In preparation for the upcoming simultaneous celebration of the university’s 119th Founding Anniversary and the 2026 Sports, Culture and the Arts Festival, students from Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) – Main Campus are in full swing, conducting trainings and rehearsals for the event, set to commence on Monday, February 23, until Friday, February 27.

In a week prior the events, class schedules across the campus were conducted in shortened time to allow students to focus on athletic training, rehearsals, and logistical preparation for simultaneous sports and cultural activities.

Meanwhile, students from different schools are undergoing intensive rehearsals for a synchronized playground demonstration scheduled for the grand opening ceremony.

In an interview, Mike Lorenz Amat from the School of Education (SED) and a member of the EVSU Baseball Team shared that competing during the founding anniversary brings added pressure while strengthening their sense of pride as student-athletes.

“This feels different from the previous years because we aren’t just playing for a medal, we are playing to honor the history of our school during its anniversary,” Amat said.

Meanwhile, University Sports Director Dr. Joel Alfarero stated that the integrated celebration goes beyond selecting athletes for higher-level competitions, as it also seeks to reinforce the university’s long-established standard of excellence through sportsmanship.

“Our goal this year is not just to scout for the next SCUAA representatives but to build a culture of sportsmanship that aligns with our university’s long-standing legacy of excellence,” Dr. Alfarero said.

In a separate interview, Cultural Director Jerry Mores explained that incorporating more cultural events into the celebration creates a venue where students can meaningfully present their creative strengths to the wider university community, which he believes best reflect the soul of the the institution.

“We are introducing a more immersive cultural experience this year to showcase the talents of our students to the EVSU community because we believe that the soul of EVSU is best seen through the creative expressions of our students,” Mores said.

The said week-long celebration will be dubbed as “SIKLAB,” with the theme “One EVSU @ 119: Sustaining and Innovation Towards NURCA (National University for Resiliency and Climate Action).”

Article by Niña Mae Marañon