19/05/2025
LOOK: THRIVE, CAS Week 2025 Showcases Synergizing Creativity and Discovery
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of Lyceum of the Philippines University–Laguna staged a vibrant celebration of student achievement, creativity, and collaboration during its annual CAS Week 2025, held on May 13, 14, and 16. With the theme “Synergizing Creativity and Discovery,” the three-day event placed the spotlight on student-led innovation, research excellence, and cinematic storytelling—underscoring the college’s commitment to interdisciplinary growth and community engagement.
The festivities opened on May 13 at the PHL Lobby, where a lively atmosphere welcomed students and faculty. Enthusiasm surged as the four competing film production teams—Cognitive Lens, Andy Samuels Productions, Indayog, and Chasquear Films—debuted teasers of their short films. The opening parade followed, featuring a colorful procession of academic organizations including the Biology Society (BioSoc), Communicators’ Society (CommSoc), Lyceum Multimedia Arts Creative Society (LYMMACS), and Psychology Society (PsychSoc). Accompanied by music, multimedia elements, and film sound bites, the parade set the tone for a week rooted in both creativity and academic pride.
The opening program, held at the FLT Conference Theater, set the tone for the week with powerful messages from key academic leaders. In her opening remarks, Dr. Lerma Y. Calingasan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, underscored the transformative power of creativity in education, urging students to embrace innovation as a tool for learning and growth. CAS-SG President Angelica Fandiño followed with an enthusiastic introduction to the week’s lineup, emphasizing the value of integrating intellectual rigor with artistic expression. Officially launching the event, Dr. Celia A. Tibayan, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, welcomed students to what she called a “celebration of purposeful expression,” framing the week as an opportunity to explore creativity with intention and meaning.
One of the day’s main highlights was the introduction of the student directors behind this year’s CASFA (College of Arts and Sciences Film Awards) entries: Irene Flores (Langit at Lupa), Andrei Serrano (When the Ringing Stops), Sean Mabuyo (Pahimakas), and Nikki Paraiso (Someone, Somewhere in Between). Each filmmaker spoke about the themes that shaped their work, from grief and self-discovery to mental health and gender identity. These insights set the stage for the CASFA Special Screening, where the student films were shown to a full audience. A post-screening forum invited viewers to reflect on the social relevance and emotional impact of the films, proving the power of narrative in shaping discourse.
The spotlight shifted to academic insight with CAS INSPIRE: The Industry Professional Forum later that afternoon. The session featured speakers from the fields of communication, multimedia, and biological sciences. Among them were Ms. Aira Belen, who discussed the evolution of digital storytelling, and Dr. Joshua Vacarizas, who shared developments in marine biodiversity research. The forum provided students with the opportunity to ask questions, effectively bridging classroom theories with real-world practices through dynamic and practical discussions. Additionally, a film screening for non-CAS students was held at SHL 201–204.
On the second day, held on May 14, CAS Week shifted to a more scholarly tone with the Research Colloquium and CAS Recognition Ceremony, highlighting student contributions to research and academic excellence. The event began with formal ceremonies and a keynote address by the Director of the Center for Research and Development, Dr. Merlita Medallion, who emphasized the importance of inquiry and discovery in higher education. Dean Cel Tibayan then introduced a panel of experts who provided constructive critiques throughout the day’s presentations.
Research topics were impressively diverse and socially relevant. Ken Cyrus Quimsing presented an agricultural study titled “Physiological Response of Brassica rapa Subspecies Chinensis (Bok Choy) to Different Formulations of L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Indole-3-Acetic Acid,” which explored plant growth responses to natural stimulants. Karla Denise Gonzales and Sarah Grace Dorado examined gender expression in digital spaces through their research, “Embodied Expressions: Exploring How Nonbinary Individuals Communicate Gender Identity on Facebook.” Erica Holley showcased her thesis project, “Love Bytes: A Romance Visual Novel,” delving into the creative process behind narrative game development. Meanwhile, Kenshin Mei De Los Trinos analyzed digital behavior in “From Attention to Tension?: Finding the Motivation Behind Posting ‘Thirst Traps’ and Its Impact on Romantic Relationships.”
Equally engaging were the poster presentations. Jillayne de Claro explored AI and child psychology in her study, “BR(AI)N CHILDREN: Examining Relationships Between ChatGPT and Self-Efficacy.” Dhyrin Princess Marin offered a sharp critique in “Cinema and the Angry Filipina: Analyzing Five Decades of Philippine Cinema’s Portrayal of Female Rage,” while Alsheloh Chem Mandapat investigated food science with “Organoleptic Properties and Nutritional Content of a Novel Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Sauce.”
The Recognition Ceremony honored high-achieving students across academic and extracurricular activities. Dean’s List awardees were recognized for their academic excellence, while the Phoenix Leadership and Service Awards are awarded for students who demonstrated outstanding leadership and consistent involvement inside and outside the university. The ceremony served as a reminder of CAS’s dedication to cultivating both competence and character. The day concluded with CAS Idol, The Noise, and I Can See Your Voice—a trio of performance competitions that brought the community together in a spirit of fun and camaraderie. While CAS Idol and The Noise showcased student vocal talent, stage presence, and artistic flair, I Can See Your Voice added a humorous twist, featuring faculty members as the main performers in a friendly and entertaining contest. Lighthearted and laughter-filled, all three events highlighted the community’s comfort with one another and underscored the value of creating space for both expression and enjoyment amidst academic life.
CAS Week concluded in cinematic style on May 16 with the 12th CAS Film Awards (CASFA 2025), held in the FLT Conference Theater. With the red carpet rolled out and the stage lit in dramatic light, the event recognized outstanding achievements in student filmmaking. Dean Cel Tibayan opened the evening by reminding students of storytelling’s potential to inspire, heal, and lead. A distinguished panel of judges—Vonn Vincent Tanchuan, a communications strategist; Jonh Paul Seño, a journalist and public information officer; and Wanggo Gallaga, a screenwriter and critic—lent industry credibility to the competition.
The evening opened with awards such as the Best Opening Spiel, given to the team that kicked off CAS Week with energy and flair, and the Blockbuster Film Award, which recognized the most talked-about and engaging film of the event. Technical Awards followed, highlighting behind-the-scenes craftsmanship with categories like Best Poster, Best Sound Design, Best Production Design, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography, each awarded for their exceptional contributions to the visual and auditory storytelling of the films. The ceremony also honored alumni who have made remarkable industry contributions through the SINAG Awarding, with Mr. Gene Dionglay receiving the SINAG Award for Multimedia Arts and Mr. Christopher Hedreyda receiving the SINAG Award for Communication. An intermission performance featuring a stop-motion Claymation by BMMA 2-1 students delighted the audience and showcased alternative storytelling formats.
The spotlight then shifted to Performance Awards, including Best Cameo, Best Acting Ensemble, and individual awards for Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, and Best Actress, recognizing memorable and emotionally resonant performances. The night’s most anticipated honors were the Major Awards, which featured Best Original Screenplay, Best Trailer, Best Director, and ultimately Best Picture, awarded to the film that excelled across all aspects of storytelling and production. The ceremony concluded with Special Awards such as Best Dressed, Best Suit, Couple of the Night, Ms. Independent, Mr. Independent, and Star of the Night, applauding standout personalities and fashion-forward attendees who added glamour and charm to the evening.
CAS Week 2025 did more than entertain. It empowered and proved that when students are given the tools and space to express, inquire, and create—they don’t just learn. They indeed thrive.
Written by: Gwyneth Balboa
Edited by: Nikki Novales
Layout by: Alyssa Bandin
