Santiago City, Isabela – The University of La Salette, Inc. (ULS) marked its 72nd Founding Anniversary with a vibrant celebration themed “Rediscovering a Reconciled Life Through Prayer in Response to the Message of Our Lady of La Salette.” The three-day event, dubbed “Bigkis-Lahi 2024,” showcased the university’s rich heritage, commitment to community service, and the vibrant spirit of its students, faculty, and staff.

The festivities kicked off on September 18 with a solemn Flambeaux Procession commemorating the 178th of Our Lady of La Salette with a solemn candlelight procession. The event preceded the main celebration and united the entire university community—students, faculty, and staff—from all three departments: Junior High School, Senior High School, and College. The procession, held along Maharlika Highway and City Road of Santiago, culminated at the ULS Junior High School. A spiritual experience emphasizing faith, unity, and community service, the procession was organized under the guidance of the Rev. Fr. Ian P. Ronquillo, MS, Director of the Christian Formation Office, and drew many participants.

Following the candlelight procession, participating colleges’ entries for the SPOOF-TACULAR were shared across social media platforms. This comedic competition showcased a series of memorable performances, featuring laughter, parody, and skillful impersonations. From humorous skits to witty portrayals of students and faculty, the event provided an unforgettable experience.

On September 19, the first day of the anniversary celebration, ULS hosted a Government Services Caravan, offering various essential services to the community.  It was an opportunity to register for national IDs, obtain birth certificates, register as voters, and avail themselves of other government programs from the Local Youth Development Office, Public Employment Service Office and Kabataang Santiagueño (KABSAT) for Volunteers Membership Registration.

A Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Rev. Jose Elmer I. Mangalinao, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya, marked the beginning of the academic and cultural activities. The day also featured simultaneous events such as Kalyenisan: Salettinian Scavenger Hunt; Lente: A visual tribute to Salettinian values; Fearless Forecast and BleaCheers Competition; Agro-Eco Tourism Booth, Kalyelympics: Mga Laro ng Lahi ng Pistang Saletino and ULS Gawad Parangal 2024 which is a prestigious award given to employees in a university recognizing and rewarding excellence, encouraging high performance, boosting employee morale and engagement, promoting a culture of excellence and enhancing the university’s reputation. The highlight of the Gawad Parangal is the institution being honored with “highest commendation” by the City Government of Santiago through Resolution No. 11THCC-349 because of 50 years of dedicated service to the community through the La Salette Pananagutan Center (LSPC).

The second day of the anniversary, September 20, was filled with exciting events, including a community extension program in Barangay Cabulay, ULS’ adopted barangay. The La Salette Pananagutan Center, which has been serving the community for 50 years, organized the program spearheaded by Bernard Joseph L. Ariola, LPT, CHRA, Director of La Salette Pananagutan Center. Back on campus, the day featured Lakbay Sining: ULS Pavement Chalk Art competition; Watwatan: A Salettinian Feast Day Celebration, and Musika Saletino: A Chorale competition.

To conclude the festivities, ULS held its annual blood donation drive, “25^th Dugong Saletino Mobile,” on September 21 through collaboration of the La Salette Pananagutan Center, ULS College of Medicine and Allied Medical Programs, Medical Laboratory Science Department, CMAMP Executive Government, Philippine Society of Medical Technology Students and Junior Philippine Pharmacists Association – ULS Chapter together with the Drugstores Association of the Philippines, Inc. and the Southern Isabela Medical Center. This event highlighted the university’s commitment to healthcare and community service.

The successful celebration of Bigkis-Lahi 2024 was made possible through the leadership and management of the Student Services and Affairs Office, headed by Dean Limuel Arjay A. Esteban, MBA, the ULS Student Executive Council, and the entire Salettinian community.  

The College of Nursing, Public Health, and Midwifery emerged as the overall champion of the anniversary festivities, showcasing their exceptional performance in various competitions. The College of Accountancy and the College of Teacher Education secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively.

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/TheSalettinianPublication and https://www.facebook.com/ulsstudentcouncil

By Arjay Jonathan S. Sibalon, MAED