‘Engineer’ isn’t handed—it’s earned, says PICE president in CatSU hardhatting rites
CollegesFor 160 aspiring civil engineers of Catanduanes State University (CatSU), April 26 wasn’t just another day at the gymnasium. It was a rite of passage, as the university held its first-ever Hardhatting, Vesting, and Pinning Ceremony—a symbolic shift from classroom theory to field readiness. But it wasn’t the hard hats or safety vests that left the strongest impression—it was a challenge. “The title ‘Engineer’ isn’t just given after passing the board. It’s earned—in muddy fields, late-night calculations, and decisions that affect lives,” said Engr. Roger Reyes, keynote speaker and President of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Catanduanes Chapter. With the theme “The Inception: Transforming Concepts into Monumental Realities,” the event, spearheaded by the PICE-CatSU Student Chapter, marked a pivotal point for third- and fourth-year students gearing up for internships. Reyes didn’t sugarcoat the profession: “Humility will ground you, and grit will carry you.” He urged students to wear their gear not as ornaments, but as symbols of public trust and professional responsibility. Representing OIC President Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr., Dr. Rosana S. Abundo reinforced that message: engineering isn’t just about building—it’s about being accountable for what you build. Dean Engr. Dexter M. Toyado, in his opening remarks, reminded students that beyond steel and concrete, they are shaping the future. And in leading the pledge, student officers Thomas Miguel T. Dela Peña and Daryl T. Gelito guided their peers to commit not just to competence, but to the ethics and discipline that define real engineers.
