Caraga State University (CSU) celebrates a double milestone in academic research and cultural preservation as Mr. Oscar Jose M. Fajardo, MSPE, an instructor in the College of Education (CEd), wins the Best Paper Presentation Award at the 2026 International Sanrokan Festival on the Diversity of Cultural Expression through Inclusive Governance and Education held from March 13–15, 2026, at Romblon State University.
Mr. Fajardo’s winning research, titled “Pangayam: A Descriptive Movement Study of a Higaonon Ritual,” offers an in-depth analysis of the traditional practices of the Higaonon people, highlighting the richness of the Higaonon indigenous cultural practices and providing a vital academic contribution to the field of physical education and cultural studies.
The 2026 Sanrokan International Festival, hosted by Romblon State University, commemorated International Mother Language Day and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) 2022-2032. The festival brought together educators, leaders, and culture bearers to showcase developments in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Back in 2024, Caraga State University and the then Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture Technology (ASSCAT), now Agusan del Sur State University (ADSSU), co-hosted the same event.
Mr. Fajardo, currently the Artistic Head of the university’s Performing Arts Unit under the University Center for Culture and Arts, has also officially qualified as a National Adjudicator for the upcoming National Culture and Arts Festival (NCAF) 2026, set to take place in Iloilo City. This appointment cements his expertise and unwavering commitment to promoting Philippine arts and culture.
Congratulations, Sir Fajardo. Bugsay!
Photo via The 2026 International Sanrokan Festival Facebook Page
