The BISCAST Collegian

07/11/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗟𝗕𝗗𝗖 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀

BISCAST SUC II President Charlie P. Nacario, together with the institution's publication moderator Dr. Geraldine C. Alvina, sent off team Kule for the final round of Edcel Lagman Bill Drafting Competition (ELBDC), Friday Morning, November 7.

The team is set to present their proposed bill on Education Reform for Foundational Competence entitled "Pambansang Paghubog ng Pangunahing Pundasyon sa Edukasyon at Kasanayan (4PEK) Act of 2025", at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on November 8.

Team Kule, composed of Jemuel Collantes, Allen Marc De Jesus, Joshua Guevarra, Timothy Tablate, and Marie Loise Quinajon is accompanied by Karla Ellaine Cañares.

Words by Jemuel Collantes
Pubmat by Micah Salutan

03/11/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗟𝗕𝗗𝗖

A group of five members from The Collegian, the official student publication of BISCAST, has qualified in the first stage of the Edcel Lagman Bill Drafting Competition, announced last Friday, October 31.

Posted on the University of the Philippines (UP) Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity official page, Team Kule was one of the 13 teams that qualified to continue in the competition.

Team Kule composed of Jemuel Collantes, Allen Marc De Jesus, Joshua Guevarra, Timothy Tablate and Merie Loise Quinajon, now prepares the draft of their proposed bill to be submitted on November 5, 2025.

The finalists for ELBDC will be announced on November 6, 2025, and will present their bill in a committee hearing simulation on November 8, 2025 at UP Diliman.

As the date for the Edcel Lagman Bill Drafting Competition grows nearer, the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity is proud to announce the list of qualified teams that will be participating!

For all participating teams, kindly check your emails for instructions regarding the formal mechanics and topics to be covered for the bill drafting.

Stay tuned in the following days for more updates.

01/11/2025

𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦’ 𝗗𝗔𝗬

'Todos Los Santos' o Araw ng mga Santo, ay partikular na ginugunita tuwing sasapit ang unang araw ng Nobyembre, na kung saan ang bawat santo at martyr ay binibigyang pagkilala sa kanilang sagrado at banal na pamumuhay bago makapiling ang Panginoon.

Dumaan man sa pagkanonisa (canonization) ng simbahang Katoliko o hindi, ang Todos Los Santos ay nagbibigay paanyaya sa muling paggunita at pagtanghal sa bawat santo na bago namaalam sa mundo ay ginugol ang oras sa paggawa ng kabutihan, pagtitiis, at pagpapalaganap ng diwa ng pagiging Kristyano.

27/10/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | 𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲-𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀

Health emergency response in BISCAST community was given focus in a Standard First Aid Training thru the initiative of Student Development Services (SDS) and in partnership with City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-Naga (CDRRMO-Naga), participated by student organization representatives and advisers on Friday, October 24.

The Student Pavilion was filled with volunteerism spirit as colorful cravats ignited enthusiasm of future leaders in bandage use demonstrations and rescue simulations.

Office of Student Affairs Coordinator Rochelle Pato said it aimed to promote holistic development and leadership skills among participants. It also builds competence and empathy in an emergency cases alike.

"Bilang mga youth at student leaders, mahalagang matutunan natin na ang pagiging lider ay hindi lang sa organization, kundi sa pagiging handa upang tumulong at magligtas ng buhay kung kinakailangan." OSA Coordinator emphasized.

Participants and now certified first aid practitioners shared their takeaways during the meaningful discussions and assessments.

Yajsmine T. Luna, a science major from College of Education and Reboot Ph-BISCAST Chapter, said she got reminded of proper bandaging techniques, "I got refreshed on the proper first aid techniques that I should provide for the patient—the different types of bandaging that I can provide during an emergency."

While during the theoretical discussion, Jovanie San Juan, a civil engineering student became aware how crucial first aid can be to hold the line for your patient and even the value of 'triage.'

And for Sayrah S. Balbuena of BISCAST Graduating Student Council (BGSC), it does not mean that you got your certificate is you will carelessly step into the scenario—"scene size up," she pointed out, to make sure you and your patient safely comes out.

Society of Junior Culinary Chefs Adviser Vivian Catherine N. Daria said the training is relevant to their field and she was grateful on the necessary information and skills that she can impart to more students.

First Aid Instructer Jan Chlevene C. Macaraig assessed the new first aid practitioners after theoretical and practical course. He then reminded the new first aid practitioners to stay calm and cope with pressure to deliver their duties.

"Isapuso ninyo ang inyong mga natutunan," said Macaraig.

After the first aid, SDS will follow up with Basic Life Support (BLS) training for the same target participants, enhancing life-saving skills for holistic growth in the community.

Words by Mark Clifford Belano
Photos by Micah Salutan, Mark Rael Llegos & Mark Clifford Belano

26/10/2025

𝗦𝗡𝗧𝗩 | 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗱𝗮’𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗮’𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘆!

Sa pagdiriwang ng Ika-13 Charter Anniversary ng Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST), matatag ang layunin ng institusyon — patuloy na maglingkod at magbigay-inspirasyon sa bawat ASTeano.

22/10/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | GRADsteans took a step up on their future careers as the Marketing Me: Career Orientation Seminar happens this Wednesday, at Student Pavilion, October 22.

In partnership with Jobs180.com, ASTeans are equipped with essential skills and knowledge for a successful transition into the professional world with insightful tips for job applications and job interview .

22/10/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | 𝗕𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝘂𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀

Marking a significant step in providing industry-ready learning experiences for food technology (FT) students, BISCAST unveiled its newly installed food tech pilot plant on the second day of the celebration of the institution's 13th Charter Anniversary, October 21.

FT Program Chairperson Julie Amor D. Zantua emphasized that the pilot plant is essential for maintaining the program’s accreditation as they have been visited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Food Technology to assess its capacity to continuously provide quality education and as part of the CMO requirements.

“Food technology has been established since 2018, so we have had 4 batches of graduates and the pilot plant is one of the requirements for the program. Over the years, we had a lot of planning and location, so finally through the leadership of Ma’am DeAnna and with the support of the previous administration, we were able to acquire this facility that has made the vision into reality,” Zantua said.

She further explained that the pilot plant will offer students hands-on experience in partnership with the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Entrepreneurship, Production Enterprise and Development, and the acquired equipment from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“This will be the shared facility of the DTI and will allow the students to have hands-on experience on food processing. As well as, this plant is open for the community, yung mga gustong magpa-process so it will be an income-generating for the institution,” she asserted.

John Romell Semifrania, a 4th-year student from BSFT, expressed his excitement about being among the first to utilize the new facility that can be used for their research, thesis, and future careers.

“Sa future careers namin, usually may nag-OJT sa amin na nasa planta talaga or manufacturers so yung mga upcoming pa na food technologists, ma-prepare sila na hindi mabigla pagdating sa OJT kasi makaka-encounter sila ng different equipment na available na sa pilot plant,” Semifrania underscored.

Moreover, Zantua expressed her hope that students would take care and maximize the resources available and urged alumni to support the program by donating any used but still useful equipment, emphasizing the pilot plant as an initial step in their commitment to quality education.

The ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony was attended by faculty members and students from the Food Technology program, outgoing Officer-in-Charge Dr. DeAnna C. Regnim, and new BISCAST president Charlie P. Nacario, with Rev. Fr. Ryan Fenis presiding over the event.

Words by Ashley Farol
Photos by Leian Faith Naval

21/10/2025

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗼𝘆 𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗻, 𝗗𝘂𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝗵𝗮𝘆

Sa bawat patak ng dugong ibinibigay, may kababayang nadudugtungan ng buhay. Dumaloy ang tahimik na kabayanihan ng mga ASTean bilang mga boluntaryong handang maghandog ng dugo sa isinagawang Blood Donation Drive, bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng ika-13 Charter Anniversary ng BISCAST.

Ang kakulangan ng suplay ng dugo ay patuloy na hamon sa mga manggagawang pangkalusugan sa bansa. Maraming Pilipino ang umaasa sa bawat donasyong ito upang patuloy na lumaban. Sa mga proyektong tulad ng bloodletting drive ng BISCAST, higit pa sa dugong naihahandog ay ang pag-asang ibinibigay sa maraming tao.

Para kay Leandro Altobar, mag-aaral mula sa BSED-Science at miyembro ng ROTC, hindi naging hadlang ang takot sa karayom upang makatulong sa kapwa.

“Ipapalagay ko na lang po yung takot ko sa karayom kasi isang tusok lang po ‘yung gagawin sa akin. Pero sa kanila po, ilang beses, ilang opera o ilang pagsubok ‘yung pinagdaanan nila. Kailangan nila ng tulong, tutulong ako kahit takot.”

Maging ang mga g**o ng BISCAST ay nakiisa sa makabuluhang aktibidad na ito. Ayon kay Sir Ronald Chavez, isa sa mga regular na nagdo-donate ng dugo bawat taon.

“Para makatulong, and may benefits din sa akin kasi mas advisable na mag-donate regularly para regular ang pag-refresh ng circulation of blood. So ayun, both benefits para sa akin at saka kahit papaano makatulong sa hindi ko man kilala."

Ang Blood Donation Drive na ito ay inorganisa ng BISCAST Faculty Alliance, katuwang ang Philippine Red Cross — Camarines Sur Chapter. Inaasahan ang humigit-kumulang 50 kalahok, subalit 30 lamang ang nakapasa sa screening at pinayagang mag-donate. Dumaan ang mga kalahok sa mga proseso tulad ng pagtimbang, pagsusuri ng presyon ng dugo, at iba pang kinakailangang hakbang upang matiyak ang kanilang kaligtasan.

Ayon sa event head na si Ricardo C. Atole, g**o mula sa CTT Department at BFA Officer, mahalaga ang ganitong uri ng aktibidad—hindi lamang bilang proyekto, kundi bilang katuparan ng core values ng paaralan.

“Ang hirap maghanap ng dugo. Kaya sa paraan na ‘to, nagiging socially responsive tayo sa community. Isa ‘yan sa mga core values at mission ng ating paaralan. Matutulungan natin, kahit hindi direkta, ‘yung mga nangangailangan ng blood supply. Kailangan ‘yan—kailangan ng mga blood bank na mapanatili ang kanilang suplay para sa mga nangangailangan.”

Ang lahat ng malilikom na dugo mula sa nasabing aktibidad ay ibibigay sa Philippine Red Cross Blood Bank, bilang ambag ng BISCAST sa patuloy na adhikain ng pagtulong at pagsagip ng buhay.

Mga Salita ni Rhea Mae Lara
Mga Larawan ni Kaela Villanueva

21/10/2025

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁-𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

Newly appointed President Dr. Charlie P. Nacario pledged a student-centered and inclusive leadership in an interview during BISCAST’s 13th Charter Anniversary Celebration on October 20.

Dr. Nacario assured the community that his administration will prioritize the voices and welfare of students, emphasizing that they are at the core of every institutional decision.

“You will be our number one agenda. The most important visitors in this institution are our students, and you should be given premium recognition and importance in all affairs of the school,” he said.

He further highlighted that genuine leadership begins with openness and understanding, noting that his administration will remain receptive to student concerns and ideas.

“Titles like president or professor are temporary, but the relationships we build with our students are lasting,” he added.

Many students welcomed the assurance, seeing it as a hopeful start toward addressing campus issues.

Rome Eufemio from the College of Trades and Technology (CTT) expressed his hopes for a stronger sense of unity and action within the community.

"I hope the hopes of the current and future students are shown. It may not be perfect, but I hope it creates a movement, because a simple action can create a big future," said Eufemio.

Meanwhile, Bea Quindoza from the College of Education is looking forward to a leadership that will truly listen to students’ needs.

“Ine-expect ko sa new president na magiging student-centered ang kanyang pamamalakad, kasi kapag student-centered ang leader, everything will follow—care, respect, and creativity para mas mapaganda ang community,” she said.

Acknowledging the students’ expectations, Dr. Nacario affirmed his commitment to address institutional challenges in collaboration with the youth.

“I know the struggles you face academically and in campus facilities, but together, we can create a better, brighter, and boundless BISCAST,” he said.

With his promise of an open, responsive, and student-driven leadership, ASTeans remain hopeful that their voices will shape the new chapter of BISCAST’s journey.

Words by Jonathan Alabat and Camille Darcy Aguilar
Photos by Leian Faith Naval
Layout by Bernadette Alegre

20/10/2025

𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗡 | Masayang sinimulan ngayon ng komunidad ng BISCAST ang pagdiriwang ng 13th Charter Anniversary na may temang “One BISCAST: Honoring Service, Fostering Pride, and Nurturing Excellence.”

c: Mitch Ablay-Bayot (CTT)

20/10/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | The BISCAST community warmly welcomes the arrival of the institution's new president, Dr. Charlie P. Nacario.

Video credits: Abbas Villalon

20/10/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | Organized by the BISCAST Faculty Alliance, the BISCAST community began the day fresh and active as they joined the Fun Run and Fun Bike, the opening activity of the 13th Charter Anniversary celebration today, October 20, at the BISCAST grounds.

After completing the routes, participants cooled down and kept the energy alive with a Zumba session.

Fueled by the Spartan spirit, ASTeans turned the morning into a lively display of unity and camaraderie.

Photos by Roniel Guiruela, Vincent Laurenciano, and Jonathan Alabat