Parangal 2024 – Batch 2 with the theme, “Fording New Horizons for a Better Tomorrow” was held on July 10, 2024, at the Guimaras State University Gymnasium and Dr. Meda Rose J. Luhan was the invited inspirational speaker.

Parangal 2024 – Batch 2 included the awardees from the College of Engineering and Industrial Technology (CEIT), College of Business and Management (CBM), College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), and College of Agricultural Sciences (CAgS).

Dr. Efren S. Tellermo, Vice President for Academic Affairs, delivered the opening remarks and praised the awardees’ excellent achievements, dedication and enthusiasm for academic success.

Meanwhile, Dr. Julius T. Vergara, Vice President for Research, Extension, Training, and Innovation, read the words of welcome from Dr. Lilian Diana B. Parreño, University President. Dr. Parreño was unable to attend the second batch of Parangal 2024 due to her attendance at the COPC Awards Night in Zamboanga City, as previously published. In her statement, she stated that the theme perfectly captures the essence of hard work, devotion, and perseverance in the academic journey of the awardees. She further noted that the awardees have shown a strong commitment to excellence by pushing the boundaries and setting new standards for others to follow.

Following that, Dr. Agatha Rica B. Norilla, GSU-SR Adviser and Chair of the Awards Committee presented the 477 awardees broken as follows: eight (8) Academic Awardees and one (1) Non-Academic Awardee from the College of Engineering and Industrial Technology, 299 Academic Excellence Awardees and four (4) Non-Academic Awardees from the College of Business and Management, 74 Academic Awardees and 11 Non-Academic Awardees from the College of Criminal Justice Education, and 50 Academic Excellence Awardees and 30 Non-Academic Awardees from the College of Agricultural Sciences.

After the presentation of awardees, Dr. Joel V. Japitana, Director of International Affairs, introduced the inspirational speaker. Before introducing the speaker, Dr. Japitana stated that the guest is a close friend of his. He also informed everyone that he has never been assigned to present a guest speaker since 1982, until this year, a year before retiring from his position as a faculty member.

Dr. Japitana revealed that Dr. Luhan is the fifth of six siblings and the daughter of a retired sergeant in the Philippine Air Force and her mother was a retired pharmacist both are deceased. It was noted that Dr. Luhan graduated from elementary and high school with honors. She attended West Visayas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 1986. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the same university in 1990 and passed the Physician Licensure Exam in 1995. Between her trainings, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of La Salette in Isabela and passed the Licensure Examination in Nursing in 2006. She also completed her Masters of Hospital Management at Saint Joseph College in Quezon City in 2022. She has been an active anaesthesiologist and consultant at Western Visayas Medical Center since 2007. She is now a professional anaesthesiologist in practically all of Iloilo City’s hospitals, providing compassionate and selfless care. Before concluding his presentation, Dr. Japitana mentioned how kind Dr. Luhan is.

Dr. Luhan said during her introductory speech that she was honored to return to Guimaras State University as a Parangal Speaker. Her last visit was in 1996, when she was a resident anesthesiologist at Western Visayas Medical Center. “It was 28 years ago and I always miss this institution because diri man ko nag bolo-boyfriend [ I learned to be in a relationship here],” she commented. Dr. Luhan also recognized key officials and parents, some of whom are the parents of her patients.

She started her speech with a necessary bragging as she put it about her residences, condos, and cars, as well as the fact that she had recently returned from Europe. “I really want to make tinikal [brag] to you because I want to tell you my struggles,” she said, continuing her speech. She then narrated how her family traveled to Guimaras in 1972, rented a little room at the “mercado” (market), and established a small pharmacy called “Botika Luhan”. Because of their financial situation, they considered that to be their home because they do not have enough land to build a house and a small pharmacy cannot meet their financial demands because they are in school and some of her siblings are in college. Because there were no customers in the old market at night, they would stay outside, move the tables, and place “banig” (traditional hand woven mats). They also used public restrooms and shared tables with vendors. That’s why they need to get up as early as five in the morning to prepare and display their goods. That has been their routine for about three (3) years, and they can’t complain since their mother usually says, “Agwanta lang kamo, kay makatibawas gid kita basta eskwela lang mayo [Just bear with our situation, we can get through this as long you are studying properly]”.

Furthermore, Dr. Luhan highlighted her desire to teach the awardees some lessons in the hopes of inspiring them. That is why she continues to brag about what she has now. The first thing she learned was to be patient. “To lose patience is to lose the battle”, she says, quoting Mahatma Gandhi throughout her speech. “Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting”, she explained, before emphasizing, “Our great weakness lies in giving up, so don’t give up!”. The second thing she learned in life was to be ambitious. She stated that the awardees must be driven and determined to attain their goals. Her experiences encouraged her to fulfill her ambitions, as she had previously promised herself that she would build her own house eventually. Subconsciously, she told herself that she would not return to their former ways, as she moved the tables in the old market to serve as their bed.

On the other hand, their parents had always prioritized their education. They are ensuring that they have an adequate education because they will not inherit any property or farms. That is why they chose public schools, which were less expensive while maintaining good standards.

Furthermore, she learned the third lesson, which is to sacrifice. “There will be no success without sacrifices”, she stated. “If you desire less, sacrifice a little, but if you want to accomplish great things, you must be willing to sacrifice a lot”, she said, quoting John C. Maxwell in her speech. She told a story about her sacrifices, such as wanting a good brand of slippers and buying new clothes for a contest because she was actively participating in various events during her high school years at BVS (Buenavista Vocational School, former name of Guimaras State University) but her mother always said they didn’t have money to buy, and she admitted that was her mother’s usual default response.

The last and fourth lesson she learned was to be thankful. She stated that the awardees must give back and reflect on their achievements, appreciating those who contributed to their success. She explained that she had not forgotten her life in the old market. “I am still proud taga Mercado [living in the market]”, she said. Her experiences in the old market encouraged her to work harder, as she mentioned in her statement. “So, you look to the people who made you, you. My parents made me where I am now. My teachers made me, me”, she continued. She also emphasized that do not forget about someone up there. Simply continue to ask for help, and He would surely provide.

Before she ended her speech, she informed the awardees that their generation is known as “Generation Alpha,” and that they are tech-savvy and like visual and interactive learning. “It’s alright, as long as you target a goal that will give you a better and brighter future”, she commented. She emphasized the need of using technology to make positive changes in their lives rather than fostering fear, as negative vibes can have a significant impact on their goals. She also recommended the awardees to distract their attention away from anxiety by doing something they enjoy, such as dancing, singing, or simply walking around. She also urged the awardees to make healthy decisions, believing that their generation is smarter. She concluded her message with, “Let this program this afternoon serve as a stepping stone to even greater accomplishments in the future.”

The honoring of 477 Parangal Awardees began following her message.

Finally, Dr. Julius T. Vergara delivered his closing remarks. He stated that each of the awardees has contributed to the rich tapestry of brilliance that defines Guimaras State University, and that collectively, they are paving the path for a brighter and more promising future.