Silver Hiponia, first director of UST GenSan's Communications Bureau. (Photo by Jan Kristopher Esguerra)

UST MIGHT be one of the Philippines’ most established institutions, but its General Santos (GenSan) campus is still in its infancy.

To aid in launching UST GenSan, the university has named 29-year-old Silver Hiponia as the first director of the Communications Bureau for its Mindanao campus.

Hiponia faces the challenge of managing the online presence of the newest UST campus, which carries the weight of a 400-year institutional legacy.

“The preparation really has to work with my core…To just stay humble and to remain that good motive that I want to do my best and help this new school,” Hiponia told the Varsitarian.

“We’ll do more here in UST.”

Despite the significant responsibility, Hiponia views his age as an advantage in connecting with new students.

“As a young administrator at the age of 29, I can relate more with Gen Zs. I’m no longer a Gen Z, but I’m close to their age,” he said.

The GenSan native initially pursued an accounting major but later switched to public administration for his master’s degree, as it aligned with his passion. 

Hiponia has taught public administration at various Notre Dame universities in Mindanao and at Ateneo de Davao University, where he worked before transferring to UST GenSan.

Hoping to return to his hometown, Hiponia initially sought an academic position at the campus’ School of Business and Accountancy but was later offered the role of Communications Bureau director by Professor Emeritus Maribel Nonato, assistant to the rector for UST GenSan.

“It’s really my commitment, my heart, because I am actually rejoicing that I became part of UST. … It’s a dream come true, an answered prayer.”

Hiponia’s communication journey began with teaching English to international students and Filipino teachers after graduating in 2015. As Communications Bureau director, he now oversees UST GenSan’s broadcast and online media efforts.

In Manila, the counterpart office manages TigerTV and Tiger Radio and provides coverage of major academic activities and University-wide events. Hiponia aims to establish similar systems at UST GenSan through collaboration.

“I really collaborate with all of the employees. I want to consult everyone and involve them. If they have opinions, I want them validated. We are a new university, and we have to collaborate with each other,” he said.

“I want to have student volunteers working and helping, not just in my office, but in other offices too,” Hiponia added. “One thing I also desire is to see students improve their speaking skills and the way they present themselves. We are molding students to become independent and well-equipped for work after university.”

Although not a communication major, Hiponia believes his background in public administration provides him with essential tools for the role.

“In public administration, you get to understand positions, especially respect. It equips you to become independent, draft policies, and handle people. You also learn to manage paperwork.”

Hiponia is also temporarily tasked with overseeing the campus’ public relations, which involves promoting Catholic education in Mindanao.

The key, Hiponia said, is humility.

“(UST) is a Catholic school, so it’s really about showing Christ-likeness and that Christ is for everyone. So no matter what religion people follow, you have to show humility and make everyone feel welcome and respected,” he said. 

GenSan has the fifth-largest Muslim population among cities in Mindanao, with 70% of its residents identifying as Roman Catholic.

In August, UST GenSan welcomed 126 students across its three academic units. Hiponia was named director of the Communications Bureau two months prior.

The Communications Bureau at UST Manila was established in 2018. Hiponia visited the Manila campus last July to prepare for his new role.

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