Students Crowned at St. Philomena’s College Philo Fest 2025-2026

St. Philomena’s College (Autonomous) in Mysuru recently held its Oak Jubilee Philo Fest 2025-2026, celebrating a vibrant display of talent and community spirit. The event took place at the College Indoor Stadium in Bannimantap and was organized by the Cultural Committee. The festivities featured various competitions, culminating in the crowning of Mr. Philomena and Miss Philomena.

The day began with an inaugural dance performance, setting an energetic tone for the event. Participants in the Mr. & Miss Philomena contest showcased their talents in traditional and western attire, along with a questionnaire segment. Syed Haneef, an MBA student, was crowned Mr. Philomena, while Brinda, a postgraduate student in Journalism, earned the title of Miss Philomena.

In addition to the pageant, students engaged in a high-energy group dance competition, which added to the festive atmosphere. During a break in the program, several students were recognized for their achievements in intra-collegiate and inter-college events, as well as activities within the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

The chief guest for the event was Akshata Ganesh, a prominent Kannada TV serial actress and esteemed alumna of the college. She shared nostalgic memories from her time as a student and encouraged current students to be bold and cultivate a clear mindset to build confidence.

Renowned choreographer Pruthvi Naik served as the guest of honour, captivating the audience with his professional dance performance. In his presidential address, Rev. Dr. Lourdu Prasad Joseph, the Rector, emphasized the importance of co-curricular activities in students’ holistic development.

The formal program included the annual report for 2025-2026 presented by Dr. Poornima Umesh, the Cultural Committee Coordinator. The Committee recognized Afnan, a postgraduate student in Journalism, and Parinita, a Bachelor of Business Management student, for their outstanding performances in various competitions.

The event attracted a diverse panel of judges from various industries. The group dance competition was judged by Dinesh Johnson, Philip Charls, and Vidu. The Mr. Philomena contest was evaluated by Khadar, Azhar, and R. Prathiba, while the Miss Philomena contest was judged by Kavya, Deena Poojari, and Moses Leo.

The celebration concluded with a documentary screening highlighting the college’s achievements, followed by an energetic live DJ session led by DJ Sharon. The Philo Fest not only showcased student talent but also highlighted the strong community spirit within St. Philomena’s College, creating lasting memories for all attendees.