Graphics by Zean Dellera

PALOMPON, Leyte — To showcase artistic excellence in music, dance, theater, and both modern and traditional arts, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) delegations are set to compete for this year’s edition of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region VIII – Regional Culture and the Arts Festival (RCAF) hosted by the Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) from December 10 to 12.

The RCAF is a biannual event that highlights the diverse skills and talents of student-artists from ten state universities and colleges across Eastern Visayas where EVSU participates in a total of 25 categories.

The student-artists and delegation officials arrived at the host institution ahead of the formal opening of the festival scheduled for December 9.

The EVSU delegation is composed of student-artists from the Main, Tanauan, and Ormoc campuses accompanied by faculty coaches and support staff.

In an interview, Swynn Sabangan, a sophomore from the Bachelor of Science in Nutritionist and Diatetics (BSND) program and a delegate for the Standard Choral Singing shared her thoughts on the essence of the festival in promoting culture and the arts among the students.

“Nai-intrigue po kami as a choral member na damo’t mga nakanta ngan nasho-showcase it iba-iba na culture gihap ngan an ira mga sayaw. So this event really helps us to discover more our culture and to embrace it,” said Sabangan.

Meanwhile, Ms. Susana Espina, coach of the Song writing, Instrumentals in piano, and banduria categories, emphasized that event provides an avenue for students to express cultural identity while representing their culture in their respective institution.

“Most of my chosen pieces for my trainees are based from folk music specially for Banduria kasi we are featuring Kuratsa. Kuratsa it one of the identities na talagang tatak Region 8. So for this event, I consider it as it promotes cultural identity among students by giving them the space to celebrate who they are and where they are from. It’s giving them opportunity to show their creativity, their skills and at the same time, they are also promoting the culture and the practices that we have,” said Ms. Espina.

Moreover, Ms. Espina, shared the importance of cultural engagement that serves as an avenue for students to showcase their creativity in music, dances, and diverse arts classifications.

The PASUC-8 RCAF serves as one of key programs that promote cultural awareness and artistic development among state universities and colleges in the region.

Article by James Magayon