Pangasinan State University – Bayambang Campus ascent to another milestone earning a great feat at the University’s most coveted award for students.

Despite the deferment brought about by CoVid-19, the ever epoch-making Gawad Parangal 2020 with the theme, “PSUnian: Huwaran ng Katatagan at Kahusayan sa Bagong Normal,” took place at the Dr. Telesforo Boquiren Convention Hall and was streamed live via Facebook and Youtube live on November 18, 2020 at 1 P.M.

Painstaking Selection Procedure

Gawad Parangal is the annual eminent students’ award ceremony of Pangasinan State University which started on 2015. The prestigious award hails the students with excellent academic track records and awe-inspiring contribution to the school, community and country.

According to Dr. Evelyn Lomboy, “this year’s Gawad Parangal is different from the previous years because the Committee revised the criteria for the selection of the Gawad Parangal awardee. The GWA was raised to 1.75 so that the winner can represent the University in the regional, national and even international levels of similar competitions. Some of the criteria were adopted from the Ten Outstanding Youth of the Philippines (TOSP) and Jose Rizal Model Student of the Philipines (JRMSP) respectively.

Blazoned Victor and Finalists

For the Gawad Parangal 2020, the following graduating students were the nominees arranged according to rank: John Joseph D. Zarate (Bayambang Campus) – Pinakanatatanging Mag-aaral ng PSU; Danny Boy Francis Flores (Lingayen Campus) – 2nd Placer; Joshua Bernal (Sta. Maria Campus) – 3rd Placer; Alfonso P. Domantay (San Carlos City Campus) – 4th Placer; and Cristoto B. Caluya Jr. (Alaminos City Campus) – 5th Placer. For their relentless pursuit to greatness and selfless service to humanity, the five finalists received a golden lion trophy and a plaque as a form of recognition.

Moreover, two other nominees were also recognized and awarded with plaques: Jade Mijares from Urdaneta City Campus and Ruby Jadely San Roque from Asingan Campus.

Pinakanatatanging Mag-aaral 2020

“Maihahalintulad ko ang aking naging lakbayin kay “Joseph the Dreamer.” Tulad niya ako po ay punong-punong ng parangap. Pangarap na hanggang ngayong ay ang dahilan ng aking pagsuong sa laban ng buhay,” a message imparted by John Joseph Zarate for the second glorious feat of Bayambang Campus.

Zarate also shared that his journey towards success was never smooth sailing. “Sa mga nakakaalam ng istorya ni Joseph the Dreamer, bago niya narating ang nilaan ng Diyos na tagumpay at tadhanda para sa kaniya, dumaan siya sa maraming hirap. Tulad niya, dumanas po ako ng samo’t saring pagsubok na siya naman pong naging tuntungan ko upang ako ay makarating sa aking kinalalagyan ngayon,” he added.

It is noteworthy that John Joseph Zarate was the University’s bet in the 2019 Jose Rizal Model Student of the Philippines held last December where he emerged as Top 3.

In an interview he voiced out, “Noong ako ay nakipagtagisan para sa 2019 Jose Rizal Modelong Estudyante ng Pilipinas, nakaharap ko ang mga pinakamahuhusay na lider-estuyante mula sa iba’t ibang unibersidad ng bansa. Pakiramdam ko noon, bumabangga ako sa di matibag na pader at tila ba imposible na ako ay magwagi. Subalit, bilang isang PSUnian, natuto akong huwag ibangga ang aking sarili sa di matibag na pader, kundi gumawa ng tulay gamit ang matibay na pader.”

Unstoppable in his quest in achieving his dreams and determined to be successful in life, he has joined the roster of the Pinakanatatanging Mag-aaral ng PSU. Previous Awardees were: Menard Nava (2015), Mark Marlon de Vera (2016), Mohammed Ardaniel Swandi (2017), Patrice Flores (2018), and Adrian Veloso (2019).

 After winning another laurel, Mr. Zarate inspired the student-leaders present in the Gawad Parangal. He said in his parting shot, “Nais ko po maging inspirasyon sa lahat ng aking mga kapwa mag-aaral na naririto ngayon lalo na sa aking SSC family sa Bayambang, nawa’y baunin niyo ang alab at pag-asa sa inyong puso. Huwag kayong padadaig sa anumang hamon ng buhay. Tulad ng CoVid-19 at lahat ng pagsubok, lilipas din lahat ito at May bagong umagang sasalubong sa atin na punong-puno ng pag-asa at tagumpay. “/jjdz