[KABANKALAN CITY, January 31, 2025]—Faces were stained with joyous tears as 191 pre-service teachers received their hard-earned internship pins during the 7th Pinning Ceremony, Tribute to Parents, and Candle Lighting Ceremony.
On the morning of January 31, the then soon-to-be pre-service teachers and their proud parents marched into the Zaycoland Hotel & Resort Function Hall for the ceremony, followed by the esteemed professors and instructors from Central Philippines State University (CPSU) College of Teacher Education (COTED).
Expounding on the theme “Bridging Aspirations to Reality: Honoring the Commitment of Future Educators", Dr. Ferdinand S. Sy, CESO VI, Division of Kabankalan City’s Schools Division Superintendent, shared his experiences in the field of education and challenged the aspiring educators as the resource speaker for the event.
“Remember that treasures are not all material; treasures also come in the form of experiences and sharing what you learned with others. When you are given the opportunity to teach, always remember this: ‘You are the best audiovisual material that the government could provide to the children’…There must be a time for everything, and today is the time for you to know about the life of a teacher because I believe that it is in this encounter that you’ll learn a lot about what kind of teacher you’ll be in the future,” Dr. Sy exclaimed.
Attentively, the attendees also listened with silent enthusiasm to the erudite messages of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Fernando D. Abello, and the COTED Dean, Dr. Merfe C. Hucalinas.
“There are some who are plagued with boastfulness after they pass the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers. Remember, when you become a teacher, the entitlement of your career is extinguished. Observe the candle that you’ll be lighting shortly; it’s an epitome of the essence of servanthood in your lives as educators who will be serving students someday. Manifest true servanthood,” said Dr. Abello.
Recognizing them and their efforts over their collegiate journey as deserving of the milestone they had just reached and ready for the highlight of their undergraduate training, pre-service teachers with their parents strode through the red carpet and received their pins.
Warm candlelight collectively lit the venue as the COTED professors and instructors kindled the candles of their students, metaphorically sending them out to enkindle the world.
The event, filled with overwhelming pride and joy, concluded on a heartwarming note as the pre-service teachers gave their parents and guardians their personal tokens of gratitude—honoring their sacrifices and support in birthing the students’ heart-conceived dreams closer into reality.