Laced with leis around their necks and applause filling the air, Eastern Visayas State University’s (EVSU) top board passers stood in the spotlight on Monday, February 17, as they were honored during the first-ever Sinagtala Awards at the Miguel Romualdez Memorial Auditorium.
The ceremony, which is part of EVSU’s 118th Founding Anniversary, celebrated graduates who secured spots among the country’s best in their respective licensure examinations from 2021 up until last year.
Radiating the theme “Honoring the Brightest Stars,” the first edition of the ceremony centered on applauding the 11 topnotchers across engineering, architecture, teaching, and guidance counseling professions. The honorees of the evening were:
- Engr. Jonathan P. Villapaña Top 10, September 2021 Registered Master Electrician Licensure Examinations
- Jessica V. Pallagaman
Top 6, September 2021 Licensure Examination for Teachers (Elementary Level) - Romeo A. Bulilis
Top 5, October 2021 Chemical Technician Licensure Examination - Vergel B. Cabidog
Top 9, October 2021 Chemical Technician Licensure Examination - Ar. Jethro A. Oftana
Top 9, Architects Licensure Examination - Clarine E. Tismo
Top 5, March 2024 Licensure Examination for Teachers (Elementary Level) - Engr. Gwyneth R. Hermoso
Top 3, April 2024 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination - Normae C. Ecija
Top 8, August 2024 Licensure Examination for Guidance Counselors - Renz Gabriel D. Hilvano
Top 5, September 2024 Licensure Examination for Teachers (Secondary Level) - Jayson C. Buagayan
Top 4, September 2024 Licensure Examination for Teachers (Secondary Level) - Dexter C. Mas
Top 1, October 2024 Chemical Technician Licensure Examinations
Some honorees who were unable to attend sent their gratitude and appreciation through a series of video messages, including Engr. Kant A. Dumas (Top 7, November 2023 Civil Engineers Licensure Examinations), Engr. John Angelo T. Estuita (Top 5, April 2023 Electronics Engineers Licensure Examinations), and Engr. Shaun Patrick P. Albao (Top 10, May 2024 Chemical Engineers Licensure Examinations).
University President Dr. Dennis C. de Paz, along with EVSU’s Vice-Presidents Dr. Lydia M. Morante, Dr. Benedicto T. Melitante Jr., Dr. Danilo B. Pulma, and other key officials and faculty members from various colleges and external campuses also offered their praises, emphasizing that the topnotchers’ successes reflect EVSU’s commitment to academic and professional excellence.
“Our event is aptly named ‘Sinagtala’. It comes from two Filipino words. Sinag and tala, which roughly translates to “bright stars.” And as our board topnotchers, it is appropriate that we label them as so; they are indeed the Eastern Visayas State University’s brightest stars,” shared Dr. de Paz during his inspirational message.
“In their academic journey to reach for the stars, it is not farfetched to say that they became the stars themselves,” Dr. de Paz complimented the topnotchers.
Engr. Gwyneth R. Hermoso, Ar. Jethro A. Oftana, and LET topnotcher Ms. Jessica V. Pagallaman also stood before the podium to share their own stories of being an EVSUnista and their journey towards becoming a board topnotcher.
Meanwhile, guidance counseling topnotcher Ms. Normie Ecija, who now works as an Instructor I in the Main Campus, banked on the importance of holding on to one’s purpose when acing the licensure exams.
“Try to think why you are doing it, [kung] ano ‘yung why mo to do it to take the board exams, because once you have your why, you will know the how. Kung alam mo ‘yung reason why you’re going to do it, lahat ng dapat mong gawin, you’ll be able to conquer,” Ms. Ecija said in an interview with The Industrial Wheel.
She also expressed her appreciation for the event, saying it was ‘heartwarming’ to be recognized for her and her fellow topnotchers’ efforts in taking the boards.
All honorees in attendance also received a plaque of commendation along with cash incentives based on their board exam rankings. Mr. Dexter C. Mas, who secured the Top 1 spot, was awarded a Php 100,000 check in recognition of his achievement.
Since 2021, the EVSU system has produced a total of 29 topnotchers.
The evening also featured a performance by civil engineering student Joylly Ann Plaza, who sang a heartfelt rendition of “Go The Distance” with the SAMLEYAW Performing Arts Group.
Sinagtala Awards drew the curtains for the first day activities of the ongoing week-long celebrations for EVSU foundation week and is anticipated to become a regular celebration by the university in the coming years.
Article by Liziel Ann Altejar