Celebrating the spirit of ASEAN through culture, collaboration, and competition, Timpuyog ti Amianan 2026: ASEAN Conference and Competitions drew to a vibrant close at the University of Northern Philippines Gymnasium on October 6, capping two days of meaningful exchanges and engaging activities among higher education institutions across Northern Luzon.
Dr. Danilo Bose, Chief Education Program Specialist of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office 1, opened the concluding program by extending his warm felicitations and expressing appreciation to the individuals, institutions, and partner organizations whose collective efforts contributed to the successful staging of the two-day event.
Following his welcome remarks, the program moved to the much-anticipated awarding ceremony, recognizing the winners who emerged from the various competitions held throughout the event and celebrating their creativity, talent, and active participation in the ASEAN-themed activities.
In the ASEAN Duet Singing Competition, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University–South La Union Campus secured the second runner-up spot, while Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) placed first runner-up. North Western University emerged as the champion, claiming the top honor for its outstanding performance.
The awarding continued with the ASEAN Mobility Experience Challenge, which recognized winners in the faculty, non-teaching staff, and student categories. In the faculty category, Pangasinan State University (PSU) placed second runner-up, followed by Lorma Colleges (LC) as first runner-up, while MMSU captured the championship. In the non-teaching staff category, Panpacific University Inc. (PUI) finished second runner-up, the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) earned first runner-up honors, and MMSU once again secured the championship. For the student category, PUI placed second runner-up, LC took first runner-up, and PSU emerged as champion.
Meanwhile, PSU clinched the championship in the ASEAN Educators for Global Citizenship Challenge, with the University of Eastern Pangasinan and [school] finishing as first and second runners-up, respectively.
In the ASEAN Cultural Dance Competition, the Philippine College of Science and Technology captured the championship, with the University of Northern Philippines, the host institution, finishing as first runner-up and Pangasinan State University placing second runner-up. The winning PCST team also showcased its award-winning dance piece during the closing ceremony, adding a vibrant cultural highlight to the culminating program.
The ASEAN Debate Cup followed, with Urdaneta City University earning second runner-up honors, North Western University securing first runner-up, and Mariano Marcos State University emerging as champion. The competition also recognized the Top 10 Best Speakers, with the MMSU delegate earning the distinction of Top 1 Best Speaker.
Meanwhile, the coveted title of ASEAN Friendship Ambassadors was awarded to the pair representing Lyceum-Northwestern University, recognizing their performance and representation of the spirit of friendship and solidarity among ASEAN participants.
Capping the series of awards was the ASEAN Culinary Showcase: Ube Reimagined Challenge, where participating institutions put their creativity and culinary skills on display. NWU and Perpetual Help College of Pangasinan shared the fourth runner-up honors, while PSU placed third runner-up, UCU secured second runner-up, and the University of Luzon finished as first runner-up. Ilocos Sur Community College claimed the championship, earning the top distinction for its culinary creation.
More than a celebration of winners, Timpuyog ti Amianan 2026 concluded with a renewed commitment to deepening ASEAN awareness, participation, and engagement among higher education institutions in Region 1, highlighting the role of academic communities in advancing regional cooperation and people-to-people connections.
Article by Nestor Quillop III.
