The oath took seconds. The responsibility behind it? Much heavier. When CatSU’s newly elected student leaders stood before University Officer-in-Charge Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr. on May 5, the message was clear: hold your ground, speak your truth, and never trade independence for influence. “Lead, don’t echo,” Barba told them—reminding the new officers that the University Student Council (USC) is more than a seat at the table. “You’re not here to please everyone. You’re here to represent the students and guard their trust.” Sworn in during a formal visit to the Office of the President were USC President-elect and incoming Student Regent John Lester T. Templonuevo, Vice President-elect Anthony Sales, and Senators-elect Alexis Aurea Cabrera and Mel Vincent Arcilla. Barba's challenge came just days after the CatSU Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed the victors of the 2025 USC-CSC Synchronized Elections on May 2. Students cast their votes on April 30 across all colleges and campuses. The OIC emphasized that independence is the USC’s greatest asset—and must be protected at all costs. “When you sit in meetings or face administrators, remember who sent you there. Represent with backbone. Student leadership is not about popularity; it’s about principle.” The new council is expected to take the reins from outgoing USC President Virgilio Jr. S. Cortado, with Templonuevo slated to become the next Student Regent upon formal swearing-in before the CatSU Board of Regents.
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.
Juris Doctor student Cloyd Roland I. Bernardo and BS in Internal Auditing student Remy T. Teves of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) claimed their FAAV Sponsor-Based Philippine Scholarship Stipend Certificates on February 21. CatSU Officer-in-Charge Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr. and former CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, FAAV’s authorized representative, handed the certificates, affirming their inclusion in the program. Bernardo and Teves draw 50,000 pesos each for SY 2024-2025 under the Filipino-American Association of Vancouver (FAAV) grant. FAAV Scholarship Committee Chair Maria Rita Schaljo stated in a letter that the aid backs costs for books, transport, food, school supplies, tech, and other needs. Azanza, who helped link FAAV’s scholarship to CatSU along with Mr. Hurbert Gianan and Ms. Theresa Mallari, noted that the selection process was tough, ensuring that only deserving students gained support. Teves, an ROTC cadet and honor student, shared that the aid let her secure key books on internal auditing, easing her studies. OIC Barba urged scholars to grasp the rare break, stressing that both sponsors and CatSU expect them to rise in their fields.
The days of left-handed students at Catanduanes State University being left without suitable seating are coming to an end, as this morning, September 18, Alpha Phi Omega (APO) turned over 50 armchairs designed for left-handed students to the university officials."Most students are used to right-handed chairs, and we even celebrate Left-Handers Day, we at APO initiated this project to make left-handed students more comfortable and to promote inclusivity. This reflects our commitment to service," shared Engr. Renderizzah Floralde, an APO Zeta Nu member and alumna of CatSU.Another APO Zeta Nu member and fellow CatSU alumna, Luz R. Jubay, expressed that this donation is a way to give back to the institution, which was the first fraternity to be recognized in the campus. She also noted that the project aligns with APO's fourfold service: service to the campus, service to the community, service to the chapter, and service to the nation.Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Vice President for Academic Affairs, extended her gratitude to the donors. She shared that the chairs will be distributed equally across all colleges, with more chairs expected from APO."Thank you for always supporting our university," Dr. Acedo said, joined by Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs Engr. Benjamin Hannycel T. Nuyda, Executive Vice President Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr., and other key officials.This effort aligns with House Bill No. 8654, passed in 2018, which would mandate that all public and private educational institutions provide appropriate armchairs for left-handed students. The measure states that “it shall be obligatory for all educational institutions, both public and private, that make use of armchairs in the classroom to provide the appropriate armchairs for left-handed students equivalent to at least 10 percent of the student population.”
[𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗜] Ipinakita ng mga delegado mula sa Catanduanes State University (CatSU) ang husay nito sa ika-12 Taunang BIOTA Bicol Chapter Convention at Scientific Sessions na ginanap noong Agosto 24-25, 2024, sa Bulwagang BUño Student Union Center, Bicol University, Legazpi City.Nilahukan ng mga eksperto, propesor, at mag-aaral mula sa buong Rehiyon ng Bicol, layunin ng pagtitipon na itaguyod ang siyentipikong pananaliksik, palakasin ang kolaborasyon, at pagbutihin ang mga metodolohiya sa edukasyon sa larangan ng siyensya.Kabilang sa mga tampok na bahagi ng kumbensyon ang Youth Biologists Forum (YBF) Poster Presentation, YBF Paper Presentation, BioTalks, at BioTaktik, kung saan nagwagi ang mga delegado ng CatSU.Nakamit nina Melchor Borromeo, Eddie Bernacer, Mark Keenan Gianan, at Luis Emmanuel Macero ang unang pwesto sa YBF Poster Presentation para sa kanilang pag-aaral na pinamagatang “Diversity and Health Status of Corals in Northern Catanduanes Island, Philippines.”Pumangalawa sina Jericho Obierna, isang alumnus ng BSES Program at kasalukuyang kontraktwal na guro sa Natural Science Department, at ang kanyang grupo para sa poster na pinamagatang “Limnological Faunal Composition and Perceived Ecological Impacts of Quarry Activities at the Pajo-Sto Domingo River System in Virac, Catanduanes.”Samantala, nasungkit nina Kyle Alastair Arcilla, Aramarie Arcilla, Aira Banas, at Ara Mae Daroya ang ikatlong pwesto para sa kanilang pag-aaral na “Quantification of Microplastics in the Cuts and Muscles of Rabbitfish (Siganidae).” Ang mga poster ng pananaliksik na ito ay kapwa may-akda ni Prop. Ma. Cecilia T. Arcilla.Nakatanggap din ng sertipiko ng partisipasyon sina John Rod Cabida, Rialyn Fe Icamen, Cristine Angela Icaro, at Ms. Maricon G. Vargas para sa kanilang pag-aaral na “New Geographical Distribution Record of Nepenthes graciliflora in Panganiban 75, Catanduanes Luzon Island, Philippines.”Sa Professional Category ng YBF Poster Presentation, nanguna sina Bb. Karmela I. Del Rosario, isang alumnus ng MAT Biology Program ng Graduate School, at si Prop. Ma. Cecilia T. Arcilla para sa kanilang pag-aaral na “Microplastic Pollution in the Sediments of Cabugao Bay, Catanduanes Island, Philippines.”Pumangalawa si Bb. Maricon G. Vargas, isang guro ng BSES Program, sa YBF Paper Presentation para sa kanyang pag-aaral na “Ecological Parameters Influencing Herpetofauna Diversity and Distribution in Mt. Buktot, Catanduanes, Luzon Island, Philippines.”Nakamit din ni Bb. Esther Duchess Bien De Leon, isang alumnus ng MAT Biology Program, ang ikatlong pwesto sa YBF Paper Presentation kasama ang kanyang tagapayo na si Prop. Abelisa D. Evangelista.Nagpasalamat naman si Pangulong Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza sa lahat ng mga delegado na nagbigay ng karangalan sa unibersidad. Ayon sa pangulo, ang kanilang tagumpay ay patunay ng pagsisikap ng CatSU sa paghahatid ng mataas na kalidad ng edukasyon sa mga larangang ito. #PadagosNaPatanos
Nasungkit ni Kate S. Guerrero, mag-aaral mula sa Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon na nagpapakadalubhasa sa Filipino, ang titulong ‘Best Research Paper Presenter’ sa katatapos lamang na ‘LIRIP 8: Pandaigdigang Kumperensiya sa Filipino’ na ginanap sa Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Pili, Camarines Sur. Ang pamagat ng kanyang pananaliksik ay ‘Paglilikom at Pagsusuri ng mga Kuwentong Bayan ng Baras, Catanduanes.’ “Iba ang danas at umaapaw ang naidalumat na aral na pabaon ng pagtitipon. Nawa'y idambana at mas maging maalab pa ang ating pagmamahal sa Wika, Kultura at Sining sa iba't ibang larang lalo't higit sa larangan ng pananaliksik,” pagbabahagi ni Guerrero sa isang panayam. Kabilang din sa mga naging tagapagsalita sa naturang kumperensiya ang direktor ng Sentro ng Wika at Kulturang Filipino (SWKF) ng Catanduanes State University (CatSU) na si Dr. Jovert R. Balunsay, na nagbahagi ng kaalamang ‘Filipino sa Global na Aspekto.’“Isang karangalan at kasiyahang makapagbahagi ng kaalaman sa wikang Filipino sa harap ng mga kalahok ng Lirip 8. Nais nating itampok na may espasyo ang wikang Filipino sa pandaigdigang pagtitipon kagaya nito,” sambit ni Dr. Balunsay. “Pinatutunayan ng aking panayam na ang Wikang Filipino ay wikang global na kayang makipagsabayan sa iba pang wika ng daigdig,” dagdag pa nito. Nakasama ng SWKF direktor sina Dr. Gregory S. Ching ng National Chengchi University, Taiwan, at Engr. Abdon M. Balde, Jr., isang manunulat at mananaliksik sa Rehiyong Bikol. Maliban kay Guerrero, lima pang mag-aaral na nagpapakadalubhasa sa Filipino mula sa Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon ang naglahad ng papel ng kanilang pananaliksik sa naturang kumperensiya. Kabilang dito sina Adnrilyn Soner, Laurence Vicente, Melody Oclarino, Danica Temena, at Jessa Mae Tapel. Naglahad din ng kani-kanilang pananaliksik ang dalawa pang propesor mula sa Departamento ng mga Wika na sina Dr. Susan S. Tindugan at Prop. Ma. Sofia S. Llaguno. Lumahok din sa nasabing pagtitipon ng mga guro, manunulat, tagaplanong pangwika, at iskolar ng iba’t ibang larang mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ng bansa, ang mga senior students ng CatSU na kumukuha ng Batsilyer ng Sekondaryang Edukasyon Medyor sa Filipino. Ginanap mula Hulyo 26-28, 2024, ang pandaigdigang kumperensiya ay may temang, “Filipino: Wika at Larang na Handa sa Hinaharap” at inorganisa ng LUMINA Foundation for Integral Human Development (LIRIP) sa pakikipagtulungan ng Network of Professional Researchers and Educators (NPRE), Bicol University, Camarines Norte State College, CatSU, CBSUA, Sorsogon State University, at Unibersidad ng Timog Mindanao.
Over 600 students, along with 30 teaching and non-teaching staff of CatSU Laboratory School kickstarted the S.Y. 2024-2025 during an orientation on August 5 at the university gymnasium.Principal Prof. Joerandy C. Tablizo, in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of embodying values such as respect, honesty, and perseverance, encouraging students to become role models for their peers and sources of inspiration for their community.Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gemma G. Acedo expressed her appreciation to the students and parents for choosing CatSU LabSchools for their basic education. She also stressed the importance of making sacrifices to achieve their goals.Pinning hopes on the power of collective effort, College of Education Dean Dr. Maria Sheila R. Gregorio urged the CatSU LabSchools community to shift their focus from individual goals to shared aspirations.CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, in his message to the Laboratorians, emphasized the university's commitment to providing quality education on the island. "At CatSU, our commitment to excellence in education ensures that every student receives the best possible foundation for their future, which they could get right here on the island," Dr. Azanza said.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Dr. Aldrin A. Darilag urged the graduates of Catanduanes State University in his commencement address to embody the university’s core values while serving the nation. “Pursue greater heights while serving the nation with utmost sincerity, integrity, and social responsibility,” Commissioner Darilag told the Cluster C graduates of CatSU on the final and third-day graduation rites on Saturday, June 29. He asked the graduates to make a solid contribution to the nation while embodying the CatSU core values: social responsibility, excellence, commitment, respect, and integrity. “Through our graduates, the Philippines can become a prime mover of genuine change and a trailblazer against the status quo,” he said, addressing over 1,100 graduates and certificate holders. The CHED official also called for the graduates to always step forward towards a successful future while rebuking self-pity and indolence. “𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑝𝑢𝑛𝑦𝑎𝑔𝑖 𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑔-𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑎𝑔 𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑘𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑘𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑦𝑎ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑎 𝑖𝑘𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑘𝑎𝑢𝑢𝑛𝑙𝑎𝑑 𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑎ℎ𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑎 𝑏𝑎𝑦𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑠,” the commissioner concluded. Before the keynote speaker spoke, CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza delivered a message and told the graduates Albert Einstein's quote that ‘imagination is better than knowledge’. He cited all the changes that happened in the university for the past three years under his term, including the completion of 18 infrastructure projects with a total of 941 million pesos, the distribution of 1,200 tablets, the acquisition of four buses from the university savings, and the inclusion of the university in the world rankings, to name a few. “These changes happened with our shared imagination, and service to the community is important,” the president said. The University conferred 1,122 graduates and certificate holders from four colleges: Engineering and Architecture, Information and Communications Technology, Industrial Technology, and Sciences, in its 53rd Commencement Exercises at the university gymnasium.
Addressing Cluster B graduates of the Catanduanes State University (CatSU), June 28, Retired Justice of the Court of Appeals Atty. Alfredo D. Ampuan urged them [the graduates] to focus on their impact rather than just their academic achievements."While diplomas, awards, and certificates are important, what is more important are the scars sustained while fighting on the battlefield,” he said to emphasize that the true value lies in the experiences and efforts behind the achievements.Speaking on the theme, "Exemplifying Professionalism and Versatility in an Era of Connectivity: A Challenge to the Graduates," Atty. Ampuan pinned on the value of the struggles and experiences gained in developing the country. Atty. Ampuan referenced Todd Henry's book, Die Empty, when he pressed the graduates to use their abilities and skills fully, ensuring that they do not die with their potential unrealized. Cluster B graduates was composed of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Agriculture and fisheries, and the College of Health Sciences.
Traveling from Taiwan to the ‘Happy Island’ of Catanduanes, Dr. Chao Ming Fu, Vice President of Fu Guang University in Yilan County, delivered his commencement speech on the first day of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) 53rd Commencement Exercises, June 27.Dr. Chao told the 731 graduates to ‘think independently, not be constrained by conventional authority’.He also urged the students to ‘be passionate and maintain consistency on their professional path’ in order to achieve success and overcome challenges.Drawing inspiration from his expertise as a physicist, Dr. Chao included in his speech a lecture about Science and Physics with relation to the commencement theme ‘Exemplifying Professionalism and Versatility in an Era of Connectivity: A Challenge to the Graduates.’He considered professionalism and versatility as a pathway to excellence by embracing, adapting, and nurturing change and making innovative discoveries.Introduced by CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, the keynote speaker, holds a Ph.D. from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium and is a professor of Physics at National Taiwan University.On the first day, the university president conferred degrees to the Cluster A graduates from the College of Business and Accountancy, College of Education, and Graduate School.
The Catanduanes State University - College of Industrial Technology (CatSU CIT) beams with pride in its participation in the recently concluded celebration of National Innovation Day under the theme: “Unboxing the Filipinnovation Mindset” held on April 22, 2024 at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City.Among the student-participants from CatSU CIT include John Evan Tano, Joshua Balbadores, and Carlo Beo. They were accompanied and coached by Engr. Mark Franz G. Templonuevo, a faculty member of the CIT. Competing in the Food and Agribusiness priority sector, their pitch, which focused on supporting abaca farmers in Catanduanes, won the People's Choice Award. This year’s theme emphasized core values essential to innovation, such as empathy (malasakit), critical thinking (pagiging mapanuri), creativity (pagiging malikhain), imagination (pagiging maharaya), and a collaborative spirit (diwa ng bayanihan).It featured a Filipino adaptation of a Design Thinking workshop called Huddle, Analyze, Build, and Innovate (HABI). The workshop brought together 40 teams of students from 14 regions nationwide, challenging them to develop innovative solutions for the priority sectors identified in the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document 2023-2032. The students presented their solutions in short video or reel formats, showcasing their pitches and demonstrating an “unboxed” Filipinnovation mindset.Dr. Edwin T. Romero, CIT Dean couldn’t be more proud of the achievement. “I feel so proud for our dear students to have represented our university and our island-province of Catanduanes – this is one small but great step to showcase not just our talents and skills, but what we primarily have in the province, especially that we are the abaca capital of the country, and of course the other agricultural products abundant in our lands,” he said. National Innovation Day is celebrated in accordance with the Philippine Innovation Act (Republic Act No. 11293), which designates April 21 each year as a special working public holiday to promote public awareness and support for innovation.
Thirty-nine students of the 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐒𝐔 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 (𝐏𝐒𝐒), a sub-organization under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUMSS) Department of Social Sciences, are currently attending the 𝙋𝘼𝙂𝙏𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙋𝙊𝙉 𝙆𝘼𝙉 𝙋𝘼𝙉𝘼𝙉𝘼𝙒: 1𝙨𝙩 𝘽𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙡 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙪𝙢 with the theme: 𝙋𝘼𝙂𝙆𝘼𝙎𝘼𝙍𝙊 𝙎𝘼 𝙆𝘼𝙐𝙂𝙈𝘼𝙊𝙉: 𝙋𝙖𝙜-𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙠𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙜𝙖 𝙄𝙙𝙚𝙮𝙖, 𝙋𝙖𝙜-𝙖𝙣𝙞 𝙠𝙖𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙖 𝘽𝙞𝙠𝙤𝙡 (𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚: 𝙉𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙨, 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙞𝙘𝙤𝙡) on February 17-18, 2024, at the Ateneo de Naga University, Naga City, Camarines Sur.The CatSU PSS delegation is composed of first year to fourth year BA Political Science (BAPOS) students and joined by the BAPOS Program Adviser, Ms. Kristine Anne T. Razal and CHUMSS Faculty, Prof. Josephine V. Torrente.Being a member of the Bicol Coalition of Political Science students, the CatSU PSS officers and members, headed by the PSS student-president, Mark John B. Tayamora (3rd Year) and PSS faculty adviser, Santos G. Sorra Jr., pushed in joining the consortium bringing a huge number of students as the organization aims to get the 2nd hosting of this regional event next year. In addition, Richard Abenir and his 4th year thesis group, will be presenting their research paper entitled, “The Catanduanes Press: Its Challenges and Impact on Local Politics”.The two-day event aims to recognize the pivotal role of Political Science in shaping the future leaders and policymakers of the nation. It also recognizes the importance of fostering academic collaboration, dialogue, and camaraderie among Political Science students.Earlier, the students and adviser-mentors met with CatSU President, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, to personally extend their thanks and appreciation for allowing them, the Political Science students specially to participate in student’s congress and gatherings such as this Colloquium. “This is a good opportunity to showcase your talent and skills out there, fly high like an eagle and explore the learnings waiting for you,” Dr. Azanza said.
The Catanduanes State University and 22 other participating SUCs nationwide joined the Leadership Empowerment Against Dopes (LEAD), a national seminar-workshop and training program on Drug Abuse Prevention and Education (DAPE) with the theme, "We can. We must. Stay away from illegal drugs.”The said event, organized by the Association of Advocates Against Drug Addiction (A3D) Inc., was held on April 26-28, 2024. at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City. CatSU delegation was led by Prof. Ma. Nena T. Vital, Director for the office Student Affairs and Development Services.In addition, Virgilio S. Cortado Jr., student-leader from Political Science Department, represented CatSU as he joined the couch session on the workshop output presentation, while Joshua M. Argarin, student-leader from the College of Engineering and Architecture, participated in the on-the-spot poster making contest where he won the 2nd place. They were both joined by student-leader Manuela Cañete of the College of Education as participants. LEAD aims to inspire and involve student leaders, youth advocates, and other stakeholders in creating, executing, assessing, and maintaining DAPE initiatives in their schools and communities.
𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 With flickering hope and enthusiasm, hundreds of pre-service teachers marched together with their parents and guardians on Wednesday, January 31, to celebrate their 5th Pinning and Torch Lighting Ceremony, marking the start of their teaching internship journey. With the theme “Seedbed of Globally Competitive Future Educators,” College of Education (COEd) Dean Dr. Maria Sheila R. Gregorio, applauded the dedication and perseverance of the pre-service teachers, including their parents, for reaching this milestone. “I am grateful that you have chosen to be our next generation of teachers because those seven semesters are no joke. You persevered to withstand the weakening of academics despite the [many] adversities and difficulties in this competitive education, and you made it this far with your parents,” she exclaimed. “To our pre-service teachers, continue to grow, learn, and lead. You are not just the future; you are the present, making a difference today that will reverberate across generations,” Dr. Gregorio concluded. Unfolding the reality in the teaching profession, Catanduanes State University (CatSU) President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza expressed that the teaching profession requires ‘sacrifice’ as difficulties co-existed in the profession. “Minsan malakaw kamo sa baha, minsan may bagyo, maamay na mamata, all the sacrifices, even stories of teachers crossing rivers and climbing mountains whenever they are assigned to far-flung areas just to deliver the services to our children,” he told the future educators as they convened inside the university gymnasium. “Ang pagiging maestro buda maestra maagi sa pagsakripisyo," he implored. Echoing similar sentiment from an official of the education department, Schools Division Superintendent of Catanduanes Socorro V. Dela Rosa, CESO V, shared the various adversities in teaching, including the ‘low salary’, but these would ‘blur’ out with the teachers’ commitment and determination to educate the future generation. “I have understood that teaching entails a lot of sacrifices, the distance that makes you apart from your family, the difficulty in traveling, which will take you a day to reach the place, the low salary you have to budget, let both ends meet, ‘yong paglalakad sa baha, ‘yong paggising nang maaga, and a lot more. But again, commitment and strong determination blurred all of these,” she stressed. Describing the pre-service teachers as ‘bearers of knowledge’, the superintendent also believed that they are ‘now prepared to become a teacher committed to solving the sins of learning for every child, and light that will illuminate the dark world through teaching and learning.’
Emphasizing the crucial role of attitude in shaping one's success, SUC President III Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, echoed Zig Ziglar’s quote, “Your attitude will determine your altitude” to incoming student interns from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUMSS) during a Pre-Internship Seminar held at the Catanduanes State University (CatSU) auditorium, January 31, 2024. Ms. Julienne Christine B. Tolentino, Senior Human Resource Specialist of the Civil Service Commission - Catanduanes Field Office, pinned on similar sentiments highlighting the importance of working with passion and giving one's hundred percent, providing a foundation for success in the professional world.“When it comes to working, it is important to work with passion, and always give your hundred percent,” Tolentino said, further urging students to uphold professionalism, follow a strong work ethic, and be mindful of workplace etiquette.The seminar, attended by students from BA Political Science, BS Economics, and Bachelor's in Public Administration, aimed to prepare them for their off-campus internships. Led by Dr. Jimmylen Z. Tonio (Dean of CHUMSS), Prof. Josephine V. Torrente (GAD College Coordinator), Dr. Rommel R. Regala (Chairperson, Social Science Department), and respective Internship Coordinators, the event focused on creating safe spaces for future professionals, promoting work ethics, values, and addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.The seminar also featured Atty. Jozem Niño I. Morales, who provided insights into the Sexual Harassment and Safe Spaces Act, offering practical advice on addressing workplace harassment within the legal framework.
As they prepare for their upcoming off-campus internship, students of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) from the College of Science (COS) and Women’s Club undertook a Gender and Development orientation seminar on Anti-Sexual Harassment, held at the Little Theater on January 24, 2024.A total of 195 incoming OJT students from COS attended the orientation, as per requirements and preparation to the students who will take an On-the-Job training program outside the campus.Present in the orientation seminar are the College of Science faculty, Prof. Maribel Ralla (GAD College Coordinator), Prof. Ma. Luz Floralde (Chairperson, Natural Science Department), Prof. Cecille Arcilla, and the invited resource speaker, Atty. Rene John M. Velasco.Atty. Velasco delivered an informative talk on the Republic Act 7877, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, focusing on its provisions declaring sexual harassment as unlawful in employment, education, or training environments.Through his talk, he gave insights about the law, and gave advice on how the interns should act and respond when they encounter incidents in their internship that are related to this law such as unwanted touching, receiving gifts, private messages, and hearing malicious words and catcalls from the employer to his/her employee.“The purpose of having this discussion is to protect you and make you aware, especially since you will be deployed to various companies and may encounter different types of harassment,” Atty. Velasco said.During the open forum, Atty. Velasco clarified that the law deems gifts as problematic if they are "unwanted, unwarranted, uninvited, and unwelcome," cautioning against assuming dark motives without discerning the context.Atty. Velasco also discussed the Safe Spaces Act, or the Bawal Bastos Law, as an updated version of RA 7877, underscoring the need for awareness of potential harassment scenarios in future professional experiences.
