The College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV-CAS) officially kicked off the CAS Week 2024 celebration with an opening ceremony held at the CAS Park on Feb. 26.
The opening ceremony was highlighted with messages from UP Faculty Regent Carl Ramota and UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano and the introduction of the competing pairs for the Busalian kang CAS 2024, a protest pageant.
Ramota talked about the importance of creating spaces which are safe, open, and free to allow constituents to think critically and discuss the education offered by UP and the education system in the country in general.
He said creating such spaces is one of the reasons for the establishment of the Committee on the Promotion and Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights.
Camposano, on the other hand, said there are big plans for CAS and “in due time, I think many of you will be involved in many of these activities.”
The Chancellor mentioned strengthening UP’s presence in Western Visayas after UP Tacloban gained autonomy from UP Visayas. He talked about the UPV Antique Extension Campus in Pandan town; the plan to have a permanent institutional presence in Roxas City; and the memorandum of agreement with the Victorias City local government unit to build a community research center.
Dr. Arnel Tampos, CAS OIC Dean, declared the opening of the CAS Week 2024 afterward.
Meanwhile, the five pairs representing their respective academic organizations for the Busalian kang CAS 2024 bared their advocacies.
Their advocacies include proper compensation for healthcare workers; ending media repression; genuine agrarian reform for farmers; improved fisherfolk rights; and humane approaches to the transport crisis.
The protest pageant organized by the CAS Student Council (SC) will take place at the UPV Covered Court on Feb. 29.
The CAS Week opening ceremony ended with a community dance and was followed by the open house, where offices at the CAS welcomed students, faculty, and staff with food, exhibits, booths, and games.
The weeklong CAS celebration with the theme “Paghimanwa sang CAS” runs from Feb. 26-29, featuring a series of activities prepared by CAS offices and the CAS SC.
