Month: September 2021

West Visayas State University considers diversity a beauty. To prove this, one of the activities of the ASEAN Day on August 27, 2021, was the more than 1-hour FaceBook livestreaming of different member-countries of the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN-related initiatives by the third year students of Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (BSDC) and the selected fourth year students of the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (BAJ).

The Facebook livestream showcased these students’ outputs, facilitated and compiled by the University’s Center for International Linkages and Public Information (CILPI). The students of WVSU shared their knowledge about cultural diversity, connecting and converging ASEAN, and talked about how ideal it is to travel to the member-countries of ASEAN through series of virtual podcasts hosted by Bachelor of Science in Development Communication students Rose Coleen Rubio,  Reymart Eufracio, and Iris Arboleda. Also included was a video presentation on inclusivity, focusing on persons with disabilities by Cindy Jade Seares, also a BSDC student, and the different proposed communication plans and initiatives on promoting ASEAN to the world.

Fourth year Bachelor of Arts in Journalism students Jonar Dorado, Zennia Mirasol, and Ivy Pepito contributed to the ASEAN Day by making videos of the ASEAN hymn and facts about the ASEAN.

The Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the ASEAN based in Jakarta Indonesia, Ambassador Noel Servigon sent his message to the WVSU community:  “…through these activities, we would further promote our sense of regional identity in the Southeast Asia”.  He expressed that he is looking forward to more engagements in the University through CILPI.

The WVSU ASEAN Day also had the Panel Discussion on Women in the ASEAN , with invited panelists from Thailand, Indonesia,Singapore, Philippines, and Lao PDR, and a guest from one of WVSU’s partner universities in Taiwan.# -Ivy Pepito/CILPI

West Visayas State University achieved Level III  Institutional Accreditation status in the survey conducted by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, Inc. (AACCUP) via Zoom platform on April 12-16, 2021.

This is another achievement unlocked for the university. Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, the accreditation was a success even in an online setup.

This achievement is not a reason for WVSU to stop here, as this means working more for sustainability and competency of operations and instruction, as to what the University president  Dr. Joselito Villaruz said during the opening program of the accreditation held on April 12, 2021.# –CILPI

In support of the 54th Founding Anniversary of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the WVSU Center for International Linkages and Public Information (CILPI) organized the first-ever ASEAN Day celebration on August 27, 2021, with the theme We care, we prepare, we prosper, honoring the chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship this year.

A Virtual Panel Discussion on Women in the ASEAN Region was the highlight of the celebration It brought into light the strength, power, and challenges of the women in South East Asian nations. Six female panelists were invited from different countries in South East Asia, namely: Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. An expert from one of WVSU’s partner universities in Taiwan was also invited as guest panelist.

A poll regarding what questions the WVSU community wanted to ask the women in the ASEAN region was conducted by the CILPI Office to determine what specific questions will be asked during the Panel Discussion proper. Most of the answers geared towards shaping society and empowerment:

“Let’s all of us be the push for everyone who need strength. Let’s be the hands for everyone needs help and let’s be the shoulder to everyone who are tired and mourning.” -Ms. Dona Saraswati Galindo, Indonesia-Philippines

“Women, we have to voice out. We want to contribute to our society.” -Prof. Shuchuan Liao, Asian University, Taiwan

“Once you’ve already achieved for yourself what you’ve dreamt achieving, then it’s time to give back and to help others to achieve their dreams.” -Atty. Jo Kristine Celera-Revil, Philippines

“Women is really strong, I want women to be aware of their rights and also be more confident.” -Ms. Somsavanh Outhavy, Laos

“Be yourself to the fullness. Everyone matters.” – Ms. Ninalyn Sulit-Cacananta, Singapore-Philippines

“Do not let discrimination weaken or degrade your spirit, for you yourself dictate your destiny. Be strong and stay strong.” – Asst. Prof. Dr. Napisa Waitoolkiat, Thailand

Prof. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, CILPI Director, also encouraged the WVSU community to take part in every opportunity in the ASEAN, “It’s time to think about what we can contribute as WVSU community. After all, we are one ASEAN.”

The event was in partnership with the Gender and Development Office, Development Communicators’ Society, and Young Journalists’ Society.

To note, the Chairmanship of ASEAN Anniversary rotates every year alphabetically, according to the English name of the ASEAN member-country.# – Zennia Mirasol/CILPI

As a way to celebrate the first-ever ASEAN Day in West Visayas State University, women’s issues were highlighted as a theme for the 54th ASEAN Celebration, says the University’s Center for International Linkages (CILPI) Director, Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka.

In her message, Prof. Csoka believed that “women issues never end” as an answer to why focus on women in the panel discussion.

She also told that regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, and political system, this ASEAN Day celebration is also a reminder to all the ASEAN brothers and sisters that “we look after them, [and] we protect each other” as a way to better prepare for uncertainties so that “we could prosper together as one.”

“This is high time to look around and see what we could contribute not just by being keyboard warriors but by being the change that we want,” Prof.  Csoka stated.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jeanette J. Simpas, Director of Gender and Development Office, said that women’s participation in the community is one step towards a world where someday, women will participate on equal grounds with men.

“I hope that this panel discussion will bring you insights to our work and mission as people who care for one another and that we will use our learnings to reflect on how we can benefit from different perspectives of our panelists to further women’s empowerment and development in the communities,” Dr. Simpas said.

Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, University President, was also thankful for having this panel discussion initiated by the CILPI Office, which will further promote the country’s sense of regional identity in Southeast Asia.

“Over the years, we have witnessed how cultural and academic exchanges have nourished between and among ASEAN member countries and this afternoon’s event is a clear manifestation of West Visayas State University’s support to the ASEAN community,” Dr. Villaruz shared.

This event was the 1st ASEAN Day Celebration in WVSU with the theme We Care, We Prepare,  We Prosper in honor of Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship of this year’s anniversary of the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations, to encourage the WVSU community more to learn the different cultures and issues surrounding the ASEAN, and  in partnership with the Gender and Development Office, Development Communicators’ Society, and Young Journalists’ Society.# -Jonar Dorado/CILPI