PANAGHUGPONG 18 – Xavier Arts Festival
Ani ng Sining: Katotohanan at Giting
4 February 2025 to 7 March 2026
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, through the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts, marks National Arts Month with PANAGHUGPONG 18, the University’s annual arts festival that brings together performance, visual arts, music, film, and literary expressions.

Now in its 18th year, PANAGHUGPONG remains a platform that gathers and presents the artistic work of Xavier Ateneo’s community. The festival features performances by the University Performing Arts Companies, visual art exhibitions, film screenings, piano and classical guitar concerts, an orchestra concert, literary performances, and student competitions including essay writing, oration, and digital art.

This year’s festival presents works by Xavier Ateneo Resident Artist Groups: Dulaang Atenista, Xavier University Glee Club, Xavier Philharmonia, Xavier University Cultural Dance Troupe, The Xavier Stage, Circulo de Arte, XCCA Artist Center, and the Xavier Ateneo Film Society. Each production reflects the discipline, creativity, and values that sustain arts and culture appreciation within the University’s formation, academic, and social development thrusts.

PANAGHUGPONG 18 also features guest musicians led by Kagay-anon composer and pianist Joed Balsamo, whose career spans more than 25 years in Philippine theater and music. He is joined by classical guitarist Monching Carpio, an internationally awarded performer and educator, and pianist Ana de la Fuente, a Kagay-anon music educator and performer. They will perform Katotohanan at Giting on 19 February 2026 at the XU Little Theater.

The Kagay-an Metropolitan Orchestra returns for Pap Korn, Koton Kendi, at Musika on 20 February 2026, also at the XU Little Theater.

The PANAGHUGPONG Art Bazaar is back this year, offering a curated creative market that features arts and crafts, books, cultural wear, handcrafted products, IP and Moro creations, musical instruments, jewelry, food, and local produce. The bazaar will be held at the XU Main Campus from 18 to 28 February 2026, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

PANAGHUGPONG 18 is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Cultural Center of the Philippines; Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division, Production, and Exhibition of CCP; Philippine Information Agency Region 10; 92.7 Heart FM; Primeline Advertising Corporation; Business Week Mindanao; The Cagayan de Oro; Mindanao Daily; and Mindanao Star.

Through PANAGHUGPONG 18, Xavier Ateneo highlights the talent, creativity, and ingenuity of its community and strengthens its commitment to culture and the arts. It is for all of us who recognize that Xavier Ateneo is a Filipino university whose mission includes forming positive human values and sharing compassion, kindness, respect, and love for all, always for the common good.

And there is nothing in this world and in our academic and life pursuits that is not shaped or influenced by the arts. The arts are a creative force within us that deepens our understanding of our existence and helps make life more grounded, less uncertain, and more meaningful.

The community is invited to attend all PANAGHUGPONG 18 events. For inquiries and seat reservations, please contact (088) 853-9800 local 9263 or 9270.