The Wheelhouse

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗩𝗠𝗔 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

A Recognition Ceremony was held on May 14 at the RSB Gymnasium carrying the theme, “Globalizing Knowledge, Celebrating Excellence: Advancing Education and International Collaboration.”

The event gathered students, faculty members, and guests from the institution in recognition of academic achievements for the academic year.

Serving as inspirational speakers were Aux. Radm. Alvin G. Aguillon, PhD. for the College of Maritime Studies and Shiera R. Javier, Hospitality and Tourism Educator of USLS Bacolod for the CHBM. Meanwhile, the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Angelica M. Baylon, Director, External Relations Office Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific.

The ceremony served as a celebration of students’ dedication and hardwork in their respective fields.

𝙿𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚜 | 𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘 𝙰𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚗 lll & 𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝙷𝚞𝚕𝚐𝚞𝚒𝚗

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | Graduation Ball 2026

📸: Khirsten Kneeyo Gasendo & Rolando Abitan III

𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦, 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗.

By tomorrow, the uniforms will become memories and the hallways will hold stories instead of routines.

Years of hard work, sacrifices, and silent battles have all led to this moment.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 ‘26

𝗩𝗠𝗔 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Completers and graduates from VMA gathered in an evening of elegance and celebration during the Graduation Ball “Nocturne Royal: A Midnight Masquerade of Legacies” held on May 12, at the SMX Convention Center, marking a memorable night of recognition as they honored their academic journey.

The event officially opened with the welcome remarks from VMA Global College and Training Centers, Inc. President, Capt. Niño Elson O. Salabas, PhD. In his message, he emphasized, “Tonight is not only a celebration of academic achievement, but also a celebration of friendship, perseverance, sacrifices, and dreams fulfilled”.

The program also featured a recognition ceremony for campus clubs, organizations, linkages, and institutional partners, along with a batch video presentation that reflected on the memories and milestones shared by the graduates.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Mask Reveal Ceremony, symbolizing the theme, “This is who we truly are.” The celebration continued with Graduates Got Talent, candle-lighting ceremony, toast of honor, and batch song presentation by the VMA Chorale and VMA Dance Company.

Special awards were also presented during the event:

Star of the Night (Male): Ryan Cariño
Star of the Night (Female): Hajiella Mae Lopez
Best Dressed (Female): Sabrina Dy Subire
Best Dressed (Male): Reyferbs Parreño
Aura of the Night: Mr. Jovey Villaluna

The night concluded with a lively party where graduates and completers enjoyed the rest of the evening celebrating their achievements together.

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜 | 𝙺𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝙺𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚢𝚘 𝙶𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚘
𝙿𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚜 | 𝙺𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝙺𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚢𝚘 𝙶𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚘 & 𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘 𝙰𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚗 𝙸𝙸𝙸

𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻, 𝗚𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗔𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗡

Neslen Geocadin and Susheedy Iven Gandola of the VMA Chorale secured the championship title in the Vocal Duet Category of the National PRISAA 2026 PRISAAWITAN held today, May 11, at the STI WNU Gymnasium.

Their winning piece was “Lunod” by Ben&Ben, a performance that showcased both vocal sensitivity and emotional intensity, ultimately sealing their victory and leaving a strong impression on the judges and audience.

𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙂𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙐𝙇𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝙎 𝙑𝙈𝘼𝙀𝙍𝙎!

✍🏻: Juliana Kia Estaris

Photo Courtesy: Mr. Jet Estefani

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | Grand Opening Ceremony of the National Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Games 2026 at the Panaad Park and Stadium on May 9. With more than 12,000 delegates from 17 regions across the Philippines.

𝙿𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚜 | 𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘 𝙰𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚗, 𝙺𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝙺𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚢𝚘 𝙶𝚊𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚘, & 𝙽𝚎𝚒𝚕 𝙹𝚘𝚑𝚗 𝙱𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝 𝙱𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘯, 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘭, 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴, 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘯–𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘮.

You were the first witness to every fall, the one who stayed awake through my restless nights, and the first to hold me when the world was still too unfamiliar for me to understand. Within the small corners of our room, you became the quiet kind of strength I could always lean on whenever I stumbled.

When I started school, your worry came with me. You watched from the small window with eyes filled with concern, as if losing sight of me for even a moment frightened you. Every dismissal, we walked home together, both tired from the day, yet you never let yours show. In those simple moments we shared, my world always felt complete because of you.

Now that I am old enough to understand things better, I see that you have never stopped being there for me. Through every sleepless nights and every moment of doubt, you remained beside me. Maybe I still cannot give back everything, but I hope that one day I will be able to give you the kind of life you truly deserve.

And I hope that in the days ahead, as I pursue the dreams I once only spoke of, you will still be there. Because every step and achievement I take is built on your strength.

And someday, it will be my turn to hold your arm. Happy Mother's Day, Ma!

✍🏻: Terzo Lizter E. Almohallas
🖼️: Heaven V. Hulguin

𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗦𝟮 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

The 837th NROTCU held its Military Science 2 graduation ceremony at the RSB Gymnasium, today, May 9, 2026.

Capt. Karl Christian Orola, NSTP Coordinator formally opened the program with his opening remarks and followed by the presentation of MS2 Cadets. Inspirational message was then delivered by 1Lt Rommel D. Perez Pn(M)(Res).

The MS2 cadets received their certificate of completion on the awarding ceremony, marking the start of their commitment to serve the nation, instilling dicipline, patriotism, and civic duty.

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚜: 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝙹𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚅𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚜𝚊
𝙿𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚘𝚜: 𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚘 𝙰𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚗 lll

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗢𝗠 𝗗𝗔𝗬📰

While others tell stories for recognition,
others tell them because they cannot afford not to.

This day belongs to the latter.
To those who report, document, capture, and question through pressure, doubt, and resistance. Press freedom is not just about having a voice but about using it when it 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 most.

𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝗋𝗎𝗍𝗁 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗇𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗆𝖾𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗒 𝗌𝗂𝗅𝖾𝗇𝗍.
𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘺.

✍🏻: Juliana Kia Estaris
🖼️: Heaven Hulguin