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The Touchstone, Sanchez Mira (2026)

13/06/2026

Ano nga ba ang nakatago sa likod ng tahimik na dalampasigan ng Masisit, kung saan ang araw ay tila walang kapaguran sa pagbabantay at ang hangin ay may dalang mga kuwentong paulit-ulit ngunit hindi ganap na nauunawaan.

Sa baybaying ito matatagpuan ang mga kamay na sanay sa init at oras, ang bawat araw ay hindi lamang pagdaan ng panahon kundi isang ritwal ng pagpapatuloy at pakikipagsapalaran sa gitna ng katahimikan.

Inihahandog ng The Touchstone ang kauna-unahang dokumentaryo.

"Dapugan sa Dalampasigan."

—

DISCLAIMER: This documentary has been produced based on thorough research and documentation conducted in good faith. It is intended solely to present and highlight the traditional salt-making practices in Masisit. It is not meant to defame, harm, or discredit any individual, group, institution, or organization.

11/06/2026

𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗮𝗻. 𝗞𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻. 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻.

May mga bagay na hindi nakikita sa mga pagdiriwang. Hindi ito matatagpuan sa kumpas ng martsa o sa pagwagayway ng watawat.

Matatagpuan ito sa mga bakas ng paa ng mga nauna, sa mga pangalang unti-unti nang nilalamon ng panahon, ngunit nananatiling buhay sa bawat karapatang tinatamasa natin ngayon.

Ang kasaysayan ay hindi lamang koleksiyon ng mga petsa at pangyayari. Isa itong paalala ng halaga ng bawat kalayaang ipinaglaban, ipinagbayad, at ipinamana.

Ngunit ang kalayaan ay hindi natatapos sa paglingon.

Dahil ang tunay na tanong ay hindi kung paano ito nakamit noon, kundi kung paano natin ito iingatan para sa kinabukasan.

Sa ika-128 taon ng ating kasarinlan, nawa'y hindi lamang natin alalahanin ang mga bayani sa mga pahina ng aklat. Nawa'y matagpuan din natin sila sa ating mga pagpili, sa ating paninindigan, at sa ating pagmamahal sa bayan.

Sapagkat ang kalayaan na hindi inaalala ay unti-unting nalilimot. At ang kinabukasang walang pagkilala sa kasaysayan ay madaling mawala ng landas.

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan, Pilipinas.

—

Layout by Kevin Dalire

05/06/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | We did not merely survive; we made history - Malana

“Sa kabila ng lahat ng kakulangan, naging sapat ang ating determinasyon. We did not merely survive; we made history! We were the architects of our own path on this island.”

First-ever Cum Laude graduate Glaideeh E. Malana of the College of Information Technology (CIT) imparted words to graduates that perseverance defined the pioneer batch of CSU-Calayan Extension during her Address of Thanks at the 1st Academic Convocation for the Conferment of Degrees and Titles on June 3 at the Calayan Municipal Gymnasium.

Speaking before university officials, faculty members, local government leaders, guests, and graduates, Malana reiterated that the graduating class as one had no established path to follow.

“Wala tayong sinundang yapak dito sa CSU-Calayan Extension,” she said. “We had to pave our own path,” she added.

She shared that her own family played a central role in her journey, describing herself as the final hope for completing her education.

“Ako po ay bunso sa limang magkakapatid, at ang huling baraha ng aming pamilya para makapagtapos,” she said.

Malana also addressed graduates with a question on how success should be defined, pointing out that achievement goes beyond academic distinction and personal accomplishment.

“Tingin niyo ba ay mas matagumpay ako kaysa sa inyo?” she asked.

Meanwhile, she clarified that true success belongs to students who endured academic and financial hardship, as well as parents who continued to provide support despite limited resources.

“Ang totoong nagtagumpay ay ang mga estudyante na kailangang magtrabaho, magpuyat sa raket, at magbanat ng buto para lang maitawid ang pag-aaral niyo,” she said. “At higit sa lahat, ang mga magulang na nagtrabaho nang husto para lamang may maibigay sa atin,” she added.

Furthermore, she recalled the difficulties faced by the pioneer batch, including unstable connectivity, limited academic resources, and power interruptions caused by strong weather conditions.

“Tiniis natin ang pawala-walang signal, kakulangan sa pasilidad, at ang kawalan ng kuryente pagkatapos nang malalakas na bagyo,” she said.

She added that despite these struggles, the batch succeeded in completing their academic journey.

“We did not merely survive; we made history,” she said.

Moreover, Malana credited faculty members of CSU-Sanchez Mira Campus and Calayan Extension Campus, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calayan led by Municipal Mayor Hon. Joseph M. Llopis for their support in establishing access to higher education in the island municipality.

She ended her message by urging graduates to move forward with humility and purpose as they carry their shared experiences beyond the university.

—

Article by Lee Shane Pablo
Layout by Kevin Dalire

04/06/2026

‎𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | CSU-SM Calayan extension campus makes history, honors 40 graduates in first-ever Academic Convocation
‎
‎Achieving a historic milestone for Cagayan State University, the CSU Sanchez Mira – Calayan extension campus held its first-ever Academic Convocation for the Conferment of Degrees and Titles, honoring 40 pioneer graduates on June 3, 2026, at the Calayan Municipal Gymnasium.
‎
‎As presented by Campus Executive Officer Prof. Dr. Rodel Francisco T. Alegado, the 40 graduates came from three academic programs: 21 from the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, 11 from the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Science, and 8 from the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
‎
‎Furthermore, CSU Officer-in-Charge University President Prof. Arthur G. Ibañez, PhD, ASEAN Engr. delivered the Charge to the Graduates, calling on the Class of 2026 to carry their achievements with humility and remain anchored in their values as they enter their respective professions.
‎
‎"Let your achievements never take away your kindness, your values, and your sense of purpose. Go forth with courage. Go forth with honor. Go forth as proud products of Cagayan State University-Sanchez Mira Calayan Extension Campus — educated for the best, destined to become the best, and called to give your best for God, country, and humanity," he said.
‎
‎Moreover, Calayan Municipal Mayor Hon. Joseph M. Llopis also challenged the new graduates to look beyond the diploma and brace themselves for the demands of life after college.
‎
‎"Your graduation from college is just the starting point of a harder and more challenging life. Congratulations, for once again, you have proven that distance, poverty, and adversity do not prevent you from achieving your goals," the Mayor said.
‎
‎Meanwhile, Cum Laude graduate Glaideeh E. Malana of the College of Information and Computing Sciences represented the graduating class for the address of thanks and paid tribute to every graduate who endured the unique hardships of studying on a remote island campus.
‎
‎"Wala tayong sinundang yapak dito sa CSU-Calayan Extension. We had to pave our own path. We dealt with limited resources, unpredictable weather, and isolation. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng kakulangan, naging sapat ang ating determinasyon. We did not merely survive; we made history," she said.
‎
‎With their graduation, CSU Sanchez Mira's total Class of 2026 now stands at 963, adding to the 897 undergraduate and 26 graduate school completers from the main campus' 48th Academic Convocation held on May 13, 2026.
‎
‎Beyond the ceremonies, university officials used the visit to hold discussions on prospective infrastructure improvements and development plans aimed at strengthening the extension campus and expanding its capacity to serve future batches, furthering CSU's mission of bringing quality education to even the most remote communities in Cagayan Province.
‎
‎—
‎
‎Article by Jessa Mae Bacud
‎Photos from CSU Sanchez Mira Campus Page

30/05/2026

| Boses ay diringgin, bawat kuwento ay ihahain!

Mga ka-tsika, akala niyo ba kape lang ang isi-serve namin today? Aba, hindi lang kape ang brewed kundi pati tsika.

Tara at silipin ang bagong pinag-uusapan sa campus, mula groupchat hanggang hallway chika, ang bagong café sa Cagayan State University-Sanchez Mira Campus.

Kung may TSika ka? Sa TouchTalk ka na!
Dahil sa bawat Tsika, CSUan ang bida!

—

Reporter: Lee Shane Pablo
Videographer and Video Editor: John Cedric Asuncion

20/05/2026

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | Sunflowers are now available for purchase at Cagayan State University-Sanchez Mira through the College of Agriculture’s Pick-Arrange-and-Pay activity.

Visitors may pick and arrange their own sunflower bouquets for P35 per stalk as part of the college’s sunflower project. Proceeds from the sales will be used as return on investment and for future agricultural initiatives.

Interested buyers may visit the College of Agriculture for the mechanics and other details.

—

Photos by Jabar Canapia

15/05/2026

‎LITERARI | 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖 𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙤
‎
‎Sa gabing walang tulog, tiniis ang hirap,
‎mga aklat at deadline, bigat na hindi na nasusukat.
‎Ngunit sa dibdib, may apoy na tahimik,
‎hindi umaamin pero hindi rin kumakapit sa pagod.
‎
‎Mabigat ang pasanin ng kakulangan,
‎hakbang na laging kulang sa pamasahe at laman.
‎Ngunit may pangarap na laging nauuna,
‎parang aninong ayaw maabutan ng pagdududa.
‎
‎Sa tahanan, may mga unos na paulit-ulit,
‎mga tungkuling hindi natatapos sa isang paghinga.
‎Doon niya natutunang manahimik,
‎habang unti-unting lumalalim ang tibay sa loob.
‎
‎Dumating ang araw ng toga at palakpak,
‎parang sandaling hindi agad mapaniwalaan.
‎Ang diploma'y hindi lang patunay,
‎kundi bakas ng lahat ng hindi sinukuan.
‎At sa gitna ng liwanag,
‎may katahimikang hindi maipaliwanag.
‎
‎Ngunit sa labas ng tarangkahan,
‎may hangin na hindi na pamilyar.
‎Isang tanong, tahimik pero mabigat:
‎ano ang naghihintay sa dulo ng paglabas?
‎
‎Lumakad siya, hindi nagmamadali,
‎hindi rin ganap na handa.
‎Bitbit ang bigat na naging lakas,
‎at pag-asang hindi na kailangang ipaliwanag.
‎
‎At sa pagitan ng paalam at pag-usbong,
‎handa na siyang harapin ang totoong mundo.
‎
‎—
‎
‎Sulat ni Jomari Juan
‎Larawan ni Jabar Canapia

15/05/2026

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

There is something quietly satisfying about the people who once stayed behind the masthead finally becoming the headline. The ones who spent years shaping everyone else’s stories are, at last, part of one of their own

Through years of coverage calls, fast layouts, and tight deadlines, our senior staff learned how the newsroom actually works through fixing drafts on the spot, adjusting to last-minute changes, and getting stories done even when time and conditions were not ideal.

And now, here you are: graduates.

Congratulations to our Touchstone seniors. You have reached this milestone with hard work that went far beyond what the pages could hold.

To our TSimken seniors, thank you for leaving your fingerprints between these pages.

Bylines change. Legacy stays.

May you continue to reveal what is real.

—

14/05/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | This honor belongs to every sacrifice you made in silence – Viloria

“This honor belongs to every sleepless night you spent worrying about our future, every sacrifice you made in silence, every hardship you endured.”

Honoring the unseen sacrifices of families and supporters, Batch 2026 valedictorian Rodge Andru P. Viloria dedicated the graduates’ achievements to parents, families, and loved ones during his Address of Thanks at the 48th Academic Convocation for the Conferment of the Degrees and Titles on May 13.

Speaking before university officials, faculty members, graduates, and guests, Viloria emphasized that every diploma carried stories of sacrifice, perseverance, and hope from people who worked silently to secure their children’s future.

“Today, we wear not only togas and medals; we wear the prayers, sacrifices, and dreams of those who carried us here,” he said.

Viloria paid tribute to farmers, fishermen, drivers, solo parents, and overseas Filipino workers whose hardships and sacrifices allowed many students to continue their education despite financial struggles.

Moreover, Viloria described the university as more than an academic institution, saying it became a source of hope and opportunity for students from humble beginnings through scholarships and educational support.

“For many of us, this institution was never just a university. It was hope,” he said.

Furthermore, Viloria thanked university officials, faculty members, and mentors from the College of Information and Computing Sciences for shaping students beyond technical knowledge and teaching them resilience and purpose.

“You taught us that every error is just a message waiting to be understood, not a failure to be feared,” Viloria told faculty members.

Meanwhile, Viloria concluded his speech by reminding fellow graduates to carry their degrees with humility, gratitude, and responsibility toward the people who helped them succeed.

—

Article by Jessa Mae Bacud
Layout by Jabar Canapia

The Touchstone

13/06/2026

11/06/2026

05/06/2026

04/06/2026

30/05/2026

20/05/2026

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14/05/2026

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