USG heads Freshmen Orientation, freshmen prep for college take off

Shyreen Balajediong and Jehan Fuentes

Prepared and driven to become UICians, the University Student Government (USG) of the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) piloted the Freshmen Orientation, carrying the incoming first-year college passengers for a university navigation on August 2–6, 2021, via Zoom and Facebook Live.

Freshmen enrolled from different institutions participated in the online orientation that aimed to introduce the university during the opening program, discussing its history, vision, mission, goals, and objectives, as well as presenting the UIC administration for this academic year that served as a guide for the students’ flight in the university.

To be acquainted with the services offered by the institution, the students and their parents were informed regarding the various services available in the university offices during the Service Orientation Day that assists the learners to experience a wholesome and remarkable college journey. A virtual tour was also initiated to navigate the freshmen around Father Selga Campus and Bonifacio Campus, showing the different facilities of the school in which, the students develop their learning.

College Orientation was also conducted by the different colleges of UIC to help the students prepare for their dream career, enabling them to reach new heights in becoming effective and excellent professionals in the future.

Building camaraderie towards a unified UIC community, a Breakout Session was organized to gather students not only to help them gain new friends but also to ignite the passion to strive and learn to be able to reach their dream destinations.

Rigel Stan Alajid, an aspiring first-year pharmacy student said, “Given the circumstances, UIC is the best option for my course which is BS Pharmacy. It has a strong reputation for producing graduates from the Pharmacy course that can top the Board Exams and was hailed as Philippines’ Top 5 Performing Pharmacy School in 2018. It is also one of the few schools that offer the clinical pharmacy course further showing their mastery of the Pharmacy course.”

Under the College of Teacher Training and Education, Michelle Elshadai Waldenia Sepaya, who is also an exchange student from Indonesia shared, “I had so much fun during the breakout session. The facilitator was so nice and welcoming that I wasn’t afraid to talk anymore. I learned some useful things such as how to address someone who is older than me in Tagalog by using “ate” or “kuya” and using “po” in every last sentence as a sign of honorific.”

“I’m looking forward to learning new things and broadening my insights from what I will be learning from UIC,” she added.

The Freshmen Orientation was then concluded on Friday, August 6 with the students showcasing their talents and creativity through exciting competitions laid by the USG, including Fresh Face 2021, Digital Art Competition, and Kalookalike Challenge, allowing the students to shine in their respective prowess.

Flaunting their crafts in the Digital Art competition, the entries of Jhon Andrey Sollano and Gichelle Ann Lupian Silayon from College of Medical and Biological Sciences (CMBS) were declared as the champion, while the work of Rozeline Amatong from College of Accounting and Business Education (CABE) bagged the first place, and the piece of Evann Myelle Montejo from College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) seized the second place.

In the parade of stars in the Kalookalike Challenge, Angel Mae Ebe, the Nadine Lustre of the College of Pharmacy and Chemistry (CPC) was lauded as the champion, placing Juelle Agujitas, the Jennie Kim of CMBS as first runner up, and Mayelle Mulato, the Jessy Mendiola of CABE as second runner up.

Displaying eloquence and elegance in the virtual pageantry, Al Jomar Adbul from CABE was hailed as this year’s Mr. Fresh Face and Frencess Kaye Simon from CMBS was the newly crowned Ms. Fresh Face.

“It was unexpected that I won, but it made me and the ones who supported me happy. I am also grateful to my seniors and other freshmen for their assistance and support during my journey. I wouldn’t have won if not because of them. Overall, the event was enjoyable and educational. It will undoubtedly be a memorable experience for me and the other candidates,” Ms. Fresh Face Simon stated.

Joshua Patrick Lirazan from CMBS bagged the first runner-up and Joaquin Nyz Pagkaliwagan from the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) as the second runner-up. Whereas Julianne Camyl Balanon from the College of Nursing (CN) as Ms. Fresh Face first runner-up and Juliemel Pardillo from CABE as the second runner-up.

Bagging minor awards, the contestants of CMBS grabbed the title for Social Media Star, the candidates of CABE for the Best in Interview, while the male representative of CABE and female representative of CMBS for the Best in Presentation.

The colorful balloons, the loud cheers and yells, and the live upbeat music as the usual way of celebrating was not seen and heard during the program, but these did not hinder the students from enjoying the event and celebrating their victories.

The event was organized by the University Student Government spearheaded by Ley Nicole Jangolan and with the assistance of the Office of Student Affairs and Discipline (OSAD) headed by Mrs. Anaflor Sacopayo. Also, Sister Maria Marissa Viri, the university president, Dr. Jo-ann Solomon, the vice-president for academics, and the various offices and colleges of the institution gave support in all activities of the university.