SAS Bulletin

𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

Some evenings rhyme. Others reason.

Letters for Pride was more than an open mic, it was a reminder that every letter carries weight: letters that spell identities, letters that become poems, and letters that eventually become history. Every verse shared that night was both a celebration and a quiet act of resistance, proving that words are never just words when they are spoken with courage.

In solidarity with the communities affected by the recent earthquake in General Santos City, this gathering transformed poetry into purpose, where every applause echoed as support and every contribution became another page in a story of hope.

Fifty-seven years after Stonewall, we continue writing the chapters they fought for. Some stories were whispered, others boldly declared, but all deserved to be heard. After all, pride isn't just about coming out; it's about coming through.

Here's to voices that refused to stay between the lines, to hearts that found home in every stanza, and to a community that keeps proving the pen isn't merely mightier than the sword, it knows how to draw bridges where walls once stood.

Some letters become words. Some words become worlds.
And on this night, they became both.

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Photos by Cedrick Andrei Matias
Caption by: Maruyama Tamayo

Stepping Up, Going Beyond: Meet John Tyler Calderon, SAS SC’s New President

Following the School of Arts and Sciences' Induction and Turnover Ceremony on May 25, the newly elected SAS Student Council officers are officially stepping into their roles for Academic Year 2026 – 2027. On June 3, we sat down with the new SAS SC President, John Tyler Calderon, to talk about life outside of leadership duties and his hopes for the incoming school year.

How has it been since the turnover?

“Truth be told, I’m anxious. You don’t know unsa’y mu-unfold on your term. Despite that, I’m very optimistic, because our execom right now are the very people who really showed commitment in last year’s term. Ang anxiety of starting the term na-outweigh siya with optimism to lead the council with great people.”

Who is Tyler Calderon outside of his leadership duties?

“I am Tyler Calderon, incoming fourth year. As a student, sabaan jud ko, especially with my circle of friends. It’s my stress reliever jud akong friends—spending time with them. Outside of school, I’m also very socially active. Mangita jud ko’g laag. Every Friday, I go out with my friends.”

What or who has been your biggest influence or inspiration in life and as a student leader?

“The best person I can think of is my mom. She has been very supportive of me. When I look at her, I cannot see any weakness. That somehow reflects me now. People tend to see me as a person na murag very strong. But deep inside, I know my weaknesses and my vulnerabilities, and I don’t tend to show it. As a leader, when I was an incoming second year, I ran. I met lots of people that serve to me as inspiration. The people who I’ve been around in my second-year life, especially to my party, they really moulded me into who I am today—to face the challenges with commitment.”

What made you decide to commit to student leadership, and how has that experience shaped you so far?

“When I was senior high, I see student leadership as a really big responsibility. Student councils—mahadlok jud ko mu-join. Despite that, I always supported the student council back in my senior high school days. Before I stepped in the USC, I told myself that if ever there’s an opportunity nga mo anhi sa akoa, I won’t waste it. College is the last phase sa akoang academic life. I will make sure that dili siya ma-sayang, because I know I have a lot to offer. It’s also a calling from the people I’ve spent with. It was a really hard decision for me. It took me two months to actually think about it, because I know these types of organizations, makaupaw jud siya. You need to commit yourself. Luckily, nakasud ko sa Supreme Student Council. I met a lot of people. It really made me stronger and also very objective with the decisions that are affecting the student body.”

What has been the most defining moment of your leadership journey so far?

“It’s definitely the Supreme Student Council. When I ran as vice president. Hadlok siya, because you don’t know who will scrutinize you—who will ask you very personal questions that will really target your capacity to lead. When I was running for councilor, I was the 21st councilor. I really garnered the lowest votes among all the 21 councilors. It’s so surprising to me, because when I ran as vice president, our turnout was very close ra jud. It made me realize, throughout the tenure that I have in the Supreme Student Council, it’s a testament of how much I gave to people. Although wala ko nadaog as the vice president, the same vision I had for the student body did not end with my loss. Another opportunity came, less than a week, SAS Student Council was opening its applications for ExComm, so I applied for Vice President for External Affairs. Luckily, I got into position. What I envisioned with the Supreme Student Council, I applied it to the SAS Student Council. When I realized people were actually supporting me, it really made me believe in myself. With that, I poured everything sa SAS Student Council.”

What made you decide to accept the nomination for SAS SC President?

“Dugay na ko gina-encourage sa akong friends na to stay in the council para ako ang ma-president. But during that time, I could not see myself stepping up to a bigger position, especially mag-incoming fourth year na. We have internships and thesis. And on top of that, we’re facing significant challenges in our family, with my mom. I need to take care of my mom. If God really wants to put me in that position, then I trust Him. Also, people are believing in me and they will put themselves beside me to lead a council and the whole student body of the SAS community.”

What are your main priorities during your term? What do you most hope to accomplish?

“I have a vision called Beyond. Beyond really resonates with me the most, because for the past years, we see there is a problem within the system of the SAS Student Council. If the system of the council is not efficient, then how can we efficiently, in the first place, serve the student body effectively? So na-emerge ang idea to Go Beyond. My vision for Beyond has four pillars. First is to go Beyond Transparency. Last year, we pushed for posting for attendance, posting of financial statements, and posting of adopted resolutions. We also had a year-end report. And, just now, we have completed the accomplishment report, because we want to make sure that the student body is not isolated from what’s happening in the council. With Beyond Systems, for the first time last year, we pushed for a resolution-based government in the Student Council and the practice of semi-parliamentary procedure. At first, intimidated pa ang people in the council, because this was a new system. I explained to them that we should choose what’s best for transparency and continuity, instead of choosing unsa atong convenient. Consequently, dili pajuy siya mapasa sa mga different officers sa council, so there is a gap between the members and then the higher positions. I want to ensure that whatever is happening in the council is consulted, even the members sa standing committees. Beyond Voices means representation, or the voices of the students. This academic year, I want to really mark it—the SAS Ask. One step I can do that is to create a committee that actually caters to the concerns of the students. I want to call it the Committee on Complaints, Grievances, and Inquiries. There are a lot of problems, especially with the TOFI and with the recent calamities. We want to ensure that na naa’y makadungog jud ug tarung jud sa student council. And then Beyond Accountability. I want to establish COJ, Committee on Justice. Because in the current constitution of the SAS SC, COJ shall only be established if needed. It should be proactive. It will also serve as an accountability mechanism to the council, like a separate entity that can really scrutinize the council. I believe the trust of the students should be based on how a student council is accountable for its actions. With all of that, I know I cannot do it without a constitutional convention. Throughout the upcoming general meetings, we will talk about the steps of the con-con. The constitution of the SAS SC was recently revised last 2024. As I reviewed it, daghan jud need to improve, because it’s not reflective of what the student body needs. I want to make the student body feel like SAS SC is for them jud. I want nga dili ang makita ang SAS Student Council as project- or event-based. I want nga it’s a student-centered government.”

What specific issues have you noticed or have been brought up within the SAS community and how do you wish to address them?

“Katong sa recently concluded na USC Days with the SAS Cheer. What I did was communicate with the various parties. I believe that diplomacy and proper dialogue will solve everything. I really take the SAS Student Council as accountable to what really transpired, because, obviously, there was somehow a lapse in our end to really check all throughout what’s really happening. So, karon, I want to be proactive. We want to create a committee on sports and recreation that can really supervise and oversee and also serve as the bridge of the various formations of sports in the SAS. Gusto ko nga igka-USC Days, our sports representatives are well taken care of.”

What do you look forward to the most as SSC SC President?

“More engaged student body. Even outside in other universities, student apathy is really a thing. Epidemic na jud siya. What I want with the upcoming term is to make sure that the systems that we create are for the students in a way that they don’t feel excluded from what’s happening in the council—so they can participate more. I’m looking forward to see SAS Student Council as a very vocal student organization. Just recently, I drafted a statement for the pride and then co-signed with organizations. I want to make sure that the SAS Student Council do not exist in a vacuum. Aside from that, I’m also looking forward for more vibrant projects, especially SAS Week and Pasadahan. Right now, we’re starting preparations for Pasadahan—our welcoming event for the SAS community.”

What message would you like to give to the SAS community?

“For the SAS community, as the president, I just want to encourage everyone to take part in the council as we go beyond the traditions or the status quo. Also, I want to assure you that with everything that we do, the utmost consideration sa student body is the center of it. I want you guys to keep an eye on the council as well. Participate on what’s going on. At the same time, we won’t fail you guys, because the SAS Student Council right now has plans for you. These plans are nothing without the very student body that is part of it.”

What do you hope for anyone reading this article in the future to take away from today’s interview?

“Hold student councils with utmost accountability. Student leadership is not about titles. People sometimes run for student council without consideration of unsa jud ang responsibility. And me, right now, as the president of the SAS community, I want to serve as an inspiration. Despite the hurdles, we still continue showing up to the people that we ought to serve. For the aspiring student leaders, I was also in the same position who’s contemplating wanting to join. Take a leap. It’s really a leap of faith. Do it scared.”

As Tyler steps into his term as SAS SC President, he hopes to lead a council that goes beyond traditions and places students at the center of every decision. Through stronger systems, greater transparency, and active student participation, he hopes to create a council that remains accountable and responsive to the needs of the SAS community. For Tyler, leadership is not about titles, but about showing up, listening, and continuing to serve—even when the path ahead is uncertain
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Caption by Zophia Maureen Roca
Visual by Lee Ivan Castillo

𝐧𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐲...𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈 𝐏𝐎 𝐀𝐓𝐄! 😛🏳️‍🌈

It's that time of the year, Majesties, a time where we put love above all. This June, SAS Bulletin celebrates love in all forms, honors the courage of those who came before us, and continues creating a world where everyone can live authentically and proudly. Pride is more than a celebration—it is a reminder that diversity makes our communities stronger, brighter and more beautiful. 💓💖

On a history side note, do you know the meaning of each individual color of the pride flag? Red equals life, orange symbolizes healing, yellow stands for sunlight, green represents nature, indigo stands for serenity, and violet represents the spirit of the LGBTQIA. 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩

So come on, Majesties, join us in celebrating Pride this 2026. And remember, shade never made anybody less gay 🥳

PS: Wanna learn more about our q***r icons? Read short articles about them in each photo 🤩

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Visuals by: Chelsea de Leon
Articles by: Joshua Espinosa