13/04/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ, ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐พ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐โ๐จ 8๐ฉ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ก๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ, ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐พ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ช๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ง๐๐ช๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐พ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐จ
In celebration of the 8th Hadja Bai Fatima Matabay Namli Plang Day, with the theme โCelebrating the Founderโs Roots and Legacy,โ the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) held a Literary and Folk Singing Competition on April 13, 2026, at the University Auditorium in Kabacan, Cotabato.
The annual observance, declared through Provincial Ordinance No. 624 in March 2019, honors USMโs very own Bai Matabay Plang for her legacy as a strong advocate of education and her undeniable contributions to the academic and social development of Mindanao. The celebration serves as a reminder of her vision and dedication to empowering learners and strengthening the university community.
As part of the celebration, students from various colleges showcased their talents in different competition categories. From the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), Alexene Naelgas, a first-year BA Political Science student, was hailed champion in the Essay Writing Competition with her winning piece titled โPower, Politics, and a Princessโs Persistence: A Womanโs War from Within.โ In the Spoken Word Poetry category, Lloyd Ivan Cantomayor, also a BA Political Science student, secured the championship with his powerful and expressive performance entitled โByaheng Kolehiyo.โ Meanwhile, in the Folk Song Singing Competition, Trisha Redilla, a first-year BA Psychology student, earned first place, proudly representing the CASS community with confidence and skill.
The event not only highlighted the creativity and talent of first-year students across different programs but also deepened their awareness and appreciation of the universityโs history and founding legacy. Through literature, spoken word, and music, participants were able to express their interpretations of identity, culture, and gratitude toward the institutionโs roots.
The celebration strengthened the sense of unity among students and emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring the legacy of Bai Matabay Plang as an inspiration for future generations of USMians.
โ๏ธ: Committee on Public Affairs & Information
๐ธ๐ป: Florence Bangoy