41st Grand Alumni Homecoming, Samar State University, Catbalogan City – The first set of Outstanding Alumni was announced and awarded during the 2018 Grand Alumni Homecoming for the Samar Trade School/Samar School of Arts and Trades/Samar State Polytechnic College/Samar State University (STS/SSAT/SSPC/SSU). The awarding of the outstanding alumni was initiated by the SSPC High School Class of 1992, the 41st Homecoming Host and supported by the Alumni Association and the SSU Administration. The awardees exemplify the core values to which it stands; Leadership, Excellence, Discipline, and Service. They also live the university mantra; We innovate. We Build. We Serve. More importantly, they exhibit the realization of the University vision; A transformative University committed to technology, innovation, and service excellence.
The following were the Most Outstanding Alumna/Alumnus Awardees.
Asuncion I. Lucero, High School Batch 1969. Most Outstanding Alumna in Community Service
She is a captain of Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary –West Visayas District (PCGA-WVD). She was unanimously voted to be the 612th PCGA Squadron Director in 2013. Through her dynamic leadership, she successfully carried out 43 major activities in four areas of PCGA mandatory projects with utmost efficiency and had showcased her environmental concern, social responsibility, and the act of volunteerism. She was also the Best Officer of PCGA West Visayas District for 2016 and 2017. Her leadership resulted in the increased number of Auxiliarist and had influenced other districts as well. She also received 12 awards of recognition and commendation in 2016 and 2017 alone. Through her leadership, her Squadron was also chosen as the best for the district. PCGA-WVD recommended her for national recognition and defined her as worthy of emulation for the entire PCG.
She holds Ph.D. in Education and Bachelor of Law Degrees and is also engaged in business.
Daniel Dasig Jr., BS Computer Engineering Batch 2008. Most Outstanding Alumnus in Higher Education
Works as a faculty in undergrad, graduate and post graduate courses in engineering and information technology in four higher education institutions, one as an adjunct professor abroad and at the same time as a change manager of an international IT company. Highly engaged in research, he has conducted more than 100 researches either as author or co-author. Out of these researches he published at least 35 research journal papers, presented 83 conference papers since 2014. He has also published five books and two currently in-press. Developed/co-developed at least 20 technologies, most of which are management information systems and mobile applications for various establishments in Metro Manila. He has also provided services as an editor-in-chief, editorial member, scientific board, reviewer to international journals and international scientific conferences. Served as a lecturer and technical service provider to communities. Since 2011, he has provided ICT literacy engagement to local, national and international communities like those in Seam Reap, Cambodia, Apayao and Mountain Province, Makati, and Mandaluyong. To date, he is a member of 33 scientific organizations in the country and abroad. He has received at least six international awards of excellence as an IT and engineering professional, outstanding educator and best research papers in various occasions in the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan, three regional and five local citations.
He holds Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, MS in Computer Engineering and other certification in teaching.
Melvin P. Mabulac, High School Batch 1994. Most Outstanding Alumnus in Government Service
Started as an instructor later as an employee in the Local Government of Catbalogan for four years then given a chance to work in the Bureau of Immigration in 2009. It is where he was able to receive numerous commendations for exemplary service including one international, four national, one regional and seven local citations. Most notable was the commendation which was given in 2017 as well as the Best Unit head award in 2015. He investigated a case targeting women and was instrumental in foiling the syndicate. He was also instrumental in many technological and operational enhancements in the Bureau of Immigration which has led to efficiency and better immigration services. These include the Real Time initial Reporting, Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking, BI Referral System/Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Program and its guidelines and the BI Text Hotline.
He holds an AB in Classical Philosophy and earned units in Masters in Sacred Theology and several certificate programs in immigration and public administration.
Sidney M. Zosa, High School Batch 1976. Most Outstanding Alumnus in Enterprise Building
He together with his brother established a transport giant in Samar and had expanded services to the entire region. The company has elevated the quality of transportation services in this part of the country. The fast, efficient and better services have open doors to many businesses to thrive specifically in Catbalogan City. To date they have offices and are serving Catarman and Allen in Northern Samar, Calbayog and Catbalogan in Samar, Oras E. Samar, Ormoc City, Naval Biliran, San Juan S. Leyte and Tacloban City as well as the towns along the routes. Their business employed nearly 500 drivers, office staff, dispatchers, utility men, auto-mechanics, welders, car painters, etc. Soon they are expanding their services in sea transport with their first vessel named SeaCat; the first Samarnon owned and operated sea craft.
Sidney Zosa is a Civil Engineer.
Thelma Cabadsan-Quitalig, High School Batch 1974/Education Batch 1978/MAEd batch 1990/PhD Batch 1993. Most Outstanding Alumna in Basic Education
She is a change agent. She does not settle for mediocrity and looks for innovative ways to respond to issues and problems of schools and districts under her administration. Since 2014, her division always is recognized for their achievements in various examinations and competitions. This perhaps is the result of her interventions such as the Project Intensive Collaboration for Unleashing Peak Performance (Project ICU) and the Project Diagnosing, Analyzing and Reengineering Education (Project DARE). She has exemplified excellence as an education leader as manifested by her numerous award received at the national, regional and local levels, one of which is her outstanding rating in the Career Executive Service Board. She is instrumental in the establishment of 22 complete high schools in Northern Samar, 23 secondary schools in Samar; all are located in far-flung barangays and distant islands. She was also instrumental in the building of DepEd Northern Samar Division Office which provided DepEd employees conducive workplace. Responding to the displaced students due to the impact of ST Yolanda, she established 6 Integrated Schools in Northern Barangays of Tacloban City in CY 2016-2017. Her immediate response to “Education in Emergencies” has earned her international recognition with her accomplishments presented in two big conferences in Japan in the year 2017.
She holds degrees in Education in the BS, MA, and Ph.D. She is also a Career Executive Service Officer.
The above-named awardees were nominated together with the submission of documents to support the nomination. They underwent an interview and had solicited feedback from the public to complete the evaluation and validation process. Titles/awards were decided by a five-person Selection Committee representing the SSU Administration, the Alumni Association and the Host Batch of the 41st Grand Alumni Homecoming.
The call for nomination for the Search for the 2019 Most Outstanding Alumni is scheduled on June 2019 under the newly approved SSU BOR resolution. All are enjoined to participate in recognizing the outstanding graduates of the institution.