The school year 2022-2023 has finally come to a close, yet, its ending chapters proved to be one of the most colorful and exhilarating. Indeed, the second semester was packed with endeavors and challenges that highlighted what it truly means to be a Viscan. With all the hard work, the fruits of our labor have finally been realized as we come a step closer to fulfilling our journey in this institution.
We at Amaranth witnessed some of the most crucial events of this school year. Here are the highlights of the Amaranth coverages for the second semester.
99th VSU Founding Anniversary
After three long years, Visayas State University (VSU) finally opened its gates to welcome everyone in celebrating a significant milestone for the institution. Two weeks of exciting activities were lined up to highlight its 99th anniversary. Students, faculty, and alumni all looked forward to the return of the festivities, especially since it was only a year before the centennial.
Right off the bat, the VSU Department of Horticulture, alongside the Visca Horticultural Society (ViHos), commenced its commercial opening of the Flower and Garden Show at the Lower Campus Garden last April 16. Visitors were in for a botanical treat as it showcased various ornamental and flowering plants grown by gardeners and farmers from various gardening service institutes and municipalities throughout Leyte. The Flower and Garden Show is an annual tradition during the anniversary celebrations that intends to appreciate the value of Filipino farmers and the importance of the agriculture sector.
Furthermore, one of the highlights of the 99th-year commemoration is the highly-anticipated return of the Mister and Miss VSU pageant. Pio Paulo Fernandez, representing the College of Education (CoE) and College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and Honey Pie Tagon of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and College of Management and Economics (CME), emerged victorious from a batch of eight pairs coming from across the VSU system as they nabbed the Mr. and Ms. VSU 2023 crowns.
Sports fans were also delighted to join the festivities, as the anniversary celebrations involved several athletic events. Basketball enthusiasts tuned in to basketball live-action during the much anticipated VSU Cup, joined by teams from various students, faculty, and alumni. Tennis athletes also participated in the one-day Invitational Tennis Tournament – Mayor’s Cup, with a total of 60 competitors. Further, the Institute of Human Kinetics (IHK) also spearheaded the 2023 Goodwill games, featuring 10 sports events with participants from the VSU Component Colleges and other institutions.
In addition, a celebration for art and connectivity also took place with an art exhibit anchored on the theme “PANAGSULTI” or conversation, which was curated by the VSU Alumni Community Relations Office (ACRO) and the VSU Alumni Association in cooperation with the Culture and the Arts Center (CAC). It featured various works by talented homegrown artists in the region in order to showcase the diverse and vibrant art scenes of the Visayas.
Celebrations for the 99th Founding Anniversary became even more festive as visitors stopped by the booths from different colleges and student-led organizations that filled the Lower Campus Oval.
VSU also recognized its research-driven individuals with their exemplary contributions to the field of science and technology during the Publication and Intellectual Property Awards Night with the theme “Alamdag”. VSU President Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin emphasized that the event does not only give acknowledgment to the researchers but also sheds light on the importance of publishing research studies.
Furthermore, the university also celebrated Farmers and Fisherfolks Day by inviting several farmers and fisherfolks to take part in various contests and traditional games, anchored on the theme “Celebrating Partnership Towards Sustainable Growth in Agriculture and Fisherfolks”.
With the midterm examinations converging with the anniversary celebrations, the Amaranth staff faced various constraints. Despite this, the publication was able to deliver extensive coverage for each event of the two-week festivities.
USSC and CSSC Elections
Through the #VisCANVoteWatch, Amaranth produced several infographics and video productions to introduce voters to the different sets of University Supreme Student Council (USSC) candidates. These materials also gave the student body knowledge on the candidates’ stances on relevant issues, which allowed them to assess whether their ideals align with the welfare of the greater good.
Further, Amaranth gave a thorough coverage of Tapatan 2023: Miting de Avance, a debate hosted by the University Student Election Board (USEB) in partnership with the VSU Debate Society. The answers of the candidates during the debate were transcribed and published to allow voters to scrutinize how the candidates would respond to certain local and national affairs.
With an exclusive interview, Amaranth was also able to produce “iStoryahanay” wherein the candidates were asked relevant questions to express their answers to both national issues and university-related issues that the editorial board and the students believe student leaders should take a stand for.
UISB Sportsfest
This year also marked the revival of the University Inter-Dormitory Student Body (UISB) Sportsfest for dormitory occupants on campus after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sports festival consisted of three groups: KASAMMA (Kanlaon, Sampaguita, and Mahogany), COFILANG (Cocofed Drive and Ilang-ilang), and ULC (United Lower Campus), which competed for its week-long activities of physical sports, a song and dance festival, mural painting, and Laro ng Lahi.
After a series of competitions, the KASAMMA team emerged as the overall champion, while the ULC and COFILANG were in second and third place, respectively.
The UISB Sportsfest is an annual event where dormitory occupants on campus get to show off their sports skills, musical talents, academic prowess, and artistic abilities.
College Anniversary Celebrations
Since the start of the second semester, a handful of colleges and departments have celebrated their anniversary celebrations, which put such activities into full swing.
The College of Management and Economics (CME) highlighted its week-long celebration of its 13th anniversary with its fair trade activity, where students took part by selling goods to establish entrepreneurial skills and help them gain profits and actual business experience.
Meanwhile, the College of Arts and Sciences commemorated the founding of their college last March, while each department comprising CAS had its respective weeks and set of activities for the month.
Also, the College of Engineering and Technology (CET) marked its CET Month last May, where engineering students from the various departments battled for quiz bowls, a sports fest, and a colloquium.
Other colleges, such as the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS), and the College of Nursing (CoN), also prepared various activities for their respective anniversary celebrations.
Student Awards and Recognitions
This year also proved that Viscan students have what it takes to bring pride to the university through winning various awards in National competitions. The Philippine Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers – Visayas State University Chapter (PSABE-VSUC) representatives reaped silver and bronze awards at the 72nd PSABE National Convention 2023 last April 24-28.
In addition, the Visayas State University Society of Agribusiness Students (VSU SABS) team was able to secure the top 10 semi-finalists and participated in the Youth Leaders of Agribusiness Congress (YLAC) 2023 last May 31 to June 2 at the University of the Philippines Los Banos. These representatives were given recognition for representing the university at the National level during the Annual Honors and Awards Convocation program.
The Annual Honors and Awards Convocation Program, a recognition ceremony for Undergraduate and Graduate students, staff, and faculty for demonstrating excellence in academics, scholarships, and service, has resumed after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic.