Tarlac State University Alumni Association Inc. (TSUAAI) and the Office of Alumni Affairs (OAA) continued the tradition of holding the Alumni Day activities on the last day of the Foundation Week celebration, October 21.
The Alumni Day 2023 started with an early morning motorcade from Capas to the TSU Lucinda Campus, in which various batches, university officials, and alumni scholars participated.
With the motorcade's arrival at the Lucinda Campus, an alumni assembly was held at the Alumni Center to disseminate updates on the TSUAAI and OAA's plans and to celebrate the "Scholars' Day."
Moreover, the TSUAAI welcomed the Tarlac School of Arts and Trade (TSAT) Batch 1960 in the same program as the newest addition among its local alumni chapters.
Capping off the daylong celebration is the TSU Laboratory School Alumni Organization's first grand alumni homecoming at the Alumni Center, wherein different batches reunited and reminisced about their high school life on the same campus where they stayed for four years.
TSAT Batch 1960 alumni officers welcomed as newest chapter
The officers of TSAT batch 1960 officially took their oath at the Alumni Center in Lucinda Campus, becoming the association's oldest members.
Former Provincial Secretary Percida C. Quiambao, TSAT Batch 1960 alumni chapter president, thanked the university, TSUAAI, and OAA for their support in putting up and recognizing their group.
"Rest assured that we will not fail your trust and confidence. In our modest way, we will do our best to assist the organization in achieving its mission and vision. With God's help, we will live up to your expectations," she said.
Furthermore, the Department of Food Technology under the College of Science received a whiteboard donation from Batch '60 and three whiteboards from the TSUAAI.
The TSUAAI previously donated four whiteboards to the same department on September 27, 2023, to support the department's educational activities.
TSUAAI and OAA plans
Part of the Alumni Day 2023 is the TSUAAI and OAA's presentation of accomplishments and plans to be attained by 2025.
TSUAAI President and Alumni Regent Hon. Reynaldo L. Catacutan shared that the OAA and TSUAAI have the objective of renovating the Alumni Center with enhanced facilities.
Another project they are aiming to accomplish is the solar charging station per campus, wherein the Singapore alumni chapter already donated the materials for one solar station, according to OAA Director Dr. Winston F. Abalos.
Upon completion, TSU will become the first state university to have solar charging stations.
Moreover, regarding alumni scholars' accomplishments, Dr. Abalos mentioned that the TSUAAI and OAA currently have 60 scholars with the help of pledges and donations from various alumni chapters.
They are targeting to help 100 scholars by 2024, recalling that they started with only nine scholars in 2016, one for each college.
TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco challenged the alumni who attended the gathering, urging each batch to sponsor at least one scholar to give back to the university.
“Kapag ginawa mo ‘yung ginawa ko sa’yo bilang scholar ko dati sa iba, nakabayad ka na sa akin… Ang ibinigay mong kaunting bagay ay magbubunga ng mas marami pang pagpapala galing sa Diyos,” Pres. Velasco said.
Scholars' Day
Twenty-seven students, including alumni scholars and board exam passers, were awarded financial assistance from the TSUAAI and OAA.
This marks the first time the association sponsored board exam takers during their review and preparation.
Mr. Jonathan Rafael O. Dion, an alumni scholar who will take the nursing board exam, thanked the TSUAAI and OAA for their assistance.
“Hindi lang po yung financial assistance ang ibinibigay na tulong ng TSU Alumni. Kapag lumalapit po kami sa kanila, tinutulungan din po nila kami sa mga problem sa schoolworks… Proud ako sa sarili ko na naging part ako ng TSU Alumni at naka-graduate ako dahil sa tulong na iyon,” Mr. Dion said.
Before becoming a scholar, Mr. Dion revealed that he only had a 200-peso allowance every week. To save money, he would walk more than two kilometers from Robinsons Easymart San Sebastian to TSU Lucinda Campus to attend his 7:00 AM class, finish classes by 9:00 PM, and then walk back home.
Furthermore, financial incentives were also granted to three alumni scholars who graduated with Latin honors.
Dr. Masangkay to LS alumni: ‘Muling pagpagaspas ang pakpak ng Asul na Agila’
Nearly 100 alumni attended the inaugural TSU Laboratory School (TSU-LS) Grand Alumni Homecoming on the evening of the Alumni Day 2023.
TSU-LS Alumni Organization President Deniel Climb Torres and current TSU-LS principal Dr. Mellany G. Masangkay thanked the LSian alumni who graced the event.
The program's highlights included performances by special guests, and a series of raffle draws for gift certificates.
Dr. Norbina Genever M. Castro, former LS principal, and Dr. Rita C. Pulmano, Gender and Development Director and former LS faculty member, graced the event.
TSU-LS batches 1984 and 1985 took the responsibility of hosting the next alumni homecoming in 2024, in line with batch 1984's 40th anniversary.
#GalingTSU Alumni Motorcade
More than 130 alumni from TSU, Tarlac College of Technology (TCT), TSAT, and Tarlac Trade School (TTS) gathered to participate in the first #GalingTSU Alumni Motorcade.
The motorcade's route commenced at Café Josefina in Capas town of Tarlac, proceeded to the TSU Main Campus, and concluded at the TSU Lucinda Campus.
Aside from Pres. Velasco, Hon. Catacutan, Dr. Abalos, other university officials, former TSU President Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, and businessman Amado K. Go joined the morning activity.
Moreover, the Alliance of Fraternities and Sororities (AFSO), led by Mr. Richard Hipolito, helped manage the said motorcade's orderliness and traffic. (jlmm-OPA)