CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--"Embrace the power of your voice, as it can catalyze change, challenge perspectives, and amplify the voice of the marginalized."

Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio hopes that the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and National Festival of Talent (NFOT) will highlight diversity, innovation, and your boundless potential as young Filipino social thinkers.

Transforming Cagayan de Oro City into a vibrant hub of talent and intellectual prowess as it hosts the NSPC and NFOT, the DepEd leads the kick-off ceremony of the week-long events at Limketkai Atrium, here, July 17.

DepEd-10 Regional Director Arturo B. Bayocot said the celebration of the 2023 National Festival of Talents and the National Schools Press Conference is a remarkable testimony to being "matatag" (stable).

"Amidst the quagmire of the pandemic, we stood our ground, pursued the continuity of quality education, and now celebrate our triumph face-to-face through this grandest showcase of creativity, talents, and skills. But we have come together not only to celebrate our resilience and triumph but also to reaffirm our commitment as one DepEd," Bayocot said.

As they pursue the "Matatag Agenda" and also celebrate the resounding success of the 2023 NFOT-NSPC, the director hopes that everyone remains resilient, chooses triumph over any challenges, and sustains their commitment.

Gina O. Gonong, the Department of Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching, served as the keynote speaker at the NSPC and NFOT opening ceremonies. She revealed that the celebration is a series of milestones, for aside from the fact that it is the start of physical activities after two years of the pandemic, it is also the first time that these two major events are celebrated together, as well as the first time they will  held in Cagayan de Oro City.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando A. Uy expressed his sincerest gratitude to DepEd Secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, for choosing CDO as the host for this year's NSPC and NFOT.

"It is truly such an honor for us Kagay-anons to be your hosts for these two prestigious events. After two years of holding events virtually, we finally welcome back the country’s best campus journalists and most outstanding talents as we return to a face-to-face event. Being given the opportunity to personally witness the excitement and joy that these events bring our learners is certainly a remarkable affair that will go down in the history of Cagayan de Oro City," Uy said.

DepEd’s NSPC is a gathering of student journalists from all over the country that hopes to showcase their skills in writing. It promotes responsible and ethical journalism, encourages freedom of expression, and fosters a culture of accurate and unbiased reporting among youth.

It also teaches student journalists the importance of the press in society and empowers them to become effective storytellers and catalysts for positive change.

Meanwhile, this year's NFOT is anchored on the theme "Reinforcing 21st Century Learning and Fostering Creative Industries Through Talents and Skills Exhibition." It is a celebration that displays the exceptional skills and talents of students in various fields, including music, the arts, sports, and academic disciplines.

It aims to promote talent development, nurture the next generation of leaders, and foster a vibrant learning environment within the education system.

This year’s NSPC has the theme "From Campus Journalism to Real-World Journalism: Shaping Minds from School to Societies."

The DepEd event in Cagayan de Oro City gathered more than 5,000 delegates from all over the country. The opening ceremony further highlighted the creative introduction for regional participants through the singing of their respective Regional Hymns and featuring virtually each region's products and tourist sites. (IJBD/PIA-10)