SU Band wins 7th consecutive Buglasan marching band championship
The Silliman University (SU) Band secured its seventh consecutive championship in the College Category of the Buglasan Marching Band Competition held on October 17, 2026, at the Lamberto L. Macias Sports and Cultural Center in Dumaguete City.
The SU Band also swept the competition’s three special awards for Best in Musicality, Best in Uniform, and Best Band Leader, further strengthening its winning streak in one of the major events of the annual Buglasan Festival.
Under the direction of Asst. Prof. Joseph Albert P. Basa, the band performed an energetic medley of hits by the American band Earth, Wind & Fire, featuring “In the Stone,” “Let’s Groove,” “September,” and “Boogie Wonderland.”
The performance combined musical arrangements with synchronized formations and choreography, earning the band the top honors among five competing institutions.
The College Category featured marching bands from the Colegio de Santa Catalina de Alejandria (COSCA), Saint Paul University Dumaguete, Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), Foundation University (FU), and Silliman University.
NORSU finished second, while Saint Paul University Dumaguete placed third.
Basa shared that preparing for this year’s competition was particularly challenging because of the band’s demanding schedule, which included preparations for the University’s 125th Founders Day celebrations and its 120th anniversary concert, Legacy in Sound, held on October 2–3.
According to Basa, he initially asked the students whether they wanted to compete again, explaining that their preparations would have to fit into an already tight schedule, with final examinations approaching shortly after the concert.
Despite these constraints, the students expressed their enthusiasm to participate, prompting Basa to develop the band’s formations and choreography.
With limited preparation time, the band managed to put together a championship-winning performance.
The victory marked the SU Band’s seventh straight championship in the competition, reflecting the members’ commitment, teamwork, and dedication to musical excellence.
As College Category champion, the SU Band received a trophy and a ₱30,000 cash prize, along with ₱5,000 for each of its three special awards, bringing its total cash winnings to ₱45,000.
The Buglasan Marching Band Competition is among the events of the annual Buglasan Festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage, artistry, and traditions of Negros Oriental.
(Photos taken from the Province of Negros Oriental Facebook page)
