Month: January 2023

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WVSU Honors 2023 Praise Awardees

by Leo G. Almonte, MDC

West Visayas State University set aside a special night to recognize the services, loyalty, and achievements of outstanding stakeholders. The guests and awardees attended the affair in their formal Filipino-inspired attires at Sam’s Ballroom in District 21 Hotel last January 26.

VP for Administration and Finance Dr. Porferio Barlas Jr. welcomed the distinguished guests and awardees. In his welcome remarks, he said that the administration deemed it appropriate to conduct the Praise Awards grandly, a far cry from the virtual ceremonies during the height of the pandemic. He also thanked the people who helped make the 2023 Praise Awards a reality.

WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz gave an inspiring message and emphasized the relevance of recognizing the achievements, contributions, and loyalty of deserving individuals who have served the university.

The WVSU Administration addressed the awardees with an exhortation in the program, “The WVSU Community is grateful to have you and wishes you the best as you continue to excel and inspire others. Together, we take pride in your accomplishments and your commitment to excellence.”

In total, there were 50 Retirement Awardees,15 University Awardees, 6 University Administrative Awardees, 26 Bronze Pin Loyalty Incentive Awardees, 54 Silver Pin Incentive Loyalty Awardees, 12 Gold Pin Loyalty Incentive Awardees, 3 Outstanding Researchers, and 4 Presidential Awardees.

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WVSU National Anthem in the Works

By Leo G. Almonte, MDC

West Visayas State University administrators and heads of units took time off from their busy schedules to participate in the post-production of the university’s version of the Philippine National Anthem. WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz was the brainchild of the project that aims to upgrade the quality of institutional collateral.

“What we show to the world mirrors who we are as an institution,” said Dr. Villaruz. “WVSU’s version of the national version must embody not only our nationalism but Iloilo City’s culture as well as the brand of our university.”

Upon Dr. Villaruz’s bidding, the Public Affairs and Marketing Communications Office laid the groundwork for the ambitious project that required the participation of more than 200 university stakeholders. The ‘actors’ were grouped into six and assigned a venue each for the post-production shooting.

The hallowed facade of the Quezon Hall, Nelly’s Garden, General Delgado Monument, St. Anne’s Church, Esplanade, Villa Paraw, Dinagyang Monument, and city murals were the selected backdrops for the rendition of the national anthem.

The university president, vice presidents, campus administrators, directors, heads of units, and selected students patiently went through the video shooting regiments – blocking, positioning, singing, facial expressions, and multiple takes in their respective shooting venues.

WVSU contracted Alvin Paver, Mayad co-founder and Strat Valley CEO, to produce the national anthem video. He is a proud WVSU alumnus and has made waves as a world-class director and video producer. The expected launching of the much-awaited WVSU national anthem is in late February or early March 2023.

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U-Week 3rd Day: Art, Photography & Music

by Krisa Marisse Provido and Jim Carrell De Los Reyes

WVSU continued its U-week celebration on the third day last January 26. The contests were held in various venues simultaneously inside the campus. Artists from different colleges and campuses expressed their creative vision on canvas during the painting competition at the CICT Building.
Student artists competing in the charcoal rendering and on-the-spot poster-making contests also brought their art to life with the theme: ” A look into the Vision, Mission, and Core Values of WVSU.”
Various participants in the photojournalism contest captured moments with this year’s theme, “Padayon: Taga-West in Action .”The photographers wandered inside the university for their subjects and submitted their best photos as their entries. Student musicians from different colleges and campuses competed in the Musical Contest Category at the New Academic Building.

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Grateful Alums Come Home to WVSU

by: Ma. Antonette D. Aguilar
This school year is undeniably one of the happiest for students, faculty, and staff of West Visayas State University. The raucous chants and cheers from different colleges filled the campus during the parade on the first day of University Week last January 24.
After more than two years, WVSU opened its doors to celebrate one of its beloved traditions, the alumni homecoming. WVSU alumni returned home to their alma mater filled with joy shining through their eyes and smiles.
During the parade, different batches flaunted their banners and floats, led by muses of different ages, wearing vibrant gowns and crowns, marching around the university grounds. Alums from as far back as Batch 1967 joined the festivities, some on their wheelchairs yet still beaming with youthful exuberance.
One alumnus of batch 1972, Mrs. Cynthia Villanueva-Alejaga who graduated Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSE), taught for 42 years in San Enrique Cultural School. She shared how challenging it was to gather information during their time. “We had to spend so much time at the library looking for answers for our assignments because that was the only means of getting information at that time”.
Each alum felt at home upon their return to their alma mater, that’s why Mr. Renaldo Gacho Segumpan of batch 1992 flew for eight hours and a half from Masta to Abu Dhabi to Manila to Iloilo just to attend the event.

According to him: “Special ini nga okasyon, indi gid mabaydan sang material nga bagay. Proud alumnus ako nga Taga-West gid”. He is currently a professor in the College of Economics and Business Administration in the University of Collegie & Applied Sciences in Oman.
Another graduate from 1983, Mrs. Adora Monana-Allado who graduated under Integrated Teacher Education curriculum, shared how she struggled during their time due to curriculum change where she finished her degree for 4 years and a half instead of only 4. She taught in her hometown for 32 years at Banate Central Elementary School.
Furthermore, Miss Rosemarie Guazin of batch 1991, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and finished her Master’s degree at WVSU, ventured into the corporate world after teaching in the academe for fourteen years. She was grateful for the university because she quoted, “WVSU was so welcoming to indigents yet deserving students like me. This had given an opportunity to some indigent students who had a right to earn a degree”.
The interview with different alumni showed how grateful and delighted they are to their institution. University week allowed them to return their alma mater and reconnect to their friends and classmates after many years.

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Laro ng Lahi Brings Back Childhood Years

by Dienzel Aguirre and Geenel Bandojo

Amidst the grey, wet morning, teaching and non-teaching personnel from the main and external campuses revived the traditional game “Laro ng Lahi” to jump-start the third day of the U- Week celebration at the campus ground last January 26.
Personnel from WVSU-main, Pototan, Janiuay, and Lambunao Campus participated in games of tiyakad, luksong lubid, sipa bilangan, piko, tumbang preso, patintero, luksong sako, and palo sebo. Participants enjoyed playing these traditional games that brought back childhood memories.
In addition, organizers modified the games to fit a one-day event with eight-game stations. Laro ng Lahi was opened to all WVSU personnel that can form a group of eight. To add fun, the teams that reached the last station must shout: “Ang Pahampang sa West: The Best! Basta Laro ng Lahi wala sang gina pili!”.
The College of PESCAR from the main campus facilitated the said event and they will announce the “Laro ng Lahi” winners on January 27.

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Novi Guazo: WVSU Prepared Me for Real World Battles

by Krisa Marisse Provido and Jim Carrell De Los Reyes

As part of the University Week celebration, West Visayas State University (WVSU) welcomed their alums during the homecoming. WVSU graduates from as far back as the 1960s walked down memory lane with a sense of jubilation and pride.
An alumnus from the College of Communication expressed the excitement of reconnecting with his former classmates. Mr. Novie Guazo, a 45-year-old graduate of Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication Major in Broadcasting Batch ’98, expressed the excitement of reconnecting with his former classmates.
According to him, he felt happy and nostalgic when he first heard about the upcoming alum homecoming and saw his classmates and friends after 25 years. He stated that this was a milestone for them.
“Happy and Nostalgic. Makita namon liwat ang amon classmate and friends,” said Guazo. “And knowing nga in the next 25 years kay 25th year kami subong and we will be 70 years old already. So this is a milestone for all of us. Kay base at that time may edad na kami tanan so importante gid nga dapat present gid kami subong”.

Going back to WVSU made him feel like his younger self, an ordinary student going through the challenges of college life. He thought that his batchmates did not age and was glad to know that most of them are healthy and doing well.
Guazo shared that they were the first batch under the College of Arts and Sciences when it became a separate unit. He fondly recalled that it was during his student days when DYWV Radio West Visayas acquired their first mixer, television, audio visual equipment, and chair.
Now a successful and popular broadcaster, he said that WVSU has taught him lessons that helped him strive in the real world. He mentioned that there was a disparity between classroom lessons and real ‘battles’ that happen in the media. WVSU somehow bridged that gap with the right balance of theory and practice.
“Dako gid ang desparties sang ginatudlo sa eskwelahan kaysa sa actual nga battle field sa media practice,” said Guazo. “May mga bagay kong kaisa nga ginatudlo di in theory nga pag abot mo sa real world its totally a different world, pero ang imo theory di amo na sya ang mangin back up mo sa paminsaron mo nga kun daw mejo strange nga lain ang real world, ma guiding light mo sya nga maka adjust kalang nga amo ni ang baseline sang imo media practice nga gintudlo diri sa aton sa west”.

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WVSU Always Stands Tall

by Geenel Bandojo and Dienzel Aguirre

The enthusiasm and excitement of guests and delegates from WVSU’s colleges, external campuses, faculty, and alumni sizzled the opening salvo in this year’s University Week and Alumni Homecoming with the theme, “WVSU Now and Beyond: Transcending Excellence through Creativity, Talent, and Innovation” held at WVSU Main Campus- Lapaz, Iloilo City last January 24, 2023.
WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz said the celebration is “a testament to our strength and resilience as an academic community” in his welcome address. Amidst changing tides of the education sector, “West Visayas State University will always stand tall,” he added.
The opening program escalated from a colorful Taga-West parade to the loud and dynamic cheers by different colleges, followed by the introduction of other alumni and candidates for this year’s Mr. and Ms. West.
WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz and VPAA Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla led the unveiling of the University Week logo. Other guests in attendance were VPAF Dr. Porforio J. Barlas, VPRIE Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, Dean of the Office of the Student Affairs Dr. Nancy S. Surmieda, Dean of WVSU College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Ma Elfleda Ecube, and USC Chairperson Hershey Geline Sumpay.
Later in the afternoon until the evening, student participants competed in literary contests, oration and extemporaneous speaking, radio drama, newscasting, and the battle of the bands.

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WVSU Celebrates U-Week with the theme: “WVSU Now and Beyond: Transcending Excellence through Creativity, Talent, and Innovation.”

by Ma. Antonette D. Aguilar

WVSU takes time off from its academic schedule to celebrate University Week from January 24 to 27, 2023. The administration, faculty, staff, and students from the main and satellite campuses will participate in the activities to showcase their “excellence through creativity, talent, and innovation.”

The celebration will start on Tuesday, January 24, and will be set in motion by the participants parading around the campus. Talented WVSU students will flaunt their prowess at Literary and Musical Contests in various venues on the university grounds. Among the expected crowd drawers is the Talents’ Night of Mr. & Miss WVSU. The Outstanding Alumni and Alumni Gala Night awarding will take place on January 25.

Students will surely experience an adrenaline rush on the third day, January 26, where participants compete in the Laro ng Lahi and different sports. Later that day, the university will honor its outstanding researchers, extensionists, teachers, retirees, and employees during the WVSU Praise Awards 2023 at District Hotel, Iloilo City.

The Literary and Musical Awards is scheduled on the last day, January 27, at the Cultural Center. On the same day, students and faculty from each college are expected to cheer and support their candidates for Mr. & Miss WVSU pageant.