On August 8, 2025, the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) turned its campus into a lively arena of fun, fitness, and camaraderie for the Foundation Day Sports Festival: The President’s Cup 2025. The event, themed “Sharpening the Saw, and Chaining the Bonds for a United WMSU,” was made possible through the collaboration of the Office of the President, WMSU Faculty Union, Office of the Sports and Development Director, and the Administrative Personnel Association (APA).
More than just a sports event, the festival was part of the university’s 121st Founding Anniversary celebration and aligned with Sustainable Development Goal No. 3: Good Health and Well-Being. Its goal was simple yet meaningful, to give WMSU faculty and administrative staff a chance to recharge, connect, and strengthen the bonds that make the university community thrive.
The day began with a heartfelt message from WMSU President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, who expressed her gratitude to the organizers specially to the Faculty Union President Dr. Adrian P. Semorlan, APA President Ms. Darea Jonnah B. Soliterio, and their respective executive officers and boards members for their dedication in bringing the event to life.
Dr. Ochotorena also looked back at WMSU’s journey from its modest beginnings to becoming one of the Top Performing Schools in Licensure Exams, producing topnotchers, gaining national and international partnerships, excelling in research and innovation, upgrading campus infrastructure, achieving ISO Certification, and earning recognition in global university rankings. “These milestones,” she stressed, “are built on the strong will and determination of every member of the WMSU family.”
This year’s celebration also marked the launch of the WMSU Health & Wellness Program under the leadership of Asst. Prof. Norman Lloyd B. Manginsay, Officer-in-Charge of the Sports Development Office. With the theme “The Greatest Wealth is Health,” the program aims to keep WMSU’s workforce healthy, active, and being productive, echoing the Civil Service Commission’s call for wellness in the workplace.
Before the games began, Dr. Semorlan explained the event’s purpose, mechanics, and prizes. Ms. Soliterio then officially declared the start of the games, but not before participants got their energy pumping with a fun, high-energy Zumba session led by CSSPE faculty and students.
The competition was as spirited as it was friendly, featuring pickleball, big ball volleyball, and tug of war. Colleges were grouped into clusters, and the cheers from teammates and spectators alike filled the air.
In the end, The President’s Cup wasn’t just about winning games, it was about celebrating unity, fostering wellness, and reminding everyone that WMSU’s greatest strength lies in the people who keep its spirit alive.
