By Princess Arsenal

Batch Hiyas student interns, together with their parents and faculty members, marked a meaningful milestone as they received their pins and lit candles symbolizing their commitment to the teaching profession.

Pins rested near the hearts of future educators as candles illuminated the Rose Memorial Auditorium on August 24 (Monday), marking a significant step for Batch Hiyas, the student interns for Academic Year 2026-2027, toward the profession they have chosen to pursue.

The Central Philippine University College of Education (COEd) held its Fourth Pinning and Candle Lighting Ceremony under the acrostic theme “Honor, Integrity, and Yielding Academic Success in Teaching,” gathering students, parents, faculty members, and guests in a milestone moment when Batch Hiyas don their pins and commit to become lightbearers to students in the classroom, a symbolic gesture that marks the beginning of their student-teacher internship journey.

Dr. Eden P. Gomez, Officer-in-Charge Dean of the College of Education, opened the ceremony with a message on the responsibilities awaiting pre-service teachers beyond the university.

“As future educators, you are called to shape the hearts and minds of the next generation,” Dr. Gomez said, urging them to pursue academic excellence, moral integrity, and faith as they prepare to lead the youth.

Rev. Dr. Mary Grace Labis delivered the convocation speech, drawing on 2 Timothy 2:15 and her own background in special education to challenge Batch Hiyas to equip themselves intellectually, spiritually, and morally.

“First, acknowledge God as the source of wisdom. Second, carry the life lessons learned. It may take past experiences, both mistakes and successes, as they turn pain and hardship into practical wisdom. Lastly, teach the truth with honesty and integrity,” Pastor Labis said.

Guest speaker John Paul P. Eusebio, a cum laude alumnus of the Bachelor of Elementary Education program, inspired the Batch Hiyas with his wisdom gained from years of teaching in the public school system and as a former active COEd student. He addressed Batch Hiyas on honor, integrity, and academic success.

“Academic success in teaching is not measured by how good we are at crafting our lesson plans, how fluent we are in delivering our lessons, or how colorful our instructional materials are, but by how we live and make an impact on the lives of our learners,” he said.

Eusebio concluded his speech with a binalaybay, a poetic message on the responsibilities of future educators that presented Jesus Christ as the role model.

The ceremony reached its culminating moment as the aspiring educators walked onstage one by one with their parents for the pinning ceremony. As each pin was placed near their hearts, it marked more than an individual academic achievement; it also honored the families who had carried part of the journey with them.

Following the pinning, Danielle Virl Idemne of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program led the Pledge of Oath. Batch Hiyas pledged to uphold their responsibilities as pre-service teachers, nurture the minds and hearts of learners, provide meaningful and quality instruction, and dedicate themselves to the teaching vocation.

Dr. Gomez then led the candle lighting ceremony as they lit the candles signifying the wisdom, faith, and service they are expected to carry into their classrooms.

Dr. Maredil Ambos closed the event, emphasizing that every lesson prepared, every learner encouraged, and every life touched has the potential to leave a lasting impact.

“May your hiyas shine brightly wherever your teaching journey takes you,” Dr. Ambos said. “May you become teachers who do not simply teach lessons but also ignite possibilities; teachers who do not simply build minds, but also shape character; and teachers who do not simply prepare examinations, but also prepare the learners for life.”

As the candles dimmed and the auditorium slowly emptied, the pins remained close to the hearts of Batch Hiyas, serving as a quiet reminder that the ceremony marked not the end of their journey, but the beginning of the responsibility they have chosen to carry.