Delegates from the University of the Philippines Cebu are representing Region VII at the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) National Culture and Arts Festival (NCAF) 2026 at West Visayas State University in La Paz, Iloilo City, from April 8 to 11.
The delegates earned their slots in the national festival after emerging as champions in multiple categories during the Association of Sugbo and Bohol State Universities and Colleges (ASugBohol) 2026 Regional Culture and Arts Festival held in the first week of March.
The categories included Radio Drama, Dagliang Talumpati, Short and Sweet Play (Dialogue), Short and Sweet Play (Musical), Pandalawahang Pag-arte, Duo Acting, Pagkukuwento, Dramatic Monologue, Persuasive Oratory, Extemporaneous Speech, and Song Writing.
UP Cebu representatives shared that competing in the national event has brought valuable experiences and opportunities to learn.
Loriz Cuizon, one of the Radio Drama representatives, said that part of their preparations involved rerunning scripts, deepening their understanding of their characters, and preserving their voices.
Caitlynn Raro, Duo Acting (English Category) representative, added that this was her first time travelling to compete.
“It’s been really fun seeing new places, getting closer with my organization mates, and also observing how other contestants from completely different categories prepare themselves,” Raro said.
Cuizon and Raro are set to have their competition today.
With competitions officially starting yesterday, April 9, UP Cebu has claimed runner-up titles in Extemporaneous Speech and Persuasive Oratorical.
Gabriel Solamo, a Third-Year BA Communication student, secured 2nd Place in Persuasive Oratory. In his speech, he cited Bagyong Tino to push for accountability from the government. A typhoon that, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), has caused 150 fatalities in Cebu.
Leif Fiel, a Third Year BA Political Science student, competed in Extemporaneous Speech, where he grounded his piece on how international wars affect local communities just trying to provide for their families. This earned Feil’s 3rd Place title.
To reach the nationals, UP Cebu competed against delegates from other state universities and colleges in Cebu and Bohol, including Bohol Island State University (BISU), Cebu Normal University (CNU), Cebu Technological University (CTU), and the National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP).
The SUCs gathered for ASugBohol 2026 with the theme “PAGSAULOG: Pagpasidungog sa Aton Panublion, Kultura, kag mga Bahandi,” emphasizing the celebration of heritage, culture, and shared artistic traditions among the participating universities.
ASugBohol marked a transition from the former Regional Culture and Arts Festival (RCAF) under PASUC Region VII. The structural change followed the separation of Negros Oriental and Siquijor from Region VII to form the Negros Island Region, leaving Cebu and Bohol to organize the regional cultural festival under the ASugBohol banner.
Despite the shift in regional composition, organizers noted that coordination among participating universities became more manageable. UP Cebu Cultural Director Jay Nathan Jore explained that having fewer member institutions allowed for smoother communication and planning.
“The coordination was better this time, with fewer schools, and most of the member SUCs are based in Cebu, except for BISU. It was smooth and easy to communicate with one another,” Jore said.
The regional festival was hosted by Cebu Normal University, which oversaw overall coordination. Competitions were held across multiple venues, including the CTU Gymnasium, UP Cebu Grounds, and the CNU Administration Grounds, as host institutions collaborated to accommodate the various categories.
However, organizing the festival came with challenges for student leaders. Glyssa Casquejo, one of the chairpersons of Mr. & Ms. ASugBohol, shared that limited preparation time was a major hurdle.
“Initially, the event was supposed to take place in October, but due to circumstances such as the earthquake and typhoon, many events were postponed or canceled. Because of this, we were uncertain if ASugBohol would still push through this academic year,” Casquejo said.
Despite these challenges, the successful staging of ASugBohol paved the way for regional champions to advance to the national competition.
As the UP Cebu delegates compete in Iloilo this week, the festival continues to serve as a platform for students to bring regional culture and artistic expression to a national audience.
UP Cebu representatives acknowledged that while the responsibility of representing both UP Cebu and Region VII carries weight, it is also an honor.
This sentiment was echoed by CNU Cultural Director Dr. Lito Diones, highlighting the deeper purpose of cultural festivals such as ASugBohol and NCAF.
As UP Cebu’s ASugBohol champions step onto the national stage, the festival becomes more than a competition but a platform to ensure that Filipinos “continue the legacy entrusted to us by our ancestors not by keeping it in museums but by performing it, living it, and passing it on.” (Written by Charry Layese and Athena Quidlat, BA Communication II/Photo by Frances Ocba)