6th RIPPLES Camp at CHMSU kicks off

All roads led to Talisay City as the sixth edition of the RIPPLES Camp at Carlos Hilado Memorial State Univerisity kicked off on Monday, August 5, 2024.

Some 154 student-leaders from the Alijis and Fortune Towne Campuses in Bacolod City, Binalbagan Campus, and Talisay Campus are in for the six-day leadership and capacity-building workshops, lectures, and activities.

The RIPPLES Camp stands for “Responsive, Innovative, Proactive, Passionate, Leaders by Example, and for Social Change.”

Challenging the campers

The first day of the camp began with a keynote address by former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela who challenged the campers to use their skills and platforms as student leaders.

At the beginning of the juncture, Gov. Coscolluela asked the campers on what they believe is wrong and right in our country.
He then synthesized their insights, highlighting how inadequate education contributes to broader societal issues such as poor governance, corruption, a failing educational system, and a lack of discipline.

For incoming fourth year BS Management Accounting student Jay Ann Bajon, a student senator at the Fortune Towne Campus, “A leader should learn to speak out against what is wrong, to speak out for the benefit of others.”

Bajon added that the one of most important lessons she learned from the former governor was potential of young leaders to eradicate the problems the country is facing today.

“The best asset you can use to begin change in your community is yourself,” said Gov. Coscolluela.

Throughout the discussion, the students’ perspectives evolved from seeing the country as “half empty” to recognizing its positive aspects and viewing it as “half full.”

The Governor emphasized the necessity of internal change and collective action to create ripples of influence. He encouraged the youth to actively participate in achieving our national goals and addressing critical needs effectively.

Bryle Adrian Luna, an incoming third year Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education student, said he was inspired and hope to make a difference in his own way.

“Leaders do what is good for other,” said Coscolluela, adding that leader new push others away, but pull people together inspiring collaboration.

His first time to attend the RIPPLES Camp, Luna who is the governor for the College of Education in Alijis Campus, said he looks forward to using the lessons from the camp not just at school but in his own community, and even after graduation.

The provincial consultant on energy and environment concerns also emphasized how education makes a big difference to the lives of your Filipinos and that being scholars at CHMSU is a huge privilege.

In the afternoon, the campers discovered more about themselves through the “Self-Awareness and Values Clarification” workshop with guidance counselor Maria Luna Dela Cerna of Alijis Campus.

The RIPPLES Camp is a venue for the student-leaders to know themselves better and hone their leadership skills through a series of capacity-building lectures, workshops, and spiritual and teambuilding activities.

ASEAN Month and advocacy

Through the camp, their communication and collaboration skills will be further developed in order to become effective leaders and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

On Thursday, August 8, 2024, CHMSU will celebrate the ASEAN Day with a flag raising ceremony and a fellowship and solidarity activity.

The fellowship will feature the talents of the campers as they pay homage to the vibrant culture of the ASEAN member-states.

Luna said he is excited to wear his garment inspired by one of the ASEAN countries. “The ASEAN Fellowship and Solidarity will gives us an avenue to appreciate other cultures, and foster unity in diversity.”

The campers are also set to plant over 1,500 native and endemic Philippine trees at the Gawahon Eco-Park in Victorias City as part of the Bionihan Tree Growing.

As one of the participants of Bionihan in 2021, Bajon said she is looking forward to planting more trees at the adopted sites of CHMSU at the Northern Negros Natural Park.

“I look forward to see the growth of the trees that we planted back then. I am ready to plant more trees!”
Planning for the year ahead

The student-leaders will also formulate strategic action plans for the Academic Year 2024-2025, incorporating what they have learned throughout the camp.

The RIPPLES Camp is organized by the Center for Internationalization and External Relations (CIER) and the Office for Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) of CHMSU.

The camp team is led by overall supervisor OSAS Director Maria Victoria Violanda and CIER Director Rhoderick Samonte, camp director.* (CHMSU)