UPV Center for West Visayan Studies wins first Gawad Balangaw culture award

The Regional Culture Heritage and the Arts Committee of the Regional Development Council VI, working with the Departrment of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office VI, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Department of Tourism, recognized the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS) as a recipient of the Gawad Balangaw: Award for Culture and the Arts 2025 in the Organization Category.

The awarding ceremony was held on Dec. 18, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the RDC Hall in the DEPDev VI Building at Fort San Pedro in Iloilo.

The Iloilo City government nominated the center for the regional award in recognition of what the press release described as decades of service.

The Gawad Balangaw is a regional initiative of the Regional Culture Heritage and the Arts Committee designed to be the highest regional merit and reward given to Filipino individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Western Visayas culture and the arts.

For the past five decades, the Center for West Visayan Studies has produced research outputs and publications, hosted local and international conferences, and conducted lecture-workshops.

The press release said the center has also carried out numerous public service engagements and provided technical support to various communities.

The University of the Philippines Visayas said the recognition reflects the continuing work and contributions of the UPV administration, directors, CWVS personnel, researchers, and the broader Western Visayas community.

CWVS Director Frances Anthea Redison received the recognition with Ms. Ophelia Balogo, Mr. Sashah Dioso, and Ms. Darlene Calsado.

The Center for West Visayan Studies marked its 50th anniversary on Jan. 26, 2025.