Incumbent BLAZE2025 Batch Vice President Lara Capps, trained for leadership roles through the University Student Government’s (USG) initiatives, now seeks the seat in the Office of the Vice President for Internal Affairs, driven by a commitment to action-oriented, representative governance.
The LaSallian: As the outgoing batch vice president for BLAZE2025 and someone involved with various USG initiatives, what aspects of the OVPIA’s structural roles and programmatic responsibilities do you believe need further development or improvement?
Capps: For this, I think it’s the policy-making and the research. As I’ve observed, I’ve been on the OVP before, and we’ve worked on policies. And right now, I see that more efforts—I commend them for that—that a lot of efforts are on the student services. But I think [in] the office, I want to also focus on the policies, especially [since] we have a project na point-to-point bus services. So, itong research and development, we really want to make use of it, ‘yung committee na ‘yan.
The LaSallian: What are the lapses, if any, that you’ve observed in the current OVPIA administration that you would want to address if elected?
Capps: It’s not a lapse, but it’s something that I want to take on as I take on the office. It’s that I want our initiatives to be purpose-rooted…and also impact-driven. So, an example of application of this would [be] going back to the purpose of each project. For example, I want Archer’s Kitchen to be applied ulit na…tuwing ‘yung mga for nag-o-all-nighter siya, as you have noticed before, around 10 pm siya to until very, like, midnight. So, gano’n ‘yung gusto kong i-apply para we would go back to our roots sa projects natin.
The LaSallian: So, you would want Archer’s Kitchen, hindi na siya, like, every exams week lang?
Capps: Oh, every exams week pa rin siya. But, I would want to go back na its purpose is for the people na taking all-nighters kapag exam week. And, right now kasi, we see it na… free dinner…cater[ed] to more people. For context, Archer’s Kitchen’s original na purpose is for the people na nag-o-all-nighter. So, sine-serve siya ng madaling araw until early morning. So, that’s where I want to go back na ‘yung mga people na nag-o-all-nighter, they would [receive] aid na to cheer up. To cheer up para magising sila sa studies nila, etc.
The LaSallian: What notable experiences do you believe best prepare you for the role of vice president for internal affairs? And how do you plan to apply them?
Capps: So, I have two, which is the “PUSO Animofest 2025” and also being the batch vice president [of BLAZE2025]. With “PUSO Animofest 2025,” it’s a University-wide initiative, so it made me take into account different and various concerns ng colleges. So, it’s something I could take on, especially [since] University-scale events [are] under the Office of the Vice President for Internal Affairs. And then, as a batch vice president naman, it’s the student services and ‘yung mga nakukuha naming concern, I see it from a ground level, a batch level. And I see na there are things that we could improve from the batch level. [As] a batch unit, we receive the information from the higher office. So, as the receiver of the information, I saw some things that could be improved pa sa information dissemination nitong certain info regarding enlistment, application to graduate, etc.
The LaSallian: Students on different platforms have expressed concerns over the perceived inactivity of their college student governments. How do you intend to support and empower these units to improve their engagement and visibility?
Capps: So, improve engagement and visibility…In our current administration, nasa akin ‘yung monitoring. So, as the VPIA, it’s important to make [daily] checks and balances kung were they able to implement their projects, etc. And do regular checkings about their projects [to see] if they were able to implement it. Gano’n.
The LaSallian: Enlistment has long been the most pressing concern among students. What concrete plans do you have to help alleviate these issues? And how will the office work with administrators to push these solutions forward?
Capps: As the student government, we are the bridge kasi [between] student concerns and the admins. So, currently, if you’ve seen, mayro’n tayong surveys for the new name ng bagong system natin. So, it’s currently in testing. What we want to do is make the students involved para maro’ng student input and as much as possible, involved kami as the elected on the testing when they launch it and push the admins for accountability na mapasa na ‘yung bagong enrollment system para we get the most of what we pay for as students. So, it’s two things. It’s [a] consultation and pushing for accountability, and being adamant for accountability sa admin to push for this new system immediately.
The LaSallians: Pero, di ba, surveys ha[ve] been like a long answer kasi with previous administrations din na to make students engage? One way is surveys, pero well, the engagement is still very low, ‘di ba?
Capps: Ah, yes, no, I was referring to…we implemented a survey to the Facebook groups natin sa ID numbers, per ID numbers natin. So, what ID are you, sorry?
The LaSallian: 123.
Capps: 123 na…for example, you’re 123 CLA. So, your batch unit…posted a poll for the new name nung system. Example, Animohub, gano’n. Animohub ata ‘yung nanalo. Pero ‘yun, we posted that. So, ‘yung purpose nun…kung ano bang papangalan since MLS and Animo.Sys, [which are] gonna be merged sa new system natin.
The LaSallian: So, basically [what] you’re saying is, you will improve the dissemination of the surveys?
Capps: No, we will improve the inclusion ng students sa testing on this new system na enrollment system, wherein ‘yung merged nga si MLS and si Animosys. And as elected, we want to be very included sa testings niya para for sure, it’s effective on the student, it’s very digestible ‘yung pag-work niya, and we could see what’s not working and what isn’t.
The LaSallian: Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian recently filed a bill that aims to shorten college education to only three years. What is your stance on this proposal? And as VPIA, how will you position the USG in such discussions?
Lara Capps requested additional context regarding the proposed shift to a three-year college curriculum. The LaSallian’s Head On interview guidelines do not permit any additional information beyond the original question.
Capps: Okay, so, I’m not very aware of it, but if it includes [the] removal of certain subjects proposed by DepEd (Department of Education), or being, for our professors to be unemployed, I am against it. Kasi at the end of the day, it is important to retain our workers, and also maging ano tayo…it’s just like our approach with the abolishment of Filipino subjects. Dapat we are for pag-keep ng mga certain practices natin, especially our mother tongue. And itong pag-shorten, is it some courses or all courses?
The LaSallian: I’m pretty sure lahat.
Capps: All courses. So, I see na if we will abolish the GE subjects to take this [into] effect, I would…be against it. Because ‘yun nga, we will lose workers, and the current employment rate of the Philippines is…going low. So, we don’t want to have a brain drain or anything like that para magka-cause sa mga professors natin to go abroad or find other means of working.
The LaSallian: Pero for the…perspective naman ng students…?
Capps: For the perspective of the students…Yes, I would be for it if I kn[e]w more context about it because ayun nga…in the case that we want [to] lessen ‘yung hassle natin sa finances and the current state of our financial economics dito sa Philippines. We are a third-world country, so our economics is very low. So, in that case, I would be for it because, ayun, it would lessen our load as students and marami tayong maghihirap na estudyante. Mas male-lessen ‘yung gastos natin and mas maraming makakapagtapos.
The LaSallian: Aside from enlistment, of all the student-related issues that Lasallians face today, which ones concern you the most? What do you believe are the root causes, and how do you intend to address them through your office?
Capps: So, aside from enlistment, I see na…taboo ang reproductive health or sexual education here in the Philippines. So, one of our initiatives to address this is gusto namin…to establish or add an OB-GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) dito sa campus clinics natin. We see this one as a move forward after our menstrual health policy wherein students can get an approved absence due to period-induced pain. Second, it would allow a lot more women to learn more about their reproductive health and easily consult nang mas accessible. So, because I believe prevention is better than cure, so, it is important also to learn where to start sa reproductive health. Kasi as early as the age of 20, important na nagko-consult ka regularly with an OB-GYN. So, that’s some of the things, that’s one of the things I want to implement as I take on the office.
The LaSallian: What events or initiatives from the current or past OVPIAs are you going to continue to implement?
Capps: So, the initiatives I want to continue [are] on-ground student services…and also “iNeed Assist.” Sa on-ground student services, it’s opening of computer labs during enlistment season. So, ‘yung mga students na mayro’ng difficulties on enlisting, etc., they could go here on campus and enlist mismo dito sa computer labs natin sa Goks (Gokongwei Hall). And another is ‘yung “iNeed Assist”…it’s a group chat on Telegram, [to] simply put it, na merong topics doon wherein students can share information [among] themselves more easily, and then there’s also an announcement channel din. So, it’s an information dissemination project made by the 14th USG. So, it’s something I want to keep.
The LaSallian: Actually, I would like to ask about the iNeed Assist program… madalas na one person ‘yung laging sumasagot. That’s…kind of like putting all the burden on her. And for me, that’s kind of a problem. Kasi what if biglang hindi siya sumagot? Wala nang makakasagot? So…if you’re gonna implement it further, continue it, how do you plan to tackle that?
Capps: To further tackle on that, I think it’s two problems…the executives, maybe, are not very well-informed on how they could help the students. So to tackle that, we should—I should implement [regularly] ‘yung workshops for enlistment student services, especially those working under the committees ng student services. And then second, better information dissemination for its purpose because [a] student might see it na it’s just somewhere they could ask, but not to also help. So, it’s a sharing of information and not…continuous asking. Para siyang “Profs to Pick”. So, yeah, we share information [with each other.]
The LaSallian: So, the ultimate vision is, it’s a community-driven platform na mag-exchange ng information. And, if hindi alam ng community, someone from OVPIA can go, hey, I know the answer.
Capps: Yes.
The LaSallian: What new programs are you envisioning to further internal student development and governance?
Capps: It’s “Tulong Aral.” It’s actually in collaboration with our executive treasurer. So, sa “Tulong Aral,” mayro’n kaming work-study program. So, gusto namin mapaigting pa siya para students can find more ways or more means to find a solution sa kanilang financial struggles. Another one for this is “Agap Animo” wherein…we want to be consultative sa local government units. We see na ‘yung entry points natin dito sa Agno [St.]…binabaha. Mahirap, delikado for the students. So, we want to ensure the students’ safety with this project. So, we would push na ayusin na ‘yung gutter system para hindi mas mahirap for the Lasallians to pass by. And also, itong “Agap Animo,” we aim to have Animo emergency kits to each classroom to ensure the Lasallians’ safety kapag may sakuna or may brownout, or knock on wood, may lindol. So, they could…ensure their safety. So, ‘yung laman nito is emergency kit, flashlight, and ‘yung whistle, siyempre.
The LaSallian: Yung first program, it’s finding students who [na] may financial problems to find work?
Capps: Yes, within DLSU. Parang siyang internship. So, meron kasi parang ino-offer dito na internship programs where they can earn money. So, that’s the difference.
The LaSallian: I think mayro’ng [nasa] University mismo. I think it’s [START] program ata. So, you want to expand on that further?
Capps: Yes.
The LaSallian: In terms naman sa governance, you mentioned two programs na pero I feel like it doesn’t tackle on the side naman sa student governance.
Capps: Student governance like college unit, batch government? Okay. So, to take [this into] account, it is important, especially now [that] there are independents, different parties running in these elections, it is important to, first, practice non-partisanship. And then, as we take on the office, I want, as the VPIA, nasa akin ‘yung regular…checkings for the projects, etc…So, for context, meron kasi kaming GOSM (Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Measures) for every term. So, nandoon ‘yung lahat ng projects na i-implement namin. So, with that GOSM, it’s something na we could use to have checks and balances sa student government, [such as] if [they were] able to serve the student body. And also, another one is [the] student feedback form regarding the student services, especially since ‘yun ‘yung focus ng OVP. So, student feedback form, maybe every before pre-enlistment and then after enlistment, it’s something we could take [into] account as well.
The LaSallian: Well, another thing kasi is…batch governments are kind of dead, pati sa college units level. So, do you have any plans on tackling that issue na students are more engaged to doing student government work?
Capps: The question is participation na sumali sa student government? Well, we see na there is a burnout [among] student leaders. And what we want [is] makita ng student leaders na the student government isn’t [just] hassle work, na it is something fun, it is [somewhere] you can find your passion. So maybe as we take on the office, we want to brand USG…papasok ‘yung vision namin na “Beyond Limits, Together”: Gusto namin na ma-reimagine ‘yung USG with the students especially, na it is not politics, it is not a hassle for them to join, and it is somewhere you could learn and have fun and meet people.
The LaSallian: What will distinguish your term as VPIA from those who came before you?
Capps: So, right from the start, I’ve learned the passion for service and the commitment for it. So, it’s something that I chose to do time and time [again]. I trained to run for this position and I’m here for this position. That means I’m committed to doing it. And my vision for the office is to have an impact-driven Office of the Vice President [of Internal Affairs] that binds action through representation. So, through those, through that vision, gusto ko ‘yung projects, ‘yung initiatives, it would last decades. It’s a big, big goal, but it’s something I want to take on. [For] example, gusto ko na ‘yung point-to-point bus services, it’s something that Lasallians [can] use throughout the year. So, the initiatives, the projects, we want it na oriented sa impact rather than kung ano lang ‘yung maganda ngayon. We want it to be all based on impact and its purpose.
With interviews from Toby Castañeda.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lara Capps asked for additional context regarding the proposed shift to a three-year college curriculum. In line with The LaSallian’s protocols for Head On interviews, no further details were provided beyond the original question.
