By Mariedan Olorosisimo
| Students showcase their talents duing the Students' Day celebration.
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Celebrating its 22nd anniversary since its conversion into a state university, Capiz State University began its week-long celebration with the Students’ Day conducted simultaneously across campuses and satellite colleges, March 16.
At CAPSU Mambusao Satellite College, the celebration started with a motorcade and foot parade around the town plaza, joined by the different student organizations, led by the Supreme Students Council (SSC), as they made their way to the campus.
The opening program commenced with the Himig Kalingawan Chorale who set a solemn yet celebratory tone, leading the assembly in the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, a prayer of gratitude, and the Capiz Hymn.
In his welcome speech, Satellite College Director Dr. Ramy Lloyd Lotilla lauded the students as the cornerstone of the school.
He emphasized that the university could not thrive without them, saying, “To our dear students, you are the heart of this university. Your curiosity, creativity, and passion breathe life and purpose into this institution.”
This sentiment was echoed by University President Dr. Efren Linan in a recorded message.
He underscored that students are active partners in the university’s growth, noting, “Students, you are not just recipients of education; you are partners in CAPSU’s mission.”
Dr. Linan also highlighted the strength of the university’s diversity, adding, “We choose unity not because we are all the same, but because we are moving toward the same purpose.”
The program also featured a keynote address from Ms. Elcha Mae J. Villacapa, a BSOA graduate, former Managing Editor of The Courier Publication, and former SSC President who also held the titles of Ms. CAPSU Mambusao and Ms. CAPSU 2022.
She candidly shared her financial, emotional, and mental struggles while leading during the pandemic, attributing her leadership roots to her late father, a former barangay captain.
She encouraged students to cultivate confidence and discover their purpose. Quoting her own winning pageant answer, she explained that realizing the institution’s goals requires students’ active engagement, likening it to “feeding a child who keeps spitting out what is being fed.”
She moved the audience by concluding, “One CAPSU is not simply the coming together of the nine campuses. It is more than our administrators, more than our faculty and staff. One CAPSU is all of us—including you, the students. Everything we do, we do for CAPSU.”
The morning session concluded with the awarding of a certificate of appreciation to the guest speaker, followed by a high-energy variety show.
The stage came alive with an opening dance and an Inilusan folk dance by The Kalingawan Performaing Arts Group (KalPAG), a sayawit performance by the SSC, and a P-pop number by the Himig Kalingawan Chorale.
The English Language, Computer Science, and Food Technology Departments also showcased their talents through dance and song, while the Future Leaders of the Philippines (FLP) entertained the crowd with a lip-sync performance.
The show ended on a high note with a unity dance led by KalPAG, followed by games prepared by the SSC and FLP.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to the student organizations’ innovations and accomplishments. Participating groups included the Office Administration Society (OAS); FLP; SSC; and The Grantees, which is composed of scholars from the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), Tulong-Dunong Program (TDP), and Student Assistants.
Other presenters included EcoVision Society, the Philippines Association of Food Technologists-RHO (PAFT RHO) Student Chapter, the Preferential-option for Welfare, Development and Inclusivity (PWeDI), the Society of the Arts Students (SocArtsS), and the Kalingawan Performing Arts Group (KalPAG).
The day concluded with the presentation of service awards to selected officers and special awards to organizations that demonstrated excellence in their projects, marking a successful and inspiring start to the university's anniversary week.
Centering on the theme “One CAPSU: United in Purpose, Transforming Lives,” CAPSU’s 22nd Charter Anniversary highlights the vital role of its students, faculty, and staff in shaping the university’s growth and fostering a strong sense of community across its nine campuses and satellite colleges.