Article by: Lea Ysabel Q. Evangelista and Kristin Clarisse H. Mateo
While adjusting to the new normal, the Mapúa Council of Organizations (COO) held the annual Organizations’ Week with the theme “AMONG US: Advancing the Mapúa Organizations’ Nifty Guide for University Success” through different online platforms last December 1 to 6, 2020.
Gathering in the lobby
“Honestly, we were not really sure on how we could we make this event possible,” COO President Charisse Brittney Anne I. Vicente shared regarding 2020’s Orgs’ Week. “[Still,] we could not just cancel this annual event so the Mapúa COO decided to adapt and improvise to [the] digital age.”
Despite the unexpected turn that the pandemic has caused, the mobile game “Among Us” encouraged teamwork thrived, and gained popularity. With the popular mobile game as one of their inspirations for this year’s Orgs’ Week, Vicente added that it is also because of “the organizations’ skills on how they adapt to the new normal [and being] resourceful in conducting events even if everything is done online.”
The COO, along with the University’s student organizations, maximized the use of social media sites and video conferencing tools to host the seminars, competitions, and other activities for the Mapúan community.
(Not so) Emergency meeting
Since the celebration was originally planned to be held on the last week of November, some student organizations started their programs earlier than others. The Association of Geologists and Geological Engineers of Mapúa (AGGEM), Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers – Mapúa University Student Chapter (PSSE-MUSC), Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers – MUSC (PICE-MUSC), and Chemistry Society of Mapúa (CHEMSOC) conducted seminars regarding their fields of interests from November 23 to 28. Meanwhile, the Honor Society of Mapúa (HSM) hosted their first Inter-school Organizations Summit during the same week.
After the opening ceremony of the week-long celebration, the rest of the participating student organizations commenced the seminars, virtual gatherings, and other events that they prepared from December 1 to 6. These organizations are:
1. Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers – MUSC (IIEE-MUSC)
2. Physics Society of Mapúa (PSM)
3. Association of Biological Engineers of Mapúa (BioLOGIC)
4. Mapúa Junior Marketing Association (MJMA)
5. Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers – Mapúa Student Chapter (PIIE-MSC)
6. United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines – MUC Intra
7. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. - Mapúa University Student Branch (IEEE-MUSB)
8. Mapúa University – Student Catholic Action (MU-SCA)
9. SHS - Social Sciences Circle – Makati
10. SHS Math Club – Intramuros
11. SHS Science Club – Intramuros
12. MUSHS Social Sciences Circle – Intramuros
13. Junior Philippine Computer Society – Mapúa (JPCS - Mapúa)
14. Mapúa Psychological Society
15. Mapúa Judo Club
16. HSM
17. SHS – The English Club
18. International Construction Project Management Association – MSC (ICPMA-MSC)
19. Engineering through Imagination and Research - Academic Society (EIR-AS)
20. Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies - Transportation Science Society of the Philippines – MSC (EASTS-TSSP-MSC)
Moreover, the Webmasters Guild of Mapúa (WMG) held multiple e-sports tournaments for League of Legends, DOTA 2, and Counter Strike: Global Offensive throughout the week. The COO also collaborated with the CEGE Thinkers and the Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines Student Edition (ICpEP.SE) – Mapúa to hold e-sports competitions for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Valorant, and Mathematical Society of Mapúa (MSM) for Call of Duty Mobile (CODM).
The COO also prepared their own programs for Orgs’ Week 2020. They launched Content Wars – a film contest with the theme “The New Normal” – a poster-making contest focused on “Making Illustrations about the Gallant Heroes of Today (MIGHT),” and a makeup contest centering on endangered and extinct animals. They also had the Orgs’ Talent 2020 wherein representatives from the student organizations showcased their talents and skills.
Furthermore, the governing body of student organizations hosted a webinar series entitled “Emergency Meeting: Nifty Guide Talks for Aspiring Professionals” wherein Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Agatha Wong, Joyce Glorioso, Coach Lyca Maravilla, Colonel Edwin Sadang, and Bong Lacson shared their insights on managing college life and joining organizations.
Victory for the crewmates
At the conclusion of the event last December 6, the COO extended their gratitude to the sponsors, student organizations, and media partners for being part of the success of the week-long event as part of the closing ceremony and awarding of organizations.
For the Orgs’ Week Awards 2020, the active and supportive organizations as well as the winners of the different competitions were recognized during the ceremony. HSM, WMG, and the Mapúa SHS - Math Club received the Most Supportive Organization award. Meanwhile, JPCS – Mapúa and BioLOGIC were given the Most Active Organization award.
As for the other awards, the list of recipients is as follows:
E-sports Tournament
COD Mobile
Champion – ICpEP.SE (Team Icy Peppers)
1st Runner-Up – Team Ramborats
2nd Runner-Up – Mapúa Judo Club (Team Emenitu)
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Champion – Team Redhorse (HSM)
1st Runner-Up – Team MU-SCA
2nd Runner-Up – Team Myrtle Legends (IEEE-MUSB)
Valorant
Champion – Team IECEP-MUSC
1st Runner Up – Team Hybrid
2nd Runner Up – Team Notorius
Content Wars
Champion – Catch Fire (PSM)
1st Runner Up – Lockdown Moments (PICE-MUSC)
2nd Runner Up – Kubling Malay (MSM)
Poster-Making Contest
Champion – Aldrich D. Remot (HSM)
1st Runner Up – Gella Mae Flores (JPCS)
2nd Runner Up – Hannah Adelaiyne L. Geronimo (PIChE)
Make-Up Contest
Most Photogenic Award – Gella Mae Flores (JPCS)
Popularity Award – Alyssa Mier Karleen P. Vidal (IECEP-MUSC)
Champion – Gella Mae Flores (JPCS)
1st Runner-Up – Jean Klarisse Diones (ACIP-MUSC)
2nd Runner-Up - Alyssa Mier Karleen P. Vidal (IECEP-MUSC)
Orgs’ Talent 2020
Champion - Martin Lance V. Mesia (Biologic)
1st Runner-Up – Leo Matthew B. Sarne (SHS Math Club)
2nd Runner -Up – BBB (HSM)
Vicente said that the message behind this year’s Orgs’ Week is that no trouble is too hard to conquer if a group stands together as one. She mentioned a French phrase that she learned through joining an organization – esprit de corps.
“It is the pride and honor shared by the members, supporting one another,” she said. The COO President also thanked their adviser, Dr. Edward Jay M. Guinto, for guidance. “He never failed to give us honest and constructive advice,” Vicente elaborated.
Initially, the Mapúa COO planned to donate the proceeds of the Orgs’ Week 2020 to the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) relief operations for the affected families of the recent typhoons. However, the OVP announced that in-kind donations were to be accepted only until December 5, 2020 to focus on aiding the communities as the latter transitions to rehabilitation.
With this, the Mapúa COO decided to give the proceeds of the week-long celebration amounting to Php 6,040.00 to Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, which shared the same goal as the OVP.