SU showcases creative spaces to national education officials, receives TESDA recognition
Silliman University (SU) brought together its academic and administrative units to showcase the University’s creative spaces and artistic talents during a Creative Tour for national education officials on October 9, 2026, as part of the 4th Joint Education Trifocal Management Committee (JETMC) Meeting in Dumaguete City.
The tour welcomed Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Edgardo Angara and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, along with other education officials, for an afternoon highlighting the University’s facilities for creative expression, innovation, and cultural development.
The engagement was part of the October 8–10 meeting, which brought together officials from TESDA, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and DepEd. CHED Secretary Shirley C. Agrupis also attended the meeting, along with undersecretaries, regional directors, and other key officials of the three agencies.
The Creative Tour provided visiting officials with a glimpse of how Silliman integrates the arts, technology, and culture into the educational experience.
At the Ariniego Gallery, guests witnessed live sketching and printmaking participatory demonstrations and viewed an exhibition of graduating students’ mid-year review of thesis projects.
The delegation also visited the Robert B. and Meta J. Silliman University Library, which houses the Uytengsu Transformative Learning Center. The facility features technology-enabled learning spaces designed to encourage collaboration, creativity, and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
The tour concluded at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium with a 30-minute cultural presentation featuring performances by the SU Orkestra Sin Arko, SU Men’s Glee Club, SU Dance Company, and Artista Sillimaniana.
The Creative Tour was a collaborative undertaking led by Blanchie Utzurrum, head of the SU Technical, Educational, Vocational, and Entrepreneurial Center; Asst. Prof. W. Don Flores, dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts; Dr. Warlito S. Caturay Jr., chief of Media and Public Affairs; and Dr. Diomar C. Abrio, chairperson of the University Culture and Arts Council.
They were supported by Asst. Prof. Alphita J. Enojo; the Silliman University Library; the Corps of Campus Ambassadors; and the Facilities Management and Administrative Services, including its Campus Security and Disaster Management and Occupational Safety and Health units.
The University’s Board of Trustees also supported the engagement, with Board Chair Ricardo A. Balbido Jr. and Trustee Atty. Myrish Cadapan-Antonio joining the activities during the Creative Tour.
A day earlier, on October 8, SU received a Plaque of Appreciation from TESDA in recognition of its support and cooperation in the successful conduct of the 4th JETMC Meeting. Utzurrum received the plaque on behalf of the University during a luncheon attended by SU Trustee Dr. Mar V. Ferenal and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research Dr. Lily Ann D. Bautista. The recognition, signed by Benitez, acknowledged the University’s invaluable support and cooperation in the successful conduct of the meeting.
Through the Creative Tour and its participation in the JETMC Meeting, Silliman demonstrated how collaboration among its academic, cultural, and administrative units can contribute to national education engagements while highlighting the University’s commitment to creativity, innovation, and the arts.
(Photos: Jasper Miranda)
