BSU celebrates 35 years as University

Benguet State University celebrated its 35th Charter Anniversary on January 7-15, 2021 with a line-up of activities that aimed to showcase the University’s accomplishments and build rapport with the community.

The celebration kicked off with the first day of the 35-day virtual run on January 1, 2021. The event was organized by the BSU Non-Teaching Association (BSUNTA) and BSU Government Employees Association (BSUGEA).  This was followed by the Kapihan sa BSU held on January 7 in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency-Cordillera Administrative Region (PIA-CAR). The event was hosted by PIA-CAR Regional Director, Dir. Helen R. Tibaldo and co-hosted by UPAO Director, Dr. Gretchen Gaye C. Ablaza.

The major activities were held on January 12, 2021, the exact date when Mountain State Agricultural College (MSAC) was elevated to Benguet State University 35 years ago in 1986. The symbolic day began with an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service officiated by the La Trinidad Ecumenical Council of Churches (LTECC) with Rt. Rev. Nestor D. Poltic of the Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines as the main celebrant and preacher.

Loyalty awardees, retirees, Dir. Danilo B. Bose as a former member of the Board of Regents, and former presidents of the BSU Alumni Association, Inc. were honored during the Charter Anniversary that was held after the Investiture Program. There were 15 employees who received their loyalty awards for ten years in service, eight for 15 years in service, five for 20 years in service, six for 25 years in service, ten for 30 years in service, seven for 35 years in service, and four for 40 years in service.

There were eight Salamat-Mabuhay honorees from BSU La Trinidad and two from BSU Bokod. The Salamat-Mabuhay program is a simple but meaningful ceremony in honor of retiring employees in the civil service.

In her response, Dr. Asuncion L. Nagpala who served for 39 years, expressed her gratitude for the recognition on behalf of her fellow awardees. 

“This is an honor we share not only with our families but everyone whom we have worked with and we worked for. We are grateful to the Lord for letting us reach our retirement age so that we may be able to serve the needs of our kailyans in the region and even outside Cordillera. BSU has been more than an employer, this institution provided a venue for learning and growth, for building and creating solutions, and also evoked potentials we barely knew we had,” said Dr. Nagpala.

The Federated Supreme Student Government involved their constituents in the celebration by launching virtual contests on prayer writing, e-poster making, and photography. The student organization also launched the search for the most student-friendly teacher. Based on student nominations and the teachers’ good practices in the new normal, the ten student-friendly teachers are Apler Bansiong of CTE, Imelda Degay of CHET, Jovi Jane Denis of CAS, Jandy Gay-as of IHK, Joahna Goyagoy of CA, Joel Lubrica of CAS, Jennifer Paltiyan of CAS, Imelda Parcasio of CTE, Joseph Quinto of CAS, and Ann Marie Rulla of CHET. 

Other activities held in commemoration of the 35th Charter Anniversary includes the Social Cultural Night and Tree Planting Activity held on January 12, the exhibit of BSU products and Benguet One Town One Product (OTOP) from January 13-15, 2021; the Faculty Fora held on January 14-15, 2021 by the Faculty Club; and the Blood Letting activity held on January 15, 2021.//JSTabangcura