02/06/2025
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๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ: ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐โ๐ฌ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ
In our journey, we often turn back when we face a wall, signifying a dead endโ a boundary between what we can and cannot do, and what we can and cannot be. But upon stepping into the gates of Bulacan State University (BulSU), it becomes clear, walls are not endings. Instead, BulSUans turn walls into windowsโ windows of opportunity, windows that open to a brighter, a more empowered tomorrow.
What once felt impossible was made possible by the San Rafael Campus (SRC)'s student-researchers victory during the universityโs first Institutional Student Research Colloquium, a historic university-wide gathering of student researchers from all the university's colleges and campuses, held on May 30, 2025 at the E-Library.
For many, the word โresearchโ still feels like a requirement, a box to tick or a grade to earn. However, on the BulSU grounds, it is evolving into something far more powerful. It is becoming a platform of purpose and promise. While others may give in to limitations, BulSUans rise with curiosity and innovation. Through research, they confront the urgent issues of our time, daring to think bigger and reach fartherโ it is the build of the San Rafael Campus (SRC).
Carrying the innovations of the campus, parallel sessions were organized into four clusters: Cluster A for Education, Language, and Culture; Cluster B for Society, Governance, Advocacy, and Service; Cluster C for Engineering, Innovation, and ICT; and Cluster D for Health and Applied Sciences. Revolving around these themes, the students showcased their work through oral and poster presentations. But more than a competition, the colloquium became a platform for change and a space where ideas met action.
The auditorium was transformed into a space of innovation where panelists, including Dr Marinella T. Pengson, Kevin Smith P. Cabuhat, and Dr Hannah Camille D. Velasco, brought critical eyes and open minds as they engaged the student researchersโ presentations.
Among the highlights came from the students of Cluster D: Health and Applied Sciences who claimed multiple awards: The Best Paper and Best Presenter. The study entitled โExploring the Use and Effectiveness of Nursier Tickler Notebooks: A Mixed-Method Study Among Student Nursesโ was presented by Charisse Jasmine S. Dela Cruz, Denise Charity S. Gavino, Geoffrey Oswald L. Calizon, John Kenneth B. Villacorte, Kate DC. Cocson, and Roefyao M. Payuran.
"Nagulat, nasigaw, tumulo luha nung nakita namin title namin [...] sobrang proud ako sa groupmates ko rin dahil from title defense to research colloquium kasama at katuwang ko sila sa lahat" said Dela Cruz, the group's leader.
It was also a moment of victory for Danielle Francene V. Cruz, the group's leader of the 1st runner-up Best Poster, as their win was unexpected saying "Very happy since we put a lot of effort doon and now na recognize na siya [study] [...] Hoping talaga na magamit 'to para sa improvement ng program [nursing]."
Their study entitled โExploring the Lived Experiences of TB Patients, Household Contacts, and Health Workers: Insights into the Barriers and Facilitators of Effective Contact Tracingโ won the runner-up next to the College of Science (CS), composed of its member: Danielle Francene V. Cruz, Eriel Rose S. Domingo, Cheska V. Grefalda, Jessica DC. Paulino, and Faith E. Santiago.
Moreover, Ivan Silva and their group from BSMT 3A presented their study entitled "Level of Awareness of Medical Laboratory Science Professionals in Baliwag City, Bulacan on the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons," in the oral presentation category with Althea Kristine Ortega, Robina Mercado, Roustom Mangsal, and Betina Mae Santos. Also, John Gabriel Magno from BSN 3A and their study "Empowering Lifesavers: The Effectiveness of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training For Tricycle Drivers" competed in the poster presentation category with Janna Yzabel Batac, Estela Felisa De Guzman, E-jay Francisco, and Frances Kylin Pagdanganan.
Whether it is about education, society, engineering, public health, or culture, every research entry was a spark of change. Each one is a reminder that BulSUans are not confined by what is given or expected, but are ready to rise above boundaries and reimagine what is possible.
In the end, as the final papers were presented and the last posters were taken down, the message of the colloquium continued to echo powerfully: Let us not be confined by what is expected. Let us not settle for what is given. Instead, rise beyond boundaries and keep breaking those barriers. Let us keep building futuresโ one question, one insight, one research at a time. | via Patrize Shainey Gonzales and Jim Carl Dela Cruz, PLUMALAYA
Photos Taken by Ivan Silva, PLUMALAYA
