BAYBAY CITY, Leyte – In a twist of fate, the hesitant candidate would get the nod of his peers to become the next VSU student regent.
John Allan Gulles, president-elect of VSU's College of Engineering, was elected as President of the University Supreme Student Council. Gulles initially tried to downplay his "intention" to run, saying he wasn't really determined to assume the highest student leadership role in Visayas State University.
Following the culmination of the Student Leadership Congress 2017 on July 22, Saturday, the VSU Supreme Student Council elected from among themselves the new officers who will govern the student body for the SY 2017-2018.
The results of the elections are as follows:
Executive Officers
- President: John Allan Gulles (COE-SSC)
- Vice-President: Diodel Quemado (VSU Alangalang)
- Secretary General: Lhito Tingcoy (CoN-SSC)
- Treasurer: Kit Felian Tenio (CFES-SSC)
- Auditor: Dexter Ramirez (CE-SSC)
Board Members:
- John Gerard Abando (CAS-SSC)
- Rae Rodrigo Barro (VSU Villaba)
- Shebelle Cueva (CVM-SSC)
- Jeanie Rose Deluza (CAFS-SSC)
- Remigio Malbas (VSU Tolosa)
- Marcyl Ane Juls Mercurio (COE-SSC)
- Khim Limuel Tamaca (CME-SSC)
- Glaisa Grace Viray (VSU Isabel)
After the announcements of the newly elected officers, Mr. Mark Michael Unlu-cay, outgoing USSC President, turned over the presidency to John Allan Gulles. As Student Regent, Gulles will represent VSU students and sit in the VSU Board of Regents, the highest governing body of the university that makes policy decisions for the system.
Unlu-cay gave words of inspiration to the new leaders of the council.
“It’s always a challenge for you to leave a mark in every position you have. Lead and serve. Continue to do what you believe is right and continue to progress. We may come from different campuses, but we are one family. Serve the students with outmost sincerity and commitment," said Unlu-cay.
READ: Night before student assembly, USSC president meets with incoming officers
Hesitance
Gulles is thankful and excited to start his leadership. “I am grateful that I could already start my leadership and apply everything I learned here in the congress,” he said.
During the last general assembly, the incoming presidents were asked to stand if they had clear intentions to run for USSC President. Three stood up: Deluza, Gulles, and Abando. Gulles, to the cheers of the audience, stood last. But he tried to downplay his “intention”, saying it does not mean a strong “determination” to run.
Marcyl Ane Juls Mercurio, COE Vice President, will assume Gulles' position following his election as USSC President.
SSC presidents who failed to attend the USSC board elections were not allowed to vote and are automatically part of the USSC board members. Jeanie Rose Deluza, CAFS-SSC President and one of the top choices in Amaranth's mock poll, just got back from her internship in Marinduque and wasn't able to attend the congress and election.
The new USSC board officers will be officially introduced to the student body in USSC’s first general assembly come first semester.