STUDENTS from the University of the Philippines Los Baños emerged victorious at the 6th Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges’ Culture and the Arts Festival held earlier in the month.

BS Agricultural and Applied Economics major Ryan Kristopher Sacopon was crowned as the STRASUC Festival King.

Sacopon was also honored Best in Production wear, Best in Swimwear, and Best in Formal Wear.

According to UPLB, Sacopon, along with Miss Southern Luzon State University, will represent Region IV at the National Culture and the Arts Festival in 2023.

He is mentored and coached by Engineer Julius Cesar Cunanan.

Meanwhile, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student Zdenalie Pagatpatan and BS Forestry student Madeline Ocampo bagged silver medal in the vocal duet competition with their rendition of Ryan Cayabyab’s ‘Nais Ko’.

The two learners were mentored by Rusty Keith Placino.

Moreover, BS Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship student Guinevere Esguerra played the banduria and won third place in the competition for solo instruments together with her classical guitar instrumentalist Hans Cedrick Espiritu.

BS Agriculture major Kate Andrea Federizo played the violin and won fourth place in the competition.

Musical director Darren Vega coached both winners.

Further, BS Development Communication student Romela Aileen Bayaban won second place in the charcoal rendering contest, while DVM major Lynn Cristine Ang placed third in the on-the-spot poster-making contest.

Bayaban and And were mentored by Paul John Galagar.

With the theme ‘Advancing Culture and the Arts as Strategic Resource for National Development.’ the festival aimed to highlight the importance of the tertiary education culture and arts program as a vehicle for inculcating Filipino and universal human values.

UPLB competed with 11 state universities and colleges during the meet, with its contingent led by the Department of Human Kinetics of the College of Arts and Sciences.