With the advocacy to enhance students’ involvement in organizational and communal activities in the university, the Student Services Department ring in a series of free movie screenings every Friday for students since December 9, 2016.’

According to Prof. Faustito A. Aure, Dean of Students, the weekly movie dates dubbed as “FriDates” sponsored by the different recognized organizations in the university aims to create a more student-friendly space for students while also enhancing their critical and creative thinking skills and awareness on social issues with the diverse line of movie genres screened on a weekly basis.

“Based on a survey conducted recently by our Office, it was found out that students would go malling and just do window shopping during free hours and many students expressed that if they will have extra money they would want to go to the movies,” Prof. Aure said.

Furthermore, Prof. Aure said that the Friday activity will highlight socially-relevant movies like Ma Rosa, an award winning movie directed by Brillante Mendoza which delves on the theme: drug peddling and pushing, its effects on family life and Philippine society as a whole.

The activity will be spearheaded by the Office of Student Affairs with specific participation of recognized School organizations this school year who will be assigned or as designated sponsor for each Friday movie screening.

“They will take charge in the setting up of the venue, in inviting Student Movie Goers (SMGs) and the over all conduct of the activity including the free snacks to be served to the SMGs. The proponent of this project is sir Aure and we (SSG) are the one who will tap the president of the different organizations to participate,” said Aldren Nitura, SSG President.

After each film shown, informal discussions will be conducted to be facilitated by an invited or assigned Moderator from the Office of Guidance Services or any Social Science Instructor at EVSU.  Certificates of Attendance and Participation will be given to SMGs and Organization In Charge for the day and the Discussion Moderator.

Projects for student development

Other than the FriDates, the SSD and SSG  also introduce two other projects namely Gratitude Attitude: A Letter Writing and Sending Contest and SPARKS (Students’ Participation for Advancement and Reinvention of Knowledge and Skills) last December 9 at the Administration Building.

Gratitude Attitude aims to develop among the youth and students an attitude of gratitude. Moreover it seeks to hone their writing skills, foster love and build stronger relationships to loved ones and to those who supported them through college life. It also aims  at bringing back the lost art of letter writing in the age of internet.

On the other hand, SPARKS is an out-of-the-box (non-traditional) learning opportunity forum for Students to share with fellow students and friends their new discoveries, research projects, extension activities, outreach initiatives, new entrepreneurial ventures, creative works, inspirational stories, personal milestones and other life experiences.

According to Prof. Aure, it is hoped that with these new and exciting activities, the students will become more inspired and optimistic with their young lives thereby see and understand the critical role they play in achieving the Vision and Mission of the University and become active partners in attaining genuine peace and progress in the society.

“You see the vast word of the Global Market is Innovation. It is one of the major ingredients for a society, for an institution just like Eastern Visayas State University to have competitiveness. So I would like to congratulate the SSD for coming up with this noble projects. It is really part of the innovation which we are undergoing here in our campus,” said President Dominador O. Aguirre,Jr. on acknowledging the efforts of the SSD.