Category: News

Text and photos by John Felip Gerasol

Dominating the 56th ASEAN Founding Anniversary and Exhibit, West Visayas State University bagged seven awards for the cultural booth competition and others held at SM City Iloilo, September 1, 2023.

WVSU garnered the following awards: Most Impactful Booth, Best ASEAN Story, Best Storyteller, Best in National Costume – Group Category, Best in National Costume – Individual Category(Male), and Best in National Costume – Individual Category (Female).

Overall, the university was recognized second runner-up in the Best Booth competition among 10 participating universities in Region VI.

The WVSU booth preparation was led by the director of the WVSU International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) Prof. Edel Carmela Subong Csoka in collaboration with Dr. Arturo Souribio who oversaw the booth’s landscape conceptualization.

On the other hand, Prof. Liberty Porras, director of Dance and Cultural Affairs, with Prof. Ryan Puljanan spearheaded the artistic direction of the cultural performances.

Different colleges and external campuses also showed their support for the success of the ASEAN Exhibit.

The 56th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was celebrated during a grand opening at SM City Iloilo on August 29, 2023, participated by 13 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Region VI representing their designated ASEAN countries.

Themed “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” the anniversary celebration echoed the pivotal role of the ASEAN community in the ever-evolving global landscape.

“We need to be at the forefront because higher education is very important. That is something I need to highlight this afternoon”, said Dr. Raul Alvarez Jr., Director IV of CHEDRO VI, emphasizing the essential role of Higher Educational Institutions in attaining global peace.

By Shanea Mae Nalaunan

Ric Jan Gabales, a BA Foreign Languages 2-A student, won second runner-up in an essay writing contest organized by the University of the Philippines Korea Research Center.

The contest centered around the theme, “South Korean Foreign Policy and its Implications for Philippines-Korea Relations” which aimed to gather insights and ideas from Filipino scholars.

Gabales, in the contest held last June 30, 2023, clinched the spot with his essay titled, “Bridging Nations, Building Prosperity: South Korea’s Trailblazing Foreign Policy and its Impact on Philippines-Korea/ASEAN-Korea Relations.”

“I aimed to apply the knowledge I gained from the research program and to explore deeper into Korean resources, which motivated me to participate,” said Gabales.

Despite joining the contest at a later stage, he expressed his humility and gratitude for achieving the runner-up position. Gabales received a token from the organizers as in the case of the other winners, but with the grand prize winner receiving P5,000.

Gabales’ motivation for entering the contest stemmed from his participation in the UP Korea Research Center’s Global Korean Studies Roundtable last June 2, 2023, during which the essay contest was introduced.

“My interest in Korean culture was sparked by the Korean Wave (Hallyu) phenomenon, my admiration for the K Entertainment Industry, and Korean cuisine. As a Korean major, these elements collectively fueled my passion for Korean culture,” he said.

The other winners are the following: Fidel Louis Ceñidoza from UP Diliman who won the grand prize, with Axl Fitzgerald Bulawan from UP Tacloban College securing the first runner-up position, and Ellaine Diane Pilapit from Senior High School Dulong Bayan in Cavite earning the third runner-up title.

Text and photos by John Felip Gerasol

Bringing the Indonesian-inspired spectacle to the heart of Iloilo, West Visayas State University’s Irong-Irong Dance Company (IIDC) and Rondalla Ensemble performed the dance “Tari Indang”, and folk song “Si Patokan”, during the cultural show on the second day of the ASEAN Exhibit at SM City Iloilo, August 30, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The combined efforts of the WVSU IIDC and Rondalla Ensemble set a performance that seamlessly blended traditional dance, music, and storytelling. The performance was under the artistic direction of Prof. Liberty Porras, director of WVSU Dance and Cultural Affairs.

Making the ASEAN spirit come to life, the WVSU Teatro Tayo also graced the stage with trivia and knowledge about Indonesian languages — reliving the country’s rich culture.

Text and photos by John Felip Gerasol and Joseph Nebres

The 56th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was celebrated during a grand opening at SM City Iloilo on August 29, 2023, participated by 13 Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Region VI representing their designated ASEAN countries.

Themed “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” the anniversary celebration echoed the pivotal role of the ASEAN community in the ever-evolving global landscape.

The ASEAN booths are still open to the public until September 1, 2023, located on the ground floor of SM City Iloilo.

In the words of Dr. Raul Alvarez Jr., Director IV of CHEDRO VI, “We should appreciate the culture and the rich heritage of our ASEAN neighbors. It is only then that we can establish full understanding, and most importantly, respect. We cannot respect other people for who they are if we cannot understand them.”

The event was hosted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office VI in collaboration with the Western Visayas Association of Higher Education Institutions (WVAHEHI), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (JBLFMU).

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – “A regional intergovernmental organization that fosters cooperation and integration among its ten member states in Southeast Asia” commemorates its 56th Founding Anniversary on August 29 to September 1, 2023 at SM City Iloilo.

Universities and institutions in the Western Visayas region including West Visayas State University will hold an exhibit to celebrate ASEAN unity amidst diversity and “to promote regional solidarity and showcase ASEAN’s achievements and objectives. This occasion serves as a vital platform to emphasize the significance of regional collaboration in addressing shared challenges and fostering economic growth and cultural understanding.”

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.”

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 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.

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.

Text and photos by Shanea Mae A. Nalaunan