After two years of the pandemic, the Culture and the Arts Festival of the Culture and the Arts Association of State Universities and Colleges in Region III (CAASUC 3) was held in person and hosted by Tarlac State University where it placed 1st runner-up in the overall rankings.
The festival took place last November 21, 23, and 25, 2022.
CAASUC 3 Culture and the Arts Festival is an annual regional competition committed to helping students succeed in various areas, including singing, dancing, and literary arts, among others.
With the theme “Pagpapanday sa Sining at Kultura: Tugon sa Nagbabagong Panahon at Naglalakihang Hamon,” TSU formally opened the ceremony at the TSU Gymnasium on November 31 welcoming the delegates from the 13 state universities and colleges (SUC) of Region III.
“Being the host of this very significant event is sensational. Being with the state universities and colleges' presidents and representatives of Region III is something that should be treasured and be proud of,” TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco said during the opening program.
As chairperson of the CAASUC 3 Executive Board, he also extended his appreciation to the SUC presidents and key officials who pledged their support.
Moreover, Pres. Velasco reminded the participants about the importance of good sportsmanship in the competition.
“Always remember that win or lose, innumerable opportunities to gain skills will last a lifetime. Respect, teamwork, honor and fair play, excellence and hard work, discipline, perseverance, goal setting, planning, value for culture, and the significance of cultivating a competitive spirit are the things that you will gain from this opportunity given to you”, he said.
CAASUC 3 Board of Management Chairperson Prof. Marcelino Balanquit announced the schedule of the three-day affair.
Participants competed in the following categories: (1) Literary and Performing Arts, including Spoken Poetry, Pagkukuwento, Story Telling, Essay Writing, Pagsulat ng Sanaysay, Radio Drama, Short & Sweet Play (Drama), Short & Sweet (Musical); (2) Music, comprised of Kundiman, Pop Duet, Choral, Pop Solo, Rap Singing, Live Band, Guitar, Violin, Bandurria, and Piano; (3) Dance, specifically Hip-hop Dance, Contemporary Dance, Folk Dance, and Indigenous Dance; (4) Visual Arts that involves Pencil Drawing, Charcoal Rendering, On-the-spot Poster Making, Photography; and (5) Pageantry through Mr. & Ms. CAASUC 3 2022.
Said competitions were held at the TSU Main Campus, San Isidro Campus, and Kaisa Hall of the Tarlac City Government.
TSU wins 1st runner-up overall
TSU bagged the championship titles, worth 10 points each, in Radio Drama, Short and Sweet Play-Musical, Poster Making, and Hip-Hop Dance, while Ms. TSU 2022 Ayumi Cayabyab was crowned as Ms. CAASUC-3 2022.
Delegates from Pagkukwento, Choir, Solo Kundiman, Piano, and Live Band garnered the first runner-up spots, giving the university additional seven points for each category.
Meanwhile, the university secured ranks in the top five in Storytelling, Pagsulat ng Sanaysay, Spoken Poetry, Short and Sweet Play-Drama, Vocal Duet, Solo Pop Singing, Bandurria, Pencil Drawing, Charcoal Rendering, Contemporary Dance, and Mr. CAASUC-3.
Garnering 120 points, TSU was hailed as the first runner-up in this year's festival, while Bulacan State University bagged the overall champion title with 127 points.
Following TSU is Central Luzon State University as 2nd runner-up, Don Honorio Ventura State University as 3rd runner-up, and President Ramon Magsaysay State University as 4th runner-up.
The winning teams and individuals are set to represent Region III at the National Festival of Culture and the Arts next year in Iloilo Province.
