Tears and laughter mark CHED Chair Agrupisโ docu premiere at MMSU film festival
Tears, laughter, and reflection filled Teatro Ilocandia as the biographical documentary of Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, alumna and former MMSU President, now Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), premiered on January 20 during the third MMSU Film Festival.
The documentary film โ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ๐น๐ฒ๐โ featured Dr. Agrupisโ journey from her humble beginnings in a rural farming community in Bangag, Aparri, Cagayan, to becoming the 7th MMSU President, and now Chairperson of CHED. It showcases her early challenges, achievements, and the values that have shaped her as a seasoned leader and educator.
Following the screening, CHED Chair Agrupis thanked MMSU for featuring her life story. She recognized the significant role the university played in shaping her professional character, to which she said, โMMSU, thank you for walking, running, and flying with me.โ She further emphasized, โMy humble life story is a shining manifestation of how education transforms lives.โ She also encouraged the students to dream big, plan, work hard, and stay humble, assuring that CHEDโs center of governance will be the students. โIf I did, you can also do it. Remember, you are the center of CHED service,โ she added.
The film festival also premiered the story of Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, titled, ๐ฆ๐จ๐๐พ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐, which shows her journey through the MMSU Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). Nanay Cesโ story highlights that learning is a lifelong pursuit, where education and experience can come together at any stage of life.
Governor Araneta-Marcos thanked the university for featuring her ETEEAP journey through the film, encouraging the students to believe in their dreams and capabilities. โNever allow fear and doubt stop you from achieving your dreams, because one day, your sacrifices will be fruitful,โ she said. โContinue to chase success by inspiring and serving others, as we also remain steadfast in supporting you,โ the governor also added.
MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. expressed his admiration for Dr. Agrupisโ and Gov. Araneta-Marcosโ stories, noting that both serve as a powerful inspiration for the youth, especially students at the university. "These films reflect the rich creativity of our constituents and the values that the university holds.โ
STRATCOM Director Prof. Herdy Yumul also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Agrupis for allowing the university to share her story as a powerful instrument of hope and inspiration through the film. โStories like hers remind us that strength and purpose can transcend personal struggles,โ he said. โBy bringing her journey to the screen, the university asserts its promise to uplifting narratives that inspire courage and collective hope,โ he added.
Produced by the Office for Strategic Communication (STRATCOM) under the supervision of its director Prof. Yumul, the film ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ๐น๐ฒ๐ was helmed by Dr. Jareason Fabre, while Mr. Michael Visaya and Ms. Paulene Paglumotan directed ๐ฆ๐จ๐๐พ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐.
The film likewise screened two other STRATCOM-produced films showcasing MMSU alumni success storiesโ๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ต๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ถ๐ณ๐ด, which features three alumni from the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA) and their business ventures, and ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ด๐ต๐ณ๐ข, which tells a story of overcoming challenges in public schools while championing education.
The festival further featured four award-winning films created by the universityโs homegrown talents: ๐๐ข๐จ๐ช๐ต๐ช ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ข ๐๐จ๐ข ๐๐ด๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ๐ช๐ข (Woven Stories) by Mr. Melver Ritz Gomez, ๐ฉ๐ช๐จ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ฆ by Mr. Benedict Jay Collado, ๐ฅ๐ข๐ด๐ด๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฏ๐ข๐บ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฑ๐ข๐บ๐ข๐ธ (The Riverโs Flow) by Mr. Romel Pascua, and ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ฅ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฏ๐ด๐ข๐บ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐จ๐ฐ by Mr. Ryand Angelo Ugalde.
The film festival was attended by Dr. Agrupis, CHED Commissioners Dr. Ricmar Aquino, Dr. Desiderio Apag III, Dr. Myrna Mallari, and Dr. Michelle Ong, staff from CHED Central Office, Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, former MMSU President Santiago Obien, presidents of higher education institutions (HEIs), university officials, officials from partner institutions, film directors, featured alumni with their family and friends, employees, and students.
As one of the highlights of the 48th MMSU Foundation Anniversary, the Office for Strategic Communication organized the film festival to serve as a platform for MMSU independent filmmakers to display their craft and inspire the growth of visual storytelling. (๐๐๐/๐๐๐)
Jan, 22, 2026 09:19:am
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STRATCOM
