AN ENDERUN “CULTURAL REVOLUTION”
Article by David Paman
“The Enderun identity and spirit are not yet clearly defined….” Said Edgardo Rodriguez, Enderun Colleges’ President and Dean of the College of Business, Technology, Entrepreneurship at a meeting held last January 11, 2014 in HA 202. Together with the newly-appointed Assistant Dean of the College of Hospitality Management, Ms Bel Castro, the meeting assembled twenty-four (24) of the school’s leaders consisting of representatives of the different Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and officers of the Enderun Colleges Student Government (SG). Among others, the meeting tackled the lack of a distinct culture and community lifestyle at the college. Said Dean Ed to the leadership gathered, “What we need…is a student-led ‘Cultural Revolution’!”
“One can say that the school is in ‘danger’” Ms Castro quipped. “The problem of culture wasn’t as major a concern a few years ago. But now, for example…now that the school has an alumni community, the need for school pride is becoming a necessity. The alumni must be able to identify with Enderun and be proud of the institution that they came from. In the very near future, Enderun students should be hiring Enderun students. That future might be in jeopardy if we are unable to create and instil that sense of school pride.”
Dean Rodriguez spoke of the uniform policy as an example, “It’s true…in many industries, except the hospitality industry and some others, a formal corporate outfit is not a practice…but it is here. It defines us and sets us apart. The Enderun student should want to wear the uniform—properly—because it is part of the distinctive image, culture, and appearance of Enderun Colleges. All of which defines an Enderun Student.”
To consolidate efforts and help address the challenge of starting a ground-up movement, an ad hoc council of seven students representing seven (7) sub-categories of student RSO’s was put together.
The sub-categories consist of the literary orgs (First Edition, Recordatio, INK Enderun), cultural orgs (Cultura, Anyo, Soundcast, Korun), business orgs (EJMA, EES, AISEC), social development orgs (REACH, Zonta, Lifebox, Lux Lucis), hospitality orgs (Culinaire, EFWS, ADF, Hoteliers) and Co-curricular orgs (EES, AISEC, Lux Lucis, Culinaire, ADF) and are represented by Tiffany Santos, Natalie Sze, Mara Yee, Albert Dizon, Prince Tan, and David Paman, respectively. Mikel Jacinto, SG Internal Vice-President is the Student Government representative-in-charge.
The ad hoc council’s first task is to address the immediate concerns of the student organizations and implement necessary steps in order for events to run effectively. “The orgs should not be competing with one another…we could and should have different orgs all working in one event,” says Ms Castro. The council will be the bridge between the gaps that has been present in the student orgs the past years.
Another responsibility the council will take care of would be the improvement of school events. “A lot of us don’t know what’s going on on-campus” says Ms Castro. The council, along with the student government, plans on raising the bar in terms of school awareness by taking advantage of the underused bulletin boards and making greater use of the newly revamped INK Enderun website. Better coordination and cross-promotion of calendared activities is also on the agenda for this new council. Ms Castro also commented on the types of events that students can stage, “Let’s not just have bake sales. Hve some imagination…ambition. There was one time when we had a “Dog Day Afternoon” event on campus school where participants brought their pets to school…that was different. Special events are a means to build community. It would be great to see that happen…and soon”.
The first project the council has in place is to come up with an Enderun Slogan akin to La Salle’s “Animo La Salle” or UA&P’s “Unitas.” The slogan will be the first step in a series of endeavors to raise school identity and community. Proposals will be presented at the next RSO/SG meeting slated for February 15, 2014.
