Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) students garnered accolades and emerged as a standout in the recently concluded Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges VIII (PASUC-8) Culture and the Arts Festival 2023. The event, held at the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, Leyte, from October 17 to 20, saw students from ten SUCs competing in 24 categories encompassing literary, visual arts, music, dance, and performing arts, all under the theme "Championing Artistic Excellence, Celebrating Solidarity."

BiPSU, alongside nine other SUCs from Eastern Visayas (EV), displayed their talent and determination at this four-day event. The other participating SUCs included Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), Samar State University (SSU), Visayas State University (VSU), Leyte Normal University (LNU), Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT), and University of Eastern Philippines (UEP).

In the category of Pagsusulat ng Sanaysay, Gil A. Irinco, a 2nd-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) major in Filipino student coached by Mr. Jeson V. Viñas, emerged as the standout performer, claiming the coveted 1st place. This triumph secures Irinco a spot to represent EV at the National PASUC Culture and the Arts Festival in February 2024. Irinco, a writer and campus journalist, humbly shared, "Being hailed as the champion in Pagsulat ng Sanaysay was a pleasant surprise for me. It served as a testament to always believe in my capabilities, even in the face of my perceived weaknesses."

As the representative of BiPSU and the region, Irinco is gearing up to triple his efforts in preparation for the national competition, eager to showcase his talent on a grander stage.

Mea T. Baquilar, a 2nd-year Bachelor of Arts in Economics (BAEcon) student under the guidance of Mr. Miguel E. Supremo, demonstrated her composure and critical thinking in the Dagliang Talumpati category, securing 2nd place for the university.

In the realm of voice acting, Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BAComm) students, under the mentorship of Ms. Beth Aura Sabocohan-Napala, Communication Arts Guild (CAG) Adviser, and Mr. Vincent Justine L. Realino, University Media and Information Office (UMIO) Acting Director, claimed 2nd place in the Radio Drama competition with their entry, "Siphayo," a compelling narrative illustrating the profound impact of a child's deprivation of love and guidance on their future.

The BiPSU Vocal Duet representatives, guided by Ms. Rina Pearl Villamor, captivated judges and secured the Top 4 spot with their heartwarming rendition of "Makita Kang Muli" by Sugarfree, bringing further acclaim to the university.

The BiPSU Hip-Hop Dance representatives, under the mentorship of Mr. Greggo Legaspi, left an impression with their performance, ranking 5th in the competition. Meanwhile, the live-band category representatives, coached by Mr. John Steve Mesa and Ms. Jamaica N. Casas, also earned the 5th spot in the competition with their enchanting sound and serenading performance.

Reflecting on the challenges of overseeing the entire university delegation, Mr. Kevin Tanguihan, the Head of BiPSU's Cultural Affairs and Development Unit (CADU), said, "The journey is never easy since it is different now, from being only a coach for the past Culture and the Arts Festival to being the overall in-charge of PASUC. The preparation, from a series of meetings, lots of paperwork, training (for each entry), screening of documents down to the competition day itself."

The achievements received by BiPSU students underscore the university's commitment to promoting diverse cultures and nurturing the talents of its students. Under the leadership of University President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo Jr., BiPSU continues to stand as a beacon of artistic excellence in the region.

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