Though often associated with bad luck, for Kharlos Miguel T. Bautista, Friday the 13th last December 2024 was his lucky day. It was the day the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced he ranked 8th among 48,875 passers in the secondary level of the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT).‘‘It feels surreal that I am finally one with my dreams’’ Bautista said during his speech at EduKahusayan event on December 22, 2024, recalling how he celebrated the news with his father and siblings — crying and jumping together. With a 93.00% rating, the Catanduanes State University (CatSU) cum laude graduate dedicated his success to his “first teacher,” his late mother, who taught him to read and write. “She’s always been there for my wins and losses,” he said, admitting to himself that he was not a ‘hundred percent happy’ despite his achievement knowing that his mother is not physically present to celebrate with him.However, he believed that his mother was proudly looking down on him at that moment—not just for passing but for topping the board exam—and for fulfilling their long-held dream of him becoming a teacher, a goal he had cherished since childhood.A valedictorian at Gogon Elementary School and a Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) program graduate of Catanduanes National High School, Bautista earned his degree in secondary education major in Science at CatSU as a DOST scholar. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he excelled in both distance and face-to-face learning for four years as a consistent dean’s list. At the start, Bautista did not aim to top the board exam. However, after losing in a national quiz competition organized by Carl Balita Review Center, he vowed to redeem himself. “Babawi ako sa board exam, magkikita-kita kami ulit, doon ang tunay na laban,” he expressed.Secretly setting his sights on the top to avoid external pressure, he intensified his preparation, including daily drills, flashcards, and studying late at night. A pre-board exam ranking of 3rd in the Bicol region and inspiration from a friend who ranked 10th in the nursing board exam further fueled his aspiration to top the board exam.Sharing tips during review, the topnotcher said that ‘distractions’ had no place, describing his focused routine of reviewing complex concepts in physics and professional education. “No distractions during review, nakatago ang cellphone sa drawer, nakaharap sa reviewer and laptop. Minsan inaabot ng 2AM sa pag-review especially sa majorship, mahihirap na concepts, and problem solving sa physics,” Bautista explained, allocating more time in Professional Education and Majorship, since both equally contributed 80% in the overall rating. His disciplined approach paid off, but he emphasized that success isn’t just about recognition. For Bautista, being a topnotcher is not just about recognition, rewards, and incentives: this is God’s way to inspire and help more people, to serve our countrymen, to teach the students, to shape young minds, and to inspire them to dream and help them to reach their utmost potential. For those aspiring to become topnotcher, his message was ‘dreaming big is the first step, but dedication, perseverance, and faith will take you further that you can’t imagine’“The journey won’t be easy, sleepless nights, breakdowns, and doubts. Believe in your capabilities. You want to pass the board exam? Exert efforts, and be consistent. You want to top the board exam? Double your efforts, and be consistent,” he shared. Bautista expressed gratitude to CatSU for fostering a supportive learning environment and thanked his family, comparing their influence to a beautiful melody in his life. In fact, CatSU produced 274 passers in the September 2024 LEPT, including 64 in elementary education and 210 in secondary education, continuing its tradition of surpassing the national average. “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground,” he advised, urging aspiring educators to balance effort with rest and trust in God’s timing.
Five nursing students from Catanduanes State University (CatSU) clinched 2nd place in the Bicol Pulse: Health Research Contest Poster Presentation (Student Category) held at the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi in Legazpi City on December 5, 2024.Fourth-year researchers Bianca Bohayo, Alycel Go, Shann Lester Yago, Ryan John Lumbao, and Leslie Mae Gonzales showcased their research poster titled “Challenges in the Treatment Compliance of Relapsed Cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Virac, Catanduanes.” CHS Faculty Dr. John Villegas, their coach and research adviser, lauded the students for their achievement in a celebratory social media post.
Catanduanes State University (CatSU) officially welcomed 133 newly licensed nurses during their courtesy visit on December 4, 2024.Accompanied by Dr. Maria Alma V. Tabirara, Dean of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), the group was received by Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Vice President for Academic Affairs.The passers of the November 2024 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (PNLE) helped the university achieve an impressive 92.36% overall passing rate, surpassing the national average of 84.99%. Mikael Angelo Romero further distinguished the university by securing 10th place in the national rankings. The newly licensed nurses will be recognized at the 2024 Testimonial Dinner on Friday, December 6, 2024.
“We are eager to explore the processes behind your CSMS and adopt best practices that align with our goals,” said Mr. Melgie A. Alas, Director of the Office of Monitoring and Evaluation of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), during a benchmarking visit to Catanduanes State University (CatSU) on December 4, 2024.The visit, held at the CatSU Accreditation Room, aimed to enhance MSU-IIT’s Client Satisfaction Management System (CSMS) by learning from CatSU’s Quality Assurance (QA) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Units.Dr. Edna A. Pante, CatSU’s Quality Assurance Officer, welcomed the MSU-IIT delegation and asserted the value of sharing strategies and practices.“Hosting this benchmarking visit is a privilege. We hope this exchange serves as a meaningful platform for sharing knowledge and inspiring strategies adaptable to your context,” Dr. Pante said.Director Alas, accompanied by a team of experts including PDO III Mark June L. Aporador, Data Controller III Virgilio S. Luzana, Center for ICT Director Dante D. Dinawanao, and IT Officer II Richard M. Micubo, pointed out the importance of refining MSU-IIT’s CSMS.CatSU’s CSMS, though newly developed, has already achieved notable results. Information Technology Officer Jay-R R. Redita presented the system’s functionalities, spotlighting its feedback-driven approach to improvements. Meanwhile, QA Unit AO V Josephine D. Rojas shared best practices such as multi-channel feedback collection, prompt responses, employee engagement, and regular reporting.A live walkthrough of the CSMS interface capped the afternoon session, where both institutions exchanged ideas and discussed potential enhancements.“This benchmarking has provided valuable insights and techniques we aim to incorporate. We look forward to continued collaboration with CatSU,” Alas noted. The MSU-IIT team is set to meet Officer-in-Charge Atty. Septon A. de la Cruz on December 5 for a courtesy call at the Conference Room.
The Medical and Dental Services (MDS) of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) attended to university employees during a quarterly health and wellness event held on December 4, 2024, at the Administration Building Lobby.The Human Resource Management Unit has coordinated with Medical Officer III Dr. Abegail M. Abundo for the activity as part of the National Government Employees Week celebration, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1130. Employees availed of free services, including blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, medical consultations with complimentary medicines and vitamins, dental oral prophylaxis, and optical consultations provided by Dr. Anthony Altavano.
Catanduanes State University (CatSU) sustained high customer satisfaction ratings for 2023 and the first half of 2024, according to a Management Review held on November 29 by the Office of the Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs and the Quality Assurance Unit.Frontline services at CatSU Main recorded an impressive 99.48% satisfaction rate for the January to June 2024 period, surpassing the same months in previous years. Non-frontline services also posted a slight improvement, achieving a 98.25% satisfaction rate compared to 98.13% in the preceding term.CatSU Panganiban maintained a stellar 99.42% satisfaction rate for its frontline services, though slightly lower than its previous midterm score of 99.60%.Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Engr. Benjamin Hannycel T. Nuyda, urged all offices to establish clear quality objectives and work instructions to consistently meet client expectations.“Ensure that each office has clearly defined quality objectives,” the VP emphasized on the importance of client-focused service delivery. Meanwhile, QA Unit Administrative Officer V Josephine D. Rojas tackled internal and external issues requiring resolution and pinned on the need to update the university's work structure, with the support of the Board of Regents (BOR) to strengthen institutional efficiency.
Fifteen scientists from Catanduanes State University (CatSU) have earned recognition as among the top scientists in the Alper-Doger (AD) Scientific Index World Rankings 2025.Joining the 9,785 scientists from the Philippines are Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, Dr. Jimmylen Z. Tonio, Dr. Jose Z. Tria, Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr., Dr. Kristian Q. Aldea, Dr. Aurora E. Araojo, Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, Dr. Lily P. Custodio, Dr. Belen M. Tapado, Dr. Jaymund M. Floranza, Dr. Dexter M. Toyado, Dr. Maria Concepcion Suarez-Vera, Prof. Sonia R. Sapico, and Associate Professor Ma. Emmie T. Delluza.Leading the institutional rankings in H-Index and Productivity Rankings is Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, Professor VI and head of the Academic for Community Empowerment through Holistic and Ecosystem-Based Approach for Mangrove Crab Sustainability (ACE-HEMS).The H-Index measures the productivity and citation impact of a researcher’s published work, while Productivity Rankings identify highly productive scientists across specific areas, disciplines, universities, and countries. Dr. Masagca’s research focuses on agriculture and fisheries, climate change, mangroves, and crabs.He is followed in the institutional ranks by College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUMSS) Dean Dr. Jimmylen Z. Tonio, whose research areas include education and foreign language education, specifically linguistics, psycholinguistics, Philippine English, and sociolinguistics. Meanwhile, Dr. Jose Z. Tria, Director of the Research and Development Services (RDS), tops the institutional citation rankings with 556 citations. His research spans music education, educational management, culture and arts, and physical education. He is followed by Dr. Masagca with 197 citations and Dr. Tonio with 89 citations.
Faculty and students of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) were urged to critically and ethically integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education and research during a 3-day workshop held from November 11-13, 2024, at E-Crown Hotel & Resort.Research and Development Services (RDS) Director Dr. Jose Z. Tria pinned on the importance of thoughtful AI use, and its potential to transform teaching and research when applied responsibly. “Our idea is our own prompt. We must consider how we will use AI critically and ethically,” he said. Director Tria also recommended tools such as ORCID, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate to help participants streamline research workflows and boost academic productivity.The workshop, titled “Empowering Innovations through Integrating AI and LLM Tools for Effective Teaching, Learning, and Research,” introduced participants to Brisk Teaching, an AI-powered platform for creating dynamic presentations and lesson plans. College of Education faculty member Emlyn M. Lanon demonstrated the tool, and the need to balance AI with traditional teaching approaches to preserve the human element in education. Director Lanon’s presentation banked on the perspectives from education experts Kovalenko and Baranivska (2024) on integrating technology without compromising pedagogical values.Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production Affairs (VP REPA) Dr. Rosana S. Abundo opened the workshop by welcoming participants and stressing the significance of strengthening faculty capabilities in teaching, learning, and research through AI integration. “This workshop empowers us to adapt to innovations while ensuring that these tools enhance, rather than replace, our expertise as educators and researchers,” the Vice President said.
Following a meeting on November 14 with the executive management of Catanduanes State University (CatSU), the university announced that it will open designated rooms to support pre-emptive evacuations for residents affected by the incoming Typhoon Pepito. In coordination with the local barangay and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), CatSU will offer 13 rooms in the Nutrition and Dietetics building as evacuation centers for families seeking shelter. Meanwhile, work at the university has been suspended today to prioritize safety and preparedness, with classes already suspended since yesterday.
Catanduanes State University (CatSU) will soon transition to digital payments for all financial transactions following the recent approval of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Land Bank of the Philippines by the CatSU Board of Regents (BOR).The Board approved the proposal from Finance and Administrative Team on November 6 for adoption, which aims to modernize CatSU’s financial processes, enhance operational efficiency, expand financial inclusivity, and provide a secure and convenient experience for students, faculty, and service providers. Specifically, the agreement involves the digitalization of CatSU’s collection, disbursement, and payment systems, aligning with Executive Order No. 170, s. 2022, which mandates the adoption of digital payments for government transactions.
The Catanduanes State University (CatSU) Board of Regents (BOR) approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office V (EMB-V) on November 6, 2024, to set up an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station at the CatSU Main Campus.This partnership aims to support national environmental standards, research, community engagement, and the adoption of sustainable practices among students, staff, and stakeholders.CatSU will allocate a 16-square-meter space on campus for the equipment, which will provide data on current air pollution levels by measuring meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, solar radiation, temperature, barometric pressure, and other ambient indicators. EMB-V will finance all supply and installation costs and train CatSU personnel, with university students also given opportunities to observe monitoring processes under the supervision of certified technical staff from both CatSU and EMB-V.
Graduates often take diverse journeys as they pursue their careers following the conferral of their degrees. Each path is unique, shaped by personal dreams and professional aspirations. Yet, how truly remarkable it is when alumni not only excel in their chosen fields but also seek ways to give back to their alma mater and communities, with their stories becoming a source of pride for the university.Such exceptional achievement was celebrated at the CatSU Parangal 2024 on October 18 at the gymnasium, where two outstanding alumni who have stood out among others were recognized for their success in their fields.Following a rigorous selection process by the Search for Outstanding Alumni of CatSU, chaired by College of Law Associate Dean Atty. Gregorio M. Sarmiento Jr. with Alumni Relations Director Maricel S. Cariaso, two exemplary alumni emerged as this year’s honorees – Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Officer Dr. Nerisa B. Aldea and Dean of CatSU Graduate School Dr. Arthur I. Tabirara.Notably, Dr. Aldea has advanced agrarian reform and community development in Catanduanes. Her work focuses on improving service efficiency, overseeing the distribution of land ownership certificates, and implementing various programs that support farmers and beneficiaries. Under her leadership, several cooperatives and associations received support for climate-resilient agricultural practices, boosting productivity and sustainability. Moreover, she established a Farmer's Business School and secured funding for farm machinery, which provided much-needed resources for local agriculture.Meanwhile, CatSU's Graduate School has been stepping up under the leadership of Dr. Arthur I. Tabirara. As Dean, he introduced reforms such as updating the Graduate School Manual and enhancing curricula to meet current needs. He facilitated program upgrades and proposed the opening of doctoral programs to meet growing demands.In community service, Dr. Tabirara actively leads the Knights of Columbus, an international religious-based organization committed to serving different community sectors. He was recently appointed district deputy, covering six councils in the province. He also played a principal role in local legislation, particularly in environmental conservation and waste management, which have earned him awards and recognition.Dr. Tabirara viewed the award as a reminder for all CatSU graduates to uphold the university’s core values. He also emphasized that such recognition serves as encouragement to continue their commitment to community service and faith-driven leadership, extending blessings to the university for its role in inspiring service to others."Receiving this award is an enduring reminder for CatSU graduates to embody the university’s core values in serving others and honoring God,” he shared. As these stories of achievement and service unfold, it is clear that the legacy of CatSU thrives through its graduates. Dr. Aldea and Dr. Tabirara are just two shining examples of the many alumni whose service to their communities and fields of expertise serves as an inspiration to future generations. It is certain that many more exceptional alumni will be recognized as the search continues, further solidifying the reputation of the university as a catalyst for change, progress, and service, and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
