Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) strengthened its engagement with Filipino cultural heritage in 2025 through initiatives promoting traditional dance, indigenous storytelling, historical appreciation, and creative documentation.
Through cultural workshops, film productions, performing arts activities, and educational programs, the University provided opportunities for students, educators, cultural practitioners, and community members to explore and share knowledge of local traditions and cultural identities.
These initiatives reflected MSEUF's commitment to cultural appreciation and its role in supporting the transmission of knowledge and traditions across generations.
Preserving local dance traditions through Sayaw Kalilayan
On Sept. 13–14, 2025, MSEUF Catanauan hosted Sayaw Kalilayan, a two-day cultural seminar-workshop celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Kalilayan Folkloric Dance Troupe.
The program gathered more than 400 performers and guests for activities focused on Filipino folk dance, cultural interpretation, traditional costumes, and choreography.
Founder-choreographer Rommel Serrano facilitated lectures and practical workshops that introduced participants to the cultural significance and performance techniques of traditional dances.
A central feature of the initiative was the presentation of three dances associated with Catanauan, Quezon: Abaruray de Catanauan, Malagueña de Catanauan, and Tubong de Catanauan.
Through instruction and practical demonstrations, the workshop provided opportunities for participants to learn about these traditional dance forms and their cultural significance.
The initiative also involved cultural engagement with the Philippine Folk Dance Society and Rotary Club of Makati Ayala Triangle.
By bringing together cultural practitioners, performers, and learners, Sayaw Kalilayan contributed to the transmission of local dance knowledge and encouraged continued appreciation of Catanauan's cultural traditions.
Documenting indigenous community narratives through MSEUF Lente 2025
On Nov. 20–21, 2025, MSEUF conducted Lente 2025, a film festival highlighting artistic talent and cultural narratives from Quezon Province.
Held at the AEC Little Theatre, the festival carried the theme Katutubo, focusing on the experiences, circumstances, and perspectives of indigenous communities.
The MSEUF Communication Society served as the official production team, with 17 members contributing to the festival's production and coordination.
Through film as a creative medium, the initiative presented stories centered on indigenous communities and provided opportunities for audiences to engage with narratives reflecting cultural identities and lived experiences.
The festival demonstrated the potential of audiovisual storytelling to increase awareness and appreciation of community experiences.
Further documentation of the individual films, their cultural subjects, and their preservation or archival arrangements would help establish the extent to which the initiative recorded specific forms of intangible cultural heritage, such as traditional knowledge, oral histories, languages, and customs.
Promoting cultural appreciation through Filipino folklore and performance
On April 29, 2025, the MSEUF Banyuhay Dance Troupe presented UMBRA: Beyond the Veil – A Dance Offering to the Unseen at the University Gymnasium.
The production drew creative inspiration from Filipino folklore, indigenous belief systems, ancestral narratives, and ritual symbolism.
Through movement and theatrical expression, the performance explored cultural themes associated with Filipino traditions and beliefs.
A post-performance discussion provided an opportunity to examine the creative and cultural foundations of the production.
The activity supported cultural appreciation through contemporary artistic interpretation while encouraging engagement with themes drawn from Filipino heritage.
Although the production incorporated folklore and traditional beliefs, additional research documentation would be necessary to establish whether it formally recorded or preserved particular intangible cultural practices.
Strengthening awareness of historical and architectural heritage
MSEUF also conducted educational and creative initiatives that promoted appreciation of tangible Filipino and institutional heritage.
On May 24, 2025, a 21-member delegation composed of University leaders, deans, department heads, and staff visited Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.
The heritage tour provided opportunities for participants to observe historical architecture, engage with Filipino heritage narratives, and document aspects of the visit through photographs and recordings.
Earlier in the year, students from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts developed illustrations and sketches of University landmarks for the MSEUF 2025 institutional calendar, as reported on Feb. 13, 2025.
The calendar featured architectural representations of institutional landmarks, including Banyuhay Bridge, Casa Segunda, and buildings associated with the University's affiliate schools.
These initiatives complemented the University's cultural activities by promoting awareness of historical and architectural heritage.
While they contributed to documenting physical heritage and institutional identity, they are distinct from projects specifically designed to record and preserve intangible traditions, folklore, languages, or inherited community knowledge.
Supporting the transmission and appreciation of cultural knowledge
MSEUF's cultural initiatives demonstrated different approaches to engaging with heritage through instruction, performance, audiovisual storytelling, and creative documentation.
Sayaw Kalilayan provided opportunities for the transmission of traditional dance knowledge through lectures and practical workshops. Lente 2025 used film to present indigenous community narratives, while UMBRA explored Filipino folklore and ancestral themes through artistic interpretation.
Together, these initiatives contributed to cultural engagement and provided opportunities for students and community participants to develop a deeper understanding of Filipino traditions and identities.
The documented activities established opportunities for cultural learning and expression. Verification of permanent recordings, instructional materials, cultural research outputs, and archival arrangements would further demonstrate their contribution to long-term heritage preservation.
Contribution to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
MSEUF's cultural initiatives supported United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage and sustaining local traditions.
The initiatives are relevant to Indicator 11.2.6 of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings, which assesses whether universities implement projects to record and preserve intangible cultural heritage, including folklore, traditions, language, and cultural knowledge.
Sayaw Kalilayan demonstrated the University's involvement in transmitting local dance traditions associated with Catanauan, Quezon, while Lente 2025 highlighted indigenous community narratives through film.
The other documented cultural activities contributed to heritage awareness and creative expression, although their direct roles in intangible heritage recording and preservation require additional supporting evidence.
Through these initiatives, MSEUF upheld its institutional values of Mindfulness, Service, Excellence, Unity, and Fortitude while supporting cultural education, community engagement, and the continuing appreciation of Filipino heritage.