COO unleashes Mapúan potential with Orgs’ Week 2025

Article by: Alexa Juliana Karaan and Setheleh Liam G. Ramos

Photo by: Elizabeth Shyne T. Cuarteros

Mapúa University’s Council of Organizations (COO) kicked off Orgs’ Week 2025 last May 26, following the theme “Unlocking Potentials.” The said week showcased the leadership, imagination and unity of the university’s student organizations. A variety of activities such as seminars, games, and interactive events were held in both Intramuros and Makati campuses until May 30.

Unlocking Orgs Week

Booths of various student organizations were set up from May 19 to 23 at the North Tambayan and Student Lounge for Intramuros-based and Makati-based organizations, respectively. The fair served as a way for student organizations to earn COO points and gain special awards for achievements in design, activity, creativity, execution, and engagement.

In the Intramuros Campus, the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers – Mapúa University Student Chapter received the Excellence in Elysian Aesthetics Award, while UAPSA – Mapúa bagged three, namely: the Elysium Experience Award, Eminence of Creativity Award, and the Engagement Excellence Award.

Meanwhile, in the Makati Campus, the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants - Mapúa University were awarded the Excellence in Elysian Aesthetics Award and the Elysium’s Standard Award., The Junior Financial Executives earned the Elysium Experience Award and the Engagement Excellence Award.

The Up, Up & Create Fair, which turned the Intramuros Campus Quadrangle into a haven of art, was held on May 24 as a precursor to the opening day. Students participated in four creative stations divided into two sessions: Painting, Air-Dry Clay Art, Creative Journaling and Art & Crafts with paper bead jewelry.

Honing Ingenuity

Bringing unity, purpose, and Mapúa’s student culture alive, the opening ceremony was held last May 26, the program opened with a message from COO Adviser Dr. John Christopher D. Castillo. He imparted the true essence of the week-long celebration, “In your respective orgs, I wish everyone also has the passion. The passion to serve, the passion to let people know that they are loved and they are worth it, because we all are worth it. I think that's the reason why you are here,”

Afterwards, the COO officers brought everyone to their feet for a Zumba session. Followed by the Leadership Oath led by COO External President Szera Yasmeen A. Mahmudd and a Message of Gratitude from COO President Jinjer Rianne Arante.

Moreover, the Mapúa COO spearheaded the “Mix & Mingle: Orgs Exchange” at both campuses from May 27 to 29, decorating the halls of the institution with booths from various organizations. Students were able to interact with the various organizations of the institution, from merchandise, exhibits, and seminars among the activities presented.

Orgs’ Week also included online events which ran throughout the whole week-long celebration such as the Orgs Mission Impossible wherein missions were given to participating organizations to be accomplished throughout the day. The United Architects of the Philippines – Mapúa Chapter (UAPSA – Mapúa). Meanwhile, Luigi R. Busa of the Honor Society of Mapúa took home the title in the Orgs in Frame contest where participants were challenged to design a digital display frame that represents their organizations’ core values.

Beyond the Walls

COO also invited fellow student organizations from other universities to participate and network with one another in “Skybound: Enriching Organization Potential,” where student leaders shared experiences and insights on leadership. The Intramuros leg was held at the Seminar Room on May 26 while the Makati counterpart was conducted at the Global Classroom on May 28.

The #AnoNgaBa series, which kickstarted earlier this year on March 4 during the Wellness Week, continued with three new installments from May 27 to 29 held at both the Intramuros and Makati campuses.

Providing students with valuable insights from esteemed speakers, the series return began with Akbayan Representative Atty. Chel Diokno shared his insights on leadership in a progressive world for the series’ second episode entitled “Global Crossroads: The World in Motion,” at the Mapúa Cardinal Cinema which was also streamed online through Zoom on May 27.

Giving the students a newfound perspective on research, the third installment of the series entitled “Beyond the Class: The Future of Research and Innovation”, held at the Makati Student Lounge on May 28 featured Dr. Ardvin Kester S. Ong—recognized as part of Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists last August 2024—imparted some advice on the academic world and beyond.

To cap off the series, Assistant Vice President and Office of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations Head, Mr. Oliver Ryan B. Custodio and former COO President Engr. Hannah Tan delved into the proper steps of turning over organizations with the episode title “The Next Chapter: Re-Accreditation & Turnover Guide,” held last May 29 at the Mapúa Cardinal Cinema for the Makati Campus event and Seminar Room for the Intramuros Campus event.

Heavenly Finale

Serving as the Orgs Week 2025’s grand finale, candidates from the various school organizations gathered to showcase their dazzling costumes and their spiffing personalities for this year’s “Teknorampa 2025: Elysium.” held at the Intramuros Campus Gymnasium.

Shania D. Castro, representing UAPSA – Mapúa, took home the champion title. Meanwhile, Jhullianne Grace A. Pineda from the House of Lumorisma Divina and Mervin Harley V. Baniqued from the House of Aurela bagged the first and second runners-up spots, respectively.

Additionally, Kurt John Axl M. Navarro from the House of Ευμορφία and Grace Anne Marie G. Pura from the American Concrete Institute of the Philippines clinched the third and fourth runners-up spots, respectively.

Special awards were also given during the coronation where Louis Gabriel A. Avellanoza of Domus Superi was awarded the Best Design, Josh Emmanuel R. Balasbas of the House of Katharsis was given the Netizen’s Choice Award, and Alison Claire D. Roselada of the House of SustaiNABayan took home the Most Congenial title.

Moreover, best in Casual Wear and Most Captivating Performance was given to first runner-up Baniqued. Titleholder Castro was recognized as the Best in Theme Wear.

First starting in 2015, the annual tradition of Orgs’ Week enables Mapúans to interact with and showcase their organizations’ prowess and charm through a series of interactive events and foster its own culture.