BukSU MASTS 2024 Delegates Bring Home Medals and Crowns

Bukidnon State University (BukSU) achieved a haul of 59 medals and two crowns during the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) 2024 Friendship Games, held at J.H. Cerilles State College in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, from November 23 to 30, 2024.

In the sports competitions, BukSU athletes earned a total of 55 medals, comprising 16 golds, 21 silvers, and 18 bronzes. Meanwhile, in the Socio-Cultural Competitions, BukSU performers added to the university’s accolades with one gold medal for a first-place finish and three bronze medals for third-place achievements.

The spotlight also shone on BukSU’s pageant representatives, Dream Clifford Gonzales and Angelie Emia, both senior students from the College of Education.

Competing against representatives from 14 other schools, Gonzales captured the Mr. MASTS 2024 title, while Emia earned the 2^nd Runner-Up spot in the Ms. MASTS 2024 competition.  

During the final question and answer round of the competition, Gonzales earned the loudest cheer after he answered “amul-amul” to the question what “one ethnic word can you think of to promote inclusivity and cultural diversity among Mindanaoans?”

“Mindanao is a tapestry of unique culture, traditions, and skills. It is interwoven by the different threads from the communities all over Mindanao. And if I have to use one ethnic word to unite us all, it would be amul-amul or Kaamulan. It means to gather. It is a festival in our city, Malaybalay. It is where the seven tribes of Bukidnon gather. This proves that diversity is not the division but rather the fuel towards unification. Because you and me are different, but we are not enemies. We are one. As long as we are together, there is no problem too big, no challenge too tough. Because as long as we are one, one Mindanaoan, we will strive towards greatness and excel a lot more,” said Gonzales.

In the final standings, BukSU ranked 10^th in sports and 4^th in the socio-cultural competitions, outperforming many of the 35 participating schools from across Mindanao. (BukSU-Information Unit)