The Bloom

16/04/2026

𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙧
𝙈𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙇. 𝙇𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙨

𝙁𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙀 | In the bustling halls of Sorsogon State University Castilla Campus, leadership is not defined solely by titles or years of service, but by the impact one leaves on others. For Prof. Melody Lomerio Llabres, a veteran with 13 years in government service, those titles are many. She serves as Program Chair for both the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Science and the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Agricultural Education. Yet beyond these roles lies a deeper story of dedication, compassion, and quiet strength.

Rooted in the landscapes of Macalaya and now a resident of Cumadcad, Prof. Llabres’s journey reflects the power of continuous growth. Her academic path reveals a deep connection to agriculture, beginning with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development in 2012 and culminating in a master’s degree in Animal Science in 2019.

For her, education is more than professional advancement. It is a lifelong pursuit shaped by purpose and passion. From her previous roles as Industry Linkages and Development Office Coordinator and Student Development and Services Coordinator to her current responsibilities as Program Chair, she has remained guided by a consistent principle. She leads with excellence and guides with grace.

What sets Prof. Llabres apart is not only her ability to manage academic programs, but her capacity to balance leadership with compassion. Colleagues and students describe her as someone who goes beyond administrative duties. She nurtures growth, supports her students, and creates an environment where they feel valued.

In the classroom and in the office, she is firm, dedicated, and forward-thinking. Outside of work, she embraces her role as a mother with equal commitment. This duality shapes her leadership style. She understands that people, like the crops and animals she studies, need patience, care, and the right environment to thrive.

Her years in government service have not hardened her perspective. Instead, they have deepened her sense of purpose. She stands as a bridge between the technical demands of agricultural science and the human need for empathy and understanding.

For Prof. Llabres, leadership is not defined by authority or recognition. It is reflected in consistent actions, in showing up for others, and in creating lasting impact. Each day, she imparts knowledge and discipline to her students. Beyond the classroom, she fosters a sense of belonging and encouragement that extends far beyond academic achievement.

In every role she fulfills, Prof. Melody Lomerio Llabres continues to cultivate not only skilled graduates, but also a stronger and more compassionate academic community.

✒️: Ashly Jin Alejo | News Writer
🎨: Francine Dollesin | Layout and Graphic Artist

14/04/2026

𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙍𝙔 | 𝘼 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨
𝘉𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘢_𝘡.𝘒

They say time is gold, don’t they? Yet they rarely warn you about how mercilessly fast it flies, slipping through your fingers until all you are left with is the heavy, quiet dust of the years.

When I was younger, I used to look at the calendar with such naïve impatience. I kept wishing to be an adult. To my childish eyes, grown-ups were titans, peerless, strong, and entirely unbreakable. I thought they possessed the ultimate freedom to do whatever they pleased, whenever they wanted. I wanted to wear that armor. I wanted to be just like them.

But here I am. I have crossed the threshold into adulthood, and my only wish now is to find the road back. Can I go back?

Growing up, no one told me the armor would be this heavy. No one told me that independence meant being broken down, over and over again, until you barely recognize the pieces of the life you are trying to hold together. I became an adult, yes, but not the one I dreamt of. I am not that strong, amazing, peerless titan. If I am being entirely honest, there are days when I look in the mirror and think I am just pathetic. I am stumbling, struggling to keep up with the relentless pace of a world that demands too much.

I want to give up. I am so profoundly tired. But to whom can I confess this? When you are the one holding the pen, the one everyone expects to lead and deliver, where do you lay down your burdens? What kind of rest do I even need to cure this exhaustion in my soul? I wish I could rewind the clock. Maybe then, I would have just stayed present and savored my youth, leaving no room for this hollow regret. I didn’t know life would be this suffocatingly hard. I want to give up, but can I?

The bitter punchline of growing up is that I simply can’t.

Sometimes, when the noise of reality becomes too loud, I escape into my dreams. I find myself standing in a vast, quiet field of green. In the middle of nowhere stands a frame, like a window or a mirror. And there, standing on the other side, is him, my younger self.

He looks at me with those bright, untainted eyes, completely blind to the exhaustion etched into my face. He presses his hands against the glass and asks, “How great is it, growing up?”

It breaks my heart. But looking at his hopeful face, I swallow the heavy lump in my throat. I force the weariness out of my shoulders and offer him a gentle, practiced smile, the kind of smile we adults learn to master just to shield the ones we care about.

“It’s alright,” I tell him softly. “Just enjoy being a child. Do whatever makes you happy.”

I watch him beam with excitement, entirely oblivious to the battles waiting for him. And as the dream begins to fade, I rest my forehead against the cold glass and close my eyes.

Maybe growing up was never about becoming unbreakable. Maybe it was about learning how to carry the cracks without falling apart.

When I open my eyes, he is gone.

And all that is left is my reflection, older, tired, but still standing.

So I whisper, not just to him, but to myself:

“Time is gold… not because it lasts, but because it does not.”

✒️: Carl M. Arena | Managing Editor
🎨: Jo Marikit F. Enriquez | Editorial Cartoonist

12/04/2026

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝙐𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙅𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙧. 𝙊𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙧 𝙋𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝘿. 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙖𝙡

𝙁𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙐𝙍𝙀 | Behind every title lies a story of countless challenges, perseverance, and dedication. Meet Dr. Oscar Peter D. Pascual, one of the most respected and dedicated educators at Sorsogon State University, Castilla Campus, College of Agriculture. Known for his resilience and multifaceted expertise, his journey from the highlands to the dean’s office is nothing short of inspiring.

Dr. Oscar Peter Dukang Pascual was born on August 14, 1971, in Mountain Province. He completed his secondary education in Nueva Ecija before pursuing a degree in Agricultural Engineering at Central Luzon State University in 1987. His path was not without hurdles; he spent six rigorous years completing his degree. Despite describing himself as a "normal student" who occasionally felt left behind, he refused to give up, eventually realizing his dream of becoming an engineer. Beyond academics, he was a versatile athlete, competing in marathons, basketball, football, swimming, and chess.

Dr. Pascual’s career is a blend of industry experience and academic devotion. Before joining the SorSU faculty in 1997, he honed his skills in the private sector by managing an organic farm in Batangas. This practical background paved the way for vital leadership roles, including that of Farm Manager. His influence extends to the global stage, where he has presented research on agricultural machinery, such as innovative thresher designs, at various international conferences.

He embodies the definition of a "Renaissance man" because of his knowledge and expertise across diverse disciplines. His competitive spirit is evident in his athletic background, which includes marathons, basketball, football, swimming, and chess. This drive translates into his professional philosophy: "Work, rest, work." He believes that life should be balanced with necessary recovery. While his younger years were spent exploring the landscapes of Castilla on foot, he now finds rest through weekend motorcycling and racing.

As an educator at Sorsogon State University, Castilla Campus, Dr. Pascual is known for his straightforward approach. He operates on a principle of radical honesty, believing that to correct a student is to respect their potential. While he acknowledges the challenges of navigating student sensitivities and strives to provide constructive criticism without causing discouragement, his goal remains constant: to instill dedication in a generation that often struggles with focus. As a former adviser of the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, he offers grounded advice: "Pag hindi ka magsipag, bagsak ka." He values hard work and takes pride in being financially independent, finding fulfillment in the fact that even those who have left the university continue to look back on his mentorship with recognition and respect.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Pascual remains committed to the advancement of agricultural science, with plans to publish more extensive research in the coming years. His legacy at SorSU Castilla Campus is defined by unwavering dedication to his craft. Whether managing farm operations, lecturing on machinery, or racing through the scenic routes of Sorsogon, he embodies the spirit of an engineer who believes that the best harvest is one earned through sweat, discipline, and dedication.

✒️: Rhea E. Fulgueras | Feature Writer
🎨: Francine Dollesin | Layout and Graphic Artist

09/04/2026

𝗔𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻: 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮

Ano nga ba ang ipinaggunita tuwing ika-9 ng Abril?

Alam niyo ba na ang araw na ito ay paggunita sa kagitingan ng Pilipinas? Ito ay pag-alala sa katapangan at sakripisyo ng mga sundalong Pilipino at Amerikano noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig.

Noong Abril 9, 1942, bumagsak ang Bataan matapos ang matinding labanan laban sa pwersang Hapones. Ang pangyayaring ito ang nagbunsod sa makasaysayang Bataan Death March. Bagama't puno ng sakit at trahedya ang naganap, kitang kita rito ang kabayanihan ng ating mga sundalo. Ito ay naging patunay ng hindi matitinag na diwa ng kalayaan at pagmamahal sa bayan.

Kung ating pagninilayan, ang Araw ng Kagitingan ay hindi basta bastang holiday o simpleng paggunita sa nakalipas. Ito ay paalala sa bawat Pilipino na ang kabayanihan ay hindi nagtatapos sa pag-aalay ng buhay. Patuloy itong dumadaloy sa ating mga pang-araw-araw na gawi, sa ating mga paninindigan, at sa ating malasakit sa kapwa.

Sa gitna ng mga hamon ng makabagong panahon, nawa'y magsilbing inspirasyon ang sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani. Nawa'y magbunga ito ng patuloy na pagkakaisa, malasakit, at responsableng paglilingkod tungo sa isang mas matibay at nagkakaisang bayan, ang Perlas ng Silanganan.

✒️: Sandra Mae Coronado | Literary Writer
🎨: Mark F. Maravilla | Layout and Graphic Artist

05/04/2026

Happy Birthday to Caila O. Jasareno, our photojournalist!

May this special day and the year ahead bring you endless blessings, joy, and even bigger platforms to share your amazing talent.

With so much pride and warmest cheers,
The Bloom Publication Family!

05/04/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗪𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗘

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said." Matthew 28:6

Easter Sunday is not just a celebration; it is the fulfillment of a promise. After the silence of the tomb and the weight of sacrifice, the morning comes with victory. The stone is rolled away. Death is defeated. Love has won.

Today, we rise with Christ. Not merely to remember, but to rejoice. The cross was not the end, and the grave could not hold Him. Easter Sunday proclaims that hope is never lost, that light always overcomes darkness, and that God's love is stronger than death itself. This is the day that changes everything.

This is a day to break our silence with shouts of praise. To trade our sorrow for joy and our fear for faith. The resurrection is not just a story; it is our salvation. Because He lives, we too can live. Because He rose, we are given new life.

May we carry this joy beyond today. May we walk in the victory of the risen Lord, not only on Easter Sunday but every day of our lives. Let us be witnesses of His love, ambassadors of His grace, and living proof that the tomb is empty.

He is risen indeed.

✒️: Kristine Mae D. Equipado | Editor-In-Chief
🎨: Jana Gabriela Hubilla | Layout and Graphic Artist

04/04/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗪𝗡

"The body of Jesus was laid in the tomb." Luke 23:53

Holy Saturday is not a day of emptiness; it is a day of sacred stillness. After the weight of the cross and before the glory of the resurrection, we find ourselves in the quiet space between death and life. It is a day when heaven holds its breath and the world waits in silence.

Today, we sit in the hush of the tomb. Not to mourn without hope, but to reflect on the depth of what was given for us. The work of salvation is finished. The sacrifice is complete. Yet the story is not over. Holy Saturday teaches us that even in the silence, God is moving. Even in the waiting, grace is at work.

This is a day to embrace the pause. To sit with our own unanswered questions, our own grief, and our own quiet hope. It reminds us that not all endings are final. Sometimes the most powerful moments are the ones where nothing seems to happen, because in the stillness, God prepares the greatest miracle.

May we learn to trust the silence. May we find peace in the waiting. And may we remember that before every triumph, there is a tomb, and before every resurrection, there is a Saturday of sacred patience.

✒️: Kristine Mae D. Equipado | Editor-In-Chief
🎨: Jana Gabriela Hubilla | Layout and Graphic Artist

03/04/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗔𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘

"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-10

Good Friday is not just a normal day; it is an invitation to all of us to come together as believers. It is a solemn and meaningful reminder of the sacrifice, love, and grace of our Jesus Christ. As this day comes, let us take a pause from the hustle of life and take a moment to reflect and appreciate the love that chooses sacrifice over surrender.

Today, we stand beneath the shadow of the cross where the weight speaks louder than words and a moment where the noise of the world fades in the quiet grace that Christ gave for us. This is a day that calls us to cast off our worries and sorrows, and recognize and take ownership of the weight of our own sins and the need for repentance.

Amidst betrayal, Christ died for our sins as a reminder that His profound love is not earned but freely given. This day carries suffering and sorrow, but also deep unwavering love and hope. In His wounds, we are healed. In His sacrifice, we are saved. The cross signifies the love that refused to abandon humanity.

May we all find strength to reflect and confront our own hearts to remember the love that knows to forgive without conditions, to endure without complaining, and to serve without recognition. May this day draw us closer to the truest form of love: the love that sacrifices, repents, and redeems. Let us walk with compassion, humility, and accountability, and carry its message not only for remembrance but to commemorate the love that saved us.

✒️: Ella Mae Estipona | Literary Writer
🎨: Ana Isabel Estares | Layout and Graphic Artist

02/04/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘

"This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19

Today, we pause not only to remember but to gather in quiet devotion to commemorate the Last Supper, a moment of love and sacrifice. Maundy Thursday is a time for us to contemplate and reflect on the humble service and sacred love exemplified by God, who knelt to wash His disciples' feet and shared His final meal with them. It reminds us that profound love is shown through serving one another selflessly.

Maundy Thursday is a day that calls for devotion, deep humility, and unconditional love. In the presence of bread, the "Bread of Life," as God's body broken for us, and wine as His blood poured out for us, we see a glimpse of the depth of His covenant and a symbol of unity. This covenant is bound not by duty but by the willingness to give, serve, and sacrifice for others. This day reminds us that love is not shallow; it is profound reverence, sacrifice, and selflessness.

This day is an invitation for us to participate. Through prayer, meditation, and quiet contemplation, we are invited to offer service, extend grace, and honor this sacred day. We learn that acts of love, however small, are the truest reflections of God's will.

May this Maundy Thursday lead us to lives that embody unity and humility. May it reinforce our camaraderie and bonds with one another, and inspire us to walk in the path of forgiveness and the sincere, selfless love that God showed, both in our daily lives and in the way we hold the lives of others.

✒️: Ella Mae Estipona | Literary Writer
🎨: Ana Isabel Estares | Layout and Graphic Artist

02/04/2026

01/04/2026

𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒐 𝒏𝒈𝒂 𝒃𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒍 ?

May mga sandali sa ating buhay na tila tayo’y nalulunod sa halakhak ng tukso—mga biro na nagmumula sa kawalang-malay, ngunit nag-iiwan ng bakas sa ating pagkatao. Sa bawat tawa ay may tinig ng katotohanang pilit nating nilulunod; sa bawat mapanuksong salita ay may lihim na damdaming nagkukubli sa pagitan ng pag-amin at pagtakbo. Ang biro, bagama’t tila magaan sa pandinig, ay maaaring maging salamin ng ating mga sugat—mga takot na tinatakpan ng ngiti, mga katotohanang ayaw nating harapin, at mga damdaming pilit nating binabansagang “patawa” upang hindi masaktan.

Sa pagtutuos ng katotohanan at pagkukunwari, lumilitaw ang mga tanong na matagal na nating iniiwasan: alin ang mas totoo—ang mukhang nakangiti o ang pusong nagkukubli? Sa pagitan ng katatawanan at katotohanan, sino ang tunay na hangal—ang nagkukubli sa maskara, o ang naniniwala sa palabas?

Ngayong Abril, ating tuklasin ang mga anyo ng pagbabalatkayo sa pamamagitan ng mga akda ng mga SorSUeñong mamamahayag. Kabilang dito ang 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒓, Opisyal na Pahayagang Pang-mag-aaral ng Pampamahalaang Pamantasan ng Sorsogon, Kampus ng Lungsod Sorsogon; 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒓, Opisyal na Pahayagang Pang-mag-aaral ng SorSU Bulan; 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒎, Opisyal na Pahayagang Pang-mag-aaral ng SorSU Castilla; 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒒𝒖𝒂 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒍, Opisyal na Pahayagang Pang-mag-aaral ng SorSU Magallanes; at 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔, Opisyal na Pahayagang Pang-mag-aaral ng Kolehiyo ng Pangkalusugan at Agham.

At sa huli, gaano mo man ituring na isang biro ang buhay, mananatili itong nakabitin sa pagitan ng pagtawa, pag-iisip, at pag-unawa—sapagkat sa sandaling tuluyan mong buksan ang iyong mga mata, doon mo lamang makikilala kung sino ang tunay na hangal.

Sa panulat ni: Errol Jade Malazo, Literary Editor, The Artificer
Sa paglalapat ni: Andrea Lanuza, Layout Artist, The Artificer

01/04/2026

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲
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‎Holy Wednesday doesn't shout—it whispers.
‎No crowds. No cheers.
‎Just a quiet moment where a decision is made in the shadows.
‎This is the day Judas chose betrayal, not loudly, but silently... almost unnoticed.
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‎Because not all turning away is obvious.
‎Sometimes, it's in the small choices we make.
‎The quiet compromises we make.
‎The moments we drift without realizing how far we've gone.
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‎But here's the truth that holds everything together:
‎Jesus knew... and still chose to love.
‎He didn't walk away.
‎He didn't stop caring.
‎He stayed.
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‎So today, in the stillness, take a moment to pause.
‎What quiet choices are you making?
‎Are they leading you closer or further away?
‎Holy Wednesday is not here to condemn.
‎It's here to remind you,
‎You can still choose differently.
‎Even in silence, grace is waiting.
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‎✒️: Ma. Alexandra Dioneda | Feature Writer
‎🎨: Francine Dollesin | Layout and Graphic Artist
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