“Our Read-A-Thon in English is not just a mere competition… It is a celebration of their imagination, their courage and their power of words through storytelling—you bring characters to life,” said Dr. Ma. Kenneth Nengasca, Curriculum Implementation Division Chief of the Department of Education (DepEd) Toledo City, during the opening ceremony of the Division Festival of Talents (DFOT) 2025 of the Read-A-Thon in English last Thursday, December 11, at Luray II National High School.
DepEd’s Festival of Talents is an annual academic competition that showcases learners’ skills, creativity, and excellence in various subject areas and co-curricular disciplines.
In the Read-A-Thon English competition, winners from the district and cluster levels competed in three categories: Story Retelling, Story Resolution, and Five-Minute Advocacy Speech.
“Aligned ra gyud intawn atoang co-curricular programs to our curriculum implementation… Ari gyud mapakita unsa kanindot sa atoang curriculum. Pero ang kanindot sa curriculum is not achieved or is not attained kung wala mo dear teachers who really have the passion and the commitment, especially kamo mga winning coaches,” Nengasca said.
“Kung wala pa moy passion and commitment to really guide, scaffold and love these children for their better future, dili ni sila maabot niani. You have given them a lifetime experience nga they will reminisce soon inig modako na sila and magamit pa jud nila ang skills as they choose their respective careers in the future,” Nengasca added.
In Story Retelling, participated by third graders, Darwin Sumajit, coached by Cheryl Mambaje, of Ibo Elementary School won first place. Deron Agura, coached by Jude Ann Alloso, of Bato Elementary School, won second place. Xia Shemmier Zabate, coached by Eunice Rosalita, of Carmen Elementary School, won third place. Lucas Marius Ezequiel Dela Peña, coached by Kathlyn Bobilles, of North City Central School, and Jharic Blaise Barbadillo, coached by Princess Eve Alfante, of Sacred Heart of Poog Grammar School, placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
In Story Resolution, participated by six graders, Juan Gabriel Garro, coached by Ileana Grace Cuizon, of De La Salle Andres Soriano Memorial College, placed first. Nikki Andraelie Abalde, coached by Sherlyn Sabando, of Old Bucao Elementary School, placed second. Kyle Zhydric Tablante, coached by Bernadith Famador, of General P. Del Rosario Elementary School, placed third, while Megan Lynne Solomon, coached by Charito Yu, of South City Central School, and Elisha Jewel Lumactod, coached by Genelita Bansag, of Sagay Elementary School, placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Meanwhile, only four contestants braved the Five-Minute Advocacy Speech of the tenth graders. Princess Claire Espinosa, coached by Ricardo Pialago Jr., of Toledo National Vocational School, placed first. Marchelle Ann Molo, coached by Jason Isaac III Rabi, of Luray II National High School, placed second. Sheryfina Castanos, coached by Philip John Budiongan, of Toledo City Science High School, and Kiesha Kaye Felisilda, coached by Jetiel Abella, of Don Andres Soriano National High School, placed third and fourth, respectively.
The top one winners of the DFOT will represent the Toledo City Divisions in the upcoming Regional Festival of Talents 2025.
Niel Fujil B. Eguna – Teacher III, Talavera ES