University utilizes website for online event booking

CEBU CITY–For the first time, an online booking system for institutional events was integrated into the official website of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

It was first utilized by the Campus Ministry Office (CMO) for the Augustinian Recollect Spiritual Exercises (ARSE) for the academic year 2019-2020.

ARSE is a recollection activity and is a prerequisite for graduation in USJ-R. CMO used manual registration before the online booking system was put in place.

It was a move spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Arian Josef M. Ocheda, OAR, the Vice President of Religious Affairs. He said that he wanted to create a system that will make the process faster.

Prior to the online booking system, he noted that the manual registration had record lapses and some handwritten information were not clear. They first thought of using Microsoft Excel last semester. However, CMO found it hard on their part because typing on the computer and separately giving a waiver. Moreover, their office turned crowded when graduating students gather to register.

The CMO sees the development positively because it’s easy for them to trace the records and monitor the students.

When the first semester almost started, Fr. Ocheda then approached Pae Rotsen Sabayton, a CMO staff, to make it online booking just like booking a ticket for a flight. The idea clearly based on what they have experienced in the past years.

To realize the concept, Sabayton She then approached the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Center.

EDP Head Alexander Omangay said the idea was possible but they have to wait until June to get the official list of the graduating students. While waiting on the final list, EDP slowly worked on the process. EDP Staff Nilo Pasague developed the system.

On July 4, Pasague received the needed data and uploaded the final list of graduating students. It took him two days to finish everything.

Immediately on July 8, the online booking system was introduced to the students through the official social media pages of USJ-R. On July 13, the CMO conducted an orientation at the main lobby so the students can better understand how to book. A how-to video made by the Public Affairs and International Relations Office was shown.

The system can be accessed by all college levels for the upcoming events but they can’t view the events that are intended only for the fourth year and fifth-year students.

Since they are focusing on the spiritual formation of the students they also want the students to leave this institution not just full of knowledge but with a good heart as well.

Written by Jan Angelieka Marie F. Villapez (BA Communication Intern)