STUDENTS, faculty and staff of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) celebrated the return of  face-to-face integration held at the SBCA football field last December 2, 2022.  Students from Psychology and Education won in the Battle Cry competition, while their counterparts from the Legal Management took home the championship for the performance competition.

With the theme, “Wander through Time,” featuring different Disney films, the month-long festivities kicked off  with SBCA’s Pep Band held last November 8, 9, and 10, 2022,  highlighted by the echoing sound of the drums to uplift the Bedan spirit. Members of the Student Executive Council (SEC), along with the co-curricular organizations, organized a four-day “CAS and Chill” movie marathon of Disney films  which were held at the Multi-Purpose Hall on  November 15 to 18, 2022. Disney booths were also set up at the  gazebos and Fr. Bellarmine Hall by co-curricular and extra co-curricular organizations from November 22 to 25, while  some booths continued  operations at the gym on December  2, 2022.

“Regardless of where you came from, you are now a Bedan”

Dean Juan Ruffo D. Chong of the CAS, in his opening remarks, said the prolonged lockdown in the last two years forced many students and their families to stay indoors. Thus, the celebration of the CAS integration will help students to establish and deepen relationships with fellow students. “Regardless of where you came from, you are now a Bedan,” he said. Atty. Chong also congratulated the students, the faculty, and the CAS community for all their efforts in administering the event. 

Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB Rector President led the opening prayer played on video, followed by the performances from the Pep Band, cheerleaders, and SBCA athletes.

The Lions’ roar

Aliah Cruz (IV-BACMS) and Sophia Samson (IV-BSBA-MM) hosted this year’s CAS integration. The judges for various competitions include Dr. John Paul R. Domingo, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Raf Cruz Dapa, Sound Manager at Digital Congregate Agency; and Winmar Agdon, a former member of CCP Bobcats Cheerleading Team.

Each department was given themes embodied in their battle cry to serve as a preview for the next dance performance.  The departments of International Studies (IS) and Communication and Media Studies (CMS) performed their battle cry with the themes “Lion King” and “Coco”; Entrepreneurship and Financial Management performed “Enchanted” and “Beauty and the Beast”; Psychology and Education department danced through theme songs of “The Jungle Book” and “Encanto”; while the Accountancy performed through the music of “Tangled” and “Frozen”; lastly, the Information Technology danced through the themes “Hercules” and “Into the Woods,” while the departments of Human Resource Management and Marketing Management danced to the themes of  “Mulan” and “Moana.”

Himig Bedista, Bedanz Dance Troupe, Teatro Bedista, and the Business Management department which won in the integration online last year performed a High School Musical inspired number.

The first round of raffle winners was announced, followed by  the roaring drum performance of Pep Band. Despite the heat of standing in the football field, and an occasional drizzle, representatives from different CAS departments gave notable performances.

A tradition worth keeping

Special awards were given to the following: Kenjie Bandong (I-BSP) from Psychology and Education team was awarded the Most Outstanding Male Performer for his portrayal of Mowgli from “The Jungle Book.” Christine Jane Marbida (I-BSLM) from the Legal Management department was given the Most Outstanding Female Performer award for her enactment of Ursula from The “Little Mermaid.” Teatro Bedista and Himig Bedista delivered a collaborative performance of Disney Medley.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Andres Ignacio C. San Mateo Jr., Vice President for  Academic Affairs (VPAA), praised the different departments for their outstanding  performances despite difficulties to meet for practice due to the  COVID-19 pandemic. “This [Integration 2022] proves that this is something worthwhile and a tradition we have to keep,” he said. 

Emerging victorious over time

The Entrepreneurship and Financial Management departments won the People’s Choice and the  Best Parody awards for gathering the most engagements on their poster on the SEC Facebook page and compelling storytelling respectively. Meanwhile, the Legal Management department won Best in Costume. 

Psychology and Education won the Best Battle Cry performance, followed by Legal Management, and Accountancy in the second runner-up position. Jabez Favila (III-BSP), President of the Bedan Psychological Society (BPS) expressed surprise with the  results. “’Di namin in-expect since super simple lang ginawa namin and looking at the opponents, ang gaganda ng costume and all … Lastly, we feel proud to contribute to the Bedan Psychological Society achievements and hall of fame.”

Meanwhile, Legal Management team emerged as the champion of the Performance competition, followed by Psychology and Education, and then IS and CMS. Dianne Balagso (IV-BSLM), President of the Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC), expressed appreciation for the team’s unexpected win. “To become Champions for Best Performance, especially coming back from the pandemic, was just incredible, and we were all euphoric.”

All for One, All for Bedans

Freshman Clarisse Joice F. Saddi (I-BSA) said  the integration helped her meet new friends. Saddi said besides the fun experience, the event taught her how to socialize with others and build bonds with peers.

Another Bedan freshman, Arabella Rioflorido (I-BSA) said the integration brought her  closer to her blockmates and made new friends. “This integration eased my  fear of college life because it taught me to have fun and enjoy the presence of my  peers,” she said.

Meanwhile, Carson Joshua Segales (I-BSBA-FM), a first-year level representative of Junior Financial Executives (JFINEX), said that helping out with the preparation for event allowed him to understand better “the process of becoming better at both being a student and a student leader” and to balance his responsibilities better.

SEC President Alexandra Diane Anadon (IV-BSBA-MM) said that the event aims to unify Bedans; hence, their plans to  involve everyone in the institution. She said  inviting all athletes and members of different organizations to participate in the month-long activities ensures that the  integration is not exclusive to the SEC, but for the whole Bedan community.