Tabloid Issue Vol XL No 3
By Ruby Jean Ricafranca and Kenneth Pabilonia
A torrent of emotion filled the Activity Center as the university evoked former Bulacan State University (BulSU) president for 23 years Dr. Rosario Pimentel’s memories in his necrological service, August 23.
In the eulogy, Pimentel’s colleagues from BulSU remembered him as a kind-hearted man who dreamed only of betterment for the university.
“Paalam magiting na guro. Patuloy kong isasabuhay ang mga aral na ibinigay mo sa akin dahil isa kang mabuti at matatag na tao. Goodbye Mr. President. See you next time,” former Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Danilo Faustino said.
At the age of 74, Pimentel passed away 11 days before his birthday due to complications caused by diabetes, August 19. The former prexy underwent dialysis due to kidney infection and foot amputation three weeks before his passing, but his body gave up to death eventually.
“As a president, [Dr. Pimentel was] highly principled. [He’s] strong willed and very principled person. Kapag nasa kan’yang principle, ipaglalaban n’ya ‘yon. Pero sa kabila no’n, ‘yong bait n’ya, ibang klase ‘yong bait n’ya. Hindi siya nagtatanim ng galit,” BulSU President Mariano de Jesus recalled.
Tracing back, Pimentel served the university for 46 years, starting as physics and mathematics instructor at the then Bulacan College of Arts and Trades and got promoted as CIT college dean and then to VPAA.
He became the university president for 23 years after being appointed by late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in 1984, earning him the record as the longest ruling president of a State University in Philippine history.
Pimentel retired in 2007 at the age of 70 amidst controversy.
23-year term
As university president, Pimentel had led BulSU to development and paved way to opportunities all throughout the country.
Under his leadership, construction of facilities boomed in the university. He initiated the establishment of Federizo Hall, Natividad Hall, Athletes’ Quarter, Academic Building, College of Home Economics building, BulSU Hostel and the Graduate School.
His term also marked the university’s sports and technological advancement.
“Ipinakilala niya ang BulSU sa mundo,” De Jesus said. “Panahon niya ‘yong nag-start maging malakas ang BulSU sa sports. Sinusuportahan niya talaga [ang mga atleta].”
During his term, BulSU’s population escalated from 5, 000 students’ to 20, 000 enrollees and from 100 faculty members to 600.
Aside from it, Pimentel’s friends, former students and colleagues extended their gratitude to the late president.
“Pres. Pimentel taught me one of the greatest lessons in life. When we were practicing for the SCUAA National to be held in Bacolod [in 1989], I got the chance to play with him. As I am a novice, he told me to ‘think all possible moves and choose the best move’ that I applied not only when I am playing chess but also in life’s decision making,” alumni Ferlina Remitio recalled.
But despite his accomplishments, Pimentel got tangled with controversies from the ‘Imelda Soap’ issue, Php500 Development Fee collection and the padlocking of Pacesetter’s office.
“We still consider his insistence to impose the development fee as a tacit form of subservience to the dictates of the national government. Maliit na ang subsidy sa Bulacan State University, gano’n din sa ibang schools, kaya nag-impose ng development fee. With regard to Dr. Pimentel's order to padlock Pacesetter, everyone agrees that it was unjust, erroneous, illegal, undemocratic etc.” remembered David Michael San Juan, an alumni, former Student Government President and editor of Pacesetter.
On the other hand, De Jesus cleared that Pimentel only thought of the development of the university alone and have no other intentions, referring to the collection of the controversial fee in 2004.
“Dahil sa kagustuhan n’ya na magkaroon ng magandang development ang university naisip n’ya na ang quality education, dapat may bayad. Ibig sabihin you cannot have quality education without bayad. You cannot depend everything to the government,” De Jesus defended.
By Ruby Jean Ricafranca and Kenneth Pabilonia
A torrent of emotion filled the Activity Center as the university evoked former Bulacan State University (BulSU) president for 23 years Dr. Rosario Pimentel’s memories in his necrological service, August 23.
In the eulogy, Pimentel’s colleagues from BulSU remembered him as a kind-hearted man who dreamed only of betterment for the university.
“Paalam magiting na guro. Patuloy kong isasabuhay ang mga aral na ibinigay mo sa akin dahil isa kang mabuti at matatag na tao. Goodbye Mr. President. See you next time,” former Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Danilo Faustino said.
At the age of 74, Pimentel passed away 11 days before his birthday due to complications caused by diabetes, August 19. The former prexy underwent dialysis due to kidney infection and foot amputation three weeks before his passing, but his body gave up to death eventually.
“As a president, [Dr. Pimentel was] highly principled. [He’s] strong willed and very principled person. Kapag nasa kan’yang principle, ipaglalaban n’ya ‘yon. Pero sa kabila no’n, ‘yong bait n’ya, ibang klase ‘yong bait n’ya. Hindi siya nagtatanim ng galit,” BulSU President Mariano de Jesus recalled.
Tracing back, Pimentel served the university for 46 years, starting as physics and mathematics instructor at the then Bulacan College of Arts and Trades and got promoted as CIT college dean and then to VPAA.
He became the university president for 23 years after being appointed by late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in 1984, earning him the record as the longest ruling president of a State University in Philippine history.
Pimentel retired in 2007 at the age of 70 amidst controversy.
23-year term
As university president, Pimentel had led BulSU to development and paved way to opportunities all throughout the country.
Under his leadership, construction of facilities boomed in the university. He initiated the establishment of Federizo Hall, Natividad Hall, Athletes’ Quarter, Academic Building, College of Home Economics building, BulSU Hostel and the Graduate School.
His term also marked the university’s sports and technological advancement.
“Ipinakilala niya ang BulSU sa mundo,” De Jesus said. “Panahon niya ‘yong nag-start maging malakas ang BulSU sa sports. Sinusuportahan niya talaga [ang mga atleta].”
During his term, BulSU’s population escalated from 5, 000 students’ to 20, 000 enrollees and from 100 faculty members to 600.
Aside from it, Pimentel’s friends, former students and colleagues extended their gratitude to the late president.
“Pres. Pimentel taught me one of the greatest lessons in life. When we were practicing for the SCUAA National to be held in Bacolod [in 1989], I got the chance to play with him. As I am a novice, he told me to ‘think all possible moves and choose the best move’ that I applied not only when I am playing chess but also in life’s decision making,” alumni Ferlina Remitio recalled.
But despite his accomplishments, Pimentel got tangled with controversies from the ‘Imelda Soap’ issue, Php500 Development Fee collection and the padlocking of Pacesetter’s office.
“We still consider his insistence to impose the development fee as a tacit form of subservience to the dictates of the national government. Maliit na ang subsidy sa Bulacan State University, gano’n din sa ibang schools, kaya nag-impose ng development fee. With regard to Dr. Pimentel's order to padlock Pacesetter, everyone agrees that it was unjust, erroneous, illegal, undemocratic etc.” remembered David Michael San Juan, an alumni, former Student Government President and editor of Pacesetter.
On the other hand, De Jesus cleared that Pimentel only thought of the development of the university alone and have no other intentions, referring to the collection of the controversial fee in 2004.
“Dahil sa kagustuhan n’ya na magkaroon ng magandang development ang university naisip n’ya na ang quality education, dapat may bayad. Ibig sabihin you cannot have quality education without bayad. You cannot depend everything to the government,” De Jesus defended.