𝐃𝐖𝐂𝐋 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝟕𝟗 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬

Fifteen faculty and staff members were awarded for their years of service during the 79th Founding Anniversary of the Divine Word College of Laoag, Inc. (DWCL), today, February 3, 2026.
The event honored the DWCL faculty and staff who reached ten, 15, 20, and 25 years of servitude in the institution. 
The awardees include Christine M. Galam, Dr. Egdonna A. Quinto, Rogelio A. Simon, Lowelyn S. Agbayani, Robert E. Diego, Karen Mercedita P. Jamias, Cristina F. Eustaquio, Dr. Frelyn B. Ranay, Mr. Conrado Melandres T. Acio, Jose Vallente A. Ballesteros, Myra B. Calpio, and Joyce N. Valdez.
Also acknowledged were three retirees, namely, Dr. Ederlina G. Callangan, Michael B. Madamba, and Madelyn M. Guillermo.
“This recognition honors not only the years they have generously given, but also the dedication, integrity, and quiet excellence with which you have served DWCL,” said Rev. Fr. Romeo S. Fajardo, SVD, during the Eucharistic Celebration preceding the program.
In his speech, Mr. Ballesteros, one of the 25-year awardees, emphasized the importance of their often-mundane service and expressing their gratefulness that their work is finally being recognized.
“Today, we are appreciated for the work in the years we have given for the work that is often quite unseen, and sometimes taken for granted, because what we do is essential to the life of the school,” he said.
Mr. Ballesteros further stated that their service should still be recognized outside of such ceremonies as a “shared acknowledgement” of the importance of their work.
“Years of service, milestones reached, and lessons learned— many of which has gone unnoticed, but I’m sure this had made a difference to someone, somewhere, sometime, not long ago,” he said.

𝑏𝑦 𝑀𝑖𝑐𝑜 𝐶𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑜 𝐴𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝐶. 𝑅𝑢𝑖𝑧