Tucked on the third floor of the West Visayas State University Hometel, the WVSU Fitness and Wellness Center (PSWC Fitness and Wellness) has become more than a gym. Since opening in 2018, it has grown into a hub where students, faculty and staff build strength, health and camaraderie.
The center is run by the PESCAR Sports and Wellness Club, under adviser Prof. Rocky Penuela. Inside, visitors find five treadmills, stationary bikes, a multifunctional machine and rows of free weights, from barbells to dumbbells. For dynamic workouts, the facility also offers plyometric boxes, padded floors and open space suited for bodyweight training, crossfit and high-intensity routines.
But the center’s purpose extends beyond equipment. It provides a safe and inclusive environment where members of the university community improve both physical and mental well-being. Performing and athletic groups also rely on the space: TeatroTayo and the WVSU Irong-Irong Dance Company condition there under the guidance of Prof. Cyril Galanza, while the WVSU Dragon Boat Team uses it to build endurance and power. Because of limited classrooms at the College of PESCAR, the facility also doubles as a learning venue. From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. it serves as a classroom, then reopens after hours as a fitness center for the wider WVSU community. Its development has been collaborative. Most equipment was acquired through donations in 2018, with later additions funded by the College.
The university recently supported ceiling renovations, though Penuela said more work is needed on flooring and walls to avoid health hazards. Maintenance remains a challenge, with expenses largely shouldered by PESCAR. Members of the Sports and Wellness Club help sustain the center by assisting in upkeep and mentoring new gym-goers. With training in physical education, they provide guidance on basic workouts and safe routines.
For Penuela, the facility’s value lies in preparing every “Taga-West” to meet the demands of academic life and beyond. “We need physically fit members of the university because physical fitness promotes productivity and optimum efficiency,” he said. “A healthy Taga-West is ready to face challenges in instruction, research and extension.
This is also an avenue to address stress and counter the effects of sedentary office or school life.” In promoting fitness, wellness and balance, the WVSU Fitness and Wellness Center reflects the university’s commitment to excellence and community well-being. It stands not just as a gym but as a space for growth and resilience.
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