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.