TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - Students of Don Severino Pagalilauan National High School (DSPNHS) in Callao, Peñablanca, Cagayan have showcased their talents in various contested events.

The locally-inspired festivity dubbed as Project Converting and Organization of Outstanding Learners - Transforming Unity of Race through Activities (COOL-TURA) is part of the celebration of National Arts Month 2023 with the theme: "Ani ng Sining, Bunga ng Galing".

Students actively participated in cultural shows, mob dance competitions, modern katutubo dance fusion, trashion show, cookfest and booth establishment.

Traditional games such as palo sebo, harang daga and others were also enjoyed by the students. 

Maria Teresa Lacbayan, secondary school principal III,  said the activity is part of the school's commitment to the mandate of preserving, safeguarding, and promoting arts and culture. 

She said the celebration lauds Filipino artistic excellence and diverse cultural expressions which showcases the bountiful harvest from the Filipino imagination and creativity, specifically the Ibanag and Itawes culture and traditions. 

"It is very significant to let these cultures and traditions of the locals be alive and known by the young generations. This also eludes the scouring capacity of the arts to heal, rebuild, and restore in a post-pandemic setting," Lacbayan said.  

Lacbayan involved all stakeholders of the schools, especially the School Parents Teachers Association, the Alumni Association, and the Barangay Officials. 

"The barangay officials also were the partners of the students in building their booths. We are very grateful to them for their full support," she added. 

Because of the 'no class disruption policy' of the Department of Education, the activities were conducted on weekends, specifically on March 5 and 18, 2023. (OTB/PIA Region 2)