Holy Angel University (HAU) alumni, former and current scholars, and administration gathered at the university’s Café Juan on October 14, 2022, Friday afternoon, as the HAU-Center for Kapampangan Studies (HAU-CKS) and former scholars launched their book entitled WINGED: Stories of Struggle and Success among Scholars and Graduates of Holy Angel University.
Co-published by the CKS and written by former scholars Jay-vee Marasigan Pangan and Lia Torno Pangilinan, the book is composed of the first batch of stories of the former scholars of HAU as they shared the experiences they had as a scholar of the institution as well as the life lessons that they learned throughout the years.
“There are so many more stories that deserve to be in this book. They have faces. They have names. Their dreams are valid too,” stated Pangan, who is also a former Editor-in-Chief of the Angelite.
“This is why I wrote this book, WINGED, to be an angel not only for ourselves but also for others, so they can also be winged and fly,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jan Christian David, a Senior communication student, delivered a speech as one of the current scholars. He expressed his fair share of struggles and hopes as a student assistant at HAU.
“Bago pa gumising ang mga kaklase ko, nasa eskwela na ako para magduty. At minsan, naka-uwi na ang mga kaklase ko, ako ay nagbabantay at nagpapahiram pa ng mga bola dahil sa gym ako nakaduty noon… Nonetheless I had to continue for myself, for my education, for my future and flr my family,” he stated.
In addition to that is a video presentation where former scholars recounted the impact of the scholarship programs on them which is beyond financial assistance that paved the way to achieve who and where they are now.
One of the highlights of the program was the presentation of complimentary copies to the book partners which includes the donors of scholarship programs, scholar representatives from various society groups, and alumni. The former scholars who contributed their success stories were also recognized during the book launch.
The book launching also coincided with the anniversary of the appointment of Mr. Leopoldo Jaime Valdes as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) President of HAU who gave out his inspirational message to everyone.
“I hold a special place in my heart for these working students,” said Mr. Valdes. “They have the least time for leisure because they study and work or perform at the same time.”
Aside from HAU-CKS, WINGED is also a joint project of the Marketing & Creative Services Office, Alumni Relations Office, and University and Scholarships Grants Office, in which the brainstorming for the book started in 2016.
