Derf Lihan De Guzman

Aspiring PICE President

About Me

Hi! I'm Derf Lihan M. De Guzman, fourth-year Civil Engineering Student, aspiring to be the President of PICE DWCC.

My Leadership Background

  • Outstanding Student Leader, DWCC Gawad Divinista Awards 2023
  • Most Outstanding Organization (as President of the DWCC Phoenix Debate Council), DWCC Gawad Divinista Awards 2023
  • Founding President, DWCC Phoenix Debate Council (2022-2023)
  • Head of the Legislative Board, DWCC Student Council (2023-2024)
  • Vice President for Internal Affairs, DWCC Student Council (2023-2024)
  • Board of Directors Secretary, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers DWCC Student Chapter (2024-2025)
  • Chief-of-Trainings, DWCC Phoenix Debate Council (2022-2023)
  • Vice President for Internal Affairs, Oriental Mindoro Debate Society (2021-2023)
  • Master Councilor, International Order of DeMolay Sesinando Bugarin Chapter No. 29 (2024)
  • Vice Chairperson, Oriental Mindoro Parliament of Youth Leaders Committee on Environment (2022-2023)
  • Tech Director and Organizer, Oriental Mindoro Mahalta Cup X
  • National Student Ambassador, Developing with AIESEC 2021
  • Junior Vice Governor, Oriental Mindoro Junior Officials 2024
  • and much more…

My Platforms

DERF'S TWO-PRINCIPLED PLATFORM:

⭐The first principle: STRONG FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS

The sustainability of the DWCC Civil Engineering Community RELIES heavily on our FRESHMEN and SOPHOMORES, and it is through the culture they create that our community inspires itself to drive forward. Therefore, the first principle focuses on SERVING our Freshies and Sophomores through building SAFE and SUPPORTIVE CIRCLES, not just for them to survive, but to remember what INSPIRED them to pursue CE in the first place.

Practical Initiatives:

  • PROJECT PASS-IT-FORWARD: We shall ACTIVELY RESOURCE various CE Materials, such as CE Books, Review Materials, References, Mock Exams, and Scientific Calculators from the vast network of Engineers, Recent Board Passers, and Construction Companies in Oriental Mindoro. These materials are to be SHARED by any and all CE Students who need it.
  • BY CE STUDENTS, FOR CE STUDENTS, AN "OPEN TUTORIAL DESK" PROGRAM: We shall establish a rotational and on-call PEER TUTORING program where higher-year students are mobilized and INCENTIVIZED to serve as ON-CALL MENTORS for lower years. There shall also be regular "tutorial and consultation hours" to be done through a shifting schedule of higher years. This shall be reinforced through a PROACTIVE effort in ensuring EASE OF ACCESS for any student.
  • WIDER HORIZONS INITIATIVE: To further show students how Civil Engineering goes beyond just academics, we shall aim to inspire our co-students by establishing programs, seminars, and in-school competitions which focus on OTHER ASPECTS OF ENGINEERING, such as Fieldwork Exposure, COST ESTIMATE COMPETITIONS, AUTO-CAD Competitions, SITE TOURS, and Inspirational Talks with Successful Engineers.
  • SAFE SPACES, SAFE ENGINEERS: Beyond tutorials, we aim to combat our shifting and failing rates by establishing a personalized mental support initiative, to allow any CE Student to talk and consult about their struggles and experiences.

⭐The second principle: HIGHER PEAKS AND LEVELS

We believe that a big part of what drives our CE Students forward is their INSPIRATION, which is what revs their heart, and what pushes them to keep going even when they fail. Which is why we believe that it is equally important that are able to show the EXCELLENCE and TALENT of our CE Community, especially from our already-capable higher-years. This principle focuses on SHARPENING our higher-year CE Students for Board Success, while also using their EXPERIENCE and KNOWLEDGE to INSPIRE the lower-years, reminding them of their limitless potential.

Practical Initiatives:

  • WEEDING OUT THE TALENT: We shall invest significantly greater effort in scouting our CE Community's top performers and potentials, in order to train them for national and other academic competitions. This also means a greater PROACTIVE EFFORT in SCOUTING COMPETITIONS, and finding ways to provide our representatives with the best assistance possible, both financially and academically.
  • BIGYAN NG THESIS YAN!: We shall invest resources to maximize Oriental Mindoro's Civil Engineering network, as well as known sponsors, for Printer Ink and Paper, aiming to help our Fourth-Year students in need with the printing of their Thesis Papers.
  • "HARD WORK PAYS OFF": We shall ensure consistent congratulatory posting for the top-scorers of our program's most difficult subjects in each year level. This shall serve to inspire our CE Students to continue pushing forward.
  • REPRESENTATION PROGRAM: A greater proactive effort in SWEEPING AND SCOUTING for Competitions, Conventions, and Seminars where DWCC CE Students can SHINE.
  • OPLAN CRUSH THE BOARDS: An initiative solely focused on raising our school's passing rate through targeted review sessions for board takers, resourcing of review materials, organizing of mock board exams with outside affiliate bodies, and the creation of study alliances.