Beaming with Love: EF wraps up ESOL Month

After the showcase of Literature and English major’s abilities and talents, the Cebu Normal University (CNU) – English Fellows (EF) Organization ended the English Studies and Other Languages (ESOL) Month 2023 today, February 21, 2023, at Samuel MacClintock (SM) Hall.
 
The students gathered to their respective assemblages namely Assemblage Book, Assemblage Quill, Assemblage Owl, and Assemblage Lotus.
 
EF Organization Mayor Hon. Ela Lois Tuhoy emphasized that even when the program ends, they will continue to serve the ‘EFersons’ with pride and sincerity.
 
“As our celebration comes to a close, do expect that we will only go uphill from here on and out…because that is what the English Fellow deserves,” she said.
 
Afterward, the stage lightened up as the Assemblages Book and Quill showcased their speech choir with the piece “The Resiliency of a Filipino” by William Bacani.
 
In an interview with Ang Suga, Georgie A. Saga (Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English III), one of the members who championed the speech choir, expressed her thoughts and feelings while preparing for the contest.
 
“Every naa mi break, wala ray one week among preparation ato, kay magtapok gyod mi dayon [ug] mag-brainstorm. [Amoang technique] kay gi-chop-chop-chop ang mga lines para dali ra masag-o…and actually overwhelmed kaayo ko kay first ever ESOL na [gi-held] face-to-face and nadaog [mi],” she shared.
 
Furthermore, the anticipated 15-minute audio dramas performed yesterday by Assemblages Lotus and Quill and a special guest from the 3rd Year Block D students of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English were presented.
 
Cheers filled the hall as the winners of the various competitions held for the two-day event were announced.
 
The morning session concluded with the closing remarks of Hon. Noel Quijano, followed by the photo opportunity of faculty, organization officers, and Assemblage members. §
 
The winners of the contest are as follows:
 
Overall Winner
Champion – Assemblage Quill
1st Runner Up – Assemblage Owl
2nd Runner Up – Assemblage Book
3rd Runner Up – Assemblage Lotus
 
Spelling Bee
1st Place – Charles Vincent P. Manubag (Guest) and Beatrice Rae Datiles (Guest)
2nd Place – Phebe Soronio (Assemblage Owl) and Charlotte A. Pagwagan (Assemblage Book)
3rd Place – Piolo Lester J. Berame (Assemblage Book) and Divine Grace O. Cordeta (Assemblage Book)
 
Declamation
1st Place – Hyra Faith Enclunar (Assemblage Lotus)
2nd Place – Krestine M. Velos (Assemblage Book)
3rd Place – Rheisa J. Camiguel (Assemblage Quill)
 
Spoken Word (English Category)
1st Place – Junezze Marie Mangubat (Assemblage Owl)
2nd Place – Eduardo Compra III (Assemblage Quill)
3rd Place – Maileen Fei Blanco (Assemblage Lotus)
 
Spoken Word (Filipino Category)
1st Place – Jee Cañete (Assemblage Quill)
2nd Place – Weyden Veloria (Assemblage Book)
3rd Place – Lyndel Mae Gingoyon (Assemblage Lotus)
 
Spoken Word (Cebuano Category)
1st Place – Dexter Berganio (Assemblage Quill)
2nd Place – Leizel Kate Tejana Mandiadi (Assemblage Owl)
 
Song Translation
1st Place – Assemblage Lotus
Singers:
Maria Dolores Arong
Mayean Pacubat Ebo
Translators:
Jamaica Rascen Claro
Sunshine Mantalaba
Aliah Niña Bayno
Raven Alenton
2nd Place – Assemblage Owl
Singers:
Frances Mikaela Cacho
Ralph Michael Makiling
Translators:
Kristal Hope Laplana
Rocky Santander
Dhallyn Lapasaran
Jed Vincent Abadia
3rd Place – Assemblage Book
4th Place – Assemblage Quill
Singers:
Nicole Gabrielle Gica
Bridget Zoe Mozo
Translators:
Lera Jane Camangyan
Mary Angelie Aguipo
Cherylle Mondoñedo
Daisy Dimpas
 
Booth Exhibit
1st Place – Assemblage Owl
2nd Place – Assemblage Lotus
3rd Place – Assemblage Quill
 
Speech Choir
1st Place – Assemblage Quill
2nd Place – Assemblage Book
 
Radio Drama:
1st Place – Assemblage Book
2nd Place – Assemblage Lotus
3rd Place – Assemblage Owl
4th Place – Assemblage Quill
 
Words by Aldwin Villacrucis and Donna Rose Egos
Photos by Mardy May Amancio

Physics, Chem Dept pilots first lab coat donning, pinning ceremony

Amidst several delays, Cebu Normal University’s (CNU) 4th year Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (BS Chemistry) and 3rd Year Bachelor of Science in Physics (BS Physics) students finally gleamed in brilliant whites in their first-ever Laboratory Coat Donning and Pinning Ceremony today, February 8, 2023, at Tandang Sora Hall.
 
With the theme, “Click and Entanglement: Honoring Commitment to Ethics and Professionalism as Future Scientists of the 21st Century,” the event reminded the 12 BS Chemistry and four BS Physics student interns to uphold ethical responsibility and moral conduct as they enter the professional field.
 
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Dr. Milagros M. Greif congratulated the students for being “very dedicated in [to] completing school requirements” despite their experiences at the peak of the pandemic in her opening speech.
 
Meanwhile, the first keynote speaker and Physics Department Faculty Mr. Allan Roy B. Elnar, MPhys emphasized in his talk that the students have the power to shape the world.
 
He furthered that from creating drugs and uncovering the mysteries of the universe, they are expected to create a more sustainable future.
 
“Embrace challenge and curiosity so you can drive science forward,” he encouraged.
 
Miss Luzviminda R. Bato, RCh, the second keynote speaker and Chemistry Department faculty, shared the history and symbolic significance of the lab gown.
 
She stressed that the color white’s practicality catches up with the fast-paced progress of the scientific field and should be worn with pride and honor as they start their journey as new scientists of the 21st century.
 
The ceremony climaxed with the lab coat donning and pinning of the modest roster of 16 students, which was facilitated by Mr. Seagal P. Asjali, RCh, MSc, Miss Erced E. Urbano, RCh, MChem, and Mr. Allan Roy B. Elnar, MPhys.
 
During the testimonial sharing portion of the ceremony, Kevin J. Bongabong (BS Physics III) reminisced how his freshman year class had gone from having numerous students in a block to only having four.
 
He thereby expressed his wish that the remaining should persevere and wish for nothing but the best.
 
Meanwhile, Ervin Claide O. Estelloso (BS Chemistry IV) stated that “We have different reasons explaining why we chose Chemistry, what makes us the same is that we are destined to be here.”
 
Fresh from receiving their pins and lab gowns, the student interns then took their oaths and pledge. §
 
Words by Jamaica Ola-a and Carlos Leopoldo Cabeza III
Photos by Mardy May Amancio

‘Visionary Slum Boy’: Normalite answers call for service

Nationally recognized for his outstanding commitment to community service, Normalite student-leader Jhosua A. Peralta (Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies II) represented the hues of crimson and gold during Asia’s Royalty Awards last January 30, 2023, at Okada, Manila.
 
Being the lone receiver of Outstanding Advocacy Volunteer and Empowered Professional Leader 2023 in Public Service and Volunteerism, as well as the first-ever Normalite Asia’s Royalty Awardee, Peralta’s most recent international achievement was highly praised by many.
 
The 22-year-old from Mananga, Tabunok, Talisay City labeled himself as a “visionary slum boy” and claimed that the unfortunate conditions of his place of origin were what primarily pushed him into volunteer work and public service.
 
“For 10 years of volunteering on different occasions. I can say that doing something beneficial for other people and the community gives us a sense of accomplishment. By that, you are creating an impact by changing the lives of people,” Peralta stated.
 
He also revealed that he is no stranger to receiving awards honoring his service as he spent the last decade organizing and participating in numerous philanthropic initiatives such as Bugas Taliwala sa Pandemya (Rice Amid the Pandemic), a 3-year long project by Giving Rice Support and Feeding Programs; and Bag ng Pag-asa (Bag of Hope), which aided 200 students in areas around Tabunok.
 
“Not changing [their] his/her whole life, but just changing how [they] he/she see[s] the world; in a more positive and more goal-oriented outlook of life. And that is to help, to serve, and create an impact on other people, communities, nations, and the world,” he added.
 
Furthermore, Peralta expressed his gratitude to various private sectors and donors who contributed to the realization of the projects he worked on.
 
“Volunteering is not a one-way system. It’s a two-way system where we need to collaborate and expand our connection to reach more individuals and organizations that will help us along the way in achieving the programs and projects that we planned. The people that I have mentioned were able to help me throughout the program…They have been my guiding armor to never stop pursuing my dreams and what activities and programs I want to create and accomplish in my community,” he shared.
 
CNU’s shelf space for future awards
 
In an interview with Ang Suga, College of Teacher Education (CTE) Dean Dr. Helen Boholano stated that though this is the first Asian Royalty award the university has received, she is confident that there will be more in the future.
 
“Yes, [I am confident] because of their [Educators’ Council (EC)] leadership…If you look at it, naa man god ta’y gitawag nga Community Extension Services. So, this is really very important. And if you look at the community award policy, na-hit gyod nato,” she stated.
 
Furthermore, Educators’ Council (EC) Governor Hon. Lheanne Jude Salvacion also expressed his appreciation of Peralta as he said, “Magkaila mi, pero wala ko kahibaw [that he won an international award]. He’s very down to earth.”
 
The Asia’s Royalty Awards is an organization that celebrates exemplary performance and dedication in various fields by giving the awardees a “royalty treatment” during the awarding ceremony. §
 
Words by Kimberly Keith Gonzaga
Photos grabbed from JP Amorado

CNU lands 45th place in WRWU nationwide

Cebu Normal University (CNU) brimmed in crimson and gold as it ranked 45th out of 365 universities nationwide for the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities (WRWU) January 2023 edition.
 
CNU secured the 390th spot among 4,693 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South East Asia; 2,701st among 16,627 universities in Asia; and 6,682nd among 11,993 universities worldwide.
WRWU or Ranking Web was initiated by Cybermetrics Lab, with the aim of harnessing support for Open Access initiatives, and electronic access to scientific publications and other academic materials.
 
Accordingly, they utilized web indicators to reflect the global performance, impact, relevance, and visibility of the HEIs that served as their bases for ranking.
 
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman preserved its top spot in the national rankings. Moreover, Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stand in the top three spots worldwide, respectively. §
 
Words by Jessa Sestoso
Layout by Josi Mari Malazarte
X