𝐈𝐍𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐀 | 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭

When 𝐌𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓. 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨 was named Sussex Central High School’s 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫, the result was unmistakable. It is an outcome reached after years of disciplined work, deliberate consistency, and commitment to student-centered excellence. This recognition is the final answer to a long and rigorous equation, one that began not in Virginia, but in the classrooms of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), where his constants of excellence and service were first defined. 

A Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) major in Mathematics in 2013 and a holder of a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) - Mathematics in 2024, both earned at TAU, Mr. Castro’s academic journey was built on solid axioms. His education did not function as a temporary variable; it became a fixed value, shaping his logic, sharpening his method, and ensuring that every professional step would be mathematically sound. TAU was where his proof began, line by line, assumption by assumption.

His early career in the Philippines served as a working solution. As a Math Teacher and later School Principal at BESTCAP Career College, Inc., and as Teacher III at Bilad High School, Mr. Castro encountered complex, real-world problems where answers were not immediately visible. In these classrooms, he learned that teaching is less about presenting results and more about guiding students through the process: checking steps, correcting errors, and building confidence until understanding emerges.

𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐒 | 𝐀𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐩𝐮𝐩𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐠𝐚 𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬

Honoring the outstanding achievement of its newest Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers, the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) College of Engineering and Technology (CET) community gathers today, 16 January. CET hosts Araw ng Pagpupugay, a special tribute to the graduates of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (DABE) who excel in the December 2025 licensure examination.

TAU proudly marks a remarkable 70.59% overall passing rate, a performance that far surpasses the national average of 59.14%. The ceremony recognizes the 12 new engineers, celebrating their resilience, mastery of the field, and unrelenting pursuit of excellence to advance agricultural and biosystems engineering.

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨, 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥

The rhythmic clacking of bamboo poles and the pulsing sounds of Korean pop beats echoed through the Farmers’ Training Center as Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) and South Korea’s Yeungnam University (YU) transformed the stage into an intercultural festival of movement and melody, 16 January. 

The Cultural Exchange Program, part of YU’s Global Volunteer Project, showcased a dialogue of heritage and friendship through spirited dance and musical performances under the theme, “Empowering Youth through Cultural Exchange and Collaboration.”

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Edmar N. Franquera, TAU Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training (VPRET), underscored the living nature of culture expressed on stage. “Through the songs, dances, music, and artistic expressions that we will witness today, we are reminded that culture is not merely preserved in history books but is alive in our people, our stories, and our collective experiences,” he said.

In addition, the message of TAU President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson, delivered by Dr. Leonell P. Lijauco, Vice President for Planning and Quality Assurance (VPPQA), framed the program as part of a deepening relationship between the Philippines and South Korea. “This growing bond is further reflected in the movement of our people,” the VPPQA reads. “Each individual becomes a living thread in a rich tapestry of mutual appreciation and daily diplomacy.”

TAU’s performances presented a compelling narrative of Filipino heritage. The TAU Chorale opened the program with the folk songs “Neneng” and “Vochong,” setting a reflective tone for the morning. This was followed by the TAU Performing Guild (PG) Dance Troupe, which took the audience on a cultural journey across the nation through three distinct pieces: the Ilocano farmers’ homage “Cariada ti Mannalon,” the solemn ritual dance “Subli” from Batangas, and the widely recognized agility of “Tinikling.”

𝐈𝐍𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐀 | 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞

Another milestone was once again achieved by the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) as 2nd Lieutenant Leomar Simon Sugui, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) and a former Corps Commander of TAU Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) from TAU, who is now serving as an active officer of the Philippine Army and Platoon Leader of Charlie Company, 42nd Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, made a remarkable demonstration of leadership and service in a critical military operation that led to a recovery of ammunitions on 16-17 December 2025 in Barangay Exciban, Labo, Camarines Norte.

2nd Lt. Sugui completed his degree at TAU in 2013, during which he also completed the basic and advanced ROTC courses in AY 2009-2010 and was designated Corps Commander. With his dedication and perseverance, Sugui entered the military service through Republic Act 7077 also known as the “Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act” mandating military training such as ROTC for college students to build a reservist pool.

Through this program, he gained foundational skills in leadership, discipline, and teamwork, which later proved crucial during a high-impact military operation in Camarines Norte, where he led his platoon in the successful recovery of illegal weapons, ammunition, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). 

In collaboration with other Philippine agencies and units, Sugui and his team made a successful two-day operation, preventing any harm while providing protection to the community without any reports of casualties.