Art by Pepin Josef Turla
Milestones have a special connection to how beginnings are created. It’s not just about how far the journey has been taken or how many years were spent. It is a celebration of how it began and how it opened doors for the future of many generations.
Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) – Main Campus has now reached its 22nd Charter Celebration, running under the theme of “One EVSU 2.0: Sustaining Excellence & Resiliency for Global Impact.” With a new academic year unfolding, faculty staff, non-teaching staff, and EVSUnistas have gathered not just in the spirit of celebration, but to step towards a new charter with hope and warmth for the long journey ahead.
The New Chapter
Being in a whole new phase in your life can sometimes make you feel a rollercoaster of emotions, especially when entering college; you realize that the space you’re entering is wider than you’ve expected. For Dani Francesca Yap, a student from the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) program, this new page of life is as scary as it can get, making her first day of school a memory to behold.
“They’re pretty self-explanatory kay scared kay diba college na baya tapos first day nimo, anxious kay nahadlok ako kay makuri kaduro hit math hit akon course pero mostly excited because there’s a lot to discover and learn,” she explained.
As a new student in a big university, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed on your first day of college, considering that you still have a lot to learn about the program you’ve chosen and your own capabilities as a student. But even with all the cold sweats, being able to discover more and experience new beginnings in such a phase makes up as the reason to look forward to the new academic journey ahead.
Adrienne Joy Nasinopa, a freshman in the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (BSIE), shares how thrilled and excited she is to start her academic journey in the university while also being aware of the possibilities of what lies ahead, highlighting the sentiments of taking the first steps towards a higher stage of life along with her Ikegai (referring to her fellow batchmates in Industrial Engineering).
“I want to begin my freshman year full of enjoyment with my ka-Ikegai. I’m also expecting a lot of challenges coming my way, as college shouldn’t be underestimated,” she shared.
But even with all the excitement surrounding the 22nd Charter Celebration, the freshman students can’t wait for the upcoming University Student Welcome Activity Gathering (USWAG). This cordial welcome, intended for the new EVSUnistas to open their new journey in the spirit of camaraderie and pride, will serve as an avenue to view the start of their campus life in light of togetherness and greater hope for good days to come. These sentiments are also shared by Ms. Adrienne, viewing it as a great opportunity to start her own exciting experience as a college student.
“I’m looking forward to the chants for each school that they will be presenting and also for the students’ night as this is my first time experiencing this type of event,” Adrienne shared.
Celebration of Milestones and Legacy
Dave Zhred Olino, a senior student from the Bachelor of Science in Architecture, expressed how the 22nd Charter Celebration is a special commemoration worth looking forward to, particularly as it highlighted the core message of this year’s theme: standing for progress that sustains the excellence and resilience that have long served as the foundation of EVSU’s legacy.
“Every year, the EVSU Charter Anniversary is something to look forward to as an EVSUnista. What I think makes this year special is what the Charter Anniversary theme speaks about: sustaining excellence and resiliency. It symbolizes progress not just as an institution, but also within the EVSU community, to strive for a lasting impact that can reach beyond our borders and make a difference globally,” he said.
University President Dr. Dennis C. De Paz has also emphasized in his speech during the official opening this morning that Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) has endured the transitions of time through the collective strength of its community, whose presence has enriched not only the educational value of the university, but also the overall experience and lives of the past and present EVSUnistas.
He then encouraged our fellow freshmen to view this academic year as a new chapter for personal and academic growth amid the opportunities and challenges ahead.
“A new academic year brings you life lessons to learn, friendships to build, challenges to overcome, and opportunities to discover and develop your potential. Make every experience count and never be afraid to learn from your successes and your setbacks,” shared the University President.
The Beauty in Beginnings
Between beginnings and milestones, and between doubts and fears, finding the silver lining and the beauty from within experiences is the gift of the new chapter that lies ahead for EVSUnistas. This 22nd Charter Celebration is not just an event made by the university to revel and have fun, but it’s a reminder of the lasting legacy that has been built over the years and the milestones reached, connecting the past and the present of Eastern Visayas State University that have contributed to its identity and the identity of EVSUnistas as one community.
And with this milestone of a new charter, the doors of countless possibilities for the future of EVSUnistas continue to call on and reach out, transpiring dreams with these small steps that carry the weight of a legacy that is waiting to be written within the walls of the university.
Article by Princess Adona