The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) located in Cabitan, Mandaon, Masbate, recently celebrated a milestone as the College marked its 28th charter anniversary. The event was held from March 28-30, 2023, at the school’s main campus and was themed “Forging Towards a Futures-ready DEBESMSCAT.” The three-day celebration was filled with various activities that highlighted the school’s achievements and showcased the talents of its stakeholders, especially the students.
One of the major highlights of the event was the Book Fair, which aimed to promote literacy and reading among the students. The fair featured a wide selection of books, ranging from academic textbooks to fiction and non-fiction novels, and other literary works. What made the fair extra special was its theme “Blind date with a book,” in which books were wrapped and students could only find clues such as words and phrases on the outside to add more mystery and anticipation to students while they were choosing their books. Nevertheless, despite the mystery, students eagerly browsed through the shelves, using their intuitions and hunches, discovering new titles, and exploring new genres.
Another major event was the Sports Fair, which showcased the school’s athletic prowess. The faculty members and personnel demonstrated their talent in Sports as they competed in various sports such as basketball and volley. An exhibition game for students was also in place. The fair was a chance for both students and personnel to show off their skills and sportsmanship and to bond with their peers.
Later in the evening of the 2nd day of the celebration was the “Gabi ng Parangal” for the faculty members and personnel who showcased their dedication and care to the institution by doing their best in their work every day. The event was the perfect opportunity to give awards and recognition to outstanding employees of the institution. The personnel donned their elegant long gowns and tailor-fitted tuxedos as they radiated with genuine pride and gratitude in receiving their respective awards, which they truly deserved. The night was also attended by the municipal mayor of Mandaon, Honorable Kristine Salve Estipona-Kho, who offered her sincerest congratulations to the awardees and the institution for successfully reaching its 28th Anniversary.
But perhaps the most exciting part of the celebration was the Rodeo street dancing and showdown competition. Students from different school departments competed against each other in a lively and colorful dance-off. The competition showcased the students’ creativity, teamwork, and cultural pride, as they donned traditional costumes and danced to the beat of local music. The lively competition was also made livelier with the presence of Congresswoman Olga “Ara” Kho, 1st District Representative of Masbate. The youthful and enigmatic congresswoman delivered her encouragement speech as the Keynote Speaker of the event and even gave additional prizes to the winning teams, which was an ultimate delight for all Debesians who toiled and worked hard for the competition.
Overall, the DEBESMSCAT 28th Charter Anniversary Celebration was a resounding success, with the students, faculty, staff, and alumni coming together to celebrate the school’s achievements and to look forward to a bright and promising future. The event was a testament to the school’s commitment to academic excellence, cultural heritage, and community engagement. With its focus on preparing its students for the future, DEBESMSCAT is poised to continue making significant contributions to the academic and cultural landscape of Masbate and the Philippines.
Ladies and gentlemen,
