The Regional SCUAA Olympics 2013 was officially opened last Saturday, February 15, 2014. In contrast to its original plan, the Olympics is still hosted by the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College but is being held in Iloilo Sports Complex. The damage brought by Typhoon Yolanda made it impossible for the host College to accommodate the delegates as well as to provide the venue for the sports events. However, with the help of Gov. Arthur Defensor of the Province of Iloilo and the determination of the participating State Colleges and Universities, this Regional SCUAA Olympics was realized.

                According to Dr. Joel P. Limson, President of the Association of State Universities and Colleges, he is very thankful that despite the storm surge that brought damages to the northern part of Iloilo, Gov. Defensor was very supportive. He emphasized that this is the first in the history of PASUC to have 2 regional games in one year and this February Olympics is only a prelude of the December 2014 SCUAA Olympics.

                For him, conducting of sports competition does not only showcase the skills but above all will reflect the kind of behaviour and attitude of the coaches, officials and the entire state universities and colleges in Region 6.

                The opening ceremony started with a parade from the West Visayas State University to the Iloilo Sports Complex. It was participated in by the athletes, coaches, officiating officials, muses and the presidents of the different state colleges and universities.

                The Pep Squad of the West Visayas State University performed a spine-tingling cheer dance to spice up the audience and a MOB Dance participated by the delegates.

                Governor Arthur Defensor was the invited guest speaker for the ceremony. In his speech he pointed out that in sports, there is no place for rhetorics… only performance. However, he said, that it is not only about winning medals but it is also about honesty, accuracy, promptness and other virtues. He also confessed that at first he didn’t encourage the PASUC to continue with the regional olympics because of the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. On the other hand, he changed his mind and instead endorsed and supported it because sports is indispensable especially in acquiring national discipline. So, for him, whatever the calamity is, the sports event must go on. In closing, he vowed to continue supporting sports events for personal good and the good of the nation.

                The SCUAA Regional Olympics will finish on 19, 2014 with its events onducted in different venues such as the Iloilo Sports Complex, La Paz Plaza, Punta Villa, WVCST and the venue for the Search of Mr. & Miss SCUAA is the WVSU Cultural Center.

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                Following the Guinness World Record breaking Light of Peace Event in Miag-ao, Iloilo on May 24, 2013 by flying simultaneously 15,185 sky lanterns, the Middle Way Meditation Institute Iloilo, will be hosting the Light of Peace 2014 in Savannah City, Oton, on April 14, 2014. In this connection, a preview on Inner Peace, was conducted at the EdTech Center yesterday, February 13, 2014.

                WVCST students came to participate in the hope that they could also be a part of the amazing event. The Middle Way Institute needs 10,000 volunteers to work with the team and 100,000 participants to join in the said event – an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record. The people -behind the Middle Way Institute believe that through inner peace, World Peace can be achieved.

                Volunteers for the event will have the chance to work with different organizations including the International Media. Aside from the experience, they will also receive a certificate of appreciation and a t-shirt. Meanwhile, for the participants they have to get a ticket for Php200.00 in order to join the said event.

                The activity on April 14 will involve a 30 minute-meditation which will be followed by the lighting of the largest flaming image that will depict the Light of Peace event’s logo and motto “World Peace through Inner Peace”, with the Philippine map. A memorial service for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda will also be held.

                In support to the Light of Peace in the Philippines 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by 7 organizations on December 22, 2013. The 7 core organizers of the Light of Peace (LOP) 2014 include Thailand based Middle Way Meditation Institute (MMI), Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro, the Province of Iloilo, the City of Iloilo, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education.

                For those who wish to join the event, the Middle Way Meditation Institute Iloilo can be reached through www.facebook.com/lightofpeaceevent  or  www.mdwmeditation.org/ph. You can also call through their mobile number 09071517931.

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                In preparation for the Regional SCUAA 2013-2014, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology conducted a briefing to its coaches and athletes today, February 12, 2014.

                With one goal, that is to win, the participants were gathered and given an orientation on what to do by the different committee heads who want to make sure that they will be provided with their needs accordingly during the five (5) day event.

                Engr. Christian D. Misola briefed the athletes on the guidelines, security and communication while Mr. Bonnie Arenal discussed the billeting , facilities and IT’s operation. For the Food Committee, Prof. Madeline Subosa and Dr. Alma C. Palabrica are assigned. Prof. Benito Juarez and Mr. Sammy Casamayor who are in charge of the Transportation gave their cellphone numbers for a faster and convenient access to transportation facilities. Meanwhile, the Medical Team headed by Dr. Zenaida Java reminded the athletes that they can provide medical service until 9pm only.

                On the other hand, Prof. Andres Ortega, Jr. announced that as part of the team building exercises, an activity awaits the athletes this afternoon and asked them to prepare intermission numbers to establish a better rapport and camaraderie among themselves. Lastly, Prof. Eliseo Cachero , gave the general information and reminders.

                The Regional SCUAA will run for 5 days, from February 15-19, 2014. It is set to have its opening program on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Iloilo Sports Complex.

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                The WVCST Employees Association held its Election of Officers last, February 7, 2014.  The election which was in a form of secret balloting started from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and was then counted at 2pm by the Electoral committee composed of Mrs. Eva C. Sonza, Mrs. Ninfa G. Geloryao and Mr. Rey Mel C. Emolaga.

                With 90 votes, Mr. Bonnie S. Arenal remains as President of the association. Since there were no other candidates for most of the positions, the same set of officers won. They will serve as officers for the year 2014 – 2015.

                Here’s the final official result of the ballot counting of the Electoral board:

 

President            :               Arenal, Bonnie S.                             90          

                Vice Pres             :               Justalero, Nie M.                             94

                Secretary             :               Bautista, Hazel S.                             97

                Treasurer            :               Samis, Maria Celina C.                   95

                Auditor                 :               Sotito, Elbe J.                                    83

                                                                Ligad, Andrea Pama                        16*

                Bus. Mgr.             :               Talite, Joel F.                                     87

                PRO                       :               Espora, Alma C.                                                    75      

                                                                Reyes, Mary Jane F.                        17*

               

                There are 141 members of the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology Employees’ Association but only 101 participated in the election.

                The newly elected officers will be officially proclaimed 3 days after which will be on February 13, 2014.

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                Western Visayas College of Science and Technology – Extension Office under Director Cora Corbal, together with the Jollibee Group Foundation, started the first survey of their joint project, Special School Feeding Program (SSFP) in one of its 7 municipalities/beneficiaries, last Wednesday, February 5, 2014.

                The SSFP which was launched on January 20, is a project inspired by Busog Lusog Talino Program, intends to feed school children in all grade levels in 7 municipalities in the Province of Iloilo and Capiz  which were greatly affected by Typhoon Yolanda. The feeding program is serving lunch thrice a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday for a period of 30 days. The Jollibee Group Foundation provides the feeding budget and in kind support to the target schools while WVCST provides the monitoring support. Parents also participate in preparing and cooking the specific meals for the pupils in coordination with the teachers and the LGUs.

                In the survey conducted in the different elementary schools in the Municipality of Lemery, it was found out that despite the physical condition of the classrooms, the pupils are more active in going to school because they are not only provided with knowledge but they also get fed which in one way or another, helps in the financial aspect of their family. Parents also expressed their gratitude to the Jollibee Group Foundation and WVCST for the implementation of the feeding program. School Principals and teachers involved are also very thankful and became more motivated to teach and help their pupils because they see the unfailing effort of everybody, from the sponsors, the LGUs, including the barangay officials to the parents who do their share for this project.

                Though it has not reached half way yet, it is already perceived as a successful project based on the positive responses from the beneficiaries. The Jollibee Group Foundation is also happy of the outcome and is hoping to have more projects in partnership with Western Visayas College of Science and Technology.

                Meanwhile, more elementary schools from other municipalities are also scheduled every other day for the first survey.

                WVCST is handling 7 municipalities in the Province of Iloilo and Capiz with a total of 78 public elementary schools and 27,005 beneficiaries.

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