As the sun’s golden hour began to fade, the sky gave way for the night to set in, preparing the ground for the evening highlight of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology’s (MSU-IIT) GAAP tradition: the much-awaited Acquaintance Party.
The night of January 31, 2026 brought a Coachella-inspired atmosphere outside the gymnasium, a rare shift from the event’s traditional indoor setting. Spearheaded by the Kataas-taasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA), the theme was reimagined into CATCHELLA, an open-air spectacle exclusively for the MSU-IIT Cats.
After the morning’s General Assembly, the Acquaintance Party, held later in the evening, has long served as MSU-IIT’s own version of a campus festival, where performances take center stage and the crowd itself becomes part of the spectacle. Stage lights blinded the grounds, beaming over the sea of students from the seven colleges who clearly understood the assignment. With boho boots, statement cowboy hats, and flowing layers of clothing, the crowd was more than just an audience but became a runway of creativity and self-expression.
Amid this striking display, several MSU-IIT Cats were asked to break down their statement pieces and share the creative process behind their Coachella-themed ensembles.
Maljohn Angel Dolero, a third-year Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies (BAELS) student from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), highlighted the personal meaning behind her outfit. Her favorite parts were her hair and skirt. She shared that she sewed her skirt from a pair of skinny jeans, while her wig was given to her by a friend who used to cosplay.
She wanted to continue her friend’s cosplay legacy, so Angel decided to wear it herself as a tribute. She also shared that CATCHELLA reminded her of a particular GAAP theme, “Night in Vegas,” and had the same vibe and feeling as the 2023 GAAP held at the same venue.
Bless Canono, a first-year Hospitality Management student from the College of Economics, Business, and Accountancy (CEBA), pointed to her vest as her favorite part of her outfit, stating the rather funny origin of it.
“Na-clutch ra jud nako ni last night sa ukay-ukayan,” she fondly shared.
Princess Clauie Lacosta, a first-year Computer Engineering and Mechatronics student from the College of Engineering (COE), highlighted her scarf and anik-anik as her favorite staples of her outfit.
“My scarf was inspired by Blythe and ang uban kay sa Pinterest na gikan,” she pointed out.
Josh Michael Fernandez, a first-year BAELS student, chose the creative route when making his outfit. He shared that his favorite part of the set was his bottom wear.
“...ako ra jud gipangbutang and tape og unsay makita nako sa balay,” he expressed playfully.
Beyond their outfits, they also shared how they viewed GAAP as an experience. Angel described the event as the complete package: a show, a party, and a chance to connect with others. Josh Michael answered more lightheartedly, saying that for him, the event was a chance to take pictures. For Clauie, especially as a freshman, GAAP served both as a party and an opportunity to get to know fellow MSU-IIT Cats.
While the crowd was already serving looks with their outfits, the spotlight soon shifted to the night’s muses, the performers, who shared what it felt like to catch the vibe and perform for such an enchanting crowd.
Drag Queen Maria Clowe Glamour Ayala, better known by her initials as Ms. MCGA, a third-year Physical Education student from the College of Education (CED), described performing as a fulfilling experience. She shared that drag is more than just entertainment for her but a platform to inspire and create a meaningful impact.
“Through drag, I can express my advocacy for body positivity and I use performance as a way to connect with and empower the audience,” MCGA said with a proud and confident smile.
For the Wildcats, members from the College of Computer Studies (CCS) exclaimed that performing in front of a live audience felt very different from their practices. The group shared that it really depended on the performer and the event itself; while competitions could feel more pressuring, performances during events like GAAP were very enjoyable.
“For me, at first kay mangulba jud ko and then in the middle of the show kay confident nako and through the shouts sa crowds kay maka-gain kog confidence and tungod sad sa presence sa audience,” Rebecca Antonio, one of the members, added.
As the crowd continued to bask in the energy of the night, the music grew louder, and the audience sang their hearts out to every lyric. Under a clear, rain-free sky, the universe seemed to harmonize along.
CATCHELLA 2026 became a vibrant mix of music, creativity, and self-expression, making the night one too iconic to forget. While each individual strutted with their own distinct flair, the pulsing beats united the heartbeats of the MSU-IIT Cats, turning diversity into a shared rhythm of community
Written by Bea Khryss Bongado
Proofread by Andrea Ross Sedero
Photo by Andrea Karla Deligero and Sheziel Ann Gomez
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