๐™๐˜พ๐˜ผ๐™ ๐™๐™š๐™˜๐™–๐™ฅ | ๐™๐™ฅ ๐™—๐™ฎ 26 ๐™ฅ๐™ค๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™ฉ๐™จ ๐“๐€๐” ๐ž๐ฑ๐œ๐ž๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐‘๐‚๐€๐… ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ’

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๐™๐˜พ๐˜ผ๐™ ๐™๐™š๐™˜๐™–๐™ฅ | ๐™๐™ฅ ๐™—๐™ฎ 26 ๐™ฅ๐™ค๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™ฉ๐™จ ๐“๐€๐” ๐ž๐ฑ๐œ๐ž๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐‘๐‚๐€๐… ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ’
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โ€œOur collective efforts have paid off.โ€
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These were the words of Prof. Cecile L. Lapitan after confirming that Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) leaped two places in the overall ranking and increased its total points to 36, registering a 260-percent surge at the Regional Culture and the Arts Festival (RCAF) hosted by Bulacan State University (BulSU), 26-29 November.
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Previously ranked 12th, TAU realized gains in this yearโ€™s RCAF, steered by the Culture and the Arts Association of State Universities and College (CAASUC) in Region III, in Malolos, Bulacan, and achieved Top 5 finishes in 10 contest categories compared to just four last year.
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TAU Chorale led the Universityโ€™s haul with a total of 12 points courtesy of its 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up placements in show choir and standard choir, respectively.
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โ€œWe did not expect this. We know how good choir groups in Central Luzon are and most of the time, we feel intimidated,โ€ Mr. Pastor V. Ambat III, coach, said. โ€œWe hope the TAU community will continue to support us,โ€ Mr. Ambat continued. He also mentioned that aside from the determination and hard work of the performers, they also owe their victory to the guidance of Sociocultural Development Office (SDO) and his fellow coaches, and the musical brilliance of Mr. Jefferson Manalang, trainer and consultant.
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Mr. CAASUC III 2nd runner-up and Best in Talent 3rd runner-up, Jesse B. Cariรฑo, earned seven points for the University after impressing both the panel of evaluators and the audience at Malolos Convention Municipal Grounds.
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Each contributing five points, TAUโ€™s contenders in Photography and Radio Drama secured 2nd runner-up standings. Kristia Mae N. Lino and the group from the Department of Development Communication contributed a total of 10 points.
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Photography coach, Mr. Micheal N. Consul, said he is proud of what Ms. Lino achieved while Radio Drama coach, Mr. Jessie E. Dela Cruz, commended his team for their patience and dedication especially during practices and rehearsals.
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TAU Performing Guild (PG) also proved their exceptional skills in dancing as the group prevailed in two categories. Garnering four points, PG achieved 3rd runner-up in Indigenous Dance and 4th runner-up in Folk Dance. Aside from their coaches, PG also received training from Mr. Jeffrey Bachar and Mr. Diosdado Pine.
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With one point each, TAU Animusika Band, Christian Kyle Ibarra, and members of AKDA (Ako at Kayo sa Dula at Awit), a newly recognized student organization at TAU, rounded up the top 5 in the Live Band, Classical Guitar, and Short and Sweet Play Drama competitions.
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In an interview before the opening ceremony of RCAF, Prof. Lapitan shared that the TAU administration raised the allowance of RCAF participants, provided longer preparation time, and even held a sendoff ceremony. โ€œTo sustain this improvement, we will begin strategizing early for the 2025 edition,โ€ Prof. Lapitan explained. โ€œWe will also intensify our preparations in the literary and visual arts,โ€ she added.
Article | Information Unit
Photos | Jayron Mark R. Dela Cruz, Troy Dominic A. Gelacio, John Lloyd A. Pabloreรฑa, Kristia Mae N. Lino, and Aljon S. Sicat