By Jesslyn Keith Valite and Edmar Delos Santos

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) reaffirmed its dominance by emerging as the overall champion for the 20th consecutive year at the 2025 regional culture and arts festival while securing first runner-up at the sporting competitions held from February 24 to 28.

Held at MMSU, the university amassed 138 points in the Region 1 Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Culture and Arts Festival. It excelled in contemporary dance, pencil drawing, standard chorale, vocal duet, violin, and piano competitions.

MMSU's Cris Mar Clemente and Franchesca Irish Cabansag also claimed the Mr. and Ms. SCUAA-1 titles, adding to the university's triumph.
Pangasinan State University (PSU) secured first runner-up at the PASUC-1 festival with 109 points, followed by Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) with 104 points. The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) performed with 71 and 46 points, respectively.

In the Region 1 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Games, MMSU finished as the first runner-up. Across various sporting events, the university earned the highest number of medals, with 350. The university collected 113 golds, 146 silvers, and 91 bronzes.

MMSU clinched gold medals in archery, arnis, athletics, chess, basketball, dance sports, lawn tennis, table tennis, swimming, sepak takraw, and taekwondo.

Meanwhile, DMMMSU emerged as the overall champion of this year's SCUAA-1 Games, securing 284 medals, comprising of 127 golds, 73 silvers, and 87 bronzes. UNP finished as second runner-up, while PSU and ISPSC took the third and fourth runner-up spots, respectively.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. expressed pride in the university's sustained excellence in culture, arts, and sports. He assured the university community of his continued support for future victories and promised full backing for artists and athletes in the coming year.

"We warmly congratulate other delegations as well for their impressive performances and sportsmanship. Let us help one another in improving our performance at the nationals," he added.

The first-placers in various sporting events will advance to the National SCUAA Games from April 22 to 26 in Camiguin Island.

The 2026 SCUAA-1 and PASUC-1 will be hosted by the University of Northern Philippines in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.