Published August 03, 2026 by ---
As we gather this morning, my heart is filled with profound pride and gratitude. The past weeks have been a testament to what we can achieve when we move as one remarkably strong team.
First, I extend my deepest appreciation to every committee, faculty member, staff, and students who worked tirelessly to make our historic hosting of the University EXECOM-MANCOM Meeting and Building Inauguration a resounding success. Once again, we showcased CSU Lal-lo's hospitality, excellence, and organizational power.
Second, thank you for your active participation and honest dedication during our Midyear Performance Review.
And finally, I hope everyone was able to recharge during our Rest and Recreation (R&R) activity in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Taking time to refresh our minds in nature is vital because our people are our most precious resource, and a unified team is a winning team.
Today, we simultaneously launch two monumental observances: ASEAN Month, celebrating our regional unity across Southeast Asia, and Buwan ng Wika, honoring our national identity and native languages.
As we kick off these celebrations, we draw inspiration from two powerful historical milestones this month:
International Significance (August 8, 1967 – The Birth of ASEAN): Fifty-nine years ago this August, five Southeast Asian nations came together to sign the Bangkok Declaration, establishing ASEAN. It proved that diverse nations—with different languages, cultures, and histories—could unite under a shared vision of economic growth, peace, and mutual cooperation.
National Significance (August 23, 1896 – The Cry of Pugad Lawin): Locally, August marks the defining moment when Filipino revolutionaries tore up their CEDULAs in unity, declaring their commitment to freedom and self-determination. It reminds us that meaningful transformation requires collective courage, shared sacrifice, and an unyielding commitment to a higher purpose.
Just as ASEAN thrives through regional collaboration and our national heroes succeeded through solidarity, CSU Lal-lo continues to flourish because of our shared values.
As we celebrate our local heritage through Buwan ng Wika and our global interconnectedness through ASEAN Month, let us stay grounded in the culture we are engineering right here:
The Professional Sanctuary.
Let us foster a campus environment where diversity is respected, where language unites rather than divides, and where every student, faculty, and staff member feels safe, valued, and empowered.
Let us continue to Lead with Integrity and Innovate with Purpose in our classrooms, research fields, and administrative duties.
Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to our campus. Let us make this month of August a celebration of our culture, our regional strength, and our shared academic excellence.
Maligayang Buwan ng Wika! Happy ASEAN Month! Agbiag, CSU Lal-lo!