Feature: A big day for NSU

By: Rodrigo S. Victoria

Naval, Biliran – Congratulations! I’m too excited! I can’t wait anymore!

New facade. Then NIT, now NSU. photo by Kenskie

These are just few of the hundred if not a thousand messages of felicitation, excitement and anxiety that will transcend the island province and even to other parts of the Philippine archipelago and around the globe where there are Biliranons residing and who were alumni of Naval High School and Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) which will be feted tomorrow, February 11, 2010, with a grand inauguration rites with a new name – Naval State University (NSU).

Kudos to the people behind the establishment of the only university in Biliran province. To Congressman Glenn A. Chong of the Lone District of Biliran and some legislators for working out Republic Act 9718 or Act converting the Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) into Naval State University (NSU) as well as the faculty and staff, students and all the other stakeholders who contributed even to those who have just affixed their signatures to the petition for its conversion sometime ago.

Well, to extinguish ones craving of the events that will unfold tomorrow right at the NSU Grounds, at 7:30 a mass will be held at the NSU Gymnasium to be celebrated by Most Reverend Msgr. Filomeno G. Bactol. D.D., arrival honors at the NSU Administration Grounds after the mass and a town parade and street dancing at the NSU Oval featuring the best cultural dance artists of the university.

The morning’s affairs are just a smack to more serious activities in the afternoon starting with the unveiling of the university emblem and raising of the university banner at 1:00 and this will be followed by the blessing of the state-of-the-art maritime equipment, blessing and ceremonial ribbon cutting of NSU façade and the unveiling and blessing of the university emblem to be done by the congressman, CHED Chairman and Commissioner, governor, mayors and the NSU President, lowering of NIT coors and hoisting of NSU colors that will be facilitated by the NSU president, Vice-Presidents and campus administrators.

After an hour of the afternoon’s opening revelry, this will be followed by the inauguration rites and investiture ceremonies at the NSU Gymnasium where an academic procession wil be held with the following order grand marshall, brass band, federation of student council officers, federation of faculty association officers, federation of alumni officers, faculty members and administrative staff in the main nad Biliran campuses, college deans, vice-presidents, president’s family LGU heads and officials, SUC presidents and distinguish guests, university mace, board of regents, CHED Commisioner Nona S. Ricafort, CHED Chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles, university president Dr. Edita S. Genson and the guest of honor Congressman Glenn A. Chong. An invocation by Most Rev. Msgr. Filomeno G. Bactol, entrance of the national and university colors and the Philippine national anthem followed.

Part of the inauguration ceremonies and investiture rites are the dedicatory discourse and citation reading of R.A. No. 9718 by Congressman Glenn A. Chong, principal author of House Bill 4414, introduction of the guest of honor by Daniel A. Ariaso, Sr., Vice-President for Planning, Research and Extension Services, message of Congressman Glenn A. Chong, investiture of Dr. Edita Sabonsolin Genson by the Chair and Members of the Board of Regents with the presence of the President’s family, presentation of the first university president by Dr. Ma. Rita Castillon-Ortiz, Regional Director of CHED Regional Office No. 8 and the reading of scroll of appointment by Nona S. Ricafort. presiding chairman of the NSU Board of Regents.

Next to the last part of the inauguration rites and investiture ceremonies are the presentation of the university mace to the Board of Regents by Matias A. Bentor, Jr., University and Board secretary, presentation of academic medallion, oath of commitment of the new university president with CHED Chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles, presentation of NSU colors and official seal by Quirino J. Casas, Vice-President for Administration, Dr. Loreta M. Besoyo, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Daniel A. Ariaso, Jr.. Vice-President for Planning, Research and Extension Services and Matias A. Bentor, Jr., university and board secretary and campus director of NSU-Biliran.

The last part of the inauguration rites and investiture ceremonies are the inaugural speech of the new NSU President Dr. Edita S. Genson, University President III, compliments and felicitations by Governor Rogelio J. Espina, Naval Mayor Susan V. Parilla and Dr. Socorro O, Bohol, President of Northwest Samar State University, singing of NSU hymn and the recessional.

The day’s activity will be capped by a testimonial dinner and inaugural ball at 6:00 in the evening at the NSU Gymnasium and will be followed by a program, dinner and socials.

An elegant fireworks display at around 6:30 in the evening is expected as spectacular nocturnal scenery that will bewitch the revelers to the inauguration rites of the new university in Biliran province and investiture of the first NSU president.

Well, this is not only a big day for NSU but a big day for all the Biliranons who have contributed to what it achieved now. (PIA-Biliran)