By: Janelle Faulve
The Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (STRASUC), Inc. held its first consultative meeting at the Audio Visual Education Center (AVEC) of the URS Morong Campus on March 7-8.
In attendance were representatives from different state colleges and universities of Region IV joined by URS officials namely Prof. Zion Cleto, Cavite State University; Prof. Dexter Tarabe, Dr. Mary Jane Arkoleda, and Prof. Jose Fernandez, Palawan State University; Prof. Mark Magsino, Batangas State University; Dr. Angelito Quiñones and Prof. Edralin Onsos, Occidental Mindoro State College; Prof. Ruby Ann Lantita, Marinduque State College; Prof. Roselie Gonzales and Prof. Sheridan Bicaldo, Mindoro State University; Prof. Francis Jose Dela Cruz, Prof. Jeanfel Casino, Laguna State Polytechnic University; Prof. Federico Ceribo and Prof. Victor Francia, Southern Luzon State University; Prof. Rowena Cardenas and Prof. Aivi Buan, University of the Philippines-Los Baños; Prof. Romelyn Dacanay, Western Philippines University; and Dr. Nancy Pascual, Dr. Allan Conde, Dr. Xenia Canale, Dr. Edward Andrecio, and Mr. Jobert Perez, University of Rizal System.
In the opening program, Dr. Xenia Canale, Campus Director of URS Morong, greeted the guests in her welcome remarks. Dr. Angelito Quiñones Jr., President of the Association of Culture and Arts Directors and Coordinators of Region IV (ACADC-RIV), presented the rationale and introduced the participants. Dr. Nancy Pascual, URS President, and Dr. Allan Conde, Vice President for Academic Affairs, conveyed their messages. Dwight Frederick Sanvictores of URS Morong, gold medalist of the 7th STRASUC violin competition, serenaded everyone.
The meeting was held on the first afternoon, and discussions continued on the second day. Prof. Romelyn Dacanay, Culture and Arts Director, WPU Secretary, ACADC RIV, declared the quorum and did the readings of the minutes of the previous meetings. It was immediately followed by the presentation of the new agenda by Dr. Angelito Quiñones Jr. Dr. Edward Andrecio, Head of URS Culture and Arts, PRO of ACADC RIC, imparted his message and conveyed the significance of this first step to the forthcoming STRASUC 2024. He emphasized, “The gathering of minds of the Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges is not just a meeting; it’s a convergence of aspirations, a platform where ideas interlace, and strategies synchronize to sculpt the future of education and community development in our region.”
