Category: News

By John Felip Gerasol, Mae Joy Palomo, and Merlyn Zolina

Showcasing world-class talents, dancers from the WVSU Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) won places during the 12th King’s Cup Thailand Open Dancesport Competition 2023, held at the Indoor Stadium, Huamark, Authority of Thailand on Sept. 9-10, 2023.

Kealynn Therese F. Castigador and Ruel Cyann M. Paclibar, both Grade 10 students, secured third place in the Modern Standard Junior II Category.

Edging out a total of 16 couples, the pair navigated the international ballroom arena through Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep.

Completing the two-award sweep, Czkha Gyle J. Garrucha and Cliff Justin L. Pareja, both Grade 11 students, achieved seventh place out of 27 couples in the Modern Standard Youth Open Category.

Garrucha and Pareja performed the dances Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep.

Prof. Liberty R. Porras and Mr. Jose Michael Angelo Cabarles are official coaches of the ILS dancesport team.

Pubmat design by John Felip Gerasol

Text by John Felip Gerasol

Photos by John Felip Gerasol and Rain Julien Tuvilleja

The West Visayas State University in collaboration with UP Manila and MSU-General Santos through a grant from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) LAKAS Project “Optimising Simulation-based Education (SBE), Training, Collaboration and Research – A Focus on Technology-driven Teaching & Learning Strategies” held a five-day Simulation and Experiential Learning Workshop here at WVSU. It concluded at the College of Medicine on September 8, 2023.

The International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs (ICAP) at Columbia University facilitated the conduct of the activity, during which they organized a series of lectures, scenarios, and workshops on integrating SBE to the curriculum.

Photos By Rain Tuvilleja

With the WVSU’s College of Nursing (CON) collaborating with the Global Health Program in Nursing 2023 with Yokohama City University, it welcomed its Japanese counterparts this morning, Sept. 8, 2023, at the CON Amphitheater.

The focus of the discussions were maternal and child health care. Among the topics expounded by the Japanese counterparts were Japan’s Healthcare Care system and Maternal Health in Japan.

𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘝𝘚𝘜 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

Selected municipal, city, and provincial social welfare and development officers all over the country get to learn new competencies with the 16th Batch of  Leading and Managing an Integrated Early Childhood Care and Development Program (LMIEP) currently being held in Cebu City from Sept. 4 to Sept. 8, 2023.

This program is spearheaded by West Visayas State University College of Education and the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council.

The said program aims to enhance the participants’ competencies to efficiently and effectively lead and manage their respective Child Development Centers (CDCs) and other ECCD programs.

By Joseph Nebres

Photos by Rain Julien Tuvilleja

In a collaboration aimed at ‘revolutionizing’ health education, a national Simulation and Experiential Learning Workshop is taking place today, September 4, 2023, and will conclude on September 8, 2023, at the Auditorium of Roxas Hall, College of Medicine.

This workshop has been made possible through the partnership of ICAP Global Health, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the University of the Philippines – Manila, Mindanao State University – General Santos (MSU-GenSan), and WVSU.

The primary focus of the workshop is Simulation-Based Education (SBE), utilizing cutting-edge teaching methodology that incorporates technology and experiential learning to offer safe yet immersive clinical encounters for students, educators, and prospective patients.

The program, which commenced at 9 a.m. today, is being attended by 35 faculty members from other public and private institutions, including MSU-GenSan, University of Southern Mindanao, Central Philippine University, Iloilo Doctors College, Cebu Normal University, and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology. Additionally, faculty members from WVSU’s College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Dentistry are participating.

Text and photos by John Felip Gerasol

Dominating the 56th ASEAN Founding Anniversary and Exhibit, West Visayas State University bagged seven awards for the cultural booth competition and others held at SM City Iloilo, September 1, 2023.

WVSU garnered the following awards: Most Impactful Booth, Best ASEAN Story, Best Storyteller, Best in National Costume – Group Category, Best in National Costume – Individual Category(Male), and Best in National Costume – Individual Category (Female).

Overall, the university was recognized second runner-up in the Best Booth competition among 10 participating universities in Region VI.

The WVSU booth preparation was led by the director of the WVSU International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) Prof. Edel Carmela Subong Csoka in collaboration with Dr. Arturo Souribio who oversaw the booth’s landscape conceptualization.

On the other hand, Prof. Liberty Porras, director of Dance and Cultural Affairs, with Prof. Ryan Puljanan spearheaded the artistic direction of the cultural performances.

Different colleges and external campuses also showed their support for the success of the ASEAN Exhibit.

The 56th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was celebrated during a grand opening at SM City Iloilo on August 29, 2023, participated by 13 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Region VI representing their designated ASEAN countries.

Themed “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” the anniversary celebration echoed the pivotal role of the ASEAN community in the ever-evolving global landscape.

“We need to be at the forefront because higher education is very important. That is something I need to highlight this afternoon”, said Dr. Raul Alvarez Jr., Director IV of CHEDRO VI, emphasizing the essential role of Higher Educational Institutions in attaining global peace.

By Shanea Mae Nalaunan

Ric Jan Gabales, a BA Foreign Languages 2-A student, won second runner-up in an essay writing contest organized by the University of the Philippines Korea Research Center.

The contest centered around the theme, “South Korean Foreign Policy and its Implications for Philippines-Korea Relations” which aimed to gather insights and ideas from Filipino scholars.

Gabales, in the contest held last June 30, 2023, clinched the spot with his essay titled, “Bridging Nations, Building Prosperity: South Korea’s Trailblazing Foreign Policy and its Impact on Philippines-Korea/ASEAN-Korea Relations.”

“I aimed to apply the knowledge I gained from the research program and to explore deeper into Korean resources, which motivated me to participate,” said Gabales.

Despite joining the contest at a later stage, he expressed his humility and gratitude for achieving the runner-up position. Gabales received a token from the organizers as in the case of the other winners, but with the grand prize winner receiving P5,000.

Gabales’ motivation for entering the contest stemmed from his participation in the UP Korea Research Center’s Global Korean Studies Roundtable last June 2, 2023, during which the essay contest was introduced.

“My interest in Korean culture was sparked by the Korean Wave (Hallyu) phenomenon, my admiration for the K Entertainment Industry, and Korean cuisine. As a Korean major, these elements collectively fueled my passion for Korean culture,” he said.

The other winners are the following: Fidel Louis Ceñidoza from UP Diliman who won the grand prize, with Axl Fitzgerald Bulawan from UP Tacloban College securing the first runner-up position, and Ellaine Diane Pilapit from Senior High School Dulong Bayan in Cavite earning the third runner-up title.

Text and photos by John Felip Gerasol

Bringing the Indonesian-inspired spectacle to the heart of Iloilo, West Visayas State University’s Irong-Irong Dance Company (IIDC) and Rondalla Ensemble performed the dance “Tari Indang”, and folk song “Si Patokan”, during the cultural show on the second day of the ASEAN Exhibit at SM City Iloilo, August 30, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The combined efforts of the WVSU IIDC and Rondalla Ensemble set a performance that seamlessly blended traditional dance, music, and storytelling. The performance was under the artistic direction of Prof. Liberty Porras, director of WVSU Dance and Cultural Affairs.

Making the ASEAN spirit come to life, the WVSU Teatro Tayo also graced the stage with trivia and knowledge about Indonesian languages — reliving the country’s rich culture.

Text and photos by John Felip Gerasol and Joseph Nebres

The 56th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was celebrated during a grand opening at SM City Iloilo on August 29, 2023, participated by 13 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Region VI representing their designated ASEAN countries.

Themed “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” the anniversary celebration echoed the pivotal role of the ASEAN community in the ever-evolving global landscape.

The ASEAN booths are still open to the public until September 1, 2023, located on the ground floor of SM City Iloilo.

In the words of Dr. Raul Alvarez Jr., Director IV of CHEDRO VI, “We should appreciate the culture and the rich heritage of our ASEAN neighbors. It is only then that we can establish full understanding, and most importantly, respect. We cannot respect other people for who they are if we cannot understand them.”

The event was hosted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office VI in collaboration with the Western Visayas Association of Higher Education Institutions (WVAHEHI), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU).

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – “A regional intergovernmental organization that fosters cooperation and integration among its ten member states in Southeast Asia” commemorates its 56th Founding Anniversary on August 29 to September 1, 2023 at SM City Iloilo.

Universities and institutions in the Western Visayas region including West Visayas State University will hold an exhibit to celebrate ASEAN unity amidst diversity and “to promote regional solidarity and showcase ASEAN’s achievements and objectives. This occasion serves as a vital platform to emphasize the significance of regional collaboration in addressing shared challenges and fostering economic growth and cultural understanding.”