PampangaStateU delegates wrap up rigid training for RCAF 2025

With only two days left before the 2025 Regional Culture and Arts Festival (RCAF), Pampanga State University (PampangaStateU) delegates have officially concluded their week-long intensive training and have now shifted into their final stretch of rehearsals in preparation for the competition set on November 22–26 at Pampanga State Agricultural University in Magalang.

In an earlier interview, Office of Culture and the Arts (OCA) Director Rowell Cruz shared that the university’s training framework this year is built on the previous CAASUC model, emphasizing early preparation.

“For the past three years kasi medyo irregular yung nangyari, and this year we just adopted from last year’s CAASUC setup — three months before the event, nagte-training na yung mga bata,” Cruz said.

He added that while the training is rigorous, the welfare and academic standing of student delegates remain the top priority during preparation.

“We only train them three times a week, beyond their academic period — after class lang sila nagte-training, three times a week for three months bago mag-CAASUC,” he added.

Meanwhile after concluding the preliminary and final critiquing session, OCA secretaries Abigail Montemayor and John Alexis Dela Cruz confirmed that all performing groups are currently in full rehearsal mode across various university venues.

With assessments done, this week now serves as the delegates’ polishing and adjustment period.

“Breather yung one week na ‘to for them to get ready sa costume nila, pamimigay ng mga uniforms… ano pa ‘yung mga pwedeng ayusin, ano pa ‘yung mga pwedeng palitan,” Dela Cruz explained.

In addition, Justin Roque, one of the delegates, shared that as a first timer they feel "pressured and excited" as the competition draws near.

“Pressured but at the same time excited since first sabak ko ’to sa regional competition… paglilinis na lang talaga ng mga kanta namin at yung expressions, since category ko ay music,” Roque said.

PampangaStateU’s dancers will head to the venue on November 21 for early blockings, while the rest of the delegation will depart on November 22.