MSEUF opens its stages to the community, advancing SDG 11 through accessible arts and culture

Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) strengthened Sustainable Cities and Communities by making arts and cultural experiences easy to access on campus, mounting concerts, theater, and dance productions; hosting citywide cultural meets; and maintaining a high-quality performance venue that welcomes partners and audiences from Lucena and beyond. These actions demonstrate MSEUF’s commitment to SDG 11, which centers on providing inclusive access to cultural infrastructure and programming that enrich civic life.

On Dec. 12, 2024, the MSEUF Concert Singers marked their 50th anniversary with an alumni homecoming concert, bringing generations of Envergan artists together in a public celebration of choral tradition and community. The program showcased the ensemble’s evolving repertoire and collaborative spirit across the decades.

Earlier in the year, the Banyuhay Dance Troupe celebrated its 26th anniversary with the campus dance concert “Tamalaya: Uphold Respect, Thrive in Success, and Embrace Love through Dance,” staged at the MSEUF Gymnasium on May 10, 2024, a free-flowing showcase that invited students and town residents to engage with Filipino movement arts in a familiar, walkable venue.

MSEUF also kept theater vibrant and relevant. On May 11, 2024, the production “Liyab sa Lihim” ignited the AEC Little Theater with a contemporary story crafted for student performers and local audiences, underscoring how campus stages can surface social themes while remaining widely accessible.

The University’s performance ecosystems extend to cultural tributes that anchor community memory. On April 4, 2024, the College of Education mounted “Nana Charing: Asawa, Ina, Matriyarka” at the AEC Little Theater, featuring choral, dance, and dramatic numbers honoring Doña Rosario Lopez-Enverga, an all-campus program designed for broad public attendance.

Beyond single events, the AEC Little Theater functions as a regional cultural hub, hosting masterclasses and collaborative performances with national arts partners. Its intimate acoustics, lighting, and flexible stage design support professional-quality experiences that remain accessible to students and community guests.

MSEUF also connects design and city life. On Oct. 7, 2024, the College of Architecture and Fine Arts celebrated World Architecture Day 2024 with activities that drew students and practitioners into conversations about inclusive, sustainable urban environments, opening campus spaces for public learning and cultural exchange.

The University complements these campus programs with wider civic participation. At the 2024 Quezon PRISAA Chapter Meet, hosted by MSEUF-Candelaria in March, students excelled in cultural competitions, signaling strong pathways for youth expression and public appreciation of the arts across the province.

 

Why this matters

• Accessible venues: The AEC Little Theater and MSEUF Gymnasium provide centrally located, walkable spaces where residents can attend concerts, plays, and dance events without barriers.

• Regular, diverse programming: Anniversaries, tributes, contemporary theater, and student-led productions ensure year-round cultural access for varied audiences.

• Civic and sector linkages: World Architecture Day and PRISAA cultural contests connect campus arts with city dialogue and regional participation, broadening reach and inclusion.

These initiatives reflect MSEUF’s values—Mindfulness, Service, Excellence, Unity, Fortitude—by turning the campus into an open cultural commons where music, dance, theater, and design are within easy reach of students, families, and neighbors, advancing a more inclusive, connected, and culturally vibrant Lucena.