27/04/2026
๐๐ข๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ถ๐น๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ต๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐, ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐น๐ฒ ๐ด๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ธ๐๐ฟ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ
By Joella Nicole Faeldonea
Foregrounding their respective advocacies, Kurt Andrei Lozada, Adriane Legislador, Kim Ashley Galfo and Ada Tamia Misplacido presented their platforms and addressed key governance and student concerns during Diskurso 2026 on April 23 at WVSU Quezon Hall.
Lozada, a second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies, emphasized โI-hibaloโ as the core of his platform, advocating political literacy and informed voting among students. He noted that while elections are regularly held, informed voters are not always guaranteed.
Pressed for immediate action amid rising oil prices, Lozada called for broader accountability, stressing that student leaders must also engage in national and community issues.
โWe have the power to call out our governmentโnot just our university administration but also those leading in our community,โ he said.
Meanwhile, Legislador, a second-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Values Education, highlighted his โWest Empoweredโ initiative, which centers on holistic character development beyond leadership training. He underscored the importance of moral formation, noting that character cannot simply be legislated.
On redevelopment concerns affecting vendors, he pushed for a human-centered approach that prioritizes marginalized sectors over institutional interests.
โWe should begin not by acting on the interests of the state at the highest levels, but by looking at the interests of the peopleโthe ordinary citizens,โ he said.
Galfo, a third-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English, underscored Project CORE, which aims to strengthen student organizations through workshops for core committees, improved access to resources and streamlined permit processing in coordination with university offices.
โI bring with me my competence in leadership along with my platform,โ he said.
Addressing controversies during last yearโs graduation ceremonies, Galfo took a firm stance against reports of verbal harassment and emphasized student welfare.
โI will not tolerate any form of comments, especially those directed at our students,โ he said, adding that such concerns could have been addressed through proper communication with those directly involved. He stressed that university leaders should prioritize student welfare.
Misplacido, a second-year Bachelor of Special Needs Education-EST student, meanwhile, introduced her platform โArangkada,โ which focuses on preparing students for college through academic support and resource provision, emphasizing that preparation involves not only learning but also access to opportunities and resources.
When questioned about her lack of council experience, Misplacido defended her leadership background, asserting that service extends beyond formal positions.
โMy credentials speak for themselves. My leadership and service in this university, in the community and beyond have been evident,โ she said, while also calling for stronger institutional support for student welfare, access to education and student rights.
The campaign period runs from April 20 to 28, with a grand rally set for April 28. The University Student Council elections will be held from May 4 to 8, 2026.
Photos by Shameekah Ariluv Berboso and Ericka Maria Danielle Jalandoni
