MANDAON, MASBATE – The Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) officially concluded the celebration of its 31st Charter and 74th Founding Anniversary with the prestigious “Damgo Night and PRAISE Awards.” Held on the evening of March 19, 2026, in front of the Administration Building, the gala served as the grand finale to a week centered on the theme: “Transformative Years of Building Excellence: Shaping the Future of Every Masbateño Through Quality, Inclusive, and Globally Recognized Education.”
The formal proceedings opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Elreen A. Delavin, Vice President for Academic Affairs, who emphasized the collective effort required to sustain the institution’s growing reputation.
This was followed by a powerful inspirational message from SUC President III, Dr. Arnel B. Millesca. In his address, Dr. Millesca highlighted the “Damgo” (Dream) of the college, reaffirming the commitment to the 2050 Vision of becoming a premier university that is globally focused, nationally recognized, and dedicated to the total transformation of Masbate.
presentation of the PRAISE Awards, which recognized various departments and individuals for their outstanding contributions.
The ceremony featured the conferment of the Damgo Awards for creative and leadership excellence, alongside the Quality Assurance and ISO Awards for offices maintaining high operational standards.
The college also celebrated academic milestones through the Accreditation and Licensure Excellence Awards, honoring programs that surpassed national passing rates and achieved high-level accreditation.
Success in research and community engagement was recognized through the PREXC Indicator Awards and Research Citation Awards, given to colleges with the highest accomplishments in scholarly output and extension services.
A significant portion of the night was dedicated to the PRAISE Loyalty Awards, a tribute to the unwavering commitment of personnel who reached milestones of 30, 25, 15, and 10 years of service.
Additionally, various plaques for Good Performance in Licensure Examinations were presented to deserving academic units.
The evening was balanced with a vibrant social atmosphere, featuring musical performances and entertainment that showcased the diverse talents within the DEBESMSCAT community.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Rodolfo R. Burac, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation, expressed his gratitude to the faculty, staff, and students for embodying the “RODEO” core values—Resilience, Optimism, Dedication, Excellence, and Obeisance.
The event concluded with a Socials segment, marking a triumphant end to the 31st Charter, 74th Founding Anniversary, and a motivated start to a new chapter of academic service and regional development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
