No roar of the crowd. Just a sharp breath, a fighting stance—and impact. Ericka Jossaine Gianan, a first-year student from Catanduanes State University (CatSU), stepped onto the mat for her first-ever national match at the SCUAA Games 2025, and walked off with a bronze medal in the kyorugi division of taekwondo. She did it while carrying more than just the weight of competition. Born with a cleft palate, Gianan has lived with a condition often mistaken for weakness. On the national stage, she proved otherwise. “It’s not a hindrance. I trained hard and believed in myself,” the 18-year-old said in Filipino, after finishing third against top fighters from across the country. Representing the Bicol Region, Gianan was the region’s only taekwondo medalist, punching above expectations in a tough bracket. She took up the sport only in senior high school at Calatagan High School and trained nightly after her agriculture classes in CatSU—balancing academics with discipline and sweat. “I had no choice in my course back then, but now I love BS Agriculture. I enjoy it,” she shared. Her path, like her match, wasn't scripted—but it became her own. On the mat in Camiguin, the nerves were real. But so was the preparation. Her coach, Karl Bogabil, stood ringside. “I don’t just train their skills. I build their character.” According to him, Gianan’s focus and quiet determination set her apart. “She listens, she works hard, and she trusts the process.” The CatSU team stood behind her—providing sparring partners, moral support, and an environment where she could grow strong both in body and in spirit. “I’m thankful to my coach, teammates, and friends who believed in me,” she said. Despite her disability, Gianan says she’s never been underestimated in the ring. But she knows what it took to reach the podium: sacrifice, time management, and a refusal to give up. She now juggles her dual life as an agriculture student and a budding national athlete. “I make sure I finish my school tasks so I can train without distractions. I give my best in both.” Next goal? Finish her degree. Help her family. Win gold at SCUAA. And her message to others who may be facing their own battles—physical or otherwise? “Trust in your abilities. Improve for yourself. Don’t let other people’s doubts stop you.” In Camiguin, she didn’t just win a medal. She won something harder: respect, resilience, and a fight well fought.

There wasn’t a buzzer. But in the final moments of the quiz bee, it was clear—Moises T. Apanti wasn’t just answering questions; he was making history. The Catanduanes State University (CatSU) senior clinched the championship title in the 2025 Carl E. Balita Review Center (CBRC) National Teacher Education Quiz Bee – Provincial Qualifying Round, held May 4. Apanti, a fourth-year Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies student, scored 46 points across three rounds—easy, average, and difficult—outclassing fellow contenders from CatSU and Catanduanes Colleges. His win seals a back-to-back victory for the university after last year’s titleholder, Kharlos Miguel T. Bautista, who later stormed the national board exams and landed 8th in the September 2024 Licensure Examination for Teachers. Even more impressive, CatSU swept the top three spots in the provincial leg. Fellow COEd seniors Mike Russel A. Calais and Mike Rienz Vargas secured 2nd and 3rd place, respectively—proving the university’s training ground for future educators is not just consistent, but commanding. Before heading to the nationals, Apanti, together with College of Education faculty member Mark Bonifacio, paid a courtesy visit to CatSU Officer-in-Charge Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr., who gave him a rousing sendoff. Dr. Barba wished him big good luck, assuring him that CatSU is fully behind him—cheering him on, believing in his hard work, and confident in what he can do. Apanti now advances to the national finals on May 16 in Malate, Manila, where he’ll square off with regional champions from across the Philippines at the San Andres Sports Complex. “I gave my best during the review. I prayed to God and left the rest to Him,” Apanti said, reflecting on his win with a quiet mix of grit and grace. Despite a week-long grind of mock tests, YouTube reviews, and sleepless nights, the quiz bee threw curveballs that barely matched his notes. But what carried him through, he said, was deep knowledge honed over years, not just days. Apanti takes home a ₱5,000 cash prize, a CBRC scholarship, and a certificate—but more than that, he carries the torch for CatSU as it challenges boundaries and redefines excellence in the age of AI. Themed “Challenging Boundaries, Revolutionizing Competencies with AI,” this year’s provincial tilt drew six competitors—three each from CatSU and Catanduanes Colleges—but in the end, CatSU stood tall, securing a full sweep of the podium.

"Kung CIT student ka, saludo na agad ako sa’yo." With this unapologetic opener, CatSU OIC President Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr. fired up the crowd at the College of Industrial Technology Fest 2025, held May 6 at the university gymnasium. With the theme “Gems of Excellence: Unleashing Hidden Potential,” the fest drew future builders, coders, welders, and makers into a celebration not just of projects, but of perseverance. Barba threw away the typical speech formula and spoke from the gut. “Let’s face it—your journey isn’t easy,” he said. “You work with your hands, think with precision, problem-solve on the spot, and often build something out of almost nothing. Hindi lahat kayang gawin 'yan.” He hailed the grit behind the grind—long hours under the sun, debugging sessions that stretch through the night, and projects completed despite missing parts. “Excellence isn’t the end product,” Barba declared. “It’s the journey… the trial-and-error that led to your aha moment.” Slamming the “shortcut culture” of today's digital age, he challenged students to embrace the messy process of learning. “Hindi lahat ng magaling, viral. Sometimes, the best innovations happen quietly—inside dusty workshops, small classrooms, or over simple conversations.” Barba’s message struck deeper than motivation; it was a challenge to reframe failure, to collaborate with heart, and to create with intention. “Ang galing, hindi agad dumarating. It’s earned—through broken tools, wrong turns, and unexpected discoveries,” he said. Urging students to “fail forward,” Barba reminded them that the value of their work goes beyond grades or recognition. “This Fest isn’t just about showing off what you’ve made—it’s about recognizing who you’re becoming.” Closing with a powerful rally cry, he affirmed their worth: “You are the gems that make CatSU shine.”

Catanduanes State University (CatSU) broke new ground as it launched its first out-of-province extension activity titled “Resilient Infrastructure and Communication Systems” at Craigville Resort, Goa, Camarines Sur, held April 9 and 11, 2025. Engineers, disaster risk officers, and tech experts delivered high-impact technical sessions, arming participants with life-saving knowledge in emergency communications and infrastructure resilience. Engr. Morris U. Aquino kicked off the two-day training with an intensive session on VHF radio systems, followed by Engr. Lino Nero Sorra’s practical rundown on basic radio operations. Engineers Ronnie Santelices and Lyndon Buenconsejo unpacked the integration of advanced technologies into traditional radio systems, pushing the boundaries of conventional communication tools. College of Engineering and Architecture Dean Engr. Dexter M. Toyado, PhD, stunned participants by demonstrating how to send emails without internet access, enabling cross-border communication in disconnected zones. Toyado also led a hands-on workshop on building functional antennas using affordable, easily sourced materials — a skill critical in post-disaster scenarios. Adding to the technological arsenal, Mark Anthony M. Del Rosario of the Philippine Science High School Bicol campus introduced participants to Slow-Scan Television (SSTV), a method to transmit images over radio for emergency use. He also guided attendees in capturing NOAA satellite imagery using improvised gear. The training drew barangay and municipal disaster risk reduction and management officers (BDRRMO/MDRRMO) from across Goa, equipping them with actionable, low-tech solutions for real-world emergencies.