Category: Linkages

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Palmos makes it to ASEAN human rights education workshop

Dr. Rejie F.Palmos, Director of West Visayas State University Center for Peace Education (WVSU CPE), was accepted in the 5th Lecturer Workshop on Teaching Human Rights and/or Peace, which started October 11, 2021 and will end this November 18.
The one-month event focuses on Developing Skills and Knowledge on Peace and Transformative Peacebuilding.
The ASEAN University Network-Human Rights Education (AUN-HRE), the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies (IHRP), Mahidol University, the Strengthening Human Rights and Peace Research and Education in ASEAN/Southeast Asia (SHAPE-SEA) and the Research and Education for Peace, Universiti Sains Malaysia (REPUSM) with support of the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the University of Oslo are the organizers of the workshop.# -CILPI
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WVSU Med topnotcher: “Someday, my picture will also be on that wall”

Out of 1,546 examinees, 1,084 passed the September 2021 Physician Licensure Examination given by the Board of Medicine at venues in Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Tacloban and Zamboanga.

Maria Inez Sellado Benedicto, a West Visayas State University (WVSU) -College of Medicine alumna, ranked first with a rating of 87.83%. 

Dr.  Maria Inez Benedicto remembers vividly when she was a student at WVSU—a friend recorded her looking at the wall of topnotchers in the library at Roxas Hall saying, “Someday, my picture will also be on that wall.” 

Indeed, from now on, her face and name will be one of those who will be forever etched in the history of WVSU.

Dr. Benedicto has been an achiever since gradeschool and placed 7th in the 2015 Medical Technology Board Exam in 2015.

Before the Physicians’ Licensure Examination, she struggled with the academic workload, pandemic adjustments, and uncertainty with schedules.

“We only had 40 days to review and I was not able to finish all the things that I really wanted to read,” she said, “Saan ko huhugutin ang mga sagot? We just went there with whatever we have studied.”

She had to undergo a 14-day quarantine when she travelled to Iloilo, so she used that to read notes. The breaks after her duty as an intern at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City (CLMMRH) were also used as study time. 

Benedicto was anxious and started to ask why there were so many roadblocks as she prepared to take the licensure exam. “So when the result was out, I was not confident that I will top the Board. In the back of my mind, I was hoping, yes but I was not expecting to be in the top 10.”

Our topnotcher is not only all about the brains. She is also a beauty titlist.

She was crowned Mutya ng NOPSSCEA (Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association) and  Mutya ng WVPRISAA (Western Visayas Private Schools’ Athletic Association). 

In 2013, Benedicto represented the Lin-Ay of La Carlota, winning the Muse of the Media and Best in Talent.

One may think that she has too much on her plate but despite the stresses, she takes time to unwind. Dr. Benedicto is a Mobile Legends (ML) player — an online 5v5 MOBA for handheld devices that offers a variety of playable heroes, game modes, and intense, fast-paced gameplay.

As to her role models, she tells the Center for International Linkages and Public Information (CILPI) in an interview through Zoom, “I really look up to my parents. They raised us to think for ourselves, to express our opinions, and to follow the path we want for this life.” 

As for her plans after the Board, she said, “I will give myself a break. I want to regain myself. I really think I deserve that.” 

Benedicto is planning to teach in review centers, help her brother–a City Councilor in La Carlota–and go into residency middle of 2022. 

CILPI asked her for a short message to WVSU students. The charming doctor said, “I want you to continue and pursue your passion. It was not served to me on a silver platter. I have to work hard on this. Just be ready to make a lot of sacrifices. Remember to thank the people who and will support you as you achieve your greater heights.” # Jovy Duro/CILPI

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Mayor Treñas to support WVSU limited f2f classes, medical-related proposals

The alarming cases of CoVid-19 only made West Visayas State University more motivated in consistently becoming agents of change and helping out communities in need. Thus, winning the support of the Iloilo City mayor himself.

Mayor Treñas met online with the WVSU representatives led by President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz and Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences, Dr. Celina Gellada,  to discuss matters regarding the University’s limited face-to-face classes of the medical courses and the proposal to utilize another floor at the WVSU Medical Center to help out with the CoVid situation in the city.

As to the limited face-to-face classes, Dr. Villaruz stressed. “We will be doing the cyclical system when it comes to face-to-face classes. With our classrooms retrofitted, only 50% capacity will be allowed per face-to-face session. We are still going to be faithful to the memorandum circular (of the Commission on Higher Education) that once the city is on General Community Quarantine, we will proceed.” As to the  4th year medical students and those undergoing internships, they will be back to the hospital, no matter the community quarantine status is.

Treñas suggested that students must be first fully vaccinated before going back to the limited face-to-face classes. Dr. Gellada said that 75% of the 3rd and 4th year Medical students are fully vaccinated.

The mayor referred WVSU to the Iloilo City Covid-19 focal person Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, who was also present during the virtual meeting,  for coordination regarding vaccination of all medical and nursing students before the implementation of the aforementioned mode of instruction. He also  said that if WVSU can gather 200 students, he would send a team to conduct the vaccination right there at the university.

Dr. Villaruz brought up the proposal on increasing the absorptive capacity of the University’s Medical Center, opening an additional floor with enough staff and equipment. Also, WVSU has applied for the utilization of university facilities for a human genome laboratory, so not all specimens will take time in Manila. He said, “We have proposed and submitted requirements. We will be helping out the city”. 

The mayor expressed his support by saying that he will sign the endorsement of the WVSU proposals to fast-track action and implementation. He even added, “Whatever WVSU will need, I will endorse.”

To note, WVSU is one of the 24 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) who passed the assessment conducted by CHED, the Department of Health and the local Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). # -CILPI

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Crisis mgt committee tackles f2f classes, protocols, communication plans

The West Visayas State University Crisis Management Committee recently discussed the limited face-to-face classes, health and safety protocols, and communication plans.

Presided by the Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences (VPMAS) and Assistant Incident Commander, Dr. Celina Gellada, the University Crisis Management Committee gathered for a virtual meeting.

The limited face-to-face classes supposedly to be implemented this academic year 2021-2022 has been delayed due to the  CoVid-19, especially that the Delta variant is affecting the city and also because of Iloilo City being under the Modified Enchanced Community Quarantine (MECQ). Dr. Joselito Villaruz, WVSU president and the Incident Commander of the Committee , clarified that the limited face-to-face classes will only be allowed in areas, which are under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and the University should strictly maintain health and safety measures.

Safety Officer and the Director of the University Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Mr. Ian Van Sumagaysay presented updates on safety and health protocols implemented in the campus. The University is prepared when it comes to retrofitted classrooms, signage and directions, and policies approved by the Board of Regents. The University also has its own holding/quarantine facility, just in case there will be cases.

Dr. Roumila Mendoza of the College of Medicine shared that some students have problems when it comes to their boarding houses, because some boarding houses are not meant for quarantine—the bathrooms and toilets are for common use of the tenants—and also some students were discriminated because they were part of the contact tracing list. One incident was, one student had to be forced out of her boarding house.

Mr. Julius Undar, the Chief Administrative Officer of the University and Operations Section and Logistics Chief, updated on the number of vaccinated faculty and staff: As of September 3, 74% of the faculty are fully vaccinated; 76% of the regular staff and of the job order employees, respectively, have already received full doses.

The Center for International Linkages and Public Information (CILPI), with its director Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka presented a communication plan, which focuses on townhall and stakeholders’ meetings, information campaigns, and press releases, including the updating of data on CoVid 19 cases and vaccination to be included on the FaceBook page and the University website.

The University Crisis Management Committee was formed early this year to prepare the University for possible limited face-to-face classes and to ensure monitoring of safety- and health-conscious University operations.

For the public to see the University policies and protocols on safety, they can visit https://www.facebook.com/wvsudrrmc or https://www.facebook.com/wvsu .  # -CILPI

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WVSU ASEAN Day showcases student outputs

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

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WVSU earns level III institutional accreditation status

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

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WVSU celebrates 1st ASEAN Day ; highlights power of women

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

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WVSU on University ASEAN Day theme: ‘Women issues never end’

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

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COE: Launching of new Specialization MAED-TCA

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De Vera to graduates: look back at the years of hard work and determination

“Let your graduation remind you of the gains that you have achieved collectively and individually.”- J. Prosper E. De Vera III, Chairperson of Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

 

While the pandemic has hindered the education institutions to initiate face-to-face graduation, Dr. De Vera believed that it did not stop the CHED’s aspirations to produce competitive and quality graduates in a form of flexible learning.

 

In his speech during the 2020 & 2021 West Visayas State University Online Commencement Exercises, Dr. De Vera has projected honor and displayed a salutation to the graduates who successfully championed the difficulties of remote learning.

 

“I understand your frustration of missing a live graduation pero saludo ako sa inyo dahil nagpatagumpayan ninyo ang mga hamon ng pandemya at naipagpatuloy sa kabila ng mga balakid at limitasyon at ngayon ay mas handa na kayong harapin ang susunod na yugto ng inyong buhay,” Dr. De Vera said.

 

Aside from gracing the graduation rights, Dr. De Vera has also witnessed stories of success among students who are facing difficulties in online learning where he also shared it during his graduation message.

 

Exuding pride and happiness, Dr. De Vera shared that even during a pandemic, there are more than 1.6 million Filipinos in more than 200 public universities who now continue to receive quality education for free.

 

It might have been hard for the students but he also ensured that the CHED will continue to nourish the skills of the learners who are dedicated to working independently by adapting policy in the new normal.

 

“You and your university were able to courageously respond to the needs of the times. Move forward as one and rise above the challenges. Now in the part of CHED, we acted quickly and conscientiously at the onset of pandemic and devised ways to allow continued access to quality education through flexible modes of learning,” Dr. De Vera emphasized.

 

Dr. De Vera is also optimistic that the graduates will become active contributors to the national growth and competitiveness of the country.

 

He also urged the graduates to make a distinctive mark in society by transforming lives through the competencies they acquired anchored to the university’s core values.  

 

“Never stop learning and continue to pursue activities that will serve as precursors of discovery to ensure continuous productivity and sustainability for our future generation,” Dr. De Vera concluded.

-Jonar Dorado/CILPI