SSC News and Events 2012

SSC College Unit Holds Awareness Forum on Scarborough
By Prof. Mary Joy Rosales-Orante,
Posted: Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Student Council (SC) of the College Unit initiated the social awareness forum entitled "Philippine Sovereignty on Scarborough" or also known as Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc last Friday, 29 June 2012 at the Social Hall of SSC. The forum on the Philippine-China territorial dispute was held by the SC in collaboration with the Political Science Society (POLIS).

The POLIS President, Ms. Abigail So, led the invocation that was followed by the singing of the national anthem.

Dean Ma. Asuncion Azcuna, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, delivered the opening remarks. She shared with the students the latest information about the dispute. She emphasized the need for the students to grasp the issue because it has an impact in the lives of the students.

The highlights of the event were the back-to-back lectures of Prof. Mark Anthony Velasco from the Social Sciences Department of SSC and that of Atty. Harry Roque, a columnist, broadcaster and convenor of the Human Rights movement, Katarungan. Prof. Velasco provided the academic perspective on the issue by giving a historical background. Atty. Roque, on the other hand, focused on the legal facet, explaining the legal basis of sovereignty among others. Images, maps and historical data shown by the speakers captured the attention of the audience. The discussion became very engaging because Atty. Roque used Filipino language and terms that are easily understood by the students. He also identified reasons validating the Philippine claim on the shoal. The forum provided the Scholastican community an opportunity to become critically aware about the said socio-political issue. The forum likewise encouraged the studentry to become more pro-active in issues as positive agents of change.

The open forum further enriched the discussion when Scholasticans raised questions to the speakers. Members of the audience were the classes of Dr. Usog, Professors Antonio, Macascas, Dopenio, Sevilla, Velasco and Orante. There were also guests from Katarungan who were with Atty. Roque. The speakers received certificates and tokens of appreciation after the open forum.

Ms. Ana Bianca Sarte, President of the Student Council, delivered the closing remarks.

The event dramatically ended with the rendition of "Ang Bayan Ko" by the Society of Musicians.

The event was hosted by Prof. Mary Joy Rosales-Orante from the Department of Social Sciences.