SLSU Showcases Filipino Culture at the Gala Dinner at TVU
The night was filled with smiles and camaraderie as the much-anticipated Gala Dinner, themed "Taste of Friendship," took place. Hosted by TVU and co-hosted by SLSU, this Gala Dinner was part of the activities of CETS 2025. The cultural event brought together guests from various universities in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, the USA, and other ASEAN countries.
The event officially commenced with a warm welcome to the esteemed guests. The first speaker of the evening, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyễn Minh Hòa, President of TVU, took to the stage to deliver a meaningful speech. His words set the tone for the night. Next, the gathering had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Marie Khul C. Langub, Vice President for Student Auxiliary Services at Southern Leyte State University. She shared her thoughts on the significance of collaboration and the role cultural exchange plays in strengthening global partnerships. Following Dr. Langub’s speech, Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, President of Northwest Samar State University, and Dr. Y Lima, President of Chela University from Cambodia, addressed the audience, each bringing their own perspective to the evening’s theme.
The evening truly came alive with a series of spectacular cultural performances, each showcasing the beauty of different artistic traditions. The first performance, “You’ve Got a Friend,” was beautifully rendered by Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, offering a heartfelt rendition of the iconic song that symbolized the theme of friendship and connection. Next, the audience was treated to the traditional Filipino dance “Kuratsa,” performed by Dr. Dimakiling and Dr. Tobe. The night continued with a beautiful song performance of “With a Smile” by the talented faculty members from Southern Leyte State University (SLSU). Their performance added a touch of warmth and positivity. Dr. Violeta Felisilda, from SLSU Philippines, followed with a spoken word performance of “Phenomenal Woman.” Her powerful performance added a layer of elegance and inspiration to the evening, celebrating women’s strength and resilience.
The musical journey continued with Xích lô (Bài hát Việt Nam), performed by Dr. Mark Galdo, which brought a taste of Vietnamese culture to the event, while the performance of Kuratsa by six students from SLSU added even more energy and excitement to the night. The beautiful harmony of “A Million Dreams,” performed by six students from SLSU, captured the essence of the evening: unity through shared dreams. The cultural offerings didn’t stop there. The night was further enriched by the Khmer song "Kro Mum Chac Srok" (The Country Girl), a performance that brought the beauty of Khmer culture to the event, and “Trà Vinh Quê Hương Ngày Mới” (Vietnamese Song), a heartfelt local performance that gave the audience a glimpse into the rich traditions of the host community.
After the performances, there were impromptu presentations by the faculty, joined by the guests, which made the night joyous and memorable. As the evening ended, the atmosphere was filled with appreciation and gratitude. The closing remarks were delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diệp Thanh Tùng, Vice Rector of TVU, who expressed her heartfelt emotions about this memorable night of cultural exchange. Before the final curtain fell, the organizers took a moment to extend their deepest thanks to the delegates, distinguished guests, and all the teachers who had joined the celebration.
