Village Connect
When Abraham Diolanda, a medical biology student at Far Eastern University (FEU), joined the FEU Chorale during the pandemic, he was simply searching for a creative escape. What he found instead was a second home—a place that nurtured his confidence, resilience, and leadership. His story echoes the journey of countless students transformed by the FEU Center for the Arts (FCA), where creativity is not just a pastime but a core part of personal and professional growth.
The FCA is home to vibrant, student-led cultural groups like the FEU Chorale, Dance Company, Bamboo Band, Drum and Bugle Corps, Drummers, Guides, and Theater Guild. These groups go beyond performances—they create spaces where discipline, empathy, and purpose are cultivated, preparing students to thrive in their chosen fields.
For Danyel Reyes, an FEU Dance Company alumnus, the FCA opened doors he never thought possible, including international competitions in South Korea and Taiwan. His time at FEU equipped him with skills that now guide his career in advertising and professional dance.
FEU’s commitment to culture recently took center stage when it hosted the 11th National Conference of the Association of Cultural Offices in Philippine Educational Institutions, Inc. (ACOPEI), a key event that brought together national leaders, educators, and artists to champion the role of the arts in education. FEU’s cultural leadership was further cemented when FCA Director Martin Lopez was elected as ACOPEI’s president, where he now leads efforts to create safer, more inclusive spaces for student-artists nationwide.
The impact of the FCA extends across disciplines, welcoming student-artists from both STEM and the humanities. With over 300 student participants per semester, many of whom benefit from FEU’s generous scholarship programs, the arts remain accessible to talented students from all walks of life. Former FEU Drummer Aulwin Ortiz, who overcame financial struggles through an FCA scholarship, described the center as a haven of diversity, acceptance, and shared purpose.
FEU’s cultural groups regularly bring home national and international honors, from Bali’s Asia Choral Grand Prix to South Korea’s Andong Mask Festival. Their contributions enrich the university’s cultural landscape through signature events like Tamdula, Pasko sa Piyu, and the Marching Band Festival.
At FEU, the arts are more than extracurricular—they’re essential to building communities, shaping leaders, and redefining what education can be. Through the work of the FCA and its growing national influence, FEU continues to champion creativity as a powerful force for connection, inclusion, and nation-building.
Loading…