The two-day Festival of Talents of the Division of Negros Occidental, hosted by the Municipality of E. B. Magalona, in partnership with the DepEd E. B. Magalona, kicked off today [June 9] at the Public Plaza.

Vice Mayor Eric Matulac represented Mayor Marvin Malacon at the opening ceremony.

Also gracing the opening ceremony were Sangguniang Bayan Members Gilda Parcon, Edgardo Agravante Jr., Wyndel Depasucat, Gelita Parcon, Reylan Gamboa Sr., Joey Pugales, Isidro Gomed Jr., and Edgar Jun Agravante.

Matulac read the mayor’s message: “I commend the DepEd for conceptualizing and organizing this kind of co-curricular activity. The various contests today highlight the concept of Multiple Intelligences and will make every learner appreciated and celebrated.”

“Co-curricular activities like this highlight the immense talents, skills, and intelligences of every learner. We develop and polish these talents and skills so that when they go out there, when they look for jobs, they will have more edge in being hired and hopefully excel in creative industries, which are actually the kind of industries that are thriving in the new century,” Malacon said.

The vice mayor welcomed the 3,000 pupils, students, teacher-coaches, school heads, and parents coming from 18 other municipalities and one city.

“May you use the talents and skills that you have mastered today to make your lives well and your community even better,” Malacon added.

Also giving their messages were Assistant Schools Division Superintendent for North Negros Salvacion Senayo, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent for South Negros Dr. Lynee Penaflor, and DepEd E. B. Magalona Cluster 1 Supervisor Angeles Verdeprado and Cluster 2 Supervisor Dr. Romualdo Batallones.

Participating districts belonging to the Division of Negros Occidental are the Districts of Binalbagan, Calatrava, Candoni, Cauayan, E. B. Magalona, Hinigaran, Hinobaan, Ilog, Isabela, La Castellana, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Salvador Benedicto, Talisay City, Toboso, and Valladolid.

The participants are competing in the following contests:

English- Oral Reading Interpretation (G-6), Story Retelling (G-3), Oratorical Composition and Presentation (G-10)

Filipino – Interpretatibong Pagbasa (G-6), Muling Pagkukwento (G-3), Sulat- Bigkas (G-10)

Araling Panlipunan – Population Development Quiz (JHS), Oratorical (SHS)

EPP/TLE (Elementary) – Fruits and Vegetables Carvings, Invitation Card-Making

EPP/ TLE (Secondary) – Food Processing, Electrical Installation, Technical Drafting, Dress-Making

MAPEH (Elementary) – Folk Dance, Himig Bulilit, Guhit Bulilit

MAPEH (Secondary) – Sayaw ng Kabataang Pinoy (Arena), “Direk Ko, Ganap Mo,” Sulat Tanghal, Likhawitan, Sineliksik, Pintahusay

SPED – Braille Reading & Filipino Sign Language (Elementary), Braille Reading & Filipino Sign Language (Secondary)

This year’s theme is, “Reinforcing 21st Century Learning and Fostering Creative Industries Through Talents and Skills Exhibition.”

Winners will represent the Division of Negros Occidental to the Regional Festival of Talents whose date and venue will be announced soon.*

E. B. MAGALONA PIO