Centro Escolar University performing groups took on the virtual stage for a concert titled “Magsimula Ka!” in celebration of the National Arts Month on February 27, 2021, led nationwide by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The CEU Folk Dance Troupe, CEU Concert Band, CEU Pep Squad, and CEU Singers from the Manila, Makati, and Malolos campuses performed moving rendition of inspirational songs and beautiful dance numbers. Selected students and alumni also offered solo performances that conveyed meaningful messages befitting the challenges the world is facing these days.
The online concert was also set to pay tribute to Doña Librada Avelino, CEU first president and founder, together with Doña Carmen de Luna as co-founder, and to commemorate her 148th birth anniversary.
“We have traditionally celebrated the birthday of our founder with the cultural event and this is to affirm her vision of a holistic education for our youth, of the importance of education, not just in a discipline or a profession but in the culture and the arts," said CEU president and chief academic officer, Dr. Ma. Cristina Padolina, in her opening message.
Highlighting the occasion is the final group performance of the three resident choirs joined by some of the CEU employees and members of the Presidential Committee on Culture and the Arts (PCCA). They sang “Magsimula Ka," a song composed by Gines Tan and sang by Leo Valdez from which where the event’s title was also inspired. The song conveys that although there are trials along the ways to fulfill one’s dreams, one must persevere and give it a start.
Dr. Carlito Olaer, vice president for student affairs, as overall chairperson, Prof. Angelito Ayran, Jr. as co-chairperson, and Mr. Marciano Virias, as overall director and the CEU cultural performers indeed put up a great concert as tribute to Doña Librada Avelino.
For more information, please visit the official website of the university at www.ceu.edu.ph. You may also follow CEU on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theCEUofficial and on Twitter at @CEUmanila, @CEU_makati05, and @CEUMalolos.