Marking a defining moment in their academic journey, fourth-year students of the Philippine Normal University North Luzon (PNUNL), together with their parents and guardians, gathered at the university gymnasium for the PAGGANWA: Send-Off and Pinning Ceremony. The event formally signaled their transition from campus-based learning to the professional realm of teaching as they prepare to begin their internship.

The batch is composed of 184 students, all of whom were symbolically pinned to signify their readiness to enter the field of practice teaching. The pinning ceremony served as a rite of passage, underscoring the responsibilities and expectations placed upon pre-service teachers as future educators.

In her inspirational message, Executive Director and Provost Dr. Agnes S. Reyes reminded the students of the deeper meaning behind the ceremony. “May the pins you received today remind you of the trust placed in you by your parents, your teachers, and the learners you will handle. Carry this responsibility with humility, heart, and focus,” she said. Her message highlighted the importance of character, commitment, and compassion in the teaching profession.

Following the ceremony, the students formally marched to signify their acceptance of the challenge of becoming official teaching interns. Throughout their internship, they will be closely supervised by PNUNL faculty members, namely Dr. Ma. Lina P. Sario, Dr. Richmond Maguigad, Prof. Elma B. Siyang, Prof. John A. Furuc, Dr. Jandy S. Danzalan, Dr. Julievic D. Palting, Dr. Edilberto M. Andres Jr., Prof. Apolonio P. Espiritu, and Prof. Edizon Abon.

The teaching interns and their supervisors will be deployed to various partner schools across the region. These include Alicia Central School, Alicia North Central School, Alicia West Central School, Aurora Elementary School, Cauayan West Central School, Cauayan North Central School, Cauayan South Central School, Reina Mercedes Central School, Nansing School of Cauayan City, Inc., Alicia National High School, Alicia Vocational School, Cauayan City National High School, Divisoria High School, Echague National High School, Naguilian National High School, Raniag High School, Reina Mercedes Vocational and Industrial High School, Rizal National High School, and Santiago City National High School.

One of the highlights of this batch’s internship is the international learning experience, as practice teachers engage with partner universities in Vietnam, Taiwan, and Indonesia, broadening their perspectives and enriching their pedagogical skills.

Beyond academic preparation, the ceremony also highlighted the students’ creativity and unity. During the program, each group presented an intermission number, showcasing not only their talents but also their confidence and readiness to engage learners in meaningful and dynamic ways.

Furthermore, reinforcing the core values that guide PNUNL’s teacher education, Jessie O. Santos Jr., a fourth-year Bachelor in Social Science Education student, led the pledge of commitment. On behalf of the batch, he vowed to uphold the university’s principles of truth, excellence, and service, stating, “let these values guide our actions as we honor our university and uphold the dignity of the teaching profession.”

With the ceremony concluded, the pre-service teachers were officially deployed to their partner schools and are expected to complete their internship by the end of March. They leave the university carrying the trust of their mentors and the hope of their communities, ready to teach, to lead, and to make a difference that will last