The West Visayas State University (WVSU) took home the overall championship in the Culture and the Arts Conference and Festival, that culminated March 25.
Besting 10 other participating members of the Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges in Western Visayas (RASUC-VI), the contingent from WVSU garnered a total of 176 points across 22 cultural events.
The festival’s host, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, came in second with 91 points, and the Aklan State University in third place with 80 points. The fourth place was won by Capiz State University, while the fifth place was snagged by the University of Antique.
Trailing behind were Central Philippines State University (6th, 46 points), State University of Northern Negros (7th, 46 points), Northern Iloilo State University (8th, 31 points), Iloilo Science and Technology University (9th, 27), Iloilo State University of Fisheries, Science and Technology (10th, 12 points), and the Guimaras State University (11th, 5 points).
CHMSU president Norberto Mangulabnan, also the RASUC-VI president, thanked all participating SUCs, partners, stakeholders, and members of the university for the successful three-day competition and festival.
Jim Ian Justien Arisgado of SUNN and San Claire Saguano of ASU were also crowned Mr. and Ms. RASUC-VI.
The winners of the pageant and cultural events will represent Western Visayas in the National Culture and Arts Festival on April 23-25, at the Philippine Normal University in Manila, its press release said March 26.
Mangulabnan congratulated all winners, participants, coaches, and parents for making a great contribution to promoting culture and arts in the region.
During the opening ceremony March 23, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges president Tirso Ronquillo underscored the importance of culture as it serves as the “soul” of state universities and colleges, and of Filipinos.
Ronquillo assured that the PASUC fully supports the culture and arts programs of the 11 participating SUCs, adding that he looks forward to seeing the Western Visayas contingent in the nationals next month.
Commission on Higher Education Region 6 director Raul Alvarez Jr. and Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez also expressed support for the arts and culture in the Philippine higher education. ||
