Pagbutlak

by: Jannelle Rellin

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at the University of the Philippines Visayas recently kicked off the CAS Week celebration from February 26-29 with a theme “Panghimanwa sang CAS,” highlighting the vital role of the college in molding its constituents to become globally competitive in their respective fields. 

The opening program, held at the newly-renovated CAS Park, welcomed esteemed guests as speakers while drawing students from various academic organizations across the university to show their support for the event and favorites for the Busalian kang CAS 2024. 

In his welcome remarks, UPV Chancellor Dr. Clement Camposano emphasized the significance of camaraderie within the university. It was followed by the official opening of CAS week by Prof. Arnel Tampos, OIC-Dean of the college. Faculty Regent Carl Ramota also graced the event, challenging the CAS Community to become a bastion of critical thinking and social responsibility.

On the same day, calls for social issues were amplified through the debut CASagpuan: CAS Battle of the Bands 2024 held at the UPV Lover’s Lane with the theme, “Musikang Pilipino: Daluyan ng Kultura at Militanteng Pakikibaka”. Syntax from Electrons emerged as champion, with Parung-Paro from Skimmers as the first runner-up and Hatinig from Redbolts securing the second runner-up.

Meanwhile,  47 college and university organizations and local entrepreneurs participated in the two-day organization fair, where embedded advocacies and passion were showcased at the CAS Park and CUB mushrooms. 

Team Dugong Bughaw (TDB), a non-profit student organization in the university advocating for safe sex and sexual health awareness, conducted HIV testing and offered income-generating products. 

“All proceeds of these IGPs will be used for our next community event, and I think that the main purpose of all of this is to always give back to the community,” said Kobe Serinas, Project Manager Externals for TDB. 

The pinnacle of the CAS week is the Busalian kang CAS 2024, which was held on February 29, the last day of CAS Week. More than a pageant, the Busalian kang CAS 2024 served as a platform to protest various university and national issues and campaigns, including calls for salary reform for medical workers, upholding freedom of the press, genuine agrarian reform, rejecting militarization in the countryside, junking of the Fisheries Code of 1998, just transition in the PUV modernization program, and ultimately rejecting Marcos administration’s Charter Change. 

In the end, Aaron Damaso of Redbolts and Kyle Erika Saycon from Skimmers stood out among five participating academic organizations and were hailed as the Mr. and Ms. Busalian kang CAS 2024.

The program ended with a lightning rally where student councils and progressive student organizations amplified calls on systemic issues within and outside the university. Samantha Faye Herbolario, CAS Student Council Chairperson, highlighted the importance of extending the advocacy to the different sectors in the community, especially on the streets and the marginalized sectors.