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CMC and Kidapawan City Government Strengthen Cultural Partnership for Student Success

Student success flourishes when learners are given meaningful opportunities to discover their creativity, understand their heritage, and express their identity through culture and the arts.

On July 21, 2026, the Central Mindanao Colleges Institute for Culture and the Arts (ICA) strengthened its partnership with the City Government of Kidapawan through a collaborative meeting at the CMC Board Room. The engagement focused on cultural development, heritage preservation, institutional cooperation, and future initiatives that can expand artistic and cultural opportunities for CMC students.

The Institute for Culture and the Arts serves as CMC’s institutional hub for artistic development, cultural education, heritage preservation, and creative engagement. Through its centers and performing groups, ICA provides platforms for students to develop their talents in performing arts, theater, visual and media arts, cultural research, and heritage advocacy. It also connects artistic formation with student leadership, community engagement, and the preservation of local identity.

Leading the CMC delegation was Madame Marivic Q. Pascual, MAEd, Director of the Institute for Culture and the Arts, whose leadership continues to advance the institution’s cultural and artistic programs while carrying forward the legacy of Esperanza Sabulao, fondly remembered as Lola Panchang and CMC’s Grand Lady.

The meeting was also attended by Dr. Cynthia S. Asuncion, School President, whose support reflects CMC’s recognition of culture and the arts as essential to education, identity formation, creativity, and holistic student development.

“I can still recall our younger years, when we were trained to perform under the guidance of Lola Panchang. She brought ballet dancers and violinists to Kidapawan so that CMCians could witness, appreciate, and learn from the arts. Those experiences shaped our understanding of culture as something to be shared, nurtured, and lived. Today, we continue her legacy by creating opportunities for a new generation of artists, audiences, and cultural leaders,” shared Dr. Asuncion.

Representing Ms. Noemi B. Yecyes, Performing Arts Coordinator of the Kidapawan City Government Culture and Arts Office, was Mr. Lloyd C. Pereyra, Supervising Culture and Arts Promotion Officer. His participation strengthened professional dialogue and expanded opportunities for collaboration between the local government and the academic community.

The engagement also included Dr. Rosalinda Lonzaga, CMC faculty member and consultant of the Kidapawan City Culture and Arts Office, whose expertise reinforced the connection among cultural governance, arts education, and community development.

A key outcome of the meeting was the continuing support of the Kidapawan City Government Culture and Arts Office for the growth of ICA. Through sustained consultation and shared expertise, the partnership can create more opportunities for student performance, artistic training, cultural research, heritage appreciation, and community engagement.

Supporting the technical preparations were Ms. Ailyn H. Apolinares, Coordinator of the Center for Performing Arts; Ms. Bea Lee Shien P. Catanus, Coordinator of the Center for Culture and Heritage; and Mr. Erolle Linus T. Miranda, Artistic Director of CMC Teatro Pawan for Theater Arts and Creative Director of CMC Guhit Pawan for Visual and Media Arts. Their coordinated work strengthened ICA’s cultural documentation, visual presentation, and technical readiness.

The partnership advances SDG 4: Quality Education by enriching student learning through culture and the arts, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by preserving cultural heritage, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through responsive cultural governance, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between CMC and the City Government of Kidapawan.

At CMC, student success is not measured by academic achievement alone. Through the Institute for Culture and the Arts, learners are empowered to understand their roots, develop their talents, express their creativity, and use the arts to inspire communities and shape a more meaningful future.

EMDL, ISS Staff

Photos by ICMC

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