Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca, CEO III, the 1st University President led the entire Caraga State University community, guests and other stakeholders in the two days of hectic activities that marked the launching of the university?hood status last February 18-19, 2010 held at both campuses. Everyone was brimming with pride with the successful outcome of the launching festivities.

Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca, the first President of the University, led the two-day launching celebration.

The celebration was highlighted with the ribbon cutting and blessing of the student and multimedia centers, motorcade, float parade, tree planting, pass-in-review, street dance competition, bonfire, fireworks and live band in day one. In day two, the celebration shifted to the Cabadbaran campus in the morning with a short program, ground breaking ceremony, tree planting and friendship games. The members of the League of Campus Organizations (LCO), composed of the university’s student organizations, simultaneously opened their activities at the Sanchez Gymnasium in the main campus. Finally, the first university convocation was held in the same gymnasium in the afternoon with the presence of the Board of Regents.

The celebration started with a thanksgiving mass held at the Sanchez Gymnasium with Msgr. Juan de Dios Pueblos, D.D. of Butuan City celebrating the Holy Eucharist with three other priests from the St. Peter Seminary in Butuan City.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT), two of the four colleges of the university, had just completed their student centers in time for the launching celebration. The two student centers were blessed by Fr. Alner Y. Garrido and Fr. Ruel S. Lasco for CAS and CEIT respectively. The College of Science Education (CSE) on the other hand opened its multimedia center with Fr. Dandy Marababol blessing the building.  Simultaneously, a ribbon cutting ceremony was also held at the installed booths at the university library premises with Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca leading the ceremony.

The Hon. Congressman Edelmiro A. Amante of the 2^nd district of Agusan del Norte joined Dr. Cuenca during the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing of the CAS student center. Former City Councilor Ryan Culima was with the faculty members of CEIT during the college’s ribbon cutting and blessing of their student center.

CSU literally made noises in the streets of Butuan and Cabadbaran. The long motorcade in these cities immediately followed the blessing and ribbon cutting ceremonies. Participants of the motorcade had to deal with the long stretch of the motorcade and the hot weather as they traversed the highways of Agusan del Norte going to the city of Cabadbaran and even to the town of Magallanes, and then back to Butuan City. The motorcade only slowed down when participants roamed around the city to provide the people of the city a glimpse of the university’s celebration. This was before all went back to the main campus in Ampayon for the tree planting and opening ceremonies.

It was past eleven in the morning when the tree planting activity started. Congressman Amante was joined by the Hon. Benjamin S. Calo, Butuan City Councilor during the tree planting, with Dr. Cuenca among them  and other CSU Officials at the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) grounds. When these were completed, all went to the CSU Oval for the pass-in-review and the launching program.

Following the program in the oval, all members of the CSU community were in the Sanchez Gymnasium for a joint lunch.

The afternoon’s events provided absolute delight to the Butuan City community as the floats from the different colleges including floats from the graduate school and from the Cabadbaran campus were paraded around the major streets of the city. The ‘street dancers’ from the different colleges joined their respective floats while going through the parade. While it was no longer necessary for them to perform on the streets, they put on a show in crowded places to the pleasure of the watching public.

The street dancing continued in the CSU oval grounds late afternoon where all groups were judged according to their performances. The contest was abruptly stopped for the lighting of the bonfire led by Dr. Cuenca with Congressman Edelmiro Amante and Chairman Jun Amante of Bgy. Ampayon. The key officials also had the chance to showcase their talent in dancing when some of the older songs were played by the band. Chairman Amante was seen dancing with his wife.

The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display which the students and faculty members alike enjoyed the show. This was the first time in years that colorful fireworks lit the sky of the CSU campus. Everyone enjoyed the rest of the night, celebrating it with the Agusan and NORMISIST bands on stage. 

Day 2: Bad weather almost spoiled the celebration

The second day of the celebration started with an entirely different mood from that of day one due to poor weather conditions. However, the activities proceeded as planned in Cabadbaran campus to start the second day of the celebration. Short bursts of heavy rains poured as all participated in the parade around the city of Cabadbaran.

The parade was followed with a program inside the campus’ modern gymnasium. Present were the administration officials of the university led by Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca. Key officials of the City of Cabadbaran were also present led by the Hon. Dale B. Corvera, Mayor of the City. Mayor Corvera delivered his message to all present in the celebration. Also present were Congressman Amante and daughter Angel Amante. Officials and guests were treated with unique and delightful performances from the students of the campus.

Several activities were done after the program such as tree planting, ground breaking of the high school building, and the friendship games such as volleyball for men & women and basketball.

In the afternoon, the celebration shifted back to the main campus for the convocation program inside the Sanchez Gymnasium. Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca delivered her 1^st State of the University Address highlighting the accomplishments of the Institute’s progress through her term since sitting as the President of the Institute back in 2008. The convocation program was attended by the Board of Regents of the University led by Commissioner Nona S. Ricafort of the Commission on Higher Education and at the same time the Chairperson of the Board of Regents. Also presented in the program was the video presentation that underscored the major events and milestones of the history of the university.

Written by: Engr. Jeffrey T. Dellosa. For comments and suggestions, please write the author at his email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . All rights reserved.