UP-Diliman elects first transgender council head

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines in Diliman has elected its first transgender leader of the student council.

Gabriel Paolo “Heart” Dino, a graduate student in Applied Mathematics (major in Finance), will chair the university student council (USC) for a year.

The 22-year-old Dino said his election victory Thursday has shown that more and more people, particularly students, are embracing change.

“I am so happy over news that I won. It was a close fight. But even when we were just campaigning, I already conditioned myself that even if I win or lose, I should be happy,” he said.

“The opportunity given to me to run in the USC elections is enough reason for me to be happy,” Dino said in an interview.

He stressed he is ready to tackle all issues affecting students and not just gender matters.

“I think we should treat all issues equally and address it simultaneously. There is the budget issue, violence, discrimination, sexual harassment, security threat but all these things deserve to be given equal attention,” he added.

Dino added that the USC under his leadership would try to unite the different student organizations, fraternities and sororities so they can help advance students’ concerns.

“I think students should be empowered more and that they be involved in the planning process.”