The creative scene in Catanduanes just got a major jolt. Key government officials, private sector leaders, and cultural advocates converged on May 5 at the ARDCI Skydeck for the first organizational meeting of the Catanduanes Creative Development Council (CCDC)—a bold step aligned with the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (RA 11904). This isn’t just another meeting. It’s the island’s official kickoff into the ₱1.72-trillion creative economy, which—according to the Philippine Statistics Authority—accounted for 7.1% of the country’s GDP in 2023. RA 11904 aims to protect Filipino creativity, grow homegrown talents, and professionalize the country's creative sectors—from performance to tech, heritage to design. At the table: soon-to-be ex-officio and regular members of the council, handpicked from local government offices, national agencies, and Catanduanes’ budding creative industries. Think: audiovisual media, interactive platforms, creative services, publishing, performance, design, cultural sites, and indigenous expressions—a full spectrum of imagination turned livelihood. Representing Catanduanes State University (CatSU) were Dir. Santos G. Sorra Jr. of the Center for Culture and Arts and Dir. Francis B. Tatel of the Center for Catandungan Heritage—both bringing institutional muscle to the culture table. But this wasn’t just about titles. Attendees rolled up sleeves to sketch initial plans for creative programs and projects that could fuel tourism, unlock investments, and finally give Catandunganon artists the spotlight they’ve long deserved. The CCDC is now set to become the island’s creative nerve center—an idea factory, a support hub, and a rallying point for anyone who believes culture is currency. And if the day’s turnout is any sign, Catanduanes is more than ready to make its creative mark.

The race for the highest seat at Catanduanes State University just got real. Three contenders—each with credentials and a case to make—stood before the public today, May 14, in a high-stakes forum that could shape the university’s next years. Held at the University Auditorium and witnessed by hundreds on-site and thousands more via livestream on CatSU’s official Facebook page, the public forum gave the community a front-row seat to leadership in the making. Before the pitch came the premise—and it hit hard. “This isn’t just another forum,” said CatSU Officer-in-Charge Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr. “This is a compass moment. A pause. A pulse check. A choice.” Speaking with the weight of legacy behind him, Barba framed the day as more than academic. He threw it back—VNATS in 1961, CSC in 1971, and finally, the birth of CatSU in 2012—milestones built, he said, on grit, patience, and “quiet labor.” “CatSU isn’t just a name on a gate. It’s a book, rewritten by time and people,” he said, nodding to faculty who taught through brownouts and staff who stayed late while no one watched. “They’re not just figures in history—they're the reason we’re here.” And now, the university stands on another threshold. Barba didn’t sugarcoat it: The presidency isn’t a prize. It’s a burden—best carried with humility, heart, and a whole lot of listening. “To whoever is entrusted,” he said, “this isn’t a crown. It’s a calling.” The three candidates vying for the post are Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Maria Edna R. Inigo, former Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs; and Dr. Alex H. Navarroza, former President of Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST). The Search Committee for President (SCP) is composed of respected academic and civic figures: Chairperson Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo and members Prof. Maria Concepcion V. Marquez, Rev. Fr. Paul I. Isorena, Dr. Faye Lea Patria M. Lauraya, and Dr. Raul F. Muyong. This afternoon, the process deepens as the three candidates face the committee behind closed doors for the panel interview, a critical step in deciding who will take the helm. So now, CatSU watches—and waits. Three contenders. One chair. The future? Still unwritten.

Catanduanes State University (CatSU), together with its partners The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), officially broke ground on a project designed to fight food insecurity and spark community livelihood in Panganiban Campus. Backed by the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production Affairs (REPA), the initiative introduces a food processing hub and beneficiary groups to help communities build food security, especially in the wake of recurring typhoons and high poverty rates. “This is about real impact,” said REPA Vice President Dr. Rosana S. Abundo, as she welcomed stakeholders. “It’s months of planning finally turning into action.” (The planning phase started in October 2024.) CRS Program Manager Errol Merquita said the project responds to a key pain point in agriculture: surplus management. “We’re addressing not just food access, but also income stability,” he said. “CatSU’s data shows demand for fish processing—and that’s our way in.” Representing CRS nationally, Country Representative Jonas Tetangco described the effort as “a shared mission to build resilient communities,” highlighting the project’s potential for long-term economic stability. From their side, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, through Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager Ma. Teresa Pangilinan, emphasized the people-first approach: “We’re not just starting livelihoods—we’re building lasting empowerment.” In the thick of it all was CatSU Officer-in-Charge Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr., who was present at the event and called the groundbreaking a symbol of hope. “This project speaks volumes of what CatSU is capable of. Beyond disaster response, we’re helping communities stand stronger on their own feet.” Also expressing support were local development stakeholders: PDRRM Officer Luis Surtida Jr., DOST Provincial Director Engr. Marie Grace T. Molina, and Virac LGU’s Helen V. Salvador, who cited the project’s alignment with food innovation, especially for the local crab industry. Closing the event, CatSU Panganiban Campus Director Dr. Jennifer A. Berces left attendees with a call to action: “This is only the beginning. Let’s walk together toward a future where no family goes hungry.”

Whose sustainability are we really protecting? That question anchored the eye-opening forum delivered by Professor Fumikazu Ubukata of Okayama University, Japan, during his visit to Catanduanes State University (CatSU) on April 24. His lecture, titled “Whose Sustainability Matters? Oil Palm and Indigenous People in Sarawak, Malaysia,” peeled back the layers of environmental discourse and spotlighted those often left out of the conversation—indigenous communities. Joining him was Ms. Nicca Aira Marquez, a proud CatSU alumna, current faculty of the College of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), and now a PhD candidate at Okayama University. Together, they brought an insider’s view on how large-scale agriculture and sustainability policies intersect with the lived realities of indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia. Held at the Accreditation Room, the forum drew in students, faculty, and key university officials. Among them were Vice Presidents Dr. Rosana S. Abundo and Engr. Benjamin Hannycel T. Nuyda, while CatSU OIC President Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr. tuned in via Zoom, currently attending the SCUAA Nationals in Camiguin. The forum is part of CatSU’s push for home-based internationalization, spearheaded by the Center for International Relations and CPD Services under Director Zyra Mae T. Tumala, in partnership with the CAF led by Dean Dr. Michael Owen P. Malijan. “This is how we bring the world to CatSU,” Tumala shared. “Through dialogues like this, our students and faculty gain exposure to real-world issues shaped by global forces—and they learn how to think critically and compassionately across borders.” Also present were ATIC Director Aljon Francis Koji P. Elegado and Open University Director Medie M. Lopez.