By Nestle G. Taala

Mr. Libo-on represented CPU during the International Model United Nations held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 15-18, 2018.

“Model United Nations, also known as Model UN or MUN, is an extra-curricular activity in which students typically role play as delegates to the United Nations and simulate UN committees. This activity takes place at MUN conferences, which is usually organized by a high school or college MUN club” (https://bestdelegate.com/what-is-model-united-nations/)

For Niegil E. Libo-on, a fourth year AB Political Science and Public Administration student, a leader, a work student, and a certified MUN-er, “MUN enables the youth to see the world in a whole new and [wider] perspective. Through the MUN, the youth are taught of the importance of diplomacy and collaboration in order to provide comprehensive and effective remedies to the problems confronting the global community. Most significantly, MUN develops [a] sense of cooperation even in small day-to-day [activities].” From his experience, MUN has widened his knowledge on how to create impact in the society and the world.

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Because of his experience in his first MUN, the De La Salle MUN held in De la Salle University, Manila, Niegil became eager to participate in other MUN conferences. On June 1-3, he attended another MUN, this time, in Bangkok, Thailand. During his latest MUN abroad, the Malaya MUN in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 15-18, 2018 he was recognized as Verbal Commendation Awardee for Malaya Model United Nations International Economic and Social Council.

In the 2018 MUN conference, Niegil was selected as a member of the Dais, “the group of people in charge of a Model UN committee. It generally consists of a Chair, a Director, and a Rapporteur.” Meanwhile, he was also chosen to be the Vice Chair for UN High Commissioner on Refugees for the San Agustin MUN Conference on December 6-7, 2018 at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo and to be the Chair for Economic and Social Council in the Silliman MUN Conference on February 6-9, 2019 in Siliman University, Dumaguete City.

Niegil concludes that through his experiences in these MUN conferences, he not only gained knowledge but he was also able to build networks and connections with the participants from other schools and universities which, he thinks, would be beneficial for future activities.

Niegil also observes that this University is as capable of hosting a MUN conference. As a consequence, he and his fellow Centralian MUNers founded the Central Philippine University Model United Nations Society in which he was chosen to be the Secretary General. After a couple of meetings, they decided to hold the Central Philippine University Model United Nations or CPMUN, which will take place on February 21-23, 2019 with the approval of the University President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles.

According to Niegil, establishing the CPMUNSOC and holding the CPMUN is his way of giving back this university for all the moral and financial support it has given him. Above all, in these undertakings and achievements, he acknowledges God as the One who sufficiently gives.