Rizal: Ang Dakilang Manunulat

Click on the video below to watch this Jose Rizal documentary.



Credits: GMA News

Nagallo, Mateo Participates in JENESYS 2.0 Batch 9

Fannie M. Nagallo, PSSO, Inc. asst. secretary and Megan Mary F, Mateo (treasurer), both senior AB in Political Science students, were among the Philippine delegates to the Jenesys 2.0 Batch 9 - Traditional Culture/ Heritage/ Art held on May 26 - June 7, 2014 in Tokyo and Okayama, Japan.  

Passing through the screening process conducted by the National Youth Commission and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, they joined the Philippine delegation and had experienced different Japanese Culture like Sado (Japanese Tea Ceremony) and got a chance to visit different Tourist attractions such as Edo -Tokyo Museum (where they had been introduced to Tokyo's history and culture and the city's future), Harajuku (Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles), Meiji Shrine, Kurashiki Bikab Historical Quarter, Kurabo Memorial Hall, Okayama Orient Museum, Korakuen and Okayama Castle, Okayama Prefectural Museum and Takata Orimono Manufacturing. They were also exposed to Japanese daily way of living through their respective host families.

This event is part of the many youth exchange programs, under Jenesys 2.0, to Japan from 2013 to 2014 and is sponsored by Japan International Cooperation Center.

Katherine Rose F. Kapunan Attends JENESYS 2.0 Disaster Prevention Course

Katherine Rose F. Kapunan, AB in Political Science Batch 2014, was chosen to be one of the 35 Youth Representatives of the Philippines in the JENESYS 2.0 Disaster Prevention Course on May 27-June 4, 2014 in Tokyo and Miyagi Prefectures.

The Philippine delegation spent most of their days in Miyagi Prefecture particularly in Sendai City where they had site visits of Onagawa, Ishikawa and Kesennuma , areas which are greatly damaged by the Great Tsunami of 2011. They also heard stories from survivors during the disaster and had series of disaster prevention lectures from Sendai City government and Miyagi University of Education. They were also allowed to experience simulated typhoon, earthquake, and fire and other life threatening situations in times of disaster in Honjo Life Center in Tokyo.

The delegates also experienced Japanese traditional and pop culture through visits all over Tokyo and Miyagi prefectures through cultural exchanges with the Japanese. They experienced traditional culture through making rice cakes (mochi), traditional Kokeshi dolls and living in a traditional Japanese house in the laidback town of Minamisanrikuchuo. They also experienced pop culture and advanced technology through visits in Akihabara, Japan Mint and Panasonic Center.

The JENESYS 2.0 Disaster Prevention Course is under the thematic area of Social Community and it focuses on introducing Japan’s advanced methods for social community development and exchange with people involved in the related activities. This project also aims to revitalize the Japanese economy through introduction of Japan’s attractions to foreign tourists and consumers by promoting international understanding on the nation’s potential strengths, allure and values including the "Cool Japan Concept."

Delegates were divided in 8 groups and presented their own Cool Japan Concept to the representative of Ministry of Foreign affairs and Japan Overseas Cooperation Association.

PSSO Chair Sherwin Latosa, Philippine Delagate to Sri Lanka

PSSO, Inc. Chairperson Sherwin Latosa attended the 2014 World Conference on Youth last May 6-10, 2014 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, Sri Lanka and participated in various anchored discussions and activities relating to mainstreaming youth in the post-2015 development agenda.

This world conference aimed to: create an inclusive youth participation platform that enables young people to review the progress on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; share ideas, experiences and innovative approaches for effectively contributing to the post-2015 development agenda and its implementation; facilitate a process that increases awareness on and implementation of the World Programme for Action on Youth (WPAY); facilitate effective partnerships with youth, youth-led organisations and youth movements to further strengthen inclusive youth participation in the decision-making processes and implementation of the post-2015 development agenda; and contribute to the establishment of a permanent youth engagement mechanism that ensures consistent follow- up with young people and further boosts their participation and partnership in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda at national, regional and global levels.

Latosa, the only Philippine delegate coming from outside of Luzon, joined the rest of the 1500 participating youth - half of them young people, aged 18 to 29, and 350 of them came from marginalized backgrounds. There were also 350 more young people belonging to under-represented groups were selected by the International Youth Task Force and about 100 youth delegates who are Sri Lankan nationals were selected.

The Government of Sri Lanka sponsored all young people attended the conference and was considered as one of the most well represented youth events at the global level.

The conference ended with the realization of the Colombo Declaration on Youth.

WVSU Debate Team, Champion in Debate sa Bombo 2013-2014 Series

The West Visayas State University Debate Team was declared Champion in Debate sa Bombo 2013-2014 Series College Edition after defeating the Central Philippine University Debate Team during the championship match on April 14, 2014 held at the WVSU Cultural Center in a proposition, "Resolved, that national elective officials be at least college graduate.”

Defending the status quo (negative side), the WVSU debate team had convinced the judges to buy their strong, consistent and well-studied arguments and got a 90% average rating.

The team is composed of Nestor Jeremy Moreno (AB Pol.Sci. 2014), Runniel Reel Matorres (AB Pol.Sci. 2014), Job Aldin Nabuab (AB Pol.Sci. 2014), Hyacinth Bangero (Broadcasting 2014), and two researchers - Paolo Nazareno (AB Pol.Sci. 2015) and Jonald Dorado (AB Pol.Sci. 2015). Hyacinth Bangero got the Best Speaker and Best Debater awards during the match.

The debate series started its first match on December 13, 2013, were WVSU Team won over the team of the University of the Philippines – Visayas with Nestor Jeremy Moreno and Runiel Reel Matorres as Best Speaker and Best Debater respectively.

In a proposition, “Resolved, that the opening of classes in the Philippines be set on September," against CPU Team, WVSU debaters (Negative Side) got their second win and took the lead in the ranking. Nestor Jeremy Moreno was proclaimed Best Speaker and Best Debater.

The defeat of CPU Debate Team was not their end in the competition as they successfully survived their succeeding matches that brought them to the championship round.

Standing on the negative side against Team WVCST during the semi-finals on April 2, 2014, the team had advanced to the final round, while Job Aldin Nabuab of WVSU was judged as Best Speaker and Best Debater.

Professors Voltaire Jacinto and Reymund Flores served as team advisers while Dr. Ma. Elfleda Ecube and Prof. Shim Lester de Pio were the team managers - all are faculty members of the Social Science Department.

Kapunan and Moreno, 2014 Outstanding Political Science Students in the Philippines

Two Senior Political Science Students, Katherine Rose Kapunan and Nestor Jeremy Moreno ranked 4th and 7th respectively in the Search for the Ten Outstanding Political Science Students of the Philippines (TOPSSP) for 2014 last February 8 during the 6th Political Science Students Association of the Philippines National Convention held in Liceo De Cagayan University, Cagayan de Oro City.

20 Finalists were selected from applicants who are outstanding in academics, co-curricular activities and leadership ideals.

The Finalists underwent a panel interview composed of five distinct people from the academe, law, international community, and the public sector.

Katherine Rose Kapunan represented the Philippines this year in the ASEAN Youth Exchange Program in Chulalongkorn University, Thailand while Nestor Jeremy Moreno was among the Philippine Youth Ambassadors sent to Japan for JENESYS 2.0 (Batch 2). Both of them are officers of the WVSU Forensic League and had been part of the young legislators during the conduct of the Philippine Model Congress at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City.

Latosa, Tubiano join First IOV Youth-Asia Congress

Sherwin Latosa and Princess Tubiano, junior political science students joined the Philippine Delegation to the First IOV Youth-Asia Congress, at Curtin University in Sarawak, Malaysia, January 20 - 26, 2014.

Latosa and Tubiano are the only delegates from the Visayas area that were included in 77 accepted applicants from all over Asia.

Folk art and culture, intangible heritage, tradition and their applications in the 21st Cen­tury are the subjects of discussions, workshops and lectures during this week-long meeting. IOV Youth are professionals and students seeking new ideas and fresh approaches to their work as teachers, arts administrators, handicraft counsellors and artists. They are also amateur hobbyists and students, whose interests include storytelling, singing, weaving and dancing. IOV Youth are brought together by a shared interest in folk art.

The 2014 Congress focused on the issues and relationships of traditional food and life:

• Intangible Cultural Heritage of Food (Traditional Cultures, Religions, Medicine, etc.)
• UNESCO Mandate on the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Why We Should Protect It
• Shaping a New Narrative for Globalization, Consumption and Mass Production in the Global Economy

IOV is a worldwide organization of individuals and institutions working to document, preserve, and promote all forms of folk art, both tangible and intangible.

IOV sponsors national and international folk art festivals, as well as cultural exchanges of performing artists and visual art. Through scientific and pedagogical symposia and workshops, IOV supports scholarly research, documentation, and publication on a board range of topics relating to folk art and folk culture.

The UNESCO 2003 Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, with its emphasis on research and documentation, and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, provide the foundation for IOV programs and projects.

The delegates to this event were students, researchers, and activists, as well as young professionals and others interested in folk art and folk culture, folk art history, civil society administration and related fields.

Jonald Dorado Wins Dinagyang Festival 2014 Binalaybay Title

Jonald Dorado, junior political science student, won over representatives of various colleges and universities in Iloilo City during Iloilo Dinagyang 2014 Binalaybay Contest held last January 21 at SM City Iloilo.

The Binalaybay Contest is one of the competitions of the Ilonggo Arts Festival - a side-event of the festivities. Other contests during the said event are Vocal Solo, Folk Dance and Latin Dance Sport.

The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is celebrated on the 4th weekend of January in Honor of Sr. Santo Nino (Child Jesus), as a celebration of the Ilonggos' rich culture and heritage through merry-making.

Get Ready for the AEC

Click on the video below to play:


Credits: ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), AIM, SM Investments, MAP, and EON

Nazareno Represents PH for JENESYS 2.0 Students' Conference

Third year political science student Paolo J. Nazareno was chosen to as one of the participants for the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths popularly known as JENESYS 2.0. He was one of the 150 chosen delegates in ASEAN countries, together with 30 Japanese participating youths, for the program Japan-ASEAN Student Conference last December 07-16, 2013.

The 15 representatives of the Philippines coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao had a pre-departure briefing last December 6, 2013 conducted by the National Youth Commission.

The 150 ASEAN delegates were divided into 5 five discussion topics: Education, Entrepreneurship, Environment and Corporate Social Contribution (CSC), Social Contribution Activities by Youth based on the Volunteerism, and Traditional Culture. Each group visited different Prefectures such as Shiga, Wakayama, Tottori, Hokkaido and Kagoshima prefectures respectively; and exposed them to Japanese culture.

Through these discussion topics, the delegates were tasked to make an action plan that will solve the existing problems of Asian countries.

Asean-Japan Special Summit Meeting from Dec. 13-15 coincided with the The Japan-Asean Students' Conference, in celebration of the 40th year of Asean-Japan Friendship, with the theme “Thoughts Connected, Future Connected.”

This student conference focused on “the cooperative role of youth in Asean and Japan toward peace, stability, and development, and prosperity in Asia.”

Jenesys 2.0, was an offshoot of the original Jenesys program way back in 2007. It was opened this year by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the purpose of offering varied youth exchange opportunities to Japan.

As part of Jenesys 2.0, the Japan-Asean Student Conference served as an instrument for youth involvement in building the Asian community, and building camaraderie among Asian youths.

In Re: Taxpayers of the Philippines vs. Pork Barrel, DAP, et al.

by REYMUND B. FLORES

The Filipino taxpayers are on a massive call to abolish the Pork Barrel, and all of its forms in the Philippines, including the Disbursement Acceleration Program initiated by the administration of President Aquino. It is believed that the former is one major source of corruption in the Philippines. On the other hand, DAP became a hot issue because of the question of its constitutionality and of the popular belief that it was a creative and effective tool initiated by the current administration to champion its campaign to oust the former Chief Justice Renato Corona from his post, in a form of incentives to senators who will vote against the former chief magistrate. Thus, this article was written to digest the issues in these two adopted systems.

Facts/Background

Pork barrel system is a democratic way of apportioning government resources to allocate funds equally to every congressional district to be used for the residents‘ most urgent needs. It is anchored on the premise that elected officials representing these congressional districts know better on what their respective localities urgently need.

Various groups across the islands are uprising to totally abolish the pork barrel system, as a direct emotional effect; as to how their funds are spent by their then honorable and trusted elected representatives. As these groups further assert, legislators should better enact or review existing laws for the common good, being their primary task mandated by the constitution.

The systems evolved through various nicknames, for one it was called Countryside Development Fund to highlight its focus on the rural areas, and later called Priority Development Assistance Fund, in which through this nickname that many taxpaying Filipinos are at one side calling to abolish because they believe that this "fattening system" is self-serving to many of the government officials of this country; who supposedly will work for the people and carryout the citizens‘ general will.

Last October 16, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) asked the Supreme Court to stop the release of funds from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and declare it as unconstitutional.

With reports from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, petitioner said in its 24-page petition for prohibition, through IBP counsel, former University of the Philippines Law Dean Pacifico Agabin, "unless restrained, the taxpayers will suffer irreparable injury because the money they have paid to the government was illegally utilized."

The IBP said its disbursement is not only grave abuse of discretion but can even be considered a criminal act—it is technical malversation under the Revised Penal Code.

Petitioner explained that the Constitution limited the power of the executive department as a disbursing authority by releasing only funds that are listed in appropriation law passed by Congress.

They further asserted that DAP was never mentioned in the 2011, 2012 and 2013‘s General Appropriations Act. It was also pointed out that even Budget Secretary Florencio Abad admitted the DAP was not in the GAA.

Issues

The growing clamor of the Filipino taxpayers revolves on these two common issues: (1) Whether or not Pork Barrel, and all sorts, shall be abolished; and (2) Whether or not the Disbursement Acceleration Program initiated by the Aquino administration is within the bounds of the Philippine Constitution.

[Sound] Decision

To prevent abuse, aside from the already instituted safeguard policies and procedural requisites for fund releases, the government shall initiate reforms to cure the controversies that the current system had created. For instance, taxpayers/citizens through a series of dialogues and consultations shall be given the opportunity to discuss the extent and limitations on the disbursement and uses of the pork barrel, including the project/program monitoring and auditing procedures and the corresponding liability accountable to government agency or official who fails to perform the functions expected in them. An independent-third party evaluator shall be utilized to work together with the Commission on Audit and review the programs and projects implemented under this system.

The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants can be tapped to act as third party audit monitoring team as part of their social services program, or through a network of accountancy students associations or organizations in the Philippines, with the help of their respective university or college advisers, as part of their extension services.

Amidst this controversy, The author of this agrees that the main job of our legislators is to make laws and review these laws to address the needs of this country‘s present condition, not to build roads, school houses and medical clinics, or feed orphans, grant scholarships, or distribute fertilizers and swine as these things are the primary tasks assigned to the executive.

However, let‘s take a second look at this issue; legislators are not the ones who implement and closely monitor the implementation of these projects. Their tasks are to identify programs and projects that their share in the pork may be channeled. It is the DBM that certifies the allocation of budget to a particular implementing agency – most likely under the executive department. It is in this context that technically the program and project implementation still lie within the executive department, not to legislatures. In this issue, the author of this believes that the call to abolish the pork barrel system is an act of oversimplifying the issue. Taxpayers are advised to take part in decision-making process on up to what extent that these discretionary funds shall be given to whom and in the monitoring process of future programs and projects that may be implemented.

On the issue of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Department of Budget and Management says, in a statement posted on its official website, "it is a stimulus package under the Aquino administration designed to fast-track public spending and push economic growth. This covers high-impact budgetary programs and projects which will be augmented out of the savings generated during the year and additional revenue sources."

DBM stresses that DAP was conceptualized in September 2011 and introduced in October 2011. Further it says, "funds used for programs and projects identified through DAP, the DMB were sourced from savings generated by the government, the realignment of which is [then] subject[ed] to the approval of the President; as well as the Unprogrammed Fund that can be tapped when government has windfall revenue collections, e.g., unexpected remittance of dividends from the GOCCs and Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), sale of government assets."

This creative and noble intention of the Aquino administration is, of course, appreciated by the author of this. However, no matter how creative and noble our intentions are, there are procedures that govern the processes of their implementation that need to be followed. It shall be noted that when DAP was conceptualized and implemented, the fiscal year was not yet over. Hence, it is so premature to declare the existence of savings by that time. Funds coming-in to the government from any sources expected or not, shall be properly accounted against government expenditures by the end of the fiscal year. Later it will be accumulated to the government funds and form part of its revenue, and the disbursement depends on the Congress‘ approval.

The constitution reserves the power of the purse to the Philippine Congress. A better communication between these two branches is necessary, where the executive may lay down the dynamics of the program subject to legislatures‘ approval. In this case, the legitimacy of the program shall be freed from questions and doubts.

Pareo: While the constitution gives the power to the Honorable Supreme Court to decide on the constitutionality of the policy and program that are implemented, such as this Disbursement Acceleration Program, the author of this respects the authority vested by the constitution to the Honorable Court; and whatever decision, and orders that the highest tribunal may promulgate relating to this controversy.

Forensic League Attends Global Youth Summit

Now on its third year, AIESEC’s Global Youth Summit 2013 held at the SM North EDSA Skydome last September 21, 2013 was attended by Forensic League members Fannie Nagallo (AB3-A), Job Aldin Nabuab (AB4-A), Paolo Nazareno (AB 3-A), Chona Sanoy AB 2A), and John Christian Gonzaga (AB 2A) with the rest of the qualified teams from the Philippines and abroad.

GYS is organized by AIESEC, the world’s largest youth-run network with over 86,000 members in 113 different countries. In the Philippines, AISEC trains its 500+ members by facilitating international exchange programs between 7 schools around the world.

This year’s theme Global Youth Summit 2013: Breaking the Box, focused on driving youth leadership that is fueled by global-mindedness and innovation. Discussions and activities were centered on challenging the status quo and activities that hone the skills of the delegates in creating anticipative solutions that will create impact on both the nation and for humanity.

GYS 2013’s dynamic roster of speakers include Alex Eduque, Habitat Philippines YC Founder & Ambassador; Tony Abad, founder of multi-disciplinary consulting firm Trade Advisory Group; Lourd De Veyra, multi-awarded musician and host; and Migz Villafuerte, Governor of Camarines Sur and the youngest elected Filipino politician. GYS will also fly in Michael Teoh, Malaysian youth speaker and ambassador for Your Big Year, the world’s largest social entrepreneurship and global citizenship competition.

Fully supported and endorsed by the National Youth Commission, AIESEC, and SM Cares, the Global Youth Summit 2013 gathered 1,200 top student leaders from different colleges and universities around the country and the world dubbed as the biggest summit for young people.

11 Political Science Students Act as Lawmakers in 2013 Philippine Model Congress

Nestor Jeremy Moreno, Katherine Rose Kapunan, Ma. Henna Glyssa Diaz, Andrew Mari Malilay, Edmund Maestrecampo, Sherwin Latosa, Christine Joy Gallego, Ma. Fomy Malfetria, Junna Rose Pasco, Jonald Dorado and Lara Banzuelo were part of the 500 students from across the country who occupied the Senate halls last Saturday and Sunday, July 27 - 28, 2013, for a two-day simulation of the affairs of the legislative branch of government.

The Philippine Model Congress (PMC) is an annual student-run and student-participated conference patterned after similar initiatives in topnotch universities abroad.

The delegates simulated the Philippine Congress' congressional debates, engaged in workshops and learn from invited guest speakers. Like a real Congress, bills are drafted and undergo committee hearings — an opportunity for young people to experience being in the shoes of the country’s legislators.

The conference is on its second year with 1,400 students applied, but only a third got accepted. It hopes to give students the opportunity to tell congress what matters to them.

Bills passed will be presented to the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives.

Senior WVSU Political Science Student Joins JENESYS 2.0 Batch 2 to Japan

Nestor Jeremy B. Moreno, senior political science student of West Visayas State University, was selected as
one of the Philippine Youth Ambassadors who represented the country in the JENESYS 2.0 (Batch 2) held last 25 May - 02 June 2013 in various cities of Japan.

Moreno together with Lara Jeunesse Villaruel , junior student of the College of Communications were part of the 34 Filipino students from different universities in the country who joined with the other 326 ASEAN Youths in a cultural exchange to create camaraderie among the Southeast Asian youths and Japanese counterparts through intensive interaction, workshops, and structured exchanges of view.

This program aimed to provide practical knowledge on Japan's experiences in addressing development gaps and attaining global excellence through utilizing local resources, creativity and branding strategies, and realizing effective agglomeration of economies among its region/prefectures.

Minister Setsuo Omori of the Embassy of Japan delivered an inspirational message to encourage fellowship among the new delegates during the pre-departure orientation held on May 24, 2013 headed by the National Youth Commission Executive Director Shierwin Taay.

Directors Randy Arquiza and Julius Flores of the Department of Foreign Affairs were also present to give an overview of the Asean Economic Community Network (AEC), as well as the Asean-Japan Relations.

The delegates took a trip Tokyo to experience the actual condition of this capital city, as well as the advanced and safe technology through the Shinkansen Train.

One of the activities of the program is to acquaint the youth-delegates to be familiar with the Japanese governing system, establish the AEC Youth Network through interaction with the Japanese university students and local family homestays.

One of the many programs under the JENESYS 2.0 is promoting consciousness toward ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) among the young generation within the Southeast Asian region to realize the AEC Youth Network.

The JENESYS 2.0 aims to forge a stronger relationship between the ASEAN member countries and Japan, and to let the young generation of Japan have a deeper understanding of ASEAN countries and AEC. The JENESYS 2.0 aims to add another 30,000 youths to the 30,000 young people who previously travelled to Japan under the previous JENESYS program.

With the support from the Government of Japan, JENESYS 2.0 ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Youth Network is organized by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), in close cooperation with the National Youth Commission (NYC) of the Republic of the Philippines.

Kapunan joins the Philippine Official Delegation to AYERA 2013 in Thailand

Katherine Rose F. Kapunan, senior Political Science student of West Visayas State University was accepted to participate in the ASEAN Youth Exchange Program held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 15-25, 2013.

The ASEAN Youth Exchange Program entitled “The ASEAN Youth and the Evolving Regional Architecture” is organized by ASEAN Studies Centre of Chulalongkorn University. The program provided a platform to 150 student-delegates from ASEAN member countries to learn about ASEAN in areas related to three intertwined pillars – Political-security, Economic and Socio - Cultural pillars through various activities by Chulalongkorn University.

The ASEAN Youth Exchange Program aims to promote greater awareness about the establishment of the ASEAN Community and enhance the participation as well as integration of the ASEAN Youth to achieve the goal of ASEAN as “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” in order to ensure genuine people centered, durable peace and shared prosperity of the region.

The said program included workshops:

• Media Production
• Focus: Video Production & Photography
• Journalism
• Focus: Feature News & Article Writing
• Arts & Acting
• Focus: Play
• Advocacy
• Focus: Volunteer Leadership & Peace Workshop, discussion groups, socio-cultural gatherings, and excursion trips.

Discussion group topics included:

• Education for sustainable development
• Role of media to enhance mutual understanding and a sense of community Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Engagement with the community

The participating youths also shared their culture and talents in the ASEAN night, and learned in excursion trips provided by the program. Kapunan and her partner Jerome Aligora from University of the Philippines received cheers as they danced Binasuan, a challenging Philippine folkdance.

Kapunan went with 17 other representatives from University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University and Philippine Normal University.

Villareal, one of the Philippines' top political science students for 2013

Mark Arvill Villareal,the lone nominee from West Visayas State University to the 2013 Ten Outstanding Political Science Students (TOPSS) of the Philippines, placed 5th in the awarding ceremony held last February 9 at Vigan City Convention Center during the Annual National Convention of the Political Science Students Association of the Philippines (PSSAP, Inc.).

Supported by the Commission on Higher Education as an active partner of the program, the TOPSS-Philippines award is given to honor the graduating political science students who had exhibited an outstanding performance in both academic and co-curricular activities.

The 2013 PSSAP Annual Convention was hosted by the University of Northern Philippines and the Politically-Inclined Students (POLIS)with the theme “Heritage and Politics: Advancing Synergistic Actions towards Cultural Heritage Preservation, through Political Mobilization”, from 07 to 10 February 2013.

The summit aimed to mobilize and galvanize Political Science students, by giving them an avenue to discuss strategic ways for sustainable preservation of cultural heritage, for a more effective, efficient and accountable governance.

Through the exposition of long-term and new political and governmental perspectives, this endeavor was also envisioned to expand the roles of the students as active and responsible citizens of the political society.