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College of Arts and Sciences Dean Annabee Magbanua-Claur, Ph.D kick-starts the virtual ceremony through her opening remarks via Facebook Live Stream, November 4, 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Arts and Sciences Student Council)

CAS Awards Top-Performing Studs

BY JAMES OPU-AN

In

pursuit of academic excellence, the College of Arts and Sciences recognized 139 top-peforming students for the Second Semester of the Academic Year 2019-2020 and 259 students for the First Semester of the Academic Year 2020-2021 during its first virtual Honors Convocation via Facebook live stream, November 6, 2021.

“It is amazing to have students who try their best to be evangelizers through academic excellence. Truly, this is the College that makes man more human. [...] This convocation may inspire students to continue in aspiring for excellence with dedication and love in all that we do and in thanking God for the gift of family in this institution,” Dean Annabee Magbanua-Claur, Ph.D. imparted in her opening remarks and congratulated

Arts and Sciences Students Council Governor Stevenson Toresis gives his closing remarks on the first Virtual Honors Convocation. (Photo Courtesy of Arts and Sciences Student Council)

all Artians who received the academic recognition.

Furthermore, the virtual honors convocation allowed the students to assess their academic progress, receive the product of their efforts toward their studies, and be inspired to continue pursuing their objectives. *

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On De-Stressing Amid Distance Learning

BY VINCENT DOMINIC ADE PEROCHO

Arts

and Sciences Student Council organized a free webinar titled “Stress to De-stress” and was graced by Brendley Ann Mateo, MAGC via Zoom, September 6, 2020.

“Be the person to other people and don’t forget to finish the race,” Mateo emphasized during the webinar. Factors

College of Arts and Sciences launches Stress to De-Stress Webinar and convenes Artians in a virtual conference via Zoom, November 26, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of Arts and Sciences Student Council)

like the bad internet connection, problems with devices, changes in the daily routine of the students, and motivation were among the highlighted topics of the event.

Mateo reminded the students not to diagnose themselves because only experts contain the knowledge of proper assessment to what they are suffering in these difficult times.

In addition, tips were also given on how they can cope with online classes.

The guest speaker also imparted that students need to improve their mental, emotional, and physical aspects to obtain a positive outlook amid distance learning.

ASSC Dispatches Free Facemasks for Artians

BY CHRISMEL RAY TABUJARA

To

offer aid in eradicating the spread of COVID-19, the Arts and Sciences Student Arts and Sciences Student Council officers pose with the free face masks for Artians, December 1, 2020. (Photo Council distributed more than 100 free washable washable Courtesy of Arts and Sciences Student Council) face masks for all Artians, December 16, 2020.

“The primary objective of the project is to that they can use in their daily lives. Also, this provide our fellow Artians a reusable face mask project ensure that the students are wellprotected and safe during this critical time,” ASSC Governor Stevenson Toresis said in an interview.

Furthermore, ASSC Vice Governor Jenil Doronila added, “It was a pre-made design created by our chosen tailoring shop. The logo of CAS was put in the design of the face masks.”

Some of the masks were claimed in the CAS Office and were also distributed by the ASSC officers to their local places.

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FebDemic: ASSC Brings Love Month

BY RITCHIE BELLE GELITO

To

virtually embrace the month of love, the Arts and Sciences Student Council officers brought love and solace to the students in the comforts of their homes through different online activities with the theme “Febdemic: Celebrating Love Amidst Adversities”, February 2021.

ASSC initiated four activities highlighting the importance of gift-giving towards the security guards, vendors, construction workers, street sweepers, caretakers, farmworkers, transport workers, traffic enforcers, and garbage collectors who have been recognized as the unsung heroes of the pandemic who served our community in small ways around Negros Occidental. “[…] because of the pandemic, we were able to be more sensitive on the situations of the people around us that inspired and motivated us to make them feel the love and care that they need through giving, especially in these dreadful times when we need to do more and give more,” Cassandra Cioco, one of the ASSC officers said.

The Governor of the College of Arts and Sciences, Stevenson Toresis (2nd from right) and his coofficers organizes this FebDemic 2021. (Photo courtesy of Arts and Sciences Student Council.)

Jenil Doronila (4th from left), Vice President of the College of Arts and Sciences together with the officers, packs relief goods to donate to the beneficiaries. Photo Courtesy of Arts and Sciences Student Council)

Arts and Sciences Student Council officers gives grace to the woman. (Photo Courtesy of Arts and Sciences Student Council.)

Other contests were also conducted exclusively for the students to express their emotions in the form of spoken poetry, photo-essay, and the first-ever Artian talks.

The awarding ceremony for the contests was livestreamed via the official Facebook page of the Arts and Sciences Student Council. *

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CAS, ASSC Launches College of Arts and Sciences Dean Annabee Magbanua-Claur caters the academic concerns of Mass Communication students during the “An Hour with the Dean” activity via Microsoft Teams, March 2, 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Krisha Marie Semellano)

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Annabee Magbanua-Claur and social work students share their experiences during the online classes (Photo Courtesy of Jenil Doronila)

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“An Hour With The Dean”

BY KIT MARTIN DE PAULA

To allot definite time for academic consultation and student forum, College of Arts and Sciences in cooperation with the Arts and Sciences Student Council initiated the virtual “An Hour with the Dean” which began in September 22, 2020.

“Our College [CAS] came with this activity to provide a safe space for students to share their academic concerns,” Cassandra Cioco, ASSC officer said.

Among the participants were the students of the different programs from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Moreover, the virtual activity did not only offered interventions but also gave the Artian community a chance to adjust in the new normal.

Consequently, this is one of the products of the UNO-R Superb Online Adaptive Recollect System of Education (SOARS) to help teachers and students to virtually exchange learnings, and collaborate with the integration of value formation.

UNO-R together with the other state colleges and universities in Bacolod City adopted the online delivery modality with guidelines provided by the Commission on Higher Education (ChEd).

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Next Level: Mass Comm Days Goes Virtual

BY PATRICIA LOUREN LOBATON

The legacy continues.

Mass Communication Society continued to hone a new breed of truth-tellers through the jam-packed Mass Comm Days, March 1 to 27, 2021.

The month-long event themed, “IN MEDIA RES: Empowering Future Bearers of Truth” convened more than 100 senior high school students around the Negros province during its first virtual media conference via Zoom and Facebook live stream.

“We crafted the entire schedule of our Mass Comm days by prioritizing inclusivity and innovativeness since we really wanted to showcase the talents of each student as well as going beyond the limitations

of distance learning. I believe we outdid our last year’s celebration and despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, we managed to make it successful,” Society Vice President Rowel Huera said in an interview.

Participants engaged in the lectures provided

by UNO-R Mass Comm faculty Yasmin Dormido and Serafin Plotria, Jr., and a virtual talk show featuring some of the program’s distinguished alumni and local media personalities namely: Marchel Espina and Marty Go from Digicast Negros, Daisy May Nonato from Bostik Philippines and Chona Gulfan an alumna from New Zealand.

Senior High School students around the Negros Province join the first Virtual Media Conference of the Mass Communication Society via Zoom and Facebook Livestream, March 27, 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Czyro Vann Albay)

Moreover, alongside the media conference, the Mass Communication students published various contents and activities on their official Facebook page.

Among these, is the weekly episodes of “PAGBAG-O”, a radio drama project participated and voiced by 20 UNO-R college students which ran for four weeks with a total of four episodes aired every Friday at 8 PM from March 5 until March 26.

In addition, “The Message”, a weekly minimagazine was published and featured inspiring stories of the Mass Communication students.

Consequently, the program’s notable alumni and faculty members participated in the “Why Mass Comm?” series through a succession of short video segments.

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Mass Comm Freshmen Battle for Rising Neophyte

BY CYRIL LACHICA

The show must go on.

Study-Buddy Project Series Vies for Holistic Growth Amid Pandemic

BY CYRIL LACHICA

T

o forge rounded development and communitarian spirit beyond the limits of distance learning, the Mass Communication Society launched the StudyBuddy project series which ran from September 7 to October 24, 2020.

The project kickstarted with the take-off of the month-long Iconic Duo, an online search for the best content creator wherein society members were not only tasked to flaunt their talents but rather were encouraged to form camaraderie towards their fellows.

Moreover, Charles Gabriel Gelotin, a junior, and Romelyn Kaye Laud,

a freshman snatched the title as the Iconic Duo with their how-to video challenge entitled, “Cooking Chicken Adobo with Hugot: Online Class Edition”.

“My partner [Gelotin] was an expert supporter because he understood how to cheer me up and deal with me in any scenario, and I was confident that if I ever get into difficulty, he will come to my rescue,” Laud shared.

F u r t h e r m o r e , the second leg of the project series was an academic writing webinar workshop where discussions about basic grammar rules, strategies on enhancing writing profciencies, and fundamental principles on academic and journalistic writing were tackled and realized.

Former Mass Communication Society President Krisha Marie Semellano shared in an interview the rationale of the initiative, “I saw the need to fill in the gaps created by online learning since we [students] were deprived of regular face to face classes and it’s my mission to give endless and inclusive opportunities to my fellow Mass Communication students to explore their talents and discover their potentials”.

For two years in a row, UNO-R Mass Communication Society first-year students undergone intensive initiation rites during their Freshmen Week where a bulk of online content is uploaded on their official Facebook page.

“Freshmen Week was a tough ride.

We went through a series of activities that tested our creativity and challenged our commitment to the [Mass Communication] Society. It made me realize that I can do more and be better,” said Kit Martin De Paula, one of the pioneer participants of the activity.

During its first year of implementation, seven Mass Comm freshmen vied for the title, “Rising Neophyte” through flaunting their unique talents with self-produced videos.

In addition, various social media contents were also uploaded to unveil each freshman in the form of video teasers, character profiles, and individual posters.

Patricia Louren Lobaton, one of the first batch of participants stated, “I didn’t see it as a competition but rather as a platform to showcase our talents and skills. The best part is that we formed friendships, and the bond we built is stronger than they have ever been.”

Romelyn Laud won the first-ever Rising Neophyte title and was given a solo feature on the official Facebook page of the Society.

Moreover, during Freshmen Week 2021, 16 first-year students prepared their video presentations and battled for the same title.

Radi Raze Garaygay snatched the title with a whopping score in both social media reactions and judges’ ratings.

“I never truly saw the quest for the following Rising Neophyte as a rivalry, however, a chance for me to get to know and assemble new bonds from my cohorts. I didn’t anticipate winning the said challenge since we were all remarkable in our fields.

Being the winner was not an accident.

Winning comes about by design with determination and positive action,” Garaygay said in an interview.

Rich John Dejilla, one of the p articipants, shared, “I have been asking myself if I can do it properly since this Program is such a powerhouse and everyone is a high caliber and well-versed, most especially our upperclassmen. However, I just stayed to my core and did what I think was right. Gladly, I’m happy with my performance”.

Furthermore, according to the former Society President Krisha Marie Semellano, “I initiated Freshmen Week to establish that despite the abrupt change in the education system due to the pandemic, Mass Communication Society will always thrive to continue to be the message.” *

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Yasmin Pascual-Dormido on her presentation during the Re;Connect. (Photo Courtesy of Czyro Vann Albay)

Re;Connect: Heed The Call for Social Development

BY CYRIL LACHICA

70 joined

UNO-R student leaders the cause for empowering youth activism during the “RE;CONNECT, An Advocacy Webinar”, a project collaboration of UNO-R Supreme Student Government and Mass Communication Society via Zoom Meeting, November 28, 2020.

The activity themed, “Holistic Growth and Development Amid the World Pandemic Through Communication”

Yasmin Pascual-Dormido on her presentation during the Re;Connect.

(Photo Courtesy of Czyro Vann Albay)

featured three advocacy focuses – environment, mental health, and policy and governance.

Moreover, along with the virtual conference, an online essay writing contest was also held where Rialyn Yasay of the College of Engineering bagged first place.

“It would always be worth remembering as it was the first writing contest that I had joined in the University and I was intimidated at first, but instead

of focusing on winning, I just aimed to express my thoughts about the theme,” Yasay said.

Yasay also received a cash prize and a digital certificate in addition to her victory.

F u r t h e r m o r e , RE;CONNECT was part of UNORSSGO’s celebration of advocacy month and the Society’s month-long teambuilding activity.

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TESDA Pioneers 50 BAT Scholars

BY GUIA MAY NIERVES

Technical

Education and Skills Development Authority and in cooperation with the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos launched the Diploma in Business Agriculture Technology program and produced 50 pioneering scholars.

On November 6, 2021, BAT sophomores convened for their first practicum closing ceremony, presented their outputs and hands-on activities during the 240 hours of training on their respective farm sites and agricultural sectors via Microsoft Teams.

"As TESDA scholars and as agriculture students, remember to trust God and believe in

NEW ERA. Business Agriculture Technology (BAT) students pose at the University park after the launching of UNO-R and TESDA Abot Lahat newest three-year diploma in BAT. (Photo Courtesy of Guia Mae Nierves)

yourselves, exert effort, stay strong, dream, and aim," Recoletos Industrial and Technology Training Center Director Nena Samillano, Ph.D., said during the virtual event.

Furthermore, the

Business Agriculture Technology students receive the National Certificate II assessment in poultry production. (Photo Courtesy of Agriculture Program)

program is the newest offering of UNO-R School of Agriculture, a threeyear Diploma program anchored with the qualifications of TESDA and was carefully structured for them to proceed into a Bachelor’s degree later on.

As of writing, there are 100 scholars enrolled in the first semester of the academic year 2021–2022.

The scholars received free tuition fees and allowances sponsored by TESDA. "After I passed the qualification and the interview, I feel like I won a game because I am blessed for having this [scholarship] despite the pandemic," Reniel Escote, one of the scholars shared. *

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Agri Studs Celebrate Fiesta sa Uma After 2 Years

BY GUIA MAY NIERVES

T o foster unity amid the global pandemic, the UNO-R School of Agriculture celebrated Agri Day also known as

Fiesta sa Uma, September 17, 2021.

Themed “Annual Farm Fiesta goes Virtual: Agri Fights Digital Divide” was a dedication to the 60th birthday of Agriculture Program Head Ma. Corazon Acaba, MBAH, DVM. Students were assigned to four houses, Oryza (rice), Saccharum (sugarcane, Bubalis (bull), and Capra (goat).

Furthermore, various activities were organized for all House of Oryza dominates all other houses and clinches the championship participants in the event, in the virtual Fiesta sa Uma, September 18, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the 5v5 Mobile Legends, Vincent Dominic Ade Perocho) 1v1 Mobile Legends,

Donna Belle Apoyon announces the winners via Facebook Live Stream. (Photo courtesy of UNO-R Agriculture Society)

electronic chess, extemporaneous speaking, Tagalog spoken poetry, vocal solo, TikTok MashUp sa Uma, Pet liking Contest, and quiz bowl.

With a total of 680 points, the House of Oryza bagged the victory and was hailed as the overall champions.

Moreover, House of Bubalis leader, Jude Ian Lovido shared, “The challenge for me was the ability to become a reliable leader to the members assigned under my group, aside from that, time management was also a big factor because I’m working aside from schooling.”

Fiesta sa Uma showcased the talents of AgRecoletos students and manifested unity despite the distance and a global pandemic. *

Agri Studs Offer Prayers to TAP & Board Exam Takers

BY JUSLINE MAQUIRAN

Agriculture students offer prayers for board exam takers and Tulong Agri Program (TAP) applicants through a virtual rosary via MS Teams, November 12, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Vincent Dominic Ade Perocho)

U NO-R Agriculture Society organized a virtual rosary to board exam takers and student applicants for Tulong

Agri Program via Microsoft Teams, November 12, 2021.

During the virtual event, Agriculture Program Head Ma. Corazon Acaba, MBAH, DVM emphasized, “When you need Heaven’s grace, we need to pray,”

a manifestation of Marian discipleship and interiority.

Moreover, after the first successful implementation of the initiative, the Agriculture Society plans to officially hold a virtual rosary every Friday.

Students and faculty members are all invited to join to spare a moment of prayer and thanksgiving. *

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ROLEx Partners with Faith Farms, Offers Virtual Tour

BY GUIA MAY NIERVES

T o inspire the younger generation to venture into the swine business, Faith Farm Owner Dr. Rodney

Ta-ala, DVM, set up a virtual tour for the UNO-R Agriculture first-year students via Zoom, September 20, 2021.

“Seeing all the achievements of Dr. Ta-ala made me realize that piggery is a game of possibilities that we cannot foresee what will happen next and what type of disease may arise. [Indeed] piggery is not for

School of Agriculture students join a virtual tour to Faith Farms with Dr. Rodney Ta-ala via Zoom, September 9, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of AGRECOLETOS)

the faint-hearted,” Nathaniel John Bermejo, one of the first-year students, shared.

During the virtual tour, Ta-ala imparted his expertise on the swine business and the valuable lessons which aided his improvement.

Moreover, the farm owner highlighted the importance of efficiency, hard work, and passion in the industry.

Dr. Ta-ala is one of the renowned personalities in swine production and has multiple meat shops around Bacolod City. *

Bayanihan In Motion, AgRecoletos Aids Typhoon Victims

BY JUSLINE MAQUIRAN

U NO-R School of Agriculture initiated a relief operation for flood victims in Northern Negros in

January 2020.

The beneficiaries of the initiative are the Agriculture students who reside in heavily affected areas.

Moreover, the relief operation was led by Agriculture Program Head Ma. Corazon Acaba, MBAH,

Parents of the 37 Grade 1 section Rose pupils of Nanca Elementary School receive cans of biscuits and school supplies. (Photo Courtesy of Agriculture Program Head Ma. Corazon Acaba)

School of Agriculture distributes food and school supplies to Grade 1 pupils of Nanca Elementary School in Municipality of E.B. Magalona, October 9, 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Agriculture Program Head Ma. Corazon Acaba)

DVM, faculty members and in partnership with the University Community Development Office.

“This [relief operation] was not related to the online class, but we are doing this because those people [flood victims] are in need," Agriculture Society President Jundil Bacongco shared in an interview.

Consequently, the event was participated by all Society officers and students. *

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In the Know: CAS Faculty Research Involvement in the New Normal

BY KIT MARTIN DE PAULA & YNA TESSANDRA TALISAY

College

of Arts and Sciences General Education Professor Diana Rodrigo published her study on “Academic Achievement in Algebra of Public High School Students in the New Normal” co-authored by her fellow CAS faculty member, Alfredo Alave in the Philippine Social Science Journal, October 25, 2021.

“Findings of the faculty of the GEC department shall enable us to gain knowledge to improve our instruction”, former Research and Development Office Director Dr. Ivy Aboy said in an interview.

According to Aboy, research involvement is necessary to collect data that can be used to promote the accomplishment of UNO-R’s mission, goals, and objectives.

In addition, Aboy also performed her independent research to contribute to the University’s goals and improve the quality of education for students.

Consequently, Rodrigo and Alave aimed to determine their participants’ achievements in algebra and their learning difficulties through their study. *

CAS Faculty Joins Linangan

BY VANESSA MAE DELGADO

UNO-R

General Education professors together with the faculty of various state and local universities, and colleges of the Higher Educational Institutions convened in the “Teach Talk and Vacc to School” of Linangan webinar series on changes in the society, health, and economic crises, December 13, 2021.

According to GEC Program Head Shiela Eran, “[Teach Talk and Vacc to School] aims to further enhance the teaching and learning of general education by creating spaces for teachers' conversations which will facilitate exchanges about content, teaching methods, classroom management, and

learning resources under remote and blended or learning mode.”

Among the featured topics are the "Understanding the Self" and “Art Appreciation” which were all attended by respective professors teaching related courses.

Moreover, for the 2022 webinar series, the topics are Ethics, Purposive Communication, Wika, Kultura, at Lipunan, Contemporary World, Science, Technology, and Society, and Mathematics in the Modern World.

Furthermore, this ongoing webinar series was initiated by the University of the Philippines last September 2021. *

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LMS Trainings and Updating, Gears Towards Effective Online Teaching

BY DARA CHARMY DAGUNO & MAE AN MARINOG

To create a significant and better online

teaching experience for students, the College of Arts and Sciences faculty took part in the hands-on Learning Management System training at the University President’s Hall from January 5 to 8, 2021.

The training aimed to train the CAS faculty members on how to utilize and maneuver the Microsoft Teams in their online classes. “[…] because of the training, the teachers have become confident in using the LMS in their online classes. Teaching has become manage-

able and meaningful,” said Pinky Prudente, one of the coordinators of the training.

Consequently, the activity also aimed that lessons will be successfully delivered to students, assessments will be done without trouble, and eventually let the students learn in the best possible ways.

Furthermore, the teachers were oriented on how to create and add members to the Microsoft teams, schedule and hold virtual meetings, post and upload files, and create quizzes or examinations. *