In a resounding celebration of its 16th Universityhood Anniversary, Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) hosted the WoW Awards 2025 on October 14, 2025, at the university gymnasium. Centered on the theme "Weaving Sustainability: Puso, Dangal at Galing ng mga Kawaning BiPSUnista," the ceremony served to recognize and reward the exceptional human resource management practices and outstanding performance of both teaching and non-teaching personnel for Fiscal Year 2024.

During the ceremony, University President Prof. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. emphasized that these accolades are not merely reflections of past success but catalysts for the institution's future evolution. He noted that the collective efforts of the faculty and staff represent a continuous weaving of worthiness that serves as the foundation for BiPSU's growing reputation on both the national and international stage. "The WoW Awards represent our shared journey toward excellence, proving that when we weave our individual talents together, we create a stronger, more resilient university that truly impacts the lives of our students and the communities we serve," Prof. Cañezo remarked.

The university conferred the prestigious Prime Mover Awards upon the strategic teams responsible for BiPSU’s global standing. Prof. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., Dr. Archie T. Ramirez, and Dr. Chona B. Sabinay were hailed as champions for their leadership in the WURI 2024 rankings, supported by a writing team including Jenny A. Genoguin, Ryan Duran, Ronnel Romagos, Ruthyl Gadugdug, Melvie Palahang, Zeah Ignacio, and Leomel Amparado. In the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings category, leadership honors went to Prof. Cañezo, Atty. Dick Guiller G. Delfin, and Mr. Joedel Penaranda, with setting and infrastructure champions Dr. Ralph Arvic T. Arcenal, Dr. Randy Villarin, Engr. Ramon L. Pitao, Jr., Dr. Marianne B. Dagaylo-an, Ms. Abigail S. Capales, Dr. Estelito R. Salut Jr., Mr. Jeson V. Vinas, Dr. Analiza B. Calles, and Dr. Roland A. Niez.

Performance Governance System (PGS) Trailblazer honors were awarded to the leadership of Prof. Cañezo and Engr. Jessie Mari D. Cerera, alongside champions Dr. Susan S. Bentor, Dr. Roland A. Niez, Dr. Rossini B. Pitao, Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Dr. Concepcion M. Gayrama, Atty. Pahmi Hadji S. Ampaso, Dr. Alvin Ampong, Mr. Carlito C. Cabas, Jr., Dr. Homer Ampong, Atty. Delfin, and Ms. Apple Joy Balondo-Visitacion. The Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) team, led by Engr. Vivencio A. Pelesco and Dr. Roland A. Niez, was also recognized for institutional planning. Furthermore, the Times Higher Education (THE) SDG Champions were celebrated, including Dr. Alvin Ampong, Mr. John Raymond Calderon, Mr. Glenn Gumba, Ms. Ruthyl Marie Gadugdug, and Ms. Melvie Joy Palahang for SDG 1; Dr. Maribel N. Zipagan for SDG 4; Dr. Marianne Dagaylo-an and Ms. Jennifer Wales for SDG 5; and Dr. Roland A. Niez, Dr. Pearl Irish De Paz, Mr. Willard N. Riveral, and Ms. Phia Jane Llesis for SDG 17.

Under the SIBOL Awards for Research and Innovation, Dr. Ruffy Rodrigo was named SIBOL Faculty of the Year and topped the research citation category, followed by Dr. Pearl Irish V. De Paz, Ms. Laarni Velez, and Ms. Henreyna Jane Redublado. The School of Nursing and Health Sciences was declared SIBOL School of the Year, with the School of Teacher Education (Main) and School of Arts and Sciences taking second and third place. Individual SIBOL honors for publication went to Dr. Roland A. Niez, while Dr. Ernil D. Sumayao was recognized for presentations, Ms. Hanna B. Penaflor for intellectual properties, and Ms. Jofil Matiom and Dr. Pearl Irish De Paz for research grants. Ms. Phia Jane M. Llesis was named Best Research Personnel, while Ms. Sheilomay Majait, Mr. Kevin T. Lagat, and Mr. Crismar Hoylar were lauded as top research chairpersons.

The university’s commitment to global scholarship was evident in the SIBOL for Scopus-Indexed Publications, honoring researchers Ruffy M. Rodrigo, Ernil D. Sumayao, Reymark S. Pabilando, Roland A. Niez, Jelyn M. Magno, Alexander Rex Sanosa, Judife N. Magallanes, Prof. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr., Mae Ceblano, Ian Phil Canlas, Vilma P. Gayrama, Nanette M. Panit, Pearl Irish V. De Paz, Aina P. Gervacio, Jovy Dia Saniel, Norberto N. Camarines, Jose Nino Ramos, Marlon Alejos, Cesar G. Espinosa, and Mary Joy B. Gelizon. A multi-author team consisting of Roland A. Niez, Noel P. Tancinco, Francisco M. Ebio, Vicente Q. Solteo Jr., Beltram C. Sabonsolin, Jelyn M. Magno, Ayesna O. Sabocohan, and Jed Priam Nunez Cerera was also recognized for their linguistic analysis of political speech.

In the realm of extension and community service, the School of Teacher Education-Main Campus was named Best Innovative Extension Implementer, while the School of Technology and Computer Studies received the award for Best Innovative Project. Ms. Daiselyn S. Palconit was recognized as Best Chairperson, and the School of Management and Entrepreneurship was noted for having the most beneficiaries. Food research excellence was celebrated through the work of Junard Carreon, Mafel Piol, Cathy Grace Morillo, Vic Marie L. Bornillo, Norberto Camarines Jr., and Arlene G. Obejero. Cultural and linguistic contributions were honored through the Gawad Galing sa Wika at Kultura, given to the School of Technology and Computer Studies, Dr. Noel P. Tancinco, and Dr. Miguel E. Supremo Jr.

Academic excellence was spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, honoring Henreyna Jane Redublado for Student Mentoring and Student Programs implementation. Flexible learning awards were given to Laarni Velez (Rookie), Jenny A. Genoguin (Junior), and Glenn Gumba (Senior). Claire Theresa S. Bentor was recognized for research advising and Sherwin C. Sarzuelo for laboratory instruction. Quality assurance leadership was highlighted through Mr. Carlito C. Cabas, Jr., who received the Excellence in Director Leadership for Level IV Accreditation Support. Major accreditation milestones were celebrated for the BS Information Systems and BS Business Administration programs, alongside the dedicated QA Taskforces led by Dr. Jinky M. Macabago, Ms. Desiree S. Dela Peña, and Dr. Reynold G. Bustillo.

Administrative support and gender advocacy were recognized through the Outstanding Administrative Employee awards given to Adrienne H. Manuel, Mary Grace T. Bohol, and Rasshia Lee Maranga. The Institutional Planning Office and Office of Strategy Management were named the Outstanding Administrative Team. Security and logistics were represented by Joey A. Corto (Best Driver) and Peejay V. Limpiado (Best Security Guard). The EPDOlikhain Awards recognized Engr. Jake Cleo Corto, Mr. Rey Tapaya, and Mr. Edgar Narrido for their roles in campus development. Communication and media excellence went to the School of Arts and Sciences-Department of Communication and the University Learning Resource Center. The GAD Tanglaw Awards for inclusive leadership and community empowerment were presented to Dr. Susan S. Bentor, Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Mr. Joemard Calvez, Mr. Tito Amerigo Custodio, Dr. Ernil D. Sumayao, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Criminal Justice Education.

The Office of the Vice President for Student and External Affairs recognized Robert P. Logronio as Outstanding Coach and Student Development Implementer, while Jocelyn C. Caing was named Student Welfare Implementer. Alumni engagement honors went to Ms. Baby Danica Nunez and Dr. Jovie Dia R. Saniel, with the School of Nursing and Health Sciences recognized for its high employability rate. External affairs and OJT coordination excellence were awarded to Mrs. Edwina C. Dela Pena, Dr. Joan J. Sinagpulo, Ms. Cyril Padar, and Ms. Mary Cris C. Briones. The National Service Training Program (NSTP) acknowledged the impact of Mr. Henry Dela Pena, Ms. Jhanna Mariel Merino, Mr. Loudie B. Suliva, Ms. Jade C. Jornales, Mrs. Monette C. Bustillo, and Dr. Reynold G. Bustillo.

The ceremony concluded with the Service Loyalty Awards, honoring decades of commitment. Dr. Vilma Gayrama was celebrated for 30 years of service. A 25-year milestone was reached by Alvin Logro Ampong, Bienvenido Lovia Balame, Leysam Rac Ong, Aina Gervacio, and Liezel Cajes. Twenty-year service awards were given to Dannah Roldan Pitao, John Anthony D. Romagos, Mae Ceblano, and Antonia Corpin. Fifteen-year awardees included Rey Rom Garrido, Willard Navarro Riveral, Bryan Casas Bernil, Johnlisa Bulasito, and Mary Joy Gelizon, while Rexie Itol Lipon, Edgar Francisco Benaldo, and Maharlika Dayagbil Ampong were recognized for 10 years of dedicated service. These collective achievements reaffirm BiPSU’s position as a premier institution dedicated to transformative education and community service.

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