College of Education Alumna declared Metrobank Foundation 2019 Outstanding Filipino and 2018 Pambansang Ulirang Guro
By Phyllis Claire Zarriz,
Silak Media, Inc.

LIVING up to the tradition of excellence as a graduate of West Visayas State University, an alumna of the College of Education (COE) was named as one of the Metrobank Foundation’s 2019 Outstanding Filipinos and another separate recognition as 2018 Pambansang Ulirang Guro.

Dr. Dorothy Simpao Tarol of Batch 1989 with the degree Bachelor of Elementary Education with specialization in Home Economics and the Nimia S. Lopez Award for Most Outstanding Student Teachers (Elementary), was recognized as one of the 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino awardees held last Aug. 8, 2019, at Taguig City, Manila. In December 19, 2018, Dr. Tarol also received an award as 2019 Pambansang Ulirang Guro given by the Manila Teachers’ Savings and Loan Association Inc.

Dr. Tarol is a Master Teacher II of SPED- Integrated School for Exceptional Children (SPED-ISEC) in Iloilo City.

Having lost her hearing at the age of 35, Dr. Tarol received recognition in inclusive education through her action research designed to enhance the basic literacy skills of learners with hearing impairment, according to the local newspaper Iloilo Today.

Furthermore, the newspaper wrote that her action research entitled “Buddy-Mediated Instruction” became a benchmark model in the Department of Education’s Division of Iloilo City and was replicated by around 178 schools.

Aside from being a regular Special Education teacher and a guidance counselor, Dr. Tarol also serves as a consultant for the Association of Late-deafened, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing for Education, Advocacy, Research and Support (ALDHEARS), an organization that advocates equal career opportunities for persons with disabilities.

This graduate of the COE was also declared the 2018 Pambasang Ulirang Guro for going the extra mile to teach and educate the youth and going beyond her duty to model good character and behavior. WVSU congratulates Dr. Dorothy Simpao Tarol! We are with you as you continue your journey as an effective agent of change and champion of persons with disabilities.

Batch ’89 grad of COE awarded as one of
Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos for 2018
By Phyllis Claire Zarriz
Silak Media, Inc.

A graduate of the College of Education brings excellence with her wherever she goes.

This was the admirable case of Dr. Alma Silario Janagap who was recognized as one of the 2018 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino awardees held last September 7, 2018, at Makati City, Manila.

Dr. Janagap is an English Teacher and remedial adviser of Pavia National High School and belongs to Batch 1989 with the degree Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English and Minor in Social Science. According to the Facebook page of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, Dr. Janagap is an advocate of reading which she believes is the backbone of all wisdom and learning.

An active campaigner for the development of a culture of reading among students, Dr. Janagap developed a school-based Reading Clinic– the first in Region VI that eventually became a benchmarking model in the Division of Iloilo and has been replicated by 149 schools.

Moreover, the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos said that her remedial classes have also extended through her immediate communities by conducting lectures on reading and writing skills, hygiene, and nutritional needs and building of spiritual character in her neighborhood through her project “Mind, Body and Soul” (MBS).

Aside from the above, Dr. Janagap also has a feeding program in her community. WVSU congratulates Dr. Alma Silario Janagap! Your award as 2018 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino is a testimony that a COE graduate is a true agent of change.

Panay-Bukidnon grad of COE wins reg’l Bayaning Pilipino-Guro Award
By Phyllis Claire Zarriz and Dorothy Joy Espin
Silak Media, Inc.

Embodying the essence of excellence, a Panay-Bukidnon graduate of the West Visayas State University-College of Education (WVSU-COE) received regional recognition for displaying exemplary performance in the teaching profession.

Lord Jane Caballero-Dordas of Batch 2003 with the degree Bachelor of Elementary Education, was recognized as regional winner of the Bayaning Pilipino-Guro Category handed out by the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino Awards held last May 2019 at the ABS-CBN Complex in Mandaue, Cebu.

Dordas belongs to the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous People (IP) in Calinog, Iloilo. According to the Facebook page of the Bato Balani Foundation, Inc., she has published a paper in the integration of the Panay Bukidnon oral tradition to Philippine history and culture for the Department of Education (DepEd) in Capiz, and published a big book for children entitled “Ang Bata kag Ang Kagang” which is currently being used by the DepEd and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples as well as other instructional materials relatable to their culture and tradition.

Aside from the above, the Bato Balani Foundation, Inc. said that Dordas wrote a paper on their history and their community life cycle for the Indigenous People’s Development Framework. Moreover, the same Foundation said that Dordas has made the preservation and propagation of the Panay Bukidnon tribe’s culture her mission by documenting and keeping their culture alive in her work as an artist and teacher at Wright Elementary School in Tapaz, Capiz, and a coordinator of Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) in her community.

This graduate of the COE is a daughter of a tribal chieftain and a granddaughter of a binukot, a woman secluded from the rest of the community and is tasked to devote her time learning the tribe’s traditional chants and embroidery.

WVSU congratulates Lord Jane Caballero- Dordas. Continue to hold the WVSU-COE banner high!

Classmates-turned-couple bags championship in UK dance contest

By: Orlando Gamilla Jr

Silak Media, Inc

Two graduates of Bachelor of Physical Education (BPE) in 2003 topped the above-35 senior category of the 94th Annual Winter Garden Blackpool Dance Festival 2019 held at United Kingdom on May 23-31, 2019.

Lina Basas-Machon and Serge Machon were once classmates in the College of Physical Education, Sports, Culture, Arts, and Recreation (PESCAR) but their love for dancing paved the way for a connection that led them to the couple they are today.

They have already brought honor to the institution during their stints while they were students of West Visayas State University (WVSU). Lina has competed in the Regionals State University and Colleges Athletic Association (SCUAA). She also joined the reality dance competition “U Can Dance” aired on ABS-CBN wherein she was paired with renowned dancer Rodjun Cruz. She and Cruz eventually emerged as champions.

After graduating from WVSU, they gave more focus and undergone diligent trainings in dancing. They soon worked as freelance dancers, choreographers, and trainers of dances such as dancesports. Presently, the Machons are members of World Dance Sport Federation Inc., an international governing body of DanceSport and Wheelchair DanceSport recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Campus Hero through the years…
By: Phyllis Claire Zarriz
Silak Media, Inc.

An epitome of brilliance, integrity and passion, they live up the university core values of Scholarship, Harmony, Innovation, Nurturance, Excellence and Service (SHINES) in the course of their studies at the University. Their achievements became a legacy and an inspiration for others to hitch their own wagon to a star. Their accomplishments created a strong impact to the campus and to the community. They were highly motivated towards working for the over-all welfare of man, thus, becoming effective instruments for nation building who continue to live up to the University’s brand of education: “Where Excellence is a Tradition.”

An epitome of a student who lived the University Core Values of Scholarship, Harmony, Innovation, Nurturance, Excellence and Service in the course of his/her studies at the University and for being an accomplished student with strong impact on campus and community and highly motivated towards working for the overall welfare of man, thus becoming an effective instrument for nation-building.

2010 – Mark Wilfred N. Popioco (College of Communication)
2011 – Joesyl Marie V. De la Cruz (College of Communication)
2013 – JL John Haro (College of Education)
2014 – Hyacinth B. Bangero (College of Communication)
2015 -Charmaigne D. Aguirre (College of Education)
2016 – Jason I. Gula (College of Education)
2017 – Jose Isaiah Gabriel I. Gerardo (Integrated Laboratory School – Secondary (Main Campus))
2018 – Michael Angelo M. Dejando (College of Education)
2019 – Sandro A. Silverio (College of Education)

Officers of WVSU Federated Alumni Association, Inc. inducted into office

By: Phyllis Claire Zarriz
Silak Media, Inc.

ILOILO City – With their bond as alumni of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) united by the common goal of giving back to the University through various programs, projects, and activities — the WVSU Federated Alumni Association, Inc. held an induction ceremony for its newly elected officials for Academic Year 2019-2021 at the Grand Ballroom of Casa Real de Iloilo last March 16, 2019. Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, WVSU President, led the induction.

The newly inducted officers are the following: President, Atty. Dennis T. Ventilacion (College of Arts and Sciences); Vice President, Prof. Dexter P. Cendaña (College of Nursing); Secretary, Angel R. Sara (College of Information & Communications Technology); Asst. Secretary, Ruby I. Sia (College of Pescar); Treasurer, Dr. Marcos D. Bito-onon (College of Medicine); Asst. Treasurer, Bonifacio P. Gaverza (College of Education); Auditor, Ryan C. Cordero (WVSU Pototan), Business Manager, Paulino M. Parian (WVSU Janiuay); P.I.O, Merianne Grace J. Ereneta (College of Communications).

Along with the new officials, the Board of Trustees were also inducted: Mario M. Celo (WVSU Calinog); Gerald A. Vagilidad (Integrated Laboratory School); Dr. Flordelyn G. Amon (WVSU Lambunao); Kendrod S. Salazar (WVSU Himamaylan); Al Avon Jay M. Francisco (College of Business and Management); and Charles Philip A. Catedral (College of Agriculture and Forestry)./Silak Media, Inc.

New Alumni Affairs Director

From being a Mathematics instructor to becoming the adviser of the University Student Council (USC), another challenge had been accepted by a West Visayas State University-College of Education (WVSU-COE) professor upon his designation as the new Director of the WVSU Alumni Affairs.

After passing the screening process and evaluation of the University President and Vice Presidents, Dr. Jonathan Glorial succeeded Dr. Leila De La Llana, who retired last June 22, 2017, as the director of the said office.

“I feel grateful to the WVSU administration for entrusting and believing in my capabilities to oversee the alumni affairs of our university. I am deeply honored and privileged to be the new director of the alumni affairs but of course this position entails great challenges and responsibilities on my part,” said Glorial in a written interview with SILAK.

A Mathematics instructor of COE, Glorial is also the Adviser of USC since 2010, the Chairman of the COE Mathematics Division since 2015, and the Center Coordinator of the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild (MTG) Philippines-Iloilo since 1997.

Aside from the aforementioned positions, he is also the President of the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines- Iloilo Chapter (MTAP-IC), a position he assumed since last year after being its Vice President in 2014 until 2016.

“This position means WORK– for the betterment of the alumni affairs. Under my administration, I will see to it that WVSU alumni will be more engaged to join and support the endeavors of our university, especially in its pursuit for service, harmony, and excellence,” shared Glorial, who obtained his degree on Bachelor in Elementary Education with specialization in Math, Master of Arts in Education major in Math, and PhD in Science Education major in Math from WVSU.

Engaging alumni

During the turnover ceremony and quarterly alumni board meeting last September 23 at the Alumni Office, Glorial bared his proposed projects, both the short term and long term. One of his planned projects is to include a Personal Data Sheet (PDS) as one of the prerequisite forms to be completed by graduating WVSU students in applying for graduation.

“With the PDS, the alumni office will have a record of the personal information of WVSU graduates. This would be helpful for us in making their alumni identification (I.D.) cards, and in keeping in touch with them once they will be in their respective field of interest,” emphasized Glorial.

Additionally, to increase the engagement of the WVSU alumni community in extension activities, Glorial recommended the conduct of an outreach program every December, which will include feeding and gift giving activities for less-privileged children in selected areas in Iloilo City and Province.

“Our December Outreach Programs will serve as an avenue for our WVSU alumni to reconnect and give back to the community. Different batches will be assigned every year to facilitate the program; and for this year, COE Batch 1992 will spearhead the activity. As much as possible, we want our activities to jive with the extension practices of our University”, he stressed.

For his Office’s long term projects, Glorial suggested that the third floor of the Alumni Office be opened for WVSU students as a study center and a possible venue for events and other activities.

“Many students have asked the Office in the past if they can use the 3rd floor as an event area, but since we haven’t thought of the idea in the past, we turned down students’ requests. This time, I presented it to the board, and we have yet to lay down the area plan, rules, and regulations that will govern the proposed study center and event area,” he added.

Furthermore, other plans which the newly-designated Director proposed were the following: repair, refurnishing, and landscaping of the Alumni Office; formulating income-generating projects such as establishing a comprehensive I.D. system with I.D. lamination, and designing a souvenir cart to display alumni memorabilia; launching of the Search for WVSU Outstanding Alumni; and, establishing an alumni publication and webpage with links in selected countries.