WVSU

Tag: 5

ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS.

Gender bias is undermining our social fabric and devalues all of us. It is not just a human rights issue; it is a tremendous waste of the world’s human potential. By denying women equal rights, we deny half the population a chance to live life at its fullest. Political, economic and social equality for women will benefit all the world’s citizens. Together we can eradicate prejudice and work for equal rights and respect for all.

  • WVSU receives recognition at 25th Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Awards Night

    WVSU receives recognition at 25th Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Awards Night

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) was recognized for its exemplary support as a partner organization of the Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Network during the 25th Ugsad Regional Gender Resource Awards Night held on December 11, 2024, at the Little Theater, University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo City.

    The award highlights WVSU’s commitment to delivering gender-responsive programs and services in Western Visayas. The university, a founding member of Ugsad, continues to play a pivotal role in the only surviving gender resource network in the region, which marked its 25th anniversary with the theme, “UGSAD’s Journey: Celebrating 25 Years of Empowering Voices and Forging Inclusive Communities.”

    Representing WVSU at the event were Dr. Nancy Surmieda, former GAD director; Dr. Jeanette J. Simpas, the current director of the Gender and Development Office; and Dr. Lea M. Gabawa, the GAD Focal Person for the College of Communication and Information Technology.

    Adding to the celebration, Prof. Rus Will Ledesma and student Jhon Donryl Mendoza from the College of PESCAR performed an intermission number of “Rosas Pandan” by Pilita Corrales.

    WVSU’s recognition reaffirms its dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering inclusive communities in the region.

    | 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘔𝘢𝘺 𝘋𝘦 𝘭𝘢 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘻, 𝘗𝘈𝘔𝘊𝘖
    | 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘞𝘝𝘚𝘜 𝘎𝘈𝘋

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  • WVSU concludes Performance Review for FY 2024

    WVSU concludes Performance Review for FY 2024

    West Visayas State University has completed its three-day performance review for fiscal year 2024, held at the university’s board room on Dec. 4.

    The review, facilitated by the University Planning and Development Office, is an annual evaluation where university units present their accomplishments, assess progress, and identify areas for improvement. The event aims to measure how the university’s activities align with its mission and goals.

    This year’s review carried the theme “Sustaining the Vision Through Synergy” and included presentations from vice presidents, deans, campus administrators, and other university officials. The presentations highlighted strengths, challenges, and opportunities across the university.

    The panel of evaluators included Shim Lester de Pio, president of the WVSU Faculty Association and member of the university board of regents; Kristine E. Sabla-on, chief human resource specialist of the Civil Service Commission’s regional office; Paulo Cabanero, Education Supervisor II of the Commission on Higher Education’s regional office, and Francis John Palabrica, a senior economic development specialist at the National Economic and Development Authority regional office.

    The performance review is part of the university’s commitment to accountability and strategic planning. It provides a platform to reflect on accomplishments, address gaps, and refine strategies for sustained growth and development.

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  • WVSU GAD kicks off 18-day campaign to end VAW

    WVSU GAD kicks off 18-day campaign to end VAW

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) remained committed in the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) by launching various advocacy activities as facilitated by the Gender and Development (GAD) Office earlier today, Nov. 25, 2024.

    The University’s campaign began with a solidarity dance held at the College of Medicine Gym and led by students from the College of PESCAR in collaboration with other participating colleges and student organizations.

    WVSU GAD also celebrated International Men’s Day through simultaneous lectures on financial literacy and dental health held at the College of Dentistry building.

    Dr. Jeffrey Ballaret, a faculty member from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), delivered his discussion on financial literacy titled, “Securing Your Financial Future: A Man’s Roadmap”, wherein he highlighted the concept of the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule and the MACHO Framework that focused on Mindset of Wealth, Aligned Goals, Consistent Savings, Healthy Investment, and Optimized Strategies.

    The second topic was discussed by Dr. Lester Joseph Cardenas, associate dean of the College of Dentistry (COD) and assistant focal person of COD GAD. His talk titled, “Beyond the Smile: How Dental Health Affects Men’s Lives,” focused on the fundamentals and trivia of dental and oral health, and how patients can remain disciplined and consistent in improving their oral hygiene.

    Capping off the forum, Mr. Saturnino Luke Sobrevega, a CAS faculty member and assistant focal person of CAS GAD, reiterated that the opening of the EVAW campaign and the celebration of Men’s Day served as a collaboration that allows respect, equality, and understanding thrive in society.

    “Every action we take to promote [VAW] awareness, strengthen policies, and provide support contributes to a safer and more just world for everyone. At the same time, it is an opportunity to encourage men to engage as allies and role models, breaking stereotypes and building relationships grounded in empathy and understanding,” said Sobrevega.

    The 18-day campaign to end VAW is a national advocacy led by the Philippine Commission on Women, and runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12, 2024.

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  • UN rapporteur pushes for teaching of mother tongue in the face of House’s suspension of Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education

    By Gizelle Amour Tagabi

    UNDERLINING the value of languages and their diversity in the Philippines’s education system, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Fernand de Varennes, emphasized the teaching of children in their native tongue because this will guarantee their right to education without discrimination.

    He emphasized that Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) should be in the long term because quality education in the mother languages take time and investment and not only three years.

    De Varennes’s statement made on Feb 22, 2023 at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) comes on the heels of the House of Representatives approving the suspension of the Mother-Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) on Feb. 6, 2023.

    Varennes, speaking in a conference with officials of WVSU and SILAK Media, the official college publication of the WVSU College of Education — urged that quality education in the mother languages requires more time to give the children the best results possible in exercising their language rights within the classroom.

    “There should be at least a 10-year program or 20-year program to develop the materials to make sure that you start and you progressively build stronger and stronger programs,” he said, on top of stressing the importance of committing to the MTB-MLE.

    He called upon education and government authorities to “take this program seriously” by investing in training, resources, and materials for teachers to effectively teach in mother languages.

    “You have to look at this long-term as an investment, which will take time before you see really good results,” he said, adding that the lack of materials shouldn’t be a reason for suspending the MTB-MLE program.

    Prior to the conference, Varennes spoke from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to about 1,500 students and faculty of the said university in a Symposium on Language Rights and Education in observance of the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) along with multilingual education and MTB-MLE advocate, Firth McEachern, who raised awareness on human rights through language rights in education.

    “You all have the right to learn and use your language in the classroom at any level. So don’t let other people tell you, ‘No, hindi pwedeng gumamit ng Hiligaynon kasi we have to be English-speaking’ — that is against your rights,” said McEachern, a Canadian national who can fluently speak Philippine languages including Filipino and Hiligaynon.

    Photos by Pretty Pearl Kate Serilo, Shane Salao, and Mark Lawrence Articuna

  • Clash of Queens, Mr. And Ms. Pag-iririmaw Caps WVSU’s Festive Tradition

    West Visayas State University faculty and students watched the culminating show of Pag-iririmaw in the Cultural Center last November 2, 2022. Spectacles of light, loud cheers from a lively crowd, and dazzling performances electrified the jampacked venue.

    The most-awaited Clash Of Queens, an inter-college drag queen competition, showcased entertaining and exciting numbers performed by contestants in lavish costumes. Each college cheered its representatives in a frenzy like there was no tomorrow. 

    The drag queens set the stage ablaze with their intense impersonations of iconic female singers and heart-stopping dance moves. Crowd favorite West Crew took center stage during the intermission, to the crowd’s delight.

     The showdown came to an end when the announcement of the judges announced the winners. Danilo Clarato Jr., a.k.a Blanch è Nana from the College of Education, was hailed as the 2022 Clash of Queens winner. Following in the first runner-up was  Ethan John Bellot, a.k.a Celeste Glamore, from the College of Business and Management, and James Byran Almonia, a.k.a ABCDEF Beatrice Windtower, from the College of Arts and Sciences as second runner-up.

     

    The search for  Mr. and Ms. Pag-iririmaw’s segment opened with a banger production number from the candidates accompanied by the Irong-irong Dance Company, marking the start of what WVSU dubs as ‘the greatest show”.

    The contestants amazed the audience as they graced the stage in their elegant formal attires, exuding pride and confidence. They participated in the interview and talent segments to showcase their intellectual and kinesthetic prowess.

     

     Amid the audience’s cheers,  the search for the new Mr. and Ms. Pag-iririmaw 2022 concluded with the coronation of Nathaniel Masiado of the College of Communication and Taryn Estelle Juls Oquias of the College of Arts and Sciences.

    The other awardees are:

    Mr. Pag-iririmaw

    1st Runner Up: Yneo Ybañez (CAS)

    2nd Runner Up: Oliver Lee Lumiguid (CON)

    3rd Runner Up: Joshua Dulleguez (COP)

    4th Runner Up: John Lorenz Gonzalez (COD)

    Miss Pag-iririmaw

    1st Runner Up: Zoe Kyra Belandres (COD)

    2nd Runner Up: Bless Yorac (CON)

    3rd Runner Up: Romavil Abelarde (COE)

    4th Runner Up: Maraya Veronica Alcoran (COC)

     This year’s celebration of the University Pag-iririmaw concluded with the College of Arts and Sciences hailed as the overall champion. The College of Education followed as the 1st runner-up, while the College of Communications came as the 2nd runner-up in this year’s celebration of the University Pag-iririmaw.

     

    Photos by Joseph Henry Nebres (PAMCO), Franz Chrysler Marie Delgado and Rjay Castor (Forum-Dimensions).

  • WVSU President, COM Faculty Receive Outstanding Alumni Award from UPAA Iloilo Chapter

    Photo Caption: The awardees at the Iloilo Convention Center during the Alumni and Faculty Homecoming Dinner and Awards night. Photo source from UPV Office of Alumni Relations FB post.

    by Abegail Lapating, Elyn Joy Estimada, Mary Angel Lou Tribiano

    The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) Iloilo Chapter recognized its outstanding alumni during the homecoming dinner last August 21, 2022 at the Iloilo Convention Centre. Among the seven awardees were the West Visayas State University (WVSU) President, Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz and College of Medicine (COM) faculty, Dr. Ma. Pilar S. Malata.

    WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz (BS Biology 1987, MA in Public Management 2004) was honoured for his work in the field of Governance, Public Administration, and Public Service.

    With 25 years of public service, Dr. Villaruz was recognized as a 2022 UPV Jubilarian by the UP Alumni Association, an acknowledgment of his dedication and hard work.  The WVSU President established the Juris Doctor program, Doctor of Dental Medicine program, and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Dr. Villaruz is also dedicated to making WVSU a premier research institution.

    In an interview with the Forum Dimensions, the UPV Jubilarian Awardee said that “the recent award given by the UPV Alumni [Association] as an outstanding professional in the field of governance and public service is an affirmation and is proof of the acknowledgment of the efforts and services that I have given in the public sector.”

    Another pride of WVSU and a mental health advocate, Dr. Ma. Pilar Servigon-Malata (UPHSI 1982) from WVSU College of Medicine, spoke on behalf of the awardees during the event.   UPAA Iloilo Chapter recognized her with an award for achievements and contributions in the field of education.

    The recipients had to comply with the necessary documents to be validated by the association and were selected through a strict screening process.

  • CHED hosts ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary kickoff

    by Gian Kyra A. Morones / ILLO

    August 8, 2022 – CHED hosts their first hybrid virtual kick-off ceremony for ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary. This year, ASEAN carries Cambodia’s chairmanship 2022 theme, ASEAN A.C.T. Addressing Challenges Together.

    The Assistant Secretary of ASEAN Affairs, Daniel Ramos Espiritu, opened the ceremony with his welcome remarks. In his speech, Daniel Espiritu highlighted how school closures due to the pandemic interrupted the development of education. With the sudden shift in traditional learning to online education, there had been a growing digital divide among students. By October of 2020, ASEAN leaders and experts created measures to promote digital literacy and development of transferable skills among youths and children. This is to ensure that education in the region is “equitable, inclusive and future ready”. Along with distance learning strategies, maximize e-learning platforms, open educational resources, and virtual peer exchanges in order to further improve the quality of education. He noticed that, “ASEAN remains united and strong even in the face of hardships”.

    “ASEAN remains united and strong even in the face of hardships.”

    The event’s guest speaker, Senator Loren Legarda, mentioned her first bill in the 19th Congress, the ‘One Tablet, One Student Program’ seek to provide public schools, universities and colleges a tablet for each student for the purpose of helping them cope with the changes in their education. In coordination with CHED, Senator Legarda helped in assisting students’ education through developing laws that provide financial assistance to their education like UniFast, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and the Enhanced Basic Education Program. She stressed that, “Filipinos, especially from lower income families, should know that they have such opportunities”. She also stated a problem concerning the young population as they face a disproportionate level of unemployment and under employment in which she hopes to address if given the chance. “It is imperative that we build a more resilient educational ecosystem”. She proposed to ramp up the skills development in education, sustainable development, gender equality and inclusivity.

    SEAMEO Director, Dr. Ethel Agnes Pascua Valenzuela stated that “we must strengthen the implementation of open, flexible and distance learning” and provide more importance to distance learning. The new normal education paved the way to a reimagined new normal and hybrid higher education. This new development in learning and education must be valued and acknowledged in order to adjust and move forward with ease towards new learning modalities.

  • WVSU, Florida State University conduct ABC+ project

    by Gian Kyra A. Morones and Shanea Mae A. Nalaunan / ILLO

     

    West Visayas State University – College of Education (WVSU-COE) held the Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Workshop in preparation for pre-service teachers on August 8, 2022.

    The event was facilitated by Florida State University (FSU), as one of the technical assistants that provide one public university in each chosen region. West Visayas State University collaborated with international experts Dr. Ana Marty and Kate Schell, literacy specialists from FSU, on pre-service teacher education to develop syllabus and instructional modules for instructors and students, and train instructors who will deliver literacy courses. Its objective is  to create courses that focus on literacy development and beginning reading to be a part of the College of Education curricula for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) and Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEE).

    WVSU will receive technical assistance from ABC+ for these courses to be taught. This project is holding another event this August 11 and 12, 2022 aimed to  develop and improve the early literacy training for pre-service teachers.

    The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, in collaboration with West Visayas State University College of Education, held the activity as part of their agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement ABC+: Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines—a 5-year project that aims to improve literacy skills, math, and social and emotional learning skills for Kindergarten through Grade 3 in Regions V (Bicol) and VI (West Visayas).

    Dr. Joselito P. Villaruz, WVSU President, handing the certificates to Dr. Ana Marty (left) and Kate Schell (right)

  • The WVSU – College of Law’s Project E-Hustisya

    West Visayas State University – College of Law (WVSU-COL) implemented a project that focuses on legally assisting the marginalized sectors of Iloilo City.

    The WVSU – College of Law’s Center for Law Advocacy is a legal clinic that provides legal assistance for marginalized sectors. However, what sets E-Hustisya apart is that it specifically focuses on abused women and children.

    In Rule 138 – Law Student Practice Rule by the Supreme Court, students can act as lawyers and handle cases as long as a supervising lawyer is present. Thus, Project E-Hustisya is a student-driven legal clinic with Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana acting as their supervising lawyer. The cases of victims will be facilitated by the College of Law student lawyers through interviewing clients, preparations of documents to be filed in court, assisting a negotiation, and other legal assistance necessary.

    According to Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana, also the college’s Associate Dean, the project had already begun conducting training for two barangays that are nearest the vicinity of the University campus—Brgy. Magsaysay and Brgy. Montinola. They are trained to carefully handle sensitive and pervasive cases regarding women and children victims. He said, “Sa barangay level pa lang kung ma resolve na siya hindi na mag file case… kay ang courts ta puno na sang cases”. However, it is essential to note that the College of Law’s Center for Law Advocacy also caters to other cases such as disputes, crimes, etc. Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana mentioned that the College of Law aims to apply for Level 2 Training for the purpose of allowing law student practitioners to appear in courts.

    The project is led by the College of Law, in partnership with the Gender and Development Office (GAD) and the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU). In addition, the United Nations and European Union granted two (2) million pesos to fund the project thus, an amount of one thousand five hundred (1,500) pesos will be given to consulting victims to be utilized as financial assistance if they decide to file a case.

    Currently, the Center for Law Advocacy is open for people around Iloilo City, and even for the people around the University campus, though it is a mission to expand the project. Project E-Hustisya can be accessed through email, social media channels, and available hotlines to be provided along with booklets to be distributed by the Center for Law Advocacy called Pakigbato 101.

  • WVSU Hosts CHED Writeshop and FGD Participants

    By: Jeandelle Amistad

    The West Visayas State University (WVSU) participated in the writeshop and focus group discussions (FGD) commissioned by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) entitled “Patterns of and Pathways to Transformation in Philippine TEIs: The Role of Institutional Leadership in Focus.” The event was held at Richmond Hotel, Iloilo City, from July 27 to 29. 

    CHED’s three-part scoping study intends to describe the role of leadership in producing teacher quality through gathering narratives from the selected institutions. Participants aim to create a framework for designing and delivering more opportunities to drive the responsiveness of teacher education.

    Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla, WVSU Vice President for Academic Affairs, opened the event with a welcome address, followed by the self-introduction of the participating delegates.

    CHED   selected  university representatives  for the data gathering on Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs).  The participants include West Visayas State University,, Mariano State University, Saint Louis University, Marikina Polytechnic College, Thomas Claudio Colleges, University of Makati, Adventist University, University of San Jose Recoletos, Bago City College, Holy Name University, Southern Leyte State University, Hercor College, Bukidnon State University, Capitol University, St. Benedict College of Cotabato, MSU-GenSan, Davao De Oro State College and St. John Paul College Davao.

    Dr. Roberto Sagge Jr., WVSU Director of the University Learning and Assessment Center, gave a brief overview of the workshop and FGD, followed by an orientation by Dr. Edison Fermin, Co-Chair Person and Technical Panel for Teacher Education.

     WVSU provided a city tour around Iloilo and gave the guests a rousing welcome upon campus arrival. Cultural dancers of the Cultural Arts Office and PESCAR performed lively dance numbers as the guests walked into the lobby. University administrators led by Dr. Dequilla hosted a dinner for the guests at the campus.

    Day Two highlighted the plenary briefing workshop (by cluster) and sharing of writing experiences, while the last day focused on the refinement of cases, submission of the draft and institutional cases, and the distribution of certificates.