#VSUGrad2021: Call for Submissions and Participation

Visayas State University will hold its 68th Commencement Exercises on September 30, 2021, Friday. Since a face-to-face ceremony is not yet possible, we will be holding an online ceremony to honor you. This is our second virtual graduation.

The Class of 2021 graduates of the VSU system are enjoined to submit content and take part in some parts of the production to help us make this multimedia event more memorable.

You can do it by:

• Submitting your video in Filipiniana for the recognition of graduates (distribution of diplomas);
• Joining a scheduled onsite shoot at the Holy Spirit Parish (for Roman Catholic graduates in the Ormoc-Hilongos area only);
• Joining a scheduled Zoom shoot (open to all graduates);
• Joining a music video shoot (singer-graduates will be auditioned);
• Submitting your selfie photo with parents or family; and
• Submitting a scenic school photo.

Below are the specifics.

Required Submission: Your Graduation video

All candidates for graduation must submit a 15-second video of themselves, which will be shown during the distribution of diplomas while your college dean or chancellor reads your name (and your major and latin honors, if any).

Technical specifications

• Should be at least 720p, maximum 4K
• Aspect ratio should be 16:9 widescreen
• May be shot using any device (video camera, DSLR, or smartphone)
• No watermarks or overlays
• No color filters and other enhancements
• Any file format, but preferably MP4 

Framing

• You should be at the center of the frame
• Bottom frame should crop at the navel level (pusod) to give space for your bow
• Top frame should have a head space of about one palm high (or 4-6 inches)
• The camera should be at your eye-level

Location and surroundings

• Anywhere, but outdoors with plants and trees is recommended
• Ensure that you are facing the lighting source. If outdoors, the best time is from 4:30 to 5:30 PM facing the sun. If indoors, a mix of yellow and white ceiling lights give the best impression on the skin.
• No unbecoming or distracting elements should be in the background (like bystanders, pieces of trash, flashing lights, etc.).
• Sound will not be included so don’t worry about noise.

Attire

For men:

• Barong tagalog (any color but preferably white to off- or cream-white with plain, white undershirt, sando, or camisa de chino)

For women:

• Filipiniana aka Maria Clara gown or traje de mestiza (any color but preferably white to off- or cream-white). Female barong also accepted.
• Makeup or powder: Recommended but not required
• No restrictions on hairdressing
• Modest jewelry is allowed
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses are allowed
• No medals, corsages, or other accessories

Note:

• Members of the LGBTQ+ community have the option to choose their attire as long as it is Filipinana.

Timing

• 00:00 to 00:10 - Smile while looking at the camera for 10 seconds
• 00:10 to 00:12 - Place your right hand on the left side of the chest and then bow slightly for 1 second (make sure not to bow too low)
• 00:12 to 00:15 - Stand back straight and continue smiling, while putting right hand back down

Sample Video: YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/7enbGGu4KwU

Submission

Deadline of Submission: August 31, 2021

Send the video to the assigned email address with the subject: “VSU Grad - Student Number - Surname” (Example: “VSU Grad - 17-1-00001 - Dela Cruz”) and attach the video with the filename: “Student number - Surname” (Example: 16-1-00001 - Dela Cruz.mp4).

Send it to:

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Note: Applicants will be vetted by the production team.

Call for Participants: Onsite Shoot at the Holy Spirit Parish

There will be an onsite shoot at the Holy Spirit Parish for the invocation video. Candidates for graduation in the Ormoc to Hilongos area can sign up to join.

Requirements:

• Must be available to travel on September 7, 2021 and arrive on time (time will be announced directly to selected participants)
• Must be able to provide own undergraduate toga appropriate for the degree
• Must not exhibit any COVID-19 related symptom within the past two weeks from the date of shoot
• Must strictly observe minimum health protocols such as wearing of face mask and face shield and physical distancing

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/dnjAiefLZ5Q2Sv2A8

Deadline for application: August 13, 2021

Note: Applicants will be vetted by the production team.

Call for Participants: Zoom shoot

There will be an online shoot of graduates using Zoom for some parts of the graduation ceremony such as the reciting of pledges. This recording session is open to 100-150 candidates for graduation from any VSU campus.

Requirements:

• Must be available on September 7, 2021 and log in on time (time will be announced directly to the participants) using any device (if mobile, must use tripod)
• Must wear Filipinana attire (same guidelines for video submissions)
• Must have decent internet connectivity (WiFi or data)
• Must be able to shoot without visual and audio distractions (preferably outdoors)

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/sTCNaFsetXAqRGxL7

Deadline for application: August 13, 2021

Note: Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Call for Singers: Tribute music video

We will be recording a tribute song to the graduates and will feature singers from Class of 2021. This call is open to candidates for graduation in the Ormoc to Hilongos area who have a talent in singing.

Requirements:

• Must be available for shooting onsite (date, time, and place will be announced directly)
• Must currently reside in the Ormoc to Hilongos area
• Must not exhibit any COVID-19 related symptom within the past two weeks from the date of shoot
• Must submit an audition video to demonstrate your talent in singing

How to apply: Send your audition video to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject “VSU Grad 2021 Singer”

Deadline for application: August 20, 2021

Note: Applicants will be vetted by the production team.

Call for submissions: Photo with parents

We will be featuring photos of graduates with their parents during a tribute video. This call is open to all candidates for graduation.

Guidelines:

• The photo must be of the graduate and their parents (or people they regard as parents);
• The photo must not be busy with other people;
• The photo may include a message by the graduate to their parents, and the name of the graduate and course (like texts in social media stories);
• Each graduate may submit only one photo.

Submit the photo here: https://forms.gle/QYJ5h4XqWeo1d2UTA

Deadline for submission: September 6, 2021

Note: Submissions will be screened and vetted by the production team.

Call for submissions: Your #iloveVSU photo

We will be featuring photos of graduates in scenic parts of VSU (main and component colleges). This call is open to all candidates for graduation.

Guidelines:

• The photo must include one or more graduates.
• The photo must be taken outdoors and should feature a scenery that is distinctively VSU.
• The photo must not have text, watermark, or overlay.
• Each graduate may submit more than one photo.

Submit photo here: https://forms.gle/FSPGi7Ud8aUhfEM88

Deadline for submission: September 6, 2021

Note: Submissions will be screened and vetted by the production team.

Congratulations, Viscans!