Rufran’s recent trip to the Philippines brought him back to his alma mater, Batangas State University (BSU). It’s been almost twenty years since he last set foot in the University Main Campus.
His purpose was to see the University and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo. It was a privilege to be given the chance to talk with him considering that whole week was extremely busy with graduation rites he needed to attend to.
It was a “short-notice request” for an appointment made through Dr. Jessie Montalbo, Vice President for Administration and External Affairs, the final arrangement of which was subsequently coursed through the University Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs and concurrent University Librarian Dr. Agnes D. Arellano.
He walked through the concrete roads, walkways, stairs and corridors leading to the Office of the President with pride and yearning in his every step. The place was vastly improved with new buildings, modern infrastructures, state-of-the art facilities, and a well-balanced façade more pleasing to the eyes. The amazing growth BSU has undergone through the years was truly a sight to behold. The President proudly intimated during our discussion one of his favourite philosophies, “To appreciate the content, one has to develop a good container.”
