From being a roving teller, cashier, and bookkeeper in the United Coconut Planters Bank after his college graduation in1982, Bernie Tocmo rose up the ladder to become today’s Executive Vice President of the Philippine National Bank. He had led several banks to their success, and received several awards.

But, life is not always fair, Tocmo said.

Dr. Paciencia P. Milan, the fourth President of VSU and currently Professor Emeritus, celebrated her 69th birthday by organizing a Climate Reality Forum at the VSU Center for Continuing Education, May 1.

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Engr. Joel O. Pilapil, OIC-regional manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), imparted life lessons to 210 graduates in VSU Isabel campus, and 158 in VSU Villaba, April 16.

A VSU alumnus, Engr. Pilapil shared his experiences in finding jobs in his speech as the commencement speaker.  

“Don’t be afraid of failure. You will never know if you could get the job if you don’t try,” said Engr. Pilapil as he inspired class 2016 to be ready to face the challenges of the world as they leave the comfortable walls of the academe.

Taking responsibility, planning effectively, and working hard are the necessary steps to manage failures and challenges, Engr. Pilapil said.

This year, only one graduated with a latin honor from the VSU Villaba campus. Jason Meregildo, a Bachelor of Secondary Education-Mathematics major, graduated cum laude. The satellite campus in Villaba gave four special awards to the graduates including Leadership, Service, Endeavor, and Loyalty Awards.

Meanwhile, VSU Isabel awarded latin honors to 13 students: one magna cum laude and 12 cum laude.

VSU Villaba offers undergraduate programs in Secondary Education, Elementary Education, Agriculture, and a certificate course in Agriculture Science. Undergraduate courses in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology, Secondary Education, Elementary Education, and Agribusiness are offered in VSU Isabel including a two-year program in Computer Technology, and Trade Technical Education.    

About a hundred Cambodian students listened to VSU President Edgardo Tulin share about studying in Visayas State University at the Philippine Education Fair in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 23, Saturday.

Carlo Avorque, a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management student, marched as the valedictorian of 354 graduates of the VSU Alang-alang campus, during its 42nd Commencement Exercises, March 15.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla awards Ea Kristine Clarisse B. Tulin, a BS Chemistry major, as the 2016 Most Outstanding Graduating Student, during the 63rd Commencement Exercises of the Visayas State University, April 13.

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Vice President for Instruction Dr. Beatriz Belonias regarded the ten BS Nursing graduates of 2016 as special students to the university, during the 6th Pinning Ceremony at the Holy Spirit Parish, April 14.

“You must be the most compassionate [and] kindhearted students in the university,” said Dr. Belonias adding that by being future health caretakers, they are trained to be such.

Dr. Belonias shared how the College of Nursing started at VSU and how it had grown to be one of the excellent colleges in the university. After all, the college’s clinical instructors (CI) are all masters degree holders, Dr. Belonias said.

VSU President Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin said he pins his faith to this year’s graduates.

“I hope that when you look back from the future, you will be reminded of what you have become today: a Filipino Nurse and a graduate of the Visayas State University,” said Dr. Tulin in his written message.

The Pinning Ceremony has been a tradition in Nursing Schools starting in 1916 in the US and England. CI Michelle Tolibas said that the ritual is a symbolic welcome to the nursing profession. The pin or badge is a symbol of honor, trust, caring, and service, Tolibas said.

Meanwhile, Janet Alexis de los Santos, dean of the College of Nursing, recognized two students for their exemplary performance.

Reza B. Talaboc from St. Bernard, Southern Leyte, was given the Margaret Jean Watson Award for demonstrating a “holistic caring attitude…in her delivery of an effective and therapeutic nursing care.” The award is named after a nurse theorist and professor best known for her theory of human caring.

Talaboc also received the Best in Community Nursing Practice Award for her “exceptional performance in the practice of related learning experience (RLE) bound by concepts and theories in community organizing participatory action research (CPAR).”

On the other hand, Maria Regina F. Dela Cerna from Kananga, Leyte received a Certificate of Recognition for displaying her “leadership and service to the nursing students community…as president of the College of Nursing-Supreme Student Council” in 2015-2016.

The pinning ceremony commenced with a Thanksgiving Mass and ended with a Nurses Prayer led by Dr. Ana Sumpta Perez, a CI, and a Florence Nightingale Pledge led by Dean de los Santos. The pledge is recited as a tradition in the practice of nursing education as a token of esteem for the founder of modern nursing.