To foster unity through heritage and creativity, Cebu Technological University (CTU) delegates participated in the opening of the 2026 PASUC National Culture and Arts Festival (NCAF) at West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo City on April 8, representing the university in the four-day national event.
The festival kicked off with a grand parade, highlighting unity through diversity and celebrating culture, the arts, and collaboration among state universities and colleges nationwide.
Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, WVSU President, warmly welcomed delegates from 17 regions and recognized their role in showcasing cultural traditions and artistic talents on the national stage.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), stressed the significance of the four-day event.
“What makes this gathering significant is that it situates culture and the arts within a system that has both scale and structure,” Dr. Agrupis said.
“Our higher education institutions are not only spaces of learning; they are also repositories of heritage, platforms for creative expression, and partners of communities in preserving and advancing our cultural identity,” she added.
In his speech, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, President of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), emphasized how culture and the arts serve as a binding force for the nation.
“We are here celebrating the richness of our culture and the arts, the very soul that lingers in the Philippines. And I hope as we preserve this culture and arts, we will be more united in our country today,” said Dr. Ronquillo.
The opening program featured competition presentations, messages of support from key officials, the introduction of SUC presidents, the presentation of regional delegations, and the formal declaration of the 2026 NCAF events and competitions.
The presentation of candidates for Mr. and Ms. PASUC 2026 highlighted the program, followed by a festival dance open to all participants and capped by a fireworks display.
More than the festivities, the event stood as a testament to the unifying power of culture and the arts in strengthening national identity.
