BACK TO BARRACKS: THE RAWNESS OF RETURN

by Erica Mae G. Cala

        What do face-to-face classes feel like?

          This is the question that formed in my mind one morning when I opened my eyes, yawned, and thrown my blanket on the side. The fresh caress of wind coming from the opened window in my room, coated my being. Bare faced and with my hair messed up, I lazily got up, stirred my coffee, and sat on my study area.

          I was about to answer my modules when suddenly, "Erica, you'll be late for school! Get up now!" I discerned as my mother shouted from the kitchen. "Oh! That's why I was smelling the aroma of hotdogs and eggs this morning," I thought.

          I glitched for a while like a damaged CD as to why my mother called me that early, but I snappily shook my head as if taming myself. Similar to a flashback in a movie, the announcement of our campus administrator replayed in my mind. How could I ever forget about the day I'd been imagining to happen again? For the last two years, I was nagging about not having face-to-face classes and distressing on having self-study sessions. Today, it's finally happening. I immediately shook my head to finish the flashback. Now, I’m back to barracks! For real!

         As I wander around the campus, nostalgia hit my individuality. The flat green field, the humongous buildings, and uniformed students made me feel the spirit of school again. "I missed this," I silently whispered to myself. I suddenly felt the urge to ask my fellow students about their point of view on returning to school. I want to savor some rawness today. I eventually approached a girl, 5’3 in height, wearing a black bag and carrying a tumbler in her one hand.

        After I've thrown my questions upon her, she responded, "I feel happy and excited, to be exact." I smiled at her giddy answer. That was pretty obvious! I silently exclaimed. Nevertheless, I thanked her and proceeded to the girl she's laughing with. The girl with a curly hair and a brown complexion retaliated, in which her answer shocked me. She said: "No, I wasn't actually happy. Just thinking about the hassle I have to face again every single day, it’s kind of exhausting from here. You know, in modular learning, I've got all my time under control." For the second time, I just smiled and expressed my gratitude before leaving.

        As I gone further in the corridor, my gaze met with a pale man whose eyebrows are bushy. I was about to open my mouth to ask him, but he was quick to turn away. Maybe, he knows I was going to interview him! Grateful, I wasn't able to utter anything, if not, it would’ve been embarrassing.

        As I went closer to our department, my smile slowly faded. Looking around, I recognized no one. I felt like I was in an unfamiliar zone. With a sweat of a bullet, fast heartbeat, and lightheadedness, as if I was having a social anxiety, I faced every student in the corridor with my body in a slouching manner. I only got my breath back, when I stepped into our classroom. At least there, I knew three of my classmates. The rest were strangers to me. It was like my first time. New circumstances were about to unfold, which I have to deal with. Schooling is no easy task, but it’s always an amazing experience – a journey that embarks one’s growth and individual evolution.

        "Good morning, class! Please settle yourselves."

        Hearing this for the first time after two years, I immediately sat on the available seat in front. As the class started, I seemed going back to square one. I took out my notebook to copy something from the board, yet it seemed like my pen run out of ink and I can't write a single letter! As if unknown to me, I just continued listening there, grasping the discussion, and navigating a familiar feeling from way before.

        A little later, I found myself raising my arm to answer my teacher's question. I smiled when I was complimented, "Very good!" After that, my teacher conducted an evaluation through a 30-item quiz. Just when I thought I forgot how to do school anymore, I aced it with no doubts! I quietly celebrated myself. I, again, felt the eagerness to be something, to do something, and dare to be something more.

        As I got back to my seat, I realized, definitely, this is what face-to-face classes feel like!

BEYOND TEACHING PROFESSION

by Charlene J. Dela Cruz 

Teachers of CAPSU Burias join the celebration of the World Teachers' Day through a program facilitated by the Human Resource Management Office and various student organizations of the said campus.

         What’s about teacher appreciation day that makes you so happy?

          Every October, we honor the commitment of our teachers in providing us with the greatest education possible. The world appreciates them as noble professionals who radiate light and positivity, as well as dedicate their time, effort, and resources in educating the minds and hearts of the students, in igniting their passions, and in shaping their characters to be the best versions of themselves.

        Somehow, we believe that teachers make our lives difficult. We experienced anxiety, fear, mental blockage, low self-esteem, and the desire to go home and sleep as soon as they entered the room, while carrying their belongings, including laptops, student records, books, exam sheets, or anything else.

        When they give a lot of homework and tasks, vaguely show indications of annoyance during classes, have high standards and expectations for their students, we tend to mentally curse them.

        We make an undeniably wrong judgement when we limit our perspective about how we feel towards them. We failed to see that, in addition to the items they constantly carry, there are other responsibilities they need to work on, usually until midnight and early morning after being present at school for roughly nine hours, to provide us with knowledge we genuinely need as we learn the ins and outs of life and the world.

        We get the impression that someday, we will be and we will work as professionals like them as we observe their stance, attitudes, outlooks, speech, and their writing.

         The assignments, examinations, unexpected quizzes, and outputs probably overwhelmed us every time, but it teach us different skills and traits we'll need in the reality of living – which is way tougher and complicated than those math problems, essays, and scientific theories we encounter and hear everyday within the four corners of our classrooms. 

        Additionally, we can deduced from their facial expressions that not everything we see is real. Therefore, we need to be more competent in order to understand the events in the stories of our life we are penning.

       The most significant difference is that, in contrast to them, we view them as educators who impart knowledge to students, when in fact, they raised us. We are their offspring and that they only want what is the best for us.

 BSABE STUDENT ORG GIVES TRIBUTE TO NEW LICENSED AB ENGINEERS

by Catherine V. Adaniel

Faculty and students of the BSABE, as well as the new licensed AB engineers come together to celebrate their achievement.

        On Oct. 14, the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers Pre-Professional Group (PSABE PPG), a student organization in the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (BSABE) of CAPSU Burias, initiated a program dubbed as “PAGKILALA KAY BAYAW: Honoring our 2022 Licensed AB Engineers” to bring pride and honor to the new licensed agricultural and biosystems engineers who graduated from their department.

        Daneca Florentino and Christian De Pablo, both PSABE PPG officers, hosted the event and the program kicked off with Engr. Monalyn L. Oloroso, Program Chair of the BSABE and the PSABE PPG adviser, giving an opening remarks, and after a while, Engr. Caren L. Borres, Engr. Reyna Mae F. Borres, Engr. Rutchel F. Narosa, Engr. Niño Angelo A. Gaspe, Engr. Karen N. Casiano, Engr. Vincent D. Laguing, and Engr. Florence Angela R. Yamson, who passed the September 2022 AB Engineers Licensure Examination (ABELE), received their certificates of recognition.

        “Honoring us as licensed AB Engineers is very special and memorable for me. I am looking forward that CAPSU Burias will produce more Licensed AB Engineers in the future and may the "Engr." written before our names serves as their inspiration to strive more. Engineering may be difficult, but if they are courageous enough to do all the necessary actions to pass and trust His process, their struggles, pain, and efforts will be paid off,” Engr. Caren L. Borres, one of the ABELE passers, pointed up.

 STUDENT-LEADER AND SAS CHAIR ATTEND 2022 PYLC

by Emily G. Zonio

Dr. Archile C. Abogadie (left) and Kient Jerwin V. Tungala (right) wear Filipiñana and Barong Tagalog during the Cultural Night of the 2022 Philippine Young Leader's Convergence held in General Santos City from Oct. 12-15.

        Kient Jerwin V. Tungala, former president of the Future Leaders of the Philippines Burias Chapter, with Dr. Archile C. Abogadie, Student Affairs and Services (SAS) Chairperson, of Capiz State University (CAPSU) Burias Campus joined 2022 Philippine Young Leader’s Convergence (PYLC) on Oct. 12-15 at General Santos City.

        As a response to the post-pandemic setting challenge and to serve as an avenue for young leaders to realize the various aspects of social issues and create sustainable solutions, the Global Institute for Youth Development, Inc. hosted 2022 PYLC, which was attended by leaders from different parts of the country.

         The program primer of the 2022 PYLC states that: “The program is intended for young leaders to take up space and create a diverse network where they can share and align ideas and solutions together. Further, it also aims to craft the 2022 Philippine Youth Agenda for Sustainable Development, to be proposed as a policy recommendation to various UN offices and national government agencies, in its effort of helping advance the 2030 Agenda in the Philippines, and of promoting the involvement of the youth in helping realize the Sustainable Development Goals.”

         The two Capsunian representatives got involved in the discussion and provision of solutions to address the different challenges of the post-pandemic setting as the student-leader and a faculty member from CAPSU Burias partook in the aforementioned event.

        “CAPSU does not only produce globally competitive students, but also leaders who could create a huge impact to the community,” Tungala commented.

CAPSU BURIAS EXTENDS IMMEDIATE RELIEF ASSISTANCE

by Catherine V. Adaniel and Kierlo O. Tencio 

        On Oct. 26, Tropical Storm (TS) Paeng brought heavy and continuous rains to the residents of the town of Mambusao and most places in Capiz, resulting to the sudden rise of water of the Mambusao River to critical level, eventually flooding the rice fields and roads of some barangays, and displacing some residents.

            Headed by the Campus Administrator, Dr. Rodyard B. Madiclum; Quality Assurance Chair, Dr. Ma. Venus B. Lozada; Extension Chair, Prof. Mark L. Sibug; and SSC Adviser, Prof. Ne-an E. Loro, together with the Supreme Student Council (SSC), Future Leaders of the Philippines (FLP), and Rumbuhan Teen Center, CAPSU Burias conducted a feeding program on Oct. 28 at two evacuation centers in Mambusao.

              In spite of rains and floods, the group headed to Ilawod Elementary School and St. Catherine Academy to distribute foods to affected families and individuals from different barangays of Mambusao.

Dr. Madiclum leads the feeding program for the victims of TS Paeng on Oct 26 in Mambusao, Capiz.

MADICLUM TAKES OVER AS  NEW CAMPUS AD 

by Kierlo O. Tencio

        As its former leader, Dr. Stephanie Pimentel, takes new designation as Fisheries & Food Research Development Center Director, Capiz State University (CAPSU) Burias Campus tackles a new direction under the baton of Dr. Rodyard B. Madiclum, effective Sept 16, 2022 as reflected in the designation paper signed by CAPSU President Editha Alfon.

        In a speech on World Teachers' Day, when he was formally introduced to an audience of student-leaders and teachers, Dr. Madiclum emphasized that CAPSU Burias is a family.

       "We are not only your teachers in school. We are also your mentors in life choices and career, guiding decision-making and most of all, your second home - your family," Dr. Madiclum stated.

       The new leader commits to make CAPSU Burias work hand-in-hand to build it as a learning community where knowledge can be transferred outside the educational institution, and he envisions the Campus to be not just the center of ecotourism, but also a front-runner of educational tourism or Edu tourism.

         In an interview by CAPSUNIAN ECHO, Dr. Madiclum shared that it has always been his dream to make tangible differences in the lives of other people - young people, specifically, and that a learning environment like CAPSU Burias to become a center of character development and center of community endeavors.

 PSABE PPG BURIAS CHAPTER HOLDS PINNING CEREMONY

by Mayrel Joy P. Arroyo

DABE students receive their pin during the Pinning Ceremony of PSABE PPG Burias Chapter. Photo credit: Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering – Burias Campus Facebook page

 On August 24, the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Pre-Professional Group Burias Chapter of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering held its first-ever Pinning Ceremony for all third-year students pursuing a bachelor's degree in Agricultural and Biosystem Engineering, along with 4^th year students and DABE Program Chair, Engr. Junelle V. Adrias.

The Pinning Ceremony honored the ABE students for the sacrifices, hard work, commitment, and persistence they endowed in their journey.

 FORMER SSC PRESIDENT SNATCHES AWARDS IN A LEADERSHIP TRAINING

by Emily G. Zonio

Mr. Villasis poses for a picture with other student-leaders from Western Visayas during the leadership training in Iloilo City. Photo credit: Proyekto Philippines Facebook page

SPEAK. ACT. INSPIRE.

One representative from Capiz State University – Burias Campus, Mr. James E. Villasis, a former president of the Supreme Student Council, took the dare to be one of the twenty student-leaders who participated in the 2022 Western Visayas Leadership Training sponsored by the Proyekto Philippines Young Leaders Academy, which happened on September 9-11 at District 21 Hotel, Iloilo City, with the theme “Fate and Uncertainties.”

The training featured four contests, including Sabayang Baybay Kalikasan, Tanghalikasan, Adbokasine, and Mx Proyekto, and after a comprehensive screening, Mr. Villasis and his team were hailed as champions in Sabayang Baybay Kalikasan and were also awarded for having the best project proposal in the Project Proposal Pitch.

According to Mr. Villasis, “Being chosen as one of the qualified participants during the Youth Proyekto Philippines application and selection processes is both an honor and a privilege. An honor to represent my campus, Capiz State University Burias Campus, and a privilege to attend a leadership training and gain new knowledge and experience.”

The leadership training included Soft Skill and Fundamental Sessions, as well as a leadership drill wherein the participating leaders were shaken through the twists and turns of the event programs, intentionally designed to test their adversity management behaviors.

“It is my sincere hope that the knowledge and experience we have gained in the training will not only benefit ourselves, but also our respective communities in order to do better and serve better,” Mr. Villasis added.

The training intends to equip the student-leaders to be true and ready Proyektropas and expects them to be victors above adversities.

FLP BURIAS CHAPTER PRESIDENT PARTICIPATES INTERNALIZATION PARTNERSHIP

by Jay Ramon M. Alayon

Ms. Favie Gelyn V. Bardinas, Future Leaders of the Philippines Burias Chapter President, participated in the Institutional Partnership, Expansion of the Internationalization of CAPSU on August 30 at Dayao Satellite College Training Center.

The pursuit focuses on capitalizing and establishing institutional strategic partnership and expansion, giving emphasis on research-based management and governance, quality of teaching and learning, quality of professional exposure, research and creative works, and relation with the community.

        With the knowledge and ideologies of the resource speakers, including Ms. Jennifer Montero, Regional Director of the Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yazrina Yahya, Director of Centre for Corporate Communication of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Ms. Bardinas was able to gain a lot of ideas that would be very helpful, not just for the university, but also for her growth as a student-leader.

“As a student-leader, the activity gave me a clearer picture of the roles and responsibilities that I need to do in order to help our beloved university in attaining its goal of expanding internationally,” Ms. Bardinas stated. 

  CAF INSTRUCTOR DEFEND DISSERTATION IN CZECH REPUBLIC

by Elijah Villaflor

Prof. Layos presents his research study at the European Society for Evolutionary Biology Congress. 

Photo credit: Prof. John King N. Layos

Prof. John King N. Layos, an instructor in the College of Agriculture and Forestry of Capiz State University Burias Campus, recently defended his dissertation in Prague, Czech Republic on August 15, 2022 before the congress of the European Society for Evolutionary Biology or ESEB.

            ESEB is an academic society that brings together biologists from all over the world, aiming to support, as well as help advance the diverse field of evolutionary biology and with that, it gathered researchers from different countries, which were composed of 50% students and 50% post-PhD scientists, of which Prof. Layos was a part of.

He, along with other graduate students from universities in the Philippines and Japan, presented their research studies and his study focused on the phylogeographic and evolutionary history analyses of Sus scrofa (domestic pig) in Southeast Asia, marking his last presentation as a graduate student of Hiroshima University, Japan as he is set to officially receive his PhD degree sometime this autumn.

In a Facebook post, Prof. Layos penned that he is “looking forward for more publication and research collaborations for the coming years.”

 

 CAPSU STUDENTS TO WEAR NEW PRESCRIBED UNIFORMS

by Erica Mae G. Cala

In their Facebook page, the Office of the Student Affairs and Services posts the guidelines for the new prescribed uniforms of CAPSU. Photo credit: Office of Student Affairs CAPSU Burias Campus Facebook page

Capiz State University adopted new prescribed student uniforms as promulgated by CAPSU Memo Order No. 22-09-0898 dated September 5, 2022 signed by the University President, Dr. Editha C. Alfon.

The mandate requires all first-year students, shifters, and transferees to wear the prescribed uniform, while old students may wear their existing uniform.

According to the Facebook post by the Office of the Student Affairs and Services, female students must wear a white blouse, black slack pants, and one or two inches high heel, black shoes.

On the other hand, male students must wear a white polo bearing the university logo at the upper left side with plain white undergarment paired with pressed black slacks and they are also required to wear clean black leather shoes with black socks.

            

           Furthermore, the Office of the Student Affairs and Services reminded that maong pants are not allowed.

Details of the prescribed uniform students are illustrated  in the picture above.  

NSTP-DRRM OFFICE CONDUCTS ORIENTATION AND LECTURE SERIES

by Kierlo O. Tencio

Prof. Aleligay discusses his topic about Disaster Risk Reduction and Management as the freshmen students listen. 

Photo credit: Capizstate U Drrm Facebook page

On September 19, at the Campus Gym, the National Service Training Program and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (NSTP-DRRM) Office, spearheaded by Prof. Ben Francis A. Osias, NSTP-DRRM Coordinator, in cooperation with Medical and Dental Office, Supreme Student Council (SSC), and Future Leaders of the Philippines (FLP), organized the NSTP Orientation Program and Common Module Lecture Series.

The said activity served as a way of welcoming the new students in NSTP program and instill the importance of the course to the students.

The lecturers of the said program were Dr. Elmer M. Albaladejo, NSTP Director, who discussed the orientation coverage of the; Dr. Winnie F. Legario, ROTC Commandant and Vice President for Administration and Finance who talked about citizenship training; Prof. Arnel V. Aleligay, DRRM Chairperson, who tackled Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; 2LT Jayvee D. Crispo and 2LT Michael P. Gaspar who lectured about the national security concerns; and Dr. Ana Lisa G. Dionisio, Chair of Medical and Dental, Dr. Sobie Mae Graciadas,  Dentist, and Nurse Precious A. Launio who conferred about healthy lifestyle.

            Furthermore, despite the ongoing threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, the office carried on with the face-to-face program, still, with strict compliance to health and safety protocols, because they want to inculcate the spirit of nationalism and promote active involvement of students through NSTP as what they have indicated in their Facebook post.

 

CAPSU BURIAS HOLDS SSC, FLP JOINT ELECTIONS

by Emily G. Zonio

New academic year, new student leaders.

            To select the suitable student body in this academic year, two major student organizations in Capiz State University Burias Campus – Supreme Student Council and Future Leaders of the Philippines, conducted joint elections on May 26, 2022 at 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM via Google Forms, with the officers from the previous academic year, serving as facilitators.

The aspiring student-leaders were given a specific time to do their online campaign by utilizing social media applications and on May 23, a virtual grand rally was conducted to give them a chance to present themselves, as well as discuss their advocacies and objectives.

 “My goal this year is to be able to accomplish what is included in our action plan. I hope that the organization can be able to provide many learning opportunities for the students, as well as help them acquire new essential skills and values that they need,” Ms. Favie Gelyn V. Bardinas, the newly appointed FLP President commented.

The elected officials are expected to continue offering services and initiating programs and activities for the betterment and welfare of the students, institution, and of the community at large.

Ms. Bardinas added that, “It is my goal to grow as a person together with my co-officers and the students of CAPSU Burias. We must always remember that as officers, we must work collaboratively and harmoniously not just within our organization, but with other organizations as well.”

Here are the newly elected SSC and FLP officers for the academic year 2022-2023: 

 

 CAPSU BURIAS EMPLOYS TWO LEARNING MODALITIES FOR AY 2022-2023 

by Maila D. Matillano

Students of the College of Education line up for the first distribution of their modules.

On August 8, 2022, Capiz State University Burias Campus officially started the opening of classes for the Academic Year 2022-2023 with limited face-to-face classes and modular learning scheme as the primary learning modalities to be used for the first semester.

As the Commission on Higher Education already permitted the conduct of limited face-to-face classes across all higher education programs and courses, the campus adopted the instructional method for 3^rd year and 4^th year college students only, following CAPSU Memo Order 22.08.0763 Series of 2022, which narrated the reminders for LF2F classes, and in light of this, on August 8 and August 12, the two year levels respectively met their advisers for an orientation and for final announcements.

College students expressed different views when asked regarding what do they feel about attending face-to-face classes again after two years and for Ms. Cherry Mae Villaruel, a third year BSABE student, “I feel happy and excited seeing my classmates, working with them, and knowing our professors as well, yet I'm not that happy because I'm far from my family.”

LF2F are only allowed for laboratory courses, while non-laboratory courses may utilize blended learning, including modular and online, according to the memorandum.

"In my opinion, it is so complicated because the current set-up of face-to-face classes is not the same as it used to be. The time in school and the school days are limited,” Ms. Rebecca Luna, a fourth year student from the College of Management, said.

However, college students under first and second year levels purely apply the modular learning modality until now and on August 11, 2022, the first module distribution of the new academic year was done in each department, still, with strict observance of health and safety protocols.

DABE faculty and students brought home awards

LOOK: During the 71st Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers Annual Convention, a yearly celebration initiated by the Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, which was held on April 25-27, 2022, highlighting the 8th ASEAN Regional Convention, 33rd Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference, and the 18th International Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference, Capiz State University Burias Campus, specifically the DABE faculty and students, brought home several awards.

First and foremost, Capiz State University was recognized as the Outstanding Pre-professional Group Chapter, while Capiz State University Burias Campus as the Most Outstanding PSABE PPG Chapter. Also, Mr. Nino Angelo Gaspe was awarded as the Outstanding Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Student Leader and Ms. Honey Lee Longares was hailed as the Outstanding Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Student.

 

College of Education celebrates women empowerment

By Catherine V. Adaniel

To brace women empowerment and gender equality across the country, the College of Education of Capiz State University Burias Campus took part in celebrating the National Women’s Month with the theme “We Make Change Work for Women” and the sub-theme “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran,” which generally highlighted the active contributions of women in the society as well as their power to make choices and to let their voices be heard.

The COE picked the afternoon time of March 30, 2022, to give tribute to female mentors, commemorate their achievements, and recognize all the things they have done and will continue to carry out for the development of the nation.

Dr. Ma. Venus B. Lozada, COE Dean, and Dr. Rodyard B. Madiclum gave opening remarks and words of appreciation, respectively. Male professors also expressed their messages to women, followed by viewing an inspirational video, and joining numerous games and Zumba activities.

“Celebrating Women’s Month is a chance to recognize women’s varied, and often under recognized, accomplishments throughout history. It is a great time to celebrate women who make a difference in our lives: perhaps a mom, grandmother, sister, or a teacher,” Prof. Joan Rae L. Lantoria, Gender and Development Co-Focal Person said.

“I want to encourage them and make them feel special and strong. Also, I want to encourage them to speak up and make sure that they know the value of their opinions so that they will never feel scared to use their voice,” she added. The entire celebration of 2022 National Women’s Month spanned from March 1-31. To signify the support of the university for the annual occasion, the Office of the Gender and Development initiated several activities for the whole, including Purple Tuesday, Musika ng Kababaihan, Zumba Dance, the opening of GAD Library Corner, EIC materials

making, and a film making contest.