CSU Awards Its Partners for Development

CSU University Days is usually celebrated on February 14, the day when the then Governor General for the Philippines Francis Burton Harrison signed Proclamation No. 4, declaring a 232 hectares virgin forest land in Ampayon for school purposes on February 14, 1920.

CSU as an Agusan Agricultural High School (AAHS) was first conceived in 1918, but it only came into being in 1946 laid down by a Filipino woman who scored many firsts in the history. Honorable Elisa Rosales Ochoa was the first Congresswoman of the Philippines, first Filipina Florence Nightingale Awardee, first and only woman National Tennis Champion for 12 years, and first and only woman Asian Olympics Tennis champion for 7 years; and first Filipino Chief Nurse in San Lazaro Hospital, Philippines.

To recognize with deep appreciation and gratitude, Caraga State University led by Dr. Anthony M. Penaso gave the first HART Award, the GGFBH Award, and the HERO Award of Distinction and Achievement to CSU’s partners for development.

Last May 18, 2021, CSU presented three Honorable Elisa Rosales Ochoa (HERO) Awards. Award of Distinction was bestowed to Senator Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, for his exemplary leadership and public service par excellence. CSU is grateful of his immense support in the advancement and development of the University as an institution of higher learning. His commitment and dedication to public service are immeasurable.

HERO Awards of Achievement were presented to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña in recognition of his steadfast commitment and dedication to the advancement of Science and Technology. CSU is grateful of his immense support in the advancement and development of the University as an institution of higher learning. He has played a vital role in the University’s various programs and projects.  His commitment and dedication to public service are prodigious; and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Perfecto A. Alibin in recognition of his resolute commitment and dedication to the advancement of Education. CSU is grateful of his tremendous support in the advancement and development of the University as an institution of higher learning, by serving as Chair of the CSU Board of Regents. His commitment and dedication to public service are boundless. 

Governor General Francis Burton Harrison (GGFBH) Awards were given to Hon. Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun Representative, First District, Agusan del Norte and Member, CSU Board of Regents, Director Priscilla R. Sonido Regional Director, NEDA Caraga and CSU Board of Regents Member, Dr.Alma A. Eleazar, Member, CSU Board of Regents, and Atty. Bonifacio G. Uy, Regional Director, NEDA VIII, and former CSU Board of Regents Member.     

The Honorable Antonio Rosales Tupaz Award or HART Award was also formally launched for CSU’s development partners. The HART Award is named after the late Assemblyman Tupaz who is responsible for the conversion of the then Northern Mindanao Agricultural College (NORMINAC), to the then Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST), now known as Caraga State University. Among those who receive the awards were: Dr. Leonida S. Calagui, Regional Director, CHED Caraga, Director Dominga D. Mallonga, former Regional Director, DOST Caraga and former Member, CSU Board of Regents, ARD Ricardo N. Varela, Assistant Regional Director, DOST Caraga, Director Noel M. Ajoc, OIC Regional Director, DOST Caraga, and CSU Board of Regents member, Director Jenneth C. Partosa OIC Regional Director, DBM Caraga, ARD Paul A. Abarca, OIC Assistant Regional Director, DBM Caraga, Mr. Elvin D. Chatto, Supervising Budget and Management Specialist, DBM Caraga, Ms. Katrina Emmanuelle L. Yap Senior Budget and Management, DBM Caraga, Director Abel James I. Monteagudo, Regional Executive Director, DA Caraga,  Ms.Rebecca R. Atega, OIC Regional Technical Director for Operations, DA Caraga, Dr. Cesar C. Cassion, Regional Director, DOH Caraga, Director Brielgo O. Pagaran former Regional Director, DTI Caraga, ARD Gay A. Tidalgo, Assistant Regional Director, DTI Caraga, and Ms. Eda Christine T. Jamolod, CSU Resident Auditor.

Another HART Award for Development Partners were also given to Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara Undersecretary for Research and Development, DOST, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director, DOST PCIEERD, Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director, DOST PCAARRD, Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, Director, DA-BAR, Dr. Larry N. Digal, Chancellor, UP Mindanao, Dr. Joy C. Capistrano President, Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology, Dr. Gregorio Z. Gamboa Jr., President, Surigao State College of Technology, Dr. Baceledes R. Estal, President, Surigao del Sur State University, Dr. Rolando F. Hechanova, President, Sultan Kudarat State University, and Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, President, Southern Leyte State University.              

CSU President Anthony Penaso with Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Rolando N. Paluga, Vice President for Executive Operations and Auxilliary Services (VPEOAS), Dr. Luisito I. Tabada, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension (VPRIE), Dr. Rowena P. Varela, and Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF), Dr. Armie Leila M. Mordeno gave the award in the presence of the HART Heirs’ representatives, Ms. Sonia Abe GaileTupaz-Zabate and Dr. Sonia R. Low. Ms.Tupaz-Zabate was with her husband Pastor Emmanuel S. Zabate and daughter Elaine Gay Tupaz Zabate.

The Governor General Francis Burton Harrison Award or GGFBH was given to select entities who gave their support and selfless service to the development and growth of CSU, for being instrumental in the advancement of various programs and projects of CSU.

The GGFBH Award is given to CSU constituents and stakeholders who have demonstrated exemplary achievement in their field or discipline. The award is named after Governor General Francis Burton Harrison (1913-1921) who declared the reservation of the 232 hectares virgin forest land in Barrio Ampayon, Municipality of Butuan, Agusan del Norte for School purposes and the grounds of a young school Agusan Agricultural High School in 1946, NORMINAC in 1963, NORMISIST IN 1982, and CSU in 2009. Governor General Francis Burton Harrison signed Proclamation No. 4 on February 14, 1920. Governor General Francis Burton Harrison was an American-born Filipino statesman who lived advocating the transfer of authority to the Filipinos in the United States territory to better prepare the Filipinos for Independence. His pro-Filipino stance made him a popular figure in the Philippines. GGFBH was a prominent adviser to the president of the Philippine Commonwealth, as well as the next four Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines. He is the only former Governor-General of the Philippines to be awarded Philippine citizenship. The first recipients of the GGFBH Award were the CSU Outstanding Alumni in 2017. It was followed by the giving of another GGFBH Award in a different category for CSU’s business partners in 2018.

The Honorable Antonio Rosales Tupaz or HART Award in recognition of great commitment and significant support as a partner for development of the Caraga State University as head of their offices and for contributing in the progress of CSU’s various programs and projects. RGG/PICO