By Jiann Delumen

Far Eastern University (FEU) clinched its 24th consecutive Outstanding Delegation award at the 47th YMCA National Congress of College Students after its delegates secured multiple individual distinctions and passed resolutions at The Baguio Teachers Camp from December 6 to 9.

The delegation was led by FEU College Y Club (CYC) Chief Director for the Legislative Arm Adrian Louis Diumano, who was elected as the House Deputy Speaker for the National Capital Region during the congress.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, FEU CYC President Jasper Calara said that the delegation’s performance was rooted in deliberate preparation and a selective screening process conducted before the congress.

“We actually had more than 70 applicants for the national congress, and we had to trim it down to at least 35… but we [still] ensured na na-uphold natin ‘yung balance of excellence, courage, and siyempre, ‘yung puso ng mga delegates,” he explained.

Reflecting on this year’s contingent, Calara pointed out that what distinguished this year’s delegation was not excellence alone, but how different leadership styles worked together throughout the congress.

“Nakita ko talaga firsthand na the delegates this year had that sense of excellence, sense of courage, and also, they have the drive to create that work and relationships with the other delegates,” he shared.

Moreover, the CYC President believed that the congress experience serves as a long-term asset in student leadership, with delegates expected to apply their training into institutional and national initiatives beyond the event.

“This experience would really translate as investments to these multiple student leaders, kasi these student leaders would be the ones to legislate, the ones to create solutions para sa mga problems na nararanasan natin here sa University,” Calara remarked.

Toward the latter part of the congress, three resolutions authored by FEU representatives were passed during the plenary session, contributing to the legislative output of the national gathering, which is forwarded annually to legislators and government agencies for possible national adoption.

Among the approved resolutions were measures on mental health awareness in universities by Ullysis Alburo, digitalized medical records for universal and protected access by Erik Pamplona, and the redirection of reclamation efforts toward rural rehabilitation by Lendl Hammond.

The University’s 35-member delegation also filled multiple posts across the congress’ organizational structure, including three cluster chair positions, one cluster co-chair role, two cluster secretary posts, and one cluster marshal position.

At the commission level, they held seven commission chair roles, three commission co-chair positions, and two commission secretary posts.

In addition, Jhazlyn Gwen Ite and Stephen Lance Iraola were cited as Outstanding Delegates.

Alongside leadership roles, the green-and-gold representatives garnered individual citations, with Naomie Tariman emerging as Debate Champion, Janelle Tañedo winning the Magazine Cover Contest, and Xairwen Gupo placing second in Tuklas Talino.

The FEU delegates also participated in various competitions and activities, including the Essay Writing Contest, Extemporaneous Speaking, On-the-Spot Drawing, Photography Contest, Spoken Poetry, Y’ers Got Talent, and Congress Balita.

Organized by the YMCA Philippines, the national congress convened more than 400 student leaders from over 40 universities nationwide under the theme ‘TransforMYssion: Living the Call, Becoming the Change,’ which focused on youth leadership, policymaking, and social engagement.

(Photo courtesy of Jasper Calara/FEU College Y Club)