(063) (033) 320-0870 to 77 president@wvsu.edu.ph
West Visayas State University celebrated its 120th Foundation Day last June 16, 2022, with well-organized, simple, but meaningful events that brought them back to the past and inspired them to look into their future as one of the region’s best universities.
Donning their white WVSU anniversary shirts, the administration led by University President Dr. Joselito Villaruz, the administration team, unit heads, and representatives from different colleges and campuses attended the Holy Mass at the Cultural Center to open the day’s festivities.
Setting the mood for the main event, PESCAR’s Rondalla Ensemble serenaded guests with renditions of folk music as they troop inside the center. Entitled Paghanduraw, the celebration aimed to reminisce the institution’s glorious past laden with achievements, milestones, and outstanding personages who contributed to what WVSU is now.
After the customary entrance of the colors, prayer, the singing of the national anthem, and university hymn, WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz gave his message to the institution that has stood the test of time for 120 years.
“We are facing insurmountable challenges ahead and we still have much catching up to do with other advanced higher education institutions,” said Dr. Villaruz. “Yet, I am certain that together we can achieve our goals. The public expectation is high, and the deliverables are voluminous. Therefore, much is expected from each one of us to achieve our targets. But if we work as one, we can win as one.”
Following the inspiring speech by Dr. Villaruz, the audience watched Through the Years…A Tale Retold, a digital presentation about the history of WVSU. Guest Speaker Dr. Elnora V. Loriega, former WVSU VPAA and Dean of the College Education, held the audience in quiet awe while she expounded on her ‘testimony of valor’.
“Imagine the endless possibilities,” she said, “of what we can achieve working together,
facing the unknown with valor.” Regent Bonifacio Gaverza, the alumni president, gave an impassioned oral history of WVSU in Ilonggo and a rousing tribute to the university’s heritage and accomplishments, aptly titled ‘Let thy Name Resound.’
Cultural dancers from the College of PESCAR performed a series of folk dances to
pave the way for recognizing the administrators, deans, and units headed by Dr.
Villaruz. Student representatives gave them symbolic tokens of appreciation for the
invaluable services rendered to WVSU while they stood together, facing the audience.
Key WVSU officials led the procession from the Cultural Center to the Quezon Hall
grounds, where the revered urn stands guard as a symbol of the institution’s values.
The laying of the wreath led by Dr. Villaruz capped the morning festivities with
solemnity.
A cultural show entitled Panakayon sustained the celebratory mood in the afternoon,
where guests enjoyed the numbers rendered by West Crew, Panayana Cultural Group,
and Irong-Irong Dance Company.
By Leo G. Almonte, MDC
PAMCO, Director
Photos courtesy of Silak, Forum Dimensions, John Glen Teorima and Franz Chrysler Marie Delgado
WVSU Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences Dr. Celina C. Gellada gives her healtfelt message on the occasion of the institution’s 120th Founding Anniversary.
WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz shares his insight and reflrects on the institution’s 120th Foundation Day in his message.
Today, West Visayas State University achieved a momentous milestone on its 120th founding anniversary. The foundation day affirms the commitment and resilience of its leaders, administrators, faculty, students, alumni, employees, and stakeholders through years of ups and downs.
With humble beginnings, known then as Iloilo Normal School in 1902, the institution evolved under the leadership of capable school administrators and presidents who brought the school higher to another level during their terms.
After becoming West Visayas State College in 1965, the institution received university status in 1986. By 1987, WVSU acquired Don Benito V. Lopez Memorial Hospital (now known as West Visayas State University Medical Center), a venue for training and learning for students in the medical and allied services. The university’s medical and nursing programs are among the best in the country, scoring consistently with a high passing rate.
Eventually, the university grew and established external campuses in Lambunao, Calinog, Himamaylan, Janiuay, and Pototan. Graduates in other programs are equally excellent and excel in education, communications, business, arts, sciences, technology, social sciences, agriculture, sports, and culture as professionals and industry practitioners.
The institution survived the horrors of World War II, thrived under the administration of American governors and several Philippine presidents, withstood countless natural disasters, lived through socio-political unrests, and presently weathering the challenges of the global pandemic.
The reasons for celebrating WVSU’s 120th Founding Anniversary are as countless as the people who grew with it since 1902. Every person who became part of the institution since its founding shared a heartbeat to keep WVSU alive through their services and sacrifices.
From a dream a university grew, / Stirring hearts with a hero’s refrain. / Out of darkness, faith renew / That our toils should not fade in vain./ West Visayas State University, Hold thy banner high, / Let genius bridge the earth / And boundless sky.
WVSU will continue singing its hymn for another 120 years – and beyond.
By Leo G. Almonte, MDC
Director, PAMCO
From a dream a university grew…so begins the university hymn.
To commemorate the outstanding contribution of the visionaries who placed WVSU at a pedestal it now stands, this year’s celebration of the 120th Foundation day will feature nostalgic visit to the days of glory of Arts and Culture.
Join us as we reminisce the past through a dance extravaganza, pay tribute to those who were pillars in the cultural arena and make the youth aware of the essence of what it means to be tagawest.
The West Visayas State University (WVSU) is gearing up for its 120th Founding Anniversary on June 16, 2022. From a humble ‘normal’ school in 1902, WVSU grew into a state college in 1965 and attained university status in 1986.
Since then, WVSU has become an educational landmark in the Province of Iloilo for producing graduates who excel in medical arts, education, business management, communications, sciences, agriculture, arts, and social sciences.
Committee head for WVSU’s 120th Founding Anniversary celebration, Dr. Porferio J. Barlas, VP for Administration and Finance, said that “Reaching 120 years is a rare feat and only a few institutions attain that milestone.”
The theme for this year’s foundation day is “Celebrating the past, committing to the present, and creating a sustainable future through academic and research excellence.”
It recognizes the university’s heritage and past people who helped the institution grow. At the same time, it upholds the commitment of the present stakeholders to moving forward through the fulfillment of WVSU’s mission with a tangible and sustainable impact on society.
Due to health protocols, WVSU opted to organize low-key but meaningful activities to commemorate the special event. The Foundation Day festivities on June 16 start with the Holy Mass celebration, followed by a flower offering at the university marker. Other activities include a cultural program and the groundbreaking-blessing of new university buildings.
The Public Affairs and Marketing Communications Office (PAMCO) and other units will launch a social media campaign to hype the founding day celebration.
by
Leo G. Almonte, MDC
Director, PAMCO
By Leo G. Almonte, MDC
Director, PAMCO
Professor Romulo J. Pangan, a retired professor of WVSU and known musical connoisseur, passed away last May 23, 2022. He completed his Bachelor of Music Education and Conducting and Bachelor of Science in Education and Filipino at the University of the Philippines.
During his four decades-long teaching career, Professor Pangan taught music and established orchestras at Central Philippine University, Colegio Del Sagrado de Jesus, St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción, and West Visayas State University.
In 1965, he became the college professor of music and Filipino at West Visayas State College (WVSC). He was active in organizing and training the college choir, orchestra, and band, setting a high standard in the school’s musical output. The Pangan-trained WVSC Choir won the grand prize at the National Music Competition for Young Artists.
Together with the late Adelina Zerrudo, Professor Pangan composed the WVSU Hymn and March. He has 236 musical compositions, of which 38 are for WVSU, including the Centennial Hymn.
“Many would describe music with magical words,” said Professor Pangan, “but I would only describe it as sounds that elevate the soul.”
Professor Romulo Pangan retired from WVSU at the age of 65. But his legacy remains embedded in the institution and will be remembered for his excellence in music, culture, and arts.
More than seven-thousand aspirants trooped to West Visayas State University for the annual college admission test. The examinees, grouped into batches, displayed varied expressions from nervousness to excitement and other emotions in between. They filled the testing centers within the university campus from May 11 to 14, hoping to pass the examinations and enroll in West Visayas’ premier university.
Eighteen-year-old examinees like Ellen, Nessy, and Daniel are bent on enrolling in the College of Nursing to join the ranks of medical frontliners in the future. “WVSU offers the best nursing program,” one of them opined during an informal interview. “The university has a reputation for having a high percentage of board passers.”
After the half-day examination, some hopefuls found the test challenging, while others said “that they were confident in passing the entrance examination because they prepared for it.”
The College of Nursing garnered the most applicants at 2,928, followed by the College of Business and Management (1,394), College of Arts and Sciences (1,103), College of Education (968), College of Information and Communications Technology (557), College of Dentistry (316), College of Pescar (197) and College of Communication (95). The examinees came from Iloilo City and other provinces like Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, and Negros.
WVSU external campuses also conducted its college admission test last May 15. WVSU Lambunao Campus has the most number of examinees at 1,880, followed by Janiuay Campus (1,291), Himamaylan Campus (1,050), Pototan Campus (924), Calinog Campus (443), and the College of Agriculture and Forestry in Lambunao (304).
by Leo G. Almonte, MDC
The Western Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARRDEC), together with its cooperating consortia, is conducting its 2022 Cluster FIESTA in the whole month of April.
The cooperating consortia are the Western Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) and the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC).
The event is dubbed as the Native Chicken FIESTA with a theme “PADAYON: Sustainable Economy Amidst Pandemic through Native Chicken Technology”.
The virtual FIESTA which stands for Farms and Industry Encounters through Science and Technology is one of the banner programs of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
For this year’s first-ever FIESTA, the focus is on the success of the Native Chicken Technology in the agricultural industry of the country. The Native Chicken FIESTA aims to provide a virtual platform to showcase, promote and disseminate the technology and commercialization of the Native Chicken.
Native chicken production can be a viable enterprise for rural dwellers. It supports the objective of ensuring food security at the family level. Being a truly Filipino genetic resource, it highlights cultural pride and supports the promotion of the tourism industry.
