Kawasa (2025)

28/07/2025

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐄𝐝, 𝐈𝐈𝐂𝐓, 𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐒 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬

The College of Education (CoEd), Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IICT), and College of Islamic and Arabic Studies (CIAS) proudly marched across the stage during the 53rd Pre-commencement Exercises themed "Creating Opportunities, Transforming Lives," at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium on July 22, 2025.

In his welcome address, Prof. Alcyn R. Bakkang, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, congratulated the graduands on their milestone achievement, acknowledging their years of perseverance and hardwork. He also introduced the guest of honor and speaker, setting the stage for a memorable celebration of the graduands' accomplishments.

The guest of honor and speaker, Engr. Firash Zhed S. Ututalum, MS, Dean of Student Affairs and Services at Sulu State College, inspired the graduands with his personal story of perseverance and hope. He shared how failure redirected him to become a leader and educator, emphasizing that success has multiple paths and is self-determined.

"I became a leader and an educator not because it was my plan, but because failure led me there and that failure turned out to be my greatest success," he said. "You're allowed to change paths when your purpose becomes clear. Shiftjng direction is not a failure—it's just alignment.”

Engr. Firash also encouraged the graduands to embrace leadership roles and be beacons of inspiration. "Kaya graduates, please unlearn the belief that you must be fully ready to lead. Wala pong kailangang training at experience para makatulong ng ibang tao. Sometimes, oppurtunity comes not because you plan for it, but because opportunity required you to rise," he added.

With a theme aimed at pursuing dreams to transform lives, the celebration highlighted impactful insights to the graduates — offering them a glimpse into the paths that lie ahead.

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Report by Rayhana Hayudini
Photos by Shahida Jailani and Nidzmar Rajan

28/07/2025

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖 | Ready to take their steps across the threshold of a new academic journey, enrollees converge at MSU-TCTO campus, today, July 28, 2025, for the first day of enrollment, officially inscribing in their respective programs.

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Photos by Ridwan Shabudin and Zenaida Dais

27/07/2025

𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!

The new academic year is just around the corner, and enrollment season is officially underway!

As part of the enrollment process, the KAWASA team is here again to serve you. All students are required to pay the KAWASA Fee of ₱40, and the collection will be stationed at the Student Center, starting today, July 28, 2025.

To ensure a smooth process:
• Secure your department fees first.
• Bring the exact amount of ₱40 for the KAWASA payment.

Don't forget to settle your KAWASA fee along with other required payments, Baby Dolphins! See you!

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Layout by Fatima Verquiese Paraakka

27/07/2025

𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐓𝐂𝐓𝐎 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐀𝐒, 𝐂𝐎𝐅, 𝐈𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝟓𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬

To honor the graduands and commemorate their accomplishments, the 53rd Pre-Commencement Ceremonies of Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) culminated in a grand celebration under the theme "Creating Opportunities, Transforming Lives” on July 21, 2025 at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium.

With heightened feelings of anticipation and triumph, the event celebrated the graduands of Cluster 1 from the College of Arts and Science (CAS), College of Fisheries (COF), and Institute of Oceanography and Environmental Science (IOES).

Prof. Dr. Wilham M. Hailaya, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, delivered the welcome address and introduced the pre-commencement speaker.

Bestowing honor upon the event was the distinguished speaker of the ceremony,
Atty. Mohammad Jamalul J. Giducos, LL.M., Director of Legal and Amnesty Operations at the National Amnesty Commission. He shared his unfiltered story of struggles, survival, hope, and success, instilling empowering wisdom to the graduands.

"Hindi ito kwento ng tamad. Ito ang kwento ng pagod, pero lumalaban pa rin. And sometimes, you don't have to be excellent. You just do your best to stay afloat and yet at that moment, nakakahiya man, hope with humility. It reminded me that failure is part of the journey, that sacrifice comes with stumbles, but every mistake becomes a step as long as you keep standing, kahit pa pinatayo ka ng buong period," said Atty. Giducos.

Furthermore, he encouraged the graduands to rise up above challenges and be an inspiration.

"So, go ahead. Take the risk, make mistakes, fall in love, get heartbroken, learn, heal, then try again. Be the opportunity, be the change, be the reminder that someone needs to believe in themselves again. Congratulations, MSUTCTO Class of 2025. You just didn't survive. You showed up, you stood tall, and you made it," he stated.

The ceremony continued with the distribution of diplomas, medals, certificates , and cash incentives.

With the singing of the Himno ng Pamantasang Mindanao, the ceremony concluded with a solemn sentiment of belonging, dedication, and reverence for MSU.

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Report by Sharifa Naiza Ladjabassal
Photos by Nidzmar Rajan & Shahida Jailani

26/07/2025

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐙𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐒. 𝐔𝐭utalum 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

With a message grounded on the essence of true service, the 2025 graduates were marveled by Engr. Firash Zhed S. Ututalum’s speech during the Pre-Commencement Exercises on July 22, 2025.

The speaker accentuated that change begins when we care enough to act, especially to those who are most often unheard and unseen.

“Students are the heart of any institution and it is essential that we empower them, listen to their voices, and support their growth. I've championed the integration of the sustainable development goals in which a concept most of the students are still not familiar with. We've also seen a rise in student discipline and student grievance, not because things are getting worse, but because students now feel heard. We listen. We guide.

Last year, we took the step to reach the island municipalities including Pangutaran. And, this is where I realized that leadership means showing up where you are needed the most. We don't just wait for students to come to us, we go to them. We strive to make a student empowerment a lived reality and not just a slogan. And I believe that is how change begins. 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘰 𝘴𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘰 𝘱𝘰 𝘭𝘶𝘣𝘰𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘺𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘢 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦. 𝘔𝘨𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘨 𝘱𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘬, 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯, 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨, 𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘺 𝘯𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘱. 𝘓𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘺𝘰, 𝘪𝘣𝘢'𝘵 𝘪𝘣𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘩𝘢𝘺.

But, one important trait I have cultivated in my heart is empathy. 𝘏𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪 𝘱𝘰 𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘣𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘢. 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘯, 𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘪 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯, 𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘶𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘢𝘯, 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘨𝘢𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢. This is one important way of becoming a leader.

Kaya graduates, please unlearn the belief that you must be fully ready to lead. 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘢𝘰. 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀, 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲.”

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Layout by Al-kisa Jailani

25/07/2025

𝐀 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫

Control, harassment, intimidation, criticisms, and red-tagging. These are components perfectly utilized by people, even those outside positions of authority, to maneuver journalists in every corners of the world. Unfortunately, it has been passed on to the 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘨.

Last March, a school publication from Ateneo de Davao experienced public shaming and harassment — calling them hypocrites and rebels labeled by number of netizens due to a statement that was released in relation to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Sadly, many student-journalists in the Philippines experience the same.

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗡𝗼. 𝟳𝟬𝟳𝟵 provides for the development and promotion of campus journalism, but this law seems to struggle to protect us. It is within our objectives to show and expose even the simplest concerns and hold people accountable, but some school publications are afraid of some circumstances that is why they choose to stay quiet, pull themselves back, avoid uttering, just to protect themselves.

However, today, school publications must be acknowledged, young journalists supported, and negative intervention ceased.

KAWASA Student Publication is one with the nation observing this day. Hence, we are moving in the shadows shaped by forces dare to weaken us. Yet, we continue to move in that shadow not as victims, but as bearers of truth. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵, 𝘄𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿.

Caption by Ahmed Hisham Dayan
Artwork by Jumriza Hasan

24/07/2025

HAPPENING NOW | The long-awaited moment has arrived! The Commencement Exercises are unfolding today, July 24, at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium, as graduates take the stage to celebrate years of hard work and perseverance. Joining the celebration is esteemed guest speaker Jayeel S. Cornelio, Ph.D., whose message is set to inspire the Class of 2025 and beyond.

Photos by | Nidzmar Rajan

23/07/2025

𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐥 𝐉. 𝐆𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤

In his speech during the Pre-commencement Exercises on July 21, 2025, Atty. Giducos outlined the essence of empathy and personal growth — both powerful aspects to deliver oneself to a fruitful success. Hence, emphasizing that everyone has a story, and every person, no matter how overlooked, has value.

“I fight for people who feel forgotten because I know how that feels. These are real people with real pain and real hope. And, every time I stand beside them — I remember myself, that loss student, that kid with no parents, that person who almost gave up. I advocate for them because I know how it feels to be left behind, to feel invisible, to feel like no one cares, to feel like your story doesn't matter. But, someone cared for me. Someone gave me a chance. And now, it's my turn to pass it on. Dear graduates, this is what creating opportunities and transforming lives means.
It's not just about big awards or titles. Sometimes, it's just showing up for someone when no one else does.”

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Layout by Al-kisa Jailani

22/07/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | Honoring this year’s exemplary students — from academic achievers to champions in sports and the arts, the Gabi ng Parangal became full swing on July 19, 2025 at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium. The event showcased the shining accolades of this year’s graduands, with special citations and commendable awards in various fields throughout their college journey.

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Photos by | Nidzmar Rajan

22/07/2025

𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙀𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙉𝙊𝙒 | Graduating students from 𝘾𝙊𝙀𝘿, 𝙄𝙄𝘾𝙏, and 𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙎 are currently gathered for the pre-commencement ceremony today, July 22, 2025, at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium. This event serves as a formal prelude to the official commencement exercise scheduled for July 24, 2025.

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Photos by Shahida Jailani and Nidzmar Rajan

21/07/2025

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 | Graduands from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Institute of Oceanography and Environmental Science (IOES), and College of Fisheries (COF) are taking their proud steps toward success at the Pre-Commencement Ceremonies today July 21, at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium.

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Photos by Nidzmar Rajan and Shahida Jailani

15/07/2025

𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙃𝙊𝙏𝙊𝙎 | 𝙈𝙎𝙐-𝙏𝘾𝙏𝙊 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙄𝙩𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨

In recognition of the steadfast dedication and commitment of its future educators, the MSU-TCTO College of Education held its Pre-Service Teachers’ Recognition Ceremony and Tribute to Parents and Mentors on July 10, 2025, at the Henry V. Kong Gymnasium. The event was anchored on the theme “Lighting the Way, Shaping the Future: A Tribute to the Pillars of Education.”

Professor Alhisan U. Jemsy, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Education, formally commenced the program with a welcome message where he acknowledged the hard work, commitment, and dedication of the pre-service teachers in their pursuit of excellence in education.

Meanwhile, Professor Mary Joyce Z. Guinto-Sali, Ph.D., Chancellor of the University, delivered an inspiring message to the graduating class. Chancellor Sali commended the pre-service teachers for their passion for teaching and encouraged them to uphold the values of service, excellence, and integrity as they enter the noble profession of education.

Following Chancellor Sali’s remarks, the graduating pre-service teachers delivered their tribute messages. Through heartfelt words and sincere expressions, they honored the invaluable guidance of their mentors, who shaped their academic and personal growth, and paid tribute to the unwavering support, love, and sacrifices of their parents.

The presentation of the plaque of appreciation and the distribution of certificates of completion to the 262 graduating students then followed. Outstanding students were also recognized and awarded thereafter.

The event highlighted the College’s heartfelt commitment to shaping future educators who lead with compassion, strive for excellence, and serve with purpose. It was both a celebration of achievement and a tribute to the mentors and families who helped make it all possible.

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Report by Abdilla Jerry
Photos by Shahida Jailani

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