Category: News

Bryl Christian R. Sario, a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language (BAFL) major in Korean at West Visayas State University, earned the Excellence Award at the 2025 King Sejong Institute Speech Contest Finals held Oct. 15 in Seoul, South Korea.

Representing both the King Sejong Institute (KSI)–Iloilo and the Philippines, Sario was among the top 10 finalists chosen from hundreds of contestants across more than 240 KSI branches worldwide. His winning speech shared his five-year journey of learning the Korean language, his motivations for pursuing Korean studies, and his future goals in the field.

Before the competition, Sario and other finalists participated in a weeklong cultural immersion program in Korea. As part of his competition, he will remain in South Korea until Oct. 20 for further cultural activities and engagements.

The KSI Speech Contest is held annually by the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) to foster global appreciation for Korean language and culture participated in by outstanding learners from across the world, each representing their respective KSI branches.

Sario first secured his spot in the finals after winning the local competition hosted by KSI–Iloilo on May 31. The preliminary round, joined by 11 participants, highlighted the learners’ experiences in studying the Korean language and culture.

He was mentored by Ms. Reeran Park, instructor at KSI–Iloilo, which operates under the College of Arts and Sciences at WVSU. The institute, formally inaugurated last August following a Memorandum of Agreement between WVSU and the King Sejong Institute in Korea, aims to strengthen Korean language education and cultural exchange in Western Visayas.

According to Ms. Krizza S. Cañete of KSI–Iloilo, this achievement reflects the strength of WVSU’s Korean language program and the success of the institute in promoting Korean language and culture in the region.

“Since may ara kita BAFL nga program, mas gina-strengthen ang aton Korean program, especially sa pagpalaganap sang Korean culture—not just sa WVSU but in the whole Western Visayas. Kita lang ang KSI sa Western Visayas. Aside sa internationalization sang aton university and as the only university nga naga-offer sang Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language program, mas na-help pa gid ni KSI nga maging stronger ang program ta for Korean language,” Cañete said.

Sario’s international recognition marks a milestone for both WVSU and KSI–Iloilo, showcasing the growing impact of the university’s foreign language programs on the global stage.

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Two students from West Visayas State University-Integrated Laboratory School (WVSU-ILS) were among this year’s top honorees in the Boys’ and Girls’ Week 2025 celebration organized by the Rotary Club of Iloilo City, in partnership with the Department of Education, SM City Iloilo, and the City Government of Iloilo.

Helen Natalie Dime Bolivar, a Grade 10-Jupiter student, was declared Mayor, while her classmate Unah Angel Gabrielle Robante was assigned to the Office of the City Legal Officer. Both represented WVSU-ILS with distinction under the mentorship of Sir Angelou Deloguines.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Week, themed “Unite for Good,” aims to cultivate youth leadership, civic engagement, and public service among young Ilonggos. During the weeklong program scheduled from Oct. 20 to 26, the selected student officials will assume their respective duties alongside Iloilo City officials and participate in various civic and leadership activities. The celebration will open with a foot parade from the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, followed by a transition ceremony at the Iloilo City Hall Grounds, and an exhibit and ribbon-cutting at SM City Iloilo.

The awarding ceremony, held today, Oct. 14, 2025, at SM City Iloilo, was one of the highlights of the celebration. The 52 qualified participants officially received their assigned positions as mayor, vice mayor, councilors, and department heads, marking the culmination of a selection process that began in August.

The competition started with a written examination on Aug. 16 at Assumption Iloilo, which drew 122 participating schools. From there, 52 schools advanced to the interview round held on Sept. 13 at Jubilee Hall.

Bolivar also performed during the intermission of the Announcement of Positions program, showcasing the WVSU-ILS students’ active involvement in the event. She is the third WVSU-ILS student to earn the title of “girl mayor” in the city’s Boys’ and Girls’ Week history, following Jennifer Javier in 1990 and Lady Ochel Espinosa in 1999.

The Rotary Club of Iloilo City facilitates the annual Boys’ and Girls’ Week to foster civic consciousness, leadership, and social responsibility among the youth.

The recognition of Bolivar and Robante underscores WVSU-ILS’s strong culture of leadership and excellence, reflecting the university’s mission to nurture future leaders committed to service, creativity, and innovation.

#WVSUTransformingGenerations #WVSUexcels

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West Visayas State University marked World Teachers’ Day 2025 with activities across colleges, highlighting gratitude for educators and staff who shape future generations. At the College of Teacher Education Hall, the Asian Medical Students’ Association–WVSU launched its flagship initiative, AMSA TSEK (Tigil Saglit, E-kay), through a special program titled “Caring for the Hands that Shape Minds – A Tribute to Teachers.” About 100 participants, mostly faculty, benefited from free health consultations, blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, urinalysis, essential medicines, and lectures on stress management and lifestyle diseases. 


Earlier in the day, the College of Education, through its Education Student Council, distributed gifts and ice cream to teachers starting at 10 a.m. The College of Nursing, meanwhile, is set to hold its own celebration next week. The events underscore WVSU’s collective commitment to honoring teachers and non-teaching staff, recognizing them as vital contributors to education and community service. 

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By WVSU PAMCO

The West Visayas State University faculty extension delegates garnered multiple awards during the14th Philippine Association of State University and Colleges VI – Extension Managers’ Council (PASUC-EMC) Annual Regional Symposium and General Assembly last September 30 – October 2, 2025 at the University of Antique with the theme, “Extension Beyond Boundaries: Strengthening Impact Through Innovation, Inclusion, and Integration”. 

Among the delegates who presented their paper, Dr. Elias C. Olapane from WVSU Calinog Campus received Best Paper and Best Presenter awards in the Transformative Education, Culture and Social-Behavioral Sciences cluster, with co-project leader Dr. Mary Jean Cataluña in their paper, “UpSKilling DepEd Teachers Research-Led Teaching Through a Capability Training Series”. 

Similarly, Dr. Maria Corazon M. Samorin from the College of Business and Management, secured 2nd place in the Best Extension Paper category for her work titled “Empowering Transport Cooperatives through Innovative Extension: Insights from Project ITTC” under the Environmental Stewardship, Climate Action, and Circular Economy category. Another notable award is from WVSU Pototan Campus, where Dr. Charlie Domido secured 3rd place for Best Extension Paper in the Environmental Stewardship, Climate Action, and Circular Economy category.

Additionally, Dr. Virginia B. Parreñas, also from WVSU Pototan Campus, earned 3rd place in the Community-Based Health, Nutrition, and Wellness category. Meanwhile, the documentary Rays of Hope was awarded Best Video Documentary, with Prof. Sheila P. Beliran from the College of Nursing serving as the Project Leader. 

In addition, research presenters—Dr. Jovie L. Caballero from Calinog Campus, and Dr. Pauline M. Torion along with Prof. Joenarex N. Bautista from Janiuay Campus—presented their respective extension papers. Panel evaluators from the university consists of Prof. Sheila P. Beliran, Dr. Julie Gay B. Quidato, Dr. Alma Jean A. Subong, and Dr. Raymund B. Moreno.

Also present during the symposium and awarding ceremony was Dr. Ricky P. Becodo, the Director of the University Development Center and Chairman of PASUC VI EMC, Inc., demonstrating strong institutional support.

This symposium exemplifies the university’s ongoing dedication to fostering innovative projects that benefit and uplift the community. 

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Photo Courtesy: Cristy Pagente 

By WVSU PAMCO

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Team Dungánan of the West Visayas State University College of Business and Management (WVSU-CBM) once again proved its edge on the national stage, clinching the Service Category championship at the 19th Business Idea and Development Award (BIDA) 2025. 

The team, which represented CBM with a business paper on preserving heirloom dishes, successfully defended its 2024 title against contenders from Capiz State University and Our Lady of Fatima University.

The back-to-back win underscores CBM’s commitment to both innovation and cultural preservation. This year’s BIDA drew more than 70 entries nationwide. From the pool, 32 teams advanced to the second level of screening, where participants submitted full business plans and video presentations. Only 15 were chosen as finalists to present on-site in Taguig City, competing in Service, Technology, Food, Non-Food, and Agriculture categories. 

The Business Idea and Development Award, or BIDA, is an annual competition organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to recognize innovative and sustainable business ideas, products, technologies, and services, primarily from students.

The program seeks to foster an entrepreneurial culture, support sustainable economic growth in the Philippines, and encourage youth to develop creative solutions for national development. Team Dungánan was composed of Kisha Antoniette Hojilla (BSBA FM), Thomas Edward Segundera (BSHM), Kyle Cabaobao (BSBA FM), Joriel Agustina Marie Alvarez (BSTM), and John Richard Inorino (BSCM).

Guiding them throughout the competition were coaches Nichol John J. Raymundo and Maria Corazon M. Samorin. The win solidifies CBM’s standing in national competitions, highlighting the college’s drive to develop future leaders who can create socially relevant and sustainable business ideas.

#WVSUTransformingGenerations #WVSUexcels 

By WVSU PAMCO

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