Buasen, Guiling, and Generoso: The “Big Three” of ASSOC elections 2023
Photo from ASSOC Elections Committee
In a short written interview of Asian Studies Gazette (ASG) with the candidates of the 2023 Asian Studies Society (ASSOC) elections; Mary Carl Buasen running for President, Mary Laurice Gulling for Vice President - Internal (IVP); and Marianne Zabine Generoso for Vice President - External (EVP) have shared their thoughts on various subject matters.
For ASSOC, 2023 is a year filled with new and more complex challenges. It is a year wherein the new set of leaders must remain vigilant and prepared for the obstacles that lie ahead. In this year’s election, three strong-willed female candidates dared to rise to the challenge, boasting outstanding credentials and leadership backgrounds who all hail from the previous administration.
“I can say with full confidence that Kuya Yman and his role as the former External Vice President has shaped my own personal perspective of what a leader should be. I know that there are just some things you can’t truly be 100% prepared for… However, I want to work hard enough to prove to the student body that if I win, I will be pouring everything that I am into my position, whatever it takes,”
EVP candidate Generoso said.
“I've already worked with different IVPs and board committee members in the past - from which I've learned so much - that gives me an edge to take on the responsibility of ensuring that the internal matters of the society are well taken care of”
says IVP candidate Guiling.
While it is great to see experienced and enthusiastic candidates running for office, the problem of understaffing and having no Secretary, Auditor, and PRO is a significant obstacle to efficient governance. Presidential candidate Buasen answered,
“If ever given the chance of winning the position as the president of ASSOC, the first thing on my agenda would be to meet with my co-executive board members to plan ahead of time on what we will do for the meantime these positions will be left vacant before the next academic year’s special elections.”
Buasen further added,
“Much more than the challenge of lacking manpower in the slate of ASSOC’s executive board members proves that planning is and will always be the key, together with open communication and on-hand involvement of the officers to assure the proper materialization of the plan formulated by the entire elected officers.”
The candidates have now spoken; it is now up to the Asian Studies constituency if they will vote and prove that 2023 is indeed the year of the “Big Three” for ASSOC.
