Donna Mae Alaga 
To continue the activities set for the National Arts Month, Samar State University housed a cultural competition for KABILIN 2024 on Tuesday, March 12.
Two folk dance contenders and 3 vocal solo performers showed up to express their creative potential.
Cultural Diversity
Dir. Rubi M. Parrocho of Research Center for Culture & Social Issues (RCCSI) highlighted how this event serves as a platform to celebrate diversity.
“Bringing together students from diverse backgrounds celebrated the vibrant diversity of our community … transcends cultural boundaries promoting a sense of unity and togetherness,”
Dir. Paroccho said in her rationale for the said competition.
She added that this event is aimed at promoting cultural awareness & creativity.
“…We foster greater understanding, respect, and appreciation for the foundation of cultural representation,”
she explained as the product of allowing students to showcase various art forms rooted in our cultural traditions.
Common Ground
Dir. Parrocho highlighted the dual role of the cultural competition aside from its capacity to encourage students to explore creative potential in artistic categories like dance, music, visual arts, and literature.
“Nurturing their talents while expressing our cultural heritage,”
added Dir. Parrocho lies at the core of how we nurture artistic talent and creativity.
Cultural Togetherness
Despite the unprecedented weather, proactive student organizers pushed through the said event. Its organizing committee composed of Social Studies Circle, Piktaw, College of Nursing & Health Sciences Provincial Student Government, College of Education – Student Government Organizations, Psychosocial Peer Support Organization Society, SSU College of Engineering Provincial Student Government, College of Industrial Technology Supreme Student Council, Student Association of Nutritionist & Dietitians, SSU Student Council, and The Tradesman.
Winners were announced on the two categories with the help of the judges namely Mr. Rowel Dacanay, Piktaw & SK Adviser; Dr. Madelynn Reposo, Bachelor of Physical Education Program Chair; Bliss Gara, Chorale Adviser; and the Director of RCCSI herself.
In vocal solo, CIT contender Hazel Marasigan bagged the first place, Johannie Leanda from CoNHS for second place, and Mark Llantos from CoEd for third place.
In folk dance competition, CoEd took home the first place while Paranas Campus’ “Ti’adot” was awarded the second place.
Winners for each categories were requested to claim their prizes at the RCCSI office.
Meanwhile, submission of entries for the logo making competition ended on March 8, and is set to be posted on RCCSI’s Facebook page today, March 14, for the online poll.
Said voting will comprise 20% of the entries’ overall score, and 80% will come from the judges. Further announcements will be posted on the said page.
