Salingkusog 2025 | Message from the Guest of Honor

To the University President, Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes; the VSU Vice Presidents: Dr. Rotacio S. Gravoso, Dr. Aleli A. Villocino, Dr. Santiago T. Peña Jr., Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño, and Dr. Glenn G. Pajares; the Director of the Sports Development Office, Prof. Florife Gatchalian; the Director of the Institute of Human Kinetics, Dr. Charis B. Limbo; our respected Deans and Chancellors; the Coordinator of the 2025 Salingkusog, Dr. Louie P. Gula; esteemed faculty and staff; our relentless coaches; and most importantly, the heartbeat of this institution—the student-athletes of Visayas State University: Maayong hapon and Mabuhay!

Before I share my message for our athletes today, I must take a moment to look back. Standing on this ground feels like coming home. I realize that the woman standing before you today is a collection of the lessons, the discipline, and the belief invested in me by those who came before.

Above all, I give back the highest glory and gratitude to the Lord God. His grace has been the ultimate compass in my life, guiding my steps from the chessboards of my youth to the national stages of leadership.

To my family, who are also proud products of this institution: thank you for being the 'home base' that allowed me to achieve these milestones.

To my mentors at Visca Laboratory High School: thank you for seeing the potential in a young girl.

And finally, to my VSU college professors  and  my mentors in the Institute of Human Kinetics (IHK); Thank you for igniting my passion for sports, culture and the arts, and I carry the VSU-IHK banner with pride at the national level.

I stand here today as a humble reflection of the seeds you all have planted

Looking across this field, I see my younger self in each of you. I see that 'Viscan Flame' which first sparked in 1998, when I was a Varsity Chess Player for Visca Laboratory High School. From my days as a VLHS student to being branded a proud 'Batang IHK PEHM Pioneer,' these halls shaped the leader I am today.

The event we celebrate today is called Salinkusog. In our language, this word carries a profound weight. It means the passing of strength. It is the transfer of energy, the movement of power from one generation to the next, from the coach to the athlete, and from the heart to the limbs.

But let me ask you: What is the strength we are passing today?

1. The Strength of the Pioneer

When I was a student here at VSU, I was part of the pioneer batch of the Bachelor of Secondary Education major in PEHM, as well as a member of the VLHS Pioneer Marching Band. Being a pioneer is difficult; there is no map, so you have to draw it yourself.

In your respective sports—whether you are on the court, the field, or at the board—you are the pioneers of your own potential. Do not wait for someone to tell you how good you can be. As the VSU spirit taught me, you must maintain a positive mindset: the discipline to study your craft and the passion to execute it with excellence

2. The Strength of the "Polymath"

They often say you can’t be good at everything. They say you must choose between the arts and the sciences—between the brain and the brawn. I am here to tell you that they are wrong.

My journey has taken me from the chessboards of my youth to being a member of the VSU Dance Troupe, to the gymnastics mats of the Palarong Pambansa, and eventually to the national stage of the performing arts and educational research.

Do not let anyone box you in. Your agility on the dance floor enhances your agility on the court. Your discipline in the laboratory fuels your discipline in the gym. Being a 'Viscan' means being whole. Embrace every facet of your strength.

3. The Strength that Survives the Fall

In my years as a national officiating official and coach, I have stood on the sidelines of countless battles. I have seen athletes bask in the golden glow of victory, and I have seen others crumble in the heavy silence of defeat.

But I want you to listen closely: The 'Salinkusog' we honor today is not found solely in the trophy you lift above your head. It is found in the quiet resilience you show when you lose and still choose to stand back up.

When I was honored with the Bituon Han Sinirangan Regional PRAISE Award, it was a proud moment—but that award wasn't just for the 'wins.' It was a recognition of decades of hard work, of late-night research when the world was asleep, and of a persistent spirit that refused to stop moving forward, no matter the obstacles. 

To our student-athletes: Take that same fire you have on the field and apply it to your lives. Whether you are facing a tough opponent today or a difficult board exam tomorrow, remember that greatness is not a single event—it is a habit of endurance. Be relentless. Be resilient. And let the spirit of Salinkusog carry you far beyond the finish line

4. Passing the Torch

To the athletes: Today, you represent the "Gold Standard" of VSU. When you compete, you are not just playing for a medal; you are carrying the legacy of every Viscan who came before you. You are carrying my story, and the stories of your teachers and coaches. When you feel your lungs burning and your muscles aching, remember the word Salinkusog. Draw strength from the cheers of your department, draw power from the history of this great university, and most importantly, draw fire from the "Viscan" heart that beats within you.

As I return to my Alma Mater today, my challenge to you is this: Win with humility, lose with dignity, but always play with the intensity of a champion.

You are the movers, the shakers, and the future leaders of this nation. Let the games begin, let the strength be passed, and let the VSU spirit soar!

Magpadayon kita, mga Viscans! Mabuhay ang Salingkusog 2025!

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