Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
The Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) 2015 Friendship Games and Cultural Competition hosted by the Josefina H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC) was held at Pagadian Government Complex, Pagadian City last November 8-13, 2015. Out of the 29 participating state colleges and universities, CMU ranked 14th.
Dr. Ma. Luz L. Soriano, University Sports Coordinator, said that the performance of the students were great since CMU was declared as Champion for Futsal-Women (demo- game), with 2 gold and 2 silver medals for Dance Sports Latin, and 2 gold and 2 bronze medals for Dance Sports Modern Standard. She further articulated that “It was indeed an achievement because we got 5 gold, 13 silver, and 30 bronze medals in the total medal counts.”
CMU participated in 14 events: Basketball (W), Beach Volley (W), Athletics (M), Arnis (M/W), Karatedo (M/W), Lawn Tennis (M/W), Swimming (M/W), Taekwondo (M/W), and Futsal Demo-Game (W) and brought home several medals (see table below for the results of the Friendship Games).
|
EVENT |
RANK |
MEDALS |
| Dance Sports Latin | 1st, 2nd | 2 gold, 2 silver |
| Dance Sports Modern Standard | 1st, 3rd | 2 gold, 2 bronze |
| Futsal (W) * demo-game | Champion | |
| Basketball (W) | 4th | |
| Beach Volley (W) | 4th | |
| Athletics (M) | 1 silver | |
| Arnis (M/W) | 10th | 3 silver, 4 bronze |
| Karatedo (M) | 7th | 1 bronze |
| Karatedo (W) | 5th | 1 silver, 1 bronze |
| Lawn Tennis (M) | 3rd | 4 bronze |
| Lawn Tennis (W) | 2nd | 4 silver |
| Swimming (M) | 7th | 1 silver, 4 bronze |
| Swimming (W) | 4th | 10 bronze |
| Tae-kwon-do (W) | 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze | |
| Tae-kwon-do (M) | 3 bronze | |
| TOTAL MEDAL COUNT | 14TH | 5 GOLD, 13 SILVER, 30 BRONZE |
On the other hand, Mr. John Philip Lopez (BS Hotel & Restaurant) and Ms. Noverlee Bermejo (BS Accountancy) represented CMU in the Mr. and Ms. MASTS 2015. Mr. Lopez was hailed as Mr. MASTS 3rd Runner-Up and Ms. Bermejo was hailed as Ms. MASTS 4th Runner-Up. Aside from that, CMU also dominated in the Socio-Cultural Events and ranked 6th. Here is the table of the results of the Socio-Cultural competition.
| EVENT | Rank | Representative/Coach |
| Pagsusulat ng Sanaysay | 2nd | Jean Maningo/Ms. Vida Vistal |
| Dagliang Talumpati | 4th | Mikel Joepeter Madriaga/Prof. Fe. H. Mantong |
| Essay Writing | 6th | Sherrizah Maguale/Ms. Emily T. Jungao |
| Hiphop Competition | 3rd | Bidlisiw Hiphop Dancers/Mr. Rhandie Balane |
| Instrumental Playing | 5th | Michael Varias/Mr. Evaristo Bagares Jr. |
| Extemporaneous Speaking | 6th | Efren Mikel Tenizo/Prof. Mayflor Arambala |
| Quiz Bowl | 3rd | Bill Odchigue, Nikka Peligro, Jake Destacamento, and Robby Jane Salveron/Dr. Agapito Bayron Jr. |
| Contemporary Dance | 5th | Bidlisiw Contemporary Dancers/Mr. Bryan Lee Celeste |
| On-the-Spot Painting | 6th | Zendrex Campana/Mr. Rene Bonifacio |
Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU) was declared as the over-all champion while Bukidnon state University (BukSU), Mindanao State University System (MSUS), and Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) were also declared as First Runner-Up, Second Runner-Up, and Third Runner-Up, respectively. The MASTS 2016 will be held at SDSSU, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
-Annabel L. Nambatac
