Mapúa marks eighth year as university with University Week 2025

Article by: Shaina Camille F. Macaranas, Marco R. Sunga, Therese Anne B. Cruz, and Crismhil S. Anselmo

Graphics by: John Aaron U. Marasigan

Photo by: Alaisa C. Magueriano

Mapúa University (MU) celebrated its annual University Week with the theme "Mapúa 100: Navigating a Century of Excellence," uniting students across Intramuros and Makati campuses featuring a lineup of week-long festivities from May 19 to 23 in celebration of Mapúa being granted its university status by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) in 2017. This year’s celebration is spearheaded by the University’s Central Student Council (CSC).

Ignition of the Torch

The University Week 2025 kicked off last May 19 with an opening ceremony that marked the launch of several key events: the third rendition of the Mapúan’s Cup, arranged by the CSC where students participate in various competitions to showcase their wits and intellect, the Don Tomas Cup, which is an annual interdepartmental sports event organized by the MU Council of Presidents (COP) and the Teknorampa, an Orgs Week pageant staple spearheaded by the MU Council of Organizations (COO).

The CSC also formally signaled the beginning of the Mapúan’s Cup through the Echoes of Wisdom (Oral Interview) and Visions of Olympus (Photo Essay) competitions. This year’s Mapúan’s Cup features eight participating departments: Athena’s Visionaries from the School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and the Built Environment (ARIDBE), Demeter’s Alchemists from the School of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering and Sciences (CBMES), Poseidon’s Builders from the School of Civil, Environmental, and Geological Engineering (CEGE), Zeus’ Stormbearers from the School of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering (EECE), Chronos’ Strategists from the School of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (IE-EMG), Mnemosyne’s Scholars from the School of Foundational Studies and Education (SFSE), Hecate’s Codemasters from the School of Information Technology (SOIT), and Eirene’s Guardians from the School of Nursing (SON).

Adding to the festivities, the 21st edition of CineMapúa—MU’s annual student short film festival open to senior high school and collegiate filmmakers—opened with screenings of previous award-winning entries of Mapúa Film alumni, “Ophelia” by Celina Medina and “This is Not a Coming Out Story” by Mark Felix Ebreo. Screenings of the films for the festival took place throughout the week.

This year's CineMapúa featured 42 films across five categories: Senior High School, All Mapúans, Intercollegiate, and for the first time, Documentary, and Experimental.

The festival was officially launched by the School of Media Studies Dean, Dr. David R. Corpuz at the Mapúa Cardinal Cinema on May 19. Film Development Council of the Philippines Chair Jose Javier Reyes also served as a keynote speaker for the opening ceremony.

Threads of Talent

On the second day, May 20, Mapúan’s Cup 2025 featured the Clash of Olympians (Academic Debate) competition, where participants from different departments engaged in a battle of wit and rhetoric.

Simultaneously, the CineMapúa Seminars series took place at the Smart Classroom at the Makati campus, shining a spotlight on key voices in the film industry. The sessions included discussions on film criticism by Jason Tan Liwag and regional filmmaking led by Dr. Katrina Ross Tan, both of whom imparted their expertise and passion for cinema.

The following day, May 21, an insightful seminar was held titled “Educate, Engage, Empower: The Future of Community Development”—led by former Rotary Club of Kalookan North President, Mr. Roy “Cocoy” Navarro at the Intramuros Campus Smart Classroom. The session highlighted the importance of student-led community projects and their long-term impact on nation-building.

Reaches of Creativity

On May 22,  a mass was held at the Sta. Rita Chapel in the Intramuros Campus, in light of the feast day of Sta. Rita of Cascia, blessing the week’s celebration. At the same time, the Trial of the Sages—the Quiz Bee portion of the Mapúan’s Cup—was held at the Intramuros Campus.

Meanwhile, the CineMapúa 2025 culminated with its Awards Night later that evening, that celebrated the talents and creativity of its filmmakers, directors, and actors. Featuring an esteemed jury graced by Manila-based documentary film director, Pabelle Manikan, Filipino actor, Elijah Canlas, and filmmaker, screenwriter, and creative director, Rayn Brizuela.

The night gave out awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay. Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Music, Best Sound, Best Performance of a Male Actor, and Best Performance of a Female Actor across the categories.

Below is the list of films that took the Best Film awards per category:

• Senior High School Category: “Pretty Face”

  • Directed by Adriel Louis Ortega Aquino from the Francisco E. Barzaga Integrated High School.

• Intercollegiate Category: “Ang Halikan sa Water Fountain”

  • Directed by Clyde Gamale from the University of the Philippines Film Institute

• Experimental Category: Manic-ing

  • Directed by Gab Rosique and Leon Pavida from the University of the Philippines Film Institute

• Documentary Category: Kasama Kang Tumanda

  • Directed by Bianca Maxine Villanueva from Mapúa University Makati

• All Mapúans Category: I’m Best Left Inside My Head

  • Directed by Elian Idioma

In a post interview, Dr. Corpuz encouraged filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers alike to “continue making films, do not be afraid to tackle difficult issues.”

Laurels for the Victors

The last day, May 23, was a celebration for the official winners of the events in the Mapúan Cup 2025. Ultimately ruling all the realms of knowledge and creativity of the Mapúan’s Cup were Athena’s Visionaries from the School of ARIDBE, Demeter’s Alchemists from the School of CBMES followed by in second, and the newly established Eirene’s Guardians from SON in third.

Elaine Orejas from Chronos’ Strategists (IE-EMG) bagged the Gold Medal at the Visions of Olympus (Photo Essay) contest, succeeded by Marco Sunga from Hecate’s Codemasters (SOIT) in second place, and Florsita Ann Santiago from Athena’s Visionaries (ARIDBE) in third place.

On the category of Echoes of Wisdom (Oral Interview), Preetkamal Thind from Eirene’s Guardians (SON) took the win, Marc Ronald De Leon from Poseidon’s Builders (CEGE) followed next, and Gabrielle Zara grabbed from Mnemosyne’s Scholars (SFSE) grabbed the third spot.

For group competitions such as the Clash of Olympians (Academic Debate), emerging victorious were Zeus’ Stormbearers (EECE), securing the top spot, followed by Hecate’s Codemasters (SOIT), and Eirene’s Guardians (SON) for the last step on the podium. Moreover, Zoe Supan, from the Mnemosyne Scholars (SFSE), won the title of overall best debater.

In the Trials of the Sages (Quiz Bee) competition, Demeter’s Alchemists (CBMES) reigned as the champion of this battle of knowledge, next were Poseidon’s Builders (CEGE) in second place, and Chronos’ Strategists (IE-EMG) securing third place.

At the closing ceremony, Mr. Oliver Ryan Custodio, Assistant Vice President and Head of the Office of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations, gave thanks to the organizers of the competitions and events. Additionally, he also expressed, “We hope that the activities that we made this week provided the chance for you to at least balance your time in studies and some recreational activities.”

Solidifying the ending of this event, a Performing Arts, Cultural Showcase, and Variety Show featuring Mapúa’s Performing Arts Circle: Cardinales Folklorico de Mapúa, Mapúa Drumcorps, Mapúa Dance Community, Nexus Cardinals, Xtrmity Dance Company, and Mapúa Cardinal Singers. Meanwhile, rising indie pop-rock band Solace Out the Door and R&B soul band of Mercury also took to the stage to perform their hits and covers for the Mapúan community.

The annual University Week highlights the university’s continued commitment to academic and creative excellence, marking nearly a decade of university status in a century-long legacy that continues to grow.