A building for the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA)/Information Communications Technology (ICT) of the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) is up for construction in the WVCST-Main Campus fronting the Alumni Building.

This is after the WVCST Academic Community held a groundbreaking ceremony for the building last Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. The ceremony was attended by Iloilo City Congressman Jerry P. Treñas, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, members of the WVCST Board of Trustees and the WVCST Academic Community at the building’s site.

The three-storey CEA/ICT building amounting P110, 556,711.71 Million is expected to be completed in November 2013. It will accommodate the mechanical and communications technology laboratories, audio-visual and conference room, classrooms, offices and a powerhouse.

Upon completion, the building will not only provide a state-of-the art learning environment for the students but also address the problem of limited facilities and infrastructure of an increasing college enrolment. It will also decongest the Graciano Lopez-Jaena and Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) Buildings whose classrooms are presently occupied by the CEA and ICT students.

Contractor of the building is the RRL Builders Corporation in joint venture with Armando U. Khong Hun General Contractor.

CEA/ICT Ground Breaking Pictures

Students representing the Hotel and Restaurant Technology (HRT) Department made a clean sweep by winning both the Mr. and Miss WVCST 2012 Titles in a glittering pageant night held on September 6 at the College Multi-Purpose Educational Center.

Franz Joseph Napugan and Sheila Mae Rojo, both fourth year HRT students, bested five (5) other pairs of candidates from the different colleges and campuses of WVCST.

Napugan, romped off with the six (6) of the seven (7) awards namely; Best in Production Number, Best in Formal Attire, Best in Talent, Best in Casual Wear, Best in Playsuit and Mr. Photogenic.

Rojo, bagged the awards for Best in Production Number, Best in Formal Attire, Best in Talent, Best in Casual Wear and Best in Playsuit. Rojo is the reigning Miss Iloilo City 2012 who won the title last August 25 during the 75^th Charter Anniversary Celebration of Iloilo City.

Winning Mr. and Miss WVCST 2012 first runners-up were Josef Allen Acedillo and Kathleen May Brillantes, both from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Second runners-up were Napoleon Von Dimalanta of the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) who also won the Best in Interview Award in the male category and Jocelyn Garrido, College of Education (COE).  Other Miss WVCST candidates were Reynalie Bendol (CEA) who was adjudged Best in Interview; Pamela Panaligan (WCVST-Leon Campus), Miss Photogenic Award; and Krista Gayle Violata (WVCST-Barotac Nuevo Campus). For the Mr. WVCST, other candidates were Raffy Monteclaro (COE); Romeo Andea, Jr. (WVCST-Leon Campus); and Myro John Samonte (WVCST-Barotac Nuevo Campus).

The Search is one of the highlights of the weeklong 107th Foundation Anniversary Celebration of WVCST. Sponsored by the WVCST Student Republic, it aimed to discover campus personalities who will be the college’s ambassadors of good will and who will represent WVCST in the search for Mr. and Miss PASUC VI Regional SCUAA.

The total population of WVCST for the first semester of SY 2012-2013 increased by 7.33 per cent, compared to last year’s figures. Based on the College Registrar’s report, the first semester yields a total student population of 12,440, or 85 students more than last year’s 11,590.

The 12,440 first semester enrolment, which includes the Graduate Studies and the Laboratory High School, is distributed in the WVCST-Main Campus (7,394), WVCST-Miagao Campus (2,860), WVCST-Leon Campus (916), WVCST-Barotac Nuevo Campus (673), and WVCST-Dumangas Campus (597).

Of the 7,394 total enrolment of the WVCST-Main Campus, the three largest academic units this year, are the College of Industrial Technology (2,186), College of Engineering and Technology (1,937) and College of Education (1,183).

WVCST’s has consistently maintained an increase in its enrolment for the past five years.

Dr. Renato M. Sorolla, the first College Professor of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) and younger brother of Dr. Luis. M. Sorolla, Jr., the current WVCST President, won the presidency of the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Sorolla, the Coordinator of UNIVOC and former Dean of the College of Industrial Technology (CIT), was elected 6^th CHMSC President during the Special Meeting of the CHMSC Board of Trustees presided by Hon. Patricia B. Licuanan, CHED Chairperson and Head of all BOT/BOR of SUCs, on July 3, 2012 at the CHED-Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City.

Dr. Sorolla, who was sworn in by CHED Chairperson Licuanan after the election, succeeded Dr. Benny A. Palma, former CHMSC president, in a formal turn-over ceremonies held on July 9, 2012.

WVCST President Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Jr., formally took his oath of office  as the new President of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)-Region VI  last July 6, 2012 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City.

Hon. Jerry P. Treñas, Representative of the Lone District of Iloilo City, was the inducting officer and guest speaker during the oathtaking ceremonies of the new PASUC VI Officers.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog and Provincial Administrator Raul N. Bañas, representing Governor Arthur D. Defensor, also attended the oathtaking ceremonies and delivered their respective messages.

Other inducted PASUC VI Officers were: Dr. Joel P. Limson, Vice President; Dr. Pablo E. Subong, Jr., Secretary; Dr. Victor E. Navarra, Treasurer; Dr. Freddie C. Maningo, Auditor; Dr. Danilo E. Abayon, Business Manager; Dr. Rogelio T. Artajo, Dr. Editha A. Magllanes, Dr. Ma. Rosario A. Panes, Dr. Romulo T. Sisno and Dr. Renato M. Sorolla, Board of Directors and Dr. Sofronio D. Dignomo, as PASUC VI Executive Director.

In his message during the oathtaking ceremonies, Congressman Jerry P. Treñas, challenged the new PASUC VI officers to aim higher in order to place Region VI tertiary education providers on top of the country’s ranking for colleges and universities.

He said that it can be done through innovative education for all professors in order to be abreast with the latest development in their respective fields and the maintenance of excellence and rapport with students.

Meanwhile, Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Jr., in his opening inaugural speech, thanked Congressman Jerry P. Trenas, Governor Arthur D. Defensor and Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog for their support to the activities of PASUC VI. He assured them that the Association will always be a true partner for development looking only at the opportunity to be of service without discrimination and regard for political affiliation or sectoral influences.

Sorolla said that during his term, he would put more focus on resource generation management especially on the commercial production of outputs of SUCs apart from continuing the various programs started by his predecessor on research capability-building, extension programs and the usual sports development activities. He appealed to SUCs officials for commitment to the cause of education especially on the four-fold functions of SUCs — instruction, research, extension and production which all officers are trying to crystallize, systematize and consolidate in PASUC VI.

“Support your presidents for it is the only way for SUCs to grow and develop. Remember in all organizations, all effort is team effort and all result is team result,” Sorolla said.

Sorolla assumed the post from Dr. Benny A. Palma, who led PASUC VI from 2008-2012.