Leader of the Pack

 by: Angelique Parungao

“Shy type ako eh,” said Angelo Salvador Cachero, University of Santo Tomas’ Central Student Council President when first asked about this interview. But this fifth year civil engineering major’s achievements are definitely far from what a shy person could achieve.

Cachi, as what most people call him, was never really into school politics. As a high school student in De La Salle, Greenhills, he would be more interested in sports and organizations. He was a member of the soccer varsity and at the same time, playing other sports. His affiliations to extra curricular organizations continued in college when he decided to join the official pep squad of the university, UST Yellow Jackets. He said he joined the pep squad because of his brother, the first UST YJ president, Franco Lorenzo Cachero and the exemption in PE and ROTC classes. Eventually, he was chosen to be the batch leader of YJ and became a head cheerleader in his third year.

His visibility in the pep squad made his political organization, LAKAS TOMASINO notice his potential and on the next year he was invited to run for the CSC election for the position of auditor.

Fortunately, Cachi won on his first election. He said he is very thankful of his affiliation with YJ because this organization helped him grow and without it, he will not be exposed to so much pressure and respect to people.

The next year, he then decided to run as the president of the student council. Again, Cachi won in this election.

Year So Far

Now in the middle of school year, Cachi proudly said that in terms of council work, everything seems to be smooth sailing. “Relatively, we are on track of our eight- point agenda we presented during our elections,” he said. “We are able to submit to offices all the proper courtesy. We submitted everything to OSA (Office of Public Affairs). Most of our projects, they are more on implementation.”

Being busy with council, Cachi has made it a point to not neglect his studies. According to him, his fifth year as an engineering student makes everything harder with all the plates and thesis about Structural plans that he has to make. Luckily, his group mates are considerate enough about his council work. “Sometimes, I’m not on our meetings, but my group mates would understand. They tell me what to do, they text me what we need to do,” he said.

Cachi is also thankful that the UST administration is very supportive with all the projects they presented. However, he thinks that the university is somewhat afraid of the change and that the institution lacks the strong ties to alumni and outside organization. “I think UST is not really open to that,” he said.

Worst to Worst

Cachi has also his own share of detractors, but he has a sure fire way to handle them. He said that he would most probably ignore them as he has a name and office to protect. “But if it’s a constructive criticism, it is okay,” he said, “I think we really need to think about it as a wake- up call.”

Given the worst scenario of having school, council, and family all having problems at the same time, he said that his first priority would be the council since his family rarely encounters problem. In terms of studies, as long as he gets 3 for grade, he said that is completely fine.

The Cachi

Cachi lit up when he started talking about his family. Being the youngest in the brood of 3 boys, he said that his family supports him in all his endeavours although his mom was initially against it. But all’s well that ends well after promising them that he will not let his studies suffer.

His typical day is full of juggling. Coming to school at 11 am, he immediately goes to office and goes to class. Like most of us, whenever he finds a subject boring, he will work on the council work to cut time. But of course, Cachi would still prioritize studies. When his group mates need him, he goes to school earlier and meets them. He then goes home at 10.30 pm.

Seems like Cachi has the best of everything now in his life, but he thinks otherwise, “I am a frustrated singer and dancer!” he said. But his ability to play percussions and his skill in soccer compensates whatever he lacks.

So do we see this student leader in National Politics soon?

“Nevuuuh!” he said, “But probably as an involved individual, no. It’s not in my blood.”