If you're a true warrior, competition doesn't scare you. It makes you better-
Andrew Whitworth
Hello! How are you my dear Hive Friends? I have been quiet for more than a week because I'm very busy with one of the most prominent activities in DepEd. As one of the subject coordinators and designated as the Municipal Festival of Talents Coordinator in our municipality, I need to focus on the activities and much more for our delegation. Thank God we participated in the said events successfully and brought home the bacon.
In line with Deped Memorandum No. 023, S. 2023, the National Festival of Talent, Our Schools Division Superintendent, Senen Prescillo P. Paulin of Deped Cebu Province issued a memorandum on the conduct of the Division Festival of Talents 2023. First, the venue of said activity will be held at the municipality of San Remigio, Cebu. Unfortunately, the mayor of the said town refused or declined the hosting for a valid reason. As a result, the venue was changed. The activity was hosted by the municipality of Daanbantayan. Instead of having this event this coming June 13-15,2023, it was done earlier since the host municipality were having a scheduled activity on the given dates. That's why the activity was done earlier last June 2-5,2023.
This activity provides the learners in elementary and secondary both in private and public schools from different key stages to demonstrate their best products and services and performances in different categories. This will showcase the real evidence of the knowledge and skills they learned from their special curricula and programs. This will also inculcate the mind of coaches and participants in an atmosphere of sound competitions, camaraderie, and true sportsmanship.
This activity was participated by the 44 municipalities coming from the southern and northern parts of Cebu. The participants were contestants, coaches, school heads, public school district Supervisors, Subjects coordinators, and, DFOT TWG. For each event category, contest guidelines and mechanics were issued. The following are some event categories of 2023 DFOT:
- Music and Arts
- Stemazing for Science Technology and Engineering
- Musabaquah for Madrasah
- Population Deployment
- Technolypmics
- Lingo Star for Special Program
- Read a-Thon in English and Filipino
- Kindergarten Draw and Tell
The Preparation
As a subject coordinator in our district, I wrote a letter to our PSDS requesting approval for an urgent conference of all school's TLE/TVL coordinators. The purpose of the conference was to accomplish entry forms. We also finalized and planned the budget for all participant's expenses for the coming activity.
When our PSDS sent a message informing me that I am designated as the Municipal Festival of Talents in our Municipality, I was shocked. I did not expect about it. I have nothing to complain about but to accept the challenge. So on that day, I attended several meetings, virtual and face-to-face. Since I don't have any access to elementary participants, I created an official Group Chat and added all school heads and coaches. With the help of GC, I was able to monitor, sent information, and track every event and all contestants and coaches.
During the district meeting, I presented the estimated budget so that school heads can suggest the source of our budget for the said event. I also oriented them to the matrix of various contest categories. I also emphasized their support together with the district subject coordinators that their presence was valuable and important.
Day 1- Arrival and Registration
We departed from school to Daanbantayan at exactly 10:30 am. We arrived at the venue by 12:40 in the afternoon. Upon arrival, we looked for the registration of participants in every event as stated in the memo. There were a lot of municipalities that arrived also at Daanbantayan on the day. I salute other municipalities since their LGU supported their delegation and provided a bus for their transportation.
Solidarity Meeting
Other event conducted their solidarity meetings at exactly 3:00 P.M. in their respective venues except for the tech Olympics skills competition which was done at 7:30 in the evening at the Lamberto T. Sports Complex. This was participated by the coaches and Subject Coordinator in every District. The purpose of this meeting was for the coach to agree on something important to be added or excluded during the contest other than what was stated in the guidelines and mechanics of the contest.
Day 2- Parade and Opening
On the second day, June 3, 2023, was the parade and opening program. This was participated by the DFOT TWG, participants, coaches, school heads, PSDS, and the contestants of Bayle sa Kalye in the Sining Tabmnghalan Category. It was started at the school ground of the Daanbantayan National High School to the Sports Complex. There were thousands of participants joining the parade. After the parade was the opening program attended by the TESDA provincial office Director and the Municipal Mayor.
Day 3-Continuation of Various Contests
There were contests performed after the opening program. Others were on the 3rd day of the event. Some of these contests were dish gardening, card making, fruit carving electrical installation and maintenance, and some academic performances. There were also events done at night like techno dance and Mr. and Miss Technolympics. The activity showcases several talents and performances as the product of teaching and learning in various fields. That's why I consider this one of the most significant events in DepEd. All winners of various contests will join the RFOT 2023 and RFOT winners will represent the NFOT 2023.
Billeting Quarters
Our billeting quarter was at Tibubdan Integrated School. The teachers welcomed the delegates warmly and had a very nice accommodations. It has a 24-hour supply of water, a very spacious and cool, and refreshing environment.
Day 4-Home Sweet Home
Since awarding was done right after every contest, there was no longer a closing program. So on this day June 5, 2023, at 10 am we departed from Tinubdan Integrated School to our respective home. Thankful to the school for our 3-day stay. We went home with so much learning and experiences and bringing the pride of successful participation and receiving the plaque of being the first placer in corporate attire. I'm forever grateful to all who supported our delegation.
That's all for this blog. Thank you for reading and God bless. See you on my blog.