After the 7.6-magnitude earthquake and shift to online classes in October 2025, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) captured two golds and six silver finishes at the opening ceremony of Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS) – Davao, Digos, Tagum, Mati (DaDiTaMa) College Regional Culture and Sports 2025.

TANGLAW – Ateneo Folkdance Society clinched silver with “Panungya,” an occupational dance of the Aklanon fisherfolk, marking their first-ever competition since its founding this year.

Dancesports tandem Kwencee Ramirez and Kent Meneses secured gold in the Viennese Waltz and Quickstep, and silver in the Slow Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot categories, earning them second place overall in the event. 

Danza En Cuatro’s Meditation Warriors, Patrick Guiller Guias, Kai Miraflores, Derek Tubilan, and Filjoy Benedicto from the Ateneo Dance Crew also claimed silver, narrowly missing a back-to-back title.

Vocal Solo’s Josh Nicole Basadre from Ateneo Repertory Company (ARC) placed fifth runner-up with her rendition of “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako” by Celeste Legaspi, while Vocal Duet’s Mikaela Angela Gamil and Louise Jazen Panzo placed sixth runner-up for their version of “Ikaw Nga” by South Border.

Grabbing third runner-up, Ateneo Sidlak Performing Arts Collective’s (ASPAC) 30-member ensemble in the Mindanao Festival Dance performed “Sagayan,” while the short film-making team from the Interdisciplinary Studies Association placed fourth runner-up with their entry “Dedicated.”

Despite falling short of gold, ASPAC President Venz Acierto expressed pride in representing the university through indigenous dance.

“Even though hindi namin nakuha yung gold, I am still happy and honored to represent the Ateneo community and also to represent the multi-faceted world of Mindanaoan dances.”

Ateneo Culture and Arts Program Officer Fiery Majadas highlighted that despite facing numerous adversities, they still managed to deliver a Magis performance.

“Our student performers’ DACS journey this year came with extraordinary challenges: the earthquake, the abrupt shift to two weeks of online/asynchronous learning, disrupted rehearsals, the difficulty of finding practice venues, and the added pressure of review and finals week.”

He also emphasized the significance of participation in cultural events in fostering engagement with the heritage.

“…Through performances, we rediscover the stories of our people, whether local, national, or global communities whose experiences shape who we are today. These events become spaces where students do not simply perform; they learn, reflect, and embody the richness of cultures,” Majadas added.

Participants from TANGLAW – Ateneo Folkdance Society, Dancesports, and Danza En Cuatro will represent Region XI in the upcoming Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) Mindanao Games in Zamboanga City next year.

With the theme, “In Sync of Faith in the Digital Era Through Sports and Culture,” the cultural fest of DACS-DaDiTaMa College Regional Culture and Sports Season 62 took place on November 17, at San Pedro College – Ulas Campus.