Far Eastern University (FEU) alumna Mary Krizangelic Cabuslay, a BA in Communication graduate, was hailed Most Outstanding Delegate at the Asia World Model United Nations (AWMUN) VII conference, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
“It is truly an honor to represent my home country and win the Most Outstanding Delegate award at AWMUN VII. This experience has been incredibly enriching as it helped me discover my advocacies, and I am grateful for the opportunity to further champion the rights of every Filipino child. For the youth, for the nation!” said Cabuslay in mixed English and Filipino.
Cabuslay conducted extensive research on early childhood care and development, including reading books and journals from the university library and engaging with notable experts Maria Talitha Borines from the FEU Institute of Education, Charla Santiago from UP Diliman, who worked with UNICEF Philippines for children’s storybooks, and Dr. Maria Rita Lucas from Centro Escolar University who worked with the Early Childhood Care and Development Council.
“I joined the conference with a genuine aspiration to represent the Philippines in the future. This conference instilled to me the importance of leadership, collaboration, negotiation, and diplomacy. It was very meaningful as it helped me understand the most significant matters that the country and the world is facing today. I owe this achievement to my mother, who funded this venture, to my mentors and colleagues at FEU and FEU High School, to the FEU Red Cross Youth Council which has significantly shaped my skills and passion for humanitarian work, and to my loved ones who have wholeheartedly supported me in this journey,” she added.
In college, Cabuslay served as an officer for the FEU Red Cross Youth Council and became the first Communication President of the organization in 2019. Her commitment to service extends beyond campus as she remains an active volunteer for the Philippine Red Cross.
The AWMUN conference, whose theme this year was “Discovering Sustainable Resolutions on Global Crisis,” is an international event that brings together young leaders from around the world to engage in rigorous debates and discussions on pressing global issues, mirroring the proceedings of the United Nations.
AWMUN VII was spearheaded by Secretary-General Victor Arribas Martinez, the Innovation Research and Policy Officer of a European government agency. The UNICEF council’s board directors are Cut Jihan Shavira, a consultant for Multilateral Cooperation at an Indonesian government agency, and Elliot Bonfils, junior project manager at a European research organization.