First-ever lawyer alumna to HMD students: Take mental health as a main priority

MALAYBALAY CITY – The first-ever lawyer alumna of the Hospitality Management Department cited ‘mental health’ as an important priority for students during the Pakighigala 2023 event held at the Bukidnon State University Gymnasium on January 18, 2023.

“Take mental health as a main priority considering a lot of students nowadays are battling with depression and anxiety. They should not be afraid and ashamed to seek help and address their situation,” Atty. Mara Genina Unabia, a proud alumna and the guest speaker, said in her speech during the event.

Atty. Unabia is the first and only lawyer who graduated from the HRM Program in 2011. She pursued Bachelor of Laws at BukSU College of Law and passed the BAR Exams in 2020.

She said students must not take education for granted since learners are lucky enough considering the free tuition initiated by the government.

 She also emphasized the importance of education and that students should not take it for granted. She mentioned that during her early years, she needed to do an extra effort to provide and utilize some laboratory equipment, unlike today where students get to utilize world-class facilities.

Ms. Nancy C. Pasia, former HMD Chairperson, Ms. Raquel T. Langam and Ms. Josephine Racheal I. Eugenio, former instructors also graced the said event and shared all their experiences, memories, and well wishes to the faculty and students of the department.

Ms. Irene C. Gambi and Mr. John Michael Vincent M. Gemilga, HMD Alumni Relations coordinators, gave the alumni and former faculty a campus tour and highlighted the new facilities and equipment of the department especially in the Bukidnon State University – Hotel Laboratory.

Future plans and projects were also discussed and shared during the tour. A possible reunion and get together to all alumni of the program will be held later this year.

The League of Hospitality Leaders – Student Officers headed by its President, Mr. Joshua Saldua, with the advisers Ms. Kathryn Faith E. Amarille, Mr. Jhon Michael G. Jamis, and Roy J. Cagatcagat, extended their heartfelt gratitude to the College of Business Dean – Dr. Nestor Y. Cipriano and the Hospitality Management Chairperson – Dr. Annie Leah Roxann L. Emata for the utmost support of the event.

They considered it as a great success amidst the lack of resources and less time preparation. They also acknowledge the full support of the Bukidnon State University’s top management.

The conducted event was a student-alumni gathering dubbed as “Pakighigala 2023” which happened for the first time after three years of hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was held annually in hopes to rekindle memories of the former students and to inspire the current learners. The said event was only stopped during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed after the University allowed events and gatherings this school year. Another aim of the event is to build a strong bond and collaboration with the alumni for the improvement of the Department’s main core functions – instruction, extension, research and production. (Mr. Marven Jan A. Nadela/HMD)