A CANDIDATE for public relations officer (PRO) is seeking to transform the image of the Central Student Council (CSC), aiming to shift its reputation from an “administrative body” to a more student-centered council.
Nathan Blaza, a financial management freshman from the College of Commerce and Business Administration, said he wants to make the CSC an ally of the student body by bolstering engagement and inclusivity, both online and offline.
“I’ll reestablish the relevance of the council by making it lean more [toward] a student-centered council rather than an administrative body. Gusto kong makita nila ‘yong CSC as a kakampi ng mga Tomasino rather than another part of the administration,” Blaza told the Varsitarian.
Running on a platform titled “CSC: The Link,” Blaza’s three-part agenda seeks to foster closer ties between Thomasians and the student council through programs “Tomasinong Inklusibo,” “Tomasinong Interaktibo,” and “Tomasinong Konektado.”
To boost online engagement, he plans to harness platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Reddit to create online spaces where Thomasians can voice their concerns.
“I believe that every student deserves a platform to share concerns, ideas, and suggestions. I believe that empowering the student council will bridge the gap between students and the administration,” Blaza said in a mix of Filipino and English.
He also plans to hold open forums and town hall-style consultations with local student councils.
Under his “Tomasinong Inklusibo,” Blaza proposed establishing student-led support groups for marginalized sectors within UST such as LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and Muslim students.
Apart from student welfare, Blaza also seeks to launch “Pawmasino,” a program that will provide support and recognition to animal welfare groups that care for stray animals on campus.
In the lead-up to the 2025 midterm elections, he also plans to spearhead political engagement efforts by organizing mock polls to gauge Thomasians’ electoral preferences.
‘Oppression is evident’
Blaza previously served as executive associate to the vice president for finance at the UST Community Achievers Association and as an external affairs associate at the UST Commerce and Business Administration Student Council.
He is running against political science junior Heavenly Nerizon for the PRO post — the only CSC position with more than one candidate.
With no one interested to run for the posts of president and treasurer, Blaza blamed the “bureaucracy” that he said hinders student leaders in UST.
“I don’t think that Thomasians are blind to what’s happening inside the UST. I think that the oppression is very evident,” he said.
“Bureaucracy constrains the effectiveness of student leaders [in implementing their programs and platforms] that will serve for the well-being of the council,” he added. “If this continues, student leadership will suffer.”
For Blaza, the role of PRO goes beyond event organization and drafting statements — it should be a platform for real student empowerment.
“We need to start from the grassroots. Kailangan maramdaman nila (students) na nando’n tayo para sa kanila,” he said.
