PUP named overall champion in 12th PASUC Culture and Arts Festival, wins 31 awards

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) bagged 31 awards and was named overall champion of the 12th Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Regional Culture and the Arts Festival 2026.

This year’s festival was hosted by Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST), with competitions held across participating institutions, including Philippine Normal University (PNU), Rizal Technological University (RTU), Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), Marikina Polytechnic College (MPC), National Aviation Academy of the Philippines (NAAP), EARIST, and PUP.

The seven participating institutions competed in 42 events across six categories: Dance Arts, Visual Arts, Music, Literary Arts, Dramatic Arts, and Mr. and Ms. PASUC 2026.

On March 6, PUP hosted the Dramatic Arts competitions at the PUP M.H. Del Pilar Campus, featuring theatrical performances and dramatic productions from participating universities.

PUP secured the overall championship with a total of 284 points, earning 11 gold medals, 16 silver medals, and four bronze medals. PNU placed second with 275 points, followed by RTU with 207 points.

Delegates from PUP showcased their creativity, excellence, and rich cultural heritage, bringing home a total of 31 awards across various events:

Gold Medalists

Visual Arts  • Ezekiel F. Lapostre – Pencil Drawing  • Shane Ariane S. Directo – Painting

Music  • Daniela May M. Lavapie – Songwriting  • Mark Lorenz M. Leuterio – Piano  • Lady Mhalec Ramento – Pop Solo

Quartet  • Eunice M. Balando  • Jane Hazel O. Barbado  • Dave Stephen L. Llaguno  • Jonan Franz L. Lopez

Dramatic Arts  • Sining Lahi Polyrepertory – Short and Sweet (Dialogue)  • Tanghalang Molave – Short and Sweet Play (Musical)

Literary Arts  • Mark Rheyneil Z. Hembrado – Dagliang Talumpati  • Charles John D. Lopez – Dramatic Monologue (Filipino)  • Frances Marie Akol – Oratorio

Silver Medalists 

Visual Arts  • Erykah Lauryn N. Macuha – Photography

Music  • Aaron James V. Amar – Violin  • PUP Polysound Band – Live Band  • Jennevieve S. Lualhati – Vocal Solo (Kundiman)  • Bagong Himig Serenata – Standard Chorale and Show Choir

Vocal Duet  • Charliagne Faderoga  • Mark Jhonsen M. Bognot

Dance Arts  • Maharlika Dance Artists – Folk Dance, Indigenous Dance, Contemporary Duo, Contemporary Dance  • Move 2 The Groove – Street Dance

Dramatic Arts  Duo Acting 

• Fe Marie Apa 

• Paolina Francheska Gaddi

Pandalawahang Pag-arte 

• Ava Lorraine Bangalisan 

• John Carlo Alcedo

Literary Arts 

• Julius Ceasar B. Porcia – Extemporaneous Speech 

• Ethan A. Sumbilla – Persuasive Oratory

Bronze Medalists

Music 

• James Norman V. Lucero – Classical Guitar 

• Patrick Gilmar Aquino – Banduria

Literary Arts 

• Justin Jhon T. Aran – Essay Writing

• Steven Geiozh I. Ongbit – Storytelling

All NCR gold medalists will advance to the National PASUC Culture and the Arts Festival on April 8–11 at West Visayas State University (WVSU) in Iloilo City, where they will compete against champions from other regions across the country.

Carrying the theme “Pagsaulog: Honoring Our Cultural Heritage and Treasures,” the festival ran from March 2 to 6, 2026, bringing together student-artists from state universities and colleges across the National Capital Region (NCR) to celebrate the country’s rich cultural and artistic traditions.

Article: Samuel Eneluna

Graphics: Justine Ceniza