“Together, let us champion inclusivity, innovate awareness on gender issues, and empower all members of our community through our collective commitment to continuously improve.”

These words marked the conclusion of the speech by Teresita Celpo Guevarra, Supervising Auditor of Stand Alone Agencies of Corporate, Government Auditing Sector, National Government Sector, and State Universities and Colleges of Region 3, as she graced Don Honorio Ventura State University’s 18- Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (EVAW) and All Genders’ Culminating Programme held at Ernesto T. Nicdao Sports Center on December 13, 2023.

Guevarra served as the resource speaker for the program, where she commended DHVSU’s Gender Focal Point System (GFPS) Office, led by Dr. Dolores T. Quiambao as the focal person, for actively complying with the rules and regulations of gender and development and advocating initiatives.

“I am particularly proud to highlight a specific initiative that underscores the dedication to gender inclusivity - the construction of four comfort rooms strategically placed across various locations on our [DHVSU] campuses,” she emphasized in her speech.

DHVSU actively participated in the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to EVAW from November 25 to December 12, 2023, in cooperation with the Phillippine Commission on Women (PCW) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 3.

“Violence Against Women and Children is a pervasive problem not just in our country but globally at large. It is a call to order that we have to deal with. And we have here today to sustain all meaningful actions done and seek other ways to stand hurdles in the realization of a world free from all forms of violence against women, girls, and children,” expressed Engr. Reden M. Hernandez, OIC-Executive Vice President, OIC – Vice President for Administration and Finance, concurrent Vice President for Academic Affairs, during his message to the participants of the culminating program.

Various events attributed to the campaign were held across all campuses, colleges, and offices of DHVSU, culminating in the final program.

“Orange is not a mere color; rather, it meaningfully portrays the call to stop discrimination and violence. And to simply put, this culminating program will definitely not culminate our GAD campaign,” DHVSU President Dr. Enrique Baking stated in his welcome remarks.

He added that the engagement of the entire DHVSU community is incomparable because the social impact of the GADvocacy can now be felt in the community beyond the iconic orange-it day slated every first Friday of the month.

Furthermore, following the DHVSU tradition, the GADtimpala Awards were also held, wherein special citations and recognitions were given to GADvocates who made remarkable contributions to the GAD campaign for the year 2023.

Below is the list of awardees:

Students (recognized by the University Student Council)
- College of Computing Studies
- DHVSU Candaba Campus
- College of Engineering and Architecture
- DHVSU Lubao Campus
- Laboratory High School

Special Citation EVAW Top Crusaders
- Office of the President
- Office of the Executive Vice President / Vice President for Administration and Finance
- Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services
- Office of the Vice President for Research, Innovation, Training, and Extension

EVAW GADvocates
- Bids and Awards Committee Office
- Knowledge Management and Innovation Office
- Property and Supply Management Office

Tribute to Juana Award - College of Hospitality and Tourism Management
EVAW Torchbearer - College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
EVAW Posting Champion - DHVSU Apalit Campus
Walk and Unite for Juana Award - College of Education
EVAW Star Award - College of Industrial Technology
EVAW Constant Activity Award - Graduate School and DHVSU Porac Campus
Comradeship Award - College of Computing Studies
EVAW Enthusiast - Senior High School
Collaboration Champion - College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering and Architecture
The Brainiac – School of Law
Early Riser for Orange Decoration’s Award - Management Information System
Sound Body, Sound Mind for Every Juan - Office of Sports and Development
EVAW Constant Activity Award - Research Management Office
VAW-Free, Stress Free Award - Finance Management Services Office
Service Award – DHVSU Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit and Civil Security Unit
Harana Para Kay Juana - Office of Culture and The Arts and Quality Management Systems Office
Tribute to Juana Award - Auxiliary Services Office
Health Police of Every Juan - Student Services Office
Best in HGDG - Office of the Physical Plant and Facilities
EVAW Groundwork Champion - Planning and Development
Office Internationalization Czar - Office for International Partnerships and Programs
Collaboration Icon - Extension Services Office
Training Mainstay - Training Services Office
Certificate of Recognition - DHVSU Faculty Association, Non-Academic Staff Association, and University Student Council

GADtimpala Awardees
- GADtimpala 2023 Best Non-Academic Unit - Occupational Safety and Health Office
- GADtimpala 2023 Best Academic Unit – DHVSU Lubao Campus
- GADtimpala 2023 Hall of Fame – DHVSU Mexico Campus

Finalists (Non-Academic)
- Library Services Office
- Administrative Services Office
- Office of Student Affairs
- Admissions, Guidance, Testing, and Career Services Office
- Office of the University Registrar

Finalists (Academic)
- DHVSU Sto. Tomas Campus
- DHVSU Candaba Campus
- Laboratory High School
- College of Business Studies

Words and photos by Samantha Batalla | MIS Office