Years of dedicated service, outstanding performance, and commitment to public service took center stage as Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) celebrated the 2026 Araw ng mga Guro at Kawani on September 28 at the BASC Farmer’s Training Center, in conjunction with the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.

Anchored on the theme “Puso, Dangal, at Galing Para sa Bayan,” the celebration recognized the people behind the institution’s continuing growth, honoring faculty members and nonteaching personnel whose years of service and exemplary contributions have helped shape BASC and the communities it serves. The celebration drew inspiration from the torch prominently embedded in the event’s visual identity, symbolizing the light of knowledge, the passion for service, and the enduring commitment carried by every BASC educator and employee.

Dr. Maria Teresa S. Salta, Supervising Education Program Specialist of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office III, graced the occasion as Guest of Honor and Speaker. She was formally welcomed by BASC President Dr. Jameson H. Tan, who introduced the guest speaker and led the College in recognizing the significance of the occasion.

A highlight of the program was the recognition of 22 Service Loyalty Awardees who have rendered 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service to the institution. Their recognition underscored the decades of work, experience, and institutional memory contributed by employees who have remained part of BASC’s continuing development.

For 10 years of service, BASC recognized Dr. Imee D. Esguerra, Dr. Robert A. Capalad, Dr. Billy Joe V. Villena, Dr. Jennifer P. Adriano, Mr. Richard F. Sarmiento, Ms. Julieta A. Asuncion, Ms. Gretchen H. Mendoza, Mr. Romeo R. Joson Jr., Dr. Honeylet J. Nicolas, Engr. Edwin C. Sumaway, Mr. Joel P. Morales, and Dr. Herbert Anthony V. Roberto.

Meanwhile, Dr. Meriam E. Sulit, Dr. Anthony C. Ortega, Mr. Herbert M. De Jesus, and Dr. Regulus A. Caibigan were honored for 15 years of service, while Dr. Maria Krisvie Abigale F. Mendoza and Ms. Michelle M. Cortez marked 20 years. Mr. Arnel S. Adriano and Dr. Roselle D. Urbano were recognized for 25 years, while Ms. Edna Mae D. Cruz, Ms. Ma. Lourdes R. Nicolas, and Ms. Ma. Marita P. de Guzman received recognition for three decades of dedicated service.

The celebration also honored personnel whose performance exemplified excellence in research, teaching, administration, and institutional service. Dr. Amerigo B. Ramos Jr. was named Best Faculty Researcher in the Social/Non-Experimental Category, while Dr. Myrtel S. Bernardo received the Best Faculty Researcher award in the Experimental Category.

In the employee categories, Mr. Aldrine T. Miranda was recognized as Exemplary Employee, Non-Teaching Category, First Level, while Ms. Ma. Dolores G. Bersamina received the distinction for the Non-Teaching Category, Second Level. Dr. Maria Arjie T. Domingo was named Exemplary Employee in the Teaching Category, while Dr. Honeylet J. Nicolas, Vice President for Research, Extension, Production and Development, was recognized as Exemplary Administrator.

The program also featured the oathtaking of newly hired and promoted employees, led by Dr. Tan, followed by the Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno, administered by Dr. Salta. Together, these segments of the program highlighted not only the recognition of years already devoted to public service, but also the responsibilities and commitments that employees continue to carry as government servants.

The participations of the BASC ROTC, and the presentations by the BASC Alunig Chorale, Liping Tagalog Folkloric Group, and Mr. Khimberly D. Amatorio of the Institute of Computer Studies added color to the celebration. The recognition activities were facilitated by members of the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Committee comprised of Dr. Ronald Reagan T. Alonzo as Chairperson, Dr. Cecilia S. Santiago as Vice Chairperson, and Engr. Alvin G. Quizon, Dr. Honeylet J. Nicolas, Dr. John Edward Y. Cruz, Ms. Alicia B. Alba, Ms. Ma. Marita P. de Guzman, Ms. Ma. Dolores G. Bersamina, and Ms. Marivic A. Capalad as members.

Vice President Alonzo delivered the closing remarks, bringing the institutional celebration to a close.

More than an awards ceremony, the 2026 Araw ng mga Guro at Kawani placed the spotlight on the people whose work often unfolds quietly behind classrooms, laboratories, offices, research initiatives, extension activities, and frontline services. Their individual years of service and accomplishments collectively tell the story of an institution sustained by people committed to education and public service.

As BASC moves closer to its transition into Bulacan State Agricultural University, the celebration served as both recognition of the people who have carried the institution through the years and a reminder that its next chapter will likewise be shaped by their puso, dangal, at galing para sa bayan.

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