The Commission on Higher Education – Caraga Regional Office conducted the ASEAN Festival of Talents and Awarding Ceremonies on November 9, 2022 to close the 3-month long celebration of the ASEAN 55th Founding Anniversary, held from the months of August to October. The ceremony was held at Hall E of The Pavilion at Watergate, and participated by Higher Education Institution (HEI) Key Officials, competing students and faculty, and student performing arts groups.
Director IV of CHED Caraga, Dr. George M. Colorado, welcomed the participants with a special message and thanked them for their ceaseless support and enthusiasm for CHED-organized activities.
The HEIs that participated in the competitions organized by CHED Caraga were the following: Agusan del Sur College, Inc. (ADSCO), Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), Caraga State University (CSU), Don Jose Ecleo Memorial Foundation College of Science and Technology (DJEMFCST), Philippine Normal University – Mindanao Campus (PNU Mindanao), Saint Michael College of Caraga (SMCC).
During the ceremony, awards were given out to the top three (3) winners of each of the following competitions:
| Song Competition | Higher Education Institution |
| 1st Place | AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| 2nd Place | PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MINDANAO CAMPUS |
| 3rd Place | AGUSAN DEL SUR COLLEGE, INC. |
| Interactive Digital Painting Competition | Higher Education Institution |
| 1st Place | PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MINDANAO CAMPUS |
| 2nd Place | DON JOSE ECLEO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| 3rd Place | AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| Poetry Competition | Higher Education Institution |
| 1st Place | PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MINDANAO CAMPUS |
| 2nd Place | CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS |
| 3rd Place | AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| Academic Poster Competition | Higher Education Institution |
| 1st Place | AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| 2nd Place | DON JOSE ECLEO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| 3rd Place | PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MINDANAO CAMPUS |
| Video Production Competition | Higher Education Institution |
| 1st Place | PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MINDANAO CAMPUS |
| 2nd Place | AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| Most ASEAN Responsive HEI Competition | Higher Education Institution |
| 1st Place | PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY-MINDANAO CAMPUS |
| 2nd Place | AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| 3rd Place | SAINT MICHAEL COLLEGE OF CARAGA |
Research Congress – View winners here
Winners received a plaque, certificate, and cash prizes of varying amounts for placing in the top three, with the first placer receiving the highest cash award amount.
The activity also showcased the brilliant talents from HEIs all over the region by inviting students performing arts groups to give outstanding performances in singing and modern and cultural dancing. The following groups and individuals were featured in the Festival of Talents:
| Saliao Dance Troupe | AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| Sanggumay Dance Group | CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY – CABADBARAN CAMPUS |
| Ms. Jemevi Honculada | CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY – CABADBARAN CAMPUS |
| FSUU Dance Company | FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY |
| Malisto Dance Troupe | NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY |
| PECIT Kantaw | PHILIPPINE ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY |
| Ms. Ara Borja | PHILIPPINE ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY |
| Kaliyagan Dance Troupe | PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY – MINDANAO CAMPUS |
| SJIT Culture and Arts | ST. JOSEPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY |
| Ms. Necole Cepe | ST. JOSEPH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY |
| Michaelinian Performing Arts Guild | SAINT MICHAEL COLLEGE OF CARAGA |
The audience was also treated to performances from the CHED Caraga personnel, namely a duet by Ms. Krizia Mellijor, Project Technical Staff II, and Ms. Mercedes Rebita, Project Technical Staff I, and a song at the end of the program by Education Supervisor II, Mr. Amy Saavedra.
Supervising Education Program Specialist and ASEAN Focal Ms. Noeme Rose Mani closed the ceremony with a brief message congratulating everyone for their awards and once again thanking them for their presence and participation, and to the CHED personnel for ensuring a successful event through their efforts.
The event was hosted by Project Technical Staff II Ms. Kershey Reign Dueñas.