BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
GRADUATING with Latin honors is such a feat; triple it and that deserves a commendation from the region’s No. 1 newspaper.
First entering the newsroom of Panay News as student interns, Ma. Jessreigna Garote Collado, Winzee Dawn Castante Panunciar and Nissi Joy Anecita Mana-ay showed consistent exemplary performance for three months that they immediately landed their first employment pre-graduation.
On June 6, the three marched as magna cum laude honorees with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing (EMC) in West Visayas State University-Main Campus.
Jessreigna Garote Collado is the eldest of the two children of Mrs. Regina G. Collado and Jessie J. Collado, who were working as billing clerks and plumbers, respectively.
She had her elementary education at Pavia Pilot Elementary School and completed her junior and senior high school years at Pavia National High School with honors.
As someone eager to learn about how animations work, she took her degree fully knowing that she would experience a lot of difficulties.
“I struggled to find resources just to be able to pass my activities as someone who was not born into a well-off family, but I am grateful to my family, friends, and classmates for their assistance in making my ends meet. My two years of online education were difficult because, one, we were having financial difficulties and had to deal with personal problems, and second, gadgets were necessary for school at that time,” Jessreigna said.
She added: “I can’t just tell you to study hard, but please put your well-being first. As long as you have good health, you can pursue anything you want.”
Meanwhile, Winzee Dawn Castante Panunciar is the eldest of the two children of Mrs. Suzette Castante Panunciar, a housewife, and Mr. Darwin Malabo Panunciar, a driver technician.
Winzee graduated top 5 in Pablo Muyuela Elementary School in Cabatuan, Iloilo; completed her junior high school in Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School with honors; and finished her senior high school in Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School still with honors.
“Personal choice gid nga kuhaon ang amo na nga course. Since I was a kid, mahilig gid ako maglantaw sa Disney kag animations and na-amaze gid ako kung paano nila nahimo ina nga napahulag-hulag, daw ka cool abi,” said Winzee.
She added: “Damo gid ko na-encounter nga challenges since day one sa college, the depression and anxiety every day nga basi indi ko ni kaya. Nagdugang pa pag pandemic, kabudlay sang internet sa amon sa uma kag indi pa ako kompleto sa gamit kay mahal gid. Kis-a ma isip ko nalang gani mag untat but thankfully, wala ko gindayon.”
Winzee advised to always be faithful and surround themselves with the right people.
“As long as may faith ka kay God, nothing is impossible. Pero it does not mean indi mo na kailangan mag tuon ha? Also pili-a gid ang sakto nga circle of friends nga di ka pagbayaan sa ere. And to all magulangs (eldest children) out there, laban lang!” she said.
And last but not the least, Nissi Joy Anecita Mana-ay is the eldest of the two children of Mrs. Luzviminda Mana-ay, an overseas Filipino worker, and Mr. Errol Mana-ay, a barangay official.
Nissi finished her elementary education at San Carlos Integrated School in Anilao, Iloilo as a Declamation Awardee and Storyteller of the Year, and completed junior and senior high school at Anilao National High School with honors.
Mana-ay said her choice of a bachelor’s degree was influenced by her childhood days.
“It wasn’t my first choice, and to be honest, I do not have plans on what to pursue. I guess it was my childhood days that influenced me, and almost everyone in the family was computer inclined,” said Nissi.
The three also garnered different awards.
Ma. Jessreigna Garote Collado
* Bronze Medalist, Service Awardee for ICON Publication (2019-2020)
* Silver Medalist, Service Awardee for ICON Publication (2020-2023)
* Best in Research Poster in EMC
* Special Citation as Copy Editor of SPIRE Editorial Board, Batch 2023 Official Yearbook Publication
* With High Distinction
Winzee Dawn Castante Panunciar
* Best in Thesis for “Hues of you: A 2D interactive short film”
* Bronze Medalist (2019-2021)
* Silver Medalist (2021-2022)
* Bronze Medalist (2022-2023)
* With Distinction
Nissi Joy Anecita Mana-ay
* Silver Medalist (2020-2023)
* Most Outstanding Intern in EMC
* Best in Thesis for “Hues of you: A 2D interactive short film”
* University Service Award for Little Theater
* Special Citation as Designer of SPIRE Editorial Board, Batch 2023 Official Yearbook Publication
* With High Distinction./PN
