A fourth-year electronics engineering student from Marikina Polytechnic College (MPC), who was the school’s sole delegate, secured a gold medal for the National Capital Region (NCR) at the 2026 Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) National Culture and the Arts Festival (NCAF). The event was held at West Visayas State University in Iloilo City on Thursday.
Skud Vayne Guillermo emerged victorious in the Persuasive Oratory category after competing against 14 finalists representing various state universities and colleges nationwide. His original speech used strong metaphors to examine and challenge issues within the Philippine socio-political environment.
Oratory Piece Rooted in Personal and National Struggle
In his performance, Guillermo drew parallels between his mother’s experience battling cancer and broader national issues, framing corruption as a disease that spreads and worsens when left unaddressed.
“Because if corruption is cancer, then silence is consent, tolerance is nutrition, and indifference is metastasis. And if we refuse the surgery required to restore trust, integrity, and accountability in public service, then we are not, in any way, honoring our cultural heritage,” the 23-year-old said during his piece.
For Guillermo, the achievement carried emotional weight, especially after sharing the stage with strong contenders from institutions such as UP Cebu and the University of Eastern Philippines, among others.
“To have stood among the finest minds of UP Cebu, the University of Eastern Philippines, and all the other brilliant state universities and colleges across the Philippines was already a victory I never took lightly,” he said. “To have won it is a different depth of humbling gratitude. I never prayed to win, for I know He is just and fair, and that each of the students in the room with me, who held so much excellence, shared the same hope. Instead, I prayed to be in the right headspace, to give the best speech I could thus far, and to be at peace with whatever result followed.”
His win also marked a historic moment for MPC and the NCR delegation, as it was the first time the region clinched gold in the Persuasive Oratory event at the NCAF.
“This recognition belongs as much to those who believed in me as it does to me. And more than anything, it reminds me that there is still so much to learn, so much to give, and so much more to become,” Guillermo said.
A Milestone and NCR Breakthrough
MPC president Rene Colocar also acknowledged the efforts of those who supported the delegation, including coaches and the Office of Cultural and Sports Development. He noted that the achievement reflected discipline and consistency rather than chance.
“Winning this gold feels like more than just a victory. It’s proof that success isn’t a stroke of luck. It’s what happens when you show up and put in the work, day after day,” Colocar said. “This moment proves that when a region stands united and a student is truly driven, no challenge is big enough to stop us from shining.”
Guillermo’s achievement also comes at a meaningful personal moment, as he is set to graduate this year and reunite with his mother, an overseas Filipino worker returning home after 10 years abroad.
The PASUC-NCAF 2026, anchored on the theme “Pagsaulog: Honoring Our Cultural Heritage and Treasures,” highlights the role of arts and culture in preserving Filipino identity and values. For young students, stories like this reflect how youth achievements in national platforms help shape pride in education, while also reminding communities of the importance of expression, identity, and social awareness in today’s society.
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