05/11/2025
๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ, ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ โฑ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ง๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ-๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐!
From the court to the stage, the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) once again turned passion into podiums, proving that excellence at USM is not just a goalโitโs a tradition.
USM showcased its athletic and cultural prowess at the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Friendship Games and Socio-Cultural Festival 2025, held from October 25โ30 in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, securing two second-place overall finishes and bringing home a total of โฑ600,000 in cash incentives.
The University placed second overall in both the Sports and Socio-Cultural categories, reaffirming its stronghold as one of Mindanaoโs top-performing State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). USMโs athletes and performers delivered stellar performances, earning 57 gold, 39 silver, and 53 bronze medals in sports, and 93 points in the socio-cultural tilt.
In recognition of these achievements, the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental awarded USM โฑ300,000 each for its success in both categoriesโa testament to the Universityโs consistent pursuit of excellence.
For Joshua Abraham Ferrer, team captain of the USM Menโs Volleyball Team, the victory represents the spirit of teamwork and perseverance shared by every player.
โIt means a lot po. Hindi lang kasi siya para sa akinโitโs also for my coach, teammates, and of course, for USM, and everyone whoโs been part of my journey since day one po,โ Ferrer shared.
Gold medalist Jayniegel G. Tua, who successfully defended her title in the Solo Creative (Bebas) category of Pencak Silat, also highlighted the importance of unity and trust within the team.
โโDi ko ramdam โyung pagod at sakit ng katawan kasi andyan teammates ko kaya magaan at masaya,โ Tua said.
โLahat ng pagod at sakripisyo nagbunga, at itong panalo ay para din sa seniors namin na nag-try makamit ang gold. Maniwala langโmaniwala sa sarili, sa teammate, at sa sistemang binuo ng team. Maniwala na kaya niyo.โ
Guided by the theme โEmpowering Youth, Strengthening Accountability: Building a Responsible Nation Through Sports, Culture, and the Arts,โ this yearโs MASTS gathered 36 SUCs from across Mindanao, celebrating unity, excellence, and youth leadership through sports and culture.
As the curtains close on MASTS 2025, USM stands tall with prideโits victories reflecting not only talent and discipline but also the unyielding dedication and spirit that define the University of Southern Mindanao.
โ๏ธ: Nessa Loraine Daquio
๐ป: Lara Loes Baldeo