COC SC Opens a New Chapter of Leadership

College of Communication (COC) stands at the dawn of a new era as the results of PUP Halalan 2025 officially introduce its newly elected Student Council. With this new wave of student leaders, the college begins its term marked by a renewed commitment to student representation, academic excellence, and community involvement.

The newly elected COC Student Council is composed entirely of candidates from Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan (SAMASA) COC, which ushers in a new chapter marked both by continuity and transformation. The administration is led by President Alvin V. Aligam, who gained a total of 837 votes, alongside Vice President Martha Bernadette Briol, who earned 896 votes. Their shared dedication to lead this administration affirms the whole COC community that they will continuously embody the spirit of collective service and fight for the free press.

Working alongside President Aligam and Vice President Briol are the newly elected councilors who bring their own advocacies and leadership experiences into the fold: Cheska Polido (700 votes), Parzyval Peron Valdez (676 votes), Emmanuel San Andres (676 votes), Abijah Villagomez (666 votes), Haizel Mariano (666 votes), and Desiree Angeline Rendon (656 votes).

The voting precincts were open from October 22 to October 26. There were 1,037 valid ballots among 1,119 ballots that were accepted by the PUP Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 

A President Grounded in Advocacy and Service

Last November 7, 2025, Friday, the newly-elected PUP College of Communication Student Council (COC SC) was officially proclaimed at the Engineering and Science Research Center (ESRC). President Aligam gave his speech, which reaffirmed his commitment to stand firm in his principles as a student leader who continues to serve in the interest of both the student body and the Filipino people.

Aligam also emphasized that the new COC SC will not only focus on campus-centered concerns but will also remain conscious of national issues that affect students and communicators. He gave importance to the unity and resistance against repression, particularly in defending truth and press freedom.

 Currently a 3rd year student taking up a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Research (BACR), Aligam is also under the political party of SAMASA COC. Throughout his first two years in the university, he served not only as an academic achiever but also as a steadfast student who is committed to service, integrity, and democratic participation. 

He is a consistent President’s Lister during his first two years, and previously served as the Councilor for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) under the PUP COC SC (2024-2025) and held several key roles in major college events such as the COC Freshmen Fest, PUP Gabay Sinta, and the Circle of Research Enthusiasts, where he served as both Senior Secretariat and 3rd Year Representative. Aligam’s early involvement as a junior council officer in both the COC SC and the PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (SKM) further solidified his experience in governance and student engagement.

Beyond academic excellence, Aligam also led numerous advocacy-driven projects that promoted student welfare, gender empowerment, disaster preparedness, and political participation. Such events were the COC Psychological First Aid Training, Kakaibabae: Women-Led Leadership Across All Fields, COC Walkout Against Corruption and Tyranny Online Campaign, and the 53rd Martial Law Commemoration Online Campaign. Being guided by his advocacies for quality education, stronger democratic spaces, and transparent governance, Aligam steps into the presidency with a clear and true vision of a tunay, palaban, at makabayang konseho for COC.          

The Pillar Beside the Presidency

Serving alongside the newly elected council president is Martha Bernadette Briol, the new Vice President of the PUP COC SC. Briol is a 3rd-year Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting (BABR) student and a member of the SAMASA COC, widely recognized for her strong academic performance, having been a consistent President’s Lister since her freshman year. Her leadership experience spans a wide spectrum of organizational work in the college, highlighted by her role as Councilor for the Secretariat and Records Committee from 2024 to 2025, and earlier as a Junior Council Officer under the same committee. 

Briol’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to social awareness, gender empowerment, and media responsibility. She has served as project head for advocacy-centered initiatives, including Mula Sa’yo, Para sa Kababaihan, ARTibismo: Ang Pag-ibig ay Pakikibaka, PelikuLakbay, and CWTS Project Bahaghari. Beyond campus, she also took on the role of Vice President for Internal Affairs and Linkages under Tulong Kabataan Sta. Mesa, strengthening youth-driven humanitarian efforts.

Guided by her advocacies—uniting young media practitioners, upholding accessible and democratic education, asserting strong and ethical leadership, fighting corruption and tyranny, defending press freedom, and opposing discrimination—Briol steps into the vice presidency with a clear resolve to amplify student voices and safeguard the welfare of the COC community.

The Council Behind the Vision

Cheska Polido is a 2nd-year Bachelor in Advertising and Public Relations (BAPR) student and a SAMASA COC member. Polido is a Councilor for the Secretariat and Records Committee with a solid track record in technical and promotions work for major college events. From heading the Technical Committee for COC Freshmen Fest 2025 to leading promotions for the Media and Communications Fest and Voter’s Education campaigns, Polido has demonstrated reliability and strong organizational skills. In her new role, she is expected to strengthen documentation systems, streamline council records, and ensure transparent communication through well-organized minutes, reports, and archives.

Desiree Angeline Rendon, another 2nd-year BAJ student and also in the SAMASA COC, steps into the External Affairs and Linkages Committee with a strong advocacy background in transparency, accountability, and democratic rights. Having handled campaign, outreach, and hosting roles in programs like ARTibismo ‘25, Voter’s Education 2025, and the Martial Law Commemoration, Rendon is set to expand partnerships, strengthen organizational collaborations, and amplify the council’s presence beyond the college.

Haizel Mariano, a 2nd-year BAJ student from SAMASA COC, steps up as the Councilor for Students’ Rights and Welfare, bringing with him a strong background in leadership and advocacy. Having served as the Technical Committee Head for the COC Freshmen Fest 2025, Promotions Committee Head for Media and Communications Fest 2025, and Promotions Committee Co-Head for Voter’s Education 2025, Mariano has established himself as an active and reliable student leader. His advocacies center on academic rights, freedom of expression, fair and responsive support systems, and the amplification of student voices. Committed to concrete and progressive action on student concerns, Mariano aims to strengthen mechanisms that protect and uplift the welfare of every communicator in the college.

Parzyval Peron Valdez, a 3rd-year BAJ student and standout leader of SAMASA COC, also brought his extensive experience in education-focused initiatives as the councilor for the Education and Council Development Committee. He served as the chairperson of SAMASA COC, News Editor of Veracity, and Education & Campaign Head for the Media and Communications Fest. Valdez has long championed accessible, mass-oriented, and participatory education. As a councilor, he is set to spearhead policy discussions, capacity-building workshops, and educational campaigns rooted in the belief that education is a right and not a privilege.

Emmanuel San Andres, a 2nd-year BAPR student and member of the SAMASA COC, now leads the Media and Public Information Committee with a strong background in communications and creative production. Having served as Propaganda Officer of Anakbayan COC and taking major roles in COC Voter’s ED ‘25, Freshmen Fest, and the Martial Law Commemoration, he is set to strengthen campus information systems, enhance visual campaigns, and uphold press freedom through transparent and timely council communication.

Abijah Villagomez, also a 2nd-year BAPR student, won the position of councilor and leads the Gender Inclusivity and Safe Spaces Committee with firm advocacy for mental health, inclusivity, and safe campus environments. After serving as Finance & Logistics Head of SAMASA COC and leading key roles in Voter’s ED ‘25, ARTibismo ‘25, and NSTP initiatives, Villagomez is expected to implement safe-space mechanisms, conduct inclusivity campaigns, and champion accessible support systems that protect and empower all COCians.

COC SC’s General Plan of Action

The newly elected COC SC has outlined a clear roadmap to uplift student welfare, strengthen democratic spaces, and promote progressive leadership within the college.. Their agenda is grouped under three core objectives: #BudgetUp, #FightBack, and #ProgressiveCouncil. These objectives aim to improve resources, ensure accountability, and foster active student participation throughout the college.

#BudgetUp: #COCiansLevelUp to Fight for Higher Budget and Democratic Spaces focuses on securing sufficient funding and resources for students. Programs like Probe to Prove review construction plans to ensure proper use of funds, while COMMpass monitors facilities to address gaps. COC Partnered Up and PRODAction! Provide accessible spaces and resources for student projects, and Rise for Education COC: Fight for STRAW Bill builds alliances to promote quality, inclusive education.

#FightBack: #COCiansLevelUp to Fight Against Corruption and Tyranny targets corruption and repression. COC Corruption Watch tracks misuse of funds, and #COCACTivate encourages student participation in anti-corruption movements. The COMManifesto Condemning State Attacks defends press freedom and civil rights, while the PUP for #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio Network fosters solidarity for advocacy campaigns.

#ProgressiveCouncil: #COCiansLevelUp for a United COC Community and Progressive Leadership strengthens student welfare, unity, and inclusive governance. The STRAW Committee safeguards student rights and provides support through Online Gabay, Gabay Desk, and Gabay Sheet. The People’s Advocacy and Campaign Committee promotes engagement with faculty and the broader community through programs such as “From Vision to Accomplishment and volunteer projects.” Supporting committees handle transparency, communication, partnerships, and safe, inclusive spaces for all COCians.

Through these initiatives, the COC SC sets a foundation for accountable, student-centered governance while empowering every Alagad ng Midya to take part in shaping a more progressive and united college community.

Continuing the Legacy of Communication Leadership

For years, COC has been a space where leadership and activism intersect, a training ground for media practitioners, advocates, and student leaders who use their platforms for social good. The newly elected 2025 COC SC inherits this legacy, pledging to uphold the college’s long-standing mission of critical thinking, service, and truth-telling.

This year, the COC SC now sees its two highest positions—president and vice president—now held by individuals who have risen through the ranks, from councilors to the helm of the council. Former President Tracy Althea Ramos has now taken on the role of Vice President at SKM, further exemplifying the path of service and dedication that COC leaders have long followed.

As the new administration begins its term, it sets forth a clear direction: to cultivate a college community that is informed, involved, and heard. With their collective vision and unwavering sense of purpose, the 2025 COC SC stands as a testament to what communication truly represents—a voice that leads, serves, and empowers.

Article: Jae Juson

Graphics/Illustrations: Kent Bicol