𝗥𝟭 𝗛𝗘𝗜 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗨- 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀

Two higher education institutions (HEIs) from Region I delivered song and dance performances during the Welcome Dinner for the EU-ASEAN Peer Learning Workshop delegates at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City on February 12, 2026.

Hosted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the evening highlighted the artistic talents of local HEIs before an international audience of education leaders and policymakers.

Representing Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Ms. Casie Medina showcased the beauty of Filipino music through a Kundiman performance.

The Koro Universidad de Dagupan (UDD) likewise demonstrated its musical prowess through a dynamic chorale performance that kept the audience wanting for more song numbers.

Joining MMSU and UDD on perfoemance stage were the St. Louis University (SLU) Cultural Dance Troupe and the Philippine Meistersingers of the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP).

Before the show, Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, CHED Chairperson, emphasized the importance of human connection in fostering collaboration in her opening message.

“As often emphasized by our beloved President, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., people-to-people engagement remains at the heart of meaningful diplomacy – reminding us that beyond agreements and frameworks, it is genuine human connection that sustains cooperation, builds trust, and brings our shared vision for the region closer to reality.”

Dr. Frank Feulner, Team Leader of Sustainable Connectivity Package–Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE), stressed in his speech that cooperation is shaped by conversations and relationships.

“At its core, cooperation is human-shaped by conversations, relationships, and the willingness to listen as much as to speak. Peer learning is-not about copying one another, it is about recognizing that each system has something valuable to contribute and something to learn.”

Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta- Diego, CHED ROI Director IV, together with the other Central Office and Regional Directors, welcomed and dined with the guests.

Meanwhile, Dr. Al Gerald Barde, CHED ROI Education Supervisor, joined the CHED production team in running the show.

The night ended with all the guests and CHED officials dancing to the beat of the songs from Koro UDD.

#CHEDROI
#ACHIEVE