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by Marco Jeslie B. Tuazon
Publication Assistant

After the delay and seizure of some academic activities amid and even post-COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Education of Capiz State University (CAPSU) Roxas City Main Campus organized its first-ever Lighting and Pinning Ceremony last March 23, at CAPSU Dadivas Gym. It was a touching event not only for the future teachers and their parents, but also for their educators who toiled hard to mold them. In the classroom, they were taught the concepts of becoming a teacher, as they go out and experience the actual field of teaching, CAPSUnian student-interns will put to test their knowledge and skills, and more importantly, the CAPSUnian values.
 
Dr. Ma. Dorothee J. Villarruz, CAPSU Roxas Campus Administrator, warmly welcomed the attendees, proud parents, honorable guest speaker, faculty and staff. In her speech, she underlined the significance and branded the teaching profession as the “nobliest profession” among any other professions in the world. Additionally, she reminded the student-teacher interns of their responsibilities “to engage, to understand, and to transform every student” who enters the classroom.
 
Dr. Editha C. Alfon, SUC President III, then delivered an inspirational message advising the pre-service teachers to be the light amid darkness and to be kind to uneducated and undereducated. Moreover, she said to them to “let your light shine and be a hope to others” and cited the chorus of the song entitled “Heal the Word” by Michael Jackson in conclusion to her message.
 
Dr. Susan O. Dangan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, then conveyed a message recapping the roles and responsibilities of the student-teacher interns. In addition, she regarded the overwhelming support and guidance from the parents to the interns. She also underscored that one must have the right attitude at all times.
 
Dr. Marvic S. Martirez, Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) Chief Education Supervisor of the Department of Education (DepEd) Roxas City Division, was introduced by Dr. Emmanuel D. Dayalo, COEd Research Director as the guest speaker.
 
Dr. Martirez presented and explicitly discussed what are behind and beyond the Department of Education, Roxas City Division. Furthermore, she tackled the things that student-teacher interns must and must not do, some regular practices that they do in DepEd, enumerated some useful tips and helpful notes on how to effectively handle the students, introduced teaching styles, techniques, and strategies in order to be an effective and efficient student-teacher interns, and reminded the interns with an uplifting message “to observe, observe more, ask, ask more, and be involved, be engaged” for “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
 
A certificate of recognition was awarded to the distinguished guest speaker and the program then proceeded to the pinning proper of the CAPSU logo to the interns together with their parent. Acceptance of the pin is the interns’ response to the call of the teaching profession.
 
Dr. Vicmar Solano, Student Teaching Coordinator of the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Program, then continuously conducted a Pre-Employment Orientation to remind and inform the interns of the basic etiquettes to be observed and practiced, their duties, responsibilities, and goals.
 
After the orientation, the candle lighting ceremony was led and facilitated by Dr. Susan O. Dangan, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ma. Dorothee J. Villarruz, CAPSU Roxas Campus Administrator, Dr. Hazel D. Joaquin, Dean of the College of Education, COEd Program Chairpersons, and COEd mentors while singing the song “At The Beginning” by Richard Marx and Donna Lewis.
 
Mr. Franz Simeon Vincent Cheng, a Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) student-teacher intern took the lead in reciting the Pledge of Student Interns.
 
Dr. Hazel D. Joaquin, Dean of the College of Education, expressed her sincere gratitude to everyone especially the parents for attending and extending their utmost support to the interns and for entrusting the education of their children to CAPSU. In her closing message, she mentioned that “the first candle lighting and pinning ceremony is not just simply a lighting of candles and pinning of pins but marks a milestone in the lives of the student interns, it is a manifestation of the sincere commitment to life-long learning and professionalism.” Furthermore, she advised the pre-service teachers to always put their best foot forward, to go greater heights, to never give up, and to be the best version of themselves while on their journey to the real world of teaching.
 
The program formally ended as everyone sang the CAPSU March.
 
Soar High, CAPSU Student-Interns!