Day: January 30, 2025

Napuno ng talento, palakpakan, at hiyawan ang NAB Function Hall sa ikatlong araw ng University Days 2025, Enero 29, kung saan ipinamalas ng mga kalahok mula sa iba’t ibang kolehiyo at kampus ang kanilang husay sa deklamasyon.

Isa sa labing-apat na kalahok si Joedel Nollaga mula sa College of Communication, na nagbigay-buhay sa piyesang Totoy, Ang Gymnast. Taglay ng kanyang pagtatanghal ang makapangyarihang mensahe na hindi dapat nakatali ang pangarap ng isang tao sa kanyang kasarian. Itinampok niya ang kwento ng isang anak na mas piniling maging gymnast sa halip na sundin ang kagustuhan ng kanyang ama na maging basketbolista.

Ayon kay Nollaga, iniaalay niya ang piyesang ito sa mga taong nakararanas ng diskriminasyon dahil hindi tanggap ang kanilang tunay na pagkatao at hindi ito naaayon sa mga itinakdang pamantayan ng lipunan.

Sa kabila ng kaba, masaya at magaan sa loob ni Nollaga ang kanyang pagtatanghal, lalo na’t batid niyang may mga nakarelate sa kanyang mensahe. Higit pa sa isang patimpalak, naging layunin niyang hikayatin ang madla na ipagmalaki ang kanilang kasarian at ipaglaban ang kanilang mga pangarap.

Hindi naging madali ang kanyang paghahanda. Aminado siyang hindi siya sanay sa pagsasaulo ng piyesa at nakaugalian niya ang pagdaragdag o pagbabawas ng linya. Sa entablado, may mga bahaging kanyang nakalimutan, ngunit matagumpay niyang nairaos ang pagtatanghal sa pamamagitan ng pag-improvise.

Sa husay niyang magpalit ng emosyon at karakter, pati na rin sa malinaw at makapangyarihang pagbigkas ng bawat linya, umani siya ng paghanga mula sa mga manonood. Higit pa sa isang palabas, ang kanyang pagtatanghal ay nagbigay-inspirasyon sa iba—isang paalala na ang tunay na tagumpay ay hindi nasusukat sa pagtanggap ng iba kundi sa pagtanggap at pagpapahalaga sa sariling pagkatao.

Sa pagtatapos ng kanyang pagtatanghal, isang mahalagang aral ang iniwan ni Nollaga sa entablado: “Ang pagiging totoo sa sarili ay ang tunay na tagumpay.”

Kwento nina paula Yvonne Alavarta at Hershi Loryn Fusin/Specialized Beat Reporting Class sa ilalim ni Dr. Hazel P. Villa

Inedit ni Christine Joy Badinas/SILAK Media

Larawan ni Paula Yvonne Alavarta/Specialized Beat Reporting Class sa ilalim ni Dr. Hazel P. Villa

A fusion of creativity, mastery, and innovation turned the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Cultural Center into a spectacle of movement as Taga-Wests showcased their formidable talents in the 2025 U-Days Contemporary Dance Competition.

Far from just a contest, the event became an all-out showcase of artistry, with performers bringing their personal narratives to life through powerful choreography. Each routine was a story, filled with emotion and executed with precision, making the night an unforgettable celebration of dance.

Expressions of identity and self-discovery

Dapog Manugbulad opened the competition with a hauntingly beautiful performance set to melodic synth waves. Their synchronized, mechanical movements symbolized the struggle for individuality in a conformist world. As they ascended the stage, their choreography underscored the tension between societal expectations and personal freedom.

Dapog Manugtuom followed with a striking interpretation of self-discovery. The performance centered on a solo dancer, whose journey of searching for meaning unfolded through fluid movements and powerful leaps. A near-missed landing became part of the story—an embrace of human imperfection as part of the journey toward self-realization.

Stories of love and loss

Dapog Manugpangat delivered an emotional tribute to family and fleeting moments with a heartfelt performance set to Kenny Rogers’ Through the Years. The narrative followed an elderly man cherishing his time with his granddaughter—only for the unexpected loss of the child to leave him in profound sorrow. The piece ended in a tearful embrace, fading to darkness.

Dapog Manuglapwa captivated the audience with a routine centered on resilience and self-identity. Dancers moved to somber piano notes before the music faded to silence. As the beat slowly returned, motivational voices played in the background, reinforcing a message of triumph over adversity.

Symbolism and social commentary

The champions, Dapog Manuglugaw, presented a breathtaking religious allegory. Clad in black veils and red strings, dancers depicted suffering and sacrifice, evoking the Passion of Christ. The performance crescendoed with a solitary dancer donning a crown of thorns and carrying a cross—a powerful visual that sent chills through the audience.

Dapog Manugbati took a different approach, using raw energy and controlled chaos to portray collective struggle. Their synchronized yet frenzied movements mirrored the turmoil of a society crying out for justice, capturing the essence of protest through dance.

Dapog Manugsugba explored themes of identity, featuring a dancer who desperately clung to a colorful flag as an ensemble tried to strip him of it. Eventually, the performance transformed into an empowering declaration of self-acceptance, with the dancer triumphantly unveiling a shirt emblazoned with I AM ME.

Advocacy through movement

Dapog Manugsanlag tackled stigma and compassion with a thought-provoking performance on HIV awareness. The routine featured a seamless transition from ballet to contemporary dance, revealing messages such as End the Stigma and Bring Forth Compassion. The closing tableau paid tribute to La Pietà, emphasizing love and acceptance.

Dapog Manugmasa brought a mystical aesthetic to the stage with elaborate costumes and ethereal movements. The performance transformed midway into a fiery, high-energy dance, symbolizing hope and renewal.

Dapog Manugkilaw delivered one of the most unique pieces of the night, portraying schoolgirls in red ties moving in eerie synchronization to Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know. The routine suggested themes of conformity and the bittersweet passage of time, culminating in a symbolic graduation scene.

Pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance

Dapog Manugpakas delivered a high-intensity routine filled with powerful movements and theatrical elements. Their choreography embodied flames—both literal and metaphorical—as dancers struggled against an unseen force, ultimately surrendering to become a single blazing entity.

Dapog Manuglapay closed the competition with a compelling commentary on societal expectations. Dancers, dressed as workers from various professions, moved with technical precision as they portrayed the weight of systemic pressures. In a moving finale, they linked arms and walked forward together, symbolizing unity and resilience.

A celebration of talent and passion

The 2025 U-Days Contemporary Dance Competition proved that Taga-Wests are more than just academically gifted—they are artists, storytellers, and visionaries. With passion, talent, and the ability to push creative boundaries, they showcased the transformative power of dance in telling stories that resonate beyond the stage.

Story by Miles Guancia/the Courier

Photos by Cassandra Alexa Ciasico

Tension, emotions, and creativity filled the air in Mass Communication 1 on Day 4 of WVSU University Days as students showcased their voice-acting talents in the much-anticipated 2025 U-Days Radio Drama Competition.

This year’s competition featured captivating Hiligaynon radio dramas exploring themes of youth, family, unity, and values. Intricate technical elements and precise characterization added depth and complexity to each performance.

From horror to stories of hope, each Dapog delivered a unique and engaging presentation, drawing listeners into a world of emotion and imagination.

“We hadn’t prepared much, but the important thing is that we had fun and met new people along the way,” said Krisheille France Dela Cruz from Pototan Campus.

With a strong lineup of competitors, the race for the top spot remains intense. Winners will be announced later this evening at the WVSU Cultural Center, keeping both contenders and spectators eagerly awaiting the results.

Story by Vanessa Toboro and Ma. Katrina Lovel Dacula/the Courier

Photos by Wilfred Kyle Palete/The Courier

The energy was electric as West Visayas State University’s (WVSU) Cultural Center came alive with cheers from more than 1,000 spectators during the University Week 2025 street dance competition on Jan. 30.

“Kasadya! The performances were beyond my expectations. Taga-West students are truly talented. Since this was my first time attending, I found it entertaining! I can’t wait for the next U-Days!” said Bea Mikaela S. Valencia, a freshman from the College of Education.

The competition featured 15 teams, each with a maximum of 15 participants, performing three- to five-minute routines. In line with the theme “Digamo sa West,” the dancers incorporated elements of Filipino food and culture into their performances, vying to impress both the audience and judges.

Spectators fueled the competition with their cheers, motivating the dancers to refine their routines and push creative boundaries each year.

“All of them were innovative and creative with their concepts! They exceeded my expectations and truly lived up to the school’s tagline, ‘Basta Taga-West, the Best,’” said Hannah J. Refendor, a first-year Bachelor of Business Administration student.

The street dance competition ran from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Winners will be announced tomorrow during the awarding ceremony at the WVSU Grandstand, along with results from other University Week contests.

Story by Nicole Ponsoy/The Innovator

Photo by Ena Kristelle De Nuevo/The Innovator

The folk dance competition on Jan. 30, 2025, at West Visayas State University’s (WVSU) Cultural Center showcased vibrant performances, captivating an audience of more than 600.

“It feels really good to see that up to this day, everyone is still into folk dances because this is a celebration of our shared cultural identity. Our culture will always and forever be within us,” said Karl Estorninos, a freshman from the College of PESCAR, after witnessing his first University Days event.

Part of the annual University Days celebration from Jan. 27 to 31, the contest featured 14 contestants from the main and external campuses, each interpreting stories of history, life, and religion through dance.

Princess Gesly Latumbo, a second-year hospitality management student representing Lambunao Campus, shared her excitement and nerves about competing.

“I’m very grateful and at the same time very nervous since we are first-time competitors. We felt the pressure after seeing the other performances, but overall, we feel great,” she said.

The folk dance competition ran from 8:25 to 9:30 a.m. Results were announced at 5 p.m. at the WVSU Cultural Center, alongside other competition winners.

Story by Erich Shyne J. Brizal/The Blue Quill

Photos by Rohn Ellis B. Baldestamon/The Blue Quill

In a celebration of language and creativity, students from various colleges took the stage during the afternoon session of the 2025 U-Days Filipino Speech Category on Jan. 29 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the New Academic Building Function Hall. Competing in Dagliang Talumpati, Binalaybay, and Suguidanon, Taga-West students showcased the richness of Filipino language and culture.

Dagliang Talumpati: A Voice of Conviction

With unwavering confidence, students delivered compelling speeches in the Dagliang Talumpati competition. From Dapog Manugbulad’s powerful metaphor of the niyog—where perseverance leads to the richest cream of success—to their call to serve the nation as the final and most essential ingredient, each speech resonated with passion and purpose. Competitors highlighted West Visayas State University’s (WVSU) core values as key ingredients for growth, blending wisdom, resilience, and a love for learning into a recipe for meaningful opportunities.

Binalaybay: The Art of Hiligaynon Poetry

The competition continued with Binalaybay, where poets showcased their mastery of Hiligaynon. Among the crowd favorites were contestants from Dapog Manuglupak, who emphasized that Taga-West students are “arisgada kag arisgado” (fearless), and Dapog Manuglugaw, who described them as students with “sinako nga kinaadman” (brimming with wisdom). The performances reflected a shared belief that talent and determination are the perfect ingredients for success.

Suguidanon: Storytelling That Inspires

In the heart of Digamo sa West, where discovery and innovation pave the way for opportunities, Taga-West students illuminated the stage through Suguidanon. Each tale embodied the essence of perseverance, creativity, and self-belief. Stories of farmers likening life to a pot of laswa, hopeful individuals finding light in the darkness, and teachers shaping the future all echoed a shared truth—that with determination, love, and ingenuity, even the simplest beginnings can lead to extraordinary triumphs.

Story by Angel Peñaredondo and Jazmin Atienza/Pagyuhum Publication

Photos by Pagyuhum Publication

In the world of innovation, success is often rooted in teamwork, and the story behind this genius project is a testament to that. The face of growing environmental concerns, a group of fourth-year students from Information and Communication Technology of West Visayas State University (WVSU) has turned their academic challenge into a solution for a real-world problem.

Starting from a goal to finish a simple thesis turns into a desire to strengthen waste management. With their innovative project, TrashTrade: Gamified Proper Waste Disposal System Using Image Recognition with Raspberry Pi and Mobile Application Integration, these students are merging technology and sustainability in a way that could reshape urban areas and handle waste.

They presented their work during the Fair on Innovation, Research, and Extension Services (FIRES) at the 4th Floor of the Research and Extension Building of West Visayas State University (WVSU) on Jan. 28, 2025. FIRES is one of the activities during WVSU’s University Days which runs from Jan. 27 to 31, 2025.

The journey of the TrashTrade project began in the midst of a pandemic, when the team leader, Reeman Singh, with his team members Narisz Khyll Binalber, Andrea Bea Quirante, Wilmer Suelo, Kyla Joy Trompeta, and their adviser, Sir John Christopher Mateo—who were not initially friends—decided to form a group. The motivation behind this project wasn’t just about creating an innovative thesis, but it was driven by a pressing need to address the issue of waste management. Knowing that waste management here in Iloilo City is poor, they came up with a meaningful system and idea.

Overcoming challenges through teamwork

“But before we successfully succeeded, we also went into different ideas. Our first idea is trash-to-Wi-Fi, and 10% is just our proposal. Actually, the panelists were not convinced,” said Ms. Trompeta. Although their first proposal didn’t fully convince the panel, they didn’t back down.

They evolved the concept into a more culturally relevant system that would allow people to redeem points from their waste to access local resources, like free internet and other community services. In pursuit of innovation, several challenges, particularly technical issues, were encountered along the way. Members of the team expressed that it was their first time encountering some of these issues, specifically on the software side, and for them to be able to overcome this, they have to do some research.

WVSU played a crucial role in the development and eventual success of TrashTrade. The students emphasized how the university’s support—both academic and in terms of facilities—helped them shape their project into something viable. West Visayas State University helped them a lot, and it is the place where they met each other, who had expertise and contributed to making the system a reality.

Prof. John Christopher Mateo, their adviser, also shared his pride in the team’s efforts, “Honestly, my role as an adviser was minimal. They were so independent and diligent that I mostly asked them for progress updates. Their ability to plan, execute, and present their proposal was exceptional. They were very hands-on and committed to every step.”

A familiar concept with a local twist

The TrashTrade system aligns with a global trend of using technology to encourage proper waste disposal. According to API4.A, a technology platform that offers artificial intelligence solutions for visual recognition tasks, AI-powered image recognition has been used to automate waste sorting and monitor fill levels to improve recycling efficiency.

Additionally, Waste360, a leading media and information provider for the waste and recycling industry, has reported on MyMatR Duo, a smart waste receptacle that gamifies trash disposal by giving users instant feedback and reward points for correct sorting. While not entirely new, TrashTrade’s integration of gamification and image recognition adapts these technologies to the specific needs of Iloilo City, offering a potential solution to its waste management problems.

Prof. Mateo believes the system is ready for startup development. “I hope they pursue it,” he said.

The challenges did not stop at technical aspects. As any group of students can relate, balancing schoolwork, assignments, and thesis preparation was not easy. The Trashtrade team, however, had a secret weapon: their strict and focused group leader, for which the team is grateful.

Once dreamers and now catalysts of environmental change, Singh, Binalber, Quirante, Suelo, and Trompeta look toward the future, as their hard work and dedication may very well pave the way for TrashTrade to be the next big step in transforming how communities manage waste and access resources.

Story by Hannah Joyce Guillen, Kristie Ann Jo Esquivel, Bernalune Seisa, and Dundee Balatayo/Specialized Beat Reporting Class under Dr. Hazel P. Villa

Photos by Dundee Balatayo/Specialized Beat Reporting Class under Dr. Hazel P. Villa

Napuno sang palakpakan ang NAB Function Hall matapos ibida sang mga tiglawas gikan sa nagkalain-lain nga kolehiyo kag kampus ang ila abilidad sa Sugidanon kag Binalaybay competition sa ikatlo nga adlaw sang University Days 2025, Enero 29.

Una nga ginpatigayon ang kompetisyon sa Binalaybay, kun sa diin ang mga partisipante nagpakita sang ila abilidad sa pagsambit sang ila masining nga pagdihon sang mga tinaga sa Hiligaynon.

Ini ginsundan sang Sugidanon, nga nagpasundayag sang ila abilidad sa pagsugid sang makalilingaw nga mga istorya gamit ang Hiligaynon.

Ang nasambit nga mga aktibidad nagpakita sang suporta sa pagpalapnag sang kultura kag pagpasanyog sang lokal nga literatura gamit ang Hiligaynon nga lenggwahe

Saysay ni JC Rey Padilla/SILAK Media

Larawan ni SILAK Media

Talas ng isip at husay sa pagsasalita ang naging puhunan ng mga kalahok sa Filipino Category Competition sa ikatlong araw ng 2025 University Days.

Saklaw ng kompetisyon ang Talumpati, Dagliang Talumpati, Pagkukuwento, at Deklamasyon na nilahukan ng mga estudyante mula sa iba’t ibang kolehiyo at kampus, sa ilalim ng temang “DIGAMO sa West: Discovery and Innovation for Meaningful Growth and Opportunities.”

“Bilang kabataang Pilipino, mayroon tayong papel sa pagtiyak na taglay ng mga susunod pang henerasyon ang kaalaman at kahusayan sa Wikang Filipino. Hindi lamang ang ating pagkakakilanlan ang sinisimbolo nito kundi pati na rin ang ating makulay na nakaraan,” ayon kay Thomas Edward Segundera, representante ng College of Business and Management (CBM) sa patimpalak na Talumpati.

Para naman kay Yehlette Martin, kinatawan ng College of Education (COE) sa Pagkukuwento, malaking tulong ang kanyang pagsali sa pagpapalawak ng kakayahan sa pagsasalita at pagpapahalaga sa Wikang Filipino.

Ang University Days 2025 ay nagsimula noong Enero 27 at magtatapos sa Enero 31.

Kwento ni Jhonie Miranda/SILAK Media

Larawan ni SILAK Media

West Visayas State University’s (WVSU) annual University Days celebration has long been a vibrant mix of academic events, student-led activities, and cultural showcases. This year, however, the College of Dentistry (COD) added something new—a free dental checkup for faculty, staff, and their dependents, marking a milestone in the university’s commitment to health and wellness.

Held on Jan. 29 at the COD building, the event was a collaborative effort led by COD faculty with the participation of 11 on-site dentists. The first 80 participants received free dental kits containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and educational pamphlets on oral health. The initiative was made possible through partnerships with Pagyuhum Publication and the pre-clinical committee officers headed by Committee President Jaira Gallinero, DMD 4-A, under the supervision of Dr. Janine Capaciete.

COD Dean Dr. Liza Assumpta Jover highlighted the event’s goal of shifting traditional perspectives on dental missions.

“Traditionally, dental missions focused on extractions. But that is not the case anymore. We want to promote oral health awareness, starting with our own university community,” Jover said.

This initiative was a long time coming for the COD, which previously faced limitations in space and resources.

“We had the dental equipment, but no building. Now that we have a proper venue, we can finally provide this service within the university,” Jover added.

Beyond offering free checkups, the event served as a learning opportunity for dental students.

“Oral health is often overlooked, and we want to change that. At the same time, we are training our students to apply their knowledge in real clinical settings,” said Dr. Carla May L. Hortillosa, Philippine Dental Students Association (PDSA) adviser.

The success of the event sets the foundation for more health-focused initiatives at WVSU. As Jover emphasized, “Any change must start within ourselves first.”

And for WVSU, that change begins with healthier, brighter smiles—one checkup at a time.

Story by Jofe Eunor Dumaboc and Gene Joy Gabasa/Specialized Beat Reporting Class under Dr. Hazel P. Villa

Photos by Shaine Rochelle Toleran/Specialized Beat Reporting Class under Dr. Hazel P. Villa