Month: August 2023

Photos and Text by Joanna Bermejo, intern

The first-ever ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) games in the country, called the “Visayas Leg”, is going to be hosted by West Visayas State University together with the Iloilo City Government, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air-force of Region 6.

Delegates from Regions 6, 7, and 8 will be competing in different sport events on August 13-19, 2023.

The events are the following: Basketball, Volleyball, Boxing, Kick-boxing, Arnis, athletics, and esports.

A meeting with partners was held today, Aug. 3, 2023, at Quezon Hall Room 217 of WVSU to firm up details of the ROTC Games.

As of now, the expected number of registered delegates reached 608 from Region 6 alone. The number of participants joining the ROTC games is still expected to add up as the event approaches.

By Shanea Mae A. Nalaunan

Photos by Joanna Rose Bermejo and Marc Given Alvarez

In a compelling demonstration of the SUC Fair 2023 theme’s relevance, students from various regions enthralled the audience with their singing performances during the Songwriting Competition and Live Interpretation of Compositions, held on the second day of the Fair at SM City Iloilo.

The competition at 2:30 pm of July 11 aimed to showcase the musical creativity of the participating regions, highlighting the theme, “Navigating the Global Landscape Through Innovations, Culture and Arts Preservation, and Higher Education Quality.”

While Filipino and English texts took center stage in the performances, participants were given the opportunity to incorporate native dialects to enhance their compositions, with a strong emphasis on the inclusion of indigenous traditional instruments

A diverse array of compositions were presented by the talented SUC students from Regions XI, IX, VII, III, II, I, and X.

The featured compositions included “Dayag,” performed by Davao de Oro State College; “One Vision” by Northern Mindanao University; “Beyond the Possibilities” by Cebu Normal University; “Layag” from Bataan Peninsula State University; “Mundo ng Kagandahan” presented by Nueva Vizcaya State University; “Abot Kamay ang Pangarap” by Mariano Marcos State University, and “Makabagong Pagbabago” by Bukidnon State University.

By Joanna Rose Bermejo

Photos by Joanna Rose Bermejo

Composed on short notice, the SUC Fair 2023 theme song, with its infectious beat, has become a clarion call for participating state universities and colleges (SUC) whenever it plays at the SM City Iloilo Event Center.

Francis Cabinos, a 4th-year Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education student and the current University Student Council Vice Chairperson of West Visayas State University, was initially tasked with composing a song to be performed by the SUC presidents of the Visayas Campuses on the first day of the SUC fair.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Cabinos was asked to perform the song himself, along with his band members Homer Sigaya, Michael Arbilon, Clart Alcallaga, Pab Santillan, Kyle Aguillon, and Jayson Sobredilla.

By Shanea Mae A. Nalaunan 

Photos by Gian Kyra Morones, Marc Given Alvarez, and Joanna Rose Bermejo

Mindanao state colleges and state universities showcased their rich culture and traditions through spectacular performances during the third day of the SUC Fair 2023 at SM City Iloilo’s Activity Center.

Mindanao, a particularly anticipated region in terms of performance, enthralled the audience with their stunning attire adorned in vibrant colors, accompanied by the resonant sounds of their indigenous instruments.

They showcased their cultural dances and songs, all in line with the theme “Pagsinadya: Celebrating Cultural Diversity of Mindanao.”

Dr. Imelda F. Legaspi, Director IV of the Office of Student Development and Services at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), warmly welcomed the esteemed guests from various regions and recognized the key contributors to the success of SUC Fair 2023, including Dr. Joselito Villaruz, the president of WVSU, who served as the event’s host, as well as the presidents of other SUCs who brought their students to the city.

“Bringing students from different SUCs allows us to take a glimpse into the cultures of other regions, fostering a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for our incredibly rich cultural heritage in the Philippines,” said Dr. Legaspi.

The live cultural show started with Region 9 of Zamboanga Peninsula performing PELULA (Jose Rizal Memorial University), SOHTEN AND TALAK dance (JH Cerilles State College), followed by Mi Ciudad de Zamboanga and Chavacano de Zamboanga (Western Mindanao State University) on the second part.

On the third set of the performances, PANGALAY HA PATUNG (Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University), SINGKIL (JH Cerilles State College), JANGGAY (Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University), and BAILE LATINO SUITE comprising of Flamenco and Spanish origin dances (Western Mindanao State University).

Region 10 performances started with HIGAONAN SUITE (Bukidnon State University), SUBANEN DANCE-THALEK (Northwestern Mindanao State University), MARANAO DANCES-KINI-KINI, MALONG & KINAKULANAG (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines), KINAMIGUIN SUITE (Camiguin Polytechnic State College), and JOTA QUIRINO (Northwestern Mindanao State University).

Region 11 as the last region to perform showcased the ATA Manobo Tribe Dance (Davao Del Norte State College).