DOLORES, Philippines—Samar State University (SSU) representatives bagged major prizes in the Pasikat Este Season 2: Intercollegiate Edition – Grand Finals held on August 13, 2025, at the Dolores Municipal Plaza, Dolores, Eastern Samar.
Dubbed as “Ang Late Enrollee na Valedictorian sa Birit” during the competition, Ms. Hazel D. Marasigan, a graduating architecture student, clinched the first runner-up spot, winning ₱50,000. She also received two special awards, namely the Whoa Moment Award and the Royalty Stage Award.
The Piktaw Cultural Ensemble, bearing the moniker “Ang Magna Cum Laude ng Makabayang Sayaw,” also joined the roster of winners with a second-runner-up win and a ₱25,000 cash prize. Apart from these, the group also received two special awards, including the Story Weaver Award (Best in Concept Execution) and the Pusong Pinoy Pride Award (Special Recognition for Cultural Relevance). Proudly comprising the cultural ensemble are Balnig Moreno (BSEd Math 1), Jhamel Ocenar (BPED 3), John Laurence Gruta (BPED 1B), Vince Laurence Ojeda (BPED 1), John Michael Iso (BSEd Social Studies 2), Dionesio Bacurio (BSEd Social Studies 2), Jovan Kiel Dela Cruz (BPED 3), Jelliane Mae Pagtabunan (BPED 1), Geraldine Roma (BPED 1B), Diana Rose Sagales (BS Psychology), Marissa Dacanay (BPED 2), Mary Rose Nablo (BPED 3), Jasmine Lerin (BPED 1B), and Shamela Ann Dizon (BSED Sci 1B).
The SSU Rondalla Ensemble, tagged as “Ang Kubo Vibes ng Acoustic Department,” also proudly represented SSU in the said competition and received the Madlang Pipol’s Crown special award. The ensemble is composed of Janine Mae Baysa (BSN 1A), Joy Francine Babon (BS Architecture 1C), and Ma. Clarissa Suarez (BSIT 1C), Joselle Jean Garcia (BSIT 1C), Mark Aron Verdeflor (BSIT 1E), Julius Grata (BS Statistics 2A), and Ma. Veah Kate Decio (BEED), Andrea Cassandra Castillo (BS Psychology 1A), Malfons Torrechiva (BS Civil Engineering 1A), and Nate Franco Cuancon (BS Psychology 2).
The said teams were coached by SSU faculty members: Rowel Dacanay of the College of Education (CoEd) and Ella Pacaña and Bliss Gara of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).
Pasikat Este is a regional intercollegiate talent competition in Samar Island that showcases the skills of students from various colleges and universities.