A fourth-year Pharmacy student from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) represented the Philippines at the 28th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Las Vegas, Nevada, showcasing Filipino talent on the international stage.

Casie Margarett Medina, a student from the university's College of Health Sciences, competed in the Vocal Solo category during the international competition held from 13 to 21 July at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. The annual event, dubbed the "Talent Olympics," gathered performers from more than 70 countries.

Despite the demands of her pharmacy studies, Medina pursued her passion for music, earning the opportunity to compete under the Philippine flag before an international audience.

She was accompanied throughout the competition by Prof. Janette Ragus of the MMSU Department of Pharmacy, who served as her mentor and chaperone during the week-long event.

Although she did not win a championship title, Medina described the experience as a milestone in her journey as a performer. In a social media post, she expressed gratitude to her family, friends, mentors, sponsors, and supporters for helping make her participation possible.

She said representing the Philippines and performing alongside talented artists from around the world was already a meaningful achievement.

WCOPA is an annual international competition featuring events in singing, dancing, acting, modeling, instrumental performance, and variety acts, providing aspiring artists with a global platform to showcase their talents.

Medina said she hopes to continue developing her craft and seize more opportunities to represent the country in future international competitions.

“This is not the end of my story. It’s only the beginning. I will continue to learn, grow, and strive to make our country proud,” she said.