced with the Parade of Dignitaries, introducing the university’s deans, executives, governors, and society mayors, alongside KASAMA officials and ALAB, the university mascot. The entrance of the university colors was followed by a performance from the Fantastic Singer Champions, setting a vibrant tone for the gathering.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Rohane M. Derongan, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Student Services, extended a warm welcome to the students and encouraged them to look out for one another. She remarked on the vibrant energy of the gathering and reflected on the “magic of friendship,” emphasizing that within a university as diverse and dynamic as MSU-IIT, friendship is not something conjured by a spell but something cultivated through connection, kindness, compassion, and the willingness to be there for one another.
The conversation then turned toward leadership through the keynote address of Mx. Jovan R. Virtudazo, University Student Leadership 2026 Awardee and outgoing Governor of College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS).
Virtudazo challenged the notion that leadership is a product of comfort or prestige, instead framing it as a response to the desire for change. “You can’t wait for someone else. Step up and build it,” Virtudazo urged.
Drawing from the realities of student life, particularly for those studying away from home, Virtudazo also reflected on the independence that college can cultivate. Yet even amid that independence, students are reminded that they do not have to navigate the path alone. Leadership, as emphasized in the address, is rarely glamorous; it is shaped by the meaning given to one’s actions and by the people one chooses to serve.
The program then featured the presentation of the outgoing administration’s semester accomplishments and financial report, highlighting the work undertaken during the preceding term. Mx. IIT 2026 Elson John Bagasol from the College of Education (CED) presented the administration’s accomplishments, followed by Hon. Dave Andrei Garbanzos and Hon. Sorayah Laut, who presented the KASAMA for IITians 2026 Accomplishments and Financial Report.
The transition to the incoming administration followed through the Inaugural Address of Hon. Janmel Bordios, KASAMA President for Academic Year 2026–2027. Centering his address on representation, institutional support, and accountability.
Bordios emphasized the importance of ensuring that student concerns find their way into institutional discussions. He expressed his commitment to an administration that listens and responds to the student body, while underscoring that leadership carries the responsibility of remaining accountable to those it represents. Bordios closed his message with a reminder: “Lead without forgetting who we serve.”
An Open Forum then followed, providing a space for dialogue between the student body and university representatives.
The program eventually shifted from governance to celebration through the College Showcase and Introduction of College Icons and Chants. Each college brought its own character to the assembly through its respective icon and chant: the College of Economics, Business and Accountancy’s (CEBA) Griffin, College of Education’s (CED) Phoenix, College of Science and Mathematics’ (CSM) Lynx, College of Engineering’s (COE) Abo Roar, College of Health Sciences’ (CHS) Shark, College of Computer Studies’ (CCS) Katriel, and the CASS’ Arachnid. For CASS, the Arachnid stood as more than a college emblem; it became a vibrant expression of the college’s identity, a point of pride, and a reflection of the collective spirit of its students.
The chants filled the venue with renewed energy, with freshmen enthusiastically joining in and experiencing firsthand the distinct spirit of their respective college communities. Their excitement added a youthful dimension to the gathering, transforming the formal proceedings into a lively celebration of belonging and collective pride.
The assembly concluded with the closing remarks of Hon. Aethaza Prym Talaid, Chairperson of the General Assembly Committee.
More than a formal gathering to mark the start of the semester, the KASAMA General Assembly brought together the different dimensions of student life—leadership, representation, friendship, and community. Amid the speeches, performances, and vibrant chants, it offered a reminder that university life is shaped not only by the spaces that students belong to, but hopefully by the people who choose to lead, listen, and grow alongside them as well.
Written by Tresha De Villa
Proofread by Harris Donmoen Iligan
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