SSC Candidates Face off in Miting de Avance 2025
Northwestern University conducted the 2025 Miting de Avance for the Supreme Student Council (SSC) elections on May 20 at the Aquino Multi-Purpose Center and Worship Center, providing aspiring student leaders a platform to present their plans and directly engage with the student body.
The event was organized under the supervision of Mr. Meynard Castro, former SSC President and current university faculty member, who chaired this year’s Election Committee. Candidates from the two contending parties, FOR NORTHWESTERNIANS and THE CHAMPS, took center stage to introduce themselves.
The program featured a structured lineup, including formal candidate introductions, a “Yes or No” segment, a host-led question-and-answer round, and an open forum where students voiced their concerns. Discussions revolved around student involvement, leadership accountability, academic support, and campus welfare.
The Miting de Avance aimed to promote transparency, foster informed decision-making, and encourage active participation in the democratic process. It also served as an opportunity for candidates to articulate their leadership vision and propose tangible solutions aligned with the needs of the student body.
Mr. Mark Lawrence D. Faylogna, presidential candidate under the FOR NORTHWESTERNIANS Party, emphasized the need for sincere and principled leadership. “Leadership should always start from the heart—and it should be pure, with no expectations of anything in return,” he stated. “Change is something that we can achieve through a vote for change.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Zhanisse Angel G. Pagatpatan, presidential aspirant under THE CHAMPS Party, outlined a leadership platform built on sustainability, inclusivity, and practical governance. “We build our platform on truth and capability—not on flowered promises,” she said. “What we offer is sustainable, inclusive, and most of all, student-centered.”
The event was attended by faculty members, current SSC officers, and students eager to hear from their future leaders. The elections are set to take place later this week, with results to be announced shortly after.
The program concluded with a final question posed by 2024–2025 SSC President Ms. Stephanie Jane Bonilla, challenging both presidential candidates to define what it truly means to lead with integrity in today’s academic climate.
The Supreme Student Council serves as the official voice of the student body and works closely with the university administration to implement programs, initiatives, and policies that benefit all Northwesternians.
