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The BISCAST Collegian, Naga City (2025)

12/07/2025

"𝘿𝙞𝙤𝙨 𝙠𝙤, 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙮𝙤 𝙥𝙤 𝙖𝙠𝙤 𝙙𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙡 𝙖𝙠𝙤 𝙖𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙠𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙖”

Noong ika-4 na siglo, tinukoy ni Evagrius Pontificus ang walong masasamang kaisipan. Di kalaunan, sa pamumuno ni Papa Gregorio I, ito’y naging pitong kasalanan.

Ngunit ang kasalanan ay hindi laging lihim o pansarili. Sa lipunang ito, nagkaroon ito ng anyo sa mga institusyong mapang-api, sa katahimikang pumapayag,sa araw-araw na pagpiit ng dangal at damdamin.

Sa sanaysay ng ordinaryong buhay, susuriin ang ugnayan ng sistemang mapang-api at ng karanasang pagkapiit. Sa kuwento ni Siete, nilalaman ay ang pagnais na imulat ang mga saradong mata sa mga senyales ng opresyon—mga hindi lantad ngunit ramdam sa lipunan—partikular sa usapin ng kasarian, uri, institusyon, at sikolohiya.

Habang ang opresyon ay isang umiiral na sistema, ang pagkapiit ay ang personal na karanasan nito—isang damdaming nakakulong, napipilitan, at nawawalan ng laya.

Kaya sa harap ng paghatol, handa ka bang umamin?
O itatago mo ang iyong kasalanan sa panitikan, sa sining, sa piling ng lathalaing walang humahatol?

Bukas na ang pagtanggap ng Kurab, ang aklat-pampanitikan ng The Collegian, opisyal na pahayagang pangmag-aaral ng Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, sa anumang uri ng tula, maikling kuwento at at iba pang origihinal na likha ng mga ASTeano.

𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐨𝐧
Bukas ang panawagan sa lahat ng kasalukuyang mag-aaral ng BISCAST na nais magbahagi ng kanilang orihinal na akda. Inaanyayahan ding lumahok ang mga alumni ng paaralan.

𝐖𝐢𝐤𝐚
Maaaring magsumite ng akdang nakasulat sa 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨, 𝐈𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐨 𝐁𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥. Kung ang isusumiteng akda ay nasa wikang 𝐁𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥, kinakailangang ilakip ang kaukulang salin sa 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬.

𝐀𝐤𝐝𝐚
Tumatanggap kami ng anumang orihinal na likha, kabilang ang—Mga tula (tradisyunal, ambahan, acrostic, free-verse, soneto, block poetry, haiku, tanka), Prosa o maikling kuwento, Six-word poetry, Larawang may masining o mapagmuning saysay (photopoetry, visual narratives)

𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐚
Sa edisyong ito, nakatuon ang panawagan sa mga akdang tumatalakay sa pagkakasala bilang bunga, tugon, o sandata sa harap ng opresyon at pagkapiit. Hinihikayat ang mga likhang sumasalamin sa paninindigan, pananahimik, paglaban, o pagkalugmok ng isang taong inilagay sa alanganin ng sistemang mapang-api.

Maaaring magpasa sa pamamagitan nito:

https://forms.gle/eopYZC5s8ZRTac4j9
https://forms.gle/eopYZC5s8ZRTac4j9
https://forms.gle/eopYZC5s8ZRTac4j9

Bukas ang pagtanggap hanggang sa Agosto 31, 2025.

11/07/2025

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗼𝗴

Sa bawat pagtatapos, isang salihoy ang isinusuot, isang pangalan ang tinatawag, at isang pangarap ang ginugunita. Ngunit sa seremonyang iyon ng BISCAST, may isang pangalang binigkas na tila tumama sa puso ng lahat — isang pangalang sinalubong ng katahimikan, luha, at yakap ng langit.

Si Joey Albert Pida ang dapat sana’y lumakad sa entabladong iyon. Siya ang panganay na anak nina Josie at Albert. “Siya’y isang mabait na anak, panganay siya at maayos pagdating sa pag-aaral,” pagbabahagi ng kanyang inang si Josie. “Masinop siya sa lahat ng bagay — mula sa pag-aaral, sa kanyang mga gamit, at sa bahay. Wala rin siyang bisyo,” dagdag nito.

Ayon sa kanyang mga magulang, sa kabila ng pinansyal na kakulangan ng kanilang pamilya, siya ay walang reklamo; anuman ang kailangan, basta kaya, gagawin niya. Kaya nang siya’y biglaang mawala, ang naiwang puwang ay hindi matumbasan.

“Malaki ang epekto sa amin na nawala siya,” ani Josie, pilit na pinapanday ang lakas ng loob habang isinasalaysay ang anak. “Naghihirap din kami, hindi kami mayaman, pero nakaya niyang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral.” Walang shortcut sa tagumpay ni Joey. Walang koneksyon, walang kasiguraduhan, ngunit may pusong handang magsakripisyo para sa pangarap.

Hindi rin inaasahan ng pamilya na ang tahimik na si Joey ay isa palang aktibong bahagi ng kanyang institusyon.

“Grabe ang naitulong sa kanya ng BISCAST. Hindi ko nga inaakalang kilala siya ng karamihan. Kapag sa amin, hindi siya palalabas ng bahay, pero dito sa institusyon, marami pala siyang mga aktibidad na sinasalihang hindi namin alam.”

Habang sa loob ng tahanan ay tila isa lamang siyang simpleng anak, sa loob ng paaralan pala ay unti-unti na siyang umuukit ng sariling mundo — isang mundong hindi nila nasaksihan nang buo, ngunit ipinagmamalaki nilang natuklasan.

Sa araw ng graduation, walang Joey na naglakad sa entablado, sa halip ay may mga magulang na mulat sa bigat ng pagkawala ngunit buo ang loob na buhatin ang pangarap ng kanilang anak. “Sa tingin ko kung nasaan man siya ngayon ay sobrang proud siya,” ani Josie. “Kahit wala na ang persona niya, nandito kaming mga magulang niya na sumusuporta sa kaniya at umakyat ng entablado — kahit masakit sa loob.”

Ang larawang bitbit nila ay naging simbolo — hindi ng pagkawala, kundi ng pagtatagumpay. Larawan iyon ng isang anak na sa kabila ng hirap, sa kabila ng katahimikan, ay piniling ipagpatuloy ang laban.

Mechanical engineering ang tinapos ni Joey — isang landas na kakaiba sa kanilang pamilyang puno ng mga g**o. “Ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking achievements niya. Hindi ko nga inaakalang kakayanin niya dahil halos lahat kami mga g**o sa pamilya. Kaya ngayon kahit ang mga kapamilya namin sa ibang lugar ay pinagmamalaki siya, dahil mayroon na kaming engineer — ngunit wala, hindi na nangyari,” dagdag ng ina.

Sa mga salitang iyon, habang unti-unting nababasag ang tinig ng ina, naroon ang pait: dahil ang tagumpay na ito ay para sa isang anak na hindi na kailanman maririnig ang sarili niyang pangalan.

Walang mga salita ang kayang pumuno sa kawalan, ngunit may mga katagang sapat upang iparating ang lahat. “Boy, kung nasaan ka man ngayon, boy... proud na proud ako sa’yo,” iyon lamang ang ilan sa mga salitang nasambit ng kanyang ama, at naroon ang bigat ng isang mundong tuluyan nang nagsara para sa anak na ‘di na muling makakauwi.

Sa seremonyang iyon, walang boses si Joey. Ngunit umalingawngaw ang kanyang kwento sa puso ng bawat nakasaksi. Bitbit lamang ng kanyang mga magulang ang kanyang larawan — nakangiti at nakasuot ng sablay — ngunit sa litratong iyon, nandoon ang buong bigat ng kanyang sakripisyo, at ang liwanag ng pangarap na naabot, kahit wala na siya.

Ang martsa niya’y walang tunog — ngunit sa katahimikang iyon, naroon ang pinakamalakas na patunay: na ang tunay na tagumpay ay hindi palaging nasasaksihan ng taong tumahak dito, ngunit ramdam na ramdam ng lahat ng naiwan. At sa kwento niyang iniwan, may buhay pang nagpapatuloy — may inspirasyong tumatawid sa bawat kabataang patuloy na nangangarap, kahit sa gitna ng kawalan.

Mga salita ni Zoe Magenta Cipre
Kuhang Larawan ni Aldyn Perez
Pubmat ni Xian Tristan Teaño

05/07/2025

𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬 | 𝗦𝗔 𝗪𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗦!

Nakatutuwang isipin na ang dating pangarap kong abutin, narito na’t aking susungkitin.
Kung makakausap ko lamang ang batang ako
Aba! sigurado, hanga ‘yon sa narating ko.

Isang kapirasong papel man sa iba,
Pero ito’y higit pa sa ginto at pera.

Bitbit ang pagtitiyaga’t determinasyon,
Pasan ang araw-araw na responsibilidad at obligasyon,
Ito ako ngayon, abot-kamay ang bunga ng dating mithiin ko lamang noon.

Ito’y isang pagwawakas na hudyat ng panibagong bukas.
Isang panibagong landas, patungo sa pangarap na wagas.

Sa batang ako, hindi ko pa man natutupad ang lahat ng pangarap mo,
Isa lang ang sigurado ako, umuusad na tayo.
Tama nga, malayo pa pero malayo na.

Sa ngayon, isa lang ang alam ko,
Kinaya ko at kakayanin ko,
para sa pamilya ko,
para sa mga taong mahal ko
at higit sa lahat, para sa batang ako.

Mga salita ni Micah Salutan
Kuhang larawan nina Aldyn Perez, Leian Faith Naval, at Joshua Guevarra
Grapikong Disenyo ni Railey Tiu

05/07/2025

𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 | 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

If you are:

a. A graduate of Camarines Sur National High School (CSNHS)
b. A regular second year college student
c. without a grade of 2.5 in any course
d. In need of financial assistance

Apply now! Send a letter of application attached with downloaded grades to [email protected].

Application is until July 15, 2025.

05/07/2025

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘅'𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

Every success has someone behind it. But for Felix, an unica hija, it was her parents who guided her — and like a silhouette, always never leaving by her side to pursue her dreams.

In BISCAST Recognition Ceremony 2025, attended with over 500 Academic and Non-Academic Awardees, Diane A. Felix marched accompanied by her mother which then sparked an inspiring story of perseverance captured by media.

A mother, teary-eyed upon realizing dream for her daughter. And a father remaining seated with other parents on the bleachers, never feeling more proud while always saying to her daughter before, "Pinangako ko sa sadiri ko na ang aki ko dai maarog sako. Makakatapos ka."

Felix shared the value of having a supportive parents towards her near-completion of college journey.

Her mother often stayed late at night to sew and make a living so her college life will be sustained. In Diane's perspective, her mother always have been her caring arms whenever he finds tough challenges like when she is visiting the hospital.

"I remembered my challenging practice teaching experience—the times when I barely got any sleep, making countless lesson plans and instructional materials, and frequently getting sick to the point that we kept visiting the hospital."

"During those times, I learned to appreciate my parents even more. They were the ones who told me to rest whenever I stayed up late at night to finish a task. They helped me craft my instructional materials. They took care of me whenever I was sick."

"As an only child, I had all their attention, but they were never the kind of parents who pressured their child. They were always there to remind me that I’m already making them proud, and they were always by my side whenever I needed them."

These awards only served as a foundation to her character imbued with passion to reach also people's lives through her program Bachelor in Elementary Education.

Magna Cum Laude, Outstanding Teacher and Most Outstanding Athlete, without her parents Felix stressed she has nothing.

"These awards will always remind me to stay humble and strive to become a better person by sharing my skills and knowledge with others. Moreover, they will remind me to give back to those who helped shape who I am today —especially my parents. Without them, I am nothing."

Continuing legacy of educators and athlete, Felix's on behind her success story serves as a reminder to always value our parents. As a chess athlete, it is clear to her that one can not conquer without a support like her parents'.

"I don’t deserve the medals I received—they do."

Words by Mark Clifford Belano
Photo by Joshua Guevarra
Pubmat by Xian Tristan Teaño

04/07/2025

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | 𝟱𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮

Taas-noo, abot tengang mga ngiti, at maluha-luhang mga matang tinanggap ng ikalawang batch ng gradSTEANS ang kanilang diploma ngayong ikalawang araw ng ika-52nd Commence Exercise.

Napuno ng kwento ng tuwa, lungkot, pag-asa at pag-abot ng pangarap ang LRV Student Pavilion habang sinasariwa nila ang kanilang mga pinagdaanan habang binabagtas ang Daan patungo sa kanilang inaasam-asam na diploma.

Tangayin man ng malakas na hangin ang saranggola, hindi-hinding magpapatinag ang pusong may pangarap. Pusong handang muling bumangon at muling suungin ang hamon ng buhay.

Mga Salita ni Jemuel Collantes
Mga larawan ni Aldyn Perez, Leian Faith Naval, Joshua Guevarra at Railey Tiu

04/07/2025

𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 | 𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸

“𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙥, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: 𝘽𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙩 𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙪𝙝𝙖𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣?”

For Mark Lorenz Relayo, the 2025 Class Valedictorian of the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) – College of Engineering, that question was not merely a passing thought. It was the heartbeat of his entire journey. Raised in a household that knew the weight of hardship far too well, Mark learned early on that education was not a privilege—it was survival.

“I didn’t grow up having the luxury of dreams; I grew up with survival. But somewhere, along the emptiness of streets, maybe the pain I was given was not a punishment, but a path.”

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

Mark’s childhood was framed by sacrifice. His father worked as both a pedicab driver and photographer; his mother, a housemaid. Life was simple—until it became harder. When his father became bedridden, the already fragile financial situation of their family began to collapse. What followed was a painful choice: give up on school or fight to stay in it.

They chose to fight.

He recalled going to school with an empty stomach, no fare, and nothing but pagbabakasakali in his pocket. “Dahil nakakapagod maging mahirap,” he admitted—raw and honest, not for pity but to show how far he had come.

𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲

Despite the hardship, Mark's journey was marked not by bitterness but by resolve. His pain, he said, became his fuel. He turned quiet struggles into loud successes—representing BISCAST in math competitions, earning a scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology, and ultimately graduating as Magna Cum Laude.

He credits not just himself, but the people who walked with him: professors who believed in his potential, friends who made room for laughter amid pressure, and family who remained his foundation even in their shared suffering.

“Today, what you see is no longer a young man who walked to school with nothing but hope in his pocket, but someone who was able to turn pain and struggles into perseverance.”

A Voice for the Unseen
In his valedictory speech, Mark honored not only his personal journey but the sacrifices of parents and families who remain invisible to the spotlight.

“Wala man kayong suot na medalya, suot naman ng inyong puso ang kasiyahang makita na lahat ng pagsasakripisyo niyo’y unti-unti nang nagkakaroon ng kahuluguhan.”

It was a tribute to the silent efforts of every mother who felt guilty for not giving “a better life,” and every father whose sweat built the hopes their children now carry. His words struck deep, especially for those in the audience who recognized their own struggles in his story.

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

Mark ended his message by calling on his fellow ASTeans to take BISCAST’s core values with them—integrity, professionalism, responsiveness, inclusiveness, dedication, and excellence—not as academic ideals but as living principles.

“Let us offer our services not only because of personal gain but because it is our moral responsibility.”

Mark Lorenz Relayo is no longer just a student who rose above hardship—he is now an engineer with a mission and a voice that inspires. His story proves that being in the silver lining is never off the mark.

More than medals, he leaves behind a legacy: “Success is not just about making it. It’s about making it matter.”

Words by Rhea Mae Lara
Photo by Aldyn Perez
Pubmat by Xian Tristan Teaño

04/07/2025

𝗦𝗼𝗮𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵, 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀!

For all the years you’ve spent as Astean campus journalists, you have truly embodied the values of being the voice of the entire Astean community.

As you move forward, carry the lessons and experiences you’ve gained from BISCAST and The Collegian with pride. Wherever life brings you, always be the warriors of truth and catalysts of change.

From your whole Kule family, we're so proud of you! May your journey be blessed with success!

Congratulations!

Pubmat by Aldyn Perez

04/07/2025

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | 𝗕𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝟱𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗦

Dr. Marlo M. De La Cruz, PECE, the guest speaker for the second day of the 52nd commencement exercise of BISCAST, urged the gradSTEANS to nurture and harness the skills and knowledge they had learned in the institution.

"Aside from the personal story to tell, your personal professional journey would have been a big road. You will be leaving here with a degree that you specialized. Harness it more and use your knowledge and skills. Learn to move farther and farther in life. And more importantly, commit yourselves to contribute to our fields, engineering, technology, and innovation," the guest speaker said.

He also urged that BISCAST graduates should be proud of their alma mater.

"Dapat you should be proud of being a graduate of BISCAST. Ako proud na proud ako, kasi hale ako igdi," Dr. De La Cruz claimed.

"That is why we call our school our alma mater, which is Latin for mother of soul. It is the hope of every school that its graduates become not just people of knowledge, but persons of wisdom as well," he added.

The guest speaker ended his speech by reminding the graduates to be grateful to those who became an integral part of their college journey.

Words by Jemuel Collantes
Photo by Aldyn Perez
Pubmat by Xian Tristan Teaño

04/07/2025

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | The BISCAST LRV Pavilion becomes a stage of dreams today as 524 graduates march forward to receive their diplomas on Day 2 of the 52nd Commencement Exercises anchored on the theme “Charting the Future: Embracing Challenges, Celebrating Triumphs."

Embodying a deep sense of pride, graduates from the College of Architecture and Design (CAD), College of Engineering (CEng), College of Trades and Technology (CTT), and the Master of Engineering Graduate School uphold the institution's mission of shaping a better and more progressive future.

Words by Rhea Mae Lara
Photos by Aldyn Perez and Leian Faith Naval

The BISCAST Collegian

12/07/2025

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05/07/2025

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