Six resource speakers from different international administrative offices met together during DMMMSU’s first Inter-Institutional Internationalization Festival’s culmination program last December 3, 2021.

Atty. Lily Freida C. Macabangun-Milla (CHED International Affairs Section), Dr. Rachel Rui (University of Tennessee, Knoxville Director for Asia Engagement and Communications Director for Global Engagement), Dr. Riika Pellinen (University of Eastern Finland Director of International Affairs), Mr. Pierre Pecson (British Council Education Manager), and Dr. Jesus Rafael B. Jarata (DMMMSU Director for Internationalization, Linkages, and ETEEAP) graced the webinar with special topics and trends on internationalization.

“We have been pushing forward people-to-people connectivity,” remarked Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., the host university’s President, in his message — “and through this hosting of DMMMSU IZN Festival 2021 we are celebrating diversity, friendship and harmony, and most especially the culture of collaboration in the global community.”

The event also conincided with the awarding ceremony for the four competitions hosted by DMMMSU.

Myco L. Alzate (Abra Institute of Science and Technology – Bangued Campus) was the champion in Quaranthings Competition, the pandemic-toned ala TedTalk category, followed by Marc Kenneth O. Drije (Northern Luzon Philippine State College) and Juan Justin D. Gonzales (University of Southern Mindanao).

Meanwhile, Hannah Daphne B. Presto (University of Southern Mindanao – Main Campus) bested the Virtual Pecha Kucha contest, while Manny Agsunodan Manpatilan (Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology) came in second place and Sitti Alvia May M. Taludjong (Mindanao State University – Sulu) in third.

For the Video Essay event, North Luzon Philippine State College’s Franz Louie D. Galacio won over Sultan Kudarat State University’s June Neil J. Sarmiento and Abra Institute of Science and Technology – Bangued Campus’s Honey Joyce Q. Bigornia who ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Completing the set of title holders, Halette J. Bandong of Bohol Island State University emerged victorious in the Photo Storyteller competition as Zyriel James N. Rivera of DMMMSU came in 2nd place and Carl Waron M. Baldesimo of University of Southern Mindanao in 3rd.

First prize winners received Php10,000 each; while the second and third place winners received Php7,500 and Php5,000 each, respectively.

Likewise, Shena Mae Intila also received A People’s Choice Award (Video Essay) along with Gonzales, Manpatilan, and Bandong in their respective events.

The IZN Festival commenced in October 2021. Participants from USA, Brunei, Finland, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Philippines have been brought together through this initiative. (Joshua Justin Lee C. Bautista)