Rawaten One MSU

Latifa Sor Ly
3 min readSep 29, 2022

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One’s culture is an identity. Mindanao State University is indeed the melting pot of the south due to its colourful cultures that the students and constituents have. As an academic institution, the ability to preserve cultures and traditions through their arts and dances is a gargantuan task. However, MSU has become the lead in making this happen.

Rawaten Banner by Mos-ab Mangurun

In the recent Rawaten Cultural Gala, the beauty of the cultural diversity of the MSUans in the whole system was showcased. It was the vision of the University president to name it Rawaten for it is a Meranaw term that means ‘admirable model.’ Like MSU, as an exemplar, the leaders, faculty and staff have the passion and ability to inspire others, clear set of values, commitment to community, selflessness and acceptance of others with the ability to overcome obstacles. This is MSU now!

Kapagapir by Sining Kambayoka (Photo by Kuya Kid)

We are ONE in becoming a model in the country that can exude passion along with inspiration to be hopeful despite the difficulties in our midst. Indeed, the cultural extravaganza will be an exemplar in the trail-blazing legacies of the Mapupuno administration for a real ONE MSU!

The Rawaten Cultural Extravaganza was composed of three major activities. These are the Meranaw Games, the Rawaten Cultural Gala and the Kulintang Competition. During the cultural games, this was done in the MSU Isidro Building ground and was spearheaded by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Extension and Development uder the leadership of Elin Anisha Capal-Guro.

Rawaten Models (Photo by Kuya Kid)

After which, the Rawaten Cultura Gala was staged on the afternoon of September 1 with the dance presentations from all MSU Campuses that have dance and theater troupes. It was also coloured by the Cultural Meranaw Attire showcased by the Rawaten Models from different colleges and units of the University. The said gala was tagged as “first time” for MSU to have this convergence from all campuses’ rich cultures. Further, the world-class exhibitions played and performed on the same date made these rich cultures appreciated. The success of the said gala was spearheaded by the committee created by the University and with the voluntary efforts of the Faculty volunteers of the Meranaw Cultural Heritage Center and its Linding Student volunteers.

Kulintang Champion during the Kulintang Competition

The extravaganza was ended with a Kulintang competition where offices were encouraged to play the Kulintang and Agong ensemble with a touch festivity. This was done in the Aga Khan Museum ground and was spearheaded by the Director of the Museum, Dr. Linang Cabugatan.

Indeed, culture must be strengthened amidst the strong influence of change. This one-month lone cultural showcasing done by the Atty. Basari Mapupuno administration is a manifestation that MSU is a Peace University. MSU showed beauty of diversity amisdt adversities. Alhamdulillah!

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Latifa Sor Ly

Sorhaila is a Meranaw who is inspired to share her thoughts as a Muslim woman in a non-Muslim dominated country.