Tarlac State University formally welcomed Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza as its seventh president during the Investiture Ceremony held at the Bulwagang Kanlahi on October 2, 2026, with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Hon. Myrna Q. Mallari presiding on behalf of CHED Chairperson Hon. Shirley C. Agrupis.
The occasion brought together national and regional higher education officials, government leaders, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), private sector partners, faith leaders, members of the TSU Board of Regents, former university presidents and officials and other members of the university and local community.
Among those who witnessed the ceremony were Dr. Milabel E. Ho, Executive Director of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP); Hon. Jude A. Acidre, Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education; and Dr. Maura Consolacion D. Cristobal, CHED Region III Regional Director.
Also in attendance was Atty. Lindley Santillan, representative of Sen. Joel Villanueva, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education.
The ceremony was attended likewise by Hon. Christian Tell Yap, Governor of the Province of Tarlac; Hon. Maria Cristina Angeles, Representative of the Second District of Tarlac; and Hon. Susan Yap, Mayor of Tarlac City.
Joining the celebration were presidents and representatives of universities and colleges from across the country, including Dr. Rene M. Colocar, Marikina Polytechnic College; Dr. Raymond Patrick V. Guico, WCC Aviation; Dr. Paolo T. Lumanlan, Lyceum of Capas; Atty. Ryan L. Estevez, University of Camarines Norte, with his delegation; Dr. Renato G. Reyes, Aurora State College of Technology; Dr. Edgardo H. Rosales, JH Cerilles State College; Atty. Cyrus E. Torreña, Sultan Kudarat State University; Dr. Renante A. Egcas, State University of Northern Negros; Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson, Tarlac Agricultural University; Dr. Enya Marie D. Apostol, Mindoro State University; Dr. Boyet Batang, Isabela State University; Dr. Virgilio Julius Manzano Jr., Mariano Marcos State University; Dr. Bert J. Tuga, Philippine Normal University; Dr. Freddie Caday, Ifugao State University; Dr. Teody C. San Andres, Bulacan State University; Dr. Anita David, Pampanga State Agricultural University; Dr. Ma. Eugenia M. Yangco, Rizal Technological University; Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Catanduanes State University; Dr. Joy C. Capistrano, Agusan del Sur State University; Frederick T. Villa, Southern Luzon State University; Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil and Mrs. Daguil, Caraga State University; Dr. Sitti Amina Jaafar Mohammad, Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College; Dr. Ruby B. Santos-Matibag, Bataan Peninsula State University; Engr. Reynaldo P. Ramos, Technological University of the Philippines; Dr. Jameson H. Tan, Bulacan Agricultural State College, represented by Ms. Bea Vinculado; Capt. Joel Abutal, Superintendent of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, represented by PMMA Board Secretary Jomalyn Ciriaco; and Dr. Romiro G. Bautista, OIC-President of Quirino State University.
They were joined by other higher education officials, including Dr. Max Guillermo, former TAU president; Dr. Maria Flordeliza L. Anastacio, Vice President of Centro Escolar University Malolos; Dr. Florante P. Ibarra, Dean of the College of Education, Central Luzon State University; Kimberly G. Mallari, City College of San Fernando Pampanga; Elma P. Apostol, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Nueva Vizcaya State University; a representative of Atty. Bembol Dl. Castillo, Vice President for Administration, Business and Finance of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology; Asst. Prof. Krysha C. Samparani, Board and University Secretary, Sulu State University; Mike Laurence V. Lumen, Executive Assistant IV, Visayas State University; and Asst. Prof. Carlito P. Quiambao Jr., Campus Director, National Aviation Academy of the Philippines.
Representatives from various government and public institutions were also present, including Dr. Leocadio Sebastian, Acting President of the Development Academy of the Philippines; Magdalena L. Mendoza, Executive Vice President of DAP; Aldrin A. Darilag, Department Manager II of the Philippine Coconut Authority; Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr., Director IV of the Philippine Textile Research Institute; Lourdes G. Dela Cruz, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education – Schools Division Office of Tarlac Province; Dr. Rolando M. Rivera (Former NCIP Commissioner), President, Tribal Communities Association of the Philippines (TriCAP); Fatima D. Buen, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Tabaco City; Karen Y. Dañez, Provincial Science and Technology Director of DOST Tarlac; Dr. Melanie C. Colcol, LGU Capas; Philip B. Ibarra, Provincial Governor’s Office representative and former TCA/TAU president; Ramon Alfredo E. Dela Cruz, Regional Director of the National Police Commission Region X; Rosalie C. Abesamis, Regional Director of the Department of Budget and Management Region III; Dr. Claire Anne A. Olivares, BOT member, SUCTEA III/ADCER; Dr. Angelica O. Cortez, SUCTEA Region III Chairperson and Professor VI at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology; and Dir. Randy M. Bañez, TSU/DC-SUC III/CIRPS.
Representing the private sector were Aileen Uy Chan, President of PCCI Tarlac; Virgin Mary Nicolas, Vice President for External Affairs, PCCI Tarlac; Ma. Consuelo Reyes, Vice President for Internal Affairs, PCCI Tarlac; Arvin Christian P. De Los Reyes, CEO of Chain Rinivarts Educational Training Center; Carl E. Balita, President/CEO of CBRC; Maria Lucinda Freida David Fernandez-Milla, Director of S G David Realty; Atty. Teddy Soliman; Eleador T. Supan Jr. of Dhors Goldsmith; Rannie Mark De Guzman (Kuya Pitong) and Renddy Rose De Guzman, CEO of Zionbuilt Construction and Ziontrade RRR Corp.; Allen T. Yusi, Managing Director/Project Director of Spectacon Inc.; Carlos Delos Santos, President/CEO of Prince Technologies Corporation; Maila Veronica P. Co, Assistant Vice President/Branch Head of Land Bank of the Philippines – Tarlac Branch; and FVP Anthony Evan A. Lluch and AVP Maila Veronica P. Co of LandBank.
Other education-sector guests included Santos Jose O. Dacanay III, Professor 12, University of the Philippines Baguio; Dr. Josefa Rizalina M. Bautista, faculty member of the PMDP-Center for CES Development, Development Academy of the Philippines; Jayson Q. Caranza, Dean of the College of Forestry, Environment and Resources Management, Nueva Vizcaya State University; and Dr. Lilybeth B. Policarpio, Principal IV of Sto. Cristo Integrated School.
Also present were Mrs. Emilia B. Sinio, retired principal of Maliwalo Elementary School; Mrs. Josefina C. Panlilio, Principal of Brightford School Inc.; and Dr. Lilia M. Santiago, Dean of Rosebelle Colleges, Inc.
Faith and community leaders Faith leaders present during the investiture included Rev. Egmedio B. Equila Jr. of the Methodist Church; Most Rev. Roberto C. Mallari and Rev. Fr. Neil John Fetalvero, Rev. Fr. Anthony George Bergonio, Rev. Fr. Estelito Gamboa Jr., Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Gramonte, Rev. Fr. Frank Manalang, and Rev. Fr. Harold Taguines of Our Lady of Peace College Seminary; and Pastor June Mangaya and Mrs. Evangeline Mangaya of the Fundamental Independent Baptist Church.
Civic organizations like the Tarlac Masikhay Knights Eagles Club and the Rotary Club of Tarlac were also present.
The ceremony was also attended by members of the TSU Board of Regents, including Hon. Reynaldo L. Catacutan, Alumni Regent; Hon. Lydia C. Dela Cruz, Faculty Regent; Hon. Jazzmine Faye Samson, Student Regent; Hon. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, DOST Region III Regional Director; and Hon. Nerrisa T. Esguerra, DEPDev Region III Regional Director.
University deans, directors, heads, select staff, and members of the TSU Faculty Federated Union and Non-Academic Staff Association were likewise present to show their support.
Former TSU presidents Dr. Priscilla Viuya, fourth president, and Dr. Arnold E. Velasco, sixth president, likewise joined the occasion, together with former vice presidents, professors, and retired key university officials.
The Office of the University President would like to thank all the family members, guests, friends, and members of the TSU Community who graced the occasion as well as the Committee on the Investiture Rites of the Seventh University President led by its chairperson Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brendalyn A. Manzano; its vice chairpersons Vice President for Administration Dr. Marlon V. Gamido and Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension Dr. Niño B. Corpuz; and the TWG for the overall coordinators; the secretariat, coordination, and monitoring; program, protocol, and ceremonial affairs; guest relations, invitations, and hospitality; documentation, publications, and public information; logistics, venue, and security; finance, procurement, and resource management.
Special thanks is also extended to the all the Office of Culture, Arts, and Language led by its director Prof. Augusto N. Lulu, Jr.; the masters of ceremonies for the investiture rites and investiture banquet; the student performers; the Office of Public Affairs; the Civil Security Unit; Office of University Health Services; TSU Hotel; and other suppliers like the BPRB Events Management Services, Aguilar Sound System, Café Josefina, and the TSU Multipurpose Cooperative.
