March 21, 2025; SLUC Eriguel Hall. 

About 200 CAEd student-artists and performers participated in the ARIBAI: An Arts Tribute to Women, which was held at the Eriguel Hall on March 21, 2025. This is part of the University’s celebration of Women’s Month.

The event was organized by the College of Education, Bachelor of Culture and the Arts Program, and the Gender and Development Unit to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. The staged arts presentations emphasized the works of women musicians and songs about gender sensitivity, women empowerment, and social inclusivity.

Performers included the art laboratories of the Program, such as the DMMMSU Pangkat Kawayan, DMMMSU Kuwerdas, DMMMSU Chorale, Rimat ti Amianan Folk Dance Troupe, and with the special participation of the PASUC I Musical Winners and in-house classical pianist, Matthew Crisostomo. 

Alongside the staged production is a visual art exhibit featuring the works of two female visual artists — Ana Ninalga and Joanna Paula Sanidad, who shared their works in different art media, namely oil, acrylic, pencil, charcoal, and mixed media. 

“Aribai” is an Ilocano word aptly used in the celebration. It means “woman-king,” symbolizing the ancient tradition of the Ilocanos to respect women as equal to their male leader-counterparts. 

“Aribai” serves as a platform to promote institutional thrust to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, teaching the learners to recognize this goal as a fundamental human right and a crucial foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.