The CICM Philippine Schools Network (CICM-PSN) Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA) Cluster officially launched the two-day Artist Convergence at the Main Campus of Saint Louis University (SLU) on 26 until 27 June 2025 bringing together students, educators, and artists from four CICM-affiliated institutions in a celebration of culture, creativity, and community.
149 participants from Saint Louis College-San Fernando La Union (SLC-LU), SLU-Baguio City, Saint Mary’s University (SMU)-Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, and University of Saint Louis (USL) Tuguegarao convened for the training workshop on Filipino artistic expression through dance, vocal music, and theater.
The convergence opened with a Eucharistic Celebration, followed by a Trainer’s Forum and a Members’ Meet and Greet, fostering a spirit of shared purpose among attendees. Following the opening preliminaries were the immersive dance, voice, and theater workshops.
Prof. Fidel Calalang, the founder and conductor of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Singers, conducted the voice master classes featuring laboratory pieces tailored for the participants.
Richardson Yadao, a two-time Gawad Buhay Awardee and renowned Philippine choreographer and dance artist, facilitated dance workshops emphasizing body awareness, alignment, and movement vocabulary.
Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan and Jonathan Tad Tadioan, senior actors of the National Performing Arts Company for Theater in the Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, led theater sessions focusing on acting skills and techniques.
On 27 June, participants will embark on an indigenous heritage tour of the SLU Museum of Igorot Cultures and Arts and a theater tour of the Fr. Joseph Van den Daelen CICM CCA Theater. This will be followed by the continuation of the workshops, then a culminating activity at the CCA Lobby, where participants will showcase their learnings and celebrate their shared creative journey.
The CICM-PSN Artist Convergence further ignites creativity and inspires a new wave of Filipino artists and cultural advocates, strengthening the bonds among CICM schools. This initiative is aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
