ABSC 2022-2023

Athena's Quest Wave 1 & 2

September 13 - 17, 2022

The Artlets Student Council (ABSC), as the sole representative of the Artlets Student Body, has continuously produced great service from excellent student-leaders and harmonious connection with the Artlets community. In pursuit of this, the council has conducted the first wave of its annual recruitment entitled “Athena’s Quest” to begin the search for the next student-leaders who will take lead and serve the Artlets community. The Athena’s Quest: Wave 1 included the recruitment of executive coordinators, executive associates, directors, and co-directors. The recruitment process included the following: (1) Accomplished Google Application Forms, (2) Listed Requirements, (3) Interview Schedules through Zoom Meeting or Google Meet, and (4) Application Results.

To carry on with the molding of outstanding student-leaders for the Artlets community, the Artlets Student Council (ABSC) has conducted the second wave of its annual recruitment entitled “Athena’s Quest”. The Athena’s Quest: Wave 2 included the recruitment of staff members and filled-up empty positions in each committee. The recruitment process included the following: (1) Accomplished Google Application Forms, (2) Listed Requirements, (3) Interview Schedules through Zoom Meeting or Google Meet, and (4) Application Results.

AB SWIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

October 13, 2022 

The Artlets Student Council (ABSC) provided an online general assembly for Students With Irregular Schedules (SWIS) to guide and empower the AB SWIS Community, especially since they face greater difficulties with academics, emotions, and mental health due to the online learning system. The event’s main objective was to provide the AB SWIS Community a preview of the projects and opportunities that the council has to offer. The event also includes interacting, effectively communicating, and uplifting the AB SWIS community. In line with this, the ABSC has been the driving force behind the event entitled “ABility to Transcend: SWIS General Assembly 2022,” which was held last October 13, 2022, via the cloud meeting platform Zoom.

AB ORG FAIR

September 19 - 24, 2022

Through the years, the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) has been continuously honing compassionate, competent, and committed student leaders serving within and beyond the bounds of the university. As the home of diverse programs and cultures, various student organizations representing different advocacies have emerged with a unified goal of providing the Artlets community with an opportunity to express their extracurricular skills by partaking in the growing Thomasian-Artlets leaders from each interest organization every academic year. 

The tradition of having the AB Organization Fair at the beginning of every academic year is one of the most anticipated activities of the faculty as all Artlets are gathered to celebrate diversity and are encouraged to participate in any recognized AB interest organizations.

Debunking the "Golden Age": The Martial Law Press Conference

October 26 - 27, 2022

Debunking the "Golden Age": The Martial Law Online Press Conference is a two-day commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines. The event was held on October 26, 2022, until October 27, 2022.

The first day featured a press conference regarding the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation in the country. And the second day launched the campaign to fight disinformation, an allegiance to upholding the truth amidst fake news. 

This event was initiated in response to the growing problem of disinformation and its relation to the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law. The council recognizes the need for a truth campaign where misconceptions are debunked and academics are given a platform to discuss their ideas. 

ABeyond Elections 2022: The Role of the Youth Beyond the Works of Ballots

October 28, 2022

ABeyond Elections 2022: The Role of the Youth Beyond the Works of Ballots is a student-led initiative that was held through a webinar that emphasized the importance of youth participation in progressive politics and its active role in the rising societal issues. It addressed the first 100 days of the elected president and discuss the issues that have arisen since then. It aimed to remind the youth that the election is not the end; instead, it is a chance for all of us to continue to uphold and promote being true to the principles and values we believe the nation needs. Furthermore, to take action in pursuing a renewed hope for the country’s post-national elections.

LinksIn: ABounding with Opportunities 

November 26, 2022

As the graduating students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas find their journey coming to a close after this year, the Council has initiated to aid in their growth as they move onto a new chapter of their life–adulthood and work, and proposed a webinar workshop on personal marketing skills and competencies that an individual already has or skill sets they can enhance. This was a two-day webinar workshop, but these event objectives are only specified for Day 1. By providing essential discussions on the outward features and commodifiable skills of soon-to-be workers, we promote the future of the global economy and society in the hands of our students. Additionally, we further improve the socio-cultural status of Filipinos in the near future by being knowledgeable of the roles of different jobs. As we entrust to them our future, let us equip them with lessons and competencies. Not only will it benefit the external competencies, but it will also focus on enhancing skills for improving the self, the community, the country, and the world.

ArtLET’s Celebrate! PAWSkong Handog Para Sa Lahat! 

December 12 - 17, 2022

December is the season to spend time with family and friends, along with the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout the years, even during the pandemic, it has been a Filipino tradition for multiple Christmas parties, attending simbang gabi, and one cannot miss ‘pamamasko.’ After all the hard work of the Artlets community for this term, every student deserves to unwind, look back, and remember to value what they have and recollect the season for giving– Christmas. Thus, last December 2022, the Council presented “ArtLET’s Celebrate! PAWSkong Handog Para Sa Lahat!”. An extraordinary Christmas campaign wherein the Faculty of Arts and Letters students can be inspired and engaged on the discussions of our invited guests, have a chance to win in our Christmas raffle, witness an exceptional performance from our very own UST Chorus of Arts and Letters, and most importantly, a short film viewing about animals, provided by our project partner, PAWSsion Project Foundation Inc., an animal-rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming non-profit organization based in the Philippines, as the focal point of our celebration. 

STRAW Week: ABAKADAPAT KANG MAKINIG?!

February 21, 2023

As one of the means to exemplify the established aspirations of the council, the ABSC Academic Affairs Committee concluded the project entitled, “STRAW Week: ABAKADAPAT KANG MAKINIG?!,” a podcast series which was launched on Spotify during the ABSC STRAW Week dated on February 21, 2023. 

The project envisioned to provide a deeper understanding of the importance and purpose of the committee, not only in AB but also in the university and its entirety. In addition, the podcast endeavors to recognize and promote student leadership which is crucial in making every student aware of their rights and welfare

STRAW Week: Through the Looking Glass of Critical Service by Artlets for Artlets

February 22, 2023

AB Model Congress was the culminating activity of the Policy Affairs Committee, the Artlets Student Council's policy-making body, launched on February 22, 2023, from 9:30 AM to 12:15 PM during the ABSC - STRAW Week via Zoom Conference. It centered around promoting and mechanizing student advocacy through policy formulation. This event aimed to highlight the importance of the student's contribution to the holistic development of their community. Also, AB Model Congress sought to provide a platform to forward students' advocacies through the skills imperative in creating robust and sound policy as they learn the prerequisites for formalizing their concerns and petitions into a well-written and established policy. 

STRAW Week: Through the Looking Glass of Critical Service by Artlets for Artlets

February 23, 2023

This project entitled “ABSC STRAW Week: Through the Looking Glass of Critical Service by Artlets for Artlets” is a student-led initiative that was held through an online assembly meeting that aimed to hear and address the student body’s concerns and grievances as well as to present the Grievance Affairs Committee’s service to the student body. It occurred last February 23, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

It discussed the surveyance of students on the Grievance Affairs Committee in terms of response rate and guidance checking. The event also served as the accountability check of the committee.

The LinksIn: Cultivating Real World Excellence Volume 2

April 15, 2023

 As the graduating students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas find their journey coming to a close after this year, the Council has initiated to aid in their growth as they move onto a new chapter of their life–adulthood. The LinksIn: Cultivating Real World Excellence Volume 2, which occurred last April 15, 2023, was the continuation and served as the Day 2 of the LinksIn Volume 1. This webinar addressed decision-making skills in looking for internships to improve their job preparedness and greatly assisted them in discovering their genuine passion aside from seeing it as just another component of their college grades. This webinar served as their first step in acknowledging their capabilities since it emphasized how to maximize their chances based on their skills and interests while seeking out or working in internships at various workplaces for them to use these when they enter the workforce after graduation. This encouraged our students to make strategic decisions about their career paths after graduation and how to take advantage of new possibilities as they emerge in the corporate world.